Mmm, different how...mostly politically. I had no sense of realpolitik at all at the time. I didn't have much of any notion of why there were two Germanys, which makes The Spy Who Came in from the Cold scary as hell but otherwise incomprehensible. It amazes me in hindsight that I read it in full when I was 14. I also had no idea what kind of purpose spying had, why they were doing it in the first place, so Tinker, Tailor, Solder, Spy read like a surreal film noir for me. At least I had a preexisting sense that the Soviet Union were enemies for some reason related to Communism, though I didn't know if the reason was founded or bullshit.

I think now that it was founded, even though Republican politicians at the time made it sound like utter bullshit. Having Polish friends of my age and hearing their stories has turned me into a retroactive Cold War hawk.

The radio comedy is Cabin Pressure and the play is Tom and Viv. (excuse me while I pause to hug BBC Radio 4)