Never tire of this, wonderful version ❤

This story is a masterpiece. No matter what form it’s in.

The BBC TV series was superlative and I've always been fond of it. This radio programme though, well - I have my imagination and mind's eye to rely on. Nothing beats the mind's eye. I can't help thinking though that George Smiley is Bernard Hepton's character Toby Esterhausè (sp?) from the telly series!

Bernard Hepton was the best radio George Smiley.

The bbc radio drama with Simon Russell Beale as Smiley was the best version I have heard.
Simon is so natural.

Simply wonderful.

The radio and TV adaptations of this novel are a big improvement.
I could not get through either TTSS or SMILEYS PEOPLE .
The adaptations make it more palatable

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1974) by John Le Carre; adapted by Rene Basilico
Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 7 episodes in August and September 1988.

Music By: Max Harris
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson

Episode 1 : 9th August 1988 18.30-19.00
George Smiley returns from a prolonged overseas assignment to discover that all is not well inside the shadowy world of the 'Circus'.

George Smiley  : Bernard Hepton
Percy Alleline : James Grout
Toby Esterhase : Charles Kay
Roy Bland      : William Simons
Bill Haydon    : Edward de Souza
Control        : Alan MacNaughtan
Lady Anne Smiley : Sarah Lawson
Jim Prideaux   : Denis L Collins    : Terrence Hardiman
Bryant         : Michael Tudor Barnes
Foreign Office clerk: Peter Craze
Meakin         : Laurence Payne
Secretary      : Zelah Clarke
Oliver Lacon   : John Quayle


Episode 2 : 16th August 1988 18.30-19.00
It is now over a year since George Smiley was sent into premature retirement from the 'Circus'. But a chance encounter and an unexpected invitation prove that the past is not so easily forgotten.

Cast as for Episode 1 plus -
Peter Guillam : Douglas Blackwell
Ricky Tarr    : Christian Rodska
Roddy Martindale : John Savident
Irina         : Valentina Yakunina
Cabbie        : Philip Sully
Tom           : Norman Bird
Fawn          : Anthony Jackson


Episode 3 : 23rd August 1988 18.30-19.00
There is a Russian double agent operating inside the 'Circus', if Irina's story is to be believed that is. A matter for immediate investigation. But how,
exactly? And by whom?

Cast as above plus -
Mendel        : John Bennett
Mrs Pope-Graham : Ann Lynn
Connie Sachs  : Rosemaryfs Leach
Student       : Richard Pearce
Lauder Strickland : Alex Norton


Episode 4 : 30th August 1988 18.30-19.00
George Smiley has begun his 'extra-mural' investigation into allegations of a Russian double agent inside the 'Circus'. But much of the early evidence is
circumstantial.... hard facts are hard to come by.

Cast as above plus -
Jerry Westerby : David Calder
Jimmy        : John Baddeley
Alwyn        : Sidney Kean
Sally        : Alice Edwards


Episode 5 : 6th September 1988 18.30-19.00
With the help of old colleagues and associates. Smiley is piecing together a complex web of 'Circus' intrigue ... and at the same time uncovering some facts which are uncomfortably close to home.

Cast as above plus -
Max Kodicek   : Stephen Greif
Ailsa Brimley : Sheila Grant
Dicky              : Brian Hall
Waitress         :  Caroline Gruber


Episode 6 : 13th September 1988 18.30-19.00
Smiley's investigations are almost complete. But there are still one or two loose ends to tie up.... and one of them leads him to a man who has been savagely betrayed - a victim of the Russian 'mole' inside the 'Circus'.

Cast as above plus -
Jumbo       : Adam Bromley
Shrimp      : Corrin Heluwell
Receptionist/Waitress : Jenny Funnell


Episode 7 : 20th September 1988 18.30-19.00
The last clever knot has been unravelled ... and George Smiley devises the stratagem that will lead the Russian 'mole' to reveal his identity.

ast as above plus -
Steve Macklevore : Tenniel Evans
Millie McCraig   : Eva Stuart
Ben              : Stephen Tompkinson
Nick de Silsky   : Brian Croucher
Duty officer     : John Sansom
Polyakov         : Alexei Jawdokimov

1.59 damn, this is such a fantastic adaptation and production so far.

RIP Terrence Hardiman.

In a genre with so much absolute dross, this and Smiley's People are up there with anything. The BBC series of both with Alec Guiness is everything the BBC should aspire to. The drama produced nowadays is very poor on the whole, even the stuff that wins awards.

Just superb!!!

I'm not certain but I think this is the right cast list:
George Smiley: Bernard Hepton
Percy Alleline: James Grout
Toby Esterhase: Charles Kay
Roy Bland: William Simons
Bill Haydon: Edward de Souza
Control: Alan MacNaughtan
Lady Anne Smiley: Sarah Lawson
Jim Prideaux: Denis Lill
Sam Collins: Terrence Hardiman
Bryant: Michael Tudor Barnes
Foreign Office clerk: Peter Craze
Meakin: Laurence Payne
Secretary: Zelah Clarke
Oliver Lacon: John Quayle

Thank you

❤ the thumbnail

Hahaha Bill Hayden ‼️we here in Australia 🇦🇺 once had a federal politician of the same name 🧐.

Really enjoyed that .Thanks . Very well done

Thank You!

An extended play . . . and excellent.

Fabulous listening