The Penguin Podcast is back! Listen Now
The Penny Dreadfuls: The Brothers Faversham

The Penny Dreadfuls: The Brothers Faversham

The BBC Radio 4 comedy series

Summary

Eight swashbuckling tales about the eccentric members of Victorian Britain's greatest aristocratic family

Based on their critically-acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe Festival shows Aeneas Faversham, Aeneas Faversham Returns and Aeneas Faversham Forever, these action-packed romps chronicle the lives of the Brothers Faversham, nine men who straddled the Victorian era 'like a mighty change-Titan'. In the annals of the British Empire, few names blaze more brightly than theirs - and now, at last, their extraordinary stories can be told.

Beginning in 1834, as deadly adventuress and super-spy Lady Alexandra gives birth to her eldest son, we hear of the rise and fall of these prodigious siblings. Series 1 introduces us to the first four: decorated soldier Horatius; eminent detective Theseus; reckless explorer Leonidas and magician-turned-megalomaniac Augustus. In Series 2, we turn to the younger fraternal quintet: sporting hero Titus; renowned horror writer Maximilian; celebrated actor Marcus and successful twin industrialists Perceus and Lucius. Packed with staggering sketches, bizarre occurrences, curious happenstance and dastardly deeds, the sensational tale of the remarkable Favershams is one you will never forget...

Featuring a brand new introduction, this splendidly melodramatic series is written and performed by debonair, waistcoated comedy trio The Penny Dreadfuls - Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck - and co-stars Ingrid Oliver and Miles Jupp. Brought to you by the Orphans for Cholera Awareness Foundation, this is... The Brothers Faversham!

Credits
Written by and starring The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck
Script edited by Richard Turner
Produced by Julia McKenzie

Cast
Alexandra Faversham - Ingrid Oliver
Narrator - Miles Jupp
First broadcast BBC Radio 7, 11 January-1 February 2008 (Series 1), 5-26 October 2008 (Series 2)

© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

About the authors

Humphrey Ker

Learn More

David Reed

Learn More

Thom Tuck

Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more