John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme: Series 9

The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Sketch Show

By: John Finnemore

Narrated by: John Finnemore, Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Simon Kane, Carrie Quinlan, Lawry Lewin

The complete ninth series of BBC Radio 4's award-winning sketch show.

John Finnemore returns with his multi-award-winning sketch show, but this series is very different to the previous eight. There are still sketches and songs, and it's still written and performed by him and his usual fantastic ensemble cast - but with no live studio audience, John has taken the opportunity to try something new.

Each episode in this series of Souvenir Programme consists of scenes from one person's life, played in reverse order. There's no narrative as such - it's still a sketch show - but as we follow the characters back in time, from lockdown Zoom calls to childhood birthdays and funerals, the individual sketches link up to form an overall picture, portraying the sprawling history of an entire multi-generational family.

And, as if that wasn't enough, there are also some terrific tall tales, a paean of praise and a truly unforgettable earworm....

Clever, complex, hilarious and poignant, these Souvenir Programmes with a twist star Lawry Lewin as Russ, Margaret Cabourn-Smith as Deborah, Simon Kane as Jerry, Carrie Quinlan as Vanessa and John Finnemore as Newt.

Cast and credits

Written and performed by John Finnemore

Ensemble cast: Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Simon Kane, Lawry Lewin, Carrie Quinlan

Original music composed by Susannah Pearse and Sally Stares, and arranged by Susannah Pearse and Tim Sutton

Recorded and edited by Rich Evans at Syncbox Post

Production coordinator: Beverly Tagg

Producer: Ed Morrish

A BBC Studios production

©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Critic reviews

"One of our best sketch writers." (Observer)

Yes, it's short on comedy. No, it doesn't stint on invention

I was given an audible account that had five of John Finemore's series pre-loaded, and I enjoyed every single one of them! Then my former coworker suggested I listen to this series, and I have to say that my admiration of Finamore, as a storyteller, as well as a comedian, has only increased. This series had me chuckling, laughing out loud, but also pondering life's imponderables, which, given the time it was created, and the circumstances, is perfectly justified.

I know for some it disappoints because it isn't all comedy, but I think it is the richer for what he has done. I'm sorry if it is appointed some, but I'm not sorry to have listened to it.

Not really "The souvenir Programme"

I don't think this should be called Souvenir Programme... Maybe, John Finnemore's A Family Tree? This wasn't like the past seasons, but it was (for me) an easy going compellation, that while not funny like past shows, was entertaining and even a little emotional. The addled story teller from past seasons, makes sense now, somehow! I enjoyed it a lot!

I'm sorry, but COVID is no excuse for this.

I get it, I really really do. Trying to do a comedy show without a live studio audience and with the performers probably recording from home, must have been a total nightmare. Regardless, this absolutely is not the solution. There's barely any comedy here, and what there is is pretty weak. if Mr. Finnemore wanted to try something new, that's fine, but don't make it part of the Souvenir Programme, call it something else. I don't think anybody would have blamed them for taking hiatus. Or, if you're really going to do this, what in the world is with the reverse chronology?? It's ridiculously difficult to follow, and while it's cute to see how certain elements were created, I'm sure I'm missing a bunch of the things just because of it being out of order.

I would NOT buy this season if you're a fan, I hope future ones are better!

Not what I was expecting

I love John Finnemore's stuff. Souvenir Programme, Cabin Pressure, Double Acts but I struggled with this one. I just don't get it.

Loved it. An entire family history of a character.

I'd been a fan of the earlier series and was expecting for of the same, but this departure from the formula built the disjoint family history of a regular character from earlier series. Scene by scene, the threads were woven together after the initial confusion. It left me with such warm feelings toward the characters in the same way I had with Cabin Pressure.

It's prequels all the way down

Well, not really, but it's important to read the blurb that briefly explains how each skit is a slice-of-life of a character initially introduced in the first Zoom group, and each slice-of-life goes backwards in time to another slice-of-life in that person's lifetime, and then backwards again, and again.

We see how others in that group intersect that person's life.
Later we go back in time with someone else in that group.

Then, at the end, we are back in the present, at the Zoom call, and suddenly we see everyone with their life story, and understand the ritual/joke and the ties that bind.

It's poignant.

I've listened to John Finnemore's Double Acts and Souvenir Programmes multiple times. Both have humanity and humor as the underlying foundation, although Double Acts is deeper and Souvenir Programmes is lighter.

This had the feel of the Double Acts vignettes, but the structure and some Easter Egg type references to Souvenir Programmes past skit elements. Those connections made me smile.

Since I already have a habit of multiple listens of good writing, this will be fun to unpack over more listens. Because there are too many details to absorb with just one listen.

Out of the norm for this show, but needs must

Series 9, recorded without a live audience and with a socially distanced cast, took quite a different turn than the previous eight series; however, it still shares quite a bit of DNA with series 1-8 while borrowing a tonal shift from Double Acts. Instead of entirely unrelated sketches, we're treated to selected snapshots of the lives of several generations of a family, and listeners are rewarded with references to other sketches hidden throughout the entire series. The departure from the normal format due to COVID lockdown is likely the culprit for the low ratings, and while this certainly is a departure, it's no less a quality programme. People who enjoy this series will almost certainly enjoy the afore mentioned John Finnemore's Double Acts (and vice-versa).

"Poignant " - from the Audible description - fits

Artists are allowed to make things that differ from their familiar body of work. This is definitely something new and different . On my first listen, I felt a bit lost, although as the episodes unfolded, I began to follow the threads. On subsequent hearings, I became more engaged and attached. The humor is gentler and subtler here. The tenderness of the stories and the characters is quite moving. As always ,John and the cast capture so many moments and emotions. I will listen to this more and more.
Side note; Why isn"t series six available in US market? I return to all of Finnemore's works oftener and oftener.

Huh…..?

Loved every season of this so far. Not sure what happened this time? Maybe I’m just too slow-witted - but just didn’t get the first 3 episodes and didn’t bother listening beyond.