A deliciously wicked comedy of manners and country manor mystery, The Hippopotamus is a rollicking adaptation of an internationally bestselling novel by Stephen Fry. It centers on the lapsed poet, failed drama critic and mostly drunken sot Ted Wallace. Fired from his critic’s job, Ted jumps on the opportunity to lay low for a while at his friends’ country estate, Swafford Hall. A series of unexplained miracle healings have recently flustered the estate and Ted tracks down the perpetrator of the phenomena, teenager David Logan, whose parents believe has healing hands. Unaware that David is using some rather unorthodox methods, Lord and Lady Logan are set on sharing their son’s “gift” with the world. Amongst a colorful party of fellow guests, Ted sets out to prove the miracles are a hoax and save the young man from a lifetime of embarrassment. The mellifluously-voiced Roger Allam gets a rare starring role and runs with it, his verbal virtuosity a thing of beauty to behold.