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 20 MAY 2017

SAT 00:00 Ted Chiang - Understand (b007scyn)
Episode 4

Reynolds and Leon prepare for a battle of minds. Who will survive? The climax of Ted Chiang's thriller read by Rhashan Stone.


SAT 00:30 Soul Music (b036k8v8)
Series 16, Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar

Written by Joaquin Rodrigo in 1939, the Concierto de Aranjuez is a guitar classic. It was written amid the chaos of the Spanish Civil War, and in circumstances of poverty and personal tragedy. This programme explores how the piece touches and changes people's lives.

The composer's daughter Cecilia Rodrigo explains how the blind composer was inspired by the fountains and gardens of the palace of Aranjuez. Nelício Faria de Sales recounts an unforgettable performance deep inside one of Brazil's largest caves, while David B Katague remembers how the piece got him through a difficult period of separation from his family in the Philippines.

Guitarist Craig Ogden explains the magic of the piece for a performer, and actor Simon Callow recalls how hearing the piece was a formative experience for him during his schooldays, when it turned rural Berkshire into a piece of Spain.

Producer: Melvin Rickarby.


SAT 01:00 James Mitchell - Red File for Callan (b01ms576)
Preparation

Hunter has tasked Callan to kill German businessman Rudolf Schneider. Now all he needs is a gun from Lonely.

Read by Ben Miles.

Originally published in 1969 under the title 'A Magnum for Schneider', James Mitchell's novel tells the story of his infamous TV character, David Callan (originally played by Edward Woodward) and features the other regulars, Hunter, Meres and Lonely.

Abridged by Adrian Bean
Producer: Joanna Green

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Pier Productions.


SAT 01:30 Classic Toys (b0075fz2)

From Sindy to Scalextric, Emma Freud explores the yo-yoing fortunes of children's toys in the playroom and market place. From December 1998.


SAT 02:00 15 Minute Drama (b01sjn57)
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, The Country Cook

By Anne Tyler dramatised by Rebecca Lenkiewicz

Episode Five - The Country Cook

Cody's obsession with his brother Ezra's fiancee, country girl Ruth, becomes a determined campaign.

Director: David Hunter.


SAT 02:15 Life at 24 Frames a Second (b00xhfg3)
You Must Remember This

David Thomson, author of The Biographical Dictionary of Film, continues his idiosyncratic journey through the collective dream of cinema. Episode 5: You Must Remember This. "Every movie is about time passing away and memory trying to say it was a story."

Producer: Mark Burman.


SAT 02:30 Ladies of Letters (b012211j)
Ladies of Letters Go Green, Episode 5

The floating Malaysian wedding ends in chaos. Can the Ladies ever be reconciled? With Patricia Routledge and Prunella Scales.


SAT 02:45 Writing at the Kitchen Table (b0075smk)
Episode 5

Writer Elizabeth Clark suffers a collapse and opens a cookware shop. Helena Bonham Carter concludes Artemis Cooper's biography.


SAT 03:00 The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks (b00l60zl)
Lucilla's Revolution

Lucilla Marjoribanks, a large and determined girl, returns from school with one purpose in life - to be a comfort to her recently widowed father - and to avoid all proposals of marriage...

Margaret Oliphant's humorous novel dramatised by Elizabeth Proud.

Starring Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs Oliphant, Teresa Gallagher as Lucilla Marjoribanks, Roy Hanlon as Dr Marjoribanks, Keith Drinkel as Mr Cavendish, Elizabeth Mansfield as Barbara Lake, Nicholas Murchie as Tom Marjoribanks and Elizabeth Proud as Mrs Nelly Woodburn.

Music by Malcolm McKee.

Producer: Sue Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1992.


SAT 04:00 The 3rd Degree (b079nfk8)
Series 6, The University of York

A funny and dynamic quiz show hosted by Steve Punt - this week from the University of York, with specialist subjects including History of Art, Theatre, TV and Film Studies and Physics, and questions ranging from Bartok to La Belle Et La Bête via David Bowie and the Chinese Renmimbi.

