Boogie Up the River

A full-cast BBC Radio adaptation of Mark Wallington’s comic tale of one man and his dog, starring Timothy Spall

In a bid to impress his not-quite-girlfriend Jennifer, Mark persuades her to accompany him on a journey to discover the true source of the river that flows past her London flat. Setting himself up with a classic Victorian camping skiff, he’s ready for adventure and romance – but his plans are scuppered at the last minute by his manic mongrel mutt, Boogie.

Boogie has bad breath, terrible wind and a tendency to moult all over your toast – and on top of all that, he can’t swim. But Mark can’t leave him behind – his friends refuse to look after him, and he has a reputation at all the kennels (the last time he stayed in one, even the other dogs complained).

Taking to the water, Mark comes face-to-face with a colourful assortment of river dwellers and dreams of Delia Smith, while Boogie meets his first Canada goose – and headbutts a swan… As they scull upstream, they pursue the elusive Jennifer, who leaves a trail of terrible poems, exotic takeaways and answerphone messages, but is somehow always elsewhere. Will she ever join Mark on his quest? Will they ever find the source of the Thames? And will Boogie ever learn to curb his disgusting habits?

Adapted by Mark Wallington from his own hilarious novel, this light-hearted, engaging dramatisation will delight fans of Three Men in a Boat and Bill Bryson. It stars Timothy Spall as Mark, Ronald Herdman as Boogie and Carla Mendonça as Jennifer.

Adapted by Mark Wallington from his own novel

Produced by Caroline Leddy

Cast

Mark/Narrator – Timothy Spall

Boogie/Dorchester Man/Landlord – Ronald Herdman

Jennifer Conway – Carla Mendonça

Michael – Gary Parker

P.A/Royal Lady – Ainslie Foster

Fiddy – Jon Glover

Dario/Boat Guide/Boater/Farmer – Mark Straker

Pensioner/Landlord/Fisherman 1 – John Church

Douglas/Fisherman 3/Archie – David Holt

Marsha – Melanie Hudson

Mrs Matheson/Graveyard Woman – Ann Windsor

Lock Keeper – Terence Edmond

Kevin/Fisherman 2 – Rod Smith

Rita/Christine/Dorchester Lady – Jill Graham

Delia Smith/Sandra/Betty – Melinda Walker

Cruiserman/Cricketer – John Fleming

Fisherman/Barman – Jonathan Adams

Cox – Jonathan Tafler

Mrs Byron/Shopkeeper – Margaret Stallard

Percy – Eric Allen

‘A Bit of Alright’/Curator/Canoeist – Nicholas Murchie

Sam Tucker – Geoffrey McGivern

Laundrette Attendant/Girl – Kate Binchy

Barman – Simon Godley

Adolescent Girl – Julie Gibbs

Old Lady – Jillie Meers