A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Produced by Dirk Maggs

The Long Hot Satsuma

Fresh and funny comedy performed by an all-star cast This hilarious, fast paced, parody sketch show sends up classic BBC radio shows, travels through time and brings you Shakespeare as you've never heard it before. Tune in to Desert Island Discs with a twist, appreciate an orange-inal version of Hamlet and discover Tolstoy with a peel good factor. A spoof show like no other, The Long Hot Satsuma is a laugh out loud comedy packed with quick witted lines and the trademark dry humour of veteran comedians Alison Steadman, Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden. Action packed episodes include a high court judge-cum-plumber, a BBC announcer with the pips, an alien takeover and some unique royal commentary. A smooth blend of cleverly crafted comedy and pitch perfect parody, this show is full of juicy bits and will have you rolling with laughter. Keep listening, the zest is yet to come!Recorded in front of a live audience, Olivier award winning and BAFTA nominated actor Alison Steadman (Abigail's Party, Gavin and Stacey) performs with radio comedy legend Barry Cryer (I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue) and TV and radio star Graeme Garden (The Goodies). Their unmistakable voices and wit make this classic sketch show as fresh and funny today as it was when first recorded. Listen to all eight episodes now in this a-peeling new download only edition.Cast and creditsProduced by Dirk MaggsFeaturing an ensemble castGraeme GardenBarry CryerAlison SteadmanPaul B. Davies Julia Hills First Broadcast BBC Radio 2, May-July 1989©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Fresh and funny comedy performed by an all-star cast 
 
This hilarious, fast paced, parody sketch show sends up classic BBC radio shows, travels through time and brings you Shakespeare as you've never heard it before. Tune in to Desert Island Discs with a twist, appreciate an orange-inal version of Hamlet and discover Tolstoy with a peel good factor. A spoof show like no other, The Long Hot Satsuma is a laugh out loud comedy packed with quick witted lines and the trademark dry humour of veteran comedians Alison Steadman, Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden. Action packed episodes include a high court judge-cum-plumber, a BBC announcer with the pips, an alien takeover and some unique royal commentary. A smooth blend of cleverly crafted comedy and pitch perfect parody, this show is full of juicy bits and will have you rolling with laughter. Keep listening, the zest is yet to come! 
 
Recorded in front of a live audience, Olivier award winning and BAFTA nominated actor Alison Steadman (Abigail's Party, Gavin and Stacey) performs with radio comedy legend Barry Cryer (I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue) and TV and radio star Graeme Garden (The Goodies). Their unmistakable voices and wit make this classic sketch show as fresh and funny today as it was when first recorded. Listen to all eight episodes now in this a-peeling new download only edition. 
 
Cast and credits 
 
Produced by Dirk Maggs 
 
Featuring an ensemble cast 
Graeme Garden 
Barry Cryer 
Alison Steadman 
Paul B. Davies 
Julia Hills 
 
First Broadcast BBC Radio 2, May-July 1989 
 
 
©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

A BBC Radio Comedy

At Home With The Hardys

All three series of the surreal sitcom set in the madcap world of four happy-go-lucky young folk 
 
 
Jeremy Hardy and friends are an irrepressible gang of jolly japesters who are always up for laughter and merriment. Luckily, they all live near to each other: which means craziness is never far away. So good they named it twice, this zany sitcom was initially known as Unnatural Acts, before returning for its third series as At Home With the Hardys. But though the title may be different, the high jinks are as wacky as ever... 
 
Series 1 of Unnatural Acts sees Jeremy investigating his lineage, and Kit deciding it's time to get in touch with a medium's answerphone. When the pals decide to commune with Mother Nature it's out with the picnic snacks and off to Sizefield nuclear power station - and when Caroline makes a special announcement at Kit and Jeremy's wedding anniversary, it's another success story for computer dating. There's just one tiny problem... In Series 2, a slew of April Fool pranks escalates into a terrorist threat; a safari park throws up some unexpected attractions, including an exploding ostrich and a gorilla with a walkie-talkie; and Paul starts spring-cleaning Ashdown Forest - where he makes a very interesting discovery... 
 
There's a new moniker, a new story, a new job and a new arrival for the crazy crew in Series 3, At Home with the Hardys. Someone, somewhere is having an affair - and Paul's doing the catering. Adverts make the heart grow fonder as our four funsters bring you a cleaner, brighter programme with built-in lemon freshness. Meanwhile, a famous line from a famous film may not amount to a hill of beans, but it could be the end of a beautiful friendship - and as Jeremy and Paul get starry-eyed, Kit and Caroline come down to earth... 
 
Written by and starring Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach and Paul B. Davies, this riotous radio romp also stars Caroline Leddy. 
 
