Seven BBC full-cast romantic comedies

Hopes and Desires

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

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

A BBC Radio 4 drama

Last Days of Grace

A cricketing legend faces his final innings in this moving BBC radio drama starring Kenneth Cranham and Benedict Cumberbatch 
 
Easter Monday, 1908, and there's snow on the ground as ageing icon W.G. Grace arrives at the Oval to contemplate another day in his lifelong cricketing obsession. He can't face the thought of sitting in the clubhouse and meeting the same old people - so instead, he trudges out in the cold to the groundsman's hut, where he encounters a young stranger. 
 
Their talk turns, naturally, to cricket, and the two men recall the highlights of Grace's long career: his debut for the All-England team in 1866, when he made 100 runs on the first day, and his first Test Match at the Oval in 1880 where he scored 152 against Australia, becoming England's first centurion. 
 
But those triumphs occurred decades ago, and Grace no longer dominates the world of cricket as he once did. At nearly 60, he knows in his heart that it's time to retire, but he cannot bear the idea of giving up the game he loves. Can the stranger persuade him to bow out with dignity? 
 
Written by Nick Warburton, who won the 2007 Peter Tinniswood Award for Best New Play on Radio, this poignant, bittersweet drama stars Kenneth Cranham as Grace, with Benedict Cumberbatch as the young man and Christopher Martin-Jenkins as the Voice of Cricket. 
 
Produced by Steven Canny 
 
Cast 
W.G. Grace - Kenneth Cranham 
GF - Benedict Cumberbatch 
Voice of Cricket - Christopher Martin-Jenkins 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 24 September 2008

A BBC Radio full-cast comedy drama

Holding Back the Tide

Ronald Pickup, Paul Ritter and Kate Duchêne star in Nick Warburton’s comedy about one community’s attempts to resist change

Ronald Pickup, Paul Ritter and Kate Duchêne star in Nick Warburton’s comedy about one community’s attempts to resist change 
 
When Richard and Clare Wells inherit a clifftop house in Yorkshire, they also inherit a sitting tenant, John Hector, who treats their home as his own and the local town as his own personal fiefdom. But the sea is eroding the land, and John is intent on stopping them all from being evicted, so the Wells’ reluctantly embrace him as an ally. As he entangles them in his conservation battles, Clare and Richard find themselves drawn into the Breck Howe Preservation Society, an unlikely group attempting to defend their town against the worst ills of modernity. Their lives will never be the same again... 
 
North meets South in this comedic clash of cultures, written by award-winning dramatist Nick Warburton. Ronald Pickup stars as John Hector, with Paul Ritter as Richard and Kate Duchêne as Clare. 
 
Written by Nick Warburton 
Directed by Sally Avens 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28 January 2016 (The Vauxgarth Pig), 11-25 August 2017 (Series 1), 16 November-14 December 2018 (Series 2) 
 
Cast 
Richard Wells – Paul Ritter 
Clare Wells – Kate Duchêne 
John Hector – Ronald Pickup 
Lux – Michelle Asante 
Penrith – Chris Pavlo 
Trafford/Hugh – Gerard McDermott 
Mrs Cardabbon – Susan James 
Estate Agent – Caolan McCarthy 
Ticket Lady – Kerry Gooderson 
Guard – Bob Blythe 
Tiffany – Louise Brealey 
Librarian – Chetna Pandya/Liam Lau Fernandez 
Mrs Briggs of Events – Sanchia McCormack/Elizabeth Counsell 
Headley – Philip Fox 
Norwegian Herring Enthusiast – Simon Ludders 
Ralph Bell – Sean Murray 
MC/Trevor Butt – Tony Turner 
Robust Betty – Emma Handy 
Rude Girl/Brandi – Saffron Coomber 
Barb/WPC – Jeannette Percival 
Mikey/Surly Reader/Tourist – Cameron Percival 
Chucker/A Heavy – Don Gilet 
Anthony/Wayne/Seasider – Lewis Bray 
Himself – Jonathan Agnew

Tommies: The Complete BBC Radio Collection

A major BBC Radio 4 drama series following the lives of those on and behind the battlefront of World War I

Michael Chaplin (Author) 
 Nick Warburton (born 1947) was a primary school teacher for ten years before deciding to become a full-time writer. He writes plays for stage, television and radio and scripts for television series including Doctors, Holby City and EastEnders. He has been part of the regular writing team on Holby City since 2001. His radio plays, On Mardle Fen are one of the few recurring series on BBC Radio 4's Afternoon Play strand.

A major BBC Radio 4 drama series following the lives of those on and behind the battlefront of World War I 
 
Meticulously based on unit war diaries and eye-witness accounts, each of these 42 episodes of Tommies traces one real day at war, exactly 100 years ago. 
 
