Gush

A BBC Radio 4 Parody

Om bogen

An epic tale of power, love, passion and oil – from the minds of comedy greats Ian Hislop and Nick Newman

Gush is the stunning saga of the bitter rivals Foxwell Cravate and Max Pomeroy whose destinies are tragically intertwined. Set in Durban at the Transworld Oil Conference and packed with the flair, fun and parody of the best TV mini-series of the 90s, this is comedy that will have you laughing out loud.

The aristocratic Foxwell Cravate, played by radio legend Martin Jarvis, and American tycoon Max Pomeroy, played by Mac McDonald, were once the closest of friends. However, the two have become such bitter rivals their actions could threaten the human race. What could possibly have destroyed their friendship and, potentially, the world?

The story begins when Prince Saudi hopes that his oil deal will bring peace to the civilised world. What could possibly go wrong? Well, Cravate and Pomeroy's bitter rivalry could mess things up for a start. Beginning with a vow to end all vows, the Oil Conference doesn’t go quite to plan and Foxwell and Max face execution by ritual disembowelment. Will Lady Arabella's wiles coax Prince Saudi into making a last-minute reprieve? There is a glimmer of hope when a compromising photo of Prince Saudi and Lady Arabella materialises. However, it's in the hands of the infamous Charles de Vere of the Foreign Office…

Written by long time collaborators Ian Hislop (Have I Got New For You, Spitting Image) and Nick Newman (Sunday Times, Punch and The Spectator cartoonist), this pitch perfect parody of the works of Jeffrey Archer, is a must listen. Starring Martin Jarvis, alongside Mac McDonald, Felicity Montagu, Caroline Quentin, Jonathan Coy and Julian Dutton.

Please note: This show contains humour of the time.

Cast and credits

Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman

Produced by Colin Swash

Foxwell Cravate - Martin Jarvis

Max Pomeroy - Mac McDonald

Arabella Derbyshire - Felicity Montagu

Iolanthe Diamond - Caroline Quentin

Charles Ambrose Fortescue de Vere - Jonathan Coy

Prince Saudi - Julian Dutton

With Toby Longworth, Mandy Knight, Steve Steen and John Whitehall

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 Nov - 27 Dec 1994