The BBC has announced that it has a sustainable plan for the future of the BBC Singers, in association with The VOCES8 Foundation.
The threat to reduce the staff of the three English orchestras by 20% has not been lifted, but it is being reconsidered.
See the BBC press release here.

Radio-Lists Home Now on 4Extra Contact

RADIO-LISTS: BBC RADIO 4 Extra
Unofficial Weekly Listings for BBC Radio 4 Extra — supported by bbc.co.uk/programmes/



SATURDAY 05 DECEMBER 2015

SAT 00:00 Robert Easby - Oneira (b007k29f)
Mind the Gap

Battling to complete her epic surreal quest, Oneira literally ends up talking to herself - and finds her other self very rude.

Robert Easby's sci-fi comedy serial stars Lyndsey Marshal as Oneira, Peter Marinker as Nicholai, Joseph Kloska as Pete, Gerard McDermott as Elias and Saikat Ahamed as the Courier.

Producer: Liz Webb.

Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2007.


SAT 00:30 Soul Music (b0076bdb)
Series 3

Barber's Adagio for Strings

Conductor Leonard Slatkin reflects on the potent impact of the adagio that became America's 'national funeral music'. From November 2002.


SAT 01:00 Miss Marple (b007jvbg)
They Do It With Mirrors

Episode 5

A chance observation by one of the family gives amateur detective, Miss Marple a key to try and solve the mystery.

The conclusion of Agatha Christie's whodunit stars June Whitfield

Miss Marple …. June Whitfield
Carrie Louise …. Ursula Howells
Inspector Curry …. Keith Barron
Gina Hudd …. Rebecca Lacey
Mildred Strete …. Natasha Pyne
Alexis Restarick …. Nick Waring
Walter Hudd …. Stephen Lucas
Lewis Serrocold …. Peter Howell
Ruth Van Rydock …. Jill Balcon
Stephen Restarick …. Daniel Philpott
Juliet Bellever …. Paula Jacobs

Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.

Director: Enyd Williams

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2001.


SAT 01:30 R.E.S.P.E.C.T. - The Art of Backing Vocals (b00kgfc1)
Nick Barraclough pushes aside the lead singer and delves into the world of the backing singer.

With the help of musicians, composers, and vocalists, he draws a straight line from the medieval canon to 50s doo-wop, celebrating the innovations of The Beatles and the multi-tracked world, inhabited by the likes of Joni Mitchell, along the way.

Producer: John Leonard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.


SAT 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b018ft1m)
Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love

Episode 5

By Nancy Mitford. Linda's marriage does not turn out as she'd hoped. Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths and read by Diana Quick.

Fanny Logan tells the story of her beloved aristocratic cousins, the Radletts, and in particular Linda, who is beautiful and loves animals. Uncle Mathew hunts his children with bloodhounds (to the horror of respectable families in the local village) and keeps a blood-spattered entrenching tool above the fireplace as a relic of his experiences in the First World War. The cousins spend much of their childhood in the airing cupboard - the only warm place in the enormous Alconleigh Hall - discussing love and sex.

Beautifully observed and hilariously funny, the novel is also a fascinating hinterland account of the period leading to the Second World War and never pulls its punches in evoking the painful reality of the times.

Reader...Diana Quick
Abridger...Lauris Morgan-Griffiths
Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery.


SAT 02:15 Disability: A New History (b01snxyf)
Finding a Voice

Peter White draws on the latest research to reveal the lives of physically disabled people in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Today - Finding a Voice: Peter discovers William Hay, an 18th-century MP born with spinal curvature who has left us a remarkably revealing account of his life.

Peter comments, 'This series has been full of surprises for me - surprises even after making programmes about disability for 30 years. But perhaps this discovery has been for me the most startling. It's a book which very few people know about, and even fewer have read - a personal exploration of what it's like to be disabled in the 18th century. It's full of insights we like to think of as modern.'

In his book 'On Deformity', William Hay describes his life as a disabled MP, in Parliament and on the streets. He reveals the daily humiliation of being a man of restricted growth and his fear of rowdy crowds. But he also proudly challenges the conventional thinking of the time that his disability makes him ill. He gives advice to other men in his situation about which careers they should follow. And he excels at self-deprecating humour - sometimes, he confesses, he feels like 'a Worm'.

Hay's essay is seen by historians as ground-breaking - because in William Hay, disability had for the first time found a voice. But Hay is a challenging role model for modern disability activists.

With historians David Turner, Naomi Baker, Tim Hitchcock and Chris Mounsey and readings by Jonathan Keeble.

Producer: Elizabeth Burke
Academic adviser: David Turner of Swansea University
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 02:30 Elizabeth Gaskell - Mary Barton (b007jqng)
Episode 20

After the verdict at his murder trial, Jem's thoughts turn to his childhood sweetheart. Stars Emma Rydal and David Calder.


SAT 02:45 Book of the Week (b00wmnpy)
Richard Cohen - Chasing the Sun

Episode 5

"Once upon a time we thought that we were the centre of the universe and that even the sun revolved around us...
Thousands of years later we know that our earliest, most basic idea about our place in the cosmos was false, and that that cosmos is vastly larger than we ever dreamed. We are mere specks..."

Richard Cohen took eight years to write his account of the sun. The sun's biography, in fact. He looks at the myth, the legend, the science. Also the social context and how the sun figures in various art forms. And, will it be with us for ever? We have to hope so. His celebration of that gold disc in the sky is now caught in five episodes...

5. How long will the sun shine? And time for the autor to seek the perfect sunset...

Reader Allan Corduner.


SAT 03:00 Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries (b007k1nq)
2. Forty-Five

Francis encounters Mirabell again and his fate is sealed.

Meanwhile, the rebels are at the gates of Carlisle.

Stars Gavin Muir, Mark Bonnar and Jane Whittenshaw.

Hugh Walpole's historical novel dramatised by Eric Pringle.

Francis ... Gavin Muir
David ... Mark Bonnar
Deborah ... Jane Whittenshaw
Margaret ... Janet Maw
Mirabell ... Deborah Berlin
Roche ... Hugh Dickson
Cumberlege ... Gordon Reid
Hetty ... Alison Pettitt

Other parts played by:

Shirley Dixon
Robert Harper
Carolyn Jones
Alex Lowe
Gerard McDermott
Ioan Meredith
Chris Pavlo
Stephen Thorne

Director David Blount

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1997.


SAT 04:00 The 99p Challenge (b06r022t)
Series 4

Episode 3

Crazy panel show capers as host Sue Perkins grills Simon Pegg, Armando Iannucci, Jon Holmes and Peter Serafinowicz.

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

Producer: David Tyler

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003.


SAT 04:30 Mind Your Own Business! (b009hshb)
A Moving Experience

With talk of relocating his company, tycoon Jimmy fancies life as a country gent. Stars Bernard Cribbins. From December 1987.


SAT 05:00 Winston (b007rdrz)
Winston Comes to Town

Repeat After Me

A mystery letter sparks a family surprise thanks to William - and a decision is taken over the fate of Father...

Peter Tinniswood's bawdy comedy serial.

Winston ...... Bill Wallis
Father ...... Maurice Denham
Nancy ...... Shirley Dixon
Rosie ...... Liz Goulding
William ...... Christian Rodska

Director: Shaun MacLoughlin

First broadcast on BBC Radio in January 1990.


SAT 05:30 Trodd en Bratt Say 'Well Done You' (b06qh4vz)
Series 2

Episode 2

Discover what voguish new venture Huxley and Gulliver have got themselves wrapped up in, meet the busiest ladies in town and, direct from Paris, a rare appearance by The Centipede Sisters.

A fun packed second series from comedy duo Lucy Trodd and Ruth Bratt. Sketches and songs from a whole range of fresh characters, with the occasional appearance from some old favourites.

Performers:
Lucy Trodd
Ruth Bratt
Adam Meggido
Oliver Senton

Written by: Ruth Bratt and Lucy Trodd
Script Editor: Jon Hunter
Original music: Duncan Walsh Atkins

Producer: Steve Doherty
A Lucky Giant production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2015.


SAT 06:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jxgm)
Murder on the Links

Hercule Poirot is summoned urgently to France, but on arrival he discovers that his very wealthy client is dead.

The Belgian sleuth launches a murder investigation and the baffling mystery begins to unfold...

Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot

Hercule Poirot …. John Moffatt
Captain Hastings …. Jeremy Clyde
Dulcie Duveen …. Madeline Smith
Sergeant of Police …. Kein Cumberidge
Inspector Bex …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Judge Hautet …. David King
Francoise …. Barbara Atkinson
Leonie …. Joanna Mackie
Madame Renauld …. Joan Matheson
Giraud …. Vincent Brimble
Marthe Daubreuil …. Francesca Buller
Madame Daubreuil …. Petra Brigden
Jack Renauld …. Stephen Tompkinson
Hotel Receptionist …. Danny Schiller
Doctor/Usher …. Brian Miller

From Agatha Christie's book first published in 1923 and dramatised by Michael Bakewell.

Director: Enyd Williams

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1990.


SAT 07:30 Marguerite Patten's Century of British Cooking (b0075p8z)
Flappers, Puddings and Dumplings 1920-1929

Bacon and egg pie, stewed eels, eel meuniere, chicken and veal pie, Lancashire hotpot, dumplings, quail pudding and steamed pudding.

Food guru Marguerite Patten's classic recipes from the homely post-war years of 20th Century's third decade - in her 10-part history of British cooking.

Marguerite told us how to make the most of our rations during the Second World War in 'Kitchen Front' on the BBC Home Service. She fronted her first BBC TV cookery show in 1947.

Born in Bath, the home economist was widely considered to be the first celebrity cook, and wrote more than 170 books with worldwide sales of 17 million.

A regular contributor to BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour programme from 1946, Marguerite's final appearance was in 2011. She was awarded the OBE in 1991 and CBE in 2011.

Born November 4th 1915, Marguerite Patten died just a few months short of her 100th birthday in June 2015.

Producer: Ian Willox
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1999.


SAT 08:00 Archive on 4 (b015ygj9)
The Red Bits Are British

Over the past two years, historian Sir David Cannadine has led a ground-breaking research project at the Institute of Historical Research on the teaching of history in English state secondary schools during the past century.

Here, he draws on the oral histories that he has gathered - recollections by former pupils, teachers and policy-makers - to show that, for as long as history has been taught, the questions of what history should be taught, how history should be taught, how much history should be taught, and to whom it should be taught, have caused fierce debate.

These oral histories - which will be housed at the British Library from 2012 - form a varied, complex, and often surprising archive of how the teaching of history in English state schools has evolved. David Cannadine also brings us gems from the rich archive of schools history radio and TV programmes. Together, these recordings both flesh out vividly what we already know, either from our own experience or from that of our parents, grandparents or indeed children and grandchildren, and crucially, they explode some of the myths and preconceptions about school history in the past.

With appearances too from some of our favourite fictional history teachers - from Muriel Spark's Miss Brodie to Alan Bennett's Mr Irwin (The History Boys).

Producer: Hannah Rosenfelder
A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 09:00 Isy Suttie's Guide to the Family (b06r9b2t)
Isy Suttie returns to Derbyshire, the home of her teenage years as she ambles through the radio archives to celebrate family life and growing up. On her travels we hear contributions from her close friends along with some classic BBC comedy.

* "The Shoe Box of Memories"
A new programme where comedian and actress Isy Suttie searches through a shoe box of special items recalling her adventures in Matlock, Derbyshire as a child and teenager, evoking bitter sweet memories of her journey to adulthood. She is joined by her family of friends Holly and Caroline to reminisce.

* "Sarah Millican's Support Group"
Comedy by Sarah Millican, who plays Sarah, life counsellor and modern-day agony aunt. In this episode she helps solve various family issues.

* "After Henry"
Mr Right: A classic episode from the popular 1980's sitcom about three generations of women in one family, starring Prunella Scales.

* "Old Dog and Partridge"
Nineties comedy about a landlord who runs a pub with his, until recently, estranged daughter. In this episode old chum Ralph arrives with his trophy wife.

* "Not in Front of the Children"
Family sitcom starring Wendy Craig. In this episode titled Echo From the Past, Jen gets jealous when she sees Henry talking to a new girlfriend.


SAT 12:00 The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere (b007jv2y)
Series 1

Episode 3

An Everyday Story of Towering Genius.

Sue Limb’s four-part soap opera set in and around the Lake District at the turn of the 18th century

Dorothy is perturbed by William's impending wedding. Percy Jelley is depressed despite his recent bigamous marriage to Mary Godwit. The Leechpedlar reveals that he was 'The Antique Mariner'. Cholericke is inspired....

Dorothy Wordsmith ...... Denise Coffey
William Wordsmith ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Samuel Tailor Cholericke ...... Simon Callow
Stinking Iris ...... Miriam Margolyes
The Leechpedlar ...... Chris Emmett
Percy Jelley ...... Hugh Thomas
Mary Godwit ...... Alison Fiske

Music by Stephen Oliver and sung by Cantabile

Producer: Jonathan James-Moore

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1985.


SAT 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jq0r)
Series 3

Round and Round Went the Big Wheel

Captain Mainwaring's Home Guard platoon take action when a new High Explosive Attack Device goes haywire.

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 Frazer …. John Laurie
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Walker …. Larry Martyn
Colonel Pearce …. John Barron
Captain Stewart …. Michael Knowles

Producer: John Dyas

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1976.


SAT 13:00 Greater Love (Omnibus) (b06r9fhy)
The true story of the Derbyshire village of Eyam during The Plague of 1665-66 in which characters and their values change as tragedy unfolds, as all the villagers effectively agree to stay in the village in order for the Plague not to spread.

A new young Rector battles for authority with the puritanical former rector. William announces the betrothal of Emmy and Rowland but then he and Stanley are called to tend to a sick villager who dies before they arrive. Stanley identifies plague from experience. William, shocked, fails to anoint the tailor. Stanley suspects the cause is cloth brought from London. It must be burnt and a quick burial to keep secrecy, prevent panic.

Omnibus written by Don Shaw.

William ...... Al Weaver
Catherine ...... Emily Pithon
Thomas Stanley ...... David Calder
Emmy Sydall....... Charlie May-Clark
Rowland ...... Gerard Kearns
Alice Sydall ..... Daryl Fishwick
Mary Cooper ..... Melissa Sinden

Producer: Pauline Harris

First broadcast in five parts on BBC Radio 4 in November 2015.


SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (b06r9fj0)
Jamie Cullum

Jazz musician and singer-songwriter Jamie Callum chooses Dave Brubeck's 'Take Five' and 'My Girls' by Animal Collective.


SAT 14:15 In the Psychiatrist's Chair (b06r9hq9)
Susan Howatch

Author Susan Howatch explores the psychological aspects of life as a successful writer with Professor Anthony Clare.

Forensic pathologist and crime writer Bernard Knight had to do thousands of autopsies in his career, often for grim reasons. He tells Professor Anthony Clare how he coped.

Psychiatrist Dr Anthony Clare's in depth interviews with prominent people from different walks of life.

Born in Dublin, author Anthony Clare held a doctorate in medicine, a master's degree in philosophy and was a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. After becoming a regular on BBC Radio 4's Stop the Week in the 1980s, he became Britain's best-known psychiatrist and earned his own vehicle, In the Psychiatrist's Chair. Starting in 1982, this series ran until 2001 and also transferred to TV. Series highlights include conversations with Bob Monkhouse, Cecil Parkinson and Gerry Adams.

Anthony Clare died suddenly in Paris aged 64 in 2007.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1994.


SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b015ygj9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SAT 16:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jxgm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:30 Marguerite Patten's Century of British Cooking (b0075p8z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 18:00 Jonathan Hall - The Midnight House (b0076xfv)
Jonathan Hall's period ghost story mixing fact and fiction is set in the Welsh tin quarries that housed the nation's treasures during the Second World War.

Ian Hanson ...... Roger Morlidge
Ruth Paget ...... Caroline John
Nigel Collins ...... James Nickerson

Specially commissioned music from Christopher Madin.

Director Polly Thomas.


SAT 18:45 L'Abbe Bourdelot - Monsieur Oufle (b06r9k83)
Superstitious and weak-headed Monsieur Oufle believes he has been bewitched and turned into a werewolf. Read by Timothy Bateson.


SAT 19:00 Isy Suttie's Guide to the Family (b06r9b2t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 Concrete Cow (b0076k1x)
Series 1

Episode 6

Meet Thomas Hardy's agent, the theft of Hitler's family jewels, the world's first man and email problems in ancient Rome.

Sketch show starring Olivia Colman, Sally Hawkins, Steven Kynman, Chris Pavlo and Robert Webb.

Written by James Cary, Sally Hawkins, Catherine Shepherd, Jon Holmes and Adam Bromley.

Producer: Adam Bromley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2002.


SAT 22:30 Strap In - It's Clever Peter (b01hxmxt)
Barry

Strap in for fifteen minutes of rip-roaring comedy as Clever Peter bring you a Health & Safety blowdart, a killer whale and a soufflé.

Clever Peter - the wild and brilliantly funny award-winning sketch team get their own Radio 4 show.

From the team that brought you Cabin Pressure and Another Case Of Milton Jones comes the massively bonkers and funny Clever Peter, hot off the Edinburgh Fringe and wearers of tri-coloured jerseys.

"If they don't go very far very soon there is no such thing as British justice" - Daily Telegraph
"A masterclass in original sketch comedy" - Metro
"Pretty much top of the class" - The Scotsman

So -
Why "Clever"?
Dunno

Why "Peter"?
Not a clue mate

Should I listen to the show?
Yes, of course! Derrr.

Starring Richard Bond, Edward Eales-White, William Hartley
and special guest Catriona Knox

Written by Richard Bond, Edward Eales-White, William Hartley & Dominic Stone

Produced & directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive Television Ltd Production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 22:45 Steven Appleby's Normal Life (b00807sc)
Series 1

Normal Kids

Cartoonist Steven unearths an alien conspiracy to turn the world into a holiday camp for kids.

Starring Paul McCrink as Steven Appleby.

Featuring Rachel Atkins, Ewan Bailey, Nigel Betts and Rosalind Paul.

Written by Steven Appleby

Producer: Toby Swift

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2001


SAT 23:00 Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes Off (b0183t48)
Series 5

Festival of Yumsk

When Giles tries to put Budleigh Salterton on the gastronomic map, he inadvertently serves up a full-scale biohazard lockdown instead. Yumsk!

Budleigh Salterton's most famous citizen is back! But this time, he's got a computer! Giles Wemmbley Hogg has been grounded by both the Home Office and his father, so he's set up GWH Travvel ("2m's 2g's 2v's, bit of a mix up at the printers").

Run from his bedroom in Budleigh Salterton, with the help of his long-suffering former Primary Schoolteacher Mr Timmis and the hindrance of his sister Charlotte, it's a one-stop Travel/Advice/Events Management/Website service, where each week, his schemes range far and wide - whether it's roaming the country lecturing would-be overlanders on how to pack a rucksack ("If in doubt, put it in. And double it"), or finding someone a zebra for a corporate promotion ("I'll look in the Phone Book - how hard can it be? Now, "A to D".....), GWH Travvel stays true to its motto - "We do it all, so you won't want to".

Cast
Giles ..... Marcus Brigstocke
Mr. Timmis ..... Vincent Franklin
Charlotte Wemmbley Hogg ..... Catherine Shepherd
Monsieur Delabouche ..... Ben Willbond
The Commissioner ..... Laura Solon
Breville-Toaster ..... Justin Edwards
Tim McBride ..... Tim Downie
General Watson ..... Rupert Vansittart

Written by Marcus Brigstocke, Jeremy Salsby & Toby Davies

Produced & directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 23:30 The Problem With Adam Bloom (b01bl9xm)
Series 3

God

The comedian ponders matters spiritual involving burglars, Bruce Forsyth and Mr Tickle. With Brendon Burns. From November 2005.



SUNDAY 06 DECEMBER 2015

SUN 00:00 Jonathan Hall - The Midnight House (b0076xfv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Saturday]


SUN 00:45 L'Abbe Bourdelot - Monsieur Oufle (b06r9k83)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:45 on Saturday]


SUN 01:00 Greater Love (Omnibus) (b06r9fhy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:00 on Saturday]


SUN 02:10 Inheritance Tracks (b06r9fj0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:10 on Saturday]


SUN 02:15 In the Psychiatrist's Chair (b06r9hq9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Saturday]


SUN 03:00 Archive on 4 (b015ygj9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Saturday]


SUN 04:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jxgm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]


SUN 05:30 Marguerite Patten's Century of British Cooking (b0075p8z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]


SUN 06:00 Elizabeth Gaskell - Mary Barton Omnibus (b0080hqb)
Episode 4

Mary's romantic attachment to both the murder victim and the accused make her the centre of gossip and attention. Stars Emma Rydal.


SUN 07:15 Ghost Houses (b007605c)
Witley Court

Charlotte Smith visits Worcestershire to admire what remains of a vast and extravagant palace ruined by fire in 1937. From January 2001.


SUN 07:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b00pqh8s)
Series 6

The Charterhouse Redemption

Ed is happily ensconced in Berkhamsted's premier accommodation for the financially distressed. With Christopher Douglas, Stephanie Cole. From January 2010.


SUN 08:00 The Al Read Show (b00cq63d)
From 7/10/1995

The legendary Northern comic pokes at courting, marriage, kids and football.

A compilation of Al Read's 1950s monologues.

Originally produced at BBC North by Ronnie Taylor

Compilation produced by Mike Craig.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 1995.


SUN 08:30 Much Binding in the Marsh (b008gzwf)
From 28/08/1953

Stop Press! The Weekly Bind newspaper brings you gardening from Mr Mulch and poetry from Patience Gush.

Starring Kenneth Horne and Richard 'Stinker' Murdoch.

With Sam Costa, Maurice Denham and Dora Bryan.

Much Binding in the Marsh ran from 1944 to 1954 initially set at a remote RAF station before being converted to a country club and later the action moved to a newspaper. (The show also ran for a season with commercial breaks on Radio Luxembourg).

Written by Richard Murdoch and Kenneth Horne.

Music from the BBC Men’s Chorus and the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinovitz.

Producer: Leslie Bridgemont

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in August 1953.


SUN 09:00 The Railways: Nation, Network and People (Omnibus) (b06rdcvz)
The coming of the trains shunted our vocabulary onto new tracks, and also did some odd things to time...

Read by Stephen Tompkinson - Simon Bradley's remarkable book offers both an understanding of the great sweep of change inaugurated by the railways but also a vast wealth of detail that reveals the sometimes eccentric ways in which ordinary people reacted to the arrival of mass transport.

We get a glimpse into the disconcerting era when the time in London was several minutes ahead of the time in Bristol, and Plymouth was twenty minutes behind. We are reminded of the richness of linguistic gifts that the railways brought to our vocabularies.

The difficulties of lighting and heating trains are examined as well as the history of 'refreshment stops' and the commercial opportunities they brought. Architecture and engineering are covered alongside the impact on social classes and gender.

What cannot be denied is that most passengers have a love-hate relationship with our railways, but many of us know little of the journey taken to get to where we are now.

Abridged and produced by Jill Waters.

A Waters Company Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2015.


SUN 10:10 Inheritance Tracks (b06rdlhj)
Mary Berry

Bake Off star and food guru chooses Susan Boyle's 'How Great Thou Art' and 'Mamma Mia' by Abba.


SUN 10:15 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b06rdmm6)
Singers

Michael Crawford

From Gene Kelly to Bach. Actor, comedian and singer Michael Crawford shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley.

Renowned for his attention to detail, Michael has always performed his own stunts - whether roller-skating under moving lorries in BBC TV's Some Mothers Do Have 'Em, or walking the tightrope in the stage musical Barnum.

A consummate professional, he admits to escaping from his hospital bed, where he was recovering from exhaustion, so the show could go on!

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1999.


SUN 11:00 The Moth Radio Hour (b06r02j9)
Series 1

Gang Initiations, My Way and the KKK

True stories told live in the USA: Catherine Burns introduces tales about caring, confrontation and comedic calamity.

The Moth is an acclaimed not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling based in the USA. Since 1997, it has celebrated both the raconteur and the storytelling novice, who has lived through something extraordinary and yearns to share it. Originally formed by the writer George Dawes Green as an intimate gathering of friends on a porch in Georgia (where moths would flutter in through a hole in the screen), and then recreated in a New York City living room, The Moth quickly grew to produce immensely popular events at theatres and clubs around New York City and later around the USA, the UK and other parts of the world.

The Moth has presented more than 15,000 stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. The Moth podcast is downloaded over 27 million times a year.

Featuring true stories told live on stage without scripts, from the humorous to the heart-breaking.

The Moth Radio Hour is produced by Jay Allison and Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and is distributed by the Public Radio Exchange.


SUN 11:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mrzn0)
Series 1

Adam's Face

What are human eyebrows for? Possibly to allow communication without the use of words.

Testing the value of eyebrow communication came into its own when David Attenborough met the men of an aboriginal tribe in New Guinea where there was no other common language.

Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2009.


SUN 12:00 The Al Read Show (b00cq63d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SUN 12:30 Much Binding in the Marsh (b008gzwf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


SUN 13:00 Elizabeth Gaskell - Mary Barton Omnibus (b0080hqb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SUN 14:15 Ghost Houses (b007605c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


SUN 14:30 Ruth Rendell - Dark Corners (Omnibus) (b06rdpsp)
Episode 1

Budding crime writer Carl could do with some extra cash. Renting out the top part of his house in London's Maida Vale - newly inherited from his father - will help his cash flow immensely.

And what harm could it do to sell some slimming pills from his late father's stash of 'alternative medicines' to his actress friend Stacey, who's been putting on weight in the wake of a relationship break up..?

Ruth Rendell's final novel is a dark and atmospheric tale of psychological suspense read by Patricia Hodge.

Acclaimed by her literary peers and beloved by her readers, Ruth Rendell wrote over sixty novels in a career that spanned fifty years. She received numerous awards, including the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger for 1976's best crime novel with A Demon in My View, a Gold Dagger award for Live Flesh in 1986, and the Sunday Times Literary Award in 1990. In 2013 she was awarded the Crime Writers' Association Cartier Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence in crime writing. In 1996 she was awarded the CBE and in 1997 became a Life Peer. She died in May 2015, aged 85.

Read by Patricia Hodge.

Abridger Robin Brooks.

Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.

First broadcast in 10 parts on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.


SUN 15:45 Elizabeth Taylor - Sisters (b01pkjws)
Resentment surfaces when Mrs Mason is asked questions about her famous sibling. Is she jealous? Read Sheila Mitchell.


SUN 16:00 Bruce Bedford - Mire Farm (b00k08lg)
Simon Shaw's first challenge as a diplomat is to reconcile his eccentric family on their farm with the angry villagers of Butterdale in Yorkshire.

Paul Downing stars in Bruce Bedford’s drama.

Simon Shaw ...... Paul Downing
John Shaw ...... Stephen Thorne
May Shaw ...... June Barrie
Beatrice Shaw ...... Jane Whittenshaw
Grandad Shaw ...... Howard Goorney
Eric Flow ...... Nigel Betts
Vanessa ...... Julia Hills
Mrs Wentworth ...... Auriol Smith
Vicar ...... Christopher Good
Colonel Wince ...... James Green
Taxi Man ...... John Wood

Directed at BBC Bristol by Andy Jordan.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1990.


SUN 17:00 Poetry Extra (b06rcj2p)
Poetry Please: The Ballad of Reading Gaol

BBC Radio 4's Poet in Residence, Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's radio poetry archive.

In 'Poetry Please', Roger McGough introduces Oscar Wilde's The Ballad of Reading Gaol, read by Alex Jennings.

In May 1897 Oscar Wilde was released from Reading Gaol. That month he began to write The Ballad of Reading Gaol - to express his horror and outrage at what he had witnessed during his years in prison. The poem memorialises a fellow prisoner, who was hanged for murder in 1896.

Wilde wrote it in exile in Dieppe, then Naples. He finished it in October that same year, and it was published the following year, 1898. The author's name was given simply as C. 3. 3., Wilde's number in Reading Gaol, his cell being the third on the third floor of Block C.

Producer Beth O'Dea
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2012.


SUN 17:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b00pqh8s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SUN 18:00 Fear on 4 (b00c87yc)
Yellow Wallpaper

A woman is alone in a room that was once a nursery. Soon it becomes a kind of hell for her...

Starring Anna Massey as the Woman and Edward de Souza as the Man in Black.

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

Written by Charlotte Parkins Gilman.
Dramatised by John Keir Cross
Producer: Gerry Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.


SUN 18:30 Susan Hill - The Woman in Black (b007jlpk)
1. A Journey and a Funeral

Retired solicitor Arthur Kipps recalls his visit to the remote market town of Crythin Gifford - and the isolated house of the reclusive Mrs Drablow...

John Woodvine and Robert Glenister star in Susan Hill's chilling ghost story.

Dramatised in four parts by Jon Strickland.

Young Kipps ...... Robert Glenister
Old Kipps ...... John Woodvine
Esme ...... Paula Tilbrook
Samuel ...... Rod Arthur
Tomes ...... Christopher Kent
Bentley ...... Stuart Richman
Isobelle ...... Jane Marlow
Oliver ...... Jason Done

Music composed by Derek Pearce.

Directed at BBC Manchester by Chris Wallis.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in December 1993.


SUN 19:00 The Moth Radio Hour (b06r02j9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


SUN 19:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mrzn0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:50 today]


SUN 20:00 The Railways: Nation, Network and People (Omnibus) (b06rdcvz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SUN 21:10 Inheritance Tracks (b06rdlhj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:10 today]


SUN 21:15 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b06rdmm6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:15 today]


SUN 22:00 Ed Reardon's Week (b00pqh8s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SUN 22:30 My Teenage Diary (b038hghc)
Series 5

Ken Livingstone

Another brave celebrity revisits their formative years by opening up their intimate teenage diaries, and reading them out in public for the very first time.

Comedian Rufus Hound is joined by former London Mayor Ken Livingstone. Ken reads from his 1966 diary, when he hitched across the Sahara, adopted an incontinent ostrich called Horace, and ate a venomous snake.

Producer: Harriet Jaine
A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4.


SUN 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b06t39sn)
The best in contemporary comedy. Arthur Smith chats to Joseph Morpurgo.


SUN 23:00 I Think I've Got a Problem (b007wp39)
Series 1

Episode 1

Tom Caine awakes one morning to discover he can't stop singing at inappropriate moments. As a result, he loses his job and his girlfriend Sadie.

Who are the strange bunch of musicians following him around? Why can't anyone else see them? Will Tom reach the high notes?

Andrew McGibbon and Nick Romero's everyday story about a man who can't stop himself from breaking into song.

Suggs ..... Tom Caine
Bob Monkhouse ..... Dr Boone
Mika Simmons ..... Sadie
Phil Cornwell ..... Bouche
Michael Roberts ..... Clammy Clemence
Andrew McGibbon ..... Jake
Nick Romero ..... Monty DeVere
Emma Clarke ..... Miss Lie

Songs: Andrew McGibbon. Nick Romero and Suggs

Director: Chris Neill

Producers: Torquil MacLeod. Julian Mayers and Andrew McGibbon.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2001.


SUN 23:30 A Look Back at the Future (b01rlngt)
2005

It's the year of the Telepathone.

Recorded in June 1994, Brian Perkins, Kate Robbins and John O'Farrell recall the turbulent upheaval of 2005 - a year that was yet to happen.

Everything you wanted to know then, about the 21st century.

Written by Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Pete Sinclair.

Producer: Caroline Leddy

First broadcast (with the aid of a crystal ball) on Radio 4 in July 1994.



MONDAY 07 DECEMBER 2015

MON 00:00 Fear on 4 (b00c87yc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Sunday]


MON 00:30 Susan Hill - The Woman in Black (b007jlpk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Sunday]


MON 01:00 Elizabeth Gaskell - Mary Barton Omnibus (b0080hqb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]


MON 02:15 Ghost Houses (b007605c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Sunday]


MON 02:30 Ruth Rendell - Dark Corners (Omnibus) (b06rdpsp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Sunday]


MON 03:45 Elizabeth Taylor - Sisters (b01pkjws)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Sunday]


MON 04:00 Bruce Bedford - Mire Farm (b00k08lg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]


MON 05:00 Poetry Extra (b06rcj2p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 17:00 on Sunday]


MON 05:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b00pqh8s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]


MON 06:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt94)
Bad Apples

Episode 1

Is a disturbing murder on a Brighton beach a drug-related killing - or a case of something more sinister..?

Christopher Lee's six-part murder-mystery starring Christopher Benjamin and Amanda Redman as intelligence officers Henry Colvil and Alex Soames.

Henry Colvil …. Christopher Benjamin
Alex Soames …. Amanda Redman
DCI Guscott …. Dudley Sutton
DS Gwen Jenkins …. Sue Joan Davies
Miranda Peel …. Sheila Reed
DCS Evans …. John Hartley
Sidney Carpenter …. Neil Conrich
Doctor …. Stuart Organ
Police Constable …. Brian Bowles

Producer: Pete Atkin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1998.


MON 06:30 The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle (b00765st)
A King Over the Water

4 Extra Debut. Miles Kington explores how General de Gaulle turned a corner of wartime London into a beacon of French freedom. From January 2002.


MON 07:00 The Right Time (b00c0btz)
Series 3

Episode 3

Vengeful parents, school day memories - and an unusual police stop and check...

The sketch comedy for people growing older disgracefully.

Stars Eleanor Bron, Graeme Garden, Neil Innes, Clive Swift, Roger Blake and Paula Wilcox.

Written by Tony Bagley, Julie Baloo, Colin Bostock Smith, Jan Etherington, Graeme Garden, Mike Haskins, Emma Kennedy, Bob Sinfield, David Spicer, Peter Usher, Chris Thompson and Pete Reynolds.

Script Editor: Jed Parsons.

Music by Ronnie & The Rex and Neil Innes.

Producer: Claire Jones

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.


MON 07:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b06qhyv4)
Series 64

Episode 1

The 64th series of Radio 4's multi award-winning 'antidote to panel games' promises yet more quality, desk-based entertainment for all the family. The series starts its run at the Dorking Halls where regulars Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor are joined on the panel by Tony Hawks, with Jack Dee as the programme's reluctant chairman. Regular listeners will know to expect inspired nonsense, pointless revelry and Colin Sell at the piano. Producer - Jon Naismith. It is a BBC Radio Comedy production.


MON 08:00 Dad's Army (b007jq38)
Series 3

The Great White Hunter

Captain Mainwaring causes chaos tracking down Walker's purloined silk parachute.

The comic exploits of a Second World War Home Guard platoon

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 Frazer …. John Laurie
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Walker …. Larry Martyn
Mrs Pike …. Pearl Hackney

Producer: John Dyas

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1976.


MON 08:30 The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show (b01sdcqw)
Series 2

Episode 6

The duo take on Hollywood – but Eric’s not too keen on Ernie’s health kick.

Written by Eddie Braben.

With Brian Wilde and April Walker.

Music from Syd Lawrence and his Orchestra with Roy Marsden and Sue Adams.

Producer: John Browell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 1976.


MON 09:00 The Write Stuff (b009xy1t)
Series 11

Ted Hughes

James Walton hosts the literary quiz with John Walsh, Sebastian Faulks, Jane Thynne and Mark Billingham. From April 2008.


MON 09:30 King Street Junior (b007jmdx)
Series 5

D Day Minus One

A day of stock-taking, literally and educationally, as the teachers prepare for a new year. Stars James Grout. From May 1990.


MON 10:00 Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries (b007k1pw)
3. The Wild Marriage

It is now 1756 and David is prospering. But Francis roams the fells searching for something he can never find.

Stars Gavin Muir, Mark Bonnar and Jane Whittenshaw.

Hugh Walpole's historical novel dramatised by Eric Pringle.

Francis ... Gavin Muir
David ... Mark Bonnar
Deborah ... Jane Whittenshaw
Mirabell ... Deborah Berlin
Pomfret ... Stephen Thorne
Sunwood/Bann ... Christopher Scott
Denburn ... Keith Drinkel
Sarah .... Becky Hindley

Other parts played by Hugh Dickson, Carolyn Jones, Ioan Meredith, Chris Pavlo and Alison Pettitt

Director: David Blount

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1997.


MON 11:00 Kenneth Cranham on the Water (b01bpjj5)
Backwards and Forwards

Written by Cathy Feeny.

Today's story - Backwards And Forwards by Cathy Feeny - is the last in a series of specially commissioned stories which take boats and boating as their theme.

When Danny - an American academic working in London - takes his family on holiday to the banks of a Scottish loch, there's an uninhabited island to visit across the water. But Danny's the only one who can row. And the boat can only carry one other person at a time. As he rows backwards and forwards, Danny has a unique opportunity to discover a little more about each of his family in turn.

A series of specially commissioned tales inspired by rivers and boats.

Producer: David Blount
A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4.


MON 11:15 Baldi (b007k06w)
Series 3

Tempus Fugit

Mrs Reid leads Franciscan priest Paolo Baldi and his broken watch to a house of clocks where love, revenge and jealousy make a mockery of time...

David Threlfall stars in Series 3 about the murder-solving priest.

Written by Martin Meenan.

Starring David Threlfall as Paolo Baldi, Tina Kellegher as Tina Mahon, Owen Roe as Rynne, Margaret D'Arcy as Mrs Reid, David Kelly as Stanley, Niall Toibin as Frederick, Sorcha Cusack as Aggie, Des Cave as Eddie and Pauline McLynn as Deborah.

Format by Barry Devlin. Developed and produced by BBC Northern Ireland.

Script Editor: Gemma McMullan

Recorded at RTE's studios in Dublin.

Director: Mark Lambert

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.


MON 12:00 Dad's Army (b007jq38)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 12:30 The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show (b01sdcqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 13:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt94)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 13:30 The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle (b00765st)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b018g3pp)
Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love

Episode 6

by Nancy Mitford. Linda falls in love again, but finds that parties thrown by communists are frightfully gloomy. Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths and read by Diana Quick.

Fanny Logan tells the story of her beloved and beautiful aristocratic cousin, Linda Radlett. Linda's marriage has failed and she's left her husband and daughter to live with the dashingly idealistic communist Christian Talbot.

Beautifully observed and hilariously funny, the novel is also a fascinating hinterland account of the period leading to the Second World War and never pulls its punches in evoking the painful reality of the times.

Reader...Diana Quick
Abridger...Lauris Morgan-Griffiths
Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery.


MON 14:15 Disability: A New History (b0211jrg)
Doing and Being

Work and disability has always been an awkward fit.

Peter White says, 'When as a teenager I said I wanted to be a broadcaster, there was a sharp intake of breath. Shouldn't I be considering becoming a piano tuner, or a physiotherapist? That's what blind people did. I wanted to know what it was like in the past, when people had to work - or starve.'

What he discovers is surprising - disabled people were everywhere in the 19th century work-force. In some parts of the country, more than 60% of nurses had a disability. For other disabled men and women, earning a living meant creating a particular niche for themselves. Peter uncovers the career of the blind poet Priscilla Pointon, who made a living writing poetry about her life - signing up hundreds of people on a subscription list to become a wealthy woman. She was just one in a long tradition of blind poets.

Peter also discovers a treasure trove of letters from disabled people seeking work in the Victorian period, which have been collected by Professor Stephen King of Leicester University. They describe the indignity of being assessed by the authorities of the day, and their anger at being accused of faking disability. There are some striking parallels with today, when the debate about work and disability is in full swing.

With historians Steven King, Chris Mounsey and Julie Anderson, and readings by Gerard McDermott and Emily Bevan.

Producer: Elizabeth Burke
Academic adviser: David Turner of Swansea University
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.


MON 14:30 15 Minute Drama (b00h4w7j)
Alexandre Dumas - The Lady of the Camellias

Episode 1

By Alexandre Dumas. The story of Marguerite Gauthier, a Parisian courtesan who goes on a journey through worldliness, love, renunciation and atonement, thanks to the love of young Armand Duval.

Armand is distraught to return to Paris too late to see Marguerite, the love of his life, before she dies.

Marguerite ...... Ruth Wilson
Duval ...... Dan Stevens
Dumas ...... Joseph Kloska
Marguerite's sister ...... Manon Edwards
Gravedigger ...... Dick Bradnum

Directed by Polly Thomas.


MON 14:45 Book of the Week (b00vjl1f)
Stephen Fry - The Fry Chronicles

Episode 1

This is the intriguing, hilarious and utterly compelling story of how Stephen Fry arrived at Cambridge on probation: a convicted fraudster and thief, an addict, liar, fantasist and failed suicide, convinced that at any moment he would be found out and flung away.

Instead, university life offered him love, romance and the chance to stand on stage and entertain. He began his iconic relationship with Hugh Laurie, befriended Emma Thompson among a host of household names, and emerged as one of the most promising comic talents in the country.

After leaving Cambridge Stephen began to make his presence felt as he took his first tentative steps in the world of television, journalism, radio, theatre and film. Shameful tales of sugar, shag and champagne jostle with insights into credit cards, classic cars and conspicuous consumption, Blackadder, Broadway and the BBC.

For all its trademark wit and verbal brilliance, The Fry Chronicles is a book that is not afraid to confront the aching chasm that separates public image from private feeling.

Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.


MON 15:00 Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries (b007k1pw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


MON 16:00 The Write Stuff (b009xy1t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 16:30 King Street Junior (b007jmdx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


MON 17:00 The Right Time (b00c0btz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


MON 17:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b06qhyv4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 18:00 HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki (b0076rmr)
The Lumber Room

When young Nicholas is punished by his aunt, he seeks refuge in the magical lumber room; but when his aunt seeks him in the garden, he can expect retribution.

Saki's fiction famously celebrates the triumph of the "human beast" over the structures of society. Mischief, mayhem and the antic spirit of children are the stuff of his enduring tales of English life.

Stars Susan Engel as the Aunt, Ben Tibber as Nicholas and Alex Tregear as Agatha.

Five Tales by Saki (HH Munro), dramatised by Roger Davenport.

Director: Ned Chaillet

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.


MON 18:15 A Night with a Vampire (b017mz4h)
Series 2

The Lady of the House of Love

This wonderful retake on the Sleeping Beauty story first appeared in Carter's 1979 volume "The Bloody Chamber".

A virginal English soldier, travelling through Romania by bicycle, finds himself in a deserted village. He comes across a mansion inhabited by a vampiress who survives by enticing young men into her bedroom and feeding on them. She intends to feed on the young soldier but his purity and virginity have a curious effect on her.......

David Tennant returns with another selection of chilling Vampire stories.
Last year in the first series we concentrated on Victorian Vampire output but in these five tales we enter the 20th Century and introduce stories with a little twist from the UK and the USA.

Producer: Clive Brill
A Pacificus Production for BBC Radio 4.


MON 18:30 A Good Read (b00765r1)
Louise Doughty, Kevin Loader and Paul Morley

Louise Doughty and her guests, producer Kevin Loader and music journalist Paul Morley, discuss favourite books by Guy de Maupassant, Anita Shreve and David Foster Wallace. From 2001.

'Bel Ami' by Guy de Maupassant
Publisher: Penguin

'The Weight of Water' by Anita Shreve
Publisher: Abacas

'A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again' by David Foster Wallace
Publisher: Abacus.


MON 19:00 Dad's Army (b007jq38)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 19:30 The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show (b01sdcqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 20:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt94)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 20:30 The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle (b00765st)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 21:00 Kenneth Cranham on the Water (b01bpjj5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


MON 21:15 Baldi (b007k06w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


MON 22:00 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b06qhyv4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 22:30 Cabin Pressure (b01ptztf)
Series 4

Uskerty

Comedy by John Finnemore about the wing and a prayer world of a tiny, one plane, charter airline staffed by two pilots: one on his way down, and one who was never up to start with. Whether they're flying squaddies to Hamburg, metal sheets to Mozambique, or an oil exec's cat to Abu Dhabi, no job is too small - but many, many jobs are too difficult.

Episode 2:
As Carolyn and Martin turn a short hop into a long climb, Douglas and Arthur get to play with an airport.

Written by John Finnemore
Produced and directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4.


MON 23:00 The Now Show (b06qmvkx)
Series 47

Episode 4

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis are joined by David Quantick, Sofie Hagen, Luke Kempner, Georgie Bingham and Pippa Evans for a comic look at the week's news.

Written by the cast with additional material from Jane Lamacraft, Andy Wolton, Sarah Campbell and Clare Wetton.

Produced by Alexandra Smith.


MON 23:30 The Harpoon (b007lrqx)
Series 2

Episode 4

Wow! And hip hiporama, Harpooners! Get down daddyos to the formica fun and crepe-soled capers of this special 1950s edition of your favourite weekly rag!

Plenty of nylon and skiffle, plus here comes a Muffin the Mule shocker!

With Susie Brann , Alistair McGowan , Mary Elliot-Nelson, Julian Dutton and Peter Baynham.

Producer: Sarah Smith

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1992.



TUESDAY 08 DECEMBER 2015

TUE 00:00 HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki (b0076rmr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Monday]


TUE 00:15 A Night with a Vampire (b017mz4h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:15 on Monday]


TUE 00:30 A Good Read (b00765r1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Monday]


TUE 01:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt94)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]


TUE 01:30 The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle (b00765st)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]


TUE 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b018g3pp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]


TUE 02:15 Disability: A New History (b0211jrg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Monday]


TUE 02:30 15 Minute Drama (b00h4w7j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]


TUE 02:45 Book of the Week (b00vjl1f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Monday]


TUE 03:00 Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries (b007k1pw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]


TUE 04:00 The Write Stuff (b009xy1t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Monday]


TUE 04:30 King Street Junior (b007jmdx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Monday]


TUE 05:00 The Right Time (b00c0btz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]


TUE 05:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b06qhyv4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]


TUE 06:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt9c)
Bad Apples

Episode 2

After an unexpected twist in his latest murder investigation, Inspector Guscott has asked his old friends from MI6, Colvil and Soames for their discreet assistance.

Christopher Lee's murder-mystery starring Christopher Benjamin and Amanda Redman as intelligence officers Henry Colvil and Alex Soames.

Henry Colvil …. Christopher Benjamin
Alex Soames …. Amanda Redman
DCI Guscott …. Dudley Sutton
DS Gwen Jenkins …. Sue Jones Davies
Miranda Peel …. Sheila Reid
Tom Margeson …. Tom Cotcher
Charlie Lofthouse …. Alistair McGowan

Producer: Pete Atkin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1998.


TUE 06:30 The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle (b00765wy)
What Does A General Do When The War Is Over?

Miles Kington explores Charles de Gaulle's 'wilderness years' after the Second World War, and his return to public life. From January 2002.


TUE 07:00 HR (b01by7c0)
Series 3

Married

Discovering that their pensions are worthless, the chums contemplate the unthinkable: welcoming a female lodger into their home.

Nigel Williams's comedy series stars Jonathan Pryce and Nicholas le Prevost.

Sam .... Nicholas Le Prevost
Peter .... Jonathan Pryce
Lupin ..... Sara Crowe.

Producer: Peter Kavanagh

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012.


TUE 07:30 Gloomsbury (b0418p77)
Series 2

Ever Decreasing Literary Circles

Flushed with her recent success, Ginny is to hold a literary salon, but she wants Vera to co-host it. They argue about where to have it, whom to invite and what kind of refreshments should be offered. Mrs Gosling is obstructive about the possibility of vegetarianism.

Meanwhile, Henry can't decide whether to carry on working for the Foreign Office or write a biography of Byron or Tennyson, and follows Vera round the castle unsuccessfully trying to elicit her advice.

When the great day arrives, Henry is banished from the castle lest he gets in the way. Instead of the longed-for literary celebrities, however, the only arrival at Sizzlinghurst that day is a snowstorm of apologetic telegrams. Hurt and aghast that nobody loves them, Vera and Ginny blame each other.

The only person who turns up is Venus, who wasn't invited and has never read a book in her life. Only as the day draws to a close does Vera remember with horror that today was Henry's birthday and that she has neglected him without so much as a card, a gift or a kiss. Wracked with guilt, Vera makes up to Henry on a pile of dusty sacks in Gosling's shed.

GLOOMSBURY - THE SERIES
Green-fingered Sapphist Vera Sackcloth-Vest shares a bijou castle in Kent with her devoted husband Henry, but longs for exotic adventures with nervy novelist Ginny Fox and wilful beauty Venus Traduces. It's 1921, the dawn of modern love, life and lingerie, but Vera still hasn't learnt how to boil a kettle.
Producer: Jamie Rix
A ittle Brother Production for BBC Radio 4.


TUE 08:00 Round the Horne (b00mfhv6)
Series 3

Episode 11

Murder in an Edwardian musical hall for Kenneth Horne in 'The Phantom of Bogmouth Hip', while Julian and Sandy are showbiz accountants for Bona Tax Consultants

With Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee. Recorded at the BBC's Paris Studio in Lower Regent Street, London. Announcer: Douglas Smith

Round The Horne was born out of the demise of BBC radio comedy Beyond Our Ken, after the end of writer Eric Merriman's involvement. Using the same cast and producer, Barry Took and Marty Feldman were persuaded to write the scripts - which led to four series that ran between 1965 and 1968 - packed full of parodies, recurring characters, catchphrases and double-entendres.

Music by Edwin Braden and the Hornblowers and The Fraser Hayes Four.
Producer: John Simmonds
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in April 1967.


TUE 08:30 To the Manor Born (b007n1wj)
An Englishman's Home

When Devere installs new security cameras, Audrey declares war.

Starring Penelope Keith as Audrey fforbes-Hamilton.

Keith Barron ..... Richard DeVere
Angela Thorne ..... Marjory Frobisher
Nicholas McArdle ..... Brabinger
Margery Withers ..... Mrs Polouvicka
Frank Middlemass ..... Ned
PC Dottle ...... Kevin Eldon

The tale of lady of the manor Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, forced to sell her beloved Grantleigh Estate when her husband's death leaves her financially strapped. With butler Brabinger in tow, they've decamped to the tiny Old Lodge cottage.

From this vantage point, Audrey keeps a close and disapproving eye on the estate's new owner, the nouveau-riche Richard DeVere, a wholesale foods magnate of Czech descendent.

First piloted on radio and then whisked off to TV before it ever appeared, before finally arriving home in 1997. Written for radio by Peter Spence.

Producer: Jane Berthoud

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1997.


TUE 09:00 The Now Show (b06qmvkx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 23:00 on Monday]


TUE 09:30 The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere (b00b9xqh)
Series 1

Episode 4

An Everyday Story of Towering Genius.

Sue Limb’s four-part soap opera set in and around the Lake District at the turn of the 18th century

Cholericke is indisposed, while William attempts to recollect an emotion.

The Lumps arrive. Dorothy prepares tea and Mary Lump goes mad ...

Dorothy Wordsmith ...... Denise Coffey
William Wordsmith ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Samuel Tailor Cholericke ...... Simon Callow
Stinking Iris ...... Miriam Margolyes
The Leechpedlar ...... Chris Emmett
Charles Lump ...... Nicholas Le Prevost
Mary Lump ...... Julia Hills

Music by Stephen Oliver and sung by Cantabile

Producer: Jonathan James-Moore

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1985


TUE 10:00 Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries (b007k1r3)
4. A Great Age to Be Beginning

Trapped at Herries with a man she cannot love, Mirabell yearns to be free...

Stars Gavin Muir, Mark Bonnar and Deborah Berlin.

Conclusion of Hugh Walpole's historical novel dramatised by Eric Pringle.

Francis .... Gavin Muir
David ... Mark Bonnar
Mirabell ... Deborah Berlin
Deborah ... Jane Whittenshaw
Sarah ... Becky Hindley
Benjamin ... Chris Pavlo
Reverend ... Christopher Scott
Harness ... Gerard McDermott

Other parts played by Stephen Thorne, Linda Polan, Katie Clarke, Joseph Head, Carolyn Jones and George Maguire

Director David Blount

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1997.


TUE 11:00 Brief Sparks (b01946nz)
The Snobs

Muriel Spark had one of the most distinctive voices in twentieth-century writing, was capable of incisive and darkly-comic observation, and won prizes for her writing across the World.

Spark worked as a novelist, dramatist and children's author, but it is perhaps her short stories that best exemplify her sharp eye and beautifully-crafted work, where she coolly probes the idiosyncrasies that lurk beneath veneer of human respectability. The three stories in this series include the darkly funny 'Ladies and Gentlemen', which contrasts well with the wry humour of social comedy 'Snobs' and the sharp satire of class, aspiration and phobia in 'You Should Have Seen the Mess'.

The series begins with Patricia Hodge reading 'The Snobs', a deliciously acerbic and witty dissection of snobbery, insensitivity and social climbing.

Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.


TUE 11:15 Baldi (b007k085)
Series 3

The Bookcase

Paolo Baldi helps a librarian investigate the link between her young lover's death, a shifty Chicago cop and the surprisingly dangerous, illegal trade in rare books.

David Threlfall stars as the murder-solving priest, Paolo Baldi.

Written by Simon Brett.

With Tina Kellegher as Tina Mahon, Bill Nighy as O'Connor, TP McKenna as Father Troy, Geraldine James as Maggie,Owen Roe as Rynne, Gerard McSorley as Dr Virgo, Niall Buggy as Donal Clare, Luke Griffin as Billy and Collette Proctor as Kitty Henderson.

Format by Barry Devlin. Developed and produced by BBC Northern Ireland.

Script Editor: Gemma McMullan

Recorded at RTE's studios in Dublin.

Director: Mark Lambert

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.


TUE 12:00 Round the Horne (b00mfhv6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 12:30 To the Manor Born (b007n1wj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 13:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt9c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 13:30 The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle (b00765wy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b018gpgq)
Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love

Episode 7

by Nancy Mitford. Linda's success with the communists does not extend to Christian. Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths and read by Diana Quick.

Fanny Logan tells the story of her beloved and beautiful aristocratic cousin, Linda Radlett. Linda's marriage has left her husband and daughter to live with the dashingly idealistic communist Christian Talbot.

Beautifully observed and hilariously funny, the novel is also a fascinating hinterland account of the period leading to the Second World War and never pulls its punches in evoking the painful reality of the times.

Reader...Diana Quick
Abridger...Lauris Morgan-Griffiths
Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery.


TUE 14:15 Disability: A New History (b0213yg1)
Wooden Legs and Wheelchairs

Peter White has a close encounter with a huge wooden leg, and asks who got access to new technology in the 19th century.

Strangely, wooden legs were thought to be sexy in the 19th century. During the 22 years of war with France, tens of thousands of British soldiers and sailors gave their lives for their country. Surviving, with a missing limb, became tangible proof of valour - and virility.

However, the reality of life with a wooden leg was anything but romantic. Peter White discovers an extraordinary account written by a 19th century soldier, Thomas Jackson, who lost his leg in battle:

"Military surgeons are not very nice about hurting one. What with the tearing off of the bandages, and the opening of the wound afresh, and the tying of the ligaments of the arteries, I fear in my feeble strength I must have sunk under the excruciating pain. When fitted on, my wooden leg was strapped by the knee. I looked down with the same kind of satisfaction which a dog does when he gets a tin kettle tied to his tail."

But William Jackson was one of the lucky ones. As a military man, he had access to the latest technology. Disabled women were not so lucky - and could be confined to the house, unable to leave their bedroom. Two case studies - one soldier, one genteel woman in Bath - reveal how expectations of mobility were limited by gender. And how crucial it was to have individual ambition.

With historians Julie Anderson, Caroline Nielsen, and Amanda Vickery.

Producer: Elizabeth Burke
Academic adviser: David Turner of Swansea University
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.


TUE 14:30 15 Minute Drama (b00hb5yh)
Alexandre Dumas - The Lady of the Camellias

Episode 2

By Alexandre Dumas. The story of Marguerite Gauthier, a Parisian courtesan who goes on a journey through worldliness, love, renunciation and atonement, thanks to the love of young Armand Duval.

Armand remembers his first meeting with Marguerite and the beginning of their passionate love affair.

Duval ...... Dan Stevens
Dumas ...... Joseph Kloska
Marguerite ...... Ruth Wilson
Ernest/Count ...... Dick Bradnum
Gaston ...... Keiron Self
Prudence ...... Manon Edwards

Directed by Polly Thomas.


TUE 14:45 Book of the Week (b00vjl10)
Stephen Fry - The Fry Chronicles

Episode 2

Stephen Fry has a curious encounter with Stephen Sondheim and becomes the literary critic of Tatler.

The Fry Chronicles is a book that is not afraid to confront the aching chasm that separates public image from private feeling.

Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.


TUE 15:00 Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries (b007k1r3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


TUE 16:00 The Motion Show (b0075wz8)
Series 2

Episode 4

Dr Phil Hammond chairs the debating game with Gyles Brandreth, Hugh Dennis, Jeremy Hardy and Arthur Smith. From February 2000.


TUE 16:30 The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere (b00b9xqh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


TUE 17:00 HR (b01by7c0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


TUE 17:30 Gloomsbury (b0418p77)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 18:00 HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki (b0076rnb)
The Schartz-Metterklume Method

When Lady Carlotta is mistaken for Miss Hope, the new governess, she takes up the job with relish applying a freshly invented technique of child-rearing to her new charges. The ensuing chaos is all too "modern" for the parents.

Stars Jennie Stoller as Lady Carlotta, Jemma Churchill as Mrs Quabarl, Philip Fox as Mr Quabarl/ Carter, Timothy Morand as Station Master/ Jack and Emily Wachter as Irene.

Five Tales by Saki (HH Munro), dramatised by Roger Davenport.

Director: Ned Chaillet

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.


TUE 18:15 A Night with a Vampire (b017mv2s)
Series 2

The Girl With the Hungry Eyes

Written by Fritz Lieber.

This 1949 story has exerted it's grip on many an imagination and has been filmed several times. It concentrates on the magnetic power of the Vampire and - in this case - the utterly captivating and inescapable lure of a Vampiress cum glamour model.

David Tennant returns with another selection of chilling Vampire stories.
Last year in the first series we concentrated on Victorian Vampire output but in these five tales we enter the 20th Century and introduce stories with a little twist from the UK and the USA.

Producer: Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.


TUE 18:30 Shah Rukh Khan's Heroes (b06rlkh5)
Amitabh Bachchan

Shah Rukh Khan's celebrates his personal heroes with a tribute to Bollywood's most popular icon, Amitabh 'Big B' Bachchan. He describes him as "a hero to millions and billions."

Producer: Ranjit Doal

First broadcast on the BBC Asian Network in 2012.


TUE 19:00 Round the Horne (b00mfhv6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 19:30 To the Manor Born (b007n1wj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 20:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt9c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 20:30 The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle (b00765wy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 21:00 Brief Sparks (b01946nz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


TUE 21:15 Baldi (b007k085)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


TUE 22:00 Gloomsbury (b0418p77)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 22:30 The Ape That Got Lucky (b008039f)
Language and Communication

Chris Addison’s exploration of the fascinating subject of human evolution begins with languages.

With over 5,000 or so now in use - why is it fortunate that the original human language developed in Africa rather than England?

We also hears from a man who thinks his bees are telling him about unsolved crimes, and Professor Austin Herring demonstrates his valve-based translation machine.

Starring Chris Addison.

With Professor Austin Herring (aka Geoffrey McGivern ), Jo Enright and Dan Tetsell.

Written by Chris Addison and Carl Cooper.

Producer: Simon Nicholls

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.


TUE 23:00 Twenty Players (b06rp9g4)
Series 2

'Ample' Arthur Cartwright

John Motson tells the story of the football tactician and part-time archaeologist, 'Ample' Arthur Cartwright.

One of a series of features on fictional sporting heroes.

Producer: Richard Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1997.


TUE 23:15 Sir Henry at Rawlinson End (b00s09s1)
Sir Henry Entertains

The surreal saga of a dynasty delicately balanced on the edge of sanity.

Written by and starring Viv Stanshall.

Contains edits of original John Peel sessions first heard on BBC Radio 1.

Music composed and performed by Viv Stanshall using additional musicians.

Producer: John Walters

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1996.


TUE 23:30 Think the Unthinkable (b007jm2g)
Series 1

Longley's Bank

Longley's Bank recruits consultants Unthinkable Solutions to transform its image.

Daisy, Sophie and Ryan persuade Longleys to change its name, its logo and even the design of its bank. At least they can say no company they've ever worked with was ever the same again.

James Cary’s award-winning sitcom about management consultants.

Sophie Stott ...... Emma Kennedy
Ryan Packer ...... Marcus Brigstocke
Daisy de Vere ...... Catherine Shepherd
John ...... Stephen Moore
Derek ...... Kim Wall
Vanessa ...... Olivia Colman.

Script associates: Paul Mayhew-Archer and Ed Drew.

Music by John Whitehall.

Producer: Adam Bromley.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2001.



WEDNESDAY 09 DECEMBER 2015

WED 00:00 HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki (b0076rnb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Tuesday]


WED 00:15 A Night with a Vampire (b017mv2s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:15 on Tuesday]


WED 00:30 Shah Rukh Khan's Heroes (b06rlkh5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Tuesday]


WED 01:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt9c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]


WED 01:30 The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle (b00765wy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]


WED 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b018gpgq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]


WED 02:15 Disability: A New History (b0213yg1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Tuesday]


WED 02:30 15 Minute Drama (b00hb5yh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]


WED 02:45 Book of the Week (b00vjl10)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Tuesday]


WED 03:00 Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries (b007k1r3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]


WED 04:00 The Motion Show (b0075wz8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Tuesday]


WED 04:30 The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere (b00b9xqh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Tuesday]


WED 05:00 HR (b01by7c0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]


WED 05:30 Gloomsbury (b0418p77)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]


WED 06:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt9p)
Bad Apples

Episode 3

In spite of her denials, Home Secretary Maggie Lindley appears to be closely linked with Brighton murder victim, Norman Tate.

Christopher Lee's murder-mystery starring Christopher Benjamin and Amanda Redman as intelligence officers Henry Colvil and Alex Soames.

Henry Colvil …. Christopher Benjamin
Alex Soames …. Amanda Redman
DCI Guscott …. Dudley Sutton
Miranda Peel …. Sheila Reid
Tom Margeson …. Tom Cotcher
Charlie Lofthouse …. Alistair McGowan
Maggie Lindley …. Alphonsia Emmanuel

Producer: Pete Atkin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1998.


WED 06:30 The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle (b00765zp)
Ou est le President?

Miles Kington explores how Charles de Gaulle's nuclear superpower vision for France clashed with younger people. From January 2002.


WED 07:00 Lenin of the Rovers (b007jvds)
Series 2

The Felchester Firm

Crunchthorpe is a place so hard they dump nuclear waste in the town centre.

Can the so-called 'Felchester Firm' protect Ricky and the team?

More adventures of communist football club, Felchester Rovers starring Alexei Sayle.

Ricky Lenin ...... Alexei Sayle
Jeff Frankly ...... John Sessions
Frank Lee Brian ...... Kenneth Wolstenholme
Colonel Brace Cartwright ...... Donald Hewlett
Stevie Stalin ...... Andrew McLean
Terry Trotsky ...... Phil Cornwell
Announcer ...... John Witty

Written by Marcus Berkmann.

Producer: Harry Thompson.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1989.


WED 07:30 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b06qkp8n)
Series 3

Profit and Loss

Mr and Mrs Wrigglesworth receive some bad news about a friend while Granny helps Tom with a "gambling situation".

Sitcom where Tom Wrigglesworth phones home for his weekly check-in with his Mum, Dad and Gran, giving us a glimpse into his family background and the influences that have shaped his temperament, opinions and hang-ups.

