To mark the two hundredth anniversary of the French Revolution, BBC2 commissioned four pieces from the master of sardonic comedy, Peter Barnes (The Ruling Class, Red Noses). As a result, four uniquely captivating figures emerge from the footnotes of history to relive this 'best and worst of times'. Brilliantly performed by Simon Callow, Alfred Molina, Alan Rickman, and Janet Suzman, they were originally televised during four separate nights in July 1989. For this production, director Barry Evans blends these four contrasting monologues into a humourously enjoyable evening that still retains a contemporary edge.