Time-hopping has brought the children nothing but trouble. Could a dodgy robot really make things better? Stars Sara Crowe.

"Southern trees bear a strange fruit, blood on the leaves and blood at the root..." Billie Holiday's famous song expresses the horror and anguish of those communities subjected to a campaign of lynching in the American South. Soul Music hears the stories of people whose relatives were lynched by white racists and of the various forms of grief, anger and reconciliation that have followed. These include the cousin of teenager Emmett Till, whose killing in 1955 for whistling at a white woman, added powerful impetus to the civil rights movement.

Despite its association with the deep south, the song was actually composed in 1930's New York by a Jewish schoolteacher, Abel Meeropol. Meeropol adopted the children of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg after they were executed in 1953 as Soviet spies. One of those children, Robert, talks of his adopted father's humanity and his belief that the Rosenberg's were killed in a 'state sanctioned lynching by the American government'. For him, Strange Fruit is a comforting reminder of his adopted father's passionate belief in justice and compassion.

Producer: Maggie Ayre.

The parents of Mike, Janey and Peter have disappeared.

What's in their father's briefcase?

And who or what is 'The Hyena'?

A spy thriller in six parts by Wally K Daly.

Stars Judy Bennett as Mike, Abigail Docherty as Janey, Simon Radford as Peter, Danny Schiller as the store manager and Auriol Smith as the woman in the store.

Audio from the author's own collection.

Producer: Dan Garrett

First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in 1990.

Sue Limb uncovers the secret world of mannequins - their early history, changing shapes and styles. With Mary Quant. From October 1998.

By Andrew Miller
Abridged by Jeremy Osborne
Read by John Sessions.

It's Paris in 1785. The cemetery of Les Innocents is the oldest in the city, but it is overflowing and can no longer hold on to its dead. Newcomers to the quarter are overpowered by the smell. It taints the breath and food of the locals. And some believe it can even taint the mind.

By order of the King, the church and cemetery are to be destroyed and every last bone rehoused. The place is to be made sweet again. It shall be made pure.

Charged with the task, Jean-Baptiste Baratte - a young engineer from Normandy - arrives in Paris. And thus begins "A year of bones, of grave-dirt, relentless work. Of ... chanting priests. A year of rape, suicide, sudden death. Of friendship too. Of desire. Of love...A year unlike any other he has lived."

Episode 10 of 10: The miners have built a pyre for their dead comrade and hold a vigil in the ruins of the church.

Andrew Miller was born in Bristol. He studied Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia in 1991 and finished a PhD in Critical and Creative Writing at Lancaster University in 1995. He lives in Somerset.

His first novel, Ingenious Pain, was published in 1997 and won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize (for fiction). His third, Oxygen (2001), was shortlisted for both the Booker Prize and the Whitbread Novel Award. One Morning Like A Bird (2008) was also produced by Sweet Talk for Book At Bedtime on BBC Radio 4.

Pure is Andrew Miller's sixth novel and won the Costa Book Of The Year award in 2011.

Produced by Rosalynd Ward
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Bettany Hughes explores changing ideas of peace through images of war-torn Syria and by talking to a man on the brink of death.

The Ideas That Make Us is a Radio 4 series which reveals the history of the most influential ideas in the story of civilisation, ideas which continue to affect us all today.

In this 'archaeology of philosophy', the award-winning historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes begins each programme with the first, extant evidence of a single word-idea in Ancient Greek culture and travels both forwards and backwards in time, investigating how these ideas have been moulded by history and have shaped the human experience. Here Bettany explores changing ideas of peace with photojournalist Paul Conroy, historians Dr. David Gwynn and Dr. Faisal Devji, Consultant in Palliative Medicine Emily Collis and Davor Seselj.

Other ideas examined in The Ideas that Make Us are idea, desire, agony, fame, justice, wisdom, comedy, liberty, and hospitality.

Producer: Dixi Stewart.

By Oliver Emanuel.

Following a DNA test to establish paternity, a mother and father have discovered that Laura, their twelve-year-old daughter, isn't biologically related to either of them.

In the knowledge that the life she's been living should have belonged to someone else, Laura has spent the last few days tracking down her other family.

Now she and her parents prepare to meet the girl who was accidentally swapped with Laura at birth and the parents Laura should have had.

A tense and moving drama, inspired by a set of exceptional true events, that explores the nature of identity and the notion of family.

Director: Kirsty Williams.

Read by Crawford Logan.

Author Paul French reveals the true-crime "cold case" that haunted the last days of old Peking.

Summer, 1937. Pamela Werner's unsolved murder is forgotten amidst the violence and chaos of the Japanese invasion of China. But Pamela's father presses on with his own, unofficial, investigation and makes some shocking discoveries.

Abridged by Robin Brooks.
Produced by Kirsteen Cameron.

Will Magdalen marry her loathed cousin Noel and regain her inheritance? When Mme Lecount attempts to outwit her, she comes across something she hadn't counted on.

Martin Young's famous people quiz. With Francis Wheen, Amanda Foreman, Fred Housego and Maria McErlane. From February 2000.

Comedy series by Simon Brett following the fortunes of three fortysomething sisters.

3/6. Model Behaviour

Emily's baby hasn't even arrived yet, but Victoria is already into competitive granny mode. And is it really possible that Eddie the dentist has a girlfriend?

Anna ...... Rosemary Leach
Victoria ...... Angela Thorne
Charlotte ...... Felicity Montagu
Eddie ...... James Greene
George ...... Bruce Alexander
Felicity ...... Susan Jameson.

When old chum Ralph arrives with a trophy wife, landlord Jack invents a fiancee. Stars Michael Williams. From January 1999.

The second series of the sitcom with Hal Cruttenden finds the hapless house husband still trying to cope with his mid-life crisis and doubting his every move.

His wife Sam (Kerry Godliman) is still a highly successful business woman, his two daughters Lily and Molly continue to grow into teenagers and find their dad just a little annoying, his bitter and embittered sister Pippa (Abigail Cruttenden) has inconveniently decided to stay with Hal alongside her angry teenage son Oberon, racist neighbour Penny (Ronni Ancona) proves to be a major thorn in Hal's side and best mates Fergus (Ed Byrne) and Barry (Gavin Webster) hinder rather than help Hal's goal of finding himself.

In this final episode of the series, after a challenging few weeks, Hal Cruttenden tries to calm things down by hosting a dinner party with Sam to show off their new basement - with wholly unexpected results.

Written by Hal Cruttenden and Dominic Holland
Produced by Paul Russell

An Open Mike production for BBC Radio 4.

Made in Germany in 1908, a rare cinnamon plush bear with boot button eyes - still with the Steiff button in his ear - discovers he's Lot 107, and the auction is about to begin...

Moya O'Shea's drama stars Martin Jarvis as Theo, Thomas Connor as Little Tom, Ross Livingstone as Tom, David Collings as Mr Lonsdale, Jilly Bond as Mrs Lonsdale, Becky Hindley as Jessie, Caroline Strong as Hannah, Zulema Dene as Mrs Tyler, Jonathan Keeble as Mr McKee and Linda Regan as Mrs McKee.

Producer: Tracey Neale

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.

Philip Sweeney visits one of Spain's last great dance halls, La Paloma in Barcelona. From August 1998.

