SATURDAY 08 MARCH 2014

SAT 00:00 Terry Pratchett (b010v5f8)
Night Watch

Episode 5

Commander Sam Vimes of the City Watch, thrown back into his own past, has little time left there to undo the harm done by his arch-enemy Carcer, before coming back to his present...

The conclusion of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novel dramatised by Robin Brooks.

Stars Philip Jackson as Sam Vimes, Carl Prekopp as Young Sam, Paul Ritter as Carcer, Clare Corbett as Rosie, Sam Dale as Colon, Ben Onwukwe as Dr Lawn, Joseph Kloska as Reg Shoe, Peter Marinker as Major Clive and Rachel Atkins as Lady Mesarole.

Director: Claire Grove

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.


SAT 00:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jx5r)
The Red Planet

1. Mayhem on the Moon

Captain Jet Morgan and his crew aboard Discovery blast off for their epic mission to Mars - but there's a problem...

Charles Chilton’s 1954 classic set in 1971.

Jet Morgan …. Andrew Faulds
Lemmy …. David Kossoff
Doc …. Guy Kingsley Poynter
Mitch …. Bruce Beeby
Announcer/Various …. David Jacobs
Various …. Anthony Marriott

Music composed and conducted by Van Phillips.

Producer: Charles Chilton

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in September 1954.


SAT 01:00 VI Warshawski (b007jqd4)
Killing Orders

Dinner Date

First an acid attack, then her flat burns down: the anonymous menacing phone caller will go to any lengths to get VI Warshawski to quit.

Sara Paretsky's thriller stars Kathleen Turner as Chicago private eye, VI Warshawski.

Roger Ferrant ...... Martin Shaw
Uncle Stefan ...... Maurice Denham
Lotty Herschel ...... Miriam Karlin
O'Faolin ...... John Bennett
Gabriella ...... Avril Clark
Father Carroll ...... Don Fellows
Barbara Paciorek ...... Lorelei King
Bobby Mallory ...... William Hootkins
Murray Ryerson ...... Kerry Shale
Rosa ...... Eileen Way
Sal ...... Adjoa Andoh
Derek Hatfield ...... Andrew Wincott

Dramatised by Michelene Wandor.

Director: Janet Whitaker

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1991.


SAT 01:30 Russell Thorndike - Doctor Syn (b00d8yxp)
Episode 5

The swashbuckling daredevil returns to Kent - but makes a new enemy. Read by Rufus Sewell.

Christopher Syn, a brilliant young scholar, is a Doctor of Divinity at Oxford, but his eventual decision to throw away the Bible for the sword in a mad quest for vengeance will influence the rest of his life.

Russell Thorndike's 18th Century, Kent-based adventure features pirates, smuggling, highwaymen, duels, wicked squires and beautiful Spanish ladies. Based on the first two novels (published 1935 and 1936) in the seven-title sequence, 'Doctor Syn on the High Seas' and 'Doctor Syn Returns'. Abridged by Doreen Estall.

Writer Russell Thorndike (1885-1972) is less well-known than his sister, the actress Dame Sybil Thorndike, but his Doctor Syn novels hold a special place in the affection of lovers of atmospheric, swashbuckling storytelling everywhere. His novels have been filmed with actors as diverse as George Arliss, Peter Cushing and Patrick McGoohan in the role of Syn, and the Kent village of Dymchurch holds an official 'Day of Syn' every other year, to commemorate a home-grown literary folk hero.

Producer: Lawrence Jackson

Made for BBC Radio 7 by BBC Northern Ireland

First broadcast in 2006.


SAT 02:00 Coming Alive (b007k1ty)
Series 1

Plumbing the Depths

Ex-convict Terry is challenged to bring neighbourhood talent to the community centre. Stars Karl Howman. From February 1999.


SAT 02:30 Trevor's World of Sport (b00gnfz4)
Series 1

Episode 1

Trevor Heslop's battles as a nice sports agent. Andy Hamilton's TV series swaps to radio. Stars Neil Pearson. From August 2004.


SAT 03:00 Classic Serial (b00773h5)
Emile Zola - Germinal

Episode 3

Germinal

Emile Zola's masterpiece brought vividly to life, dramatised by Diana Griffiths.

3/3. The strike continues and the militia is now keeping guard over the mines. Etienne has been forced into hiding and the news leaks out that the mining company is recruiting workers from Belguim. Urgent action is needed.

Narrator ...... David Bradley
Etienne ...... Joe Absolom
Catherine ...... Emily Chennery
Maheu ...... Charles Dale
La Maheude ...... Deborah McAndrew
Souvarine ....... Gary Lewis
Chaval/Captain ...... Leigh Symonds
Negrel ...... James Nickerson
La Mouquette ...... Vicky Binns
Sentry ..... Freddie Machin
Jeanlin ...... Aidan Parsons
Lydie ...... Daisy Jones

Director Pauline Harris.


SAT 04:00 Brian Aldiss Short Stories (b03wtr47)
Supertoys Last All Summer Long

The short story which became the basis for the Stanley Kubrick-developed Steven Spielberg film A.I. What is real? What is artificial intelligence? Read by Zoe Waites.

Brian Aldiss (1925-2017) was one of Britain's most prolific writers of speculative fiction. His first book was written when he was 14. This selection of his shorter fiction celebrates the range of his interests from futuristic creation myths to biting social satire.

Greatly influenced by the science fiction pioneer HG Wells, his writings have been compared to those of Isaac Asimov, Greg Bear and Arthur C Clarke. His complete works are currently being republished.

Produced for BBC Radio 4 Extra by the Waters Company.


SAT 04:15 Bernard MacLaverty - Winter Storm (b0141xnj)
Stranded alone in frozen Iowa, poet Andrew Younger yearns for the woman he left behind in Scotland. Stars John Gordon Sinclair.


SAT 05:00 Beachcomber... By the Way (b008tx2z)
Series 3

Episode 4

A tale from Tibet - and the wonders of a newly developed matchstick.

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: Brian Perkins.

Producer: Harry Thompson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1994.


SAT 05:30 Smelling of Roses (b007k22c)
Series 2

Bill of Fare

Rosie and her team are asked to organise a food fair by the formidable Lord Pickton.

But they don't realise the event is a setup to promote Hinchcliff Manor - rather than the stallholders...

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, Jon Glover as Nigel Mazoni, Bill Wallis as Lord Pickton, Natalie Walter as Vicks and Will Ing as Rupert,

Producer: Maria Esposito

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2001.


SAT 06:00 Andrew Rissik - Troy (b007k434)
Helen at Ephesus

After defeating the Trojans, the Greeks sail home. Will the gods be kind to them? City downfall trilogy with Paul Scofield.


SAT 07:30 Looking for Middle England (b00t3vjq)
Clubs

Ian Hislop goes to Guildford in search of clubs and civic engagement, and brushes up his golf swing.


SAT 08:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b01ghgjl)
Series 7

Episode 27

From Minneapolis, the American funny man welcomes blues singer Elvin Bishop and shares the news from Lake Wobegon. From 2011.


SAT 09:00 Clowning Around on 4 Extra (b03xcl02)
Tony Lidington traces the role of the clown in British humour, from the Great Grimaldi through stars of circus, pantomime and pierrots, to modern entertainers and even activists.

Drawing on his own performances, BBC archive and contemporary experts, Tony traces the clown's evolution from Shakespeare's plays, whose rustic clowns and court fools could speak uncomfortable truths to those in power. He recreates the role of "the Great Grimaldi", whose panto clown became the most popular entertainment of Regency London and defined the clown's image for generations to come. Light is also cast on the popular 19th century travelling circuses, the enormous appeal of pantos and harlequinades and the successful careers - and often tragically short lives - of entertainers like Dan Leno, once hailed as "the funniest man in the world".

The days of organized leisure time for working people and the growth of the middle class produced new diversions and the era of mass entertainment. White-clad Pierrot troupes entertained visitors at seaside resorts and troops abroad as Britain descended into two World Wars. The tradition of physical theatre and anarchic comedy clowning continued in the latter half of the 20th century, with The Goon Show and characters like Professor Wallofski, created by Max Wall.

Tony also explores the role of the clown today, still active in circus and panto and even in political demonstrations.

Made for Radio 4 Extra by Pier Productions.


SAT 12:00 What Would Elizabeth Bennet Do? (b03xcl05)
Omnibus. A 21st-century update of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Can James win his girlfriend back? Stars Kobna Holdbrook Smith.


SAT 13:15 Julie Enfield Investigates (b007jsh0)
Murder West One

1. A Cure for Death

The discovery of a dumped body sparks another mystery for feisty Detective Superintendent Julie Enfield

She undertakes an investigation of Harley Street doctors and cutting-edge medicine of a very non-Hippocratic variety...

Starring Imelda Staunton as Detective Superintendent Julie Enfield

Atmospheric thriller written by Nick Fisher.

Imelda Staunton ,,,,,, DS Julie Enfield
Dad ...... Geoffrey Matthews
DS Lawrence Evans ...... Ross Livingstone
Dr Jameson ...... David Collings
Andy Roberts ...... Harry Myers
Jenny ...... Tilly Gaunt
Ken ...... Ben Crowe
Mary Stone ...... Elizabeth Conboy
Gordon Wiseacre ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Dr Soames ...... Giles Fagan

Director: Richard Wortley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1999.


SAT 14:00 The Goon Show (b007jlq1)
Series 6

The Fear of Wages

Ignoring a telegram about Japan's surrender, Neddie Seagoon and company are still at war.

Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.

Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan

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 March 1956.


SAT 14:30 The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show (b01k763p)
Series 1

Episode 5

Shock news from Eric: Ernie's set to retire! Plus the torrid tale of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning.

Special singing guest: Laura Lee..

Written by Eddie Braben

With Ann Hamilton and Arthur Tolcher.

Music by Dennis Wilson & His Orchestra.

Producer: John Browell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1975.


SAT 15:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b01ghgjl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SAT 16:00 Andrew Rissik - Troy (b007k434)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:30 Kerry's List (b01shw0r)
Series 1

Episode 4

A four-part sketch show co-written by and starring comedian and actress Kerry Godliman.

Kerry is a married mother of two, a stand up comedian and has two children. Her life can only properly function with her daily list - if she didn't compile this vital list, her life would simply fall apart.
Each week, this series looks at a different list and delves into Kerry's madcap world by looking at various elements of that week's list in sketches, narrative and stand up.

In this final episode, Kerry's List involves changing sheets, buying a kids book on where babies come from, getting her roots done, learning to knit, not drifting off, reading a classic and dusting the plants.

Joining Kerry is her husband Ben (played by her real husband Ben Abell) and her five year old daughter Elsie (played by Melissa Bury) together with a range of bizarre characters - including an enthusiastic council environment worker, some disgruntled satsumas, a bored therapist, a Fairy Jeanmother and a very keen gym instructor.

Any busy parent who's ever compiled a list of their own will relate to Kerry Godliman's incident filled world.

The cast includes David Pusey (who co-wrote the series), Bridget Christie, Lucy Briers, Rosie Cavaliero and Nicholas Le Prevost.

Kerry Godliman is fast establishing herself as a highly skilful stand up comic and actress, from her recent appearances on Live at The Apollo (BBC 1), Derek (C4) and Our Girl (BBC 1).

Producer: Paul Russell
An Open Mike production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 18:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jlzj)
The Primary Phase

Fit The First

Arthur Dent is trying to stop his house being demolished to make way for a by-pass. But his friend, Ford Prefect is more concerned about the imminent destruction of the Earth.

