Author:Lynn Ferguson,Lynn Ferguson,Lewis MacLeod,Gabriel Quigley,Janet Brown,Full Cast
All 18 episodes of the BBC radio sitcom about a thirtysomething barmaid living on a tiny Scottish island
Irene Bruce spends her days pulling pints in Millport, the only town on the Isle of Cumbrae, a few miles off the west coast of Scotland. Frustrated and going nowhere fast, she yearns to escape to the mainland for a better life - or at least a bit of fun. Just over the water, there are clubs, cinemas and discos, so why is she stuck at home with tea, Scrabble and her boring sister Moira?
In these three series, Irene tries her hand at matchmaking, celebrates her 33rd birthday, faces a dilemma over a talking dog, and finds romance where she least expects it. And as Cumbrae is beset by strange events and emergencies - from a missing pensioner, to a threat to the local pub, to a media makeover that risks ruining the island's integrity - she keeps trying to leave town, and keeps being pulled back. But when push finally comes to shove, she's forced to consider where her heart really lies: on the mainland, or in Millport...
Written by and starring Lynn Ferguson (No Angels, Chicken Run) as Irene, this bittersweet comedy drama boasts an all-Scottish cast and a panoply of vibrant, eccentric characters. Comedian and impressionist Janet Brown plays Moira, with Lewis MacLeod (Dead Ringers, Spitting Image) as café owner Alberto and Robert the Dog.
Production credits
Written by Lynn Ferguson
Produced by Lucy Bacon
Music for series 2 & 3 arranged by Olly Fox
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 March-26 April 2000 (Series 1), 27 April-1 June 2001 (Series 2), 1 November-6 December 2002 (Series 3)
Cast
Irene - Lynn Ferguson
Moira/Agnes - Janet Brown
Alberto/Robert the Dog/Derek/Dieter/Ferryman/Dr Hume/Inspector/Morris/Mr Shetland/Mr Skye - Lewis MacLeod
Ena/Bunty/Betty/Diane/Fiona - Gabriel Quigley
Dougie - Matt Costello/Kenneth Bryans
DJ/Gordon/Minister/Lucian Highburgh-Conner/Mr Dunoon/Mr Orkney- Robert Paterson
Huberto/Mr Arran - Kenneth Bryans
Bob - Lewis MacLeod/Robert Paterson
©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
It's no mystery or secret how much I enjoy Lawrence Chaney.
—— RuPaulLawrence Chaney is queen of the one-liner and the funniest queen by a country mile. She has delivered the laughs a locked down nation needed in abundance. But there's much more to Chaney than her quick wit. Her vulnerability is also part of her natural gift.
—— VogueGorgeous, hugely talented, funny, charismatic, adorable, Chaney is a goddess and brings us joy.
—— Lorraine KellyIf you were obsessed with Lawrence when they were competing on Drag Race (and who wasn't?), you'll want to get yourself a copy asap
Hilarious... gives a fresh perspective on the autobiographical drag queen format. Lawrence shares some of her most intricate and personal stories, as well as her extremely professional opinion on various subjects such as concocting a drag name, mental health and dating.
—— Gay TimesOur fabulous queen has arrived. Go Lawrence!
—— Douglas Scott, author of Shuggie BainA candid look back at Lawrence's journey so far - their difficult childhood, marred by bullying; their painfully relatable coming out story; their journey towards better mental health. It's not all serious - there are hilarious, NSFW sex stories, insights into the Drag Race UK werk room, and a practical guide on how to become - as the title suggests - a drag superstar.
—— Pink NewsTackles everything from gender identity, the thrill of a wig and why Scottish talent is often overlooked.
—— i NewsFantastic... feisty, opinionated and honest.
—— Daily RecordFull of one-liners and charm, this cheery memoir comes complete with valuable life lessons and tricks of the trade. Absolutely fabulous fun.
—— Best MagazineWith sky-high wigs and pin-sharp wit, Lawrence is one of the UK's most loved drag acts. Here the season two winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK explains how humour is a lifesaver.
—— Daily ExpressA beautifully touching and thought provoking novel interspersed with Jenkins Reid's trademark wit and humour.
—— Essential Marbella MagazineMalibu Rising is as much an impressionistic whirl of neon sunsets, acid-wash denim and high-cut bikinis as it is a grand set piece about a glamorous party ... Jenkins Reid has an easy, breezy style that serves melodrama on a daring scale . . . Never has so much sex, tragedy, celebrity and tanned skin been crammed into one thinking person's beach read. It's 365 pages of pure exhilaration.
—— The TimesPerfect for whatever holiday you hopefully get to take this summer.
—— Irish IndependentA riveting, propulsive bookwith characters that stayed with me, not because they are complicated but because they are so vivid ... Full of warmth and tenderness ... Deliciously escapist, conjuring the sun and the sand.
—— i paperA gorgeous, sun-soaked novel that delves into the glamour and desperate hope of 1980s Malibu.
—— The SkinnyFast-paced and addictive, Reid's vivid world-building provides the ultimate in summer escapism. With touches of 1980s glamour and scandal, Malibu Rising is another thrilling read from a talented writer, sure to delight old fans, as well as winning her new ones.
—— IndependentPerfectly evoking the sun-drenched and debauched backdrop that made Daisy Jones and The Six so immersive ... Addictive and fun, it's an essential addition to your summer reading list.
—— StylistHot off the success of the immensely enjoyable 1970s band story Daisy Jones & The Six comes Taylor Jenkins Reid's latest, a superfun foray into the 1980s ... Delicious.
—— Sunday Telegraph, Novel of the WeekSimmering with sexual tension, this hugely enjoyable ensemble narrative turns on a raucous party.
—— Mail on SundayMalibu Rising is finely crafted commercial fiction, escapism in high definition, a quintessential beach read... If Nina Riva's party is the hottest ticket of the summer, then Malibu Rising is a front-row seat at the main event.
—— Irish TimesA gorgeous, sun-soaked novel that delves into the glamour and desperate hope of 1980s Malibu, and the saga of a family that will never be the same again.
—— The SkinnyThe perfect summer novel, a vibrant story filled with sun, surfing, and flawed but lovable characters.
—— Daily BeastAfter a year where most people stayed home, it's a great time to escape to the beach, even if only through Reid's writing.
—— IndependentThis glamourous, compulsive novel is best enjoyed from your sun lounger with a cocktail in hand.
—— Good HousekeepingA deliciously decadent tale of sex, tragedy, celebrity, surfboards and tanned skin in 1980s Malibu.
—— The TimesI absolutely loved her book.... It's an absolute blast to read
—— Alice- Azania JarvisJACKIE COLLINS, BUT BETTER Sacrilege to say "better", I know, but there we are. Set in the 1980s, Taylor Jenkins Reid's Malibu Rising is wonderfully written, intensely evocative and concerns the model/ surfer children of a rock star. Tons of glamour, tons of sharply observed insights about sibling relationships, plus a massive party. Beach read par excellence. See also her brilliant Daisy Jones & the Six, which is heaven (more rock stars).
—— AnonymousWhen we picked up Malibu Rising, the new novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, we could barely put it down
—— That's LifeYou'll never want this book to end, it will suck you in and spit you out!
—— Muddy Stilettos