Whack-O!

Jimmy Edwards stars as the irascible Headmaster in this vintage BBC Radio comedy series set in a boys’ public school Starting life on BBC TV, Whack-O! transferred to radio in 1961 and ran for three series on the Light Programme until 1963. Not all of the radio episodes survive, but many from Series 1 and the entirety of Series 2 were recovered by a BBC archivist from a listener’s tapes in 2012, and have since been broadcast on Radio 4 Extra. Collected here are those rediscovered episodes, featuring scholastic scheming and academic anarchy at Chiselbury School. An old-established seat of learning for the ‘sons of gentlefolk’, Chiselbury is presided over by whack-happy Headmaster Professor James Edwards, who runs rings around his fellow masters and never misses a trick when it comes to exploiting the pupils and their parents. In this catalogue of comic mishaps, the Professor attempts to close down a rival school; hatches a plan to win a cash prize in a popularity contest; goes up before the magistrate accused of excessive use of the cane and endeavours to impress a visiting dignitary from Moscow. And his guile is put to the test when he makes a reckless wager; comes up with a catchy publicity gimmick to attract more pupils and faces a staffing crisis when a teacher has the temerity to leave... Co-starring June Whitfield as Matron and Roddy Maude-Roxby as Aubrey Potter, this farcical, fun-filled sitcom also features special guest appearances from Eamonn Andrews and Vera Lynn. NB: Due to the age and nature of these recordings, the sound quality may vary. Some episodes contain dated attitudes and language Written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden Adapted for radio by David Climie Produced by Edward Taylor Cast The Headmaster – Jimmy Edwards Mr Pettigrew – Arthur Howard Matron/Mildred/Lady Westbury/Edwina – June Whitfield Mr Fowler/Mr Harboard – Laidman Browne School Inspector – David Bird Lumley – Roger Shepherd Aubrey Potter – Roddy Maude-Roxby The French Mistress – Tonia Bern Mr Dinwiddie/Soames/Alfred Tennyson – Frederick Treves Eamonn O’Reilly – Michael Turner/Roy Dotrice/Wallas Eaton Taplow – David Lott The Marchioness/Lady Uppingham – Joan Sanderson Dr Sopwith/Magistrate/Bulenkov/Major Prosser/Len Rumbold/Samuel Tozer – Roy Dotrice Sir Charles – Norman Shelley Antony Dorchester – Harold Berens Ginger Perkins – Sam Kydd Miss Fanshawe/Mrs Mortlake – Joan Young Mr Lumley – Phillip Morant Figgins – Graham Aza Mr Arkwright/Vicar – John Cazabon Marvin – Malcolm Ranson Brigadier Lumley – Austin Trevor Bailey – Harry Locke Inspector Matthews – Fred Yule Mr Barlow/Forth Robinson/Rev Barnwell Munro – John Graham Arnold Halliforth – Edwin Apps Yvette – Prunella Scales Mr Wiltshire – David Graham Terry – John Pike Phipps – John Coxall Music master – Edwin Braden Mrs Baker – Patricia Hayes Mr Morgan/Biggs – Julian Somers Rawlinson – Philip Leavermore With Brian Thomas, John Mitchell, Heather Bennett, Jennie Lathan, Angela Shade, Michael Hammond, Richard McCarthy, Eamonn Andrews, Stuart Anderson, Kenneth Gouge, Vera Lynn, Harry Lewis, Sheila Grant, Diana Olsson, Elizabeth Morgan, Amos the Owl © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Lt