Tomorrow, Today!: The Complete Series 1 and 2

A BBC Radio 4 Comedy

By: Christopher William Hill

Narrated by: Cheryl Campbell, full cast, John Fortune, Joseph Kloska, Peter Bowles

Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

1961. Radio Producer Hugo is proud of his new science-fiction show. Admittedly, the dialogue is somewhat creaky, the two lead actors despise each other and the sound effects were knocked up in the engineer's kitchen - but it has rocket-ships, hover-cars, robots and Martians. It's the world of the future, where anything can happen: and often does....

There's just one problem: nobody's listening. The future's about to be a thing of the past - until government intervention saves the series from cancellation. With the Russians forging ahead with space travel, BBC bigwigs are persuaded that Tomorrow, Today! could serve as a useful anti-Soviet propaganda tool.

Rescued from the scrapheap, the show is free to head fearlessly for the stars - including a renowned Shakespearean thespian cast in the role of an android. But reviews are poor, the Home Office won't stop interfering and as 1962 dawns, things are looking dark. Two suspicious deaths lead to rumours of a curse, Hugo is tempted away to TV, and with Harold Macmillan set to guest star, the programme is infiltrated by a spy. As the Cuban missile crisis escalates and the Cold War hots up, the whole show relocates to Wales - but will that prove any safer?

Written by award-winning Dramatist Christopher William Hill (On the Rocks), this amusing, affectionate sci-fi spoof stars Joseph Kloska, Peter Bowles, Cheryl Campbell and John Fortune.

Produced by Liz Webb.

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6th-27th October 2006 (Series 1), 28th January-3rd March 2008 (Series 2).

Cast:

Nigel Lavery - Peter Bowles

Sylvia Hann - Cheryl Campbell

Godfrey Winnard- John Fortune

Sir Angus McNairn - Gary Waldhorn

Huqo Kellerman - Joseph Kloska

Douglas Bennings/Harold Macmillan - Jon Glover

Colin Franks - Paul Richard Biggin

Miss Pickford/Waitress/Advert voice/Producer - Miranda Keeling

Sir Monty - Leslie Phillips

Rex the pianist - Marc Willcox

Keith Wood - Sam Pamphilon

Mrs Tinkler/Cynthia Valentine - Rachel Atkins

Graham Tinkler - Lloyd Thomas

Delivery boy/Director - Alex Lanipekun

Georgina Barrett - Carolyn Pickles

Burton/Porter - Peter Marinker

Fenella Sayers - Ania Gordon

Angela/Miss Thurwell - Anna Bengo

Continuity/Roger Aspinall - Simon Treves

Veronica Walters - Johannah Tincey

Henderson/Mr Thomas - Ben Crowe

Secretary/Tannoy - Laura Molyneux

©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Wanted more sci-fi

I found the short, absurd science fiction segments far more entertaining than the tedious bureaucratic infighting and jealous disputes of the over-the-top leads of the show. I understand that kind of thing is a mainstay of BBC comedy but a little bit goes a long way. I've never thought listening to people quarreling ALL THE TIME to be particularly humourous. The "Professor Fabula" homage to Doctor Who was cleverly done.

The best part is the premise of the show - actually written in 2006, it is set in 1962 and follows the cast of a science fiction series set in the "far future" of 2006 where (as we all know) supercities, aliens and space travel would be commonplace.

FUNNIEST COMEDY EVER

This comedy series is so funny and well acted by a cast that plays great together with impeccable timing. If the series continues beyond 1 and 2 I would love to hear it.