Listen free for 30 days
-
Gloomsbury
- The Complete Series 1-5 of the Hit BBC Radio 4 Comedy
- Narrated by: Miriam Margolyes, Alison Steadman, Nigel Planer, Roger Lloyd Pack, Morwenna Banks, Jonathan Coy, John Sessions, full cast
- Length: 13 hrs and 59 mins
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere: The Complete Series 1 and 2
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy
- By: Sue Limb
- Narrated by: Denise Coffey, full cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, and others
- Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An everyday story of towering genius, set in and around the Lakeland retreat of William and Dorothy Wordsmith. The Wordsmiths have not long settled in their sublime cottage when they are visited by the inebriate Samuel Tailor Cholericke and the lascivious Lord Biro, followed by numerous other romantically inclined writers and leech-pedlars who arrive at the door of Vole Cottage. Dorothy must manage the increasingly chaotic household (assisted by Stinking Iris) while William focuses on his latest masterpiece, 'The Withered Turnip'.
-
-
Hilarious from start to finish…
- By M. P. Davies on 01-09-20
-
Alison and Maud: The Complete Series 1 and 2
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy
- By: Sue Limb
- Narrated by: Denise Coffey, Full Cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sisters Alison and Maud are joint landladies of the Abbeyfield Guest House, dispensing hospitality to a variety of demanding clients while also looking after their irascible, bedridden father downstairs in the granny flat. Dreamy ornithologist Alison has just moved back from Bloomsbury, while Maud ran a 3,000-acre farm in Africa - but neither sibling is really up to the task of managing a B&B, and chaos generally ensues.
-
-
Simply charming
- By Isobel on 02-10-20
-
The Sit Crom
- The Complete BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series
- By: Sue Limb
- Narrated by: Alun Armstrong, Clive Merrison, Denise Coffey, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Autumn, 1646. The English Civil War is raging and there’s trouble ahead for Sir John and Lady Anne Firebasket. There’s a Roundhead platoon camping out in the barn, a perplexed priest hiding behind the panelling and, unbeknown to the Firebaskets, their scullery maid Mercy is actually a disguised aristocrat (and Royalist spy) named Melissa Fortescue-Bottomley.
-
-
Is this ‘comedy’ ?
- By Matt F-S on 29-09-20
-
Chambers: The Complete Series 1-3
- A BBC Radio 4 Legal Comedy Drama
- By: Clive Coleman
- Narrated by: Alex Lowe, David Harewood, full cast, and others
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
- Highlights
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
John Fuller-Carp, the Machiavellian head of chambers at Forecourt Buildings, is determined to become a QC and will perform almost any moral contortion to achieve his goal. When left-wing Ruth Quirke, rumoured to be a High Court judge's daughter, applies to join his chambers, Fuller-Carp's imagination goes into overdrive and promotion seems inevitable. However, his attempts to project a 'New Labour' image cut no ice with Ruth, and the two are soon at each other's throats.
-
Ballylenon: The Complete Series 1-8
- A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama
- By: Christopher Fitz-Simon
- Narrated by: Aine McCartney, Full Cast, Gerard Murphy, and others
- Length: 19 hrs and 50 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All eight series of the comedy drama series set in a Donegal town in the 1950s and '60s. Ireland in the '50s, and the days of mass tourism and indoor plumbing have not yet come to rural Co. Donegal. But in the small, sleepy town of Ballylenon, change is coming, and trouble is brewing. A power struggle is under way for control of the town, with two rival forces aligned against each other.
-
-
Gentle humour from the other end of the ferry
- By Mary Carnegie on 29-10-20
-
An Actor’s Life for Me: The Complete Series 1-3
- A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama
- By: Paul Mayhew-Archer
- Narrated by: Caroline Quentin, full cast, Gary Waldhorn, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aspiring actor Robert is always on the look out for work, and isn’t too fussy about what he takes. Chauffeur, prison performer, children’s TV, part-time teacher - he’ll take it all, and one day he’ll be famous. Maybe the next job will be his big breaK. From the writer behind The Vicar of Dibley, this lively comedy stars John Gordon Sinclair, Caroline Quentin, Gary Waldhorn and Gina McKee.
-
-
TV beckons
- By Al Hackett on 07-09-20
-
The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere: The Complete Series 1 and 2
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy
- By: Sue Limb
- Narrated by: Denise Coffey, full cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, and others
- Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An everyday story of towering genius, set in and around the Lakeland retreat of William and Dorothy Wordsmith. The Wordsmiths have not long settled in their sublime cottage when they are visited by the inebriate Samuel Tailor Cholericke and the lascivious Lord Biro, followed by numerous other romantically inclined writers and leech-pedlars who arrive at the door of Vole Cottage. Dorothy must manage the increasingly chaotic household (assisted by Stinking Iris) while William focuses on his latest masterpiece, 'The Withered Turnip'.
