The Navy Lark: Series 8 and 9

The Classic BBC Radio Sitcom

By: Lawrie Wyman

Narrated by: Stephen Murray, Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Richard Caldicot, Heather Chasen, Ronnie Barker, Tenniel Evans, Michael Bates, full cast

The eighth and ninth series of the vintage comedy about life aboard a Royal Navy frigate

There's more fun on the ocean waves in these 33 hilarious episodes, as the hapless Captain Povey and his reluctant subordinates are caught up in more comic capers.

Contained here are the complete Series Eight and Nine of the popular show, which sees Murray courting Heather, Phillips pursuing the new Wren and Pertwee planning some special commemorative gifts for Troutbridge's 25th anniversary. Plus, the crew embark on a top secret mission, participate in a joint forces exercise and prepare to take two VIPs from The Embassy Lark to Tratvia for a trade festival.

All at sea in the Senior Service are Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Stephen Murray and a supporting cast including Ronnie Barker, Tenniel Evans. Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates and Heather Chasen. Among the guest stars are Derek Francis, Frank Thornton and Amanda Murray.

NB: Some of the language on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary

Production credits
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman
Produced by Alastair Scott Johnston
Starring: Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Stephen Murray, Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates, Heather Chasen, Ronnie Barker and Tenniel Evans
With Derek Francis, Frank Thornton and Amanda Murray

Remastered by Ted Kendall
Thanks to Keith Wickham

Note: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here have been adopted for easy reference and are in line with previous commercial releases

For more information on the programme, contact:
The Navy Lark Appreciation Society
Honeysuckle Cottage
Little Street
Yoxford
Suffolk
IP7 3JQ

Episode guide

First broadcast on BBC Light Programme on the following dates:

Series 8
Where is Troutbridge? 4 September 1966
The Float a Peddle Fiddle 11 September 1966
A Sticky Business 18 September 1966
Buoys Will Be Buoys 25 September 1966
Steamship Day 2 October 1966
Farewell to HMS Varsity 9 October 1966
The Army Lark 16 October 1966
Just the Ticket 23 October 1966
Mr Phillips' Promotion 30 October 1966
Pertwee and the Tratvian Beer 6 November 1966
The PM Papa 13 November 1966
Getting Rid of Pertwee 20 November 1966
Off to Sea at Last 27 November 1966

Series 9
Back from the Antarctic 2 July 1967
Fishing off the Faroes 9 July 1967
A Filthy Ferryboat 16 July 1967
Jigsaws and Jemmies 23 July 1967
The Naval Review 30 July 1967
The Curious Caravan Case 6 August 1967
Frenchmen in J.41 13 August 1967
The Police Drop In 20 August 1967
Mr Murray's Endurance Course 27 August 1967
Women in the Wardroom 27 August 1967
Troutbridge's Silver Jubilee Party 10 September 1967
CECIL the Navigation Computer 17 September 1967
A Russian Rendezvous 24 September 1967
The Bugged and Burgled Beer 1 October 1967
Picking up the Poppadom 8 October 1967
Cuthbert Joins the Navy 15 October 1967
The Flying Machine 22 October 1967
When Sub Lt Phillips was at Dartmouth 29 October 1967
A Fishy Business 5 November 1967
Troutbridge in Quarantine 12 November 1967

©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd