Hatch, Match and Dispatch

A series of inter-linked plays exploring birth, marriage and death through the prism of a Welsh Register Office Isn't it strange that the registering of life's most important moments happens in a sterile municipal office? Everyone's got a story to tell about how they got there. Listen for the first time to this spectacular collection of six funny, quirky and moving plays that start in a Register Office and end in a birth, marriage or death. In Uncle Harry, Mark’s life is nicely well-ordered until a passing comment from Uncle Harry sends him on a quest to discover his true identity. This is a comedy about grief and the true meaning of family. Losing my Penny is a story of love, secrets and family. Leo is in love with Penny and plans to marry her but Penny's possessive father has other ideas. Leo has secrets of his own which threatens to ruin everything. Teddy is on his stag night in the comedy Time and Tide. He wakes up naked and handcuffed to a lamp post. So far, so normal. But then he realises that something very weird has occurred which makes him question everything… A Certain Date is a surreal and darkly comic exploration of the meaning of death. Geoff Levine, aka the Slim Reaper, is a pest control technician. All day long he kills rats and other vermin but when he meets Mystic June, she tells him something that will alter the rest of his life – what's left of it anyway. An unexpected family secret is unearthed in Nine Lives, when Beth's elderly father Patrick claims never to have been born because he's lived forever. As Beth tries to untangle the truth of her father's birth, she uncovers more than she bargained for. Lastly, Elephants all the Way tells the story of Harper, who works in a zoo. He is a simple soul but his life is complicated. His wife is desperate for a baby, and his angry dad is a bare knuckle boxer. Then the ground starts to shift - literally… Engaging, funny and thought provoking, these six plays were recorded by BBC Wales. This brilliant series of modern dramas showcase some of Wales’s best acting talent. Download all six plays now for a mesmerising listen. Episode 1 - Uncle Harry Written by Gary Brown Directed by Helen Perry Mark - Dylan Edwards Uncle Harry - Ewan Bailey Elaine - Denise Black Helen - Katherine Jakeways Lionel - Christian Patterson Charlotte - Rachel Redford Dad - David Cann Episode 2 - Losing my Penny Written by Leah Chillery Directed by Gary Brown Leo - Don Gilet Penny - Verity May Henry Rita - Kathryn Hunt Henry - Conrad Nelson Duchess - Tupele Dorgu Bartholomew - Fiona Clarke Episode 3 - Time and Tide Written by David Hodgson Directed by Gary Brown Old Man - Will Tacey Teddy - Alan Morrissey Lawrence - Will Ash Megan - Hannah Wood Brankin - Sean Mason Jess - Harriet Chandler Judd Shaffy - Hamilton Berstock Episode 4 - A Certain Date Written by Alan Harris Directed by Helen Perry Geoff - Julian Lewis Jones Valmai - Sara McGaughey Sandy - Katy Owen Mystic June - Lisa Palfrey Doctor Ramis - Richard Mitchley Pigeon - Sion Pritchard King Rat - Michael Bertenshaw Episode 5 – Nine Lives Written by Anna Maria Murphy Directed by James Robinson Beth - Eiry Thomas Patrick - Peter Marinker Bill - Christian Patterson Mrs Knowles - Sharon Morgan Miriam/Janet - Eirlys Bellin Reg/Harold - Matthew Gravelle Episode 6 – Elephants All the Way Up Written by Lavinia Murray Directed by Gary Brown Harper - Graeme Hawley Yolanda - Kate Coogan Dad - Seamus O'Neill Carlos - Chris Jack Arlo/Turtle - Lloyd Peters Grayson/Turtle -Malcolm Raeburn Woman/Turtle - Lisa Allen ©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd