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Charles Paris: A Third BBC Radio Collection

By: Jeremy Front, Simon Brett
Narrated by: Bill Nighy, Suzanne Burden, Jon Glover, full cast
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Summary

Bill Nighy stars as the irrepressible Charles Paris in these five BBC Radio dramatisations

Actor, alcoholic and amateur sleuth Charles Paris returns in another quintet of humorous theatrical thrillers. All Charles asks for is a nice juicy part in a successful play - but wherever he appears on the bill, murder and mystery always play a starring role...

The Cinderella Killer - Panto seems the perfect way to spend the Christmas season for Charles, but when the show's star is found dead, the slapstick must make way for a murder investigation.

Dead Room Farce - Charles is appearing in a revival of a 1970s farce. But when two cast members die in suspicious circumstances, he suspects foul play is afoot.

Star Trap - When a series of accidents befalls the cast of a West End musical, Charles steps in to investigate. Who is trying to sabotage the show - and why?

A Doubtful Death - Charles has landed a role in an immersive theatre production of Hamlet. But when an actress goes missing, he must decide if it is to be or not to be a murder case... Also included with this story is an exclusive afterword with scriptwriter Jeremy Front, who adapted it from an unproduced screenplay by Simon Brett. He reveals what it's like behind the scenes of Charles Paris, and explains the mechanics of recording for radio.

A Deadly Habit - Offered a job in a verbatim theatre piece set in a monastery, Charles has reservations. Then disaster strikes the production - and he smells criminality...

Written by Jeremy Front

Based on the novels and screenplay by Simon Brett

Produced and directed by Sally Avens

Starring Bill Nighy as Charles Paris, Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice

Text copyright © Simon Brett 1977 (Star Trap), 1998 (Dead Room Farce), 2014 (The Cinderella Killer), 2018 (A Deadly Habit), 2020 (A Doubtful Death)

©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
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What listeners say about Charles Paris: A Third BBC Radio Collection

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my favourite series

This is my favourite cozy mystery series, Bill Nighy is an absolute treasure in this funny yet intriguing detective.

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Fabulous

Simply fabulous! Storyline, acting and all round set up. Would definitely recommend it. I have downloaded more as I am a complete fan now

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Just bloody brilliant

Quite simply the best radio (detective) drama around. Bill Nighys gorgeous voice and cheeky chappy demeanor is perfect. Love the relationships with Maurice and Francis too. I will listen again and again to these series and recommend to everyone with ears. And maybe even those without. Bill Nighy -never ever stop playing this character, I'm a little bit in love with him.

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2 people found this helpful

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Highly Recommend

Bill Nighy is by turns comin and dramatic, really loved all three.editions.

Stayed up all night listening

Anna Horton


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Pure Dead Brilliant 3

These are pure dead brilliant. Excellently written and expertly performed. Bill Nighy is outstanding and is very ably supported by Suzanne Burden as Frances, his ‘semi-detached’ wife, and Jon Glover his long suffering (or maybe it’s the other way round) agent. I can highly recommend all 3 in this series. You won’t regret it…

Pure Dead Brilliant

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Amusing, excellent performances

Comedy murder mysteries. If you can forget about the dozens of victims throughout the three collections you don't need to worry about questions of poor taste. The three central performances are superb, and the series stands totally on them.
However, the writer keeps making terrible language mistakes, like this: "That morning, leaving my flat with a hangover and taking the first train to Oxford, the cast met to discuss the issue." And "Expecting my approval, I said it was excellent." These are dreadful errors from a professional writer and it's dismaying that they weren't picked up on.
Also, the actress whose character has the vinyl collection (and presumably the director too), thinks "succinct" is pronounced "sussinct", which is pretty depressing all round.

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