A BBC Radio 4 full-cast thriller

How to Build a Supertower

Robert Glenister stars in this compelling corporate thriller about a self-made property tycoon who sets out to build a brand new London skyscraper 
 
Property magnate Max Silver is in trouble. His West End properties are starting to crumble, his assets are turning into liabilities and his business empire's on the rocks. With the company in danger of going under, he shakes up his property portfolio, ditches his shiftless partner, Larry, and brings his brother Teddy and daughter Zara on board. 
 
Then the Lord Mayor of London asks him to build an iconic skyscraper in the heart of the capital - a 1000ft, state-of-the-art tower that will show off London to the world, and be a defiant new national symbol. With an eye to his family's future - and his personal legacy - Max agrees, and with the help of high-profile architect Katalina, the Hourglass is born. 
 
But it soon begins to look as if this prestigious project will never get off the ground. From planning permission to political opposition, the obstacles pile up - and when his legitimate funding is suddenly withdrawn, Max is left at the mercy of shadowy forces. As old scores are settled, and new enemies emerge, he will need all his charm, ruthlessness and deal-making skills to avoid the many traps put in his path by big business - and by sheer human folly... 
 
Written by acclaimed dramatist Paul Sellar, this gripping full-cast drama takes you on a roller-coaster ride through the cut-throat world of international commerce, via corruption, intrigue, dodgy finance, kidnapping and intimidation. It stars Robert Glenister as Max, with Catherine Cusack, Katherine Press and Sean Baker. 
 
 
Written by Paul Sellar 
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole, Jonquil Panting and Sasha Yevtushenko 
 
Cast 
Max Silver - Robert Glenister 
Carol - Catherine Cusack 
Teddy - Sean Baker 
Zara - Katherine Press 
Katalina - Daphne Alexander 
Kolo - Buom Tihngang 
Larry/Kevin - Paul Hickey 
John/Gavin - Shaun Mason 
Maryam - Susan Jameson 
Sasha - Andrew Byron 
Clem - Vineeta Rishi 
Angus - Nicholas Murchie 
Asha - Nokukhanya Masango 
Fadi - Alexander Devrient 
Rory - Jonny Holden 
Jack - Ben Crowe 
Zoe - Tife Kusoro 
Sunil - Bhasker Patel 
DK - Sagar Radia 
Karakas - Chris Pavlo 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2-5 September 2019 
 
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Robert Glenister stars in this compelling corporate thriller about a self-made property tycoon who sets out to build a brand new London skyscraper 
 
Property magnate Max Silver is in trouble. His West End properties are starting to crumble, his assets are turning into liabilities and his business empire's on the rocks. With the company in danger of going under, he shakes up his property portfolio, ditches his shiftless partner, Larry, and brings his brother Teddy and daughter Zara on board. 
 
Then the Lord Mayor of London asks him to build an iconic skyscraper in the heart of the capital - a 1000ft, state-of-the-art tower that will show off London to the world, and be a defiant new national symbol. With an eye to his family's future - and his personal legacy - Max agrees, and with the help of high-profile architect Katalina, the Hourglass is born. 
 
But it soon begins to look as if this prestigious project will never get off the ground. From planning permission to political opposition, the obstacles pile up - and when his legitimate funding is suddenly withdrawn, Max is left at the mercy of shadowy forces. As old scores are settled, and new enemies emerge, he will need all his charm, ruthlessness and deal-making skills to avoid the many traps put in his path by big business - and by sheer human folly... 
 
Written by acclaimed dramatist Paul Sellar, this gripping full-cast drama takes you on a roller-coaster ride through the cut-throat world of international commerce, via corruption, intrigue, dodgy finance, kidnapping and intimidation. It stars Robert Glenister as Max, with Catherine Cusack, Katherine Press and Sean Baker. 
 
 
Written by Paul Sellar 
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole, Jonquil Panting and Sasha Yevtushenko 
 
Cast 
Max Silver - Robert Glenister 
Carol - Catherine Cusack 
Teddy - Sean Baker 
Zara - Katherine Press 
Katalina - Daphne Alexander 
Kolo - Buom Tihngang 
Larry/Kevin - Paul Hickey 
John/Gavin - Shaun Mason 
Maryam - Susan Jameson 
Sasha - Andrew Byron 
Clem - Vineeta Rishi 
Angus - Nicholas Murchie 
Asha - Nokukhanya Masango 
Fadi - Alexander Devrient 
Rory - Jonny Holden 
Jack - Ben Crowe 
Zoe - Tife Kusoro 
Sunil - Bhasker Patel 
DK - Sagar Radia 
Karakas - Chris Pavlo 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2-5 September 2019 
 
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Paul Sellar

Robert Glenister

Lee Ross

Allan Corduner

Adam Levy

Sean Murray

Ken Bones

Full Cast

Four Full-Cast BBC Radio Thrillers

Four gritty thrillers from acclaimed dramatist Paul Sellar 
 
‘The master of deception layered upon deception’ Moira Petty, The Stage 
 
Paul Sellar is an award-winning playwright working in theatre, film and radio. This compulsive collection brings together four of his gritty, modern thrillers, set at the intersection of the murky worlds of corrupt business and criminality. 
 
The Gold Killing – Boxer turned businessman Joe Stein would normally run a mile from the Russian mafia and their dirty money. But a chance to invest in a Ghanaian gold mine with incredible deposits seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. When the returns from the mine begin to pay dividends he’d rather be without, he finds himself in the biggest fight of his life – to stay alive… Robert Glenister stars in this gripping tale of fear, greed and fraud. 
 
How to Build a Supertower – When property tycoon Max Silver is persuaded to build an iconic new London skyscraper, he hopes it will secure his family’s future – and his own legacy. But he needs all his deal-making skills to avoid the traps put in his path by big business – and by sheer human folly. Starring Robert Glenister, this four-part drama takes you on a roller-coaster ride through the cut-throat domain of international commerce. 
 
The Moonflask – When a group of jobseekers meet on a back-to-work course they pool their various skills to plot a daring heist. Their plan: to steal a priceless Ming vase from an auction house and return it to its rightful owner. But who is conning whom? Lee Ross, Ken Bones and Sean Murray star in this fast-paced caper with a conscience that’s full of twists and turns. 
 
Takeover – Self-made tycoon Harry has fought his way to the very top of the business ladder. So when his less successful sibling, Adam, asks him for help fending off a hostile takeover bid from his dodgy rival Terry White, Harry agrees. But fortune can be fickle, and it favours the ruthless… Shortlisted for the 2012 Imison Award, this dark drama of duplicity and double-crossing stars Allan Corduner and Adam Levy. 
 
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Paul Sellar

Books by Paul Sellar

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