John Finnemore's Double Acts

John Finnemore's Double Acts is a series of radio comedy programmes, written by John Finnemore, which was broadcast on Radio 4 in October and November 2015. It is an anthology series of six largely unconnected two-handers. The series was produced and directed by David Tyler.

The episode "A Flock of Tigers" was shortlisted for Best Scripted Comedy Drama in the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2016. The episode "English for Pony Lovers" won the Writers Guild of Great Britain Award for Best Comedy in January 2017.

Finnemore announced on Twitter on 16 February 2016 that "Radio 4 have asked for a second series of Double Acts" but added that it "Won't be for a while, though." The second series is scheduled to begin on 1 June 2017 and will consist of six episodes.

Format

Each episode features only two main speaking parts, apart from Finnemore himself who acts as announcer. (In "Hot Desk" two other, uncredited, voices are heard very briefly.) Each episode is a self-contained play, though four are loosely connected by incidental details, mainly revolving around references to a fictional bath supplier called Willard & Son: "A Flock of Tigers", which is set in the 1930s, features the character Edmund Willard - the titular "son" - while "Wysinnwyg", "Hot Desk" and "Red-Handed" all involve characters who work for the company in the present day. Both "Red Handed" (which takes place over half an hour in real time) and "Hot Desk" (which takes place over a few weeks) are implied to take place within the time frame of "Wysinnwyg" (which covers several months), and contain callbacks to each other in the form of references to characters appearing in the others.

Episode list

Series one

No.	Episode no.	Title	Original broadcast date
1	1	"A Flock of Tigers"	16 October 2015 (2015-Oct-16)
A seemingly ordinary train ride turns into an unexpected adventure for Edmund and Dolorosa. Cast: Celia Imrie (Dolorosa) and Charles Edwards (Edmund).
2	2	"Wysinnwyg"	23 October 2015 (2015-Oct-23)
It's Kerry's first day in the Sales Support Department of Willard & Son Bath Suppliers - where she meets Adele for the very first time. Cast: Alison Steadman (Adele) and Isy Suttie (Kerry).
3	3	"Red-Handed"	30 October 2015 (2015-Oct-30)
Joel comes home early from work one day to find an unexpected visitor in the shape of Henry. Cast: John Bird (Henry) and Lawry Lewin (Joel).
4	4	"The Goliath Window"	6 November 2015 (2015-Nov-06)
It is the year 1820, and Mark and Luke have agreed to meet in the vestry of St Anne's church in the village of Mayton Chennett. Cast: John Finnemore (Luke) and Simon Kane (Mark).
5	5	"English for Pony-Lovers"	13 November 2015 (2015-Nov-13)
In a small town in Germany, Lorna is about to give Elke an English lesson. Cast: Rebecca Front (Elke) and Beth Mullen (Lorna).
6	6	"Hot Desk"	20 November 2015 (2015-Nov-20)
For a few minutes, twice a day, at precisely seven in the morning and seven in the evening, a receptionist and a security guard meet to swap ownership of a desk. Cast: Mathew Baynton (Security Guard) and Jenny Bede (Receptionist).

Series two

No.	Episode no.	Title	Original broadcast date
7	1	"The Queen's Speech"	31 May 2017 (2017-May-31)
At her holiday home on the Isle of Wight, Queen Victoria is introduced to an inventor with a machine for recording sound. Cast: Stephanie Cole (Queen Victoria) and Kerry Godliman (Mabel).
8	2	"Mercy Dash"	7 June 2017 (2017-June-07)
Malcolm needs some help. Sue has a spot of time on her hands. Winchester beckons... Cast: Julia McKenzie and Gus Brown.
9	3	"TBC"	14 June 2017 (2017-June-14)
TBC Cast: TBC.
10	4	"TBC"	21 June 2017 (2017-June-21)
TBC Cast: TBC.
11	5	"TBC"	28 June 2017 (2017-June-28)
TBC Cast: TBC.
12	6	"TBC"	5 July 2017 (2017-July-05)
TBC Cast: TBC.

External links

• BBC programme information