North By Northamptonshire

Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

North by Northamptonshire

Comedy: Sitcoms

Comedy by Katherine Jakeways about the inhabitants of a small town in Northamptonshire

Comedy series by Katherine Jakeways about the inhabitants of a small town in Northamptonshire

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 LW

Katherine Jakeways

Sheila Hancock

Mackenzie Crook

Penelope Wilton

Felicity Montagu

Kevin Eldon

John Biggins

Rufus Wright

Sam Cotton

Claire Jones

North by Northamptonshire: Series 1: Episode 1

Episode 1

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 - North by Northamptonshire, Series 1, Episode 1

As a town prepares for its talent night, Mary gets a shock and Jonathan gets side-tracked.

"As the town's talent night looms, Mary gets a shock – while Jonathan gets side-tracked. Stars Sheila Hancock. From June 2010.

Clever, funny and touching series about a small town in the middle of Northamptonshire as it prepares for a talent night.  

Sheila Hancock heads a stunning cast including Mackenzie Crook, Penelope Wilton, Felicity Montagu and Kevin Eldon.

Written by and also starring Katherine Jakeways.

Get to know the local supermarket manager who shares rather more than is usual about his private life over the store's tannoy system. Recently divorced Jan has been trying unsuccessfully to 'find herself' with a trip abroad to an elephant sanctuary. But it is at home in Wadenbrook that she starts to feel happier with herself as her friendship blossoms with ex-teacher Mary.  And, joy of joys, could it be that Jan is going to experience a touch of romance at last?

Meet driving instructor and forthright self-defence teacher Esther and her gentle and put-upon Jonathan as they struggle to start a family and we meet possibly the only happy couple in town, Ken and Keith, as they attempt to teach their pet whippets to dance for the town talent night.

In this opening episode, Mary starts rehearsals for the town talent night and is shocked by 12 year old Gregory's slide show of Victorian ladies. 

Meanwhile Esther sends her husband Jonathan out to collect money for the Leicestershire Infertile Males Project but he ends up at The Bricklayer's Arms looking at pictures of elephants with Jan.

Narrator    ......    Sheila Hancock
Rod    ......    Mackenzie Crook
Mary    ......    Penelope Wilton
Jan    ......    Felicity Montagu
Jonathan    ......    Kevin Eldon
Esther    ......    Katherine Jakeways
Keith    ......    John Biggins
Landlord    ......    Rufus Wright
Gregory  ......    Sam Cotton

Producer:  Claire Jones

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2010.

North by Northamptonshire: Series 1

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.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

North by Northamptonshire

Series 1

Episode 1

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra