British Comedy Guide
Gloomsbury. Image shows from L to R: Henry Mickleton (Jonathan Coy), Vera Sackcloth-Vest (Miriam Margolyes), DH Lollipop (John Sessions), Lionel Fox (Nigel Planer), Venus Traduces (Morwenna Banks), Ginny Fox (Alison Steadman). Copyright: Little Brother Productions
Gloomsbury

Gloomsbury

  • Radio sitcom
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2012 - 2018
  • 30 episodes (5 series)

Radio parody of the arty Bloomsbury group. Stars include Alison Steadman, Miriam Margolyes, Morwenna Banks, Jonathan Coy and John Sessions. Also features Roger Lloyd Pack and Nigel Planer.

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Series 1, Episode 4 - Trying To Avoid Unpleasantness

At their modest little castle in Kent, Vera Sackcloth-Vest and her devoted husband Henry welcome a distinguished guest, the writer of very naughty books, Mr DH Lollipop.

Further details

The gardener Vera Sackcloth-Vest and her husband Henry are obliged to offer hospitality to the writer of very naughty books Mr D H Lollipop and his new flame, Venus Traduces - who formerly harboured a Sapphic passion for Vera.

The guests are accommodated in the dovecote as Henry will not have Lollipop in the house, in case the cook Mrs Gosling is exposed to impertinences. Vera is hoping that Lollipop will be able to improve her prose style, but instead he seems to take pleasure in trashing her garden and redesigning her study. Lollipop is intent on awakening Venus's blood consciousness but, alas, any educational impulse involving Venus is doomed to failure.

As Venus's passion for Lollipop begins to flag, she finds consolation with the gardener Gosling on the potting bench. Despite Henry's precautions, Mrs Gosling is exposed to Lollipop's impertinences, and the outcome is unexpected and inconvenient.

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 19th October 2012
Time
11:30am
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Miriam Margolyes Vera Sackcloth-Vest
Morwenna Banks Venus Traduces
Jonathan Coy Henry Mickleton
John Sessions DH Lollipop
Alison Steadman Mrs Gosling
Nigel Planer Gosling
Writing team
Sue Limb Writer
Production team
Jamie Rix Director
Jamie Rix Producer
Clive Brill Executive Producer

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