-
-
Hilarious from start to finish…
- By M. P. Davies on 01-09-20
-
Alison and Maud: The Complete Series 1 and 2
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy
- By: Sue Limb
- Narrated by: Denise Coffey, Full Cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sisters Alison and Maud are joint landladies of the Abbeyfield Guest House, dispensing hospitality to a variety of demanding clients while also looking after their irascible, bedridden father downstairs in the granny flat. Dreamy ornithologist Alison has just moved back from Bloomsbury, while Maud ran a 3,000-acre farm in Africa - but neither sibling is really up to the task of managing a B&B, and chaos generally ensues.
-
-
Simply charming
- By Isobel on 02-10-20
-
The Sit Crom
- The Complete BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series
- By: Sue Limb
- Narrated by: Alun Armstrong, Clive Merrison, Denise Coffey, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Autumn, 1646. The English Civil War is raging and there’s trouble ahead for Sir John and Lady Anne Firebasket. There’s a Roundhead platoon camping out in the barn, a perplexed priest hiding behind the panelling and, unbeknown to the Firebaskets, their scullery maid Mercy is actually a disguised aristocrat (and Royalist spy) named Melissa Fortescue-Bottomley.
-
-
Is this ‘comedy’ ?
- By Matt F-S on 29-09-20
-
Chambers: The Complete Series 1-3
- A BBC Radio 4 Legal Comedy Drama
- By: Clive Coleman
- Narrated by: Alex Lowe, David Harewood, full cast, and others
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
- Highlights
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
John Fuller-Carp, the Machiavellian head of chambers at Forecourt Buildings, is determined to become a QC and will perform almost any moral contortion to achieve his goal. When left-wing Ruth Quirke, rumoured to be a High Court judge's daughter, applies to join his chambers, Fuller-Carp's imagination goes into overdrive and promotion seems inevitable. However, his attempts to project a 'New Labour' image cut no ice with Ruth, and the two are soon at each other's throats.
-
Ballylenon: The Complete Series 1-8
- A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama
- By: Christopher Fitz-Simon
- Narrated by: Aine McCartney, Full Cast, Gerard Murphy, and others
- Length: 19 hrs and 50 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All eight series of the comedy drama series set in a Donegal town in the 1950s and '60s. Ireland in the '50s, and the days of mass tourism and indoor plumbing have not yet come to rural Co. Donegal. But in the small, sleepy town of Ballylenon, change is coming, and trouble is brewing. A power struggle is under way for control of the town, with two rival forces aligned against each other.
-
-
Gentle humour from the other end of the ferry
- By Mary Carnegie on 29-10-20
-
An Actor’s Life for Me: The Complete Series 1-3
- A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama
- By: Paul Mayhew-Archer
- Narrated by: Caroline Quentin, full cast, Gary Waldhorn, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aspiring actor Robert is always on the look out for work, and isn’t too fussy about what he takes. Chauffeur, prison performer, children’s TV, part-time teacher - he’ll take it all, and one day he’ll be famous. Maybe the next job will be his big breaK. From the writer behind The Vicar of Dibley, this lively comedy stars John Gordon Sinclair, Caroline Quentin, Gary Waldhorn and Gina McKee.
-
-
TV beckons
- By Al Hackett on 07-09-20
-
The Maltby Collection: The Complete Series 1-3
- By: David Nobbs
- Narrated by: Geoffrey Palmer, Julian Rhind-Tutt
- Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rod Millet has always dreamed of working at the Maltby Collection, but on being appointed Deputy Curator of Painting and Sculpture, it quickly becomes clear that the son of a self-made biscuit mogul isn't going to fit into the musty, insular world of London antiquities. But when, on his first day, Rod learns that the museum has been earmarked for closure, he starts a campaign to save it (threatening his boss Walter Brindle’s plans for a cushy early retirement). With the collection’s future secured, the staff turn their energies towards romance.
-
-
Excellent series.
- By Celia 22 on 27-07-20
-
Revolting People: The Complete Series 1-4
- The BBC Radio Comedy
- By: Andy Hamilton, Jay Tarses
- Narrated by: Andy Hamilton, Full Cast, James Fleet, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All four series of the hilarious historical sitcom set just before and during the American Revolution. Baltimore, 1770, and shopkeeper Samuel Oliphant has much to worry about. Storm clouds are gathering, business is bad and to make matters worse, he’s been forced to play host to two British soldiers. Hapless officer Captain Brimshaw is decent enough, but his fellow redcoat - the one-eyed, one-eared, one-armed and one-legged Sergeant McGurk - is a shameless rascal obsessed with money and sex.
-
-
classic radio comedy
- By Jolyon on 24-11-20
-
Up the Garden Path: The Complete Series 1-3
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy
- By: Sue Limb
- Narrated by: full cast, Imelda Staunton
- Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tumbling from one love entanglement to another, 30-something teacher Izzy Comyn has a predilection for inappropriate men. Over the three hilarious series of Up the Garden Path, Izzy, played by Imelda Staunton, deals with the complicated ups and downs of her attempts to find true love.
-
-
a very pleasant story and engaging characters
- By J. Simnett on 02-05-20
-
The Castle
- The Complete BBC Radio 4 Sitcom
- By: Kim Fuller, Paul Alexander, Nick Doody, and others
- Narrated by: James Fleet, Neil Dudgeon, Ingrid Oliver, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sir John Woodstock (James Fleet) is the Lord of the Castle and basically in charge of keeping order in the ramshackle medieval village. Although he hates all that torturing and usually lets the peasants off with a bit of community service. He lives in his huge but slightly falling down castle (but then it was built by the French, so what can one expect) with his daughter Anne (Martha Howe-Douglas) and very teenage son Henry (Steven Kynman). Anne’s best friend Charlotte (Ingrid Oliver) nearly always joins Anne on her constant quest to find fit men in the village.
-
-
Absolutely Brilliant
- By Lesley Goodman on 25-12-19
-
Rent: The Complete Series 1-4
- A BBC Radio Comedy Drama
- By: Lucy Flannery
- Narrated by: Barbara Flynn, Full Cast, Patrick Barlow
- Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Maria and Richard Reynolds are happily married, but broke. With debts piling up and their house falling down, there’s only one thing for it: they have to start taking in lodgers. Their new housemates are two equally cash-strapped students - Ruby, who’s conscientious and dedicated, and Paul, who finds academic pursuits more of a challenge.
-
-
Complete Joy
- By Colin McIntosh on 31-10-20
-
The Masterson Inheritance: Series 1-3 Plus Specials
- A BBC Radio Sketch Comedy
- By: Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence, Caroline Quentin, and others
- Narrated by: Caroline Quentin, Jim Sweeney, Josie Lawrence, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Based entirely on audience suggestions, this hysterically funny historical drama tells the thrilling extended story of an aristocratic family at war with itself. From ancient Rome to 1920s Hollywood, we follow the Mastersons’ turbulent history across the centuries as their fortunes wax and wane and their fates hang on objects as diverse and unlikely as a tumble dryer, a rabbit’s foot and a pair of Siamese twins.
-
-
Great improvisation.
- By stephen j moore on 28-07-20
-
Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful: The Complete Series 1-3
- A BBC Radio Full-Cast Comedy Drama
- By: Guy Jenkin, Jon Canter
- Narrated by: Martin Jarvis, Miriam Margolyes, Imelda Staunton, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Frustrated copy man Ken Handley cannot help but conceive of the world in advert form. Over three series witness Ken coping with a drunken boss, straight-laced colleagues and an overactive mind, as we follow his exploits and moral dilemmas in this advertising satire. Martin Jarvis stars as Ken, alongside a cast that includes Miriam Margolyes, Imelda Staunton, Christopher Godwin and Joss Ackland.
-
No Commitments: Series 1-5
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Rosemary Leach, Celia Imrie, Josie Lawrence, and others
- Length: 13 hrs and 57 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After years of looking after her elderly parents, Anna finds herself able, for the first time, to live her own life. She's enjoying simply being herself, with no responsibilities and no obligations. But her two younger sisters, Victoria and Charlotte, are concerned about her. Surely poor, unfulfilled Anna can't be happy without a partner or a family around? Determined to make an effort, they decide to draw her into their lives - and Anna's peaceful, commitment-free lifestyle soon disappears.
-
All Gas and Gaiters: Series 1 and 2
- A BBC Radio Ecclesiastical Comedy
- By: Pauline Devaney, Edwin Apps
- Narrated by: Derek Nimmo, Full Cast, John Barron, and others
- Length: 16 hrs and 13 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
TV’s first ecclesiastical comedy, All Gas and Gaiters was enjoyed by more than 10 million viewers on BBC One between 1966 and 1971. Written by husband-and-wife-team Pauline Devaney and Edwin Apps, it was so popular that a selection of scripts were revised and re-recorded for radio with the same star cast as the television series. Robertson Hare starred as the archdeacon of the fictional St Ogg’s Cathedral.
