Mark Steel's in Town

Mark Steel returns to Radio 4 for a fifth series of the award winning show that travels around the country, researching the history, heritage and culture of six towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness, and does a bespoke evening of comedy in each one. As every high street slowly morphs into a replica of the next, Mark Steel's in Town celebrates the parochial, the local and the unusual. From Corby's rivalry with Kettering to the word you can't say in Portland, the show has taken in the idiosyncrasies of towns up and down the country, from Kirkwall to Penzance, from Holyhead to Bungay.This edition comes from Birkenhead, Wirral, where the landscape may be dominated by the shipyard but the local life has also included monks, a "Bantam Army", one of the quirkiest bands in the country, and a pub inside a barbershop. You will also find out why this edition of Mark Steel's In Town was probably the inspiration for Woody Allen's Manhattan. From February 2014.Written and performed by ... Mark Steel Additional material by ... Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinator ... Trudi Stevens Producer ... Ed Morrish.

Mark Steel returns to Radio 4 for a fifth series of the award winning show that travels around the country, researching the history, heritage and culture of six towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness, and does a bespoke evening of comedy in each one. As every high street slowly morphs into a replica of the next, Mark Steel's in Town celebrates the parochial, the local and the unusual. From Corby's rivalry with Kettering to the word you can't say in Portland, the show has taken in the idiosyncrasies of towns up and down the country, from Kirkwall to Penzance, from Holyhead to Bungay.This edition comes from Southall in Middlesex, which is also known as "little India" due to the large Asian community there. Mark tried the local food - Jalebi, Paan, Pakora - that can seem alien to someone who grew up in 1960s Kent. The twin landmarks of Heathrow Airport and the Sikh temple dominate the area, with the latter proving more popular as Mark also discusses football, astrology and bank openings. From January 2014.Written and performed by ... Mark Steel Additional material by ... Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinator ... Trudi Stevens Producer ... Ed Morrish.

Mark Steel returns to Radio 4 for a fifth series of the award winning show that travels around the country, researching the history, heritage and culture of six towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness, and does a bespoke evening of comedy in each one. As every high street slowly morphs into a replica of the next, Mark Steel's in Town celebrates the parochial, the local and the unusual. From Corby's rivalry with Kettering to the word you can't say in Portland, the show has taken in the idiosyncrasies of towns up and down the country, from Kirkwall to Penzance, from Holyhead to Bungay.This edition comes from St Davids, Pembrokeshire, which is technically a city - with the emphasis on the technically. He discusses lifeboats, art and wildlife, and discovers that in this sleepy coastal community, they are sometimes very rude but sometimes very, very friendly. Almost too friendly. But only if you're into that sort of thing. From January 2014.Written and performed by ... Mark Steel Additional material by ... Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinator ... Trudi Stevens Producer ... Ed Morrish.

Mark Steel returns to Radio 4 for a fifth series of the award winning show that travels around the country, researching the history, heritage and culture of six towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness, and does a bespoke evening of comedy in each one. As every high street slowly morphs into a replica of the next, Mark Steel's in Town celebrates the parochial, the local and the unusual. From Corby's rivalry with Kettering to the word you can't say in Portland, the show has taken in the idiosyncrasies of towns up and down the country, from Kirkwall to Penzance, from Holyhead to Bungay.This edition comes from Derry/Londonderry in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, where the problems start with deciding which name to actually use. Mark also looks at the somewhat contentious history of the city, the impact of being the 2013 City of Culture, the local dialect, and the new bridge that's got everyone talking in this jam-packed half-hour show. (It would have been quicker, but he used the local trains.) From January 2014.Written and performed by ... Mark Steel Additional material by ... Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinator ... Trudi Stevens Producer ... Ed Morrish.

Mark Steel returns to Radio 4 for a fifth series of the award winning show that travels around the country, researching the history, heritage and culture of six towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness, and does a bespoke evening of comedy in each one. As every high street slowly morphs into a replica of the next, Mark Steel's in Town celebrates the parochial, the local and the unusual. From Corby's rivalry with Kettering to the word you can't say in Portland, the show has taken in the idiosyncrasies of towns up and down the country, from Kirkwall to Penzance, from Holyhead to Bungay.This first edition of the series comes from Glastonbury, Somerset, which lives up to every expectation of being the most new-agey, hippyish town Mark has ever visited. He talks about the Tor and King Arthur, visits the two chain shops on the High Street, is given an unusual reason for not being able to get into his dressing room, and makes a crucial mistake when it comes to cider. From January 2014.Written and performed by ... Mark Steel Additional material by ... Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinator ... Trudi Stevens Producer ... Ed Morrish.

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Chipping Norton.During his visit to the market town in Oxfordshire, he uncovers the relationship between the Camerons, the Clarksons, and a town full of rebels.Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a bespoke stand-up show for the locals.Written by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Sam BryantFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2013.

