Episode 4

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

An all-star cast has great fun with his hilarious view of us all. And the ways we attempt to communicate. And explain.

In this final part, we start by taking listeners direct from the Matchbox studio to a report from outside the National Theatre, where some long speeches are going on inside. Our reporter (Martin Jarvis) tells anchor Rosalind Ayres that it seems to be all about Hamlet. A couple (Lisa Dillon and Lloyd Owen), who have just been on a street demo, can't quite cast off their hectoring demeanour when ordering tea and buns. And Tom Hollander at a dinner party embarrasses a fellow guest with some surprisingly anti-social behaviour. A husband (Adam Godley) may have a communication problem.

In a bravura solo performance, Julia McKenzie attempts (on the phone) to communicate with the 'sofa disposal' department, but are they actually listening? And language becomes a problem for Ian Ogilvy as a hospital visitor - but who is really speaking gibberish?

With:
Rosalind Ayres
Lisa Dillon
Adam Godley
Tom Hollander
Julia McKenzie
Lloyd Owen
Ian Ogilvy
Martin Jarvis
Nigel Anthony
Matthew Wolf

Producer: Rosalind Ayres
Director: Martin Jarvis

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