Brief Lives: Series 1-6 cover art

Brief Lives: Series 1-6

The BBC Radio 4 Full Cast Psychological Crime Drama

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Brief Lives: Series 1-6

By: Tom Fry, Sharon Kelly
Narrated by: David Schofield, Denise Welch, full cast, Kwame Kwei-Armah
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About this listen

The first six series of the popular radio drama set in a Manchester legal practice, starring David Schofield

Frank Twist and Sarah Gold lead a maverick team of freelance paralegals operating in the mean(ish) streets of Manchester. Their agency operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, dispatching legal representatives to set free burglars, muggers and even some innocent people who find themselves on the wrong side of a cell door.

Frank and Sarah have a history, and a child, but now their relationship is purely business, and in these 30 episodes, they and their colleagues deal with cases ranging from shoplifting to attempted murder. Among their clientele are a suspected rapist, a young teacher accused of having an affair with a sixth-former, a girl arrested for assaulting a police officer and a local councillor who’s been caught selling drugs. In addition, Sarah and Frank themselves become the subjects of police interest when they’re called into Manchester Central for questioning – and that’s just the start of their Kafkaesque journey...

Created by Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly, these gripping dramas combine complex crime stories with witty humour. David Schofield stars as Frank Twist, with Gina Bellman, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Kathryn Hunt and Caroline Burns Cooke as Sarah Gold.

Written by Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly, Elizabeth Heery (Series 4 Episode 3, Series 5 Episode 4), Eve Steele and Ed Jones (Series 4 Episode 4), Eve Steele (Series 5 Episode 2), Lizi Patch (Series 6 Episode 2), Nuala O’Sullivan (Series 6 Episode 4)

Produced and directed by Susan Roberts (Series 1), Gary Brown (Series 2-6)

Music by Carl Harms

©2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Crime Fiction Witty

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All stars
Most relevant  
I really enjoyed, but actor playing Sarah Gold kept changing. Side characters also just disappeared.

Very good but some distractions.

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Deliciously written, produced and performed.
Has many delightful witty and insightful characterizations, brought to live, by the actor's.
Such a strong cast, who's comic timing and delivery is a joy to listen too ..
The Best of British radio drama.
Listened to this, when it was first broadcast by the BBC on Radio 4.
Had almost forgotten how eloquent, each episode flows.
A big thank you to all.

Brilliant

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Initially, listening to the first few episodes, I was ready for throwing in the towel and i understand what some reviewers have said. BUT IT DEFINITELY GETS BETTER!!! Whilst the story in each episode changes, the underlying lives of the legal teamm grows and develops. Consequently it was good listening and i’ve now got the second set of episodes … glad I stuck with it :-)

You really do need to stick with it!!

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As mentioned in some earlier reviews, I was put off the earlier episodes by the sound effects- particularly the use of random seventies music tracks to mark scene changes. However this stopped after the first view episodes, which was a relief.

The characters are mildly interesting, but what I enjoyed was the breadth of scenarios of the cases touched on.

Great for listening to while driving.

Worth persevering

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Radio drama at its most engaging. I'm always looking forward to the next episode. The whole cast is excellent, not least Doug MacGregor, a constant source of amusement.

Great stories, well performed by super cast

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loved this from start to fish, a real shame it had to end. x

loved this, great from start to finish

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Great scripts and brilliant acting. Each storyline is credible and engaging capturing life in a small northern legal practice

An enjoyable listen.

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This is an excellent BBC Radio 4 drama, good value for money. I would highly recommend!

Excellent Drama

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I’ve been transfixed by the stories in this series. Great performances by all. Truly a series worthy of many repeats.

Totally Engaging

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The early recordings are clearly a work in progress, but as time goes by the episodes get better and better. My only problem is that I listen to audible books at night, as a relaxation before sleep, the episodic music breaks become really annoying.

Great stories and acting.

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