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Alan Bennett - An Englishman Abroad

Spies in decline - what did the agent say to the actress? Burgess meets Coral Browne. Stars Michael Gambon and Penelope Wilton.

When a mysterious Englishman appears in her dressing-room, actress Coral Browne assumes he's with the embassy, but, if so, why are his trousers out at the knees? And what does he want with her face-powder?

Alan Bennett based this drama on a real incident in Moscow involving the spy Guy Burgess in 1958.

Starring Michael Gambon as Guy Burgess, Penelope Wilton as Coral Browne, Lala Lloyd as Mrs Burgess, John Baddeley as Claudius and Michael Higgs as Tolya/Hamlet.

Adapted from BBC TV's 1983 film and directed by Hilary Norrish

First broadcast on the BBC World Service in 1994.

45 minutes

Last on

Sun 21 Feb 2016 02:15
BBC Radio 4 Extra

Broadcasts

  • Mon 3 Mar 2008 10:15
    BBC Radio 7
  • Mon 3 Mar 2008 21:15
    BBC Radio 7
  • Tue 4 Mar 2008 02:15
    BBC Radio 7
  • Wed 18 Feb 2009 10:15
    BBC Radio 7
  • Wed 18 Feb 2009 21:15
    BBC Radio 7
  • Thu 19 Feb 2009 02:15
    BBC Radio 7
  • Sat 9 May 2009 13:00
    BBC Radio 7
  • Sun 10 May 2009 01:00
    BBC Radio 7
  • Fri 8 Apr 2011 15:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 9 Apr 2011 05:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 24 Apr 2012 11:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 24 Apr 2012 21:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 25 Apr 2012 04:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 25 May 2013 13:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 26 May 2013 03:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 20 Feb 2016 14:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 21 Feb 2016 02:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

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