SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2015

SAT 00:00 James Follett - Earthsearch (b007s19b)
Earthsearch I

5. The Pools of Time

Darv and Astra, two of the starship's crew, are in grave danger after being taken prisoner by the inhabitants of Zelda 5.

Their crew mates Telson and Sharna are in hot pursuit aboard the Challenger...

Starring Sean Arnold.

James Follett's adventure serial in time and space.

Commander Telson …. Sean Arnold
Sharna …. Amanda Murray
Astra …. Kathryn Hurlbutt
Darv …. Haydn Wood
Angel One …. Sonia Fraser
Angel Two …. Gordon Reid
Helan …. Judy Franklin
Thorden …. John Bott
Spegal …. Stephen Garlick
Custodian of the Past …. Eve Karpf
Old Man …. Godfrey Kenton

Director: Glyn Dearman

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1981.


SAT 00:30 Soul Music (b0075znq)
Series 1

The Last Post

The Last Post was the final bugle call for the armed forces before lights out at night.

Over the years it has become inextricably linked with death and the act of remembrance.

This programme includes Officer AD Bridges describing how he prepared the 12 buglers for the year 2000's Remembrance Day service and John Wyatt, a Japanese Prisoner of War talks of his memories of the piece.

Series about music that makes the hairs stand up on the back of our necks.

Producer: Rosie Boulton

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2000.


SAT 01:00 Shaun Prendergast - Only the Good Die Young (b007jzf9)
Episode 2

Kim Drake is retracing her dead boyfriend's journey across Europe in an attempt to discover why he apparently killed himself on their wedding day. In the tough city of Hamburg she discovers that Mike had been economical with the truth ...

Stars Siriol Jenkins as Kim Drake, Neil Roberts as Mike Fisher, Kate Binchy as Anne, Shaun Prendergast as Otto/Burns and Kenneth Cranham as Stone.

Shaun Prendergast's techno thriller in six parts.

Directed by Adrian Bean

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1992.


SAT 01:30 The FAE Sonata (b00sjbsx)
Frei Aber Einsam - 'free but lonely' - was the motto of the great 19th century violinist Joseph Joachim. It's also the name of a Violin Sonata played by Joachim, accompanied by Clara Schumann, that resulted from a collaboration between the composer Robert Schumann and two of his pupils, Johannes Brahms and Albert Dietrich.

On the 200th anniversary of Schumann's birth, Tom Robinson examines the complex relationships between these romantic artists through the prism of this piece of music. Schumann's passionate love for his wife Clara is matched only by Brahms' devotion to her during and following Schumann's decline into mental illness.

Brahms was also a close champion of Joachim, until the violinist's divorce, when they fell out over the composer's support for Joachims' wife. And the FAE Sonata itself was neglected - an innocent victim - until long after Brahms' death.

Tom unpicks the romantic and turbulent story of a musical collaboration with the help of pianist and Schumann champion Lucy Parham, violinist Tasmin Little, Robert John Godfrey of 'The Enid' and Radio 3's Andrew McGregor.

Producer: Alan Hall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 02:00 Afternoon Reading (b014qt0b)
Face It

Confirm/Ignore

The third of three short story commissions on the theme of social networking.

Confirm/Ignore, by Nikesh Shukla, is a moving story about coping with grief in the age of social media.

Read by Nikesh Shukla

Produced by Robert Howells

Nikesh Shukla is a London-based author and poet. His first book, 'Coconut Unlimited' was shortlisted for the Costa First Book Award 2010.


SAT 02:15 Lucy Kellaway's History of Office Life (b0376jy0)
The Career Ladder

Writer and satirist Lucy Kellaway traces the origins of today's corporate culture.

In this episode, Lucy charts the emergence of the career ladder as a way to motivate staff. The late 19th century saw a huge growth in office clerks. With the increase in staff, came the concept of a career ladder as a way to make up for the drudgery. Lucy looks at the Scottish banks and their early version of the annual appraisal, which often included strikingly personal comments. With Alan McKinlay of Newcastle University

Readings by Richard Katz, Sasha Pick, Adam Rojko and Kerry Shale
Historical Consultant: Michael Heller

Producer: Russell Finch
A Somethin' Else production for Radio 4.


SAT 02:30 15 Minute Drama (b01cqx0h)
Christopher William Hill - Angarrack

Autumn

Sir Richard is dead, and a fire has destroyed Angarrack's library. But are the two events connected - and will Lady Helen be able to use them to her advantage?

Christopher William Hill's black comedy revolves around the future of a crumbling Cornish ancestral estate in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. Sir Richard Penwerris (Richard Jonson), mired in debt, wishes to bequeath it to the National Trust, much to the fury of his wife, Lady Helen (Lia Williams) who plans to drag the estate, kicking and screaming, into the 20th century. Matters are complicated further by the sudden emergence of an heir to the estate, Rafe Penwerris (Henry Hadden-Paton), whom his father believed to have died in the war. A clash of Titans ensues - with only one winner.

