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 19 DECEMBER 2015

SAT 00:00 Arthur Conan Doyle - Professor Challenger (b00zs6nn)
The Disintegration Machine

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's indomitable academic must investigate dastardly Latvian scientist Theodore Nemor. Stars Bill Paterson.


SAT 00:30 Soul Music (b0076blv)
Series 3

Kol Nidrei

Max Bruch's piece for cello is based on Jewish prayer sung at Yom Kippur and played memorably by Jacqueline du Pre.

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.


SAT 01:00 P Division (b00rgnxh)
Two Way Cut

Episode 4

Donoghue has enough evidence to arrest Stein - but where is he? Louise wants to make a statement about the murder and Elka Willems is going to tell Mrs Salisbury about her daughter's illness.

Stars Frank Gallagher as DC Malcolm Montgomery, Robert Carlyle as DC King, Eliza Langland as WPC Elka Willems, Ginni Barlow as Mrs Sailisbury, Mary Ann Reid as Mrs Steen, Jake D'Arcy as DS Ray Sussock and Crawford Logan as DI Donoghue.

Published in 1988, this is Peter Turnbull's fifth P Division novel about his Glaswegian cops.

Dramatised by Stephen Mulrine.
Producer: Hamish Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1993.


SAT 01:30 Eagle: The Space Age Weekly (b00wqdx6)
Sir Tim Rice explores the lasting appeal of British magazine Eagle and the impact of its flagship character Dan Dare.

Eagle ran in two main incarnations between 1950 and 1994. Dan Dare, often referred to as "Biggles in space", is regarded in some circles as the greatest British science fiction hero of the 20th century

In this feature we chart the influences behind the comic, and explore the life of its creator Marcus Morris, a fascinating man who began the publication because of his concern over 'horrific' US comics which presented 'disturbing' storylines which he felt 'corrupted British youth'.

The programme reveals how Dan Dare was originally envisaged as a space chaplain before becoming the popular astronaut. It also examines the work of illustrator Frank Hampson who introduced technology years ahead of its time. Hampson knew the Space Age was on its way while serving in the Second World War and seeing the German VI rockets. He made the Dan Dare strips as realistic as possible by dressing his team in spacesuits and uniforms, basing the look of the fictional characters on his colleagues.

We reveal how the stories had educational value and, along with Dan Dare, we look at other Eagle offerings including Shakespeare's plays and the Greek myths which ran as comic strips.

Featuring contributions from author Philip Pullman, Sally Morris the daughter of Eagle Creator Marcus and Eagle Society member David Britton.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.


SAT 02:00 Jan Struther - Mrs Miniver (b00nnp65)
Back From Abroad; Three Stockings

The engaging stories of an English housewife, created in The Times of 1937 and immortalised on film. Read by Penelope Wilton.


SAT 02:15 A Cause for Caroling (b03kvby7)
The Ghosts of the West Gallery

In the fifth programme of his series telling the story of the Christmas Carol Jeremy Summerly visits Dorchester where Thomas Hardy captured the caroling tradition that had matured through the 17th and 18th century but which faced extinction in the 19th. The West Gallery tradition of musicians and singers in parish churches was an integral part of community life in Hardy's Wessex as elsewhere. Jeremy explains the origins of that tradition and the fuguing carols so beloved at the time and why it was that their days were numbered.
Along with folk musician Tim Laycock he gets to see the carol manuscripts from which Hardy's great grandfather played and sang on Christmas night in 1800.

Series Description:
The Christmas carol is as popular now as it was when carolers celebrated the birth of Edward III in 1312. Back then the carol was a generic term for a song with its roots in dance form, nowadays only the strictest scholar would quibble with the fact that a carol is a Christmas song.
But the journey the carol has taken is unique in music history because each shift in the story has been preserved in the carols that we sing today. Go to a carol concert now and you're likely to hear folk, medieval, mid-victorian and modern music all happily combined. It's hard to imagine that happening in any other situation.
In these programmes Jeremy Summerly follows the carol journey through the Golden age of the Medieval carol into the troubled period of Reformation and puritanism, along the byways of the 17th and 18th century waits and gallery musicians and in to the sudden explosion of interest in the carol in the 19th century. It's a story that sees the carol veer between the sacred and secular even before there was any understanding of those terms. For long periods the church, both catholic and protestant, was uneasy about the virility and homespun nature of carol tunes and carol texts. Nowadays many people think that church music is defined by the carols they hear from Kings College Cambridge.
He traces the folk carol in and out of church grounds, the carol hymn, the fuguing carol and the many other off-shoots, some of which survive to this day and many others which languish unloved but ready for re-discovery.
It's a journey full of song describing the history of a people who needed expression for seasonal joy in the coldest, hardest time of the year. And however efficient the heating system may be, the carol still generates warmth. Much of that is to do with the positive nostalgia of this music.
That nostalgia is in part due to the fact that carols are one of the first kinds of song children actually sing rather than hear. Many favourite carols were actually written for Children; Once in Royal David's City the most familiar example. Another factor is the concentration in the texts on the humanity of nativity with tunes garnered from the uninhibited world of folk song and ballad.
The series title is taken from a Thomas Hardy poem in which he ponders of a Darkling Thrush why it should chose to sing - 'so little cause for carolings of such ecstatic sound' - is the question asked. THis series is an attempt to answer why Carols remain so popular and familiar to so many. In fact Hardy himself, in his first novel Under The Greenwood Tree, went some way to answering his own question when he described the Mellstock Quire singing at Midnight on Christmas Eve:
'Then passed forth into the quiet night an ancient and time worn hymn, embodying a quaint Christianity in words orally transmitted from father to son through several generations down to the present characters, who sang them out right earnestly."
Jeremy brings the series up to date with the story of the famous Nine Lessons and Carols service broadcast by the BBC since the 1920s but born originally in Truro. It's a service that commands a worldwide audience measured in many millions, but as Jeremy concludes it has left an imbalance in the appreciation of our caroling tradition, a tradition that has always had one foot in the pub and another in the choir stalls.

Producer: Tom Alban.


SAT 02:30 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvwn)
Episode 5

Becky travels to London with the ailing spinster Miss Crawley. Narrated by Stephen Fry. With Emma Fielding and Margaret Tyzack.


SAT 02:45 Alan Coren - Core Coren (b007jrq9)
One is One - Leading the Solitary Life

The humorist, writer and broadcaster muses on a Victorian novelty, the chance of appearing in Macbeth and home-working.


SAT 03:00 Home Front - Omnibus (b064jrpl)
26-30 October 1915

Last omnibus edition of Season 5 of Home Front, an epic drama series set in Great War Britain.

CAST
Guard ..... David Acton
Esme ..... Katie Angelou
Norman ..... Sean Baker
Edie ..... Kathryn Beaumont
Roy ..... Tim Beckmann
Stella ..... Ava Bell
Ray ..... Scarlett Bell
Isabel ..... Keely Beresford
Gabriel ..... Michael Bertenshaw
Mack ..... Owen Clarke
Dolly ..... Elaine Claxton
Alice ..... Claire Louise Cordwell
Beau ..... Stephen Critchlow
Sylvia ..... Joanna David
Cooper ..... Mark Edel-Hunt
Marion ..... Laura Elphinstone
Hilary ..... Craige Els
Roland ..... Jack Holden
Man 1 ..... David Hounslow
Adam ..... Billy Kennedy
Kitty ..... Ami Metcalf
PC Eldridge ..... Dan Hagley
Brad ..... Neet Mohan
Clemmie ..... Joanna Monro
Albert ..... Harry Myers
Woman ..... Rhiannon Neads
Johnnie ..... Paul Ready
Marieke ..... Olivia Ross
Florrie ..... Claire Rushbrook
Dorothea ..... Rachel Shelley
Alec ..... Tom Stuart
Sally ..... Sarah Thom
Maggie ..... Hollie Thoupos
Ivy ..... Lizzy Watts
Nancy ..... Jane Whittenshaw

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


SAT 04:00 The 99p Challenge (b06s6mrj)
Series 4

Episode 5

Crazy panel show capers as host Sue Perkins grills Armando Iannucci, Peter Baynham, Sean Lock and Jack Docherty.

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 March 2003.


SAT 04:30 Mind Your Own Business! (b009pr6l)
Points of Disagreement

Whiz-kid Jimmy Bright has run out of Whizz. So staid accountant Russell Farrow grabs the reins, and ends up in a prickly situation...

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
With Dennis Ramsden.

Written by Andrew Palmer.

Producer: Edward Taylor

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1988.


SAT 05:00 Winston (b007svwq)
Winston Comes to Town

The Best Place for Them

With Father set for an old folk's home - can old rogue Winston save the day for Nancy?

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 February 1990.


SAT 05:30 Trodd en Bratt Say 'Well Done You' (b06rxgtc)
Series 2

Episode 4

The vaguely European owners of the Fings and Bobs Novelty Shop make a return visit to Wherever-we-come-from-Land, Evelyn and Gertie try to be nice and - there's been a murder!

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.


SAT 06:00 Alick Rowe - Crisp and Even Brightly (b007jqsz)
Was the poor man gathering fuel really poor, and was he really a man - or was she a Slavnik spy in disguise? Was Wenceslas's tramp into the forest with his ten-year-old page carrying flesh and wine and logs just a public relations exercise?

What is the true story behind the story of Good King Wenceslas?

Alick Rowe's comedy stars Timothy West as Good King Wenceslas, James Holland as the Page, June Barrie as the Queen Grandmother, Christian Rodska as Sigmund, Bill Wallis as Tunna and Polly James as a Hovel Dweller.

Music by Andrew Christie.

Directed in Bristol by Shaun McLaughlin.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1987.


SAT 07:15 Oscar Wilde (b007k0l3)
The Happy Prince

From their aerial view, a beautiful statue and a swallow team up to help the poor in the city below. Read by John Moffatt. From December 1997.


SAT 07:30 Marguerite Patten's Century of British Cooking (b0075k9n)
Trench Cookers and Borsch, 1940-1949

Borsch, Corned Beef Loaf, Jugged Hare, Crumble, Pickled Red Cabbage and Christmas Pudding.

Marguerite Patten mingles recipes of the 1940s with memories of the Blitz, pressure cookers, trench cookers, digging for victory, the formation of the NHS and some of her own early broadcasts - 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 Meeting Myself Coming Back (b01jppw6)
Series 4

Richard Branson

The first programme in the new series of 'Meeting Myself Coming Back', the series in which leading public figures explore their lives through the BBC archives, features Sir Richard Branson in conversation with John Wilson. From his early days as the founder of "Student" magazine, to the creation of the Virgin record business and expansion into a global empire, Richard Branson has been an icon of entrepreneurship. In this interview, he meets his younger self from the sound archive and discusses his reactions with John Wilson.

He begins by hearing his 21- year old self running the influential "Student Magazine" from a basement in London and relives the way he created Virgin Records as a cut price mail order enterprise. He also hears the sound archive from 1984 when he announced the setting up of Virgin Atlantic with only one plane. We hear his memories of his daring exploits in hot air balloons and at sea and his thoughts on escaping death by a whisker.

Richard Branson also relives the episode when one of his planes flew into Baghdad airport in to bring out the British hostages held by Saddam Hussain after the invasion of Kuwait in 1990. He talks about the eerie stillness of the deserted airport, the tension of waiting and the relief when the hostages finally came on board.

We also hear his thoughts on doing business, taking knocks, political affiliation, plans for space travel and paying tax.

Producer: Emma Kingsley.


SAT 09:00 Josie Long Hears the Truth (b06s9rcn)
The truth in all of its forms can be complicated, but that's not to say it's not worth the quest. From heartfelt, emotional encounters to awe-inspiring experiences, Josie Long presents the best in true storytelling from both home and abroad.

The items featured in this programme are:

The Worst Haircut Ever - Radio producer Jeff Cohen interviews his two young daughters about a haircut that went terribly wrong.
Produced by Jeff Cohen

The Blow Up Bra - 94-year-old Betty Jenkins remembers a quirky gift from her mother.
Produced by Nadia Reiman

School Night - Storyteller Ameera Chowdhury recalls writing a pop music review as a teen and receiving a surprising response.
Produced for The Moth Radio Hour

Don't Go Far - The adventure of two Dublin children in August 1985 who chanced a free ride on the DART and ended up further away than they expected...
Produced by Ronan Kelly and Paul Russell

The Real Tom Banks - 23 year old gay teen Tom Banks is on the search for love...on the internet.
Produced by Jesse Cox

Split Brain - Brain scientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor remembers every moment of her life-altering stroke.
Produced by Nick Van der Kolk

Freud's Couch - Roman Mars on the story behind the most famous couch in history.
Produced by Ann Hepperman

Myrtle and Denika - Fi Glover hears from Myrtle, one of the first single parents to adopt in the UK, and Denika, who was 5 when she went to live with her.
Produced by Victoria McArthur

Dame Mitsuko Uchida - Japanese born classical pianist, Dame Mitsuko Uchida talks about her inspiration and passion for piano playing.
Produced for Front Row

Helen Sharman - The first British person to travel in space, Helen remembers docking with the Mir space station in 1991 and her regret at having to return to Earth.
Produced for My Century

Millie The Jack Russell - We hear the story of the overweight Jack Russell Millie's return to fitness for 2014's PDSA Pet Fit Club.
Produced for You And Yours

Norma Miller - Harlem born Norma Miller tells the story of her lindy hop days.
Produced for My Century

Living With Birdie - Birdie McDonald tells the extraordinary story of her life as a foster mother of more than 850 children over the last 35 years.
Produced by Emily Jeal
Made for BBC Radio 4 in Extra and first broadcast in December 2015.


SAT 12:00 Round the Horne (b00mlxk1)
Series 3

Episode 12

Kenneth Williams saddles up as a jockey in 'A Man Is Two Foot Tall', but Kenneth Horne is after some advice on Bona Bijou Tourettes from Julian and Sandy.

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.


SAT 12:30 Brothers in Law (b007k0y6)
Series 2

Look It Up

Newly qualified lawyer Roger Thursby annoys his girlfriend Sally over a dispute involving a husband and wife.

Starring Richard Briers as Roger Thursby, Terence Alexander as Henry Blagrove, John Glyn-Jones as Grimes, Julia Lockwood as Sally, Ronald Adam as the Chairman and Arthur Mullard as Briggs. All other parts by Sean Arnold, Douglas Blackwell and Patrick Tull.

Written by Henry Cecil and Basil Dawson.

Published in 1955, Henry Cecil's comic legal novel Brothers in Law was adapted first for TV in 1962 by Frank Muir and Denis Norden. It provided the first regular starring role for Richard Briers, who later reprised his role of the idealistic young lawyer Roger Thursby for BBC Radio between 1970 and 1972.

Producer: David Hatch.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1971.


SAT 13:00 Sarah Woods - Speck of Dust Omnibus (b06sb14w)
When Zoe's husband Ben leaves her for another woman, she is determined the family will get on fine without him. With Eiry Thomas.


SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (b06sb17d)
Rick Stein

Chef Rick Stein chooses 'Wouldn't It Be Lovely' from My Fair Lady, and 'Afternoons And Coffee Spoons' by the Crash Test Dummies.


SAT 14:15 In the Psychiatrist's Chair (b06sb28z)
Tony Benn

Former cabinet minister, politician and campaigner Tony Benn discusses his life and career with Professor Anthony Clare. From 1995.

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 1995.


SAT 15:00 Meeting Myself Coming Back (b01jppw6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SAT 16:00 Alick Rowe - Crisp and Even Brightly (b007jqsz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:15 Oscar Wilde (b007k0l3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


SAT 17:30 Marguerite Patten's Century of British Cooking (b0075k9n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 18:00 Classic Serial (b01nkt24)
The Gothic Imagination

Frankenstein, part 1

A new production of Mary Shelley's heart-breaking modern myth of obsession, pride and the need for love.

While sailing through the Arctic wastes, Captain Walton picks up an unexpected passenger. Close to death the man begins to tell Walton his strange and terrible story. 1 of 2

Dramatised by Lucy Catherine.

Directed by Marc Beeby.


SAT 19:00 Josie Long Hears the Truth (b06s9rcn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 Irish Micks and Legends (b01nq4j1)
Series 1

Tir Na Nog

Aisling Bea and Yasmine Akram become Ais and Yaz and are the very best pals. They are taking their role as Ireland's freshest story-tellers to the British nation very seriously indeed but they haven't had the time to do much research, learn their lines or work out who is doing which parts.

The girls' unconventional way of telling stories involves a concoction of thoroughly inappropriate modern-day metaphors and references to many of the ancient Irish stories.

With a natural knack for both comedy and character voices Yasmine Akram and Aisling Bea will bring you warm, modern re-workings of popular ancient Irish stories.

Today it's Tir Na Nog.

Written and performed by Aisling Bea and Yasmine Akram

Producer: Raymond Lau.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2012.


SAT 22:15 Mission Improbable (b01p4254)
Series 1

Splash!

A brand new series of high octane mini-adventures, written by and starring The Boom Jennies - Anna Emerson, Lizzie Bates and Catriona Knox.

When cub reporter Jane arrives in Tintagel to get an interview with Cornwall's oldest whelk fisherman, her long-suffering companions could be forgiven if they were a little reluctant to tag along. Not a bit of it. Spinster-in-waiting Lucy has her eye on Jane's septuagenarian man of the sea, and zoo assistant Amelia has her mind fixed on dolphins. But as they head out into the bay to intercept the aged shellfish gatherer, the speed of Amelia's rowing sets them on a very different course - one of world records, mountainous seas and near misses with oil tankers.

Will Jane get her story? Will Lucy catch the man of her dreams? Will Amelia remember to take the lens cap off her binoculars? All these questions will be answered before their plucky rowing boat spies land once more.

Jane ................ Catriona Knox
Lucy .................Lizzie Bates
Amelia ..............Anna Emerson
Bill ................... Paul Ryan

Written by Anna Emerson, Lizzie Bates and Catriona Knox
Audio production by Matt Katz

Produced by Dave Lamb and Richie Webb
A Top Dog Production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 22:30 Strap In - It's Clever Peter (b01jhdht)
Pedro

Strap in for 15 minutes of rip-roaring comedy as Clever Peter bring you a death plunge, a leap across a ravine and a sexy clown.

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 and Dominic Stone

Produced and directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive Television Ltd production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 22:45 Steven Appleby's Normal Life (b007jn0b)
Series 1

Normal Science

Cartoonist Steven sets out to prove that science will eventually make the natural world, humans included, entirely redundant.

Starring Mark Perry as cartoonist Steven Appleby who takes an abnormal look at everyday life.

Steven ...... Paul McCrink
Mum ...... Rosalind Paul
Lauren Maroon ...... Rachel Atkins
Mr Two ...... Ewan Bailey
Dad ...... Nigel Betts

Written by Steven Appleby

Producer: Toby Swift

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2001.


SAT 23:00 The Jason Byrne Show (b01p03v9)
Series 3

Ever Been Proposed to in a Pub?

Award-winning comedian Jason Byrne muses on the merits of matrimony.

Stand up and sketches with Laurence Howarth and Daisy Haggard.

Producer: Julia McKenzie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 2010.


SAT 23:30 Son of Cliche (b00p4mcr)
Freddie Fortune

From a spoof Melvyn Bragg to a signing chimp.

Featuring 'The Further Reasonably Exciting Adventures of Captain Invisible and the See-Thru Kid'.

Sketch comedy starring:

Chris Barrie
Nick Maloney
Nick Wilton.

Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor.

Producer: Alan Nixon

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1984.



SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2015

SUN 00:00 Classic Serial (b01nkt24)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Saturday]


SUN 01:00 Sarah Woods - Speck of Dust Omnibus (b06sb14w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:00 on Saturday]


SUN 02:10 Inheritance Tracks (b06sb17d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:10 on Saturday]


SUN 02:15 In the Psychiatrist's Chair (b06sb28z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Saturday]


SUN 03:00 Meeting Myself Coming Back (b01jppw6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Saturday]


SUN 04:00 Alick Rowe - Crisp and Even Brightly (b007jqsz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]


SUN 05:15 Oscar Wilde (b007k0l3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Saturday]


SUN 05:30 Marguerite Patten's Century of British Cooking (b0075k9n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]


SUN 06:00 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair Omnibus (b008lywx)
Episode 1

Orphan Becky Sharp begins her journey in society. Stephen Fry narrates the Victorian comic tale. With Emma Fielding.


SUN 07:15 Unbuilt Britain (b01l0csn)
A Pyramid for Primrose Hill

In the second in the series, architectural writer and historian Jonathan Glancey looks at some of the most fantastic building projects of Britain and finds out why they didn't make it off the drawing board. In north London, Primrose Hill is today a park much loved by local residents. But, as Jonathan discovers, plans in the 19th century might have led to a giant pyramid being built, a place of burial for millions of corpses.

How could such an extraordinary project ever have been considered for this part of London? Jonathan Glancey looks at the Victorian approach to death and how an Egyptian pyramid might just have fitted with the times.


SUN 07:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b00q2w82)
Series 6

The Cruise

ED REARDON'S WEEK
Episode 3: The Cruise

Ed, surprisingly, has had a brilliant idea for a book and, even more surprisingly, Ping agrees. So it is that when an opportunity arises to go on a cruise with Jaz and the band, Ed takes up the offer in order to find creative reinvigoration at sea.

With Christopher Douglas as Ed Reardon
and Stephanie Cole as Olive
Simon Greenall as Ray
Geoff McGivern as Cliff
Philip Jackson as Jaz
Rita May as Pearl
Barunka O'Shaughnessey as Ping
And Geoffrey Whitehead as Stan
With Kim Wall and Lewis McCleod

Written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds

Producer: Dawn Ellis.


SUN 08:00 The Al Read Show (b008xzwj)
From 28/10/1995

Right monkey! Al takes a peek inside the world of horse racing.

A compilation of the legendary Northern comic'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 (b018zl22)
From 01/12/1953

Stop Press! The staff of 'The Weekly Bind' newspaper visits a Christmas novelty factory.

Stars Kenneth Horne, Richard Murdoch, Dora Bryan, Maurice Denham and Sam Costa.

Scripted by Richard Murdoch and Kenneth Horne.

With the BBC Men's Chorus and BBC Variety Orchestra: Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet.

Producer: Leslie Bridgmont

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in 1953.


SUN 09:00 My History Omnibus (b06sbdn3)
In 1936, at the age of four, Lady Antonia Fraser is given a book by her godmother that later inspires her to become an historian.


SUN 10:10 Inheritance Tracks (b06sbdn5)
Juliette Lewis

Actress and singer Juliette Lewis chooses 'Peg' by Steely Dan, and 'Voodoo Child/Slight Return' by Jimi Hendrix.


SUN 10:15 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b06sbg3r)
Singers

Morrissey

From Marianne Faithfull to The Velvet Underground.

Singer-songwriter Morrissey shares his castaway choices with Kirsty Young.

As the lead singer of The Smiths, he captivated a generation of angst-ridden teenagers and, a quarter of a century later, he remains the outsider's outsider.

As a child, Morrissey was enthralled by the emotion and beauty in pop music. He discovered the joy of public performance when, as a six-year-old boy, he stood on a table and started singing. But from an early age he felt he had to avoid everything conventional life had to offer.

'I just didn't want the norm in any way, he says, 'and I didn't get it. And I'm very glad.'

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2009.


SUN 11:00 The Moth Radio Hour (b06sbgmx)
Series 1

Ghosts, Angels and Motorcycle Rides

True stories told live in the USA: Sarah Austin Jenness introduces tales about ghosts, last chances and revelations.

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 (b00n3jxh)
Series 1

Large Blue

The Large Blue butterfly died out in Britain in 1979, but why?

Investigations pointed to a complex life cycle linked to a single species of ant. With this knowledge the Large Blue was re-introduced into the British countryside, but there is a sinister twist in the tale, in the form of a parasitic wasp.

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

Producer: Julian Hector.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2009.


SUN 12:00 The Al Read Show (b008xzwj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SUN 12:30 Much Binding in the Marsh (b018zl22)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


SUN 13:00 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair Omnibus (b008lywx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SUN 14:15 Unbuilt Britain (b01l0csn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


SUN 14:30 Slade House Omnibus (b06sbhv7)
Every nine years, a guest is summoned to the eerie Slade House, but why has that person been chosen, and by whom?


SUN 15:45 Hans Christian Andersen - The Fir Tree (b01pfwn0)
Out in the woods amongst his many large companions, a nice little fir tree is keen to grow up. Read by Paul Copley.


SUN 16:00 The Northern Irish Man in CS Lewis (b007jw8w)
A fascinating journey into the childhood of one of the world's best loved writers.

Geoffrey Palmer stars as CS Lewis, guiding us through his early life illustrating how his Northern Irish boyhood in County Down inspired his magical stories of Narnia.

Written by Brian Sibley.

Young CS Lewis ...... Dario Angelone
Penny ...... Hannah Gordon
Warnie ...... Jack Logue
Lizzie ...... Doreen Keogh
Father ...... Stuart Graham
Mother ...... Laura Hughes
Grandfather ...... James Ellis
Doctor ...... John Hewitt

With Sarah Gordon, Coirle Magee and Patrick Gleadhill as the children.

Director: Gemma McMullan

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2002.


SUN 17:00 Poetry Extra (b0076bz0)
The Echo Chamber - The Knowledge

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

In 'The Echo Chamber', Paul Farley does the Knowledge, collecting taxi poems and sounds from all over London. Including poems by John Challis, Sean O'Brien and David Harsent and songs, prose texts and other performances from a series of art events held in the capital's surviving cabbies shelters.

Producer: Tim Dee.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.


SUN 17:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b00q2w82)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SUN 18:00 Fear on 4 (b00c84lh)
Series 3

The Monkey's Revenge

The Man in Black tells of a seriously ill doctor taking control of his own destiny.

Starring Jenny Howe as the Mother, Catherine Alexander as June, Richard Pasco as John, Ronald Herdman as the Surgeon and Edward de Souza as the Man in Black.

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

Written by Guy Jenkin.

Producer: Gerry Jones

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.


SUN 18:30 Susan Hill - The Woman in Black (b007jz83)
3. The Nursery and a Child

As thick fog descends, the ghostly encounters continue for solicitor Arthur Kipps when he returns to the eerie isolated house of the reclusive Mrs Drablow...

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

Dramatised by Jon Strickland.

Young Kipps ...... Robert Glenister
Old Kipps ...... John Woodvine
Esme ...... Paula Tilbrook
Bentley ...... Stuart Richman
Mrs Daily ...... Diane Whitley
Samuel Daily ...... Rod Arthur

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 (b06sbgmx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


SUN 19:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00n3jxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:50 today]


SUN 20:00 My History Omnibus (b06sbdn3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SUN 21:10 Inheritance Tracks (b06sbdn5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:10 today]


SUN 21:15 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b06sbg3r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:15 today]


SUN 22:00 Ed Reardon's Week (b00q2w82)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SUN 22:30 My Teenage Diary (b039cy0f)
Series 5

Sarfraz Manzoor

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. In this programme, comedian Rufus Hound is joined by journalist Sarfraz Manzoor.

Sarfraz relives his teenage days living in Luton in a strict Muslim family - when he was obsessed with Bo Derek and pop music, and desperate to buy a computer.

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


SUN 23:00 I Think I've Got a Problem (b007xvrp)
Series 1

Episode 3

Tom gets a job as an international courier and has to deliver a package to a contact in Spain.

However, after his "imaginary" band spark mayhem on the plane, Tom and Sadie find themselves caught up in a world of death and deception.

Still, if a good song won't cheer them all up, nothing will.

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 ..... Air Stewardess

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 (b01rszvs)
2021

Finding helium in the air and 'Casablanca: The Sound Man's Cut'.

Recorded in June 1994, Brian Perkins, Kate Robbins and Tony Hawks recall 2021 - 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 21 DECEMBER 2015

MON 00:00 Fear on 4 (b00c84lh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Sunday]


MON 00:30 Susan Hill - The Woman in Black (b007jz83)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Sunday]


MON 01:00 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair Omnibus (b008lywx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]


MON 02:15 Unbuilt Britain (b01l0csn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Sunday]


MON 02:30 Slade House Omnibus (b06sbhv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Sunday]


MON 03:45 Hans Christian Andersen - The Fir Tree (b01pfwn0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Sunday]


MON 04:00 The Northern Irish Man in CS Lewis (b007jw8w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]


MON 05:00 Poetry Extra (b0076bz0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 17:00 on Sunday]


MON 05:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b00q2w82)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]


MON 06:00 Agatha Christie (b0081rx2)
The Sittaford Mystery

1. The Message

A blizzard has hit England.

In the tiny village of Sittaford, on the fringes of Dartmoor, a party of six is gathered in Sittaford House, home of Captain Trevelyan. He's rented the house out for the winter and is staying in a nearby village. As evening draws in, a séance is proposed.

But it reveals something far more sinister than they'd all anticipated...

Starring Geoffrey Whitehead and Barbara Atkinson.

First published in 1931, Agatha Christie's whodunit dramatised in five parts.

Inspector Narracott …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Mrs. Curtis …. Barbara Atkinson
Major Burnaby …. Norman Bird
Mrs. Willett …. Susan Westerby
Violet Willett …. Victoria Carling
Mr. Rycroft …. John Moffat
Mr. Duke …. Michael Graham Cox
Ronnie Garfield …. Nigel Greaves
Sergeant Pollock …. Vincent Brimble
Doctor Warren …. Michael Kilgarriff
Evans …. Donald Gee
Jim Pearson …. Stephen Garlick

Dramatised and directed by Michael Bakewell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1990.


MON 06:30 The Great Gatsby Letters (b01130n7)
F Scott Fitzgerald tells his editor Maxwell Perkins about his hopes and fears for his new novel. Read by William Hope.


