The Navy Lark
The Navy Lark title card featuring photos of (clockwise from top right) Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee and Stephen Murray | |
| Genre | Sitcom |
|---|---|
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | |
| Syndicates | BBC Radio 4 Extra |
| Starring | Leslie Phillips Jon Pertwee Stephen Murray Dennis Price Judy Cornwell Heather Chasen Ronnie Barker Richard Caldicot Michael Bates Tenniel Evans |
| Written by | Lawrie Wyman George Evans |
| Original release | 29 March 1959 – 16 July 1977 |
| No. of episodes | 244 (including specials) (list of episodes) |
The Navy Lark is a radio sitcom about life aboard a British Royal Navy frigate named HMS Troutbridge (a play on HMS Troubridge, a Royal Navy destroyer) based in HMNB Portsmouth. In series 1 and 2, the ship and crew were stationed offshore at an unnamed location known simply as "The Island". In series 2 this island was revealed to be owned by Lt. Cdr. Stanton.
For most of its run the show starred Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee and Stephen Murray, whose names rotated in order of precedence with each new episode over the entire 15-series run. Stephen Murray's daughter, Amanda Murray, also appeared in a few episodes. The programme was transmitted on the BBC Light Programme and subsequently BBC Radio 2. It was produced by Alastair Scott Johnston.
Episodes of The Navy Lark series are regularly replayed on BBC Radio 4 Extra.