The Compleet Molesworth: Two full-cast BBC Radio Comedy Dramas

Nigel Molesworth is a fictional character, the supposed author of a series of books about life in an English prep school named St Custard’s. The books were written by Geoffrey Willans, with cartoon illustrations by Ronald Searle.

Molesworth is arguably one of the funniest comic creations in British literature. A superbly satirical chronicler of 1950s England, he influenced a generation with his anarchic take on life.

These wonderfully entertaining recordings show the self-proclaimed ‘curse of St Custard’s’, at his very best.

In ‘The Skool Days of Nigel Molesworth’ , everyone’s favourite anarchic skoolboy, Nigel Molesworth gives a guided tour of the complete and utter shambles that is St Custards, the finest educational establishment this side of Dotheboys Hall.

In this five episode full-cast series, Imelda Staunton stars as Nigel Molesworth, the Curse of St Custards, in an adaptation of the notorious Goriller of 3B’s guide to skool life for tiny pupils and their parents. Aided by best friend Peason and thwarted by everyone from Grabber the skool bully to Wandsworth the skool dog, Nigel Molesworth teaches us the ins and outs of skool life – including how to avoid lessens and how to build your own H-bomb.

Simon Brett’s sequel, ‘Molesworth’, finds the onetime ‘Goriller of 3B’ now all grown up. Middle- aged and still surrounded by many of the characters from his youth, he’s as keen as ever to share his wisdom. Across four episodes, he presents a guide to the home, the office, the arts and leisure. Willie Rushton stars in this full-cast drama, with a cast including Clive Swift and Penelope Nice.

The Skool Days of Nigel Molesworth:

Hail St Custards
Nigel Molesworth gives a guided tour of the complete and utter shambles that is St Custards, the finest educational establishment this side of Dotheboys Hall.

A Tour of the Cages
Molesworth and his friend Peason explain the different types of masters and how best to deal with them.

Lessens and How to Avoyd Them
Molesworth’s efforts to explain the best way to bunk off class are thwarted by the fact all the masters seem to have disappeared. Can he and Peason find the missing teachers in time to avoyd their lessens?

Wizz for Atomms
Tired of masters skipping lessens to visit the new under-matron, Prudence, the Headmaster has banned everyone in school from visiting the infirmary. But Grabber, the skool bully, has fallen for her and orders Molesworth to help him out.

Fun with Scrumms
As the school term comes to an end, Molesworth must find a way to survive the perils of the playing field and the wrath of skool bully Grabber if he’s to have any hope of tucking into some Christmas turkey.

Adapted by Patrick Barlow and George Poles from the books by Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle
Directed by Patrick Barlow
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2014

Molesworth:
Schoolboy terror Nigel Molesworth, formerly The Curse of St Custard’s, is now all grown-up and determined to share his experience of life.

Home Life
Remember that school boy terror who loved flicking ink pellets? But he’s come a long way since those days, and now returns with his guide to modem life.

The Office
Grown-up Nigel Molesworth hates office life. Better to dream of sun-kissed Caribbean beaches.

Leisure
Leisure means watching sport on TV with plenty of beer and cigs, not playing it.

The Arts
In an attempt to win a posh radio prize, Nigel Molesworth presents his guide to Cinema, Theatre, Painting and Country Dancing.

Molesworth …. William Rushton
Grimes / Grint …. Clive Swift
Fotherington Thomas / Luise …. Phil Nice
Louise …. Penelope Nice
Darryl / Gillibrand …. Robert Harley
Peason / Grabber …. Bob Sinfield
Lucinda / Carole / Lady Eiderdown …. Chrissy Robert

Written by Simon Brett based on characters created by Geoffrey Willans and by Ronald Searle.
Music by Oonagh Bernon
Directed by Mark Robson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1987.