Caroline Stafford

Norman Birkett KC (1883-1962) was a real-life Rumpole - a distinguished and highly skilled lawyer who had numerous successes in the courtroom during his long career. This collection covers some of his most famous cases of the inter-war years, including the dramatic trial of Buck Ruxton; the notorious Dennistoun affair; and the peculiar events surrounding the mysterious cyclist Ronald Light.

Norman Birkett and the Case of the Coleford Poisoner - The celebrated advocate defends a woman accused of murdering her husband with arsenic.

Birkett and the Blind Soldier - When a blind First World War veteran is charged with killing his wife, Birkett takes on his defence.

Birkett and the Green Bicycle - Appearing for the prosecution, the brilliant barrister deals with a case involving death by gunshot, pacifism and chocolate...

Birkett and the Red Stains on the Carpet - The renowned KC defends a doctor accused of murdering and dismembering his wife and maid.

Birkett and the Naked Toreador - Norman Birkett takes on the case that made his name in this extraordinary saga of blackmail, snobbery, society scandal and bullfighting...

David Haig and Neil Dudgeon star as Birkett, with Alison Pettitt and Bonnie Engstrom as his wife, Billie, and Alun Raglan as his clerk, Edgar.

All 16 episodes of the BBC radio comedy about the dysfunctional Burbage siblings

Brothers Nigel and Michael share everything - home, work and acute neuroses. Several years ago, they gave up respectable careers to set up a website design company in Nigel's living room. That was their first mistake...

They rapidly discover that no-one can disturb, pester and annoy like a sibling can - except, perhaps, for their eccentric friends Zorro and Oonagh, whose constant interruptions and distractions lead them into some increasingly odd situations. Liquidised orchids, tropical fish, John Travolta's cufflinks and revolving bow ties are soon part of their daily routine as, beset by professional problems and private consternation, the beleagured brothers find their lives becoming increasingly surreal.

The arrival of their feckless father, Peter, sparks further havoc for the duo, and worries about absent wives and all-too-present fiancées only add to the pressure. Can the brothers fix their strained filial relationship, or will they only find happiness by going their separate ways?

Written by Caroline and David Stafford, whose credits include Hazelbeach and the 'Birkett' legal dramas, this engaging comedy drama stars Adam Godley (The Umbrella Academy) as Nigel, Raymond Coulthard (Hotel Babylon) as Michael, Pauline McLynn (Father Ted) as Oonagh and Pearce Quigley and Alex Lowe as Zorro.


Written by Caroline and David Stafford
Produced and directed by Marc Beeby

Cast
Nigel - Adam Godley
Michael - Raymond Coulthard
Oonagh - Pauline McLynn
Zorro - Pearce Quigley/Alex Lowe
Sally/Korean daughter - Alice Hart
Korean dad - Jon Glover
Unsuitable man - Harry Myers
Peter - James Fleet
Helen - Sophie Roberts
Trapper - Sam Dale
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 May-9 June 2004 (Series 1), 28 September-2 November 2005 (Series 2), 19 February-26 March 2007 (Series 3)

Nerdy Nick's life takes an abrupt turn into surreal chaos when he returns to England to find the mysterious Ronnie Hazelbeach living in his late father's house. Ronnie has certainly lived an interesting life. He's been a wrestler, a sailor, a thief and a jailbird, a gambler, a husband, a conman, a salesman, a getaway driver, a cook, a priest and much more. James can learn a lot about life from him. Ronnie hatches a plan to help Nick get his ex-girlfriend back, while selling heart monitors to Monty Python fans and purchasing an extraordinary amount of sinks in a bid to shore up their finances. But just as the unlikely pair find domestic harmony, they are visited by an unwanted guest...