Phil Ellis is Trying: The Complete Series 1-3

Nov 10, 2024 12:47 PM

Author:Phil Ellis,Fraser Steele,Lolly Adefope,Johnny Vegas,Amy Gledhill,Phil Ellis

All 12 episodes of theanarchic radio sitcom about a man desperate to succeed in a world he doesn't understand

Phil's trying to keep his business afloat, and pay the rent. He's trying to get over his ex-wife, who divorced him three years ago. He's trying to be a better person. He's trying - boy, is he trying. He just needs a bit of a break (and a lot of luck) and things will surely start looking up...

Series 1 sees him going on a date with Ellie Evans, the florist next door; hosting an awards ceremony; organising a short-notice wedding (and falling in love with the bride) and getting a job as a takeaway delivery driver. Meanwhile, his assistant Lolly attends a funeral to take advantage of the free buffet, and comes to Johnny's aid when he gets trapped in a Dalek...

In Series 2, Phil tries to win a big cash prize in a pinball championship; accidentally joins a gym-based cult; discovers his Dad is not dead but living in his loft and goes undercover to investigate the mayor's philandering husband. It's a case Phil's desperate to crack - but will he like what he finds?

Finally, Series 3 finds Phil and Johnny embarking on a magical tour of the Cup A Soup factory, hosted by reclusive owner Billy Bonker. If only the other people on the tour weren't so set on getting themselves killed... Plus, Phil reconnects with his Dad (again), only to be disappointed (again); puts on a ghost walk - but has competition in the shape of Mick the Chinese herbalist; and faces the loss of his liberty and his reputation when he's accused of murdering a hipster...

Created and written by Phil Ellis (Edinburgh Award Panel Prize winner 2014) and Fraser Steele (I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, 8 Out Of Ten Cats), this madcap sitcom stars Phil Ellis as himself, Lolly Adefope as Lolly, Johnny Vegas as Johnny, Katia Kvinge as Ellie and Amy Gledhill as Polly. Among the special guest stars are Mick Ferry, Sean Lock, Alexei Sayle, Lee Mack, Desiree Burch, Mark Lamarr, Sindhu Vee and Jack Dee.

Production credits

Written by Phil Ellis and Fraser Steele

Produced by Sam Michell

A BBC Studios production

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5-26 June 2018 (Series 1), 13 August-3 September 2019 (Series 2), 9-30 September 2020 (Series 3)

Cast

Phil - Phil Ellis

Lolly - Lolly Adefope

Johnny - Johnny Vegas

Ellie/Leanne/Mrs Tailor/Tanning salon owner/Gemma/Martha/Barber/Goth - Katia Kvinge

Old man/Waiter/Geoff/Morgan Freeman/Doreen/Ikea assistant/Father Josh/Sid/A-J/Jamie the builder/Tom Baker/Barry Bean/J-Dawg/Al Pacino/Bingo caller Terry Levoux/Keith/Geoff/Klaus Von Flump/Mr Kipling/Prison warder McKay/Paul McCartney/Hannibal/German tourist/Gravedigger/Orlando/Jarvis Cocker- Terry Mynott

Mick the Chinese herbalist - Mick Ferry

Polly/Miss Ecuador - Amy Gledhill

Announcer/Bear owner/HQ/Follower/Steve - Sunil Patel

The Dragon - Sean Lock

Goodison - Alexei Sayle

Bobby Dazzler - Lee Mack

Dave - Andrew Ellis

Mayor of Parbold/American tourist - Desiree Burch

Captain Birdseye/Basher/Graham McCartney/DJ/Keith the barman - Jason Barnett

Billy Bonker - Mark Lamarr

Prosecutor - Sindhu Vee

Judge Shawshank - Jack Dee

Reviews

An unputdownable, utterly delightful stroll through British amateur theatre and why it has a vital place for us all

—— Shappi Khorsandi

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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