A hilarious comedy about the struggles of a Dublin theatrical costumier

The show must go on!

Dublin-based Dessie (David Kelly) and Violet Doyle (Pauline McLynn) are trying to keep their theatrical costumier business afloat amidst drama, scandal and farce so brilliant it should be on stage itself. Attempting to embrace modern working practices, the pair find themselves in uproarious situations with a cast of colourful characters and multiple narrative threads…

Listen and laugh as the beleaguered couple embrace an offer from a local nun’s drama group which might help, if only they don’t get things mixed up with the Gaiety Theatre’s opera production… Things go from bad to worse when the costumiers are asked to dress a British Embassy pageant, and unwittingly become embroiled in a money-laundering scandal. Salvation may be on the cards if they can deliver some vintage army uniforms to an American movie set, but a resident ghost seems to have other ideas. And trouble is brewing when two rival clog troupes threaten to come to blows… How will Violet create a special cloak for Sir Walter Raleigh with all that racket going on?!

Pure radio comedy, Spangles ’n’ Tights is a fantastically hilarious, fast-paced farce. This perfectly turned-out series is an utterly charming listen, and will have you ab-sew-lutely in stitches.

Irish writer, theatre and TV director, Christopher Fitz-Simon is the author of Ballylenon, the long-running BBC comedy drama. He has written numerous broadcast plays, including a BBC Italia Prize entry (The Dead) and two RTE Italia Prize entries (for Vina and A Snowman in July), and several books, including the memoir Eleven Houses.

Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon

Directed by Roland Jaquarello

Music played by John Trotter

Pursued by a Bear

Dessie Doyle - David Kelly

Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn

Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien

Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly

Sister Accumulata - Doreen Keogh

Mr Hornibrooks - Mark Mulholland

P.J Clohessy - Derry Power

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 Sept 1998

The Ambassador

Dessie Doyle - David Kelly

Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn

Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien

Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly

Mr Bagshott - Bosco Hogan

Polly Hoskins - Ali White

Lady Bletchley - Sylvia Syms

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 Oct 1998

A Folk Song for Europe

Dessie Doyle - David Kelly

Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn

Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien

Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly

Mona Scrummitt - Noreen Kershaw

Mr Witherspoon - Dave Hill

Belfast Woman - Maureen Dow

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 Oct 1998

Medieval Banquet

Dessie Doyle - David Kelly

Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn

Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien

Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly

Fidelma Fitzpatrick - Roma Tomelty

High King - Birdy Sweeney

Cliona O'Sloothrahaun - Anna Byrne

Cardinal Poggibonsi - John Keyes

Court Jester - Paddy Scully

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 Oct 1998

The Movie

Dessie Doyle - David Kelly

Violet Doyle - Pauline McLynn

Antony Gogan - Eugene O'Brien

Mr McNamara - Frank Kelly

Mike - Dan Gordon

Mouser Dolan - Kevin Flood

Ron Berglas - Buddy Kowalski

Gwynne McElveen - Starlet

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 Oct 1998