Subterranean Homesick Blues: The Complete Series 1-3

A BBC Radio 4 Drama

By: A L Kennedy

Narrated by: Anna Calder-Marshall, Bill Nighy

Length: 3 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Love doesn't get easier when you're older but no wiser.

Maggie and John had a passionate but disastrous affair in their younger days, but it didn't last. Now in their late 60s, a surprise encounter gives them another chance to take up where they left off. 

Will they manage to find the best in each other and finally get together? Or will old wounds and an awareness of their ageing bodies deter them? Will the treadmill created by the high-cost, high-pressure 21st century, and their endless other commitments and interruptions large and small, overwhelm them? Or will they take the final risk?

This delightful comic drama stars Bill Nighy as John and Anna Calder-Marshall as Maggie.

A.L. Kennedy is an award-winning writer of novels, short stories and non-fiction, an academic and a stand-up comedian. 

Directed by Sally Avens.

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Great two hander

Wonderful acting by Bill Nighy and Anna Calder-Marshall, the two have just the right amount of spark between them, plenty of good one liners and you genuinely feel the two of them care for one another having met again after a long period of time. You get the feeling that they are both afraid of growing old alone and yet scared of trying to relive their younger selves. As always Nighy draws you in simply with his voice and skills and Calder-Marshall matches him with a frail vulnerability as they both rail against growing old.

Top stuff.

An Unexpected Gem...

Being a big fan of the Charles Parris series I bought this title purely on the strength of Bill Nighy's unflappable charm and poised delivery. I was not disappointed.

As a man in my 60s I could totally relate to the premise of the story (meeting an old love and finding the flame still burns) and how both characters cautiously approach the idea of 'being a couple' at this late stage of their lives.

The banter between Nighy and Calder-Marshall is wonderful and the crisp dialogue just canters along. The challenges they face as their relationship rekindles (first kiss, where and when to meet, weekends away) are beautifully handled, with the episode at the village mums and babies group being especially enjoyable and moving at the same time.

Highly recommended

Rubbish

Very disappointed. And I really like Bill Nighy, but not in this.
I feel rather saddened by it.

Wonderful Acting!

Unfortunately the storyline does not quite work for me, but the performances by actors Bill Nighy and Anna Calder-Marshall are absolutely superb. I so wanted the narrative to work, but the slight failure and disappointment in the storyline was more than compensated for by the delivery of both actors, especially Bill Nighy, who is such a wonderful radio performer.

Wanted to bash their heads together!!!

Highly enjoyable...

Lovable characters who needed their heads bashing together!!

Relationship fun and games to just proves that being single is often the best option!! Seriously though, we all know couples like this...

Disappointing

Unfortunately what I thought would be a light and fun listen turned out to be quite boring. The narration didn’t flow at all. Normally I love Bill Nighy, but this was far from being a good piece by him.

Brilliant in every way

I sat down yesterday morning for a quick coffee break in between a full day of gardening jobs. I started to listen to this. Well i never did get any further work done. Couldn’t turn it off. I thought the story was so true to life and does truthfully reflect the relationships with men and women. The comedy was brilliant. Bill and Anna were superb and full marks whoever chose them to do this play. I smiled and laughed all the way through. Also brilliantly interspersed with 60/70’s music relevant to each scene. I have the follow on recording downloaded. Sorry garden - not today either.

Subterranean Homesick Blues

I loved it. Bill Nighy has always been a huge favourite of mine and, even though I’m not familiar with Anna Calder-Marshall, the two of them worked beautifully together. The script was so equal parts funny and poignant and was delivered with superb timing, thoughtfulness and humour. More please.

Good in parts

Some great one liners. Good to listen to for light relief. Both actors as, as always, polished

Disappointing

Didn’t engage me at all - tried going back to it a few times but just didn’t enjoy.