Bernard Cribbins

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

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Bernard Who?

20181226

20181227 (BBC7)

This year, the actor Bernard Cribbins celebrates his 90th birthday and more than 70 years in showbusiness.

In this programme from 2013 he talks to his friend and producer Martin Jenkins about his extraordinary career, and a cast of friends share their memories of working with Bernard, including David Tennant, Barbara Windsor, Barry Cryer and the late Richard Briers.

The legendary Beatles producer George Martin recalls working with Bernard on the 1962 chart-toppers Right Said Fred and Hole in the Ground. Bernard reveals the secret to his storytelling magic on Jackanory, which captured the hearts and imaginations of a generation of children - including David Tennant. We hear how Bernard found the voices for Uncle Bulgaria and Tomsk in The Wombles and Jenny Agutter, his co-star in The Railway Children, discloses what she believes to be the secret of Bernard's eternal youth.

David Tennant and the writer Russell T Davies give their insights on working with Bernard on Dr Who, and the joy of reminding the viewing public what an exceptional actor he is. 'He can break your heart with a single line,' says Russell T Davies.

This is Bernard's own intimate retrospective of his career, told in conversation with his friend for more than 50 years, the acclaimed radio drama producer Martin Jenkins.

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

First Broadcast 2nd May 2013

Bernard Cribbins looks back to his 70th anniversary in showbiz in 2013

Favourite Stories

20181226

During his long illustrious career, actor Bernard Cribbins has recorded many classic novels. To mark his 90th birthday, he performs selected extracts from three of his favourite stories. From The Wind in the Willows, he has chosen the first magical encounter between The Mole and the Rat; from Winnie-the-Pooh, the exciting Expotition to the North Pole which simply proves too much for one of the participants, Alexander Beetle; and finally from Alice Through the Looking Glass the strange meeting between Alice and an old, white-haired Knight who tries to hold her attention with a particularly poignant poem. To link each of the pieces, Bernard can be heard in conversation with drama director, Martin Jenkins, with whom he has worked for over 45 years on a wide range of dramas and readings. A wonderful opportunity to hear a master storyteller bringing a wonderful range of much-loved characters to life.

Master storyteller, Bernard Cribbins reads extracts from some of his favourite stories.

For I Have Sinned

20181227

In this powerful monologue by Wally K Daly, one of radio's outstanding writers, Bernard Cribbins plays an elderly priest who is haunted by the memory of one particular confession.

Wally K Daly has written many outstanding, award-winning plays for radio and has worked with director, Martin Jenkins for over 40 years. This play was specially written with Bernard Cribbins in mind. In it he plays an elderly priest who is haunted by the memory of one particular confession which has such a profound effect on him it makes him question his faith and his deepest held beliefs. As he struggles with his sense of failure and inadequacy he shares his innermost thoughts with the listener. He is confessing to us. Bernard gives a superb, subtle performance. This powerful monologue with its mix of dark humour and raw emotion led to the play, performance and production being nominated for a Sony award.

With an introduction from Bernard in conversation with the director Martin Jenkins.

A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4

First Broadcast 20th October 1999

Bernard Cribbins looks back to his powerful 1999 monologue by Wally K Daly

Lancashire Monologues

20181227

Marking his 90th birthday, the wonderfully versatile and much-loved actor and singer Bernard Cribbins performs three humorous monologues.

Each plays on his love of Lancashire. Bernard hails from Oldham where he made his professional debut at the local theatre some 75 years ago and each plays on his love for Lancashire, its language and inbred humour.

The four monologues he has chosen were all written for the legendary actor, Stanley Holloway. Two focus on an unfortunate encounter between an inquisitive youth and lion which objects to the boy's antics and decides to stop him for good whilst the others introduce us to the Battle of Waterloo and the pugnacious, stubborn, outspoken soldier Sam Small and his special relationship with the Duke of Wellington.

To link each of the pieces, Bernard can be heard in conversation with drama director, Martin Jenkins, with whom he has worked for over 45 years on a wide range of dramas and readings. A unique opportunity to hear a master storyteller bringing a range of comic creations to life.

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Pier Productions, and first broadcast in December 2018. .

Bernard Cribbins performs four humorous monologues with strong Lancashire connections.

