麻豆约拍

Harvey Easter (played by Mark Benton), 46, is the eternal optimist. He is able to see the good in every situation, the silver lining within every cloud, the bright side to every bit of bad news.

This, however, is his downfall. Someone for whom the glass is always half-full can be difficult to live with, as his wife of 19 years, Jacqui or 'Jax' (played by Claire Skinner), knows all too well. Even as life deals Harvey and the Easter family a series of sadistic blows, be it having Harvey's racist mum coming to stay, a missing cat called Lucky or a Nazi neighbour, Harvey looks on the positive side. It's pathological with him. The way Jax sees it, instead of dealing with the problems of their marriage and the two kids - restless, fickle, hyperactive space cadet Robbie, 16, street-talking, soon-to-be-married council busybody Charlie, 18 (and her live-in boyfriend Kill-R) - Harvey's optimism ("it'll be fine") is actually his way of avoiding engagement with the big issues.

His days as Junior Deputy Assistant Sales Manager at a Ringfence-Upon-Thames piano shop soon to be renamed Sean's Super Synths must surely be numbered, his daughter's Big Fat Weyfleet Wedding is beyond the family's austerity measures, and Jax is dangerously close to taking her new career move with hunky builder Rakesh to the next stage.

Mr Blue Sky is about one man battling to remain positive in moments of crisis, and one woman battling to live with someone who has his head in the clouds.

On day one of the Easter family economy drive, Charlie accuses Robbie of taking drugs and a scratchcard win convinces Harvey he's having a lucky day.

Cast:
Harvey Easter ...... Mark Benton
Jacqui Easter ...... Claire Skinner
Charlie Easter ...... Rosamund Hanson
Robbie Easter ...... Tyger Drew Honey
Kill-R ...... Javone Prince
Rakesh Rathi ...... Navin Chowdhry
Dr Ray Marsh ...... Justin Edwards
Sean Calhoun ...... Michael Legge

Written by Andrew Collins
Title Music Arrangement by Jim Bob

Producer/Director: Anna Madley
A Avalon Production for 麻豆约拍 Radio 4.