Bleak Expectations: The Complete First Series

Join Anthony Head, Celia Imrie, Richard Johnson and Geoffrey Whitehead in this gloriously daft Victorian romp in the style of Charles Dickens after too much gin, first performed on the British Broadcasting Club’s Radio 4. Gasp at the evil Mr Gently Benevolent, played by Mr Anthony Head! Weep at the trials of our young hero Pip Bin, played by Master Tom Allen! Be moved to joy and sorrow by the remarkable narration of Mr Richard Johnson! Swoon at the fragile beauty of Pip’s poor Mama, played by Miss Celia Imrie! Wonder at the thespian prowess of Mr Geoffrey Whitehead as six different siblings! Follow the remarkable adventures of young Pip Bin as he struggles to rescue himself and his sisters from the schemes of his evil and badly-named guardian Mr Gently Benevolent, and the blood-curdling Hardthrasher family. Immerse yourself in a timeless epic featuring terrifying schools, even worse prisons, disguises, court-cases, shipwrecks, underwater squirrels and swash-buckling long-lost aunts. Revel in the many fine quips, characters and scenarios in these six magnificent episodes written by Mr. Mark Evans and produced by Mr. Gareth Edwards, previously renowned for their craftsmanship on the works of Messrs. Mitchell and Webb. Televised as ‘The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff‘ on the BBC. ‘A joy!’ – Times. ‘We are amused’ – Independent. 3 CDs. 2 hrs 48 mins.