Acropolis Now (radio)

Acropolis Now is a BBC Radio sitcom set in Ancient Greece, written by Lynne Truss. It was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in two series in 2000 and 2002, with subsequent reruns on BBC 7 in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The show follows the fictional adventures of historical Greek characters in Athens: Heraclitus, Aristophanes, Socrates, Plato, Xanthippe, and the Oracle. It is loosely narrated by a chorus, in the convention of Greek dramas.
Aristophanes, in addition to being a playwright, owns a seafood restaurant near the Acropolis; just before the series begins, he "rescues" his philosopher brother Heraclitus from the bush he had been living in. With Athens under siege by the Spartans, Heraclitus reluctantly takes charge of the food preparation area, with Socrates appreciating Heraclitus more for his cooking than for his stoicism. Aristophanes and Heraclitus's mother, identified only as the Oracle, is a former Pythia who took a sabbatical from Delphi because the "signs" she sees in her visions are commonplace 20th century traffic signs and posters. Xanthippe is a pervert, that is a heterosexual, in a society where homosexuality is normal. She has a crush on Socrates' friend Plato, who is oblivious to her advances. Frequent mention is made of Cynthia the Contortionist Flute-girl in suggestive contexts, but she never appears in person.
The nature of the chorus varies from episode to episode. It may be the fish deliverymen on their daily round, a gang of former Olympians looking for a free meal, a band of sex-mad Spartans or the "unbelievably affable ones" come to collect Socrates and take him to Hades. Several male voices speak in unison, with a lead voice underlining the occasional detail. The chorus was largely abandoned for the second series, with Heraclitus instead providing a brief introduction starting with the fact that he hates Athens.

Cast

Stephen Moore as Heraclitus, Aristophanes' brother, Chief Restaurant Cook and tormentor.
Alan Cox as Aristophanes, playwright, poet, orator, and restaurateur.
Robert Hardy as Socrates
Tom George as Plato, Socrates' pupil, who will never amount to much
Rosemary Leach as The Oracle, mother of Heraclitus and Aristophanes.
Rachel Atkins as Xanthippe, wife of Socrates, and deviant heterosexual
Gavin Muir as Chorus, Alcibiades, Shepherd, Uncle Liquidites

Series 1

Fish - The audience is introduced to all the people who own/frequent the restaurant and The Oracle brings disturbing news for Aristophanes.Games - To avenge Aristophanes' insult to former Olympic champions, Plato challenges Aristophanes to a race.Gods - On Socrates' 85th birthday, "The Affable Ones" arrive to take him away for judgment in the Underworld... and Aristophanes may be next!Heroes - Alcibiades, a former Athenian hero returns after having defected to Sparta... in the middle of a "Frenzy"-ing craze.War - A group of Spartans arrive as part of a course in Athenian Culture given by Socrates, but they don't seem to be in the mood for culture... only staying in a bad mood, but when Xanthippe shows up they start feeling "something else".Sheep - Heraclitus' woolly former "girlfriend" Cassandra turns up expecting Heraclitus to be the greatest thinker in Athens, and he, Socrates, Plato and friends do battle in the Intellectual Olympics.

Series 2

Signs - Athens is being besieged by the Spartans and things are beginning to look bleak, especially when Uncle Liquidites turns up and demands that Plato give up philosophy and enter the funerary urn business.Love - It's Eros Night and despite the hunger, all thoughts turn to love. But the recipients of that love aren't the expected choice.Plays - Due to his latest play being put on at the Ephesus Festival, Aristophanes has a safe conduct to leave Athens. However, when he sprains his ankle, Heraclitus plans to use the pass to escape Athens... but if the play is performed, it will mean exposing Xanthippe to scorn and ridicule.Sons - As food runs out, a man called Testiclēs arrives at the restaurant claiming to be the Oracle's long-lost son.Sauce - Customers drop like flies after Heraclitus adds a little hemlock to the cockroach fritters, and Xanthippe has finally had enough and leaves Socrates.Food - With starvation looking Athens and all our friends in the face, the restaurant regulars decide to have a "Last Supper"... no food, just fine words, songs and... hemlock.