Christoper Fitz-Simon

Pauline McLynn

David Kelly

Full Cast

A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama

A hilarious comedy about the struggles of a Dublin theatrical costumier 
 
The show must go on! 
 
Dublin-based Dessie (David Kelly) and Violet Doyle (Pauline McLynn) are trying to keep their theatrical costumier business afloat amidst drama, scandal and farce so brilliant it should be on stage itself. Attempting to embrace modern working practices, the pair find themselves in uproarious situations with a cast of colourful characters and multiple narrative threads… 
 
Listen and laugh as the beleaguered couple embrace an offer from a local nun’s drama group which might help, if only they don’t get things mixed up with the Gaiety Theatre’s opera production… Things go from bad to worse when the costumiers are asked to dress a British Embassy pageant, and unwittingly become embroiled in a money-laundering scandal. Salvation may be on the cards if they can deliver some vintage army uniforms to an American movie set, but a resident ghost seems to have other ideas. And trouble is brewing when two rival clog troupes threaten to come to blows… How will Violet create a special cloak for Sir Walter Raleigh with all that racket going on?! 
 
Pure radio comedy, Spangles ’n’ Tights is a fantastically hilarious, fast-paced farce. This perfectly turned-out series is an utterly charming listen, and will have you ab-sew-lutely in stitches. 
 
Irish writer, theatre and TV director, Christopher Fitz-Simon is the author of Ballylenon, the long-running BBC comedy drama. He has written numerous broadcast plays, including a BBC Italia Prize entry (The Dead) and two RTE Italia Prize entries (for Vina and A Snowman in July), and several books, including the memoir Eleven Houses. 
 
 
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon 
Directed by Roland Jaquarello 
Music played by John Trotter 
 
Pursued by a Bear 
Dessie Doyle - David Kelly 
Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn 
Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien 
Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly 
Sister Accumulata - Doreen Keogh 
Mr Hornibrooks - Mark Mulholland 
P.J Clohessy - Derry Power 
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 Sept 1998 
 
The Ambassador 
Dessie Doyle - David Kelly 
Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn 
Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien 
Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly 
Mr Bagshott - Bosco Hogan 
Polly Hoskins - Ali White 
Lady Bletchley - Sylvia Syms 
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 Oct 1998 
 
A Folk Song for Europe 
Dessie Doyle - David Kelly 
Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn 
Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien 
Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly 
Mona Scrummitt - Noreen Kershaw 
Mr Witherspoon - Dave Hill 
Belfast Woman - Maureen Dow 
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 Oct 1998 
 
Medieval Banquet 
Dessie Doyle - David Kelly 
Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn 
Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien 
Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly 
Fidelma Fitzpatrick - Roma Tomelty 
High King - Birdy Sweeney 
Cliona O'Sloothrahaun - Anna Byrne 
Cardinal Poggibonsi - John Keyes 
Court Jester - Paddy Scully 
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 Oct 1998 
 
The Movie 
Dessie Doyle - David Kelly 
Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn 
Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien 
Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly 
Mike - Dan Gordon 
Mouser Dolan - Kevin Flood 
Ron Berglas - Buddy Kowalski 
Gwynne McElveen - Starlet 
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 Oct 1998 
 
©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Christoper Fitz-Simon

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