The Elephant Man: A BBC Radio 4 Sitcom
A hapless elephant keeper must do everything he can to save his failing zoo
Terry Lyon, assistant head keeper of Southwood Zoo, trusts animals because most people think he’s a waste of space. But as the zoo lurches towards bankruptcy, his future looks bleak. As if managing hungry elephants and contrary polar bears wasn’t complicated enough, the humans in Terry’s life pose their own challenges. Having had to move back in with his parents after his divorce, life becomes complicated when Terry’s ex Margaret starts seeing his best friend Richard.
Peter Serafinowicz leads a full cast in this hilarious comedy about a man trying to salvage his career and his love life, all while keeping his bank balance from being redder than a baboon’s bottom. Terry works alongside his formidable, management speaking boss Miss Stonewick and the taciturn yet competitive head keeper, Leonard. As a big birthday looms over Terry, he’s hoping that romance can blossom amidst the chaos of feeding time, tax returns and redundancies…
Alistair McGowan and Debra Stephenson also feature in this larger-than-life sitcom.
The Elephant Man writer, Debbie Barham, began working in comedy aged 15 and died tragically young aged 26 after a long battle with anorexia. In her short but brilliant career she wrote for Spitting Image, The News Quiz, Weekending and Loose Ends, as well as for big names like Bob Monkhouse, Graham Norton, Rory Bremner and Clive Anderson.
‘The unsung queen of comedy.’ The Telegraph
‘She could be rude enough to make even Graham Norton blush.’ Ned Sherrin
‘A truly extraordinary person.’ Clive Anderson
Cast and credits
Written by Debbie Barham
Produced by Richard Wilson
Terry - Peter Serafinowicz
Leonard - Chris Emmett
Maureen - Geraldine Fitzgerald
Derek/Morse/Mr Bull - Wayne Forester
George - Geoff Fitzgerald
Stephanie - Joanna Munro
Adam - Richard Pearce
Sammy - Nicola Walker
Elsa - Jane Dolamore
Barry Norman/David Attenborough - Alistair McGowan
The Waitress/Secretary - Debra Stephenson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2, August - October 1996
Endangered Species - 27 Aug 1996
It Could Be the Zoo - 3 Sep 1996
Keeper Vs Keeper - 10 Sept 1996
While the Cat’s Away - 17 Sep 1996
All Features Great and Small - 24 Sept 1996
Labour Pains - 1 Oct 1996
Age Concern - 8 Oct 1996
Early Closing Day - 15 Oct 1996
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.
Debbie Barham (Author), Alistair Mcgowan, Chris Emmett, Debra Stephenson, Full Cast, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Joanna Munro, Nicola Walker, Peter Serafinowicz, Richard Pearce, Wayne Forester (Narrator)
Audiobook
