Holding Back the Tide

Ronald Pickup, Paul Ritter and Kate Duchêne star in Nick Warburton’s comedy about one community’s attempts to resist change When Richard and Clare Wells inherit a clifftop house in Yorkshire, they also inherit a sitting tenant, John Hector, who treats their home as his own and the local town as his own personal fiefdom. But the sea is eroding the land, and John is intent on stopping them all from being evicted, so the Wells’ reluctantly embrace him as an ally. As he entangles them in his conservation battles, Clare and Richard find themselves drawn into the Breck Howe Preservation Society, an unlikely group attempting to defend their town against the worst ills of modernity. Their lives will never be the same again... North meets South in this comedic clash of cultures, written by award-winning dramatist Nick Warburton. Ronald Pickup stars as John Hector, with Paul Ritter as Richard and Kate Duchêne as Clare. Written by Nick Warburton Directed by Sally Avens First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28 January 2016 (The Vauxgarth Pig), 11-25 August 2017 (Series 1), 16 November-14 December 2018 (Series 2) Cast Richard Wells – Paul Ritter Clare Wells – Kate Duchêne John Hector – Ronald Pickup Lux – Michelle Asante Penrith – Chris Pavlo Trafford/Hugh – Gerard McDermott Mrs Cardabbon – Susan James Estate Agent – Caolan McCarthy Ticket Lady – Kerry Gooderson Guard – Bob Blythe Tiffany – Louise Brealey Librarian – Chetna Pandya/Liam Lau Fernandez Mrs Briggs of Events – Sanchia McCormack/Elizabeth Counsell Headley – Philip Fox Norwegian Herring Enthusiast – Simon Ludders Ralph Bell – Sean Murray MC/Trevor Butt – Tony Turner Robust Betty – Emma Handy Rude Girl/Brandi – Saffron Coomber Barb/WPC – Jeannette Percival Mikey/Surly Reader/Tourist – Cameron Percival Chucker/A Heavy – Don Gilet Anthony/Wayne/Seasider – Lewis Bray Himself – Jonathan Agnew