A BBC Radio 4 Comedy

1834 Time Travelling Teacher

Jim Poyser's BBC radio riotous six-part comedy of time travel and delight 
 
 
Jason Slater is a very average twenty-first-century English teacher from Cheadle Hulme, but somehow wakes up after a few drinks in nineteenth-century Macclesfield. Apparently, he's now Tarquin, third son of Lord Belport, with a faithful valet, a suspicious brother, a spurned ex-girlfriend (who's now going out with his brother) - and no obvious way he'll ever get back home again. 
 
From toasted sandwich makers and the perfect beer, to root canals and royal visits, can Jason - Tarquin, that is - change the course of history and make 1834 his playground? Or will all his modern sentiments and inventions cause total disaster for the rest of time - or at least the rest of his life)? A fun comedy of historical proportions, 1834: Time Travelling Teacher is created by the writer of Stockport: So Good They Named It Once and The Architects. 
 
 
 
Cast 
Jason Slater: Michael Begley 
Ned: Joe Caffery 
Hoskins: Kenneth Alan Taylor 
Lord Belfort: Mark Chatterton 
Henry: James Nickerson 
Luddite/Highwayman: Toby Hadoke 
Millicent: Julia Rounthwaite 
Stubbs: Glenn Cunningham 
Duke of Cranmere: John Craig 
Queen Victoria: Caroline Harding 
 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
11 June - 16 July 2003 
 
Production credits 
Written by Jim Poyser 
Directed by Polly Thomas 
 
©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Jim Poyser's BBC radio riotous six-part comedy of time travel and delight 
 
 
Jason Slater is a very average twenty-first-century English teacher from Cheadle Hulme, but somehow wakes up after a few drinks in nineteenth-century Macclesfield. Apparently, he's now Tarquin, third son of Lord Belport, with a faithful valet, a suspicious brother, a spurned ex-girlfriend (who's now going out with his brother) - and no obvious way he'll ever get back home again. 
 
From toasted sandwich makers and the perfect beer, to root canals and royal visits, can Jason - Tarquin, that is - change the course of history and make 1834 his playground? Or will all his modern sentiments and inventions cause total disaster for the rest of time - or at least the rest of his life)? A fun comedy of historical proportions, 1834: Time Travelling Teacher is created by the writer of Stockport: So Good They Named It Once and The Architects. 
 
 
 
Cast 
Jason Slater: Michael Begley 
Ned: Joe Caffery 
Hoskins: Kenneth Alan Taylor 
Lord Belfort: Mark Chatterton 
Henry: James Nickerson 
Luddite/Highwayman: Toby Hadoke 
Millicent: Julia Rounthwaite 
Stubbs: Glenn Cunningham 
Duke of Cranmere: John Craig 
Queen Victoria: Caroline Harding 
 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
11 June - 16 July 2003 
 
Production credits 
Written by Jim Poyser 
Directed by Polly Thomas 
 
©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Stockport, So Good They Named It Once

All 12 episodes featuring the comic goings-on of the Stockport-based Conroy family 
 
Get ready to be dragged kicking and screaming into the world of family life, Stockport-style, as 15-year-old Jason introduces us to the Conroy clan. There's dad Eddie, cabby and wannabe champion organist; mum Maureen, who's easygoing but wasn't born yesterday; older brother Michael, lead singer of The Sweater Girls; and sisters Colette (married to uptight bank clerk Dave) and Karen (newly returned from uni with a Sloane Ranger boyfriend). 
 
In Series 1, Italian exchange Gian-Paolo arrives - and soon makes his presence unwelcome; Eddie scores tickets to Stockport County's biggest ever match and Dave proudly brings home his new Ford Focus (but will he ever take the protective covers off the seats?) And in Series 2, the Conroys become the subject of an academic study; meet their rich new neighbours; and welcome a visitor bringing extra branches to their family tree. Meanwhile, Jason and Michael stake their claim in cyberspace and The Sweater Girls look set for their big break - just as Eddie leaves home... 
 
