"The Castle" - from l to r, Lewis Macleod as Merlin, Jonathan Kydd as Cardinal Duncan & Steven Kynman as Master Henry Woodstock

"The Castle" - from l to r, Neil Dudgeon as Sir William de Warenne, Martha Howe-Douglas as Lady Anne Woodstock, Ingrid Oliver as Lady Charlotte & James Fleet as Sir John Woodstock

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The Castle

The Castle: The Complete s1-4

Sir John Woodstock, a widower, lives in The Castle with his beautiful teenage daughter Anne and 14 yr old son Henry. Together, they share the contemporary life of a one-parent family, albeit accompanied by the trappings of a huge stately home in 15th Century England. Estate Agents, mail-order lingerie and the invention of central heating: this is medieval England seen from a 21st century comedy perspective. Written by Kim Fuller, who’s CV is as long as a really long arm, and includes Spitting Image, Red Dwarf, Badly Dubbed Porn, Rory Bremner, Lenny Henry - and Spiceworld The Movie

Here’s a quote from the original Press Launch:

Thrill! - as brave knight Sir William De Warrenne comes back from the Crusades and tries to buy a castle with a combined dungeon/gym

Swoon! - as young Lady Anne watches handyman Sam Tree grease a rusty hinge

Sympathize! - as Lord of the castle Sir John hires the latest top-of-the-range horse, but can’t work out what to do with the built-in “ashtrays”

and Get Out Your Dictionary! As the medieval equivalent of Gordon Ramsey tries to prepare a banquet with a mandolin and some very old swear words...

That’s all at The Castle - coming to a wireless in your fiefdom soon

Starring

James Fleet (“The Vicar Of Dibley”, “Four Weddings & A Funeral”),  Susan Earl (“My Family”. “Hardware”, “That Mitchell & Webb Situation”) & Neil Dudgeon (“Roman’s Empire”. “The Street”).

The second series of The Castle was aired in January 2009 with Montserrat Lombard taking over the role of Lady Anne, and with Lewis Macleod also becoming a regular.

The third series, aired in 2010 welcomed Martha Howe-Douglas as Lady Anne, fresh from her role in the BBC’s “Horrible Histories”. Highlights of the new series included an amorous encounter with Lady Lumley of Purdey for Sir John, a fight to the death with some pilchards and our very own version of The Wizard Of Oz...

The fourth series returned in May 2012, premiering on Radio 4 Extra, with the same glorious cast now made more glorious by Ingrid Oliver coming fresh from her very own BBC2 sketch show. Meanwhile, Lewis Macleod created a new regular - the ever-reluctant servant ‘Bates’, formerly valet at an obscure stately pile called ‘Downton Abbey’. Guesting for a couple of shows was Bigipedia’s very own Jess Robinson, portraying Wessex girl Amy De Childs and local-girl-made-princess, Kate Puddleton. Notable moments across the series included six stripping knights, a phone-hacking inquiry, Woodstock’s very own Olympics and a scene-stealing bridesmaid’s dress…

The Castle

Series 1

Show 1

First Tx: 7/9/07 11.30-12.00

A rollicking new sitcom set way back then … featuring knights, central heating, cakes, sex and a peasant.

A new knight arrives in the next-door castle, but Lady Anne refuses to be smitten. There’s an estate agent, some medieval poetry, a bloody battle and a sodding joust. 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockSusan Earl
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
Sam TreeToby Ross-Bryant
 
Written byKim Fuller
 
with additional material byNick Doody
Matt Kirshen
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced and directed byDavid Tyler

Show 2

First Tx: 14/9/07 11.30-12.00

In this episode, an unexpected lion and the world’s first satellite dish spell trouble for Anne and Sam Tree’s ongoing romance. 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockSusan Earl
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
Sam TreeToby Ross-Bryant
 
Written byKim Fuller
 
with additional material byNick Doody
Matt Kirshen
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 3

First Tx: 21/9/07 11.30-12.00

In this episode, De Warenne decides to woo Lady Anne with a swearing cook and a chocolate fountain – plus a world exclusive in “What Ho!” magazine... 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockSusan Earl
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
Sam TreeToby Ross-Bryant
 
Written byKim Fuller
 
with additional material byNick Doody
Matt Kirshen
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 4

First Tx: 28/9/07 11.30-12.00

In this episode, Sir John decides to open a theme castle in his castle and Sam Tree decides to save Unicorn Forest. Meanwhile, Anne & Charlotte are looking out for flying sheep... 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockSusan Earl
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
Sam TreeToby Ross-Bryant
 
Written byKim Fuller
 
with additional material byNick Doody
Matt Kirshen
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 5

First Tx: 5/10/07 11.30-12.00

In this episode, the village pub, The Murk Inn acquires two new mysterious barmaids as Anne & Charlotte plot and plan to ensnare Sam Tree. Meanwhile, De Warenne gets in touch with feminine side whilst Duncan gets in touch with his masculine one. 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockSusan Earl
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
Sam TreeToby Ross-Bryant
 
Written byKim Fuller
 
with additional material byNick Doody
Matt Kirshen
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 6

First Tx: 12/10/07 11.30-12.00

In this episode, an Art Exhibition, a strolling footpad and a dodgy flat-pack scaffold are the ingredients for this week’s cliffhanger. Oh yes, and a lawnmower

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockSusan Earl
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
Sam TreeToby Ross-Bryant
 
Written byKim Fuller
 
with additional material byNick Doody
Matt Kirshen
 

Music by Guy Jackson

with additional material byDavid Tyler

Series 2

Show 1

First Tx: 02/01/0911.30-12.00

Series two of the rollicking sitcom set way back then …

In the first of this new series, Lady Anne’s two suitors get desperate. De Warenne decides to give his castle a facelift and Sam Tree decides to strap himself to a rocket... 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMontserrat Lombard
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
TreadwickLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
with additional material byPaul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 2

First Tx: 09/01/09 11.30-12.00

In this episode, the arrival of a new handyman, a mysterious Frenchwoman and a celebrity dance competition puts everyone in a whirl. 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMontserrat Lombard
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
MerlinLewis Macleod
 
with special guest
Comtesse TottiKaty Brand
 
Written byKim Fuller
with additional material byPaul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 3

First Tx: 16/01/0911.30-12.00

In this episode, a troupe of travelling players, a case of mistaken cushions, a spittoon of mead and a high-speed turnip cause collusion and confusion in equal measure... 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMontserrat Lombard
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
MerlinLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
with additional material byPaul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 4

First Tx: 23/01/0911.30-12.00

In this episode, a heatwave and an archaeological excavation leads to an unexpected swimming pool... 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMontserrat Lombard
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
MerlinLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
with additional material byPaul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 5

First Tx: 30/01/0911.30-12.00

In this episode, Sir John decides to raise money by holding a rock festival in the grounds of Woodstock... Let’s hear it for kicking sounds from the electric lute, new-fangled hummous from the Levant and much disapproval from Pope Innocent the VIth! 

Show 6

First Tx: 06/02/0911.30-12.00

This week, love is in the air as a new suitor for Anne puts De Warenne’s visor firmly out of joint. Meanwhile, a primitive SatNav and some surgically-introduced helium cause chaos at the altar... 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMontserrat Lombard
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
MerlinLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
with additional material byPaul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Series 3

Show 1

"The Dragon Of Mass Destruction"

First Tx: 14/7/10 11.30-12.00

In this episode, De Warenne is in trouble as an official enquiry into the Crusades gets mixed up with a Talent Competition and a Dragon of Mass Destruction. Plus embroidery gets a right dissing. 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De Warenne Neil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMartha Howe-Douglas
Cardinal DuncanJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
MerlinLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
&Paul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 2

"The Pilchards Of Doom"

First Tx: 21/7/10 11.30-12.00

In this episode, Sir John grapples with both an adulterous affair and a tin of pilchards. Meanwhile, Thomas explores the secrets of the Universe and Anne falls in love with King Russell de Brand 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMartha Howe-Douglas
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
MerlinLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
&Paul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 3

"The Snowballs Of Hell"

First Tx: 28/7/10 11.30-12.00

In this episode there’s romance in the air for Charlotte as a vicious gang war breaks out in the Castle. Meanwhile, De Warenne discovers the fondue and declares martial law. 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De Warenne Neil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMartha Howe-Douglas
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
MerlinLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
&Paul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 4

"The Vuvuzela of Terror"

First Tx: 4/8/10 11.30-12.00

In this episode, we discover that an Englishman’s home is his castle and an Englishman’s moat is his tax write-off. Until Sir John is investigated and has to hire some Frenchmen and a bucket of eels. Meanwhile, the Woodstock Hospital is about to lose its no-star status...

