Michael Frayn's Matchbox Theatre

Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 LW

Patricia Hodge

Joanna Lumley

Adam Godley

Matthew Wolf

Sophie Winkleman

Charles Edwards

Stephen Fry

Tom Hollander

Nigel Anthony

Julian Sands

Martin Jarvis

Michael Frayn

Rosalind Ayres

Michael Frayn's Matchbox Theatre: Episode 2

Comedy

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Michael Frayn's Matchbox Theatre, Episode 2Search BBC

Michael Frayn's brilliantly funny view of our world. With Joanna Lumley and Tom Hollander.

From mobile phones to getting names right – an all-star cast portray a hilarious view of us all. With Stephen Fry. From 2015.

Michael Frayn - the most comic philosophical writer of our time. 

An all-star cast has great fun with Frayn's hilarious view of us all. People talking. To each other, to the world at large, to themselves. Explaining. Heard, overheard, half-heard.

In this episode, we eavesdrop on two strangers in a café. Patricia Hodge is the woman who can't get names right. Joanna Lumley, listening in at the next table, longs to correct her. Adam Godley becomes increasingly obsessive in a doctor's surgery. Matthew Wolf, attending a lecture on words, doesn't care for the phrase 'if you like'. Sophie Winkleman and Charles Edwards, trying to find their destination, have 'WIC' - that's 'Words in Car'.

 Stephen Fry is a politician who believes he has mastered the intricacies of his mobile phone. Tom Hollander and Nigel Anthony share confidences in their own mathematically precise language. And Julian Sands suffers at the hands of Martin Jarvis' Pinteresque writer-tormentor.

This four-part series is Theatre in miniature. Short entertainments based on Frayn's recently acclaimed book, Matchbox Theatre. His brand new collection, now on the radio - the theatre of the listener's imagination. Set design, ice-cream sales, packet of nuts, where to sit - it's up to you. Just sit back and enjoy.

With 
Patricia Hodge
Joanna Lumley
Adam Godley
Matthew Wolf
Sophie Winkleman
Charles Edwards
Stephen Fry
Tom Hollander
Nigel Anthony
Julian Sands
Martin Jarvis.

Producer: Rosalind Ayres
Director: Martin Jarvis

A Jarvis and Ayres production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2015..

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Drama

Short entertainments based on Frayn's acclaimed book of comic dialogues and monologues

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Michael Frayn's Matchbox Theatre

Episode 2

Contributors

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra