Spangles ‘n’ Tights: A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama

A hilarious comedy about the struggles of a Dublin theatrical costumier

The show must go on!

Dublin-based Dessie (David Kelly) and Violet Doyle (Pauline McLynn) are trying to keep their theatrical costumier business afloat amidst drama, scandal and farce so brilliant it should be on stage itself. Attempting to embrace modern working practices, the pair find themselves in uproarious situations with a cast of colourful characters and multiple narrative threads…

Listen and laugh as the beleaguered couple embrace an offer from a local nun’s drama group which might help, if only they don’t get things mixed up with the Gaiety Theatre’s opera production… Things go from bad to worse when the costumiers are asked to dress a British Embassy pageant, and unwittingly become embroiled in a money-laundering scandal. Salvation may be on the cards if they can deliver some vintage army uniforms to an American movie set, but a resident ghost seems to have other ideas. And trouble is brewing when two rival clog troupes threaten to come to blows… How will Violet create a special cloak for Sir Walter Raleigh with all that racket going on?!

Pure radio comedy, Spangles ’n’ Tights is a fantastically hilarious, fast-paced farce. This perfectly turned-out series is an utterly charming listen, and will have you ab-sew-lutely in stitches.

Irish writer, theatre and TV director, Christopher Fitz-Simon is the author of Ballylenon, the long-running BBC comedy drama. He has written numerous broadcast plays, including a BBC Italia Prize entry (The Dead) and two RTE Italia Prize entries (for Vina and A Snowman in July), and several books, including the memoir Eleven Houses.

Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon Directed by Roland Jaquarello Music played by John Trotter

Pursued by a Bear Dessie Doyle - David Kelly Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly Sister Accumulata - Doreen Keogh Mr Hornibrooks - Mark Mulholland P.J Clohessy - Derry Power First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 Sept 1998

The Ambassador Dessie Doyle - David Kelly Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly Mr Bagshott - Bosco Hogan Polly Hoskins - Ali White Lady Bletchley - Sylvia Syms First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 Oct 1998

A Folk Song for Europe Dessie Doyle - David Kelly Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly Mona Scrummitt - Noreen Kershaw Mr Witherspoon - Dave Hill Belfast Woman - Maureen Dow First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 Oct 1998

Medieval Banquet Dessie Doyle - David Kelly Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly Fidelma Fitzpatrick - Roma Tomelty High King - Birdy Sweeney Cliona O'Sloothrahaun - Anna Byrne Cardinal Poggibonsi - John Keyes Court Jester - Paddy Scully First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 Oct 1998

The Movie Dessie Doyle - David Kelly Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly Mike - Dan Gordon Mouser Dolan - Kevin Flood Ron Berglas - Buddy Kowalski Gwynne McElveen - Starlet First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 Oct 1998

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Lydbog: 23. maj 2024