The spoof hardboiled thrillers with Wales's top private investigator dramatised by BBC Radio

This marvelous collection of Malcolm Pryce's acclaimed Aberystwyth Noir radio productions are set in an alternative version of Aberystwyth, where the streets are filled with veterans of the Patagonian War (Wales's answer to Vietnam), the Druids are mob bosses, and the ice cream is... unusual, to say the least.

The first play, Aberystwyth Mon Amour, sees Louie Knight, the town's top private investigator - maybe its only private investigator - in search of the schoolboys who have been vanishing with increasing frequency. To do it, he'll need all his wits about him - and the guts to stake out a Punch and Judy show, no matter the consequences...

In Last Tango in Aberystwyth, Louise Knight and sidekick Calamity Jane are drawn into the seedy world of the town's 'What the Butler Saw' film industry, complete with dead ventriloquists and Druid assassins. But when Louie receives a call from his long lost love and gets news of an old enemy, what will he risk in the name of revenge?

In the final play, Aberystwyth Noir - It Ain't Over Till The Bearded Lady Sings, Louie and Jane look into the death of Mr Big Top, another gunned-down victim of the Druids. It feels like trouble from the start, but that doesn't mean Louie will stop; in fact, he's half-way to the End of the Pier show before anyone knows he's even on the case. Between the balloon twister, the bearded lady, and the Amazing Mr Marmalade, will Louie discover what's really going on? Or will his nemesis, former games teacher turned lion tamer Herod Jenkins, mean Louie's end, once and for all?

Featuring Richard Nicholls (News from Nowhere, Burning Both Ends), Sara Lloyd-Gregory (Tourist Trap, Doctors), and Matthew Gravelle (Broadchurch, Silent Witness), these surreal and hilarious noir thrillers will have you questioning everything you know about the beloved Welsh coastal town - and what you'd do to uncover the truth in a topsy-turvy world...

Cast and credits

Aberystwyth Mon Amour
Louie Knight - Richard Nicholls
Myfanwy Montez - Lynne Seymour
Mrs. Llantrisant - Manon Edwards
Calamity Jane - Stefanie Parker
Herod Jenkins - Ysten Jones
Meryin Jones - Matthew Gravelle
Valentine - Lee Mengo
DI - Kieran Self
Love Spoon - Dorian Thomas
Brainbox - Craig Roberts

Written by Malcolm Pryce
Adapted by Peter Morgan
First broadcast BBC Radio Wales, 18 January - 7 February 2009

Last Tango in Aberystwyth
Louie Knight - Richard Nicholls
Calamity Jane - Sara Lloyd-Gregory
Gretel/Myfanwy Montez - Lynne Seymour
Dubaul - Kieran Self
Eeyore/Mr Marmalade - Matthew Gravelle
Valentine/The Hotel Detective - Lee Mengo
The Old Lady/Shop Keeper - Manon Edwards
Other parts members of the cast
Written by Malcolm Pryce
Dramatised by Peter Morgan
Directed by Nigel Lewis
First broadcast BBC Radio Wales, 7 April - 9 April 2010


Aberystwyth Noir - It Ain't Over Till The Bearded Lady Sings
Louie Knight - Phylip Harries
Calamity Jane - Catrin Stewart
Sospan - Rhodri Meilir
Eeyore/Harold Jenkins/Piccolino/Mr Marmalade - Matthew Gravelle
Mrs Meirionydd - Eiry Thomas
Mrs Tony/Pandy/Mrs Jones - Manon Edwards
Written by Malcolm Pryce
Produced by Kate McAll
Directed by Kate McAll
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 May 2013