The programme is recorded on location at a different University each week, and it pits three Undergraduates against three of their Professors in an original and fresh take on an academic quiz.

The rounds vary between Specialist Subjects and General Knowledge, quickfire bell-and-buzzer rounds and the Highbrow and Lowbrow round cunningly devised to test not only the students' knowledge of current affairs, history, languages and science, but also their Professors' awareness of television, sport, and quite possibly Justin Bieber. In addition, the Head-to-Head rounds see students take on their Professors in their own subjects, offering plenty of scope for mild embarrassment on both sides.

Other Universities featured in this series include Gloucestershire, Chester, Birmingham City, Bath and Glasgow.

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


SAT 04:30 No Commitments (b007cnzv)
Series 13, Blue Rabbits

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

5/6. Blue Rabbits

A generational conflict erupts over how a baby's nursery should be decorated. Meanwhile, has Charlotte finally found true love?

Anna ...... Rosemary Leach
Victoria ...... Angela Thorne
Charlotte ...... Felicity Montagu
Emily ...... Lisa Coleman
Eddie ...... James Green
Nick ...... Kieran Hill
Patrick ...... Michael Simkins.


SAT 05:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jv65)
I'll See You on Tower Pier at 11

Mark Wallington and hellish hound Boogie quest to find the source of the Thames. Stars Timothy Spall. From December 1992.


SAT 05:30 Wordaholics (b04fzc7p)
Series 3, Episode 1

The return of the work-obsessed panel game.

Comedians Lloyd Langford, Holly Walsh, Paul Sinha and Natalie Haynes join Gyles Brandreth for the panel game about words that will make you laugh your socks off.

On this week's show Lloyd Langford delicately tells us whey avocados are called avocados; Natalie Haynes explains what the modern term astroturfing is; Paul Sinha unlocks the meaning pf the German word handschuhsanbalwerfer and Holly Walsh shares her favourite example of prison slang.

The panel also suggest words that don't yet exist, but should. What could they mean by 'a Clarkson', 'messcalation', 'trage' and 'appointmentia'?

Writers: Jon Hunter and James Kettle.
Producer: Claire Jones.


SAT 06:00 The Forsyte Saga (b06z0ybl)
The Forsytes, Episode 1

From the novels of John Galsworthy
Dramatised for radio by Shaun McKenna

Of all his beautiful possessions, wealthy solicitor Soames Forsyte considers his wife, Irene, the most beautiful. Why then does she want separate bedrooms?

Original music composed by Neil Brand

Produced and directed by Marion Nancarrow

The first dramatisation of all 9 books in John Galsworthy's The Forsyte Saga. An epic tale of sex, money and power in the lives of an upper middle-class family in London, it spans 50 years from 1886 to 1936.


SAT 07:30 Hardeep's Sunday Lunch (b01nx3ph)
Series 1, Episode 1

Hardeep Singh Kohli travels around the country cooking Sunday lunch with families and communities, introducing some of his favourite recipes, learning about their food and hearing some amazing stories. In the first programme in this 6 part series Hardeep meets Avril and Ron Head. Over the last 30 years they have dedicated much of their lives to caring for children and in particular those with special medical needs. As well as having 3 children of their own they have adopted two children and fostered 138. At a time when foster carers are increasingly in short supply for the growing number of children who need care, Avril and Ron talk about how the values and beliefs that underpin their approach to fostering. As Hardeep cooks them Sunday lunch he hears the story of how they became foster carers and the highs and lows they have experienced over the years.

Producer: Amanda Hancox
Dawn Bryan.


SAT 08:00 Something Is Terribly Wrong (b0076hxp)

"Something is Terribly Wrong" - the chilling words spoken by a radio reporter when President John F Kennedy was shot.

Using vivid archive material, Alan Thompson charts the confusion and shock as the unbelievable was confirmed. Thompson returns to key sites and talks to eye witnesses, including the detective who was handcuffed to the man arrested for the assassination, Lee Harvey Oswald, when he too was gunned down.

With archive from the Dallas radio station KLIF and recordings of police radio, the events of those three days that shocked the world are relived.