Written by Murder on the Blackpool Express producer Jim Poyser, and author and actor Damian Lanigan, this light, entertaining sitcom - set in the real-life Stockport suburb of Edgeley - has a well-established sense of place and pitch-perfect local dialect. It stars Dominic Monaghan and Andrew Knott as Jason, with Jason Done as Michael, Beverly Callard as Maureen, and John McArdle and John Henshaw as Eddie. Special guests include sports commentator Alan Green and DJs Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Jim Poyser and Damian Lanigan 
Recorded by Rex Brough 
Music by Big George 
With thanks to Justin Sbresni and Jon Plowman 
Produced by Neil Mossey 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 August-29 September 1999 (Series 1), 4 October-8 November 2000 (Series 2) 
 
Cast 
Jason - Dominic Monaghan/Andrew Knott 
Michael - Jason Done 
Dave - Stefan Escreet 
Eddie - John McArdle/John Henshaw 
Colette - Emma Clarke 
Maureen - Beverley Callard 
Debbie/Karen - Jo-Anne Knowles 
Gian-Paolo - Stefan Escreet 
Gran - Ann Rye 
Father Ryan/Hugo/Barry/Colin - Chris Pavlo 
Mr Bickerstaff - Dan Maier 
Alan Green - Himself 
Brian - Brian Poyser 
Mr Owen - Richard Davies 
Larry - Rolf Saxon 
Claudine - Brigit Forsyth 
Gordon - Robin Bowerman 
Yvonne - Romy Baskerville 
Roddy - John Jardine 
Helena - Marsha Thomason 
Jim - Jack Smethurst 
Carl/Stu - Damian Lanigan 
Damian - Jim Poyser 
Bernie - Emily Fleeshman 
Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley - Themselves 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

A BBC Radio comedy

The Architects: The complete series 1 and 2

The entire first and second series of the BBC radio sitcom set in a struggling architectural practice – plus pilot episode.

Arch-Brutalist Sir Lucien founded his architectural practice on a commitment to brutalist concrete in all its forms. But fashion has been a cruel mistress, and four decades later things are not going well for Sir Lucien and his loyal(ish) employees. With no money and no commissions, times are tough – but it’s onwards and upwards (and upwards again) for the staff, as they go all out to win new contracts, deal with nightmare clients and fight to get their ambitious projects past the planners. 
 
In the pilot episode, architects Sarah (Laura Solon) and Dan (Ben Willbond) contemplate escape from a malfunctioning multi-storey car park in Esher and the pure aesthetic of the open sandwich. 
 
Series 1 finds Sir Lucien (Geoffrey Whitehead) trying to overcome his creative block by visiting a spa in Baden Baden – accompanied by reluctant colleague Tim (Alex Carter). Back at the practice, the other partners are juggling ambition, principles and scary Americans – and dreaming of taking minimalism to the max. 
 
In Series 2, Sir Lucien and Partners chase a lucrative airport contract, head to Watford to restyle a Premier League footballer’s mansion, design a building with a great big turret (possibly) and decide to go into house building – negotiating marshland, unexploded bombs and homicidal relatives en route... 
 
Written by Jim Poyser and Neil Griffiths, this caustic, satirical comedy also stars Dominic Coleman, Ingrid Oliver, Anna Crilly and Aisling Bea. 
 
Written by Jim Poyser and Neil Griffiths 
Directed by Toby Swift 
 
Pilot 
Sarah – Laura Solon 
Dan – Ben Willbond 
Sir Lucien – Geoffrey Whitehead 
Rasmus – Ewan Bailey 
Tim – Tim Downie 
Mayoress – Joanna Brookes 
Car Park Attendant – Ben Crowe 
 
Series 1 and 2 
Matt – Dominic Coleman 
Sarah – Ingrid Oliver/Anna Crilly 
Sir Lucien – Geoffrey Whitehead 
Tim – Alex Carter 
Hayley – Aisling Bea 
Gregory Nettles/Mr Douglas – Sean Murray 
Mr Russell/Gentle Energy MD – Steve Toussaint 
Nurse/Amanda/Helene/Planning Officer – Carolyn Pickles 
Lotte – Georgie Fuller 
Snadaker/Dave – Stephen Critchlow 
Mr McCoy – Harry Myers 
Justin – Ben Crowe 
Dawn – Susie Riddell 
Murray – Peter Forbes 
Noel – David Hounslow 
Ella – Rhiannon Neads 
Danny – Richie Campbell 
Sean – Jude Akuwudike 
John/Darvo/Council Receptionist – Ian Conningham 
Computer Caddie/Tony – Sam Dale 
Jemima – Hannah Genesius 
Bob – David Acton 
Jane/Lucy – Jane Slavin 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 27 March 2013, (Pilot), 14 March-4 April 2014 (Series 1), 2-23 February 2015 (Series 2)

The Complete Series 1-2

Everyone Quite Likes Justin

A Manchester DJ tries to balance love, work, life and everything without much success.

