44 Scotland Street: The Complete Series 1-5

Synopsis

The complete BBC radio adaptations of Alexander McCall's bestselling series Inspired by Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City, 44 Scotland Street started life as a serial in The Scotsman. It was a huge hit, and was soon novelised, adapted on stage and dramatised for BBC Radio 4. Collected here are all five radio series, in which we follow the interconnected lives of the residents of adjoining flats in a tenement in Edinburgh's Georgian New Town.There's Pat, a young tenant who arrives at 44 Scotland Street to flat-share with handsome surveyor Bruce (a man with more of an eye for the ladies than for a sound property); Matthew, setting up the Something Special Gallery with little knowledge of art; and child prodigy Bertie Pollock, who wants the life of an ordinary little boy, but instead has psychotherapy, yoga and Italian conversation lessons. And at the local café, owner Big Lou is looking for love - but seems doomed to romantic disappointment...Their chance day-to-day criss-crossings, quirky foibles and comic adventures are all observed by Number 44's longest-term resident, anthropologist Domenica MacDonald, her painter friend Angus Lordie - and Angus' dog, Cyril, the only canine in Scotland with a gold tooth.Full of charm, humour and empathy, these delightful dramas star Carol Ann Crawford and Crawford Logan, with a superb cast including James Mackenzie, Samuel Keefe, Belle Jones and Anita Vettesse.Also included is an edition of Radio 4's Bookclub, in which Alexander McCall Smith talks about his novel 44 Scotland Street with James Naughtie and readers.Written and dramatised by Alexander McCall SmithProduced and directed by David Ian NevilleMusic by Tom CunninghamCastDomenica/Mrs MacGillvray - Carol Ann CrawfordRaeburn Todd/Dr Fairbairn/Angus Lordie/Glasgow Man/Dr Fairbairn - Crawford LoganBruce - James Mackenzie/James RottgerIan Rankin - James MackenzieIrene - Rosalind Syndney/Emma CurrieBertie - Euan Lee/Simon KerrMatthew - Samuel KeefePat - Belle JonesStuart - Tom Freeman/David Jackson YoungBig Lou/Antonia/Miss Harmony/Glasgow Woman/Stewardess/Fiona/Claire/Barmaid - Anita VettesseMarkus/Lawyer - Matthew ZajacSocial Worker - Molly InnesOlive - Sophie LawrenceAlec/Gerry - Simon DonaldsonLard O'Connor - Iain AgnewThe New Pretender - David Jackson YoungSecretary/Mr Lawrence - Richard ConlonTorquil MacLean/Hotel Clerk - James BryceEdinburgh Man - David Jackson YoungAndy - Daniel AitkenKatie - Helen MackayMiss Campbell - Nicola RoyNeill - Gavin Jon WrightFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4: 30 April-4 May 2012 (Series 1), 9-13 February 2015 (The Blue Spode Tea Cup), 30 May-3 June 2016 (Edinburgh for Pretenders), 20-24 February 2017 (Series 4), 20-24 August 2018 (Series 5)© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd