Scott Cherry Radio Plays
Scott Cherry is a well-known radio writer who has also acted in many productions, including Jonathan Myerson's series "Number 10", set in Downing St. He wrote the outstanding supernatural play "The Book of Shadows", broadcast in 1995, and has a wide range of other drama to his credit, including light comedy. He writes the Woman’s Hour Crime series 'A Small Town Murder' which has had five runs since 2008 and devised (with Gregory Evans) a fact-based play in 2010 called 'Tetherdown' about the inquiry about the Muswell Hill murder in 1896.
IVANHOE....2014
6 Jul 14: adaptation of Walter Scott's story, broadcast as a one-off in the Classic Serial slot. Story 2 of 3. Narrated by David Tennant. In 1194, after the failed Third Crusade, Richard I is reported to have been captured. Mark Bonnar, Henry Goodman, Christian Rodska, Laura Molyneaux, David Troughton, Sasha Behar, Will Adamsale, Nicholas Murchie, Nigel Cooke, Edward Max. Produced by Clive Brill. Indie (Pacificus).
THE FAIR MAID OF PERTH....2013
14 Apr 13: One-off story broadcast in the Classic Serial slot. By Walter Scott, dram. Scott Cherry. A beautiful glover's daughter is romantically pursued by a warmongering blacksmith, a poetising prince, a hot-headed clansman and a bumbling bonnet-maker in lawless 14th century Scotland. Catherine Glover ........ Morven Christie, Her father ........ Hugh Ross, Henry Smith ........ Bryan Larkin, King Robert ........ Clive Russell, The Earl of March ........ Kenneth Cranham, Oliver Proudfoot ........ Forbes Masson, Conachar ........ Callum O'Neil, Louise the Minstrel ........ Olivia Morgan, A citizen ........ Richard Hansell, Walter Scott ........ David Tennant. Ruth Wall sings and plays Gaelic Harp. Music composed and performed by Ross Hughes and Esben Tjalve. Produced by Clive Brill. Indie (Pacificus production).
A SMALL TOWN MURDER....2013
1-5 Apr: 15 Minute Drama - Series 5, ep. 1 of 5.
By Scott Cherry. A married woman is violently abducted from home. Family Liaison Officer DC Jackie Hartwell is tasked to support her husband, Martin - brother of a local drug lord. Producer - Clive Brill; Indie (Pacificus). Full BBC notes and details for the other episodes on the 2013 drama page.
JORROCKS'S JAUNTS AND JOLLITIES....2011
24 Apr 11: ep. 1 of 2, Classic Serial dramatized by Scott Cherry - who previously gave us somewhat irreverent versions of "Humphry Clinker" (Smollett) and "Mr Sponge's Sporting Tour" (Surtees) - once again turns his comic imagination and free inspiration to the recreation of the world of Jorrocks and Handley Cross. Jorrocks's Jaunts and Jollities - 'a noisy, vital, impertinent social satire full of zest and high spirits' - was published in 1838 to great acclaim and introduced Dickens to the style of bold comic writing he went on to make his own. This is a portrait of an innocent, naive England which is only just beginning to register the profound social changes brought on by the industrial revolution. It depicts an almost Shakespearian world-order where everyone happily occupies their place in the scheme of things....a world-order which we see being taken over and transformed by the grasping, shameless Victorian nouveau riche. We have here a gallery of unforgettable comic characters - and, at the programme's heart, a true Falstaff, in the irrepressible, loveable, indefatigable rogue that is John Jorrocks - fighting to preserve the English way of life he knows and loves. Cast: Jorrocks ..... Danny Webb, Nash ..... Clive Swift, Doleful ..... Charles Edwards, Miss Barnington ..... Rebecca Saire, Mello/Moonface ..... Gareth Armstrong, Julia Jorrocks ..... Emma Pierson, Muleygrubs ..... Christian Rodska, Pigg/Bray ..... Rob Hudson, Simpkins ..... Geoffrey Beevers, Barnington ..... Grant Gillespie. Producer: Clive Brill. Indie - Made by Pacificus Productions.
TETHERDOWN....2010
6 Aug 2010, rpt. 13 Aug 2012. By Scott Cherry and Gregory Evans. Afternoon drama: terrorism in London. 1896; in the well-heeled suburb of Muswell Hill, a retired engineer, is found tied up and beaten to death in his own home. Tetherdown (the name of the road where the murder took place) views these tragic events of over a century ago through the prism of the 20th century. Every character is based on a real person connected to the case.
