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Mark Steel's In Town: Series 1 & 2
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series
- Narrated by: Mark Steel
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
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Mark Steel's in Town: Series 3 & 4 Plus Edinburgh Special
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series
- By: Mark Steel
- Narrated by: Mark Steel
- Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins
- Original Recording
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In each episode of this BBC Radio 4 series, Mark Steel visits a UK town and researches its history, heritage and culture, after which he performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents. Mark's destinations in series 3 & 4 are Berwick-upon-Tweed; Holyhead; Basingstoke; Douglas on the Isle of Man; Bungay; Wigan; Whitehaven; Tobermory; Corby; Handsworth; Ottery St. Mary and Chipping Norton. There's also a special episode recorded at the Edinburgh Festival.
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Gets better every year
- By PT online on 14-09-16
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Mark Steel's in Town: Series 5 & 6
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series
- By: Mark Steel
- Narrated by: Mark Steel
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Original Recording
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In each episode of this BBC Radio 4 series, Mark Steel visits a UK town and researches its history, heritage and culture, after which he performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents. Mark's destinations in series 5 and 6 are Glastonbury, Derry/Londonderry, St. Davids, Southall, Birkenhead, Huddersfield, Melton Mowbray, Fleetwood, Shrewsbury, Barnard Castle and Saint Anne.
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best history lessons ever
- By M. CULLEN on 05-06-19
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Mark Steel's in Town: Series 7 & 8
- By: Mark Steel
- Narrated by: Mark Steel
- Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins
- Original Recording
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In each episode of this award-winning BBC Radio 4 series, comedian Mark Steel visits a UK town and researches its history, heritage and culture, after which he performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents. Mark's destinations in series 7 and 8 are: Stockport, Colchester, Hebden Bridge, Kingston upon Thames, Lynton and Lynmouth, Gibraltar, Bedford, Matlock and Matlock Bath, Inverness, Portishead, Hull and Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
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I always enjoy these
- By B.W. on 26-06-19
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The Lectures
- By: Mark Steel
- Narrated by: Mark Steel
- Length: 1 hr and 52 mins
- Original Recording
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"The subjects of this audio programme - Lord Byron, Aristotle, Billie Holiday and Che Guevara - are classic examples of the flawed, brilliant, courageous, slightly barking, but beautifully human characters from history that can inspire the rest of us, which you certainly won't get from looking at our current leaders. It's unlikely, for example, that anyone has ever said, 'The man who really inspires me is Jack Straw.'" (Mark Steel)
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Dont bother
- By Matthew on 08-09-12
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Andy Hamilton Sort of Remembers
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- By: Andy Hamilton
- Narrated by: Andy Hamilton
- Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
- Original Recording
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Andy Hamilton is a familiar and much-loved voice on Radio 4. With this collection he presents a collection of observations and reminiscences about both his personal life and his 40 years working in comedy. Andy looks at Childhood, Politics, The Human Body and Animals. Using comic observation and personal anecdotes he explores each theme, examining how much (or how little) things have changed in the 60-ish years he's been on this planet.
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Pure gold.
- By Mary Carnegie on 23-09-19
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The News Quiz: Through the Years
- Vintage Highlights from the Topical Radio 4 Comedy Panel Show
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Miles Jupp, Sandi Toksvig, Barry Norman, and others
- Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins
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A finely matured selection of episodes from the long-running topical Radio 4 panel show, chaired by Barry Norman, Barry Took, Simon Hoggart, Sandi Toksvig and Miles Jupp. These 14 archive editions, all published for the first time, span the decades from 1978 to 2017 and recall the headline-grabbing issues, incidents and individuals of yesteryear.
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Nostalgic Bliss
- By G Noble on 14-11-20
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Mark Steel's in Town: Series 3 & 4 Plus Edinburgh Special
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series
- By: Mark Steel
- Narrated by: Mark Steel
- Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In each episode of this BBC Radio 4 series, Mark Steel visits a UK town and researches its history, heritage and culture, after which he performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents. Mark's destinations in series 3 & 4 are Berwick-upon-Tweed; Holyhead; Basingstoke; Douglas on the Isle of Man; Bungay; Wigan; Whitehaven; Tobermory; Corby; Handsworth; Ottery St. Mary and Chipping Norton. There's also a special episode recorded at the Edinburgh Festival.
