British Comedy Guide
Newfangle. Image shows from L to R: Alf (Hugh Bonneville), Crag (Gabriel Vick), Newfangle (Russell Tovey). Copyright: Above The Title Productions
Newfangle

Newfangle

  • Radio sitcom
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2009
  • 6 episodes (1 series)

Radio sitcom set hundreds of thousands of years ago. The comedy follows inventor Newfangle as he tries to alter his social position. Stars Russell Tovey, Maureen Lipman, Gabriel Vick, Hugh Bonneville, Pippa Evans and more.

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Key details

Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
2009
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
6 (1 series)
Stars
Russell Tovey, Maureen Lipman, Gabriel Vick, Hugh Bonneville, Pippa Evans, Amy Shindler and Steven Kynman
Writers
Adam Rosenthal and Viv Ambrose
Director
Adam Bromley
Producer
Adam Bromley
Company

Set hundreds of thousands of years ago among proto-humans, who are half-human, half-ape, Newfangle is a low status member of the tribe. He tries to alter his position through inventions such as language then, in later episodes, fire, money, warfare, religion and music. But the tribe remains selfish, foolish and venal and Alf, the alpha male, steals Newfangle's ideas to stay in power.

Coco, Newfangle's mother, despairs of her weedy son ever doing anything useful like ripping someone's face off, and places all her hopes in Crag, his half-brother.

Crag may not the brightest hominid in the swamp but at least he's loyal to Newfangle. Newfangle also remains hopeful that his love interest, Snaggle, may be impressed by one of his new creations.

Additional details

Production
Studio

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Monday 1st June 2009 at 11:30am on BBC Radio 4

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