Alison Lurie - Imaginary Friends [15 Minute Drama]

Episodes

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0120110711Alison Lurie's comic novel of academia and alien gurus, dramatised by Melissa Murray.

New York in 1968, and naive young sociology graduate, Roger Zimmern, has just got his first job at a university.

1/10

Roger ... Jonathan Forbes

McCann ... Nathan Osgood

Elsie ... Barbara Barnes

Verena ... Alex Tregear

Bob ... Simon Bubb

Directed by Marc Beeby

1968. New York State. Newly graduated sociologist Roger Zimmern is delighted to be asked work with his academic hero Tom McCann. They are to investigate the Truth Seekers, a small cult group who believe they are receiving spiritual guidance from the planet Varna. The group is run by middle-aged Elsie and her beautiful niece, Verena. Under cover, the two academics join the Truth Seekers. But things quickly begin to go wrong. Roger's objectivity is tested when he begins to fall in love with Verena. And what is happening to Tom McCann? Why is he behaving so strangely? Poor Roger, desperate to be a success, desperate to be noticed, doesn't know who to trust..

Imaginary Friends is a devastatingly funny look at the foibles of modern times. It's driven by a story that works brilliantly on a number of levels - in part a sharp social satire of the academic profession, in part a witty exploration of the wilder reaches of ' spirituality'. It is also a tender - if slightly skewed - love story, and a touching take on a young man's coming of age.

New York, 1968. Naive young sociologist Roger Zimmern gets his first job at university.

0220110712By Alison Lurie. Dramatised by Melissa Murray

2/10

Young sociologist Roger Zimmern has made contact with the small cult known as the Truth Seekers. But are they crazy enough for a ground breaking sociological study?

Roger ... Jonathan Forbes

McCann ... Nathan Osgood

Elsie ... Barbara Barnes

Verena ... Alex Tregear

Sissy ... Susie Riddell

Bill ... Peter Polycarpou

Mrs Munger ... Jane Whittenshaw

Directed by Marc Beeby.

Young sociologist Roger makes contact with the small cult known as the Truth Seekers.

0320110713By Alison Lurie, dramatised by Melissa Murray

3/10

Sociologists Roger Zimmern and his boss, Tom McCann, have managed to infiltrate the small cult of the Truth Seekers. But now their reasons for being there are about to be exposed.

Roger ... Jonathan Forbes

McCann ... Nathan Osgood

Elsie ... Barbara Barnes

Verena ... Alex Tregear

Ken ... Simon Bubb

Bill ... Peter Polycarpou

Felicia... Susie Riddell

Mrs Munger ... Jane Whittenshaw

Directed by Marc Beeby.

After infiltrating the cult, Roger and Tom's true identities are set to be revealed.

0420110714By Alison Lurie. Dramatised by Melissa Murray

4/10

Verena, leader of the Truth Seekers, seems to have lost her way. Her aunt Elsie has persuaded professor Tom McCann to speak to her. But McCann has an agenda of his own.

Roger ... Jonathan Forbes

McCann ... Nathan Osgood

Elsie ... Barbara Barnes

Verena ... Alex Tregear

Bill ... Peter Polycarpou

Mrs Munger ... Jane Whittenshaw

Directed by Marc Beeby.

0520110715By Alison Lurie. Dramatised by Melissa Murray

5/10

Sociologist Tom McCann is behaving increasingly strangely, much to the frustration of his young assistant Roger. But they're about to hear some news that will make things a great deal stranger.

Roger ... Jonathan Forbes

McCann ... Nathan Osgood

Elsie ... Barbara Barnes

Verena ... Alex Tregear

Sissy ... Susie Riddell

Bill ... Peter Polycarpou

Mrs Munger ... Jane Whittenshaw

Directed by Marc Beeby.

Roger is worried that McCann is behaving increasingly strangely.

0620110718By Alison Lurie. Dramatised by Melissa Murray

6/10

Roger has gone to see Verena, worried that Tom McCann has influenced the announcement that the Varnians are about to visit earth.

Roger ... Jonathan Forbes

McCann ... Nathan Osgood

Elsie ... Barbara Barnes

Verena ... Alex Tregear

Sissy ... Susie Riddell

Bill ... Peter Polycarpou

Mrs Munger ... Jane Whittenshaw

Ken ... Simon Bubb

Peggy Elaine Claxton

Directed by Marc Beeby.

Roger worries that Tom has influenced the announcement that the Varnians are coming.

0720110719By Alison Lurie. Dramatised by Melissa Murray

7/10

It's the moment the Truth Seekers have been waiting for. Their spiritual guides from the planet Varna are about to arrive.

Roger ... Jonathan Forbes

McCann ... Nathan Osgood

Elsie ... Barbara Barnes

Verena ... Alex Tregear

Sissy ... Susie Riddell

Bill ... Peter Polycarpou

Mrs Munger ... Jane Whittenshaw

Ken ... Simon Bubb

Peggy Elaine Claxton

Directed by Marc Beeby.

The Truth Seekers' spiritual guides from the planet Varna are about to arrive.

0820110720By Alison Lurie. Dramatised by Melissa Murray

8/10

Things have taken a bizarre turn, as sociologist Tom McCann has claimed he has been possessed by the spirit of the alien guru, Ro of Varna,

Roger ... Jonathan Forbes

McCann ... Nathan Osgood

Elsie ... Barbara Barnes

Verena ... Alex Tregear

Bob/Ken... Simon Bubb

Cop ... Alun Raglan

Directed by Marc Beeby.

Sociologist Tom claims he has been possessed by the spirit of the alien guru Ro of Varna.

0920110721By Alison Lurie. Dramatised by Melissa Murray

9/10

Following an argument during which a shot was fired, Tom McCann and his fellow Truth Seekers have come to the attention of the local police.

Roger ... Jonathan Forbes

McCann ... Nathan Osgood

Elsie ... Barbara Barnes

Verena ... Alex Tregear

Bob/Ken... Simon Bubb

Bill/Cop ... Peter Polycarpou

Mrs Munger ... Jane Whittenshaw

Cop ... Alun Raglan

Directed by Marc Beeby.

1020110722By Alison Lurie. Dramatised by Melissa Murray

10/10

Roger, on his way to visit Tom McCann in hospital, has stopped off to visit Elsie, where he has heard some terrible news.

Roger ... Jonathan Forbes

McCann ... Nathan Osgood

Elsie ... Barbara Barnes

Mrs Munger ... Jane Whittenshaw

Nurse ... Elaine Claxton

Directed by Marc Beeby.

On his way to visit Tom McCann in hospital, Roger hears some terrible news.