STANLEY BAXTER ON RADIO 4 - 1965 to 2025: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please note - I have not edited this page fully - the NOTES contain slight elements of repetition in each entry and unexpected bursts of UPPER CASE letters; sorry about this, but manually editing all of it was a task too large to contemplate. I have also not removed the repeat details from the lists - in case collectors want to check their broadcast dates with mine. Including repeats, Stanley had 101 credits in Radio Times for radio 4. I am displaying this as a simple textfile because the formatting gets even worse if I process it with MS Word or similar. 2018-11-14, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 8 Melancholy Baby 2018-11-07, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 8 The Boy Who Ran Away from the Circus 2018-10-31, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 7 The Pool 2018-10-24, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 7 Two Desperate Men 2018-10-17, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 7 The Flying Scotsman 2018-10-10, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 7 The Leaving of Barra 2017-09-12, 23-00, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 6 Meg's Tale 2017-08-29, 23-00, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 6 The Showman 2017-08-22, 23-00, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 6 A Dish of Neapolitan 2016-12-21, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 8 Melancholy Baby 2016-12-14, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 8 The Boy Who Ran Away from the Circus 2016-01-15, 14-15, Afternoon Drama, Two Pipe Problems The House on the Marsh 2016-01-14, 14-15, Afternoon Drama, Two Pipe Problems I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends 2016-01-06, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 7 The Pool 2015-12-23, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 7 Two Desperate Men 2015-12-16, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 7 The Flying Scotsman 2015-12-09, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 7 The Leaving of Barra 2014-12-05, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 5 The Hat 2014-07-18, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 6 Meg's Tale 2014-07-11, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 6 The Showman 2014-07-04, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 6 A Dish of Neapolitan 2014-01-10, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 5 The Spider 2013-12-27, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 5 Hector's House of Windsor 2013-11-19, 14-15, Afternoon Drama, Two Pipe Problems The House on the Marsh 2013-11-18, 14-15, Afternoon Drama, Two Pipe Problems I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends 2013-04-22, 14-15, Afternoon Drama, Two Pipe Problems I Love a Lassie 2013-04-15, 14-15, Afternoon Drama, Two Pipe Problems A Rose by Any Other Name 2013-04-08, 14-15, Afternoon Drama, Two-Pipe Problem The Case of the Missing Meerschaum 2013-04-01, 14-15, Afternoon Drama, Two-Pipe Problem Here Doggie 2013-01-27, 19-15, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 5 The Spider 2013-01-20, 19-15, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 5 The Hat 2013-01-13, 19-15, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 5 Hector's House of Windsor 2012-11-14, 14-15, Afternoon Drama, Two Pipe Problems I Love a Lassie 2011-11-30, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse - Series 4 In the Name of the Wee Man 2011-11-23, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse - Series 4 Episode 2, Stanley Baxter and Rona Munro 2011-11-16, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse - Series 4 The Porter's Story, by Rona Munro. 2011-08-12, 14-15, Afternoon Drama - Two-Pipe Problems The Case of the Missing Meerschaum 2011-08-11, 14-15, Afternoon Drama - Two-Pipe Problems Here Doggie 2011-02-23, 14-15, Afternoon Drama - Two Pipe Problems Have You Come Far? 2011-02-22, 14-15, Afternoon Drama - Two Pipe Problems Episode 1 2010-10-01, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse - Series 4 In the Name of the Wee Man 2010-09-24, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse - Series 4 Episode 2 2010-09-17, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse - Series 4 The Porter's Story 2010-06-23, 14-15, Afternoon Drama - Two Pipe Problem 2010 The Memory Man Forgets 2010-06-22, 14-15, Afternoon Drama - Two Pipe Problem 2010 Right Old Charlie, by Michael Chaplin. 2010-01-28, 14-15, Afternoon Drama - Two-Pipe Problems The Trusty Valet and the Crusty Butler 2010-01-21, 14-15, Afternoon Drama - Two-Pipe Problems A Streetcar Named Revenge 2009-10-07, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 2 Flying Down to Greenock 2009-09-30, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 3 Fife Circle 2009-09-23, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 2 Pasta Alfreddo at Cafe Alessandro 2009-09-16, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 2 The King's Kilt 2009-06-25, 23-00, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 3 The Man in the Garden 2009-06-18, 23-00, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 3 Astonishing Archie 2009-04-28, 14-15, Afternoon Drama, Two Pipe Problems Have You Come Far? 2009-04-27, 14-15, Afternoon Drama, Two Pipe Problems Episode 1 2009-04-10, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 3 The Man in the Garden 2009-04-03, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 3 Fife Circle 2009-03-27, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 3 Astonishing Archie 2008-08-12, 14-15, Afternoon Play, Two-Pipe Problems Plays by Michael Chaplin 2008-08-11, 14-15, Afternoon Play, Two-Pipe Problems Plays by Michael Chaplin 2008-01-21, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, 3/3. Flying Down 2008-01-14, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, 2/3. Pasta Alfr 2008-01-07, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, 1, /3. The King 2007-12-31, 14-15, Afternoon Play, Tortoise 2007-10-07, 19-45, Jimmy Swan the Joy Traveller, 5/5. Vitalising the High Street. 2007-09-24, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, 4/4. Wheeling Them in. 2007-09-23, 19-45, Jimmy Swan the Joy Traveller, 4/5. Dignity. 2007-09-17, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, 3/4. Mortal Memories. 2007-09-16, 19-45, Jimmy Swan the Joy Traveller, 3/5. The Fatal Clock. 2007-09-10, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, 2/4. Charlie and Sylvia. 2007-09-09, 19-45, Jimmy Swan the Joy Traveller, 2/5. On the Road. 2007-09-03, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, 1/4. Cold Call. By David Holt. 2007-09-02, 19-45, Jimmy Swan the Joy Traveller, 1/5. Stars to Push. 2007-07-23, 14-15, Afternoon Play, A Two Pipe Problem 2006-08-23, 18-30, Stanley at 80, Arnold Brown looks at Stanley Baxter's career 2006-07-03, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, 4/4. Wheeling Them in 2006-06-26, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, 3/4. Mortal Memories 2006-06-19, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, 2/4. First Impressions 2006-06-12, 11-30, The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, New series 1/4. Cold Call. Gordon Mackenzie is a wealthy pensi 2006-06-06, 11-30, Stanley at 80 2006-04-28, 15-30, Jimmy Swan the Joy Traveller, 5/5. Vitalising the High Street. 2006-04-27, 15-30, Jimmy Swan the Joy Traveller, 4/5. Dignity. 2006-04-26, 15-30, Jimmy Swan the Joy Traveller, 3/5. The Fatal Clock. 2006-04-25, 15-30, Jimmy Swan. the Joy Traveller, 2/5. On the Road. 2006-04-24, 15-30, Jimmy Swan the Joy Traveller, 1/5. Stars to Push. 2004-09-02, 18-30, Stanley Baxter and Friends, 3/3. A Brush with Change. 2004-08-26, 18-30, Stanley Baxter and Friends, 2/3. Medium Rare. 2004-08-19, 18-30, Stanley Baxter and Friends, 1/3 A rpt. of three comic plays 2004-01-21, 11-30, Stanley Baxter and Friends, 4/4 All Locals Great and Small. 2004-01-14, 11-30, Stanley Baxter and Friends, 3/4. The Making of "Cavalier" 2004-01-07, 11-30, Stanley Baxter and Friends, 2/4. A series of four comic plays featuring Stanley Baxter. 2003-12-31, 11-30, Stanley Baxter and Friends, New series of four comic plays 1980-03-03, 18-30, Frank Muir Goes into .. 1975-03-26, 19-30, Celebration, The Impersonators 1972-08-29, 18-15, There was an English-man an Irishman and a Scotsman 1970-02-02, 12-25, Desert Island Discs, Stanley Baxter 1970-01-31, 19-00, Desert Island Discs, Stanley Baxter 1969-12-26, 09-40, Phil The Fluter, Excerpts from the LP 1969-07-31, 19-00, DOCTOR AT LARGE 1969-07-29, 12-25, DOCTOR AT LARGE 1969-04-29, 12-30, WHAT'S SO FUNNY ABOUT SHOW BUSINESS? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2018-11-14, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 8,Melancholy Baby A lonely old gentleman receives an unexpected visitor and hears a story which changes his life. Stanley Baxter is joined by Geoffrey Palmer, Penelope Wilton and Tracy Wiles to tell a heartwarming story of two babies from very different backgrounds whose lives become forever linked by events in Glasgow ninety years ago. The play is written especially for Stanley Baxter by award winning TV writer Michael Chaplin. Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey).Show less AndrewStanley Baxter CharlesGeoffrey Palmer MaryTracy Wiles RosalindPenelope Wilton ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2018-11-07, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 8,The Boy Who Ran Away from the Circus On a Glasgow rooftop, a former Circus trapeze artist and a sad and misunderstood young man become connected by circumstance and a shared experience of life, as each tells his story. TV sitcom star Scott Hoatson joins Stanley Baxter in another story written especially for him by award winning TV writer Michael Chaplin. The play was recorded on Stanley's 90th birthday earlier this year, marking 77 years of his work in broadcasting. Cast: Tam ..... Stanley Baxter Robbie ... Scott Hoatson Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey) TamStanley Baxter RobbieScott Hoatson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2018-10-31, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 7,The Pool Set on one of Scotland's most famous salmon fishing rivers, we meet two old men with a shared love of the art of fishing and a shared past which haunts them both. Geoffrey Palmer joins Stanley Baxter on the edge of a famous salmon pool in Scotland, on a cold wintry day. Written by Michael Chaplin Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey).Show less TamStanley Baxter JolyonGeoffrey Palmer ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2018-10-24, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 7,Two Desperate Men Inspired by a story by O. Henry, we travel to Perthshire in the days when the streets had more horses than horsepower. We encounter two 1930s tricksters who get their just deserts when they attempt to kidnap and hold to ransom a young lad who's learned a thing or two from the Wild West. Stanley Baxter and Joe Caffrey are those two desperate men and young member of the Royal Lyceum Youth Theatre Tom Borley is the lad who gets the better of them in this classic screwball comedy. Written by Colin MacDonald Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey).Show less HughieStanley Baxter BillJoe Caffrey LoganTom Borley ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2018-10-17, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 7,The Flying Scotsman A whodunnit set on the great Flying Scotsman in the days of steam. A rookie Detective Constable and a world weary Detective Inspector combine forces with a recalcitrant train guard to solve a murder and expose Soho gangland supremo Mickey Two Eyes and his side kick Legs