Episodes
Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
---|---|---|
01 | 20120514 | Read by Hugh Dennis. When his children leave home Mark Wallington decides to embark on the rock and roll tour he never had. But with no band to play with, and lacking the skills required to play the guitar, he settles for a 42 night road trip round the open mic sessions of Great Britain with his ukulele. And so, as he meanders through the British summer from Brighton to Cape Wrath, his tour bus the first public transport that comes along he tests to the limit, the theory that you can't hear a ukulele without smiling. Produced by Jane Marshall A Jane Marshall Production for BBC Radio 4. Mark Wallington embarks on a one-man ukulele tour of Great Britain. |
02 | 20120515 | Read by Hugh Dennis Feeling slightly out of place on his tour bus without a free pass, Mark Wallington meanders along the coast to Portsmouth and takes the ferry to Ryde. Having never quite got over missing the famous performance by Jimi Hendrix at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970, he has some ghosts to lay to rest. But performing on his ukulele at the Sandown Tap puts a whole new perspective on life. Produced by Jane Marshall A Jane Marshall Production for BBC Radio 4. Mark lays to rest the ghost of missing a 1970s festival as he reaches the Isle of Wight. |
03 | 20120516 | Read by Hugh Dennis Having been warned not to go to Wales, when passing through Shrewsbury, Mark Wallington finds himself filling for half an hour in Bangor whilst they wait for the belly dancer to turn up. Then, as he heads for the Wirral, he finds himself playing the ukulele in a bikers' pub in Birkenhead. Produced by Jane Marshall A Jane Marshall Production for BBC Radio 4. In Bangor, Mark is asked to fill for half an hour, as the belly dancer hasn't turned up. |
04 | 20120517 | Read by Hugh Dennis Having meandered through Yorkshire, enjoyed a wonderful Harp quartet in York and promised, in a most un-rock 'n' roll fashion, to be back at his digs by eleven, Mark Wallington's one man ukulele tour round Great Britain finally hits Edinburgh at the height of the Festival. With no venue booked, Mark finds himself taking part in a talent contest and is proudly awarded the title, Uke of Edinburgh. Produced by Jane Marshall A Jane Marshall Production for BBC Radio 4. It's Edinburgh Festival time, and Mark Wallington is awarded the title Uke of Edinburgh. |
05 LAST | 20120518 | Read by Hugh Dennis The one man ukulele tour of Great Britain nears its end at the Smoo Cave Hotel in Cape Wrath and as Mark Wallington walks along the beautiful curve of Balnakeil Bay he reflects on his journey. Not only had he learnt a great deal about the music of the British Isles, but people had been really kind and he decided the ukulele really did make them smile. Producer: Jane Marshall A Jane Marshall Production for BBC Radio 4. His tour nearing its end, Mark strolls along Balnakeil Bay and reflects on his journey. |