Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | William And Mary | 20110411 | 20191216 (BBC7) 20191217 (BBC7) | Meet Mary Pearl, who thinks she's finally free of William, the tyrannical husband who forbade her all life's pleasures, when he dies after a short illness. She subsequently learns, however, that - hoping to cheat the grave - he allowed a scientist to remove his brain and attach it to a life support system. This gives her the opportunity to get her own back.... Five classic tales by Roald Dahl starring Charles Dance as the urbane Storyteller and Celia Imrie as Mary. Taken from the anthology, Kiss, Kiss. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these black comedies are justly famous for their surprise endings. They show Dahl at the height of his powers as a writer of adult fiction, and are characterised by their deliciously cynical view of human nature and the relish with which they punish the charlatans, bullies and schemers who inhabit their world. Dramatised by Stephen Sheridan. Storyteller....Charles Dance Mary.......Celia Imrie William......John Rowe Landy......Nigel Anthony Charles Dance narrates a darkly comic tale by the master of the bizarre. With Celia Imrie. |
| 02 | Parson's Pleasure | 20110412 | 20191217 (BBC7) 20191218 (BBC7) | Meet Cyril Boggis, an unscrupulous antiques dealer, who charms his way into people's homes disguised as a simple parson, hoping to pick up neglected treasures for a song. One bright, Sunday afternoon however, all does not go according to plan when, in the home of farmer Rummins, he discovers a priceless Chippendale commode... Five classic tales by Roald Dahl starring Charles Dance as the urbane Storyteller and Ronald Pickup as Cyril. Taken from the anthology, Kiss, Kiss. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these black comedies are justly famous for their surprise endings. They show Dahl at the height of his powers as a writer of adult fiction, and are characterised by their deliciously cynical view of human nature and the relish with which they punish the charlatans, bullies and schemers who inhabit their world. Dramatised by Stephen Sheridan. Storyteller....Charles Dance Cyril Boggis....Ronald Pickup Rummins...David Ryall Claud......John Baddeley Lady Harcourt..Lucie Fitchett Charles Dance narrates a comic tale by the master of the bizarre. With Ronald Pickup. |
| 03 | Royal Jelly | 20110413 | 20191218 (BBC7) 20191219 (BBC7) | Meet beekeeper Albert Taylor and his wife Mabel. Worried that their newborn daughter isn't eating properly, Albert starts giving her royal jelly - a highly nutritious substance fed by bees to the larvae of their queens. The baby starts to put on weight. But Mabel begins to notice other changes to The baby starts to put on weight. But Mabel begins to notice other changes too - Five classic tales by Roald Dahl starring Charles Dance as the urbane Storyteller and Chris Emmett as Albert. Taken from the anthology, Kiss, Kiss. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these black comedies are justly famous for their surprise endings. They show Dahl at the height of his powers as a writer of adult fiction, and are characterised by their deliciously cynical view of human nature and the relish with which they punish the charlatans, bullies and schemers who inhabit their world. Dramatised by Stephen Sheridan. Storyteller....Charles Dance Albert.....Chris Emmett Mabel.....Rachel Atkins Charles Dance narrates a darkly comic tale by the master of the bizarre. With Chris Emmett |
| 04 | Mrs Bixby And The Colonel's Coat | 20110414 | 20191219 (BBC7) 20191220 (BBC7) | Mrs Bixby - wife of a dull, New York dentist - is having an affair with a wealthy playboy known as the Colonel. When he decides to end their relationship, the Colonel gives her a mink coat as a keepsake. Realizing that her husband will wonder where she acquired such an expensive gift, Mrs Bixby devises an ingenious plan to explain it away.... Five classic tales by Roald Dahl starring Charles Dance as the urbane Storyteller and Lorelei King as Mrs Bixby. Taken from the anthology, Kiss, Kiss. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these black comedies are justly famous for their surprise endings. They show Dahl at the height of his powers as a writer of adult fiction, and are characterised by their deliciously cynical view of human nature and the relish with which they punish the charlatans, bullies and schemers who inhabit their world. Dramatised by Stephen Sheridan. Storyteller........Charles Dance Mrs Bixby / Miss Pulteney........Lorelei King Bixby / Colonel / Wilkins / Pawnbroker......Kerry Shale Charles Dance narrates a comic tale of adultery. With Kerry Shale and Lorelei King. |
| 05 LAST | The Landlady | 20110415 | 20191220 (BBC7) 20191221 (BBC7) | Meet young Billy Weaver, who has just arrived in Bath to take up a new job. He books into a curiously deserted B&B. The landlady, who inhabits a sitting room filled with stuffed animals, is welcoming but odd. Wondering if he's her only guest, Billy checks the register and sees two strangely familiar names. Taking tea with her later, Billy suddenly remembers reading in the papers that both her former guests disappeared in mysterious circumstances. The landlady tells Billy that, like him, each was a beautiful young man whom she didn't want to leave.... Five classic tales by Roald Dahl starring Charles Dance as the urbane Storyteller and Doreen Mantle as the Landlady. Taken from the anthology, Kiss, Kiss. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these black comedies are justly famous for Dahl's surprise endings. Storyteller........Charles Dance Landlady.........Doreen Mantle Billy Weaver.....James Joyce Mr Greenslade...John Rowe Charles Dance narrates a dark tale by the master of the bizarre. With Doreen Mantle. |