A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

Shy Baby

A BBC Radio 4 comedy exploring the crippling effects of acute social anxiety on work, hopes and relationships, starring Stuart McLoughlin. 'Shy Baby' was originally broadcast as the 'Afternoon Play' on 17 Mar 2011.  Lionel Stillman has a new job, a girlfriend he thinks he loves, and a secret ambition - to be a stand-up comic. But he also has a problem. People make him nervous.  As Lionel stumbles from bad date with Emma to bad first day at a call centre, he struggles with an inner voice telling him he's boring and useless – 'or just plain weird'. At first, Emma thinks he's attractively shy. Then she decides he's a drinker.  But Lionel does have friends. At a weekly support group his fellow sufferers Simon, Max and Rosie uncover his ambition to be a comic and encourage him to take it further by setting a challenge: to perform in a comedy club. As the night approaches, the idea seems ludicrous. How can a man who can't bring himself to meet his girlfriend's parents stand up and perform in front of a raucous pub crowd? Rosie holds the key.  'Shy Baby' features Stuart McLoughlin as Lionel, Alex Tregear as Rosie, and Polly Barsby as Emma. The play was researched with the help of Social Anxiety support groups in London and Bristol.

Michael Butt

Marcy Kahan

Nick Warburton

Jeremy Front

Gary Ogin

Prunella Scales

Roger Allam

Full Cast

Kenneth Cranham

Bill Nighy

Eleanor Bron

Philip Jackson

Rebecca Front

Indira Varma

Richard Coyle

Seven BBC full-cast romantic comedies

Seven BBC full-cast romantic comedies about love, longing and life-changing moments 
 
 Written by a host of top radio writers and starring some of Britain's finest actors, these sparkling, beautifully crafted comedy dramas are centred around people with unconscious yearnings. From the serial seducer to the lonely mother's boy, each is looking for love - but will they find it? 
 
 Vongole by Michael Butt: Oxford professor Tristram Swann's favourite pastime is wooing his female students with Petrarch and pasta. But what is he really after? Starring Bill Nighy. 
 
 The Non-Entity by Marcy Kahan: Once a successful Soviet hack, Dimitri hasn't sold a story since the fall of Communism. So why has a British publisher flown out to Moscow to see him? Starring Kenneth Cranham, Eleanor Bron and Sylvestre Le Touzel. 
 
 Toad Squad by Nick Warburton: Bitter at being retired prematurely, Reg embarks on a mission to protect the humble toad. Starring Philip Jackson and Amanda Root. 
 
 The Anniversary Waltz by Jeremy Front: Deli owners Max and Shirley spend their days sniping at one another - but a sudden epiphany makes them realise things have got to change... Starring Prunella Scales, Roger Allam and Rebecca Front. 
 
 Catching Heathcliff by Nick Warburton: Lindsey dreams of someone brooding and passionate - and then Morton walks into her book group... Starring Philip Jackson and Amanda Root. 
 
 Battersea Triangle by Michael Butt: Passive Dougie is trapped in a relationship with his domineering boss, Angela. When he meets the docile India, his problems seem to be over - but are they just beginning? Starring Mark Benton, Christine Kavanagh and Indira Varma. 
 
 The Dangers of Self-Hypnosis by Gary Ogin: Having had no luck with speed-dating, Maurice turns to a self-hypnosis CD to find romance. Exploring his subconscious, he finds the beautiful Rachel... Starring Richard Coyle, Prunella Scales and Sophie Winkleman. 
 
 
 Produced and directed by Peter Kavanagh 
 
 Vongole 
 Tristram - Bill Nighy 
 Minnie - Emma Callander 
 Helen - Miranda Colchester 
 Freddie - Stephen Critchlow 
 Mamma/Judy - Carolyn Jones 
 Written by Michael Butt 
 
 The Non-Entity 
 Dmitri - Kenneth Cranham 
 Annoushka - Eleanor Bron 
 Claire - Sylvestra Le Touzel 
 Robert - Stephen Critchlow 
 Written by Marcy Kahan 
 
 Toad Squad 
 Reg - Philip Jackson 
 Bel - Amanda Root 
 Mr Topping - Jonathan Coy 
 Written by Nick Warburton 
 
 The Anniversary Waltz 
 Shirley - Prunella Scales 
 Max - Roger Allam 
 Roszinka - Rebecca Front 
 Girl - Rosie Fellner 
 Marcy - Liza Sadovy 
 Toastmaster/Old man - Bruce Purchase 
 Written by Jeremy Front 
 
 Catching Heathcliff 
 Graham - Philip Jackson 
 Lindsey - Amanda Root 
 Heathcliff/Morton - Mark Straker 
 Postman - Nick Warburton 
 Written by Nick Warburton 
 
 Battersea Triangle 
 Dougie - Mark Benton 
 India - Indira Varma 
 Angela - Christine Kavanagh 
 Fiona - Emily Rose Smith 
 Written by Michael Butt 
 
 The Dangers of Self-Hypnosis 
 Maurice - Richard Coyle 
 Mother - Prunella Scales 
 Rachel - Sophie Winkleman 
 Abigail - Christine Kavanagh 
 Hypnotist/Judge - Sam Dale 
 Daniel - Mark Straker 
 Written by Gary Ogin 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

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