Alexei Sayle’s Imaginary Sandwich Bar: Series 4 and 5

The Godfather of Alternative Comedy returns with eight more shows blending stand-up, memoir and philosophy

Alexei Sayle’s two favourite things are pretending and places that sell sandwiches, and in his hit BBC radio series he mixes both to hilarious effect. As he welcomes made-up customers to buy notional snacks, he dispenses outlandish monologues, fantastical flights of fancy and a bumper helping of hilarity.

There’s plenty of politics on the menu, as Alexei makes a case for becoming the UK’s defence minister, considers the motivations of the rich, debuts a new slam poem entitled ‘I Hate Keir Starmer’ and reflects on changes of government and global power struggles. But Alexei has other topics on his mind too, from his own involvement in the ‘spy cops’ scandal and the time he made up gossip for a living, to his unorthodox upbringing in Liverpool, our ultimate life quests, and a strange house plant that refused to die…

Also included at the end of this release are the collected songs from the series, including bonus material in the form of some extra verses that were not included in the original broadcast episodes.

Winner of a BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Scripted Comedy (Sketch Show), this side-splitting series is a satirical smorgasbord of jokes, music, sketches and surreal streams-of-consciousness. If you’re hungry for anarchic comedy, give it a listen – you’re sure to find it deliciously moreish...

Contents
The Episodes:
1. Series 4 Episode 1: A Monopoly of Violence
2. Series 4 Episode 2: The Revolving Door
3. Series 4 Episode 3: The Way We Live Now
4. Series 4 Episode 4: Repetition. Repetition. Repetition.
5. Series 5 Episode 1: The Sense of an Abrupt Ending
6. Series 5 Episode 2: What is this place you have brought me to Roger?
7. Series 5 Episode 3: Jumping the Shark
8. Series 5 Episode 4: Unsweet Charity
The Songs:
9. Opening Credits song
10. The Ballad of Pirate Alexei (full version)
11. Chanson d’Alexei
12. Utopias
13. Midtown Baps
14. Corbyn!
15. What is This Place That You’ve Brought Me to, Roger? (full version)
16. Closing Credits

Cast and credits
Written and performed by Alexei Sayle
Additional material by Tom Whyman
With original music and lyrics from Tim Sutton
Musicians in Series 5, Episode 2: Sophie Creaner (clarinet and sax), Tom Ellis (acoustic guitar),
Matt Sharp (cello)
Produced by Joe Nunnery and Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator: Jodie Charman
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 20 October-10 November 2022 (Series 4), 1-22 March 2025 (Series 5)

© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd