Mark Steel's In Town

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BBC Radio 4 FM

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Mark Steel's in Town

Comedy: Standup

Comedian Mark Steel visits towns across the UK and creates a stand-up show for the locals.

Comedian Mark Steel visits towns across the UK, meets the locals, and creates a stand up show for them - and us - about the town.

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BBC Radio 4 LW

Mark Steel's in Town: Series 11: Blyth, Northumberland

Blyth, Northumberland

Series 11

BBC Radio 4 - Mark Steel's in Town, Series 11, Blyth, Northumberland

Mark travels to former coal town Blyth in Northumberland to uncover stories and characters

Comedian Mark Steel uncovers a riot of characters and stories in this former mining town in Northumberland. From strongman Willie Carr to er, The Flower Pot men.

The famous Blyth Staithes (created for off-loading coal into ships) were the backdrop for one of the grimmest scenes in the Michael Caine classic Get Carter - the smoggy industrial view at the time described by the director as an "absolute vision of hell". Undaunted, comedian Mark Steel travels to this part of Northumberland and finds a fascinating industrial legacy, a posh pub, a very nice beach and prominent indications of its role in the first and second World Wars. Does a town blighted by so many closures show any evidence of green shoots?  Mark presents his findings to a local audience at The Phoenix Theatre and as ever gets away with just the right amount of affection rudeness and we learn more about a very distinctive coastal town in the UK. 

The full box set of all episodes (with well over 50 towns visited) is available now wherever you get your podcasts.

Written by and starring...Mark Steel
With additional material from Pete Sinclair
Production Coordinator...Beverly Tagg
Producer...Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios Production.

Mark Steel's in Town: Series 11

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

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Mark Steel's in Town

Series 11

Blyth, Northumberland

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BBC Radio 4 FM

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