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Gets better every year
- By PT online on 14-09-16
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Mark Steel's in Town: Series 5 & 6
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series
- By: Mark Steel
- Narrated by: Mark Steel
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In each episode of this BBC Radio 4 series, Mark Steel visits a UK town and researches its history, heritage and culture, after which he performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents. Mark's destinations in series 5 and 6 are Glastonbury, Derry/Londonderry, St. Davids, Southall, Birkenhead, Huddersfield, Melton Mowbray, Fleetwood, Shrewsbury, Barnard Castle and Saint Anne.
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best history lessons ever
- By M. CULLEN on 05-06-19
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Mark Steel's in Town: Series 7 & 8
- By: Mark Steel
- Narrated by: Mark Steel
- Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
In each episode of this award-winning BBC Radio 4 series, comedian Mark Steel visits a UK town and researches its history, heritage and culture, after which he performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents. Mark's destinations in series 7 and 8 are: Stockport, Colchester, Hebden Bridge, Kingston upon Thames, Lynton and Lynmouth, Gibraltar, Bedford, Matlock and Matlock Bath, Inverness, Portishead, Hull and Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
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I always enjoy these
- By B.W. on 26-06-19
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The Lectures
- By: Mark Steel
- Narrated by: Mark Steel
- Length: 1 hr and 52 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"The subjects of this audio programme - Lord Byron, Aristotle, Billie Holiday and Che Guevara - are classic examples of the flawed, brilliant, courageous, slightly barking, but beautifully human characters from history that can inspire the rest of us, which you certainly won't get from looking at our current leaders. It's unlikely, for example, that anyone has ever said, 'The man who really inspires me is Jack Straw.'" (Mark Steel)
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Dont bother
- By Matthew on 08-09-12
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Andy Hamilton Sort of Remembers
- Series 1 and 2
- By: Andy Hamilton
- Narrated by: Andy Hamilton
- Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Andy Hamilton is a familiar and much-loved voice on Radio 4. With this collection he presents a collection of observations and reminiscences about both his personal life and his 40 years working in comedy. Andy looks at Childhood, Politics, The Human Body and Animals. Using comic observation and personal anecdotes he explores each theme, examining how much (or how little) things have changed in the 60-ish years he's been on this planet.
-
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Pure gold.
- By Mary Carnegie on 23-09-19
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The News Quiz: Through the Years
- Vintage Highlights from the Topical Radio 4 Comedy Panel Show
- By: BBC Radio Comedy
- Narrated by: Miles Jupp, Sandi Toksvig, Barry Norman, and others
- Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
A finely matured selection of episodes from the long-running topical Radio 4 panel show, chaired by Barry Norman, Barry Took, Simon Hoggart, Sandi Toksvig and Miles Jupp. These 14 archive editions, all published for the first time, span the decades from 1978 to 2017 and recall the headline-grabbing issues, incidents and individuals of yesteryear.
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Nostalgic Bliss
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In these 24 episodes, Tom Wrigglesworth phones home for his weekly check-in, giving us a funny, fascinating glimpse into his family background and the influences that have shaped his temperament, opinions and hang-ups. As the conversations unfold, Tom takes time out from the calls to explain the situation and his parents’ reactions, and relate various anecdotes from the past which illustrate his family's views. And sometimes he just needs to sound off about life’s everyday annoyances.
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Tom Wrigglesworth
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This audio download includes "How to be truly free", "How to have sex", "How to know your place", "How to stay alive for as long as you possibly can", "How to be an Adult" and "How to earn your place in Heaven".
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Hilariously funny social commentary from a master.
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- 12 Original Episodes from the Topical Radio 4 Comedy Panel Show
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For over 40 years The News Quiz has graced the Radio 4 airwaves with an irreverent sideways look at the headlines. Having first appeared in 1977, it boasts a tantalising archive of episodes to remind us of the news from yesteryear, refracted through the satirical gaze of regular panellists including Alan Coren, Andy Hamilton, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen and Jeremy Hardy. Among the many guest panellists featured here are Boris Johnson, Nigella Lawson, Jo Brand, Eddie Mair, John Sergeant, Linda Smith and Roy Hattersley.
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This is all very good but . . .
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In the first series, Armando Iannucci and his guests pull apart the news with a heady mix of topical comedy, messed-about archive, chat and outrageous fibs, recorded in front of a live studio audience. Across the complete six episodes, they start a new religion and update some Cockney rhyming slang, and as the strike by BBC workers starts to bite and the army steps in, we hear a debate on breastfeeding from 'Woman's Hour' hosted by Gunner-Sergeant Harry Donaldson of the 5th Norfolk Fusiliers.
