Jonathan Maitland's 'Wasps in a Jam Jar' to air on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday 10th June at 3pm

Starring Penelope Wilton and Harriet Walter, this is a drama adaptation of Jonathan Maitland's stage play 'Dead Sheep.' Jonathan Maitland is a well known broadcast journalist who has worked extensively for BBC, ITV and Radio 4. His new play 'The Interview' will premiere at the Park Theatre in October 2023. 

Elspeth was married to Geoffrey Howe. She was the complete opposite of the other woman in his life, Margaret Thatcher. Elspeth was Chair of the Broadcasting Standards Commission and a vocal supporter of the homeless. She was a feminist, whereas Mrs Thatcher thought a woman's place was in the home. This rivalry played a substantial part in Geoffrey Howe's famous resignation speech in 1990. Arguably the speech was a major turning point in contemporary history. It meant the end of Mrs Thatcher. But most significant of all, the European battle lines in the Conservative Party were indelibly drawn that day. There's a straight line from that speech to the Brexit referendum. This comedy drama by journalist Jonathan Maitland dramatises the events leading up to the speech.