Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20040702 | 1/8. Rik Mayall begins reading an eight-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's masterpiece. Paul Pennyfeather's encounter at his Oxford college has disastrous consequences. | |||
| 20040730 | 5/8. Rik Mayall reads one of the great comic novels of the 20th Century. Paul Pennyfeather is invited to Margot Beaste-Chetwynde's new country seat in Hampshire and meets the architect. | |||
| 20040806 | 6/8. Rik Mayall reads one of the great comic novels of the 20th Century. A Trip to Marseilles: Paul Pennyfeather is now engaged to Margot Beste-Chetwynde and they announce the date of their wedding. | |||
| 20040813 | 7/8. The Trial: Paul Pennyfeather faces a trial for White Slavery and is sentenced to seven years in the clink. Rik Mayall reads one of the great comic novels of the 20th Century. | |||
| 20040820 | 8/8. The Passing of Paul Pennyfeather: Paul is moved to Egdon Heath prison where he receives a visit from Margot Beste-Chetwynde. Rik Mayall reads one of the great comic novels of the 20th Century. | |||
| 20050218 | Evelyn Waugh's comic novel read by Rik Mayall. | |||
| 20050225 | Evelyn Waugh's comic novel read by Rik Mayall. | |||
| 20050304 | Rik Mayall reads one of the great comic novels of the 20th Century. 3/8. It's Sports Day at Llanabba School and Paul Pennyfeather is organising the races. | |||
| 20050311 | Captain Grimes: Rik Mayall reads part four of Evelyn Waugh's comic novel. Captain Grimes has an unlikely union with the Headmaster's daughter and receives an offer that he finds very hard to refuse! | |||
| 20050318 | Rik Mayall reads one of the great comic novels of the 20th Century. 5/8. Paul Pennyfeather is invited to Margot Beaste-Chetwynde's new country seat in Hampshire. | |||
| 20050325 | 6/8. A Trip to Marseilles: Rik Mayall continues reading Evelyn Waugh's comic masterpiece. Paul Pennyfeather is now engaged to Margot Beste-Chetwynde and they have announced the date of their wedding. | |||
| 20050401 | 7/8. The Trial: Rik Mayall continues reading an eight-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's comic masterpiece. Following his arrest, Paul Pennyfeather faces a trial for slave trading. | |||
| 20050408 | Rik Mayall continues reading an Evelyn Waugh's comic masterpiece. 8: The Passing of Paul Pennyfeather. Paul Pennyfeather is serving his time in jail, but at last there is some prospect of a release. " Rik Mayall continues reading an Evelyn Waugh's comic masterpiece. 8: The Passing of Paul Pennyfeather. Paul Pennyfeather is serving his time in jail, but at last there is some prospect of a release." | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19920422] | A six-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh 's dazzling first novel. 1: Theology undergraduate Paul Pennyfeather is thrown out of Oxford and forced to take a post in an eighth-rate public school. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans Stereo | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19920422] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans Paul: Alistair McGowan Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Potts: Daniel Strauss Peter: Richard Pearce Dr Fagan: Edward Hardwicke Postlethwaite: Peter Penry Jones Sniggs: Sean Arnold Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Flossie: Emma Fielding Dingy: Siriol Jenkins | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19920429] | Evelyn Waugh 's novel, dramatised in six parts. 2: Llanabba School sports day is arranged in 24 hours flat, and Paul Pennyfeather falls in love - Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. Stereo | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19920429] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul: Alistair McGowan Peter: Richard Pearce Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Fagan: Edward Hardwicke Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Lady Circumference: Margaret Courtenay Margot: Joanna David | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19920506] | Evelyn Waugh 's novel dramatised in six parts. 3: In which Paul Pennyfeather exchanges the primitive horrors of Llanabba school for the futuristic nightmare of King's Thursday... Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. Stereo | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19920506] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul: Alistair McGowan Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Dr Fagan: Edward Hardwicke Margot: Joanna David Peter: Richard Pearce Otto: Daniel Strauss | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19920513] | Evelyn Waugh 's novel dramatised in six parts. 4: Paul Pennyfeather becomes engaged to a member of high society and Grimes turns up again. