Father Brown

When a performance troupe of anarchists arrives in the town of Kembleford, the atmosphere quickly deteriorates, with tensions climbing to deadly levels. Mrs McCarthy remains unimpressed by the spectacle, whereas Bunty feels inspired by what she witnesses, seeing a spark of possibility.

is a programme presented in the form of an episode. It falls under the genre label “episode” and is listed simply as a programme, without any further classification. The central narrative centres on a travelling performance troupe that identifies itself as anarchist. When the group reaches the small community of Kembleford, their arrival sets off a chain of events that pushes the atmosphere into a dangerously tense state. The tension escalates rapidly, reaching a point where the danger feels almost lethal. Within the town, the reaction to the troupe is far from uniform. Mrs McCarthy, a resident of Kembleford, watches the anarchist performers with a clear lack of enthusiasm; she remains unimpressed by what they bring to the town. By contrast, Bunty, another local figure, finds herself stirred by the same performance. The anarchist display inspires Bunty, prompting a personal shift that stands out against the backdrop of growing hostility. The episode therefore hinges on the clash between these two responses—Mrs McCarthy’s indifference and Bunty’s inspiration—while the overall mood in Kembleford continues to deteriorate. The juxtaposition of an unflinching, almost fatal tension with the differing attitudes of the townspeople provides the core of the story, driving the plot toward its unsettling climax.