The Complete BBC Radio comedy

The Attractive Young Rabbi

All three series of the BBC Radio 4 comedy drama about the collision between the old and the new in the Jewish community of Hillfield

All three series of the BBC Radio 4 comedy drama about the collision between the old and the new in the Jewish community of Hillfield 
 
Abraham Fine lives a settled, comfortable life as Rabbi of Hillfield’s Orthodox synagogue. But his world is turned upside down when a new Reform synagogue opens, led by a female Rabbi, Su Jacobs. Young, single, trendy and full of new ideas, she soon sets about modernisation: introducing her congregation to the delights of the Internet, putting ‘executive boxes’ with TV screens in the pews and offering coffee and croissants during the services – much to Rabbi Fine’s consternation. Fortunately, his wife Sadie is less resistant to change, and is quick to befriend Su and endeavour to keep the peace between her and Abraham. 
 
Written by Barry Grossman, this culture-clash comedy stars David de Keyser as Rabbi Abraham Fine and Tracy-Ann Oberman as Rabbi Su Jacobs, with Doreen Mantle as Sadie. Guest stars include Warren Mitchell, Geoffrey Whitehead and Nadim Sawalha. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Barry Grossman 
Produced by John Fawcett Wilson 
Music: Max Harris 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 12 November-3 December 1999 (Series 1), 22 September-27 October 2000 (Series 2), 13 February-20 March 2002 (Series 3)

Barry Grossman

Jonathan Coy

Milton Johns

Alfred Burke

Marcia Warren

Lydia Leonard

Jasmine Hyde

Sheila Steafel

Diane Fletcher

Sally Grace

Full Cast

Carla Mendonca

Rachel Atkins

A BBC Radio 4 Comedy

Jonathan Coy stars as the much-married King in this unreliable Tudor history 
 
'A brilliant concept... does exactly what it says on the tin' The Times 
 
From his tiny room at Hampton Court, the royal chronicler records the comings and goings of the King of England, his six Queens - and his six mothers-in-law. Introducing us to these redoubtable ladies, he relates the surprising part they played in the destiny of Henry VIII and his unfortunate wives. 
 
We meet Catherine of Aragon's duenna, Dona Elvira, whose introduction of paella, flamenco and bullfighting to his home leads Henry to seek his pleasures elsewhere; Lady Boleyn, whose gentleman admirer threatens danger for her daughter Anne; and Lady Margaret, whose attempt to overturn hundreds of years of tradition leads to a dramatic confrontation. There's also meddling matriarch Mrs Loew, whose devious dealmaking costs Henry dear; good-time grandmother Duchess Agnes, who encourages Catherine Howard to play the field - and neglect her husband; and Catherine Parr's mother, whose impact on the King's court will be life-changing for Henry - and for his Chancellor, Thomas Cromwell... 
 
Created by Barry Grossman (The Attractive Young Rabbi), this tongue-in-cheek historical spoof stars Jonathan Coy as King Henry VIII, with a star cast including Carla Mendonça, Lydia Leonard, Jasmine Hyde, Marcia Warren and Geoffrey McGivern. 
 
Production credits 
Created and written by Barry Grossman 
Episode 3 written by Jim Eldridge and Episode 4 by Rene Basilico 
Produced by John Fawcett Wilson 
Music composed by Jim Parker 
 
Cast 
Henry VIII - Jonathan Coy 
Thomas Cromwell - Milton Johns 
Chronicler - Alfred Burke 
Catherine of Aragon - Carla Mendonça 
Dona Elvira - Sheila Steafel 
Wolsey - John Rowe 
Pope - Stephen Greif 
Lady Boleyn - Diane Fletcher 
Anne Boleyn - Lydia Leonard 
Maurice Crumb - David Holt 
Jane Seymour - Jasmine Hyde 
Lady Margaret - Eve Matheson 
Sir John - John Webb 
Antonio - Jonathan Kydd 
Anne of Cleves - Sasha Pick 
Mrs Loew - Aletta Lawson 
Court fool - Chris Emmett 
Hans Holbein/Sir Richard - Peter van Dissel 
Catherine Howard - Helen Longworth 
Duchess Agnes - Marcia Warren 
William of Winchelsea - Geoffrey McGivern 
Simon of Southwark - Gyuri Sarossi 
Catherine Parr - Rachel Atkins 
Mother - Sally Grace 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 17 November-22 December 2003 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

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