Producer: Neil George

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.


SAT 09:00 Miranda Hart: From Hampshire to Hollywood (b08r3xx1)

Made for 4 Extra. Miranda Hart talks openly to comedy writer and performer Paul Garner about her life, career and creative process, accompanied by delights from the radio archive.


SAT 12:00 Dad's Army (b007tbwz)
Series 2, Sergeant, Save My Boy!

Barbed wire traps Pike on a seaside minefield - and the tide is turning!

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.


SAT 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jnmp)
Series 5, Hancock's School

Inspired by Bill and supplied by Sid, the lad turns his home into a centre of learning.

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 March 1958.


SAT 13:00 The Kneebone Bonanza - Omnibus (b01rky6l)

A mysterious American turns up at Scrap Metal and Haulage. A wry Cornish comedy by Carl Grose. Stars Alex Tregear.


SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (b08r40fk)
David Rodigan

DJ David Rodigan chooses 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me' by Dusty Springfield and 'Feeling Soul' by Bob Andy.


SAT 14:15 Frankly Speaking (b05s8j39)
Brian Epstein

Brian Epstein, 29 year old manager of the Beatles talks about his life to Bill Grundy.

He was a quiet, well-spoken public schoolboy, RADA student, from a very comfortably-off Liverpool family. But knowing nothing of the world of pop - how did Epstein find himself in the world of agents and impresarios?

As well as the Beatles, he represented other artistes including Cilla Black. Three years after this interview, Brian Epstein tragically died at the age of 32, after reportedly taking his own life.

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 1964.


SAT 14:45 Marriott's Monologues (b00sp3xq)
Peter Goodwright

Peter Goodwright treats us to a perilous voyage on the Runcorn Ferry courtesy of Marriott Edgar.


SAT 15:00 Something Is Terribly Wrong (b0076hxp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SAT 16:00 The Forsyte Saga (b06z0ybl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:30 Hardeep's Sunday Lunch (b01nx3ph)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 18:00 Doctor Who (b08r41ft)
Leviathan, Episode 1

When the TARDIS materializes near a castle in a sinister medieval society, the Doctor and Peri befriend Gurth, a terrified youth who is attempting to flee the village....

An adventure originally written for the BBC's Doctor Who TV series but never made.
Colin Baker stars as the Sixth Doctor.

With Nicola Bryant as Peri, Howard Gossington as Gurth, John Banks as Herne the Hunter, Beth Chalmers as Althya, Jamie Parker as Wulfric and Derek Carlyle as Siward.

Written by Brian and Paul Finch

Director: Ben Bentley.

Made by Big Finish and reversioned for broadcast by BBC Radio 4 Extra.


SAT 19:00 Miranda Hart: From Hampshire to Hollywood (b08r3xx1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 The Ape That Got Lucky (b008039f)
Language and Communication

Chris Addison's spoof lectures exploring human evolution. With Geoffrey McGivern as Professor Austin Herring. From August 2005.


SAT 22:30 Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section (b01rl1y3)
Series 2, With guests Matt Lucas and Liane Carroll

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 sixth episode explores the theme of the four seasons. Guest starring Matt Lucas who performs some songs with the band and jazz singer Liane Carroll who is conducted by Alex with the aid of a ping pong ball.

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 performers .... Matt Lucas and Liane Carroll
Producer .... Julia McKenzie.


SAT 23:00 Lee and Herring's Fist of Fun (b0080qgm)
Episode 3

The cult BBC Radio 1 series hits Lancaster University. Starring Stewart Lee and Richard Herring. From October 1993.


SAT 23:30 Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better (b00d45ny)
Series 2, Generosity

The comedian examines the virtue of generosity. With poetry and songs by Tom Basden and Tim Key. From August 2008.



