Rumpole and the Bubble Reputation
Defending a tabloid editor accused of libelling an author leads to Rumpole鈥檚 discovery of a plot. Stars Benedict Cumberbatch.
Rumpole meets Erskine-Brown in Pommeroy鈥檚. Erskine-Brown is depressed because he鈥檚 doing a sordid ABH and affray which allegedly occurred in a Soho night club.
Rumpole tells him to visit the scene of the crime to get the lay of the land, which they do. They drink with Maurice Machin, the editor of the Daily Beacon, who tells Rumpole that an article in his paper by one 鈥淪tella January鈥� alleged that Ameila Nettleship, an author of historical novels, has affairs with married men. She is suing the paper, and Maurice Machin, for libel.
Will Rumpole defend? He agrees.
Meanwhile Erskine-Brown, due to get married to Phillida Trant in a couple of weeks, doesn鈥檛 realise his photo has been taken as he ogles the topless dancers. When this photo is published in the papers, Phillida is furious.
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Rumpole in a story written by John Mortimer and adapted by Richard Stoneman.
Cast:
Horace Rumpole 鈥�.. Benedict Cumberbatch
Hilda Rumpole ..鈥� Jasmine Hyde
Phillida Erskine-Brown 鈥�.. Cathy Sara
Claude Erskine-Brown ..鈥� Nigel Anthony
Maurice Machin 鈥�.. Ewan Bailey
Porky Peppiatt 鈥�.. Stephen Critchlow
Directed by Marilyn Imrie
Produced by Catherine Bailey
A Catherine Bailey production for 大象传媒 Radio 4
Last on
More episodes
![]()
See how much you really know about the brilliant Benedict with our Cumberquiz.
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Horace Rumpole | Benedict Cumberbatch |
| Hilda Rumpole | Jasmine Hyde |
| Phillida Erskine-Brown | Cathy Sara |
| Claude Erskine-Brown | Nigel Anthony |
| Maurice Machin | Ewan Bailey |
| Porky Peppiatt | Stephen Critchlow |
| Director | Marilyn Imrie |
| Adaptor | Richard Stoneman |
| Author | John Mortimer |
| Producer | Catherine Bailey |
Broadcasts
- Fri 10 Jul 2015 14:15大象传媒 Radio 4 FM
Wed 2 Jan 2019 11:15大象传媒 Radio 4 Extra- Wed 2 Jan 2019 21:15大象传媒 Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 25 Jun 2020 14:15大象传媒 Radio 4
Opening Lines
John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.
The Shakespeare Sessions
Immerse yourself in Shakespeare鈥檚 world