Monday 2 May 2016

Kenneth's Cold Comfort Farm

 

The wonderful BBC Radio 4 Extra has come up trumps once again. Various people on Twitter have been commenting on the brilliance of Kenneth Williams reading the classic novel Cold Comfort Farm on the station.

Originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1974, this adaptation provides Kenneth Williams a wonderful opportunity to exploit his vocal talents and acting range, away from the joys and double entrendres of the Carry On films. Kenneth was a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio throughout his career, from the early days with Tony Hancock to his mammoth stint on the panel of the classic game Just A Minute.

Anyway, back to Cold Comfort Farm. Here are some details from the BBC website:

"Child, Child. If you come to this doomed house, what is to save you?" 

Poor but wise orphan Flora Poste decides to live with her relatives in Sussex.

In 1932, Stella Gibbons' book was acclaimed as a wickedly funny send-up of a certain kind of heavy-breathing novel about the doom-laden everyday life of country folk. Since then it has become a classic of comedy in its own right.

Abridged in six parts and produced by Pamela Howe.


It's great to see (or hear) another side to Kenneth's acting career, so thank you BBC Radio 4 Extra! You can listen to the first of six episodes here: BBC Radio 4 Extra

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

 

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