A full-cast BBC radio dramatisation, starring Bill Nighy as Charles Paris

August in Edinburgh, and thousands of performers of all stripes have flocked to the Fringe Festival. Among them is Charles Paris filling in at the last minute after a student actress breaks a leg and has to drop out. Showcasing an earnest one-man show in a sea of stand-up comics is a bit of a gamble, but at least he's acting, and with a Charles Paris production, what could possibly go wrong?

Charles is sharing a venue with a group of student actors, but when one of the performers dies in a freak stabbing, the actor-cum-amateur sleuth smells a murderous rat and decides to investigate. When the killer sets his sights on him, Charles realises that he must be getting close to the truth - despite not having a clue what's going on...

Help arrives in the form of his agent, Maurice, in town scouting for talent, and Charles' 'semi-detached' wife, Frances, who inadvertently finds herself directing Charles' show. The three become drawn into the mystery, and find themselves playing detectives. This unlikely trio are way out of their depth, but when has that ever stopped Charles Paris?

Jeremy Front's witty drama stars Bill Nighy as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice.

Written by Jeremy Front

Based on the novel by Simon Brett

Produced and directed by Sally Avens

Cast

Charles Paris - Bill Nighy

Frances - Suzanne Burden

Maurice - Jon Glover

James - Roger Ringrose

Anna - Natasha K Stone

Martin - Connor Curren

Laura - Chloe Sommer

Angus/Sam - Tom Kiteley

Tessa - Joanna Monro

Eilish - Catriona Stirling

Sophie - Fiona Skinner

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9th-30th June 2023