A BBC Radio 4 Comedy

Clare in the Community: The Complete Series 1-6

The first six series of the Sony Award-winning sitcom about a social worker with all the right jargon, but none of the practical solutions 
 
'Completely engaging... beautifully observed characters and lots of very funny material' The Sony Judges 
 
Meet Clare Barker, the social worker who likes nothing more than sorting out other people's problems (while failing to deal with her own). Wracked with guilt over being white, middle-class and heterosexual, she has a dedicated social conscience (unless it's inconvenient for her) and lives to interfere in other people's lives - both on a personal and professional basis. Bearing the brunt of her control freakery and lack of self-awareness are her family, colleagues and long-suffering teacher partner, Brian - all of whom have their own frustrations, disappointments and dramas. 
 
In these six series, Clare and Brian try to shore up their rocky relationship, as Brian contemplates proposing, persuades Clare to attend couples counselling, and considers splitting up. Will their baby son, Thomas Paine, bring them back together - or will new nanny Nali prove a further obstacle to domestic bliss? Meanwhile, the Sparrowhawk Family Centre is threatened with closure, and the team are joined by new member Libby - 'an Aussie and a lesbo', proud to be both, and after Clare's job... 
 
Based on the long-running cartoon strip in the Guardian's 'Society' section, this wonderfully entertaining series stars Sally Phillips as Clare and Alex Lowe as Brian, alongside an ensemble cast including Nina Conti, Richard Lumsden, Ellen Thomas, Gemma Craven, Liza Tarbuck, Andrew Wincott and Sarah Kendall. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden 
Produced by Katie Tyrrell 
Executive Producer: Paul Schlesinger 
 
Cast 
Clare - Sally Phillips 
Brian - Alex Lowe 
Megan/Nali - Nina Conti 
Ray - Richard Lumsden 
Irene - Ellen Thomas 
Helen - Gemma Craven/Liza Tarbuck 
Simon - Andrew Wincott 
Libby - Sarah Kendall 
 
Other parts played by members of the cast 
 
With Paul Chequer, Emily Wachter, Nicholas Boulton, Helen Longworth, Stephan Hogan, Richenda Carey, Alex Tregear, Sartaj Garewal, Bharti Patel, Delroy Brown, Vicki Pepperdine, John Cummins, Gerard McDermott, George Harris, Roy Hudd, Brigit Forsyth, Phil Davis, Christine Kavanagh, Lewis MacLeod, Mel Hudson, Geraldine McNulty, Mark Straker, Joseph Kloska, Martin Hyder, Shaban Arifi, Anna Bengo, Rad Lazar, Ben Onwukwe, Sam Pamphilon, Lloyd Thomas, Donnla Hughes, Chris Pavlo, Philip Pope, Rosemary Leach, Doreen Mantle, Jess Robinson and Paterson Joseph. 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 November-31 December 2004 (Series 1), 4 November-9 December 2005 (Series 2), 18 December 2006-22 January 2007 (Series 3), 16 January-20 February 2008 (Series 4), 18 February-25 March 2009 (Series 5), 31 May-5 July 2010 (Series 6) 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The first six series of the Sony Award-winning sitcom about a social worker with all the right jargon, but none of the practical solutions 
 
'Completely engaging... beautifully observed characters and lots of very funny material' The Sony Judges 
 
Meet Clare Barker, the social worker who likes nothing more than sorting out other people's problems (while failing to deal with her own). Wracked with guilt over being white, middle-class and heterosexual, she has a dedicated social conscience (unless it's inconvenient for her) and lives to interfere in other people's lives - both on a personal and professional basis. Bearing the brunt of her control freakery and lack of self-awareness are her family, colleagues and long-suffering teacher partner, Brian - all of whom have their own frustrations, disappointments and dramas. 
 
In these six series, Clare and Brian try to shore up their rocky relationship, as Brian contemplates proposing, persuades Clare to attend couples counselling, and considers splitting up. Will their baby son, Thomas Paine, bring them back together - or will new nanny Nali prove a further obstacle to domestic bliss? Meanwhile, the Sparrowhawk Family Centre is threatened with closure, and the team are joined by new member Libby - 'an Aussie and a lesbo', proud to be both, and after Clare's job... 
 
