British Comedy Guide
John Gordon Sinclair
The Recordist

The Recordist

  • Radio comedy drama
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2010
  • 1 episode

John Gordon Sinclair stars in this dark comedy about a surveillance expert who discovers his wife is having an affair. Stars John Gordon Sinclair, Sharon Horgan, Gemma Jones, Ed Weeks, Fergus Craig and more.

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Key details

Genre
Comedy Drama
Broadcast
2010
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
1
Stars
John Gordon Sinclair, Sharon Horgan, Gemma Jones, Ed Weeks, Fergus Craig, Nick Mohammed and Phyllida Nash
Writer
Sean Grundy
Director
Alison Crawford
Producer
Alison Crawford
Company

Stuart is a freelance surveillance expert who teaches "covert information gathering" to new intelligence recruits.

As part of his work he "bugs" friends and family, including his wife, Penny. When he discovers that she's having an affair with a man called Neil, his work colleague, Ren, offers her own skills in "enhanced interview techniques" to help, but Stuart declines.

He realises that the secret affair could make an engaging teaching aid. Initially, his students are slightly unsettled but very intrigued. The affair becomes the main focus of the curriculum, and the group study how to bug all manner of difficult situations, such as an impromptu hotel room, a car in a field, a busy nightclub and a hot-air balloon. But Penny feels terrible about the affair and, when Stuart discovers emotions deeply buried, things soon spiral out of control.

Additional details

Production
Studio

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Tuesday 18th May 2010 at 2:15pm on BBC Radio 4
Episode length
45 minutes
Most recent repeats
  • Friday 25th August 2017 at 9:15pm on Radio 4 Extra
  • Friday 25th August 2017 at 11:15am on Radio 4 Extra
  • Monday 26th October 2015 at 9:15pm on Radio 4 Extra

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