Rumpole Drama]

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Rumpole And Hilda

20160329

20180223 (R4)

By John Mortimer. Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman.

Following in the footsteps of several distinguished former Rumpoles - Leo McKern, Maurice Denham, Timothy West and Benedict Cumberbatch - Julian Rhind-Tutt, one of Radio 4's most popular actors and much loved star of TV's Green Wing and The Hour, now dons the wig and white bands of the most erudite, astute, and seldom defeated of barristers in the annals of the Old Bailey.

Rumpole's long-suffering wife Hilda - She Who Must Be Obeyed - narrates a fascinating tale of murder and romance that Horace would prefer to remain untold.

An instructing solicitor, Daniel Newcombe, asks Rumpole to defend a young man, Michael Skelton, who's accused of bludgeoning his father to death with a golf club. Hilda finds Daniel to be everything that Horace is not - well-groomed, charming, sensitive and complimentary.

After being wooed over lunch, she agrees to act as Daniel's 'spy', reporting back on Rumpole's defence preparations. However, when Hilda realises that Daniel is hiding the truth from her, and from everyone involved in the murder case, she's forced to consider whose side she ought to be on.

Hilda narrates the whole story with a refreshing honesty and witty candour that we thought only her husband could manage, and reveals a passionate and frustrated side, as Rumpole catches a glimpse of the true nature of his wife.

Horace Rumpole............... Julian Rhind-Tutt

Hilda Rumpole ................. Jasmine Hyde

Daniel Newcombe ........... Stuart McQuarrie

Claude Erskine-Brown - Nigel Anthony

Mr Justice Graves.............. Stephen Critchlow

Mrs Beazley ..................... Cathy Sara

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

She Who Must Be Obeyed tells us the truth about a case her husband would prefer to forget.

Rumpole And Memories Of Christmas Past

20161225

20181224 (R4)

Rumpole shares some of his favourite yuletide poetry, carols, and pantomime stories as he recounts seasonal legal cases which reveal, as always, the true nature of men, women, children - and She Who Must Be Obeyed!

Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt.

Written by John Mortimer.

Dramatised by Richard Stoneman.

Rumpole - ¦. Julian Rhind-Tutt

Hilda/Peggy - ¦. Jasmine Hyde

Donald Compton/Judge Bullingham/Basil Wrigglesworth - ¦. Stephen Critchlow

Erskine-Brown/Gwent-Evans - ¦. Nigel Anthony

Rev. Roger Longstaff/D.I. Cartwright/Campbell Forsyth - ¦. Ewan Bailey

Director: Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2016.

Rumpole shares some of his favourite yuletide stories as he recounts seasonal legal cases.

Rumpole And The Age Of Miracles

20150717

20200702 (R4)

Hilda's distant relation, the Reverend Timothy Donkin, looks set to be defrocked as Canon of Lawnchester Cathedral unless Rumpole can convince an Ecclesiastical Court that adultery did not take place in the nearby Saint Edithna Hotel.

Timothy Donkin tells Rumpole that he is married with two sons and, to escape their noise, he writes his sermons in a room at the hotel. Six accusers complained to the Bishop about Timothy Donkin after a hotel maid saw him open his room-door to a woman. He is charged with conduct unbecoming a clerk in Holy Orders.

Rumpole uses his powers of cross-examination - and the portrayal of Hilda as a spooky apparition - to defend the Canon, who irritatingly initially refuses to discuss if, in fact, he did meet anyone in the hotel.

Horace Rumpole - ¦.. Benedict Cumberbatch

Hilda Rumpole - ¦.. Jasmine Hyde

Claude Esrkine-Brown - ¦.. Nigel Anthony

Sam Ballard - ¦.. Michael Cochrane

Rev Tim Donkin - Roger May

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Produced by Catherine Bailey

Rumpole defends Hilda's relation in an Ecclesiastical court. With Benedict Cumberbatch.

Rumpole And The Bubble Reputation

20150710

20200625 (R4)

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 - ?Stella 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.

