PACT by Tony Pitts airs on BBC Radio 4 Friday at 2.15pm

A new single radio drama written and directed by Tony Pitts, PACT was selected by the Radio Times for its 'Today's Choices' segment for tomorrow, Friday 11th July, when it will transmit on BBC Radio 4 at 2.15pm.

RT reviewer Jane Anderson calls it 'one of the darkest dramas to be heard on British radio', click here to read more, and here to stream live or listen on catch-up after the broadcast.

The internet has the potential to be an enlightened space - but also one that can reach some of the darkest corners of the human psyche. It’s a place to find like-minded individuals, support networks, other people with a similar outlook on life.

But what if your outlook on life is death? What if the first time you meet somebody you take your life together? What kind of support is that? A permanent solution to a temporary problem, a desolate dark place where all hope has disappeared? A pact. Two strangers, one goal.

Narrated by Richard Hawley, with Tony Pitts as Richard, Maxine Peake as Fiona, Gwyneth Powell as Richard’s Mum, Dominic Brunt as Landlord Ken and Polly Maberly as Yvonne.

Written and directed by Tony Pitts. Original music by Richard Hawley.

Producer/ Sally Harrison for Woolyback Productions

Tony Pitts' SHEDTOWN series 3 starts Tuesday 1st April, 11pm BBC Radio 4

The third series of Tony Pitts' radio comedy show, 'big, funny, daft poem to the sea' SHEDTOWN starts tomorrow, Tuesday 1st April at 11pm on BBC Radio 4. 

Commissioned by Johnny Vegas' Woolyback Productions, the show is narrated by Maxine Peake and stars Stephen Mangan, Warren Brown and James Quinn.

Listen to Stephen Mangan talking about the show on BBC Radio 6 here.

Who hasn't thought about running away from it all at some time or other? Barry and Jimmy hadn't - until now. Friends since school days in a small town, they find themselves slipping inexorably and almost unconsciously into middle age.

Shedtown is a dream born out of quiet desperation. Throughout the series the wooden icon of escape and isolation 'the shed' becomes a symbol of possibility and change, a new community by the sea where Barry and Jimmy can circumnavigate the mundane, once and for all.

Reviews for series 2: “If you think of radio in colour this comedy comes in shades of sepia and charcoal with the occasional bright patch of green. It’s also pretty addictive, a floaty tale of people looking for new starts, picking themselves up from failed ones, seeking change and consolation.” – Radio Highlights, The Telegraph.

Reviews for series 1 “Dreamy and hilarious” – The Observer. “It’s a bit like Under Milk Wood with touches of Father Ted” – The Telegraph. 

Click here for more information and to stream it live or on demand after broadcast.

Tony Pitts’ short film RUPERT airs tonight at 9pm on Sky Atlantic’s new comedy strand COMMON GROUND

RUPERT is written by and stars Tony Pitts and Johnny Vegas, and is set entirely in a tattoo parlour. Following the death of his father, Rupert (Vegas) reluctantly takes on the family business. As the story begins, Rupert's Australian girlfriend Jill (Celia Pacquola) delivers the news that her visa has just run out, putting pressure on him to move.

There's also a visit from local gangsters, Spinks (Paul Kaye) and his boss, Sunshine Simon (Tom Davis). Tony Pitts plays Ade, an Alzheimers sufferer who tattoos himself with essential information. Rupert's father's girlfriend Fiona is played by Josie Lawrence.

Produced by Baby Cow, RUPERT goes out on Sky Atlantic's 10 part series COMMON GROUND for Comedy Mondays. You can see a clip here.

In related news, Tony Pitts' award-winning radio play ON IT is repeated on Radio 4 on Tuesday 19th February at 2.15pm.

Tony Pitts Wins BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Audio Drama

Tony Pitts’ radio play ON IT has won the BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Audio Drama (Single Play) at a ceremony held on Sunday 27 January 2013.

An original radio play commissioned by Woolyback Productions for BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play, ON IT was written, directed and narrated by Tony Pitts, and starred Maxine Peake and Adam Gillen. It won the Sony Gold Radio Award, Best Drama 2012 and was Radio Times Critics Choice. The award was presented by Lenny Henry, who shared the following quote from the judges:

'...the raw grief of this true story is expressed with such poetical, beautiful, lyrical language that the whole genre of social realism is turned on its head. Nothing is glamourised or sentimentalised, which makes its heart-rending effect even more powerful. A masterful piece of writing, story-telling and directing, with a touch of Dylan Thomas about it, this one sang to the judges.'

Tony Pitts nominated for BBC Audio Drama Award

Winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held on Sunday 27 January 2013. An original radio play commissioned by Woolyback Productions for BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play, ON IT was written, directed and narrated by Tony Pitts, starring Maxine Peake and Adam Gillen. It won the Sony Gold Radio Award, Best Drama 2012 and was Radio Times Critics Choice.

Meanwhile, the second series of Tony Pitts' SHEDTOWN starts on Radio 4 at 11pm on Thursday 10th January. Commissioned by Woolyback Productions, the show is narrated by Maxine Peake and the cast includes Stephen Mangan and Ronni Ancona.

Reviews for series 2:

"If you think of radio in colour this comedy comes in shades of sepia and charcoal with the occasional bright patch of green. It's also pretty addictive, a floaty tale of people looking for new starts, picking themselves up from failed ones, seeking change and consolation." -- Radio Highlights, The Telegraph

Reviews for series 1:

"Dreamy and hilarious" -- The Observer

"It's a bit like Under Milk Wood with touches of Father Ted" -- The Telegraph