The Great Impersonation by E Phillips Oppenheim,BBC RADIO DRAMA

Early in 1914, two men meet by chance in the wilds of German East Africa – one, Leopold von Ragastein is a German, the other, Sir Everard Dominey an Englishman. Both men are roughly the same age, they share a similar background and each man looks almost identical to the other.

They spend the night drinking and sharing their dark pasts. The similarity gives von Ragastein the idea of murdering Dominey and stealing his identity so he orders Dr Schmidt to arrange for Dominey to disappear in the wilderness the following day. The German then returns to 'his' ancestral home in Norfolk, under the guise of Dominey and takes up a powerful position in British high society, as the country moved towards its inevitable conflict with Germany.

Episode 1 00:00
Old Friends Meet

Both men are roughly the same age, both share a similar background and each man looks almost identical to the other.

This similarity gives Leopold von Ragastein a perfect opportunity...

Starring David Robb.

E Phillips Oppenheim's mystery thriller - first published in 1920.

Dramatised in five parts by Barry Campbell

Sir Everard Dominey / Leopold von Ragastein ...... David Robb
Dr Schmidt ...... Phillip Manikum
Mangan ...... William Eedle
Princess Eiderstrom ...... Narissa Knights
Seaman ...... William Hope
Duchess of Worcester ...... Anne Jameson
Duke of Worcester ...... Garard Green
Capt Bartram ...... Graham Pountney

Director: Brian Miller

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1985.

Episode 2 26:19
The Homecoming

A chance meeting of two former 'lookalike' schoolfriends in German East Africa, results in the death of one of them.

The other returns to England, under the name of Sir Everard Dominey.

On this espionage mission, he aims to take up a powerful position in society, as the country moved towards inevitable conflict with Germany.

Starring David Robb.

E Phillips Oppenheim's mystery thriller - first published in 1920.

Dramatised by Barry Campbell

Sir Everard Dominey / Leopold von Ragastein ...... David Robb
Seaman ...... William Hope
Prince Terniloff ...... Tim Meats
Princess Temiloff ...... Angela Phillips
Princess Eiderstrom ...... Narlssa Knights
Mangan ...... William Eedle
Middleton ...... Paul Nicholson
Mrs Marston ...... Gwen Cherrell
Parkins ...... Howard Hoffmann
Lady Dominey ...... Melinda Walker

Director: Brian Miller

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1985.

Episode 3 52:53
Lady Dominey

Pursued by the passionate Princess Eiderstrom, the man claiming to be Sir Everard Dominey returns to 'his' ancestral home in Norfolk, where he has a lucky escape.

The Kaiser then demands a meeting...

Starring David Robb.

E Phillips Oppenheim's mystery thriller - first published in 1920.

Dramatised by Barry Campbell

Sir Everard Dominey / Leopold von Ragastein ...... David Robb
Parkins / Stillwell ...... Howard Hoffmann
Mangan ...... William Eedle
Mrs Marston ...... Gwen Cherrell
Lady Dominey ...... Melinda Walker
Dr Harrison/Duke of Worcester ...... Garard Green
Seaman ...... William Hope
The Kaiser/Middleton ...... Paul Nicholson
Duchess of Worcester ...... Anne Jameson
Prince Terniloff ...... Tim Meats
Princess Eiderstrom ...... Narissa Knights

Director: Brian Miller

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1985.

Episode 4 1:18:12
The Messenger

Things start to unravel for spy Leopold von Ragastein as he battles to keep two women happy.

News arrives from Africa....

Starring David Robb.

E Phillips Oppenheim's mystery thriller - first published in 1920.

Dramatised by Barry Campbell.

Sir Everard Dominey / Leopold von Ragastein ...... David Robb
Lady Dominey ...... Melinda Walker
Nurse/Duchess ...... Anne Jameson
Parkins/Pelham ...... Howard Hoffman
Dr Harrison ...... Garard Green
Heggs/Ludwig Miller ...... Mark Straker
Middleton ...... Paul Nicholson
Prince Terniloff ...... Tim Meats
Seaman ...... William Hope
Princess Eiderstrom ...... Narissa Knights

Director: Brian Miller

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1985.

Episode 5 1:44:38
The Truth Revealed

The Kaiser’s plans gather pace and the mystery of the black wood is revealed.

And at last it's time for the man supposed to be Sir Everard Dominey to reveal his true identity.

Is he Sir Everard, or the Prussian von Ragastein?

Conclusion of E Phillips Oppenheim's mystery thriller.

Starring David Robb.

Dramatised by Barry Campbell

Sir Everard Dominey / Leopold von Ragastein ...... David Robb
Prince Terniloff ...... Tim Meats
Pelham/Parkins ...... Howard Hoffmann
Lady Dominey ...... Melinda Walker
Seaman ...... William Hope
Williams ...... Brian Gear
Mrs Marston ...... Gwen Cherrell
Dr Harrison ...... Garard Green
Middleton/Reynolds ...... Paul Nicholson
Princess Eiderstrom ...... Narissa Knights
Dr Schmidt ...... Phillip Manikum

Director Brian Miller

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1985.

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