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Corby.During his visit to Northamptonshire, he uncovers an unlikely town rivalry, the extraordinary story behind a baffling accent, and the truth behind the trouser press rumours...Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a bespoke stand-up show for the locals.Written by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Sam BryantFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2012.

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Ottery St Mary. During his visit to the town in Devon, he discusses Coleridge's embarrassing childhood, pixies, and what happens when you put five thousand people in a square with a lit tar barrel.Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a bespoke stand-up show for the locals.Written by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Sam BryantFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2012.

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Handsworth. During his visit to the town in Birmingham, he explores reggae and riots, white supremacist gardening, and how takeaway food affects the time space continuum.Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a bespoke stand-up show for the locals.Written by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Sam BryantFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2012.

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Tobermory.During his visit to the town on the Isle of Mull, he discusses kid's TV-rage, underwear odysseys, and supercilious sea eagles.Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a bespoke stand-up show for the locals.Written by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Sam BryantFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2012.

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Whitehaven.He discusses surrealist pirates, the dubious origins of rum butter, and the un-reassuring link between rugby and nuclear power.During his visit to the Cumbrian coastal town, he investigates the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people - everything from rivalries, slang and traditions to the eccentricities which makes them unique. Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a bespoke stand-up show for the locals.Written by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Sam BryantFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2012.

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Wigan.He's talking about entering pie-eating competitions, living under floorboards, and the radicalism of George Formby.During his visit to the Greater Manchester town, he investigates the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people.Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a stand-up show for the locals.Written by Mark Steel with additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Sam BryantFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2012.

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Bungay.He's talking about non-existent castles, haunted pubs and chicken roundabouts.During his visit to the Suffolk town, he investigates the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people.Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a stand-up show for the locals.Written by Mark Steel with additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Sam BryantFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2012.

Mark Steel continues his tour of six more UK towns as he performs for the residents of Douglas on the Isle of Man.His bespoke stand-up show covers space travel, fairy bridges and the mystery - or otherwise - of Gef the Talking Mongoose.As well as shedding light on less visited areas, Mark uncovers stories and experiences that resonate with us all as we recognise the quirkiness of the British way of life and the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people who have shaped where we live. Written by Mark Steel with additional material by Pete Sinclair. Producer: Sam Bryant First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Basingstoke.He covers the Salvation Army, prehistoric roundabouts and a rather unusual world record set in a shopping centre.During his visit to the Hampshire town, he investigates the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people.Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a stand-up show for the locals.Written by Mark Steel.With additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Sam BryantFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011.

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Holyhead.He's talking about sinking ships, fishy foot nibbling, the newest locals - Kate and Wills, and a mayor whose eccentricity puts Boris to shame...During his visit to the town on the the island of Anglesey, he investigates the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people.Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a stand-up show for the locals.Written by Mark Steel with additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Sam BryantFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011.

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Berwick-Upon Tweed.He's talking about war with Russia, Scottish rivalries and rather unusual local slang. During his visit to the Northumberland town, he investigates the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people. Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a stand-up show for the locals.Written by Mark Steel with additional material by Pete Sinclair. Producer: Sam BryantFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011.

Comedian Mark Steel returns to visit more UK towns to discover what makes them and their inhabitants distinctive.He creates a bespoke stand-up show for each town and performs the show in front of a local audience.As well as shedding light on the less visited areas of Britain, Mark uncovers stories and experiences that resonate with us all as we recognise the quirkiness of the British way of life and the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people who have shaped where we live.Mark travels to Kirkwall in Orkney.He encounters Thorfinn The Skullsplitter; an extraordinarily violent ball game and why it's pointless being a hairdresser on the island.Written by Mark Steel.With additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Julia McKenzie.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2010.

Comedian Mark Steel returns to visit more UK towns to discover what makes them and their inhabitants distinctive.He creates a bespoke stand-up show for each town and performs the show in front of a local audience.As well as shedding light on the less visited areas of Britain, Mark uncovers stories and experiences that resonate with us all as we recognise the quirkiness of the British way of life and the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people who have shaped where we live.Mark is in Gateshead to perform to locals who under no circumstances want their town to be confused with Newcastle. Whilst there, Mark enjoys a memorable night out in a local pub; a telling-off in the Baltic Art Gallery, a visit to the Angel of The North and an ugly car park that some people want to preserve because of its role in a grisly murder.Written by Mark Steel.With additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Julia McKenzie.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2010.

Comedian Mark Steel returns to visit more UK towns to discover what makes them and their inhabitants distinctive.He creates a bespoke stand-up show for each town and performs the show in front of a local audience.As well as shedding light on the less visited areas of Britain, Mark uncovers stories and experiences that resonate with us all as we recognise the quirkiness of the British way of life and the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people who have shaped where we live.Mark travels to Cornwall and finally reaches the town of Penzance where the locals revel in their remoteness, pilchards and pasties. Struck by the beauty of this rugged coastal town he is surprised to find a civil war raging...Written by Mark Steel.With additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Julia McKenzie.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2010.

