Russell Tovey
The Admirable Crichton

The Admirable Crichton

  • Radio comedy drama
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2009
  • 1 episode

Adaptation of JM Barrie's classic satire about the changing fortunes of Crichton, the perfect butler. Stars Russell Tovey, David Bannerman, Beth Chalmers, David Timson, Martha Howe-Douglas and more.

Key details

Genre
Comedy Drama
Broadcast
2009
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
1
Stars
Russell Tovey, David Bannerman, Beth Chalmers, David Timson, Martha Howe-Douglas, Gunnar Cauthery, Lizzy Watts, Adrian Grove and more
Writers
JM Barrie and Fiona Kelcher
Director
Fiona Kelcher
Producer
Fiona Kelcher

In an aristocratic Mayfair household, Crichton is devoted to his master, Lord Loam, even though he can't abide Loam's view that all men are equal. He detests his master's monthly tea parties where the family and their friends socialise with the servants. Nature, he argues, dictates that society needs masters and servants and people should stick to their status - for a butler to socialise with either a Lord or a stable-boy is abhorrent to him. Lady Mary, Loam's newly engaged daughter, shares Crichton's approval of social ranking and Crichton loves her disdain.

When the family is shipwrecked on a deserted island during their yachting trip, it's Crichton's resourcefulness which saves the day. Over the next two years on the island, their small society finds happiness and a brand new social order. And far away from the constraints of England, love affairs start to complicate relationships in their little tribe, with all the women desperate to win the heart of their beloved "Gov".

Additional details

Production
Studio

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Saturday 2nd May 2009 at 2:30pm on BBC Radio 4
Episode length
1 hour
Most recent repeats
  • Tuesday 25th June 2019 at 3:00am on Radio 4 Extra
  • Monday 24th June 2019 at 3:00pm on Radio 4 Extra
  • Monday 24th June 2019 at 10:00am on Radio 4 Extra

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