Paradise Lost in Space

Tony Robinson and David Haig star in this black-hole comedy about two space-age humans stranded on a friendly alien planet Norman is an idealistic, Beethoven-loving revolutionary. Max is a boring but cheerful timeshare salesman who won't stop talking. Fellow passengers on a flight to the Moon, they're thrown together to become reluctant companions after the lunar shuttle's toilet cubicle explodes, crash-landing them both on the desert sands of a distant alien planet. They are rescued by the friendly Oblivions, who could not be more delighted to see them. Having spent six years learning English from a discarded volume of Noël Coward plays, they're keen to practise the lingo - and learn more about the many mysteries that have baffled them. How do you mix a Martini? How does one play tennis? And what on Earth is misery? Norman and Max are about to answer all their questions - as well as introducing them to fire, contemplation and baked potatoes. But their well-intentioned attempts to share the secrets of racquet-based games and sophisticated cocktails soon backfire. Perhaps providing the Oblivions with the priceless gifts of human civilization wasn't such a good idea after all... Written by Colin Swash, whose numerous TV credits include Have I Got News For You and Mock the Week , this sci-fi sitcom stars Tony Robinson as Max and David Haig as Norman. Among the co-stars are Geoffrey McGivern and Lorelei King ( The Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy ), and guest stars include Alistair McGowan, Peter Serafinowicz and Ronni Ancona . Production credits Written by Colin Swash Produced by Richard Wilson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9 March-13 April 1995 Cast Norman - Tony Robinson Max - David Haig Stella - Louise Lombard Macari - Michael Troughton Captain Rossiter - Dan Strauss Jane/Terayz/Suzy - Carla Mendonça Tony - Geoffrey McGivern Ken - Tom Hollander Inspector Albermarle - Andy Rashleigh Clive - Guy Witcher Jonathan Ross - Alistair McGowan Buzz - Peter Serafinowicz Louise - Ronni Ancona Voice of Ume - Lorelei King Vince - Daniel Main