Comedian Mark Steel returns to visit more UK towns to discover what makes them and their inhabitants distinctive.He creates a bespoke stand-up show for each town and performs the show in front of a local audience.As well as shedding light on the less visited areas of Britain, Mark uncovers stories and experiences that resonate with us all as we recognise the quirkiness of the British way of life and the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people who have shaped where we live.This time Mark travels to the Scottish border town of Dumfries.Here he discovers a bloodthirsty history and seagull-hating inhabitants who are obsessed with the poet Robert Burns.Written by Mark Steel.With additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Julia McKenzie.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2010.

Comedian Mark Steel returns to visit more UK towns to discover what makes them and their inhabitants distinctive.He creates a bespoke stand-up show for each town and performs the show in front of a local audience.As well as shedding light on the less visited areas of Britain, Mark uncovers stories and experiences that resonate with us all as we recognise the quirkiness of the British way of life and the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people who have shaped where we live.This time Mark performs a show for the residents of Wilmslow in Cheshire.He gets to grips with Footballers Mansions, 3D eyelashes and the rhyming Wizard of Alderley Edge.Written by Mark SteelWith additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Julia McKenzie.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2010.

Comedian Mark Steel returns to visit 6 more UK towns to discover what makes them and their inhabitants distinctive. He creates a bespoke stand-up show for each town and performs the show in front of a local audience. As well as shedding light on the less visited areas of Britain, Mark uncovers stories and experiences that resonate with us all as we recognise the quirkiness of the British way of life and the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people who have shaped where we live.For starters, Mark performs a show for the residents of Dartford in Kent.He talks about the peasants' revolt, gypsy tart, Mick Jagger and what one resident calls "the Road To Hell". Written by Mark SteelWith additional material by Pete Sinclair. Producer: Julia McKenzie.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2010.

Comedian Mark Steel gets to grips with the bird observatory, stone quarries and customs of the Isle of Portland in order to find out what makes it so distinctive. Find out why the locals are obsessed with obelisks and why you must never say the 'r' word. Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a stand-up show for the locals.Producer: Julia McKenzieFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2009.

From the Myfanwy Theatre, Mark Steel performs for the residents of Merthyr Tydfil – the town in South Wales with a love of boxers and revolution.Mark checks out the town’s history and compares it with Cardiff.And he investigates the Welsh language – talking to a teacher, who compares it to modern Welsh. He also takes a look at the local pubs – and is surprised to discover that Merthyr Tydfil is the home of the Welsh Mormons.Mark finds out about the impact of the Merthyr Rising, which was the biggest insurrection in British history since the Civil War. Plus, the history of boxing in Merthyr Tydfil. Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a stand-up show for the locals.Producer: Julia McKenzie First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2009.

This week, Mark performs the local Town Hall in Walsall, West Midlands: a town which has nothing to do with Birmingham.Mark discusses their statue of a concrete hippo, smaller than he expected and the fact that people keep moving it. Mark also jokes about the statue of Princess Diana that turned black. Mark then talks about the leather trade and the local leather museum. Then there's the Walsall man who shot himself with his own taser.Mark explores the town's history - mining and how he visited a very hot iron foundry. We hear about the creation of St. Monday, in which people tried to get the Monday off from work. Sister Dora was the "Civilian Florence Nightingale" helping to improve health care for the poor, who also has a statue.Mark tells us about the Walsall Anarchists who were framed by the police and probably the most famous anarchists in British history. And we can't forget Walsall's very own football club, who defeated the unstoppable Arsenal 2-0 in the 1930s - one of the biggest upsets in football history.Produced by Julia McKenzie.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2009.

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Lewes.During his visit, he also celebrates the East Sussex town's fires, pub fights and stroppiness. Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a stand-up show for the locals.Producer: Julia McKenzieFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2009.

Mark Steel performs for the residents of Boston.During his visit to the Lincolnshire town, he takes a look at the Stump and sprouts and sees for himself why the inhabitants have no need of a handbrake. Mark tries to work out what makes the town so distinctive. With a guest appearance from a Boston rapper. Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a stand-up show for the locals.Producer: Julia McKenzieFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2009.

Comedian Mark Steel visits the attractive market town of Skipton in Yorkshire and presents a show from a livestock auction hall to discover what makes the town and its inhabitants distinctive. Producer: Julia McKenzie.A BBC Radio Comedy Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2009.

Welcome to Mark Steel’s In Town, Radio 4’s comedy road trip across the UK. Join Mark as he visits a new town, meets the locals, finds out what makes the town unique and then performs a show to the people who live there. He makes fun of them, they make fun of him - and sometimes it gets pretty lively.Mark Steel’s In Town is a BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4.