SUNDAY 21 MAY 2017

SUN 00:00 Doctor Who (b08r41ft)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Saturday]


SUN 01:00 The Kneebone Bonanza - Omnibus (b01rky6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:00 on Saturday]


SUN 02:10 Inheritance Tracks (b08r40fk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:10 on Saturday]


SUN 02:15 Frankly Speaking (b05s8j39)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Saturday]


SUN 02:45 Marriott's Monologues (b00sp3xq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Saturday]


SUN 03:00 Something Is Terribly Wrong (b0076hxp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Saturday]


SUN 04:00 The Forsyte Saga (b06z0ybl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]


SUN 05:30 Hardeep's Sunday Lunch (b01nx3ph)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]


SUN 06:00 Ladies of Letters (b0124trd)
Ladies of Letters Go Green, Omnibus

More electronic correspondence from the tempestuous twosome. Starring Prunella Scales and Patricia Routledge.


SUN 07:15 Colin Dexter Short Stories (b007lr7f)
The Double Crossing

A good first day for a certain detective named Lewis. The creator of Inspector Morse, Colin Dexter reads his own story.


SUN 07:30 Believe It! (b03ktz0f)
Series 2, Victor

Jon Canter's "radiography" of Richard Wilson returns for a second series.

Celebrity autobiographies are everywhere. Richard Wilson has always said he'd never write one. Based on glimmers of truth, Believe It is the hilarious, bizarre, revealing (and, most importantly, untrue) celebrity autobiography of Richard Wilson.

He narrates the series with his characteristic dead-pan delivery, weaving in and out of dramatised scenes from his fictional life-story. He plays a heavily exaggerated version of himself: a Scots actor and national treasure, unmarried, private, passionate about politics, theatre and Manchester United (all true), who's a confidant of the powerful and has survived childhood poverty, a drunken father, years of fruitless grind, too much success, monstrosity, addiction, charity work and fierce rivalry with Sean Connery and Ian McKellan (not true).

The title - in case you hadn't spotted - is an unashamed reference his famous catchphrase.

Written by Jon Canter
Produced and Directed by Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.


SUN 08:00 The Frankie Howerd Variety Show (b008jw8j)
From 05/12/1978

Titters aplenty as Frankie Howerd turns agony uncle and tries his hand at being a trendy male escort...

Plus stars from the world of entertainment - singer Lyn Paul, comedians, Mike Burton and Bryan Carroll and pop group, The Dooleys.

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.


SUN 09:00 Admissions: A Life in Brain Surgery (b08r468y)

Omnibus. Made for 4 Extra. Neurosurgeon Henry Marsh looks back on the triumphs and failures of his career in surgery. Read by Robert Powell.


SUN 10:10 Inheritance Tracks (b08r7l3s)
Jean Marsh

Actress and screenwriter Jean Marsh chooses Chopin's Waltz No 1 and the Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde by Richard Wagner.


SUN 10:15 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b08r7l3v)
The Great Outdoors, Ray Mears

4 Extra Debut. From Blondie to Nina Simone. Woodsman Ray Mears shares his castaway choices with Kirsty Young. From January 2014.


SUN 11:00 TED Radio Hour (b08r7lt1)
Series 4, Big Data Revolution

Guy Raz explores how our lives can now be tracked and turned into data. Will this make life easier or more complicated?

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


SUN 11:55 The Listening Project (b03ffth3)
Derek and Hugh - Lessons on the Farm

Fi Glover introduces a conversation between a farm worker and his boss about a relationship that goes back more than half a century, from which many lessons have been learned, especially by the boss, proving once again that 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 upload your own conversations or just learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject

Producer: Marya Burgess.


SUN 12:00 The Frankie Howerd Variety Show (b008jw8j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SUN 13:00 Ladies of Letters (b0124trd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SUN 14:15 Colin Dexter Short Stories (b007lr7f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


SUN 14:30 Francis Spufford - Golden Hill: Omnibus (b08r7p2s)
Episode 1

November 1, 1746. A traveller arrives at the port of New York, on urgent business. Read by Jamie Parker.


SUN 15:45 The Cazalets - Omnibus (b01ptgmp)
The Light Years, Episode 2

The Cazalets appear to have it all. But longing, indiscretions and jealousies simmer below the surface.

Elizabeth Jane Howard's family saga of 'The Cazalets' vividly catalogues the lives and loves of three generations.

