Ladies and Gentlemen We Present...
The Navy Lark Guide
With Our Three Stars Jon Pertwee, Leslie Phillips and Stephen Murray
The Navy Lark was a BBC radio comedy written by Laurie Wyman and George Evans about the crew of The Royal Navy frigate HMS Troutbridge and their mis-adventures.
The show was first aired on The Light Programme on the 29th of March 1959 and ran for fifteen series until 1976 making it the second longest running radio programme the BBC has made.
There was a spin-off film version of The Navy Lark in 1959.
The Navy Lark Cast
The cast of The Navy Lark often played multiple roles over the course of the show. The main actors to feature in the show and some of their characters are:
| Actor | Character(s) |
| Dennis Price | Lieutenant Commander Dennis Price - The Number One (First Series) | Stephen Murray | Lieutenant Commander Stephen Murray - The Number One (Second Series onwards) |
| Leslie Phillips | Sub-Lieutenant Leslie Phillips |
| Jon Pertwee |
Chief Petty Officer Jon Pertwee Commander Weatherby The Master |
| Ronnie Barker | Able Seaman Jeremiah (Fatso) Johnson Commander Stanton Commander Bell Mr Queeg Mr Merryvale Able Seaman Bright (Dumbo) |
| Heather Chasen |
Wren Heather Chasen Ramona Povey Rita Ffont-Bittocks/Murray Lady Amelia Todhunter Brown |
| Richard Caldicot |
Commander/Captain Henry Povey |
| Tenniel Evans |
Able/Leading Seaman Goldstein The Admiral Ffont-Bittocks Nunkie Ebeneezer Pertwee Lord Willoughby/Willerby Todhunter Brown Admiral Superintendent |
| Michael Bates |
The Padre Lieutenant Commander Bates Able Seaman Ginger Commander Shaw Commander Bracewell Rear-Admiral Ironbridge Flag Lieutenant Claude Dingle |
| June Whitfield |
The Mistress |
| Judy Cornwell |
Wren Judy Cornwell |
| Jan Waters |
Wren Jan Waters |
| Janet Brown |
Wren Janet Brown Vera Timpkins Mrs Jessie Crump |
| June Tobin |
Maisy |
| Pamela Buck |
Wren Joyce |
| Amanda Murray |
Wren Amanda Martin |
| Lawrie Wyman |
Various Tiddys |
| Chic Murray |
Mr Queeg |
The Navy Lark Theme Tune
The theme tune for the The Navy Lark was a piece of stock music called Trade Wind Hornpipe from a 1958 record called Harmonica, catalogue no BM118. It was written and performed by Tommy Reilly and James Moody (under the alias Dwight Barker) and was released by Conroy, an imprint of Berry Music Co. The music of Tommy Reilly and James Moody was used extensively throughout The Navy Lark for links between scenes.
The different sections of this website are:
- News - News about The Navy Lark
- Episode Guide - A guide to all the episodes and series of The Navy Lark including the announcers (if known), We Present of the three stars, episode Introductions and closing Have Been from each episode.
- Gallery - Photos, Images and Articles about The Navy Lark Radio Show and The Navy Lark Film 1959.
Join our groups on Facebook
Visit the Navy Lark Appreciation Society Website here:
The Navy Lark Appreciation Society
News:
News:-= 12 March 2024 =-
Jon Pertwee's Script for The Navy Lark, Series 07, Episode 13 - Going on Leave to Croydon (Have been doing a mischief)
-= 27 January 2024 =-
The Navy Lark Film from 1959
A 16mm Widescreen Print of the film version of the popular BBC radio show about the incompetent crew of a Royal Navy ship.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIM8Mut-spA.
-= 21 September 2023 =-
There are new versions of The Navy Lark series boxsets being released early next year on 28th March 2024
All 15 series will be available in 7 bundles priced £16 each
https://www.penguin.co.uk/series/NAVYLARK/the-navy-lark
-= 03 April 2023 =-
The Navy Lark - The Cornish Exercise will be on 4 Extra Sunday 16 April 2023
The final missing episode of The Navy Lark was recently discovered as part of the Radio Times Treasure Hunt thanks to the work of Steve Arnold and the Radio Circle.
