The Masterson Inheritance

The Masterson Inheritance was an improvised comedy series broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1993 to 1995 billed as "an improvised historical saga of a family at war with itself."[1] There were three series and two Christmas specials. It was broadcast from 1993 to 1995. From time to time, repeats of the show are broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra.

The Masterson Inheritance
Cassette cover from the BBC Canned Laughter series, 1993
GenreComedy
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home stationBBC Radio 4
StarringJosie Lawrence
Paul Merton
Phelim McDermott
Caroline Quentin
Lee Simpson
Jim Sweeney
Original release22 April 1993 –
25 December 1995
No. of series3
No. of episodes20
Audio formatStereophonic sound

In each programme, the cast members – Josie Lawrence, Phelim McDermott, Paul Merton, Caroline Quentin, Lee Simpson, and Jim Sweeney – would be given a particular historical setting, and, incorporating suggestions from the audience, would improvise that episode in the saga of the Masterson family.[2] One episode, The Marooned Mastersons, was never broadcast but is available on Jim Sweeney's website.

Music

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Each episode of the saga was introduced by and ended with Erich Korngold's Hollywood-style title music from the 1946 film noir Deception.

Critical reaction

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The Independent reckoned the show was genuinely improvised, due to the "air of suppressed panic", even if the improvisation revolved around a small number of choices. It questioned the longevity of the format once people got bored with listening to their mistakes.[3]

Episode list

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Series Episode Title Historical setting First broadcast
1 1 The Curse of the Mastersons The 1760s and the slave trade 22 April 1993
2 The Mastersons and Johnson The 1790s 29 April 1993
3 Scurvy The 1800s at sea 6 May 1993
4 The Sweat of the Mastersons Victorian London 13 May 1993
5 The Tatting of the Mastersons 19th century America 20 May 1993
6 The Mastersons Lose Everything The 1890s 27 May 1993
Special 1 The Stuffing of the Mastersons Victorian Christmas 25 December 1993
2 1 Beware the Ides of Masterson Imperial Rome 11 June 1994
2 The Quest for the Other Rabbit's Foot The court of King Arthur 18 June 1994
3 Last Word to the Mastersons The Industrial Revolution 25 June 1994
4 The Jousting Mastersons Late 15th century 2 July 1994
5 The Gangrene of the Mastersons The Crimean War 9 July 1994
6 The Mastersons Go Down The Hercules (passenger ship) 16 July 1994
3 1 The Mastersons Magical Marquee (1) Travelling Victorian circus 24 June 1995
2 The Mastersons Magical Marquee (2) 1 July 1995
3 Masterson Rides Again 19th century public school 8 July 1995
4 The Masterson Bunch Early 20th century before the great war 15 July 1995
5 The Pain of the Mastersons The romantic poets 22 July 1995
6 The St Valentine's Day Masterson 1920s Hollywood 29 July 1995
Special 2 The Mastersons' Christmas Cracker An isolated village of ancient beliefs 25 December 1995

References

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  1. ^ "The Masterson Inheritance". TV Cream. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  2. ^ Butler, Robert (25 April 1993). "ARTS / Show People: Off the cuff and on the spot: 74. Josie Lawrence". The Independent (UK). Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  3. ^ Hanks, Robert (27 April 1993). "RADIO / Light on God, heavy on the Mayo: Robert Hanks on The Big Holy One and The Masterson Inheritance". The Independent (UK). Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
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