Fi Glover gets stuck in to generations of mothers in the radio archive - Ambridge's Jennifer Aldridge and her shockingly illegitimate baby, Kim Cotton the first official surrogate mother, Nicola Horlick the billionaire hedge fund supermum, and Lesley Brown the UK's first test tube mum. Fi also consults motherhood experts like Penelope Leach, Dr Miriam Stoppard and Gina Ford.

This personal journey into the BBC archives critically tracks the changing concept and practice of motherhood over the last five decades. We hear how tone and advice have changed over the years and how - eventually - mothers learned to laugh at themselves and not be brow-beaten.

The divine source, the domestic goddess, the earth mother, the do-it-all superwoman, the yummy, slummy, chummy and dummy mummy. And the mother of all mother images - the beautiful, servile, immaculate Virgin Mary. They've all got a lot to answer for. Each new generation brings with it a new version of the Mother. And, over the decades, even the stark biological facts have changed with surrogacy and IVF. We've seen the rise and acceptance of single motherhood and gay motherhood. Perhaps the single, overriding maternal emotion - guilt - is the one thing that each defining epoch never solves.

The advent of Mumsnet in 2000 brought with it the benefit of a kind of plurality. You could share without being identified or judged. Or could you?

With contributions from Dr Miriam Stoppard, Gillian Reynolds, Irma Kurtz and Justine Roberts.

Produced by Sarah Cuddon
A Testbed production for BBC Radio 4.

John McCarthy explores the radio archives of Sir Peter Ustinov and reveals the actor and raconteur's fascinating contributions to an eclectic mix of programmes.

Sir Peter Ustinov was a renaissance man whose talents included writing plays, novels and acting. He appeared in over 90 films with memorable roles in Quo Vadis, Spartacus and Death on the Nile.

He was also a theatre director and a much-admired raconteur.

Less well remembered are his diverse and often enthralling radio contributions which started in the 1940's.

For the 60 years which followed Ustinov was a regular BBC radio guest interviewed on various topics including politics, religion, humour and film. He appeared in comedies, dramas, panel games, told absorbing stories about his extraordinary and colourful family history and humorous tales of his eventful tours around the world.

Featuring a collection of Ustinov's radio work along with an illuminating exclusive interview with his daughter:

* In All Directions (1952)
Comedy teaming Ustinov with Peter Jones

* Appointment with Daughter
An exclusive interview with John McCarthy and Sir Peter Ustinov's eldest daughter Tamara

* Encounter in the Balkan Express (1956)
A comedy by Wolfgang Hildesheimer starring Peter Ustinov as Robert Guiscard

* Down Your Way (1991)
A special edition with Ustinov in Leningrad

* Quote Unquote (1992)
A memorable appearance by Ustinov on the popular quotation quiz hosted by Nigel Rees.

Clive Anderson anchors the improvisations with Stephen Fry, John Sessions, Jimmy Mulville and Nonny Williams. From January 1988.

After news of a jail break at Wormwood Scrubs, Albert and Harold get some unwelcome visitors.

Starring Wilfrid Brambell as Albert and Harry H Corbett as Harold. With Leonard Rossiter as Johnny Spooner and Paddy Joyce as Frank Ferris.

Following the conclusion of their hugely successful association with Tony Hancock, writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson wrote 10 pilots for the BBC TV's Comedy Playhouse in 1962. The Offer was set in a house with a yard full of junk, featuring the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and his son Harold and it was the spark for a run of 8 series for TV.

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

Produced by Bobby Jaye

First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in May 1974.

Richard Fallon MP has a Twitter account, something which is giving Martha sleepless nights, with due cause. Stars Roger Allam.

DJ and presenter Fearne Cotton inherits 'Good Times, Bad Times' by Led Zeppelin and wants to pass on 'Rocket Man' by Elton John.

Silent film comedy great, Harold Lloyd, answers questions from Liam O'Leary and Peter Duval Smith.

Heralding from the same era as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd was one of the most popular film comedians of the golden age of silent film. After starting acting aged just 12, Lloyd reveals he never wanted to be a matinee idol. He also attributes his success to a good cameraman and carefully crafted stunts.

Launched in 1952, Frankly Speaking was a completely novel and ground breaking BBC series. Initially there were three interviewers and the series was both unrehearsed and unscripted.

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in 1962.

Uncle Mort and Carter Brandon sample more Welsh hospitality, this time from a pair of annoying canary-yellow tourists. Peter Tinniswood's adventures with Stephen Thorne.

When Byron Musgrave joins an amateur group which specialises in making horror movies, he seems just a little too anxious to get his teeth into things.

Anger, however, gives way to fear when the body count starts mounting...

Nick Fisher's tale of horror stars Nickolas Grace as Byron Redgrave, Tina Gray as Mary Morris, Malcolm Ward as Arthur Renfield, Nicholas Boulton as Jonathan Harker, Maureen O'Brien as Shelley Holmwood, Siriol Jenkins as Lucy Western and Paul Panting as the Estate Agent.

Director: Martin Jenkins

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994.

A retired couple's trip to the Isles of Scilly proves to be unnerving. First read live at the London Book Fair by Jillie Meers. From March 1996.

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

With Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson.

Special guest: Barry Cryer.

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

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

Producer: Dan Patterson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1987.

New series of the comedy show hosted by Alex Horne and his five piece band and specially written, original music. Guests across this series include Phill Jupitus, Charlie Baker, Nick Mohammed, Doc Brown, Matt Lucas and Danny Baker.

This fourth episode explores the theme of destiny including songs on allergies and chance meetings as well as showcasing Alex Horne's skills as a dream interpreter. Guest starring comedian Nick Mohammed who plays with the band and has a trick up his sleeve.

Host .... Alex Horne
Trumpet/banjo .... Joe Auckland
Saxophone/clarinet ....Mark Brown
Double Bass/Bass .... Will Collier
Drums and Percussion .... Ben Reynolds
Piano/keyboard .... Ed Sheldrake
Guest performer .... Nick Mohammed and The Middle School Choir from Hall School, Hampstead
Producer .... Julia McKenzie.

The cult BBC Radio 1 series hosted by Stewart Lee and Richard Herring, first broadcast in October 1993 but recorded at the Pleasance Theatre during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival the previous August.

It's a showcase mix of sharp sketches and situations, stand up topical gags and banter. The rest of the series was taped before student audiences at university venues, including Plymouth, Lancaster and Belfast.

In the opening episode, Stewart berates Richard for his lack of street cred, Peter Baynham shares some unusual recipes and is Radio 1 really the youth-friendly station it pretends to be? There's also an early appearance from Alistair McGowan - then best known for doing voices on Spitting Image. They're also joined by Rebecca Front.

Lee and Herring went to write and star in their successful TV transfer to BBC TWO in 1995.

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

By Oliver Emanuel. Inspired by real events. A 12-year-old hears an unbelievable truth which turns her world upside down.

In tribute to Maeve Binchy who died earlier this year, a selection of her short stories taken from Radio 4's Archive. In today's story, the beauty, grace and efficiency of her perfect parents have always made Dolly feel inferior - until the day of her sixteenth birthday.

Maeve Binchy was one of Ireland's most-loved authors, with her 30-year career also including work as a playwright, short story writer and columnist. Her 16 novels and 4 short story collections sold 42 million copies worldwide and include Circle of Friends and Tara Road. She died in July 2012 after a short illness.

Dolly's Mother was written especially for R4 and was first broadcast in 1992.

Written by Maeve Binchy
Read by Stella McCusker
Produced by Eoin O'Callaghan.

Comedian Deborah Frances-White was born in Australia but now lives in London. Continuing her series of true life tales, she recalls her struggles to get back into England and stay here.

In the company of Thom Tuck, Alex Lowe and Cariad Lloyd, she recalls how pretending to marry a gay man, and pay him for it, seemed the only way to satisfy the authorities.

Then, when she accidentally meets the true love of her life and gets married for her visa, Deborah had not anticipated worse troubles looming with both his parents and the Home Office.

Producer: Alan Nixon
A So Television production for BBC Radio 4.

Titters abounding as Frankie Howerd answers more problems - and will he get a knighthood?

Plus stars from the world of entertainment - Roy Walker, Pattie Boulaye, Peter Goodwright and The Wurzels.

Music from the Max Harris Orchestra

Scripted by Rory McGrath, Jimmy Mulville, Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran,

Producer: Richard Willcox

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in November 1978.

Omnibus. Nicholas Hytner reads his memoir of 12 years running The National Theatre, starting with a typical day as artistic director.

Director Richard Eyre inherits Elvis Presley's 'Blue Suede Shoes' and passes on 'The Heart of Saturday Night' by Tom Waits.

From Stevie Wonder to Schubert. Actress Dame Penelope Wilton shares her castaway choices with Kirsty Young. From March 2008.

Guy Raz explores the promises and perils of our relationship with technology. Are we ready for how innovation will change us?

A journey through fascinating ideas based on talks by riveting speakers on the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) stage.

Fi Glover with a conversation between a founder and a former manager of the Little Angel puppet theatre in Islington, about puppetry and how it can influence life and art. Another chat from the series that proves it's surprising what you hear when you listen.

The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation with someone close to them about a subject they've never discussed intimately before. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation - they're not BBC interviews, and that's an important difference - lasts up to an hour, and is then edited to extract the key moment of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in the second decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject

Producer: Marya Burgess.

Jules Abbot returns to Beckford after shock news of her sister's drowning. Did she fall or jump from a cliff? Stars Sian Brooke.

How Adams's photograph, seen around the world, impacted upon support for the Vietnam War. From December 1999.

TRUE CRIME: John Fletcher's Edwardian murder story is based on real events.

Frederick and Margaret Seddon take wealthy Mrs Barrow into their Islington home as a lodger. During the scorching summer of 1911, Mrs Barrow dies, leaving all her money to Fred, but suspicions are aroused. Was her death caused by the heatwave, or the 'English Cholera' - or could arsenic-laced fly papers have something to do with it?

Margaret Seddon ...... Lynne Seymour
Fred Seddon ...... Bertie Carvel
Miss Barrow ...... Annette Badland
Hook/Attorney General Isaacs ...... Dick Bradnum
Benny/Vicar ...... Brendan Charleson
Dr Sworn/Hangman ...... Dorien Thomas
Maggie ...... Anwen Carlisle
Ada ...... Isabel Lewis

Director: Kate McAll

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1997.

BBC Radio 4's Poet in Residence, Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's radio poetry archive with two choices: 'Poetry Proms' with Andrew Motion from 2000 and Tribute to UA Fanthorpe on 'Last Word' from 2009.

At a live event Jo Shapcott introduces poets Andrew Motion and UA Fanthorpe who read selections from their work.

In Last Word, Matthew Bannister and Elizabeth Sandy provide a fitting tribute to UA Fanthorpe following her death in 2009.

Producers: Kate Rowland and Neil George.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

One afternoon in the Confessional, the priest hears a familiar voice and smells a familiar smell...

Ray Bradbury introduces his own spooky tale of confessions and confectionary dramatised by Catherine Czerkawska.

Starring TP McKenna as the priest and John Yule as the young man.

Director: Hamish Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.

Probing a Fascist cult in 1920s New York, Edwardian dandy and secret agent, Lucifer Box's plans to infiltrate nasty Fascist cult F.A.U.S.T. have gone awry.

Mark Gatiss reads his novel abridged by David Jackson Young.

Dashing hero, Lucifer Box is an assassin, spy and sometime portrait painter.

Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by BBC Scotland and first broadcast in 2010.

Comedian Jo Caulfield invites authors, comedians and actors to tell true stories from their lives. The results are revealing, hilarious and hugely entertaining. The performers are all recorded live at the historic Scottish Story Telling centre in Edinburgh.

Among the stories this week Owen O'Neill remembers an embarrassing trip to the confessional booth, Sanjeev Kohli has a festive poem, young comedian Gareth Waugh shares his attempt at finding love and Lucy Porter explains how hard it is to make friends.

Producer: Richard Melvin
A Dabster Production for BBC Radio 4.

The best in contemporary comedy. Arthur Smith chats to Daisy Campbell.

When MJN Air is chartered to ferry an orchestra, Carolyn has to deal with the mysterious Case Of The Poisoned Cashews, while Martin gets to run through all of the Seven Deadly Sins...

John Finnemore's hit sitcom about a tiny charter airline for whom no job is too small, but many, many jobs are too difficult...

Starring Stephanie Cole as Carolyn Knapp-Shappey, Roger Allam as 1st Officer Douglas Richardson, Benedict Cumberbatch as Captain Martin Crieff, John Finnmore as Arthur Shappey, Britta Gartner as Madame Szyszko-Bohusz, Matt Green as Amsterdam ATC Matt and Simon Greenall as the Maestro.

Producer: David Tyler

Made for BBC Radio 4 by Pozzitive productions.

First broadcast in July 2009.

A Puritan vet dishes out tough love to ill pets. Stars Jane Bussmann and David Quantick. With Peter Serafinowicz. From May 1998.

After the mysterious disappearance of their parents, Mike, Pete and Janey Jago have visitors...

But do Uncle Brian and Auntie Vi really have their best interests at heart?

A spy thriller in six parts by Wally K Daly.

Stars Judy Bennett as Mike, Abigail Docherty as Janey, Simon Radford as Peter, Frank Windsor as Uncle and Jo Manning Wilson as Auntie. With Tariq Alibai, John Talbot and Elizabeth Mansfield.

Audio from the author's own collection.

Producer: Dan Garrett

First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in 1990.

Famously known as the City of Light, Paris is a diverse metropolis rich in architecture and steeped in history. But it has a dark alter ego that lies 30 metres under the ground, mirroring centuries of bloody wars, revolutions and riots on the surface. For Paris is porous - built on 177 miles of tunnels that were formed when limestone and gypsum were quarried to build the capital. Most people are only aware of just a tiny fraction of these tunnels - the world famous ossuary known as The Catacombs. The authorities have tried to keep a lid on the full extent of the labyrinthine remainder for hundreds of years. But there are little known entry points everywhere - in basements, in train stations, cellars and sewers. Throughout history, invaders have always found a way in, whether they were fighting Prussian soldiers, fleeing royalty of the French Revolution, the Nazis or The Resistance. Today they're home to the cataphiles - urban explorers who use the tunnels as an art space, a music venue or even a clandestine meeting point for secret societies.