MON 07:00 The Right Time (b00c5snp)
Series 3

Episode 5

Time-share shock, home shopping revenge - and the perils of redundancy...

The sketch comedy for people growing older disgracefully.

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

Written by Nicholas Barber and Glenn Dakin, Mike Coleman, Jan Etherington, Graeme Garden, Mike Haskins, Ged Parsons, Bob Sinfield, Chris Thompson and Pete Reynolds.

Script Editor: Ged Parsons.

Music by Ronnie & The Rex and Neil Innes.

Producer: Claire Jones

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2003.


MON 07:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b06rxn53)
Series 64

Episode 3

The nation's favourite wireless entertainment pays a visit to the Grand Opera House in York. Regulars Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor are joined on the panel by Sandi Toksvig, with Jack Dee in the chair. Colin Sell provides piano accompaniment.
Producer - Jon Naismith. It is a BBC Radio Comedy production.


MON 08:00 Dad's Army (b007jq82)
Series 3

Things That Go Bump in the Night

Corporal Jones's van runs out of petrol, so the Home Guard platoon must take shelter in a spooky house.

The comic exploits of a Second World War Home Guard platoon in Walmington-on-Sea.

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

Producer: John Dyas

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1976.


MON 08:30 Brothers in Law (b007k164)
Series 2

Tell 'Em the Tale

Newly qualified lawyer Roger Thursby's got an appointment with his boss, but worries in case there's bad news...

Starring Richard Briers as Roger Thursby, John Glyn-Jones as Grimes, Julia Lockwood as Sally and Bridget Armstrong as Joy. All other parts by Sean Arnold, Douglas Blackwell and Patrick Tull.

Written by Henry Cecil and Basil Dawson.

Published in 1955, Henry Cecil's comic legal novel Brothers in Law was adapted first for TV in 1962 by Frank Muir and Denis Norden. It provided the first regular starring role for Richard Briers, who later reprised his role of the idealistic young lawyer Roger Thursby for BBC Radio between 1970 and 1972.

Producer: David Hatch.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1971.


MON 09:00 Quote... Unquote (b0128ln0)
The popular quotations quiz returns for a new series, hosted by Nigel Rees. This week the panellists are former BBC Chairman, Michael Grade, comedian Simon Munnery, poet Ian McMillan and psychiatrist Dr Sandra Scott.

The reader is Peter Jefferson.
Produced by Simon Mayhew-Archer.


MON 09:30 King Street Junior (b007jmfw)
Series 5

Good Times, Bad Times

Mrs Stone thinks that teachers are all frustrated performers, and she may well be right. Stars James Grout. From May 1990.


MON 10:00 Mystery Theater (b06sdzqk)
Rocky Fortune: Frank Sinatra, part 2

Genial drifter Rocky Fortune is always in need of an odd job. This time he finds himself moon-bound for a 'Rocket to the Morgue'. Or is it all just a load of moonshine?

Frank Sinatra portrayed "footloose and fancy-free young man" Rocky Fortune for NBC for 25 episodes during an album-recording hiatus that ended with the release of the legendary 'Songs for Young Lovers' in 1954.

Cast includes: Howard Culver, Don Diamond and Edith Terry.

Scripted by George Lefferts. Directed by Andrew C Love.

Announcer: Eddie King.

First broadcast in the USA on NBC (National Broadcasting Company) in 1954

4 Extra's MYSTERY THEATER showcases American radio's golden years of the 1940s and 50s, when many of Hollywood's greatest screen stars were regular performers, often re-enacting film roles.


MON 10:30 Just William - Live! (b01pfrrc)
Series 3

William Holds the Stage

Last May, as part of Winchester's Best of British Festival in celebration of the Jubilee, Martin Jarvis performed the first of two of Richmal Crompton's comic classics, live on-stage.

In William Holds the Stage, when an old boy of the school gives a lecture on Hamlet, William gets a somewhat confused idea that Shakespeare's plays were written by a man called Ham, and that Shakespeare poisoned Ham, and stole the plays and pretended he had written them. Then a man called Bacon got involved and possibly someone called Eggs as well.

When it's announced that the class will perform a scene from Hamlet in front of a live audience, William decides that, despite being cast as an attendant, he'd prefer to play the leading role himself. But things don't go entirely to plan.

A packed house at the Theatre Royal rocks with laughter as Jarvis performs William's hilariously inventive version of Shakespeare's masterpiece. Just William as 'stand-up'.

Performed by Martin Jarvis
Director: Rosalind Ayres.
A Jarvis and Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.


MON 11:00 Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald (b0076f44)
Financing Finnegan

A writer finds his own modest career eclipsed by a more volatile author, who ends up in the North Pole. Read by John Sharian.


MON 11:15 Drama (b00zdhzs)
Mike Walker - The Gun Goes to Hollywood

The Pride and the Passion is Hollywood's 1957 adaptation of The Gun, by C S Forester. It's set in Spain during the Napoleonic wars and tells the story of Captain Anthony Trumbull, played by Cary Grant, a British military officer, who is ordered to retrieve an enormous cannon and transport it across Spain to the British lines, where it will be used to attack the French garrison at Avila. Guerrilla leader Miguel, played by Frank Sinatra, agrees to help, even though he despises the Englishman, and Miguel's feisty girlfriend Juana, played by Sophia Loren, comes with them. Along the way Juana falls in love with Trundall. But the film had a notoriously troubled set. Sinatra left the production early because of marriage difficulties with Ava Gardner, and Grant, then 53, fell in love with his co-star Loren, 23. Mike Walker's play imagines the behind-the-scenes ructions from the viewpoint of the script doctor, Earl Felton, who was drafted in to save the day.

A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll.


MON 12:00 Dad's Army (b007jq82)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 12:30 Brothers in Law (b007k164)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 13:00 Agatha Christie (b0081rx2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 13:30 The Great Gatsby Letters (b01130n7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 14:00 Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road (b007jw7k)
Emmitt's Arrival

A new city manager arrives, determined to tame the wilderness. Then the snow starts to fall. Alaskan tales read by their author.


MON 14:15 A Cause for Caroling (b03lp80w)
A Second Golden Age

In the sixth part of his story of the Christmas Carol Jeremy Summerly reaches the 19th century and publications of old folk carols from what was thought to be a dying tradition. However, by mid-century, with the Tracterean movement in the Church of England at its height the carol and the singing of carols was once again hugely popular. It was the publication of a 'Christmas Carols New and Old by Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer in 1867, that marked the height of another caroling golden age. However, it was now big business and there were reputations at stake when folk carol collectors saw their work hoovered up by the might of Bramley and Stainer. Jeremy also tells the story of the little 16th century Finnish manual 'Piae Cantiones' that provided a series of memorable re-workings of fifteenth century words and melodies, including In Dulce Jubilo and Good King Wenceslas.

Series Description:

The Christmas carol is as popular now as it was when carolers celebrated the birth of Edward III in 1312. Back then the carol was a generic term for a song with its roots in dance form, nowadays only the strictest scholar would quibble with the fact that a carol is a Christmas song.

But the journey the carol has taken is unique in music history because each shift in the story has been preserved in the carols that we sing today. Go to a carol concert now and you're likely to hear folk, medieval, mid-victorian and modern music all happily combined. It's hard to imagine that happening in any other situation.

In these programmes Jeremy Summerly follows the carol journey through the Golden age of the Medieval carol into the troubled period of Reformation and puritanism, along the byways of the 17th and 18th century waits and gallery musicians and in to the sudden explosion of interest in the carol in the 19th century. It's a story that sees the carol veer between the sacred and secular even before there was any understanding of those terms. For long periods the church, both catholic and protestant, was uneasy about the virility and homespun nature of carol tunes and carol texts. Nowadays many people think that church music is defined by the carols they hear from Kings College Cambridge.

He traces the folk carol in and out of church grounds, the carol hymn, the fuguing carol and the many other off-shoots, some of which survive to this day and many others which languish unloved but ready for re-discovery.

It's a journey full of song describing the history of a people who needed expression for seasonal joy in the coldest, hardest time of the year. And however efficient the heating system may be, the carol still generates warmth. Much of that is to do with the positive nostalgia of this music.

That nostalgia is in part due to the fact that carols are one of the first kinds of song children actually sing rather than hear. Many favourite carols were actually written for Children; Once in Royal David's City the most familiar example. Another factor is the concentration in the texts on the humanity of nativity with tunes garnered from the uninhibited world of folk song and ballad.

The series title is taken from a Thomas Hardy poem in which he ponders of a Darkling Thrush why it should chose to sing - 'so little cause for carolings of such ecstatic sound' - is the question asked. THis series is an attempt to answer why Carols remain so popular and familiar to so many. In fact Hardy himself, in his first novel Under The Greenwood Tree, went some way to answering his own question when he described the Mellstock Quire singing at Midnight on Christmas Eve:

'Then passed forth into the quiet night an ancient and time worn hymn, embodying a quaint Christianity in words orally transmitted from father to son through several generations down to the present characters, who sang them out right earnestly."

Jeremy brings the series up to date with the story of the famous Nine Lessons and Carols service broadcast by the BBC since the 1920s but born originally in Truro. It's a service that commands a worldwide audience measured in many millions, but as Jeremy concludes it has left an imbalance in the appreciation of our caroling tradition, a tradition that has always had one foot in the pub and another in the choir stalls.

Producer: Tom Alban.


MON 14:30 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvx0)
Episode 6

Becky Sharp gains a husband, but loses the chance of a title. Narrated by Stephen Fry, with Emma Fielding and Trevor Peacock.


MON 14:45 And June Whitfield (b007jvdz)
Episode 1

From dance classes to Noel Coward's parties. Legendary screen, stage and radio actress June Whitfield reads her own life story.

One of the country's best-loved actresses begins reading five extracts from her autobiography covering her career from Eth Glum in 'Take It from Here' through to Mother in 'Absolutely Fabulous'.

Abridged by Sally Marmion.

Producer Sarah Johnson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2000.


MON 15:00 Mystery Theater (b06sdzqk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


MON 15:30 Just William - Live! (b01pfrrc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]


MON 16:00 Quote... Unquote (b0128ln0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 16:30 King Street Junior (b007jmfw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


MON 17:00 The Right Time (b00c5snp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


MON 17:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b06rxn53)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 18:00 A Short History of Vampires (b00yhwyc)
Dracula's Guest by Bram Stoker

The ultimate killing machines.

Natalie Haynes introduces a four-part series of dark stories, as she examines why the vampire - an iconic figure in horror-fiction - continues to exert such a powerful hold on our imaginations...

Dan Stevens reads Bram Stoker’s tale: Count Dracula looks out for a curious Englishman.

Producer: Gemma Jenkins

Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in February 2011.


MON 18:30 A Good Read (b00761qk)
Phil Hogan and George Monbiot

Louise Doughty and her guests - journalist, Phil Hogan and environmentalist, George Monbiot discuss their three favourite paperbacks by Adam Thorpe, Lisa Appignanesi and Malcolm Bradbury. From 2001.

The History Man by Malcolm Bradbury
Publisher: Picador

Ulverton by Adam Thorpe
Publisher: Minerva

Losing the Dead by Lisa Appignanesi
Publisher: Vintage.


MON 19:00 Dad's Army (b007jq82)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 19:30 Brothers in Law (b007k164)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 20:00 Agatha Christie (b0081rx2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 20:30 The Great Gatsby Letters (b01130n7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 21:00 Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald (b0076f44)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


MON 21:15 Drama (b00zdhzs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


MON 22:00 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b06rxn53)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 22:30 Cabin Pressure (b01q8qqc)
Series 4

Wokingham

When his Mum falls ill, Martin has to deal with a sister, a van and a moustache. Meanwhile, Carolyn and Douglas become locked in a game that can never end.

Cabin Pressure is a sitcom 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.

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


MON 23:00 The Now Show (b06s1gcg)
Series 47

Episode 6

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis are joined by Jon Holmes, John Finnemore, Jess Ransom, Jasper Rees, Jake Yapp and Harry the Piano for a festive look at the week's news.

Written by the cast with additional material from Gareth Gwynn, Max Davis, Liam Beirne, Sarah Campbell and Rebecca Channon.

Produced by Alexandra Smith.


MON 23:30 Weak at the Top (b00tgch7)
Series 2

Booty

John Weak reveals the feminist metatext of a chocolate bar ad that features a bikini-clad model with lips that could suck the hair shirt off a Benedictine monk at 50 yards.

Randy, devious, sexist and workshy, John Weak puts the man into management – in Guy Browning’s sitcom.

Starring Alexander Armstrong as marketing maestro and "totty" magnet John Weak.

Hayley ...... Clare Perkins
Sir Marcus ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Bill Peters ...... Ron Cook
Sasha ...... Tracy Wiles
Tibet ...... Adjoa Andoh
Ski Guy ...... Kim Wall

Producer: Jonquil Panting

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2006.



TUESDAY 22 DECEMBER 2015

TUE 00:00 A Short History of Vampires (b00yhwyc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Monday]


TUE 00:30 A Good Read (b00761qk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Monday]


TUE 01:00 Agatha Christie (b0081rx2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]


TUE 01:30 The Great Gatsby Letters (b01130n7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]


TUE 02:00 Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road (b007jw7k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]


TUE 02:15 A Cause for Caroling (b03lp80w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Monday]


TUE 02:30 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvx0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]


TUE 02:45 And June Whitfield (b007jvdz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Monday]


TUE 03:00 Mystery Theater (b06sdzqk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]


TUE 03:30 Just William - Live! (b01pfrrc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]


TUE 04:00 Quote... Unquote (b0128ln0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Monday]


TUE 04:30 King Street Junior (b007jmfw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Monday]


TUE 05:00 The Right Time (b00c5snp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]


TUE 05:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b06rxn53)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]


TUE 06:00 Agatha Christie (b007jlqg)
The Sittaford Mystery

2. An Arrest for Murder

A seance at the remote Sittaford House has revealed the murder of Captain Trevelyan.

But who could have killed a man who didn't have an enemy in the world...?

Geoffrey Whitehead stars in Agatha Christie's whodunit.

Inspector Narracott …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Evans …. Donald Gee
Mrs. Belling …. Jo Kendall
Major Burnaby …. Norman Bird
Williamson …. David Goudge
Kirkwood …. John Gabriel
Charles Enderby …. Stephen Tompkinson
Beatrice …. Alice Arnold
Mrs. Gardner …. Anna Cropper
Sylvia Dering …. Susan Sheridan
Jim Pearson …. Stephen Garlick
Emily Trefusis …. Melinda Walker

Dramatised and directed by Michael Bakewell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1990.


TUE 06:30 Candlelight: The Living Flame (b00765mf)
One thing we'll probably do this Christmas is light a candle.

But why? What does it mean to us and what does it symbolize?

Pastors, Ministers and protestors describe the power and meaning of candlelight.

Through personal story and commentary, this programme explores the symbolism of candlelight and the natural affinity between candles and Christmas time; the turning point of the year at its darkest nadir and a celebration of the coming of the Light of the World.

