Marriage

Simon Evans' comedy lecture on four of the big life stages that mark our journey through life and how economics is part of every one of those stages, whether we like it or not.

As always, he is joined by Financial Times columnist and presenter of Radio 4's 'More or Less', economist Tim Harford and financial guru and editor of Money Week, Merryn Somerset Webb.

In this episode, Simon looks at marriage. Is it all romance and flowers and living in harmony? Or is it in fact the most commercial of transactions, riddled with economic calculations from beginning to end. And talking of the end, what are the economic effects of divorce on the ex-happy couple?

Also on stage are Andy and Sophie who are preparing for their wedding. Simon mercilessly picks apart their every decision - from an economics point of view of course.

Special guest Dr Maria Sironi talks about her research paper Happiness, Housework and Gender Inequality in Europe.

Written by Simon Evans, Benjamin Partridge and Andy Wolton.

Producer: Claire Jones

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2016.