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John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme: Series 9 cover art

John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme: Series 9

Written by: John Finnemore
Narrated by: John Finnemore, Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Simon Kane, Carrie Quinlan, Lawry Lewin
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Publisher's Summary

The complete ninth series of BBC Radio 4's award-winning sketch show.

John Finnemore returns with his multi-award-winning sketch show, but this series is very different to the previous eight. There are still sketches and songs, and it's still written and performed by him and his usual fantastic ensemble cast - but with no live studio audience, John has taken the opportunity to try something new. 

Each episode in this series of Souvenir Programme consists of scenes from one person's life, played in reverse order. There's no narrative as such - it's still a sketch show - but as we follow the characters back in time, from lockdown Zoom calls to childhood birthdays and funerals, the individual sketches link up to form an overall picture, portraying the sprawling history of an entire multi-generational family. 

And, as if that wasn't enough, there are also some terrific tall tales, a paean of praise and a truly unforgettable earworm.... 

Clever, complex, hilarious and poignant, these Souvenir Programmes with a twist star Lawry Lewin as Russ, Margaret Cabourn-Smith as Deborah, Simon Kane as Jerry, Carrie Quinlan as Vanessa and John Finnemore as Newt. 

Cast and credits

Written and performed by John Finnemore 

Ensemble cast: Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Simon Kane, Lawry Lewin, Carrie Quinlan 

Original music composed by Susannah Pearse and Sally Stares, and arranged by Susannah Pearse and Tim Sutton 

Recorded and edited by Rich Evans at Syncbox Post 

Production coordinator: Beverly Tagg 

Producer: Ed Morrish 

A BBC Studios production 

©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

What the critics say

"One of our best sketch writers." (Observer)

What listeners say about John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme: Series 9

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Charming

It took a little while before I figured out what John was doing with this series, it’s so different from his previous. Once I began following the story line and hearing how the family lines traced back and characters developed, I began to fall in love with them all. Dear Uncle Newt! Sorry when it ended… charming is the best word. Well done John!

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