DC Burrell ........ Nicholas Woodeson,
Inspector Marshall ........ Sean Baker,
Nutkins ........ Ben Crowe,
Emily ........ Alison Pettit,
Milsom ........ Tony Bell,
Fowler ........ Jude Akuwudike,
Judge ........ Ian Masters,
Producer ........ Marion Nancarrow.
THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHREY CLINKER....2008
By R.S.Surtees, dram. Scott Cherry.
MR. SPONGE'S SPORTING TOUR....2008
By R.S.Surtees, adapted by Scott Cherry. 2-part Classic Serial. BBC notes for episode 1: A picaresque romp following the fortunes of a man determined to better himself at the perpetual expense of others. Soapey Sponge stands accused of selling the same mad horse to a number of the most respected citizens of Laverick Wells. But who is duping whom? Judge ...... Clive Swift, Mr Reynolds ...... Paul Jesson, Mr Waffles ...... John McAndrews, Benjamin Buckram ...... Trevor Martin, Soapey Sponge ...... Rupert Evans, Lord Scamperdale ...... David Troughton, Mr Jawleyford ...... Philip Jackson, Mrs Jawleyford ...... Stella Mckusker, Amelia Jawleyford ...... Julie Cox, Jack Spraggon ....... Chris Emmett, Peter Leather ...... David Cardy, Spigot ...... Trevor Martin, Robert Foozle ...... John McAndrews. Violinist ...... Liz Menezes [Rptd Sat 9.00pm] . Produced by John Taylor. Indie. (Fiction Factory)
A PIN TO SEE THE PEEP SHOW....2007
Adaptation by Scott Cherry: 5-part serial, 5-9 Nov 07.
SUNNY SIDE UP....1999
Series of stories involving a barbershop quartet from Nottingham. Dave Sheasby wrote the second series of this in 2000.
BABBLEWICK HALL....1998
Series 2: Four more episodes.
04.09.98
11.09.98
18.09.98
25.09.98
THE TEENAGE DETECTIVE....1997
Ep. 1 of 5: 27 Jul 97. Rpt(?). A five-part drama. Life is sweet for Danny Blue, a sharp-suited detective from London, until heiress Pippa George arrives at his door. With Dexter Fletcher, Cathy Sara and Paula Jacobs. Director Sally Avens. (NB: Note that this is the serial billed, however on successive weeks, the following story is listed...)
(27-07 to 17-08-1997) Tales From The Bog End Road (Jenny McDade) With Claire Reid and Pamela Power. Director Sally Avens.
BABBLEWICK HALL....1995
Comedy series of 6 programmes, set in the 1700s. These have been repeated on Radio4 Extra.
Series 1:
27.12.95
03.01.96
10.01.96
17.01.96
24.01.96
31.01.96
THE BOOK OF SHADOWS....1995
Possibly the best tale of the supernatural I have heard on the radio [the other contender is The Stones of Muncaster Cathedral, by Robert Westall (q.v)]. It is stunning; frightening, terrific. Journalist Ellie Rogers is sent to Norfolk to investigate rumours of witchcraft. She witnesses some terrifying events. R4, 1430, 28 Oct 95. 90m. Richard Pearce, Maurice Denham, Christopher Scott, John Hartley, Terence Edmond, Sunny Ormonde, Jilly Bond, Janet Dale, Sandra James-Young, Andrew Branch, Gillian Goodman, Jenny Rogers, James Duke. Music composed by Anthea Gomez; producer Sue Wilson.
THE TEENAGE DETECTIVE....1994
5-part story broadcast on radio 5. See details in 1997 entry above.
SMART ALEC....1991
Humorous tale about the only upper-class child ever to be born to working-class parents. Susan Sheridan as young Alec, with John Hollis as the exasperated Dad. Thirty Minute Theatre, 14 May 91, 3pm.
- BBC info: 'Radio 4 is proud to present the dramatic life story of Alec Hopple, the miracle boy who shocked the world...' Featuring Rosemary Leach [Pat], John Hollis [Tom], Susan Sheridan [Young Alec] and Simon Russell Beale [Older Alec]. Narrated by Nigel Carrington. Producer: Peter Kavanagh.
THE LIST....1986
Afternoon Theatre, 18 Jun 86. Not to be confused with 'The List' by Nick Stafford, broadcast in May 1995 .
AN ENGLISHMAN'S HOME....1985
Afternoon Theatre. 5 Jun 85; Not to be confused with Ray Ball's play of the same title, broadcast 5 Dec 87 and 8 Apr 91.
ANYTHING FOR A GAME....1984
Thirty Minute Theatre. 3 Jul 84.
Nigel Deacon / Diversity website
