Episode 3

Nick Warburton's comedy drama returns. It takes us to the Cambridgeshire Fens and the Platters' boatyard nestled on the river.

The Platter community is an eccentric one and at its heart is the chaotic pairing of Pat and his sister Libby. Libby, after a long absence, appears to be back to stay and so does Ravi, the newcomer, who Libby took under her wing and is now the boatyard manager. Can they all muddle along together in harmony? Possibly but there are hidden Platter secrets still waiting to be uncovered.

Libby ..... Monica Dolan
Pat ..... Oliver Chris
Ravi ..... Waleed Akhtar
Don ..... Sam Dale

Directed by Tracey Neale

This third and final drama, narrated by Ravi, is full of surprises. Pat confides in Ravi and then a little tub of a man in a little tub of a rowing boat arrives at the boatyard. It's Don Garlick, a boatyard worker from the past who worked with Libby and Pat's dad, James. Don's arrival elicits two very different responses from the Platter siblings. There's trouble ahead and Ravi is caught in the middle of it all.

It's Downstream and so there are trips along the river and over to Blake's Island with the wonderful wildlife ever present, be it the ducks, a heron, otters, reed bunting or Bernard, the swan Libby adopted from the moment he was hatched, and who has grown up thinking Libby is his mum. But in this final drama in the Downstream trilogy the unresolved issues and hidden secrets will be uncovered.

The Writer:
Nick Warburton's wonderful, gentle touch with family dramas is no secret to Radio 4 listeners, as shown in Mardle Fen, Holding Back the Tide, Downstream, and The Archers. Nick a hugely talented writer has an amazing gift for creating beautiful audio dramas be they original writing or adaptations of classic novels such as Trollope's Barchester Chronicles.

The Cast:
Monica Dolan (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Sherwood, The Change, Smoggie Queens)
Oliver Chris (Rivals, My Lady Jane and presently in Arcadia in the West End)
Waleed Akhtar (actor and writer won an Olivier Award for his play 'The P Word')
Sam Dale (On Mardle Fen and numerous other audio dramas including Gone with the Wind)

Producer & Director: Tracey Neale

Sound Design: Sam Dickinson

Technical Producer: Keith Graham
Production Co-Ordinators: Sara Benaim and Ben Hollands