British Comedy Guide
Penelope Wilton
Wasps In A Jam Jar

Wasps In A Jam Jar

  • Radio comedy drama
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2023
  • 1 episode

Comedy drama about Elspeth Howe and her rivalry with Margaret Thatcher. Also features Penelope Wilton, Harriet Walter, James Fleet, Jonty Stephens, Simon Greenall and more.

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Key details

Genre
Comedy Drama
Broadcast
2023
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
1
Stars
Penelope Wilton, Harriet Walter, James Fleet, Jonty Stephens, Simon Greenall, Jonathan Maitland and Hamilton Berstock
Writer
Jonathan Maitland
Producer
Gary Brown
Company

Elspeth was married to Geoffrey Howe. She was the complete opposite of the other woman in his life, Margaret Thatcher. Elspeth was Chair of the Broadcasting Standards Commission and a vocal supporter of the homeless. She was a feminist, whereas Mrs Thatcher thought a woman's place was in the home.

This rivalry played a substantial part in Geoffrey Howe's famous resignation speech in 1990. Arguably the speech was a major turning point in contemporary history. It meant the end of Mrs Thatcher. But most significant of all, the European battle lines in the Conservative Party were indelibly drawn that day. There's a straight line from that speech to the Brexit referendum. This comedy drama by journalist Jonathan Maitland dramatises the events leading up to the speech.

This drama is an adaptation of Jonathan Maitland's stage play Dead Sheep.

Catch-up

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Saturday 10th June 2023 at 3pm on BBC Radio 4
Episode length
1 hour

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