Leona. Stanley Baxter is the guard who rules over the passengers and the timetable with a rod of iron, and he's joined by Beth Marshall and David Mara as Scotland Yard's finest and Cathy Sara as a passenger with a secret. Cast: Train Guard..................Stanley Baxter DI Ross.........................David Mara DC Sarah McLeod.........Beth Marshall Lil.................................Cathy Sara Written by Rona Munro Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey)Show less Train GuardStanley Baxter DI RossDavid Mara DC Sarah McLeodBeth Marshall LilCathy Sara ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2018-10-10, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 7,The Leaving of Barra As an old man prepares to leave the Island of Barra forever, he remembers the love of his life. With June Watson. From 2015.Show more John AndersonStanley Baxter Peggy AndersonJune Watson Young JohnScott Hoatson PC MacraeScott Hoatson Young PeggySamara MacLaren MaryTracy Wiles ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2017-09-12, 23-00 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 6,Meg's Tale We hear how Robert Burns discovered the real story of Tam O'Shanter's big night out at Alloway Kirk - from the point of view of a young barmaid called Norah and her Aunty Meg, who finds herself the victim of a spell malfunction, becoming the horse whom Burns made famous in Tam O'Shanter. Stanley Baxter was born in 1926 and began working for the BBC Scottish Home Service Radio Children's Hour when he was fourteen - in 1940. He was called up to do National Service at the age of eighteen and returned to perform on BBC Radio in Scotland in 1948 - continuing to do so in the 1950s with a variety of live comedy shows. He then went into films and ultimately into television - but he has continued to work in radio throughout his career. In the week of his 88th Birthday and in the year of his 75th anniversary as a radio performer, we recorded the latest productions in the much loved, long running Radio 4 series The Stanley Baxter Playhouse. Written by Rona Munro Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). Burns ................... Stanley Baxter Meg ................... Maureen Beattie Norah ................... Tracy Wiles Tam ................... Stuart McQuarrie Producer ................... Catherine Bailey ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2017-08-29, 23-00 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 6,The Showman In the year of our lord 1561, Mary Queen Of Scots and the protestant reformer John Knox clash in Edinburgh's old town over a harmless entertainment involving a wayward troupe of Scots comedians and song and dance acts - led by none other than a sixteen century thespian who could easily have been Stanley Baxter's ancestor. It's Murdo, the man with a fan club as big as the Royal Mile and leading light of a visiting troupe of players, Murdo and his Merry May Dancers. Stanley Baxter was born in 1926 and began working for the BBC Scottish Home Service Radio Children's Hour when he was fourteen - in 1940. He was called up to do National Service at the age of eighteen and returned to perform on BBC Radio in Scotland in 1948 - continuing to do so in the 1950s with a variety of live comedy shows. He then went into films and ultimately into television - but he has continued to work in radio throughout his career. In the week of his 88th Birthday and in the year of his 75th anniversary as a radio performer, we recorded the latest productions in the much loved, long running Radio 4 series The Stanley Baxter Playhouse. Indie (Catherine Bailey). Murdo Fletcher ................... Stanley Baxter John Knox ................... Stuart McQuarrie Dougie ................... Stuart McQuarrie Mary Queen of Scots ................... Tracy Wiles Margaret ................... Tracy Wiles Chronicler ................... Hugh Ross Lord Melville ................... Hugh Ross Director ................... Marilyn Imrie Producer ................... Catherine Bailey ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2017-08-22, 23-00 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 6,A Dish of Neapolitan An Old Army colonel and his one time batman reunite after many years at the scene of their greatest glories on the Italian front in World War Two. Many secrets are revealed and a new friendship is forged as they conspire to win back what they perceive as rightfully belonging to their old regiment. Stanley Baxter was born in 1926 and began working for the BBC Scottish Home Service Radio Children's Hour when he was fourteen - in 1940. He was called up to do National Service at the age of eighteen and returned to perform on BBC Radio in Scotland in 1948 - continuing to do so in the 1950s with a variety of live comedy shows. He then went into films and ultimately into television - but he has continued to work in radio throughout his career. In the week of his 88th Birthday and in the year of his 75th anniversary as a radio performer, we recorded the latest productions in the much loved, long running Radio 4 series The Stanley Baxter Playhouse. Written by Michael Chaplin Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). Archie ................... Stanley Baxter Charles ................... Geoffrey Palmer Luca (Waiter) ................... Alex Madia Arturo (Launch Driver) ................... Alex Madia Museum Attendant ................... Lara Parmiani ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2016-12-21, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 8,Melancholy Baby A lonely old gentleman receives an unexpected visitor and hears a story which changes his life. Stanley Baxter is joined by Geoffrey Palmer, Penelope Wilton and Tracy Wiles to tell a heartwarming story of two babies from very different backgrounds whose lives become forever linked by events in Glasgow ninety years ago. The play is written especially for Stanley Baxter by award winning TV writer Michael Chaplin. Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). Andrew ................... Stanley Baxter Charles ................... Geoffrey Palmer Mary ................... Tracy Wiles Rosalind ................... Penelope Wilton ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2016-12-14, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 8,The Boy Who Ran Away from the Circus On a Glasgow rooftop, a former Circus trapeze artist and a sad and misunderstood young man become connected by circumstance and a shared experience of life, as each tells his story. TV sitcom star Scott Hoatson joins Stanley Baxter in another story written especially for him by award winning TV writer Michael Chaplin. The play was recorded on Stanley's 90th birthday earlier this year, marking 77 years of his work in broadcasting. Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). Tam ................... Stanley Baxter Robbie ................... Scott Hoatson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2016-01-15, 14-15 Afternoon Drama Two Pipe Problems,The House on the Marsh In this final Two Pipe Problem, William and Sandy travel to a windswept wintry Suffolk in search of William's inheritance, where they are haunted by ghosts from the past and threats from the present, and William makes a life changing decision about his future. This week marks the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten, and his opera Peter Grimes is woven into this final episode of Two Pipe Problems. The opera is set in Aldeburgh, on the Suffolk coast from which Britten drew so much inspiration. Writer Michael Chaplin was inspired to create a story that drew on that landscape and the creation of Peter Grimes, but also paid homage to the genius of MR James' ghost story, Oh Whistle And I'll Come You, My Lad. Stanley Baxter is once again joined by Geoffrey Palmer playing William, and Stephen Critchlow and Linda Broughton playing a mother and son who bear a grudge, in this haunting story - an entertaining and touching farewell to the series. Directed by Marilyn Imrie Producer: Catherine Bailey Indie (Catherine Bailey). Sandy Boyle ................... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ................... Geoffrey Palmer Ellen ................... Linda Broughton Jeremy (Policeman) ................... Stephen Critchlow ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2016-01-14, 14-15 Afternoon Drama Two Pipe Problems,I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends By Michael Chaplin. Following the sad death of Richard Briers earlier this year, in the first of these two final episodes of Two Pipe Problems, Stanley Baxter as Sandy is joined by Geoffrey Palmer as his friend and fellow sleuth William Parnes. A new chef is in the kitchen at The Old Beeches and he's cooking up a storm and delighting the residents, with Sandy as his willing and enthusiastic sous-chef. But things begin to go badly wrong after a visiting concert party sing a Beatles song which triggers unhappy memories for Albie the Chef (played by the late Felix Dexter). William and Sandy go in search of Albie and his son, and a successful father and son reunion is celebrated in song. Young Terrell Forde, who recently starred in Matilda in the West End, joins the company to play and sing the role of Albie's son, accompanied by David Shaw-Parker as his step dad, David Holt as memory man Billy, and Tracey Wiles as the warm hearted Old Beeches care assistant Karen. Cast: Sandy Boyle .......................Stanley Baxter William Parnes ...................Geoffrey Palmer Albie ...................................Felix Dexter Karen/ Sadie ......................Tracy Wiles Billy ....................................David Holt Edgar/ Lewis ......................David Shaw-Parker Jonathan ............................Terrell Forde Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). Sandy Boyle ................... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ................... Geoffrey Palmer Ellen ................... Linda Broughton Jeremy (Policeman) ................... Stephen Critchlow Director ................... Marilyn Imrie Producer ................... Catherine Bailey Writer ................... Michael Chaplin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2016-01-06, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 7,The Pool Set on one of Scotland's most famous salmon fishing rivers, we meet two old men with a shared love of the art of fishing and a shared past which haunts them both. Geoffrey Palmer joins Stanley Baxter on the edge of a famous salmon pool in Scotland, on a cold wintry day. Written by Michael Chaplin Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). Tam ................... Stanley Baxter Jolyon ................... Geoffrey Palmer Director ................... Marilyn Imrie Producer ................... Catherine Bailey Writer ................... Michael Chaplin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2015-12-23, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 7,Two Desperate Men Inspired by a story by O. Henry, we travel to Perthshire in the days when the streets had more horses than horsepower. We encounter two 1930s tricksters who get their just deserts when they attempt to kidnap and hold to ransom a young lad who's learned a thing or two from the Wild West. Stanley Baxter and Joe Caffrey are those two desperate men and young member of the Royal Lyceum Youth Theatre Tom Borley is the lad who gets the better of them in this classic screwball comedy. Written by Colin MacDonald Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). Hughie ................... Stanley Baxter Bill ................... Joe Caffrey Logan ................... Tom Borley Director ................... Marilyn Imrie Producer ................... Catherine Bailey Writer ................... Colin MacDonald ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2015-12-16, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 7,The Flying Scotsman A whodunnit set on the great Flying Scotsman in the days of steam. A rookie Detective Constable and a world weary Detective Inspector combine forces with a recalcitrant train guard to solve a murder and expose Soho gangland supremo Mickey Two Eyes and his side kick Legs Leona. Stanley Baxter is the guard who rules over the passengers and the timetable with a rod of iron, and he's joined by Beth Marshall and David Mara as Scotland Yard's finest and Cathy Sara as a passenger with a secret. Written by Rona Munro Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). Train Guard ................... Stanley Baxter DI Ross ................... David Mara DC Sarah McLeod ................... Beth Marshall Lil ................... Cathy Sara Director ................... Marilyn Imrie Producer ................... Catherine Bailey Writer ................... Rona Munro ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2015-12-09, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 7,The Leaving of Barra Stanley Baxter's first story in his new Playhouse season goes back in time to 1949, when a young man, an assistant director on Whisky Galore, falls in love with a local girl on the Hebridean island of Barra where filming is taking place. Sixty six years later, his memories of that golden time come flooding back. Stanley Baxter plays the old man who abandoned a career in film to stay on the island with the woman he loved, and now faces a sad farewell. The other members of the company are June Watson, Scott Hoatson, Samara Maclaren and Tracy Wiles. Written by Michael Chaplin Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). John Anderson ................... Stanley Baxter Peggy Anderson ................... June Watson Young John ................... Scott Hoatson PC Macrae ................... Scott Hoatson Young Peggy ................... Samara MacLaren Mary ................... Tracy Wiles Director ................... Marilyn Imrie Producer ................... Catherine Bailey Writer ................... Michael Chaplin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2014-12-05, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 5,The Hat By Colin MacDonald. Sheriff Finlay travels from Scotland to York for the funeral and cremation of his older brother William, with whom he didn't get on. When he gets there he is greeted with barely disguised hostility by William's widow. She tells him arrangements for the funeral are all made: it is going to be a Humanist service and the family heirloom fireman's hat, which was worn with pride by the brothers' grandfather, is in the coffin and is going to be incinerated along with William. Alistair decides to get the hat before the coffin makes its final journey into the flames. This will take him into dangerous territory, breaking into a funeral parlour at night and braving the criminal underworld to retrieve Grandad's hat and make a final peace with his brother. Coronation Street veteran Thelma Barlow stars as his sister-in-law Louise and Stanley Baxter is Sheriff Alistair Finlay in this black comedy with a warm heart about death, brotherly love and saying goodbye. Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). Sheriff Alistair Finlay ................... Stanley Baxter Louise ................... Thelma Barlow Joe ................... David Holt Darren ................... David Holt Director ................... Marilyn Imrie Writer ................... Colin MacDonald ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2014-07-18, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 6,Meg's Tale We hear how Robert Burns discovered the real story of Tam O'Shanter's big night out at Alloway Kirk - from the point of view of a young barmaid called Norah and her Aunty Meg, who finds herself the victim of a spell malfunction, becoming the horse whom Burns made famous in Tam O'Shanter. Stanley Baxter was born in 1926 and began working for the BBC Scottish Home Service Radio Children's Hour when he was fourteen - in 1940. He was called up to do National Service at the age of eighteen and returned to perform on BBC Radio in Scotland in 1948 - continuing to do so in the 1950s with a variety of live comedy shows. He then went into films and ultimately into television - but he has continued to work in radio throughout his career. In the week of his 88th Birthday and in the year of his 75th anniversary as a radio performer, we recorded the latest productions in the much loved, long running Radio 4 series The Stanley Baxter Playhouse. Written by Rona Munro Directed by Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). Burns .................... Stanley Baxter Meg .................... Maureen Beattie Norah .................... Tracy Wiles Tam .................... Stuart McQuarrie Writer .................... Rona Munro Director .................... Marilyn Imrie Producer .................... Catherine Bailey " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2014-07-11, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 6,The Showman In the year of our lord 1561, Mary Queen Of Scots and the protestant reformer John Knox clash in Edinburgh's old town over a harmless entertainment involving a wayward troupe of Scots comedians and song and dance acts - led by none other than a sixteen century thespian who could easily have been Stanley Baxter's ancestor. It's Murdo, the man with a fan club as big as the Royal Mile and leading light of a visiting troupe of players, Murdo and his Merry May Dancers. Stanley Baxter was born in 1926 and began working for the BBC Scottish Home Service Radio Children's Hour when he was fourteen - in 1940. He was called up to do National Service at the age of eighteen and returned to perform on BBC Radio in Scotland in 1948 - continuing to do so in the 1950s with a variety of live comedy shows. He then went into films and ultimately into television - but he has continued to work in radio throughout his career. In the week of his 88th Birthday and in the year of his 75th anniversary as a radio performer, we recorded the latest productions in the much loved, long running Radio 4 series The Stanley Baxter Playhouse. Written by Rona MunroDirected by Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). Murdo Fletcher .................... Stanley Baxter John Knox .................... Stuart McQuarrie Dougie .................... Stuart McQuarrie Mary Queen of Scots .................... Tracy Wiles Margaret .................... Tracy Wiles Chronicler .................... Hugh Ross Lord Melville .................... Hugh Ross Writer .................... Rona Munro Director .................... Marilyn Imrie Producer .................... Catherine Bailey " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2014-07-04, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 6,A Dish of Neapolitan An Old Army colonel and his one time batman reunite after many years at the scene of their greatest glories on the Italian front in World War Two. Many secrets are revealed and a new friendship is forged as they conspire to win back what they perceive as rightfully belonging to their old regiment. Stanley Baxter was born in 1926 and began working for the BBC Scottish Home Service Radio Children's Hour when he was fourteen - in 1940. He was called up to do National Service at the age of eighteen and returned to perform on BBC Radio in Scotland in 1948 - continuing to do so in the 1950s with a variety of live comedy shows. He then went into films and ultimately into television - but he has continued to work in radio throughout his career. In the week of his 88th Birthday and in the year of his 75th anniversary as a radio performer, we recorded the latest productions in the much loved, long running Radio 4 series The Stanley Baxter Playhouse. Written by Michael Chaplin Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). Archie .................... Stanley Baxter Charles .................... Geoffrey Palmer Luca (Waiter) .................... Alex Madia Arturo (Launch Driver) .................... Alex Madia Museum Attendant .................... Lara Parmiani Producer .................... Catherine Bailey Writer .................... Michael Chaplin " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2014-01-10, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 5, The Spider By Rona Munro. At last, the true story can be told of Robert the Bruce and his encounter with that spider on the eve of battle with the English. Veteran comedian Stanley Baxter plays the role of Scotland's greatest monarch - portrayed in this sharply observed comedy by award winning writer Rona Munro as self-obsessed, selfish, demanding, rather spoilt, and with a pretty bad case of arachnaphobia. Hugh Ross plays the hermit who sorts the wayward monarch out and saves the day. Press reviews for past series:'Brilliant.. with the veteran Baxter still hitting all the notes faultlessly. Perfect listening." - Radio Times "Writer Rona Munro turns tragedy inside out to brilliant comic effect." - Daily Telegraph "The seemingly indestructible Glasgow funny man triumphs again." - The Times Directed by Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). Robert the Bruce .................... Stanley Baxter John the Hermit .................... Hugh Ross Producer .................... Catherine Bailey Writer .................... Rona Munro " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2013-12-27, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 5, Hector's House of Windsor Hector's House of WindsorBy Colin Hough A warm hearted comedic tribute to the Queen's jubilee year. The Queen's Scots gillie aids her in a cunning plan to put her unruly prime minister and deputy firmly in their place when they visit her at Windsor and she invites them to join her on a canter round the park. Her own superior wisdom, cunning and diplomatic skills are revealed while Her Majesty's wise and wily old Scots gillie looks on and enters into the fun. Stanley Baxter plays the gillie and Phyllida Law takes the imperial role in this affectionate fictional account of what just might have happened when the prime minister of the day and his deputy pay Her Majesty a visit. Written by Colin HoughDirected by Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). Hector Wilkie .................... Stanley Baxter The Queen .................... Phyllida Law Prime Minister .................... Pip Torrens Deputy Prime Minister .................... David Holt Writer .................... Colin Hough Producer .................... Catherine Bailey " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2013-11-19, 14-15 Afternoon Drama Two Pipe Problems, The House on the Marsh In this final Two Pipe Problem, William and Sandy travel to a windswept wintry Suffolk in search of William's inheritance, where they are haunted by ghosts from the past and threats from the present, and William makes a life changing decision about his future. This week marks the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten, and his opera Peter Grimes is woven into this final episode of Two Pipe Problems. The opera is set in Aldeburgh, on the Suffolk coast from which Britten drew so much inspiration. Writer Michael Chaplin was inspired to create a story that drew on that landscape and the creation of Peter Grimes, but also paid homage to the genius of MR James' ghost story, Oh Whistle And I'll Come You, My Lad. Stanley Baxter is once again joined by Geoffrey Palmer playing William, and Stephen Critchlow and Linda Broughton playing a mother and son who bear a grudge, in this haunting story - an entertaining and touching farewell to the series. Directed by Marilyn ImrieProducer: Catherine Bailey Indie (Catherine Bailey). Sandy Boyle .................... Stanley