SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2014

SAT 00:00 Simon Guerrier - Graceless (b01l2wcw)
Series 2

The Flood

Have Abby and Zara found a safe haven at last? A flood threatens the townspeople, but something's behind it. Stars Ciara Janson.

Abby - Ciara Janson
Zara - Laura Doddington
Brondle - Michael Cochrane
Wing - Joanna Van Gyseghem
Nina - Daisy Ashford
Soldier - John Banks

Written by Simon Guerrier
Directed by Lisa Bowerman
A Big Finish Production.


SAT 01:00 Agatha Raisin (b011ckhy)
Series 1

The Vicious Vet

A handsome vet's arrival in the Cotswold village of Carsely sparks a murder trail for the amateur sleuth.

Penelope Keith stars as Agatha Raisin.

Dramatised by David Semple from MC Beaton’s novel.

Agatha Raisin …. Penelope Keith
Peter Bladen …. Ewan Bailey
James Lacey …. Malcolm Sinclair
Paul Bladen …. Jon Glover
Mrs Bloxby …. Liza Sadovy
DC Bill Wong …. Ben Crowe
Fred Huntingdon …. Jillie Meers
Mrs Josephs …. Joanna McCullum

Director: Carol Smith

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2004.


SAT 01:30 Wimsey (b007jwcn)
Murder Must Advertise

1. Death Comes to Pym's Publicity

After the unexplained death of a junior copywriter at a top advertising agency, Lord Peter Wimsey goes undercover.

Ian Carmichael stars as Lord Peter Wimsey – the British gentleman detective created by Dorothy L Sayers.

First published in published in 1933 and adapted in six episodes by Alistair Beaton.

Classy and sharp-witted, aristocratic amateur sleuth Lord Peter Bredon Wimsey was born in 1890 and educated at Eton and Oxford, before serving in the military during the First World War.

Ian Carmichael appeared as Lord Peter Wimsey for BBC Radio from 1973 to 1983, in addition to the BBC TV adaptations that were broadcast between 1972 and 1975.

Lord Peter Wimsey …. Ian Carmichael
Chief Inspector Parker …. Allan Cuthbertson
Mr Ingleby …. John Quentin
Mr Willis …. Richard O'Callaghan
Miss Meteyard …. Frances Jeater
Mr Hankin …. Frank Williams
Miss Rossiter …. Joanna Wake

Producer: Martin Fisher

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1979..


SAT 02:00 Coming Alive (b00fks6h)
Series 1

Coming Out

Convict Terry is challenged to revive a rundown community centre. Karl Howman stars in Jim Eldridge's sitcom. From January 1999.


SAT 02:30 The Change (b0076czk)
Series 2

Episode 4

George and Carol are trying to find a way to make their marriage work - the answer comes from a most unlikely source.

George is pleased but will Carol approve or even find out?

Lynda Bellingham and Chris Ellison star as troubled hormonal wife Carol who kicked out her mechanic husband George when he revealed he's a transvestite.

Sitcom by Gavin Petrie and Jan Etherington.

Carol …. Lynda Bellingham
George …. Chris Ellison
Violet …. Sylvia Syms
Maureen …. Maureen Beattie
Ken …. James Vaugnan
Sonia …. Emma Kennedy
Jerry …. Barnaby Kay
Dave …. Mark Powley
Linda/Man …. Andrew Westfield
Amanda …. Paul Chadhidi

Written by Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie.

Producer: Elizabeth Freestone.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.


SAT 03:00 Roger Hume - The Campden Wonder (b00mrhdm)
The true account of the mysterious disappearance of William Harrison, a rent collector in the service of the Campden family in Chipping Campden in 1660.

Stars Peter Jeffrey as Sir Thomas Overbury, Richard Derrington as John Perry, Nigel Anthony as Dr Shirley, David Holt as Sly/Edward Harrison and Kim Durham as Richard/Nathan.

Written by Richard Derrington and Roger Hume.

Directed at BBC Pebble Mill by Sue Wilson.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994


SAT 04:00 The Heart of Saturday Night (b00mbxdw)
Step Right Up

'Step Right Up' is the next in the series of stories inspired by the distinctive world created by the legendary musician Tom Waits - a sleazy world peopled by down-at-heel characters on the edge of society, outcasts and deadbeats, hobos and grifters. Huge Waits fan and acclaimed Scottish author Ian Rankin has written a powerful tale, packed with intrigue and menace, set in a London market. A young Jack-the-Lad finds himself taken under the wing of a London market trader, known locally as Saviour. Soon he begins to wonder how his mentor got his name.