Cast:
Sir Richard Penwerris ...... Richard Johnson
Lady Helen ...... Lia Williams
Rafe ....... Harry Hadden-Paton
Tregunna ...... Tony Haygarth
Ralston ....... Nicholas Boulton
Jepson ...... Peter Cadwell
Prideaux ...... Geoffrey Whitehead

Incidental Music: composed by David Chilton

Producer: Gordon House
A Goldhawk Essential Production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 02:45 Book at Bedtime (b00kwqqq)
David Nicholls - One Day

Episode 10

Julian Rhind-Tutt reads from the bittersweet novel by David Nicholls.

Seventeen years after the one night they spent together in 1988, memories of that fateful day are still strong - perhaps even stronger, given the events that have shaped and changed their lives for ever.

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 03:00 Classic Serial (b01j2ff2)
Virginia Woolf - Mrs Dalloway

From Afternoon to Nightfall

Dramatised by Michelene Wandor

Virginia Woolf's classic novel set on a single day in June. As Clarissa Dalloway makes her final preparations for an important party, Septimus visits another doctor and becomes increasingly troubled.

2 of 2: From afternoon to nightfall

Mrs Dalloway ..... Fenella Woolgar
Richard ..... Sam Dale
Septimus ..... Paul Ready
Rezia ..... Susie Riddell
Peter ..... Scott Handy
Sally ..... Liza Sadovy
Elizabeth ..... Emerald O'Hanrahan
Lucy ..... Amaka Okafor
Sir William ..... Patrick Brennan,
Miss Kilman ..... Christine Absalom
Dr Holmes ..... Peter Hamilton Dyer,

Directed by Marc Beeby.


SAT 04:00 The 99p Challenge (b007js9y)
Series 3

Episode 4

Crazy panel show capers as host Sue Perkins grills Tom Binns, Peter Serafinowicz, Nick Frost and Marcus Brigstocke.

The game where someone stands to leave the studio 99p richer than when they came in.

Written by Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley.

Producer: David Tyler

A Pozzitive production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2001.


SAT 04:30 The Adventures of John and Tony (b009pn8p)
The Total Hotel Experience

John and his best friend Tony find themselves taking part in a seaside hotel's murder-mystery weekend.

John just wants to play dominoes, but amongst the guests is a woman from his past - with her potatoes.

Written by John Hegley

Starring John Hegley, Simon Munnery, Terry Malloy, Sunny Ormonde and Andy Hockley.

Original music by Nigel Piper.

Director: Anne Edyvean

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1999.


SAT 05:00 Bookcases (b00sxt6h)
Series 1

The Man in White

London 1858: A little bored by Gerald, Cordelia is having fun with the novelist Wilkie Collins, who’s having a spell of writer's block with The Woman in White.

Primus has the answer...or does he?

Martyn Wade's Victorian era comedy stars Michael Cochrane and Maggie Steed.

Primus …. Michael Cochrane
Cordelia …. Maggie Steed
Edith …. Elizabeth Spriggs
Gerald …. David Horovitch
Wilkie Collins …. David Timson
Simeon …. Charles Simpson
George Eliot …. David Antrobus

Director: Cherry Cookson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.


SAT 05:30 The Absolutely Radio Show (b069h77m)
Series 1

Episode 2

Cast members of Channel 4's hugely popular TV sketch show Absolutely reunite to revisit much-loved sketch characters, with some newcomers.

Starring Pete Baikie, Morwenna Banks, Moray Hunter, Gordon Kennedy and John Sparkes.

The Stoneybridge Town Council attempt to cover up a possible bribery scandal, Denzil and Gwynned discuss son Codfyl's starring role in a nativity play, the Little Girl's very personal take on having her Tonsils out and Calum Gilhooley tries to get an appointment with a doctor for something "quite urgent".

Mr Muzak sings about the joys of being alone with your computer and the Commissionaire very nearly undergoes an appendectomy. There's more from Talking Facebook and the People's War, with stories from those who were nearly there.

Producers: Gus Beattie and Gordon Kennedy

A Comedy Unit production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2015.


SAT 06:00 William Trevor - My House in Umbria (b00bqv3x)
A train journey in Italy sparks devastation, but a new purpose for one passenger - Mrs Delahunty.
Starring Prunella Scales as Mrs Delahunty, Peter Jeffrey as The General, Richard Pearce as Ocmar and Sean Barrett as Quinty.

Mrs Delahunty - she's never actually been married, but 'Mrs' suits her better than 'Miss' - has been a Madame in Africa and is now a succesful romantic novelist. When a young American girl, an elderly British general and a German traveller survive a terrorist bomb attack on an Italian train, Mrs Delahunty finds a new purpose in life caring for this unlikely group.

Written and dramatised by William Trevor.

Producer: Shaun MacLoughlin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994.


SAT 07:30 Lucinda Lambton's Elevations and Revelations (b0075xj9)
Tower House

An extraordinary Victorian town house. Architectural historian Lucinda Lambton tours designer William Burges's London home. From August 2000.


SAT 08:00 Archive on 4 (b01qkwhd)
Embracing Idleness

The writer, Oliver Burkeman, wanders through the archives, thinking about the pros and cons of idleness.
In these goal obsessed, triple-dip recession conscious days, the merest hint of idleness can send politicians and headline writers into a state of near apoplexy. Front-benchers from all political parties seem to be tripping over themselves in a bid to establish the supremacy of their moral devotion to the 'hard working families' and upstanding citizens of 'alarm clock Britain'.
Oliver Burkeman steps back from the fray to unravel the complications of idleness and even discover some of its merits. As a non-idler who confesses to that feeling of smugness at having achieved tasks before breakfast time, Oliver nonetheless questions whether our target driven culture can ever bring any sense of contentment or happiness. The crux of the conflict seems to be that although idleness may be the dream, we spend most of our lives actively rejecting it.
And so we admire, despise and envy the idler, all at once. Oliver consults a diverse range of characters from the archive to untangle some of the complications. These include Bagpuss, Rab C Nesbitt, Tony Hancock, Waynetta Slob and Ronald Reagan, who all help Oliver examine idleness and its relation to childhood, creativity, boredom, social class and subversion.
There are also wonderful insights from 'real people'. There's the testimony of a schoolboy from 1960s Birmingham, dreaming of the island life. Unbothered by the noise of everyday life (including The Queen chasing him for rates) he is able to compose opera by seeking inspiration from nature. A gloriously grand Colonel's wife flagrantly tells of her life of luxury, being fed and watered by her husband with bath time Brandy and Ginger Ales, iced coffees, only occasionally talking to the children through the intercom if she is particularly bored. Then there's the fisherman who believes that idleness and death go hand in hand and that the introduction of the Welfare State could only turn him into a sluggard. And there's the moving testimony of a former miner, who began work in the pits during his school holidays in 1925, and then paradoxically found the greatest moments of happiness and freedom during the months of idleness brought about by the General Strike.
Oliver also meets with the founder of The Idler magazine, Tom Hodgkinson, for a whistle stop history of idleness and the philosophical debate, to discover how the work ethic became so inculcated. Tom argues that at least part of the reason for this is because, by their very nature, pro-idlers are bound to be less zealous in spreading the idleness word.
There's also an appealing aside, when Oliver observes that in the right person, idleness and that special insouciance that can go with it, is simply 'cool'.
With fantastic music, enquiry, and laughter, join Oliver Burkeman, Embracing Idleness.

Producer: Sarah Langan.


SAT 09:00 Do Tell Them Pike: Arthur Lowe on the Radio (b06chqrb)
The BBC radio legacy of iconic British comedy actor Arthur Lowe – best loved as Dad's Army's very own Captain Mainwaring.

Arthur's friend, and Dad's Army co-star, Ian Lavender (Private Pike) is our guide over 3 hours:

* Desert Island Discs - Arthur Lowe:

Lost to the BBC archives, but saved by a listener's off air recording, Arthur Lowe's castaway choices heard for the first time since 1970. Arthur tells Roy Plomley about his childhood, his early acting days whilst serving in the Second World War, his time on ITV's Coronation Street, and his joy at being part of the BBC's Dad's Army team – then in its relative infancy.

* Dad's Army:

Ian chooses his favourite episode about the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard platoon from the many radio adaptations.

* Billy's Last Stand:

From 1965, Arthur stars in a startling drama, the first play from Barry Hines (who later wrote the novel 'A Kestrel For A Knave' - filmed by Ken Loach as 'Kes') In this darkly comic tale, Arthur Lowe plays casual labourer Billy who becomes the target of the schemes of parasitic Darkly, played by 'The Men From The Ministry' star, Ronald Baddiley. First heard on the BBC Third Programme.

* With Great Pleasure:

Not heard since 1976, Arthur Lowe's own choice of favourite readings and sketches. Helped by Martin Jarvis, hear Arthur's take on one of his favourite writers, PG Wodhouse, as he plays the ultimate British butler, Jeeves.

Arthur Lowe died aged 66 in 1982.

Producer: Peter McHugh.

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in September 2015.


SAT 12:00 As Time Goes By (b007k9fq)
Series 3

Episode 1

Lionel gets a surprise from Alistair, while Jean interviews a manager for the new branch of her agency.

Starring Judi Dench as Jean and Geoffrey Palmer as Lionel. With Moira Brooker as Judith and Philip Bretherton as Alistair.

A six-part adaptation by Bob Larbey of series three of his popular BBC TV sitcom. Two former lovers Jean and Lionel have been reunited unexpectedly after losing contact for 38 years.

After falling in love in the early 1950s, army officer Lionel was sent to Korea, but they lost touch after a letter he sent to her never arrived. Both assumed the other had lost interest, but their paths have crossed again on his return to England.

Producer: Martin Fisher

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1999.


SAT 12:30 Hello Cheeky (b00dy523)
From 09/06/1973

Brought to you from a phone box in Slough and featuring 'The Gang that stole Michael Aspel'.

Pun-tastic fast-moving comedy sketch series written by and starring John Junkin, Barry Cryer and Tim Brooke-Taylor.

Special guest: Michael Aspel.

With musical accompaniment from the Denis King Trio.

Producer: David Hatch

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1973.


SAT 13:00 AL Kennedy - Subterranean Homesick Blues (b06chs3d)
Series 1 (Omnibus)

After a disastrous affair 20 years ago, are John and Maggie old enough to try again? Comic drama stars Bill Nighy and Anna Calder-Marshall.


SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (b06chsm1)
Bill Nighy

Actor Bill Nighy chooses 'Well Did You Evah' by Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra and 'Sign On A Window' by Bob Dylan.


SAT 14:15 Tanika Gupta - The Whispering Tree (b007jy9f)
A year after her mother's death, 14 year old Sharmila prefers to escape into a world of Hindu myths and legends - rather than confront her guilt and pain...

Tanika Gupta's family drama stars Parminder K Nagra as Sharmila, Souad Faress as Madhu, Lyndam Gregory as Ranjeet, Amanda Gordon as Danny and Akbar Kurtha as Sunil.

Producer: Pam Fraser Solomon

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1998.


SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b01qkwhd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SAT 16:00 William Trevor - My House in Umbria (b00bqv3x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:30 Lucinda Lambton's Elevations and Revelations (b0075xj9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 18:00 Friday Drama (b01ghgtg)
Julian Simpson - Bad Memories

In 2004, a successful architect and his family mysteriously disappear from their home. Six years later five bodies are found in the cellar of their house. They are identified as Jonathan and Imogen Blake and their son, Matthew; Philip Gibson, who was on the missing person's register and a woman, identity unknown. Forensics determine that not only were they murdered, but the time of death was1926. Can audio files found with the bodies solve the mystery?

Cast:
Rachel Weir ..... Nicola Walker
Jim Marquez ..... Rupert Graves
Phillip Gibson ..... Steven Mackintosh
Jonathan Blake ..... Anthony Calf
Imogen Blake ..... Jana Carpenter
Matthew Blake ..... Oscar Richardson
Mary Marston ..... Imogen MCCurdy
Boy 1 ...... Ashley Cook
Boy 2 ...... Marcus Webb

Written and directed by Julian Simpson.

Recorded by Lucinda Mason Brown and David Chilton at Stanmer House in Brighton.
Sound design by David Chilton

Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 19:00 Do Tell Them Pike: Arthur Lowe on the Radio (b06chqrb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better (b00cxr1s)
Series 2

Courage

The comedian promotes the virtue of courage, with Tim Key and Tom Basden providing feats of cowardice. From August 2008.


SAT 22:30 Tonight (b015pb11)
Series 1

Episode 1

4 Extra Debut. Opinion polls, party conferences and political sat nav. Rory Bremner and Andy Zaltzman's topical sketch show. From October 2011.


SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b06djgnl)
The best in contemporary comedy. Arthur Smith talks to Mark Billingham.


SAT 23:00 Saturday Night Fry (b00kvq7w)
1. Pilot Show

Stephen Fry's surreal, erudite sketch show with humorous banter and sketches.

With Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson.

Special guest: Barry Cryer.

The pilot programme that spawned Stephen Fry's cult series. A show identical in spirit to the great Mary Queen of Scots tapestry that hangs in Osterley House.

Written by Stephen Fry with additional material by Ian Brown and James Hendrie.

Producer: Dan Patterson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1987.


SAT 23:30 Chain Reaction (b00tmtfp)
Series 6

Harry Shearer interviews Stephen Merchant

The new series of the tag team talk show continues as last week's guest, voice of The Simpsons, face of Derek Smalls and political satirist Harry Shearer takes the microphone to interview multi award-winning co-creator of The Office and Extras, and famously tall funny man Stephen Merchant.

Harry asks Stephen what its like to be part of a creative double act with Ricky Gervais, broadcasting radio from the bushes and sharing a hot tub with playboy bunnies.