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Rumpole and the Bubble Reputation

Drama on 4 Rumpole

Defending a tabloid editor accused of libelling an author leads to Rumpole’s discovery of a plot. Stars Benedict Cumberbatch.

Rumpole meets Erskine-Brown in Pommeroy’s. Erskine-Brown is depressed because he’s doing a sordid ABH and affray which allegedly occurred in a Soho night club.

Rumpole tells him to visit the scene of the crime to get the lay of the land, which they do. They drink with Maurice Machin, the editor of the Daily Beacon, who tells Rumpole that an article in his paper by one β€œStella January” alleged that Ameila Nettleship, an author of historical novels, has affairs with married men. She is suing the paper, and Maurice Machin, for libel.

Will Rumpole defend? He agrees.

Meanwhile Erskine-Brown, due to get married to Phillida Trant in a couple of weeks, doesn’t realise his photo has been taken as he ogles the topless dancers. When this photo is published in the papers, Phillida is furious.

Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Rumpole in a story written by John Mortimer and adapted by Richard Stoneman.

Cast:
Horace Rumpole ….. Benedict Cumberbatch
Hilda Rumpole ..… Jasmine Hyde
Phillida Erskine-Brown ….. Cathy Sara
Claude Erskine-Brown ..… Nigel Anthony
Maurice Machin ….. Ewan Bailey
Porky Peppiatt ….. Stephen Critchlow

Directed by Marilyn Imrie
Produced by Catherine Bailey
A Catherine Bailey production for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

45 minutes

Last on

Thu 25 Jun 2020 14:15
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Rumpole and the Portia of Our ChambersRumpole

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Rumpole and the Age of MiraclesRumpole

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Credits

Horace Rumpole Benedict Cumberbatch
Hilda Rumpole Jasmine Hyde
Phillida Erskine-Brown Cathy Sara
Claude Erskine-Brown Nigel Anthony
Maurice Machin Ewan Bailey
Porky Peppiatt Stephen Critchlow
Director Marilyn Imrie
Adaptor Richard Stoneman
Author John Mortimer
Producer Catherine Bailey

Broadcasts

  • Fri 10 Jul 2015 14:15
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
  • Wed 2 Jan 2019 11:15
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 2 Jan 2019 21:15
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 25 Jun 2020 14:15
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Opening Lines

Opening Lines

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The Shakespeare Sessions

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