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. Stereo | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19920513] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul Pennyfeather: Alistair McGowan Margot: Joanna David Grimes: Jim Broadbent Maltravers: John Church Peter: Richard Pearce Potts: Daniel Strauss Jane: Theresa Streatfeild | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19920520] | Evelyn Waugh 's novel dramatised in six parts. 5: Paul Pennyfeather travels from Marseilles to gaol, via the Ritz. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans Stereo | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19920520] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans Paul Pennyfeather: Alistair McGowan Margot: Joanna David Peter: Richard Pearce Potts: Daniel Strauss Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Panther: Peter Gunn Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Prison Doctor: John Church Prison Schoolmaster: Neil Roberts | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19920527] | Evelyn Waugh 's novel dramatised in six parts. 6: The wheel turns full circle and Paul Pennyfeather starts all over again. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. Stereo | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19920527] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul Pennyfeather: Austair McGowan Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergasl: Andrew Sachs Lucas Dockery: James Grout Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Lunatic: Kenneth Colley Margot: Joanna David Peter: Richard Pearce Panther: Peter Gunn Otto: Daniel Strauss | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19930104] | A six-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh 's novel. 1: Theology undergraduate Paul Pennyfeather is thrown out of Oxford and forced to take a post in an eighth-rate public school. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19930104] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul: Alistair McGowan Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Potts: Daniel Strauss Peter: Richard Pearce DrFagan: Edward Hardwicke Postlethwaite: Peter Penry Jones Sniggs: Sean Arnold Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Flossie: Emma Fielding Dingy: Siriol Jenkins | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19930111] | A six-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh 's first novel. 2: Llanabba School sports day is arranged in 24 hours flat, and Paul Pennyfeather falls in love. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19930111] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul Pennyfeather: Alistair McGowan Peter: Richard Pearce Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Fagan: Edward Hardwicke Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Lady Circumference: Margaret Courtenay Margot: Joanna David | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19930118] | A six-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh 's novel. 3: In which Paul Pennyfeather exchanges the primitive horrors of the Llanabba school for the futuristic nightmare of King's Thursday... Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19930118] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Paul Penny feather: Alistair McGowan Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Dr Fagan: Edward Hardwicke Margot: Joanna David Peter: Richard Pearce Otto: Daniel Strauss | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19930125] | A six-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh 's dazzling first novel. 4: In which Paul Pennyfeather becomes engaged to a member of high society, and Grimes turns up again. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19930125] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans Paul Penny feather: Alistair McGowan Margot: Joanna David Grimes: Jim Broadbent Maltravers: John Church Peter: Richard Pearce PottS: Daniel Strauss Jane: Theresa Streatfeild | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19930201] | Evelyn Waugh 's novel, dramatised in six parts. 5: Paul Pennyfeather travels from Marseilles to gaol, via the Ritz. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19930201] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul Pennyfeather: Alistair McGowan Margot: Joanna David Peter: Richard Pearce Potts: Daniel Strauss Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Panther: Peter Gunn Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Prison doctor: John Church Prison schoolmaster: Neil Roberts | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19930208] | by Evelyn Waugh. Final part: In which the wheel turns full circle and Paul Pennyfeather starts all over again. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. | |||
