John Finnemore's Double Acts

Six BBC Radio 4 Comedy Dramas

By: John Finnemore

Narrated by: Alison Steadman, Celia Imrie, full cast

Winner of the Writers Guild Award for Best Radio Comedy and the Comedy.co.uk awards for Best Radio Sketch Show!

Celia Imrie, Alison Steadman, John Bird and Rebecca Front are among the cast of these BBC Radio 4 comedy dramas from the writer and producers of Cabin Pressure.

These six self-contained duologues, each one brimming with humour and charm, come from the pen of John Finnemore, author and star of the award-winning John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme.

'A Flock of Tigers'. 1934. Edmund and Dolorosa are sharing a train carriage - and embarking on an unexpected adventure. Starring Charles Edwards and Celia Imrie.

'Wysinnwyg'. In the Sales Support Department of Willard & Son, new girl Kerry meets Adele. Starring Alison Steadman and Isy Suttie.

'Red-Handed'. Arriving home early, Joel is surprised by an unexpected visitor named Henry. Starring John Bird and Lawry Lewin.

'The Goliath Window'. It is 1820, and Mark and Luke have arranged an appointment in the vestry of St Anne's Church, Mayton Chennett. Starring Simon Kane and John Finnemore.

'English for Pony-Lovers'. In a German guest house, Elke is waiting to receive an English lesson from Lorna. Starring Rebecca Front and Beth Mullen.

'Hot Desk'. A receptionist and a security guard meet every day at 7am and 7pm to hand over a desk. Starring Matthew Baynton and Jenny Bede.

With a star cast, memorable characters, witty dialogue and beautifully crafted plots, these heart-warming plays are an utter joy. Duration: 3 hours approx

©2016 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2016 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Just love Johns humor

Not as long as I'd like but then it would have to be hours and hours! If you like any of his stuff you will like this too.
Enjoy.

Superb writing & acting - unpredictable twists :)

Very good stories. This audio book was ignored for a while since the description said it was "stories" and I still have an arbitrary high standard/expectation of something to match Cabin Pressure. I still have hope that John Finnemore will find another story line where he can create a long running series using cast members voicing characters that we can get to know and watch evolve.

But, in the meantime, these shorter works are delightful. I wish I had found them first, and Cabin Pressure last.

If John Finnemore reads reviews, he probably gets annoyed with these comparisons to Cabin Pressure. Oh well.

Narration: Excellent! It's fun to recognize voices from Ca . . . . . . uh, never mind.

Finnemore!

Wonderful. John Finnemore has mastered the craft of the teleplay. Double Acts, like any Finnemore production, is witty, kind, charming, sweet, and hilarious.

Another amusing John Finnemore production!

I have been a John Finnemore fan ever since being introduced to Cabin Pressure. I love his wit and marvel at his ability to create amusing skits and stories for BBC radio. I would recommend this recording to others as it gives you several single-act duo recordings on a variety of amusing topics.

If you like stories

you are absolutely going to love this. Every one of these starts off by making you presume something, and then goes on to absolutely smash your presumtions. It's great fun (as is the case with Finnemore) and clever to boot. The actors and actresses are splendid in what they do. Absolute candy for your brain. My favourite was the 'Goliath window'. That was the one I didn't see coming in any shape or form. Really, I couldn't recommend this more.

Very entertaining. No tinned laughter, thank Goodness

Very entertaining stories. Thank Goodness, you are allowed to decide for yourself which moments are funny and not reminded when you are supposed to laugh.

Not Finnemore's Best

If you haven't listened to Finnemore before, I suggest that you start with *Cabin Pressure*. *Double Acts* is not his best.

But this still charming and funny.

Just ok

I did enjoy a couple of the stories. But it would be no great loss not to have listened at all.
If you have not listened to Cabin Pressure then you will love it much more than this.

Disappointing--not funny, merely mildy amusing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I would have rather re-listened to Cabin Pressure or Souvenir Programme than listened to this the first time.

Has John Finnemore's Double Acts turned you off from other books in this genre?

I adore John Finnemore, but I realize that "Double Acts" is a different genre than "Cabin Pressure" or "Souvenir Programme". His other works make me laugh out loud and are great fun. These stories are clever, with well-done twists but are amusing at best and not very funny.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The "narrators" are wonderful performers and the work wouldn't be nearly as good on the page.

Did John Finnemore's Double Acts inspire you to do anything?

Consider returning it (which I never do) and definitely never buy another "Double Acts".

Any additional comments?

If you want someone to distract you with a mildly entertaining story that is pretty inoffensive, this might fit the bill. Otherwise, stick to Mr. Finnemore's other series.

A bit normal ...

Love John Finnemore and his comedy’s shows... however this is more a few “yarns”. Not good not bad just nice time killers, however no belly laughs