A Doubtful Death — Simon Brett

Charles Paris is in Oxford, appearing in a re-imagining of Hamlet by a high-concept drama company. No fan of immersive theatre, he’s unimpressed with the director’s vision and less than thrilled to be rehearsing alongside puppeteers and mime artists.

But he soon finds himself back on familiar territory when the actress playing Ophelia goes missing, only to turn up dead. Did she take her own life, or was there foul play? As he amasses a list of suspects who might have wished her harm, Charles takes on the mantle of detective once more to decide if this is to be or not to be a murder case…

Scripted for radio by Jeremy Front from a story by Simon Brett, A Doubtful Death stars Bill Nighy (Emma, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice.

Also included is an exclusive 18-minute afterword in which Jeremy Front discusses his experience of adapting an unproduced screenplay, reveals what it’s like to work with recurring characters and actors, and explains the mechanics of recording for radio.

Credits
Written by Jeremy Front
From a story by Simon Brett
Produced and directed by Sally Avens
Production Coordinator: Cynthia Fagan
Studio Managers: Anne Bunting, Keith Graham and Jenni Burnett
Afterword produced by Ania Duggan and Roshni Radia
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 22 May-12 June 2020

Cast
Charles Paris……………………Bill Nighy
Frances……………………Suzanne Burden
Maurice……………………Jon Glover
Vicky……………………Jessica Turner
Jenny……………………Scarlett Courtney
Tomasz……………………Ian Conningham
Tour Guide/Dan……………………Will Kirk
Waitress/Izzy……………………Lucy Reynolds
Zoe……………………Laura Christy
Siriol……………………Sinead MacInnes
Pete/Player King……………………Neil McCaul
Tim ……………………Greg Jones
Canon Park/Director……………………Clive Hayward
Passenger……………………Adam Courting
Waitress/Sat Nav. ……………………Amy Bentley-Klein
Cassie……………………Heather Craney
Checkout/Fortinbras……………………Ikky Elyas
Continuity R4/WS Announcer……………………Jeremy Front