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Aberystwyth Noir: Private Detective Louie Knight

By: Malcolm Pryce
Narrated by: Richard Nichols, Matthew Gravelle, Manon Edwards, Lynne Seymour, Lee Mengo, Keiron Self, Phylip Harries, Catrin Stewart, Craig Roberts, full cast
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Summary

The spoof hardboiled thrillers with Wales's top private investigator dramatised by BBC Radio

This marvelous collection of Malcolm Pryce's acclaimed Aberystwyth Noir radio productions are set in an alternative version of Aberystwyth, where the streets are filled with veterans of the Patagonian War (Wales's answer to Vietnam), the Druids are mob bosses, and the ice cream is... unusual, to say the least.

The first play, Aberystwyth Mon Amour, sees Louie Knight, the town's top private investigator - maybe its only private investigator - in search of the schoolboys who have been vanishing with increasing frequency. To do it, he'll need all his wits about him - and the guts to stake out a Punch and Judy show, no matter the consequences...

In Last Tango in Aberystwyth, Louise Knight and sidekick Calamity Jane are drawn into the seedy world of the town's 'What the Butler Saw' film industry, complete with dead ventriloquists and Druid assassins. But when Louie receives a call from his long lost love and gets news of an old enemy, what will he risk in the name of revenge?

In the final play, Aberystwyth Noir - It Ain't Over Till The Bearded Lady Sings, Louie and Jane look into the death of Mr Big Top, another gunned-down victim of the Druids. It feels like trouble from the start, but that doesn't mean Louie will stop; in fact, he's half-way to the End of the Pier show before anyone knows he's even on the case. Between the balloon twister, the bearded lady, and the Amazing Mr Marmalade, will Louie discover what's really going on? Or will his nemesis, former games teacher turned lion tamer Herod Jenkins, mean Louie's end, once and for all?

Featuring Richard Nicholls (News from Nowhere, Burning Both Ends), Sara Lloyd-Gregory (Tourist Trap, Doctors), and Matthew Gravelle (Broadchurch, Silent Witness), these surreal and hilarious noir thrillers will have you questioning everything you know about the beloved Welsh coastal town - and what you'd do to uncover the truth in a topsy-turvy world...

Cast and credits

Aberystwyth Mon Amour
Louie Knight - Richard Nicholls
Myfanwy Montez - Lynne Seymour
Mrs. Llantrisant - Manon Edwards
Calamity Jane - Stefanie Parker
Herod Jenkins - Ysten Jones
Meryin Jones - Matthew Gravelle
Valentine - Lee Mengo
DI - Kieran Self
Love Spoon - Dorian Thomas
Brainbox - Craig Roberts

Written by Malcolm Pryce
Adapted by Peter Morgan
First broadcast BBC Radio Wales, 18 January - 7 February 2009

Last Tango in Aberystwyth
Louie Knight - Richard Nicholls
Calamity Jane - Sara Lloyd-Gregory
Gretel/Myfanwy Montez - Lynne Seymour
Dubaul - Kieran Self
Eeyore/Mr Marmalade - Matthew Gravelle
Valentine/The Hotel Detective - Lee Mengo
The Old Lady/Shop Keeper - Manon Edwards
Other parts members of the cast
Written by Malcolm Pryce
Dramatised by Peter Morgan
Directed by Nigel Lewis
First broadcast BBC Radio Wales, 7 April - 9 April 2010


Aberystwyth Noir - It Ain't Over Till The Bearded Lady Sings
Louie Knight - Phylip Harries
Calamity Jane - Catrin Stewart
Sospan - Rhodri Meilir
Eeyore/Harold Jenkins/Piccolino/Mr Marmalade - Matthew Gravelle
Mrs Meirionydd - Eiry Thomas
Mrs Tony/Pandy/Mrs Jones - Manon Edwards
Written by Malcolm Pryce
Produced by Kate McAll
Directed by Kate McAll
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 May 2013

©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
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What listeners say about Aberystwyth Noir: Private Detective Louie Knight

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Now let’s get the rest of the books on audible!

I really enjoyed this. Well performed and true enough to the original books to be enjoyed.

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2 people found this helpful

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If I can’t have the books I’ll have this

As a long fan of these books I’ve been waiting patiently for an audio version. Alas that’s still not to be but we we have two excellent alternatives.
I say two because although this is three stories the last story “it ain’t over till the bearded lady sings” is actually an earlier pilot of a radio show from what I can gather. It’s basically a slight mix of both of the first two stories included here but done in 45 minutes as a stand-alone radio play. It’s not terrible but it’s nothing as good as the first two longer versions and I admit it was strange when characters were suddenly introduced again for the first time in different situations.

That being said - the first two stories are just great. They could have been one episode longer each to delve into more of the humour and backstory that the books give you but actually they do work really well and let you have everything you need.
The actors are great and the Welsh pronunciations are just perfect.

It’s difficult to accurately describe the stories. They are a slightly tongue in cheek noir style detective series set in a “sort of alternate reality” Aberystwyth. Where druids run the town, a bribe is 50p, ‘what the butler saw’ movies is a huge industry and a spinning wheel model is the equivalent of a page 3 temptress!

If you haven’t read the books I really do recommend them but these plays really do give you an excellent taste of what they are.

But please Audible, the main actors playing Louie Knight would be an amazing narrator for the unabridged books.

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Pryceless!

I have read all but one of the books on publication and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Very clever, funny, witty and humorous.

These radio plays are well performed and produced and are also immensely enjoyable.

I have searched for audiobook versions of the Aberystwyth novels for a long time and have always wondered why there weren't any. I was very pleased to come across this collection.

These plays are great fun and vividly bring out the faux-Marlowe spirit of the books.

Would happily listen to further productions and would also like audiobook readings of the novels as well.

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