Mark Steel's in Town

Episod

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  6. Unst (Shetland part 2) 09.12.2025 38min

  6/6 - Unst - 'The Island Above All Others'. After performing in Lerwick earlier in the series, Mark’s Shetland adventure concludes in Unst, as far north as you can get. There will also be extended versions of each episode available on BBC Sounds.Written and performed by Mark SteelAdditional material by Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinators Caroline Barlow and Katie Baum Sound Manager Jerry Peal Producer Carl CooperA BBC Studios production for Radio 4
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  5. Lerwick (Shetland part 1) 02.12.2025 41min

  For the fifth stop of the series, Mark travels to Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, perched at the far edge of Britain, where everyone’s on first-name terms with the fog.It’s a place where Viking heritage meets oil rigs and knitting patterns, where the winter fire festival Up Helly Aa lights up the darkness, and where the locals are masters of making their own fun. This is the first of Mark’s two shows from Shetland, recorded in front of an audience in Lerwick. Later in the series he’ll also be visiting Unst, the UK’s most northerly inhabited island.This is the 14th series of Mark's award winning show where he travels around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness. After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience. As well as Shetland, in this series, Mark be will also be popping to Oakham in Rutland, Wrexham, Lewisham and Cambridge. There will also be extended versions of each episode available on BBC Sounds.Written and performed by Mark SteelAdditional material by Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinators Caroline Barlow and Katie Baum Sound Manager Jerry Peal Producer Carl CooperA BBC Studios production for Radio 4
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  4. Cambridge 25.11.2025 40min

  Mark Steel visits Cambridge and creates a show for the local audience.There will also be extended versions of each episode available on BBC sounds.Written and performed by Mark Steel Additional material by Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinator Caroline Barlow and Katie Baum Sound Manager Jerry Peal Producer Carl CooperA BBC Studios production for Radio 4
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  3. Lewisham 18.11.2025 39min

  Mark Steel visits Lewisham in south London and creates a show for the local audience.There will also be extended versions of each episode available on BBC sounds.Written and performed by Mark SteelAdditional material by Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinator Caroline Barlow and Katie Baum Sound Manager Chris Maclean Producer Carl CooperA BBC Studios production for Radio 4
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  2. Wrexham 11.11.2025 38min

  Second stop of the new series is Wrexham in North Wales. Wrexham has gone from industrial workhorse to global celebrity, thanks to two Hollywood actors who bought the local football club. It’s a place where five of the Seven Wonders of Wales are apparently within walking distance of a Screwfix, where children learn “risk management” on playgrounds made from drainpipes salvaged at the council tip, and where an underground tunnel network may or may not have been built for priests sneaking to the pub... or for inmates tunnelling into prison for a game of pool.This is the 14th series of Mark's award-winning show where he travels around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness. After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience. As well as Wrexham, in this series, Mark be will also be popping to Oakham, Cambridge, Lewisham and, Lerwick and Unst in Shetland.There will also be extended versions of each episode available on BBC sounds.Written and performed by Mark SteelAdditional material by Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinator Caroline Barlow and Katie Baum Sound Manager Jerry Peal Producer Carl CooperA BBC Studios production for Radio 4
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  1. Oakham 07.10.2025 40min

  First stop of the new series is Oakham, nestled in the UK’s smallest county – Rutland.Rutland has a village that's proudly twinned with Paris (even if the Parisians don’t know), has Europe’s largest man-made lake (which required flooding a local village) and hangs its horseshoes the other way round (so the devil falls out, obviously).Joining Mark is Clare Balding, who’s also in town to take him on a ramble around Rutland, which you can hear in Ramblings, this Thursday on Radio 4. This is the 14th series of Mark's award winning show where he travels around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness. After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience. As well as Oakham, in this series, Mark be will also be popping to Wrexham, Cambridge, Lewisham and, Lerwick and Unst in Shetland.There will also be extended versions of each episode available on BBC sounds.Written and performed by Mark SteelAdditional material by Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinator Caroline Barlow and Katie Baum Sound Manager Jerry Peal Producer Carl CooperA BBC Studios production for Radio 4
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  Coleraine 29.07.2024 37min

