High Table, Lower Orders

The second series of Mark Tavener's comedy-drama murder series set in a fictional Cambridge college in crisis against a background of satirical references to television journalism, politics, government bureaucracy and academic in-fighting. It's been a year since Peter Devanti's murder, and Simon Harrison is out of a job. However, when a particularly brilliant but unbearably smug student supposedly commits suicide after accusing another student of plagiarism, the new Master brings Simon back (as a Fellow in Forensic Science and Criminology) to investigate. Simon is unconvinced that the suicide was genuine, but despite being an ineffectual teacher is determined to solve the crime, especially since an extremely generous monetary academic award seems to be the motive ... Gilbert Devlin ... Geoffrey Palmer Simon Harrison ... Samuel West Zoe ... Sharon Small Bernard ... Jonathan Coy The Dean of the College ... Michael Maloney Dr. Roisin McDade ... Michelle Fairley Ian Butterworth ... Matt Green Jane ... Tracey Wiles John/Robin ... David Bannerman Jim ... Stephen Hogan Stewart/Servant ... Anthony Glennon Student 1 ... Tom Price Student 2 ... Zoe Gardener Detective-Inspector Rendell ... Rachel Atkins Elspeth ... Elizabeth Bell Episode 1 00:00 College is battling against ever present finance savings and Simon finds himself bereft of a job. Could this be the perfect opportunity for Gilbert to furnish the college with a more popular course and upset the Dean in the process? Series two of Mark Tavener's comedy thriller set in a Cambridge College riven by arguments between traditionalists and modernisers. Episode 2 28:17 While Simon is struggling in his new status as don, the Dean finds his popularity with the students on the increase. Meanwhile, Gilbert faces the rather grave task of dealing with a student found cheating. And there's grim news for Simon... Episode 3 55:35 One of the students has been found hanged in what appears to be a suicide - but Simon is not convinced. Episode 4 1:22:14 One of the students has confessed to murder, but Simon is not convinced he's guilty. But the investigation is put on hold when Simon finds himself debating against a Government minister about modernisation. Episode 5 1:50:23 While Simon is distracted with his murder investigation, the fellows find themselves undergoing individual performance assessments. The Master finds the whole idea appalling. The Dean, on the other hand, seems to be relishing every moment Episode 6 2:18:31 Simon is convinced he knows who the killer is - but can he find the evidence to prove it, and prevent another murder?

The first series of Mark Tavener's comedy-drama murder series set in a fictional Cambridge college in crisis against a background of satirical references to television journalism, politics, government bureaucracy and academic in-fighting. When a former member of the college who's become a notorious TV popularizer of history dies after having dined at the college, the college's Master suspects foul play and invites Simon Harrison, a former brilliant student at the college but now a disenchanted government bureaucrat, to investigate the suspicious death. However, the list of suspects gets longer and longer, and things get even more complicated when the Master himself dies under suspicious circumstances ... Episode 1 Since graduation, Simon has hardly blazed a trail as a plodding Health and Safety executive, so why does his old Cambridge master Gilbert need him? Following the death of one of its most prominent Dons, celebrity TV historian Peter Devanti - everyone at a Cambridge College gathers to attend the funeral. Simon, an ex-student and now disillusioned health and safety officer, starts wondering whether his death was not as straightforward as it at first appeared. CAST: Gilbert …. Geoffrey Palmer Simon …. Samuel West Patricia …. Rebecca Front with Sharon Small, Michael Maloney, Jonathan Coy, Emily Wachter, Nicholas Boulton, Hugh Dickson, and Beth Chalmers Script Editor: Paul Schlesinger Producer: Dawn Ellis First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2005. Episode 2 28:23 Another mysterious death makes Health and Safety executive Simon consider the relevance of cruets. Following the death of one of its most prominent Dons, celebrity TV historian Peter Devanti - everyone at a Cambridge College gathers to attend the funeral. Simon, an ex-student and now disillusioned health and safety officer, starts wondering whether his death was not as straightforward as it at first appeared. CAST: Gilbert …. Geoffrey Palmer Simon …. Samuel West Patricia …. Rebecca Front with Sharon Small, Michael Maloney, Jonathan Coy, Emily Wachter, Nicholas Boulton, Jason Chan and Beth Chalmers Episode 3 56:33 As dead don Peter Devanti's sordid side is made public, Simon struggles with his day job. Following the death of one of its most prominent Dons, celebrity TV historian Peter Devanti - everyone at a Cambridge College gathers to attend the funeral. Simon, an ex-student and now disillusioned health and safety officer, starts wondering whether his death was not as straightforward as it at first appeared. CAST: Gilbert …. Geoffrey Palmer Simon …. Samuel West Patricia …. Rebecca Front with Sharon Small, Michael Maloney, Jonathan Coy, Emily Wachter, Nicholas Boulton, Jason Chan and Beth Chalmers Episode 4 1:24:46 Simon has to investigate the college chapel, while also trying to identify Peter Devanti's murderer. But is Zoe the next target? Following the death of one of its most prominent Dons, celebrity TV historian Peter Devanti - everyone at a Cambridge College gathers to attend the funeral. Simon, an ex-student and now disillusioned health and safety officer, starts wondering whether his death was not as straightforward as it at first appeared. CAST: Gilbert …. Geoffrey Palmer Simon …. Samuel West Patricia …. Rebecca Front with Sharon Small, Michael Maloney, Jonathan Coy, Emily Wachter, Nicholas Boulton, Stephen Hogan and Beth Chalmers Episode 5 1:52:58 Losing the struggle to keep his job, Simon receives an intriguing offer. Following the death of one of its most prominent Dons, celebrity TV historian Peter Devanti - everyone at a Cambridge College gathers to attend the funeral. Simon, an ex-student and now disillusioned health and safety officer, starts wondering whether his death was not as straightforward as it at first appeared. CAST: Gilbert …. Geoffrey Palmer Simon …. Samuel West Patricia …. Rebecca Front with Sharon Small, Michael Maloney, Jonathan Coy, Emily Wachter, Nicholas Boulton, Martin Hyder, Laurence Howarth and Beth Chalmers Episode 6 2:21:04 Exams loom large. Simon Harrison delves into his Health and Safety background for one final ruse. Can he unveil the killer? Mark Tavener's comedy thriller. CAST: Gilbert …. Geoffrey Palmer Simon …. Samuel West Patricia …. Rebecca Front with Michael Maloney, Jonathan Coy, Sharon Small, Emily Wachter, Beth Chalmers and Nicholas Boulton. Script Editor: Paul Schlesinger Producer: Dawn Ellis First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2005.