Episodes
Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Don Quixote | 20180825 | Published in two volumes in the early 17th Century, Cervantes' Spanish classic Don Quixote is famous as the world's first modern novel.
It's a ground-breaking piece of art that influenced countless generations of writers and at 800 plus pages of dense prose, one of the most unreadable novels ever.
Never fear! David Reed has read it so that you don't have to and condensed this mighty tome into an hour's rip-roaring entertainment.
It's a meditation on the age of chivalry, insanity and truth. A quest of windmills, magic and donkeys.
Join peasant Sancho and the man who thinks he's a Knight as they travel together locked together in a quest to save those who don't want saving and unravel enchantments which may or may not only exist in their minds.
Sylvester McCoy stars as Don Quixote.
Sancho ...... Thom Tuck
All other roles played by The Penny Dreadfuls:
Humphrey Ker
And:
Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Producer: Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2018.
Comedic take on Cervantes' classic tome starring Sylvester McCoy as Don Quixote. Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. | |
Don Quixote | 20180825 | 20200607 (R4) | Published in two volumes in the early 17th Century, Cervantes' Spanish classic Don Quixote is famous as the world's first modern novel.
It's a ground-breaking piece of art that influenced countless generations of writers and at 800 plus pages of dense prose, one of the most unreadable novels ever.
Never fear! David Reed has read it so that you don't have to and condensed this mighty tome into an hour's rip-roaring entertainment.
It's a meditation on the age of chivalry, insanity and truth. A quest of windmills, magic and donkeys.
Join peasant Sancho and the man who thinks he's a Knight as they travel together locked together in a quest to save those who don't want saving and unravel enchantments which may or may not only exist in their minds.
Sylvester McCoy stars as Don Quixote.
Sancho ...... Thom Tuck
All other roles played by The Penny Dreadfuls:
Humphrey Ker
And:
Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Producer: Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2018.
Comedic take on Cervantes' classic tome starring Sylvester McCoy as Don Quixote. Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. |
Hadrian's Beard | 20190831 | 20220215 (R4) | Emperor Hadrian was so eager to defend the outer reaches of the Roman Empire and repel attacks from the Barbarians, that he was determined to build a wall across Britain, sea to sea, just north of the great fort Vindolanda. That physical legacy is still in part visible between Northumberland and Cumbria to this day. This comedy play looks under the skin of the Emperor who broke with various traditions, not least growing a beard where all Roman leaders were previously clean-shaven; and his deep love of all things Grecian. All does not go according to plan when he arrives and it seems that this brave 'soldier' is more troubled than first impressions suggest. Written by David Reed Emperor Hadrian ... Tony Gardner Queen Bridget ... Mina Anwar With The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker Thom Tuck And Margaret Cabourn-Smith. Producer: Julia McKenzie A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2019. The comedy trio examine Britain's Roman legacy. With Tony Gardner. Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. Emperor Hadrian was so eager to defend the outer reaches of the Roman Empire and repel attacks from the Barbarians, that he was determined to build a wall across Britain, sea to sea, just north of the great fort Vindolanda. That physical legacy is still in part visible between Northumberland and Cumbria to this day. This comedy play looks under the skin of the Emperor who broke with various traditions, not least growing a beard where all Roman leaders were previously clean-shaven; and his deep love of all things Grecian. All does not go according to plan when he arrives and it seems that this brave 'soldier' is more troubled than first impressions suggest. Written by David Reed Emperor Hadrian ... Tony Gardner Queen Bridget ... Mina Anwar With The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker Thom Tuck And Margaret Cabourn-Smith. Producer: Julia McKenzie A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2019. The comedy trio examine Britain's Roman legacy. With Tony Gardner. Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. |
