BBC Radio 4 dark comic plays

Alexei Sayle’s The Absence of Normal: Series 1 and 2

Eight dark comic dramas narrated by Alexei Sayle and adapted from his original short stories 
 
Dramatised from Alexei Sayle's hilarious, highly-acclaimed fiction, these satirical, surreal and surprising tales feature some of the UK's foremost comic actors, and are introduced by the award-winning comedian himself. 
 
The Only Man Stalin Was Afraid Of- Summoned to treat his old friend, Stalin's psychiatrist is faced with an ethical dilemma. Starring Peter Capaldi, Freya Parker and Peter Serafinowicz. 
 
Banner Bright - 1968. Five students meet during an art school occupation, and create an inspirational protest banner they believe will change the world. Starring Ben Crompton, George Fouracres, Kath Hughes, Tim Key and Nimisha Odedra. 
 
The Minister for Death - A Liverpudlian pensioner foils a would-be mugger - and rekindles his lust for murder... Starring Paul Barber, Lewis MacLeod, Shaun Mason, Freya Parker and Frances Tomelty. 
 
The Last Woman Killed In The War - Returning to Liverpool after 40 years of exile, Mary finds that much has changed during her absence. Starring Adi Alfa, Katy Carmichael, Shaun Mason, Jan Ravens and Paislie Reid. 
 
Clive Hole - An indecisive TV commissioner comes under pressure from two dogged producers determined to get their screenplay made. Starring Katheryn Drysdale, Graham Duff, George Fouracres, Georgie Glenn, Tim McInnerny, Alice McMillan and Duncan Wisbey. 
 
Barcelona Chairs- Frustrated architect 'rupert' embeds himself in Tony Blair's Labour government while trying to design the perfect, ultra-minimalist home for his family. Starring Ambika Mod, Hugh Quarshie and Siobhan Redmond. 
 
The Nameless Park- Jade loves the neglected park near her house, and often takes her wheelchair-user brother for trips around its paths. But when Jason becomes critically ill, she makes a devastating discovery. Starring Louis Emerick, George Fouracres, Shaun Mason, Alice McMillan and Claire Sweeney. 
 
Locked Out - Unexpectedly stuck outside her Central London home, Katherine realises how little she knows about her neighbours' lives, and the strange and apparently sinister things they get up to... Starring Maxine Peake. 
 
Credits 
Written and narrated by Alexei Sayle 
Adapted for radio by Alexei Sayle and Graham Duff 
Produced by Joe Nunnery 
Photo: Matt Stronge 
A BBC Studios Production 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 25 February-25 March 2019 (Series 1) and 10-31 March 2021 (Series 2) 
 
 
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Eight dark comic dramas narrated by Alexei Sayle and adapted from his original short stories 
 
Dramatised from Alexei Sayle's hilarious, highly-acclaimed fiction, these satirical, surreal and surprising tales feature some of the UK's foremost comic actors, and are introduced by the award-winning comedian himself. 
 
The Only Man Stalin Was Afraid Of- Summoned to treat his old friend, Stalin's psychiatrist is faced with an ethical dilemma. Starring Peter Capaldi, Freya Parker and Peter Serafinowicz. 
 
Banner Bright - 1968. Five students meet during an art school occupation, and create an inspirational protest banner they believe will change the world. Starring Ben Crompton, George Fouracres, Kath Hughes, Tim Key and Nimisha Odedra. 
 
The Minister for Death - A Liverpudlian pensioner foils a would-be mugger - and rekindles his lust for murder... Starring Paul Barber, Lewis MacLeod, Shaun Mason, Freya Parker and Frances Tomelty. 
 
The Last Woman Killed In The War - Returning to Liverpool after 40 years of exile, Mary finds that much has changed during her absence. Starring Adi Alfa, Katy Carmichael, Shaun Mason, Jan Ravens and Paislie Reid. 
 
Clive Hole - An indecisive TV commissioner comes under pressure from two dogged producers determined to get their screenplay made. Starring Katheryn Drysdale, Graham Duff, George Fouracres, Georgie Glenn, Tim McInnerny, Alice McMillan and Duncan Wisbey. 
 
Barcelona Chairs- Frustrated architect 'rupert' embeds himself in Tony Blair's Labour government while trying to design the perfect, ultra-minimalist home for his family. Starring Ambika Mod, Hugh Quarshie and Siobhan Redmond. 
 
The Nameless Park- Jade loves the neglected park near her house, and often takes her wheelchair-user brother for trips around its paths. But when Jason becomes critically ill, she makes a devastating discovery. Starring Louis Emerick, George Fouracres, Shaun Mason, Alice McMillan and Claire Sweeney. 
 