-
-
Really enjoyed this
- By Hes on 04-08-20
-
The Change
- A BBC Radio Sitcom: The Complete Series 1-3
- By: Jan Etherington, Gavin Petrie
- Narrated by: Lynda Bellingham, Chris Ellison, full cast, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Now that their children have left home, George and Carol finally have time for themselves again. Carol's looking forward to it being just the two of them. George, however, thinks the time is right to finally be honest with his wife - and introduces her to his alter ego Georgina....
-
-
this was very interesting
- By Amazon Customer on 24-08-20
-
Four Joneses and a Jenkins
- The Complete BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series
- By: Sue Limb
- Narrated by: Geoffrey Whitehead, Lisbeth Miles, Matthew Morgan, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We join them in September - the start of the farming year - as daughter Megan, a brainy 'plain Jane', sets her sights on Mr Bootle - only to find he's really just interested in birdwatching. December brings 'Goose-Feathering Night' - but Megan's determined to save Gudrun from a plucking. February finds her desperate to get into Oxford University but fearing rejection: could the creepy Mr Jenkins offer a solution?
-
-
Just be aware
- By Hes on 13-11-20
-
After Henry
- The Complete BBC Radio Series 1-4
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Benjamin Whitrow, full cast, Gerry Cowper, and others
- Length: 15 hrs and 38 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After the death of her GP husband, widow Sarah is battling to bring up her strong-willed 18-year-old daughter, Clare, hindered by her meddling mother, Eleanor. Living on the middle floor of the family home, with Clare downstairs and Eleanor upstairs, Sarah finds herself besieged from above and below as she tries to cope with the demands of both her mum and her daughter. Luckily, she finds solace at work, where her best friend and boss at Bygone Books, Russell, provides a sympathetic ear.
-
-
After H
- By Janbo127 on 16-06-20
Summary
Miriam Margolyes, Alison Steadman and Nigel Planer star in Sue Limb's comedy parodying the arty and adulterous adventures of the Bloomsbury Group.
A stellar cast, including Roger Lloyd-Pack, Morwenna Banks, Jonathan Coy and John Sessions, join in this affectionate send-up of the infamous Bloomsbury literary group, who dominated the English cultural scene in the early 20th century.
More from the same
What listeners say about Gloomsbury
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Starbuck
- 26-02-20
Hours of laughter
I bought this because of the talented cast and specifically the comedic talents of Miriam Margoyles and Alison Steadman! Farcical fun at its best, supremely suited to the audio medium. Cleverly written by Sue Limb. This would make a phenominal TV series, handled by the right director and cast. Miriam and Alison have to be in it. Penelope Keith, Imelda Staunton, Joanna Lumley and Miranda Richardson to name but a few would shine in a TV production. The series was a delight from beginning to end and has piqued my interest in finding out more about the actual Bloomsbury set. My only disappointment was the series ended.... Super value as the whole series 1-5 is available for 1 credit.
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- VHC
- 15-07-20
Brilliantly Clever and Hillarious
One of my very favourites from the BBC. Wonderful acting, fab, witty stories and characterisation. The literary references are so funny and the name changes make me giggle!! Sue Limb is a genius!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mr. A. J. Scott
- 08-11-20
An excellent, well observed, voice extravaganza.
propels you into an alternative version of the Bloomsbury group's day to day incompetencies. such outstanding voice acting. Alison Steadmans Virginia Woolf is joyous.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Scoobydoo
- 12-01-21
Superb literary comedy
Perfect from beginning to end. Hilarious and erudite in equal measure - as summed up in the names: Vera Sackcloth-Vest, D.H. Lollipop, Alice B. Topless, Ernest Hamming-Away, James Voice. Flawless performances from Miriam Margoles, Alison Steadman and Morwenna Banks. Having binged all 30 episodes over the course of a few weeks I am in mourning! But not quite - because it bears (and even rewards) repeated listening. Absolutely first rate!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mrs. W.
- 25-05-20
Gloomsbury
I thought it was hilarious-hope there will be more! The actors are brilliant and I couldn’t stop listening 😊👏🏻👏🏻
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 23-05-20
Great Entertainment
The first four series are as good as anything the comic master P G Wodehouse ever wrote. In the fifth series there is a change of mood when you really start to empathize with the characters, As with all good comedy you realise you aren't just laughing at the situation but that you love the characters involved. Sackclothe~Vest is magnificent as is Henry.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Robert R.
- 17-03-20
Should have quit with Series 4
The music in this is annoying beyond belief. The stories are entertaining, and the cast does wonders with the material they're given, but by Series 5 it just seemed to be filler and lacking in the particular brand of magic of the preceding parts. If you get a chance to buy the DVD of Alison Steadman in Abigail's Party, do so. It's a classic and she's fantastic.
1 person found this helpful