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

Rumpole defends a tabloid editor accused of libelling an author. With Benedict Cumberbatch

Rumpole And The Golden Thread

20180507

20190807 (R4)

In Africa defending an old pupil in a murder trial, Rumpole is arrested and Phillida arrives to bail him out. A spark between them is rekindled and burns throughout the final episodes of this long running Radio 4 series.

For fifteen years and 33 episodes, Rumpole has fought, won and, very rarely, lost myriad cases - and fallen in and out of love with his wife Hilda and

the Portia of our Chambers', Phillida Trant, who adores him, and probably always will. These three final episodes leave us guessing until the very end - will Rumpole finally leave his wife Hilda, 'She who must be obeyed', for Phillida?

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Rumpole's arrested in Africa. Phillida arrives to rescue him, and their love is rekindled.

Rumpole And The New Year's Resolutions

20161227

20181231 (R4)

Rumpole...............................Julian Rhind-Tutt

Hilda....................................Jasmine Hyde

Erskine-Brown /

Gwent-Evans.........................Nigel Anthony

Skimpy Simpson /

Fred Timson.........................Stephen Critchlow

D.I. Grimble /

Eric Streeter.........................Ewan Bailey

Edmund................................Adam Greaves-Neal

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Rumpole shares some of his favourite yuletide stories as he recounts seasonal legal cases.

Rumpole And The Official Secret

20180508

20190814 (R4)

Rumpole defends a civil servant accused of selling secrets and is embroiled in a wine fraud. Phillida tells Rumpole she plans to leave her husband and asks him to keep it a secret. Rumpole considers just what that might mean.

For fifteen years and 33 episodes, Rumpole has fought, won and, very rarely, lost myriad cases - and fallen in and out of love with his wife Hilda and

Horace Rumpole ... Julian Rhind-Tutt

Hilda Rumpole ... Jasmine Hyde

Sam Ballard ... Michael Cochrane

Claude Erskine-Brown/Hugh Timson ... Nigel Anthony

Phillida Erskine-Brown/Tina Bradbury ... Cathy Sara

Oliver Bowling/Kenneth Eastham ... Ben Crowe

Rosemary Tuttle/Honoria Bird ... Deborah Findlay

Liz Probert ... Amy Morgan

Judge Bullingham/Martyn Vanberry ... Ewan Bailey

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Rumpole defends in a dubious espionage trial and gets embroiled in a dodgy wine fraud.

Rumpole And The Portia Of Our Chambers

20150703

20200618 (R4)

Rumpole comes close to giving up the law when forced to consider the path his life has taken by a combination of his attraction to his pupil Phillida, an unsettling case involving an Irish terrorist and a devoted father and son, and a visit from an old flame of Hilda's.

But the love shown by a client's son for his father convinces Rumpole that he can't simply quit as husband, parent - or as Old Bailey hack.

The question of what makes a good parent runs throughout the whole episode, with Rumpole asking himself if he's turning into a bad father, especially in comparison with his client.

Cast

Horace Rumpole .. - ¦ Benedict Cumberbatch

Hilda Rumpole - ¦.. Jasmine Hyde

Phillida Trant - ¦.. Cathy Sara

Boxey Horne - ¦.. Stephen Critchlow

Matthew Culp .. - ¦ Samuel Reader

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Produced by Catherine Bailey

Horace Rumpole is still clearly smitten by his pupil Phillida. Stars Benedict Cumberbatch.

Rumpole And The Quacks

20170920

20210609 (R4)

It's 1966, and Rumpole meets a delightful, wise and kindly Asian Doctor who, unexpectedly accused of unprofessional conduct, needs his help.

The case involves both Rumpole and Phyllid, Rumpole's dear friend and his 'Portia of the Chambers', as they learn about the shadowy behaviour of some unscrupulous drug companies and the correct way to diagnose glandular fever.

Their friendship also becomes just a tad more ambiguous as both their marriages prove irksome.

Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

It is 1966, and Rumpole meets an admirable doctor who unexpectedly needs his help.

Rumpole And The Quality Of Life

20180509

20190821 (R4)

Ballard's wedding looms and Rumpole faces a life changing decision about his own marriage. Hilda expects him to join her in Cornwall, and Phillida hopes he will leave to be with her at last.

For fifteen years and 33 episodes, Rumpole has fought, won and, very rarely, lost myriad cases - and fallen in and out of love with his wife Hilda and

the Portia of our Chambers', Phillida Trant, who adores him, and probably always will. These final three episodes leave us guessing until the very end - will Rumpole finally leave his wife Hilda, 'She who must be obeyed', for Phillida?

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Ballard's wedding looms as Rumpole faces a life-changing decision about his own marriage.

Rumpole And The Tap End

20150724

20200709 (R4)

Tony Timson finds himself in hot water when charged with the attempted drowning of his wife April, while sharing a bath with her. Rumpole not only defends Tony but also protects Judge Guthrie Featherstone QC as he upsets women everywhere with sexist pronouncements about their proper place in the tub.

Rumpole and Tony Timson have a conference in Brixton Prison where Timson explains that April had been planning to wear outrageous clothes to a party on the night in question. The party was at the home of a friend, Chrissie. One of the party guests would be Peter - ?Peanuts' Molloy. Molloys vs Timsons equals Montagues vs Capulets. Tony Timson says that April wound him up by suggesting Peanuts was more virile than he was.

Horace Rumpole - ¦.. Benedict Cumberbatch

Hilda Rumpole - ¦.. Jasmine Hyde

Claude Erskine-Brown .. - ¦ Nigel Anthony

Tony Timson - Stephen Critchlow

Guthrie Featherstone - Julian Rhind-Tutt

Charles Hearthstoke - ¦.. David Shaw-Parker

Phillida Erskine-Brown - ¦.. Cathy Sara

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Produced by Catherine Bailey

A man is charged with the attempted drowning of his wife. With Benedict Cumberbatch.

Rumpole And The Way Through The Woods

20170918

20210526 (R4)

Rumpole's surprised when he discovers he's a dog lover at heart - and perplexed as he defends a man who insists he's guilty of murder.

What's more, it's clear to Rumpole that the guilty party is among the hunting fraternity and not among the hunt saboteurs who, in 1966, are making their presence felt and their beliefs known on the hunting fields of Britain.

Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Rumpole discovers he is a dog lover at heart and defends a man who insists he is guilty.

Rumpole For The Prosecution

20170919

20210602 (R4)

Horace Rumpole's client asks him to do something he's always sworn he will not do - appear for the prosecution. It's a case where the injured party is dead and cannot speak for herself.

There's a piece of evidence that just doesn't add up and a literary reference which only Rumpole recognises as a clue.

Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Horace Rumpole's client asks him to do something he has always sworn he will not do.

Rumpole On Trial

20160328

20180222 (R4)

By John Mortimer. Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman.

After waking up with a raging tooth-ache, Rumpole finds himself in no mood to listen to his boring client Reginald Tring, who's accused of the manslaughter of his wife. As Reginald drones on with his mind-numbing evidence, Rumpole suffers throughout the trial, and argues even more angrily than usual with Mr Justice Gwent-Evans. And, when Rumpole accuses the judge of deliberately misleading the jury, Gwent-Evans warns him in no uncertain terms about his future conduct.

Rumpole finds himself on trial, with the end of his career in sight.

But, luckily for Horace, he has Phillida on his side. She goes searching for the truth, and galvanises not only Rumpole's defending counsel - Soapy Sam Ballard QC - but also Rumpole's wife.

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Horace Rumpole's toothache provokes an outburst in court that could end his career.

20121218

20141211 (R4)

By John Mortimer.

Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Timothy West star as the younger and elder Rumpole in this new story.

In 1964, Rumpole returns to Oxford, where he studied law, to defend a young gardener, Peter Vernon, accused of blackmailing the Master of St Joseph's College, Sir Michael Tuffnell.

