Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

The Theory and Practice of Hanky Panky

Episode 5 of 6

Unable to tell their sons about the facts of life, Henry and Vera ask their friends. But the Foxes don't like kids, the Goslings don't like each other and Venus takes things to far.

Vera and Henry are undecided about whether it is time for their Eton-educated sons, Charlie and Fred, to be told the facts of life. Neither parent feels that they are sufficiently qualified to discuss the birds and bees with their sons, so they go in search of somebody who is. Ginny and Lionel, conveniently staying, are invited to contribute, but it soon becomes clear that they are urgently in need of sex education themselves.

The Goslings deliver conflicting opinions: Mrs Gosling is affronted by the very mention of the facts of life, whilst Gosling, dealing with pollination on a daily basis, would happily talk of nothing else all year.

Finally a willing educator is found. Venus, deeply broody for her first child, volunteers to rush down to Eton and enlighten Charlie and Fred over ginger beer and crumpets. Worried lest they should suddenly become grandparents before their time, Henry and Vera swiftly call a halt to the whole scheme and pack Venus off to climb Everest instead.

GLOOMSBURY - THE SERIES
Green-fingered Sapphist Vera Sackcloth-Vest shares a bijou castle in Kent with her devoted husband Henry, but longs for exotic adventures with nervy novelist Ginny Fox and wilful beauty Venus Traduces. It's 1921, the dawn of modern love, life and lingerie, but Vera still hasn't learnt how to boil a kettle.

Producer: Jamie Rix
A Little Brother Production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 20 Aug 2017 22:35

Credits

Role Contributor
Vera Sackcloth-Vest Miriam Margolyes
Henry Mickleton Jonathan Coy
Mrs Ginny Fox Alison Steadman
Lionel Fox Roger Lloyd Pack
Mrs Gosling, Vera's Housekeeper Alison Steadman
Gosling, Vera's Gardener Roger Lloyd Pack
Venus Traduces Morwenna Banks
Producer Jamie Rix
Writer Sue Limb

Broadcasts

  • Wed 30 Apr 2014 11:30
  • Tue 8 Dec 2015 18:30
  • Tue 15 Dec 2015 07:30
  • Tue 15 Dec 2015 17:30
  • Tue 15 Dec 2015 22:00
  • Wed 16 Dec 2015 05:30
  • Sun 20 Aug 2017 22:35