The Great Game [Drama On 3]

A sequence of four plays tracing the history of the war in Afghanistan from the 1840s to the present day, introduced by Robin Lustig.

Produced by Jeremy Mortimer

Bugles at the Gates of Jalalabad' by Stephen Jeffreys

In January 1842 a contingent of British soldiers, 16000 strong, retreated from Kabul.

Only a few stragglers were left alive in the British Army's worst defeat in history.

The General's wife, Lady Sale, documents the battles in the Hindu Kush; whilst four buglers sound the advance at the gates of Jalalabad as a signal to any survivors.

Lady Sale - Jemma Redgrave

McCann - Daniel Betts

Dickensen - Tom McKay

Hendrick - Rick Warden

Winterflood - Karl Davies

Afzal - Nabil Elouahabi

Directed by Indhu Rubasingham.

Miniskirts of Kabul' by David Greig

The Taliban are closing in on Kabul: shells and rockets are exploding around the capital.

A woman is interviewing

President Najibullah, who has sought refuge in the UN compound.

He talks about fashion, communism, torture and whisky, but time is running out.

Writer - Najibullah - Daniel Rabin

Honey' by Ben Ockrent

While civil war rages, a lone CIA agent realises the dangers of American disengagement.

He's found an 'in' to persuade Commander Massoud, the Lion of Panjshir, to help them get back into the game.

But with the Taliban closing in on Kabul, will it be enough?

Masood Khalili - Vincent Ebrahim

Robin Raphel - Gary Schroen - Michael Cochrane

Ahmad Shah Massoud - Reporter - Danny Rahim

Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko

Canopy of Stars' by Simon Stephens

In a bunker guarding the Kajaki Dam, two soldiers talk of chips and gravy, football, women and whether the British should start to negotiate with the Taliban insurgents.

A searing insight into soldiers at war, and what happens when they go home.

Sergeant Jay Watkins - Private Richard Kendall - Lloyd - Lloyd Thomas

Murray - Cutty/Voice on Radio - Cheryl/Medic - Cloudia Swann

Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.

What a day, what a theatre, what a company.

This is theatre to be proud of.' Sir Tom Stoppard

Its scope is unparallelled.

It's a fine achievement.' The Times

Robin Lustig introduces four plays tracing the history of war in Afghanistan.

In January 1842 a contingent of British soldiers, 16000 strong, retreated from Kabul. Only a few stragglers were left alive in the British Army's worst defeat in history. The General's wife, Lady Sale, documents the battles in the Hindu Kush; whilst four buglers sound the advance at the gates of Jalalabad as a signal to any survivors.

Lady Sale....Jemma Redgrave

McCann....Daniel Betts

Dickensen....Tom McKay

Hendrick....Rick Warden

Winterflood....Karl Davies

Afzal....Nabil Elouahabi

The Taliban are closing in on Kabul: shells and rockets are exploding around the capital. A woman is interviewing

President Najibullah, who has sought refuge in the UN compound. He talks about fashion, communism, torture and whisky, but time is running out.

Writer....Jemma Redgrave

Najibullah....Daniel Rabin

While civil war rages, a lone CIA agent realises the dangers of American disengagement. He's found an 'in' to persuade Commander Massoud, the Lion of Panjshir, to help them get back into the game. But with the Taliban closing in on Kabul, will it be enough?

Masood Khalili....Vincent Ebrahim

Robin Raphel....Jemma Redgrave

Gary Schroen....Michael Cochrane

Ahmad Shah Massoud....Daniel Rabin

Reporter....Danny Rahim

In a bunker guarding the Kajaki Dam, two soldiers talk of chips and gravy, football, women and whether the British should start to negotiate with the Taliban insurgents. A searing insight into soldiers at war, and what happens when they go home.

Sergeant Jay Watkins....Tom McKay

Private Richard Kendall....Karl Davies

Lloyd....Lloyd Thomas

Murray....Danny Rahim

Cutty/Voice on Radio....Rick Warden

Cheryl/Medic....Cloudia Swann

What a day, what a theatre, what a company. This is theatre to be proud of.' Sir Tom Stoppard

Its scope is unparallelled. It's a fine achievement.' The Times

Lady Sale.... Jemma Redgrave

McCann.... Daniel Betts

Dickensen.... Tom McKay

Hendrick.... Rick Warden

Winterflood.... Karl Davies

Afzal.... Nabil Elouahabi

Writer.... Jemma Redgrave

Najibullah.... Daniel Rabin

Masood Khalili.... Vincent Ebrahim

Robin Raphel.... Jemma Redgrave

Gary Schroen.... Michael Cochrane

Ahmad Shah Massoud.... Daniel Rabin

Reporter.... Danny Rahim

Sergeant Jay Watkins.... Tom McKay

Private Richard Kendall.... Karl Davies

Lloyd.... Lloyd Thomas

Murray.... Danny Rahim

Cutty/Voice on Radio.... Rick Warden

Cheryl/Medic.... Cloudia Swann

Writer - Jemma Redgrave

Robin Raphel - Jemma Redgrave

Ahmad Shah Massoud - Daniel Rabin

Sergeant Jay Watkins - Tom McKay

Private Richard Kendall - Karl Davies

Murray - Danny Rahim

Cutty/Voice on Radio - Rick Warden