Le Carre On Spying | 20170708 | David Cornwell (John Le Carr钀s real name) desperately tries to uncover the latest mole in the Secret Service. John F Kennedy's official visit to Berlin looms and the pressure is on to get to the truth. Le Carre style comedy romp through 1960s Berlin courtesy of comedy trio, The Penny Dreadfuls. Starring Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck Also starring Miles Jupp and Mark Heap. David Cornwell - Miles Jupp Narrator - Mark Heap Various - Humphrey Ker Various - David Reed Various - Thom Tuck Lizbeth/Mrs M - Margaret Cabourn-Smith Written by David Reed Producer: Julia McKenzie A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2017. The Penny Dreadfuls parody John le Carre in a comedy set during the height of the Cold War Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. | |
Le Carre On Spying | 20170708 | 20181201 (R4) | David Cornwell (John Le Carr钀s real name) desperately tries to uncover the latest mole in the Secret Service. John F Kennedy's official visit to Berlin looms and the pressure is on to get to the truth. Le Carre style comedy romp through 1960s Berlin courtesy of comedy trio, The Penny Dreadfuls. Starring Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck Also starring Miles Jupp and Mark Heap. David Cornwell - Miles Jupp Narrator - Mark Heap Various - Humphrey Ker Various - David Reed Various - Thom Tuck Lizbeth/Mrs M - Margaret Cabourn-Smith Written by David Reed Producer: Julia McKenzie A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2017. The Penny Dreadfuls parody John le Carre in a comedy set during the height of the Cold War Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. |
Macbeth Rebothered | 20141213 | An alternative tale of Shakespeare's noble king.
A comedy play by The Penny Dreadfuls.
Greg McHugh stars as Macbeth with Susan Calman as the narrator.
Other roles:
Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Written by David Reed with additional material by Humphrey Ker.
Producer: Julia McKenzie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2014.
An alternative spin on the tale of this noble king. Greg McHugh stars. Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. | |
Revolution | 20110709 | 20121221 (R4) | The French Revolution was one of the most far-reaching social and political upheavals in modern history. It spanned 10 years, involving the execution of the King, collapse of monarchy and slaughter of thousands at the guillotine. Comedy trio The Penny Dreadfuls attempt to tell the epic story of the Revolution in one hour, with jokes. Starring Richard E Grant and Sally Hawkins. Maximilien Robespierre was the dictatorial architect of the Reign of Terror, who sent thousands to their death. Marie-Therese was the 16 year old daughter of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. Marie-Therese was incarcerated for three years by the revolutionaries. When she was locked up her father, mother, aunt and little brother were also with her. After her father was executed, the rest of the family were moved to another part of the tower and Marie-Therese was kept in solitary confinement. It's recorded that Robespierre visited Marie-Therese at one point in the tower but there's no historical record of that conversation. This play is that conversation. Robespierre - Richard E Grant Therese - Sally Hawkins Written by and co-starring Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck With Margaret Cabourn-Smith. Producer: Julia McKenzie First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2011. Comic play about the French Revolution starring Richard E Grant and The Penny Dreadfuls Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. |
Richard III Rebothered | 20200413 | Rather than a conniving and treacherous hunchback, Richard was an honest and loyal warrior with only a slight spinal kink, nothing you'd notice if you weren't looking for it.
This is the story of how, through the invention of the printing press, a good man became the first victim of fake news and how the Tudor dynasty was built on a foundation of lies by the world's first spin doctor, Henry Tudor.
Written by David Reed.
Starring The Penny Dreadfuls:
Humphrey Ker
With Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Celeste Dring.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2020.
The Penny Dreadfuls return to right some wrongs for the much-maligned Richard III. Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. | |
Richard III Rebothered | 20200413 | 20220531 (R4) | Rather than a conniving and treacherous hunchback, Richard was an honest and loyal warrior with only a slight spinal kink, nothing you'd notice if you weren't looking for it.
This is the story of how, through the invention of the printing press, a good man became the first victim of fake news and how the Tudor dynasty was built on a foundation of lies by the world's first spin doctor, Henry Tudor.
Written by David Reed.
Starring The Penny Dreadfuls:
Humphrey Ker
With Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Celeste Dring.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2020.
