A Life of Bliss
Comedy
Comedy
All Gas And Gaiters.
All Gas And Gaiters finds that ecclesiastical dignity is no protection against a comic predicament. Around St Ogg’s Cathedral, competing personalities and well-meant plans give the clergy as much difficulty as their official responsibilities. William Mervyn, Robertson Hare and John Barron among the performers.
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All Gas And Gaiters: Programme Guide.
At St Ogg's, a quiet life is a reasonable ambition and a remarkably difficult achievement. The clergy's differing temperaments turn official duties and small plans into a continuing source of comic disorder.
Broadcast history.
The BBC Radio 4 version ran in 1971–1972, after the television comedy had established its characters. Scripts were revised and performed again for radio, making these audio productions rather than simply television soundtracks. The researched radio guide lists thirty-three episodes across two series.
Cast and creative team.
Pauline Devaney and Edwin Apps wrote the comedy. Robertson Hare played the Archdeacon, William Mervyn the Bishop and John Barron the Dean. Derek Nimmo played the Reverend Mervyn Noote in the first radio series, followed by Jonathan Cecil in the second. The BBC publisher credits producers David Hatch and John Dyas.
Where to begin.
The Bishop Rides Again · The Bishop Writes a Sermon · The Bishop Learns the Facts
The first two opened the 1971 radio series. The Bishop Learns the Facts opens the second series in the researched broadcast guide.
An interesting detail.
The change of chaplain's voice is part of the radio history. Nimmo and Cecil both played Noote, so one cast list should not be imposed on every recording in the two-series run.
Listening appeal.
Begin with the opening broadcast to meet the comic relationships, or choose another available predicament. Much of the pleasure lies in the gap between the dignity of an office and the behaviour of the person occupying it.
Collection and date notes.
HRV lists thirty-three public recordings. The count agrees with the published radio total, but is not by itself an audio-completeness audit. Keep the 1971–1972 radio dates distinct from the earlier television run and modern podcast publication dates. Supporting cast varied by episode.
Sources.
Choose your next episode.
33 public recordings in this programme. Catalogue order is not a verified original broadcast chronology.
33 episodes available.
The Bishop Warms Up
29:37When In Rome
27:03Only Three Can Play
28:11
Questions about All Gas And Gaiters.
Are these television soundtracks?
The scripts were revised and re-recorded as radio productions.
Why does the chaplain sound different?
Derek Nimmo played Noote in series one and Jonathan Cecil in series two.
Where should I start?
The Bishop Rides Again is the first broadcast in the researched radio sequence.