Looks Like Rain

20181226

For his 90th birthday, Bernard Cribbins looks back to Jimmie Chinn's 2000 drama ‘Looks Like Rain' in which he co-starred with Dora Bryan. After their mother's death, Stan and Joyce unearth some strange, long-buried secrets.

Jimmie Chinn wrote this play specially for Bernard Cribbins and Dora Bryan. All three originally hail from Oldham and Jimmie Chinn captures perfectly the speech rhythms and idiosyncrasies of the area. He creates two totally engaging characters, each very different but drawn together by their mother's death. After the funeral they start looking through their mother's possessions during which they make some disturbing discoveries which only increases the tension between them. Both also know their unpredictable brother could return at any moment. As the play progresses the mood darkens as brother and sister become increasingly wary of each other.

When this play was first broadcast it proved so popular that Jimmie Chinn was commissioned to write two further plays about the same characters but this time with Roy Barraclough as the missing brother who also hailed from Oldham! Looks Like Rain is black humour at its very best with Bernard and Dora delivering wonderful pitch perfect performances which keep listeners glued to their radios and wanting more!

Director: Martin Jenkins

First Broadcast on Radio 4: 25th May 2000

Bernard Cribbins looks back at Jimmy Chinn's gripping 2000 drama, Look Like Rain.

Punch Line

20181228

20181229 (BBC7)

For his 90th birthday, Bernard Cribbins looks back to his panellist role on Radio 2's 1975 comedy quiz ‘Punch Line'.

Bernard, Bob Monkhouse and June Whitfield throw the punches.

Terry Wogan referees.

From an idea by MYLES RUDGE , who also wrote the sketches

Producer EDWARD TAYLOR

First Broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1975

For his 90th birthday, Bernard Cribbins recalls appearing on Radio 2's Punchline in 1975.

Sounds Natural

20181225

20181226 (BBC7)

On his 90th birthday, Bernard Cribbins looks back to 1972's ‘Sounds Natural'.

From the Meadow Pipit to the Red-Backed Shrike, actor Bernard Cribbins talks to Derek Jones about his love of bird watching, fishing and the importance of conservation - aided by recordings from the BBC Sound Archive.