Baxter William Parnes .................... Geoffrey Palmer Ellen .................... Linda Broughton Jeremy (Policeman) .................... Stephen Critchlow Producer .................... Catherine Bailey Writer .................... Michael Chaplin " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2013-11-18, 14-15 Afternoon Drama Two Pipe Problems, I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends By Michael Chaplin. Following the sad death of Richard Briers earlier this year, in the first of these two final episodes of Two Pipe Problems, Stanley Baxter as Sandy is joined by Geoffrey Palmer as his friend and fellow sleuth William Parnes. A new chef is in the kitchen at The Old Beeches and he's cooking up a storm and delighting the residents, with Sandy as his willing and enthusiastic sous-chef. But things begin to go badly wrong after a visiting concert party sing a Beatles song which triggers unhappy memories for Albie the Chef (played by the late Felix Dexter). William and Sandy go in search of Albie and his son, and a successful father and son reunion is celebrated in song. Young Terrell Forde, who recently starred in Matilda in the West End, joins the company to play and sing the role of Albie's son, accompanied by David Shaw-Parker as his step dad, David Holt as memory man Billy, and Tracey Wiles as the warm hearted Old Beeches care assistant Karen. Cast:Sandy Boyle .......................Stanley BaxterWilliam Parnes ...................Geoffrey PalmerAlbie ...................................Felix DexterKaren/ Sadie ......................Tracy WilesBilly ....................................David HoltEdgar/ Lewis ......................David Shaw-ParkerJonathan ............................Terrell Forde Directed by Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). Sandy Boyle .................... Stanley Baxter William Parnes .................... Geoffrey Palmer Ellen .................... Linda Broughton Jeremy (Policeman) .................... Stephen Critchlow Producer .................... Catherine Bailey Writer .................... Michael Chaplin " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2013-04-22, 14-15 Afternoon Drama Two Pipe Problems, I Love a Lassie Sandy decides to travel to Greenock on Clydeside to collect his Freedom of the City award. As he has no living relatives or close friends, he invites William to accompany him on condition he behaves himself. Once againStanley Baxter and Richard Briers play the two elderly detectives who solve mysteries by stealth and intuition. When Sandy and William arrive in the old shipbuilding town, they meet the Provost's secretary Moira. It becomes clear that his hosts really know virtually nothing about Sandy - in fact Moira asks to interview him so she can write up the Provost's speech for the ceremony. The following day, Sandy shows William around his birthplace. They visit the tenement where he was born and meet a man he was at school with. He isn't wholly friendly and, when they return to the hotel, there is a message: "Do you know how much pain you left behind. Why?". Sandy is anxious, especially when another message appears on the morning of the ceremony: "Why, oh why? Now it's your turn to feel the pain. You will suffer as others have suffered". So the race is on to uncover who exactly is out to get Sandy and why. The solution to the riddle is finally revealed at the Freedom of Greenock ceremony, when the roots of everyone's resentment are uncovered. Director : Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). Sandy Boyle .................... Stanley Baxter William Parnes .................... Richard Briers Provost .................... John Sessions Station Assistant .................... John Sessions Moira .................... Gabriel Quigley Janice .................... Maureen Beattie Macca .................... Gordon Kennedy Train Guard .................... Gordon Kennedy Writer .................... Michael Chaplin " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2013-04-15, 14-15 Afternoon Drama Two Pipe Problems, A Rose by Any Other Name In tribute to Richard Briers who co-starred in this series for six years. Sandy and William find a cardboard box in the doorway to the Old Beeches; inside, a tiny baby, clutching a small toy. There is no message and no sign of the mother. From the moment Sandy carries the box into the breakfast room, the discovery causes a sensation in the closet world of the home. Everyone is enchanted by the child - a little girl - and horrified at the implications of her being abandoned. Directed by Marilyn ImrieA Catherine Bailey Production Written by award winning television and theatre writer Michael Chaplin.Directed by Marilyn Imrie Produced by: Catherine BaileyIndie (Catherine Bailey). Sandy Boyle .................... Stanley Baxter William Parnes .................... Richard Briers The Girl (Stephanie) .................... Joan Iyiola Karen .................... Tracy Wiles Mary .................... Jillie Meers Nellie .................... Anne Reid PC Marlowe .................... David Holt Old Beeches Residents .................... David Holt Producer .................... Catherine Bailey Writer .................... Michael Chaplin " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2013-04-08, 14-15 Afternoon Drama Two-Pipe Problem, The Case of the Missing Meerschaum In tribute to Richard Briers, who co-starred in this series for six years. Starring the late Richard Briers and Stanley Baxter. William and Sandy are to appear at a Sherlock Holmes Convention, held at a hotel just around the corner from Baker Street. Sandy isn't keen but succumbs to William's desperate need to be in the spotlight once more. Sandy finds the display of 'fandom' absurd - the packed memorabilia stalls and one fan's observation that he thought he'd died years before. He also finds the political infighting threatening to tear the Society apart faintly ridiculous. But William is in his bombastic element, to such an extent that he has a very public and painful row with Sandy, who quits the convention and catches the Metropolitan Line back to the Old Beeches. William occupies centre-stage at that night's dinner, flourishing the Society's prized meerschaum used by Basil Rathbone in the Holmes films. After a bibulous evening, William rolls into bed still with the precious pipe in his possession. He wakes up the following morning and discovers that it's gone. Written by Michael Chaplin Directed by Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). Sandy Boyle .................... Stanley Baxter William Parnes .................... Richard Briers Mortimer Tregennis .................... Geoffrey Palmer Roger Butterworth .................... James Fleet Beryl Butterworth .................... Joanna David Underground Worker .................... Matt Simandl Hotel Receptionist .................... Matt Simandl Autograph Hunter .................... James McGregor Souvenir Stallholder .................... James McGregor Producer .................... Catherine Bailey ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2013-04-01, 14-15 Afternoon Drama Two-Pipe Problem, Here Doggie Anne Reid and Honor Blackman join Richard Briers and Stanley Baxter in this latest Two Pipe Problem, written by Michael Chaplin. The Old Beeches care-worker Karen has a new pet; Poppet, a rambunctiously badly behaved Scottie dog.Manager Mary issues an ultimatum - the pet goes, or you both go, and Sandy persuades another resident ,a retired variety artiste called Norman Naylor who once had a dog-novelty act, to start training the dog on the nearby common. His wife Nelly, who also lives in the home, sees this as yet another opportunity for her husband to return to his old philandering ways. And one day, he doesn't return, and neither does Poppet. William and Sandy follow Norman's trail to an elegant home near the Common. A woman is involved... Sandy Boyle .................... Stanley Baxter William Parnes .................... Richard Briers Karen .................... Tracy Wiles Norman .................... Sam Dale Postie .................... Sam Dale Post Office Clerk .................... Sam Dale Mary .................... Jillie Meers Poppet the Dog .................... David Holt PC Marlowe .................... David Holt Tedious Customer .................... David Holt Diana .................... Honor Blackman Nellie .................... Anne Reid ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2013-01-27, 19-15 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 5, The Spider By Rona Munro. At last, the true story can be told of Robert the Bruce and his encounter with that spider on the eve of battle with the English. Veteran comedian Stanley Baxter plays the role of Scotland's greatest monarch - portrayed in this sharply observed comedy by award winning writer Rona Munro as self-obsessed, selfish, demanding, rather spoilt, and with a pretty bad case of arachnophobia. Hugh Ross plays the hermit who sorts the wayward monarch out and saves the day. Press reviews for past series:'Brilliant.. with the veteran Baxter still hitting all the notes faultlessly. "Perfect listening." - Radio Times "Writer Rona Munro turns tragedy inside out to brilliant comic effect." - Daily Telegraph "The seemingly indestructible Glasgow funny man triumphs again." - The Times Cast:Robert the Bruce ... Stanley Baxter John the Hermit ... Hugh Ross Directed by Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2013-01-20, 19-15 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 5, The Hat By Colin MacDonald. Sheriff Finlay travels from Scotland to York for the funeral and cremation of his older brother William, with whom he didn't get on. When he gets there he is greeted with barely disguised hostility by William's widow. She tells him arrangements for the funeral are all made: it is going to be a Humanist service and the family heirloom fireman's hat, which was worn with pride by the brothers' grandfather, is in the coffin and is going to be incinerated along with William. Alistair decides to get the hat before the coffin makes its final journey into the flames. This will take him into dangerous territory, breaking into a funeral parlour at night and braving the criminal underworld to retrieve Grandad's hat and make a final peace with his brother. Coronation Street veteran Thelma Barlow stars as his sister-in-law Louise and Stanley Baxter is Sheriff Alistair Finlay in this black comedy with a warm heart about death, brotherly love and saying goodbye. Sheriff Alistair Finlay.................Stanley Baxter Louise ....................................Thelma Barlow Joe/Darren ..............................David Holt Directed by Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2013-01-13, 19-15 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 5, Hector's House of Windsor Hector's House of WindsorBy Colin Hough A warm hearted comedic tribute to the Queen's jubilee year. The Queen's Scots gillie aids her in a cunning plan to put her unruly prime minister and deputy firmly in their place when they visit her at Windsor and she invites them to join her on a canter round the park. Her own superior wisdom, cunning and diplomatic skills are revealed while Her Majesty's wise and wily old Scots gillie looks on and enters into the fun. Stanley Baxter plays the gillie and Phyllida Law takes the imperial role in this affectionate fictional account of what just might have happened when the prime minister of the day and his deputy pay Her Majesty a visit. Cast:Hector Wilkie .........................Stanley BaxterThe Queen .............................Phyllida LawThe Prime Minister .................Pip TorrensThe Deputy Prime Minister ......David Holt Written by Colin Hough Directed by Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2012-11-14, 14-15 