The Break: The Complete Series 1-4 cover art

The Break: The Complete Series 1-4

A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama

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The Break: The Complete Series 1-4

By: James Hendrie, Ian Brown
Narrated by: Alison Steadman, Philip Jackson, Tom Palmer, Shobna Gulati, Rasmus Hardiker, Mark Benton, James Northcote
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About this listen

Philip Jackson, Tom Palmer and Alison Steadman star in this BBC Radio sitcom set in the fictional Yorkshire seaside town of Flamford

Welcome to Flamford, the town sanity forgot...

Edgy, sharp-tongued City burn-out Andy Chambers has been advised, for the sake of his health, to take a break from his stressful London lifestyle and get some rest. So he goes to stay with his estranged uncle, Jeff Whitaker, at his seaside home in Flamford - but, as he soon discovers, living with his relative is far from relaxing.

Good-natured and relentlessly cheerful, Jeff is determined to bring the recalcitrant Andy out of himself, so he leads him on an odyssey round town to meet the (somewhat eccentric) locals - including Jeff's on-off paramour, Pest Control Officer Corinne; Fish Shop Frank, who serves up saithe with a smile; loud, lovelorn Town Crier Peter Humfriss; chiselling pensioner Mr Truepenny and vicar-with-a-past, The Reverend Beverley.

As uncle and nephew embark on a series of comic, poignant adventures - from a quest for a proper roast dinner to a hunt for a poison-pen reviewer - can Jeff break down Andy's barriers, and persuade him to enjoy life, Flamford-style?

Created by Ian Brown and James Hendrie (My Family, Dial M for Pizza), this warm-hearted, quirky sitcom stars Tom Palmer and James Northcote as Andy and Philip Jackson as Jeff, with a stellar supporting cast including Alison Steadman, Mark Benton, Shobna Gulati and Rasmus Hardiker.

This comprehensive collection also includes nine in-depth interviews with the cast and crew, in which they chat to producer Gordon Kennedy about the making of The Break. These never-before-heard behind-the-scenes discussions are a must for fans of the series.

Cast

Andy Chambers - Tom Palmer/James Northcote

Jeff - Philip Jackson

Fish Shop Frank/Sid/PC Clark/Peter Humfriss/Michael/Brian/Brendan Liversedge/Johnny Hussey-Gore-Marshbanks - Mark Benton

Pest Control Officer Corinne/Joyce/Morag/Mrs Metcalfe/Mrs Truepenny/Mrs Steggles/Dr Coulson/Meg - Alison Steadman

Max/Leonard the Pirate/Derek Horrox the Mayor/Mr Truepenny/Alan/Frank 2/Glenn/Alfred/Phil Loynes/Sean/Psycho Pete/Dieter Schmidt - Rasmus Hardiker

Julie/Mira/Rev Bev/Liz/Carenza/Station Tannoy/Kerry/Steph/Sally/Bryony/Pam/Francesca/Kate/Marcia - Shobna Gulati

Chris - Gordon Kennedy

Written by Ian Brown and James Hendrie

Produced and directed by Gordon Kennedy

Studio Engineered and Edited by Leon Chambers

Production Manager: Sarah Tombling

Executive Producer: Chris Pye

An Absolutely Production for BBC Radio 4

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 May-4 July 2016 (Series 1), 14 May-18 June 2018 (Series 2), 10 June-15 July 2020 (Series 3), 10 June-15 July 2022 (Series 4)

©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Family Life Literature & Fiction Small Town & Rural Heartfelt Funny
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Critic reviews

"Enjoyably bonkers." (Irish Mail on Sunday)

What listeners say about The Break: The Complete Series 1-4

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Pity about the 2 hours at the end!

I loved this series. I’ve listened and re-listened to it, But honestly - that 2 hours of navel-gazing stuck on the end where people talk about the making of the series? Really? Ten minutes would have been generous. Why do they think we care? This is not high art, it’s a bit of entertainment (for which thank you nevertheless). Grossly disproportionate to the item itself IMO. And I’ve docked a star for that. But the series is delightful and charming and very funny. Especially the one about the fridge…

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good cast, quirky

Listened to funnier comedies. This was passable because of Alison steadman and Philip Jackson and Mark Benton. Very typical of seaside setting. Could be anywhere. Some of the characters strayed into league of gentlemen but not as developed.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I don't have many titles and I like it.

This is somehow very good listening. Great characters, great story and (on face) good value. However, whoonce ive spent my hard earned credit on it and find I'm listening to the actors 'patting themselves' on the back for 4 hours afterwards, I feel a little cheated. It should not put you off, just be warned.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Don't bother

Annoying narration especially Alison Steadman . Love her work normally .Unfunny just not good, sadly

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