A BBC Radio 4 comedy series

Talking to Strangers

Comic monologue character studies by Sally Phillips and Lily Bevan, with star guests 
 
'Seriously funny' Gillian Reynolds, Telegraph 
 
In this delightfully inventive series of short solo sketches, an eclectic range of unusual individuals find themselves cheerfully engaging in a deeply un-British activity: chatting to a stranger. And in each scenario, the silent recipient of their confidences is the listener themselves. 
 
We may encounter these garrulous souls in a lift or the post office queue, at a yoga class or café, or over the tannoy on the last train home. They may be a stranger you thought you knew, a stranger you've just met, or the only stranger in a room full of friends. But whatever the situation, they all want to open their hearts to us - and they're not shy about sharing... 
 
Meet the woman who isn't twins, the Swedish executive with a herring-smoker for a husband, the woman who likes to help too much ('I'm a serial helpist...'), and the ethnologist who's spent her whole life among lions. There's also an aggrieved allotment-holder, a plain-speaking palm-reader and a frustrated falconer, not to mention a nervous historical re-enactor, a not-very-motivational speaker, a musical barista and a really rubbish spy... 
 
Frank, perceptive, touching and beautifully observed, these marvellous miniature playlets will introduce you to a host of surprising characters, with stories both beguiling and hilarious. Written and performed by Sally Phillips and Lily Bevan, they feature special guest stars Emma Thompson, Olivia Colman, Jessica Hynes, Steve Evets, Mike Wozniak, Sinead Matthews and Joel Fry. 
 
Production credits 
Written and performed by Sally Phillips and Lily Bevan 
With guest stars including Emma Thompson, Olivia Colman, Jessica Hynes, Steve Evets, Mike Wozniak, Sinead Matthews and Joel Fry 
Produced by Sam Bryant 
A BBC Comedy production 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 4-25 February 2016 
 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Sally Phillips

Kate Brooke

Louisa Milwood-Haigh

Brian Bowles

Sue Elliott-Nicholls

Eleanor Bron

Chris Pavlo

Alan Francis

John Fortune

Full Cast

A BBC Radio 4 Sitcom

A hilarious 90&rsquo;s BBC Radio 4 sitcom performed by an all-star cast Starring comedian John Fortune, best known for the satirical TV show Bremner, Bird and Fortune, and screen legend Eleanor Bron, Protesting Too Much is written by Sally Phillips and Kate Brooke. A classic comic caper that will have you in stitches.Set on the eve of the 1997 general election, bumbling Conservative MP George Dank climbs a tree in protest at the building of a new bypass through his constituency. The protest soon draws all the wrong kind of attention as smears hit the newspaper, orchestrated by the villainous Robbins. To make matters worse, university job cuts are looming, which means George could be soon joined by his scholarly wife, Hermione. Hermione&rsquo;s hero is Dante and she can&rsquo;t help finding parallels between the poet and her husband. As she falls in love all over again with her formally inept, but now seemingly dashing husband, things get complicated when their daughter Anne comes to join them too&hellip; Will the disaster-prone MP ever be able to climb down from his bypass protest? Is Hermione&rsquo;s instruction of fellow protestors in medieval siege tactics really the best idea? And what on earth will they do with that stuffed owl? The battle rages and George is up a tree - can he save his family, the constituency and moreover, the day?Protesting Too Much writer Sally Phillips is an actor, comedian, and television presenter. Phillips is known for her roles in Jam &amp; Jerusalem, I&rsquo;m Alan Partridge and Miranda as well as playing the title role in the BBC Radio 4 comedy show Clare in the Community. Kate Brooke is a film and TV writer whose credits include Mr Selfridge and A Discovery of Witches. This hilarious sitcom also features cameos from broadcasting legends Brian Perkins and John Humphrys.Cast and creditsWritten by Sally Phillips and Kate BrookeProduced by Jane BerthoudGeorge Dank - John Fortune 
Hermione Dank - Eleanor Bron 
Anne Dank - Louisa Milwood-Haigh 
Robbins - Brian Bowles 
Dan Richard/ Ernie 2- Chris Pavlo 
Skip/Gladys/Irma/WPC Pierce - Elliott Nicholls 
Jennifer/Aurora - Sally Phillips 
Taxi Driver/Nigel/Peter/Ernie 1/Ken/Sarge/Security Guard - Alan FrancisBrian Perkins - as himselfJohn Humphrys - as himselfFirst Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 Jul &ndash; 3 Sep 1997&copy;2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Sally Phillips

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