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On tonight's programme, the playwright Howard Brenton,

on the execution of Charles I,

the origin of our present discontents and his new play, 55 days.

And Colin Thubran reviews a life of a man who was a cross

between Indiana Jones, James Bond and Graham Green. At least that was one epitaph on Patrick Lee

Furmore. There's also a review of Elena, a new Russian film referred to as Dostoevskian and a talk with Joe Nesbo

who sells a copy of one of his novels

every 20 seconds somewhere in the world.

But first, Howard Brenton, Charles I, Oliver Cromwell.

Sir, a head and a crown can fall into the dust.

And when king's head and king's crown are gone, what will be in their place?

You, the people's parliament, which you purged only 50 days ago because it voted to save me.

We are all on a dark path.

Not I.

I am in the light of heaven.

I am God's anointed and all is clear to me.

Clear.

Since you raised your banner against Parliament of Nottingham, what, seven long years ago,

do you have any sense of what you have done to the kingdom you claim is under you?

The killing, the mutilated bodies, the poverty.

...