Christopher Douglas Radio Plays
Christopher Douglas is a well-known writer for radio and television.
Christopher Douglas plays Ed Reardon in the long-running Radio 4 series which he also co-writes. Ed Reardon’s Week won the Broadcasting Press Guild’s award for Best Radio Programme in 2005 and 2010. He also voices and co-writes the ill-chosen words of Dave Podmore, a Radio 4 regular since 2001 and previously a Guardian columnist. Other radio writing credits include three series of Beauty of Britain (starring Jocelyn Jee Esien), two series of Mastering the Universe with Dawn French, several dramas and a recent adaptation of New Grub Street. TV writing credits include three series of masterclasses hosted by Nicholas Craig (Nigel Planer). Books include a biography of D R Jardine; stage work includes Ed Reardon: A Writer’s Burden, An Evening with Nicholas Craig and Scout’s Honour.
BBC RADIO PLAYS:
NOTES ON SOME OF THE PLAYS
4 Jul 20: Saturday Play - Tristram Shandy: In Development
This was recorded under lockdown and produced under those difficult conditions by Gary Brown. By Christopher Douglas.
As for the radio play - we're in a radio drama studio , where a workshop and podcast are being recorded on the novel Tristram Shandy. It's an opportunity, says producer Philippa Lauriston, to discover a new way of making a radio play. The creative team also includes the actors who will play the novel's main characters. There is also a rumour that a famous actor will be joining them. What could possibly go wrong?
Jason.......Tim McInnerny,
Philippa...Monica Dolan,
Chris.........Christopher Douglas,
Rosie......Mina Anwar,
Clare.......Emily Pithon,
Johnny/Gary....Simon Greenall,
Roberta/Sam.........................Nicola Sanderson,
Producer.... Gary Brown. (This play won the Tinniswood Award in 2021)
28 Aug 16: Classic Serial slot: New Grub Street, 1
By George Gissing, ad. Christopher Douglas; 2 episodes. The play is set in 1880s London and concentrates on looking at two authors: one with artistic ambitions and one only interested in making money. George Gissing: Christopher Douglas, Edwin Reardon: Sam Alexander, Jasper Milvain: Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Amy/Edith: Emily Pithon, with Olivia Hallinan, Jonathan Keeble and Victoria Brazier. Produced by Gary Brown.
DOLLY ....2009
This play (R4, 1415, 16 Apr 09), by Christopher Douglas, was a dramatisation of the D'Oliveira Affair, which made national headlines almost forty years ago. D'Oliveira, from the South African slums, had worked his way up as a club cricketer and now made a living playing for Worcestershire. He was an exciting batsman and a talented medium-paced swing bowler. His form was so good that he eventually made the England team. In the late sixties he was selected to go on a winter tour of South Africa, which was still under the rule of apartheid.
However, the South African Prime Minister, Vorster, refused to recognise the English team because D'Oliveira was a 'Cape Coloured' - a player who would not be able to sit in the same railway carriages, attend the same functions, or drink in the same bars as his white English and South African counterparts. To the MCC's credit, in the face of such overt and disgusting racism, they called off the tour, and South Africa played no more test matches for about twenty years.
Dickie Bird, the world-famous umpire, was one of the first cricketers to go and coach black children in Soweto. He has strong views on apartheid. In Dickie's words, taken from his autobiography ....when I arrived at the venue...not a soul to be seen....then...they came over the hill....ragged, patched-up pants, no shoes....very different from the magnificent facilities enjoyed by their white counterparts. Even the practice pitches in Johannesburg were out of this world, and here were these black lads with not a cricket stump, bat or ball between them, turning up to play on waste ground....
In the play, D'Oliverira was played by Jude Akuwudike, his wife by Rakie Oyola, and Peter West by the author; the producer was Roland Jacquarello. The play was repeated in 2011, the year when D'Oliveira died. (ND, Diversity website review, Apr 2009)
DAVE PODMORE'S CRICKET FIX...2001-
Excellent comedy series about Dave Podmore, unsuccessful cricketer, and his pragmatic approach to making money out of the game... written by (and starring) Christopher Douglas. So far we've had about thirty episodes.
Nigel Deacon / Diversity website
These plays known to exist in VRPCC collections
Page updated Apr 2025
