SATURDAY 20 DECEMBER 2014

SAT 00:00 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years (b007jqtd)
Pensioners

Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years is the fifth book of the Mole series and is set between 30th April 1997 and 2nd May 1998. He is now 30 years-old.

Adrian is Head Chef in a Soho restaurant, estranged from his Nigerian wife, Jo Jo, and is the father of a three year-old called William. During the course of the book Adrian loses his job, moves back to Ashby-de-la-Zouche, his mother moves in with Pandora's father and Pandora herself becomes an MP. Adrian also discovers he has another - disruptive - son and inherits a house. He and his two sons move in together, but the house is burned to the ground by a woman who is infatuated by him.


SAT 00:15 Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life (b00mvg01)
Every Man's Home Is His Castle

Elaborate rituals of locking up at night, plus records of Old Bailey trials. Amanda Vickery's hidden history of the home over 400 years.


SAT 00:30 A House to Let (b00x544m)
Episode 5

The derelict house finally reveals its sad secrets, but Trottle is determined to make it a happy ending. Stars Marcia Warren.


SAT 00:45 Book of the Week (b0077613)
Brian Thompson - Clever Girl: A Sentimental Education

Sausages for Tea

Having come down from Cambridge, Brian Thompson marries his sensible girlfriend. 1950s memoir concluded by David Troughton.


SAT 01:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b00sj6ts)
Series 3

Episode 4

John Lloyd invites guests Sarah Bakewell, Michael Welland and Simon Evans to add to the collection. From May 2010.


SAT 01:30 My Life in Five Books (b00v3cyk)
Series 1

Sir Terry Pratchett

Acclaimed author Sir Terry Pratchett has sold over 65 million books worldwide.

In conversation with Stuart Cosgrove, Sir Terry reveals the five most important books in his life. As well as revealing his literary secrets he tells Stuart about his life as a journalist, how he copes living with Alzheimer's and why he really wanted to be an astronomer.

Sir Terry died in March 2015 aged 66.

First broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland in October 2010


SAT 02:00 Doctor Who (b01852w8)
Hornets' Nest

The Dead Shoes, part 2

Still cowering in the cellar of the cottage, Mike Yates discovers the Doctor's horrifying conclusion about the alien-infested ballet pumps of 1930s Cromer.

Part of a five-story adventure written by Paul Magrs.

Starring Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor, Richard Franklin as Mike Yates, Susan Jameson as Mrs Wibbsey, Claire Corbett as Ernestina Stott and Christian Rodska as the Reverend Small.

Producer: Kate Thomas

Made by BBC Audio.


SAT 02:30 Bette in Britain (b00bzdg8)
Susan George profiles Hollywood legend Miss Bette Davis, recalling her visits to Britain and the impact she had on British actors, directors and producers.

Reflecting the plotlines of characters she played on screen, Bette Davis's visits across the Atlantic left behind stories of success, mystery, court battles, failed marriages and sadness.

Miss Davis starred in several British films and was inspired by our history and influenced by our culture. She came here in the 1970s to tour her one-woman show where it has been claimed on a visit to Cardiff she searched for and found her relatives.

The programme features Davis's memorable appearance at the National Film Theatre and looks at the time she came to the UK to record an album of songs.

With extracts from her British interviews spanning 30 years the programme includes contributions from actor Wendy Craig, broadcaster Wyn Calvin and director Jimmy Sangster.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 to mark the centenary of the birth of Miss Bette Davis in 2008.


SAT 03:00 RL Stevenson - The Master of Ballantrae (b00cbcpd)
Episode 1

Two brothers, James and Henry Durie, engage in a bitter struggle over money, power and love in this dark and dramatic adventure story set in 18th-century Scotland and America.

After the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, the Master flees Scotland for a life of piracy, buried treasure and murder...

Starring David Rintoul and Liam Brennan.

First published in 1889, Robert Louis Stevenson's buccaneering tale dramatised in two parts by Chris Dolan.

James Durie …. David Rintoul
Henry Durie …. Liam Brennan
Ephraim McKellar …. John Shedden
Alison Graeme …. Vicki Liddelle
Chevalier Burke …. Patrick Moy
Captain Teach …. John Kazek
Dutton …. Simon Tait
Jess Broun …. Lesley Hart
Lord Durrisdeer …. Tom Fleming

Producer: Bruce Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2004.


SAT 04:00 Patrick O'Brian - The Surgeon's Mate (b0076m9w)
Episode 8

A gale is blowing up in the mouth of the Channel when HMS Ariel sights a French frigate on the windward side. Read by Benedict Cumberbatch.


SAT 04:15 Gideon Fell - The Blind Barber (b04v36dw)
There is only one clue to a brutal killing on an ocean liner - the engraving on the murder weapon.

Thriller starring Donald Sinden as Dr Gideon Fell, John Hartley as Superintendent Hadley and Patrick Allen as Lord Sturton.

Amateur sleuth, Dr Gideon Fell is an archetypal English eccentric created by American-born John Dickson Carr.

Dramatised by Peter Ling. Director Enyd Williams.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1997


SAT 05:00 After Henry (b007jq6v)
Series 3

A Box of Chocolates

"Any treaty drawn up with my mother would have to include strict boundary agreements. I'm afraid she has the same attitude to frontiers as Genghis Khan. And now I come to think of it, the similarities don't end there."

When Sarah meets an old flame 30 years on, her mother manages to interrupt them once again.

Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women - struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband - who never quite manage to see eye to eye.

Sarah ...... Prunella Scales
Eleanor ...... Joan Sanderson
Russell ...... Benjamin Whitrow
Clare ...... Gerry Cowper
Peter ...... Tom Wilkinson
Doctor ...... Julie Berry

Four radio series were made, but instead of moving to BBC TV - Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network.

Producer: Pete Atkin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1987.


SAT 05:30 Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me (b0076shv)
Series 2

I Get Along Without You Very Well

When Barry's wife leaves him for another man, Roy of course thinks he knows the best way to get her back. But at 2am and after many fortifying glasses of rum, it's not looking so hopeful.

Don Warrington........... Roy
Yvonne Brewster.........Vi
Sam Kelly.......................George
George Layton..............Barry
Caroline Lee Johnson...Bernadette
Mike Kearsey..................Trombonist

Written by Marcus Powell
Producer Carol Smith.


SAT 06:00 Jules Verne - Journey to the Centre of the Earth (b007jtt8)
Ancient runes spark a geologist's exploration of an impossible realm. Jules Verne's adventure stars Nathaniel Parker and Nicholas Le Prevost.


SAT 07:30 The House I Grew Up In (b00dgjg0)
Series 2

Baroness Mary Warnock

Wendy Robbins presents a series revisiting the childhood neighbourhoods of influential Britons.

Baroness Mary Warnock has been a moral referee for 30 years. Her judgement has often been relied upon to steer a path through a tangle of controversies from human embryo research to euthanasia. She takes Wendy back to her idyllic childhood in Winchester, where she was brought up by her beloved nanny and an eccentric mother.


SAT 08:00 Kenny Everett - Here's Kenny (b01n4h2n)
Music journalist Mark Paytress re-assesses the pioneering Kenny Everett and his place in broadcasting history - using a host of clips of the genius at work.

Through interviews with friends, fans and colleagues along with unheard examples of his maverick style on the BBC and pirate ship airwaves, we delve into Everett's colourful style - and restore his name amongst the radio greats.

We also look at the little-known work with his great friends, The Beatles. Everett was the first to play Strawberry Fields, toured America with them, and even produced 2 Fan Club Albums!

Produced by Sian Price.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.


SAT 09:00 Barry Cryer's Christmas Selection Box (b007jqqy)
Episode 1

Avoiding all the hard centres - our jovial host Barry Cryer plunders his Christmas selection box to bring you six shining examples of Auntie's festive jewels:

* Radio Active's Christmas Turkey - 1983.

The National Local Radio Station links up with Bethlehem and drops in on sick kids.
Starring Helen Atkinson-Wood, Philip Pope, Geoffrey Perkins, Angus Deayton and Michael Fenton-Stevens.

* The Masterson Inheritance - Christmas Special 1993

The Masterson family face repercussions from a child's innocent gift. Improvised historical saga.
Starring Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence, Jim Sweeney, Caroline Quentin, Phelim McDermott and Lee Simpson.

* Christmas Night with Dr Evadne Hinge and Dame Hilda Bracket - 1983.

Evadne's mother is on a festive visit, and she's driving her daughter crackers!
Starring Dame Hilda Bracket, Dr Evadne Hinge, Jean Heywood, Anthony Sharp, Chris Emmett and Frances Jeater.

* Round the Horne: Cinderella - 1967.

Baron Hardup's daughters battle it out to go to Prince Charming's ball.
Starring Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Douglas Smith.

* Lines from my Grandfather Christmas's Forehead - 1971.

How even the best laid festive plans can go awry - and a message from your milkman.
Starring Ronnie Barker, Terence Brady and Pauline Yates.

* The Goon Show: Ye Bandit of Sherwood Forest – 1954 .

Neddie Seagoon wants fame and riches, but will he risk life and limb for Maid Marion?
Starring Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers.

Mr Cryer's Santa hat and baubles (not shown) artiste's own.

Mr Cryer's contractual egg nog provided by his producer: Peter Reed.

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in December 2003.


SAT 12:00 Just a Girl (b04v89nl)
Series 1 Omnibus

How would you cope if your child was born into the wrong body? Powerful new drama by Mark Davies Markham.