Producer: John Burton.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1972.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
Bernard Who?	20181226	20181227 (BBC7)	This year, the actor Bernard Cribbins celebrates his 90th birthday and more than 70 years in showbusiness. In this programme from 2013 he talks to his friend and producer Martin Jenkins about his extraordinary career, and a cast of friends share their memories of working with Bernard, including David Tennant, Barbara Windsor, Barry Cryer and the late Richard Briers. The legendary Beatles producer George Martin recalls working with Bernard on the 1962 chart-toppers Right Said Fred and Hole in the Ground. Bernard reveals the secret to his storytelling magic on Jackanory, which captured the hearts and imaginations of a generation of children - including David Tennant. We hear how Bernard found the voices for Uncle Bulgaria and Tomsk in The Wombles and Jenny Agutter, his co-star in The Railway Children, discloses what she believes to be the secret of Bernard's eternal youth. David Tennant and the writer Russell T Davies give their insights on working with Bernard on Dr Who, and the joy of reminding the viewing public what an exceptional actor he is. 'He can break your heart with a single line,' says Russell T Davies. This is Bernard's own intimate retrospective of his career, told in conversation with his friend for more than 50 years, the acclaimed radio drama producer Martin Jenkins. A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 First Broadcast 2nd May 2013 Bernard Cribbins looks back to his 70th anniversary in showbiz in 2013
Favourite Stories	20181226		During his long illustrious career, actor Bernard Cribbins has recorded many classic novels. To mark his 90th birthday, he performs selected extracts from three of his favourite stories. From The Wind in the Willows, he has chosen the first magical encounter between The Mole and the Rat; from Winnie-the-Pooh, the exciting Expotition to the North Pole which simply proves too much for one of the participants, Alexander Beetle; and finally from Alice Through the Looking Glass the strange meeting between Alice and an old, white-haired Knight who tries to hold her attention with a particularly poignant poem. To link each of the pieces, Bernard can be heard in conversation with drama director, Martin Jenkins, with whom he has worked for over 45 years on a wide range of dramas and readings. A wonderful opportunity to hear a master storyteller bringing a wonderful range of much-loved characters to life. Master storyteller, Bernard Cribbins reads extracts from some of his favourite stories.
For I Have Sinned	20181227		In this powerful monologue by Wally K Daly, one of radio's outstanding writers, Bernard Cribbins plays an elderly priest who is haunted by the memory of one particular confession. Wally K Daly has written many outstanding, award-winning plays for radio and has worked with director, Martin Jenkins for over 40 years. This play was specially written with Bernard Cribbins in mind. In it he plays an elderly priest who is haunted by the memory of one particular confession which has such a profound effect on him it makes him question his faith and his deepest held beliefs. As he struggles with his sense of failure and inadequacy he shares his innermost thoughts with the listener. He is confessing to us. Bernard gives a superb, subtle performance. This powerful monologue with its mix of dark humour and raw emotion led to the play, performance and production being nominated for a Sony award. With an introduction from Bernard in conversation with the director Martin Jenkins. A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4 First Broadcast 20th October 1999 Bernard Cribbins looks back to his powerful 1999 monologue by Wally K Daly
Lancashire Monologues	20181227		Marking his 90th birthday, the wonderfully versatile and much-loved actor and singer Bernard Cribbins performs three humorous monologues. Each plays on his love of Lancashire. Bernard hails from Oldham where he made his professional debut at the local theatre some 75 years ago and each plays on his love for Lancashire, its language and inbred humour. The four monologues he has chosen were all written for the legendary actor, Stanley Holloway. Two focus on an unfortunate encounter between an inquisitive youth and lion which objects to the boy's antics and decides to stop him for good whilst the others introduce us to the Battle of Waterloo and the pugnacious, stubborn, outspoken soldier Sam Small and his special relationship with the Duke of Wellington. To link each of the pieces, Bernard can be heard in conversation with drama director, Martin Jenkins, with whom he has worked for over 45 years on a wide range of dramas and readings. A unique opportunity to hear a master storyteller bringing a range of comic creations to life. Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Pier Productions, and first broadcast in December 2018. . Bernard Cribbins performs four humorous monologues with strong Lancashire connections.
Looks Like Rain	20181226		For his 90th birthday, Bernard Cribbins looks back to Jimmie Chinn's 2000 drama ‘Looks Like Rain' in which he co-starred with Dora Bryan. After their mother's death, Stan and Joyce unearth some strange, long-buried secrets. Jimmie Chinn wrote this play specially for Bernard Cribbins and Dora Bryan. All three originally hail from Oldham and Jimmie Chinn captures perfectly the speech rhythms and idiosyncrasies of the area. He creates two totally engaging characters, each very different but drawn together by their mother's death. After the funeral they start looking through their mother's possessions during which they make some disturbing discoveries which only increases the tension between them. Both also know their unpredictable brother could return at any moment. As the play progresses the mood darkens as brother and sister become increasingly wary of each other. When this play was first broadcast it proved so popular that Jimmie Chinn was commissioned to write two further plays about the same characters but this time with Roy Barraclough as the missing brother who also hailed from Oldham! Looks Like Rain is black humour at its very best with Bernard and Dora delivering wonderful pitch perfect performances which keep listeners glued to their radios and wanting more! Director: Martin Jenkins First Broadcast on Radio 4: 25th May 2000 Bernard Cribbins looks back at Jimmy Chinn's gripping 2000 drama, Look Like Rain.
Punch Line	20181228	20181229 (BBC7)	For his 90th birthday, Bernard Cribbins looks back to his panellist role on Radio 2's 1975 comedy quiz ‘Punch Line'. Bernard, Bob Monkhouse and June Whitfield throw the punches. Terry Wogan referees. From an idea by MYLES RUDGE , who also wrote the sketches Producer EDWARD TAYLOR First Broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1975 For his 90th birthday, Bernard Cribbins recalls appearing on Radio 2's Punchline in 1975.
Sounds Natural	20181225	20181226 (BBC7)	On his 90th birthday, Bernard Cribbins looks back to 1972's ‘Sounds Natural'. From the Meadow Pipit to the Red-Backed Shrike, actor Bernard Cribbins talks to Derek Jones about his love of bird watching, fishing and the importance of conservation - aided by recordings from the BBC Sound Archive. Producer: John Burton. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1972.