Paul Kerensa

An Evening of (Very) Old Radio

Paul Kerensa

The BBC origin story by Miranda co-writer Paul Kerensa

Are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin...

British Comedy Award-winning writer (Miranda, Not Going Out), comedian (Winner, ITV’s Take the Mike) & radio historian Paul Kerensa brings a stand-up history show that informs, educates + entertains about the BBC’s origin story. 

Journey back to the 1920s to relive the first firsts of broadcasting, from Marconi to Reith via Britain’s first DJ (Mrs Donisthorpe, WWI), the first radio drama (a story lost till Paul found it in the British Library), the first BBC children’s programme, and much more. 

Based on Paul’s new research, this delightfully fun tale is packed with rare clips and pics, old radio props, and insights of Paul’s present-day BBC career, from sitcom-writing to broadcasting on Radio 2. The show ends with Q&A and a chance to browse his 1922 Radio Times (although the programmes are no longer on BBC Sounds – sorry, you’ve missed them. This show is the next best thing...)

Paul is an author of books including Hark! The Biography of Christmas, comedy writer for Radio 4’s The News Quiz and The Now Show, broadcaster on Radio 2’s Pause for Thought, Radio 4’s Daily Service and BBC1’s Sunday Morning Live, and presenter of The British Broadcasting Century Podcast. 

“Paul has a brilliant way of bringing these stories to life." ***** - audience review 

“A brilliant writer, fantastic communicator, deep thinker and philosopher but most importantly, extremely decent bloke.” - Chris Evans 

“Top writer, top comic, top bloke! – Lee Mack

Info

Date: Tuesday 30 September

Time: 7:30pm

Running time: 110 minutes, including an interval

Age advisory: Suitable for all but recommended 12+