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An Evening Of (Very) Old Radio

An Evening Of (Very) Old Radio

Thursday 16 April 2026

Talks

Are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin...

British Comedy Award-winning writer (Miranda, Not Going Out), comedian & broadcast historian Paul Kerensa brings this stand-up history show that informs, educates and entertains about how the Beeb began.

Hear exciting tales of unheralded real-life pioneers, from Britain's long-forgotten first DJ, 1917's Gertrude Donisthorpe, to the first radio dramatist who also became the first TV chef. Paul’s been researching them all so you don’t have to. Hear the BBC’s first song, the BBC’s first comedian (think Victoria Wood meets music hall) and British broadcasting’s first sports result.

All wrapped up with insights from Paul’s present-day BBC career, from writing for Top Gear to broadcasting on Radio 2, to why you should never hire a comedian to read the news.

"Top comic, top writer, top bloke" - Lee Mack

“Paul has a brilliant way of bringing these stories to life." ***** - review of Paul’s podcast The British Broadcasting Century

Members get priority booking and save money on bookings.

Planning Your Visit

Getting Here

Located in the heart of Chelmsford's West End, we are only a 10-minute walk from Chelmsford train station and a short distance from many of the city's car parks.

By Train

Chelmsford Train Station is a short walk from the Theatre. You can look at Greater Anglia to check which trains stop at Chelmsford Station.

By Bus

Chelmsford Bus Station is just around the corner from the Theatre. You can look at First Essex to check which buses stop at the Chelmsford Bus Station.

By Car

The closest parking to the Theatre can be found at Townfield Street car park (open till 11pm Mon to Sat but closes at 6pm on Sun), Coval Lane car park (entrance via Rainsford Lane, open all hours) and Fairfield Road car park, (entrance via Coval Lane, open all hours but there are restrictions in place Mon to Fri before 5pm, Fairfield Road car park is also used extensively by people visiting the city in general and travelling to London on the train so can be very busy at all times).

Visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/car-parks for information on all carparks before your visit. Charges apply at all times.

All Chelmsford City Council car parks are now cashless. You can still pay by card, contactless payment or the MiPermit app.