Reader: Dominic Cooper.

Produced by Justine Willett.


SAT 04:15 Nick Warburton - Purvis (b007k1jy)
A kindly vicar appoints a lonely widower as church safety officer but he proves to be rather accident prone. Stars Peter Sallis. From November 2000.


SAT 05:00 Beachcomber... By the Way (b008m24j)
Series 3

Episode 1

The further adventures of Mr Justice Cocklecarrot. Captain Foulenough, Dr Strabismus (whom God preserve) of Utrecht, Big White Carstairs and more...

Richard Ingrams John Wells, John Sessions , Joan Sims amd Patricia Routledge recreate the world of JB Morton.

With Brian Bowles , Simon Greenall , Henrietta Gooden and featuring June Whitfield.

Running in the Daily Express from 1924 to 1975 – JB Morton’s surreally comic ‘Beachcomber’ column paved the way for a great deal of modern humour – thanks to characters he created between the wars.

Adapted by Michael Barfield with Richard Ingrams.

Announcer: the silken tones of Brian Perkins.

Producer: Harry Thompson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1994.


SAT 05:30 Smelling of Roses (b007k131)
Series 2

French Connections

Rosie and her team organise a twinning ceremony for a town on the south coast of England with a town on the north coast of France.

But Is it really a step forward for Anglo-French relations?

Prunella Scales stars in the second of four series of Simon Brett's sitcom following the trials and tribulations of Rosie Burns and her event-management company based in Brighton.

With Arabella Weir as Kate, Rebecca Callard as Jo, Duncan Preston as Bob, Annette Badland as Tess, Owen Brenman as Don, Simon Greenall as Jean-Luc and Rachel Atkins as Genevieve.

Producer: Maria Esposito

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2001.


SAT 06:00 Ellen Dryden - The Lake (b007jqb7)
Childhood memories draw obsessed Ben Wheeler back to a lake.

Ellen Dryden’s murder mystery.

CAST:

Ben Wheeler .... James Aubrey
Isobel ... Karen Archer
Val .... Pauline Yates
Ruth .... Frances Jeater
Moonstone .... Teresa Gallagher
Chris .... Barry Woolgar
Jamie .... Nicholas Boulton
Rick .... David Thorpe
Rosie .... Isabelle Huet
Tom .... John Prendergast
Child's voice .... Hayley Thomas
Detective Sergeant .... Steve Hodson
Constable .... Angus Wright
Reporter .... Michael Onslow
Mother .... Rachel Atkins
Woman at Lake .... Lala Lloyd
Man at Lake .... James Taylor
Newsreader .... Lynda Gregory

Director: Ned Chaillet

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1993.


SAT 07:30 My Yiddisher Mother Tongue (b00n5nz2)
Writer and comedian David Schneider goes on a personal journey through Yiddish culture and language.

Schneider, who first came to fame on The Day Today and I'm Alan Partridge, is the grandson of a Yiddish playwright and a Yiddish actress. He returns to Whitechapel and Vienna where his grandparents performed and considers the rich thousand-year history of the language.

Contributors include Yiddish enthusiasts including Michael Grade and General Colin Powell, who picked up the language in his teens when he worked in a Jewish toy store in New York.


SAT 08:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b01f8jls)
Series 7

Episode 24

From the Town Hall in New York City, the funny man celebrates Shakespeare. With guitarists Sergio and Odair Assad. From 2011.


SAT 09:00 Comedy Controller (b00tk7dk)
David Quantick

Comedy writer David Quantick is BBC Radio 4 Extra's Comedy Controller for three glorious hours.

His archive choices include Hello Cheeky (02/06/1973), King Cutler (15/02/1990), I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again - Ser 9. 3/8 Star Trek (18/11/1973), Uncle Mort's North Country - Ser 2. 1/5 (13/04/1989), You'll Have Had Your Tea: Hamish & Dougal - Ser 2. 1/6 (25/02/2004)

'Reality Is an Illusion Caused by Lack of NF Simpson' (05/04/2007) is a documentary David made about the surrealist and comic playwright. Plus enjoy three of Simpson's finest 'Snippets' covering the likes of Hereward the Wake's teeth to Leibniz's discovery of the infinitesimal calculus - seemingly found in a corner crouching behind a curtain!

His final choice is Steven Appleby's Normal Life - Ser 1. 1/6 (08/08/2001)

David's career began as a music journalist at NME where his reputation for witty writing soon led him to scripting comedy sketches for Spitting Image. His many radio credits include On the Hour, Bussman and Quantick Kingsize, The 99p Show and The Blaggers Guide. His impressive TV writing credentials include The Day Today, Brass Eye, The Fast Show, ScreenWatch and Harry Hill's TV Burp.


SAT 12:00 Craven Omnibus (b03vcqs6)
Series 4

Made for 4 Extra. A teenager's body is found hanging in a wood. DCI Craven investigates, but also has problems closer to home. With Maxine Peake.


SAT 13:15 Petrella (b007jpny)
Series 2

The Missionary Position

A drugs tip-off leads the inspector to a boxing gym, where his police colleague encounters a former tutor. Stars Philip Jackson.


SAT 14:00 One Foot in the Grave (b007jmxg)
Alive and Buried

Grumpy Victor Meldrew arrives at work to learn that he's no longer employed and is set to be replaced by a box.

With time passing very slowly in his enforced retirement, Victor gripes about newsreaders and worries about becoming a lavatory junkie.

Richard Wilson stars as Victor and Annette Crosbie as his long-suffering wife Margaret.

Adapted for radio by David Renwick from his BBC TV script.

Victor Meldrew ...... Richard Wilson
Margaret Meldrew ...... Annette Crosbie
Mrs Warboys ...... Doreen Mantle
Nick Swainey ...... Owen Brenman

With Sally Grace and Jeffrey Holland.

Winning numerous awards, six series were made for TV plus numerous specials on BBC ONE from 1990 to 2000.

Producer: Diane Messias

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1995.


SAT 14:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jsvk)
Series 5

The Election Candidate

The electioneering lad battles to represent East Cheam in the Houses of Parliament.

Stars Tony Hancock.

With Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams.

Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.

Producer: Tom Ronald

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1958.


SAT 15:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b01f8jls)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SAT 16:00 James Joyce - Blind Date With Bloomsday (b011tynw)
Much quoted but arguably little read, James Joyce's Ulysses is a Modernist classic. Set on June 16th 1904, the author cannily assigned his novel its own annual feast day. Peter White travelled to Dublin on Bloomsday last year to meet the celebrants who enthusiastically enact sections of the book.

Among them - resplendent in boater and blazer - is Irish Senator David Norris, a founder of Dublin's Joyce Centre, explaining how an apparently random string of consonants precisely captures the sound of a breaking wave. But there's also the writer and Irish Times journalist John Waters who's courageous enough to confess that he's only ever managed to get as far as page 35 of Ulysses. "It's more important to Irish tourism", he says, "than to readers".

What Peter White realises is that whilst the text of Ulysses might be dense and difficult on the page, it is in fact perfectly suited to the ear, as radio - filled with gleeful linguistic tricks, puns and jokes and stream of consciousness bawdiness.

Having read Ulysses in Braille, Peter finds out that Joyce was long troubled by eye problems, and that the author's eyesight worsened considerably whilst writing the book when exiled in Zurich. As a blind man himself, Peter is interested to hear how Joyce uses blindness and myopia to great symbolic effect in his work - evoking the whole of Dublin society by emphasising all the senses - sound, touch and smell as much as sight.
Producer Mark Smalley.


SAT 16:30 Dermot Bolger - Martha's Streets (b03vcpd8)
4 Extra Debut. A woman recalls how James Joyce's Ulysses profoundly influenced her life for the better. Read by Doreen Keogh.


SAT 16:45 James Joyce's Ulysses (b03vcpdb)
James Joyce's Ulysses

Episode 1

16th June 1904: Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom's Dublin days unwind. With Henry Goodman, Andrew Scott and Stephen Rea.

8am: 'Stately plump' Buck Mulligan calls Stephen Dedalus to the top of the Martello tower overlooking Dublin Bay - and so begins James Joyce's celebrated account of the 16th June 1904. The combined stories of Stephen and Leopold Bloom as they meander through the city. Dramatised by Robin Brooks.

