Episodes

  • Benvenuto Italia '77!

    Benvenuto Italia '77!
    Jan 12 2024
    Set in the heady days of 1970's Italy, before the internet shrank the world, 'Italia 77' tells a compelling story of two Lancastrian friends, fresh from the UK, one a failed dental student, the other, an ageing rugby star, who find themselves landed in Rome with the bold intention of taking the Italian sporting scene by storm, but this is far from being a sporting memoir.  Join us on a journey of enlightenment, adventure, enduring friendship and discovery on a five-year trail from Rome to Florence taking in a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and tastes along the way. 
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    1 min
  • 1: The Arrival

    1: The Arrival
    Jan 26 2024
    Two Lancastrian soldiers of fortune land in 1970s Rome from the UK. They're met by a devastating kaleidoscope of cultural, fashion and culinary contrasts. Ian is a young failed dental student and Dick (also known as 'JRH') is an ageing rugby star. Their first tentative exploratory steps take them to the jet set world of Argentario by the sea. The worldly, cultured Peppe Pagni takes them under his wing. “We are barbarians” exclaims Dick. The adventure is only just beginning. 

    Written & Presented by Ian McAlister

    Read by Richard Greenwood

    Edited by Stu Smith & Nigel Heath with Jamie Allen

    Original Music by Stu Smith

    Production Music from Epidemic Sound

    Recorded and Produced by Tom Allom & Nigel Heath at La Cucina Studios for Xacutti Productions

    Special Thanks to Jamie Allen and Mike Hanson

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    25 mins
  • 2: Introduction to Rome

    2: Introduction to Rome
    Jan 26 2024
    Ian and Dick return to Rome to begin their mission. The ancient historical sites and unique atmosphere of the 'eternal city' swiftly makes them realise that it is a million miles away from Times Square or Piccadilly Circus. 

    Coins are thrown in the Trevi fountain for good luck as Ian searches for love. 

    A temporary membership of the lavish Aniene Club sees our boys now dealing with the rich and powerful of Roman society. “Pecorino Romano is the only allowable cheese for the Amatriciana sauce”


    Written & Presented by Ian McAlister

    Read by Richard Greenwood

    Edited by Stu Smith & Nigel Heath with Jamie Allen

    Original Music by Stu Smith

    Production Music from Epidemic Sound

    Recorded and Produced by Tom Allom & Nigel Heath at La Cucina Studios for Xacutti Productions

    Special Thanks to Jamie Allen and Mike Hanson
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    15 mins
  • 3: Affari – Business

    3: Affari – Business
    Jan 26 2024
    Ian and Dick, with their pidgin Italian vocabulary, clumsily start a new business importing sportswear and rugby shirts from the UK. Their main target, however, is to achieve an exclusive agreement from an up-market vineyard estate to export wine to the UK. 

    The unfolding of a cunning plan to achieve this goal leads to the introduction of “Big Teddy” – an outrageous, impudent and shameless character to help them. The scene is set for this nouveau riche Lancashire mill owner to  come to terms with the aristocratic, noble, ‘gentleman owner’ of a prestigious Italian estate. Will the resulting business presentation end up a complete debacle or resounding success – or perhaps both?

    Written & Presented by Ian McAlister

    Read by Richard Greenwood

    Edited by Stu Smith & Nigel Heath with Jamie Allen

    Original Music by Stu Smith

    Production Music from Epidemic Sound

    Recorded and Produced by Tom Allom & Nigel Heath at La Cucina Studios for Xacutti Productions

    Special Thanks to Jamie Allen and Mike Hanson
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    22 mins
  • 4: Romance in Rome

    4: Romance in Rome
    Jan 26 2024
    Ian, our young dental student is in search of love in the Eternal City. This is proving to be a rather frustrating voyage, but then, one night, lightning strikes at a Roman nightclub…could this be love at first sight? Enter Kit, otherwise known as L’Americana, a sophisticated young lady born in Italy to an American family. A carefully planned first date takes place in some of the most romantic spots in Rome. What could possibly go wrong and why on earth did Ian have to closely follow the guidelines of a blockbuster fictional book?

    Written & Presented by Ian McAlister

    Read by Ian McAlister

    Edited by Stu Smith & Nigel Heath with Jamie Allen

    Original Music by Stu Smith

    Production Music from Epidemic Sound

    Recorded and Produced by Tom Allom & Nigel Heath at La Cucina Studios for Xacutti Productions

    Special Thanks to Jamie Allen and Mike Hanson
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    22 mins
  • 5: Snapshots from on the Road

    5: Snapshots from on the Road
    Jan 26 2024
    The regionality of Italy is unfurled during away Rugby matches in some rather glamorous locations. Regional food differences, local traits and idiosycrasies and the rich variety of landscapes and architecture come into play. Dick comes to terms with Italy’s often 'tactile' culture. We are shot at by the Mafia in Sicily and then get tangled up in a tense siege in the Colli Albani hills, where some ancient Roman military tactics save the day. “That’s another fine mess you’ve got us into.”

    Written & Presented by Ian McAlister

    Read by Richard Greenwood

    Edited by Stu Smith & Nigel Heath with Jamie Allen

    Original Music by Stu Smith

    Production Music from Epidemic Sound

    Recorded and Produced by Tom Allom & Nigel Heath at La Cucina Studios for Xacutti Productions

    Special Thanks to Jamie Allen and Mike Hanson
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    22 mins
  • 6: Florence and La Bella Figura

    6: Florence and La Bella Figura
    Jan 26 2024
    Ian has returned from a year on business in the UK  and is living in the magnificent city of Florence. Our heroes are gradually growing their business with Dick still operating in Rome. Florence provides the perfect back drop for an in depth look at La Bella Figura, 'The Beautiful Figure' .... a trait hardwired into Italian DNA.

    (With grateful acknowledgment to Italian writer Luigi Barzini for some of our paraphrasing in this section.)

    Written & Presented by Ian McAlister

    Read by Richard Greenwood

    Edited by Stu Smith & Nigel Heath with Jamie Allen

    Original Music by Stu Smith

    Production Music from Epidemic Sound

    Recorded and Produced by Tom Allom & Nigel Heath at La Cucina Studios for Xacutti Productions

    Special Thanks to Jamie Allen and Mike Hanson
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    12 mins
  • 7: Education by Incarceration

    7: Education by Incarceration
    Jan 26 2024
    Ian arrives back from holiday and is shocked to find Dick languishing in Rome’s infamous prison, the brooding, terrifying Regina Coelli. But just how did it happen and on what charges? Now come and meet a frightening cast of cell mates lurking in the shadows. 

    Written & Presented by Ian McAlister

    Read by Richard Greenwood

    Edited by Stu Smith & Nigel Heath with Jamie Allen

    Original Music by Stu Smith

    Production Music from Epidemic Sound

    Recorded and Produced by Tom Allom & Nigel Heath at La Cucina Studios for Xacutti Productions

    Special Thanks to Jamie Allen and Mike Hanson
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    21 mins