The BBC Radio 4 Celtic sketch comedy

The Absolutely Radio Show

Three series of surreal, fast-paced sketch comedy from the cast of the iconic TV show - plus Sketchorama: Absolutely Special and extensive never-before-heard bonus material 
 
Described as 'Channel 4's best-kept secret', Absolutely was a cult hit on TV, running for four series between 1989 and 1993. In 2013, the original cast (minus Jack Docherty) reunited for the Sketchorama: Absolutely Special for BBC Radio 4, winning a BBC Audio Drama Award in the Best Live Scripted Comedy category. It was hugely successful, and was followed by three full series of The Absolutely Radio Show. 
 
In this radio reboot, Pete Baikie, Morwenna Banks, Moray Hunter, Gordon Kennedy, John Sparkes and Gus Beattie revisit some of their much-loved comic creations, and introduce some hilarious newcomers. We listen in on the meetings of the highly confused Stoneybridge Town Council; hear pearls of nonsense from Calum Gilhooley, Edinburgh's most boring man; and the Little Girl gives us her take on topics including Tonsils, Teenagers, The Truth and Time's Up. 
 
Frank Hovis remembers his wedding day, the Reverend McMinn has a surprise encounter with Kim Jong Un in his local minimart, and we meet an angsty actor who is very concerned about the length of his co-star's credits. There's also non-stop breaking news and whooshing noises from the News News News team; the People's War, with stories from those who were nearly there; and a brand new, same-as-all-the-rest police drama about a TV detective who is always off the case. 
 
Plus, there are sketches exploring the downside of Facebook; the perils of box-set bingeing and mobile phone zombies; and songs about the joys (or otherwise) of middle age, being a self-help junkie, and sharing your birthday with International Carrot Day. 
 
Rounding out this collection are five in-depth interviews with the cast and crew, plus 'Absolutely Raw' (a one take no edit live show recording with all the bloopers, cock ups and retakes), deleted and seldom heard sketches. A must for Absolutely fans. 
 
Dive into this comical collection, kicking off with Sketchorama: Absolutely Special, introduced by Thom Tuck and featuring more characters including the Commissionaire, the Old Lady Artist and dysfunctional Swansea duo Denzil and Gwynedd. 
 
Sketchorama: Absolutely Special 
Introduced by Thom Tuck 
Written and performed by Pete Baikie, Morwenna Banks, Moray Hunter, Gordon Kennedy and John Sparkes 
Produced by Gus Beattie 
A Comedy Unit production for BBC Radio 4 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 August 2013 
 
The Absolutely Radio Show 
Written and performed by Peter Baikie, Morwenna Banks, Moray Hunter, Gordon Kennedy, John Sparkes and Gus Beattie 
Produced by Gus Beattie and Gordon Kennedy 
Production Manager: Sarah Tombling 
Recording Engineer: Dave Murricane 
Editor: Pete Baikie 
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6-27 September 2015 (Series 1), 25 June-16 July 2017 (Series 2), 7-28 July 2019 (Series 3) 
 
©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

BBC Radio 4 political comedy

The Party Party

Hugh Laurie, Rory Bremner and Morwenna Banks star in this six-part comedy series that sends up both politics and traditional sitcom conventions 
 
1993, and the party of the loony right and centre sweeps to power, changing the face of politics forever and drastically disrupting the very normal, very predictable, very sitcom lives of the actor-residents of Microcosm. 
 
When the newly appointed Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Action Man, MP, moves into No. 10, his first priority is to change the curtains. But next he must appoint a Cabinet - starting with the Minister for Honesty, Sir Lord Knight - and try to uncover the mystery behind the clandestine Department of Secrets... With the country getting bored, the Government stirs up a convenient crisis; and a new event, 'No War' Anniversary Day, is added to the PM's diary (to rank alongside 'No Horse' Ascot Week and 'No Balls' Wimbledon). 
 
Meanwhile in Microcosm, the villagers are sitting around being stereotypes, experimenting with character development, taking lessons in scene-changing technique from the mysterious Mr Mann (including a lecture on fading footsteps) and finding out what radio feels like from inside a hi-fi. Will they emerge as the lead characters in a sitcom of their own? Only the Narrator knows - but when he goes AWOL, and the sound effects go missing, it spells trouble for Microcosm. It'll end in tears - not to mention resentment, revenge, malice and attempted murder... 
 
Written by Moray Hunter (Spitting Image, Absolutely), and first broadcast in 1987, this surreal, satirical, marvellously meta comedy features Hugh Laurie, Morwenna Banks, Robin Driscoll, Robert Glenister and Clive Mantle, with guest appearances by Rory Bremner. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Moray Hunter 
Produced by Jamie Rix 
 
 
Cast 
Starring Morwenna Banks, Robin Driscoll, Robert Glenister, Hugh Laurie and Clive Mantle, with Rory Bremner 
 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16 May-20 June 1987 
 
 
©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Hugh Laurie, Rory Bremner and Morwenna Banks star in this six-part comedy series that sends up both politics and traditional sitcom conventions 
 
1993, and the party of the loony right and centre sweeps to power, changing the face of politics forever and drastically disrupting the very normal, very predictable, very sitcom lives of the actor-residents of Microcosm. 
 
When the newly appointed Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Action Man, MP, moves into No. 10, his first priority is to change the curtains. But next he must appoint a Cabinet - starting with the Minister for Honesty, Sir Lord Knight - and try to uncover the mystery behind the clandestine Department of Secrets... With the country getting bored, the Government stirs up a convenient crisis; and a new event, 'No War' Anniversary Day, is added to the PM's diary (to rank alongside 'No Horse' Ascot Week and 'No Balls' Wimbledon). 
 
Meanwhile in Microcosm, the villagers are sitting around being stereotypes, experimenting with character development, taking lessons in scene-changing technique from the mysterious Mr Mann (including a lecture on fading footsteps) and finding out what radio feels like from inside a hi-fi. Will they emerge as the lead characters in a sitcom of their own? Only the Narrator knows - but when he goes AWOL, and the sound effects go missing, it spells trouble for Microcosm. It'll end in tears - not to mention resentment, revenge, malice and attempted murder... 
 
Written by Moray Hunter (Spitting Image, Absolutely), and first broadcast in 1987, this surreal, satirical, marvellously meta comedy features Hugh Laurie, Morwenna Banks, Robin Driscoll, Robert Glenister and Clive Mantle, with guest appearances by Rory Bremner. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Moray Hunter 
Produced by Jamie Rix 
 
Cast 
Starring Morwenna Banks, Robin Driscoll, Robert Glenister, Hugh Laurie and Clive Mantle, with Rory Bremner 
 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16 May-20 June 1987 
 
 
©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Moray Hunter

Angus Deayton

Pearce Quigley

Abigail Cruttenden

Kate Isitt

Bennett Arron

Full Cast

A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama

An all-star comedy about love, life and everything in-between 
 
Living in flats in a converted house in North London, a group of middle-aged neighbours navigate their careers, love lives and family dramas in this charming sitcom full of heart. 
 
Mitch is a widower and part-time therapist who is looking to put his life back together. Now single, he has temporarily moved in with Will, his younger, more volatile and unhappily divorced half-brother. Elsewhere in the building are schoolteacher Ellie who is shy, nervous and desperately missing her ex-boyfriend, as well as overly honest, frustrated actress Louisa, and socially inept IT nerd Morris. Follow the hilarious highs and lows as these strangers connect and their lives become entwined, for better or worse&hellip; 
 
Featuring Angus Deayton (Have I Got News For You, One Foot in the Grave) as Mitch and Pearce Quigley (The Detectorists) as Will, Alone also stars TV&rsquo;s Abigail Cruttenden (Sharpe, Not Going Out), Kate Issit (Coupling), plus writer and stand-up comedian Bennett Arron. Listen to all four series of this hugely popular show in this brand-new collection. 
 
This collection also includes exclusive behind the scenes interviews with the cast and with show creator Moray Hunter. 
 
Cast and credits 
 
Written and created by Moray Hunter 
Script edited by Ian Brown and James Hendrie 
Directed by Moray Hunter and Gordon Kennedy 
Sound Engineer and Editor Jerry Peal 
Production Manager Sarah Tombling 
Produced by Gordon Kennedy 
An Absolutely Production for BBC Radio 4 
 
Mitch - Angus Deayton 
Will - Pearce Quigley 
Ellie - Abigail Cruttenden 
Louisa - Kate Isitt 
Morris - Bennett Arron 
Helen/Hannah/Rebecca - Carrie Quinlan 
Luke - Roger May 
Marie - Hilary Maclean 
Chris - Frances Barber 
Laurence/Quiz Master - Clive Mantle 
Tom (Chief Fire Officer) - Saul Boyer 
Waiter - Dominic Coleman 
Kath/Alice - Morwenna Banks 
Connor - Fred Haig 
Maya - Mina Anwar 
Nina - Jocelyn Jee Esien 
Josh - Jonny Weldon 
 
First broadcast 7 January 2017 (Pilot), 26 April-31 May 2018 (Series 1), 10 October-21 November 2019 (Series 2), 7 April-12 May 2021 (Series 3), 16 August-20 September 2022 (Series 4) 
 
&copy;2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Moray Hunter

Books by Moray Hunter

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