Alison and Maud: The Complete Series 1 and 2

The BBC Radio 4 Comedy

By: Sue Limb

Narrated by: Denise Coffey, Full Cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, Joss Ackland, Miriam Margolyes

Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sisters Alison and Maud are joint landladies of the Abbeyfield Guest House, dispensing hospitality to a variety of demanding clients while also looking after their irascible, bedridden father downstairs in the granny flat. Dreamy ornithologist Alison has just moved back from Bloomsbury, while Maud ran a 3,000-acre farm in Africa - but neither sibling is really up to the task of managing a B&B, and chaos generally ensues.

In these two series, Alison has the hots for their accountant, Bernard - and is the reluctant object of a courtship display from a fellow bird-fancier; Maud comes up trumps in the middle of the night (but what will the guests make of what's in the saucepan?) and handyman Mr Mullet and the bishop of Norwich get a little too close for comfort over tea. Meanwhile, the landladies' daddy complains about his new orthopaedic mattress, battles with hallucinogenic fungus and chips and prepares for his 85th birthday party - but what form will the celebrations take?

Sue Limb's sitcom stars Denise Coffey as Alison and Miriam Margolyes as Maud, with Joss Ackland as Father and Geoffrey Whitehead as Bernard.

Written by Sue Limb

Produced by Jonathan James-Moore

Starring Denise Coffey as Alison and Miriam Margolyes as Maud.

Cast:

Father - Joss Ackland

Mr Mullett/Brian - Chris Emmett

Bernard/Mr Ducket - Geoffrey Whitehead

Marina - Phyllida Nash

Leslie - Nickolas Grace

Mrs Ducket - Judy Flynn

The Bishop of Norwich - Nicholas Le Provost

Jane - Jane Sellars

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 13th December 2002-17th January 2003 (Series 1), 15th March-19th April 2004 (Series 2)

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

Simply charming

This is one of my perfect night-time listens. Not demanding in terms of plot (if they will excuse me saying so) but just potters along with charming characters and very “British” humour. I can put this on anywhere in the middle of an episode and still enjoy it.

Terrific, well-written and performed comedy!

I’m a huge fan of Sue Limb’s various radio series, which mostly feature the same company of stellar performers and which include many perfectly observed period shows like ‘Gloomsbury’ and ‘The SitCrom’.
But ‘Alison and Maud’ really is my favourite. Set in a boarding house in modern day Norwich, it’s a brilliant mix of eccentric characters, clever wordplay and some belting double entendres. Proper laugh out loud stuff! The stories are an irresistible mix of the mundane and surreal - and the characters are all brilliantly observed, funny and really layered...and occasionally a little dark. The performances are excellent across the board. I really enjoyed this series and it defiantly stands repeat listening. Highly recommended.👍🏻

gentle comedy 🤣 loved it .

loved it great cast , well written , and acted , nice gentle funny comedy

A repeat listen.

love all the characters and the antics.
Being based in Norfolk and recognising the local area was one of the reasons for listening.

Hours Of Laughter

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. The characters are played brilliantly by all of the cast. They are very funny and charming. I have listened to it several times. I would highly recommend this if you need cheering up.

Very Good Series and funny.

Enjoyed this series. Heard it over the years on and off on the radio. But missed a lot.
Now I've heard the whole thing. Shame more wasn't made.

Funny , witty and cheerful

Love this series - excellent actors and Sue Limb’s comedy is marvellously sardonic - 10 out of 10!