The Ministry of Happiness

Original version

BBC Radio Wales FM

Comedy

Comedy: Sitcoms

Episode 1

Sitcom-documentary telling the true story of the first BBC radio station in Wales.

BBC Radio Wales Extra

The Ministry of Happiness: Episode 2

Episode 2

BBC Radio Wales - The Ministry of Happiness, Episode 2

Sitcom-documentary telling the unbelievable story of the first BBC radio station in Wales.

Sitcom-documentary telling the almost unbelievable true story of the first BBC radio station in Wales.

The second of a two part sitcom-documentary telling the almost unbelievable, but true, story of the first BBC radio station in Wales, which launched from a flat above a music shop in Cardiff in 1923.  

With drunken conductors, a frustrated children's presenter who wanted to run the network, and the ever looming presence of the dour Lord Reith, 5WA - broadcasting from Cardiff to very nearly as far as Radyr - was run with a farcical enthusiasm that lends itself perfectly to a sitcom.  Though listeners should be advised that writer Gareth Gwynn has had to tone down a few things, to make them more believable. 

In this second part, Lord Reith has put his trust in Arthur Corbett-Smith to head up his new network, but Corbett-Smith has his own ideas about what a Welsh network should be.  Warmer and less formal than its London counterpart, the station quickly builds a loyal audience.   Where London broadcasts the news in black tie, the studio at 5WA is so hot that the orchestra are performing wearing only vests.  But will Egg Week turn out to be more than they can handle?

Cast:

Steffan Rhodri                             Arthur Corbett-Smith
Keiron Self                                   Norman Settle
Nadia Kamil                                 Edith Thatcher
Mali-Ann Rees                             Vera McCombes-Thomas/ The Mayoress
Humphrey Ker                             Lord Reith
Vern Griffiths                               Ian/ The Mayor
Gareth Gwynn                             Lord Gainsford

Produced by Victoria Lloyd
A Mighty Bunny Production for Radio Wales

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