Producer: Sera Lefroy-Owen

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2001.


TUE 07:00 HR (b01ckgfz)
Series 3

Robbed

The two friends, having discovered that their pensions are worthless, take every measure thinkable to survive.

Now Sam tries to remortgage their home...

Nigel William's retirement comedy series, starring Jonathan Pryce and Nicholas le Prevost.

Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce
Sam ..... Nicholas Le Prevost
Mr Loomis ..... Philip Jackson.

Producer: Peter Kavanagh

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012.


TUE 07:30 Gloomsbury (b042jpk4)
Series 2

Two Broads Broadcasting

Vera is terrified when she receives a letter inviting her to do a lecture tour of America, and instantly begins a search for plausible excuses. But when Ginny asks her to help present a programme on BBC Radio about modern poetry. her anxiety is swiftly forgotten. Vera sees a chance to read one of her poems on the radio and share the limelight with those two wonderfully modern poets, TS Jellitot and DH Lollipop.

Henry warns Vera not to underestimate Ginny, however, who won't allow Vera to read anything unless Ginny agrees to it... and Ginny does not think that Vera's poem is modern enough to be in her programme.

What Ginny has not bargained for is the prudery and authority of Lord Reith who will not allow TS Jellitot to appear on her programme, because his American accent will corrupt the listeners and banishes DH Lollipop from Broadcasting House because of the constant sexual references in his language.

It falls to Vera to save the day by impersonating TS Jellitot and DH Lollipop live on air and then to get one over on Ginny by reading out her poem before Ginny can stop her. The broadcast falls apart, but Vera returns Sizzlinghurst the victor. Back at home, over a brandy or two, Henry reminds Vera about the prohibition movement in America. Reason enough for Vera to wriggle out of her lecture tour. Chin chin!

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 Little Brother Production for BBC Radio 4.


TUE 08:00 Round the Horne (b00mrhjp)
Series 3

Episode 13

Kenneth Horne blows his own trumpet in 'Young Horne with a Man', plus Julian and Sandy's bona psychic gift of a second vada

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 (b007jm7w)
Plenty More Fish

With their love-lives in a tangle, Audrey falls out with Marjory.

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

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 descent.
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 (b06s1gcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 23:00 on Monday]


TUE 09:30 Capital Gains (b00slqv8)
Series 2

Stake Capital

When an act of civil disobedience centred around a tea break fails to bring results, Julius Hutch, the leader of The Tree Party, turns to games of chance.

CAST:

Julius Hutch …. Peter Jones
Pauline Hutch …. Celestine Randall
Sexton Lewis …. Jeffrey Wickham
Kate …. Justine Midda
Sir Gainford Blounty …. Stephen Thorne
Dahlia Sprout …. Jillie Meers
Haiku Jack …. Collin Johnson
Ted Smoothie/Dr Heinz Strudel …. David Holt
Brian Perkins as Himself

Switten by Collin Johnson.

Producers: Andy Jordan and David Blount

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1997.


TUE 10:00 Mystery Theater (b06sg52c)
Rocky Fortune: Frank Sinatra, part 3

Always in need of a job, genial drifter Rocky lands in a complex identity scam in 'Steven in a Rest Home'.

Frank Sinatra portrayed "footloose and fancy-free young man" Rocky Fortune for NBC for 25 episodes during an album-recording hiatus that ended with the release of the legendary 'Songs for Young Lovers' in 1954.
Cast includes: Frances Eurey, Maurice Hart, Jack Maither and Herb Ellis.

Directed by Andrew C Love.

Announcer: Eddie King.

First broadcast in the USA on NBC (National Broadcasting Company) in 1953

4 Extra's MYSTERY THEATER showcases American radio's golden years of the 1940s and 50s, when many of Hollywood's greatest screen stars were regular performers, often re-enacting film roles.


TUE 10:30 Just William - Live! (b01ph83g)
Series 3

Aunt Arabelle in Charge

In 2012, as part of Winchester's Best of British Festival in celebration of the Jubilee, Martin Jarvis performed the second of two of Richmal Crompton's comic classics, live on-stage.

In Aunt Arabelle in Charge, William and his faithful Outlaws (Ginger, Douglas and Henry) encounter a strangely complacent six year old who is staying in the village. This odious child turns out to be the hugely famous Anthony Martin, subject of his mother's best-selling books and poems.

The Outlaws need to redeem themselves in the admittedly short-sighted eyes of Ginger's journalist aunt. She, equally, is desperate to secure an exclusive interview with the child star. It's soon clear that this wonderfully constructed story is a brilliant parody of - who else - A.A. Milne's Christopher Robin.

The packed Winchester audience understood this at once. In Jarvis' inhabitation of both the smug infant and Ginger's aunt, the comedy is unremitting.

Can William sort this out and, incidentally, give the horrific child his just deserts? Blackmail is the answer, of course.

Performed by Martin Jarvis
Director: Rosalind Ayres
A Jarvis & Ayres production for BBC Radio 4.


TUE 11:00 Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald (b0076f4l)
The Smilers

Sylvester Stockton tries hard to inflict his misery on others, unaware that they might already be unhappy. Read by John Sharian.


TUE 11:15 Charles Dickens (b007jw8x)
The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain

The last ever Christmas story written by Charles Dickens is a vivid portrait of a man tormented by his past.

Stars John Moffatt as Charles Dickens, Michael Tudor Barnes as Redlaw, Dilys Laye as Milly Swidger, Ronald Herdman as William Swidger, Godfrey Kenton as Philip Swidger, Timothy Carlton as George Swidger, Timothy Alcock as Adolphus Tetterby, Maxine Audley as Sophie Tetterby, Stuart Heath as Johnny Tetterby, Andrew Wincott as Denham, Winston Eade as Adolphus Tetterby Jnr and Rikki Belsham as the Boy.

Dramatised by Jill Brookes.

Producer: Kay Patrick

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.


TUE 12:00 Round the Horne (b00mrhjp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 12:30 To the Manor Born (b007jm7w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 13:00 Agatha Christie (b007jlqg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 13:30 Candlelight: The Living Flame (b00765mf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 14:00 Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road (b007k06s)
Argus and Emmitt

On a December night, a man and his dog turn up at a log cabin. There's a smell of burning. Alaskan tales read by their author.


TUE 14:15 A Cause for Caroling (b03lpfx0)
Folk Carol Survival and Revival

In the seventh programme in his series describing the gathering history of the Christmas Carol in Great Britain Jeremy Summerly returns to the Gallery tradition that was squeezed out of 19th century Church worship but steadfastly refused to die. It's now in rude health in several parts of the country but nowhere is it more energetically sustained than in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire. With the guidance of Dr Ian Russell who holds folk carol festivals and the enthusiasm of pub carolers who sustain the tradition Jeremy shares a pint and a clutch of fuguing carols which flower happily in the 21st century while having roots in the 18th and 19th.
He also finds out about an American offshoot of the gallery style that's been preserved in the icy blasts of Pennsylvannia USA since it was first seeded there in the middle of the 19th century.

Series Description:
The Christmas carol is as popular now as it was when carolers celebrated the birth of Edward III in 1312. Back then the carol was a generic term for a song with its roots in dance form, nowadays only the strictest scholar would quibble with the fact that a carol is a Christmas song.
But the journey the carol has taken is unique in music history because each shift in the story has been preserved in the carols that we sing today. Go to a carol concert now and you're likely to hear folk, medieval, mid-victorian and modern music all happily combined. It's hard to imagine that happening in any other situation.
In these programmes Jeremy Summerly follows the carol journey through the Golden age of the Medieval carol into the troubled period of Reformation and puritanism, along the byways of the 17th and 18th century waits and gallery musicians and in to the sudden explosion of interest in the carol in the 19th century. It's a story that sees the carol veer between the sacred and secular even before there was any understanding of those terms. For long periods the church, both catholic and protestant, was uneasy about the virility and homespun nature of carol tunes and carol texts. Nowadays many people think that church music is defined by the carols they hear from Kings College Cambridge.
He traces the folk carol in and out of church grounds, the carol hymn, the fuguing carol and the many other off-shoots, some of which survive to this day and many others which languish unloved but ready for re-discovery.
It's a journey full of song describing the history of a people who needed expression for seasonal joy in the coldest, hardest time of the year. And however efficient the heating system may be, the carol still generates warmth. Much of that is to do with the positive nostalgia of this music.
That nostalgia is in part due to the fact that carols are one of the first kinds of song children actually sing rather than hear. Many favourite carols were actually written for Children; Once in Royal David's City the most familiar example. Another factor is the concentration in the texts on the humanity of nativity with tunes garnered from the uninhibited world of folk song and ballad.
The series title is taken from a Thomas Hardy poem in which he ponders of a Darkling Thrush why it should chose to sing - 'so little cause for carolings of such ecstatic sound' - is the question asked. THis series is an attempt to answer why Carols remain so popular and familiar to so many. In fact Hardy himself, in his first novel Under The Greenwood Tree, went some way to answering his own question when he described the Mellstock Quire singing at Midnight on Christmas Eve:
'Then passed forth into the quiet night an ancient and time worn hymn, embodying a quaint Christianity in words orally transmitted from father to son through several generations down to the present characters, who sang them out right earnestly."
Jeremy brings the series up to date with the story of the famous Nine Lessons and Carols service broadcast by the BBC since the 1920s but born originally in Truro. It's a service that commands a worldwide audience measured in many millions, but as Jeremy concludes it has left an imbalance in the appreciation of our caroling tradition, a tradition that has always had one foot in the pub and another in the choir stalls.

Producer:Tom Alban.


TUE 14:30 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvx8)
Episode 7

As Amelia Sedley's family face ruin, George Osborne breaks his engagement. Narrated by Stephen Fry, with Emma Fielding.


TUE 14:45 And June Whitfield (b007jvf2)
Episode 2

The actress recalls her rise to fame, with a radio role in the hit show 'Take It From Here' with Jimmy Edwards.


TUE 15:00 Mystery Theater (b06sg52c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


TUE 15:30 Just William - Live! (b01ph83g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]


TUE 16:00 The Motion Show (b0075x94)
Series 2

Episode 6

Dr Phil Hammond chairs the debating game with Stuart Maconie, Steve Punt, Chris Neill and Linda Smith. From February 2000.


TUE 16:30 Capital Gains (b00slqv8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


TUE 17:00 HR (b01ckgfz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


TUE 17:30 Gloomsbury (b042jpk4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 18:00 A Short History of Vampires (b00yqqs8)
Hero Dust By Kristine Kathryn Rusch

The ultimate killing machines.

Natalie Haynes introduces another dark story, as she examines why the vampire - an iconic figure in horror-fiction - continues to exert such a powerful hold on our imaginations...

David Horovitch reads Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s tale: Vampire slayer Bram is getting old and tired so starts the search for his successor.

Producer: Gemma Jenkins

Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in February 2011.


TUE 18:30 Shah Rukh Khan's Heroes (b06sg8ss)
The Ordinary Man

Bollywood film star Shah Rukh Khan's pays tribute to everyday people and celebrates the normal things in life.

Revisiting his father's view that it is special to be down-to-earth, he reveals that he has the same fear of failure today as when he started working in Indian cinema.

Shah says "it's not the cost of the shirt or jacket that you wear, it's just how much you enjoy wearing it", explaining that ordinary people are heroes because they enjoy life despite the world's issues.

Producer: Ranjit Doal

First broadcast on the BBC Asian Network in 2012.


TUE 19:00 Round the Horne (b00mrhjp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 19:30 To the Manor Born (b007jm7w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 20:00 Agatha Christie (b007jlqg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 20:30 Candlelight: The Living Flame (b00765mf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 21:00 Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald (b0076f4l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


TUE 21:15 Charles Dickens (b007jw8x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


TUE 22:00 Gloomsbury (b042jpk4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 22:30 The Ape That Got Lucky (b0081cbz)
Science and Progress

Humans like to think that even if evolution has dealt them a neat hand, they have made their own luck through their mastery of science and technology.

But many things, including penicillin and the light bulb, have been discovered accidentally.

A spoof exploration of the fascinating subject of human evolution.

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 (b06sgb8m)
Series 2

Pigeonmilk Bob

Gerald Sinstadt tells the story of Eric Sarby and his prize-winning greyhound, Pigeonmilk Bob.

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 (b00s6n86)
A Christmas Eating at Rawlinson End

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

Written by and starring Viv Stanshall.

Contains an edit of an original John Peel session as 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 (b007jm3k)
Series 1

Moore and Burmans

Ailing high street retailer Moore and Burman desperately needs help. They must be desperate to enlist the services of Unthinkable Solutions!

Ryan persuades them to go for a radical publicity campaign, Daisy facilitates his nervous breakdown and Sophie decides to take charge of her love life with some decisive action.

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

Ryan Packer ...... Marcus Brigstocke
Sophie Stott ...... Emma Kennedy
Daisy ...... Catherine Shepherd
Timandra ...... Olivia Colman
Clive ...... Mark Heap
Brian ...... Simon Godley
Boris ...... Simon Greenall

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 23 DECEMBER 2015

WED 00:00 A Short History of Vampires (b00yqqs8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Tuesday]


WED 00:30 Shah Rukh Khan's Heroes (b06sg8ss)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Tuesday]


WED 01:00 Agatha Christie (b007jlqg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]


WED 01:30 Candlelight: The Living Flame (b00765mf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]


WED 02:00 Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road (b007k06s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]


WED 02:15 A Cause for Caroling (b03lpfx0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Tuesday]


WED 02:30 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvx8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]


WED 02:45 And June Whitfield (b007jvf2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Tuesday]


WED 03:00 Mystery Theater (b06sg52c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]


WED 03:30 Just William - Live! (b01ph83g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]


WED 04:00 The Motion Show (b0075x94)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Tuesday]


WED 04:30 Capital Gains (b00slqv8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Tuesday]


WED 05:00 HR (b01ckgfz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]


WED 05:30 Gloomsbury (b042jpk4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]


WED 06:00 Agatha Christie (b007k07y)
The Sittaford Mystery

3. Emily Goes to Work

James Pearson has been arrested for the murder of his uncle.

But his fiancee Emily is determined to prove his innocence.

Geoffrey Whitehead stars in Agatha Christie's whodunnit.

Inspector Narracott …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Emily Trefusis …. Melinda Walker
Charles Enderby …. Stephen Tompkinson
Mrs. Belling …. Jo Kendall
Mrs. Willett …. Susan Westerby
Violet Willett …. Victoria Carling
Mrs. Curtis …. Barbara Atkinson
Major Burnaby …. Norman Bird
Maid …. Jane Slavin
Cab Driver …. Vincent Brimble

Dramatised and directed by Michael Bakewell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1990.


WED 06:30 Merry Christmas Morris Minor! (b00wqgmg)
Martin Wainwright sets off through the snow to give seasonal best wishes to the owners of Britain's favourite mass produced car - and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the special edition Morris Minor Million - the rarest minor of all.

