Author:Lawrie Wyman,Leslie Phillips,Jon Pertwee,Stephen Murray,Ronnie Barker,Full Cast
A 60th anniversary celebration of the much-loved nautical comedy, featuring six classic episodes plus bonus material
On 29 March 1959, The Navy Lark sailed the airwaves for the very first time. Starring Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee and Stephen Murray, with regular appearances from Ronnie Barker and Heather Chasen, it soon became a radio favourite and ran for 18 years – one of the longest-running BBC sitcoms.
This anniversary collection comprises six of the best episodes from the iconic series – Operation Fag End (5 April 1959), The Hank of Heather (17 May 1959), The Lighthouse Lark (29 January 1960), A Deliberate Bashing (19 April 1963), When Sub Lt Phillips Was at Dartmouth (29 October 1967) and The Jubilee Navy Lark (16 July 1977).
Bonus items include a mini-episode from The Light Entertainment Show; two crossover episodes from spin-off series The Embassy Lark: National Grumpschnog Week (12 April 1966) and Sub-Lt Phillips Drops In (16 April 1968), and a discussion from Bob Holness Presents: Farewell to the Paris, which sees Leslie Phillips and Jon Pertwee reminiscing about the making of The Navy Lark. So step aboard HMS Troutbridge for laughs ahoy!
PLEASE NOTE: The CD inlay makes reference to the programme Left Hand Down a Bit. This programme is not included in the collection.
‘Joan Of Arc really loves the cows she looks after for a living, so when those b*****d English put them to death by fire she's on the warpath. And she's going to save the whole of France as well. Dawn French plays the Maid of Orleans with a Jam and Jerusalem West Country accent and there are constant references to her large girth. She's in her comfort zone, but so are we…this play's comedy credentials are impeccable. But when events turn more serious, the sound effects conflict, trial and fire are full-on and genuinely moving.’
—— Radio Times , Radio TimesA brilliant book about singing… I have been talking to Nick Coleman about music, in person and in my head, for forty years now. [With Voices] you have the opportunity to hear what I have heard. I hope you take it
—— Nick Hornby , The BelieverA deeply personal hymn, aria, sea shanty and saloon bar serenade… Voices is not merely an elegantly written study of a parade of fabled artists, but a long, heartfelt song of gratitude. It’s well worth hearing.
—— Graeme Thomson , The Mail on SundayUnusual and affecting… An elegant, controlled writer whose curiosity is as engaging as his whooping passion.
—— Jane Graham , Big IssueExhilarating… Coleman hears better and more clearly with half an ear than the rest of us do in a lifetime with two.
—— Alexandra Coghlan , SpectatorNot just a gallery of pen portraits of [Nick Coleman's] favourite singers but an impassioned examination of why certain voices ‘speak’ to us… Like the best music criticism of yore, [Voices] tangentially covers the history of popular music… He’s enjoyably sniffy about Jagger; insightful on Joni… but mostly Voices believes in magic.
—— Chris Roberts , Classic RockA brilliant read.
—— James McNair , NationalA fantastic writer.
—— Lois Wilson , Mojo[Voices] will have you delving into your music collection with fresh thanks and renewed appreciation.
—— Duncan Fletcher , Shindig!Fans of all genres can dip in for thoughts on nearly everyone in the rock canon.
—— Helen Brown, **Books of the Year** , Daily Telegraph[Coleman] hears, listens, better with a quarter of an ear than most of us do with both. He has the knack of summing up a singer with an epigram that makes the listener thrill in agreement
—— The Wall Street JournalA lovely book. A love letter to George
—— Graham Norton, BBC1A touching and vivid nostalgia trip - with great photos
—— BestTop 50 gift picks for the book lovers in your life
—— The HeraldA fond look back at the Wham! star's life in the group that helped define Eighties pop
—— Choice MagazineWill no doubt appeal to the fanbase . . . Humorous and touching
—— Times Literary SupplementJoyful nostalgia
—— Daily ExpressAs 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 BleksleyOne of the most interesting feminist voices in popular culture
—— The Pool