Tom ...... Tom Wrigglesworth
Dad ...... Paul Copley
Mum ...... Kate Anthony
Granny ...... Elizabeth Bennett

Written by Tom Wrigglesworth and James Kettle with additional material by Miles Jupp

Producer: Richard Morris

A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2015.


WED 08:00 The TV Lark (b01dc2dt)
Back in the Navy

The ex-shipmates are all at sea, when they discover their brief careers at Troutbridge TV are over.

After four series of 'The Navy Lark', the BBC decided the comedy crew needed a new setting, so where better than brand new independent station, Troutbridge TV?

However, after just ten episodes, this proved to be only a temporary change of course for the crew of HMS Troutbridge - as the crew were soon back aboard 'The Navy Lark'.

CAST:

The Producer …. Stephen Murray
The Floor Manager …. Jon Pertwee
Lesley Phillips (The Director)
Henry Povey, The Deputy Controller of Programmes …. Richard Caldicote
‘Fatso’ Johnson …. Ronnie Barker
‘Taffy’ Goldstein …. Teniel Evans
Commander Pearson/Naval Police Officer …. Michael Bates
Vera …. Janet Brown
TTV Continuity Announcer …. Robin Boyle

Written by Lawrie Wyman

Producer: Alastair Scott Johnston.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1963.


WED 08:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b010mztj)
Series 7

Episode 4

Investigating hobbies - and Professor Prune's Electric Trousers end up deep in the briny.

Starring:

Tim Brooke-Taylor
John Cleese
Graeme Garden
David Hatch
Jo Kendal

Sketches written by Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie with John Junkin and John Cleese.

Originating from the Cambridge University Footlights revue 'Cambridge Circus', ISIRTA ran for 8 years on BBC Radio and quickly developed a cult following.

Music and songs by Liam Cohen and Dave Lee.

Producer: David Hatch/Peter Titheradge

First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in February 1969.


WED 09:00 Counterpoint (b008h4yl)
1999

Heat 7

Ned Sherrin chairs the music quiz with Louis Powell of Reading, Doncaster's Phil Penfold and Derek Greer from Ballymena.


WED 09:30 The Leopard in Autumn (b00s5xtl)
Series 2

The Bonfire of the Sanities

Salvatore has returned to Monte Guano with a peasant crowd of bretheren and sisteren, bent on making his family throw their wordly goods to a Bonfire of the Vanities.

Desperate for him to take his rantings elsewhere, Plethora hatches a devious plan...

Second series of the comedy drama set in Renaissance Italy devised by Neal Anthony.

Written by Roger Danes.

Stars David Swift as Ludovico, Sian Phillips as Plethora, Graham Crowden as Francesco, Saskia Wickham as Rosalie, Paul Bigley as Alessandro, Nick Romero as Salvatore, Chris Kelham as Guido and Kim Wall as Father Ignazio.

Producer: Dawn Ellis

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2002.


WED 10:00 Home Front - Omnibus (b06492dw)
7-11 September 1915 (Season 5 start)

The first omnibus edition of Season 5 of the epic drama series set in Great War Britain in which the population is beginning to open up to thoughts of the hereafter.

Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz
Story-led by Sarah Daniels
Consultant Historian: Professor Maggie Andrews
Music: Matthew Strachan
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.


WED 11:00 Brief Sparks (b019h1c3)
You Should Have Seen the Mess

Muriel Spark had one of the most distinctive voices in twentieth-century writing, was capable of incisive and darkly-comic observation, and won prizes for her writing across the World. Spark worked as a novelist, dramatist and children's author, but it is perhaps her short stories that best exemplify her sharp eye and beautifully-crafted work, where she coolly probes the idiosyncrasies that lurk beneath veneer of human respectability.

The three stories in this series include the darkly funny 'Ladies and Gentlemen', which contrasts well with the wry humour of social comedy 'The Snobs' and the sharp satire of class, aspiration and phobia in this vignette: 'You Should Have Seen the Mess', read by Jane Collingwood.

Here, Muriel Spark revels in the pettiness of the British psyche in an acerbic story of a girl who turns her back on life's opportunities for fear of a little dirt.

Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.


WED 11:15 Steve Chambers - Victoria Station (b06rpx04)
First Class Distinction

Wednesday January 18th 1895. A Russian circus and vicar pass through - but which causes the most confusion at Victoria station in Bridgford?

Nottingham born author Steve Chambers' 5-part set in Victoria Station, Bridgford in 1895 each with a self-contained drama, as well as the day-to-day shenanigans and goings on of the station staff.

Stars Sean Baker as Station Master Joe Braddock, Philip Jackson as Tidmarsh, John Hartley as Union activist Fred Roberts, Gavin Muir as Area Manager Mr Cripps, Julia Ford as Josie and Pauline Letts as Ada.

Director: Celia de Wolff
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1995 and set a century before.


WED 12:00 The TV Lark (b01dc2dt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


WED 12:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b010mztj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


WED 13:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt9p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


WED 13:30 The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle (b00765zp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


WED 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b018gr0s)
Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love

Episode 8

by Nancy Mitford. Linda is living in Paris with the seductive Fabrice, Duc of Sauveterre. Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths and read by Diana Quick.

Fanny Logan tells the story of her beautiful, beloved and aristocratic cousin, Linda Radlett. Linda's marriage has failed, her communist phase is over and now she finds herself in Paris in the scandalous but delightful role of mistress to the true love of her life, Fabrice de Sauveterre.

Beautifully observed and hilariously funny, the novel is also a fascinating hinterland account of the period leading to the Second World War and never pulls its punches in evoking the painful reality of the times.

Reader...Diana Quick
Abridger...Lauris Morgan-Griffiths
Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery.


WED 14:15 Disability: A New History (b02143yp)
Sex and Marriage

Peter White explores sex and marriage between disabled people and reveals the shameful history of eugenics in Britain.

The programme begins with a document from Buckingham Palace - an order for some glamorous undergarments for a Royal Trousseau. They were sewn by the women of the Girls' Friendly Society, a group of disabled seamstresses who made a living by sewing sexy underwear. But they themselves had no expectation of marriage, or a sex life. In fact, if they were discovered not to be a virgin they were expelled from the group.

For disabled women - or men - the idea of sex or marriage was taboo. The programme traces the fear of 'bad blood' - the early and shameful history of the eugenics movement in Britain. It was a potent mixture of bad science and fear, and it ran right through society. The birth control pioneer Marie Stopes, for instance, became hysterical at the prospect of her son marrying a girl who had bad eyesight and refused to attend the wedding.

But despite such fears, there were of course romantic relationships between disabled people - not surprising, when so many of young people were living together in residential institutions in the 19th century. New research from a Swansea institution for the deaf reveals that the official rules about sex, and the reality of what happened, were very different.

With historians Professor Joanna Bourke, Mike Mantin and Vivienne Richmond. Documents are brought vividly to life by actors Euan Bailey, Gerard McDermott and Madeleine Brolly.

Producer: Elizabeth Burke
Academic adviser: David Turner of Swansea University
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.


WED 14:30 15 Minute Drama (b00hb60h)
Alexandre Dumas - The Lady of the Camellias

Episode 3

By Alexandre Dumas. The story of Marguerite Gauthier, a Parisian courtesan who goes on a journey through worldliness, love, renunciation and atonement, thanks to the love of young Armand Duval.

Armand is unable to stand his mistress Marguerite being with other men, and takes rash action in a fit of jealousy.

Duval ...... Dan Stevens
Dumas ...... Joseph Kloska
Marguerite ...... Ruth Wilson
Ernest/Count ...... Dick Bradnum
Gaston/Porter ...... Keiron Self
Prudence ...... Manon Edwards

Directed by Polly Thomas.


WED 14:45 Book of the Week (b00vjl0g)
Stephen Fry - The Fry Chronicles

Episode 3

Stephen Fry reveals how a call out of the blue led to him he becoming a poster boy for, of all things, celibacy.

The Fry Chronicles is a book that is not afraid to confront the aching chasm that separates public image from private feeling.

Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.


WED 15:00 Home Front - Omnibus (b06492dw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


WED 16:00 Counterpoint (b008h4yl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


WED 16:30 The Leopard in Autumn (b00s5xtl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


WED 17:00 Lenin of the Rovers (b007jvds)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


WED 17:30 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b06qkp8n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


WED 18:00 HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki (b0076rnv)
Fur

Eleanor and Suzanne are best friends, but not for much longer. Suzanne knows she can get her rich cousin Bertram to buy her a fur in the sales, but she has to entrust the job to Eleanor - who has her own plans...

Stars Helen Longworth as Eleanor, Lydia Leonard as Suzanne, Bertie Carvel as Bertram and Alex Tregear as Woman in Park/ Woman in Shop.

Five Tales by Saki (HH Munro), dramatised by Roger Davenport.

Director: Ned Chaillet

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.


WED 18:15 A Night with a Vampire (b017mr5y)
Series 2

Bewitched

Written by Edith Wharton.

A tale of Vampire possession written in 1925

Saul Rutledge had a girlfriend before he married his current wife. Unfortunately, he still slips at night to see her. Even though she dies several years ago...

David Tennant returns with another selection of chilling Vampire stories. Last year in the first series we concentrated on Victorian Vampire output but in these five tales we enter the 20th Century and introduce stories with a little twist from the UK and the USA.

Producer: Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.


WED 18:30 Off the Page (b0076x2p)
It's Not You, It's Me

Victoria Coren on how we avoid uncomfortable moments, with Martin Newell, Dr Cosmo Hallstrom and Susannah Jowett. From February 2006.


WED 19:00 The TV Lark (b01dc2dt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


WED 19:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b010mztj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


WED 20:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt9p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


WED 20:30 The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle (b00765zp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


WED 21:00 Brief Sparks (b019h1c3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


WED 21:15 Steve Chambers - Victoria Station (b06rpx04)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


WED 22:00 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b06qkp8n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


WED 22:30 Tim Key's Late Night Poetry Programme (b01dtxh1)
Series 1

Work

In the last of the series, Tim's laid on a final episode treat: A professional musician will accompany him as he tackles the thorny issue of 'work'. Tom Basden is also present.

Written and presented by Tim Key

With Tom Basden & Isy Suttie

Producer: James Robinson.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2012.


WED 22:45 Earls of the Court (b00rp1dt)
The Hangover

Is Lloydie ready for what is coming when Johnno makes a hungover, life-changing decision?

Comedy drama series by Will Adamsdale and Stewart Wright about two Australians down on their luck in London.

Lloydie ...... Stewart Wright
Johnno ...... Will Adamsdale
Desk Clerk ...... Alison Pettitt
Announcer ...... Keely Beresford

Director: Sasha Yevtushenko

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2010.


WED 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b06t3wxd)
The best in contemporary comedy. Tonight, Thom Tuck chats to Ben Target.


WED 23:00 Beauty of Britain (b01064yj)
Series 2

Laurelmead

No professional care-worker can afford to miss Beauty Olonga's survival guide to Britain - its overheated houses, its disappointing church services and its world-class charity shops. Series 2 of this Radio 4 comedy follows Beauty's continuing adventures as the Featherdown Agency sends her to provide care for the elderly.

Beauty sees herself as an inspiration to other African girls hoping to live the dream in Britain. The series breaks the embarrassed silence about what happens to us when we get old and start to lose our faculties. It shows the process in all its chaotic, tragi-comedy but it does so from the point of view of Beauty, whose Zimbabwean Shona background has taught her to respect age. Beauty sees Britain at its best, its worst and also sometimes without its clothes on running the wrong way down the M6 with a toy dog shouting 'Come on!'

'A British care home is basically a big house named after a tree' observes Beauty, as she decides to work at Laurelmead this week. A change from her usual live in work, but working for the care home brings its own difficulties. There is some good news- her church choir is through to the regional finals of 'Go for Gospel'.

Beauty ... Jocelyn Jee Esien
Kriss ... Felix Dexter
Neville ... Clive Swift
Mrs Gupte ... Indira Joshi
Anil ... Paul Sharma
Worship Leader Wayne ... Lloyd Thomas
Uncle Custard ... Chris Douglas
Sandra ... Nicola Sanderson

The music for the series was performed by The West End Gospel Choir.
Written by Christopher Douglas and Nicola Sanderson
The producer is Tilusha Ghelani.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2011.


WED 23:30 Beautiful Dreamers (b00vhgsh)
The Symphony for all Creation

By James Lever and Nat Segnit.

In this series documentary maker Nat Segnit investigates the untold stories of visionary mavericks including; the creator of the first animal orchestra; a billionaire planning to freefall from space; an ex-con New York junkie bridge jumper; the first swimmer of the River Europe and the 'Jonahs' who offer themselves to be swallowed by whales.

This week Nat explores the life and work of Artur Mistek, founder of Musica Zoologika. With contributions from Charlie Higson, Toby Jones, Eleanor Bron, Peter Marinker and Zeb Soanes.

Music by David Pickvance
Produced by Steven Canny and Sasha Yevtushenko

Nat Segnit's short stories and journalism have appeared in The Times and The Independent on Sunday. For Radio 4 he has written Dolphin Therapy and Strangers on Trains.

James Lever is author of the best-selling Me Cheeta, which Lynne Truss loved so much she said, "It will subtly change forever the way we think not only about Hollywood but also about our own species" (The Sunday Times).



THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015

THU 00:00 HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki (b0076rnv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Wednesday]


THU 00:15 A Night with a Vampire (b017mr5y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:15 on Wednesday]


THU 00:30 Off the Page (b0076x2p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Wednesday]


THU 01:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt9p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]


THU 01:30 The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle (b00765zp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]


THU 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b018gr0s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]


THU 02:15 Disability: A New History (b02143yp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Wednesday]


THU 02:30 15 Minute Drama (b00hb60h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]


THU 02:45 Book of the Week (b00vjl0g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Wednesday]


THU 03:00 Home Front - Omnibus (b06492dw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]


THU 04:00 Counterpoint (b008h4yl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Wednesday]


THU 04:30 The Leopard in Autumn (b00s5xtl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Wednesday]


THU 05:00 Lenin of the Rovers (b007jvds)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]


THU 05:30 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b06qkp8n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]


THU 06:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt9z)
Bad Apples

Episode 4

With the Home Secretary still denying any nefarious connections with the murdered Norman Tate, Colvil and Soames get a breakthrough in their investigation.

Christopher Lee's murder-mystery starring Christopher Benjamin and Amanda Redman as intelligence officers Henry Colvil and Alex Soames.

Henry Colvil …. Christopher Benjamin
Alex Soames …. Amanda Redman
DCI Guscott …. Dudley Sutton
Miranda Peel …. Sheila Reid
Tom Margeson …. Tom Cotcher
Charlie Lofthouse …. Alistair McGowan
Maggie Lindley …. Alphonsia Emmanuel

Producer: Pete Atkin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1998.


THU 06:30 Pieces of a Man (b00js8d1)
Poet Lemn Sissay explores the life of the influential activist, musician, writer and 'godfather of rap' Gil Scott-Heron, who died in May 2011.

Following in the footsteps of Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes, The Black Arts movement and jazz and blues musicians such as John Coltrane and Billie Holiday, Gil Scott-Heron helped pioneer the fight for racial equality and developed a new way of fusing music with hard-hitting political poetry. His story reflects the modern African-American struggle, from segregation in the South to triumph in the White House.

Lemn will speak to Gil about his childhood, spent with his feisty grandmother in Tennessee, and his teenage years in New York at the height of the Civil Rights movement, punctuated by the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X and when black artists, musicians and writers were beginning to find a voice in modern American society.

Gil spent four decades in the music business during which time he joined forces with Stevie Wonder to campaign for a Martin Luther King national holiday, paved the way for the birth of hip hop, influenced some of the biggest names in popular culture and wrestled with a long term addiction to drugs.

Featuring interviews with Chuck D, Greg Tate and Benjamin Zephaniah.

Producer: Elizabeth Alker
An All Out production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2009.


THU 07:00 North by Northamptonshire (b03phd43)
Series 3

Episode 4

Waiting in for a delivery tests the patience of even the most well meaning of daughters.

Sheila Hancock narrates the bittersweet adventures of the residents of a small town in Northamptonshire.

Written by Katherine Jakeways.

As is well-known: Yorkshiremen wear flat caps and Essex girls wear short skirts; Liverpudlians are scallies and Cockneys are wideboys. Northamptonians gaze wistfully at these stereotypes and wish for an identity of any kind and a label less ridiculous than Northamptonians. Northamptonshire, let us be clear, is neither north, nor south nor in the Midlands. It floats somewhere between the three eyeing up the distinctiveness of each enviously.

Katherine Jakeways gives Northamptonshire an identity. And she waits, eagerly, for her home-county to thank her. And possibly make her some kind of Mayor.

Narrator ...... Sheila Hancock
Mary ...... Penelope Wilton
Norman ...... Geoffrey Palmer

Producer: Steven Canny

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2014.


THU 07:30 Tina C (b06qmpqw)
Tina C: Herstory

Episode 1

Country music star Tina C presents her life story, starting with her humble origins in deepest Tennessee and taking us all the way to where she stands today - a global feminist icon, and political powerhouse. And she can still knock out a tune or two too.

Tina will be joined on stage by a three-piece band who will help her recreate her biggest hits, and a special guest interviewer who will talk to her about her struggles.

In this first episode, Tina recalls her childhood. A humble start in life provides a rich seam of stories which fed into her early work. Family has always been important to Tina - as tracks like Hard Times, Don't Be Afraid to Start Crying, and Tramp on a Trampoline show.

From the moment her second album No Dick's As Hard As My Life was released, the world took notice of country music singer Tina C. Since then she has become a global brand. Following 9/11 she has been travelling the world 24/11 working for peace and being a poster girl for American democracy, selling that unique vision of hope to the rest of the world whether they want it or not. Seductive and persuasive, she is here to recruit you to her world view. She is the living embodiment (and what a body) of soft power. Tina C. has performed in venues all over the world, with her own TV show and five series on BBC Radio. You can run but you can't hide from Tina C.

Tina is the creation of Christopher Green, a multi-award winning writer and performer.

"Tina C is one of my favourite performers. She is witty, often outrageous and always in tune! I can't wait to see what Chris Green comes up with next" Sir Ian McKellen

""Christopher Green's Tina C is one of the great comic creations of the age. A genuinely fine country singer, but with a twist of satire and insight which is rare and to be highly prized". Stephen Fry

Written & performed by Christopher Green.
Additional voices: Debra Baker & Leo Wan.
The Band: Duncan Walsh-Atkins, Mark Hardisty & Phil Wraith.
Special guest interviewer: Dr Raj Persaud.
Producer: Victoria Lloyd

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.


THU 08:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jmhk)
Series 4

A Box in Town

Albert hinders son Harold's romantic endeavours.

Starring Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett.

Following the conclusion of their hugely successful association with Tony Hancock, writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson wrote 10 pilots for the BBC TV's Comedy Playhouse in 1962.

The Offer featured the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and son Harold - and was the spark for a run of eight series on TV.

Albert ...... Wilfrid Brambell
Harold ...... Harry H Corbett

With Yootha Joyce, Katherine Parr and Sheila Grant.

Written for TV and adapted for radio by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Producer: Bobby Jaye

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1972.


THU 08:30 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b008hgpz)
Series 3

Episode 5

Shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel takes on an amusement arcade.

Recreation of the Marx Brothers' lost shows charting the adventures of shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel and his assistant, Emmanuel Ravelli. Originally broadcast with sponsors on America's NBC radio network in the 1930s. The scripts were rediscovered in 1988.

Groucho Marx as Waldorf T. Flywheel …. Michael Roberts
Chico Marx as Emmanuel Ravelli …. Frank Lazarus

With Lorelei King, Graham Hoadly and Vincent Marzello.

Written by Nat Perrin and Athur Sheekman. Adapted by Mark Brisenden.

Music arranged and conducted by David Firman.

Producer: Dirk Maggs

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1992.


THU 09:00 Booked (b0075lw6)
Series 2

Episode 4

Mark Thomas, Dillie Keane, Miles Kington and Roger McGough wreak havoc with the literary canon

Irreverent literary game chaired by Ian McMillan.

Producer: Marc Jobst

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1997.


THU 09:30 Be Prepared (b0076tb0)
First Aid

Despite being sacked from running the First Aid stall at the local church fete Miles is determined to give his life saving mannequin, Annie, a day out.

Recently separated from his wife and with a teenage son, Miles Rummings continues with his dream of running a scout troop.

Stars Kim Wall as Miles, Emma Amos as Dawn, Barnaby Power as Steve, Louis Dunsford as Jason, Collen Prendergast as Jules, Robert Hastie as Rob, Susan Jamerson as Mary, Gerard McDermott as the Vicar and Harry Myers as the Estate Agent.

Producer: Sally Avens

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.


THU 10:00 Home Front - Omnibus (b06493hz)
14-18 September 1915

Omnibus edition of the epic drama series set in Great War Britain - a week of evasions, diversions and new arrivals.

Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz
Story-led by Sarah Daniels
Consultant Historian: Professor Maggie Andrews
Music: Matthew Strachan
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
Directed by Allegra McIlroy
Editor: Jessica Dromgoole.


THU 11:00 Brief Sparks (b019qm1n)
Ladies and Gentlemen

Muriel Spark had one of the most distinctive voices in twentieth-century writing, was capable of incisive and darkly-comic observation, and won prizes for her writing across the World.

Spark worked as a novelist, dramatist and children's author, but it is perhaps her short stories that best exemplify her sharp eye and beautifully-crafted work, where she coolly probes the idiosyncrasies that lurk beneath veneer of human respectability. The three stories in this series include the wry humour of social comedy 'The Snobs' and the sharp satire of class, aspiration and phobia in 'You Should Have Seen the Mess'.

Here, Muriel Spark enjoys a timely satire on the perils awaiting those who attempt to commit adultery, when a married man runs the terrible risk of taking a walk in the park with his young mistress. Read by Tracy-Ann Oberman.

Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.


THU 11:15 Baldi (b007k0b9)
Series 3

The Sick Rose

Paolo Baldi discovers that a priceless hybrid plant leads to little peace and serenity in the newly designed garden of contemplation - as he and Tina are soon digging round in the murderous world of gardening.

David Threlfall stars as the murder-solving priest, Paolo Baldi.

Written by Martin Meenan.

With Tina Kellegher as Tina Mahon, TP McKenna as Father Troy, Owen Roe as Rynne, Margaret D'Arcy as Mrs Reid, Victoria Smurfit as Claire, Adrian Dunbar as Kearney, Pat Laffan as Meadows, Mark O'Regan as Sheridan, Anne Marie Horan as Megan and Deirdre Monaghan as Gloria.

Format by Barry Devlin. Developed and produced by BBC Northern Ireland.

Script Editor: Gemma McMullan

Recorded at RTE's studios in Dublin.

Director: Mark Lambert

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.


THU 12:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jmhk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


THU 12:30 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b008hgpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


THU 13:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt9z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


THU 13:30 Pieces of a Man (b00js8d1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


THU 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b018gwv5)
Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love

Episode 9

by Nancy Mitford. Linda has to leave her beloved Fabrice in Paris and return to London to await the end of the war. Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths and read by Diana Quick.

Fanny Logan tells the story of her beautiful, adored and aristocratic cousin, Linda Radlett. Linda's marriage has failed, her communist phase is over and after a period in Paris in the scandalous but delightful role of mistress to the true love of her life, Fabrice de Sauveterre, she must return to England without him.

Beautifully observed and hilariously funny, the novel is also a fascinating hinterland account of the period leading to the Second World War and never pulls its punches in evoking the painful reality of the times.

Reader...Diana Quick
Abridger...Lauris Morgan-Griffiths
Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery.


THU 14:15 Disability: A New History (b02147h7)
Brave Poor Things

Disabled children are everywhere in popular fiction - Tiny Tim, What Katy Did, The Secret Garden. But what about the real children of the 19th century? What were their lives like, and where can we hear their voices?

In this 9th programme in the series, Peter White searches for documents which reveal the reality of children's lives.

He discovers new research into the history of the Brave Poor Things, a charity which set out to 'save' disabled children across the country through organised games, outings, and a Guild song:

'A trouble's a ton, A trouble's an ounce
A trouble is what you make it.
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts
But only how did you take it.'

The literature of the Brave Poor Things includes quotes from children - like this girl:

'O! I am so glad to be a cripple!' said a happy-faced girl one day when away in the country. 'Glad?' questioned someone. What DO you mean? And she answered, 'I can't help being glad. It is so beautiful to belong to the Guild, and I couldn't unless I had lost my leg.'

That's from fund-raising propaganda - but it's not a real girl's voice. Using images of pathetic children to raise money for charity has had a powerful legacy.

Just occasionally, there is a real child's voice. Peter discovers a letter from a little girl in a Swansea Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and it is almost unbearably moving:

'I do feel homesick. When are you coming to see me? Do you know how long I have to stop here? The children are all dumb here, I am the only girl that can speak.'

With historians Julie Anderson, Joanna Bourke and Mike Mantin.

Producer: Elizabeth Burke
Academic adviser: David Turner of Swansea University
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.


THU 14:30 15 Minute Drama (b00hb62m)
Alexandre Dumas - The Lady of the Camellias

Episode 4

By Alexandre Dumas. The story of Marguerite Gauthier, a Parisian courtesan who goes on a journey through worldliness, love, renunciation and atonement, thanks to the love of young Armand Duval.

Armand and Marguerite have at last escaped to a rural idyll, but their happiness is shattered when Armand's father begs his son to leave his mistress.

Duval ...... Dan Stevens
Dumas ...... Joseph Kloska
Marguerite ...... Ruth Wilson
Prudence/Maid ...... Manon Edwards
Duval Senior ...... Steffan Rhodri

Directed by Polly Thomas.


THU 14:45 Book of the Week (b00vjl06)
Stephen Fry - The Fry Chronicles

Episode 4

Stephen Fry talks about his early love of radio and his first forays into broadcasting on Radio 4.

The Fry Chronicles is a book that is not afraid to confront the aching chasm that separates public image from private feeling.

Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.


THU 15:00 Home Front - Omnibus (b06493hz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


THU 16:00 Booked (b0075lw6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


THU 16:30 Be Prepared (b0076tb0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


THU 17:00 North by Northamptonshire (b03phd43)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


THU 17:30 Tina C (b06qmpqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


THU 18:00 HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki (b0076rpb)
The Toys of Peace

Harvey is encouraged by his right-thinking sister to give toys that can't be used for war to her two sons. But children, in a Saki tale, are immensely inventive...

Stars Anthony Calf as Harvey, Beth Chalmers as Leonora, Ben Tibber as Eric, Anton Rice as Bertie and Alex Tregear as the Waitress.

Five Tales by Saki (HH Munro), dramatised by Roger Davenport.

Director: Ned Chaillet

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.


THU 18:15 A Night with a Vampire (b017mtfm)
Series 2

Drink My Blood

Written by Richard Matheson.

Written in 1951 this is an unusually dark comic twist on the Vampire tale about a young pasty-faced school kid, Jules, whose only ambition in life is to become a vampire. But will his dreams come true? Richard Matheson wrote "I am Legend".

David Tennant returns with another selection of chilling Vampire stories.
Last year in the first series we concentrated on Victorian Vampire output but in these five tales we enter the 20th Century and introduce stories with a little twist from the UK and the USA.

Producer: Clive Brill
A Pacificus Production for BBC Radio 4.


THU 18:30 Great Lives (b0076vcr)
Series 8

Vasily Grossman

4 Extra Debut. Writer Gillian Slovo chooses Soviet Russia novelist and war reporter, Vasily Grossman. With Francine Stock. From October 2005.


THU 19:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jmhk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


THU 19:30 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b008hgpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


THU 20:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt9z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


THU 20:30 Pieces of a Man (b00js8d1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


THU 21:00 Brief Sparks (b019qm1n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


THU 21:15 Baldi (b007k0b9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


THU 22:00 Tina C (b06qmpqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


THU 22:30 Two Episodes of Mash (b01mk9nz)
Series 2

Episode 2

Barricaded inside their studio, David O'Doherty is holding all the Radio 4 microphones hostage in an attempt to make the network give them the team their own radio series.

Prepare for unique versions of the news, weather, sport, traffic and a fly on the wall documentary about working behind-the-scenes on a sketch show.

Things look set take a turn for the worse with a phone call from the Radio 4 Negotiator.

An online animation of the Fishing Sketch by Tom Rourke is available via the Radio 4 Extra website.

A mix of silly, surreal sketches and banter starring Diane Morgan, and Joe Wilkinson.

With:
David O'Doherty
Paul Harry Allen
Bobbie Pryor
Gary Newman

Producer: Clair Wordsworth

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2012.


THU 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b06t3x0p)
The best in contemporary comedy. Tonight, Thom Tuck chats to Ben Target.


THU 23:00 Bleak Expectations (b00nkv3r)
Series 3

A Now Grim Life Yet More Grimified

Pip Bin faces his most gruelling fate yet at the hands of his evil undead ex-guardian and an enormous quantity of cheese.

But can the spirits of Harvest Festival past, present and future show him a way to redemption?

Mark Evans's epic comedy in the style of Charles Dickens.

Sir Philip Bin ...... Richard Johnson
Gently Benevolent ...... Anthony Head
Young Pip ...... Tom Allen
Harry Biscuit ...... James Bachman
Dr Wackwallop ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Ripely Fecund ...... Sarah Hadland
Pippa ...... Susy Kane
Other parts ...... Mark Evans

Producer: Gareth Edwards

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2009.


THU 23:30 The Museum of Everything (b00899zt)
Series 1

Welcome to the Museum of Everything

Feel free to wander round our many galleries and experience the history of everything. Learn about the history of everything.

Learn about the history of wicker, tour a stately home and discover the real identity of Jack the Ripper.

Written and performed by Marcus Brigstocke, Danny Robins and Dan Tetsell.

With Lucy Montgomery.

Music by Dominic Haslam and Ben Walker.

Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2004.



FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER 2015

FRI 00:00 HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki (b0076rpb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Thursday]


FRI 00:15 A Night with a Vampire (b017mtfm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:15 on Thursday]


FRI 00:30 Great Lives (b0076vcr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Thursday]


FRI 01:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jt9z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]


FRI 01:30 Pieces of a Man (b00js8d1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]


FRI 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b018gwv5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]


FRI 02:15 Disability: A New History (b02147h7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Thursday]


FRI 02:30 15 Minute Drama (b00hb62m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]


FRI 02:45 Book of the Week (b00vjl06)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Thursday]


FRI 03:00 Home Front - Omnibus (b06493hz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]


FRI 04:00 Booked (b0075lw6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Thursday]


FRI 04:30 Be Prepared (b0076tb0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Thursday]


FRI 05:00 North by Northamptonshire (b03phd43)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]


FRI 05:30 Tina C (b06qmpqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]


FRI 06:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jtbm)
Bad Apples

Episode 5

While Colvil and Soames are searching the flat of murder victim Norman Tate, who should walk through the door but ... Norman Tate.

Christopher Lee's murder-mystery starring Christopher Benjamin and Amanda Redman as intelligence officers Henry Colvil and Alex Soames.

Henry Colvil …. Christopher Benjamin
Alex Soames …. Amanda Redman
DCI Guscott …. Dudley Sutton
Miranda Peel …. Sheila Reid
Tom Margeson …. Tom Cotcher
Charlie Lofthouse …. Alistair McGowan
Maggie Lindley …. Alphonsia Emmanuel
Norman Tate …. Brian Bowles
DS Gwen Jenkins …. Sue Jones Davies

Producer: Pete Atkin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1998.


FRI 06:30 The Alchemist Himself (b00txj8g)
The Alchemist is a worldwide bestseller. From San Francisco to Mumbai, huge stacks of the book can be found in any store, along with the author's many other inspirational works. The man behind The Alchemist is Paulo Coelho, and around the world many claim that his books have changed their lives.

Despite his global success, few know the true story of Paulo Coelho's steep rise to fame. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he spent a childhood struggling to find an outlet for his creative energies. His behaviour seemed so disturbed to his parents that they decided that the only option was to have him locked up in a mental institution, an episode which left an indelible mark on the young writer.

