Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 19970612 | 20161222 (BBC7) 20161223 (BBC7) 20230710 (BBC7) 20230711 (BBC7) | Opera Sunderland has a tradition of performing a new work every season - 'its umbilical cord to civilisation'. However, when managing director Dwight Gaggenheim opts for West Side Story over innovative gay opera St Sebastien, the tempers and egos of a plethora of opera types come bubbling to the surface. Comedy drama in five parts written by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles Derek ....... Andrew Branch Keyboard Ken ....... Tom Miles Cilla ....... Carolyn Bonnyman Gareth ....... Godfrey James James ....... Simon Butteriss Natasha ....... Caz Weller Dwight ....... Jonathan Kydd Alison Porter Ian Bloomfield Producer Chris Neill First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1997. Tempers and egos flare as Opera Sunderland opts for West Side Story over a gay opera. |
| 02 | 19970619 | 20161229 (BBC7) 20161230 (BBC7) 20230717 (BBC7) 20230718 (BBC7) | Blackmail and throat nodules plague the cast of Opera Sunderland's production of Carmen. Comedy drama series written by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles. The mishaps and adventures of the performers at Opera Sunderland Derek ....... Andrew Branch Keyboard Ken ....... Tom Miles Cilla ....... Carolyn Bonnyman Gareth ....... Godfrey James James ....... Simon Butteriss Natasha ....... Caz Weller Dwight ....... Jonathan Kydd Alison Porter Benjamin Davies Producer: Chris Neill First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1997. |
| 03 | 19970626 | 20170105 (BBC7) 20170106 (BBC7) 20230724 (BBC7) 20230725 (BBC7) | Should local council cash be spent on Opera Sunderland, or a public convenience? Comedy drama series written by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles. Derek - Andrew Branch Keyboard Ken - Tom Miles Cilla - Carolyn Bonnyman Gareth - Godfrey James James - Simon Butteriss Natasha - Caz Weller Dwight - Jonathan Kydd Claire Long - Sally Grace Alison Porter Benjamin Davies Producer: Chris Neill First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1997. |
| 04 | 19970703 | 20170112 (BBC7) 20170113 (BBC7) 20230731 (BBC7) 20230801 (BBC7) | Staging opera can be an exhausting and chaotic business. Keyboard Ken collapses and has to be rushed to hospital while Natasha, Opera Sunderland's prima donna, tours pubs, clubs and local radio stations trying to drum-up an audience. Comedy drama series written by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles. Natasha ....... Caz Weller James ....... Simon Butteriss Derek ....... Andrew Branch Gareth ....... Godfrey James Dwight ....... Jonathan Kydd Keyboard Ken ....... Tom Miles Cilla ....... Carolyn Bonnyman Kathryn Jenkin Jochem van Ast Music by Tom Miles and Georges Bizet Producer Chris Neill First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1997. Keyboard Ken collapses, while Natasha tours pubs to drum-up trade. |
| 05 | 19970710 | 20170119 (BBC7) 20170120 (BBC7) 20230807 (BBC7) 20230808 (BBC7) | The first night of Carmen is nigh. The cast's tensions are mounting - Natasha resorts to verbal abuse, James finds succour in emotional flooding techniques, and Gareth seeks solace in whisky. Comedy drama series written by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles. Derek - Andrew Branch Keyboard Ken - Tom Miles Cilla - Carolyn Bonnyman Gareth - Godfrey James James - Simon Butteriss Natasha - Caz Weller Dwight - Jonathan Kydd Alison Porter Ian Bloomfield Producer Chris Neill First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1997. With first night nerves for Carmen, Natasha resorts to verbal abuse. |