Everything You Need to Know About the Production of Round the Horne

Ever wondered what people did for a laugh before the internet, TikTok, or even colour TV? Well, they gathered around a radio. And one of the biggest reasons they did was for a show that became a legend: Round the Horne. It was a comedy show so popular it practically defined the 1960s for millions of listeners.

Now, get ready for a blast from the past, because the Apollo Theatre Company is bringing this classic radio comedy to the stage. This brilliant production is heading to the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, giving everyone a chance to experience the magic live, all in celebration of the show's 60th anniversary.

What on earth was Round the Horne?

Picture this: it's the late 1960s. Families across Britain are finishing their Sunday lunch and tuning their radios to the BBC. What were they listening to? Round the Horne. This wasn't just any radio programme; it was a proper cultural phenomenon. At its peak, this comedy show pulled in up to 15 million listeners every single week. That's more than most massive TV shows get today!

The show made household names of its stars. It was helmed by the smooth-voiced Kenneth Horne, who played the perfect straight man to a troupe of chaotic comedy geniuses: the outrageously funny Kenneth Williams, the versatile Hugh Paddick, and the brilliant Betty Marsden. Together, they created a world of sound that was anarchic, cheeky, and utterly hilarious. This radio show wasn't just background noise; it was an event. And for many, the sound of the Round the Horne theme tune was the sound of the weekend.

Bringing radio to the stage in Scarborough

So, how do you take a radio show and put it on a stage? The Apollo Theatre Company has figured it out, and it sounds brilliant. The whole idea is to transport the audience back in time, not just to listen to the comedy, but to be in the room where it happened. The stage at the Stephen Joseph Theatre will be transformed into the BBC's Paris Theatre during a live recording from the 1960s.

This means the audience gets to see all the organised chaos that went into making the radio show. There's a live band on stage playing the classic tunes, and even the sound effects are created live right in front of everyone. It's a chance for fans, old and new, to feel the electric atmosphere that made the original recordings so special. This isn't just a play; it's an immersive experience. The production, now on its sixth UK tour, is a celebration of the show's 60th anniversary, bringing the classic sketches and characters to a whole new audience in Scarborough.

The comedy, the characters, and the cheeky jokes

The heart of Round the Horne was always its unforgettable characters and razor-sharp writing. The show was packed with hilarious movie spoofs and recurring sketches that listeners couldn't get enough of. And the characters? They were legendary. There was the folk-singing oddball Rambling Syd Rumpo, the filthy old man J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock, and of course, the iconic duo Julian & Sandy.

Played by Hugh Paddick and Kenneth Williams, Julian & Sandy were two out-of-work actors who spoke in a fabulous and witty slang called Polari. Their catchphrases and cheeky chat were a masterclass in innuendo - that's the art of saying something naughty without actually saying it. It was the kind of comedy that would fly straight over a kid's head but have the grown-ups crying with laughter. The writers, Barry Took and Marty Feldman, were masters of wordplay, crafting jokes and sketches that were silly on the surface but incredibly clever underneath. This stage show brings all those famous characters and their best sketches back to life.

A comedy show for all generations

You might be thinking this show is just for people who remember it from the 1960s, but that's not the case at all. This is a comedy show that truly has something for everyone. Director Tim Astley, who has lovingly put this production together with the blessing of the writers' estates, discovered the show as a teenager, long after it had finished its run on the BBC.

He says:

"I was born 20 years after Round the Horne aired its final episode and discovered it for the first time as a teenager. Even at a young age, I could tell that this show was special. Barry Took and Marty Feldman were so clever in the way they wrote it: it really did have something for everyone. On one level you have the big, over-the-top characters and ridiculous scenarios; on the other, the wonderful wordplay and innuendo. I listen back to the shows now and finally understand some of the cleverer and ruder jokes I missed at first listen. It really is a timeless comedy show and it's an absolute joy to be able to perform these brilliant sketches live to fans young and old."

His words capture exactly why the show still works. The characters are so daft and the situations so silly that anyone can enjoy the comedy. The blend of clever wordplay and outright slapstick means that no matter your age, you'll find something to laugh at. It's a perfect show for grandparents to introduce to their grandchildren, creating a new generation of fans.

Booking your trip back to the 1960s

Ready for a dose of classic comedy? The stage version of Round the Horne is set to be a highlight at the Stephen Joseph Theatre. The show is only in town for a short run, so planning ahead is a good idea. Here are the all-important details for your diary:

• Where: The Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
• When: Monday 29 September 2025 at 7.45pm, and Tuesday 30 September 2025 at 1.30pm and 7.45pm.

Getting tickets is simple. You can call the theatre's box office on 01723 370541 or head over to their website at www.sjt.uk.com to book online. Don't miss the chance to see this fantastic tribute to a true comedy legend. It's an opportunity to witness a real cultural phenomenon brought back to life, complete with all the iconic characters, hilarious sketches, and cheeky jokes that made the original show a national treasure.