Author:Craig Warner,Henry Goodman,Bill Nighy,Full Cast,Ronald Pickup,Jason O'Mara,Siobhan Redmond,Joanna Monro

Henry Goodman stars in this irreverent historical romp, set in 18th-century France
When impoverished watchmaker Caron invents a pioneering device that could revolutionise timekeeping, his fortunes begin to change. Marrying a young, upper-class widow, he takes on a new, noble name - de Beaumarchais - and sets out to conquer Louis XV's court.
But his attempts to rise through the ranks of Versailles society are blocked by royal clockmaker Lepaute - as well as courtly crushes, rumours of war and illicit printing. In a bid to offset his enormous debts, he takes on a tricky task for the King - but his patron's death presents further challenges, in the form of an unlikely dairymaid, a controversial play and political unrest. Will the storming of the Bastille put paid to his aristocratic ambitions?
Created by multi-award-winning playwright Craig Warner, this witty sitcom is based on the real-life story of Pierre-Agustin Caron de Beaumarchais - horologist, playwright, diplomat, arms dealer and spy. Henry Goodman plays our wily hero, and among the star cast are Bill Nighy, Ronald Pickup, Jason O'Mara, Siobhan Redmond and Joanna Monro.
Written by Craig Warner
Directed by Marion Nancarrow
Cast
Beaumarchais - Henry Goodman
Henri Lepaute - David Calder
Louis XV - Ronald Pickup
Madame de Pompadour/Odile - Ann Beach
Beaumarchais' father - Stephen Thorne
Madelaine - Elaine Pyke
Vignon/Lord Stormont - Denys Hawthorne
Secretaire/Silas Deane - Jason O'Mara
Lawyer/Louis XVI/Soldier - Alex Lowe
Princess Adelaide - Colleen Prendergast
Princess Sophie - Amanda Gordon
Goezman - Hugh Ross
Le Comte d'Artois/Duverney/Figaro/Barber - Sean Baker
La Blache/Dupaty - David Bannerman
La Duchesse de Polignac - Joanna Monro
Lia de Beaumont - Bill Nighy
Lord Rochford - David Timson
Marie Antoinette - Siobhan Redmond
Jacques/Marat - Kim Wall
Jules/President - Christopher Scott
Suard/Beggar - Ron Cook
Le Duc de Fronsac - Ioan Meredith
Market women - Joanna Monro & Elaine Pyke
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 7 November-12 December 2006
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
A pulse-racing thriller centred on hot-button debates [...] Kennedy's action-packed storyline puts a punchy spin on the traditional narrative of male later-life crisis
—— Daily MailA wily plot
—— Mail on SundayI can't recommend this more highly ... one of my books of the year
—— Phil Williams , Times RadioA Russian doll of a book that twists and tugs each outer husk, revealing delicate and poignant inner layers.
—— BETH MORREY, author of SAVING MISSYPerfect for fans of A Man Called Ove and Eleanor Oliphant, Ericka Waller's wonderful debut is both laugh out loud funny and immensely moving. Definitely one of my favourite novels of 2021, Dog Days is an absolute delight.
—— AJ Pearce, author of Dr Mrs BirdThe kind of charm readers will recall from Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine... a welcome balm for anxious lockdown minds... the book is gentle but poignant, moving but uplifting, suffused with different kinds of love and loss.
—— VANITY FAIR[A] Touching and thoughtful debut novel
—— REDHilarious and moving, it recognises the unconditional love of dogs and their ability to make the world a better place
—— WOMAN'S WEEKLYIf you enjoyed Beth Morrey's Saving Missy, you'll love this...both hilarious and moving.
—— Woman and HomeEasy to read and witty but full of pathos and sadness, this tightly plotted tale will bring you joy.
—— BESTTender, humorous and hopeful
—— LISSA EVANS, author of V for VictoryDog Days is a beautiful novel, filled with poignancy and humour. Ericka Waller looks closely at life with all its ghosts and new beginnings, finding glitter in the dark and hope where there is healing.
—— Rónán Hession, author of Leonard and Hungry PaulA beautifully written book... it's very hard to believe it's a debut novel. Ericka Waller peels back the layers of life and delves deep into the highs and lows of mental health, of loss, and of love.'
—— NEW BOOKS MAGAZINEThis was such an emotional read and the perfect mix of humour and heartache
—— GOOD HOUSEKEEPINGBoth joyful and heartbreaking
—— HEATDeftly drawn... a warm debut about loss, healing and making new connections
—— MAIL ON SUNDAYWe loved this heartwarming story
—— CLOSERWeaves together tales of man's best friend helping in the darkest days
—— HELLO! magazineWaller's tormented, endearing and intriguing characters cross paths as they walk dogs on the Sussex Downs in a bittersweet, touching novel of waggy tails, wet noses and tear-filled eyes.
—— SAGAA charming novel that focuses on the healing properties of man and woman's best friend
—— Choice MagazineWaller has a lyrical way of weaving words that perfectly encapsulates a feeling or thought ... Funny, sad and reassuringly sage, Dog Days is a story of humanity, family and life.
—— CultureflyA glorious read full of love and humour
—— THE IRISH EXAMINERCombines two total opposites - sorrow and joy. The way Waller makes the two work together is outstanding
—— FEMALE FIRST magazineA charming novel that focusses on the healing powers of man and woman's best friend
—— CHOICE MagazineWith its tightly plotted twists Dog Days is an exhilarating, at times even vertiginous ride... The mix of human passion and canine good sense works triumphantly..