Peter and Sir Michael had enjoyed a friendship that provoked rumours of homosexuality - still illegal in those days. Sir Michael has gone to the police alleging Peter was about to accuse him publicly of sodomy. Peter denies the charge and, indeed, is engaged to be married to his solicitor - a young woman by the name of Sue Galton. Rumpole sees through a plot to depose the Master and, sensing Peter's underlying honesty, he defends his client. But, in doing so, he's forced to re-assess the choices he's made in his career and his marriage to She Who Must Be Obeyed.

Director: Marilyn Imrie

Rumpole defends a gardener accused of blackmailing the master of an Oxford College.

Rumpole And The Expert Witness

20121225

20141212 (R4)

Written by by John Mortimer. Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Timothy West star in this new Rumpole story.

It's 1964. Rumpole is asked to defend a GP, Dr Ned Dacre, who is accused of murdering his wife, Sally. Dr Ned Dacre's father is also a GP, Dr Henry Dacre, and it is he who asks Rumpole to take on the case.

Dr Henry met Rumpole during the Penge Bungalow Murder trial and believes Rumpole's the man to get his son off this trumped-up charge. The plot thickens when the local pathologist, Pamela Gall, turns out to be an old flame of Dr Ned's. It seems that Pamela never forgave Dr Ned for dumping her and marrying Sally instead.

