All The Young Dudes
- Radio comedy drama / sitcom
- BBC Radio 4
- 2001 - 2002
- 12 episodes (2 series)
A radio sitcom based on the characters from Jim Sweeney's award winning play Danny's Wake. Also features Steve Steen, Stephen Frost, Cathryn Harrison, Sadie Shimmin, Flaminia Cinque and Izzy de Rosario
- Series 1, Episode 5 repeated Friday at 2:30pm on Radio 4 Extra
Key details
- Genres
- Comedy Drama, Sitcom
- Broadcast
- 2001 - 2002
- Channel
- BBC Radio 4
- Episodes
- 12 (2 series)
- Creator
- Jim Sweeney
- Stars
- Jim Sweeney, Steve Steen, Stephen Frost, Cathryn Harrison, Sadie Shimmin, Flaminia Cinque and Izzy de Rosario
- Writer
- Jim Sweeney
- Producer
- Steve Doherty
Jim Sweeney's first play, Danny's Wake won a Fringe First in Edinburgh and a Granada Media Comedy Writing Award prompting Radio 4 to commission a series based on the main characters, Patrick and Billy. Whilst the play was essentially a black comedy in which two old friends spend a night alone at a wake where alcohol makes truth and lies indistinguishable, All The Young Dudes keeps the same themes, but is far more light hearted. Sweeney blends nostalgia through flashbacks and music to create well rounded characters and an engaging sense of community.
When Patrick (an out of work teacher) and his wife Helen (a high flying businesswoman) move back to the town where Patrick grew up, he bumps into old school friends and reminisces over their childhood. Although Patrick looks back at his school days with some affection, it appears that things were not always as they seemed. However, Billy and Moira (the divorced couple who live next door to each other), Helen and Patrick and local pub owners, Joe and Maria build up firm friendships and a sense of community develops.
The twelve thirty minute episodes explore not only the couples own relationships, but their relationships with their friends and neighbours.
Additional details
- Production
- Studio
- Soundtrack
- The theme tune is David Bowie and Mott the Hoople's All The Young Dudes. The series frequently uses other hits from the sixties and seventies, such as Small Faces, The Kinks and The Turtles.
Website links
- BBC Radio 4 Website
The official web page for the show from the BBC. - Jim Sweeney's Official Site
A page about the show on the writer's own website.
Broadcast details
- First broadcast
- Friday 20th July 2001 at 11:30am on BBC Radio 4
- Next repeats
-
- Series 1, Episode 5: Friday at 2:30pm on Radio 4 Extra
- Series 1, Episode 5: Friday at 8:30pm on Radio 4 Extra
- Series 1, Episode 5: Saturday at 4:30am on Radio 4 Extra
- Series 1, Episode 6: Friday 13th December at 3:30pm on Radio 4 Extra
- Series 1, Episode 6: Friday 13th December at 9:30pm on Radio 4 Extra
- Series 1, Episode 6: Saturday 14th December at 5:30am on Radio 4 Extra
- Most recent repeats
-
- Saturday 30th November 2024 at 4:30am on Radio 4 Extra - Series 1, Episode 4
- Friday 29th November 2024 at 8:30pm on Radio 4 Extra - Series 1, Episode 4
- Friday 29th November 2024 at 2:30pm on Radio 4 Extra - Series 1, Episode 4