Gateshead

Comedian Mark Steel returns to visit more UK towns to discover what makes them and their inhabitants distinctive.

He creates a bespoke stand-up show for each town and performs the show in front of a local audience.

As well as shedding light on the less visited areas of Britain, Mark uncovers stories and experiences that resonate with us all as we recognise the quirkiness of the British way of life and the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people who have shaped where we live.

Mark travels to Gateshead to perform to locals who under no circumstances want their town to be confused with Newcastle. Whilst up there Mark enjoys a memorable night out in a local pub; a telling-off in the Baltic Art Gallery, a visit to the Angel of The North and an ugly car park that some people want to preserve because of its role in a grisly murder.

Written by Mark Steel.

With additional material by Pete Sinclair.

Producer: Julia McKenzie.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2010.