Afternoon Play - Two Pipe Problems - Episode 1

By Michael Chaplin We return to The Old Beeches, a retirement home for elderly thespians, in the company of William and Sandy; two actors who still nurse a certain affectionate animosity towards one another since they starred as Holmes and Watson in a 1960s television series. Our two elderly thespian residents of the Old Beeches home for retired members of the Acting profession become embroiled in making sure the course of true love DOES run smooth. It all begins with a proposal, leading swiftly to a wedding, involving two residents - a Shakespearian knight called Sir Trelawney Hope and an ex-nightclub chanteuse called Dolores Sweet, with William as Trelawney's best man and Sandy giving Dolores away. But as the old couple stand there, Trelawney drops a bombshell - he no longer wishes to go through with it. There's uproar, Trelawney strides away, refusing to say any more. Our two heroes are once again pressed into service to solve a mystery; just why does the bridegroom suddenly call the wedding off? Cast: Sandy Boyle ..... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ..... Richard Briers Dolores Sweet ..... Julia McKenzie Sir Trelawney Hope ..... John Rowe Godfrey ..... Joseph Mydell Mary Winter ..... Jillie Meers Isadora Klein ..... Susan Wooldridge Hugo ..... Stephen Critchlow Saxophonist ..... Julie Hodge Producer/Director: Marilyn Imrie A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.