With Barry Cryer and Pauline McLynn

Ed Byrne is to star in a new adaptation of Spike Milligan’s novel Puckoon.

The comedian will play Dan Milligan, a lazy man caught up in the partition of Ireland in 1924, when incompetent bureaucrats ended up putting the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic right through the middle of a small town.

The cast also includes Barry Cryer as The Author, Father Ted’s Pauline McLynn, and Spike’s own daughter, Jane. 

Published in 1963, Puckoon was Milligan’s only major literary work and has sold more than six million copies. 

It was made into a film in 2002 with the late Sean Hughes in the lead role and Richard Attenborough as the narrator.  Jane Milligan also played the small role of Mrs. Madigan in this version.

The new adaptation is being directed by Dirk Maggs – best known for his work on the Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy series –  and has been adapted by stand-up and children’s author Ian Billings.

It will air on Radio 4 on December 28.

Published: 25 Nov 2019