Ford is a writer for the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, "the most successful book ever to have come out of the great publishing corporations of Ursa Minor" and he may just know how to avoid being evaporated by the Vogons...

An epic adventure in time and space including some helpful advice on how to see the Universe for less than 30 Altairian dollars a day.

Starring Peter Jones as The Book, Simon Jones as Arthur Dent, Geoffrey McGivern as Ford Prefect, Bill Wallis as The Vogon Captain, Jo Kendall as Lady Cynthia and David Gooderson as the Barman.

The original scripts by Douglas Adams (1952-2001) went on to spawn a series of novels, a feature film, at least three stage shows, a TV series, a computer game, a collection of comic books - and various towels.

Radiophonic sound and music by Paddy Kingsland.

Producer: Simon Brett.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1978.


SAT 18:30 Fear on 4 (b007jmv9)
Series 2

Snipe 3909

The telephone can be a vital lifeline in our lives. A lifeline, however, that can become horribly tangled.

The Man in Black reveals how a phone instils growing fear in house seller Mary Luckham.

Fear on 4 brings you more in a series of nerve-tinglers.

Written by Graeme Fife

The Man in Black …. Edward de Souza
Mary …. Hannah Gordon
Hampton …. Peter Tuddenham
Rachel …. Caroline John
Craig …. Gregory de Polnay
Simon …. Michael Deacon
James Elwin …. Peter Sowerbutts
P C Martin …. Peter Craze
Police sergeant …. Joe Dunlop
Bloggs …. Dominic Rickhards
P.C. …. Christopher Scott

Director: Gerry Jones

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1989.


SAT 19:00 Clowning Around on 4 Extra (b03xcl02)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 4 Extra Stands Up (b03xcl8c)
4 Extra Stands Up

Episode 5

Alistair Barrie introduces a selection of stand up comedians recorded live before a sold-out audience at The Pleasance Theatre in Islington, London at the end of 2013.

You can gain useful vocabulary from John Lloyd of things that we don't have words for but should, and Mary Bourke entertains us with a dark response to the unreasonable. John Robins surprises us with an unusual Dickensian condition he's developed, and Nish Kumar explains some of the awkward social situations he's fallen into.

Bob Mills explains life as an overweight man and Alistair Barrie celebrates Britain's love of complaining.

Made for Radio 4 Extra by Dabster Productions.


SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b03yrl0v)
The best in contemporary comedy. Tonight, Arthur Smith chats to Thom Tuck.


SAT 23:00 28 Acts in 28 Minutes (b01nq3p1)
Series 1

Episode 1

John Humphrys gives 28 performers 60 seconds to entertain an audience:

Richie Webb & Vicki Pepperdine
Jason Manford
Steve Punt & Hugh Dennis
Josie Long
Ed Byrne
Matt Holt
Nick Mohammed
Phil Nichol
Matt Kirshen
Lemn Sissay
The Cowards
Jason John Whitehead
Howard Read
Janey Godley
Count Arthur Strong
Al Pitcher
Martin White
Edward Aczel
Marcus Birdman
Tom Price
John Bishop
The Consultants
Sue Vale
Miles Jupp
Stefano Paolini
Rhod Gilbert
Seymour Mace
Nicholas Parsons

Producers: Rohan Acharya and Ed Morrish

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2006


SAT 23:30 Knowing Me, Knowing You (b009h7n0)
Episode 3

A-ha! Alan Partridge meets France's second-best racing driver Michel Lambert, saucy East End glamour girl Shirley Dee and looks for the lighter side of being held hostage...

Classic chat from On the Hour's supreme sports reporter and his guests from the world of theatre, politics and emotional tragedy.

With thanks to Alan's chief researcher Steve Coogan

Assistant researchers:

Patrick Marber
Rebecca Front
Doon Mackichan
David Schneider

Producer: Armando lannucci

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.