I am seeing the new RSC production of the 27 year old Sheridan's 1777 comedy of manners later this month, so caught up with this BBC radio version from 2019. The market for gossip and scandal remains as popular as ever, and this production was introduced by one who makes his living from the same, namely the Editor of Private Eye, Ian Hislop. Complicated but simple story involving requited and unrequited love affairs, troubled marriages, rakish men, a scandal monger delightfully called Lady Sneerwell, and a walk on troupe of supporters including Backbite, Crabtree, Snake, and the two-faced Mrs Candour. I enjoyed it very much, and whilst restoration comedy on the radio is never an easy listen, I was able to more or less follow the story and the cast of characters moving in and out of houses and hiding behind screens and in closets, without getting too lost. I will be interested to see what the RSC make of it! Star studded cast included Hugh Bonneville, Joanna Lumley, Roger Allam, Mark Gatiss, Lisa Dillon, Susannah Fielding, Martin Jarvis, Nigel Anthony, Joe Bannister, George Blagden, Amy Morgan, Ifan Meredith, Jon Glover, Kieran Hodgson, Simon de Deney, Richard Sisson and Daisy Hydon. Directed by Rosalind Ayres and Martin Jarvis. First broadcast June 2019.