Joyce Grenfell was known and loved all over the world for her monologues, songs and comic writing. Her career, which spanned more than thirty years, saw her work in many different areas, from wartime entertainment tours to performances on radio, stage and screen. All were graced with Joyce's usual charm, humour and talent. As well as appearing in countless revues and films she toured the world with her one-woman shows, going to the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. As she tells the story of her long and varied career, Joyce sketches some wonderful comic descriptions of the many people encountered along the way. Her glamorous and madcap American mother, her Aunt Nancy Astor and her beloved husband Reggie are just a few of the larger-than-life characters who people this captivating reading.
'Knowing me Alan Partridge, knowing you... a-ha!' A lot of people say that, when it comes to drama and comedy, the pictures are so much better on the radio. As Alan Partridge says, 'all those people are wrong'. There's a new chat in town as the hit programme comes live from BBC Television Centre, and Alan ushers on a variety of guests including horsewoman of few words Sue Lewis, powerful hypnotist Tony le Mesmer, fashion designer Yvonne Boyd, and husband and wife thespians Tania Baker and Gary Baker. There's also a whole edition of the programme broadcast from sexy Paris, city of French people. Joining Steve Coogan as he squirms his way across the easy chairs are Steve Brown, Minnie Driver, Rebecca Front, Melanie Hudson, Doon MacKichan, Patrick Marber and David Schneider.
Four hilarious episodes from the classic BBC comedy series starring Ronnie Barker, Brian Wilde, Richard Beckinsale and Fulton Mackay. 'A Night In' - 19 September 1974 Godber is moved into Fletch’s cell, and confides that he finds it tough each time the door bangs shut. Fletch advises him to think of it as ‘a quiet night in’: but the trouble is, Godber has 698 more nights to get through. 'Heartbreak Hotel' - 31 October 1975 Godber has an uncharacteristically violent episode after receiving a ‘Dear John’ letter from his fiancée Denise. Fletcher tries to help him - but Fletch’s daughter Ingrid proves more of a consolation. 'The Harder They Fall' - 21 November 1975 Godber’s been chosen for the boxing team, so naturally everybody wants a bit of a flutter. When rivals Grouty and Billy Moffatt both want to fix the fight different ways, only Fletch looks like coming out the winner. 'Disturbing the Peace' - 7 November 1975 With Mackay away on a course, the prisoners plan to have some fun - but it turns out his replacement, Wainwright, is even worse. His excessive discipline causes a riot, and it’s left to Fletcher to sort out the situation.
The Navy Lark, one of radio's longest running laughter-makers, kept the nation on the crest of a comic wave from 1959 to 1977.
All at sea in the Senior Service were conniving Petty Officer Jon Pertwee, silly-ass Sub-Lieutenant Leslie Phillips, and the constantly bemused Stephen Murray as 'Number One'. Below decks Ronnie Barker was just about working his passage as (Un)Able Seaman 'Fatso' Johnson.
So climb aboard and join the merry crew in these four classic capers: Admiral Pertwee's Fleet, Making a Right Pig's Breakfast, The Mysterious Pudding Mine, and Going on Leave to Croydon.
The winners of the 1997 Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe in their first Sony Award-winning radio series. 'Cruelly intelligent, deeply hilarious, unmissably good' - Glasgow Herald. Welcome to Spent - an isolated and rather odd town somewhere in the North. Its singular inhabitants lead blackly comic lives, from Dr Chinnery, the lethally incompetent vet and Pauline, the monstrous Restart Officer at the Job Centre, to the hideously exacting Dentons who impose their disturbing habits and pet toads upon their visiting nephew Ben. These and other memorable townsfolk are ferried around by Barbara, a taxi driver half way through his sex change, and served by Mr Iingleby, who brings a whole new meaning to the term 'small shopkeeper'. Murderously funny and acutely observed, ‘The League of Gentlemen's’ highly acclaimed brand of comedy shows human nature at its most extreme - and most hilarious.
Four more episodes from the much-loved BBC TV series, starring David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Lennard Pearce and Buster Merryfield. In 'Homesick', Rodney is elected Chairman of the local Housing Committee, and Del Boy persuades him to use his position to get them all ground-floor accommodation. 'Healthy Competition' sees Rodney deciding to open a rival business - in partnership with Micky Pearce! In ‘Strained Relations’, the brothers attend Grandad's funeral and among the mourners is Uncle Albert. When the wake is over, Del Boy lets the old sea dog stay the night, but his residency soon becomes more permanent. Finally, in 'Hole in One', the Trotters have fallen on hard times, so when Uncle Albert falls through the cellar door in the pub, they decide to sue. But was Albert's fall really an accident?
In this much-praised interview, octogenarian Peter Ustinov talks to John Bird. The man of many talents has an astonishing range of accomplishments behind him as an Oscar-winning film and theatre actor, author of novels, plays and screenplays. He is also a raconteur, graphic artist, photographer, stage director and designer and the recipient of many humanitarian awards for his work with UNICEF and UNESCO. In this interview he talks about his hectic life and times, about family life, schools sports, the army, spying, Hollywood and radio comedy with Peter Jones, Nero and Pol Pot, God and Andre Agassi. Originally broadcast on Radio 4 in April 2001, unheard material and an introduction by John Bird is included, making it equally attractive to those who heard the original radio broadcast and new listeners alike.
Until the time of her death in 2003, much-loved actress Thora Hird worked regularly with the playwright Alan Bennett. Now, in a specially written introduction and postscript, Bennett recalls his work and friendship with Thora, and introduces three examples of their collaboration. In The Last of the Sun, Dolly's remaining days in an old people's home are enlivened by a seemingly respectable man. Recorded in 2002, Thora Hird's last ever performance, in a part written especially for her, is moving and memorable. In A Cream Cracker Under the Settee, Doris has taken a fall at home, and until someone comes to rescue her she's left immobile and in reflective mood. This monologue features one of Thora's best-remembered performances. Waiting for the Telegram sees Violet remembering how she lost her first young man - but she does not see how close she is to losing her second. This heartbreaking piece won Thora Hird huge critical acclaim, and showcases her acting genius.
Following on from the phenomenal success of Writing Home, Alan Bennett reminisces about his early years from his schooldays to undergraduate life at Oxford University. It was an ordinary childhood - growing up in Leeds taught Alan early on that 'life is generally something that happens elsewhere'. Yet the children who long for German bombs to lend their city some wartime glamour; the working class mother who reads Ideal Home and dreams of coffee mornings and cocktail parties; and 18-year-old Alan - a practising Anglican who is deeply distrustful of God - strike a chord within all of us. In fact, it is their very ordinariness that makes these tales so special - combined, of course, with the wry observation and tender understatement that have earned Alan Bennett his place at the forefront of contemporary writing. The stories on this volume are: 'A Strip of Blue', 'Proper Names', 'Our War', 'Eating Out', 'An Ideal Home', 'Aunt Eveline', 'A Shy Butcher', 'Unsaid Prayers', 'Days Out', 'No Mean City'.
The complete second series of Matt Lucas and David Walliams' BBC Radio 4 Sony Award-winning comedy sketch show, featuring Tom Baker.
Matt Lucas and David Walliams ask, just who are Britain? What do they? And why? Little Britain takes a look at life in Britain today by following the fortunes of some extraordinary folk. Meet Emily Howard, the rubbish transvestite; West Country delinquent Vicky Pollard; and Marjorie Dawes, the terrifying group leader of FatFighters. There’s also Daffyd, the only gay man in his village – who wants to keep it that way – as well as the multi-talented actor, singer and composer Dennis ‘Minder’ Waterman.
This release also includes previously unbroadcast sketches and outtakes.
The Little Britain radio series won a Sony Award when it first appeared on radio, and has since gone on to become a comedy phenomenon. Now available in this release are the original pilot and all four episodes of the original radio series - complete and uncut.
Matt Lucas and David Walliams’ comedy creations are household names and need no introduction: Daffyd, the only gay in his village, Emily ‘I’m a lady!’ Howard, incoherent young offender Vicky Pollard, Kenny ‘Look into my eyes’ Craig, and Marjorie Dawes from FatFighters. Not forgetting Denver Mills, Dennis Waterman, and children’s entertainer Des Kaye.
Complementing Tom Baker’s brilliantly bizarre narration, and David Arnold’s original music, are many characters that have only ever appeared on radio: Cockney Film Star, taxi driver Jackie Paper, Joey the Stool, and two of the worst ghosts you’ll ever know. With a wealth of bonus material that includes sketches and hilarious outtakes never transmitted on radio, welcome to the wonderful and surreal world of Little Britain.
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