The Guardian's architecture and design correspondent Jonathan Glancey investigates the underground maze of Paris, revealing a mysterious and intriguing history.

Edgar Finchley's adventures continue as he leads a village uprising and gains a travelling companion. With Richard Griffiths.

David Mitchell hosts the panel game in which four comedians are encouraged to tell lies and compete against one another to see how many items of truth they're able to smuggle past their opponents.

Frankie Boyle, Holly Walsh, Elis James and Mark Steel are the panellists obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as ducks, words, Oliver Cromwell and astronauts.

Produced by Jon Naismith
A Random Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.

All about 'things' and spoofing 'Just A Minute'. Starring Fred Harris, Jo Kendall, Nigel Rees and Chris Emmett.

Cult sketch comedy series which originally ran from 1976 to 1980.

Scripted by David Renwick and Andrew Marshall.

Producer: David Hatch

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1979.

The Home Guard platoon take action when Captain Mainwaring becomes obsessed with their feet.

Starring Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring, John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Wilson, Clive Dunn as Corporal Jones, John Laurie as Private Frazer, Ian Lavender as Private Pike and Arnold Ridley as Godfrey.

Adapted for radio from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's TV scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.

Producer: John Dyas

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1975.

Ian McMillan chairs the playful literary quiz with Mark Radcliffe, Sophie Hannah, Dillie Keane and Simon Armitage. From December 1998.

A new muse for Tamsin is an old flame for Gerard. Can he woo her back for good this time? Stars Graham Crowden. From May 2004.

Magdalen attempts to find the evidence that will enable her to acquire her inheritance. Stars Sophie Thompson.

A series of stories by novelist Chris Paling, in which the music plays as important a role as the words.

Episode 1: The Piano Player Does Not Do Requests.
Snow falls on the village pub. A stranger walks in and orders a whisky. Slowly, hesitantly, he tells his strange story to the landlord - a tale of a fortune being made and the woman he made it for.

Occasionally he breaks off to listen to the piano being played in the room next door. But will he ever know how important the music is to the story of his life?

Read by Philip Jackson
Music composed and performed by Cormac Dorrian
Director: Celia de Wolff

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

Glasgow 1780. Lawyer Enoch Dalmellington represents the ambiguities of Scottish society since the Union. He detests the corruption of Glasgow's merchants, but can't resist being bought off by them; he dreams of Scottish independence, but is too canny to mention it. And there's a wake-up call to a city whose history has always been more rich, varied and morally ambiguous than the dominant narrative of victimhood allows.

Dalmellington ..... Ian McDiarmid
Directed by Jeremy Mortimer

Iain Heggie was born in Glasgow in 1953. 'A Wholly Healthy Glasgow' , and his John Whiting award-winning play, American Bagpipes, both premiered at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, and were later seen at The Royal Court in London. Recent plays include' Love Freaks' (a new take of Double Inconstancy) and 'Sauciehall Street'.

In 1906 the body of a drowned woman is found in Big Moose Lake, in upstate New York.

As the story behind Grace Brown's death unfolds, 17 year old Mattie Gokey must chose to between her desire to be a writer, and the excitement of a first romance.

Jennifer Donnelly's debut novel read by Vicki Simon
Abridged by Penny Leicester.

Producer: Liz Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2004.

Julia Hobsbawm is a businesswoman who has made networking her personal passion and her professional living. Her impact on the practical study of networking made her the world's first Visiting Professor in Networking at a major British business school. In this series of five programmes for Radio 4, she takes us on a journey around different and surprising worlds of networks and networking to see if we are, in fact, a Networking Nation. In today's programme she starts by looking at networking in the 21st century and discovers that it has a lot in common with networking back in the 17th.

by Caroline & David Stafford.

Set in the 1970s, against a background of increasingly politicised feminism, a new comedy series about women, HRT and the joys of growing old disgracefully.

1 of 5

Directed by Marc Beeby

The series is loosely based on some of the ideas and attitudes contained in a book, published in 1966 and powerfully influential at the time. The book, Feminine Forever by Robert A. Wilson MD, advanced the notion that the menopause is a disease - much like diabetes - for which modern science luckily has the cure: Hormone Replacement Therapy. Recent discoveries in the field of menopausal therapy, says Dr Robert, may serve to prolong for many women - and for the men who love and admire them - that wonderfully happy aura of love and adoration that full femininity inspires. Only 15% of women are able to grow old gracefully. The rest are suffering from a serious, painful and often crippling disease - the menopause.
Although this series is a gentle comedy - much in the manner of 2010's highly successful The Year They Invented Sex by the same authors - it explores and explodes the prevailing attitudes that underlay these views of women, their sexuality, and the roles ascribed to them (particularly in relation to age) - views that may not be quite as 'historical' as we might like to imagine.

A year of discoveries on the beach. Jean Sprackland meditates on objects revealed by the shape-shifting sands, or washed up on the wild beaches between Blackpool and Liverpool.

Recorded on location on Ainsdale Sands, 'Strands' is a book about what is lost and buried, then re-discovered; about all the things you find on a beach, dead or alive, natural or man-made; about mutability and transformation - about sea-change.

In today's episode, Jean contemplates the miraculous re-appearance of the Star of Hope, wrecked on Mad Wharf in 1883, but suddenly raised up from the depths one day - an entire wreck, black and barnacled, taking the air for a while before sinking back under the sand.

Read by Jean Sprackland

Abridged by Miranda Davies

Produced by Emma Harding

About the author: Jean Sprackland is the author of three books of poetry and a collection of short stories. Her most recent poetry collection, Tilt (Cape, 2007), won the Costa Poetry Award. Hard Water (Cape, 2003) was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation, and was shortlisted for both the T S Eliot Prize and the Whitbread Award for Poetry. She was chosen as one of the Next Generation Poets in 2004.

The children are convinced that the man from the BBC will help them. But is he really what he seems?

A five-part comedy sci-fi by Alan Gilbey and David Richard-Fox.

Stars Sara Crowe as EK6, David Harewood as RV101, Nicola Stapleton as Steph, Paul Reynolds as Baz, Dax O'Callaghan as Max, Ian Masters as Norton, Joshua Towb as Horatio, Neville Jason as Tailor and Margaret John as Mrs Miller.

Music by Richard Attree.

Producer: Nandita Ghose

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994.

Sue MacGregor and her guests - cellist, Steven Isserlis and author, Ardashir Vakil - discuss books by Richard Yates, Noel Langley and Carlo Levi. From 2004.

Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
Published by Methuen

The Land Of Green Ginger by Noel Langley
Published by Faber Children's Classics

Christ Stopped at Eboli by Carlo Levi
Published by Penguin.

Chesney brings his daughter to work. Or does he? Cerebral sketch show with Neil Edmond and Justin Edwards. From December 2004.

This week Miles's panel takes the form of Jeremy Hardy, Angela Barnes, Sarah Kendall and Danny Finkelstein.

The team discuss that leaky Brexit dinner, Diane Abbott's scrape with a Ferrari and the nationwide local elections. The kind of fun-packed week that might make Prince Philip reconsider and come back to the thick of the action.

Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios Production.

The Luton poet bikes north for a brimful of Birmingham and some bookshop capers. With musician Nigel Piper. From February 2000.

Suspicious of Uncle Brian and Auntie Vi, Janey thinks she knows what's really been happening. Can the children escape more danger?

A spy thriller in six parts by Wally K Daly.

Stars Judy Bennett as Mike, Abigail Docherty as Janey, Simon Radford as Peter, Frank Windsor as Uncle and Jo Manning Wilson as Auntie. With Tariq Alibai, Tony Wredden, Bhasker, Elizabeth Mansfield and Fraser Kerr.

Audio from the author's own collection.

Producer: Dan Garrett

First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in 1990.

Charlie Luxton visits Venice to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Andrea Palladio, known as the father of western architecture. The symmetry and grace of the Villa Emo, completed in 1565, explain the reputation Palladio acquired as the ultimate domestic architect.

Vinny arrives home with a bundle of joy while Samina is furious with Saleem.

The second of Sudha Bhuchar and Shaheen Khan's four-part comedy series charting the ups and downs of five 30-something women living in London, SW19.

Stars Bharti Patel as Vinny, Zita Sattar as Tula, Roger Liddle as Dan, Alice Arnold as Marianne, Sophie Levy as Alia, Nyla Levy as Sara, Shaheen Khan as Jabeen, Sudha Bhuchar as Sonal, Sakuntala Ramanee as Samina, Charubala Chokshi as Masi, Burt Caesar as Ali, Shiv Grewal as Salim, Alice Arnold as Nurse, Cal McCrystal as Jo, Holly McGoldrick as Jade, Lannah McAdam as Amber and Christopher Trenfield as Karan.

Directed at BBC Pebble Mill by Kristine Landon-Smith.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1998.

One of Britain's finest comedians, Rob Newman, is our guide on a unique audio odyssey of the brain, taking in everything from love and guilt to robot co-workers and the unlikely importance of prehistoric trousers.

It's a witty, fact-packed series mixing stand-up and sketches, challenging notions of neuroscience with a new theory that's equal parts enlightening and hilarious.

Rob offers an alternative to some of the more bizarre claims in modern popular science, as well as rejigging theories of our brains in light of what we know about nature, artificial intelligence and Belinda Carlisle.

Created by the award-winning team behind Robert Newman's Entirely Accurate Encyclopaedia of Evolution.

Written by and starring Rob Newman
Co-starring Claire Price and Richard McCabe

Producer: Jon Harvey
Executive Producer: Richard Wilson
A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4.

Albert sets out to help son Harold to conquer his fear of ballroom dancing.

Starring Wilfrid Brambell as Albert and Harry H Corbett as Harold. With Clifford Norgate as the Milkman.

Following the conclusion of their hugely successful association with Tony Hancock, writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson wrote 10 pilots for the BBC TV's Comedy Playhouse in 1962. The Offer was set in a house with a yard full of junk, featuring the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and his son Harold and it was the spark for a run of 8 series for TV.

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

Produced by Bobby Jaye

First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in June 1974.

The time-wasting twosome get bogged down in a building project.

A weekly tribute to all those who work in government departments.

Stars Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch.

With Norma Ronald, Roy Dotrice and John Graham.

Written by Edward Taylor, Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer.

'The Men from the Ministry' ran for 14 series between 1962 and 1977. Deryck Guyler replaced Wilfrid Hyde-White from 1966. Sadly many episodes didn't survive in the archive, however the BBC's Transcription Service re-recorded 14 shows in 1980 - never broadcast in the UK, until the arrival of BBC Radio 4 Extra.

Producer: Edward Taylor,

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1965.

Journalist, Henry Troutbeck Pottinger is now an old man.

He stands in the darkening garden of a vicarage by the sea and looks back on a life which seems to have passed as swiftly as Lord Byron's dormouse summer.

John Mortimer's drama stars Paul Scofield as Henry Troutbeck Pottinger as an Old Man, Alex Jennings as Henry Troutbeck Pottinger as a Man and Joe Roberts as Henry Troutbeck Pottinger as a Boy.

With Oliver Ford Davies as the Rev. Henry Pottinger, Gemma Jones as Dawn Pottinger/Lady Fan, Joanna David as Felicity Rewcastle, Imelda Staunton as Mavis Whitney, John Rowe as Mr Rewcastle and David Allister as Editor/Barman.

With the Willie Brown Uni Band and accordionist Kevin Street.

Director: Marilyn Imrie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1999.

A series of stories by novelist Chris Paling, in which the music plays as important a role as the words.

Episode 2: My Old Man
Bee loves Brad but she's worried they're stuck in a rut. He seems to care more for his guitar than he does for her. When the skater boy next door shows an interest in her she begins to wonder if there's not a better world for her somewhere else.

But Brad has his own concerns - concerns about his health he can only voice in the darkness of his room when he plays his guitar. Soon, even that is not enough, and finally they have to face the fact it's more than music keeping them apart.

Read by Suranne Jones
Music composed and performed by Andrew Cresswell-Davis
Director: Celia de Wolff

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

Five years after vanishing, Karen meets with her husband and facts have to be faced. Stars Julie Duncanson and Billy McElhaney.

The early 1900s, and Mattie is embroiled in a mysterious death, having been given the chance of a lifetime. Read by Vicki Simon.

Julia Hobsbawm is a businesswoman who has made networking her personal passion and her professional living. Her impact on the practical study of networking made her the world's first visiting professor in Networking at a major British business school. In this series of five programmes for Radio 4, she takes us on a journey around different and surprising worlds of networks and networking to see if we are in fact, a Networking Nation. In today's programme she looks at some of the resistance to the very idea of networking and asks whether the benefits outweigh the negatives.

by Caroline & David Stafford.

Set in the 1970s, against a background of increasingly politicised feminism, a new comedy series about women, HRT and the joys of growing old disgracefully.

2 of 5

Trevor has arranged for Eileen to see a doctor...

Directed by Marc Beeby.

A year of discoveries on the beach. Jean Sprackland meditates on objects revealed by the shape-shifting sands, or washed up on the wild beaches between Blackpool and Liverpool.

Recorded on location on Ainsdale Sands, 'Strands' is a book about what is lost and buried, then re-discovered; about all the things you find on a beach, dead or alive, natural or man-made; about mutability and transformation - about sea-change.

In today's episode, Jean contemplates the surprising effects of anti-depressants on shrimp populations.

Read by Jean Sprackland

Abridged by Miranda Davies

Produced by Emma Harding

About the author: Jean Sprackland is the author of three books of poetry and a collection of short stories. Her most recent poetry collection, Tilt (Cape, 2007), won the Costa Poetry Award. Hard Water (Cape, 2003) was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation, and was shortlisted for both the T S Eliot Prize and the Whitbread Award for Poetry. She was chosen as one of the Next Generation Poets in 2004.

Clive Anderson hosts more ad-lib fun with Stephen Fry, John Sessions, Kate Robbins and Griff Rhys-Jones. From January 1998.

Vera's eavesdropping days are threatened by the Irish town's new automatic telephone exchange.

Series set in the sleepy town of Ballylenon, Co Donegal, in 1953, before the days of mass tourism and proper plumbing in every home. Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.

Starring TP McKenna as Phonsie Doherty, Margaret D'Arcy as Muriel McConkey, Stella McCusker as Vera McConkey, Aine McCartney as Vivienne Boal, John Hewitt as Guard Gallagher, Anna Manahan as Peg Sweeney, Kevin Flood and Robert Patterson.

Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes

Director: Eoin O'Callaghan

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994.

A group of scientists are conducting research in the Antarctic, the most pristine environment on Earth - but there are black clouds on the horizon. Welcome to the dark, dark world of Cold Blood...

Made in 2005 but set in 2015.

Simon Bovey's 5-part sci-fi thriller stars Tim McMullan as Bowers, Tom Mannion as Commander Taft, Stuart McLoughlin as Max Bellingfield, Ndidi Del Fatti as Anaya and Helen Longworth as Deborah Marks.

Director: Marc Beeby

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in 2005.

"It ain't what you say, but the way that you say it". David Blunkett surprises us with song and reveals how important intonation is in his life. Anne Karpf and daughter Lola share some familial secrets and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art lets us observe an intonation class. Stephen himself plays with the intonation of the football results in order to better the record of his team, Norwich City.

Joining Stephen in the studio and bringing some academic grist to the intonational mill is speech coach Dr Geoff Lindsey, who introduces us to some of the concepts and practices of this interesting phenomenon of the English language.

Have you experienced HRT? No, it's not what you're thinking. It's High Rise Terminal - or what Stephen calls "Australian Question Intonation", a particular affliction for the host of this entertaining programme. It's the ending of every sentence with a question, even when it isn't one? Together, Stephen and Geoff try and work out how it works, why it annoys and how the intonation at the end of a sentence can affect its meaning.

Producer: Merilyn Harris
A Testbed production for BBC Radio 4.

Moustaches and job interviews in the bizarre world of Tom Basden, Stefan Golaszewski, Tim Key and Lloyd Woolf. From May 2007.

Strap in for fifteen minutes of rip-roaring comedy as Clever Peter bring you a swimming rat, a talking fly and a Mexican stand-off

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

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

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

So -
Why "Clever"?
Dunno

Why "Peter"?
Not a clue mate

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

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

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

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

Ian Leslie presents a new Radio 4 comedy show which brings to light the often surprising first literary attempts of some of the world's best known writers. A project of literary archaeology, Leslie has found evidence in the most unlikely of places - within the archives of newspapers, periodicals, corporations and universities - showcasing the early examples of work by writers such as Jilly Cooper during her brief and unfortunately unsuccessful foray into the world of war reporting, and Hunter S Thompson in his sadly short-lived phase working in the customer relations department for a major American Airline.

These are the newspaper articles, advertising copy, company correspondence and gardening manuals that allow us a fascinating glimpse into the embryonic development of our best loved literary voices - people we know today for their novels or poems but who, at the time, were just people with a dream...and a rent bill looming at the end of the month.

Produced by Anna Silver and Claire Broughton
A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4.

Comedian-activist Mark Thomas and his studio audience at The Stand Comedy Club in Glasgow consider policy proposals for a People's Manifesto.

This week's agenda:
1) A kick-starter to kick Scotland out of the Union.
2) Bankers to be given bonuses in the form of NHS donation cards.
and
3) An end to bank fees for those on a family income of less than £30,000.

Plus there are plenty of "any other business" policy suggestions from the audience.

Written and presented by Mark Thomas
Produced by Colin Anderson.

More danger awaits the Jago children as they head to a mysterious war-torn land...

A spy thriller in six parts by Wally K Daly.

Stars Judy Bennett as Mike, Abigail Docherty as Janey and Simon Radford as Peter. With Tariq Alibai, Tony Wredden, Bhasker and Amerjit Deu.

Audio from the author's own collection.

Producer: Dan Garrett

First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in 1990.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen finds how a revolution in DIY helped transform the gloom in post-World War Two Britain. From January 2004.

Observing the theatrical superstition, Robert Wilson multi-tasks in Macbeth. Stars John Gordon Sinclair. From February 1990.

Justin Edwards, Mel Giedroyc and Dave Mounfield have been invited by the Mayor of seaside town World's End on Sea to perform a hair raising tribute to Houdini.

Justin has invited the "nicest woman in showbiz", Rebecca Front, to join them. Little does he know of the history between Mel and Rebecca, dating back to an appearance they both made on Celebrity Supermarket Sweep.

It turns out that Justin also doesn't know much about Houdini - believing him to be an Italian woman. Luckily Dave, fearing the show may be a disaster causing him to miss out on the free lighter promised by the Mayor, is on hand to rewrite the play.

Mel persuades Rebecca to perform a radio first, a recreation of one of Houdini's most daring stunts. But will the truth of what really happened on Supermarket Sweep ever be revealed? Will the show restore the fortunes of the once fashionable seaside town? Will Dave get his free lighter?

The Rum Bunch is Justin Edwards (The Consultants, The Odd Half Hour, Newsjack, Sorry I've Got No Head, The Thick of It), Mel Giedroyc (Mel and Sue, Bake Off, Let It Shine) and Dave Mounfield (Count Arthur Strong, This Is Jinsy).

The house band is Jason Hazeley and David Reed - The Penny Dreadfuls.

Produced by Jim North
A Top Dog production for BBC Radio 4.

Phillips has money worries and a worn-out uniform. Can his HMS Troutbridge crew-mate Pertwee help him out?

Starring Leslie Phillips as the Sub-Lieutenant, Jon Pertwee as the Chief Petty Officer, Stephen Murray as the Commanding Officer, Richard Caldicot as Captain Povey, Heather Chasen as Heather, Tenniel Evans as Nunky, Michael Bates as the Padre, Nigel Graham as Clarence and Lawrie Wyman as AS Tiddy.

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 BBC Radio 2 in November 1968.

When the lad gets a surprise in the cellar, Sid sees his chance to make some money.

Stars 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 February 1958.

Dave Gorman and Johnny Vegas chew over ridiculous, brilliant but unworkable ideas, and choose the best. From September 2006.

As her holiday in Wales comes to an end, Izzy argues with her fiance Charles. Stars Imelda Staunton. From December 1988.

John Irving's audacious, darkly comic and heartbreaking story about the life and times of T.S. Garp dramatised by Linda Marshall Griffiths.

New England 1942. Garp is born to nurse Jenny Fields, who raises him alone. As Garp becomes a young man he falls in love with wrestling or more specifically, the wrestling coach's daughter Helen. Helen will only marry a writer and so begins Garp's journey into becoming a novelist. Unfortunately for him, his mother Jenny is writing something of her own.

This compassionate coming-of-age story became a worldwide best seller and put Irving on the map as a leading novelist. This is the first episode of a three part dramatisation of a novel that is both acclaimed for its originality, and controversial for its dark representation of gender politics and sexual violence. Published in 1978 it went on to win the US National Book Award and was made into a film in 1982.

Dramatist Linda Marshall Griffiths adapted Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany for Radio 4 in 2009.

Directed by Nadia Molinari.

A series of stories by novelist Chris Paling, in which the music plays as important a role as the words.