Later he began to experiment with drugs and developed his interest in black magic, activities which brought him to the notice of the Brazilian Military Police. At a dark time in Brazilian history, he found himself in the dungeons of the country's military dictatorship facing torture.

Mark Rickards goes in search of the man behind The Alchemist to find the inspiration for a book which has in turn inspired its readers. Meeting Paulo Coelho, he talks to the author about both the good and the bad times in a remarkable life.


FRI 07:00 Winston (b007s165)
Winston Comes to Town

Easy to Love

Old rogue Winston's new-found wealth goes to his head - but what's to be done about Father?

Peter Tinniswood's bawdy comedy serial.

Winston ...... Bill Wallis
Father ...... Maurice Denham
Nancy ...... Shirley Dixon
Rosie ...... Liz Goulding
William ...... Christian Rodska

Director: Shaun MacLoughlin

First broadcast on BBC Radio in January 1990.


FRI 07:30 Trodd en Bratt Say 'Well Done You' (b06r1cvy)
Series 2

Episode 3

Spiritual advice with a strange twist - and a gaggle of Kens.

A fun packed second series from comedy duo Lucy Trodd and Ruth Bratt. Sketches and songs from a whole range of new characters, with the occasional appearance from some old favourites.

Performers:
Lucy Trodd
Ruth Bratt
Adam Meggido
Oliver Senton

Written by: Ruth Bratt and Lucy Trodd
Script Editor: Jon Hunter
Original music: Duncan Walsh Atkins

Producer: Steve Doherty
A Lucky Giant production for BBC Radio 4.


FRI 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jp18)
Series 5

Hancock's War

The lad impresses the vicar with tales of his heroic exploits in Military Intelligence.

Starring 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 May 1958.


FRI 08:30 The Goon Show (b008p7by)
Series 6

The Pevensey Bay Disaster

To foil Grytpype-Thynne and Moriarty, Neddie Seagoon must plough his way to the Sussex coast.

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 April 1956.


FRI 09:00 The 99p Challenge (b0075wj9)
Series 4

Episode 4

Crazy panel show capers as host Sue Perkins grills Armando Iannucci, Marcus Brigstocke, Nick Frost and Peter Baynham.

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

Producer: David Tyler
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003.


FRI 09:30 Mind Your Own Business! (b009mbdc)
The Big Bang

Jimmy is suspicious when Farrow and Sue stay in their office till late every evening.

Is it devotion to duty? Or just a bit of overtime?

Bernard Cribbins and Frank Thornton star in Andrew Palmer’s sitcom

Jimmy Bright ...... Bernard Cribbins
Russell Farrow ...... Frank Thornton
Nan Forbes ...... Annette Crosbie
Sue Plant ...... Annee Blott
Bacon/Jacko ...... John Kane

Written by Andrew Palmer.

Producer: Edward Taylor

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1988.


FRI 10:00 Home Front - Omnibus (b06495lk)
21-25 September 1915

Omnibus edition of the epic drama series set in Great War Britain over a week when Folkestone seems to be poisoned by the war.

CAST
Esme ..... Katie Angelou
Boy ..... Alexander Aze
Edie Kathryn Beaumont
Stella Ava Bell
Ray Scarlett Bell
Gabriel ..... Michael Bertenshaw
Juliet ..... Lizzie Bourne
Mrs Grimes ..... Amelda Brown
Peggy ..... Victoria Brazier
Howard ..... Gunnar Cauthery
Dolly ..... Elaine Claxton
Sylvia Joanna David
Marion Laura Elphinstone
Adam ..... Billy Kennedy
Kitty ..... Ami Metcalf
Clemmie ..... Joanna Monro
Ralph ..... Nicholas Murchie
Albert ..... Harry Myers
Johnnie ..... Paul Ready
Florrie ..... Claire Rushbrook
Adeline ..... Helen Schlesinger
Dorothea ..... Rachel Shelley
Woman ..... Jane Slavin
Alec ..... Tom Stuart
Lillian ..... Alex Tregear
Mayor ..... John Woodvine

Written by Katie Hims
Story-led by Sarah Daniels
Consultant Historian: Professor Maggie Andrews
Music: Matthew Strachan
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.


FRI 11:00 Afternoon Reading (b011zmqw)
New Welsh Writing from Ty Newydd

A Very Private View

Ty Newydd, near Snowdonia, is the National Writing Centre for Wales as well as being the former home of Lloyd George. These three stories were created there on a Writing for Radio course, and showcase both new and established Welsh writers.

In A Very Private View, a young man in Vienna keeps company with one of the city's most famous doctors. Peter Taylor's story is read by Ioan Gruffudd.

Director Nigel Lewis
Executive Producer: Kate McAll
BBC Cymru Wales.


FRI 11:15 Baldi (b007k0bt)
Series 3

Settling Scores

Paolo invites Tina to her first classical music concert, but a murder soon sounds a wrong note.

David Threlfall stars as the murder-solving priest, Paolo Baldi.

Written by Mark Holloway.

With Tina Kellegher as Tina Mahon, Bill Nighy as O'Connor, TP McKenna as Father Troy, Geraldine James as Maggie, Owen Roe as Rynne, Gerard McSorley as Dr Virgo, Niall Buggy as Donal Clare, Luke Griffin as Billy and Collette Proctor as Kitty Henderson.

Format by Barry Devlin. Developed and produced by BBC Northern Ireland.

Script Editor: Gemma McMullan

Recorded at RTE's studios in Dublin.

Director: Mark Lambert

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.


FRI 12:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jp18)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


FRI 12:30 The Goon Show (b008p7by)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


FRI 13:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jtbm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


FRI 13:30 The Alchemist Himself (b00txj8g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


FRI 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b018h2hv)
Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love

Episode 10

by Nancy Mitford. Now certain of Fabrice's feelings, Linda returns to the family home to await the end of the war. Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths and read by Diana Quick.

Fanny Logan tells the story of her beautiful, beloved and aristocratic cousin Linda Radlett. Linda's marriages have failed and she is separated by war from the true love of her life, Fabrice, Duc de Sauveterre. She is also expecting his baby.

Beautifully observed and hilariously funny, the novel is also a fascinating hinterland account of the period leading to the Second World War and never pulls its punches in evoking the painful reality of the times.

Reader...Diana Quick
Abridger...Lauris Morgan-Griffiths
Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery.


FRI 14:15 Disability: A New History (b02140ny)
A Disabled Identity

In the final part of his series, Peter White reveals the birth of a modern disabled identity in the 19th century - through the lives of some extraordinary independent blind women.

Peter says, 'I'm used to people describing me as disabled. Fair enough, I can't see. But I do wonder sometimes whether putting me into a disabled category really makes much sense. Some of my best friends use wheelchairs, but the truth is our needs could hardly be more different. I fall over them, they run over me! But over the last 40 years, disabled people have needed a collective identity to make change possible, to break down discrimination in jobs, transport, in people's attitudes generally.

People have tended to think that this sense of collective identity in Britain began after the First World War, when so many men returned with very visible injuries. But the evidence I've uncovered making this series reveals it to have begun much earlier.

This evidence comes from new research into the lives of blind women in the 19th century. We hear the stories of two extraordinary women who fought the conventions of their time, Adele Husson and Hippolyte van Lendegem. Independent, critical, angry - their voices are very modern, and research into their lives challenges accepted wisdom about the history of the disability movement.

With historians Selina Mills, David Turner and Julie Anderson, and readings by Emily Bevan and Madeleine Brolly.

Producer: Elizabeth Burke
Academic adviser: David Turner of Swansea University
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.


FRI 14:30 15 Minute Drama (b00hb644)
Alexandre Dumas - The Lady of the Camellias

Episode 5

By Alexandre Dumas. The story of Marguerite Gauthier, a Parisian courtesan who goes on a journey through worldliness, love, renunciation and atonement, thanks to the love of young Armand Duval.

Armand finally reveals the hidden sacrifice that Marguerite made for him, and how nobly she acted for love.

Duval ...... Dan Stevens
Dumas ...... Joseph Kloska
Marguerite ...... Ruth Wilson
Porter ...... Keiron Self
Olympe ...... Lynne Seymour
Prudence/Maid ...... Manon Edwards
Duval Senior ...... Steffan Rhodri

Directed by Polly Thomas.


FRI 14:45 Book of the Week (b00vh958)
Stephen Fry - The Fry Chronicles

Episode 5

Today Stephen reveals the origins of his enduring love of technology and his great friendship with Douglas Adams.

The Fry Chronicles is a book that is not afraid to confront the aching chasm that separates public image from private feeling.

Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.


FRI 15:00 Home Front - Omnibus (b06495lk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


FRI 16:00 The 99p Challenge (b0075wj9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


FRI 16:30 Mind Your Own Business! (b009mbdc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


FRI 17:00 Winston (b007s165)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


FRI 17:30 Trodd en Bratt Say 'Well Done You' (b06r1cvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


FRI 18:00 HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki (b0076rpr)
The Open Window

Packed off around Britain in a search for a cure for his nerves, Framton Nuttel arrives at the Sappleton's house with a letter of introduction from his sister.

It little prepares him for the tale of terror he's about to hear...

Stars Paul Brooke as Framton Nuttel, Emily Chenery as Vera, Joanna McCallum as Mrs Sappleton, Susan Jameson as Caroline Nuttel and Michael Kilgarriff as Mr Sappleton/ Trap Driver.

Five Tales by Saki (HH Munro), dramatised by Roger Davenport.

Director: Ned Chaillet

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.


FRI 18:15 A Night with a Vampire (b017mws7)
Series 2

A Lot of Mince Pies

Written by Robert Swindells.

Swindells is a British author known mainly for his children's books and indeed, this tale first appeared in a collection of haunted tales for the young adult. But it has a macabre and chilling undertone - set at Xmas and focussing on a group of carollers who visit the same cottage every year - and receive a special treat in return.....

David Tennant returns with another selection of chilling Vampire stories.
Last year in the first series we concentrated on Victorian Vampire output but in these five tales we enter the 20th Century and introduce stories with a little twist from the UK and the USA.

Producer: Clive Brill
A Pacificus Production for BBC Radio 4.


FRI 18:30 Soul Music (b0076bhq)
Series 3

Moon River

Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer's film theme for Breakfast at Tiffany's starring Audrey Hepburn.

The song was originally going to be called 'Red River' 'June River' or 'Blue River'.

Taking part:
Chay Blyth
Barry Parris
Phil Furia
Gerald Clarke
Richard Hughes

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

Producer: Sara Conkey

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2002.


FRI 19:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jp18)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


FRI 19:30 The Goon Show (b008p7by)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


FRI 20:00 Colvil and Soames (b007jtbm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


FRI 20:30 The Alchemist Himself (b00txj8g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


FRI 21:00 Afternoon Reading (b011zmqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


FRI 21:15 Baldi (b007k0bt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


FRI 22:00 Trodd en Bratt Say 'Well Done You' (b06r1cvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


FRI 22:30 Lionel Nimrod's Inexplicable World (b007qx6z)
Series 1

The Universe

The spoof TV sci-fi star explains life's big mysteries. Stars Richard Herring, Stewart Lee and Tom Baker. From October 1992.


FRI 23:00 The Gobetweenies (b01kksr2)
Series 2

The Break-Up

Marcella Evaristi's sly take on contemporary parenting looks at a divorced North London family through the prism of two go-betweening siblings.

This week, Lucy prepares to dazzle the world with her Rihanna-influenced take on the part of Nancy in the school production of Oliver! - but her mum, armed with a new parenting manual, prepares to do battle with her daughter's impermeable belief in her own genius. Meanwhile, son Tom is appalled by his hated fictional alter ego, cutesy Georgie. Maybe if he garrottes his mother's puppet version of himself, she'll get the hint? Dad is determined to steer him away from the merchandise and takes him to see a wrestling match instead.

Director: Marilyn Imrie

Producer: Gordon Kennedy
An Absolutely Production for BBC Radio 4.


FRI 23:30 Shappi Talk (b00x23w5)
Series 2

Addiction

Shappi Khorsandi looks at a variety of subjects close to her Iranian heart - including History, Politics and, in this programme, Addiction.

Having struggled with food disorders, Shappi reveals what it's like to have an addictive personality, but being able to have a laugh along the way. With this insight, she has relaxed chat with TV host Trisha Goddard, someone who has herself experienced addictions throughout her adult life. Comedian Mike Gunn uses his drug experience to wittily debunk a few myths and Duncan Oakley provides a comic song.

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




LIST OF THIS WEEK'S PROGRAMMES
(Note: the times link back to the details; the pids link to the BBC page, including iPlayer)

15 Minute Drama 14:30 MON (b00h4w7j)

15 Minute Drama 02:30 TUE (b00h4w7j)

15 Minute Drama 14:30 TUE (b00hb5yh)

15 Minute Drama 02:30 WED (b00hb5yh)

15 Minute Drama 14:30 WED (b00hb60h)

15 Minute Drama 02:30 THU (b00hb60h)

15 Minute Drama 14:30 THU (b00hb62m)

15 Minute Drama 02:30 FRI (b00hb62m)

15 Minute Drama 14:30 FRI (b00hb644)

A Good Read 18:30 MON (b00765r1)

A Good Read 00:30 TUE (b00765r1)

A Look Back at the Future 23:30 SUN (b01rlngt)

A Night with a Vampire 18:15 MON (b017mz4h)

A Night with a Vampire 00:15 TUE (b017mz4h)

A Night with a Vampire 18:15 TUE (b017mv2s)

A Night with a Vampire 00:15 WED (b017mv2s)

A Night with a Vampire 18:15 WED (b017mr5y)

A Night with a Vampire 00:15 THU (b017mr5y)

A Night with a Vampire 18:15 THU (b017mtfm)

A Night with a Vampire 00:15 FRI (b017mtfm)

A Night with a Vampire 18:15 FRI (b017mws7)

Afternoon Reading 11:00 FRI (b011zmqw)

Afternoon Reading 21:00 FRI (b011zmqw)

Archive on 4 08:00 SAT (b015ygj9)

Archive on 4 15:00 SAT (b015ygj9)

Archive on 4 03:00 SUN (b015ygj9)

Baldi 11:15 MON (b007k06w)

Baldi 21:15 MON (b007k06w)

Baldi 11:15 TUE (b007k085)

Baldi 21:15 TUE (b007k085)

Baldi 11:15 THU (b007k0b9)

Baldi 21:15 THU (b007k0b9)

Baldi 11:15 FRI (b007k0bt)

Baldi 21:15 FRI (b007k0bt)

Be Prepared 09:30 THU (b0076tb0)

Be Prepared 16:30 THU (b0076tb0)

Be Prepared 04:30 FRI (b0076tb0)

Beautiful Dreamers 23:30 WED (b00vhgsh)

Beauty of Britain 23:00 WED (b01064yj)

Bleak Expectations 23:00 THU (b00nkv3r)

Book at Bedtime 02:00 SAT (b018ft1m)

Book at Bedtime 14:00 MON (b018g3pp)

Book at Bedtime 02:00 TUE (b018g3pp)

Book at Bedtime 14:00 TUE (b018gpgq)

Book at Bedtime 02:00 WED (b018gpgq)

Book at Bedtime 14:00 WED (b018gr0s)

Book at Bedtime 02:00 THU (b018gr0s)

Book at Bedtime 14:00 THU (b018gwv5)

Book at Bedtime 02:00 FRI (b018gwv5)

Book at Bedtime 14:00 FRI (b018h2hv)

Book of the Week 02:45 SAT (b00wmnpy)

Book of the Week 14:45 MON (b00vjl1f)

Book of the Week 02:45 TUE (b00vjl1f)

Book of the Week 14:45 TUE (b00vjl10)

Book of the Week 02:45 WED (b00vjl10)

Book of the Week 14:45 WED (b00vjl0g)

Book of the Week 02:45 THU (b00vjl0g)

Book of the Week 14:45 THU (b00vjl06)

Book of the Week 02:45 FRI (b00vjl06)

Book of the Week 14:45 FRI (b00vh958)

Booked 09:00 THU (b0075lw6)

