BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / Rumpole on Radio 4

**Posted by clareiow** March 20, 2014 2:24 pm

Just writing this while I listen to the first episode of two he's starring in. You can listen again on BBC iplayer and you MUST!

It's interesting and funny. And it's got Benedict's chocolate voice. And SINGING in the opening minute.

I will say no more

**Posted by Tinks** March 20, 2014 2:31 pm

Really impatient for it to appear on my iplayer app now, as I missed the start!

**Posted by CarlPowers** March 20, 2014 3:46 pm

Fun! His accent was a bit like his vicar disguised character in ASIB.

**Posted by rebeccaholmes** March 20, 2014 4:17 pm

It's now on iPlayer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03y38kc

**Posted by mrshouse** March 20, 2014 5:09 pm

Arrrrghhh! It is not supported on my mobile😒😒😒😒! Any ideas where I can listen to it anyway, pleeeeeeaaaaase?

**Posted by SolarSystem** March 20, 2014 6:27 pm

Oh, that's great! And it's quite fascinating how he uses his voice and makes it sound like him and at the same time a little different.
And Rumpole really does have some character traits which do remind me of a certain Consulting Detective...

**Posted by natal** March 20, 2014 10:03 pm

Oooh that's great. Thank you!

**Posted by clareiow** March 21, 2014 3:01 pm

Well the second episode has it's bombshells!! Wowsers!

Benedict brilliant once again, reciting Shelley and other poetry....bliss.

**Posted by This Is The Phantom Lady** March 21, 2014 10:44 pm

My ears are so, so very happy right now. Oh my goodness!

I LOVE the way he uses his voice in this; such a talented man we have here!

**Posted by Tinks** March 24, 2014 7:50 am

Listened to the 2nd episode early this morning and really enjoyed it. I hope he does more.
As always, I totally believed in the character - to the extent that I was rooting for him in the court room, and hurting for him outside of it - great stuff!

**Posted by clareiow** March 24, 2014 1:09 pm

I really hope they make more of these, I adore it!

**Posted by Tinks** March 24, 2014 1:25 pm

Me too - I thoroughly enjoy listening to all of his audio work, but this was particularly good

**Posted by SusiGo** March 24, 2014 9:51 pm

Finally managed to listen to ep. 1. Liked it very much. His voice acting is so wonderful. Now I must try to catch ep. 2 before they take it down from iPlayer.

**Posted by zeratul** March 26, 2014 6:57 am

SolarSystem wrote:
Oh, that's great! And it's quite fascinating how he uses his voice and makes it sound like him and at the same time a little different.
And Rumpole really does have some character traits which do remind me of a certain Consulting Detective...

I thought the same... especially on investigating, and on the pppppp like in yepppppp...

**Posted by SusiGo** March 26, 2014 7:41 am

Listened to ep. 2 and liked them both very much. It's a shame that they do not seem to be available as audiobooks. Would love to have them all especially as I just ordered a new iPod.

**Posted by zeratul** March 26, 2014 8:17 am

Yeah, they will take them done again and then they are gone. What a shame.

**Posted by TeeJay** March 26, 2014 9:28 am

In the olden days (gosh, I'm not that old), we used to record radio plays on audio tapes so we could listen to them again. There are ways of doing that with the computer as well. You know, I'm just sayin'...

**Posted by Zatoichi** March 27, 2014 8:39 am

Oh I loved this, he could cross-examine me any day..

Does anyone know if there´ll be a sequel?

**Posted by TeeJay** April 1, 2014 6:51 am

It's taken me over a week, but I have now listened to all the Rumpole episodes with Benedict. Which was fun, he does radio so well.

While I was thoroughly entertained, I must admit, however, that I generally like my protagonists likeable. And Rumpole isn't all that likeable. Yes, this was the 60's, but when it comes down to it, Horace is pretty much an arrogant jerk and a total chauvinist. Not one episode went by where I didn't want to slap sense into the man!

That said, I hope there's sequels at some point, because having Benedict's voice play over my speakers is always a joy.

Does anyone know why Timothy West didn't do the older Rumpole in those last two episodes?

**Posted by Tinks** April 1, 2014 7:10 am

I agree that Rumpole isn't a very likeable character - though I didn't find any of the characters entirely likeable, if I'm honest. As you say, it was a different age.
I admire his lack of vanity in taking on these not so nice characters - many of the roles he plays have a touch of the "bastard" about them (to borrow a Benedict quote!)
He does radio brilliantly.
Not sure why Timothy West wasn't available though, I'm afraid.