Episode 3: Darkness in Degrees

Explosions echo through the streets of Old Damascus but life must go on for the people of the city. Each day an architect goes dutifully to his office and his small team of workers. He loves his city and he loves his family - especially his daughter. Like him, she's a strong character. They clash. But they have a ritual. Every week she gives him a new piece of music. He listens to it and they discuss it and he comes to understand a little more about her.

When a car bomb explodes outside his office it robs him of his hearing - but has it also robbed him of his beloved daughter?

Read by Kayvan Novak
Director: Celia de Wolff

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

Once a Friend

By Stephen Phelps.

John and Leo, inseparable in childhood, meet for the first time in over 30 years. They lost touch soon after being caught on the fringes of a high-profile murder case. Will Leo's need to rake over the past prevent them from rekindling their friendship as adults?

John ...... Jamie Foreman
Leo ...... Gerard McDermott
Young John ...... Joseph Tremain
Young Leo ...... Steven Williams
Ellie ...... Ella Smith

Directed by Toby Swift.

Mattie shares a boat with Royal and discovers Miss Wilcox's library. But will she destroy Grace's letters? Read by Vicki Simon.

Julia Hobsbawm is a businesswoman who has made networking her personal passion and her professional living. Her impact on the practical study of networking made her the world's first visiting professor in Networking at a major British business school. In this series of five programmes for Radio 4, she takes us on a journey around different and surprising worlds of networks and networking to see if we are in fact, a Networking Nation. In today's programme she looks at the science of networks.

by Caroline & David Stafford.

Set in the 1970s, against a background of increasingly politicised feminism, a comedy series about women, HRT and the joys of growing old disgracefully.

3 of 5

Trevor and Eileen visit Judy's commune.

Directed by Marc Beeby.

A year of discoveries on the beach. Jean Sprackland meditates on objects revealed by the shape-shifting sands, or washed up on the wild beaches between Blackpool and Liverpool.

Recorded on location on Ainsdale Sands, 'Strands' is a book about what is lost and buried, then re-discovered; about all the things you find on a beach, dead or alive, natural or man-made; about mutability and transformation - about sea-change.

In today's episode, Jean discovers an unidentifiable, but exquisitely beautiful object at the strandline.

Read by Jean Sprackland

Abridged by Miranda Davies

Produced by Emma Harding

About the author: Jean Sprackland is the author of three books of poetry and a collection of short stories. Her most recent poetry collection, Tilt (Cape, 2007), won the Costa Poetry Award. Hard Water (Cape, 2003) was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation, and was shortlisted for both the T S Eliot Prize and the Whitbread Award for Poetry. She was chosen as one of the Next Generation Poets in 2004.

At Ellsworth Research Centre, deep in the Antarctic, scientist Russell Bowers is recovering after his incredible trek. Meanwhile, Commander Taft and meteorologist Anaya are heading to Mitchell Bluff to discover what they can about the attack on Bowers and his team.

Simon Bovey's 5-part sci-fi thriller set in 2015 stars Tim McMullan as Bowers, Tom Mannion as Commander Taft, Stuart McLoughlin as Max Bellingfield, Ndidi Del Fatti as Anaya and Helen Longworth as Deborah.

Director: Marc Beeby

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in 2005.

Cheap credit and immediate online access to infinite availability have contributed to one of the defining characteristics of our time - the 'have it all' culture of being able to instantly gratify our wants and needs. But at what cost?

Dominic Arkwright explores the pleasures and pitfalls of instant gratification in the company of three speakers from very different walks of life. Representing the complete antithesis of the quick hit, tapestry weaver Jane Freear-Wyld shows Dominic a textile the size of a paperback, explaining how it takes 250 hours, or six working weeks, to make. Hers is a world away from the work of advertising creative director Matt Beaumont who arguably fuels our lust for not only jam today, but yesterday and tomorrow too. Meanwhile, Times columnist and writer Sathnam Sanghera, recently returned from a holiday in Mumbai, argues that it's the recent shift towards instant gratification that is fuelling India's rapidly rising standard of living, very different to an ethos that promises fulfilment neither now nor in in this life at all, but in the next one.
Producer Mark Smalley.

The Kapoors try social climbing at the golf club - and TV's 'Masterchef' with a twist.

Stars Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir, Nitin Sawhney, Meera Syal and Nina Wadia.

Gold Winner of the Sony Radio Academy Awards. The sketch comedy show originally ran on BBC Radio 4 from 1996 to 1998, later transferring to TV on BBC TWO from 1998 to 2001.

Scripted by Richard Pinto, Sharat Sardana, Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sanjeev Kohli.

Script Editor: Sharat Sardana

Producer: Anil Gupta.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1997.

From 10pm to midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Paul Garner chats to Ed Westwick.

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

The fourth and final episode of American comedian Rita Rudner's new sitcom about her chaotic return to the UK after a fifteen year break - written by Rita and her real life husband Martin Bergman.

With the help of her husband Martin (Martin Trenaman) Rita is forced to cope with a very unfamiliar England and meets an array of odd characters, including hotelier Mrs Harrison (played by the wonderful Phyllida Law) and various guests at the hotel - such as The Fabulous Twins who try to help Martin buy a gift for Rita, without much success.

Meanwhile, Rita's agent Phil hopes to get some help from Alan Carr - but there's a mix up and eventually Rita is forced to host a charity auction. Rita's also frustrated by a well - meaning support comedian, Jim Jenson who ends up being a major hindrance.

With some more classic stand up from Rita Rudner and a stellar supporting cast including Michael Fenton Stevens, Alan Carr, Dominic Frisby and Amy Wilson Thomas.

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

Under fire, Mike, Janey and Peter end up in the midst of war, with pursued by a deadly enemy..

A spy thriller in six parts by Wally K Daly.

Stars Judy Bennett as Mike, Abigail Docherty as Janey, Simon Radford as Peter, Frank Windsor as Uncle Brian, Jo Manning Wilson as Auntie Vi and Edward Kelsey as the Grandfather. With Tariq Alibai, Amerjit Deu and David Bannerman.

Audio from the author's own collection.

Producer: Dan Garrett

First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in 1990.

What was it like to serve in the 1930s? Adrian Bell takes Flo Wadlow back to Blickling Hall in Norfolk, where she once cooked lunch for Queen Mary. From August 2004.

Yorkshire builders Johnny and Arthur tool up for a warring couple. Stars Nick Lane and Fine Time Fontayne. From August 2005.

Ed Reardon returns to Radio 4 in a new series and whatever happens you can guarantee he'll be scrimping, scraping and ranting in order to keep mind, soul and cat together.

When we last met Ed he was happily involved with BBC Radio producer Laura and her BBC expenses. As we meet again, the pair seem to be enjoying a state of not uncomfortable, slightly drunken, bliss and the relationship has enabled Ed to reconnect with life in London whilst keeping a toehold, and a cat, in Berkhamsted. But good things never last for Ed and the course of the series sees him and Elgar having to take advantage of the numerous empty premises in need of temporary caretakers and live-in guardians, or guardian angels as Ed likes to think of them as Stan throws him out on the street.

Things have also changed for Ping who is suffering the biggest disaster to hit the office since they stopped making pens shaped like bananas - she has a new boss in the form of Suzan -pronounced 'Suzanne'. Ed, of course, wastes no time trying to get on the right side of Suzan in the hope of some work whilst Jaz Milvane continues to be his nemesis, plaguing his every move.

