Boswell’’s Lives: BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama

Miles Jupp stars as James Boswell in four fantastic episodes of Jon Canter’s BBC Radio 4 comedy.

’A work of genius’ Radio Times

James Boswell, Dr Johnson’s celebrated biographer, turns time traveller to pursue other legends to immortalise in this award-winning comedy series. Hampered by his own pomposity and self-importance, he finds that his subjects get the better of him - with hilarious consequences.

Interviewing Sigmund Freud, Boswell is wrong-footed when Freud asks all the questions, and on meeting Maria Callas (and her poodle) he becomes caught up in an opera of his own making. While talking to Harold Pinter he finds himself the victim of a betrayal, and Boris Johnson proves to be a formidable opponent - especially on the whiff-whaff table.

Written by acclaimed comedy author Jon Canter, this hugely entertaining series won the Prix Europa for Best European Radio Series of the Year. It stars Miles Jupp as Boswell, with Henry Goodman as Freud, Arabella Weir as Callas, Harry Enfield as Pinter and Alistair McGowan as Boris Johnson. Duration: 2 hours approx.

Jon Canter is an English television comedy writer for Lenny Henry and other leading comedians including Dawn French, Angus Deayton, Mel Smith, and Griff Rhys Jones, as well as acting as script editor for Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie. He co-wrote the 2003 BBC television satirical comedy Posh Nosh with Arabella Weir, and the BBC Radio 4 situation comedy Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful with Guy Jenkin. He wote a Radio 4 Afternoon Play I Love Stephen Fry in 2008. He wrote for the ITV animated cartoon version of Mr. Bean, and the screenplay for the film Full Monty 2. He is the author of Seeds of Greatness, A Short Gentleman, and Worth.