Birkett

Synopsis

Five tales of murder, mayhem and political intrigue from the casebook of Norman BirkettNorman Birkett KC (1883-1962) was a real-life Rumpole - a distinguished and highly skilled lawyer who had numerous successes in the courtroom during his long career. This collection covers some of his most famous cases of the inter-war years, including the dramatic trial of Buck Ruxton; the notorious Dennistoun affair; and the peculiar events surrounding the mysterious cyclist Ronald Light.Norman Birkett and the Case of the Coleford Poisoner - The celebrated advocate defends a woman accused of murdering her husband with arsenic.Birkett and the Blind Soldier - When a blind First World War veteran is charged with killing his wife, Birkett takes on his defence.Birkett and the Green Bicycle - Appearing for the prosecution, the brilliant barrister deals with a case involving death by gunshot, pacifism and chocolate...Birkett and the Red Stains on the Carpet - The renowned KC defends a doctor accused of murdering and dismembering his wife and maid.Birkett and the Naked Toreador - Norman Birkett takes on the case that made his name in this extraordinary saga of blackmail, snobbery, society scandal and bullfighting...David Haig and Neil Dudgeon star as Birkett, with Alison Pettitt and Bonnie Engstrom as his wife, Billie, and Alun Raglan as his clerk, Edgar.Written by Caroline and David StaffordDirected by Marc BeebyNorman Birkett and the Case of the Coleford PoisonerBirkett - David HaigEdgar Bowker - Trystan GravelleBillie - Alison PettittElton Pace - Michael ShelfordAnnie Pace/Leslie Pace - Clare CorbettDr du Pre - Sam DaleJudge Horridge/Vicar - Bruce AlexanderMrs Elizabeth Porter - Joanna MonroOther parts were played by John Biggins and Nigel HastingsFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 June 2010Birkett and the Blind SoldierNorman Birkett - Neil DudgeonBillie - Bonnie EngstromEdgar - Alun RaglanLady Pearson - Adjoa AndohArthur - Carl PrekoppMacCormac - Paul MoriartyFrazer/Warder - Adam BillingtonHumphreys - James LaileySgt Waller - Gerard McDermottRandall/Clerk - Rikki LawtonGrace/Margaret - Alex RiversWoman - Victoria Inez HardyFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 January 2012Birkett and the Green BicycleNorman Birkett - Neil DudgeonBillie - Bonnie EngstromEdgar - Alun RaglanSir Edward - Nicholas JonesCadbury - James LaileyCox/Enoch - Adam BillingtonJudge - Gerard McDermottLily/Muriel - Francine ChamberlainRonald - Christopher WebsterGraham - Simon BubbFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 10 January 2012Birkett and the Red Stains on the CarpetNorman Birkett - Neil DudgeonBillie - Bonnie EngstromEdgar - Alun RaglanJackson - Adam BillingtonBuck Ruxton - Sagar AryaShaw - Gerard McDermottGlaister - James LaileyBennett - Rikki LawtonAlfred - Christopher WebsterSusan/Gracie - Victoria Inez HardyMary - Alex RiversFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 January 2012Birkett and the Naked ToreadorNorman Birkett - Neil DudgeonBillie - Bonnie EngstromEdgar - Alun RaglanLady Caernarvon - Joanna MonroSir Edward - Nicholas JonesDennistoun - Carl PrekoppMlle Cina - Victoria Inez HardyDorothy - Adjoa AndohFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 January 2012© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd