The Big Business Lark

Synopsis

Jimmy Edwards stars in this spin-off from The Navy Lark, chronicling life in and around the higher echelons of British United Plastics LtdFollowing in the footsteps of The Navy Lark, The TV Lark and The Embassy Lark, The Big Business Lark aired for 13 episodes over the summer of 1969. Blending satire with farce, it charted the business machinations at a fictional plastics company.Ruling the roost at this chaotic commercial enterprise is managing director and chairman Sir Charles Bonniface, a crafty, cricket-loving tycoon who likes to keep one hand firmly on the tiller and the other on his secretary’s posterior. Waiting in the wings is his son Frank, stoically enduring his father’s bluff and bluster as he bides his time to take over the top job. Ensuring that all runs smoothly is Edith, Sir Charles’ put-upon personal assistant, who bears her boss’s lecherous attentions with equanimity.Together, they endeavour to promote British United Plastics’ sole product – Polystumer, a seemingly indestructible synthetic material with a surprising number of uses, from bathroom fixtures to breakfast cereal toys. In these entertaining episodes, they swing a contract with a camping company to make speedboat shells, land an order to supply the Red Army with tents, attempt to create camel-proof plastic to seal a deal with a Sultan, and make a TV commercial to try and impress a Hollywood film mogul...Starring Jimmy Edwards as Sir Charles, with Frank Thornton as Frank and Gwen Cherrell as Edith, The Big Business Lark also benefits from the considerable talents of Alexander John, Elizabeth Morgan and Nigel Graham, who between them play over 50 larger-than life characters. So mix business with pleasure, and enjoy this lively, laughter-filled Lark!Content warning: the humour in this programme reflects the era in which it was broadcast and may not reflect current attitudesProduction creditsScripted by Lawrie WymanProduced by Alastair Scott JohnstonStarring: Jimmy Edwards, Frank Thornton and Gwen CherrellWith Elizabeth Morgan, Alexander John and Nigel GrahamAnnouncer: Michael de MorganWith thanks to Keith Wickham and The Radio CircleNote: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here are taken from the closing announcements of the episode.Episode guide1. Leading You Through2. Cruising on the River3. Taking You Through4. Disposing of a Relative5. Playing Ducks6. Taking Orders7. Strike Breaking8. Dining Out9. Initiating You Through10. Searching For Liberty11. Contracting Out12. Destructing13. AdvertisingFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 2, 6 July – 28 September 1969© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd