Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

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

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

15 Minute Drama

Drama

Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations

BBC Radio 4 LW

15 Minute Drama: I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General

Simon Butteriss

Alex Jennings

Rupert Vansittart

Robin Brooks

Fiona McAlpine

15 Minute Drama: I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General: Episode 3: A Disagreeable Man

I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General

Episode 3

Episode 3: A Disagreeable Man

A Disagreeable Man

BBC Radio 4 - 15 Minute Drama, I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General, A Disagreeable Man

1884. After a successful run of operas, tempers fray when Princess Ida fails to catch fire

It's 1884, and after great success with The Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert and Sullivan move their operas to the Savoy Theatre. But tempers fray when Princess Ida fails to catch fire.

The story of the rise and fall of a collaboration between three men who dominated Victorian musical theatre and have left a lasting legacy. Everyone has heard of the immortal Gilbert and Sullivan, but who knows about the man who brought them success, George Grossmith, the original Modern Major General?

Simon Butteriss and Robin Brooks' delightful comedy drama about the entertainer George Grossmith, who was plucked from his humble touring circuit to become the star of the Gilbert & Sullivan Savoy Operas, staying for twelve years. Grossmith was central to why Gilbert and Sullivan operas became so successful and continue to be so today.

Simon Butteriss, who plays Grossmith, is best known as a performer in the Gilbert and Sullivan patter roles, which he continues to sing all over the world to a huge fan base. Robin Brooks' work for Radio 4 includes Ulysses, I Claudius, The Great Scott and Iris Murdoch: Dream Girl. His recent dramatisation of Iris Murdoch's The Sea, The Sea starring Jeremy Irons has been shortlisted for a BBC Audio Drama Award, 2016.

Episode Three: A Disagreeable Man 1
It's 1884 and after great success with The Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert and Sullivan move their operas to their very own Savoy Theatre. But after the successful runs of Patience and Iolanthe, the third opera, Princess Ida, fails to catch fire and tempers fray.

Pianist: Gretel Dowdeswell
Sound Designer: Alisdair McGregor

Written by Simon Butteriss and Robin Brooks
Directed by Simon Butteriss and Fiona McAlpine
Produced by Fiona McAlpine

An Allegra production for BBC Radio 4.

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

By Simon Butteriss. Story of the three men who dominated Victorian musical theatre

By Simon Butteriss. Story of the rise and fall of a collaboration between three men who dominated Victorian musical theatre

Accessibility links

Programme Index

15 Minute Drama

I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General

Episode 3: A Disagreeable Man

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4