Based on the long-running cartoon strip in the Guardian's 'Society' section, this wonderfully entertaining series stars Sally Phillips as Clare and Alex Lowe as Brian, alongside an ensemble cast including Nina Conti, Richard Lumsden, Ellen Thomas, Gemma Craven, Liza Tarbuck, Andrew Wincott and Sarah Kendall. 
 
 Production credits 
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden 
Produced by Katie Tyrrell 
Executive Producer: Paul Schlesinger 
 
Cast 
Clare - Sally Phillips 
Brian - Alex Lowe 
Megan/Nali - Nina Conti 
Ray - Richard Lumsden 
Irene - Ellen Thomas 
Helen - Gemma Craven/Liza Tarbuck 
Simon - Andrew Wincott 
Libby - Sarah Kendall 
 
Other parts played by members of the cast 
 
With Paul Chequer, Emily Wachter, Nicholas Boulton, Helen Longworth, Stephan Hogan, Richenda Carey, Alex Tregear, Sartaj Garewal, Bharti Patel, Delroy Brown, Vicki Pepperdine, John Cummins, Gerard McDermott, George Harris, Roy Hudd, Brigit Forsyth, Phil Davis, Christine Kavanagh, Lewis MacLeod, Mel Hudson, Geraldine McNulty, Mark Straker, Joseph Kloska, Martin Hyder, Shaban Arifi, Anna Bengo, Rad Lazar, Ben Onwukwe, Sam Pamphilon, Lloyd Thomas, Donnla Hughes, Chris Pavlo, Philip Pope, Rosemary Leach, Doreen Mantle, Jess Robinson and Paterson Joseph. 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 November-31 December 2004 (Series 1), 4 November-9 December 2005 (Series 2), 18 December 2006-22 January 2007 (Series 3), 16 January-20 February 2008 (Series 4), 18 February-25 March 2009 (Series 5), 31 May-5 July 2010 (Series 6) 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Clare in the Community: The Complete Series 7-12

Series 7-12 of the Sony Award-winning sitcom featuring the splendidly self-obsessed social worker - plus Christmas and Edinburgh Festival Specials 
 
'An impressive cast and some genuinely funny writing make this a must' The Stage 
 
Well-meaning do-gooder Clare Barker is back, and dealing with more office politics, troublesome clients and domestic dramas. Secretly regarding herself as a cross between Mother Theresa and Wonder Woman, she's got all the right jargon for every problem, but never any practical solutions. However, in today's 'Big Society' there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker (or even Clare)... 
 
These six series find her struggling once again to control both her professional and private life. At the Sparrowhawk Centre, Clare finds herself in hot water on more than one occasion; and the team find themselves moving offices, facing up to possible redundancies, bidding a fond farewell to old colleagues and welcoming new ones. And at home, Clare's relationship with Brian is as thorny as ever. As we follow the duo through break-ups, wedding bells, separations and reconciliations, can they finally find happiness - or does fate have other ideas? 
 
Sally Phillips stars as Clare, with a stellar cast including Alex Lowe, Sarah Thom, Nina Conti and Gbemisola Ikumelo. Also included are a special instalment recorded live at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 'In Treatment', and a one-off Christmas outing, 'Christmas With... Clare Barker', featuring guest star Hugh Bonneville. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden 
Produced by Katie Tyrrell (Series 7-8 and Edinburgh Special) and Alexandra Smith (Series 9-12 and Christmas Special) 
A BBC Studios production 
 
Cast 
Clare - Sally Phillips 
Brian - Alex Lowe 
Megan/Nali - Nina Conti 
Ray - Richard Lumsden 
Helen - Liza Tarbuck/Pippa Haywood 
Simon - Andrew Wincott 
Libby - Sarah Kendall 
Joan - Sarah Thom 
Mrs Singh - Nina Wadia 
Cilla - Gbemisola Ikumelo 
 
Other parts played by members of the cast 
 
With Sophie Thompson, Gerard McDermott, Simon Bubb, Victoria Inez Hardy, Georgia Lowe, Nathan Caton, Stefan Ramsden, Adam Billington, Eleanor Crooks, Will Howard, Robert Blythe, Ben Crowe, Bharti Patel, Patrick Brennan, Robert Blythe, Adam Nagaitis, Paul Stonehouse, Stephanie Racine, Peter Mitchell, Hannah Gordon, John Norton, Arthur Hughes, Alex Tregear, Carolyn Pickles, Hugh Bonneville, Shaun Mason, Lizzie Roper, Karl Theobald, Anil Goutam, Eleanor Curry, Amelia Lowdell, Neet Mohan, Elliot Steel, Dustin Demri-Burns, Clare Perkins, Alison Belbin, Sean Baker, Colin Hoult, Amita Dhiri, Alex Macqueen, Elizabeth Bennett, Nicola Ferguson, Emma Sidi, Rebecca Root, George Fouracres, Jenny Bede, Jenny Murray and Tony Way. 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 September-28 October 2011 (Series 7), 2 January-6 February 2013 (Series 8), 27 August 2013 ('In Treatment'), 8 January-12 February 2014 (Series 9), 29 December 2014 ('Christmas With... Clare Barker'), 10 July-14 August 2015 (Series 10), 15 November-20 December 2016 (Series 11), 24 September-29 October 2019 (Series 12) 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Series 7-12 of the Sony Award-winning sitcom featuring the splendidly self-obsessed social worker - plus Christmas and Edinburgh Festival Specials 
 
'An impressive cast and some genuinely funny writing make this a must' The Stage 
 
Well-meaning do-gooder Clare Barker is back, and dealing with more office politics, troublesome clients and domestic dramas. Secretly regarding herself as a cross between Mother Theresa and Wonder Woman, she's got all the right jargon for every problem, but never any practical solutions. However, in today's 'Big Society' there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker (or even Clare)... 
 
These six series find her struggling once again to control both her professional and private life. At the Sparrowhawk Centre, Clare finds herself in hot water on more than one occasion; and the team find themselves moving offices, facing up to possible redundancies, bidding a fond farewell to old colleagues and welcoming new ones. And at home, Clare's relationship with Brian is as thorny as ever. As we follow the duo through break-ups, wedding bells, separations and reconciliations, can they finally find happiness - or does fate have other ideas? 
 
Sally Phillips stars as Clare, with a stellar cast including Alex Lowe, Sarah Thom, Nina Conti and Gbemisola Ikumelo. Also included are a special instalment recorded live at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 'In Treatment', and a one-off Christmas outing, 'Christmas With... Clare Barker', featuring guest star Hugh Bonneville. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden 
Produced by Katie Tyrrell (Series 7-8 and Edinburgh Special) and Alexandra Smith (Series 9-12 and Christmas Special) 
A BBC Studios production 
 
Cast 
Clare - Sally Phillips 
Brian - Alex Lowe 
Megan/Nali - Nina Conti 
Ray - Richard Lumsden 
Helen - Liza Tarbuck/Pippa Haywood 
Simon - Andrew Wincott 
Libby - Sarah Kendall 
Joan - Sarah Thom 
Mrs Singh - Nina Wadia 
Cilla - Gbemisola Ikumelo 
 
Other parts played by members of the cast 
 
With Sophie Thompson, Gerard McDermott, Simon Bubb, Victoria Inez Hardy, Georgia Lowe, Nathan Caton, Stefan Ramsden, Adam Billington, Eleanor Crooks, Will Howard, Robert Blythe, Ben Crowe, Bharti Patel, Patrick Brennan, Robert Blythe, Adam Nagaitis, Paul Stonehouse, Stephanie Racine, Peter Mitchell, Hannah Gordon, John Norton, Arthur Hughes, Alex Tregear, Carolyn Pickles, Hugh Bonneville, Shaun Mason, Lizzie Roper, Karl Theobald, Anil Goutam, Eleanor Curry, Amelia Lowdell, Neet Mohan, Elliot Steel, Dustin Demri-Burns, Clare Perkins, Alison Belbin, Sean Baker, Colin Hoult, Amita Dhiri, Alex Macqueen, Elizabeth Bennett, Nicola Ferguson, Emma Sidi, Rebecca Root, George Fouracres, Jenny Bede, Jenny Murray and Tony Way. 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 September-28 October 2011 (Series 7), 2 January-6 February 2013 (Series 8), 27 August 2013 ('In Treatment'), 8 January-12 February 2014 (Series 9), 29 December 2014 ('Christmas With... Clare Barker'), 10 July-14 August 2015 (Series 10), 15 November-20 December 2016 (Series 11), 24 September-29 October 2019 (Series 12) 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Series 10 & a Christmas special episode of the BBC Radio 4 sitcom

Clare in the Community: Series 10

The complete tenth series of the Sony Award-winning comedy series - plus a Christmas special

Playing Clare, Sally Phillips is the mistress of comic timing, sardonic even while slipping on the banana skin she carelessly strews before her. The best comedy on radio.