Booked 16:00 THU (b0075lw6)

Booked 04:00 FRI (b0075lw6)

Brief Sparks 11:00 TUE (b01946nz)

Brief Sparks 21:00 TUE (b01946nz)

Brief Sparks 11:00 WED (b019h1c3)

Brief Sparks 21:00 WED (b019h1c3)

Brief Sparks 11:00 THU (b019qm1n)

Brief Sparks 21:00 THU (b019qm1n)

Bruce Bedford - Mire Farm 16:00 SUN (b00k08lg)

Bruce Bedford - Mire Farm 04:00 MON (b00k08lg)

Cabin Pressure 22:30 MON (b01ptztf)

Colvil and Soames 06:00 MON (b007jt94)

Colvil and Soames 13:00 MON (b007jt94)

Colvil and Soames 20:00 MON (b007jt94)

Colvil and Soames 01:00 TUE (b007jt94)

Colvil and Soames 06:00 TUE (b007jt9c)

Colvil and Soames 13:00 TUE (b007jt9c)

Colvil and Soames 20:00 TUE (b007jt9c)

Colvil and Soames 01:00 WED (b007jt9c)

Colvil and Soames 06:00 WED (b007jt9p)

Colvil and Soames 13:00 WED (b007jt9p)

Colvil and Soames 20:00 WED (b007jt9p)

Colvil and Soames 01:00 THU (b007jt9p)

Colvil and Soames 06:00 THU (b007jt9z)

Colvil and Soames 13:00 THU (b007jt9z)

Colvil and Soames 20:00 THU (b007jt9z)

Colvil and Soames 01:00 FRI (b007jt9z)

Colvil and Soames 06:00 FRI (b007jtbm)

Colvil and Soames 13:00 FRI (b007jtbm)

Colvil and Soames 20:00 FRI (b007jtbm)

Concrete Cow 22:00 SAT (b0076k1x)

Counterpoint 09:00 WED (b008h4yl)

Counterpoint 16:00 WED (b008h4yl)

Counterpoint 04:00 THU (b008h4yl)

Dad's Army 12:30 SAT (b007jq0r)

Dad's Army 08:00 MON (b007jq38)

Dad's Army 12:00 MON (b007jq38)

Dad's Army 19:00 MON (b007jq38)

David Attenborough's Life Stories 11:50 SUN (b00mrzn0)

David Attenborough's Life Stories 19:50 SUN (b00mrzn0)

Desert Island Discs Revisited 10:15 SUN (b06rdmm6)

Desert Island Discs Revisited 21:15 SUN (b06rdmm6)

Disability: A New History 02:15 SAT (b01snxyf)

Disability: A New History 14:15 MON (b0211jrg)

Disability: A New History 02:15 TUE (b0211jrg)

Disability: A New History 14:15 TUE (b0213yg1)

Disability: A New History 02:15 WED (b0213yg1)

Disability: A New History 14:15 WED (b02143yp)

Disability: A New History 02:15 THU (b02143yp)

Disability: A New History 14:15 THU (b02147h7)

Disability: A New History 02:15 FRI (b02147h7)

Disability: A New History 14:15 FRI (b02140ny)

Earls of the Court 22:45 WED (b00rp1dt)

Ed Reardon's Week 07:30 SUN (b00pqh8s)

Ed Reardon's Week 17:30 SUN (b00pqh8s)

Ed Reardon's Week 22:00 SUN (b00pqh8s)

Ed Reardon's Week 05:30 MON (b00pqh8s)

Elizabeth Gaskell - Mary Barton Omnibus 06:00 SUN (b0080hqb)

Elizabeth Gaskell - Mary Barton Omnibus 13:00 SUN (b0080hqb)

Elizabeth Gaskell - Mary Barton Omnibus 01:00 MON (b0080hqb)

Elizabeth Gaskell - Mary Barton 02:30 SAT (b007jqng)

Elizabeth Taylor - Sisters 15:45 SUN (b01pkjws)

Elizabeth Taylor - Sisters 03:45 MON (b01pkjws)

Fear on 4 18:00 SUN (b00c87yc)

Fear on 4 00:00 MON (b00c87yc)

Ghost Houses 07:15 SUN (b007605c)

Ghost Houses 14:15 SUN (b007605c)

Ghost Houses 02:15 MON (b007605c)

Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes Off 23:00 SAT (b0183t48)

Gloomsbury 07:30 TUE (b0418p77)

Gloomsbury 17:30 TUE (b0418p77)

Gloomsbury 22:00 TUE (b0418p77)

Gloomsbury 05:30 WED (b0418p77)

Great Lives 18:30 THU (b0076vcr)

Great Lives 00:30 FRI (b0076vcr)

Greater Love (Omnibus) 13:00 SAT (b06r9fhy)

Greater Love (Omnibus) 01:00 SUN (b06r9fhy)

HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki 18:00 MON (b0076rmr)

HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki 00:00 TUE (b0076rmr)

HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki 18:00 TUE (b0076rnb)

HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki 00:00 WED (b0076rnb)

HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki 18:00 WED (b0076rnv)

HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki 00:00 THU (b0076rnv)

HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki 18:00 THU (b0076rpb)

HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki 00:00 FRI (b0076rpb)

HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki 18:00 FRI (b0076rpr)

HR 07:00 TUE (b01by7c0)

HR 17:00 TUE (b01by7c0)

HR 05:00 WED (b01by7c0)

Hancock's Half Hour 08:00 FRI (b007jp18)

Hancock's Half Hour 12:00 FRI (b007jp18)

Hancock's Half Hour 19:00 FRI (b007jp18)

Hercule Poirot 06:00 SAT (b007jxgm)

Hercule Poirot 16:00 SAT (b007jxgm)

Hercule Poirot 04:00 SUN (b007jxgm)

Home Front - Omnibus 10:00 WED (b06492dw)

Home Front - Omnibus 15:00 WED (b06492dw)

Home Front - Omnibus 03:00 THU (b06492dw)

Home Front - Omnibus 10:00 THU (b06493hz)

Home Front - Omnibus 15:00 THU (b06493hz)

Home Front - Omnibus 03:00 FRI (b06493hz)

Home Front - Omnibus 10:00 FRI (b06495lk)

Home Front - Omnibus 15:00 FRI (b06495lk)

Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries 03:00 SAT (b007k1nq)

Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries 10:00 MON (b007k1pw)

Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries 15:00 MON (b007k1pw)

Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries 03:00 TUE (b007k1pw)

Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries 10:00 TUE (b007k1r3)

Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries 15:00 TUE (b007k1r3)

Hugh Walpole - Rogue Herries 03:00 WED (b007k1r3)

I Think I've Got a Problem 23:00 SUN (b007wp39)

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue 07:30 MON (b06qhyv4)

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue 17:30 MON (b06qhyv4)

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue 22:00 MON (b06qhyv4)

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue 05:30 TUE (b06qhyv4)

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again 08:30 WED (b010mztj)

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again 12:30 WED (b010mztj)

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again 19:30 WED (b010mztj)

In the Psychiatrist's Chair 14:15 SAT (b06r9hq9)

In the Psychiatrist's Chair 02:15 SUN (b06r9hq9)

Inheritance Tracks 14:10 SAT (b06r9fj0)

Inheritance Tracks 02:10 SUN (b06r9fj0)

Inheritance Tracks 10:10 SUN (b06rdlhj)

Inheritance Tracks 21:10 SUN (b06rdlhj)

Isy Suttie's Guide to the Family 09:00 SAT (b06r9b2t)

Isy Suttie's Guide to the Family 19:00 SAT (b06r9b2t)

Jonathan Hall - The Midnight House 18:00 SAT (b0076xfv)

Jonathan Hall - The Midnight House 00:00 SUN (b0076xfv)

Kenneth Cranham on the Water 11:00 MON (b01bpjj5)

Kenneth Cranham on the Water 21:00 MON (b01bpjj5)

King Street Junior 09:30 MON (b007jmdx)

King Street Junior 16:30 MON (b007jmdx)

King Street Junior 04:30 TUE (b007jmdx)

L'Abbe Bourdelot - Monsieur Oufle 18:45 SAT (b06r9k83)

L'Abbe Bourdelot - Monsieur Oufle 00:45 SUN (b06r9k83)

Lenin of the Rovers 07:00 WED (b007jvds)

Lenin of the Rovers 17:00 WED (b007jvds)

Lenin of the Rovers 05:00 THU (b007jvds)

Lionel Nimrod's Inexplicable World 22:30 FRI (b007qx6z)

Marguerite Patten's Century of British Cooking 07:30 SAT (b0075p8z)

Marguerite Patten's Century of British Cooking 17:30 SAT (b0075p8z)

Marguerite Patten's Century of British Cooking 05:30 SUN (b0075p8z)

Mind Your Own Business! 04:30 SAT (b009hshb)

Mind Your Own Business! 09:30 FRI (b009mbdc)

Mind Your Own Business! 16:30 FRI (b009mbdc)

Miss Marple 01:00 SAT (b007jvbg)

Much Binding in the Marsh 08:30 SUN (b008gzwf)

Much Binding in the Marsh 12:30 SUN (b008gzwf)

My Teenage Diary 22:30 SUN (b038hghc)

North by Northamptonshire 07:00 THU (b03phd43)

North by Northamptonshire 17:00 THU (b03phd43)

North by Northamptonshire 05:00 FRI (b03phd43)

Off the Page 18:30 WED (b0076x2p)

Off the Page 00:30 THU (b0076x2p)

Pieces of a Man 06:30 THU (b00js8d1)

Pieces of a Man 13:30 THU (b00js8d1)

Pieces of a Man 20:30 THU (b00js8d1)

Pieces of a Man 01:30 FRI (b00js8d1)

Poetry Extra 17:00 SUN (b06rcj2p)

Poetry Extra 05:00 MON (b06rcj2p)

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. - The Art of Backing Vocals 01:30 SAT (b00kgfc1)

Robert Easby - Oneira 00:00 SAT (b007k29f)

Round the Horne 08:00 TUE (b00mfhv6)

Round the Horne 12:00 TUE (b00mfhv6)

Round the Horne 19:00 TUE (b00mfhv6)

Ruth Rendell - Dark Corners (Omnibus) 14:30 SUN (b06rdpsp)

Ruth Rendell - Dark Corners (Omnibus) 02:30 MON (b06rdpsp)

Shah Rukh Khan's Heroes 18:30 TUE (b06rlkh5)

Shah Rukh Khan's Heroes 00:30 WED (b06rlkh5)

Shappi Talk 23:30 FRI (b00x23w5)

Sir Henry at Rawlinson End 23:15 TUE (b00s09s1)

Soul Music 00:30 SAT (b0076bdb)

Soul Music 18:30 FRI (b0076bhq)

Steptoe and Son 08:00 THU (b007jmhk)

Steptoe and Son 12:00 THU (b007jmhk)

Steptoe and Son 19:00 THU (b007jmhk)

Steve Chambers - Victoria Station 11:15 WED (b06rpx04)

Steve Chambers - Victoria Station 21:15 WED (b06rpx04)

Steven Appleby's Normal Life 22:45 SAT (b00807sc)

Strap In - It's Clever Peter 22:30 SAT (b01hxmxt)

Susan Hill - The Woman in Black 18:30 SUN (b007jlpk)

Susan Hill - The Woman in Black 00:30 MON (b007jlpk)

The 99p Challenge 04:00 SAT (b06r022t)

The 99p Challenge 09:00 FRI (b0075wj9)

The 99p Challenge 16:00 FRI (b0075wj9)

The Al Read Show 08:00 SUN (b00cq63d)

The Al Read Show 12:00 SUN (b00cq63d)

The Alchemist Himself 06:30 FRI (b00txj8g)

The Alchemist Himself 13:30 FRI (b00txj8g)

The Alchemist Himself 20:30 FRI (b00txj8g)

The Ape That Got Lucky 22:30 TUE (b008039f)

The Comedy Club Interviews 22:55 SUN (b06t39sn)

The Comedy Club Interviews 22:55 WED (b06t3wxd)

The Comedy Club Interviews 22:55 THU (b06t3x0p)

The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show 08:30 MON (b01sdcqw)

The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show 12:30 MON (b01sdcqw)

The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show 19:30 MON (b01sdcqw)

The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle 06:30 MON (b00765st)

The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle 13:30 MON (b00765st)

The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle 20:30 MON (b00765st)

The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle 01:30 TUE (b00765st)

The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle 06:30 TUE (b00765wy)

The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle 13:30 TUE (b00765wy)

The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle 20:30 TUE (b00765wy)

The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle 01:30 WED (b00765wy)

The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle 06:30 WED (b00765zp)

The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle 13:30 WED (b00765zp)

The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle 20:30 WED (b00765zp)

The General - The Story of Charles de Gaulle 01:30 THU (b00765zp)

The Gobetweenies 23:00 FRI (b01kksr2)

The Goon Show 08:30 FRI (b008p7by)

The Goon Show 12:30 FRI (b008p7by)

The Goon Show 19:30 FRI (b008p7by)

The Harpoon 23:30 MON (b007lrqx)

The Leopard in Autumn 09:30 WED (b00s5xtl)

The Leopard in Autumn 16:30 WED (b00s5xtl)

The Leopard in Autumn 04:30 THU (b00s5xtl)

The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel 08:30 THU (b008hgpz)

The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel 12:30 THU (b008hgpz)

The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel 19:30 THU (b008hgpz)

The Moth Radio Hour 11:00 SUN (b06r02j9)

The Moth Radio Hour 19:00 SUN (b06r02j9)

The Motion Show 16:00 TUE (b0075wz8)

The Motion Show 04:00 WED (b0075wz8)

The Museum of Everything 23:30 THU (b00899zt)

The Now Show 23:00 MON (b06qmvkx)

The Now Show 09:00 TUE (b06qmvkx)

The Problem With Adam Bloom 23:30 SAT (b01bl9xm)

The Railways: Nation, Network and People (Omnibus) 09:00 SUN (b06rdcvz)

The Railways: Nation, Network and People (Omnibus) 20:00 SUN (b06rdcvz)

The Right Time 07:00 MON (b00c0btz)

The Right Time 17:00 MON (b00c0btz)

The Right Time 05:00 TUE (b00c0btz)

The TV Lark 08:00 WED (b01dc2dt)

The TV Lark 12:00 WED (b01dc2dt)

The TV Lark 19:00 WED (b01dc2dt)

The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere 12:00 SAT (b007jv2y)

The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere 09:30 TUE (b00b9xqh)

The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere 16:30 TUE (b00b9xqh)

The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere 04:30 WED (b00b9xqh)

The Write Stuff 09:00 MON (b009xy1t)

The Write Stuff 16:00 MON (b009xy1t)

The Write Stuff 04:00 TUE (b009xy1t)

Think the Unthinkable 23:30 TUE (b007jm2g)

Tim Key's Late Night Poetry Programme 22:30 WED (b01dtxh1)

Tina C 07:30 THU (b06qmpqw)

Tina C 17:30 THU (b06qmpqw)

Tina C 22:00 THU (b06qmpqw)

Tina C 05:30 FRI (b06qmpqw)

To the Manor Born 08:30 TUE (b007n1wj)

To the Manor Born 12:30 TUE (b007n1wj)

To the Manor Born 19:30 TUE (b007n1wj)

Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups 07:30 WED (b06qkp8n)

Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups 17:30 WED (b06qkp8n)

Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups 22:00 WED (b06qkp8n)

Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups 05:30 THU (b06qkp8n)

Trodd en Bratt Say 'Well Done You' 05:30 SAT (b06qh4vz)

Trodd en Bratt Say 'Well Done You' 07:30 FRI (b06r1cvy)

Trodd en Bratt Say 'Well Done You' 17:30 FRI (b06r1cvy)

Trodd en Bratt Say 'Well Done You' 22:00 FRI (b06r1cvy)

Twenty Players 23:00 TUE (b06rp9g4)

Two Episodes of Mash 22:30 THU (b01mk9nz)

Winston 05:00 SAT (b007rdrz)

Winston 07:00 FRI (b007s165)

Winston 17:00 FRI (b007s165)