The Philanthropist

Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Hidden Treasures

Drama

Rediscovered plays, as part of the Centenary of Radio Drama project.

Hidden Treasures: Christopher Hampton - The Philanthropist

Christopher Hampton - The Philanthropist

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Hidden Treasures, Christopher Hampton - The Philanthropist

Guests at a university dinner party quarrel and flirt with each other.

4 Extra Debut. Witty guests at a university dinner party quarrel and flirt. Then comes the morning after the night before. Stars George Cole.

"I'm not unhappy. I mean, I am at the moment, but ... when you consider how pleasant my job is, how well-fed and privileged and comfortable I am, and how easy it is for me to be tolerant and compassionate, it does seem perverse to be unhappy as well, doesn't it? I mean, to be unhappy on top of all that does seem unreasonably self-indulgent, don't you think?".
 
An aspiring young playwright provides an unexpected beginning to events at an older English university.   

Gathering one November evening, the witty guests at a lecturer's dinner party both quarrel and flirt with each other.    

Then comes the morning after the night before…..

Starring George Cole, Charles Gray and John Rye

Christopher Hampton's bourgeois comedy set against harrowing events in the real world.   

Philip .... George Cole
Braham .... Charles Gray
Donald .... John Rye
JCelia .... Frances Jeater
Araminta .... Anna Carteret
John .... David Graham

Director: Walter Acosta

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1976.

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'The Philanthropist’ is part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's Hidden Treasures collection selected from titles returned to the BBC by various collectors.

Our warm thanks go to the Radio Circle.

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