Afternoon Drama Two Pipe Problems, I Love a Lassie Sandy decides to travel to Greenock on Clydeside to collect his Freedom of the City award. As he has no living relatives or close friends, he invites William to accompany him on condition he behaves himself. Once againStanley Baxter and Richard Briers play the two elderly detectives who solve mysteries by stealth and intuition. When Sandy and William arrive in the old shipbuilding town, they meet the Provost's secretary Moira. It becomes clear that his hosts really know virtually nothing about Sandy - in fact Moira asks to interview him so she can write up the Provost's speech for the ceremony. The following day, Sandy shows William around his birthplace. They visit the tenement where he was born and meet a man he was at school with. He isn't wholly friendly and, when they return to the hotel, there is a message: "Do you know how much pain you left behind. Why?" Director : Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). Sandy Boyle .................... Stanley Baxter William Parnes .................... Richard Briers Provost .................... John Sessions Station Assistant .................... John Sessions Moira .................... Gabriel Quigley Janice .................... Maureen Beattie Macca .................... Gordon Kennedy Train Guard .................... Gordon Kennedy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2011-11-30, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse - Series 4, In the Name of the Wee Man Stanley Baxter, inspired in his own stellar career by the man's outstanding impersonations, stunning pantomime dame performances and brilliant comic timing; pays tribute to Tommy Lorne, one of Scotland's greatest early twentieth century comedians Stanley says: "In the long and distinguished history of great Scottish comedians there is one name that stands out particularly in my mind, that of Tommy Lorne. His star burned brightly, but briefly, in the early years of the 20th century. My parents loved him, as did many Glaswegians, and in 1934 as an eight year old boy I was taken to the Theatre Royal to see him as Dame in Babes in the Wood. Although he died only a year later and I was to see him no more, his hilarious and extraordinary stage persona is still etched in my memory. He was, rightly, a huge star in Scotland, and although he may be long gone I'd hate for him to be forgotten. So this is my tribute to the great Tommy Lorne entitled, in the words of his own, famous catch phrase: 'In the Name of the Wee Man.'" Baxter recounts the triumphs and disappointments of Tommy's short life, where he brought laughter and happiness to many in his Pantomime Dame performances and musical hall routines, recreated in this production by Stanley himself, joined by John Sessions, himself an ace impersonator and life long fan of Stanley's , he says that Stanley has had exactly the same kind of lasting influence on his work as Tommy Lorne had on Stanley himself. Cast:Tommy Lorne ..... Stanley Baxter Willie Barbour ..... John Sessions Harry McKelvie ..... John Ramage Mary ..... Gabriel Quigley Danny ..... David Holt Producer: Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2011-11-23, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse - Series 4, Episode 2 Stanley Baxter and Rona Munro have been collaborating for some years now on the stories in The Stanley Baxter Playhouse; last year listeners were full of praise for Stanley's performance in Rona's Playhouse story -The Man In the Garden. This story is a wartime romance set in rural Scotland in the second world war. Friedrich is a German pilot whose plane is shot down over a remote rural area in the west of Scotland. He is a prisoner of war, and initially local feelings against him are vitriolic; but he, like everyone in the community in which he finds himself, is a cattle farmer, and as his English improves, he forms strong bonds with his captors, and forges an unlikely friendship which, many years later, brings him back to Scotland. Cast: Fred ... Stanley Baxter Friedrich ... Sam Peter Jackson Beth ... Vicki Liddelle George ... John Ramage Stanley, a past master in accents and impersonation, plays the older Friedrich, looking back over sixty years to tell the story. John Ramage and Vicki Liddelle play the other parts, with Sam Peter Jackson, [son of the composer Mick Jackson who wrote the disco hit 'Blame It On The Boogie'] who was brought up in Germany and is completely bi lingual, playing the young German pilot. Rona Munro is one of Scotland's most highly regarded playwrights, with award winning films [Ken Loach's Lady Bird Lady Bird] and television dramas [Rehab] and her Edinburgh International Festival success The Last Witch to her credit. Producer: Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2011-11-16, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse - Series 4, The Porter's Story Written by Rona Munro. In this first play in Series 4 of The Stanley Baxter Playhouse fellow Scots leading actors Gordon Kennedy, Stuart McQuarrie and Siobhan Redmond join Stanley in a comedy based on Shakespeare's Scottish play, where the porter becomes the hero and invites us to hear his version of the events that led up to the murder of King Duncan; and what just might have happened after it. We will discover that it was all really Lady Macbeth's fault, for marrying Macbeth and spoiling the porter's long term plans to groom his coarse and unschooled master to be a suave, smooth operator with fine manners and a statesman like approach to politics. His plans are foiled in a series of mishaps which are hilarious and very cunning. Cast:Porter ..... Stanley Baxter Macbeth ...... Gordon Kennedy Lady Macbeth ...... Siobhan Redmond Duncan/Nobleman ...... Stuart McQuarrie Rona Munro is passionate about history and comedy, and The Porter's Story celebrates both; a delightful tongue-in-cheek exposition of events from Scottish history which are still shrouded in mystery; Shakespeare certainly took liberties in his version. Siobhan Redmond starred in the RSC production of a new play Dunsinane by David Greig, where she played Lady Macbeth. Gordon Kennedy will be known to many for his role as Little John in the BBC TV series Robin Hood. Producer: Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2011-08-12, 14-15 Afternoon Drama - Two-Pipe Problem, The Case of the Missing Meerschaum Joanna David, James Fleet and Geoffrey Palmer join Richard Briers and Stanley Baxter in this new Two Pipe Problem by Michael Chaplin. William and Sandy are to appear at a Sherlock Holmes Convention, held at a hotel just around the corner from Holmes' mythical haunts in Baker Street. Sandy isn't keen but succumbs to William's desperate need to be in the spotlight once more. Sandy finds the display of 'fan-dom' absurd: the packed memorabilia stalls, and one fan's observation that he thought he'd died years before. He also finds the political infighting threatening to tear the Society apart faintly ridiculous. But William is in his bombastic element, to such an extent that he has a very public and painful row with Sandy, who quits the convention and catches the Metropolitan Line back to the Old Beeches. William occupies centre-stage at that night's dinner flourishing a meerschaum lent to him by a zealous member of the Baker Street Adventurers, which was used by Basil Rathbone in the first Holmes films. During the dinner the society's internal tensions, prior to elections at the AGM next day, spill over, but after a bibulous evening, William rolls into bed, still with the precious pipe in his possession. He wakes up the following morning and finds that it's gone. Cast:Sandy Boyle ..... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ..... Richard Briers Mortimer Tregennis ..... Geoffrey Palmer Roger Butterworth ..... James Fleet Beryl Butterworth ..... Joanna David Underground Worker/Hotel Receptionist ...... Matt Simandl Autograph hunter/Souvenir Stall holder ......James McGregor Directed by Marilyn Imrie Produced by Catherine Bailey Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2011-08-11, 14-15 Afternoon Drama - Two-Pipe Problem, Here Doggie The Old Beeches care-worker Karen has a new pet; Poppet, a rambunctiously badly behaved Scottie dog.Manager Mary issues an ultimatum - the pet goes, or you both go, and Sandy persuades another resident ,a retired variety artiste called Norman Naylor who once had a dog-novelty act, to start training the dog on the nearby common. His wife Nelly, who also lives in the home, sees this as yet another opportunity for her husband to return to his old philandering ways. And one day, he doesn't return, and neither does Poppet. Cast: Sandy Boyle ..... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ..... Richard Briers Karen .....Tracy Wiles Norman/Postie/Post Office Clerk ...... Sam Dale Mary ..... Jillie Meers Poppet the Dog/PC Marlowe/Tedious Customer ..... David Holt Diana ..... Honor Blackman Nellie ...... Anne Reid. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2011-02-23, 14-15 Afternoon Drama - Two Pipe Problems, Have You Come Far? We return to The Old Beeches, a retirement home for elderly thespians, in the company of William and Sandy; two actors who still nurse a certain affectionate animosity towards one another since they starred as Holmes and Watson in a 1960s television series. Sandy appears in the honours list but a trip to Buckingham Palace to collect his award provides another mystery for the veteran sleuths to solve. Cast:Sandy Boyle ..... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ..... Richard Briers Karen ..... Tracy Wiles Postman ..... David Shaw-Parker Charles, Equerry to HRH ..... Julian Rhind-Tutt Doctor Mortimer ..... Geoffrey Whitehead Marvin ..... Stephen Critchlow Elsie ..... Linda Broughton Producer/Director: Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2011-02-22, 14-15 Afternoon Drama - Two Pipe Problems, Episode 1 By Michael Chaplin We return to The Old Beeches, a retirement home for elderly thespians, in the company of William and Sandy; two actors who still nurse a certain affectionate animosity towards one another since they starred as Holmes and Watson in a 1960s television series. Our two elderly thespian residents of the Old Beeches home for retired members of the Acting profession become embroiled in making sure the course of true love DOES run smooth. It all begins with a proposal, leading swiftly to a wedding, involving two residents - a Shakespearian knight called Sir Trelawney Hope and an ex-nightclub chanteuse called Dolores Sweet, with William as Trelawney's best man and Sandy giving Dolores away. But as the old couple stand there, Trelawney drops a bombshell - he no longer wishes to go through with it. There's uproar, Trelawney strides away, refusing to say any more. Our two heroes are once again pressed into service to solve a mystery; just why does the bridegroom suddenly call the wedding off? Cast:Sandy Boyle ..... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ..... Richard Briers Dolores Sweet ..... Julia McKenzie Sir Trelawney Hope ..... John Rowe Godfrey ..... Joseph Mydell Mary Winter ..... Jillie Meers Isadora Klein ..... Susan Wooldridge Hugo ..... Stephen Critchlow Saxophonist ..... Julie Hodge Producer/Director: Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2010-10-01, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse - Series 4, In the Name of the Wee Man Stanley Baxter, inspired in his own stellar career by the man's outstanding impersonations, stunning pantomime dame performances and brilliant comic timing; pays tribute to Tommy Lorne, one of Scotland's greatest early twentieth century comedians Stanley says: "In the long and distinguished history of great Scottish comedians there is one name that stands out particularly in my mind, that of Tommy Lorne. His star burned brightly, but briefly, in the early years of the 20th century. My parents loved him, as did many Glaswegians, and in 1934 as an eight year old boy I was taken to the Theatre Royal to see him as Dame in Babes in the Wood. Although he died only a year later and I was to see him no more, his hilarious and extraordinary stage persona is still etched in my memory. He was, rightly, a huge star in Scotland, and although he may be long gone I'd hate for him to be forgotten. So this is my tribute to the great Tommy Lorne entitled, in the words of his own, famous catch phrase: 'In the Name of the Wee Man.'" Baxter recounts the triumphs and disappointments of Tommy's short life, where he brought laughter and happiness to many in his Pantomime Dame performances and musical hall routines, recreated in this production by Stanley himself, joined by John Sessions, himself an ace impersonator and life long fan of Stanley's , he says that Stanley has had exactly the same kind of lasting influence on his work as Tommy Lorne had on Stanley himself. Cast: Tommy Lorne ..... Stanley Baxter Willie Barbour ..... John Sessions Harry McKelvie ..... John Ramage Mary ..... Gabriel Quigley Danny ..... David Holt Producer: Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2010-09-24, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse - Series 4, Episode 2 Stanley Baxter and Rona Munro have been collaborating for some years now on the stories in The Stanley Baxter Playhouse; last year listeners were full of praise for Stanley's performance in Rona's Playhouse story -The Man In the Garden. This story is a wartime romance set in rural Scotland in the second world war. Friedrich is a German pilot whose plane is shot down over a remote rural area in the west of Scotland. He is a prisoner of war, and initially local feelings against him are vitriolic; but he, like everyone in the community in which he finds himself, is a cattle farmer, and as his English improves, he forms strong bonds with his captors, and forges an unlikely friendship which, many years later, brings him back to Scotland. Cast: Fred ... Stanley Baxter Friedrich ... Sam Peter Jackson Beth ... Vicki Liddelle George ... John Ramage Stanley, a past master in accents and impersonation, plays the older Friedrich, looking back over sixty years to tell the story. John Ramage and Vicki Liddelle play the other parts, with Sam Peter Jackson, [son of the composer Mick Jackson who wrote the disco hit 'Blame It On The Boogie'] who was brought up in Germany and is completely bi lingual, playing the young German pilot. Producer: Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2010-09-17, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse - Series 4, The Porter's Story Written by Rona Munro. In this first play in Series 4 of The Stanley Baxter Playhouse fellow Scots leading actors Gordon Kennedy, Stuart McQuarrie and Siobhan Redmond join Stanley in a comedy based on Shakespeare's Scottish play, where the porter becomes the hero and invites us to hear his version of the events that led up to the murder of King Duncan; and what just might have happened after it. We will discover that it was all really Lady Macbeth's fault, for marrying Macbeth and spoiling the porter's long term plans to groom his coarse and unschooled master to be a suave, smooth operator with fine manners and a statesman like approach to politics. His plans are foiled in a series of mishaps which are hilarious and very cunning. Cast: Porter ..... Stanley Baxter Macbeth ...... Gordon Kennedy Lady Macbeth ...... Siobhan Redmond Duncan/Nobleman ...... Stuart McQuarrie Rona Munro is passionate about history and comedy, and The Porter's Story celebrates both of these; a delightful tongue in cheek exposition of events from Scottish history which are still shrouded in mystery; Shakespeare certainly took liberties in his version. Siobhan Redmond starred in the RSC production of a new play Dunsinane by David Greig, where she played Lady Macbeth. Gordon Kennedy will be known to many for his role as Little John in the BBC TV series Robin Hood. Producer: Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2010-06-23, 14-15 Afternoon Drama - Two Pipe Problem 2010, The Memory Man Forgets Written by Michael Chaplin. Billy Small (played by David Holt) is a rare talent; one of the few surviving "Memory Men" Music Hall variety acts who had total recall of a huge range of entertaining facts. Billy is 85, and after a trip home to his native Yorkshire, he returns to The Old Beeches totally devoid of any memory of who he is or of any of the amazing facts he used to be so proud to display. Our resident sleuths William and Sandy fancy a mini break away from the Home, and take Billy back to Little Fell, the old mining town where he grew up. There they meet his daughter and his granddaughter, but discover that Billy not only alienated the whole mining community during the last miners' strike by supporting his pitman son in returning to work, but appears now to have lost the love and support of his daughter. Can William and Sandy solve the problem? Cast: William Parnes ..... Richard Briers Sandy Boyle ..... Stanley Baxter, Billy Small ..... David Holt, Karen/Shelley..... Teresa Gallagher, Railway Man/Harry ..... Geoffrey Whitehead, Myra ..... Julia Ford, Rose ..... Anne Reid. Director: Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2010-06-22, 14-15 Afternoon Drama - Two Pipe Problem 2010, Right Old Charlie Written by Michael Chaplin. We revisit The Old Beeches retirement home for members of the theatrical profession and discover that new odd job man Geordie is making care assistant Karen's heart beat faster, but is he hiding something from her? Ageing, once-famous stand up comic Charlie Fisher regales the inmates with a few too many very old gags, but when his joke book and a large sum of money go missing, resident sleuths Sandy and William have a few tough questions to ask of the inmates, the new odd job man, and Charlie himself. The story is spiced up delightfully with some really vintage gags in a classic stand up routine from Radio 4's much loved comedian Barry Cryer, joining Richard Briers, Stanley Baxter, Edna Dore and all the regular inmates in a new set of two pipe problems. Cast: William Parnes ..... Richard Briers, Sandy Boyle ..... Stanley Baxter, Charlie Fisher ..... Barry Cryer Karen ..... Teresa Gallagher Hatty Doran ..... Edna Dore Mary Winter (Matron) ..... Jillie Meers Edgar .....David Shaw-Parker Geordie ..... Joe Caffrey Director: Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2010-01-28, 14-15 Afternoon Drama - Two-Pipe Problems, The Trusty Valet and the Crusty Butler By Michael Chaplin, set in The Old Beeches, a retirement home for elderly thespians. Inmates William and Sandy still nurse a certain affectionate animosity towards one another since they starred as Holmes and Watson in a 1960s television series. William and Sandy venture outside the Old Beeches to a movie set, accompanied by the intrepid care assistant Karen, as they take on the world of celluloid. Sandy Boyle ...... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ...... Richard Briers Inspector Bradstreet ...... David Shaw-Parker Karen ...... Tracy Wiles Laura Lyons ...... Ellie Beaven Thaddeus Sholto ...... Lloyd Hutchinson John Barrymore ...... Geoffrey Whitehead Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2010-01-21, 14-15 Afternoon Drama - Two-Pipe Problems, A Streetcar Named Revenge Plays by Michael Chaplin, set in The Old Beeches, a retirement home for elderly thespians. Inmates William and Sandy still nurse a certain affectionate animosity towards one another since they starred as Holmes and Watson in a 1960s television series. William and Sandy are haunted by the return of two characters from the past. Sandy becomes amorously involved through the medium of a shared passion for crosswords. Sandy Boyle ...... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ...... Richard Briers Hatty Doran ...... Edna Dore Angel Hosmer ...... Linda Broughton Mary Winter ...... Jillie Meers Edgar ...... David Shaw-Parker Karen ...... Tracy Wiles Ronnie Adair ...... Nickolas Grac Marie Devine ...... Susan Wooldridge Hugo Oberstein ...... Rad Lazar Directed by Marilyn Imrie. Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2009-10-07, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 2, Flying Down to Greenock Series of comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. By Michael Chaplin. A centenarian Glaswegian, making his first ever flight, remembers life during the blitz over Clydeside. James ...... Stanley Baxter Isabel ...... Patricia Kerrigan Directed by Marilyn Imrie. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2009-09-30, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 3, Fife Circle Series of three comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. Two elderly brothers meet at Waverley station and set out on a journey of discovery involving lost mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, and learn just whom they really belong to. By Michael Chaplin. Sir Hugh Dundas/Alex Kelly ...... Stanley Baxter, Directed by Marilyn Imrie. Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2009-09-23, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 2, Pasta Alfreddo at Cafe Alessandro Series of comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. By Rona Munro. An Italian cafe owner in Glasgow employs a little guile and cunning to defend the honour and the environment of his beloved native land. Sandy ...... Stanley BaxterAntonia ...... Luisa PretolaniChristina ...... Tracy WilesChristopher ...... John Kazek Rockafella ...... John GuerrasioRadio Interviewer ...... Gordon Kennedy Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2009-09-16, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 2, The King's Kilt Series of comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. By Rona Munro. A recalcitrant Highland kilt maker is faced with the task of producing a garment for George IV to wear on his first visit to Edinburgh in 1822. Donald Nicholson ...... Stanley Baxter, Walt Silver ...... John Guerrasio, Miss/Mistress MacEvoy ...... Alison Peebles, Sir Walter Scott ...... Gordon Kennedy. Directed by Marilyn Imrie. Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2009-06-25, 23-00 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 3, The Man in the Garden Series of three comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. A lonely lady on a holiday in the remote West Highlands of Scotland finds herself falling in love with two members of the same family, born 60 years apart. By Rona Munro. Duncan ...... Stanley Baxter Ellie ...... Penelope Wilton Receptionist ...... Bill Paterson Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2009-06-18, 23-00 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 3, Astonishing Archie Series of three comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. When two brothers get together to plan the funeral of an old friend, the choice of music is a bone of contention - will it be Sinatra or Presley? A generation and a whole philosophy of popular music separate the brothers, and the choice they finally make is a heartwarming musical compromise. By Bill Paterson. Ronnie Purgavey ...... Stanley Baxter, Alan Purgavey ...... Bill Paterson, Rev Margot Turnbull ...... Maureen Beattie. Directed by Marilyn Imrie. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2009-04-28, 14-15 Afternoon Drama Two Pipe Problems, Have You Come Far? We return to The Old Beeches, a retirement home for elderly thespians, in the company of William and Sandy; two actors who still nurse a certain affectionate animosity towards one another since they starred as Holmes and Watson in a 1960s television series. Sandy appears in the honours list but a trip to Buckingham Palace to collect his award provides another mystery for the veteran sleuths to solve. Cast: Sandy Boyle ..... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ..... Richard Briers Karen ..... Tracy Wiles Postman ..... David Shaw-Parker Charles, Equerry to HRH ..... Julian Rhind-Tutt Doctor Mortimer ..... Geoffrey Whitehead Marvin ..... Stephen Critchlow Elsie ..... Linda Broughton Producer/Director: Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2009-04-27, 14-15 Afternoon Drama Two Pipe Problems, Episode 1 By Michael Chaplin We return to The Old Beeches, a retirement home for elderly thespians, in the company of William and Sandy; two actors who still nurse a certain affectionate animosity towards one another since they starred as Holmes and Watson in a 1960s television series. Our two elderly thespian residents of the Old Beeches home for retired members of the Acting profession become embroiled in making sure the course of true love DOES run smooth. It all begins with a proposal, leading swiftly to a wedding, involving two residents - a Shakespearian knight called Sir Trelawney Hope and an ex-nightclub chanteuse called Dolores Sweet, with William as Trelawney's best man and Sandy giving Dolores away. But as the old couple stand there, Trelawney drops a bombshell - he no longer wishes to go through with it. There's uproar, Trelawney strides away, refusing to say any more. Our two heroes are once again pressed into service to solve a mystery; just why does the bridegroom suddenly call the wedding off? Cast: Sandy Boyle ..... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ..... Richard Briers Dolores Sweet ..... Julia McKenzie Sir Trelawney Hope ..... John Rowe Godfrey ..... Joseph Mydell Mary Winter ..... Jillie Meers Isadora Klein ..... Susan Wooldridge Hugo ..... Stephen Critchlow Saxophonist ..... Julie Hodge Producer/Director: Marilyn Imrie; Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2009-04-10, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 3, The Man in the Garden Series of three comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. A lonely lady on a holiday in the remote West Highlands of Scotland finds herself falling in love with two members of the same family, born 60 years apart. By Rona Munro. Duncan ...... Stanley Baxter Ellie ...... Penelope Wilton Receptionist ...... Bill Paterson Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2009-04-03, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 3, Fife Circle Series of three comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. Two elderly brothers meet at Waverley station and set out on a journey of discovery involving lost mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, and learn just whom they really belong to. By Michael Chaplin. Sir Hugh Dundas/Alex Kelly ...... Stanley Baxter Directed by Marilyn Imrie Indie (Catherine Bailey). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2009-03-27, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series 3, Astonishing Archie Series of three comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. When two brothers get together to plan the funeral of an old friend, the choice of music is a bone of contention - will it be Sinatra or Presley? A generation and a whole philosophy of popular music separate the brothers, and the choice they finally make is a heartwarming musical compromise. By Bill Paterson. Ronnie Purgavey ...... Stanley BaxterAlan Purgavey ...... Bill PatersonRev Margot Turnbull ...... Maureen Beattie Directed by Marilyn Imrie." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2008-08-12, 14-15 Afternoon Play Two-Pipe Problems Plays by Michael Chaplin, set in The Old Beeches, a retirement home for elderly thespians. Inmates William and Sandy still nurse a certain affectionate animosity towards one another since they starred as Holmes and Watson in a 1960s television series. 2/2. The Trusty Valet and the Crusty Butler William and Sandy venture outside the Old Beeches to a movie set, accompanied by the intrepid care assistant Karen, as they take on the world of celluloid. Sandy Boyle ...... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ...... Richard Briers Inspector Bradstreet ...... David Shaw-Parker Karen ...... Tracy Wiles Laura Lyons ...... Ellie Beaven Thaddeus Sholto ...... Lloyd Hutchinson John Barrymore ...... Geoffrey Whitehead Directed by Marilyn Imrie. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2008-08-11, 14-15 Afternoon Play Two-Pipe Problems Plays by Michael Chaplin, set in The Old Beeches, a retirement home for elderly thespians. Inmates William and Sandy still nurse a certain affectionate animosity towards one another since they starred as Holmes and Watson in a 1960s television series. 1/2. A Streetcar Named Revenge. William and Sandy are haunted by the return of two characters from the past. Sandy becomes amorously involved through the medium of a shared passion for crosswords. Sandy Boyle ...... Stanley Baxter William Parnes ...... Richard Briers Hatty Doran ...... Edna Dore Angel Hosmer ...... Linda Broughton Mary Winter ...... Jillie Meers Edgar ...... David Shaw-Parker Karen ...... Tracy Wiles Ronnie Adair ...... Nickolas Grace Marie Devine ...... Susan Wooldridge Hugo Oberstein ...... Rad Lazar Directed by Marilyn Imrie. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2008-01-21, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series of comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. 3/3. Flying Down to Greenock By Michael Chaplin. A centenarian Glaswegian, making his first ever flight, remembers life during the blitz over Clydeside. James ...... Stanley Baxter Isabel ...... Patricia Kerrigan Directed by Marilyn Imrie. Followed by News. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2008-01-14, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series of comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. 2/3. Pasta Alfreddo at Cafe Alessandro By Rona Munro. An Italian cafe owner in Glasgow employs a little guile and cunning to defend the honour and the environment of his beloved native land. Sandy ...... Stanley Baxter Antonia ...... Luisa Pretolani Christina ...... Tracy Wiles Christopher ...... John Kazek Rockafella ...... John Guerrasio Radio Interviewer ...... Gordon Kennedy Directed by Marilyn Imrie. Followed by News. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2008-01-07, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse Series of comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. 1:/3. The King's Kilt By Rona Munro. A recalcitrant Highland kilt maker is faced with the task of producing a garment for George IV to wear on his first visit to Edinburgh in 1822. Donald Nicholson ...... Stanley Baxter Walt Silver ...... John Guerrasio Miss/Mistress MacEvoy ...... Alison Peebles Sir Walter Scott ...... Gordon Kennedy Directed by Marilyn Imrie. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2007-12-31, 14-15 Afternoon Play: Tortoise The premiere of a Jack Rosenthal play, adapted by Amy Rosenthal and co-directed by Maureen Lipman. When Roy's beloved tortoise, Merlin, wakes up prematurely from hibernation and refuses to eat, long-dormant emotions are unexpectedly revived. Other characters played by members of the cast Directors Maureen Lipman and Dirk Maggs Festive radio highlights: page 232 Contributors Jack Rosenthal Adapted By: Amy Rosenthal Directed By: Maureen Lipman. Directors: Maureen Lipman Directors: Dirk Maggs Shelley: Felicity Montagu Roy: Stephen Mangan Monica: Olivia Colman Derek: Rupert Degas MrLebone: Stanley Baxter Mrs Chedgrow: Julia McKenzie Simone: Amy Shindler Tina: Emma Patterson Mr Woodley: Gwyneth Powell Mr Twentyman: Simon Greenall ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2007-10-07, 19-45 Jimmy Swan, the Joy Traveller 5/5. Vitalising the High Street. Stanley Baxter reads Neil Munro 's story. In praise of advertising - the Jimmy Swan way. Abridged by Neil Cargill. Producer/Director Neil Cargill Contributors Stanley Baxter Neil Munro Jimmy Swan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2007-09-24, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse 4/4. Wheeling Them in. By Rona Munro. A hospital porter suddenly finds everything he values hanging in the balance. Director: Marilyn Imrie Archie: Stanley Baxter Mary: June Watson Nurse MacDonald: Sharon Maharaj Tina: Meg Kubota Jim: Robin Cameron Mike: Mark Bonnar Steve: James McPherson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2007-09-23, 19-45 Jimmy Swan, the Joy Traveller 4/5. Dignity. Stanley Baxter reads Neil Munro 's story about a travelling salesman. Jimmy reveals the secrets behind his success, claiming there is as much art in selling soap, butter and poetry as there is in making them. Producer/Director Neil Cargill ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2007-09-17, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse 3/4. Mortal Memories. A Burns Night celebration brings back shared memories. Liz Lochhead 's comic drama continues this series of plays starring Stanley Baxter. Producer/Director Marilyn Imrie ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2007-09-16, 19-45 Jimmy Swan, the Joy Traveller 3/5. The Fatal Clock. Stanley Baxter reads Neil Munro 's story, in which a canteen of cutlery becomes the ideal wedding gift when Jimmy decides misery, ruin and despair would be the inevitable outcome of giving a clock. Abridged by Neil Cargill. Producer/Director Neil Cargill ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2007-09-10, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse 2/4. Charlie and Sylvia are lifelong friends. He has loved her all his life, but he discovers that there are still some things he doesn't know about her. By Rona Munro. Producer/Director Marilyn Imrie Charlie: Stanley Baxter Sylvia: Colette O'Neil Susan: Hilary MacLean Jack: Stuart McOuarrle Poppy: Hilary Lyon Michael: Gordon Kennedy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2007-09-09, 19-45 Jimmy Swan, the Joy Traveller 2/5. On the Road. As one of the last of the dying breed of travelling salesmen, Jimmy Swan must use every trick in the book to survive - luckily, he wrote the book. Stanley Baxter reads Neil Munro 's story, abridged Neil Cargill Producer: Neil Cargill ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2007-09-03, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse 1/4. Cold Call. By David Holt. A wealthy pensioner has a sudden yen for a conservatory. Will his tyrannical cleaning lady agree to the extra work or will he find a new lady in his life? Producer/Director Marilyn Imrie Gordon Stanley Baxter Michelle: Sophie Thompson Mrs Judge Pam Ferris Dean: Stephen Critchlow ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2007-09-02, 19-45 Jimmy Swan, the Joy Traveller 1/5. Stars to Push. Stanley Baxter reads Neil Munro 's story. As the 20 century begins, the days of the dignified travelling salesmen, wandering the Highlands, are numbered. But Jimmy Swan is different: after all, his sample cases are full of poetry, dreams and human joy Producer Neil Cargill ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2007-07-23, 14-15 Afternoon Play: A Two Pipe Problem Feisty thespians William and Sandy, the Holmes and Watson of their retirement community, galvanise the other inmates in their quest to solve a mystery involving sibling jealousy, a lost ventriloquist's dummy, and a spot of ill-judged fire-raising. By Michael Chaplin. Producer/Director Marilyn Imrie William: Richard Briers Sandy: Stanley Baxter Archie: Ken Campbell Elspeth: Elizabeth Spriggs Doris: Wendy Richard Mrs P: Linda Broughton Mary: Jillie Meers Karen: Tracy Wiles Edgar: David Shaw-Parker ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2006-08-23, 18-30 Stanley at 80 Stand-up comedian Arnold Brown looks back at Stanley Baxter's career Producer