Follow the fortunes of a left-wing theatre company, written by acclaimed dramatist Doug Lucie.

It’s 1985 and the Stage Left Theatre Collective is founded by a group of friends with a shared vision: Emma, the artistic manager and Robert the literary manager, director Saul, playwright Alan, and finance manager, Frank. This funny, moving and pin sharp drama follows the fate of the company and its members over the course of four decades. We catch up with the characters as they negotiate changing cultural and economic climates. There are clashing ideals, conflicting egos, personal grievances, differing tastes and petty quarrels. The company’s dramatic tenth anniversary, the meteoric rise of one of its members and escalating tensions are brought into sharp relief when a tragedy brings the group together.

However, at the heart of this drama is the story of a group of idealistic friends who see their vision refined, altered, dented, rebuilt, and corroded by the wider artistic and cultural landscape. Can their shared dream endure through it all?

For nearly half a century, Doug Lucie has been a key figure in contemporary writing for the British stage with a string of influential successes. His plays have been produced at the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Other Place and the Royal Court. Stage Left also stars Olivier award winning actor Alex Jennings, best known for his roles in The Crown, The Lady in the Van, and performances on the London stage.

Cast and credits

Written by Doug Lucie

Directed by Mary Peate and Heather Larmour

Produced by Heather Larmour

Alan - Ewan Bailey

Saul - Gerard McDermot

Kelly - Tracy Wiles

Emma - Anna Madeley

Robert - Richard Lumsden

Frank - Alex Jennings

Annabel - Rebecca Hamilton

Jim - Caolan McCarthy

Waiter - Richard Pepple

Sue - Gillian Bevan

Alice - Jane Slavin

Ken - Doug Lucie

Actor 1 - George Watkins

Actor 2/Sir Clive - Brian Protheroe

Di - Evie Killip

Marion - Debra Baker

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 February 2016