| Genome: [r4 Bd=19930208] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh. Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul Pennyfeather: Alistair McGowan Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Lucas Dockery: James Grout Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Lunatic: Kenneth Colley Margot: Joanna David Peter: Richard Pearce Panther: Peter Gunn Otto: Daniel Strauss | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19920422] | A six-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh 's dazzling first novel. 1: Theology undergraduate Paul Pennyfeather is thrown out of Oxford and forced to take a post in an eighth-rate public school. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans Stereo | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19920422] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans Paul: Alistair McGowan Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Potts: Daniel Strauss Peter: Richard Pearce Dr Fagan: Edward Hardwicke Postlethwaite: Peter Penry Jones Sniggs: Sean Arnold Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Flossie: Emma Fielding Dingy: Siriol Jenkins | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19920429] | Evelyn Waugh 's novel, dramatised in six parts. 2: Llanabba School sports day is arranged in 24 hours flat, and Paul Pennyfeather falls in love.... Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. Stereo | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19920429] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul: Alistair McGowan Peter: Richard Pearce Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Fagan: Edward Hardwicke Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Lady Circumference: Margaret Courtenay Margot: Joanna David | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19920506] | Evelyn Waugh 's novel dramatised in six parts. 3: In which Paul Pennyfeather exchanges the primitive horrors of Llanabba school for the futuristic nightmare of King's Thursday ... Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. Stereo | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19920506] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul: Alistair McGowan Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Dr Fagan: Edward Hardwicke Margot: Joanna David Peter: Richard Pearce Otto: Daniel Strauss | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19920513] | Evelyn Waugh 's novel dramatised in six parts. 4: Paul Pennyfeather becomes engaged to a member of high society and Grimes turns up again. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. Stereo | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19920513] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul Pennyfeather: Alistair McGowan Margot: Joanna David Grimes: Jim Broadbent Maltravers: John Church Peter: Richard Pearce Potts: Daniel Strauss Jane: Theresa Streatfeild | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19920520] | Evelyn Waugh 's novel dramatised in six parts. 5: Paul Pennyfeather travels from Marseilles to gaol, via the Ritz. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans Stereo | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19920520] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans Paul Pennyfeather: Alistair McGowan Margot: Joanna David Peter: Richard Pearce Potts: Daniel Strauss Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Panther: Peter Gunn Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Prison Doctor: John Church Prison Schoolmaster: Neil Roberts | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19920527] | Evelyn Waugh 's novel dramatised in six parts. 6: The wheel turns full circle and Paul Pennyfeather starts all over again. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. Stereo | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19920527] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul Pennyfeather: Austair McGowan Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergasl: Andrew Sachs Lucas Dockery: James Grout Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Lunatic: Kenneth Colley Margot: Joanna David Peter: Richard Pearce Panther: Peter Gunn Otto: Daniel Strauss | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19930104] | A six-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh 's novel. 1: Theology undergraduate Paul Pennyfeather is thrown out of Oxford and forced to take a post in an eighth-rate public school. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19930104] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul: Alistair McGowan Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Potts: Daniel Strauss Peter: Richard Pearce DrFagan: Edward Hardwicke Postlethwaite: Peter Penry Jones Sniggs: Sean Arnold Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Flossie: Emma Fielding Dingy: Siriol Jenkins | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19930111] | A six-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh 's first novel. 2: Llanabba School sports day is arranged in 24 hours flat, and Paul Pennyfeather falls in love. