Craft

Forgery, theft, death and notoriety amidst the inflated valuations of the art world

Enjoy this perfect pair of quirky crime dramas featuring art theft, forgery, murder and double-dealing. Craft, tells the story of failed artist, Adam Bax. He is amazed when one of his paintings sells for a large sum, unexpectedly giving him overnight fame. Though still deeply disillusioned with the world of art, he embarks on a little nefarious money-making scheme, aided and abetted by his estranged wife, Tessa. Cashing-in in a way you wouldn’t quite imagine this comedy drama follows the twists and turns of the over-inflated underworld of the British art scene.
The story continues in The Tokyo Correction, plunging the listener back into the world of organised crime, deception and the art world. It’s ten years on and disreputable painter Adam Bax is back in London. He’s been on the run in Spain but the big city is calling him home. Penniless and jobless, he''s taken under the wing of an old student. He soon finds himself tangled up in a major art deception – and then discovers one of his collaborators has been murdered…
These two thrilling and funny dramas are perfect for fans of classic comedy capers and quality drama. Norman Rodway stars as the artist Bax and James Grout as the animated policeman investigating his activities. Ex-wife Tessa is played by Carole Boyd, best known for her iconic role as Lynda Snell in The Archers. Writer Guy Meredith is the talent behind many original radio plays and dramatisations, including Prix Italia-nominated The Surprise Symphony. He was also at the heart of a powerful dramatisation of Albert Camus’s novel La Peste and wrote Mad, Bad, the BBC’s entry for the Prix Futura, starring Bill Nighy.
Cast and credits
Written by Guy Meredith
Directed by Cherry Cookson
Adam Bax - Norman Rodway
Robert - Geoffrey Collins
Quatermain - James Grout
Tessa - Carole Boyd
Constantine - Neville Jason
Fenwick - John Rye
His Manservant/Sergeant - John Webb
Susan - Helena Breck
Nutley/Sergeant - Colin Starkey
Colonel Dalby - Garard Green
Rivetti - Michael Percival
Beth - Ellen McIntosh
Nicholas Bonalack - David Ashton
Terry Harman - Steve Hodson
Herman Dorff - Jonathan Adams
Judith - Sandra James-Young
Principal - John Baddeley
Customer - Melinda Walker
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4th Mar 1984 & 4th Feb 1993
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