Director: Marilyn Imrie

Rumpole defends a doctor accused of murdering his wife.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
	Rumpole And Hilda	20160329	20180223 (R4)	By John Mortimer. Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman. Following in the footsteps of several distinguished former Rumpoles - Leo McKern, Maurice Denham, Timothy West and Benedict Cumberbatch - Julian Rhind-Tutt, one of Radio 4's most popular actors and much loved star of TV's Green Wing and The Hour, now dons the wig and white bands of the most erudite, astute, and seldom defeated of barristers in the annals of the Old Bailey. Rumpole's long-suffering wife Hilda - She Who Must Be Obeyed - narrates a fascinating tale of murder and romance that Horace would prefer to remain untold. An instructing solicitor, Daniel Newcombe, asks Rumpole to defend a young man, Michael Skelton, who's accused of bludgeoning his father to death with a golf club. Hilda finds Daniel to be everything that Horace is not - well-groomed, charming, sensitive and complimentary. After being wooed over lunch, she agrees to act as Daniel's 'spy', reporting back on Rumpole's defence preparations. However, when Hilda realises that Daniel is hiding the truth from her, and from everyone involved in the murder case, she's forced to consider whose side she ought to be on. Hilda narrates the whole story with a refreshing honesty and witty candour that we thought only her husband could manage, and reveals a passionate and frustrated side, as Rumpole catches a glimpse of the true nature of his wife. Horace Rumpole............... Julian Rhind-Tutt Hilda Rumpole ................. Jasmine Hyde Daniel Newcombe ........... Stuart McQuarrie Claude Erskine-Brown - Nigel Anthony Mr Justice Graves.............. Stephen Critchlow Mrs Beazley ..................... Cathy Sara Directed by Marilyn Imrie She Who Must Be Obeyed tells us the truth about a case her husband would prefer to forget.
	Rumpole And Memories Of Christmas Past	20161225	20181224 (R4)	Rumpole shares some of his favourite yuletide poetry, carols, and pantomime stories as he recounts seasonal legal cases which reveal, as always, the true nature of men, women, children - and She Who Must Be Obeyed! Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt. Written by John Mortimer. Dramatised by Richard Stoneman. Rumpole - ¦. Julian Rhind-Tutt Hilda/Peggy - ¦. Jasmine Hyde Donald Compton/Judge Bullingham/Basil Wrigglesworth - ¦. Stephen Critchlow Erskine-Brown/Gwent-Evans - ¦. Nigel Anthony Rev. Roger Longstaff/D.I. Cartwright/Campbell Forsyth - ¦. Ewan Bailey Director: Marilyn Imrie A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2016. Rumpole shares some of his favourite yuletide stories as he recounts seasonal legal cases.
	Rumpole And The Age Of Miracles	20150717	20200702 (R4)	Hilda's distant relation, the Reverend Timothy Donkin, looks set to be defrocked as Canon of Lawnchester Cathedral unless Rumpole can convince an Ecclesiastical Court that adultery did not take place in the nearby Saint Edithna Hotel. Timothy Donkin tells Rumpole that he is married with two sons and, to escape their noise, he writes his sermons in a room at the hotel. Six accusers complained to the Bishop about Timothy Donkin after a hotel maid saw him open his room-door to a woman. He is charged with conduct unbecoming a clerk in Holy Orders. Rumpole uses his powers of cross-examination - and the portrayal of Hilda as a spooky apparition - to defend the Canon, who irritatingly initially refuses to discuss if, in fact, he did meet anyone in the hotel. Horace Rumpole - ¦.. Benedict Cumberbatch Hilda Rumpole - ¦.. Jasmine Hyde Claude Esrkine-Brown - ¦.. Nigel Anthony Sam Ballard - ¦.. Michael Cochrane Rev Tim Donkin - Roger May Directed by Marilyn Imrie Produced by Catherine Bailey Rumpole defends Hilda's relation in an Ecclesiastical court. With Benedict Cumberbatch.
	Rumpole And The Bubble Reputation	20150710	20200625 (R4)	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 - ?Stella 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. 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 Rumpole defends a tabloid editor accused of libelling an author. With Benedict Cumberbatch
	Rumpole And The Golden Thread	20180507	20190807 (R4)	In Africa defending an old pupil in a murder trial, Rumpole is arrested and Phillida arrives to bail him out. A spark between them is rekindled and burns throughout the final episodes of this long running Radio 4 series. For fifteen years and 33 episodes, Rumpole has fought, won and, very rarely, lost myriad cases - and fallen in and out of love with his wife Hilda and the Portia of our Chambers', Phillida Trant, who adores him, and probably always will. These three final episodes leave us guessing until the very end - will Rumpole finally leave his wife Hilda, 'She who must be obeyed', for Phillida? Directed by Marilyn Imrie Rumpole's arrested in Africa. Phillida arrives to rescue him, and their love is rekindled.
	Rumpole And The New Year's Resolutions	20161227	20181231 (R4)	Rumpole shares some of his favourite yuletide poetry, carols, and pantomime stories as he recounts seasonal legal cases which reveal, as always, the true nature of men, women, children - and She Who Must Be Obeyed! Rumpole...............................Julian Rhind-Tutt Hilda....................................Jasmine Hyde Erskine-Brown / Gwent-Evans.........................Nigel Anthony Skimpy Simpson / Fred Timson.........................Stephen Critchlow D.I. Grimble / Eric Streeter.........................Ewan Bailey Edmund................................Adam Greaves-Neal Directed by Marilyn Imrie Rumpole shares some of his favourite yuletide stories as he recounts seasonal legal cases.
	Rumpole And The Official Secret	20180508	20190814 (R4)	Rumpole defends a civil servant accused of selling secrets and is embroiled in a wine fraud. Phillida tells Rumpole she plans to leave her husband and asks him to keep it a secret. Rumpole considers just what that might mean. For fifteen years and 33 episodes, Rumpole has fought, won and, very rarely, lost myriad cases - and fallen in and out of love with his wife Hilda and the Portia of our Chambers', Phillida Trant, who adores him, and probably always will. These three final episodes leave us guessing until the very end - will Rumpole finally leave his wife Hilda, 'She who must be obeyed', for Phillida? Horace Rumpole ... Julian Rhind-Tutt Hilda Rumpole ... Jasmine Hyde Sam Ballard ... Michael Cochrane Claude Erskine-Brown/Hugh Timson ... Nigel Anthony Phillida Erskine-Brown/Tina Bradbury ... Cathy Sara Oliver Bowling/Kenneth Eastham ... Ben Crowe Rosemary Tuttle/Honoria Bird ... Deborah Findlay Liz Probert ... Amy Morgan Judge Bullingham/Martyn Vanberry ... Ewan Bailey Directed by Marilyn Imrie Rumpole defends in a dubious espionage trial and gets embroiled in a dodgy wine fraud.
	Rumpole And The Portia Of Our Chambers	20150703	20200618 (R4)	Rumpole comes close to giving up the law when forced to consider the path his life has taken by a combination of his attraction to his pupil Phillida, an unsettling case involving an Irish terrorist and a devoted father and son, and a visit from an old flame of Hilda's. But the love shown by a client's son for his father convinces Rumpole that he can't simply quit as husband, parent - or as Old Bailey hack. The question of what makes a good parent runs throughout the whole episode, with Rumpole asking himself if he's turning into a bad father, especially in comparison with his client. Cast Horace Rumpole .. - ¦ Benedict Cumberbatch Hilda Rumpole - ¦.. Jasmine Hyde Phillida Trant - ¦.. Cathy Sara Boxey Horne - ¦.. Stephen Critchlow Matthew Culp .. - ¦ Samuel Reader Directed by Marilyn Imrie Produced by Catherine Bailey Horace Rumpole is still clearly smitten by his pupil Phillida. Stars Benedict Cumberbatch.
	Rumpole And The Quacks	20170920	20210609 (R4)	It's 1966, and Rumpole meets a delightful, wise and kindly Asian Doctor who, unexpectedly accused of unprofessional conduct, needs his help. The case involves both Rumpole and Phyllid, Rumpole's dear friend and his 'Portia of the Chambers', as they learn about the shadowy behaviour of some unscrupulous drug companies and the correct way to diagnose glandular fever. Their friendship also becomes just a tad more ambiguous as both their marriages prove irksome. Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman Directed by Marilyn Imrie It is 1966, and Rumpole meets an admirable doctor who unexpectedly needs his help.
	Rumpole And The Quality Of Life	20180509	20190821 (R4)	Ballard's wedding looms and Rumpole faces a life changing decision about his own marriage. Hilda expects him to join her in Cornwall, and Phillida hopes he will leave to be with her at last. For fifteen years and 33 episodes, Rumpole has fought, won and, very rarely, lost myriad cases - and fallen in and out of love with his wife Hilda and the Portia of our Chambers', Phillida Trant, who adores him, and probably always will. These final three episodes leave us guessing until the very end - will Rumpole finally leave his wife Hilda, 'She who must be obeyed', for Phillida? Directed by Marilyn Imrie Ballard's wedding looms as Rumpole faces a life-changing decision about his own marriage.
