Main content

The Elder Son (Part 2)

After a wild night out far from home, two tricksters have conned a family into believing that one of them is their long lost elder son. Now they must live with the consequences.

By Alexander Vampilov
Translated from Russian by Jan Butler
Adapted for radio by Tom Wainwright

The second part of Alexander Vampilov's witty and moving play that explores themes of family and belonging.

On a cold winter night, two young men miss their last train back home and find themselves stranded in the suburbs. To keep warm until morning, they talk themselves into the home of complete strangers by pretending that one of them is the illegitimate son of the head of the household, a kind-hearted but na茂ve musician. So far, so good. But the young men have arrived at a tumultuous time for their new-found family - the daughter is on the verge of marrying a dreadful bore and the son is in the midst of a self-esteem crisis. As morning rolls around, the visitors become so entangled in the family's drama that it will prove harder to leave than it was to concoct the lie in the first place.

Volodya . . . . . . Stewart Campbell
Silva . . . . . Ian Dunnett Jnr
Sarafanov . . . . . Tony Turner
Nina . . . . . Elinor Coleman
Vasya . . . . . Aaron Gelkoff
Natasha . . . . . Lauren Cornelius
Kudimov . . . . . Hasan Dixon

Music arranged and performed by Ian Dunnett Jnr.
Image by Ben Hollands.

Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.

Available now

44 minutes

On radio

Thu 16 Jan 2025 14:15

Broadcasts

  • Fri 19 Feb 2021 14:15
  • Thu 16 Jan 2025 14:15

Opening Lines

Opening Lines

John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

The Shakespeare Sessions

The Shakespeare Sessions

Immerse yourself in Shakespeare鈥檚 world