THE CHAMPION BBC W.G GRACE CRICKET RADIO PLAY 1987 RARE TIMOTHY SPALL

Presented here is a recording of a radio play Radio 4 Saturday night theatre production -A dramatisation by Martin Worth of the life of W.G GRACE "THE CHAMPION" . It has not been broadcast for 26 years and as a rarity needed to be preserved and also reach a wide audience once more - hence my sharing it. I restored it by removing radio interference and tape hiss.
Its a well-researched biographical play by Martin Worth about the life of Dr. W.G.Grace, the world's most famous cricketer. An interesting comment on the social history of the times ... Grace was well-paid on the tour, but it wasn't so easy for some of his working-class team mates...and don't forget that this was when amateurs and professionals entered the ground by different gates.
With Timothy Spall as W.G., Zela Clark as Agnes, Diana Ohlson as Martha, Julie Berry as Fanny, Richard Durden as Edward, Trevor Nichols as Fred, Paul Chapman as Lord Harris, Sue Broomfield as Lucy, Alan Thompson as Babcock, Struan Rodger as Alfred Shaw, Jonathan Cullen as Gilbert, Jill Lidstone as Bessie. Also in cast: Andrew Branch, Alan Dudley, Davbid Goodland, Paul Gregory, Stephen Harold, Brian Hewlett, Tim Reynolds, Paul Russell, Stephen Thorne, Ian Thompson. Directed by Jane Morgan.
At the end is the first few minutes of "The Amazing Test Match Crime" by Adrian Alington R4 BBC Play narrated by Brian Johnston. Sadly I only have this brief excerpt. This play is as rare as the champion and I hope radio 4 extra unearth it along with the champion. The book is easilly available. I cannot find a novel of the champion.
benmanningauth...
My Cricket Radio show is now available to listen to at www.blogtalkrad...

[@andrewgolf5712]

Brilliant.

[@packersamurai]

He also was God in MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL!

[@Stella-jq9up]

Thank you for restoring this tape & uploading it. Much enjoyed.

[@sentimentalbloke185]

Grace had, famously, a very high-pitched voice.

[@ksranji]

I have it on reel to reel tape, recorded on the 15th of February 1985😀

[@MrBenmanning]

I recorded this as a kid off of Radio 4 must have been a repeat as it was 1987

[@seanledwith3114]

Absolute gem-thank u for uploading

[@PaulEHudson]

Well done for uploading this - a great way of sharing

[@alexcrouch9243]

Brilliant play. Thank you so much for uploading it.

[@pjb3150]

Excellent.

[@PaddedCellStudio]

Thanks for this 😃👌

[@wilihgrolsch3544]

this is utterly AWFUL. The idea that shouting on the cricket field like football louts was common! Ghastly performances. Pirate voices or Bristolians? Junk

[@cotswoldcuckoo775]

wili h grolsch Written by R. Jim. Ladd.

[@alistairthompson8311]

Pirates/pioneering cricket players = same thing, apparently.