The Missing Hancocks
Starring Kevin McNally as Tony Hancock
The Missing Hancocks is a festive revival showcasing missing episodes from the beloved radio series Hancock's Half Hour.
7 December 2025
In a special Christmas event for the Tabard Theatre's 40th anniversary, Kevin McNally reprises the role of Tony Hancock in The Missing Hancocks, a loving recreation of the missing episodes of Hancock’s Half Hour radio show. This performance brings to life the humor and charm of the original series, making it perfect for fans of classic British comedy.
Between 1954 and 1959, BBC Radio recorded 102 episodes of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's comedy classic, Hancock's Half Hour. The first modern sitcom, it made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James, and Kenneth Williams, and launched Galton & Simpson as one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history. Actor Neil Pearson discovered the scripts of recordings lost from the BBC’s archives, and the show was first performed at the Assembly Rooms for the Edinburgh Festival in 2015 and then was recorded for BBC Radio 4.
The team is selecting one Christmas episode and one New Year’s themed episode. Kevin McNally is joined on stage by the original radio recording cast: Simon Greenall, Robin Sebastian, Kevin Eldon, and Susy Kane.
This is a unique opportunity to see Hancock's hilarious lost scripts performed on the Tabard's intimate stage.
Reviews
★★★★★ Edinburgh Guide
★★★★ The Herald
★★★★ Voice Magazine
★★★★ The List
Practical info
TICKETS: All tickets £30.
SEATING: Please note that row H, the back row, is high bench seating. The auditorium has steps up the centre aisle, so book at the front for anyone who may have difficulty with steps or heights.
RUNNING TIME: 1 Hour 10 Minutes, No interval.
LATECOMERS: Latecomers will not be admitted.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Please see here.