The Break: The Complete Series 1-4 cover art

The Break: The Complete Series 1-4

A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama

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The Break: The Complete Series 1-4

By: James Hendrie, Ian Brown
Narrated by: Alison Steadman, Philip Jackson, Tom Palmer, Shobna Gulati, Rasmus Hardiker, Mark Benton, James Northcote
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About this listen

Philip Jackson, Tom Palmer and Alison Steadman star in this BBC Radio sitcom set in the fictional Yorkshire seaside town of Flamford

Welcome to Flamford, the town sanity forgot...

Edgy, sharp-tongued City burn-out Andy Chambers has been advised, for the sake of his health, to take a break from his stressful London lifestyle and get some rest. So he goes to stay with his estranged uncle, Jeff Whitaker, at his seaside home in Flamford - but, as he soon discovers, living with his relative is far from relaxing.

Good-natured and relentlessly cheerful, Jeff is determined to bring the recalcitrant Andy out of himself, so he leads him on an odyssey round town to meet the (somewhat eccentric) locals - including Jeff's on-off paramour, Pest Control Officer Corinne; Fish Shop Frank, who serves up saithe with a smile; loud, lovelorn Town Crier Peter Humfriss; chiselling pensioner Mr Truepenny and vicar-with-a-past, The Reverend Beverley.

As uncle and nephew embark on a series of comic, poignant adventures - from a quest for a proper roast dinner to a hunt for a poison-pen reviewer - can Jeff break down Andy's barriers, and persuade him to enjoy life, Flamford-style?

Created by Ian Brown and James Hendrie (My Family, Dial M for Pizza), this warm-hearted, quirky sitcom stars Tom Palmer and James Northcote as Andy and Philip Jackson as Jeff, with a stellar supporting cast including Alison Steadman, Mark Benton, Shobna Gulati and Rasmus Hardiker.

This comprehensive collection also includes nine in-depth interviews with the cast and crew, in which they chat to producer Gordon Kennedy about the making of The Break. These never-before-heard behind-the-scenes discussions are a must for fans of the series.

Cast

Andy Chambers - Tom Palmer/James Northcote

Jeff - Philip Jackson

Fish Shop Frank/Sid/PC Clark/Peter Humfriss/Michael/Brian/Brendan Liversedge/Johnny Hussey-Gore-Marshbanks - Mark Benton

Pest Control Officer Corinne/Joyce/Morag/Mrs Metcalfe/Mrs Truepenny/Mrs Steggles/Dr Coulson/Meg - Alison Steadman

Max/Leonard the Pirate/Derek Horrox the Mayor/Mr Truepenny/Alan/Frank 2/Glenn/Alfred/Phil Loynes/Sean/Psycho Pete/Dieter Schmidt - Rasmus Hardiker

Julie/Mira/Rev Bev/Liz/Carenza/Station Tannoy/Kerry/Steph/Sally/Bryony/Pam/Francesca/Kate/Marcia - Shobna Gulati

Chris - Gordon Kennedy

Written by Ian Brown and James Hendrie

Produced and directed by Gordon Kennedy

Studio Engineered and Edited by Leon Chambers

Production Manager: Sarah Tombling

Executive Producer: Chris Pye

An Absolutely Production for BBC Radio 4

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 May-4 July 2016 (Series 1), 14 May-18 June 2018 (Series 2), 10 June-15 July 2020 (Series 3), 10 June-15 July 2022 (Series 4)

©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Family Life Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Small Town & Rural Heartfelt Funny

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Critic reviews

"Enjoyably bonkers." (Irish Mail on Sunday)

All stars
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I have hundreds of audiobooks and this is a top-ten favourite. I bought this purely because of Philip Jackson. For me his name is a guarantee of quality - he has a midas touch. I love his work and he is a great picker. He definitely had his eye in when he signed up for The Break.

It has taken a couple of listens, but this is a very rich and layered story. The equilibrium between Jeff and Andy gently rocks - who is helping who? - and it is great to tune into this. But Mark Benton, Rasmus Hardiker, Alison Steadman and Shobna Gulati doing all the myriad voices? It is a layer of sparkling fairy dust that never, ever dissipates.

A final word on the very many interviews at the end. When I listened to these at the end of the latest Absolutely audiobook, I found them self-indulgent. I didn't think I'd listen to these. But after two listens I changed my mind and when listening to the series again subsequently, a great deal was added, not least by knowing that this was a show made with a lot of fun and mutual appreciation between the cast members. Even if I'm now listening actively to the ambient sounds, this has added a great deal to my enjoyment.

Six stars for peformances

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Listened to funnier comedies. This was passable because of Alison steadman and Philip Jackson and Mark Benton. Very typical of seaside setting. Could be anywhere. Some of the characters strayed into league of gentlemen but not as developed.

Good cast, quirky

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Love the absurdity of the people and their town.
A really good comedy with a fantastic cast.

The characters and location

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Loved the series, exceptional characters and production, funny and entertaining throughout, it can’t help but cheers you up with Jeff’s never ending optimism and see the best in everything and everyone, if I’m every feeling down this is my go to audio to make me feel happy, hope there is another soon.

The end part is pointless, 10 minutes is more then enough, but doesn’t distract from the overall production.

Always cheers me up.

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A stellar cast bring a myriad of memorable and amusing characters alive in the fictional coastal town of Flamford. I first listened to The Break on radio but this audiobook is worth repeat enjoyment so an excellent purchase.

Highly addictive BBC radio comedy

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