The Buckingham Palace Connection and More

Five Full-Cast BBC Radio Vintage Thrillers

By: Ted Willis

Narrated by: Miriam Margolyes, Maurice Denham, Elizabeth Proud, Alex Jennings, Frances Jeater, Jeremy Clyde, Annette Crosbie, Leslie Sands, Mary Wimbush, Mary Miller, Trevor Martin, Christopher Scoular, Hugh Burden, Adrian Egan, full cast

A collection of full-cast dramatisations from the renowned screenwriter and novelist Ted Willis

Ted Willis began his creative life in amateur theatre and journalism before moving into writing for films, TV and radio, and was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most prolific writer for television. His best-known creation was the hit police procedural Dixon of Dock Green which he based on the stories told to him by a policeman friend. This radio anthology includes five of his best-loved crime tales from the 1960s, '70s and '80s.

The Buckingham Palace Connection - Summer, 1976. A question in the House of Lords leads Ted Willis to uncover the extraordinary true story of a 1918 mission to rescue the Romanovs... Maurice Denham, Jeremy Clyde and Miriam Margolyes star in this exciting drama, based on real events and adapted by Ted Willis from his own novel.
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3-31 May 1981

The Left-Handed Sleeper - Ted Willis' neighbours have become embroiled in scandal. MP Mark Ritchie has gone on the run, suspected of being a spy, and MI5 are on his trail. Can his wife Christine prove his innocence? Dramatised by the author from his 1975 novel, this gripping espionage thriller stars Ted Willis as the narrator, with Annette Crosbie as Christine.
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 November-12 December 1982

Death May Surprise Us - Attending a country fair, the Prime Minister and his wife are kidnapped in broad daylight, within yards of a huge crowd. With the country reeling, the hunt is on to find them and bring them home safely... Leslie Sands and Mary Wimbush star in this suspenseful tale, adapted by Ted Willis from his 1974 novel.
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 August-30 September 1984

The Blue Lamp - This vintage drama by Ted Willis and Jan Read was based on their original treatment for the 1950 Ealing Studios film that introduced the character of PC George Dixon, who went on to appear in TV's Dixon of Dock Green. Deryck Guyler stars as the veteran London copper who faces up to an armed robber.
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 December 1962

And No Birds Sing - Philip Brooks is quietly reading at home, but a knock on his front door may change his life forever... This intriguing play stars Hugh Burden as Philip Brooks, Mary Miller as Ann Brooks and Adrian Egan as Detective Sergeant Syms.
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 May 1979

Credits
Written and dramatised by Ted Willis

The Buckingham Palace Connection: Directed by Glyn Dearman
The Left-Handed Sleeper: Produced by Christopher Venning
Death May Surprise Us: Directed by Graham Gauld
The Blue Lamp: Produced by David H. Godfrey; Written by Ted Willis and Jan Read; Adapted for radio by Jan Read
And No Birds Sing: Directed by David Johnston

With special thanks to Keith Wickham

©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Critic reviews

"There are great actors and intriguing premises in every one of the stories ... If you’d forgotten what an ingenious mind Ted Willis had, and what a gifted writer he was for espionage plots, then this collection is a timely reminder." Entertainment Focus