We follow the fortunes of Mickey Bliss and his fellow signallers from the Lahore Division of the British Indian Army, as they experience life – and death – on the front line. Meanwhile, Dr Celestine de Tullio battles to save soldiers suffering from gas gangrene and trench fever – and experiences the fighting firsthand when she enlists in the Serbian Army and commands a dangerous offensive. 
 
They are all cogs in an immense machine, one which connects situations across the whole theatre of the war, over four long years. Through their voices – and a host of others – we hear untold stories about the conflict in Gaza, Gallipoli, Salonika, Serbia, Mesopotamia, Russia, Macedonia, Italy, Turkmenistan and Tanzania, as well as on the Western Front. 
 
Lee Ross, Pippa Nixon and Indira Varma are among the extensive cast of this gripping series, created by Jonathan Ruffle, who produced the acclaimed real-time radio dramatisation of Len Deighton’s Bomber. Based on actual historical records, it paints a vivid portrait of daily life for soldiers and their families during 1914-1918, and sheds new light on the reality of the Great War.

The Complete BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas

On Mardle Fen: Series 1-6

The complete comedy drama series, set in an idiosyncratic restaurant in the Fens

Trevor Peacock (The Vicar of Dibley) stars as inspired chef Warwick Hedges, in this comedy drama set in an idiosyncratic restaurant in the Cambridgeshire Fens. Warwick’s son Jack works alongside his father, which makes him permanently anxious. They are assisted by Samuel, an earthy odd-job man "who crawled out of the slime with the eels", and Zofia the Polish waitress. 
 
Whether hosting unusual guests, dealing with flooding, fuelling father-son rivalry, or moving strange stones from the edge of the Fen to his restaurant 'at his own peril', Warwick certainly keeps Mardle Fen on its toes. 
 
The mixture of food, family relationships and Fenland legend is handled with Nick Warburton's characteristic deft comic touch. 
 
Cast: 
Warwick Hedges.....Trevor Peacock 
Jack Hedges.....Sam Dale 
Zofia.....Helen Longworth 
Samuel.....John Rowe 
Marcia Hedges.....Kate Buffery 
 
Other parts played by Chris Pavlo, Liza Sadovy, Christine Kavanagh, Liz Sutherland, Lizzy Watts, Victoria Inez Hardy, Malcolm Tierney, Paul Rider, Lauren Mote, Claire Rushbrook, Tony Bell, Adam Billington, Ben Crowe, Tilly Tremayne, Paul Bazely and Gyles Brandreth. 
 
Produced and directed by Claire Grove.

Four full-cast BBC Radio comedies

Turf Wars: The Complete Series

Four comic dramas about boundaries that are both territorial and personal 
 
Territory is the theme that unites these four humorous plays - whether that means fighting over an allotment plot, dealing with the sudden partition of a country, guarding the privacy of a garden or battling with the council over school catchment areas. 
 
In 'Losing the Plot', shy Edward decides to apply for an allotment plot after an encounter with attractive allotment-holder Amanda. But doing so involves an interview with ferocious site-manager Bernie, who runs the allotments with military rigour. Starring James Fleet as Edward, Joanna Monroe as Amanda and Jonathan Coy as Bernie. Written by Nick Warburton and directed by Peter Kavanagh. 
 
In 'An Incident at the Border', Arthur and Olivia are enjoying the sun in their local park on a beautiful summer's day. Olivia is reading a newspaper article on their country's new-found independence. Arthur, who is apolitical, is just enjoying watching the ducks. Suddenly a soldier arrives, dragging a tape across the ground, marking out the new border and barging between the two young people. Now one is on one side of the border, and one on the other! Starring Joseph Kloska as Arthur, Leah Brotherhead as Olivia and Nigel Planer as Reiver. Written by Kieran Lynn and directed by Peter Kavanagh. 
 
In 'How's Your Mother?', Humphrey Partridge is reckoned to be anti-social, indeed stand-offish. But he always has an excuse - namely that he has to look after his ailing elderly mother. No-one has ever met the legendary matriarch. Not even nosy Raj the local postman. But one morning when Humphrey is at work, Raj notices a fire in Humphrey's house, breaks in to put it out and makes an extraordinary discovery. Starring Michael Maloney as Humphrey Partridge, Adeel Akhtar as Raj/Sgt Wallis, Sam Dale as Mr Denton/Trevor, Sally Orrock as Mrs Denton and Christine Kavanagh as Mrs Jones. Written by Simon Brett and directed by Peter Kavanagh. 
 
In 'The Accidental Head', Beth just wants what's best for her 11 year old son: a solid secondary education at the kind of school that recognises his genius, as well as his aptitude for baroque music. A school like Folgate. But when the family is edged out of Folgate's catchment area, a battle begins. Starring Katherine Parkinson as Beth, Darren Boyd as Jake, Emma Fryer as Ruth Willith, Alex Tregear as the journalist, Sally Orrock as Helen and Brian Bowles as Farmer/Hughes. Written by Jeremy Front and directed by James Robinson.

