Showing results by narrator "Sandi Toksvig" in All Categories

Frances Angel, drunk and disgruntled, arrives in Italy to attend the I Zingari Art School, leaving behind her dazzling career as a successful theatrical impresario and returning to a distant and painful past. She falls into an eclectic group of performance artists, ex-soldiers and a housewife who really just wants to paint something to match her settee.

In this story, Pippi, Tommy and Annika have the best time together-going to the circus, buying all the sweets in the sweet shop, and getting shipwrecked for the weekend. But when Pippi's long-lost father comes to visit, will Pippi sail away to sea with him and leave her friends behind?

For over 40 years The News Quiz has graced the Radio 4 airwaves with an irreverent sideways look at the headlines. Having first appeared in 1977, it boasts a tantalising archive of episodes to remind us of the news from yesteryear, refracted through the satirical gaze of regular panellists including Alan Coren, Andy Hamilton, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen and Jeremy Hardy. Among the many guest panellists featured here are Boris Johnson, Nigella Lawson, Jo Brand, Eddie Mair, John Sergeant, Linda Smith and Roy Hattersley. 

Ten-year-old Tracy was taken into care a while ago, and now she lives in a Children's Home. She doesn't know exactly where her mum lives, but she used to have long, pretend phone calls with her. Tracy's had two foster families, but things just didn't work. She allows us to share her hopes for the future in this touching and often very funny tale.

Tracy, a foster child, is living with Cam and starting a new school. Things seem to be looking up for Tracy - but then trouble begins. She has a horrible teacher, the other kids laugh at her, and things between her and Cam aren't going as well as expected. Tracy's friends, Alexander and Football, are having their own problems, too. Then one day, out of the blue, who should appear but Tracy's long-lost mum.

How do you get rid of unwanted guests? What do you do if there's a racket in the quiet carriage? How should you eat peas, and behave in queues? How to behave, like how to punctuate, is an aspect of life that many are no longer taught. Thankfully, Sandi Toksvig has come to the rescue with her entertaining guide to modern manners, with characteristic wit and perceptiveness.

A collection of insightful interviews, documentaries and comedy that celebrates LGBTQ+ in Britain, publishing to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

It's April 1940 and German troops are pouring onto the streets of Denmark. 12-year-old Bamse is ordered by his father to keep his head down and stay out of trouble. But Bamse and his daring friend Anton can't resist playing the occasional practical joke on the invading soldiers. When it becomes clear that the trouble isn't just going to pass them by, the people of Denmark decide to take action and Bamse and his eccentric family are about to take part in one of history's most dramatic rescues - smuggling Denmark's Jewish population, across the water to Sweden and safety.

Dubbed 'the father of the English novel' by Sir Walter Scott, Henry Fielding is well known for his ribald humour and ironic, satirical fiction. Collected here are four of his most famous works, including his comic masterpiece Tom Jones, as well as a fascinating documentary exploring the foundling motif in fiction.

Created by John Lloyd in 1977, The News Quiz has gone on to become one of the longest running panel games on BBC Radio 4. Originally hosted by Barry Norman, since then Simon Hoggart, Barry Took, Sandi Toksvig, Miles Jupp, Nish Kumar, Angela Barnes and Andy Zaltzman have taken up the chair. The satirical quiz show's panel of comedians and journalists trawl through news stories big and small to provide comedy, commentary, irony and irreverence. This is a brand-new collection of previously unpublished episodes taken from the archives

Frank Delaney's language based panel quiz game series revolves around the English language. This upbeat, fun word battle sees a host of well-known contributors battling to say the word first. The series is filmed in front of a live audience at a wide range of literary festivals in the UK and live in the BBC Studios.

When Rebecca wades into the witch's pond after a row with her best friend Sarah, she meets a very unusual new friend – a huge, warty toad! And Glubbslyme is no ordinary toad. Hundreds of years old, he can talk and – best of all – he can work magic. Maybe, just maybe, he can help Rebecca be best friends with Sarah again?

Recorded in front of a live audience, these wry, funny tales introduce us to the varied creatures who make their homes on the shoreline, in garden ponds and in our attics. In 18 comic monologues, they reveal the truth about what life is really like in their respective habitats - and it's much more eventful than you might think.

The path to parenthood is never easy, but for LGBTQ+ people, it can be even less straightforward. There are more options than ever before for queer people to start families, but a lack of specific information and resources can leave would-be parents floundering. From IVF to surrogacy to adoption, there is so much to learn and consider. How do you work out the best option for you?

When Mr Browser, Class 8's teacher, wishes for a brain sharpener for his pupils, he doesn't really expect his wish to be granted. So imagine his surprise when the Brain Sharpeners arrive on the school field in their space craft in answer to his call.

Songwriter, broadcaster and award-winning entertainer Sir Richard Stilgoe goes out, about and around Britain in this amusing musical revue, which finds him taking a wry look at the pastimes and professions of our wayward island. In the company of a troupe of star guests including Sandi Toksvig, Emma Thompson, Kathryn Tickell, Pam Ayres and John Hegley, he visits locations ranging from the Boat Show to the City of London to perform a unique themed comedy show full of fun and laughter.

It is the school holidays and Rebecca, Sarah, and Mandy are in the park. Rebecca always thought that Sarah was her best friend, but now Sarah seems to prefer Mandy, who thinks Rebecca's a baby. When Rebecca wades into the witch's pond she is left alone, but not for long. She meets a very unusual new friend: a huge, warty toad! Glubbslyme is no ordinary toad. Hundreds of years old, he can talk and, best of all, he can work magic.