Dabster Productions

Independent Broadcast Production from Scotland


    Edinburgh Unlocked 2024

    Bringing the Fringes to the Mainstream

    The biggest for half a decade, the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe are at the heart of the world's cultural stage in August, and for the fourth year in a row Mark Nelson and his showbiz reporters bring you the funniest, weirdest, most interesting and touching stories from the capital.

    Janey Godley - The C Bomb

    It's not cancer, cancellation or even the sign she made for Donald Trump

    Janey does what she’s always done: turning her own dark and difficult experiences into laugher, as she paints a vivid picture of life in the East End of Glasgow in the 60s, and recounts a childhood steeped in poverty and abuse.

    As she faces her own mortality, she and daughter Ashley Storrie talk, laugh and cry as they unpick some of the experiences she shares onstage.

    Janey doesn’t know how long she’s got left, so she’s telling ALL the jokes!

    Two series in the coveted 6.30pm comedy slot on "the" network.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    What's the Story: Ashley Storrie?

    An Intricate Self Portrait, coloured by her upbringing

    An incredible series for the network, told at a reflective time in Ashley's life.

    Nothing is off limits in these autobiographical programmes, from her parents upbringing and the impact that had on her.

    An absolute triumph of writing and development.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    The Good, The Bad and The Unexpected

    Series Eighteen on air April 2024

    Mark Nelson leads a panel of some of Scotland's funniest comedians and personalities as they attempt to make sense of the world we live in.

    Recorded remotely since the pandemic, the show has found a new energy, reaching even wider audiences across the border.

    A Dabster Production for the BBC Radio Scotland

    More..

    Jamie MacDonald: Life on the Blink

    Second Series for Glaswegian Favourite

    A hugely deserved commission for one of the hardest working, and best, stand-up comedians in Scotland.

    This series will have a special look at the challenges a middle-aged blind man rubs up against in modern life.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    Njambi McGrath: Black Black

    A second series for Radio 4

    This is a comedy about identity, history and the brutal reality of life for Njambi's tribe before the hurricane of colonialism arrived in Kenya.

    Comparing her life to that of her grandmother's, who was incarcerated in concentration camps and stripped of all culture, Njambi looks at what has changed in society.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UNEXPECTED

    TV SPECIAL FOR BBC SCOTLAND

     
    Ten series on BBC Radio Scotland, and now the chance to engage a new audience on the country's national channel.

    Greg McHugh, Elaine C. Smith and Len Pennie try to convince comedian Mark Nelson that they have the best good story, the worst bad story with a few unexpected laughs along the way.

    On Air: 4th April

    A Dabster Production for BBC Scotland

    ROSIE JONES - BOX TICKER TOO

    A SECOND SERIES FOR BBC RADIO 4

    Now one of the UK's most bankable stars, Rosie Jones returns to Radio 4 after a long year of headline TV appearances, writing credits, and writing sex scenes for Gillian Anderson.

    She's a triple threat, and deadly behind the microphone.

    Radio 4's Comedy of the Week, 2020.

    TX Mid November 2021.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    Suggs: More Love Letters to London

    On air February 2021

     
    A celebration of Suggs' romantic fascination with his home, London.

    Series One was a unbridled success for Radio 4,
    with the show becoming one of Dabster's all time biggest hits.

    This second series has been recorded under lockdown, and is an incredible journey through the capital with your nutty, charming, guide.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    Fred at the Stand

    Series 3 Feb 2021, Series 4 Nov 2021

     
    Widely regarded as one of the best stand-up comedians in the country, we're delighted to bring Fred MacAulay back to BBC Radio 4.

    The first two series were loved by comedians and the audience alike, for bringing the true feeling of a comedy club to the airwaves.

    The comedians made mistakes, the audience got involved; the genuine little sparks that make a live show special were captured and broadcast with confidence.

    Stand-up how it really is, by masters of their craft.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    The Comedians at the Kings

    New series for BBC Scotland

     
    The Comedians at the Kings brings a generation of legends together for two very special nights in Glasgow. Twenty four headliners in their own right, assembled to bring their wealth of experience to television for the first time.

    This unprecedented comedy gala showcases some of the greatest working comedians in the UK, featuring John Moloney, Fred MacAulay, Gary Little, Janey Godley and many more.

    First broadcast in December 2019.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Scotland

    Fred at the Stand

    Series 3 Feb 2021, Series 4 Nov 2021

     
    Widely regarded as one of the best stand-up comedians in the country, we're delighted to bring Fred MacAulay back to BBC Radio 4.