Harry Venning is an award-winning cartoonist, illustrator and comedy writer. A weekly contributor to The Guardian with the Clare In The Community strip, his work has also appeared in The Mail On Sunday, Sunday Telegraph, Independent, Sunday Times, The Stage and Radio Times, as well as publications in Canada, Switzerland, South Africa and New Zealand. Plus books, lots of books.Harry is also a member of the exclusive Cartoonist Club of Great Britain with work displayed in the Cartoon Museum, London. It's actually Harry who is writing this stuff,but you've probably guessed that already.

The complete tenth series of the Sony Award-winning comedy series - plus a Christmas special 
 
‘The best comedy on radio’ Moira Petty, The Stage 
 
Clare Barker, the social worker with all the politically correct jargon but none of the practical solutions, continues to struggle with her professional and private life in these seven hilarious episodes, which include a special Christmas edition of the show. 
 
In Christmas with Clare Barker, Clare is working through the holidays, and has had enough of the whole seasonal shebang. But will a chance encounter bring back a bit of festive magic? 
 
Series Ten sees Brian going on a fitness kick and joining a men’s group. Clare, meanwhile, gets involved with a TV producer making a documentary about the Sparrowhawk estate; faces some home truths at a family funeral; attempts to co-operate with her estranged sister and intervenes with Nali’s ex-husband. Plus, the Sparrowhawk team work together to overcome a little problem in the office; and hold a leaving do, taking the opportunity to reminisce. 
 
Sally Phillips stars as Clare, with a supporting cast including Alex Lowe as Brian and Nina Conti as Nali/Megan.

Harry Venning

Neil Brand

Richard Lumsden

Nina Conti

Daniel Kaluuya

Full cast

A Full-Cast BBC Radio Comedy

Meet the bungling surveillance team you won&rsquo;t want on your tail.The time, now - the place, outside your window. Three surveillance operatives are on an unspecified job, working for an unspecified employer. Together, they are Beagle Team.Good surveillance operatives have patience, alertness and discretion - this is a series about the other type of surveillance operative. Bill (Richard Lumsden), career snoop and technical specialist, has long carried a torch for beautiful yet disconnected fieldworker Sharla (Nina Conti), who doesn't know he exists, despite sharing the back of a van with him for most of their working life. Mark (Daniel Kaluuya), an enthusiastic yet slightly criminal trainee, has been assigned to them by their unknown employer, who goes by the codename &lsquo;Huntsman&rsquo;. However, whilst the team should be focusing on honing their surveillance skills, they spend more time backstabbing and scapegoating each other. Usually the team member out in the field with the microphones&hellip;Faced with fresh targets, situations and locations, can the team botch their way to bringing down a team of blackmailers, stake out a Russian billionaire or learn anything from a CIA operative? What will happen when old rivals Terrier Team come onto their patch and what about that job so secret even the boss doesn&rsquo;t know about it?Sneakiepeeks is a laugh-out-loud comedy featuring an all-star cast including comedian Nina Conti, Clare in the Community's Richard Lumsden and Daniel Kaluuya, star of Skins, Get Out and Black Panther. It&rsquo;s written by Harry Venning, the creator of Clare in the Community, and Neil Brand, the creator of Big Broadcast.&copy;2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution LtdCast and creditsWritten by Harry Venning and Neil BrandProduced by Katie TyrellBill - Richard LumsdenSharla - Nina ContiMark - Daniel KaluuyaTony Savage/Captain Le Clerc - Kevin EldonGeoff/Boris/Bristow - John BigginsTed/Bolkonski - Shaban ArifiNanny/Milij/Russian Girl - Alex TregearMr Smith/Russian Crew/Ignatius/Fuego - Nigel HastingsMrs Smith/Russian Girl/Mrs A/Delphine - Kate LaydenBishop/Russian Crew/Mr A - Ewan HooperJustine/Mrs Davies/Secretary -Tessa NicholsonDavid/Colonel/Customer 2/Channing - Ewan BaileyMan - Rhys JenningsEdward Barraclough MP/Ian - Paterson Joseph 
Norris/Tim the Tea Boy - Joe Thomas 
Ros/Mrs Davies - Lucy Montgomery 
Customer 1- Harry Venning 
Customer 3 - Neil BrandFirst Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 December 2009

Harry Venning

Books by Harry Venning

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