Dear Mr Spectator: Series 2 (BBC Radio 4: Woman's Hour Drama‪)‬

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation by Elizabeth Kuti of Addison and Steele's 18th century 'Spectator' essays, originally broadcast in the Woman's Hour Drama slot in the week commencing 16 August 2010.

Returning for a second series, the nation's favourite agony uncle - Mr Spectator - continues to offer his wit and wisdom on the morals and manners of his countrymen in his daily writings; but who exactly is this mysterious Spectator, and why does everyone want to find him all of a sudden?

London, 1710. With Britain in debt to the tune of nine million pounds, Chief Minister and Lord of the Treasury Robert Harley, has a plan to raise the funds the country so desperately needs: a little idea called the South Sea Company. However, he requires public support to get his bill through Parliament, and to do that he needs someone influential to speak out in support of his scheme. Someone with the ear of the country, someone people respect, someone people turn to, listen to, obey. Someone like Mr Spectator!

Enlisting the aid of Palace paper-boy, Ned, Harley determines to track down the elusive Mr Spectator in order to convince him to come out in support of the bill before it goes before the House on Friday.

Embarking on a quest to discover the identity of London's most spectral of citizens, Ned scours the 'Spectator's' daily publications for a clue to his prey's whereabouts. Pursuing hints and clues through a world of clubs, coffee-houses, theatres, and booksellers; from lowly taverns to the Royal Palace itself, Ned is swept along in a mercenary world of spin and manipulation. Is anyone really who they seem? Does everything and everyone have their price?

Can Ned unmask Mr Spectator before time - and Harley's patience - runs out?

Starring Benjamin Whitrow as Mr Spectator, Bryan Dick as Ned Dempsey, David Schofield as Harley, and Christina Cole as Abigail.