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Charles Paris: Dead Room Farce cover art

Charles Paris: Dead Room Farce

By: Simon Brett,Jeremy Front
Narrated by: Bill Nighy,full cast,Suzanne Burden
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Summary

Bill Nighy stars as actor and amateur sleuth Charles Paris in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Simon Brett's novel. 

Charles' career is on the up. He's starring in a revival of a popular (though hackneyed) 70s farce – and while his fellow actors aren't exactly who you'd want to find yourself in bed with, he's happy to be in work.

But while there may be comedy on stage, offstage it's rapidly turning into a whodunnit. First the director drops dead, then another premature death follows soon after when an audio producer doing a promo for the show dies in suspicious circumstances.

The cast are hiding some shady secrets, and have plenty of skeletons in their cupboards which they don't want rattled, but would anyone go as far as murder to protect themselves? Charles is determined to find out, and turns detective in an attempt to find out if foul play is afoot....

This witty, stylish dramatisation by Jeremy Front stars Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Skylight, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as his long-suffering wife Frances.

Written by Jeremy Front, based on the novel by Simon Brett.

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

What listeners say about Charles Paris: Dead Room Farce

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Bill Nighy well what can you say..

I have had all of the Charles Paris books and have not found one that I disliked. Written brilliantly by Simon Brett and co, in a way that is funny but also infectious and enjoyable to follow the plot till the end.

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3 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Not one of the best

What would have made Charles Paris: Dead Room Farce better?

A stronger plot

What could Simon Brett and Jeremy Front have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Some pacing, some dramatic tension, more humour, less slapstick, better characterisation...

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Bill Nighy did his best with a weak script

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable and witty

I do enjoy this series for the sarky, snappy dialogue, more than for the murder mysteries although those are also good fun. Great quality production and excellent cast. A nice way to spend a couple of hours.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gotta love Charles Paris

It's another fun story from the series, once you start it's hard to stop, bit like a good bottle of whiskey!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Such fun.

Hilarious, great acting, fun and silly story. The sound effects were excellent. I loved, loved, loved it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

another good play from the bbc

yet again the bbc show what they are good at fr.

as with all the Charles church

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Must love Bill Nighy

"I have the best words." That got me laughing so hard while trying to catch some nap.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

bill Nighy excellent

as Charles Paris Bill Nighy was excellent as always.. The plot a bit thin no real back story. but entertaining.. It was over before you could get into the murder.

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very good

enjoyed it immensely. great performances. love the characters. will buy another as worth it. terrific.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great actors but bit slow

Loved the performances but took a while to get into and always felt a little strange. Did enjoy it though

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