  Mark Steel’s award-winning show where he travels around the UK visiting towns with nothing in common but their uniqueness.After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience"...Coleraine is a big town and is ready for City status..." Mark visits the town of Coleraine in Northern Ireland.Written and performed by Mark SteelAdditional material by Pete SinclairProducer Carl CooperA BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2024.**** Extended versions of each episode are available on BBC Sounds.
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  Nether Edge 22.07.2024 33min

  Mark Steel’s award-winning show where he travels around the UK visiting towns with nothing in common but their uniqueness.After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.“...a place where all the baristas know your name ... "Next stop, Mark is in Nether Edge, a leafy suburb of Sheffield which wants to become a village. Here he samples the local honey, visits the local shops and cafes, a rum keg - and the bowl's club that once threw out Ronnie Wood for inappropriate behaviour. He also talks to the passionate locals about a campaign by the council to make the area less leafy by cutting down half of the trees.Written and performed by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Carl CooperA BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2024.
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  Stoke-on-Trent 15.07.2024 40min

  The award-winning show where Mark Steel travels around the UK visiting towns with nothing in common but their uniqueness.After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.Next stop, Mark visits the city of Stoke-on-Trent, part of the industrial area know as The Potteries. Mark chats to the locals about their town, hears about how friendly people are and some the famous people associated with Stoke.Written and performed by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Carl CooperA BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2024.
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  East Grinstead 08.07.2024 35min

  The award-winning show where Mark Steel travels around the UK visiting towns with nothing in common but their uniqueness.After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.Next stop, Mark visits East Grinstead and chats to locals about their town, and discovers its places of interest, including the historic high street. Plus its connection to Winnie the Pooh.Written and performed by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Carl CooperA BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2024.
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  Malvern 01.07.2024 40min

  The award-winning show where Mark Steel travels around the UK visiting towns with nothing in common but their uniqueness.After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.Next stop, Mark visits the Malvern hills in Worcestershire. “...if ever after I'm dead you hear someone whistling this tune on the Malvern Hills, don't be alarmed, it's only me" Edward Elgar.Famous for its magical waters and its steep hills. Amongst those associated with Malvern are: C.S Lewis, Tolkien, Charles Darwin, George Bernard Shaw and Theodore Roosevelt. As well as Malvern, in this series, Mark be will also be popping to Margate, Stoke on Trent, East Grinstead, Coleraine in Northern Ireland and Nether Edge in Sheffield. Written and performed by Mark SteelAdditional material by Pete SinclairProducer Carl CooperA BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2024.
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  Margate 24.06.2024 41min

  Mark Steel is back with the 13th series of his award-winning show where he travels around the UK visiting towns with nothing in common but their uniqueness. After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.First stop, Mark packs his bucket and spade and visits the lovely seaside town of Margate in the Thanet district of Kent.“...a nice spot not vulgarised by crowds of literary people...” Oscar WildeA magical place where TS Eliot wrote a verse of The Wasteland, JMW Turner painted views of the Harbour, Tracy Emin spent her formative years and Pete Doherty has his name on a wall of fame in a cafe for eating a "mega breakfast" in under 20 minutes.Mark visits Dreamland and its 100 year old rollercoaster, the famous Crab Museum and the historic Walpole Hotel, before performing his show in the Cliff Bar and snooker hall under the iconic Lido Tower.Later in this series Mark is off to Stoke on Trent, Malvern and East Grinstead in England plus Coleraine in Northern Ireland.Written and performed by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Carl CooperA BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2024.
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  Paris (English and French) 30.09.2022 1j 3min

  Mark Steel's In Town - ParisMark Steel is back with the 12th series of his award-winning show that travels around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness. After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.In this final episode Mark visits Paris. Yeah, that Paris. The one in France. Where he performs on a boat on the river Seine. In this special extended edition of the programme Mark performs the show in English and then in French, for a French-speaking audience.The English version is first and the French version starts at 35 minutes.In this series, Mark also popped to Nottingham, Tring, The Isles of Scilly, Salisbury, and Newport. And for the first time, there will be extended versions of each episode available on BBC sounds.Written and performed by Mark SteelAdditional material by Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinator Sarah Sharpe Production co-ordinator Katie Baum Sound Manager Jerry Peal Producer Carl Cooper Producer Richard MorrisWith special thanks to Mark's French teacher Fatima BelaouziA BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4
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  Paris 27.09.2022 36min

  Mark Steel continues his award winning show that travels around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness. After thoroughly researching each location, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.Mark brushes up on his French and visits Paris. Yeah, that Paris. The one in France. He's set to perform an evening of comedy on board a boat on the River Seine. As he immerses himself in the French capital, he shares his thoughts on the best things in Paris.Written and performed by Mark Steel.With special thanks to Mark's French teacher Fatima Belaouzi.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producers: Carl Cooper and Richard MorrisA BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2022.
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  Newport 21.09.2022 43min

  Mark Steel continues his award-winning show travelling around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness.After thoroughly researching each town, he writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.Mark is in Newport in South Wales and uncovers some of the history and local stories and people.Written and performed by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Carl CooperA BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2022.
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  Salisbury 12.09.2022 35min

  Mark Steel continues his award-winning show travelling around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness.After thoroughly researching each town, he writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.Mark is in Wiltshire's cathedral city of Salisbury - situated near the edge of Salisbury Plain.Written and performed by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Carl CooperA BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2022.
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  The Isles of Scilly 09.09.2022 41min

  Mark Steel continues his award-winning show travelling around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness.After thoroughly researching each town, he writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.Mark arrives on the Isles of Scilly, dipping into local history and tales of shipwrecks. Written and performed by Mark SteelAdditional material by Pete SinclairProducer: Carl CooperA BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2022.
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  Tring 30.08.2022 42min

  Mark Steel continues his award-winning show travelling around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness.After thoroughly researching each town, he writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.Mark moves on to Tring in Hertfordshire and discovers the home of the Natural History Museum, and the former private museum of Walter Rothschild, where he goes to see the exhibit of fleas dressed as Mexicans. Written and performed by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Carl CooperA BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2022.
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  Nottingham 22.08.2022 44min

  "Ay up me duck!"Mark Steel returns with the 12th series of his award winning show that travels around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness.After thoroughly researching each town, he writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience. Mark is kicking off with a visit to Nottingham in the East Midlands. It's a contrarian city, full of heroes, rebels, caves and lovers of mushy peas. He learns about local legends, Robin Hood, Lord Byron, DH Lawrence, Brian Clough, and the most famous of all, Frank the xylophone player. Plus the history of the Luddites, the cheese riots and visits three pubs that are all the oldest in the country. Later in this series, Mark is off to the Isles of Scilly, Tring, Salisbury, Newport and Paris. Written and performed by Mark Steel.Additional material by Pete Sinclair.Producer: Carl CooperA BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2022.
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  Whitby 16.12.2021 28min

  There’s one thing you definitely can’t miss in Whitby and that’s the ruined abbey up on a cliff looking down on the town. It’s also hard to miss the jawbone of a blue whale set atop the opposite hill and the fact that Dracula was a researched and written here by Bram Stoker. You’ll not go wanting if you are in search of a chip either. Mark Steel manages to dodge the seagulls and presents his findings to a local audience at The Brunswick Centre.The full box set of all episodes (with well over 50 towns visited) is available now wherever you get your podcasts.Written by and starring...Mark Steel With additional material from Pete Sinclair Production Coordinator...Beverly Tagg Producer...Julia McKenzie A BBC Studios Production.