Bird Island
Radio sitcom about a scientist working in the Antarctic, written by Katy Wix
- Genre
- Sitcom
- Broadcast
- 2012 - 2014
- Channel
- BBC Radio 4
- Episodes
- 8 (2 series)
- Starring
- Reece Shearsmith, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Alison Steadman and Katy Wix
- Writer
- Katy Wix
- Producer
- Tilusha Ghelani
On one hand, Ben is on the trip of a lifetime to Sub-Antarctica. On the other, he's trapped in an icy hell with a dodgy internet connection and a dictaphone. Loneliness is something of a problem.
His fellow travelling scientist Graham should alleviate this, but the tragi-comic fact is, they are nerdy blokes, so they can only stumble through yet another awkward exchange.
Ben experiences all the highs and lows that this beautiful, but lonely place has to offer but fails miserably to communicate this to Graham. So, Ben shares his thoughts with us in the form of an audio 'log'.
Apart from his research studying the Albatross on the Island, Ben attempts to continue normal life with an earnestness and enthusiasm which is ultimately very endearing. We're with him as chats awkwardly with Graham, telephones his mother and as he tries to form a long distance relationship with a woman through Chemistry.com.
In fact, we follow Ben as everything occurs to him. We also hear the pings and whirrs of machinery, the Squawks and screeches of the birds and the vast expanse outside. Oh, and ice. Lots of ice.
- Production company
- Laugh track
- None
Broadcast details
- First broadcast
- Wednesday 13th June 2012 on BBC Radio 4 at 11pm
- Last new broadcast
- Sunday 25th May 2014 on BBC Radio 4 at 7:15pm
- Length of episodes
- 15 minutes
- Last repeat
- Sunday 26th July 2020 at 10:45pm on Radio 4 Extra