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19930111] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul Pennyfeather: Alistair McGowan Peter: Richard Pearce Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Fagan: Edward Hardwicke Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Lady Circumference: Margaret Courtenay Margot: Joanna David | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19930118] | A six-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh 's novel. 3: In which Paul Pennyfeather exchanges the primitive horrors of the Llanabba school for the futuristic nightmare of King's Thursday ... Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19930118] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Paul Penny feather: Alistair McGowan Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Dr Fagan: Edward Hardwicke Margot: Joanna David Peter: Richard Pearce Otto: Daniel Strauss | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19930125] | A six-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh 's dazzling first novel. 4: In which Paul Pennyfeather becomes engaged to a member of high society, and Grimes turns up again. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19930125] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans Paul Penny feather: Alistair McGowan Margot: Joanna David Grimes: Jim Broadbent Maltravers: John Church Peter: Richard Pearce PottS: Daniel Strauss Jane: Theresa Streatfeild | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19930201] | Evelyn Waugh 's novel, dramatised in six parts. 5: Paul Pennyfeather travels from Marseilles to gaol, via the Ritz. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19930201] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul Pennyfeather: Alistair McGowan Margot: Joanna David Peter: Richard Pearce Potts: Daniel Strauss Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Panther: Peter Gunn Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Prison doctor: John Church Prison schoolmaster: Neil Roberts | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19930208] | by Evelyn Waugh. Final part: In which the wheel turns full circle and Paul Pennyfeather starts all over again. Adapted by Jeremy Front Producer Lissa Evans. | |||
| GENOME: [R4 BD=19930208] | Unknown: Evelyn Waugh. Unknown: Paul Pennyfeather Adapted By: Jeremy Front Producer: Lissa Evans. Paul Pennyfeather: Alistair McGowan Grimes: Jim Broadbent Prendergast: Andrew Sachs Lucas Dockery: James Grout Philbrick: Jonathan Kydd Lunatic: Kenneth Colley Margot: Joanna David Peter: Richard Pearce Panther: Peter Gunn Otto: Daniel Strauss | |||
| 01 | 20100517 (BBC7) | Evelyn Waugh's Paul Pennyfeather who, expelled from Oxford, is forced to rethink his life. Stars Andrew Sachs and Jim Broadbent. | ||
| 01 |
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| 01 | 20080607 BT=0830 (BBC7) 20080607 BT=1930 (BBC7) | Evelyn Waugh's Paul Pennyfeather who, expelled from Oxford, is forced to rethink his life. Stars Andrew Sachs and Jim Broadbent. | ||
| 01 | 20080607 BT=0830 (BBC7) 20080607 (BBC7) | Evelyn Waugh's Paul Pennyfeather who, expelled from Oxford, is forced to rethink his life. Stars Andrew Sachs and Jim Broadbent. | ||
| 01 | 20040702 | 20050218 | Paul Pennyfeather's encounter at his Oxford college has disastrous consequences. | |
| 01 | Drama | 20150426 | 20150502 (R4) |
A real gem in the canon of British comic fiction. Evelyn Waugh's fast paced roller-coaster, dramatised by Jeremy Front, is peopled by larger than life characters and a few grotesques. Paul Pennyfeather, a quiet, earnest, scholarly young student at Oxford knows nothing of 1920's high-life until one night he encounters The Bollinger Club... Produced by Marion Nancarrow and Directed by Tracey Neale Set in the early jazz age, the tone of Decline and Fall is Wodehousian with added sex, drugs and alcohol. The central character is Paul Pennyfeather, played by Oxford graduate and young emerging comedian, Kieran Hodgson. Paul is an innocent but nevertheless the engine of the piece. The fuse is lit in Oxford after which the plot moves us quickly to London then out to a tenth rate school in rural Wales where we meet the Headmaster, Dr Fagan and two fellow teachers, Grimes and Prendergast played by comedy stars - Geoffrey Whitehead, John Sessions and James Fleet. From here we are taken to a glass and steel fantasy of excessive modern architecture in the middle of the English countryside, the home of the beautiful Margot, stylish played by Emilia Fox, designed by the eccentric Otto, a cameo played with relish by Tom Hollander in Episode Two. Paul's travels then take him to hot, sweaty Marseille and into trouble which results in him ending up in a British prison. Paul's adventures end in a rather Alice in Wonderland fashion when he is given a new identity and returns to Oxford, exactly where he started, but with the addition of a beard. Decline and Fall is dramatised by Jeremy Front. Jeremy won the Best Dramatisation in the 2014 Drama Audio Awards for Evelyn Waugh's Sword of Honour. His wonderfully comic touch has been evident in his most recent work for Radio 4 - Charles Paris and Incredible Women.