There's a satisfyingly high gag hit-rate for this new comedy about a radio presenter

In one version of his life, Justin is a well-known local Manchester radio DJ who is successful, funny, and stopped in the street by adoring fans. He's the man who has everything. In another version he's a DJ in a slightly shabby local radio station who gets hassled by the occasional oddball on the street. And he's the man who hopes for everything. 
 
The truth lies somewhere in between. 
 
And at home? Well, naturally, his private life is chaotic. His wife has left him, taking custody of his 8-year-old son Justin jnr, and is in the process of taking him to the cleaners. So he's back on the market. As is his house - so he's currently living in his father-in-law's spare room in Bury. The only person who understands him is his Gran, living in luxury in an old folk's home in Warrington. Oh, and his producer Bryn but this might not be a good thing. 
 
Despite all this mess, Justin always remains positive. Every new day is a new opportunity, "When life throws you lemons, make lemonade". 
 
This complete collection of Everyone Quite Likes Justin, Justin is played by Justin Moorhouse, Gran by Anne Reid, Ray by Paul Copley and Lisa by Christine Bottomley. 
 
There's a satisfyingly high gag hit-rate for this new comedy about a radio presenter - The Guardian 
 
Producer: Steven Canny

Gary Brown

Steve Sunderland

Jim Poyser

Michael Stewart

Sharon Oakes

Shakeel Ahmed

Reece Dinsdale

Stephen Hoyle

Joseph Kloska

Kevin Eldon

Michelle Holmes

Melissa Jane Sinden

Muzz Khan

David Fleeshman

Jessica Blake

John Catterall

Greg Wood

Andrew Westfield

Full Cast

Six Full-Cast Original BBC Radio Dramas

Six quirky dramas from in and around a northern market stall 
 
“If you want owt - go down the market... They sell everything from pins to pearl earrings, from peaches to pig's trotters, from tripe to tiramisu. See the hanging, marbled haunches of beef down Butchers' Row. Smell the flowers, a fragrant dream. Taste the fresh silvery fish motorwayed down from the North Sea.” 
 
Some would say the Market is the last authentic part of the city centre. This northern city has reinvented itself as a business and financial centre, bristling with designer shops and bars. A cosmopolitan, twenty-four hour city. Yet slap bang in the centre the Victorian City Market remains what it has always been; a place where you can get anything and see anything - a place teeming with life. The market is the real face of the city - mucky, multicultural and magnificent. Listen to this immersive collection of full-cast BBC radio dramas exploring the high and lows of this unique place which bursts with stories and life.In Loco Parentis by Garry Brown, a bittersweet empty nester comedy starring Reece Dinsdale, Jim can't sleep because his daughter's left for uni, his business is going belly up, and his father is going gaga. Oh, and to top it all he suspects his wife is having an affair with her boss…Phonebreaker by Steve Sunderland is the story of Matt. He’s going off the rails. School was a washout and working on his dad's market stall is a dead-end job. But when he hears a call for help on a stolen mobile phone, it's a call to action. An arresting morality tale starring Stephen Hoyle, Joseph Kloska and Jessica Blake.Sean's family own a fish stall down the market. Except Sean doesn't want to join them. He's become a 'Joey' for his best friend Darren who's a highly paid footballer. A Joey is a 'Go to Guy'. No way is he a dogsbody… The Joey by Jim Poysner is a quirky comedy starring John Catterall and Greg Wood.In Castaway by Michael Stewart, Kevin Eldon stars as Andrew, a man proud of his beard and his liberal attitudes. When Akram Khan, a successful businessman, buys some computers off his stall, things start looking up for Andrew. That is, until he fits a wi-fi router in Mr Khan’s impressive house…Eclipse by Sharon Oakes is a tender romantic comedy that tells the story of Carrie, who runs a flower stall. She also has a birthmark on her face. Maybe that's the reason she has never married? But Mrs Kaminsky knows she has a secret admirer. Starring Michelle Holmes, Andrew Westfield and Melissa Jane Sinden.Finally, An Imam and a Rabbi by Shakeel Ahmed is a wickedly funny supernatural comedy starring Muzz Khan and David Fleeshman. Imam Jawad and Rabbi Greenberg can't stand the sight of each other. But then something strange and spooky occurs that needs cross-cultural co-operation. Can they do it?Available as a complete collection for the first time, Market is a series of six plays with a whiff of the fantastical about them. Each story is self-contained, quirky and best described as a ‘modern morality’ play. Compelling, compulsive and utterly delightful, this wonderful collection is not to be missed by fans of comedy and drama alike.Produced by Peter Leslie Wild and Gary BrownOriginal Music by Steven D Reid©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Books by Jim Poyser

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