Soundscape

Listening and exploring a radio drama

Unit 42: Radio Drama

Title of drama: Hancock's Half Hour Sunday Afternoon at Home (BBC radio 4 extra)

Classic episode starring Tony Hancock and Sid James.

Regular Cast
Tony Hancock	...	Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock
Sid James	...	Sidney Balmoral James (Series 1-6)
Writing Team
Ray Galton	...	Writer
Alan Simpson	...	Writer
Production Team
Duncan Wood	...	Producer
Duncan Wood	...	Director
Angela Morley (as Wally Stott)	...	Composer

When was it first broadcasted and which radio station?

Fri 6th July 1956 - Mon 16th December 1957 (BBC1)

Character descriptions:

Tony Hancock: Comedian Tony Hancock starred in the show, playing an exaggerated and much poorer version of his own character and lifestyle, Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock, a down-at-heel comedian living at the dilapidated 23 Railway Cuttings in East Cheam.

Hancock usually portrayed a 'resting' or hopeless down-at-heel actor and/or comedian (though some episodes showed him having runs of success, while some episodes depict him pursuing professional careers as fantasies)

Sid James: played the role of a petty criminal who would usually try and occasionally manage to con Hancock.

Filming Locations:

Series 1 was broadcast live from Lime Grove studios. Series 2 from the Riverside Studios. Series 3 from Riverside Studios, Lime Grove, and the Television Theatre. Series 4-6 recorded at Riverside Studios. Series 7 recorded at Television Centre.

What was the intended location for the audience? ie: where did the audience think the characters were at?

The location for the episode we listened too was situated at Tony Hancock’s house. We knew this because Tony as talking to his wife about the neighbour walking towards their front door. And there were foley sounds of a door opening and closing. They also offer the neighbour food and drink as if he is a guest which also explains to the audience that we are at Tony Hancock’s house.

Was the episode all set in one day?

The episode we listened too was based on one day for Tony Hancock and Sid James. Judging from the one episode we listened  too I would say that each day for Tony Hancock and Sid James is represented by one episode each one.