The last recently recovered Lost Episode makes it's debut on 4 Extra on Sunday 16th of April 2023 at 09.30, 14.30 and 20.30. Also Monday 17th April at 03.30.
BBC Radio 4 Extra:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00bfvkd/broadcasts/upcomingRadio Times Article about the discovery:
https://www.radiotimes.com/audio/radio/navy-lark-missing-episode-recovered-newsupdate/
The Radio Circle:
http://www.radiocircle.org.uk/
-= 26 September 2021 =-
The Navy Lark Tour will be setting sail again in September 2021.
Check out the updated tour dates on the webiste. Bung Ho!
https://www.jameshurn.com/tours/the-navy-lark-tour
-= 27 December 2019 =-
A nice tribute to dear old able seaman Jeremiah Johnson himself, Ronnie Barker.
The Many Faces of... Series 2, Episode 1.
Available on iplayer until 24 Jan 2020
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01pm6lw/the-many-faces-of-series-2-1-ronnie-barker
-= 16 December 2019 =-
Current details for The Navy Lark Tour 2020 - Spring Summer leg
More dates, including Scotland, due to be announced for the Autumn leg - keep checking James Hurn's website for more info.
See the full list and order tickets at https://www.jameshurn.com/the-navy-lark-2020
The Episodes featured in the show are:
Operation Fag End (Series 1, episode 2)
The Fairground Lights (Series 1, episode 4)
The Gun Mechanism Test (Series 1, episode 10)
Navy Lark Tour Tickets Available to Buy Now
Town - Aylesbury
Theatre - Waterside Theatre
Date - 25th April 2020
Website - https://www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/event/the-navy-lark-2020
Town - Banbury
Theatre - Mill Arts Centre
Date - 31st January 2020
Website - https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/the-navy-lark/
Town - Barnard Castle
Theatre - The Witham
Date - 29th February 2020
Website - https://thewitham.org.uk/event/navy-lark/
Town - Bath
Theatre - The Mission Theatre
Date - 14th March 2020
Website - https://bathboxoffice.org.uk/whatson/the-navy-lark/
Town - Bedford
Theatre - The Place Theatre
Date - 7th March 2020
Website - https://theplacebedford.ticketsolve.com/shows/1173599269
Town - Birmingham
Theatre - Old Rep Theatre
Date - 31st March 2020
Website - https://www.oldreptheatre.co.uk/tickets?spektrixID=MAR20THENAVYLARK
Town - Bracknell
Theatre - South Hill Park
Date - 24th March 2020
Website - https://www.southhillpark.org.uk/events/the-navy-lark/
Town - Brighton
Theatre - Komedia
Date - 31st May 2020
Website - https://www.komedia.co.uk/brighton/comedy/the-navy-lark/
Town - Bury
Theatre - The MET
Date - 16th April 2020
Website - https://themet.org.uk/event/navy-lark/
Town - Chesham
Theatre - Elgiva Theatre
Date - 27th February 2020
Website - https://elgiva.com/shows/the-navy-lark/
Town - Chesterfield
Theatre - Pomegranate Theatre
Date - 7th May 2020
Website - https://www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/shows/the-navy-lark.aspx
Town - Darlington
Theatre - Majestic Theatre
Date - 28th March 2020
Website - http://www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html
Town - Devizes
Theatre - The Wharf Theatre
Date - 18th April 2020 (matinee & Evening performance)
Website - https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-wharf-theatre/the-navy-lark/e-xdayml
Town - Epsom
Theatre - Playhouse
Date - 18th February 2020
Website - http://www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk/shows/navy-lark
Town - Gloucester
Theatre - Kings Theatre
Date - 2nd April 2020
Website - https://kingstheatregloucester.co.uk/whats-on/
Town - Hertford
Theatre - Hertford Theatre
Date - 30th May 2020 - Matinee and Evening performance
Website - https://www.hertfordtheatre.com/events/detail/2310/the-navy-lark