|
| 01 | Drama | 20150426 | 20150502 (R4) | A real gem in the canon of British comic fiction. Evelyn Waugh's fast paced roller-coaster, dramatised by Jeremy Front, is peopled by larger than life characters and a few grotesques. Paul Pennyfeather, a quiet, earnest, scholarly young student at Oxford knows nothing of 1920's high-life until one night he encounters The Bollinger Club ... Produced by Marion Nancarrow and Directed by Tracey Neale Set in the early jazz age, the tone of Decline and Fall is Wodehousian with added sex, drugs and alcohol. The central character is Paul Pennyfeather, played by Oxford graduate and young emerging comedian, Kieran Hodgson. Paul is an innocent but nevertheless the engine of the piece. The fuse is lit in Oxford after which the plot moves us quickly to London then out to a tenth rate school in rural Wales where we meet the Headmaster, Dr Fagan and two fellow teachers, Grimes and Prendergast played by comedy stars - Geoffrey Whitehead, John Sessions and James Fleet. From here we are taken to a glass and steel fantasy of excessive modern architecture in the middle of the English countryside, the home of the beautiful Margot, stylish played by Emilia Fox, designed by the eccentric Otto, a cameo played with relish by Tom Hollander in Episode Two. Paul's travels then take him to hot, sweaty Marseille and into trouble which results in him ending up in a British prison. Paul's adventures end in a rather Alice in Wonderland fashion when he is given a new identity and returns to Oxford, exactly where he started, but with the addition of a beard. Decline and Fall is dramatised by Jeremy Front. Jeremy won the Best Dramatisation in the 2014 Drama Audio Awards for Evelyn Waugh's Sword of Honour. His wonderfully comic touch has been evident in his most recent work for Radio 4 - Charles Paris and Incredible Women. A real gem in the canon of British comic fiction. Evelyn Waugh's fast paced roller-coaster, dramatised by Jeremy Front, is peopled by larger than life characters and a few grotesques. Paul Pennyfeather, a quiet, earnest, scholarly young student at Oxford knows nothing of 1920's high-life until one night he encounters The Bollinger Club ... Produced by Marion Nancarrow and Directed by Tracey Neale Set in the early jazz age, the tone of Decline and Fall is Wodehousian with added sex, drugs and alcohol. The central character is Paul Pennyfeather, played by Oxford graduate and young emerging comedian, Kieran Hodgson. Paul is an innocent but nevertheless the engine of the piece. The fuse is lit in Oxford after which the plot moves us quickly to London then out to a tenth rate school in rural Wales where we meet the Headmaster, Dr Fagan and two fellow teachers, Grimes and Prendergast played by comedy stars - Geoffrey Whitehead, John Sessions and James Fleet. From here we are taken to a glass and steel fantasy of excessive modern architecture in the middle of the English countryside, the home of the beautiful Margot, stylish played by Emilia Fox, designed by the eccentric Otto, a cameo played with relish by Tom Hollander in Episode Two. Paul's travels then take him to hot, sweaty Marseille and into trouble which results in him ending up in a British prison. Paul's adventures end in a rather Alice in Wonderland fashion when he is given a new identity and returns to Oxford, exactly where he started, but with the addition of a beard. Decline and Fall is dramatised by Jeremy Front. Jeremy won the Best Dramatisation in the 2014 Drama Audio Awards for Evelyn Waugh's Sword of Honour. His wonderfully comic touch has been evident in his most recent work for Radio 4 - Charles Paris and Incredible Women.
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| 02 |
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| 02 | 20080614 BT=0830 (BBC7) 20080614 BT=1930 (BBC7) | In Evelyn Waugh's comedy of 1928, Pennyfeather is put in charge of Sports Day. With Alistair Mcgowan and Jim Broadbent. | ||
| 02 | 20080614 BT=0830 (BBC7) 20080614 (BBC7) | In Evelyn Waugh's comedy of 1928, Pennyfeather is put in charge of Sports Day. With Alistair Mcgowan and Jim Broadbent. | ||
| 02 | 20100518 (BBC7) | Paul Pennyfeather is put in charge of his school's sports day - and he falls in love. Stars Alistair Mcgowan and Richard Pearce. | ||
| 02 | Drama | 20150503 | 20150509 (R4) | Captain Grimes finding himself in 'the soup' again has disappeared and Margot has invited Paul to tutor her son Peter during the school holidays. There he meets the eccentric Otto. Directed by Tracey Neale. Captain Grimes finding himself in 'the soup' again has disappeared and Margot has invited Paul to tutor her son Peter during the school holidays. There he meets the eccentric Otto. Directed by Tracey Neale.
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| 02 | Drama | 20150503 | 20150509 (R4) | Captain Grimes finding himself in 'the soup' again has disappeared and Margot has invited Paul to tutor her son Peter during the school holidays. There he meets the eccentric Otto. Directed by Tracey Neale.
