British Comedy Guide
Beachcomber... By The Way
Beachcomber... By The Way

Beachcomber... By The Way

  • Radio sketch show
  • BBC Radio 4 / BBC Radio 2
  • 1989 - 1994
  • 18 episodes (3 series)

Humourous tales based on J. B. Morton's popular and whimsical Daily Express column, By The Way.

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Beachcomber... By The Way

Beachcomber... By The Way

All 18 episodes of the BBC radio series based on J. B. Morton[/o]'s surreally comic 'Beachcomber' column.

J.B. Morton took over the 'By The Way' column in the Daily Express in 1924 - succeeding his friend D.B. Wyndham-Lewis as Beachcomber - and continued writing it for over 50 years. Anarchic, absurdist and profoundly influential, it had a huge cult following, and paved the way for a great deal of modern humour.

These three series bring Beachcomber's irreverent jottings to hilarious life, with Richard Ingrams as the eponymous author: 'Greetings, my public', interruptions from John Wells as Prodnose: 'What is all this?', 'Begone, you oaf!' (door slams after Prodnose), and Patricia Routledge, John Sessions and Joan Sims as the notorious Twelve Red-Bearded Dwarves, among others. Also participating in the nonsense are silken-voiced announcer Brian Perkins and guest stars June Whitfield, Brian Bowles, Simon Greenall and Henrietta Gooden.

Featuring Morton's familiar colourful characters, in all their larger-than life glory - including Dr Strabismus (whom God preserve) of Utrecht, Colonel Wretch, Mr Justice Cocklecarrot, Captain Foulenough, Lady Cabstanleigh, Lord Shortcake, Dingipoos, Carstairs and Big White - these 18 rib-tickling adventures perfectly recreate his wonderful, whimsical world.

First released: Thursday 9th March 2023

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