Town - Horsham
Theatre - The Capitol
Date - 8th May 2020
Website - https://www.thecapitolhorsham.com/whats-on/all-shows/the-navy-lark/15437
Town - Hunstanton
Theatre - Princess Theatre
Date - Friday 17th April 2020
Website - https://thelittleboxoffice.com/princess/event/view/112252
Town - Liverpool
Theatre - Epstein Theatre
Date - 16th March 2020
Website - https://www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk/events/the-navy-lark/
Town - London
Theatre - Museum of Comedy
Date - 21st, 22nd and 23rd February
Website - https://museumofcomedy.ticketsolve.com/shows/873605694
Town - Lyme Regis
Theatre - Marine Theatre
Date - 13th March 2020
Website - https://www.marinetheatre.com/the-navy-lark/
Town - Maidenhead
Theatre - Norden Farm
Date - 9th February 2020
Website - https://norden.farm/events/the-navy-lark
Town - Maidstone
Theatre - Hazlitt Theatre
Date - 24th April 2020
Town - Newquay
Theatre - Lane Theatre
Date - 16th May 2020 Matinee and Evening performance
Website - https://lanetheatre.co.uk/navy-lark/
Town - Norwich
Theatre - Playhouse
Date - 6th March 2020
Website - https://www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk/whats-on/detail/the-navy-lark
Town - Redditch
Theatre - Palace Theatre
Date - 21st March 2020
Website - http://www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/all-shows/the-navy-lark
Town - Redruth
Theatre - Regal Theatre
Date - 14th May 2020
Website - https://redruth.merlincinemas.co.uk/film/49596-the-navy-lark-tour-evrybody-down
Town - Romford
Theatre - Brookside Theatre
Date - 9th May 2020
Website - https://thelittleboxoffice.com/brookside/event/view/116915
Town - Southampton
Theatre - Hanger Farm Arts Centre
Date - 2nd May 2020
Website - https://www.hangerfarm.co.uk/events/the-navy-lark/
Town - Stratford Upon Avon
Theatre - Bear Pit Theatre
Date - 29th May 2020
Website - https://www.thebearpit.org.uk/whats-on/the-navy-lark/
Town - Swindon
Theatre - Arts Centre
Date - 2nd February 2020
Website - https://swindontheatres.co.uk/Online/tickets-the-navy-lark-swindon-2020
Town - Teignmouth
Theatre - Pavillion
Date - 15th February 2020
Website - https://www.pavilionsteignmouth.org.uk/events/navy-lark
Town - Tunbridge Wells
Theatre - Trinity Theatre
Date - 12th March 2020
Website - https://www.trinitytheatre.net/events/the-navy-lark
Town - Wakefield
Theatre - Theatre Royal
Date - 19th March 2020
Website - https://www.theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk/whats-on/the-navy-lark/
Town - Worcester
Theatre - The Swan Theatre
Date - 30th April 2020
Website - http://www.worcesterlive.co.uk/events_review.asp?eid=453064507
Town - Yeovil
Theatre - The Octagon Theatre
Date - 5th March 2020
Website - https://www.octagon-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/all-shows/the-navy-lark/7978
Announced but tickets not yet available:
Town - Barton-Upon-Humber
Theatre - The Ropewalk Theatre
Date - 22nd May 2020
Website - http://www.roperyhall.co.uk/
Town - Chelmsford
Theatre - Cramphorn Studio
Date - 18th June 2020
Website - https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres/whats-on/june-2020/
Town - Dorchester
Theatre - Arts Centre
Date - 1st May 2020
Website - https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/comedy/
Town - Henley On Thames
Theatre - Kenton Theatre
Date - 05th June 2020
Website - https://kentontheatre.co.uk/#programme
Town - Tenterdon
Theatre - Barn Theatre
Date - 06th June 2020
Website - https://www.etbarntheatre.com/
-= 04 November 2019 =-
The Navy Lark Film from 1959 is going to be shown at the The Elgiva Theatre in Chesham on Wednesday 05th February 2020 at 13.00.
https://elgiva.com/shows/the-navy-lark-classic-film/
-= 05 July 2019 =-
First set of dates for The Navy Lark Tour 2020
See the full list and order tickets at https://www.jameshurn.com/the-navy-lark-2020BANBURY - Mill Arts Centre 31st January 2020
SWINDON - Arts Centre 2nd February 2020
TEIGNMOUTH - Pavillion 15th February 2020
LONDON - Museum of Comedy 21st, 22nd and 23rd February
CHESHAM - Elgiva Theatre 27th February 2020
BARNARD CASTLE - The Witham 29th February 2020
YEOVIL - The Octagon Theatre 5th March 2020
NORWICH - Playhouse 6th March 2020
BEDFORD - The Place Theatre 7th March 2020
TUNBRIDGE WELLS - Trinity Theatre 12th March 2020
BATH - The Mission Theatre 14th march 2020
LIVERPOOL - Epstein Theatre 16th March 2020
WAKEFIELD - Theatre Royal 19th March 2020
BRACKNELL - South Hill Park 24th March 2020
BIRMINGHAM - Old Rep Theatre 31st March 2020
GLOUCESTER - Kings Theatre 2nd April 2020
BURY - The MET 16th April 2020
DEVIZES - The wharf Theatre 18th April 2020 (matinee & Evening performance)
AYLESBURY - Waterside Theatre 25th April 2020
WORCESTER- The Swan Theatre 30th April 2020
HORSHAM - The Capitol 8th May 2020
ROMFORD - Brookside Theatre 9th May 2020
REDRUTH - Regal Theatre 14th May 2020
NEWQUAY - Lane Theatre 16th May 2020 (Matinee and Evening performance)
Trailer for the Navy Lark Tour 2020
-= 28 June 2019 =-
A new Navy Lark show by James Hurn, currently doing a Hancock tour, is coming in 2020.
Details and dates as they become available.
https://www.jameshurn.com/the-navy-lark-2020
-= 07 February 2019 =-
Can you help identify any of these announcers who took part in The Navy Lark?
There are 15 unknown announcers who worked on The Navy Lark that are not identified in the Radio Times or the booklets that came with the CD boxsets of the series.
This video has the audio of them making their announcements.
If you have any ideas about who they are please leave a comment.
The following announcers who worked on The Navy Lark are already accounted for:
Robin Boyle
Michael De Morgan
Ronald Fletcher
Barri Haynes
David Dunhill
Don Durbridge
Michael Meech
Colin Berry
David Geary
Jon Curle
Alastair Scott-Johnston
-= 30 January 2019 =-
Full details for The Navy Lark 60th Anniversary Special Editions.
Due for Release 07th March 2019 in CD and Download versions.
Download Edition | CD Edition |
Left Hand Down a Bit, presented by Leslie Phillips and featuring:s01e02 Operation Fag End (5 April 1959) [pilot] s01e08 The Hank of Heather (17 May 1959) s02e16 The Lighthouse Lark (29 January 1960) s05e03 A Deliberate Bashing (19 April 1963) s09e18 Mr Phillips at Dartmouth (29 October 1967) The Jubilee Navy Lark (16 July 1977) |
Left Hand Down a Bit, presented by Leslie Phillips and featuring:s01e02 Operation Fag End (5 April 1959) [pilot] s01e08 The Hank of Heather (17 May 1959) s02e16 The Lighthouse Lark (29 January 1960) s05e03 A Deliberate Bashing (19 April 1963) s09e18 Mr Phillips at Dartmouth (29 October 1967) The Jubilee Navy Lark (16 July 1977) |
Bonus items:A Navy Lark mini-episode from The Light Entertainment Show Two episodes from spin-off series The Embassy Lark: National Grumpshnog Week (Series 1, 12 April 1966) Sub-Lt Phillips Drops In (Series 3, 16 April 1968). Bob Holness Presents: Farewell to the Paris, which sees Leslie Phillips and Jon Pertwee reminiscing about the making of The Navy Lark. A previously 'lost' episode of The Navy Lark: Series 2, episode 20 - Return to Potarneyland. First broadcast on 26th February 1960. This might be an audio recording or a script |
Bonus items:A Navy Lark mini-episode from The Light Entertainment Show Two episodes from spin-off series The Embassy Lark: National Grumpshnog Week (Series 1, 12 April 1966) Sub-Lt Phillips Drops In (Series 3, 16 April 1968). Bob Holness Presents: Farewell to the Paris, which sees Leslie Phillips and Jon Pertwee reminiscing about the making of The Navy Lark. |
Another eleven episodes:s03e17 Commodore Goldstein (22 February 1961) s04e04 The Northampton Hunt Ball (6 October 1961) s06s10 Chasing the Kepeac (29 November 1963) s07e07 Let Loose with a Chopper (22 August 1965) s08e09 Mr Phillips' Promotion (30 October 1966) s10e02 The Redundancy Drive (20 October 1968) s11e11 The Forbodians Hijack Troutbridge (8 March 1970) s12e02 Impressions For Survival (23 May 1971) s13e12 Friday the 13th (11 Jun 1972) s14e07 Povey, An Admiral at Last (9 September 1973) s15e02 NANA (16 November 1975) |
The Navy Lark: 60th Anniversary Special Edition CD on Amazon
The Navy Lark: 60th Anniversary Special Edition CD on Penguin.co.uk
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The Navy Lark: 60th Anniversary Special Edition Download on Penguin.co.uk
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-= 14 November 2018 =-
Episode Listing for The Navy Lark: Volume 34. The Bugged and Burgled Beer
Due for release 03 January 2019
Four vintage episodes from the classic seafaring sitcom, including the original pilot episode and the final regular episode
Operation Fag End (Working Their Passage) 5 April 1959
New head honcho Commander Povey is heading to the island to inspect the crew � just as Pertwee's consignment of 50,000 smuggled cigarettes is about to arrive�
The Bugged and Burgled Beer (Bugging) 1 October 1967
Pertwee has a purchasing problem: the two cases of beer he sold to his customers have ended up in Povey's custody. Can a bugging device help him recover his haul?
Number One's Anniversary (Biff Boff Boffing Their Way Through) 11 July 1971
With his first wedding anniversary approaching, Mr Murray is in a bad mood � and Captain Povey is in trouble after switching the photos of two applicants for his wife's advertisement for an au pair.
Captain Wilberforce Pertwee (Having a History Lesson)18 January 1976
After Pertwee's ingenious defence gets Phillips acquitted at a court martial, he recounts how he got his inventiveness from his wily Great-Great-Grandfather Wilberforce Pertwee.
Starring Jon Pertwee, Leslie Phillips, Richard Caldicot, Stephen Murray and Tenniel Evans, with Dennis Price, Ronnie Barker, Michael Bates, Heather Chasen, Pamela Buck, Norma Ronald and April Walker.
CD £13.25
Download £5.00
The Navy Lark Volume 34 The Bugged and Burgled Beer At Penguin.co.uk
The Navy Lark Volume 34 The Bugged and Burgled Beer at Amazon.co.uk
-= 06 October 2018 =-
More details for The Navy Lark 60th Anniversary Special Edition.
Due for Release 07th March 2019 in a CD and Download versions.
The CD version will cost £20 and will include "Left Hand Down A Bit", a feature programme in which Leslie Phillips takes listeners on a voyage through six classic episodes of the iconic series:
Operation Fag End (January 1959)
The Hank of Heather (April 1959)
The Lighthouse Lark (January 1960)
A Deliberate Bashing (April 1963)
Mr. Phillips at Dartmouth (October 1967)
The Jubilee Navy Lark (July 1977)
Plus extra bonus programmes which will allow listeners to dip their toes into the water of this classic comedy, such as a mini-episode from The Light Entertainment Show; two cross-over episodes from spin-off series The Embassy Lark featuring the beloved Navy Lark characters; and a discussion from Farewell to the Paris featuring Leslie Phillips and Jon Pertwee as they reminisce about making the series.
The Navy Lark: 60th Anniversary Special Edition CD on Amazon
The Navy Lark: 60th Anniversary Special Edition CD on Penguin.co.uk
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The Download Version will cost £10 and will feature the above along with 11 other episodes from across the series. No details on which episodes they will be as yet.
The Navy Lark: 60th Anniversary Special Edition Download on Penguin.co.uk
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The only new material would seem to be the two cross-over episodes of The Embassy Lark.
All the other features so far listed have been previous extras on the series boxsets.
-= 25 August 2018 =-
The Navy Lark: 60th Anniversary Special Edition CD
Due for release 07 March 2019
The Navy Lark: 60th Anniversary Special Edition CD
No information yet about what it will be - will add more when available.
-= 07 March 2018 =-
The Navy Lark Volume 34
Due for release on 06th December 2018
The 34th volume in the long running classic comedy show scripted by Lawrie Wynman, and starring Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, and Stephen Murray.
No episode details or title as yet