Highlight of the programme is a special rendition of 'Jingle Bells' from a Morris Minor 'choir.'

Martin has a soft spot for the little car - often described as a large jelly mold with a speedometer sitting like a clock on the dashboard, and orange fingers for indicators. For it's time though, according to Stirling Moss, it was a nippy little car. Martin meets a mechanic who 'soups' the car up, owners like Dave Brown from 'The Mighty Boosh' and the drivers who 'danced ' their Morris Minors at the end of the Manchester Commonwealth Games .

Finally, using the horn, various clunks and clicks from the car door and boot, and a squeak from the chassis, he conducts a unique version of ' Jingle Bells' by the Morris Minor 'choir.'

Producers: Janet Graves and Geoff Bird
A Pennine production for BBC Radio 4


WED 07:00 Lenin of the Rovers (b007jwg9)
Series 2

The Final Solution

Will Ricky's million-pound sponsorship deal wreck Felchester's hopes of a Wembley victory? Stars Alexei Sayle. From April 1989.


WED 07:30 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b06rz9hx)
Series 3

How to Make a Killing

A neighbourly good deed lands Tom in trouble while his parents throw themselves into some evening classes.

Series 3 of the sitcom where Tom Wrigglesworth phones home for his weekly check-in with his Mum, Dad and Gran, giving listeners 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 Navy Lark (b01dw471)
Series 5

The New Barmaid

A fresh arrival makes waves aboard HMS Troutbridge and throws a NATO exercise into confusion.
100th episode of the seafaring sitcom.

Stars Jon Pertwee as the Chief Petty Officer, Leslie Phillips as the Sub-Lieutenant, Stephen Murray as the Number One, Ronnie Barker as Able Seaman Johnson, Richard Caldicote as Captain Povey, Michael Bates as Commander Bracewell, Tenniel Evans as Taffy Goldstein and Janet Brown as Vera.

Laughs afloat aboard British Royal Navy frigate HMS Troutbridge. The Navy Lark ran for an impressive thirteen series between 1959 and 1976.

Scripted by Lawrie Wyman

Producer: Alastair Scott Johnston.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in April 1963.


WED 08:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b010y71x)
Series 7

Episode 6

Solutions for unemployment - and Professor Prune hears a strange echo.

Starring:

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

Sketches written by Graeme Garden, Bill Oddie and Andrew Fisher.

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 Bill Oddie, Liam Cohen and Dave Lee.

Producer: David Hatch/Peter Titheradge

First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in February 1969.


WED 09:00 Counterpoint (b008m8jp)
1999

Heat 9

Ned Sherrin hosts the music quiz with Oxford's Dennis Chiles, Len Smith from Essex and Alison Foot of Carmarthenshire. From February 1999.


WED 09:30 The Leopard in Autumn (b00sbf7q)
Series 2

Royal Wedding Blues

All is not well in Monte Guano. Countess Rosalie has confessed she no longer loves Prince Ludovico - sending him into a terrible rage.

Can Princess Plethora save the day?

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, Nick Romero as Salvatore and Chris Kelham as Guido.

Producer: Dawn Ellis

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2002.


WED 10:00 Mystery Theater (b06spfsn)
Let George Do It: There Ain't No Justice

A corpse sets detective-for-hire George Valentine on a search for a missing embezzler.

'Let George Do It' was a sponsored American radio drama carried by the Mutual Broadcasting System from 1952.

Robert Bailey stars as George Valentine, gleaning clients from his classified ad in the Personal Notices: "Danger's my stock in trade. If the job's too tough for you to handle, you've got a job for me."

With Virginia Gregg as George's secretary, Brooksie.

Scripted by David Victor and Jackson Gillis.

Music by Eddie Dunstedler.

Directed by Don Clark.

Announcer: John Hiestand.

4 Extra's MYSTERY THEATER showcases American radio's golden years of the 1940s and 50s, when many of Hollywood's greatest screen stars were regular performers, often re-enacting film roles.


WED 10:30 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b007728p)
Count Arthur Strong's Christmas Special

Count Arthur Strong, one-time variety star, makes his preparations for Christmas. From his altercation with a carol singer and his improvised 'reading' of the Nativity, to his show for the elderly at Leafy Glade old people's home. What could possibly go wrong? Stars Steve Delaney. From December 2006.


WED 11:00 Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald (b0076f52)
An Alcoholic Case

She is a young trainee, eager and very willing to help. He is jaded, used up and has seen it all before. Read by John Sharian.


WED 11:15 Steve Chambers - Victoria Station (b06spfst)
Over the Points

Wednesday February 1st 1895. The crash inquiry begins and a second disaster looms. Can Roberts clear his name?

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 February 1995 and set a century before.


WED 12:00 The Navy Lark (b01dw471)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


WED 12:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b010y71x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


WED 13:00 Agatha Christie (b007k07y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


WED 13:30 Merry Christmas Morris Minor! (b00wqgmg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


WED 14:00 Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road (b007k082)
The Best Sauna Story So Far

A cosy evening at the lake with food, drink and good company. What can possibly go wrong?


WED 14:15 A Cause for Caroling (b03lpjpp)
The Birth of Nine Lessons with Carols

In the eighth programme of his series charting the development of the Christmas Carol in Britain Jeremy Summerly reaches the critical moment at which the 19th century enthusiasm for carols sung in church resulted in a vehicle in which they could take a leading role. It was developed by Bishop Benson of Truro who, in 1880 found himself holding services in a huge wooden shed while a new cathedral was being built next door. To celebrate the new diocese and capture the enthusiasm he recognise in the nonconformist tradition of carol singing in Cornwall, Benson developed a narrative service running from Adam's original sin to the birth of Christ and the impact of the word made flesh.

Jeremy visits Truro and then follows Benson's service to the moment in 1918 when a war-wearied Dean of King's College Chapel, Cambridge, Erich Milner-White decided to use the service as part of his college's Christmas celebrations. The changes he made survive to this day.

Series Description:

The Christmas carol is as popular now as it was when carolers celebrated the birth of Edward III in 1312. Back then the carol was a generic term for a song with its roots in dance form, nowadays only the strictest scholar would quibble with the fact that a carol is a Christmas song.

But the journey the carol has taken is unique in music history because each shift in the story has been preserved in the carols that we sing today. Go to a carol concert now and you're likely to hear folk, medieval, mid-victorian and modern music all happily combined. It's hard to imagine that happening in any other situation.

In these programmes Jeremy Summerly follows the carol journey through the Golden age of the Medieval carol into the troubled period of Reformation and puritanism, along the byways of the 17th and 18th century waits and gallery musicians and in to the sudden explosion of interest in the carol in the 19th century. It's a story that sees the carol veer between the sacred and secular even before there was any understanding of those terms. For long periods the church, both catholic and protestant, was uneasy about the virility and homespun nature of carol tunes and carol texts. Nowadays many people think that church music is defined by the carols they hear from Kings College Cambridge.

He traces the folk carol in and out of church grounds, the carol hymn, the fuguing carol and the many other off-shoots, some of which survive to this day and many others which languish unloved but ready for re-discovery.

It's a journey full of song describing the history of a people who needed expression for seasonal joy in the coldest, hardest time of the year. And however efficient the heating system may be, the carol still generates warmth. Much of that is to do with the positive nostalgia of this music.

That nostalgia is in part due to the fact that carols are one of the first kinds of song children actually sing rather than hear. Many favourite carols were actually written for Children; Once in Royal David's City the most familiar example. Another factor is the concentration in the texts on the humanity of nativity with tunes garnered from the uninhibited world of folk song and ballad.

The series title is taken from a Thomas Hardy poem in which he ponders of a Darkling Thrush why it should chose to sing - 'so little cause for carolings of such ecstatic sound' - is the question asked. THis series is an attempt to answer why Carols remain so popular and familiar to so many. In fact Hardy himself, in his first novel Under The Greenwood Tree, went some way to answering his own question when he described the Mellstock Quire singing at Midnight on Christmas Eve:

'Then passed forth into the quiet night an ancient and time worn hymn, embodying a quaint Christianity in words orally transmitted from father to son through several generations down to the present characters, who sang them out right earnestly."

Jeremy brings the series up to date with the story of the famous Nine Lessons and Carols service broadcast by the BBC since the 1920s but born originally in Truro. It's a service that commands a worldwide audience measured in many millions, but as Jeremy concludes it has left an imbalance in the appreciation of our caroling tradition, a tradition that has always had one foot in the pub and another in the choir stalls.

Producer:Tom Alban.


WED 14:30 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvxc)
Episode 8

George and Amelia honeymoon in Brighton, where Becky and Rawdon are after his aunt's cash. Narrated by Stephen Fry.


WED 14:45 And June Whitfield (b007jvf6)
Episode 3

Reading her own life story, the famous actress recalls the highs and lows of working with Peter Sellers and Kenneth Williams.


WED 15:00 Mystery Theater (b06spfsn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


WED 15:30 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b007728p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]


WED 16:00 Counterpoint (b008m8jp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


WED 16:30 The Leopard in Autumn (b00sbf7q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


WED 17:00 Lenin of the Rovers (b007jwg9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


WED 17:30 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b06rz9hx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


WED 18:00 A Short History of Vampires (b00yy6vt)
Israbel By Tanith Lee

The ultimate killing machines.

Natalie Haynes introduces another dark story, as she examines why the vampire - an iconic figure in horror-fiction - continues to exert such a powerful hold on our imaginations...

Mark Bonnar and Claire Harry read Tanith Lee’s tale: A beautiful vampire hires an artist to paint her portrait, but then he develops a dangerous obsession...

Producer: Gemma Jenkins

Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in February 2011.


WED 18:30 Off the Page (b0076x93)
Are We Alone?

Victoria Coren on paranormal beliefs with Charlie Skelton, Nick Pope and Christopher French. From 2006.


WED 19:00 The Navy Lark (b01dw471)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


WED 19:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b010y71x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


WED 20:00 Agatha Christie (b007k07y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


WED 20:30 Merry Christmas Morris Minor! (b00wqgmg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


WED 21:00 Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald (b0076f52)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


WED 21:15 Steve Chambers - Victoria Station (b06spfst)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


WED 22:00 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b06rz9hx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


WED 22:30 Old Harry's Game (b00wqfn8)
Christmas Special

Christmas Spirit

Satan decides to ban Christmas in Hell.

Two-parter written by and starring Andy Hamilton.

With Annette Crosbie as Edith, Robert Duncan as Scumspawn, Jimmy Mulville as Thomas.

And Felicity Montagu, Nick Revell, Philip Pope and Michael Fentons Stevens.

Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2010.


WED 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b05njm7k)
From 10pm to midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club offers the best laughs. Tonight, Jessica Fostekew has a Christmassy chat with Mr B, the Gentleman Rhymer.


WED 23:00 Beauty of Britain (b010mryx)
Series 2

The Delegate

Karen of the Featherdown agency sends Beauty to the 'End of Life' care conference on her behalf.

Beauty struggles to understand the peculiar behaviour of the British at a conference and their obsessions with name tags and lanyards, as well as why she is the only carer in attendance. This must be why the keynote speaker, Professor Smythe takes a shine to her?

Starring Jocelyn Jee Esien.

Beauty's adventures continue as the Featherdown Agency sends her to provide care for the elderly.

Beauty’s Zimbabwean Shona background has taught her to respect age. She sees Britain at its best and its worst

Written by Christopher Douglas and Nicola Sanderson

Beauty ..... Jocelyn Jee Esien
Jenny ..... Pippa Haywood
Rob ..... Tony Gardner
Mrs Grace ..... Phyllida Law
Sally ..... Felicity Montagu
Karen/Keely ..... Nicola Sanderson

Music by The West End Gospel Choir.

Producer : Tilusha Ghelani

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2011.


WED 23:30 Beautiful Dreamers (b00vrvxw)
The Whalemen of Musungenyi

In this series documentary maker Nat Segnit investigates the untold stories of visionary mavericks.

This week Nat meets an extraordinary group of thrillseeking "Jonahs" who offer themselves up to be swallowed by whales. With contributions from Toby Jones, Kevin Eldon,Christine Kavanagh, Iain Batchelor, Jude Akuwudike and Ewan Bailey.

Writers ..... James Lever and Nat Segnit
Producers ..... Steven Canny and Sasha Yevtushenko.



THURSDAY 24 DECEMBER 2015

THU 00:00 A Short History of Vampires (b00yy6vt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Wednesday]


THU 00:30 Off the Page (b0076x93)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Wednesday]


THU 01:00 Agatha Christie (b007k07y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]


THU 01:30 Merry Christmas Morris Minor! (b00wqgmg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]


THU 02:00 Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road (b007k082)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]


THU 02:15 A Cause for Caroling (b03lpjpp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Wednesday]


THU 02:30 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvxc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]


THU 02:45 And June Whitfield (b007jvf6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Wednesday]


THU 03:00 Mystery Theater (b06spfsn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]


THU 03:30 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b007728p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Wednesday]


THU 04:00 Counterpoint (b008m8jp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Wednesday]


THU 04:30 The Leopard in Autumn (b00sbf7q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Wednesday]


THU 05:00 Lenin of the Rovers (b007jwg9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]


THU 05:30 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b06rz9hx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]


THU 06:00 Agatha Christie (b007k097)
The Sittaford Mystery

4. A Recipe for Ginger Cake

Emily suspects that the Willetts, - who've rented Sittaford House, - are somehow involved in the murder of Captain Trevelyan.

But how can she get into the house?

Geoffrey Whitehead stars in Agatha Christie's whodunnit.

Inspector Narracott …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Emily Trefusis …. Melinda Walker
Charles Enderby …. Stephen Tompkinson
Mrs. Curtis …. Barbara Atkinson
Mr. Rycroft …. John Moffat
Ronnie Garfield …. Nigel Greaves
Caroline Percehouse …. Margaret Courtenay
Dora …. Jane
Violet Willett …. Victoria Carling
Mr. Dacres …. David King
Beatrice …. Alice Arnold
Jennifer Gardner …. Anna Cropper
Brian Pearson …. Charles Simpson

Dramatised and directed by Michael Bakewell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1990.


THU 06:30 The Night The Animals Talked (b0077268)
Chatter at the stroke of midnight!

Ian McMillan's magical exploration of Christmas Eve legends from around the world

With contributions from Luke Carver Goss, Taffy Thomas, Christine Kenyon-Jones (Kings College London), Maddy Pryor and Ben Haggerty.

Producer: Viv Beeby.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2006.


THU 07:00 North by Northamptonshire (b03s6mf2)
Series 3

Episode 6

A funeral focuses everyone's mind in Wadenbrook.

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
Rod ...... Tim Key
Mary ...... Penelope Wilton
Jonathan ...... Kevin Eldon
Keith ...... John Biggins
Esther ...... Katherine Jakeways
Norman ...... Geoffrey Palmer
Orson ...... Nathaniel Parker
Alistair ...... Michael Bertenshaw
Jan ...... Felicity Montagu

Producer: Steven Canny

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2014.


THU 07:30 Tina C (b06s0njv)
Tina C: Herstory

Episode 3

It's 2003 and Tina has geo-political aspirations, and a role promoting US values overseas.

Ritula Shah asks about her role as a special advisor to US President George W Bush.

Written & Performed by Christopher Green.
Additional voices: Debra Baker & Leo Wan.
The band: Duncan Walsh-Atkins, Mark Hardisty & Phil Wraith.
Guest Interviewer: Ritula Shah.
Produced by Victoria Lloyd.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.


THU 08:00 Steptoe and Son (b007k1hd)
Series 4

The Colour Problem

Albert and Harold Steptoe argue over whether to buy a new TV or a car.

Starring Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett.

Following the conclusion of their hugely successful association with Tony Hancock, writers Galton & 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 Jo Manning Wilson and William Bedle.

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

Producer: Bobby Jaye

First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in March 1972.


THU 08:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b00wt7n3)
Christmas Special

The Cousin

Gerald and Diana must prepare for a last-minute festive visitor.

A Christmas Chapter in the convoluted chronicle of an optimistic author,

Starring Ian Carmichael as Gerald C Potter and Charlotte Mitchell as his wife, Diana.

With Michael McClain.

Written by Basil Boothroyd.

Producer: Bobby Jaye

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1977.


THU 09:00 Booked (b0075m77)
Series 2

Episode 6

John Betjeman writes the copy for a Ford Probe brochure, Shere Khan bumps into a nervous Mrs Tiggy-Winkle at a hunt saboteurs' meeting, and Ted Hughes tries to write a bright and breezy breakfast cereal advert.

John Hegley joins regulars Mark Thomas, Dillie Keane and Miles Kington to stir the literary cauldron.

Irreverent literary game chaired by Ian McMillan.

Producer: Marc Jobst

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1997.


THU 09:30 No Commitments (b007jnxx)
Series 7

Supporting Parts

Victoria worries over Roger's libido and Charlotte is after a top job. Stars Rosemary Leach and Celia Imrie. From January 2001.


THU 10:00 Mystery Theater (b06sq756)
Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of Copper Beeches

A young, frightened woman pays a visit to the Baker Street detective. A job offer that seems too good to be true is just the beginning of a most mysterious case.

John Stanley stars as the original super-sleuth, Sherlock Holmes with Alfred Shirley as the dependable Doctor Watson.
American radio drama series carried by the Mutual Broadcasting System from 1947.

Based upon the character of Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and dramatised by Edith Meiser.

Music by Albert Berman.

Announcer: Sy Harris

Produced and directed by Basil Loughren.

4 Extra's MYSTERY THEATER showcases American radio's golden years of the 1940s and 50s, when many of Hollywood's greatest screen stars were regular performers, often re-enacting film roles.


THU 10:30 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b04vjh7y)
Arthur in Pantoland?

Count Arthur is saved from the seemingly simple task of writing his Christmas cards by a call from the Vicar. An invitation to star in the local pantomime gets Arthur excited about possible return to the stage.

Count Arthur Strong - one time Variety Star, now sole proprietor and owner of Doncaster's Academy of Performance - is a show business legend, raconteur, and lecturer extraordinaire. All false starts and nervous fumbling badly covered up by a delicate sheen of bravado and self-assurance, and an expert in everything from the world of entertainment to the origin of the species, everyday life with Arthur is an enlightening experience.

This episode was the first return of the long running series as a seasonal special and was produced by John Leonard and Mark Radcliffe. The show features Count Arthur and his erstwhile protégé Malcolm (Terry Kilkelly), surrounded by a host of regular characters created by his Radio Repertory Company - Mel Giedroyc, Alastair Kerr and Dave Mounfield. Dave, who played amongst others the much-loved characters Jerry and Geoffrey, sadly died in March 2020. His final Count Arthur recordings were two Christmas specials recorded in Autumn 2019, the first of which aired on Christmas Day 2019 and the second is yet to air. The 2020 hybrid return of the ever-popular family friendly sitcom is dedicated to Dave's memory.

A Komedia Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.


THU 11:00 Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald (b0076f5l)
Three Hours Between Planes

Donald reunites with his childhood love Nancy and old emotions stir. However, memories can deceive. Read by John Sharian.


THU 11:15 Nikolai Gogol - Christmas Eve (b00wsymb)
Extraordinary happenings as a night of 'mischief and mayhem' is unleashed on a Ukrainian village. Starring Crawford Logan.


THU 12:00 Steptoe and Son (b007k1hd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


THU 12:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b00wt7n3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


THU 13:00 Agatha Christie (b007k097)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


THU 13:30 The Night The Animals Talked (b0077268)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


THU 14:00 Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road (b007k09c)
The Town Tree

Will the town's first communal Christmas tree be greeted with peace and goodwill to all men? Alaskan tales read by their author.


THU 14:15 A Cause for Caroling (b03ls15l)
Import and Export

The penultimate programme in Jeremy Summerly's series tracing the history of the Christmas Carol in Britain. Jeremy picks up the story in the first half of the 20th century with carols from all over the world becoming more popular in this country much to the irritation of Ralph Vaughan Williams who continued to champion the folk tradition, albeit in a refined choral form. This was a time when the grandeur of Victorian caroling gave way to a leaner aesthetic with the Oxford Book of Carols being published in 1928, the same year in which the BBC broadcast the King's College, Cambridge Nine Lessons and Carols for the very first time. As it became an established favourite the carols used, gathered in many cases over centuries, become known both nationally and indeed internationally.

Series Description:
The Christmas carol is as popular now as it was when carolers celebrated the birth of Edward III in 1312. Back then the carol was a generic term for a song with its roots in dance form, nowadays only the strictest scholar would quibble with the fact that a carol is a Christmas song.
But the journey the carol has taken is unique in music history because each shift in the story has been preserved in the carols that we sing today. Go to a carol concert now and you're likely to hear folk, medieval, mid-victorian and modern music all happily combined. It's hard to imagine that happening in any other situation.
In these programmes Jeremy Summerly follows the carol journey through the Golden age of the Medieval carol into the troubled period of Reformation and puritanism, along the byways of the 17th and 18th century waits and gallery musicians and in to the sudden explosion of interest in the carol in the 19th century. It's a story that sees the carol veer between the sacred and secular even before there was any understanding of those terms. For long periods the church, both catholic and protestant, was uneasy about the virility and homespun nature of carol tunes and carol texts. Nowadays many people think that church music is defined by the carols they hear from Kings College Cambridge.
He traces the folk carol in and out of church grounds, the carol hymn, the fuguing carol and the many other off-shoots, some of which survive to this day and many others which languish unloved but ready for re-discovery.
It's a journey full of song describing the history of a people who needed expression for seasonal joy in the coldest, hardest time of the year. And however efficient the heating system may be, the carol still generates warmth. Much of that is to do with the positive nostalgia of this music.
That nostalgia is in part due to the fact that carols are one of the first kinds of song children actually sing rather than hear. Many favourite carols were actually written for Children; Once in Royal David's City the most familiar example. Another factor is the concentration in the texts on the humanity of nativity with tunes garnered from the uninhibited world of folk song and ballad.
The series title is taken from a Thomas Hardy poem in which he ponders of a Darkling Thrush why it should chose to sing - 'so little cause for carolings of such ecstatic sound' - is the question asked. This series is an attempt to answer why Carols remain so popular and familiar to so many. In fact Hardy himself, in his first novel Under The Greenwood Tree, went some way to answering his own question when he described the Mellstock Quire singing at Midnight on Christmas Eve:
'Then passed forth into the quiet night an ancient and time worn hymn, embodying a quaint Christianity in words orally transmitted from father to son through several generations down to the present characters, who sang them out right earnestly."
Jeremy brings the series up to date with the story of the famous Nine Lessons and Carols service broadcast by the BBC since the 1920s but born originally in Truro. It's a service that commands a worldwide audience measured in many millions, but as Jeremy concludes it has left an imbalance in the appreciation of our caroling tradition, a tradition that has always had one foot in the pub and another in the choir stalls.
Producer:Tom Alban.


THU 14:30 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvxg)
Episode 9

Amelia follows George and the regiment to Brussels, as Becky attracts an army of admirers. Stars Emma Fielding and Jon Glover.


THU 14:45 And June Whitfield (b007jvfd)
Episode 4

The much-loved actress remembers the challenges of working with Tony Hancock, and her huge TV success with Terry and June.


THU 15:00 Mystery Theater (b06sq756)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


THU 15:30 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b04vjh7y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]


THU 16:00 Booked (b0075m77)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


THU 16:30 No Commitments (b007jnxx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


THU 17:00 North by Northamptonshire (b03s6mf2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


THU 17:30 Tina C (b06s0njv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


THU 18:00 A Short History of Vampires (b00z55h6)
Quid Pro Quo by Tanya Huff

The ultimate killing machines.

Natalie Haynes introduces the last in a series of dark stories, as she examines why the vampire - an iconic figure in horror-fiction - continues to exert such a powerful hold on our imaginations...

Genevieve Adam reads Tanya Huff’s deliciously noir tale of an immortal whose lover is in mortal danger.

Producer: Gemma Jenkins

Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in March 2011.


THU 18:30 Great Lives (b00k3zns)
Series 18

Frank Sinatra

Broadcaster Colin Murray chooses Francis Albert Sinatra in the biographical series in which Matthew Parris asks his guests to choose someone who's inspired their lives.

"Fiercely competitive", "aggressive", "utterly masculine" and "supremely talented". Just some of the words - Matthew Parris says - that might be used to describe one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century.

Colin calls Frank omnipresent. Enchanted by his songs he says: "It's not about the notes you hit for me, it's about the simplicity and the honesty. And for me he had it in bucket loads"

New York author and music critic Will Friedwald vividly describes the singer's life history, from his early years to the marriages and through his recording and screen career.

Featuring excerpts of many of Sinatra's greatest recordings.

Produced by Beth O'Dea

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.


THU 19:00 Steptoe and Son (b007k1hd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


THU 19:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b00wt7n3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


THU 20:00 Agatha Christie (b007k097)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


THU 20:30 The Night The Animals Talked (b0077268)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


THU 21:00 Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald (b0076f5l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


THU 21:15 Nikolai Gogol - Christmas Eve (b00wsymb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


THU 22:00 Tina C (b06s0njv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


THU 22:25 The Comedy Club Interviews (b06vmg0l)
The best in contemporary comedy. On this very special night, Jessica Fostekew chats to Santa!


THU 22:30 Two Episodes of Mash (b01mx27s)
Series 2

Episode 4

Diane, Joe and David have to do 30 minutes of community service as punishment for their crimes against radio.

Look out for an animation of their Fishing Sketch by Tom Rourke on the BBC 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
Aled Jones.

Producer: Clair Wordsworth.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2012.


THU 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b06vmfyf)
From 10pm to midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club offers the best laughs. Tonight, Jessica Fostekew is joined by Mr B, the Gentleman Rhymer for more music and chat.


THU 23:00 Bleak Expectations (b00nw3rs)
Series 3

A Horrible Life Un-Ruined and Then Re-Ruined a Lot

Pip, Harry, Pippa and Ripely are reduced to abject poverty on the banks of the Thames.

Will Pip and Harry be able to find work, or will they have to end their days eating mud and listening to the gloating of Mr Benevolent?

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

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

Producer: Gareth Edwards

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2009


THU 23:30 The Museum of Everything (b007k0zt)
Series 1

School Parties Welcome

The Museum enjoys a visit from some schoolchildren as they learn the origin of scampi in the new Undersea Adventure display.

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 April 2004.



FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2015

FRI 00:00 A Short History of Vampires (b00z55h6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Thursday]


FRI 00:30 Great Lives (b00k3zns)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Thursday]


FRI 01:00 Agatha Christie (b007k097)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]


FRI 01:30 The Night The Animals Talked (b0077268)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]


FRI 02:00 Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road (b007k09c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]


FRI 02:15 A Cause for Caroling (b03ls15l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Thursday]


FRI 02:30 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvxg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]


FRI 02:45 And June Whitfield (b007jvfd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Thursday]


FRI 03:00 Mystery Theater (b06sq756)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]


FRI 03:30 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b04vjh7y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]


FRI 04:00 Booked (b0075m77)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Thursday]


FRI 04:30 No Commitments (b007jnxx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Thursday]


FRI 05:00 North by Northamptonshire (b03s6mf2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]


FRI 05:30 Tina C (b06s0njv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]


FRI 06:00 Agatha Christie (b007k0bk)
The Sittaford Mystery

5. The Second Seance

Mr Rycroft decides that only by re-enacting the séance which announced the murder of Captain Trevelyan, will the identity of his killer finally be revealed.

The conclusion of Agatha Christie's whodunit starring Geoffrey Whitehead as Inspector Narracott.

Inspector Narracott …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Emily Trefusis …. Melinda Walker
Charles Enderby …. Stephen Tompkinson
Major Burnaby …. Norman Bird
Ellwood …. Jack May
Martin Dering …. David Goudge
Mr. Rycroft …. John Moffat
Ronnie Garfield …. Nigel Greaves
Mrs. Willett …. Susan Westerby
Violet Willett …. Victoria Carling
Brian Pearson …. Charles Simpson
Caroline Percehouse …. Margaret Courtenay
Mrs. Curtis …. Barbara Atkinson
Sergeant Pollock …. Vincent Brimble
Mr. Dacres …. David King
Beatrice …. Alice Arnold
Jennifer Gardner …. Anna Cropper
Brian Pearson …. Charles Simpson

Dramatised and directed by Michael Bakewell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1990.


FRI 06:30 Bringing Holly from the Bongs (b06sqkhl)
Christmas 1965: The children of Goostrey Primary School in Cheshire are preparing to perform a special nativity play in the stable of the Crown Inn. Holly from the Bongs has been written especially for them by the famous children’s writer Alan Garner (The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, The Moon of Gomrath, The Owl Service) who lives locally and worked with them to help create the play.

Christmas 2015: The grown-ups who originally performed in the play return to the Crown Inn, 50 years on, to reflect on this unique theatrical experience with Alan Garner – who still regards Holly from the Bongs as his most technically perfect piece of writing.

Leslie Pimlott who played the Doctor in the original production, recalls with other cast members the story of how this customised nativity play was created by Alan Garner. The author spent many afternoons walking the children round the village’s boundaries, fields and The Bongs, the wooded area behind the school to explore the history and living heritage of Goostrey. Leslie celebrates the excitement of taking part in the original production and its memorable first performance half a century ago.

Part nativity play/part mummer’s play Holly from the Bongs is a customised piece of theatre written for the voices of the individual children of Goostrey School in 1965. A stylistic lesson in English writing from the middle ages to the 1960’s that has a very special place in the hearts of the original cast and the village of Goostrey.

Producer: Andy Cartwright

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Soundscape Productions.

First broadcast in December 2015.


FRI 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jp42)
Series 5

The Threatening Letters

The lad is full of the joys of Spring - until the postman arrives.

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 (b00fyvxb)
Series 6

The International Christmas Pudding

An eccentric millionaire funds an expedition for fragments of a famous dessert. Stars Spike Milligan. From November 1955.


