{"product_id":"book-yome","title":"The Big Business Lark","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJimmy Edwards stars in this spin-off from\u003ci\u003e The Navy Lark\u003c\/i\u003e, chronicling life in and around the higher echelons of British United Plastics Ltd\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing in the footsteps of \u003ci\u003eThe Navy Lark, The TV Lark\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Embassy Lark\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Big Business Lark\u003c\/i\u003e aired for 13 episodes over the summer of 1969. Blending satire with farce, it charted the business machinations at a fictional plastics company.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRuling the roost at this chaotic commercial enterprise is managing director and chairman Sir Charles Bonniface, a crafty, cricket-loving tycoon who likes to keep one hand firmly on the tiller and the other on his secretary's posterior. Waiting in the wings is his son Frank, stoically enduring his father's bluff and bluster as he bides his time to take over the top job. Ensuring that all runs smoothly is Edith, Sir Charles' put-upon personal assistant, who bears her boss's lecherous attentions with equanimity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTogether, they endeavour to promote British United Plastics' sole product - Polystumer, a seemingly indestructible synthetic material with a surprising number of uses, from bathroom fixtures to breakfast cereal toys. In these entertaining episodes, they swing a contract with a camping company to make speedboat shells, land an order to supply the Red Army with tents, attempt to create camel-proof plastic to seal a deal with a Sultan, and make a TV commercial to try and impress a Hollywood film mogul…\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarring\u003cb\u003e Jimmy Edwards\u003c\/b\u003e as Sir Charles, with \u003cb\u003eFrank Thornton \u003c\/b\u003eas Frank and \u003cb\u003eGwen Cherrell\u003c\/b\u003e as Edith, \u003ci\u003eThe Big Business Lark\u003c\/i\u003e also benefits from the considerable talents of \u003cb\u003eAlexander John\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eElizabeth Morgan\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eNigel Graham\u003c\/b\u003e, who between them play over 50 larger-than life characters. So mix business with pleasure, and enjoy this lively, laughter-filled Lark!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eContent warning: the humour in this programme reflects the era in which it was broadcast and may not reflect current attitudes\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduction credits\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eScripted by Lawrie Wyman\u003cbr\u003eProduced by Alastair Scott Johnston\u003cbr\u003eStarring: Jimmy Edwards, Frank Thornton and Gwen Cherrell\u003cbr\u003eWith Elizabeth Morgan, Alexander John and Nigel Graham\u003cbr\u003eAnnouncer: Michael de Morgan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith thanks to Keith Wickham and The Radio Circle\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eNote: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here are taken from the closing announcements of the episode.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eEpisode guide\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1. Leading You Through\u003cbr\u003e2. Cruising on the River\u003cbr\u003e3. Taking You Through\u003cbr\u003e4. Disposing of a Relative\u003cbr\u003e5. Playing Ducks\u003cbr\u003e6. Taking Orders\u003cbr\u003e7. Strike Breaking\u003cbr\u003e8. Dining Out\u003cbr\u003e9. Initiating You Through\u003cbr\u003e10. Searching For Liberty\u003cbr\u003e11. Contracting Out\u003cbr\u003e12. Destructing\u003cbr\u003e13. Advertising\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 2, 6 July - 28 September 1969\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin UK","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":67101224010032,"sku":"BDyome","price":11.67,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/yome-Square-cover.jpg?v=1782165302","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-yome","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}