Wealth of talent in new comedy shorts

Sharon Horgan, Joe Wilkinson and Morgana Robinson – and even former cricketer Andrew Flintoff – are among those involved in the next batch of comedy shorts for Sky Arts.

Seven one-offs, themed around summer, will be available on demand from June 28 and follow previous seasons of Christmas, Valentines, Ireland and horror shorts.

Here is the line-up:

David Earl & Joe Wilkinson’s Summer

This silly romp set in the Wild West follows wannabe outlaws Brian and Gulch as they attempt to become the cowboys and heroes they were never destined to be and win the heart of the local saloon’s oddly distinctive prostitute.

Earl and Wilkinson, pictured, previously created the local football sitcom Rovers for Sky, and this co-stars Angelos Epithemiou creator Dan Skinner and Jayde Adams.

Starring: David Earl, Joe Wilkinson, Dan Skinner and Jayde Adams
Written by: David Earl & Joe Wilkinson

Jocelyn Jee Esien’s Summer

A mother and daughter plan to spend the day at the Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest summer street party. However, their plans go awry when they don’t quite make it to their destination.

Starring: Jocelyn Jee Esien and Ellen Thomas
Written by: Jocelyn Jee Esien

Andrew Flintoff’s Summer: Pacino and Bert

A series of encounters between a tongue-tied dog walker and the woman of his dreams. Could she be ‘the one’? He might find out, if only he can keep up with his dog, and his brain can keep up with his mouth…

It has been written by Daniel Maier who frequently writes gags for Harry Hill, and Charlie Brooker.

Starring: Andrew Flintoff, Miranda Hennessy and Louis Emerick
Written by: Daniel Maier

Vicki Pepperdine & Ellie White’s Summer: Grey Dogs

Alison and Anne Gatehouse are mother and daughter Morris dancers and members of the Grey Dogs troupe, who travel the countryside performing at fetes and events in the competitive world of rural dance.

Starring: Vicki Pepperdine, Ellie White, Katy Wix and Harry Peacock
Written by: Vicki Pepperdine and Ellie White

Morgana Robinson’s Summer

It’s a hot day in Margate and heavily pregnant Trish gathers her friends and three sisters for her baby shower. As the heat rises during party games, so do tempers as a family secret is revealed.

Starring: Morgana Robinson, Sheridan Smith, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Gabby Best, Frances Barber and Peter Singh
Written by: Sharon Horgan

Ahir Shah’s Summer

The stand-up plays Viraj, who is at at his grandmother’s for a big family lunch. He’s bringing his girlfriend to meet his grandmother for the first time and also has some other big news to share.

Starring: Ahir Shah, Amit Shah, Ace Bhatti, Sindhu Vee, Freya Parker and Leena Dhingra
Written by: Ahir Shah

Emma Sidi’s Summer

Old school friends Alex and Becca are 27 and while Alex is desperate to recreate the excitement of the debauched holidays of their teenage years, Becca isn’t so keen. Soon drink, drama and the strain of actually having to become adults takes its toll. S

Starring: Emma Sidi and Kath Hughes, of sketch tropue Gein's Family Giftshop
Written by: Emma Sidi

Published: 8 Jun 2017