Two Pipe Problems Drama]

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

20090427

20110222 (R4)

By Michael Chaplin

We return to The Old Beeches, a retirement home for elderly thespians, in the company of William and Sandy; two actors who still nurse a certain affectionate animosity towards one another since they starred as Holmes and Watson in a 1960s television series. Our two elderly thespian residents of the Old Beeches home for retired members of the Acting profession become embroiled in making sure the course of true love DOES run smooth.

It all begins with a proposal, leading swiftly to a wedding, involving two residents - a Shakespearian knight called Sir Trelawney Hope and an ex-nightclub chanteuse called Dolores Sweet, with William as Trelawney's best man and Sandy giving Dolores away. But as the old couple stand there, Trelawney drops a bombshell - he no longer wishes to go through with it. There's uproar, Trelawney strides away, refusing to say any more. Our two heroes are once again pressed into service to solve a mystery; just why does the bridegroom suddenly call the wedding off?

Sandy Boyle - Stanley Baxter

William Parnes - Richard Briers

Dolores Sweet - Julia McKenzie

Sir Trelawney Hope - John Rowe

Godfrey - Joseph Mydell

Mary Winter - Jillie Meers

Isadora Klein - Susan Wooldridge

Hugo - Stephen Critchlow

Saxophonist - Julie Hodge

Producer/Director: Marilyn Imrie

William and Sandy are again pressed into service to solve a mystery at The Old Beeches.

A Rose, By Any Other Name

20121107

20130415 (R4)

In tribute to Richard Briers who co-starred in this series for six years.

Sandy and William find a cardboard box in the doorway to the Old Beeches; inside, a tiny baby, clutching a small toy. There is no message and no sign of the mother. From the moment Sandy carries the box into the breakfast room, the discovery causes a sensation in the closet world of the home. Everyone is enchanted by the child - a little girl - and horrified at the implications of her being abandoned.

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey Production

Written by award winning television and theatre writer Michael Chaplin.

Produced by: Catherine Bailey

Sandy and William solve the mystery of a newborn baby abandoned at the Old Beeches.

Here Doggie

20110811

20130401 (R4)

Anne Reid and Honor Blackman join Richard Briers and Stanley Baxter in this latest Two Pipe Problem, written by Michael Chaplin.

The Old Beeches care-worker Karen has a new pet; Poppet, a rambunctiously badly behaved Scottie dog.

Manager Mary issues an ultimatum - the pet goes, or you both go, and Sandy persuades another resident ,a retired variety artiste called Norman Naylor who once had a dog-novelty act, to start training the dog on the nearby common.

His wife Nelly, who also lives in the home, sees this as yet another opportunity for her husband to return to his old philandering ways.

And one day, he doesn't return, and neither does Poppet.

William and Sandy follow Norman's trail to an elegant home near the Common, belonging to a retired BBC Home Service announcer called Diana, with whom Norman and Poppet have taken residence. Norman confesses he met her on the common where she was exercising her dog.

Nelly appears, and tells Diana of Norman's skill at picking up women via 'his bloody dogs'. Norman sadly acknowledges it's always been the best way to go a-wooing. Meanwhile Poppet takes off through an open door and heads for a main road nearby, followed by Norman. Tune in to find out what happens next!

William and Sandy track down a missing dog and a philandering variety artiste.

I Get, By With A Little Help From My Friends

20131118

20160114 (R4)

By Michael Chaplin.

Following the sad death of Richard Briers earlier this year, in the first of these two final episodes of Two Pipe Problems, Stanley Baxter as Sandy is joined by Geoffrey Palmer as his friend and fellow sleuth William Parnes.

A new chef is in the kitchen at The Old Beeches and he's cooking up a storm and delighting the residents, with Sandy as his willing and enthusiastic sous-chef. But things begin to go badly wrong after a visiting concert party sing a Beatles song which triggers unhappy memories for Albie the Chef (played by the late Felix Dexter).

William and Sandy go in search of Albie and his son, and a successful father and son reunion is celebrated in song.

Young Terrell Forde, who recently starred in Matilda in the West End, joins the company to play and sing the role of Albie's son, accompanied by David Shaw-Parker as his step dad, David Holt as memory man Billy, and Tracey Wiles as the warm hearted Old Beeches care assistant Karen.

Sandy Boyle .......................Stanley Baxter

William Parnes ...................Geoffrey Palmer

Albie ...................................Felix Dexter

Karen/ Sadie ......................Tracy Wiles

Billy ....................................David Holt

Edgar/ Lewis ......................David Shaw-Parker

Jonathan ............................Terrell Forde

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Sandy turns chef, as he and William save the day for an unhappy father and his son.

Have You Come Far?

20090428

20110223 (R4)

Sandy appears in the honours list but a trip to Buckingham Palace to collect his award provides another mystery for the veteran sleuths to solve.

Sandy Boyle - Stanley Baxter

William Parnes - Richard Briers

Karen - Tracy Wiles

Postman - David Shaw-Parker

Charles, Equerry to HRH - Julian Rhind-Tutt

Doctor Mortimer - Geoffrey Whitehead

Marvin - Stephen Critchlow

Elsie - Linda Broughton

Producer/Director: Marilyn Imrie

William and Sandy are faced with another intriguing mystery during a trip to the Palace.

I Love A Lassie

20121114

20130422 (R4)

Sandy decides to travel to Greenock on Clydeside to collect his Freedom of the City award. As he has no living relatives or close friends, he invites William to accompany him on condition he behaves himself. Once again

Stanley Baxter and Richard Briers play the two elderly detectives who solve mysteries by stealth and intuition.

When Sandy and William arrive in the old shipbuilding town, they meet the Provost's secretary Moira. It becomes clear that his hosts really know virtually nothing about Sandy - in fact Moira asks to interview him so she can write up the Provost's speech for the ceremony.

The following day, Sandy shows William around his birthplace. They visit the tenement where he was born and meet a man he was at school with. He isn't wholly friendly and, when they return to the hotel, there is a message: Do you know how much pain you left behind. Why?. Sandy is anxious, especially when another message appears on the morning of the ceremony: Why, oh why? Now it's your turn to feel the pain. You will suffer as others have suffered.

So the race is on to uncover who exactly is out to get Sandy and why. The solution to the riddle is finally revealed at the Freedom of Greenock ceremony, when the roots of everyone's resentment are uncovered.

Director : Marilyn Imrie

Sandy's trip back to his birthplace in Greenock reveals a life changing surprise.

The Case Of The Missing Meerschaum

20110812

20130408 (R4)

In tribute to Richard Briers, who co-starred in this series for six years.

Starring the late Richard Briers and Stanley Baxter.

William and Sandy are to appear at a Sherlock Holmes Convention, held at a hotel just around the corner from Baker Street. Sandy isn't keen but succumbs to William's desperate need to be in the spotlight once more. Sandy finds the display of 'fandom' absurd - the packed memorabilia stalls and one fan's observation that he thought he'd died years before. He also finds the political infighting threatening to tear the Society apart faintly ridiculous. But William is in his bombastic element, to such an extent that he has a very public and painful row with Sandy, who quits the convention and catches the Metropolitan Line back to the Old Beeches.

William occupies centre-stage at that night's dinner, flourishing the Society's prized meerschaum used by Basil Rathbone in the Holmes films. After a bibulous evening, William rolls into bed still with the precious pipe in his possession.

He wakes up the following morning and discovers that it's gone. He travels to the Old Beeches in a panic, begging Sandy to return to the Convention to help him solve the mystery - which he does using Holmesian precepts, and restoring their friendship in the process.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Retired thespians William and Sandy tackle the theft of a rather famous pipe.

The House On The Marsh

20131119

20160115 (R4)

In this final Two Pipe Problem, William and Sandy travel to a windswept wintry Suffolk in search of William's inheritance, where they are haunted by ghosts from the past and threats from the present, and William makes a life changing decision about his future.

This week marks the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten, and his opera Peter Grimes is woven into this final episode of Two Pipe Problems. The opera is set in Aldeburgh, on the Suffolk coast from which Britten drew so much inspiration. Writer Michael Chaplin was inspired to create a story that drew on that landscape and the creation of Peter Grimes, but also paid homage to the genius of M R James' ghost story, Oh Whistle And I'll Come You, My Lad.

Stanley Baxter is once again joined by Geoffrey Palmer playing William, and Stephen Critchlow and Linda Broughton playing a mother and son who bear a grudge, in this haunting story - an entertaining and touching farewell to the series.

