BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Electric Decade

Drama

Drama: Classic & Period

Classic titles that influenced and characterised the Jazz Age of the 1920s.

During 2020, we bring you a range of classic titles that influenced and characterised the Jazz Age of the 1920s.

During 2020, we bring you a range of classic titles that influenced and characterised the Jazz Age of the 1920s, from the beginnings of Modernism, through the parties and dancing as the shadow of the war was thrown off, to increasing uncertainty as the decade drew to a close.

Uncle Fred in the Springtime

Electric Decade: Uncle Fred in the Springtime: Episode 1

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - Electric Decade, Uncle Fred in the Springtime, Episode 1

Debonair Uncle Fred loves his role of 'imposter', especially that of an ageing cupid.

Debonair Uncle Fred loves his role of 'imposter', especially that of an ageing cupid. Stars Alfred Molina and Patricia Hodge.

Dramatised by Archie Scottney

Joyous all-star spring fever, led by Alfred Molina, Patricia Hodge, Jared Harris, Martin Jarvis and Rufus Sewell. A pig-napping romantic thriller! PGW's dialogue dances across the Blandings Castle lawns. Charming Earl of Ickenham (Uncle Fred) has received a plea from affably dotty Lord Emsworth to help foil a plot to steal his prize-winning pig. And to examine the sanity of eccentric Duke of Dunstable. 

Delighting in such entertainment, Uncle Fred arrives at Blandings in the guise of "brain specialist" Glossop, with nephew Pongo posing as his secretary. Lively Polly Pott is the third imposter, secretly engaged to Dunstable's nephew Ricky and hoping to charm her prospective uncle-in-law. Emsworth's devious secretary Rupert Baxter (Jared Harris) spots them but can't call their bluff for fear of blackmail. Emsworth's sister Connie suspects they are jewel thieves. Bosham, Emsworth's son, thinks all is above board. But then Polly's detective Dad is called in. Will the pig-napping happen?

Cast:
Uncle Fred ..... Alfred Molina 
Lady Constance ..... Patricia Hodge 
The Duke of Dunstable ..... Christopher Neame 
Rupert Baxter ..... Jared Harris 
Ricky Gilpin ..... Rufus Sewell 
Horace Davenport ..... Lloyd Owen 
Mustard Pott ..... Julian Holloway 
Polly Pott ..... Sophie Winkleman
Lord Emsworth ..... Martin Jarvis 
P.G. Wodehouse ..... Ian Ogilvy
Lord Bosham ..... Simon Templeman
Pongo Twistleton ..... Matthew Wolf 
Beach ..... Kenneth Danziger 
Valerie Twistleton ..... Moira Quirk 
Webster/Footmen ..... Darren Richardson
Singing Gardener ..... Mark Holden

Director: Martin Jarvis 
Producer: Rosalind Ayres

A Jarvis & Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.

Electric Decade: Uncle Fred in the Springtime

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Dramatisation by Archie Scottney of PG Wodehouse's pig-napping romantic thriller.

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Uncle Fred in the Springtime

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