John Finnemore's Double Acts

John Finnemore's Double Acts is a series of radio comedy programmes, written by John Finnemore. It is an anthology series of largely unconnected two-handers.[1]

"Double Acts" redirects here. For the comedy form, see Double act.

The first series of six episodes was broadcast on Radio 4 in October and November 2015. A second series of six episodes was broadcast in May, June and July 2017. The series' working title was The John Finnemore Project.[2]

The programme was produced and directed by David Tyler.[3]

Format

Each episode features only two main speaking parts, apart from Finnemore himself who acts as announcer. Additional, uncredited, voices are sometimes heard briefly. Each episode is a self-contained play, though four in the first series are loosely connected by incidental details, mainly revolving around references to a fictional bath supplier called Willard & Son: "A Flock of Tigers", which is set in the 1930s, features the character Edmund Willard - the father of the titular "son" - while "Wysinnwyg", "Hot Desk" and "Red-Handed" all involve characters who work for the company in the present day. Both "Red Handed" (which takes place over half an hour in real time) and "Hot Desk" (which takes place over a few weeks) are implied to take place within the time frame of "Wysinnwyg" (which covers several months), and contain callbacks to each other in the form of references to characters appearing in the others. John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme has also featured a sketch in which Yvonne, a character mentioned but not directly appearing in "The Rebel Alliance", gives her wedding toast.

Awards

The episode "A Flock of Tigers" was shortlisted for Best Scripted Comedy Drama in the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2016. The episode "English for Pony Lovers" won the Writers Guild of Great Britain Award for Best Comedy in January 2017.[4] "Penguin Diplomacy" received a commendation for Best Audio Drama Script at the 2018 BBC Audio Drama Awards.[5]

Episode list

Series one
No. Episode no. Title Original broadcast date
11"A Flock of Tigers"16 October 2015 (2015-Oct-16)

On a train in 1934, Edmund – a father who is unable to use his imagination – is helped to do so by Dolorosa.

Cast: Celia Imrie (Dolorosa) and Charles Edwards (Edmund).
22"Wysinnwyg"23 October 2015 (2015-Oct-23)

In the Sales Support Department of Willard & Son Bath Suppliers, new staff member Kerry meets an obstinate boss, Adele, whom she must deal with in order to climb up the corporate ladder.

Cast: Alison Steadman (Adele) and Isy Suttie (Kerry).
33"Red-Handed"30 October 2015 (2015-Oct-30)

Joel comes home early from work one day to find Henry, an older man, robbing him.

Cast: John Bird (Henry) and Lawry Lewin (Joel).
44"The Goliath Window"6 November 2015 (2015-Nov-06)

In 1820, in the vestry of St Anne's church in the village of Mayton Chennett, Luke is attempting to use Mark as a model for a stained glass window of David and Goliath.

Cast: John Finnemore (Luke) and Simon Kane (Mark).
55"English for Pony-Lovers"13 November 2015 (2015-Nov-13)

In a small town in Germany, Lorna attempts to give Elke an English lesson.

Cast: Rebecca Front (Elke) and Beth Mullen (Lorna).
66"Hot Desk"20 November 2015 (2015-Nov-20)

At Willard & Son Bath Suppliers, at precisely seven in the morning and seven in the evening, receptionist Griselda and security guard Mike meet to swap ownership of a desk each day, and this blossoms into an unusual relationship.

Cast: Mathew Baynton (Mike) and Jenny Bede (Griselda).

Series two

The fifth episode, Here's What We Do, was originally intended to be the third episode, but was pushed back two weeks 'due to circumstances beyond anyone's control'. As a result, The Rebel Alliance and Penguin Diplomacy were each pushed forward one week. The episodes appear in the original order on the CD and Audible release.

No. Episode no. Title Original broadcast date
71"The Queen's Speech"31 May 2017 (2017-May-31)

At her holiday home on the Isle of Wight, Queen Victoria is introduced to Mabel, who brings with her a machine for recording sound.

Cast: Stephanie Cole (Queen Victoria) and Kerry Godliman (Mabel).
82"Mercy Dash"7 June 2017 (2017-June-07)

When Malcolm asks Sue for some money to get to Winchester to visit a family member in hospital, he doesn't expect her to drive him there herself.

Cast: Julia McKenzie (Sue) and Gus Brown (Malcolm).
93"The Rebel Alliance"21 June 2017 (2017-June-21)

Eileen and Lizzie, seated together at a wedding, plot to upstage the wedding's organizer, Yvonne, during the reception.

Cast: Una Stubbs (Eileen) and Tamzin Outhwaite (Lizzie).
104"Penguin Diplomacy"28 June 2017 (2017-June-28)

Just after World War II, British official Bunning and Danish official (and penguin enthusiast) Søndergaard have a friendly argument over a small island.

Cast: Martin Clunes (Bunning) and Tom Goodman-Hill (Søndergaard)
115"Here's What We Do"5 July 2017 (2017-July-05)

Pidge, a college student, recruits his younger friend Gavin to help him steal something from Clare College, Cambridge.

Cast: Kieran Hodgson (Pidge) and Ethan Lawrence (Gavin)
126"The Wroxton Box"12 July 2017 (2017-July-12)

In a signal box in Wroxton, Alec notices something unusual about Percy and attempts to deduce what's going on.

Cast: Michael Palin (Percy) and John Finnemore (Alec)

References
  1. "John Finnemore's Double Acts". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  2. Guide, British Comedy (30 June 2015). "John Finnemore creates new Radio 4 series". British Comedy Guide.
  3. "John Finnemore's Double Acts". pozzitive.co.uk. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  4. "Writer's Guild Awards 2017". writersguild.org.uk. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  5. "BBC Audio Drama Awards 2018". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2020.

John Finnemore's Double Acts at BBC Online

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