Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

The Bed-Sitting Room

Spike Milligan and John Antrobus's post-apocalyptic, surrealist, comic tale. Stars Paul Merton and Bernard Cribbins. From 2015.

Three years since the nuclear misunderstanding which led to the third world war ("and it's no idle boast when I remind you that this was the shortest world war on record... two minutes twenty eight seconds... including the signing of the Peace Treaty which is now on sale at Her Majesty's Stationery Office with a free T-shirt") survivors gather together on the former-streets of London.

In amongst the rubble, Captain Kak and his fiancee Penelope find Lord Fortnum, who is convinced he's turning into a bed-sitting room. With property prices what they are, Kak should be on to a good thing.

This atmospheric, surrealist play was originally written by John Antrobus and Spike Milligan.

Adapted by John Antrobus and Paul Merton.

Captain Kak ...... Paul Merton
Lord Fortnum ...... Derek Jacobi
Mate ...... Bernard Cribbins
Penelope ...... Catherine Tate
The BBC ...... Corrie Corfield
Mrs Ethel Skroake ...... Suki Webster
The Vicar ...... John Antrobus
Captain ...... Sean Baker
Seaman ...... Richard Pepple

Music and FX by Jerry Peal.

Director: Sam Michell.
Producer: Victoria Lloyd

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2015.

1 hour, 5 minutes

Last on

Thu 29 Dec 202223:05

Credits

RoleContributor
Captain KakPaul Merton
Lord FortnumDerek Jacobi
MateBernard Cribbins
PenelopeCatherine Tate
The BBCCorrie Corfield
Mrs Ethel SkroakeSuki Webster
The VicarJohn Antrobus
CaptainSean Baker
SeamanRichard Pepple
DirectorSam Michell
ProducerVictoria Lloyd
WriterJohn Antrobus
WriterSpike Milligan
AdaptorJohn Antrobus
AdaptorPaul Merton

Broadcasts

  • Boxing Day 201514:30
  • Sat 10 Jun 201715:00
  • Tue 17 Apr 201810:00
  • Tue 17 Apr 201815:00
  • Wed 18 Apr 201803:00
  • Fri 31 Jan 202010:00
  • Fri 31 Jan 202015:00
  • Sat 1 Feb 202003:00
  • Thu 29 Dec 202223:05

Bernard Cribbins – A Celebration in Sound

Bernard Cribbins – A Celebration in Sound

Treasures from the BBC radio archives, starring Bernard Cribbins.

Opening Lines

Opening Lines

John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

The Shakespeare Sessions

The Shakespeare Sessions

Immerse yourself in Shakespeare’s world