Old Harry's Game
- Radio sitcom
- BBC Radio 4
- 1995 - 2012
- 46 episodes (7 series)
The radio sitcom from Hell - literally. Written by and starring Andy Hamilton as the underworld-weary Satan. Also features James Grout, Jimmy Mulville, Steven O'Donnell, Robert Duncan, Annette Crosbie and more.
- Series 3, Episode 3 repeated Monday at 11:30pm on Radio 4 Extra
Episode menu
Series 6, Episode 2 - Discoveries
Broadcast details
- Date
- Thursday 4th October 2007
- Time
- 11pm
- Channel
- BBC Radio 4
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
| Andy Hamilton | Satan |
| Jimmy Mulville | Thomas Crimp |
| Robert Duncan | Scumspawn |
| Annette Crosbie | Edith |
| Philip Pope | Ensemble Actor |
| Michael Fenton Stevens | Ensemble Actor |
| Felicity Montagu | Ensemble Actor |
| Andy Hamilton | Writer |
| Andy Hamilton | Director |
| Paul Mayhew-Archer | Producer |
Press
Old Harry's Game I regard as one of the best-written comedies around, sustained over its 12 years on the air by brilliant performances and production.
Its commentary on man's inhumanity to man, as Old Harry (more commonly known as the Devil) surveys it across the ages, is very funny indeed. It is satirical, philosophical, inventive, topical yet timeless. What's to dislike?
Could it be because last week's episode mentioned the Bible? This often upsets people. But look at the context: there's a new arrival in Hell, an academic, played by Annette Crosbie. She can't understand why she is there. Old Harry (Andy Hamilton) makes her an offer. He will investigate why if she writes a biography of him which tells the truth. He sees the truth as being favourable to him. She sees it as something arrived at by due historical process, the examination of evidence, the comparison of texts.
She asks for a Bible. Variants on biblical accounts, for instance of the Adam and Eve story, then ensue. I found them very funny. Is this to do with Christianity? I am a Christian, but still laughed my socks off.
Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 9th October 2007