SATURDAY 04 JUNE 2011

SAT 00:00 Bruce Bedford - The Gibson (b007js8d)
Episode 3

Haensel Sethria warns Elise Judd, and Saul Judd is summoned to meet Selwyn Fist.

Bruce Bedford's time-hopping supernatural thriller serial set in - and under - Bath.

Robert Glenister .... Saul Judd
Sharon Duce .... Elise Judd
Freddie Jones .... The Scribe
Kate Binchy .... The Scribe's Wife
Constance Chapman .... Haensel Sethria
Gordon Reid .... Priscus
Michael Stroud .... Stranger
Jonathan Tafler .... Landlord
Timothy West .... Selwyn Fist
John Abineri .... Roman Officer
Jonathan Adams .... The Guardian

Original music composed by Thomas Johnson.
Music realised by Robin Lever.
Special effects: Dick Mills (Radiophonic Workshop)

Directed at BBC Bristol by Andy Jordan

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1992.


SAT 00:30 Kurt Vonnegut - The Euphio Question (b0088zh5)
A way of producing and harnessing happiness is revealed when a physicist plays out the sound of dark matter during a local radio programme.

The sound lulls the listeners into a state of euphoria, producing an effect not unlike a large dose of sedative.

The ethical and moral implications of marketing this new found product become evident - as the temptation to make money and control huge numbers of people proves too great.

Kurt Vonnegut's short story is read by Stuart Milligan.

One of the outstanding figures of modern US literature, Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) was a cult figure among students in the 1960s and 1970s with his classics of US counterculture.

The bombing of Dresden by allied forces in 1945 was the pivotal moment of his life, which informed his best-known work 'Slaughterhouse Five'.

Abridged and produced by Gemma Jenkins

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in 2007.


SAT 01:00 Miss Marple (b007jpmx)
A Caribbean Mystery

Episode 5

After two murders and an attempted suicide, amateur sleuth Miss Marple is battling to find a link.

The conclusion of Agatha Christie's whodunit starring June Whitfield as Miss Marple.

Miss Marple …. June Whitfield
Mr Rafiel …. George A. Cooper
Tim Kendall …. David Thorpe
Molly Kendall …. Alison Pettit
Esther Walters …. Yvonne Edgell
Evelyn Hillingdon …. Carolyn Jones
Edward Hillingdon …. Christopher Wright
Lucky Dyson …. Tracy-Ann Oberman
Jackson …. Andrew Wincott
Canon Prescott …. David King
Dr Graham .... John Rowe

Dramatised by Michael Bakewell

Director: Enyd Williams

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1997.


SAT 01:30 Agatha Raisin (b011l9l8)
Series 2

4. The Civil War

The search to find the killer leads Agatha and James to the dreaming spires of Oxford, where they soon get intimate - in a cupboard full of EM Forster first editions...

Penelope Keith stars as PR guru turned amateur sleuth, Agatha Raisin.

Dramatised by David Semple from MC Beaton’s novel.

Agatha Raisin ...... Penelope Keith
James Lacey ...... Malcolm Sinclair
DC Bill Wong ...... Stephen Hogan
Mrs Friendly ...... Joanna Brookes
Mrs Hicks ...... Lynda Baron
Professor Wolf ...... Simon Treves

Director: Carol Smith

First broadcast on BBC Radio in October 2005.


SAT 02:00 A Whole New Ball Game (b00cb1m8)
Series 1

Hungry

Robert's mum is doing so much work for the church he can't get enough to eat. And it seems his friends and family can’t seem to get enough of something else.

A six-part black comedy by Martin Davies

Stars Desmond Barrit as Father Benedict, Brenda Blethyn as Mrs Patterson, Paul Parris as Robert Patterson, Charlotte Coleman as Barbara Patterson, Martino Lazzeri as Guy Entwhistle, Mark Straker as Andy, Claire Skinner as Janet and Jill Meers as Lady At Counter and Gordon Reid as Father Hugh

Producer: Lissa Evans

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1993.


SAT 02:30 Does The Team Think? (b00lkk0q)
Series 1

Episode 4

Vic Reeves hosts, as Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen, Arthur Smith, Tom Baker and Jo Caulfield tackle the questions. From July 2007.


SAT 03:00 What's So Funny? (b011lb9q)
Series 1

Episode 9

Rufus Hound and guest Gina Yashere preview and review what's happening in comedy this week. Features include a day in the studio with comedy boyband Midnight Beast.


SAT 03:30 Ambridge Extra Omnibus (b011lb9s)
Series 1, Episodes 17-18

Jamie's got money troubles, while Fallon is all ears.


SAT 04:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt1v7)
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Episode 2

Dramatisation by Shaun McKenna of John le Carre's classic novel.

George Smiley, called back from retirement, tries to piece together the events of the past to find the mole he believes is tearing apart the British Secret Intelligence Service.

George Smiley ...... Simon Russell Beale
Ann Smiley ...... Anna Chancellor
Control ...... John Rowe
Peter Guillam ...... Ewan Bailey
Percy Alleline ...... Bill Paterson
Ricki Tarr ...... Jamie Foreman
Toby Esterhase ...... Sam Dale
Bill Haydon ...... Michael Feast
Roy Bland...... David Hargreaves
Sam Collins ...... Nicholas Boulton.


SAT 05:00 The Arts and How They Was Done (b00776tk)
The Taj Mahal and How It Was Done

The National Theatre of Brent recreates 17th-century India's greatest love story. Stars Patrick Barlow. From April 2007.


SAT 05:30 Snap (b00tnmtj)
Series 2

Episode 1

Separated for over a year, Doug and Molly are still finding it hard to keep out of each other's lives.

When the decree absolute arrives and Doug hears that Molly is having a drinks party he's furious. But is all as it seems?

Paul Mendelson’s sitcom stars Rebecca Lacey as Molly, Paul Venables as Doug, Soumaya Keynes as Kaz, Jessie Sullivan as Ryan, Marlene Sidaway as Annie, Jonathan Tafler as Raymond and Samantha Spiro as Dawn.

Producer: David Ian Neville

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2004.


SAT 06:00 John Wyndham - The Chrysalids (b00ddx9p)
David appears like a normal boy in a world paralysed by genetic mutation, until he learns he's different. Stars Spencer Banks.


SAT 07:30 What's So Funny? (b011lb9q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 03:00 today]


SAT 08:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b011p0dm)
Series 6

Episode 28

From Illinois, the American funny man welcomes legendary singer-songwriter John Prine and singer Andra Suchy. From 2010.


SAT 09:00 Take It From June (b011p0j2)
Comedy legend June Whitfield talks to radio drama director Enyd Williams about her amazing career in BBC radio - spanning over 60 years. Though June is a star of BBC TV, from Absolutely Fabulous to Terry and June, radio remains June's true love.

June picks some of her very favourite performances - as we journey with her from her big break on radio, joining the team of Take it From Here in 1953, to working with comedy greats like Ronnie Barker, Frankie Howerd and Bob Monkhouse - to playing Mrs Thatcher on Radio 2’s The News Huddlines - and being cast as Radio 4's Miss Marple, by drama director Enyd Williams:

*Take it From Here
From 24/04/1957
Can Mr Glum stop Ron and Eth marrying in a court of law? Stars Jimmy Edwards and June Whitfield. From April 1957.

*Crowther's Crowd
From 07/12/1963
Comedy sketches at the ready with June Whitfield, Ronnie Barker and Leslie Crowther. From December 1963.

*The Frankie Howerd Show
From 07/01/1966
Titters galore from the comedy legend, with June Whitfield, Wallas Eaton and Robertson Hare. From August 1966.

*Punch Line
From 21/05/1980
Can the stars come up with just the right punch line? Starring June Whitfield, Kenneth Connor and Bob Monkhouse. From May 1980.

*The News Huddlines
19/10/2000
Roy Hudd's topical sketch show that ran for 26 years on BBC Radio 2. With June Whitfield and Chris Emmett. From October 2000.

*Murder At The Vicarage
From 28/12/1993
The amateur sleuth looks into the Colonel's murder in the vicar's study. Agatha Christie's thriller stars June Whitfield.

Produced by Peter McHugh

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2011


SAT 12:00 Once More With Feeling: Omnibus (b011p0n5)
Twenty five years after being sacked from his band, Les Bone is going back on the road. Stars Paul Copley and Belinda Everett.


SAT 13:10 Chain Gang (b00mz47s)
Series 3 - Paper, Scissors, Stone

Episode 1

Honeymooners Brian and Susan Ferguson are in for a shock. The first instalment of an amazing story written by our listeners.


SAT 13:15 Baldi (b0080483)
Series 1

Devil Take the Hindmost

Crime-solving priest Paolo Baldi investigates the death of a student on campus, following the trail to an arrogant clique that dabbled in the occult. Is there a rational explanation, or was the Devil really involved?

