The Small Intricate Life of Gerald C...., Basil Boothroyd
The Small Intricate Life of Gerald C...., Basil Boothroyd
List: $14.62 | Sale: $10.23
Club: $7.31

The Small Intricate Life of Gerald C. Potter
A BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

Author: Basil Boothroyd

Narrator: Ian Carmichael, Charlotte Mitchell, Full Cast

Unabridged: 11 hr 7 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/19/2021

Categories: Fiction, Humorous


Synopsis

The convoluted chronicle of an optimistic crime writer

'Basil Boothroyd's quietly comic classic' Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph

Gerald C Potter is the proud author of Death in the Arboretum, described by the Bournemouth Echo as 'well-written'. He works hard on his books, and worries about every comma, adjective and unfortunate typo: but somehow, he never seems to get very much done. However, his wife and fellow novelist, Diana (aka Magnolia Badminton) is positively prolific - much to his chagrin.

These four series recount his daily activities and struggles for inspiration, as he tries to solve the mystery of his missing briefcase; goes up against his wife as they compete to publicise their new books; takes a holiday abroad that's far from relaxing; and receives a double-edged surprise on United Potter Day. And in special festive episode 'The Cousin', an unexpected message in a Christmas card leaves Gerald and Diana scrambling to prepare for a last-minute visitor...

Written by celebrated humorist Basil Boothroyd, this witty, quick, clever sitcom ran for five years on Radio 4 between 1976 and 1981. It stars Ian Carmichael (The World of Wooster, Lord Peter Wimsey) as Gerald C Potter, with Charlotte Mitchell (Waggoners' Walk, The Adventures of Black Beauty) as Diana.

Production credits
Written by Basil Boothroyd
Produced by Bobby Jaye

Cast
Gerald C Potter - Ian Carmichael
Diana, his wife - Charlotte Mitchell
With Michael McClain, James Thomason, Trader Faulkner, Robin Browne, Michael Deacon, Jo Manning Wilson, Margaret Robertson, Peter Craze, Anthony Smee, Michael Goldie, Penelope Reynolds, Geoffrey Matthews, Edward Kelsey, Betty Huntley-Wright, Fiona Mathieson, Garard Green, Brian Carroll, Danny Schiller, Douglas Blackwell, Patricia Hughes, Margot Boyd, Pauline Letts, Brian Haines, Lolly Cockerell, Jane Knowles, Michael Spice, Preston Lockwood, Charles Colville, Paddy O'Byrne, John Church, Judy Franklin and John McAndrew

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 22 March-26 April 1976 (Series 1), 9 November-14 December 1977 (Series 2), 26 December 1977 (Christmas Special, 'The Cousin'), 24 September-29 October 1979 (Series 3), 27 April-1 June 1981 (Series 4)

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

Reviews

Goodreads review by Barb on April 06, 2025

Clever writing but slow. I tried to plow through it and this is written as episodes so I think I should have listened to it in chunks.......more