A Brief History of Timewasting: The Complete Series 1 and 2 cover art

A Brief History of Timewasting: The Complete Series 1 and 2

A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama

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A Brief History of Timewasting: The Complete Series 1 and 2

By: Linda Smith
Narrated by: Linda Smith, Jeremy Hardy, Margaret John, Femi Elufowoju Jr, Chris Neill, Martin Hyder, full cast
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About this listen

All 12 episodes of the sitcom written by and starring Linda Smith, featuring her eccentric East London escapades.

Linda Smith lives in her East London home, where her daily routine involves dozing through Thought for the Day, filing and cross-referencing the pizza leaflets that come through her door, and updating her limited edition 'Songbirds of Great Britain' porcelain collection. That is, when she's not managing the chaos caused by her flamboyant, sugar-loving live-in builder Chris; dealing with the demands of her morbid, crumbly boned Welsh neighbour Betty; or taking regular jaunts chauffeured by Worra, the philosophical Nigerian cabby.

In these two series, Linda falls foul of the dodgy East End mafia when she tries to get Betty's 'Jack the Ripper' letters authenticated; attempts to broker a peace deal between her builder and her neighbour; and has her laid-back lifestyle disrupted by an upturned whelk-shaped heritage centre. Plus, Betty gets involved with Ground Force, Chris finds fame on 999 Emergency and Sir Cliff the tortoise faces a bionic refit....

Full of her trademark deadpan observations and freewheeling flights of fancy, this witty, surreal series showcases Linda Smith's comedy genius and features a star cast including Chris Neill as Chris, Margaret John as Betty and Femi Elufowoju Jr as Worra.

Production credits

Written by and starring Linda Smith

Produced by Lucy Armitage and Jon Rolph

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 July-16 August 2001 (Series One), 4 June-9 July 2002 (Series Two)

Cast

Chris - Chris Neill

Betty - Margaret John

Worra - Femi Elufowoju Jr

Other parts played by Jeremy Hardy, Hattie Hayridge, Martin Hyder, Mark Steel and Rob Newman

Special guests: Rabbi Lionel Blue, Jenni Murray, Don Estelle, Dillie Keane, Kim Wall and Mia Soteriou

With Peter Donaldson as the radio announcer and Colin Sell at the piano.

©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Urban Witty Funny

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Critic reviews

"One of radio's most sorely missed talents...it's a real treat to hear both her writing and her voice again." (The Guardian)

All stars
Most relevant
Some of Linda's best work, followed by a brilliant tribute from her friends and family.

Who doesn't love Linda Smith?

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Wonderful that the entire series is available together on audible at last. Linda’s delivery, timing and flights of fancy are a joy. The silliness of her ideas takes you right back to her live shows - brilliant!

A sheer joy!

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I've waited years for this show to be available on Audible. It's brilliantly funny - a mix of sit com, observational humour, and the surreal. There's a lovely tribute to Linda Smith at the end as a bonus.

Worth the wait

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I loved this series when originally broadcast on Radio 4. Linda Smith’s humour and wit shine out. Her writing is so generous, giving all the characters poignant and funny lines. I only wish there were more and that Linda was still with us.

Forget Stephen Hawking

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I go back to this often. It lacks her bitingly well observed political satire in concentration, but it is a gem all itself with not a single minute without a laugh. The characters are wonderful and every idea is developed and progressed. I don't have a favourite episode or one I like less than others - it is simply enjoyable from start to finish. It is a fantastic reminder if her highly individual genius. I still find it sad that she's no longer here, even after all these years.

The brilliant Linda Smith

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