    The first two series were loved by comedians and the audience alike, for bringing the true feeling of a comedy club to the airwaves.

    The comedians made mistakes, the audience got involved; the genuine little sparks that make a live show special were captured and broadcast with confidence.

    Stand-up how it really is, by masters of their craft.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    The Comedians at the Kings

    New series for BBC Scotland

     
    The Comedians at the Kings brings a generation of legends together for two very special nights in Glasgow. Twenty four headliners in their own right, assembled to bring their wealth of experience to television for the first time.

    This unprecedented comedy gala showcases some of the greatest working comedians in the UK, featuring John Moloney, Fred MacAulay, Gary Little, Janey Godley and many more.

    First broadcast in December 2019.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Scotland

    SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE AT THE STAND

    SUPPORTING COMEDY IN LOCKDOWN

     
    For sixteen weeks Mark Nelson hosted a weekly live stand-up show from a make-shift Stand Comedy Club in a flat in Edinburgh, with comedians from across the country and hundreds of thousands of viewers.

    With some of the biggest names and best talent, we've raised thousands of pounds for comedians and The Stand during the Covid-19 Lockdown.

    Back for three specials to see this horrific year out in style.

    The Comedy Underground

    BBC Scotland 2020

     
    Low ceilings, sticky floors, a closely packed audience and FIFTY of the best exciting comedians on the circuit right now - a ten part series for the new channel and accompanying radio programmes from the heart of Scotland's comedy club scene.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Scotland

    The John Moloney Show

    Series Five in 2021

     
    John Moloney has cemented his place on the UK circuit as the Godfather of British Stand-up.

    With a host of new subtle, deft observations, this series has John on stage, where he belongs, sharing the tribulations of his long suffering self, and his beloved moggie Edward the Cat.

    Radio 4's Comedy Pick of the Year 2016.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    Richard Gadd

    Lightning, unbottled

    One of the country's most intelligent, dynamic and certainly the most daring performer, given the space to use the medium of radio in any way he wanted.

    A highlight of 2018, reflective of his past successes and a glimpse of what was still to come.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    HIE DIGITAL

    Sharing experience and expertise Online

    For four years, Dabster Productions have been broadcasting live webinars for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Producing live events, short films and now podcasts targeted at the tourism industry, we have built a collaborative community in the sector.

    Using our experience of entertainment production has led to this commercial market reaching a global audience.

    Terry Alderton's Whole Half Hour

    BBC Audio Drama Award Finalist 2020

     
    After a critically celebrated and award winning Fringe in 2017 and a leap onto a cornerstone of new ideas in 2018, Terry builds on the success of his two preceding series of 'All Crazy Now' with something new. Very new.

    "If ever I have felt like turning the star system up to 11, this is it."
    - Kate Copstick, Scotsman, 2017.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    Jo Caulfield: Pretending to Care

    May 2019

     
    She's razor sharp, savvy and - most importantly - hilarious. One of the Britain’s most accomplished stand-up comedians at her very best.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    The Funny Life Of...

    May 2019

     
    In their heart, comedians are storytellers who paint fantastical, absurd and colourful paintings in the minds of hundreds of people every night from the stage.

    For returning series they have shared their own personal stories with Julia Sutherland; shining a light into the darkest of corners for the first time, revealing what shaped them as people and as the performers they are today.

    Six remarkable comedians, and six unbelievable stories.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio Scotland

    BBC Radio 4 Extra Stands Up at the Fringe

    Seven years of laughs from our home town

     
    Two spectacular shows with some of the most exciting, explosive and hilarious comedians from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

    Now in it's ninth series.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4 Extra

    The Lach Chronicles

    Returned to Radio 4 in 2019

     
    Another chance to hear the legends, mysteries and music of the founder of the Anti-folk movement. A seminal series.

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4

    The Miles Jupp Interviews

    Awaiting imminent release

     
    Miles Jupp - actor, writer and comedian and previous host of BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz - sat down in one of two comfy chairs and had a conversation with a different person of interest for a week of live shows.

    You'll be able to hear it for yourself very soon.

    A Dabster Production with RBM

    STOP THE PRESS

    Four Series for BBC Radio Scotland

    A rip roaring comedy quiz where the points really matter.

    Grant Stott takes the chair and officiates between a team of journalists and the professionals they report on every week.

    Who knows more about their own subject - and can our team of pro's Stop the Press.

    Featuring regular team captains Jo Caulfield and Gary Roberston.

    Recorded at Gilded Balloon Basement Theatre in Edinburgh

    A Dabster Production for BBC Radio Scotland