Witness

Five new plays from the gospel of Luke, by award-winning writer Nick Warburton. 
 
This work presents the Gospel story as you've never heard it before. 
 
Everyone knows the story of Jesus' life, as told in the Gospels – and, perhaps because it is so familiar, we have forgotten what an extraordinary life it was. Through these five plays, the story is pieced together as if from the memories of those who were there and saw events for themselves: Jesus' mother Mary, his closest friends, the Jewish High Priest, and the Roman Governor. They recount the events they witnessed as if they had happened just the other day - and the effect on their own lives. This work discusses how James and John first encountered Jesus by the lake; the three astonishing years of his ministry; his trial and ignominious death; the wholly unexpected resurrection; and, finally, his mother Mary who looks back to his obscure birth and the portents that accompanied it. And so, the tale regains some of its freshness and even shocking nature. Each play is followed by a short interview feature, 'Witness: Behind Luke's Gospel', presented by Ernie Rea and examining the themes of Luke's Gospel. This work features Tom Goodman-Hill as Jesus, Paul Hilton as Judas, Peter Firth as Peter, and Penelope Wilton as Mary.

Nick Warburton

Full Cast

David Bradley

Adjoa Andoh

Don Gilet

James Fleet

Sarah Gordy

Claire Rushbrook

A Full-Cast BBC Radio Drama

Five original dramas about life, love and death in a cathedral close in Holy Week 
 
Cathedrals are at the heart of our cities. Beautiful, imposing and steeped in history, they were once potent symbols of temporal power and technological wonder. But what do they mean to us today? These five linked dramas explore how our great cathedrals &ndash; borderlands between God and people &ndash; embody the complexities and contradictions of faith in 21st century Britain. 
 
Penned by award-winning dramatist Nick Warburton and set in a fictional cathedral in the week leading up to Easter, the plays tell the &lsquo;small stories&rsquo; of the people who live, work and visit there. Each is centred around different characters, with themes echoing the Gospel accounts of the last days of Christ. 
 
Coming to Jerusalem introduces us to Ellen, a volunteer in the shop seeking respite from problems at home; and in Betrayal, we meet Callum, who has two loves: singing and his fiancée, Sonia. Last Supper finds Vice-Dean Clive and verger Graham breaking bread with two very different guests, while Trial focusses on Samir, who has come to the Cathedral to remember the dead &ndash; but is not made welcome. In The Road to Emmaus, it&rsquo;s Good Friday &ndash; a big day for Robert, the Cathedral&rsquo;s Director of Music. As he prepares for the afternoon service and the evening&rsquo;s performance by the Voluntary Choir, he finds himself beset by confusion... 
 
Starring David Bradley, Adjoa Andoh, Don Gilet, James Fleet, Sarah Gordy and Claire Rushbrook, these poignant plays feature original music specially composed for the series by Sasha Johnson Manning, with lyrics by the poet Michael Symmons Roberts. 
 
 
Production credits 
Written by Nick Warburton 
Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting 
Original music by Sasha Johnson Manning, with lyrics by Michael Symmons Roberts 
Performed by: 
Manchester Chamber Choir, directed by Christopher Stokes, with Jeffrey Makinson (organ), Rob Shorter (tenor), Rebecca Whettam (cello), Jahan Hunter (trumpet) and Holly Marland (recorder) 
BBC Singers with Eleanor Gregory (soprano), Margaret Cameron (alto), Chris Bowen (tenor), Stephen Charlesworth (bass) and Andrew Earis (piano) 
Andrew Kirk (organ), and the choir of Saint Mary Redcliffe, Bristol 
 
Cast 
The Old Man &ndash; David Bradley 
Ellen &ndash; Adjoa Andoh 
Graham &ndash; Kim Wall 
Paul &ndash; Jim Norton 
Clive &ndash; Don Gilet 
Caroline &ndash; Alex Tregear 
Robert &ndash; James Fleet 
Priest/Jo &ndash; Tracy Wiles 
Callum &ndash; Harry Livingstone 
Sonia &ndash; Rina Mahoney 
Hannah &ndash; Emerald O'Hanrahan 
James Greenstock &ndash; Gerard McDermott 
Samir &ndash; Shane Zaza 
Alice &ndash; Sarah Gordy 
Rebecca &ndash; Claire Rushbrook 
Lynne &ndash; Tina Gray 
Priests &ndash; Adjoa Andoh &amp; Peter Hamilton-Dyer 
With James Lailey 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2-6 April 2012 
 
&copy; 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Nick Warburton

Books by Nick Warburton

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