SAT 13:15 The Lady Detectives (b00cq611)
Mr Bovey's Unexpected Will

Miss Florence Cusack, one of Victorian London's most clever and determined private consulting detectives, investigates a case where a man's fate depends on his weight in gold.

From the Golden Age of the crime short story, 'The Lady Detectives' is a series of four female sleuths to rival the great Sherlock himself.

LT Meade and Robert Eustace's mystery stars Elizabeth Conboy as Miss Cusack, Crawford Logan as Dr Lonsdale and Paul Young as Inspector Schilling.

Dramatised by Roger Danes.

Producer: Patrick Rayner

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.


SAT 14:00 The Goon Show (b007jl4y)
Series 7 Special

Operation Christmas Duff

In light of a festive pudding shortage for forces overseas, Neddie Seagoon takes action. Soon Richard Dimbleby is reporting on the giant Christmas pudding being mixed at dry dock in Chatham.

Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan and Larry Stephens.

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: Pat Dixon

Made for the BBC General Overseas Service and first broadcast to troops in 1956.

First UK broadcast was Christmas Day 1986 on BBC Radio 4.


SAT 14:30 Take It From Here (b0186dsr)
From 17/12/1953

Pa Glum mediates between Ron and Eth - who gets which presents? Stars Jimmy Edwards and June Whitfield. From December 1953.


SAT 15:00 Kenny Everett - Here's Kenny (b01n4h2n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SAT 16:00 Jules Verne - Journey to the Centre of the Earth (b007jtt8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:30 The Rest is History (b04v2ssq)
Series 1

Episode 1

Frank Skinner loves history, but just doesn't know much of it.

This comedy discussion show with celebrity guests promises to help him find out more about it.

With Dave Gorman, Sara Pascoe and historian in residence Dr Kate Williams

Frank and company navigate their way through the annals of time, picking out and chewing over the funniest, oddest, and most interesting moments in history.

Producers: Dan Schreiber and Justin Pollard

An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2014.


SAT 18:00 MR James (b007jtk7)
The Hex

Embroiled in a public controversy with a black magic charlatan called Gardini, Montague receives an unexpected apology from the man - an apology which masks a strange and inexorable curse: Montague has been hexed.

A play by Gregory Evans based on MR James's short story, The Casting of the Runes.

Staring Conrad Phillips and Peter Copley.

Montague ...... Conrad Phillips
Rhodes ...... Peter Copley
Laura ...... Carole Boyer
Elspeth ...... Kim Hartman
Gardini ...... Edward Atienza

Other parts played by Tim Bannerman and Edward Atienza

Producer: Brian Miller.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Afternoon Theatre in January 1981.


SAT 18:55 The Scarifyers (b00wv6vz)
Mr Crowley's Christmas

It's 24 December 1937, and the world's foremost satanist Aleister Crowley is full of dread. Stars Nicholas Courtney and David Benson. From December 2010.


SAT 19:00 Barry Cryer's Christmas Selection Box (b007jqqy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 Rhod Gilbert's Bulging Barrel of Laughs (b00tkmcl)
Episode 1

Welsh comic Rhod Gilbert introduces regulars Lloyd Langford and Greg Davies.

Plus Sarah Millican takes a weekly look at The Six Stages of Woman.

Find out whether whales can paint and what annoys Rhod about supermarket potatoes.

With live music from Scouting for Girls, including their hit She's So Lovely.

Guest comedian is country and western singer Wilson Dixon.

Producers: Julia Mckenzie and Lianne Coop.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in September 2010.


SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b04xtdlz)
The best in contemporary comedy. Tonight, Arthur Smith chats again to James Acaster.


SAT 23:00 The Mark Steel Lecture (b007qw7m)
Series 3

Ludwig van Beethoven

The radical comedian offers his humorous assessment of the influential German composer. From September 2002.


SAT 23:30 Josie Long: All of the Planet's Wonders (b00hkrbb)
Astronomy for Dummies

Comedian Josie Long tries to better herself through learning and discovering things in reference books.

She presents her essay on a given subject, with fellow comedian Maeve Higgins helping out with questions, illustrations and interruptions.

For starters, Josie uses the book "Astronomy for Dummies" to unravel the greater mysteries of the cosmos.

Producer: Colin Anderson

First broadcast BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.


SAT 23:45 Fabulous (b00hlxwn)
Series 1

Episode 2

Faye fancies a day under her duvet, but perhaps it would be more peaceful at the office?

Daisy Haggard stars as Faye in Lucy Clarke’s sitcom about a woman who wants to be fabulous but can't cope.

With:

Olivia Colman
Adam Buxton
Katy Brand
Matthew Holness
Laura Solon
Anne Reid
Joanna Scanlan
Eve Dallas
Joanna Neary
John Dougall

Music by Osymyso.

Producer: Simon Nicholls

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2007.