Audiobooks by David Nobbs

The Maltby Collection: The Complete Series 1-3

All three series of David Nobbs’ museum-based sitcom, starring Julian Rhind-Tutt Rod Millet has always dreamed of working at the Maltby Collection, but on being appointed Deputy Curator of Painting and Sculpture, it quickly becomes clear that the son of a self-made biscuit mogul isn't going to fit into the musty, insular world of London antiquities. But when, on his first day, Rod learns that the museum has been earmarked for closure, he starts a campaign to save it (threatening his boss Walter Brindle’s plans for a cushy early retirement). With the collection’s future secured, the staff turn their energies towards romance. Rod competes with colleague Julian for the affections of the lovely Prunella, Walter makes a move on Susie Maltby, and there are wedding bells for several members of the team – but heartbreak for another. It’s time for the museum to get sexy too, as Rod drags it out of the past and towards a more modern future, with innovations such as Sunday opening (which does not run smoothly) and a children’s day (where the dog-counting competition gets a little out of hand). Director Walter also has his hands full, with warring curators, cleaners causing controversy, a dodgy alarm system and the prospect of making cuts – who will be for the chop? Created by comic genius David Nobbs, of Reginald Perrin fame, this warm, good-natured comedy stars Julian Rhind-Tutt as Rod, with Geoffrey Palmer as Walter, Ben Willbond as Julian, Rachel Atkins as Prunella and Margaret Cabourn-Smith as Susie. Guest stars include Hugh Dennis, Barry Cryer and Stephen K Amos.

David Nobbs (Author), Geoffrey Palmer, Julian Rhind-Tutt (Narrator)

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It Had to Be You

It Had to be You reaffirms Nobbs as the best writer of comedy and observer of the nuances of human nature that there is today.One man, five very different women.James Hollingshurst is a man shaped by those who surround him. And in James's case, it's some very different women. Be it his trusty wife Deborah, his hapless PA Marcia or his ex-girlfriend Jane. And there's one woman in James's life who looks set to upset the status quo...But a tragic accident is about to shake the bedrock of life as James knows it. An event sets a train in motion, which will challenge everything he's ever known and everyone he's ever loved. It will also bring his beloved daughter, Charlotte who he has not seen for fifteen years, tantalisingly close to him...

David Nobbs (Author), David Nobbs (Narrator)

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We Happened to Be Passing: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

A wonderfully perceptive BBC Radio 4 comedy of manners and international relations written by David Nobbs (writer of 'The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin' and 'A Bit of a Do'). Originally broadcast as the 'Afternoon Play' on 24 September 2010. It is a quiet Saturday morning in the Hinchcliffe home. Tony and Sal, tired after a week of work, have time on their hands. But not for each other. Middle-aged and middle class, they haven't had kids and they still feel that emotional vacuum. The doorbell rings. It is an American couple - Monty and Janey - a rather loud duo they stayed with in Delaware years ago. They said, 'If ever you happened to be passing...' Well, the Americans are passing and they have no hotel booked. To Tony's horror Sal invites them to stay. Well, it's only polite isn't it? Once Monty and Janey are settled the doorbell goes again. It is Jan and Hilda, the Flemish Belgian couple from Bruges. They kindly helped when Janey had a migraine in Bruges. Even fed them some waterzooi (Flemish stew). In gratitude Sal and Tony said, 'If ever you happened to be passing...' Then the doorbell goes again - it is Pierre and Colette, French Belgians who helped them in Namur when Sal was sick over a Saab because she had eaten some cloying Flemish stew. In gratitude they said, 'If ever you happened to be passing...' So polite Tony and Sal have a house full. The Americans are loud and pompous and the Belgians loathe each other. But when Colette and Jan find themselves drawn to one another, the ensuing, messy crisis precipitates a reassessment of all the couples' patterns of behaviour. With James Nickerson as Tony and Olwen May as Sal. Also starring in the cast are Kerry Shale, Malcolm Raeburn, Maggie Fox, Melissa Jane Sinden, Szilvi Naray-Davey and Hugo Chandor. Directed by Gary Brown.

David Nobbs (Author), Hugo Chandor, James Nickerson, Kerry Shale, Maggie Fox, Malcolm Raeburn, Malcom Raeburn, Melissa Jane Sinden, Olwen May, Szilvi Naray Davey (Narrator)

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The Maltby Collection

From the creator of 'Reginald Perrin', this is the complete series of David Nobbs' BBC Radio 4 sitcom based in a London museum.Rod Millet has always dreamed of working at the Maltby Collection. He used to visit as a teenager, when he lusted after Whistler's sister - and his mother, Rod wasn't picky back then. On becoming the Museum's Deputy Curator of Painting and Sculpture, however, it quickly becomes apparent that the chavvy son of a self-made biscuit mogul isn't going to fit neatly into the musty, insular world of London antiquities. In these six episodes, Rod tries to save the museum from closure - even though by doing so he is threatening director Walter's early retirement - and endeavours to find romance with the lovely Prunella. Can Millet save the day and win his boss's hand? Listen and find out... Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt ('Green Wing') as Rod and Geoffrey Palmer as Walter, this well-written, gentle comedy features guest appearances from Hugh Dennis and Barry Cryer.

David Nobbs (Author), A Full Cast, Geoffrey Palmer (Narrator)

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Frankie Howerd Please Yourselves (Vintage Beeb)

The star of TV's Up Pompeii and mainstay of innumerable 'Carry On' films, Frankie Howerd causes mayhem and mirth, where even his co-stars can't help laughing. As well as songs, stories, naughtiness and his usual audience banter, Please Yourselves sees Frankie visiting his (female) doctor about an accident where he fell artichoke over chip, which squashed his sprouts and gave him an enormous swelling on his broad beans... Written by David Nobbs and David McKellar, Please Yourselves also features Ray Fell, Dilys Laye and April Walker. Vintage Beeb: classic albums first available as BBC LPs. This recording was previously released on LP in 1976.

David McKellar, David Nobbs (Author), Frankie Howerd (Narrator)

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