Charles Paris: Dead Room Farce

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

By: Simon Brett, Jeremy Front

Narrated by: Bill Nighy, full cast, Suzanne Burden

Bill Nighy stars as actor and amateur sleuth Charles Paris in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Simon Brett's novel.

Charles' career is on the up. He's starring in a revival of a popular (though hackneyed) 70s farce – and while his fellow actors aren't exactly who you'd want to find yourself in bed with, he's happy to be in work.

But while there may be comedy on stage, offstage it's rapidly turning into a whodunnit. First the director drops dead, then another premature death follows soon after when an audio producer doing a promo for the show dies in suspicious circumstances.

The cast are hiding some shady secrets, and have plenty of skeletons in their cupboards which they don't want rattled, but would anyone go as far as murder to protect themselves? Charles is determined to find out, and turns detective in an attempt to find out if foul play is afoot....

This witty, stylish dramatisation by Jeremy Front stars Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Skylight, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as his long-suffering wife Frances.

Written by Jeremy Front, based on the novel by Simon Brett.

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Bill Nighy is always great

Entertaining, but too short. I wish there were more to listen to on these recordings.

irresistible as usual

Charles attempts rehabbing! I love it. Keeps the character interesting while catching him up to Nighy’s real-life sobriety.

A great listen.

Loved the reading, the performance was great.
always looking forward to the next broadcast.
Simon Bret and Bill nighy are a great team.

Great One

Just lay back and listen to a really great story. Excellent actors. Close your eyes and Enjoy!!!!!!!!

For this, I waited?

this was not my favorite production. it was very much like a farce itself 😐

Slapstick overwhelms the story

What did you like best about Charles Paris: Dead Room Farce? What did you like least?

I really like the books and Charles Paris. The Radio dramas do the books a certain injustice. They focus more on Charles being a screw-up and his pratfalls than the mystery.

It’s a waste

When I read the reviews it sounded interesting.....it’s a waste of time, don’t bother!