Geoffrey Willans

A collection of BBC readings and dramas celebrating the much-loved schoolboy terror.

First featured in five books by Geoffrey Willans, with cartoon illustrations by Ronald Searle, Nigel Molesworth is one of the funniest comic creations in literature. A superbly satirical chronicler of 1950s England, he influenced a generation with his anarchic take on life.

These wonderfully entertaining recordings show the self-proclaimed 'curse of St Custard's', at his very best. In Down With Skool! And How To Be Topp, based on the first two Molesworth books and read by Griff Rhys Jones, he gives us the lowdown on the Head Beak, masters, bullies and lessons - and offers his inimitable advice for tiny pupils on how to survive the first term.

Simon Brett's sequel, Molesworth, finds the onetime 'goriller of 3B' now all grown up. Middle- aged and still surrounded by many of the characters from his youth, he's as keen as ever to share his wisdom. Across four episodes, he presents a guide to the home, the office, the arts and leisure. Willie Rushton stars in this full-cast comedy, with a cast including Clive Swift and Penelope Nice.

Topping off our collection is The Molesworth Report: How To Be Topp, a celebration and philosophical assessment - ahem! - of Nigel Molesworth by some of his fondest fans. "I couldn't live with someone who didn't enjoy the Molesworth books", says the poet Wendy Cope. John Walsh, Sir Tim Rice and Russell Davies also pay tribute to the world-weary, ink-spattered schoolboy, whose comic misspellings, mangling of English and Latin and detestation of swots, snekes and oiks gave the world a cache of unforgettable images and catchphrases.

First released: Thursday 25th May 2023