Starring David Threlfall as Paolo Baldi, Tina Kellegher as Tina Mahon, TP McKenna as Father Troy, Gerard McSorley as Doctor Graham, Owen Roe as Superintendent Rynne and Margaret D'Arcy as Mrs Reid.

Murder mystery written by Annie Caulfield.
Format by Barry Devlin. Developed and produced by BBC Northern Ireland.
Directed in Belfast by Lawrence Jackson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2000.


SAT 14:00 The Goon Show (b007k4c2)
Series 5

The Canal

Back home after 43 years, why must Neddie Seagoon never go near the oily waters again?

Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.

Starring:

Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan

Special guest: Valentine Dyall

First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.

With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.

Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.

Announcer: Wallace Greenslade

Producer: Peter Eton

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in November 1954.


SAT 14:30 Dad's Army (b007jsg2)
Series 1

Battle School

The Walmington-on-Sea platoon is off to a weekend training camp - subject to Captain Mainwaring and his map...

The comic exploits of a Second World War Home Guard platoon in Walmington-on-Sea.

Adapted for radio from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's TV scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.

Captain Mainwaring …. Arthur Lowe
Sergeant Wilson …. John Le Mesurier
Corporal Jones …. Clive Dunn
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Private Frazer …. John Laurie
Major Smith …. SJack Watson
Captain Rodrigues …. Alan Tilvern
Announcer …. John Snagge

Producer: John Dyas

First broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 in April 1974.


SAT 15:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b011p0dm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SAT 16:00 John Wyndham - The Chrysalids (b00ddx9p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:30 What's So Funny? (b011lb9q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 03:00 today]


SAT 18:00 The Price of Fear (b007jnhf)
To My Dear, Dear Saladin

Horror legend Vincent Price introduces a tale of a cat - and its unusual inheritance.

To Emily, Great Aunt Hesta leaves her entire fortune, including her home, Longbridge Manor.

To her beloved cat, Saladin, she bequeaths continuing life on the estate. But Emily's husband, Freddie has other ideas and dearly pays the price...

Starring Edward Woodward as Freddie, Annette Crosbie as Emily, Steve Hodson as Smiley and Lewis Stringer as the Solicitor

Scripted by William Ingram.

Producer: John Dyas

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1983.


SAT 18:30 Weird Tales (b00vknmp)
Series 2

Connected

WEIRD TALES: Connected
By Melissa Murray

Hoarder of horror Lovecraft returns for a new series to share more of his chilling tales.

When her brother-in-law is killed in a car crash, Steph is overcome with sadness. One day, feeling maudlin, she rings his mobile number. She just wants to hear his voice really. The next day he rings her back...

Steph ..... Fiona Glascott
Ray ..... Joseph Kloska
Jamie ..... Piers Wehner
Lovecraft ..... Stephen Hogan
Mother ..... Kate Layden
Jan / Flight Attendant ..... Melissa Advani
Passenger ..... Ewan Hooper
Shop Assistant ..... Rhys Jennings
Passerby ..... John Biggins
Passerby 2 / Estate Agent ..... Tessa Nicholson

Directed by Mary Peate

Introduced by the mysterious H.P. Lovecraft, Weird Tales is a series of three chilling and intimate plays for the late night slot on Radio 4.

Drawing the audience into a claustrophobic and disturbing world, the plays set out to explore the characters' deepest fears and torments. The series will concentrate on the psychological element of the horror genre stirring the imagination of the listener.

One hundred years ago, H.P. Lovecraft created The Necronomicon, a grimoire of lost souls, magical rites and forbidden lore. Locked away, he is after new stories, new blood, to add to his collection. From ghosts to demons, the plays draw the audience into a claustrophobic and disturbing world, exploring the audience's deepest fears and neuroses.


SAT 19:00 Take It From June (b011p0j2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 Eddie Izzard - Definite Article (b00gky8n)
Episode 2

Pavlov, the Big Bang and Latin. More from the inimitable comedian's performance at London's Shaftesbury Theatre. From 1995.


SAT 23:00 Craig Russell - Lennox (b011p4q2)
Episode 3

Who ordered the hit on Tam McGahern? Is the missing person case connected? The private eye investigates. Read by Grant O'Rourke.


SAT 23:30 Scandinavian Chiller (b011p4q4)
Hakan Nesser - Woman With Birthmark

Episode 5

Inspector Van Veeteren pieces together a woman's past to help understand a serial killer. Read by Michael Maloney.