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The Men from the Ministry: The Later Years

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What to expect

33 episodes from Series 8-10 of the much-loved Civil Service sitcom, plus the 1971 Special

For fifteen years between 1962 and 1977, The Men from the Ministry kept audiences laughing over the course of 13 series, plus a fourteenth series recorded for overseas in 1980.

This third volume features the complete Series 8 and 9, eleven episodes from Series 10 and the 1971 special ‘Gone to Pot’. We pay another visit to the General Assistance Department, where eager executives Deryck Lennox-Brown and Richard Lamb (‘Number One’ and ‘Number Two’) are flummoxed once more by the challenges that come their way. From getting embroiled in dodgy doings in the West Country to botching a trade agreement with the Italians, battling unwelcome furry visitors and causing confusion in a moral crusade, the disorganised duo can’t help but throw a spanner in the works of Government...

Deryck Guyler and Richard Murdoch star as Lennox-Brown and Lamb, with Norma Ronald as Mildred Murfin, Ronald Baddiley as Sir Gregory Pitkin, and guest stars including Garard Green, Joan Sanderson, Clive Dunn, Patricia Hayes and Dilys Laye.

NB: Some of the language and humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary.

Cast and credits
Written and produced by Edward Taylor, with contributions from John Graham, Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke
Theme music: Top Dog by Ivor Slaney
With thanks to Keith Wickham

‘Number One’ (Deryck Lennox-Brown) – Deryck Guyler
‘Number Two’ (Richard Lamb) – Richard Murdoch
Mildred Murfin – Norma Ronald
Sir Gregory Pitkin – Ronald Baddiley
Other parts played by the cast and John Graham
With guest stars including: Garard Green, Sheila Wilcox, John Cole, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes, Alexandra Dane, Clive Dunn, Hilary Pritchard, Patricia Hayes, Dilys Laye, Mandy Cuthbert and Gillie Graham

First broadcast on Radio 4 29 Nov 1971 (Special), 11 Jul–29 Aug 1972 (series 8), 6 Mar–29 May 1973 (series 9), 17 Jun-9 Sep 1974 (series 10).

© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Author Edward Taylor
Narrator Richard Murdoch, Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, Deryck Guyler, John Graham, Full Cast
Duration 15 hours and 20 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781529944075
Format Audiobook
Publisher BBC Audio
Genre Classic fiction, Narrative theme: Politics, Satirical fiction and parodies
Availability AU, GB, IE, US

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