Production credits 
Produced by David Tyler 
 
 
Cast 
Jeremy - Jeremy Hardy 
Kit - Kit Hollerbach 
Paul - Paul B. Davies 
Caroline - Caroline Leddy 
and introducing Patty-Jo 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
Series 1 (Unnatural Acts) 
Written by Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach and Paul B Davies. With Pete Sinclair, Steve Punt, Alison Renshaw, John Morrish and Dave Cohen 
 
Series 2 (Unnatural Acts) 
Written by Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach, Paul B Davies, Pete Sinclair and Caroline Leddy 
 
Series 3 (At Home with the Hardys) 
Written by Paul B. Davies, Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach and Pete Sinclair 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
 
'Radio 4's best comedy by miles' The Listener

All three series of the surreal sitcom set in the madcap world of four happy-go-lucky young folk 
 
 
Jeremy Hardy and friends are an irrepressible gang of jolly japesters who are always up for laughter and merriment. Luckily, they all live near to each other: which means craziness is never far away. So good they named it twice, this zany sitcom was initially known as Unnatural Acts, before returning for its third series as At Home With the Hardys. But though the title may be different, the high jinks are as wacky as ever... 
 
Series 1 of Unnatural Acts sees Jeremy investigating his lineage, and Kit deciding it's time to get in touch with a medium's answerphone. When the pals decide to commune with Mother Nature it's out with the picnic snacks and off to Sizefield nuclear power station - and when Caroline makes a special announcement at Kit and Jeremy's wedding anniversary, it's another success story for computer dating. There's just one tiny problem... In Series 2, a slew of April Fool pranks escalates into a terrorist threat; a safari park throws up some unexpected attractions, including an exploding ostrich and a gorilla with a walkie-talkie; and Paul starts spring-cleaning Ashdown Forest - where he makes a very interesting discovery... 
 
There's a new moniker, a new story, a new job and a new arrival for the crazy crew in Series 3, At Home with the Hardys. Someone, somewhere is having an affair - and Paul's doing the catering. Adverts make the heart grow fonder as our four funsters bring you a cleaner, brighter programme with built-in lemon freshness. Meanwhile, a famous line from a famous film may not amount to a hill of beans, but it could be the end of a beautiful friendship - and as Jeremy and Paul get starry-eyed, Kit and Caroline come down to earth... 
 
Written by and starring Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach and Paul B. Davies, this riotous radio romp also stars Caroline Leddy. 
 
Production credits 
Produced by David Tyler 
 
 
Cast 
Jeremy - Jeremy Hardy 
Kit - Kit Hollerbach 
Paul - Paul B. Davies 
Caroline - Caroline Leddy 
and introducing Patty-Jo 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
Series 1 (Unnatural Acts) 
Written by Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach and Paul B Davies. With Pete Sinclair, Steve Punt, Alison Renshaw, John Morrish and Dave Cohen 
 
Series 2 (Unnatural Acts) 
Written by Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach, Paul B Davies, Pete Sinclair and Caroline Leddy 
 
Series 3 (At Home with the Hardys) 
Written by Paul B. Davies, Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach and Pete Sinclair 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
 
'Radio 4's best comedy by miles' The Listener

Alison Plowden

Abigail Docherty

John Mortimer

Madame de Lafayette

Peter Wolf

Michael Butt

Amanda Whittington

Paul B. Davies

Friedrich Schiller

Michael Bryant

Kathleen Helme

Melody Grove

Roger Lloyd Pack

Meg Fraser

Alexandra Mathie

Louise Brealey

Michael Horden

Full Cast

A BBC Radio 4 Drama Collection

Nine gripping dramas that delve into the turbulent, thrilling history of the Tudor eraAffairs and assassinations. Conflict and chaos. Power and plots. The tumultuous Tudor period is one of the most iconic and fascinating chapters in British history. In these ten atmospheric dramas, we get a glimpse into the inner workings of Tudor England – and rediscover the key characters we have grown to love and hate. Featuring world-renowned actors, these gripping, historically accurate tales are packed with excitement.A Pattern of Tudors - the story of Cardinal Wolsey who built Hampton Court, and Henry VIII who took it from him.True and Lawful Queen - Katherine of Aragon’s refusal to divorce Henry VIII sparks a chain of events that leads to the Reformation.Black Queen to King’s Castle - the ghost of Anne Boleyn tells her own story of the events that led to her execution.The Babington Plot - Told from the perspective of the conspirators, this is an enthralling account of the 1586 plot to assassinate Elizabeth I and return England to Catholic rule under Mary, Queen of Scots.La Princesse de Clèves - a playful adaptation of Madame de Lafayette's classic novel of intrigue and love set in the 16th Century and following the dangerous liaisons of a beautiful young lady newly presented to Court.Gold’s Fool - the true story of how Queen Elizabeth I was misled by alchemists into believing that the Arctic black rocks of Baffin Island were rich in precious ore.Mary Stuart - we learn of the extraordinary relationship between Elizabeth I and her rival cousin, the imprisoned Scottish queen.Edward, Edward - seen entirely through the eyes of children, this shows how Edward VI, crowned king at the age of nine, finds himself powerless in a world ruled by adults.The Nine Days Queen - the tragic story of the trial of Lady Jane Grey. Crowned Queen of England in 1553 aged 16, she was imprisoned in the Tower nine days later, and was dead within a year.Among the stellar cast of these remarkable dramas are Phyllida Nash, Michael Hordern, David Troughton, Izzy Meikle-Small, Stephen Greif, Burn Gorman, Roger Lloyd Pack, Kathleen Helme and Melody Grove.© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Paul B. Davies

Books by Paul B. Davies

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