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMartha Howe-Douglas
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
MerlinLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
&Paul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 5

"Four Wiseguys & A Funeral"

First Tx: 11/7/10 11.30-12.00

In this episode, when some gangsters from De Warenne’s past pay a little visit, Henry becomes a made man and Charlotte becomes an unmade woman. Plus a clever sting and a souped-up getaway sheep

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMartha Howe-Douglas
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
MerlinLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
&Paul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 6

"There’s No Place Like Woodstock"

First Tx: 18/8/10 11.30-12.00

In this episode, we discover that somewhere, over the rainbow... there are a bunch of idiots from Woodstock and a mysterious man known only as “Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber”.

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMartha Howe-Douglas
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
MerlinLewis Macleod
 
Witten byKim Fuller
&Paul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Series 4

Show 1

"Tender is the Knight"

First Tx: 14/05/12 09.00-09.30

In this episode, Sir John fills his castle with wounded soldiers and De Warenne fills his trousers with ice. Plus a new valet arrives hotfoot from somewhere called Downton Abbey… 

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMartha Howe-Douglas
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
BatesLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
&Paul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 2

"The Only Way Is Ethics"

First Tx: 21/05/12 09.00-09.30

Someone - or something - is hacking into peoples’ private conversations and Master Henry could end up in jail. Meanwhile Lady Anne has taken to nuzzling De Warenne’s trusty War Horse

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMartha Howe-Douglas
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
BatesLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
&Paul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 3

"Highlights & Twilights"

First Tx: 28/05/12 09.00-09.30

The village of Woodstock receives two mysterious visitors - one deathly pale and one deathly orange… Meanwhile, Lady Anne meets the love that dare not speak its name and Sir John meets the love that can speak its name but can’t pronounce it properly

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMartha Howe-Douglas
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
BatesLewis Macleod
 
with special guest
Amy De ChildsJess Robinson
 
Written byKim Fuller
&Paul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 4

"Boogie Knights"

First Tx: 04/06/12 09.00-09.30

The wedding of the decade is almost ruined by 200 tents and an over-excited woodpecker. Plus Henry, Duncan and De Warenne gatecrash a rather special Hen Night

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMartha Howe-Douglas
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
BatesLewis Macleod
 
with special guest
Kate PuddletonJess Robinson
 
Written byKim Fuller
&Paul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Episode 5

"Give Me The Flaming Torch"

First Tx: 11/06/12 09.00-09.30

The Olympics are coming to Woodstock, so what better time for Sir William to go on a go-slow and for Henry to hunt for dragons? Meanwhile, Sir John tries to get fit and Charlotte tries to get into her beach volleyball costume…

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMartha Howe-Douglas
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
BatesLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
&Paul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

Show 6

"A Term For The Worse"

First Tx: 18/06/12 09.00-09.30

Anne’s off to Cambridge but Charlotte doesn’t know the meaning of the word “thick”. Literally. Is this the end of a beautiful friendship? And what will Sir Warenne do in Anne’s absence?

Starring
Sir John WoodstockJames Fleet
Sir William De WarenneNeil Dudgeon
Lady Anne WoodstockMartha Howe-Douglas
Cardinal Duncan/ThomasJonathan Kydd
Lady CharlotteIngrid Oliver
Master Henry WoodstockSteven Kynman
BatesLewis Macleod
 
Written byKim Fuller
&Paul Alexander
 

Music by Guy Jackson

Produced & directed byDavid Tyler

The Castle

You can download all four series of The Castle online from various places, including iTunes, or just skip to here and thenceforthly to ye olde Amazonne

Have a look at the lovely flyer we sent out to mark the start of the series by clicking here

Read the Guardian's online review of the radio comedy, which gave it "Pick of the Day"

Have a look at Kim Fuller's CV here

And there are quite a few biogs of James Fleet (Sir John Woodstock) on the net, but we couldn't resist this one, as it's from Hello magazine


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