A BBC Radio 4 crime drama

The Tree of Liberty

A four-part historical detective series set in Amiens during the French Revolution

Four thrilling detective dramas set in Amiens during the French Revolution 
 
'Stylish detective series' The Independent 
 
September 1791. Newly promoted Lieutenant General Jacques Lacroix is transferred from Paris to Amiens, tasked to solve crimes and arrest criminals. But in these days of revolution, it's increasingly tricky for him to identify the criminals amongst all the agitators, rabble-rousers and counter-revolutionaries. And his job is about to get even harder, as he finds himself investigating a slew of grisly murders... 
 
In Friends in High Places, the body of a murdered girl is dragged out of the Somme. She was last seen at a salon the previous night, in the company of Maximilien Robespierre: could the great man be implicated in her death? 
 
To Be A Pilgrim finds Lacroix probing an alleged conspiracy that sets him off on the wrong track, and calling on the local sorceress, Madeleine Bonniface, to help him solve what appears to be a ritual killing. 
 
In Health of a Nation, a doctor is found dead as the Reign of Terror begins. His son confesses to the murder - but he has an alibi, so why would he lie? 
 
Finally, in Moon Conjunct Uranus, Madeleine Bonniface's astrological chart predicts trouble ahead for Lacroix - and when the death of a young woman is linked to a secret magical sect, the evidence all seems to point to him... 
 
These atmospheric historical crime dramas star David Calder stars as Lacroix, with Brian Hibbard, Kathryn Pogson, Simon Ludders and Frances Tomelty. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Nigel Baldwin, with additional research by Constantia Michael 
Directed by Alison Hindell 
Original music by Paula Gardiner, performed by Mark Edwards, Jeanette Masocchi, Ron Parry and Paula Gardiner 
 
Cast 
Lt Gen Lacroix - David Calder 
Monet - Brian Hibbard 
Charlotte - Kathryn Pogson 
Dupont - Ian Rowlands 
Roland - Christian Rodska 
Robespierre - Brendan Charleson 
Didier/Panchaud/Chalier - Steve Hodson 
Mme Rives/Josephine - Bethan Jones 
Surgeon - Matthew Morgan 
Mme Giradoux - Lesley Rooney 
Duval - Simon Ludders 
Madeleine - Frances Tomelty 
Mme des Chats/Mme Dupre - Sue Roderick 
Ferrier/Michel - Andrew Wincott 
Georges/Jean - Robert Harper 
Simone - Sara Harris-Davies 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 March-3 April 1995

Nigel Baldwin

Annest Wiliam

Dennis Waterman

Ray Smith

Robert David

Full cast

Bethan Jones

A BBC radio 4 full-cast thriller

Dennis Waterman stars in this taut political thriller set in the wild hinterland of North Wales 
 
Roguish Londoner Milkie leaves a glittering society gala to do a favour for glamorous actress Beth Williams. But no good deed goes unpunished, as Milkie soon discovers when an unexpected trip to the Welsh mountains sees him embroiled in a murderous conspiracy. 
 
Nationalism is running riot in this corner of the country, and the local villages and towns have been rocked by arson and bloodshed. Breweries and newspaper offices have been torched, and now an old lady has been brutally beaten, her house ransacked. Suspicion falls on a group of fanatics called The Soldiers of the Red Dragon - but could someone else be behind the attack on Valmai, and if so, what's their endgame? 
 
Milkie's out of his depth in this harsh landscape. He doesn't speak Welsh, the locals don't trust him and he doesn't know what he's getting into. But his attraction to Beth compels him to seek the truth - and soon it's not just terrorism and violence he's dealing with, but political corruption reaching right to the very top... 
 
Written by Nigel Baldwin (The Tree of Liberty), Burnt stars Dennis Waterman as reluctant hero Milkie. It is narrated by The Teller (Ray Smith), whose breaking of the fourth wall to address Milkie gives the story a unique and surprising slant, and its predominantly Welsh cast adds to the authenticity and atmosphere of this gripping Celtic noir. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Nigel Baldwin 
Produced and directed by Jane Dauncey 
Original music by Laurie Scott Baker 
 
Cast 
Milkie - Dennis Waterman 
The Teller - Ray Smith 
Beth - Bethan Jones 
Valmai - Annest Wiliam 
Huw - Richard Elfyn 
Dewi - Robert David 
Rhys - Terry Victor 
Sian - Sian Summers 
Pauline - Eluned Jones 
Gordon/Special Branch man - Michael Povey 
Kate/Angela/Miranda - Tara Dominick 
Lord Cambria/Phone man/Special Branch man - Terry Dauncey 
Rushton - Timothy Bateson 
Sharon - Emma Gregory 
Sioned - Sue Roderick 
Pauline - Eluned Jones 
Special Branch man - Chris Durnall 
Laura - Ri Richards 
Dewi - Robert David 
 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 15 November-20 December 1990 
 
 
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Nigel Baldwin

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