Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | No Pride In Real Gentry | 19940117 | 20131104 (BBC7) 20211004 (BBC7) 20211005 (BBC7) | Playwright John Osborne's highly acclaimed first volume of autobiography - covering 1929 to 1956 when 'Look Back in Anger' was first performed. Recollections of his early years in Fulham, his mother's make-up regime and his uncle's letters. Read in ten parts by Peter Egan. Abridger/Producer: Glyn Dearman Playwright John Osborne's early years - his mother's make-up regime and Uncle's letters. |
| 02 | I Don't Want To End Up In A Dead-and-alive Hole | 19940118 | 20131105 (BBC7) 20211005 (BBC7) 20211006 (BBC7) | John Osborne recounts his formative years - a peripatetic life thanks to his mother's whims and his father's work. Highly acclaimed first volume of the playwright's autobiography - covering 1929 to 1956 when 'Look Back in Anger' was first performed. Read by Peter Egan. Abridger/Producer: Glyn Dearman The writer recounts his formative years, a peripatetic life thanks to his mother's whims. |
| 03 | O Wall! | 19940119 | 20131106 (BBC7) 20211006 (BBC7) 20211007 (BBC7) | John Osborne reminisces about school, his burgeoning literary interest and his father's death. Highly acclaimed first volume of the playwright's autobiography - covering 1929 to 1956 when 'Look Back in Anger' was first performed. Read by Peter Egan. Abridger/Producer: Glyn Dearman The reknowned playwright reminisces about school and his burgeoning literary interest. |
| 04 | Too Young To Fight And Too Old To Forget | 19940120 | 20131107 (BBC7) 20211007 (BBC7) 20211008 (BBC7) | John Osborne recalls his childhood. After an illness, he's sent to Dorset for a brutal convalescence. Highly-acclaimed first volume of the playwright's autobiography - covering 1929 to 1956 when 'Look Back in Anger' was first performed. Read by Peter Egan. Abridger/ Producer: Glyn Dearman After an illness, young John is sent to Dorset for brutal convalescence. |
| 05 | Don't Fence Me In | 19940421 | 20131108 (BBC7) 20211008 (BBC7) 20211009 (BBC7) | John Osborne reaches the end of his formal education, when girls and rebellion cost him dear. Highly-acclaimed first volume of the playwright's autobiography - covering 1929 to 1956 when 'Look Back in Anger' was first performed. Read by Peter Egan. Abridger/ Producer: Glyn Dearman First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1994. The playwright's formal education comes to an end, when girls and rebellion cost him dear. |
| 06 | Hold The Front Page | 19940124 | 20131111 (BBC7) 20211011 (BBC7) 20211012 (BBC7) | John Osborne recalls his theatrical aspirations being boosted by a resemblance to Rex Harrison. Highly acclaimed first volume of the playwright's autobiography - covering 1929 to 1956 when 'Look Back in Anger' was first performed. Read by Peter Egan. Abridger/Producer: Glyn Dearman Playwright John Osborne's theatrical aspirations. |
| 07 | Kindly Leave The Stage | 19940125 | 20131112 (BBC7) 20211012 (BBC7) 20211013 (BBC7) | John Osborne remembers his first faltering steps towards his calling, and some short sharp shocks. Highly-acclaimed first volume of the playwright's autobiography - covering 1929 to 1956 when 'Look Back in Anger' was first performed. Read by Peter Egan. Abridger/ Producer: Glyn Dearman The famous playwright remembers his first faltering steps towards his calling. |
| 08 | I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles | 19940126 | 20131113 (BBC7) 20211013 (BBC7) 20211014 (BBC7) | John Osborne focuses on his 'Brighton year', and a spluttering start to his writing career. Highly-acclaimed first volume of the playwright's autobiography - covering 1929 to 1956 when 'Look Back in Anger' was first performed. Read by Peter Egan. Abridger/ Producer: Glyn Dearman Focus on the 'Brighton year', and a spluttering start to Osborne's writing career. |
| 09 | Fall Of A Sparrow | 19940127 | 20131114 (BBC7) 20211014 (BBC7) 20211015 (BBC7) | John Osborne recalls further theatrical enterprises, including a brush with Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. Highly-acclaimed first volume of the playwright's autobiography - covering 1929 to 1956 when 'Look Back in Anger' was first performed. Read by Peter Egan. Abridger/ Producer: Glyn Dearman The writer recalls further theatrical enterprises. |
| 10 | On The Pier At Morecambe | 19940128 | 20131115 (BBC7) 20211015 (BBC7) 20211016 (BBC7) | John Osborne recalls the end of another marriage and penury beckons, but so does success... Highly-acclaimed first volume of the playwright's autobiography - covering 1929 to 1956 when 'Look Back in Anger' was first performed. Concluded by Peter Egan. Abridger/ Producer: Glyn Dearman Another marriage ends and penury beckons, but so does success. |