Locked Out - Unexpectedly stuck outside her Central London home, Katherine realises how little she knows about her neighbours' lives, and the strange and apparently sinister things they get up to... Starring Maxine Peake. 
 
Credits 
Written and narrated by Alexei Sayle 
Adapted for radio by Alexei Sayle and Graham Duff 
Produced by Joe Nunnery 
Photo: Matt Stronge 
A BBC Studios Production 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 25 February-25 March 2019 (Series 1) and 10-31 March 2021 (Series 2) 
 
 
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The BBC Radio 4 Comedy

Alexei Sayle’s Imaginary Sandwich Bar: Series 4 and 5

The Godfather of Alternative Comedy returns with eight more shows blending stand-up, memoir and philosophy 
 
Alexei Sayle’s two favourite things are pretending and places that sell sandwiches, and in his hit BBC radio series he mixes both to hilarious effect. As he welcomes made-up customers to buy notional snacks, he dispenses outlandish monologues, fantastical flights of fancy and a bumper helping of hilarity. 
 
There’s plenty of politics on the menu, as Alexei makes a case for becoming the UK’s defence minister, considers the motivations of the rich, debuts a new slam poem entitled ‘I Hate Keir Starmer’ and reflects on changes of government and global power struggles. But Alexei has other topics on his mind too, from his own involvement in the ‘spy cops’ scandal and the time he made up gossip for a living, to his unorthodox upbringing in Liverpool, our ultimate life quests, and a strange house plant that refused to die… 
 
Also included on this release is some bonus material, in the form of extra verses of songs that were not included in the original broadcast episodes. 
 
Winner of a BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Scripted Comedy (Sketch Show), this side-splitting series is a satirical smorgasbord of jokes, music, sketches and surreal streams-of-consciousness. If you’re hungry for anarchic comedy, give it a listen – you’re sure to find it deliciously moreish... 
 
Cast and credits 
Written and performed by Alexei Sayle 
Additional material by Tom Whyman 
With original music and lyrics from Tim Sutton 
Musicians in Series 5, Episode 2: Sophie Creaner (clarinet and sax), Tom Ellis (acoustic guitar), 
Matt Sharp (cello) 
Produced by Joe Nunnery and Richard Morris 
Production Co-ordinator: Jodie Charman 
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 20 October-10 November 2022 (Series 4), 1-22 March 2025 (Series 5) 
 
© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Alexei Sayle

Siobhan Redmond

Nadim Sawalha

Adjoa Andoh

Chris Pavlo

Harry Towb

Doon Mackichan

Full Cast

One of the most innovative series of recent years

A BBC Radio Comedy

Alexei Sayle's quirky comedy about life, love and not living together 
 
'One of the most innovative series of recent years' Radio Ha Ha 
 
Just because you're in love, doesn't mean you're meant to spend your life together, right? 
 
Having read Women are from Mars and Men are from Croydon and Set Sail on the SS Relationship, unemployed ex-soldier Andy thinks it's about time he and his left-wing lawyer girlfriend Julie headed into deeper waters. But there's plenty in their way, from comically grim airport trips and fancy dinner parties, to nearly causing the assassination of the Prime Minister and discovering Andy's dad has been living a double life. 
 
While navigating holiday mishaps and dinner party disasters, should they move in together? Or even get married? 
 
Written by and starring Alexei Sayle in his earliest radio production, this funny, surreal look at love and relationships also stars Siobhan Redmond (McLevy, Holby City) as Julie, with Nadim Sawalha (West is West, The Bill), Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton, Doctor Who), Chris Pavlo (ElvenQuest, 15 Storeys High), Gary Bleasdale (Harry Enfield and Chums, Boys from the Blackstuff) and Doon MacKichan (Smack the Pony, Brass Eye). 
 
Cast: 
Andy - Alexei Sayle 
Julie - Siobhan Redmond 
Mr Hamad - Nadim Sawalha 
Mrs Abasanjo - Adjoa Andoh 
Mr Lucik - Chris Pavlo 
Dad - Harry Towb 
Michael - Gary Bleasdale 
Gavin the Estate Agent / Philippe / McNab / Rory Bream / Mr Overthorpe - Simon Greenall 
Amparo / Mrs Saunders / D.I. Troon - Doon MacKichan 
Tony Blair - Brian Bowles 
Sgt Pilcher - Tony Barclay 
Captain Healey - Roger Blake 
Mrs Overthrope - Kay Stonham 
Bronson - Tony Burgess 
 
Other parts played by: 
Tony Barclay 
Ruth Jones 
 
Written by Alexei Sayle 
Produced and directed by Jo Clegg with Alexei Sayle 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 14 October - 11 November 1999 
 
©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Alexei Sayle

Praise for Sorry About Last Night

One of the most innovative series of recent years

Books by Alexei Sayle

Series by Alexei Sayle

Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar

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