'Grown men gadding off on bikes,' says Mrs Shorter. And on this Sunday in spring of 1911 the members of a cycling club escape from their womenfolk for a run in the country. Mr Shuttleworth has a puncture, Ernest has a paddle and Edgar a little fling. Then they go home. Why should things ever change?

• Alan Bennett

• Frances Ruffelle
• Veronica Roberts
• Constance Chapman