Bleak Expectations
Bleak Expectations is a BBC Radio 4 comedy series that premiered in August 2007. It is a pastiche of the works of Charles Dickens, such as Bleak House and Great Expectations, from which it derives its name, as well as adventure, science fiction, and costume dramas set in the same period. Bleak Expectations parodies several of their plot devices whilst simultaneously tending toward a surreal humor along the lines of The Goon Show. The series has also demonstrated a fondness for allusions to and parodies of the films of Alec Guinness, particularly the Edwardian satire Kind Hearts and Coronets.
| Genre | Sitcom |
|---|---|
| Running time | 29 minutes |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | BBC Radio 4 |
| Syndicates | BBC Radio 4 Extra |
| TV adaptations | The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff |
| Starring | Tom Allen James Bachman Mark Evans Sarah Hadland Anthony Head Richard Johnson Susy Kane Geoffrey Whitehead Celia Imrie |
| Written by | Mark Evans |
| Produced by | Gareth Edwards |
| Recording studio | BBC Radio Theatre |
| Original release | 15 August 2007 – 25 December 2012 |
| No. of series | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 30 |
| Opening theme | Mazurka from Three Characteristic Pieces by Edward Elgar |
| Ending theme | Mazurka from Three Characteristic Pieces by Edward Elgar |
| Website | www |
It is written by Mark Evans, who plays minor characters in most episodes, and is produced by Gareth Edwards. Its opening and closing theme is the main theme of the Mazurka from Three Characteristic Pieces by Edward Elgar.
The plot revolves around Philip "Pip" Bin, inventor of the bin, and his various fantastic adventures as he attempts to thwart the machinations of his evil ex-guardian, Mr. Gently Benevolent. It is narrated by Pip as an old man to the journalist (and his eventual son-in-law) Sourquill, who brings various useless inventions to assist in recording the events.