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The Hancock Festival

Inspired by Somerset Maugham's pay packet, Tony becomes a writer. His friends are recruited to bring his dramatic offerings to life.

Between 1954 and 1959, 成人论坛 Radio recorded 102 episodes of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's comedy classic Hancock's Half Hour. The first modern sitcom, it made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Galton and Simpson on one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history. But 20 episodes of the show are missing from the 成人论坛 archives, and have not been heard since their original transmission nearly sixty years ago. Now, five of those episodes have been lovingly re-recorded in front of a live audience at the 成人论坛 Radio Theatre, featuring a stellar cast led by Kevin McNally as The Lad Himself.

Tonight's episode: The Hancock Festival. Inspired by Somerset Maugham's pay packet, Tony becomes a writer. His friends are recruited to bring his dramatic offerings to life.

Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, and with the classic score newly recorded by the 成人论坛 Concert Orchestra, the show stars Kevin McNally, Kevin Eldon, Simon Greenall, Robin Sebastian and Margaret Cabourn-Smith. The Hancock Festival was only ever broadcast once, in November 1954.

Produced by Ed Morrish and Neil Pearson.

2 months left to listen

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 3 Aug 2016 05:30

Clip

Credits

Role Contributor
Hancock Kevin McNally
Actor Kevin Eldon
Actor Simon Greenall
Actor Robin Sebastian
Actor Susy Kane
Writer Ray Galton
Writer Alan Simpson
Producer Ed Morrish
Producer Neil Pearson

Broadcasts

  • Fri 14 Nov 2014 11:30
  • Tue 26 Jul 2016 18:30
  • Tue 2 Aug 2016 07:30
  • Tue 2 Aug 2016 17:30
  • Tue 2 Aug 2016 22:00
  • Wed 3 Aug 2016 05:30

Classic Hancock Clips

A selection of memorable moments from the surviving episodes of Hancock's Half Hour.