Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends

Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends is a BBC Radio 4 comedy series written by and starring Kay Stonham and Simon Greenall, which ran from 2001 to 2005.[1] It revolves around the mundane lives of Robin and Wendy Mayfield who live on an anonymous estate in Stevenage. Robin tends to be self-centred, demanding and controlling in his relationships. Wendy, however, always seems to see the positive side of any situation, and, while often frustrated, copes with Robin admirably. Both Robin and Wendy have relatively meaningless bureaucratic jobs. Robin manages shipping and receiving for a warehouse, and Wendy works in local government.

Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends
Other namesRobin And Wendy's Wet Edinburgh Weekend
GenreSituation comedy
Running time30 minutes
Country of origin United Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home stationBBC Radio 4
StarringSimon Greenall
Kay Stonham
Phil Cornwell
Debra Stephenson
Martin Trenaman
Amelia Bullmore
Brian Capron
Written byKay Stonham
Simon Greenall
Produced byMario Stylianides
Claire Bartlett
Original release28 December 2001 – 12 August 2005
No. of series4
No. of episodes18
Audio formatStereophonic sound
Opening themeLittle Boxes by Malvina Reynolds (sung by Kay Stonham)

To their disappointment (mainly Wendy's), they find themselves unable to have children. Consequently, their considerable energies are channeled into building and maintaining Mayfield, the model village in their garage. Robin drives a decrepit Triumph Herald, claiming it to be a "classic British car". Wendy becomes pregnant in the penultimate episode of Series 3, due to an affair with a patient at the hospital where Robin lies in a coma after an accident at work. The arrival of the baby is a major element in Series 4.

Their next-door neighbours Derek and Maureen also have no children, although Derek has children from a previous marriage. Before suffering burnout and a breakdown, Derek was a legend among salesmen. Now he is usually undergoing treatment with one or more drugs to address his psychological problems, which often trigger erratic behavior when he takes too much or too little. Maureen tends to be involved in the latest get-rich-quick scheme, although none of them turn out to be too successful. To make matters worse, she dumped her previous husband for Derek, and openly regrets having done so.

Each episode focuses on one particular event or activity and details the usually absurd outcome brought about by the group. The humour is gentle, yet the storylines encourage sympathy for the characters.

The first series was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001. Four series, a total of 18 episodes, have been broadcast up to the end of 2005. Early episodes were co-written by Kay Stonham, who also plays Wendy, and Simon Greenall who played Robin. In the third and fourth series Robin was played by Brian Capron and Kay Stonham was the sole credited writer.

The show is repeated from time to time on BBC Radio 4 Extra and occasionally on Radio 4.

Critical reaction

The Financial Times called it "wonderfully nerdish... a dash of Ayckbourn tinged with Mike Leigh, only loopier."[2] The Times called it "gently humorous, rather sad, slightly surreal".[1]

Episode list
SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst broadcast
11The Heinrich Manoeuvre28 December 2001
2A Fete Worse Than Death4 January 2002
3A Cavalier Attitude11 January 2002
4Police, Camera, Amphibian18 January 2002
21Them and Us16 May 2003
2Take the High Road23 May 2003
3Entertaining Mr Stone30 May 2003
4Lassie Go Home6 June 2003
5A Green Unpleasant Land13 June 2003
6About Some Boys20 June 2003
31Alka Salsa25 June 2004
2Dream Genie2 July 2004
3Arrivederci Coma9 July 2004
4Anniversary Waltz16 July 2004
41Autumn Crocus22 July 2005
2Congratulations, It's a Hob Nob29 July 2005
3Baby Love5 August 2005
4Ground Control to Major Derek12 August 2005
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References
  1. "Radio choice", Times, The (London, England) - Wednesday, 11 March 2009: page 21
  2. Hoyle, Martin, "CRITICS' CHOICE RADIO" [LONDON 1ST EDITION], Financial Times [London (UK)] 24 Nov 2006: 12.

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