The Penny Dreadfuls return to right some wrongs for the much-maligned Richard III. Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. |
The Curse Of The Beagle | 20160730 | 20171216 (R4) | In 1831 a 22 year old Charles Darwin set sail on the HMS Beagle for a 5 year voyage that he said changed the course of his life. He later published his stories of the trip, but in this reimagining comedy trio The Penny Dreadfuls reveal the untold story that Darwin was to keep to himself. Starring Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck Charles Darwin - Thom Tuck McCormick - Humphrey Ker Professor Henslow - David Reed Old Mother Trousers - Margaret Cabourn-Smith Written by David Reed with additional material by Humphrey Ker Producer: Julia McKenzie A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2016. A comedic exploration of a young Charles Darwin's adventures aboard the HMS Beagle. Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. |
The Odyssey | 20151025 | Incredible monsters plus an encounter with an enchantress!
Comedy trio The Penny Dreadfuls take on Homer's tale of Odysseus's epic journey home from the Trojan Wars.
Starring Robert Webb as Odysseus.
With Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck
Plus guests:
Lolly Adefope
Written by David Reed with additional material by Humphrey Ker.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2015.
Comedy trio Penny Dreadfuls transport us to ancient Greece. Robert Webb stars as Odysseus Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. | |
The Odyssey | 20151025 | 20151031 (R4) | Incredible monsters plus an encounter with an enchantress!
Comedy trio The Penny Dreadfuls take on Homer's tale of Odysseus's epic journey home from the Trojan Wars.
Starring Robert Webb as Odysseus.
With Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck
Plus guests:
Lolly Adefope
Written by David Reed with additional material by Humphrey Ker.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2015.
Comedy trio Penny Dreadfuls transport us to ancient Greece. Robert Webb stars as Odysseus Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. |
The Penny Dreadfuls Present: Guy Fawkes | 20091105 | What exactly is it that we're asked to remember on the 5th of November? As the nation prepares for Bonfire Night; highly acclaimed comedy trio The Penny Dreadfuls take a fresh and timely look at a familiar story with a comedic, stirring and sometimes graphic exploration of the build-up to and aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot. Recorded in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre in London, there's plenty of laughs in places where you least expect them - from the boisterously optimistic meetings of the conspirators through to Fawkes' internment in the Tower of London. Starring Kevin Eldon as Guy. With Miles Jupp and Andrew Pugsley. The Penny Dreadfuls are David Reed, Humphrey Ker and Thom Tuck. Guy Fawkes - Kevin Eldon Thomas Percy - Miles Jupp John Wright - David Reed Robert Catesby - Thom Tuck Thomas Winter - Andrew Pugsley Sir William Waad - Humphrey Ker Producer: Julia McKenzie First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2009. Comedy trio The Penny Dreadfuls tell the story of the Gunpowder Plot. Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. | |
The Penny Dreadfuls Present: Hereward The Wake | 20121226 | Highly acclaimed comedy trio, The Penny Dreadfuls turn their comic eye towards Hereward The Wake. Why has this Englishman responsible for leading the fight against the occupation of William The Conqueror, been so readily forgotten? The story didn't end when they ran out of embroidery cotton on the Bayeux Tapestry. Our mission is to make sure that from now on, you will know his name. The Penny Dreadfuls are David Reed, Humphrey Ker and Thom Tuck. Written by David Reed and Humphrey Ker Hereward ...... Thom Tuck William The Conqueror / Leofwine, Thorkell / Guard, Haakan ...... Humphrey Ker Frederick, Asketil / Thurstan / Odo ...... David Reed Martin ...... Marek Larwood Turfrida / Witch ...... Margaret Cabourn-Smith Narrator ...... Justin Edwards Producer: Julia McKenzie First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2012. By David Reed and Humphrey Ker. The comic lifestory of one of England's forgotten heroes. Comedy drama from sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls: Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck. |