A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

Ditched

Doug Lucie's satirical sequel to 'Hitched' revisits the bride and groom, Emma and Richard, two years after their big day. The honeymoon is well and truly over and wedded bliss hasn't turned out to be, well, blissful. With their relationship at crisis point, Emma returns from America with her young daughter to discover her life isn't the only one that has changed. But just what has happened between Emma and Richard, and why has she returned home without him? When Richard in turn flies back to the UK, the stage is set for another unforgettable family encounter. With sparks sure to fly at a family reunion no one wants to attend, Emma and Richard must finally decide what the future holds for their marriage. Will it be Hitched or Ditched? Starring Harry Lloyd and Lydia Leonard as Richard and Emma, with Stephen Moore, Frances Barber, David Schofield, Cheryl Campbell, Adrian Lukis, Brendan Patricks, Alison Pettit and Lynn Farleigh.

Doug Lucie

Ewan Bailey

Gerard McDermott

Tracy Wiles

Anna Madeley

Richard Lumsden

Alex Jennings

Richard Pepple

Rebecca Hamilton

Caolan McCarthy

Mary Peate

Full Cast

A BBC Radio Drama

Follow the fortunes of a left-wing theatre company, written by acclaimed dramatist Doug Lucie. 
 
It’s 1985 and the Stage Left Theatre Collective is founded by a group of friends with a shared vision: Emma, the artistic manager and Robert the literary manager, director Saul, playwright Alan, and finance manager, Frank. This funny, moving and pin sharp drama follows the fate of the company and its members over the course of four decades. We catch up with the characters as they negotiate changing cultural and economic climates. There are clashing ideals, conflicting egos, personal grievances, differing tastes and petty quarrels. The company’s dramatic tenth anniversary, the meteoric rise of one of its members and escalating tensions are brought into sharp relief when a tragedy brings the group together. 
 
However, at the heart of this drama is the story of a group of idealistic friends who see their vision refined, altered, dented, rebuilt, and corroded by the wider artistic and cultural landscape. Can their shared dream endure through it all? 
 
For nearly half a century, Doug Lucie has been a key figure in contemporary writing for the British stage with a string of influential successes. His plays have been produced at the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Other Place and the Royal Court. Stage Left also stars Olivier award winning actor Alex Jennings, best known for his roles in The Crown, The Lady in the Van, and performances on the London stage. 
 
Cast and credits 
Written by Doug Lucie 
Directed by Mary Peate and Heather Larmour 
Produced by Heather Larmour 
 
Alan - Ewan Bailey 
Saul - Gerard McDermot 
Kelly - Tracy Wiles 
Emma - Anna Madeley 
Robert - Richard Lumsden 
Frank - Alex Jennings 
Annabel - Rebecca Hamilton 
Jim - Caolan McCarthy 
Waiter - Richard Pepple 
Sue - Gillian Bevan 
Alice - Jane Slavin 
Ken - Doug Lucie 
Actor 1 - George Watkins 
Actor 2/Sir Clive - Brian Protheroe 
Di - Evie Killip 
Marion - Debra Baker 
 
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 February 2016 
 
©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Doug Lucie

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