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| 02 | Llanabba Castle | 20040709 | 20050225 | The start of life at Llanabba does not augur well for Paul. Dr Fagan gives him one day to organise Sports Day. |
| 03 |
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| 03 | 20100519 (BBC7) | Grimes has a startling announcement to make and Paul Pennyfeather gets a holiday job. Stars Alistair Mcgowan and Jim Broadbent. | ||
| 03 | 20080621 BT=0830 (BBC7) 20080621 BT=1930 (BBC7) | In Evelyn Waugh's comedy, Grimes has a startling announcement to make and Pennyfeather gets a holiday job. With Jim Broadbent. | ||
| 03 | 20080621 BT=0830 (BBC7) 20080621 (BBC7) | In Evelyn Waugh's comedy, Grimes has a startling announcement to make and Pennyfeather gets a holiday job. With Jim Broadbent. | ||
| 03 | 20040716 | 20050304 | It's Sports Day at Llanabba School, but of course, things don't go quite as smoothly as planned. | |
| 04 |
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| 04 | 20080628 BT=0830 (BBC7) 20080628 BT=1930 (BBC7) | In this dramatisation of Evelyn Waugh's 1928 novel, Pennyfeather makes a proposal and receives an unlikely visitor. | ||
| 04 | 20080628 BT=0830 (BBC7) 20080628 (BBC7) | In this dramatisation of Evelyn Waugh's 1928 novel, Pennyfeather makes a proposal and receives an unlikely visitor. | ||
| 04 | 20100520 (BBC7) | Paul Pennyfeather makes a proposal - and receives an unlikely visitor. Stars Alistair Mcgowan, Jim Broadbent and Andrew Sachs. | ||
| 04 | 20040723 | 20050311 | It's the day after Sports Day at Llanabba School and Mr Prendergast is feeling hungover, much to the amusement of Captain Grimes. | |
| 05 |
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| 05 | 20100524 (BBC7) | On the eve of their wedding, Margot sends Paul to Marseille to sort out a little problem for her. Stars Alistair Mcgowan. On the eve of their wedding, Margot sends Paul to Marseille to sort out a little problem. | ||
| 05 | 20080705 BT=0830 (BBC7) 20080705 BT=1930 (BBC7) | On the eve of their wedding, Margot sends Paul to Marseille to sort out a little problem for her. With Alistair Mcgowan. | ||
| 05 | 20080705 BT=0830 (BBC7) 20080705 (BBC7) | On the eve of their wedding, Margot sends Paul to Marseille to sort out a little problem for her. With Alistair Mcgowan. | ||
| 05 | 20040730 | 20050318 | Paul Pennyfeather is invited to Margot Beaste-Chetwynde's new country seat in Hampshire and meets the architect. | |
| 06 |
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| 06 | A Trip To Marseilles | 20040806 | 20050325 | Paul Pennyfeather is now engaged to Margot Beste-Chetwynde and they announce the date of their wedding. |
| 06 LAST | 20100525 (BBC7) | As he languishes in jail, is there a happy ending in store for Paul Pennyfeather? Stars Alistair Mcgowan and Andrew Sachs. As he languishes in jail, is there a happy ending in store for Paul Pennyfeather? | ||
| 06 LAST | 20080712 BT=0830 (BBC7) 20080712 BT=1930 (BBC7) | Is there a happy ending in store for our hero, currently languishing in prison? Alistair Mcgowan stars in Evelyn Waugh's comedy. | ||
| 06 LAST | 20080712 BT=0830 (BBC7) 20080712 (BBC7) | Is there a happy ending in store for our hero, currently languishing in prison? Alistair Mcgowan stars in Evelyn Waugh's comedy. | ||
| 07 | The Trial | 20040813 | 20050401 | Paul Pennyfeather faces a trial for White Slavery and is sentenced to seven years in the clink. |
| 08 LAST | The Passing Of Paul Pennyfeather | 20040820 | 20050408 | Paul is moved to Egdon Heath prison where he receives a visit from Margot Beste-Chetwynde. Paul Pennyfeather is serving his time in jail, but at last there is some prospect of a release. |
| 01 | Decline And Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 | Dismissed from government, Mullin contemplates a future among the political foothills. | ||
| 01 | Decline And Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 | 20100830 | The second volume of Chris Mullin's diaries reflect irreverently and humourously on New Labour's last term in office. Today, dismissed from government Mullin contemplates a future at the lower foothills of political life. Chris Mullin is the former MP for Sunderland South, a journalist and author. His books include the first volume of his acclaimed diaries, "A View From the Foothills." He also wrote the thriller, "A Very British Coup", with the television version winning BAFTA and Emmy awards. He was a minister in three departments, Environment, Transport and Regions, International Development and The Foreign Office. The reader is Sam Dale. The abridger is Penny Leicester. The producer is Elizabeth Allard. Dismissed from government, Mullin contemplates a future among the political foothills. | |