The regular cast are joined this series by guests including Raquel Cassidy, Pam Ferris, Celia Imrie and Jeremy Paxman

Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas.

Produced by Dawn Ellis.

Ed Reardon's Week is a BBC Radio Comedy production.

Grumpy George finds keeping his new wife at home is very expensive. So Kate sets off to find a job....

A series based on the mutual love and mistrust of two newly-weds. Starring Richard Briers as George Starling and Prunella Scales as Kate Starling.

With Terence Alexander, Isabel Rennie, John Baddeley and Elizabeth Morgan.

This 1960's newlyweds sitcom brought Richard Briers and Prunella Scales to prominence. Originating on BBC TV, it was adapted for radio due to its popularity. A decade later, Richard Briers went on to play Tom Good in The Good Life and Prunella Scales went on to star as Sybil in Fawlty Towers.

Written by Richard Waring.

Producer: Charles Maxwell

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in June 1965.

Impresario Fred Scuttle describes the swinging pop scene and movie news from Pinetree Studios.

With Peter Vernon, Jan Waters and Patricia Hayes.

Music from the Mike Sammes Singers and the Johnnie Spence Orchestra.

Scripted by Benny Hill.

Producer: John Browel

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1964.

Animal, vegetable or mineral? Barry Took's revised 20 questions. With Geoffrey Durham, Chris Serle and Clare Francis. From May 1998.

Woodhouse attempts to write children's fiction. Comedy-drama starring Tim Pigott-Smith and Zoe Wanamaker. From September 1989.

John Irving's acclaimed novel is dramatised by Linda Marshall Griffiths.

Garp writes his first novel and marries Helen. When his mother publishes her autobiography she becomes a feminist icon overnight and Garp's adolescent adventures become public property. It isn't easy being the son of the famous Jenny Fields. Jenny inspires a whole generation of women, including the radical Ellen Jamesians. Lust, lunacy and loss thread their way through Garp's life as he vainly tries to protect those he loves.

This is the second episode of a three part dramatisation of a novel that is both acclaimed for its originality, and controversial for its dark representation of gender politics and sexual violence. Published in 1978 it went on to win the US National Book Award and was made into a film in 1982, it placed Irving firmly on the map as a leading novelist.

Dramatist Linda Marshall Griffiths adapted Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany for Radio 4 in 2009.

Directed by Nadia Molinari.

The removal of railings at the bottom of his garden marks the end of Roy's previously cloistered outlook. Read by Nigel Anthony.

Love Love Love Like The Beatles
by A.L. Kennedy
Starring Bill Nighy.

A romantic comedy drama about a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown who retreats up a tree.
All his life, Oliver has never been able to say those three special words - I love you.
Yesterday Oliver lost his job and today - after walking in a daze all night - he is quite literally at his wits' end and waiting for the love of his life, Jo, in a private residents' garden. Knowing that he has a tendency to bolt he has cornered himself in advance by climbing a tree and he won't come down until he sees her.

Oliver ...... Bill Nighy
Jo ....... Amelia Bulmore
Mrs. Henderson ....... Brigit Forsyth
Mrs. McDonald ....... Maggie Fox
Leonard ...... David Fleeshman

Directed by Pauline Harris

The Writer - award winning novelist, columnist and playwright.
AL Kennedy's previous work includes Night Geometry and the Garscadden Trains Polygon, 1990, Looking for the Possible Dance Secker Warburg, 1993, Now That You're Back Cape, 1994, Last Things First - New Writing Scotland 13: So I Am Glad, Cape, 1995, Tea and Biscuits, Phoenix, 1996, Original Bliss, Cape, 1997, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, British Film Institute, 1997, Everything You Need,Cape, 1999, On Bullfighting,Yellow Jersey Press, 1999 New Writing 9 (editor with John Fowles),Vintage, 2000 Indelible Acts, Cape, 2002, Paradise, Cape, 2004, Day, Cape, 2007

She wrote the screenplay to the BFI/Channel 4 film Stella Does Tricks, and Dice - 6 part series for HBO, CBC with John Burnside. Previous radio plays are Born a Fox and Like an Angel, Confessions of a Medium. She's won over 15 awards for her work.

There are revelations regarding Miss Wilcox and the late Grace Brown, and Mattie receives a proposal. Read by Vicki Simon.

Julia Hobsbawm is a businesswoman who has made networking her personal passion and her professional living. Her impact on the practical study of networking made her the world's first visiting professor in Networking at a major British business school. In this series of five programmes for Radio 4, she takes us on a journey around different and surprising worlds of networks and networking to see if we are in fact, a Networking Nation. In today's programme she looks at how the world of work runs on human networks and networking.

by Caroline & David Stafford

Set in the 1970s, against a background of increasingly politicised feminism, a comedy series about women, HRT and the joys of growing old disgracefully.

4 of 5

Judy has some disquieting news for her parents.

Directed by Marc Beeby.

A year of discoveries on the beach. Jean Sprackland meditates on objects revealed by the shape-shifting sands, or washed up on the wild beaches between Blackpool and Liverpool.

Recorded on location on Ainsdale Sands, 'Strands' is a book about what is lost and buried, then re-discovered; about all the things you find on a beach, dead or alive, natural or man-made; about mutability and transformation - about sea-change.

In today's episode, Jean contemplates the mysterious lives of starfish and brittle stars.

Read by Jean Sprackland

Abridged by Miranda Davies

Produced by Emma Harding

About the author: Jean Sprackland is the author of three books of poetry and a collection of short stories. Her most recent poetry collection, Tilt (Cape, 2007), won the Costa Poetry Award. Hard Water (Cape, 2003) was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation, and was shortlisted for both the T S Eliot Prize and the Whitbread Award for Poetry. She was chosen as one of the Next Generation Poets in 2004.

After his trip to Mitchell Bluff, Taft's realised Bowers' story about the attack on his base doesn't add up - and Bowers isn't giving anything away. Worse, a member of Taft's team has been found dead...

Simon Bovey's 5-part sci-fi thriller set in 2015 stars Tim McMullan as Bowers, Tom Mannion as Commander Taft, Stuart McLoughlin as Max Bellingfield, Ndidi Del Fatti as Anaya and Helen Longworth as Deborah.

Director: Marc Beeby

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in 2005.

4 Extra Debut. Horticulturalist Rachel de Thame chooses ballerina, Margot Fonteyn. With Matthew Parris and Meredith Daneman. From January 2009.

Episode Six - Come Dine With Me

Clare has finally managed to find some time for romance. Meanwhile Brian discovers that a cheap flat comes with some unusual conditions and Nali has an eventful first day in her new job.

Sally Phillips is Clare Barker the social worker who has all the right jargon but never a practical solution.

A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis. Clare is in her thirties, white, middle class and heterosexual, all of which are occasional causes of discomfort to her.

Each week we join Clare in her continued struggle to control both her professional and private life In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.

Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden
Producer Alexandra Smith.

And why are you late? A game gets out of hand in Martin's local government office. Stars Reece Dinsdale. From November 2007.

From 10pm to midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Paul Garner chats again to Ed Westwick.

The musical comedian presents his selection of some of the finest comic songs. With guest Andrew Lawrence. From August 2005.