The Navy Lark

For the 1959 film, see The Navy Lark (film).

The Navy Lark
The Navy Lark title card featuring photos of (clockwise from top right) Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee and Stephen Murray
GenreSitcom
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home station
SyndicatesBBC Radio 4 Extra
StarringLeslie Phillips
Jon Pertwee
Stephen Murray
Dennis Price
Judy Cornwell
Heather Chasen
Ronnie Barker
Richard Caldicot
Michael Bates
Tenniel Evans
Written byLawrie Wyman
George Evans
Original release29 March 1959 (1959-03-29) –
16 July 1977 (1977-07-16)
No. of episodes244 (including specials)
(list of episodes)

The Navy Lark[1] is a radio sitcom about life aboard a British Royal Navy frigate named HMS Troutbridge (a play on HMS Troubridge, a Royal Navy destroyer) based in HMNB Portsmouth. In series 1 and 2, the ship and crew were stationed offshore at an unnamed location known simply as "The Island". In series 2 this island was revealed to be owned by Lt. Cdr. Stanton.

The programme was transmitted on the BBC Light Programme and subsequently BBC Radio 2. It was produced by Alastair Scott Johnston.[2]

Jon Pertwee is frequently quoted as having suggested the idea of a forces comedy based on the Royal Navy, but Alastair Scott Johnston and writer Lawrie Wyman both contemplated an Air Force- and an Army-themed sitcom before going to the BBC with The Navy Lark. Wyman included ideas based on excuses for late return from leave and other misdemeanours from HMS Troubridge bulletins. He worked with George Evans (Pertwee's personal scriptwriter) from quite early on, but Alastair Scott Johnston did not want him named until the 12th series onward.[citation needed]

For most of its run the show starred Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee and Stephen Murray, whose names rotated in order of precedence with each new episode over the entire 15-series run. Stephen Murray's daughter, Amanda Murray, also appeared in a few episodes.[3]

Episodes of The Navy Lark series are regularly replayed on BBC Radio 4 Extra.[4]

  1. ^ "The Navy Lark – BBC Radio 4 Extra". BBC. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  2. ^ "An Exercise in Filming, Series 1, The Navy Lark – BBC Radio 4 Extra". BBC.
  3. ^ e.g. Series 10 episode first broadcast 29 December 1968.
  4. ^ "The Smuggling Spy, Series 1, The Navy Lark – BBC Radio 4 Extra". BBC.