8.15am: Stephen Dedalus breakfasts with Mulligan and the Englishman Haines before walking out along the strand to the swimming place at Forty Foot Hole.

10am: Stephen Dedalus collects his wages from Headmaster Deasy, who wants Stephen to deliver a letter about the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease to the editor of the Evening Telegraph.

8am: 7 Eccles Street, Dublin. The home of Leopold and Marion (Molly) Bloom. Bloom, we are told, 'eats with relish the inner organs of beasts and fowls' and cooks himself a pork kidney for breakfast. While Molly receives a letter from concert promoter Hugh 'Blazes' Boylan who has arranged to visit her later in the day, Bloom prepares to attend Paddy Dignam's funeral at Glasnevin cemetery.

11am: Stephen walks on Sandymount Strand before visiting the offices of the Evening Telegraph, where he catches a glimpse of advertising salesman Leopold Bloom. Stephen takes the Editor out for a drink, while Bloom slips into Davy Byrne's pub for a cheese sandwich.


SAT 18:00 James Joyce's Ulysses (b03vcpdd)
James Joyce's Ulysses

Episode 2

16th June 1904: Stephen explains his theory of Hamlet, then Bloom argues with the bigoted 'Citizen'. With Henry Goodman and Andrew Scott.

2pm: Stephen tries to get commissioned for an article at the National Library, while Leopold Bloom takes lunch at the Ormond Hotel and listens to Simon Dedalus and Benjamin Dollard sing at the piano.

Mid-afternoon: Hugh 'Blazes' Boylan is on his way to his adulterous assignation with Molly Bloom in Eccles Street.

5pm: Bloom gets into an argument with the 'Citizen' which climaxes in mock-heroic battle. Bloom makes a dignified retreat and his opponent flings a biscuit tin after him.

This episode is narrated by an anonymous crony of the 'Citizen', an anti-semitic Nationalist bigot. Repulsive as he is, he provides an opportunity for Bloom to show his true heroism by arguing against prejudice and preaching a doctrine of love and understanding.

Dramatised by Robin Brooks.


SAT 19:20 James Joyce's Ulysses (b03vcpdg)
James Joyce's Ulysses

Episode 3

8pm, 16th June 1904: Bloom spies on Gerty, then rescues Stephen from a brawl outside a brothel. With Henry Goodman and Frances Barber.

Bloom cannot go home, for he knows that Molly has an adulterous appointment with Hugh 'Blazes' Boylan. So he stands on the beach at nightfall watching Gerty MacDowell enjoy the fireworks.

Meanwhile, at the maternity hospital in Holles Street, Mina Purefoy is still struggling - after three days - to give birth. Nearby, Stephen Dedalus joins a raucous group of medical students and Bloom also joins the party, which then moves off to Bella Cohen's brothel.

Dramatised by Robin Brooks.


SAT 21:05 James Joyce's Ulysses (b03vcpdj)
James Joyce's Ulysses

Episode 4

After midnight: Bloom takes Stephen home and gives him cocoa. Molly muses on her afternoon with Boylan. With Niamh Cusack.

Bloom takes Stephen home, and gives him a cup of cocoa. They talk, relieve themselves in the garden and go their separate ways. Bloom thinks on Molly's sexual encounter with Blazes Boylan. He joins her in bed. He sleeps. Then Molly also muses on Boylan, re-living the afternoon's activity and winding up all the threads and themes of the day.

Dramatised by Robin Brooks.


SAT 22:00 4 Stands Up (b00k4g55)
Series 3

Episode 6

Three gourmet stand-ups, served by Chris Addison. With Matt Kirshen, Tim Vine and Pippa Evans as twisted country singer Loretta Maine. From May 2009.


SAT 22:30 The Lee Mack Show (b00c075z)
Tom Robinson

Tom Robinson joins the quick-fire comic for stand-up, sketches and music. With Angela McHale and Steve Brown. From March 2005.


SAT 23:00 Saturday Stand-Up (b0101jpz)
Whoopi Goldberg

American actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg entertains a New York audience on Broadway with her act based on stand-up characters.

As menopausal mum Lauralene, she chats frankly about everything from sanitary products through to the perils of shopping for clothes. The show concludes with Whoopi's monologue which reveals the unusual tale of how an unnamed disabled woman found romance.

From 2006.