Ray Galton and Alan Simpson talk about the comedy of long drawn-out pauses


Ray Galton and Alan Simpson on BBC Radio Four's Broadcasting House (Sunday 22/1/12), talking about writing comedy for radio and cinema – how they drew laughter out of silences, and why they parted company with Tony Hancock at the peak of their success.
This fascinating interview also includes a preview of the premiere of their great lost movie, The Day Off, which will have its first full reading at the British Film Institute on London's South Bank on Sunday, January 29 2012. Tom Goodman-Hill stars as Tony Hancock.

Podcast

Masters of Sitcom reviewed

Elaine Schollar of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society has sent this review of Masters Of Sitcom to subscribers. That’s a tough audience for a book like this... most of the members can recite entire episodes! I’m delighted that Elaine rates it as a “must have”!
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Interview


Podcast

Listen to my Interview with Steve Gilmour on Talk Radio Europe, about Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, and Kenneth Williams too, broadcast on 6 September 2011.

National Theatre podcast


This is my recording of the book launch event at the Lyttelton Theatre, in the National Theatre on London’s South Bank, on Thursday 1 September 2011. It’s about 45 minutes long, and concludes with a deafening standing ovation.

The voice closer to the mike is Ray Galton’s. The slightly echoey voice, further away, is Alan Simpson’s.

Book launch at the National Theatre

Pasted Graphic
Ray Galton and Alan Simpson in their office at Associated London Scripts in the early sixties


A packed auditorium at the National’s Lyttelton Theatre gave Ray Galton and Alan Simpson a standing ovation on a memorable evening to launch their book Galton and Simpson: Masters of Sitcom, from Hancock to Steptoe.

During 45 minutes of conversation on stage, Ray and Alan reminisced about working with great comedians including Tony Hancock, Harry H Corbett, Sid James and Spike Milligan. “Spike used to do things like sticking his head round the bottom of the door and announcing, ‘Dere’s a midget here to see you!” Ray said.
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