	Rumpole And The Tap End	20150724	20200709 (R4)	Tony Timson finds himself in hot water when charged with the attempted drowning of his wife April, while sharing a bath with her. Rumpole not only defends Tony but also protects Judge Guthrie Featherstone QC as he upsets women everywhere with sexist pronouncements about their proper place in the tub. Rumpole and Tony Timson have a conference in Brixton Prison where Timson explains that April had been planning to wear outrageous clothes to a party on the night in question. The party was at the home of a friend, Chrissie. One of the party guests would be Peter - ?Peanuts' Molloy. Molloys vs Timsons equals Montagues vs Capulets. Tony Timson says that April wound him up by suggesting Peanuts was more virile than he was. Horace Rumpole - ¦.. Benedict Cumberbatch Hilda Rumpole - ¦.. Jasmine Hyde Claude Erskine-Brown .. - ¦ Nigel Anthony Tony Timson - Stephen Critchlow Guthrie Featherstone - Julian Rhind-Tutt Charles Hearthstoke - ¦.. David Shaw-Parker Phillida Erskine-Brown - ¦.. Cathy Sara Directed by Marilyn Imrie Produced by Catherine Bailey A man is charged with the attempted drowning of his wife. With Benedict Cumberbatch.
	Rumpole And The Way Through The Woods	20170918	20210526 (R4)	Rumpole's surprised when he discovers he's a dog lover at heart - and perplexed as he defends a man who insists he's guilty of murder. What's more, it's clear to Rumpole that the guilty party is among the hunting fraternity and not among the hunt saboteurs who, in 1966, are making their presence felt and their beliefs known on the hunting fields of Britain. Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman Directed by Marilyn Imrie Rumpole discovers he is a dog lover at heart and defends a man who insists he is guilty.
	Rumpole For The Prosecution	20170919	20210602 (R4)	Horace Rumpole's client asks him to do something he's always sworn he will not do - appear for the prosecution. It's a case where the injured party is dead and cannot speak for herself. There's a piece of evidence that just doesn't add up and a literary reference which only Rumpole recognises as a clue. Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman Directed by Marilyn Imrie Horace Rumpole's client asks him to do something he has always sworn he will not do.
	Rumpole On Trial	20160328	20180222 (R4)	By John Mortimer. Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman. Following in the footsteps of several distinguished former Rumpoles - Leo McKern, Maurice Denham, Timothy West and Benedict Cumberbatch - Julian Rhind-Tutt, one of Radio 4's most popular actors and much loved star of TV's Green Wing and The Hour, now dons the wig and white bands of the most erudite, astute, and seldom defeated of barristers in the annals of the Old Bailey. After waking up with a raging tooth-ache, Rumpole finds himself in no mood to listen to his boring client Reginald Tring, who's accused of the manslaughter of his wife. As Reginald drones on with his mind-numbing evidence, Rumpole suffers throughout the trial, and argues even more angrily than usual with Mr Justice Gwent-Evans. And, when Rumpole accuses the judge of deliberately misleading the jury, Gwent-Evans warns him in no uncertain terms about his future conduct. Rumpole finds himself on trial, with the end of his career in sight. But, luckily for Horace, he has Phillida on his side. She goes searching for the truth, and galvanises not only Rumpole's defending counsel - Soapy Sam Ballard QC - but also Rumpole's wife. Directed by Marilyn Imrie Horace Rumpole's toothache provokes an outburst in court that could end his career.
01		20121218	20141211 (R4)	By John Mortimer. Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman. Benedict Cumberbatch and Timothy West star as the younger and elder Rumpole in this new story. In 1964, Rumpole returns to Oxford, where he studied law, to defend a young gardener, Peter Vernon, accused of blackmailing the Master of St Joseph's College, Sir Michael Tuffnell. Peter and Sir Michael had enjoyed a friendship that provoked rumours of homosexuality - still illegal in those days. Sir Michael has gone to the police alleging Peter was about to accuse him publicly of sodomy. Peter denies the charge and, indeed, is engaged to be married to his solicitor - a young woman by the name of Sue Galton. Rumpole sees through a plot to depose the Master and, sensing Peter's underlying honesty, he defends his client. But, in doing so, he's forced to re-assess the choices he's made in his career and his marriage to She Who Must Be Obeyed. Director: Marilyn Imrie Rumpole defends a gardener accused of blackmailing the master of an Oxford College.
02	Rumpole And The Expert Witness	20121225	20141212 (R4)	Written by by John Mortimer. Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman. Benedict Cumberbatch and Timothy West star in this new Rumpole story. It's 1964. Rumpole is asked to defend a GP, Dr Ned Dacre, who is accused of murdering his wife, Sally. Dr Ned Dacre's father is also a GP, Dr Henry Dacre, and it is he who asks Rumpole to take on the case. Dr Henry met Rumpole during the Penge Bungalow Murder trial and believes Rumpole's the man to get his son off this trumped-up charge. The plot thickens when the local pathologist, Pamela Gall, turns out to be an old flame of Dr Ned's. It seems that Pamela never forgave Dr Ned for dumping her and marrying Sally instead. Director: Marilyn Imrie Rumpole defends a doctor accused of murdering his wife.