Micky Flanagan: What Chance Change?

Nov 13, 2024 1:11 AM

Author:Micky Flanagan,Micky Flanagan

The complete BBC radio series of Micky Flanagan’s autobiographical comedy show – plus pilot episode

‘Excellent, funny and poignant’ Miranda Sawyer, The Observer

Based on his Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated show What Chance Change?, Micky Flanagan’s debut radio series combines brilliant stand-up with insightful behind-the-scenes interviews to tell the story of his life from the 1970s to the 2000s.

These five episodes chart the Cockney comedian’s progression from working-class Herbert to middle-class intellectual giant – and being awkwardly caught between both worlds. Via hilarious jokes and sharply-observed comic routines, Micky takes us from the mean streets of the East End to the leafy lanes of East Dulwich, outlining his rise to fame from Billingsgate fish porter to successful entertainer, from Sunblest to panini, tabloids to broadsheets and the street party to the dinner party. We hear how he left school without qualifications, ran away to New York to be an international lover and player, returned to education to become a teacher, and settled down with his wife and built his stand-up career.

Chatting to family, friends and special guests – including sociology professor Paul Willis, millionaire plumber Charlie Mullins, and fellow comedian Sean Lock – he considers how his upbringing shaped his identity, discusses the thorny issue of class and comedy, and explains how, over four decades, taking chances has changed his life.

Written and performed by Micky Flanagan

Produced by Tilusha Ghelani

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 6 January 2009 (pilot episode), 25 May-15 June 2010 (Series 1)

Reviews

Excellent, funny and poignant

—— Miranda Sawyer , The Observer

Landreth's charming book is both a cultural history of amateur theatre and a loving look at am-dram and its role in British life

—— Sarah Hughes , i

This funny and interesting book makes you yearn for a long-lost sense of community, and then realise it’s been there all along. Jenny Landreth, take an Am Dram style bow

—— John O’Farrell

Amateur is not a dirty word, but implies disinterested love, dedication and a clubbable, community feeling . . . Landreth reminds us, importantly, that the word amateur includes student and community theatre, vital seed corn and support to the professional world

—— Libby Purvis , The Times

With spot-on injections of humour and a frequently raised sardonic eyebrow, joy and warmth shine from this fascinating and funny book

—— Jo Brand

[An] honest account of the modest ambitions of most amateur theatre... entertaining... [and] her narrative feels completely authentic

—— Martin Vander Weyer , Spectator

[Landreth] affirms, overall, that we are a theatre-loving people. For that sentiment alone right now, it's worth shoving a copy of this under the Chancellor's door.

—— Dominic Cavendish , The Telegraph

An honest, educational and downright hilarious memoir. It’s a deeply affectionate look at a much-maligned bit of Britishness that we simply couldn't live without

—— Angela Barnes

A gorgeously funny, deeply affectionate and fully costumed swallow-dive into the great – and historic – amateur theatrical tradition. I loved it

—— Alistair Petrie

A hilarious, informative amdramoir – a love-letter to her father and a fascinating insight into the much maligned minority: the amateur

—— Doon Mackichan

Highly entertaining... [Landreth] has cleverly - and wittily - conflated memoir with the history of am-dram, its practical application and a close look at some of our most venerable companies."

—— Nick Smurthwaite , Sardines Magazine

I thoroughly enjoyed this beguiling ensemble of memoir, social history, interviews and manifesto, which tells the story of am-dram in Britain

—— Caroline Sanderson , Bookseller

A touching and vivid nostalgia trip - with great photos

—— Best

Top 50 gift picks for the book lovers in your life

—— The Herald

A fond look back at the Wham! star's life in the group that helped define Eighties pop

—— Choice Magazine

Will no doubt appeal to the fanbase . . . Humorous and touching

—— Times Literary Supplement

Joyful nostalgia

—— Daily Express

As a hard-nosed ex-detective, it was a source of much hilarity that I am such a Wham! fan but my copy of this is a prized possession

—— Peter Bleksley

A composer who can write as eloquently as he sings. A rare bird, indeed!

—— Leah Borromeo

With our new-found love of wildlife, this book promises to lift the spirits of not just bird enthusiasts, but nature lovers, too.

—— People's Friend

The exuberance of folk-singer Sam Lee's The Nightingale is irresistible

—— Bird Watching

A master storyteller

—— Guardian praise for Sam Lee's Singing with Nightingales

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