John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme: Series 9
The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Sketch Show
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By:
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John Finnemore
The complete ninth series of BBC Radio 4's award-winning sketch show.
John Finnemore returns with his multi-award-winning sketch show, but this series is very different to the previous eight. There are still sketches and songs, and it's still written and performed by him and his usual fantastic ensemble cast - but with no live studio audience, John has taken the opportunity to try something new.
Each episode in this series of Souvenir Programme consists of scenes from one person's life, played in reverse order. There's no narrative as such - it's still a sketch show - but as we follow the characters back in time, from lockdown Zoom calls to childhood birthdays and funerals, the individual sketches link up to form an overall picture, portraying the sprawling history of an entire multi-generational family.
And, as if that wasn't enough, there are also some terrific tall tales, a paean of praise and a truly unforgettable earworm....
Clever, complex, hilarious and poignant, these Souvenir Programmes with a twist star Lawry Lewin as Russ, Margaret Cabourn-Smith as Deborah, Simon Kane as Jerry, Carrie Quinlan as Vanessa and John Finnemore as Newt.
Cast and credits
Written and performed by John Finnemore
Ensemble cast: Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Simon Kane, Lawry Lewin, Carrie Quinlan
Original music composed by Susannah Pearse and Sally Stares, and arranged by Susannah Pearse and Tim Sutton
Recorded and edited by Rich Evans at Syncbox Post
Production coordinator: Beverly Tagg
Producer: Ed Morrish
A BBC Studios production
©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution LtdCritic reviews
"One of our best sketch writers." (Observer)
Just brilliant
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A brilliant twist to the standard format.
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It’s a brave piece of work, and repeat listens are recommended, as you’ll find out the origin of family phrases like “Half a Glass”, a phrase prominent in the first episode but not revealed until much later.
However, as clever as the show is, it’s perhaps a little bit too self-indulgent. The structure works over the course of the whole six episodes, but it’s a little bit difficult and (whisper it) maybe even a bit (dare I say) boring in the first couple of episodes, and I almost stopped listening. It would have been a shame as this is definitely worth listening to, and at only 2h47m it’s not a massive time investment compared to some multi-booked series of novels either, but it will leave you with a similar sense of satisfaction.
One recommendation - once you have listened to it, search for the website titled “Well since you ask me” as that contains a sortable and easy to use reference for this series that will help you understand the whole series in case some of the more obscure plot points pass you by (and some things are hammered home, others are quick, just like real life).
Overall, if you’re expecting another sketch series with an underlying set of ideas and shaggy dog stories to finish each episode, then this is not it - but it is very, very good. It should have been a different programme title though, as putting it under the same name undermines the simple power of this piece of work. I suggest “The Family by John Finnemore”. I think that would be a better and more fitting title.
Very different to previous series, but good
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Wonderful, funny and touching
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Not only is this series comedic, but also beautifully poignant in so many ways.
A work of new genius from a fabulous cast.
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