Mark Rickards ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2006-07-03, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse 4/4. Wheeling Them in. Archie's been a hospital porter for 38 years and suddenly everything he values seems to be in the balance. But in the end he reaps the rewards of years of kindness in this heart-warming story. This play concludes the series. Producer/Director Marilyn Imrie Archie .......... Stanley Baxter Mary .......... June Watson Nurse MacDonald .......... Sharon Maharaj Tina .......... Meq Kubota Jim .......... Robin Cameron Mike .......... Mark Bonnar Steve .......... James McPherson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2006-06-26, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse 3/4. Mortal Memories. John and Nettie, whose lives have been lived in very different ways, prepare to celebrate Burns Night. Liz Lochhead 's play continues this series starring Stanley Baxter. John Stanley Baxter Nettie Stanley Baxter Music Neil Brand: Producer/Director Marilyn Imrie ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2006-06-19, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse 2/4. First Impressions. Charlie and Sylvia are lifelong friends. She depends on him in a thousand little ways and adores his talent for doing impressions. He has loved her all his life, but discovers that there are still some things he doesn't know about her. Written by Rona Munro Producer/Director Marilyn Imrie Charlie .......... Stanley Baxter Sylvia .......... Colette O'Neil Susan .......... Hilary MacLean jack .......... Stuart McOuarrie poppy .......... Hilary Lyon Michael .......... Gordon Kennedy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2006-06-12, 11-30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse New series 1/4. Cold Call. Gordon Mackenzie is a wealthy pensioner with a sudden yen for a conservatory. Will his tyrannical cleaning lady agree to wield her duster over a million new windowpanes; or will he find a new lady in his life? David Holt 's play begins a series starring Stanley Baxter. Director: Marilyn Imrie Gordon: Stanley Baxter Mrs Judge: Pam Ferris Michelle: Sophie Thompson Dean: Stephen Critchlow ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2006-06-06, 11-30 Stanley at 80 From pantomime dame in Glasgow to international television star, Stanley Baxter is one of Scotland's best-loved comedians. To celebrate his 80th birthday stand-up Arnold Brown looks back at Baxter's career Producer: Mark Rickards ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2006-04-28, 15-30 Jimmy Swan, the Joy Traveller 5/5. Vitalising the High Street. "To step from the street into the shop was to leave the roar of battle and get into a mausoleum." in praise of advertising - the Jimmy Swan way. Stanley Baxter concludes his reading of Neil Munro 's Collection of Stories. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2006-04-27, 15-30 Jimmy Swan, the Joy Traveller 4/5. Dignity. "The selling of sap, butter, music, poetry, pictures, or soft goods is just as great an art as making." The king of salesmen reveals his own secret of success. Stanley Baxter continues to read fron Neil Munro 's Collection Of humorous tales. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2006-04-26, 15-30 Jimmy Swan, the Joy Traveller 3/5. The Fatal Clock. Why a canteen of cutlery? Because, according to Jimmy, misery, ruin and despair would be the inevitable outcome of giving a clock as a wedding present. Stanley Baxter continues to read Neil Munro 's collection Of tales. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2006-04-25, 15-30 Jimmy Swan. the Joy Traveller 2/5. On the Road. As one of the last of the dying breed of travelling salesmen, Jimmy Swan must use every trick in the book to survive. Luckily, he wrote the book. Stanley Baxter continues to read from Neil Munro 's collection of humorous tales. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2006-04-24, 15-30 Jimmy Swan, the Joy Traveller 1/5. Stars to Push. Stanley Baxter reads this humorous tale by Neil Munro. As the 20th century begins, the days of the dignified travelling salesman wandering the Highlands are numbered. But Jimmy Swan is different; after all, his sample cases are full of poetry, dreams and "human joy". Abridger/Producer Neil Cargill ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2004-09-02, 18-30 Stanley Baxter and Friends 3/3. A Brush with Change. A comic story of art, marriage and growing old disgracefully, by Laurence Howarth. Starring Stanley Baxter , Claire Bloom and Maureen Lipman. Sir Leslie McKinsey RA is one of the country's best-loved artists, famous for his highly popular paintings of elephants. His elegant and devoted wife, Lady Nichola, the perspiration behind the inspiration, has been managing his career, and they have had a happy marriage. But forthis year's summer exhibition at the Royal Academy in London he's done a new set of paintings - of a very different nature.... Producer Graham Frost Sir Leslie McKinsey Ra Producer: Graham Frost Sir Leslie: Stanley Baxter Walter: Stanley Baxter Kevin: Stanley Baxter Lady Nichola: Claire Bloom Mrs Thornley: Maureen Lipman ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2004-08-26, 18-30 Stanley Baxter and Friends 2/3. Medium Rare. By David Holt , starring Stanley Baxter. Meet Wee Davy Dowds , a medium in 1950s Glasgow, nicknamed the "Nostradamus of the Candleriggs". He provides comfort for the troubled and conversation with loved ones gone before - not to mention the occasional chatwith John Knox. One of his clients is Ina McClure , who's trying to find out about an inheritance - but husband George is unimpressed. Producer Graham Frost Wee Davy Dowds/Bruce: Stanley Baxter Ina: Lynn Ferguson George: Ford Kiernan Ravi: Nadim Sawalha ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2004-08-19, 18-30 Stanley Baxter and Friends A re-run of three comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. 1/3. All Locals Great and Small. By Georgia Pritchett. An affectionate look at those "new vet in the Highlands" yarns, usually starring Dirk Bogarde. Producer: Graham Frost The new vet: Stanley Baxter Assistant: Phillis Logan Mrs Windrum: Janet Brown Mrs Cameron: Elaine C Smith MrMacBean: Stanley Baxter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2004-01-21, 11-30 Stanley Baxter and Friends 4/4 All Locals Great and Small. By Georgia Pritchett. The last of the comic plays takes an affectionate look at the extremes of rural eccentricity from impenetrable dialects to excessive hardiness in the form of a spoof of those "new vet in the Highlands" yarns, usually starring Dirk Bogarde. Producer Graham Frost The new vet: Stanley Baxter Assistant: Phillis Logan MrsWindrum: Janet Brown Mrs Cameron: Elaine C Smith MrMacBean: Stanley Baxter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2004-01-14, 11-30 Stanley Baxter and Friends 3/4. The Making of "Cavalier" by Simon Brett. This week a satirical spoof documentary about how stories are changed when they are adapted by Hollywood, in which Stanley Baxter plays all eight main characters. With presenter Paul Vaughan Producer: Graham Frost ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2004-01-07, 11-30 Stanley Baxter and Friends 2/4. A series of fourcomic plays featuring Stanley Baxter. Medium Rare by David Holt. Meet Wee Davy Dowds , a medium in 1950s Glasgow, a "wee sweetie-wife" and nicknamed the Nostradamus of the Candleriggs". He provides comfort for the troubled and conversation with loved ones gone before - not to mention the occasional chat with John Knox. One of his clients is Ina McClure , who's trying to find out about an inheritance - but husband George is unimpressed. Ford w George is unimpressed. Producer Graham Frost Wee Davy Dowds: Stanley Baxter Bruce: Stanley Baxter Ina: Lynn Ferguson George: Ford Kieman Ravi: Nadim Sawalha ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 2003-12-31, 11-30 Stanley Baxter and Friends r New series Stanley Baxterfeatures in a series of four comic plays. 1:A Brushwith Change by Laurence Howarth , with Claire Bloom and Maureen Lipman. A story of art, marriage and growing old disgracefully. Sir Leslie McKinsey RA is famous for one thing only: his highly popular paintings of elephants. But for this year's summer exhibition at the Royal Academy, he's done a very different set of paintings. Very different. Has he gone mad? Producer: Graham Frost Sir Leslie/Walter/Kevin: Stanley Baxter Fan club president Mrs Thomley: Maureen Lipman Lady Nichola: Claire Bloom ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 1980-03-03, 18-30 Frank Muir Goes into ,.. Languages Frank Muir and Alfred Marks investigate the humour of the subject. with the voices of: MICHAEL BENTINE, GERARD HOFFNUNG, STANLEY BAXTER MICHAEL FLANDERS and DONALD SWANN. Written by FRANK MUIR and SIMON BRETT : Producer.... .GEOFFREY PERKINS (Repeat}:, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 1975-03-26, 19-30 Celebration The Impersonators Celebrating some of the biggest stars in Show Business - well, not the stars but the stars who impersonate the stars. including: AFRIQUE, JIM BAILEY, STANLEY BAXTER , PETER CAVANAGH, SAMMY DAVIS JR FLORENCE DESMOND , PAUL FREES, REGINALD GARDINER PETER GOODWRIGHT , ROY HUDD GEORGE KIRBY , MARIO LANZA BERYL ORDE , DICKIE VALENTINE MIKE YARWOOD Written and introduced by Barry Took , Producer: Trafford Whitelock ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 1972-08-29, 18-15 There was an English-man, an Irishman and a Scotsman A comic tour of the British Isles guided by Frank Muir stopping this week in Scotland with illustrations from PETER REEVES and the voices of STANLEY BAXTER , HARRY LAUDER PETER SELLERS, TONY HANCOCK ANDY STEWART , JIMMY LOGAN and many others Research by TONY ASPLER Producers: David Hatch and Simon Brett ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 1970-02-02, 12-25 Desert Island Discs Stanley Baxter , actor and impressionist, with ROY PLOMLEY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 1970-01-31, 19-00 Desert Island Discs Stanley Baxter , actor and impressionist, discusses with ROY PLOMLEY (in a recorded programme devised by him) the gramophone records he would take to a desert island. Produced By .......... Ronald Cook ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 1969-12-26, 09-40 Phil The Fluter Excerpts from the LP of the musical about the songwriter Percy French , now running in London and starring Evelyn Laye Stanley Baxter and Mark Wynter Introduced by CORMAC RIGBY Introduced By .......... Cormac Rigby ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 1969-07-31, 19-00 DOCTOR AT LARGE by Richard Gordon adapted for radio in thirteen episodes by RAY COONEY starring Episode 8: In General Practice RAY COONEY as Tony Benskin JOAN SANDERSON as Mrs. Russell Guest stars: Simon Sparrow: Richard Briers Dr Hocket: Stanley Baxter Dora: Joan Sims ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 1969-07-29, 12-25 DOCTOR AT LARGE by Richard Gordon adapted for radio in thirteen episodes by RAY COONEY starring Episode 8 .......... In General Practice RAY COONEY as Tony Benskin JOAN SANDERSON as Mrs. Russell Produced by DAVID HATCH Pre-recorded at The Playhouse. Northumberland Ave., London, W.C.2 Guest stars: Simon Sparrow .......... Richard Briers Dr Hocket .......... Stanley Baxter Dora .......... Joan Sims ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBC Radio 4 - 1969-04-29, 12-30 WHAT'S SO FUNNY ABOUT SHOW BUSINESS? A comedy anthology culled from Beyond Our Ken Take It From Here Hancock's Half-Hour Beyond the Fringe It's a Square World The Stanley Baxter Show and Noël Coward, Joyce Grenfell Peter Sellers Introduced By: John Cleese Produced By: Simon Brett ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 101 references above, including repeats.