Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01 | The Finger Of Fate | 20021225 | 20180612 (BBC7) 20180616 (BBC7) 20200907 (BBC7) 20200908 (BBC7) 20200912 (BBC7) 20240404 (BBC7) 20240405 (BBC7) | Foggerty is a confirmed bachelor in search of peace and quiet, but fate has other plans in store for him in the rather large shape of Dolly Fortescue. Jonathan Coy stars as WS Gilbert in the first series of his short stories dramatised by Stephen Wyatt. WS Gilbert - Jonathan Coy Foggerty - Stephen Moore Dolly - Alison Steadman Guard - Martin Hyder Missionary - Ian Masters Playwright and humourist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best known for his comic opera collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan, which first captivated audiences across the English-speaking world in the late 19th century. Director: Sally Avens First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2002. Foggerty is a confirmed bachelor in search of peace and quiet, but fate has other plans. Confirmed bachelor Foggerty seeks peace, but fate has other plans for him in the form of Dolly Fortescue. Stars Stephen Moore. |
| 01 | 02 | An Elixir Of Love | 20030514 | 20180619 (BBC7) 20200914 (BBC7) 20200915 (BBC7) | When the Reverend Stanley Gay imposes his strong views on marriage on his flock with the help of a secret potion, there are unexpected results... The first series of short stories by WS Gilbert dramatised by Stephen Wyatt. CAST: W.S. Gilbert - Jonathan Coy Stanley Gay - Paul Downing Jessie Lightly - Cathy Sara Zorah - Gillian Goodman Sir Caractacus Lightly - Christopher Scott Grosvenor - John Fleming Playwright and humourist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best known for his comic opera collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan, which first captivated audiences across the English-speaking world in the late 19th century. Director: Sue Wilson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003. A reverend uses a novel method of redistributing wealth, with dire consequences. |
| 01 | 03 | The Burglar's Story | 20030521 | 20180626 (BBC7) 20200921 (BBC7) 20200922 (BBC7) | Theodore Belvawney's education is worth any sacrifice by his parents - who are petty crooks But his chosen career is cut abruptly short by a series of incidents even they could not have envisaged. The first series of short stories by WS Gilbert, dramatised by Stephen Wyatt. WS Gilbert - Jonathan Coy Theodore Belvawney - Michael Onslow Septimus Belvawney - John Webb Lucretia Belvawney - Anny Tobin John Davis - Stephen Boswell Stoneleigh - Kim Durham Belinda Stoneleigh - Alexandra Lilley Playwright and humourist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best known for his comic opera collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan. Director: Sue Wilson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2003. The son of a housebreaker learns the hard way that there is no honour among thieves. |
| 01 | 04 | Wide Awake | 20030528 | 20180703 (BBC7) 20200928 (BBC7) 20200929 (BBC7) | Eligible but gullible Harold Symperson boasts of his fortune, but needs to stay alert when looking for his soulmate... Series One of short stories by W.S. Gilbert dramatised by Stephen Wyatt. CAST: W.S. Gilbert - Jonathan Coy Harold Symperson - Richard Derrington Uncle Sparrow - Chris Emmett Georgiana Sparrow - Julia Hills Aunt Sparrow - Joanna Wake John Sparrow - Jamie Chapman James Sparrow - Tom George Playwright and humourist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best known for his comic opera collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan, which first captivated audiences across the English-speaking world in the late 19th century. Director: Sue Wilson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003. Eligible but gullible Harold Symperson needs to stay alert when looking for his soulmate. |
| 01 | 05 | Mr Foster's Good Fairy | 20030604 | 20180710 (BBC7) 20180714 (BBC7) 20201005 (BBC7) 20201006 (BBC7) | Confectioner, Cyril Foster harbours dark secrets from his past, until he's offered a most unlikely escape... Series one of short stories by W.S. Gilbert dramatised by Stephen Wyatt. CAST: W.S. Gilbert - Starring Jonathan Cyril Foster - Ian Brooker The Fairy - Sara Coward Jake - Lennox Greaves Samuel - David Bannerman Playwright and humourist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best known for his comic opera collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan, which first captivated audiences across the English-speaking world in the late 19th century. Director: Sue Wilson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003. Cyril Foster harbours dark secrets, but he is offered a way out in a most unlikely manner. |
| 02 | 01 | The Wedding March | 20181103 | 20181030 (BBC7) 20201123 (BBC7) 20201124 (BBC7) 20201128 (BBC7) | Things go from bad to worse on Woodpecker Tapping's wedding day. Everything that could go wrong, does. Jonathan Coy stars as WS Gilbert in the second series of his short stories dramatised by Stephen Wyatt. WS Gilbert - Jonathan Coy Woodpecker Tapping - Jason Chan Bapp - Paul Clarkson Leonara - Amy Shindler Bopaddy - John Rowe Anna Maria - Alex Tregear Old Poppytop - Sion Probert The Marchioness - Charlotte West-Oram Playwright and humourist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best known for his comic opera collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan, which first captivated audiences across the English-speaking world in the late 19th century. Director: Jenny Stephens First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004. Woodpecker Tapping's wedding day is ruined when his horse destroys a lady's hat. |
| 02 | 02 | A Sensation Novel | 20181106 | 20201130 (BBC7) 20201201 (BBC7) | Ebeneezer Fudge - writer of melodramatic sensation novels - is disturbed when his characters start coming to life and criticising his preposterous plots. Jonathan Coy stars as WS Gilbert in the second series of his short stories dramatised by Stephen Wyatt. WS Gilbert - Jonathan Coy Ebenezer Fudge - John Rowe Demon of Romance - Nicholas Boulton Lady Rockalda - Julia Hills Sir Ruthven Glenaloon - Hugh Dickson Herbert - Jason Chan Alice Grey - Wendy Baxter Playwright and humourist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best known for his comic opera collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan, which first captivated audiences across the English-speaking world in the late 19th century. Director: Jenny Stephens First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004. Ebenezer Fudge's literary characters come to life and critique his preposterous plots. |
| 02 | 03 | A Colossal Idea | 20041229 | 20181113 (BBC7) 20201207 (BBC7) 20201208 (BBC7) | On holiday with his wife in Margate, Mr Yellowboy claims to be preparing the 123rd edition of an encyclopaedia but his activities are not that innocent. Jonathan Coy stars as WS Gilbert in the second series of his short stories dramatised by Stephen Wyatt. WS Gilbert - Jonathan Coy Mrs Badger - Tina Gray Wellington Yellowboy - Tim Hudson Amelia - Bella Merlin Arabella - Sarah Hadland Jack - James Howard Playwright and humourist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best known for his comic opera collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan, which first captivated audiences across the English-speaking world in the late 19th century. Director: Jenny Stephens First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004. A retired grocer heads for Margate to become an author but all is not what it seems. |
| 02 | 04 | Tom Cobb Or Fortune's Toy | 20050105 | 20181120 (BBC7) 20201214 (BBC7) 20201215 (BBC7) | Tom Cobb is engaged to Matilda O'Fipp - but the course of true love never runs smooth. Jonathan Coy stars as WS Gilbert in the second series of his short stories dramatised by Stephen Wyatt. WS Gilbert - Jonathan Coy Tom Cobb - Bertie Carvel Matilda O'Fipp - Sarah Corbett Colonel O'Fipp - Stephen Hogan Tim Whipple - James Howard Caroline Effingham - Bella Merlin Bulstrode - Jason Chan Playwright and humourist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best known for his comic opera collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan, which first captivated audiences across the English-speaking world in the late 19th century. Director: Jenny Stephens First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004. Tale of a muddle over love and money. |
| 02 | 05 | The Realm Of Joy | 20050112 | 20181127 (BBC7) 20201221 (BBC7) 20201222 (BBC7) | A West End play causes such a scandal, that respectable Victorian theatregoers can't keep away. Jonathan Coy stars as WS Gilbert in the second series of his short stories dramatised by Stephen Wyatt. W.S. Gilbert - Jonathan Coy Jellybag - Alexander Delamere Quisby - Jeffrey Harmer Edgar - Tim Hudson Henrietta - Jilly Bond Joseph - Stephen Hogan Hebe - Bella Merlin Mrs. Spiff - Charlotte West-Oram Playwright and humourist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best known for his comic opera collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan, which first captivated audiences across the English-speaking world in the late 19th century. Director: Jenny Stephens First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2005. A play causes such a scandal, that respectable Victorian theatre-goers can't keep away. |