Dear Arthur, Love John. Copyright: CPL Productions
Dear Arthur, Love John

Dear Arthur, Love John

  • Radio comedy drama
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2012
  • 1 episode

Comedy drama looking at the making of Dad's Army and the friendship between stars Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier. Stars Robert Daws, Anton Lesser, Kenny Ireland, James Lance and Matt Addis

Key details

Genre
Comedy Drama
Broadcast
2012
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
1
Stars
Robert Daws, Anton Lesser, Kenny Ireland, James Lance and Matt Addis
Writer
Roy Smiles
Producer
Liz Anstee
Company

Dear Arthur, Love John, by West End playwright Roy Smiles, charts the relationship between Dad's Army stars Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier and focus on the creation of the beloved TV series.

It is 1982 and as John writes to Arthur to say how much he misses him, the story flashes back to Dad's Army: the first read through, the reaction to getting 21 million viewers, Lowe's hatred of being recognised by the public, the rivalry between John Laurie and Arnold Ridley, Lowe's hostility to Clive Dunn and socialism; the affection Le Mesurier had for them all, particularly Jimmy Beck, and how, after initial snobbery about the show, the cast came to realise it was the best time of their lives.

Lowe and Le Mesurier were men of wildly different temperaments, yet bonded while working together on the series over the course of its nine-year run and became fast friends. Anton Lesser will play John Le Mesurier in the drama, while Robert Daws will play Arthur Lowe.

Additional details

Production
Studio

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Monday 7th May 2012 at 2:15pm on BBC Radio 4
Episode length
45 minutes
All previous repeats
  • Thursday 20th April 2017 at 9:15pm on Radio 4 Extra
  • Thursday 20th April 2017 at 11:15am on Radio 4 Extra
  • Tuesday 25th December 2012 at 10:00pm on Radio 4