| 01 | Decline And Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 | 20100831 | Dismissed from government, Mullin contemplates a future among the political foothills. | |
| 02 | Decline And Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 | 20100831 | The second volume of Chris Mullin's diaries reflect irreverently and humourously on New Labour's last term in office. Today, it is 2006 and Mullin looks back on Tony Blair's premiership, and the events leading up to Labour's Black Wednesday. Chris Mullin is the former MP for Sunderland South, a journalist and author. His books include the first volume of his acclaimed diaries, "A View From the Foothills." He also wrote the thriller, "A Very British Coup", with the television version winning BAFTA and Emmy awards. He was a minister in three departments, Environment, Transport and Regions, International Development and The Foreign Office. The reader is Sam Dale. The abridger is Penny Leicester. The producer is Elizabeth Allard. It is 2006 and Mullin looks back on Tony Blair's premiership. | |
| 02 | Decline And Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 | 20100901 | It is 2006 and Mullin looks back on Tony Blair's premiership. | |
| 03 | Decline And Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 | 20100901 | The second volume of Chris Mullin's diaries reflect irreverently and humourously on New Labour's last term in office. Today, Tony Blair's final days as Prime Minister. Chris Mullin is the former MP for Sunderland South, a journalist and author. His books include the first volume of his acclaimed diaries, "A View From the Foothills." He also wrote the thriller, "A Very British Coup", with the television version winning BAFTA and Emmy awards. He was a minister in three departments, Environment, Transport and Regions, International Development and The Foreign Office. The reader is Sam Dale. The abridger is Penny Leicester. The producer is Elizabeth Allard. Tony Blair's final days as prime minister. | |
| 03 | Decline And Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 | 20100902 | Tony Blair's final days as prime minister. | |
| 04 | Decline And Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 | 20100902 | The second volume of Chris Mullin's diaries reflect irreverently and humourously on New Labour's last term in office. Today, 2008 approaches, and there is mounting disquiet over Gordon Brown's leadership. Chris Mullin is the former MP for Sunderland South, a journalist and author. His books include the first volume of his acclaimed diaries, "A View From the Foothills." He also wrote the thriller, "A Very British Coup", with the television version winning BAFTA and Emmy awards. He was a minister in three departments, Environment, Transport and Regions, International Development and The Foreign Office. The reader is Sam Dale. The abridger is Penny Leicester. The producer is Elizabeth Allard. 2008 approaches, and there is mounting disquiet over Gordon Brown's leadership. | |
| 04 | Decline And Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 | 20100903 | 2008 approaches, and there is mounting disquiet over Gordon Brown's leadership. | |
| 05 LAST | Decline And Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 | 20100903 | The second volume of Chris Mullin's diaries reflect irreverently and humourously on New Labour's last term in office. Today, the 2010 election approaches, and Mullin anticipates the inevitable outcome, as well as his own last days as an MP. Chris Mullin is the former MP for Sunderland South, a journalist and author. His books include the first volume of his acclaimed diaries, "A View From the Foothills." He also wrote the thriller, "A Very British Coup", with the television version winning BAFTA and Emmy awards. He was a minister in three departments, Environment, Transport and Regions, International Development and The Foreign Office. The reader is Sam Dale. The abridger is Penny Leicester. The producer is Elizabeth Allard. Chris Mullin anticipates the outcome of the 2010 election and his own last days as an MP. | |
| 05 LAST | Decline And Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 | 20100904 | Chris Mullin anticipates the outcome of the 2010 election and his own last days as an MP. |