FRI 09:00 The 99p Challenge (b06sqn7w)
Series 4

Episode 6

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

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 March 2003.


FRI 09:30 Mind Your Own Business! (b009sczf)
Two Fingers of Suspicion

Secrets from Brightco's defence job are reaching a foreign power. But who is responsible for a leak?

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
With John Graham

Written by Andrew Palmer.

Producer: Edward Taylor

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1988.


FRI 10:00 Mystery Theater (b06sqp09)
The Black Museum: Orson Welles 2/2

The Raincoat: Orson Welles' tale inspired by a real case from Scotland Yard's gruesome gallery of crime-related ephemera

Even a simple garment like a raincoat can be connected to the brutal murder of a married woman.

In The Black Museum, Orson is your host and guide through tales based on the grim and ominous collection of objects connected to significant British crimes.

Writer: Ira Marion.

Music: Sydney Torch

Producer: Harry Alan Towers

The films of Orson Welles have guaranteed him a place in the pantheon of film heroes (Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons, Touch of Evil). This series is one of several fascinating sidesteps into a medium which arguably contributed to Welles' success - radio. Thanks to Harry Alan Towers, British radio was host to his dulcet tones for a spell in the early 1950s - including his famous cinematic anti-hero in The Lives of Harry Lime.

Presented by arrangement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer radio attractions

Produced by Towers of London and first broadcast in the USA in 1952.

4 Extra's MYSTERY THEATER showcases American radio's golden years of the 1940s and 50s, when many of Hollywood's greatest screen stars were regular performers, often re-enacting film roles.


FRI 10:30 Anthony Trollope - Christmas Day at Kirkby Cottage (b00pfkw1)
A young man comes to spend Christmas with the family of his godfather, a clergyman in an English village. Predictably, he falls in love with the beautiful daughter, Isabel - but they need the help of her little sister, Mabel, and the patient counselling of her mother, too, before the course of true love finally runs smooth...

Anthony Trollope's Victorian comedy stars Finty Williams as Isabel Lownd, Chris Larkin as Maurice Archer, John Rhys-Davies as the Reverend John Lownd, Julia McKenzie as Alice Lownd and Lizzie Bowling as Mabel Lownd.

Mary Wimbush (pictured during recording) makes a delightful cameo - in what turned out to be one of her very last recordings - as Miss Dimbleby.

Master novelist Anthony Trollope (1815-82) is best-loved for his Barsetshire Chronicles and Palliser series. But he also wrote a handful of short stories for magazines on Christmas themes, of which this is the most delicate and enchanting.

"This comedy of two young lovers is an entertaining glimpse of mid-Victorian England, and to many will be entirely new, for it has been reprinted only rarely since its appearance in Routledge's Christmas Annual for 1870. Trollope was fifty-five when he wrote this story, but his vast energy and his genial, peppery enjoyment of life were still untouched by age. He had bidden farewell to Barsetshire - and resigned from the Post Office - three years earlier. But some of his best novels were still to come, including The Eustace Diamonds and The Way We Live Now." - WILLIAM STRODE

A Radio Theatre Production. First broadcast on BBC Radio 7 in 2009.


FRI 11:00 Maeve Binchy - Christmas Present (b06sqq25)
A young boy spots a simple way of showing three generations of a family the true magic of Christmas Day. Read by Hannah Gordon. From December 1995.


FRI 11:15 Hercule Poirot (b008j05h)
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding

Hercule Poirot does not care for the British weather at the best of times, but at Christmas he's convinced the only way to survive is to shut himself up in his London apartment.

Imagine his horror, then that to avert a diplomatic catastrophe, he must take on a case that means spending the festive period in a large old house in the countryside. Attending an old-fashioned dinner party, he must use all his powers of deduction to retrieve a stolen ruby.

Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Poirot. With Donald Sinden as Colonel Lacey, Sian Phillips as Mrs Lacey, Ifan Meredith as The Prince/Michael and Elizabeth Proud as Mrs Ross.

From a book first published in 1960 and dramatised by Michael Bakewell.

Directed by Enyd Williams

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2004.


FRI 12:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jp42)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


FRI 12:30 The Goon Show (b00fyvxb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


FRI 13:00 Agatha Christie (b007k0bk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


FRI 13:30 Bringing Holly from the Bongs (b06sqkhl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


FRI 14:00 Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road (b007k0bq)
Yet Another New Year

New Year is a time of celebration - and an annual fist fight. But a dense fog descends. Alaskan tales read by author Tom Bodett.


FRI 14:15 A Cause for Caroling (b03lsdg6)
Ring in the New

Jeremy Summerly concludes his history of the carol in Britain pondering the success of new carols over the last century. While King's College, Cambridge organist Stephen Cleobury insures a supply of newly commissioned carols for his massive international audience Jeremy wonders whether the popular songs from Berlin's 'White Christmas' to Slade's 'Merry Christmas' don't help sustain a more genuine caroling tradition.
He also recalls his own first experience of carols at Lichfield cathedral where John Rutter's 'Shepherd's Pipe Carol' was an astonishing discovery for the eager young chorister.
And Jeremy also ponders the continued appeal of the carol and why, while it's been in decline throughout its history, it continues to thrive.

Series Description:
The Christmas carol is as popular now as it was when carolers celebrated the birth of Edward III in 1312. Back then the carol was a generic term for a song with its roots in dance form, nowadays only the strictest scholar would quibble with the fact that a carol is a Christmas song.
But the journey the carol has taken is unique in music history because each shift in the story has been preserved in the carols that we sing today. Go to a carol concert now and you're likely to hear folk, medieval, mid-victorian and modern music all happily combined. It's hard to imagine that happening in any other situation.
In these programmes Jeremy Summerly follows the carol journey through the Golden age of the Medieval carol into the troubled period of Reformation and puritanism, along the byways of the 17th and 18th century waits and gallery musicians and in to the sudden explosion of interest in the carol in the 19th century. It's a story that sees the carol veer between the sacred and secular even before there was any understanding of those terms. For long periods the church, both catholic and protestant, was uneasy about the virility and homespun nature of carol tunes and carol texts. Nowadays many people think that church music is defined by the carols they hear from Kings College Cambridge.
He traces the folk carol in and out of church grounds, the carol hymn, the fuguing carol and the many other off-shoots, some of which survive to this day and many others which languish unloved but ready for re-discovery.
It's a journey full of song describing the history of a people who needed expression for seasonal joy in the coldest, hardest time of the year. And however efficient the heating system may be, the carol still generates warmth. Much of that is to do with the positive nostalgia of this music.
That nostalgia is in part due to the fact that carols are one of the first kinds of song children actually sing rather than hear. Many favourite carols were actually written for Children; Once in Royal David's City the most familiar example. Another factor is the concentration in the texts on the humanity of nativity with tunes garnered from the uninhibited world of folk song and ballad.
The series title is taken from a Thomas Hardy poem in which he ponders of a Darkling Thrush why it should chose to sing - 'so little cause for carolings of such ecstatic sound' - is the question asked. THis series is an attempt to answer why Carols remain so popular and familiar to so many. In fact Hardy himself, in his first novel Under The Greenwood Tree, went some way to answering his own question when he described the Mellstock Quire singing at Midnight on Christmas Eve:
'Then passed forth into the quiet night an ancient and time worn hymn, embodying a quaint Christianity in words orally transmitted from father to son through several generations down to the present characters, who sang them out right earnestly."
Jeremy brings the series up to date with the story of the famous Nine Lessons and Carols service broadcast by the BBC since the 1920s but born originally in Truro. It's a service that commands a worldwide audience measured in many millions, but as Jeremy concludes it has left an imbalance in the appreciation of our caroling tradition, a tradition that has always had one foot in the pub and another in the choir stalls.
Producer:Tom Alban.


FRI 14:30 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvxl)
Episode 10

1815, the Battle of Waterloo. As George and Rawdon fight, Becky and Amelia wait for news. Narrated by Stephen Fry.


FRI 14:45 And June Whitfield (b007jvfk)
Episode 5

The final chapter of June's life story so far takes us from the News Huddlines to international fame with Absolutely Fabulous.


FRI 15:00 Mystery Theater (b06sqp09)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


FRI 15:30 Anthony Trollope - Christmas Day at Kirkby Cottage (b00pfkw1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]


FRI 16:00 The 99p Challenge (b06sqn7w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


FRI 16:30 Mind Your Own Business! (b009sczf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


FRI 18:00 MR James (b06sqq9z)
Oh, Whistle and I'll Come To You

“Easy enough to whistle, but there's no telling what will answer...”

Professor Parkins uncovers a very curious artefact.

MR James’s ghostly story adapted by Michael and Mollie Hardwick.

Starring Michael Hordern as Professor Parkins.

Professor Parkins ...... Michael Hordern
Brown ...... Earle Grey
Purdon ...... James Thomason
Chambermaid/Small Boy ...... Sheila Grant
Waiter ...... Anthony Hall
Colonel Wilson ...... Austin Trevor
Mrs Spenlow ...... Hilda Kriseman
Rogers ...... Rolf Lefebvre
The Thing ...... Malcolm Hayes

Special effects by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

Producer: Charles Lefeaux

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in December 1963.


FRI 18:30 Soul Music (b0075zst)
Series 1

Silent Night

An exploration of one of the world's most popular Christmas carols, and some of unlikely places where it has been sung. From December 2000.


FRI 19:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jp42)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


FRI 19:30 The Goon Show (b00fyvxb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


FRI 20:00 Agatha Christie (b007k0bk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


FRI 20:30 Bringing Holly from the Bongs (b06sqkhl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


FRI 21:00 Black Cinderella Two Goes East, or Confessions of a Glass Slipper Tryer Onner (b00g31bq)
All-star panto set in the land of Saxmania. Co-produced by Douglas Adams. With Peter Cook and John Cleese. From December 1978.


FRI 22:00 Radio 4 Comedy Advent Calendar (b03m7mdf)
On Christmas Day gorge on a bumper edited compilation of all 24 'windows' from the Radio 4 Comedy Advent Calendar featuring some of your favourite presenters, performers and comedians.

Produced by Lyndsay Fenner and Sam Michell.


FRI 23:00 The Penny Dreadfuls (b008vt7r)
Revolution

The comedy trio tell the epic tale of the French Revolution. Co-starring Richard E Grant and Sally Hawkins. From July 2011.




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

A Cause for Caroling 02:15 SAT (b03kvby7)

A Cause for Caroling 14:15 MON (b03lp80w)

A Cause for Caroling 02:15 TUE (b03lp80w)

A Cause for Caroling 14:15 TUE (b03lpfx0)

A Cause for Caroling 02:15 WED (b03lpfx0)

A Cause for Caroling 14:15 WED (b03lpjpp)

A Cause for Caroling 02:15 THU (b03lpjpp)

A Cause for Caroling 14:15 THU (b03ls15l)

A Cause for Caroling 02:15 FRI (b03ls15l)

A Cause for Caroling 14:15 FRI (b03lsdg6)

A Good Read 18:30 MON (b00761qk)

A Good Read 00:30 TUE (b00761qk)

A Look Back at the Future 23:30 SUN (b01rszvs)

A Short History of Vampires 18:00 MON (b00yhwyc)

A Short History of Vampires 00:00 TUE (b00yhwyc)

A Short History of Vampires 18:00 TUE (b00yqqs8)

A Short History of Vampires 00:00 WED (b00yqqs8)

A Short History of Vampires 18:00 WED (b00yy6vt)

A Short History of Vampires 00:00 THU (b00yy6vt)

A Short History of Vampires 18:00 THU (b00z55h6)

A Short History of Vampires 00:00 FRI (b00z55h6)

Agatha Christie 06:00 MON (b0081rx2)

Agatha Christie 13:00 MON (b0081rx2)

Agatha Christie 20:00 MON (b0081rx2)

Agatha Christie 01:00 TUE (b0081rx2)

Agatha Christie 06:00 TUE (b007jlqg)

Agatha Christie 13:00 TUE (b007jlqg)

Agatha Christie 20:00 TUE (b007jlqg)

Agatha Christie 01:00 WED (b007jlqg)

Agatha Christie 06:00 WED (b007k07y)

Agatha Christie 13:00 WED (b007k07y)

Agatha Christie 20:00 WED (b007k07y)

Agatha Christie 01:00 THU (b007k07y)

Agatha Christie 06:00 THU (b007k097)

Agatha Christie 13:00 THU (b007k097)

Agatha Christie 20:00 THU (b007k097)

Agatha Christie 01:00 FRI (b007k097)

Agatha Christie 06:00 FRI (b007k0bk)

Agatha Christie 13:00 FRI (b007k0bk)

Agatha Christie 20:00 FRI (b007k0bk)

Alan Coren - Core Coren 02:45 SAT (b007jrq9)

Alick Rowe - Crisp and Even Brightly 06:00 SAT (b007jqsz)

Alick Rowe - Crisp and Even Brightly 16:00 SAT (b007jqsz)

Alick Rowe - Crisp and Even Brightly 04:00 SUN (b007jqsz)

And June Whitfield 14:45 MON (b007jvdz)

And June Whitfield 02:45 TUE (b007jvdz)

And June Whitfield 14:45 TUE (b007jvf2)

And June Whitfield 02:45 WED (b007jvf2)

And June Whitfield 14:45 WED (b007jvf6)

And June Whitfield 02:45 THU (b007jvf6)

And June Whitfield 14:45 THU (b007jvfd)

And June Whitfield 02:45 FRI (b007jvfd)

And June Whitfield 14:45 FRI (b007jvfk)

Anthony Trollope - Christmas Day at Kirkby Cottage 10:30 FRI (b00pfkw1)

Anthony Trollope - Christmas Day at Kirkby Cottage 15:30 FRI (b00pfkw1)

Arthur Conan Doyle - Professor Challenger 00:00 SAT (b00zs6nn)

Beautiful Dreamers 23:30 WED (b00vrvxw)

Beauty of Britain 23:00 WED (b010mryx)

Black Cinderella Two Goes East, or Confessions of a Glass Slipper Tryer Onner 21:00 FRI (b00g31bq)

Bleak Expectations 23:00 THU (b00nw3rs)

Booked 09:00 THU (b0075m77)

Booked 16:00 THU (b0075m77)

Booked 04:00 FRI (b0075m77)

Bringing Holly from the Bongs 06:30 FRI (b06sqkhl)

Bringing Holly from the Bongs 13:30 FRI (b06sqkhl)

Bringing Holly from the Bongs 20:30 FRI (b06sqkhl)

Brothers in Law 12:30 SAT (b007k0y6)

Brothers in Law 08:30 MON (b007k164)

Brothers in Law 12:30 MON (b007k164)

Brothers in Law 19:30 MON (b007k164)

Cabin Pressure 22:30 MON (b01q8qqc)

Candlelight: The Living Flame 06:30 TUE (b00765mf)

Candlelight: The Living Flame 13:30 TUE (b00765mf)

Candlelight: The Living Flame 20:30 TUE (b00765mf)

Candlelight: The Living Flame 01:30 WED (b00765mf)

Capital Gains 09:30 TUE (b00slqv8)

Capital Gains 16:30 TUE (b00slqv8)

Capital Gains 04:30 WED (b00slqv8)

Charles Dickens 11:15 TUE (b007jw8x)

Charles Dickens 21:15 TUE (b007jw8x)

Classic Serial 18:00 SAT (b01nkt24)

Classic Serial 00:00 SUN (b01nkt24)

Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! 10:30 WED (b007728p)

Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! 15:30 WED (b007728p)

Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! 03:30 THU (b007728p)

Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! 10:30 THU (b04vjh7y)

Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! 15:30 THU (b04vjh7y)

Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! 03:30 FRI (b04vjh7y)

Counterpoint 09:00 WED (b008m8jp)

Counterpoint 16:00 WED (b008m8jp)

Counterpoint 04:00 THU (b008m8jp)

Dad's Army 08:00 MON (b007jq82)

Dad's Army 12:00 MON (b007jq82)

Dad's Army 19:00 MON (b007jq82)

David Attenborough's Life Stories 11:50 SUN (b00n3jxh)

David Attenborough's Life Stories 19:50 SUN (b00n3jxh)

Desert Island Discs Revisited 10:15 SUN (b06sbg3r)

Desert Island Discs Revisited 21:15 SUN (b06sbg3r)

Drama 11:15 MON (b00zdhzs)

Drama 21:15 MON (b00zdhzs)

Eagle: The Space Age Weekly 01:30 SAT (b00wqdx6)

Ed Reardon's Week 07:30 SUN (b00q2w82)

Ed Reardon's Week 17:30 SUN (b00q2w82)

Ed Reardon's Week 22:00 SUN (b00q2w82)

Ed Reardon's Week 05:30 MON (b00q2w82)

Fear on 4 18:00 SUN (b00c84lh)

Fear on 4 00:00 MON (b00c84lh)

Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald 11:00 MON (b0076f44)

Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald 21:00 MON (b0076f44)

Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald 11:00 TUE (b0076f4l)

Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald 21:00 TUE (b0076f4l)

Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald 11:00 WED (b0076f52)

Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald 21:00 WED (b0076f52)

Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald 11:00 THU (b0076f5l)

Four Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald 21:00 THU (b0076f5l)

Gloomsbury 07:30 TUE (b042jpk4)

Gloomsbury 17:30 TUE (b042jpk4)

Gloomsbury 22:00 TUE (b042jpk4)

Gloomsbury 05:30 WED (b042jpk4)

Great Lives 18:30 THU (b00k3zns)

Great Lives 00:30 FRI (b00k3zns)

HR 07:00 TUE (b01ckgfz)

HR 17:00 TUE (b01ckgfz)

HR 05:00 WED (b01ckgfz)

Hancock's Half Hour 08:00 FRI (b007jp42)

Hancock's Half Hour 12:00 FRI (b007jp42)

Hancock's Half Hour 19:00 FRI (b007jp42)

Hans Christian Andersen - The Fir Tree 15:45 SUN (b01pfwn0)

Hans Christian Andersen - The Fir Tree 03:45 MON (b01pfwn0)

Hercule Poirot 11:15 FRI (b008j05h)

Home Front - Omnibus 03:00 SAT (b064jrpl)

I Think I've Got a Problem 23:00 SUN (b007xvrp)

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue 07:30 MON (b06rxn53)

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue 17:30 MON (b06rxn53)

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue 22:00 MON (b06rxn53)

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue 05:30 TUE (b06rxn53)

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again 08:30 WED (b010y71x)

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again 12:30 WED (b010y71x)

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again 19:30 WED (b010y71x)

In the Psychiatrist's Chair 14:15 SAT (b06sb28z)

In the Psychiatrist's Chair 02:15 SUN (b06sb28z)

Inheritance Tracks 14:10 SAT (b06sb17d)

Inheritance Tracks 02:10 SUN (b06sb17d)

Inheritance Tracks 10:10 SUN (b06sbdn5)

Inheritance Tracks 21:10 SUN (b06sbdn5)

Irish Micks and Legends 22:00 SAT (b01nq4j1)

Jan Struther - Mrs Miniver 02:00 SAT (b00nnp65)

Josie Long Hears the Truth 09:00 SAT (b06s9rcn)

Josie Long Hears the Truth 19:00 SAT (b06s9rcn)

Just William - Live! 10:30 MON (b01pfrrc)

Just William - Live! 15:30 MON (b01pfrrc)

Just William - Live! 03:30 TUE (b01pfrrc)

Just William - Live! 10:30 TUE (b01ph83g)

Just William - Live! 15:30 TUE (b01ph83g)

Just William - Live! 03:30 WED (b01ph83g)

King Street Junior 09:30 MON (b007jmfw)

King Street Junior 16:30 MON (b007jmfw)

King Street Junior 04:30 TUE (b007jmfw)

Lenin of the Rovers 07:00 WED (b007jwg9)

Lenin of the Rovers 17:00 WED (b007jwg9)

Lenin of the Rovers 05:00 THU (b007jwg9)

MR James 18:00 FRI (b06sqq9z)

Maeve Binchy - Christmas Present 11:00 FRI (b06sqq25)

Marguerite Patten's Century of British Cooking 07:30 SAT (b0075k9n)

Marguerite Patten's Century of British Cooking 17:30 SAT (b0075k9n)

Marguerite Patten's Century of British Cooking 05:30 SUN (b0075k9n)

Meeting Myself Coming Back 08:00 SAT (b01jppw6)

Meeting Myself Coming Back 15:00 SAT (b01jppw6)

Meeting Myself Coming Back 03:00 SUN (b01jppw6)

Merry Christmas Morris Minor! 06:30 WED (b00wqgmg)

Merry Christmas Morris Minor! 13:30 WED (b00wqgmg)

Merry Christmas Morris Minor! 20:30 WED (b00wqgmg)

Merry Christmas Morris Minor! 01:30 THU (b00wqgmg)

Mind Your Own Business! 04:30 SAT (b009pr6l)

Mind Your Own Business! 09:30 FRI (b009sczf)

Mind Your Own Business! 16:30 FRI (b009sczf)

Mission Improbable 22:15 SAT (b01p4254)

Much Binding in the Marsh 08:30 SUN (b018zl22)

Much Binding in the Marsh 12:30 SUN (b018zl22)

My History Omnibus 09:00 SUN (b06sbdn3)

My History Omnibus 20:00 SUN (b06sbdn3)

My Teenage Diary 22:30 SUN (b039cy0f)

Mystery Theater 10:00 MON (b06sdzqk)

Mystery Theater 15:00 MON (b06sdzqk)

Mystery Theater 03:00 TUE (b06sdzqk)

Mystery Theater 10:00 TUE (b06sg52c)

Mystery Theater 15:00 TUE (b06sg52c)

Mystery Theater 03:00 WED (b06sg52c)

Mystery Theater 10:00 WED (b06spfsn)

Mystery Theater 15:00 WED (b06spfsn)

Mystery Theater 03:00 THU (b06spfsn)

Mystery Theater 10:00 THU (b06sq756)

Mystery Theater 15:00 THU (b06sq756)

Mystery Theater 03:00 FRI (b06sq756)

Mystery Theater 10:00 FRI (b06sqp09)

Mystery Theater 15:00 FRI (b06sqp09)

Nikolai Gogol - Christmas Eve 11:15 THU (b00wsymb)

Nikolai Gogol - Christmas Eve 21:15 THU (b00wsymb)

No Commitments 09:30 THU (b007jnxx)

No Commitments 16:30 THU (b007jnxx)

No Commitments 04:30 FRI (b007jnxx)

North by Northamptonshire 07:00 THU (b03s6mf2)

North by Northamptonshire 17:00 THU (b03s6mf2)

North by Northamptonshire 05:00 FRI (b03s6mf2)

Off the Page 18:30 WED (b0076x93)

Off the Page 00:30 THU (b0076x93)

Old Harry's Game 22:30 WED (b00wqfn8)

Oscar Wilde 07:15 SAT (b007k0l3)

Oscar Wilde 17:15 SAT (b007k0l3)

Oscar Wilde 05:15 SUN (b007k0l3)

P Division 01:00 SAT (b00rgnxh)

Poetry Extra 17:00 SUN (b0076bz0)

Poetry Extra 05:00 MON (b0076bz0)

Quote... Unquote 09:00 MON (b0128ln0)

Quote... Unquote 16:00 MON (b0128ln0)

Quote... Unquote 04:00 TUE (b0128ln0)

Radio 4 Comedy Advent Calendar 22:00 FRI (b03m7mdf)

Round the Horne 12:00 SAT (b00mlxk1)

Round the Horne 08:00 TUE (b00mrhjp)

Round the Horne 12:00 TUE (b00mrhjp)

Round the Horne 19:00 TUE (b00mrhjp)

Sarah Woods - Speck of Dust Omnibus 13:00 SAT (b06sb14w)

Sarah Woods - Speck of Dust Omnibus 01:00 SUN (b06sb14w)

Shah Rukh Khan's Heroes 18:30 TUE (b06sg8ss)

Shah Rukh Khan's Heroes 00:30 WED (b06sg8ss)

Sir Henry at Rawlinson End 23:15 TUE (b00s6n86)

Slade House Omnibus 14:30 SUN (b06sbhv7)

Slade House Omnibus 02:30 MON (b06sbhv7)

Son of Cliche 23:30 SAT (b00p4mcr)

Soul Music 00:30 SAT (b0076blv)

Soul Music 18:30 FRI (b0075zst)

Steptoe and Son 08:00 THU (b007k1hd)

Steptoe and Son 12:00 THU (b007k1hd)

Steptoe and Son 19:00 THU (b007k1hd)

Steve Chambers - Victoria Station 11:15 WED (b06spfst)

Steve Chambers - Victoria Station 21:15 WED (b06spfst)

Steven Appleby's Normal Life 22:45 SAT (b007jn0b)

Strap In - It's Clever Peter 22:30 SAT (b01jhdht)

Susan Hill - The Woman in Black 18:30 SUN (b007jz83)

Susan Hill - The Woman in Black 00:30 MON (b007jz83)

The 99p Challenge 04:00 SAT (b06s6mrj)

The 99p Challenge 09:00 FRI (b06sqn7w)

The 99p Challenge 16:00 FRI (b06sqn7w)

The Al Read Show 08:00 SUN (b008xzwj)

The Al Read Show 12:00 SUN (b008xzwj)

The Ape That Got Lucky 22:30 TUE (b0081cbz)

The Comedy Club Interviews 22:55 WED (b05njm7k)

The Comedy Club Interviews 22:25 THU (b06vmg0l)

The Comedy Club Interviews 22:55 THU (b06vmfyf)

The Goon Show 08:30 FRI (b00fyvxb)

The Goon Show 12:30 FRI (b00fyvxb)

The Goon Show 19:30 FRI (b00fyvxb)

The Great Gatsby Letters 06:30 MON (b01130n7)

The Great Gatsby Letters 13:30 MON (b01130n7)

The Great Gatsby Letters 20:30 MON (b01130n7)

The Great Gatsby Letters 01:30 TUE (b01130n7)

The Jason Byrne Show 23:00 SAT (b01p03v9)

The Leopard in Autumn 09:30 WED (b00sbf7q)

The Leopard in Autumn 16:30 WED (b00sbf7q)

The Leopard in Autumn 04:30 THU (b00sbf7q)

The Moth Radio Hour 11:00 SUN (b06sbgmx)

The Moth Radio Hour 19:00 SUN (b06sbgmx)

The Motion Show 16:00 TUE (b0075x94)

The Motion Show 04:00 WED (b0075x94)

The Museum of Everything 23:30 THU (b007k0zt)

The Navy Lark 08:00 WED (b01dw471)

The Navy Lark 12:00 WED (b01dw471)

The Navy Lark 19:00 WED (b01dw471)

The Night The Animals Talked 06:30 THU (b0077268)

The Night The Animals Talked 13:30 THU (b0077268)

The Night The Animals Talked 20:30 THU (b0077268)

The Night The Animals Talked 01:30 FRI (b0077268)

The Northern Irish Man in CS Lewis 16:00 SUN (b007jw8w)

The Northern Irish Man in CS Lewis 04:00 MON (b007jw8w)

The Now Show 23:00 MON (b06s1gcg)

The Now Show 09:00 TUE (b06s1gcg)

The Penny Dreadfuls 23:00 FRI (b008vt7r)

The Right Time 07:00 MON (b00c5snp)

The Right Time 17:00 MON (b00c5snp)

The Right Time 05:00 TUE (b00c5snp)

The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter 08:30 THU (b00wt7n3)

The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter 12:30 THU (b00wt7n3)

The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter 19:30 THU (b00wt7n3)

Think the Unthinkable 23:30 TUE (b007jm3k)

Tina C 07:30 THU (b06s0njv)

Tina C 17:30 THU (b06s0njv)

Tina C 22:00 THU (b06s0njv)

Tina C 05:30 FRI (b06s0njv)

To the Manor Born 08:30 TUE (b007jm7w)

To the Manor Born 12:30 TUE (b007jm7w)

To the Manor Born 19:30 TUE (b007jm7w)

Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road 14:00 MON (b007jw7k)

Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road 02:00 TUE (b007jw7k)

Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road 14:00 TUE (b007k06s)

Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road 02:00 WED (b007k06s)

Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road 14:00 WED (b007k082)

Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road 02:00 THU (b007k082)

Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road 14:00 THU (b007k09c)

Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road 02:00 FRI (b007k09c)

Tom Bodett - Christmastime at the End of the Road 14:00 FRI (b007k0bq)

Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups 07:30 WED (b06rz9hx)

Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups 17:30 WED (b06rz9hx)

Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups 22:00 WED (b06rz9hx)

Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups 05:30 THU (b06rz9hx)

Trodd en Bratt Say 'Well Done You' 05:30 SAT (b06rxgtc)

Twenty Players 23:00 TUE (b06sgb8m)

Two Episodes of Mash 22:30 THU (b01mx27s)

Unbuilt Britain 07:15 SUN (b01l0csn)

Unbuilt Britain 14:15 SUN (b01l0csn)

Unbuilt Britain 02:15 MON (b01l0csn)

Weak at the Top 23:30 MON (b00tgch7)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair Omnibus 06:00 SUN (b008lywx)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair Omnibus 13:00 SUN (b008lywx)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair Omnibus 01:00 MON (b008lywx)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair 02:30 SAT (b007jvwn)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair 14:30 MON (b007jvx0)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair 02:30 TUE (b007jvx0)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair 14:30 TUE (b007jvx8)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair 02:30 WED (b007jvx8)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair 14:30 WED (b007jvxc)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair 02:30 THU (b007jvxc)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair 14:30 THU (b007jvxg)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair 02:30 FRI (b007jvxg)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair 14:30 FRI (b007jvxl)

Winston 05:00 SAT (b007svwq)