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Single Spies: An Englishman Abroad and A Question of Attribution by Alan Bennett

Guy Burgess in Moscow exile. Anthony Blunt as the Queen’s art adviser. Drama double with Simon Callow and Edward Petherbridge.

**** 4 Extra marks 75 years since British diplomats turned KGB spies, Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean, defected to the Soviet Union on May 25th 1951

Two classic Alan Bennett spy dramas performed together.

An Englishman Abroad

1958. A squalid flat in Moscow. Over a paltry lunch, exiled spy Guy Burgess interrogates actress Coral Browne about English society gossip and then asks her to get him some new clothes from London.

Guy Burgess .... Simon Callow
Coral .... Brigit Forsyth
Tailor .... Robert Pickavance
Tolya/Shop assistant .... Peter Swander

Pianola and Balalaika played by Matthew Compton and David Carol.

A Question of Attribution

Set in the 1960s, before Professor Anthony Blunt, the director of the Courtauld Institute, was exposed and disgraced as a spy. Blunt is replacing a Titian at the Palace when Her Majesty the Queen comes in. The painting is a fake.

Anthony Blunt .... Edward Petherbridge
Chubb .... Nicky Henson
The Queen .... Prunella Scales
Colin .... Harry Myers
Restorer .... Robert Pickavance
Philips .... Dan Stevens

Producer Susan Roberts

First broadcast on Radio 4 in September 2006.

1 hour, 27 minutes

On radio

Next Saturday06:00
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