The first episode of North by Northamptonshire, a BBC Radio 4 comedy drama series with a stunning cast including Sheila Hancock, Mackenzie Crook, Penelope Wilton, Felicity Montagu and Kevin Eldon about a small town in the middle of Northamptonshire as it prepares for a talent night. Originally broadcast at 11:30 on 16 June 2010.

In the first episode Mary starts rehearsals for the town talent night and is shocked by 12-year-old Gregory's slide show of Victorian ladies. Meanwhile Esther sends her husband Jonathan out to collect money for the Leicestershire Infertile Males Project but he ends up at The Bricklayer's Arms looking at pictures of elephants with Jan.

North by Northamptonshire is a clever, funny and touching series starring Sheila Hancock as the narrator, Mackenzie Crook as Rod, Penelope Wilton as Mary, Felicity Montagu as Jan and Kevin Eldon as Jonathan. Also featured amongst the cast are the series' writer Katherine Jakeways, John Biggins, Rufus Wright and Sam Cotton. Produced by Claire Jones.