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Producer: Catherine Bailey

William and Sandy travel to a windswept wintry Suffolk in search of William's inheritance.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01		20090427	20110222 (R4)	By Michael Chaplin We return to The Old Beeches, a retirement home for elderly thespians, in the company of William and Sandy; two actors who still nurse a certain affectionate animosity towards one another since they starred as Holmes and Watson in a 1960s television series. Our two elderly thespian residents of the Old Beeches home for retired members of the Acting profession become embroiled in making sure the course of true love DOES run smooth. It all begins with a proposal, leading swiftly to a wedding, involving two residents - a Shakespearian knight called Sir Trelawney Hope and an ex-nightclub chanteuse called Dolores Sweet, with William as Trelawney's best man and Sandy giving Dolores away. But as the old couple stand there, Trelawney drops a bombshell - he no longer wishes to go through with it. There's uproar, Trelawney strides away, refusing to say any more. Our two heroes are once again pressed into service to solve a mystery; just why does the bridegroom suddenly call the wedding off? Sandy Boyle - Stanley Baxter William Parnes - Richard Briers Dolores Sweet - Julia McKenzie Sir Trelawney Hope - John Rowe Godfrey - Joseph Mydell Mary Winter - Jillie Meers Isadora Klein - Susan Wooldridge Hugo - Stephen Critchlow Saxophonist - Julie Hodge Producer/Director: Marilyn Imrie William and Sandy are again pressed into service to solve a mystery at The Old Beeches.
01	A Rose, By Any Other Name	20121107	20130415 (R4)	In tribute to Richard Briers who co-starred in this series for six years. Sandy and William find a cardboard box in the doorway to the Old Beeches; inside, a tiny baby, clutching a small toy. There is no message and no sign of the mother. From the moment Sandy carries the box into the breakfast room, the discovery causes a sensation in the closet world of the home. Everyone is enchanted by the child - a little girl - and horrified at the implications of her being abandoned. Directed by Marilyn Imrie A Catherine Bailey Production Written by award winning television and theatre writer Michael Chaplin. Produced by: Catherine Bailey Sandy and William solve the mystery of a newborn baby abandoned at the Old Beeches.
01	Here Doggie	20110811	20130401 (R4)	Anne Reid and Honor Blackman join Richard Briers and Stanley Baxter in this latest Two Pipe Problem, written by Michael Chaplin. The Old Beeches care-worker Karen has a new pet; Poppet, a rambunctiously badly behaved Scottie dog. Manager Mary issues an ultimatum - the pet goes, or you both go, and Sandy persuades another resident ,a retired variety artiste called Norman Naylor who once had a dog-novelty act, to start training the dog on the nearby common. His wife Nelly, who also lives in the home, sees this as yet another opportunity for her husband to return to his old philandering ways. And one day, he doesn't return, and neither does Poppet. William and Sandy follow Norman's trail to an elegant home near the Common, belonging to a retired BBC Home Service announcer called Diana, with whom Norman and Poppet have taken residence. Norman confesses he met her on the common where she was exercising her dog. Nelly appears, and tells Diana of Norman's skill at picking up women via 'his bloody dogs'. Norman sadly acknowledges it's always been the best way to go a-wooing. Meanwhile Poppet takes off through an open door and heads for a main road nearby, followed by Norman. Tune in to find out what happens next! William and Sandy track down a missing dog and a philandering variety artiste.
01	I Get, By With A Little Help From My Friends	20131118	20160114 (R4)	By Michael Chaplin. Following the sad death of Richard Briers earlier this year, in the first of these two final episodes of Two Pipe Problems, Stanley Baxter as Sandy is joined by Geoffrey Palmer as his friend and fellow sleuth William Parnes. A new chef is in the kitchen at The Old Beeches and he's cooking up a storm and delighting the residents, with Sandy as his willing and enthusiastic sous-chef. But things begin to go badly wrong after a visiting concert party sing a Beatles song which triggers unhappy memories for Albie the Chef (played by the late Felix Dexter). William and Sandy go in search of Albie and his son, and a successful father and son reunion is celebrated in song. Young Terrell Forde, who recently starred in Matilda in the West End, joins the company to play and sing the role of Albie's son, accompanied by David Shaw-Parker as his step dad, David Holt as memory man Billy, and Tracey Wiles as the warm hearted Old Beeches care assistant Karen. Sandy Boyle .......................Stanley Baxter William Parnes ...................Geoffrey Palmer Albie ...................................Felix Dexter Karen/ Sadie ......................Tracy Wiles Billy ....................................David Holt Edgar/ Lewis ......................David Shaw-Parker Jonathan ............................Terrell Forde Directed by Marilyn Imrie Sandy turns chef, as he and William save the day for an unhappy father and his son.
02	Have You Come Far?	20090428	20110223 (R4)	We return to The Old Beeches, a retirement home for elderly thespians, in the company of William and Sandy; two actors who still nurse a certain affectionate animosity towards one another since they starred as Holmes and Watson in a 1960s television series. Sandy appears in the honours list but a trip to Buckingham Palace to collect his award provides another mystery for the veteran sleuths to solve. Sandy Boyle - Stanley Baxter William Parnes - Richard Briers Karen - Tracy Wiles Postman - David Shaw-Parker Charles, Equerry to HRH - Julian Rhind-Tutt Doctor Mortimer - Geoffrey Whitehead Marvin - Stephen Critchlow Elsie - Linda Broughton Producer/Director: Marilyn Imrie William and Sandy are faced with another intriguing mystery during a trip to the Palace.
02	I Love A Lassie	20121114	20130422 (R4)	Sandy decides to travel to Greenock on Clydeside to collect his Freedom of the City award. As he has no living relatives or close friends, he invites William to accompany him on condition he behaves himself. Once again Stanley Baxter and Richard Briers play the two elderly detectives who solve mysteries by stealth and intuition. When Sandy and William arrive in the old shipbuilding town, they meet the Provost's secretary Moira. It becomes clear that his hosts really know virtually nothing about Sandy - in fact Moira asks to interview him so she can write up the Provost's speech for the ceremony. The following day, Sandy shows William around his birthplace. They visit the tenement where he was born and meet a man he was at school with. He isn't wholly friendly and, when they return to the hotel, there is a message: Do you know how much pain you left behind. Why?. Sandy is anxious, especially when another message appears on the morning of the ceremony: Why, oh why? Now it's your turn to feel the pain. You will suffer as others have suffered. So the race is on to uncover who exactly is out to get Sandy and why. The solution to the riddle is finally revealed at the Freedom of Greenock ceremony, when the roots of everyone's resentment are uncovered. Director : Marilyn Imrie Sandy's trip back to his birthplace in Greenock reveals a life changing surprise.
02	The Case Of The Missing Meerschaum	20110812	20130408 (R4)	In tribute to Richard Briers, who co-starred in this series for six years. Starring the late Richard Briers and Stanley Baxter. William and Sandy are to appear at a Sherlock Holmes Convention, held at a hotel just around the corner from Baker Street. Sandy isn't keen but succumbs to William's desperate need to be in the spotlight once more. Sandy finds the display of 'fandom' absurd - the packed memorabilia stalls and one fan's observation that he thought he'd died years before. He also finds the political infighting threatening to tear the Society apart faintly ridiculous. But William is in his bombastic element, to such an extent that he has a very public and painful row with Sandy, who quits the convention and catches the Metropolitan Line back to the Old Beeches. William occupies centre-stage at that night's dinner, flourishing the Society's prized meerschaum used by Basil Rathbone in the Holmes films. After a bibulous evening, William rolls into bed still with the precious pipe in his possession. He wakes up the following morning and discovers that it's gone. He travels to the Old Beeches in a panic, begging Sandy to return to the Convention to help him solve the mystery - which he does using Holmesian precepts, and restoring their friendship in the process. Written by Michael Chaplin Directed by Marilyn Imrie Retired thespians William and Sandy tackle the theft of a rather famous pipe.
02	The House On The Marsh	20131119	20160115 (R4)	In this final Two Pipe Problem, William and Sandy travel to a windswept wintry Suffolk in search of William's inheritance, where they are haunted by ghosts from the past and threats from the present, and William makes a life changing decision about his future. This week marks the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten, and his opera Peter Grimes is woven into this final episode of Two Pipe Problems. The opera is set in Aldeburgh, on the Suffolk coast from which Britten drew so much inspiration. Writer Michael Chaplin was inspired to create a story that drew on that landscape and the creation of Peter Grimes, but also paid homage to the genius of M R James' ghost story, Oh Whistle And I'll Come You, My Lad. Stanley Baxter is once again joined by Geoffrey Palmer playing William, and Stephen Critchlow and Linda Broughton playing a mother and son who bear a grudge, in this haunting story - an entertaining and touching farewell to the series. Directed by Marilyn Imrie Producer: Catherine Bailey William and Sandy travel to a windswept wintry Suffolk in search of William's inheritance.