The Ministry of Happiness

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BBC Radio Wales Extra

Comedy

Comedy: Sitcoms

Episode 1

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

BBC Radio Wales FM

The Ministry of Happiness: Episode 1

BBC Radio Wales - The Ministry of Happiness, Episode 1

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

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.

The first 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 the opening episode, Lord Reith is looking for someone to lead his new Welsh network, in time for the grand inaugural broadcast.

Cast:

Steffan Rhodri                             Arthur Corbett-Smith
Keiron Self                                   Norman Settle
Nadia Kamil                                 Edith Thatcher
Mali-Ann Rees                             Vera McCombes-Thomas
Humphrey Ker                             Lord Reith & Rex Palmer
Vern Griffiths                               Frederick Roberts
Gareth Gwynn                             Lord Gainsford

Produced by Victoria Lloyd
A Mighty Bunny Production for Radio Wales

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