Jan’s most recent success has been the critically-applauded Radio 4 comedy series CONVERSATIONS FROM A LONG MARRIAGE, starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam, which, after an initial pilot, has so far run for three series and two Christmas specials, with a fourth series soon to air. While that was her first solo narrative comedy, for over 30 years she has been writing hit radio and TV comedy series with her husband and writing partner Gavin Petrie. Among them, ITV series SECOND THOUGHTS (which ran to 50 episodes on television – and, prior to that, 30 episodes on Radio 4), British Comedy Award winner FAITH IN THE FUTURE, and NEXT OF KIN (3 series on BBC1); they also created PARADISE CAFÉ, a CBBC comedy drama. Series for Radio 4 include comedy drama THE CHANGE and sitcom THE OTHER MAN; and their stageplay STARRY, STARRY NIGHT premiered at the Mill at Sonning Theatre in 2006. Jan has also contributed sketches to every series of Radio 4’s AYRES ON THE AIR and THE RIGHT TIME. She also runs regular comedy-writing workshops, has written a number of plays for arts festivals in East Anglia, and works as a journalist and a speaker about comedy on Cunard cruise ships.
View by type