The Laxian Key. Copyright: BBC
The Laxian Key

The Laxian Key

  • Radio sitcom
  • BBC Radio 7
  • 2007
  • 4 episodes (1 series)

Sci-fi comedy series based on the short stories of Robert Sheckley. Two planetary decontaminationists accidentally cause the Earth to melt. Stars Chris Larner, Mark Bonnar, Christine Kavanagh, Virginie Gilchrist, Trevor Cooper and more.

Key details

Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
2007
Channel
BBC Radio 7
Episodes
4 (1 series)
Stars
Chris Larner, Mark Bonnar, Christine Kavanagh, Virginie Gilchrist, Trevor Cooper, Alex Lowe, Bethan Walker and Sam Dale
Writers
Robert Sheckley, Chris Larner and David Gilbert
Director
Peter Kavanagh
Company

Set in the year 2150, Arnold and Gregor work as planetary decontaminationists via their own firm, AAA Ace Eco-Friendly Interplantary Decomtamination. Their job is to clean up polluted planets and to make them habitable for humans. One such place is Planet Party, where several people have died when they landed there. With a big cash award given to anyone who can clean it up, it looks like Arnold and Gregor might do the deadly job.

However, they soon get sidetracked by an alien music box which contains a strangle liquid which dissolves anything it touches. It is not long before the 87th floor of a skyscraper in Streatham starts to melt, followed by London, and soon the entire Earth.

According to the song in the music box, the only thing that can stop the melting is something called "The Laxian Key".

Additional details

Production
Studio

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Sunday 25th February 2007 at 6pm on BBC Radio 7
Most recent repeats
  • Friday 12th March 2021 at 12:00am on Radio 4 Extra - Episode 4
  • Thursday 11th March 2021 at 6:00pm on Radio 4 Extra - Episode 4
  • Thursday 11th March 2021 at 12:00am on Radio 4 Extra - Episode 3