Five tales of murder, mayhem and political intrigue from the casebook of Norman Birkett

Norman Birkett KC (1883-1962) was a real-life Rumpole - a distinguished and highly skilled lawyer who had numerous successes in the courtroom during his long career. This collection covers some of his most famous cases of the inter-war years, including the dramatic trial of Buck Ruxton; the notorious Dennistoun affair; and the peculiar events surrounding the mysterious cyclist Ronald Light.

Norman Birkett and the Case of the Coleford Poisoner - The celebrated advocate defends a woman accused of murdering her husband with arsenic.

Birkett and the Blind Soldier - When a blind First World War veteran is charged with killing his wife, Birkett takes on his defence.

Birkett and the Green Bicycle - Appearing for the prosecution, the brilliant barrister deals with a case involving death by gunshot, pacifism and chocolate...

Birkett and the Red Stains on the Carpet - The renowned KC defends a doctor accused of murdering and dismembering his wife and maid.

Birkett and the Naked Toreador - Norman Birkett takes on the case that made his name in this extraordinary saga of blackmail, snobbery, society scandal and bullfighting...

David Haig and Neil Dudgeon star as Birkett, with Alison Pettitt and Bonnie Engstrom as his wife, Billie, and Alun Raglan as his clerk, Edgar.

Written by Caroline and David Stafford
Directed by Marc Beeby

Norman Birkett and the Case of the Coleford Poisoner
Birkett - David Haig
Edgar Bowker - Trystan Gravelle
Billie - Alison Pettitt
Elton Pace - Michael Shelford
Annie Pace/Leslie Pace - Clare Corbett
Dr du Pre - Sam Dale
Judge Horridge/Vicar - Bruce Alexander
Mrs Elizabeth Porter - Joanna Monro
Other parts were played by John Biggins and Nigel Hastings
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 June 2010

Birkett and the Blind Soldier
Norman Birkett - Neil Dudgeon
Billie - Bonnie Engstrom
Edgar - Alun Raglan
Lady Pearson - Adjoa Andoh
Arthur - Carl Prekopp
MacCormac - Paul Moriarty
Frazer/Warder - Adam Billington
Humphreys - James Lailey
Sgt Waller - Gerard McDermott
Randall/Clerk - Rikki Lawton
Grace/Margaret - Alex Rivers
Woman - Victoria Inez Hardy
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 January 2012

Birkett and the Green Bicycle
Norman Birkett - Neil Dudgeon
Billie - Bonnie Engstrom
Edgar - Alun Raglan
Sir Edward - Nicholas Jones
Cadbury - James Lailey
Cox/Enoch - Adam Billington
Judge - Gerard McDermott
Lily/Muriel - Francine Chamberlain
Ronald - Christopher Webster
Graham - Simon Bubb
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 10 January 2012

Birkett and the Red Stains on the Carpet
Norman Birkett - Neil Dudgeon
Billie - Bonnie Engstrom
Edgar - Alun Raglan
Jackson - Adam Billington
Buck Ruxton - Sagar Arya
Shaw - Gerard McDermott
Glaister - James Lailey
Bennett - Rikki Lawton
Alfred - Christopher Webster
Susan/Gracie - Victoria Inez Hardy
Mary - Alex Rivers
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 January 2012

Birkett and the Naked Toreador
Norman Birkett - Neil Dudgeon
Billie - Bonnie Engstrom
Edgar - Alun Raglan
Lady Caernarvon - Joanna Monro
Sir Edward - Nicholas Jones
Dennistoun - Carl Prekopp
Mlle Cina - Victoria Inez Hardy
Dorothy - Adjoa Andoh
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 January 2012

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