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Great British surreal satire panel show
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Since 1977, The News Quiz has entertained the nation with its satirical take on contemporary events. In these three series from 2020, hosts Nish Kumar, Angela Barnes and Andy Zaltzman invite a panel of comedians and journalists to find the funny behind the headlines (a tricky task in this difficult year). Regular players including Mark Steel, Lucy Porter, Hugo Rifkind and Kerry Godliman rub shoulders with newer contestants such as Geoff Norcott, Sophie Duker, Sindhu Vee, Jess Fostekew, Daliso Chaponda and Athena Kugblenu.
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Marcus Brigstocke persuades his reluctant guests to try new experiences: things that they've perhaps always meant to try but haven't had the time, the courage or possibly the inclination. Enjoy hearing some famous names embrace new challenges, such as Phill Jupitus drinking absinthe, Mark Steel constructing flat-pack furniture, Esther Rantzen finally joining Facebook, Kelly Holmes trying her first deep-fried Mars bar, Giles Coren having a go at being vegan, and Frank Skinner getting a spray tan.
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Welcome to the all-encompassing Museum of Everything – feel free to take a wander round our infinite gallery of strange exhibits, stranger exhibitors, disgruntled guides and obsessed visitors. The items on display range from the Elgin Tiddlywinks to the birds and the bees, and you can learn about the history of wicker and the origins of scampi, enjoy a display featuring the worst-selling author of Victorian times, get inducted into the Mock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and discover the real identity of Jack the Ripper.
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In his fascinating and hilarious BBC Radio 4 stand-up show, comedian and quizzer Paul Sinha shines a light on the important historical moments that you never got taught at school and explains why so much of what you did learn is wrong. There will also, as ever, be puns.
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Good, but not great 4*
- By Nigel on 17-03-18
Summary
In each episode of this BBC Radio 4 series Mark Steel visits a UK town and researches its history, heritage and culture, after which he performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents.
Mark's destinations in Series 1 & 2 are Skipton; Boston; Lewes; Walsall; Merthyr Tydfil; Portland; Dartford; Wilmslow; Dumfries; Penzance; Gateshead and Kirkwall.
Duration: 6 hours approx.
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What listeners say about Mark Steel's In Town: Series 1 & 2
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- O. Fowler
- 20-11-16
Fun and moreish!
Mark Steele has the knack of getting to the heart of every community he visits. He teases affectionately about past and present absurdities, revealing surprising details about Britain and the British along the way. This series is the perfect accompaniment to boring motorway driving. Am buying the rest!
1 person found this helpful
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- SnapWriter
- 20-10-16
Great Fun and better than any anti-depressant…
Mark Steel’s in Town series are non-stop fun. Whimsical, intelligent, he mixes fact and humour in his trademark style. Please release his many lectures on historical characters, and the new Series 7 soon. Thank you.
1 person found this helpful
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- D. Radlett
- 26-06-16
Affectionate tourism
A lovely tour of British towns. Steel has a great rapport with his audience. The jokes are affectionate, almost as if the populus are taking a wry look at themselves. For those who like the political Steel - he's still there. But this is wonderful listening for anyone, especially those who have ever been strangers in a strange land. Also genuinely informative!&
1 person found this helpful
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- TRAVENS
- 29-11-20
Bonding local communities with their own history
Marks, inimitable style and ability to entertain in humorous fashion the inherent worth of local communities in a town or village is both entertaining as well as very, very funny. His research for each programme must have been enormous - bringing out facts and stories probably unknown toi most in the audience. He seems to draw out the need for local bonding and building local pride where they live and work and play. I hope these series carry on until every single TOWN & CITY has been visited!! Brilliant and classical. Proof is we can listen to them again and again and these programmes are still funny.
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- Chris Tarplee
- 11-10-19
He Steels it.
Very entertaining stuff. It's like being there in the theatre yourself, but cheaper. Nice one Mark.
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- John
- 12-12-17
Funny and insightful
Enjoyed this a lot. Interesting facts blended with comedy. So bought the series 3/4 and 5/6 too
1 person found this helpful
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- Mark
- 22-04-20
Insifhtful
Whitty and amazing insights to cities and life in Uk towns. Far better than a lonley planet guide.
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- Jeremy P
- 06-08-18
Paints a vivid picture
I love the Mark Steel's In Town series. They are both hilarious and enlightening.Steel paints a vivid picture of the towns he visits. Each town comes across as interesting, unique and a bit odd, which seems about right. Steel's delivery is spot on, and he seems to be a master of connecting with the live audiences at his performances.