—— Ed Stourton, author of Diary of a Dog Walker'A tender, complicated novel of love, loss and self-discovery.'
—— SUSAN WILSON, New York Times bestselling author of One Good Dog and What a Dog KnowsAn emotional tour-de-force that will leave you with the whole-hearted understanding that dogs really do bring people (even the most unlikely of us) together.
—— Annie England Noblin, author of Sit, Stay, Speak and PupcakesBrilliant, funny, stomach-turningly accurate
Very funny, intense and exhilarating
—— The Times, on 'Then We Came to the End'A funny, thought-provoking revenge story. Elizabeth Zott is ahead of her time. This is such a great book, everyone should read it!
—— SHAPARAK KHORSANDIGarmus has made feminism not just palpable, but delicious
—— I-NEWSA truly involving and uplifting book! Bonnie Garmus addresses serious topics with humour that is genuinely funny. I especially liked the dog. Mine only appears to know one word, which is 'supper', but there again she is a Labrador. I'm sure this is going to be a great success, and deserves to be
—— ANNE YOUNGSON, Costa Book Award-shortlisted author of MEET ME AT THE MUSEUMThis incredible novel has EVERYTHING - an unforgettable heroine, wry humour, love, family and bucketloads of optimism and female empowerment. It's WONDERFUL
—— HANNAH BECKERMANAn energetic debut ... A more adorable plea for rationalism and gender equality would be hard to find
—— KIRKUS (starred review)Bold, smart and often hilarious look at so-called women's work
—— REAL SIMPLE, USCharming and emboldening tale with a vintage sheen... A thoroughly entertaining and emboldened look at gender in the 1960s. A must read!
—— MAGIC RADIO, BOOK CLUB READGarmus delivers an assured voice, an indelible heroine and relatable love stories
—— WASHINGTON POSTElizabeth is a woman who challenges the norms of a woman in the 60s...her perseverance to succeed is enthralling. The fight to do what she really wants, and that alone, is one that'll have you rooting for her throughout
—— STYLISTIndefatigable and formidable, Elizabeth pushes the bounds of how women and their work are perceived in this thoroughly engaging debut novel
—— BOOKLISTA kicky debut, this book tackles feminism, resilience, and rationalism in a fun and refreshing way
—— BUZZFEEDEvery bit as brilliant as everyone is saying. Funny, clever, full of heart and wonderful characters. I loved it
—— A J PEARCEUnforgettable ... Elizabeth Zott is intelligent, fearless, determined and utterly inspiring
—— CULTUREFLYAn absolute delight. Zott is a cracking protagonist - strikingly single-minded, socially awkward, fiercely determined to forge her own path
—— FINANCIAL TIMES, Best Audio BooksWitty, fast-paced and unabashedly amusing' Lessons in Chemistry is 'written with charm, verve and piercing insight ... a future classic
—— LITERARY REVIEWThe best book I've read recently. I loved it
—— SARA COX, BBC 2 Between the CoversI loved it. You don't want to finish it. You don't want to put it down. It's wonderful to hear a voice that has total honesty and clarity. I love that Elizabeth Zott is funny and hasn't got a clue that she's funny
—— DEBORAH MEADEN, BBC 2 BETWEEN THE COVERSI loved everything about it. There were so many things I could relate to
—— STEPHEN BAILEY, BBC 2 BETWEEN THE COVERSi couldn't put it down. It was so easy to read: hilarious, heartfelt. With all of the issues that we are still dealing with right now. Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure
—— SUKH OJLALaugh-aloud funny, witty and provocative, LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY recreates the rampant sexism of America just before Betty Friedan's THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE and the bonfire of the bras
—— THE TIMES, audiobook of the weekA funny, big-hearted read
—— THE TIMES, Summer Reading ChoiceI adored this confident, witty portrait of an unforgettable woman and her time
—— DAILY MAIL, Summer reading recommendationsOne of the smartest and funniest novels to appear this year
—— THE NEW EUROPEANWe guarantee you will love this charming debut
—— HELLO MAGAZINEThis smart, uproarious, emotional page-turner...has been the year's runaway hit. Rightly so
—— SUNDAY TIMES, Books of the YearIrresistible, a gorgeous tribute to resilience and the many types of love that sustain us
—— OPRAH DAILYSharp and deliciously readable. Brings bite as well as charm to the tale of a super-rational scientist navigating sexism in early 60s America.
—— GUARDIAN, Books of the YearThe idiosyncratic wit of this year's blockbuster debut is instantly appealing, but it's also a narrative with real bite. Uplifting and irresistibly zany
—— THE MAIL, Books of the YearI fell for Elizabeth Zott immediately. A wonderfully entertaining and empowering read
—— GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, Books of the YearA wonderful novel - polished, pacy, funny, witty, warm, life-affirming, and thought-provoking
—— SUNDAY MAIL, SCOTLANDWitty and sometimes hilarious. The CATCH-22 of early feminism
—— STEPHEN KINGEnchanting, clever, funny and packed with deeply engaging characters. I still think about it a lot
—— INDIA KNIGHT's Book of the Year, SUNDAY TIMESAs with all the best stories, there is a timelessness to this book. One senses it will be read in ten or twenty years' time
—— IRISH TIMESBiting and cheering in exactly the right measure
—— JOJO MOYESThe TV cook bit hooked me right in and it did not disappoint. This book is Charming, witty and clever
—— NADIYA HUSSAIN






