Season's Greetings

A sparkling BBC Radio 4 production of Alan Ayckbourn’s festive play, starring Frances Barber, Phil Daniels, Bill Nighy, Geoffrey Palmer and John Sessions.

Christmas is the season of good cheer and harmony among men, but things are not working out quite that way in the Bunker household. As a motley collection of friends and relatives fill the house with their own wishes, dreams and attitudes, the stage is set for seasonal disharmony and romantic intrigue. It’s Christmas Eve and while Belinda is rushing around decorating the tree and seeing to all the guests and their needs, Eddie and Pattie are having a serious bust-up. Added to all of this, Bernard is conducting a chaotic rehearsal of his annual gift for the children - a puppet show of The Three Little Pigs - as his wife, Phyllis gets quietly sloshed in the kitchen on the cooking wine. Then something disastrous occurs...

Norman Conquests, The (Classic Radio Theatre)

Robin Herford and Tessa Peake-Jones star in Alan Ayckbourn's award-winning trilogy: Table Manners, Living Together and Round and Round the Garden.

Born in London in 1939, Alan Ayckbourn is one of the world's most popular and prolific playwrights. He has written 74 full length plays and more than 20 other revues and plays for children. He is also an acclaimed director. Alan Ayckbourn was awarded a CBE in 1987. Ten years later to the day, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II 'for services to the theatre.'

When the deviously amorous Norman plans a clandestine weekend away with his sister-in-law, he has some fun and games in mind. But not quite the fun and games that he gets... Ayckbourn's trilogy has been hailed as a mould-breaking masterpiece. All three plays take place concurrently so an exit in one becomes an entrance in another and can be played in any order. The story of the same dreadful weekend is illuminated from three different vantage points: the dining room, the sitting room and the garden. With a distinguished cast including Robin Herford as Norman and Tessa Peake-Jones as Sarah, The Norman Conquests is a brilliantly entertaining comedy of our time: wise and witty, funny and profound.

Alan Ayckbourn

In His Own Words

Alan Ayckbourn is a multi-award-winning playwright, whose plays have been seen in the West End, on Broadway and worldwide. In this collection we hear - in his own words - about his family and upbringing; on being a writer and director, as well as those who influenced him. He discusses the characters he creates and his time in Scarborough, and also his childhood and his love of theatre. Alan also talks about his relationships - on and off stage - and touches on his personal life. 
 
 The interviews on this collection include: Today, BBC Radio 2 (first broadcast 2 March 1979); Saturday Review, BBC 2 (first broadcast 4 June 1980); The Levin Interview, BBC 2 (first broadcast 1 July 1984); Kaleidoscope, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 21 November 1984); The Michael Parkinson Programme, BBC Radio 2 (first broadcast 28 May 1987); Meridian, BBC World Service (first broadcast 5 September 1989); Omnibus, BBC 1 (first broadcast 13 February 1990); Alan Ayckbourn in Conversation, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast May 1991); Simon Mayo, BBC Radio 2 (first broadcast 24 January 2010); Imagine, BBC 1 (first broadcast 15 November 2011). 
 
 Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Alan Ayckbourn

Books by Alan Ayckbourn

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