Starring Penelope Wilton as the narrator, Raymond Coulthard as Rupert, Zoe Tapper as Zoe, Georgia Groome as Clary, Naomi Frederick as Rachel, Shirley Dixon as The Duchy and Helen Schlesinger as Sid.

Siblings Hugh, Edward, Rupert and Rachel - and their respective families - are reunited. Rupert is trying not to think about whether he married beautiful but petulant Zoe too soon after his first wife's death; Hugh and his wife Sybil each try to put the other first, not necessarily to their mutual advantage; Edward is mulling on how he might be able to get away from his wife, Villy, to spend time with his mistress and Rachel is trying to find a private place to read her letter in secret. But as the wider world intrudes on their lives, each is increasingly wondering what their future holds...

The first of five dramatisations by Sarah Daniels.

Elizabeth Jane Howard's The Light Years and her following novels: Marking Time, Confusion and Casting Off were published between 1990-1995 and the fifth, All Change, in 2013.

Producer: Sally Avens

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2012.


SUN 17:00 Poetry Extra (b08r7p2v)
The Echo Chamber - The Body

BBC Radio 4's Poet in Residence, Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's radio poetry with an edition of 'The Echo Chamber'.

Paul Farley looks at the body in question - the shapes of poems and the people in them. How does a poet decide on the form of their poem? What do different poetic forms do to the subject of a poem? The programme travels the country and anatomises its poetic body. With found poems and field-notes, a diary of failure and success, the sound of the world being taken down in rhyme, and a look into a hive of dead bees in midwinter.

With poems from Sean Borodale, Don Paterson and Alice Oswald.

Producer: Tim Dee

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2013.


SUN 17:30 Believe It! (b03ktz0f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SUN 18:00 Ray Bradbury - Tales of the Bizarre (b007jpvj)
Series 1, The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl

Murder is the ultimate crime. Acton realises it's important - vitally so when committing the murder - to pay attention to detail.

Ray Bradbury introduces his own tingling tale dramatised by Brian Sibley.

Starring Nigel Anthony as Acton, John Hartley as Huxley and Roger May as the Police Officer.

Director: Martin Jenkins.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.


SUN 18:30 Mark Gatiss - The Devil in Amber (b00vc8bl)
Episode 4

Dandy spy hero Lucifer Box must rescue the 'perfect victim' to foil Olympus Mons' dastardly plan to raise the devil.

Mark Gatiss reads his novel abridged by David Jackson Young.

Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.

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


SUN 19:00 TED Radio Hour (b08r7lt1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


SUN 19:55 The Listening Project (b03ffth3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:55 today]


SUN 20:00 Admissions: A Life in Brain Surgery (b08r468y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SUN 21:10 Inheritance Tracks (b08r7l3s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:10 today]


SUN 21:15 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b08r7l3v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:15 today]


SUN 22:00 Believe It! (b03ktz0f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SUN 22:30 Radio 9 (b0421tlp)
Series 1, Episode 2

More from the Gay Board Game Olympics, plus Radiohead's happy single. Written by and starring Johnny Daukes and Hils Barker. From November 2003.


SUN 23:00 Cabin Pressure (b00lxh3r)
Series 2, Johannesburg

When Carolyn makes a daring bet with her pilots, what better place for a race against time than a sleepy Spanish airfield...?

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, Michael Fenton-Stevens as Senor Quintanilla and Javier Marzan as Diego.

Producer: David Tyler

Made for BBC Radio 4 by Pozzitive productions.

First broadcast in August 2009.


SUN 23:30 Bussmann and Quantick Kingsize (b045gdqt)
Episode 5

Five things you didn't know about ready meals. Stars Jane Bussmann and David Quantick. With Peter Serafinowicz. From May 1998.



MONDAY 22 MAY 2017

MON 00:00 Ray Bradbury - Tales of the Bizarre (b007jpvj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Sunday]


MON 00:30 Mark Gatiss - The Devil in Amber (b00vc8bl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Sunday]


MON 01:00 Ladies of Letters (b0124trd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]


MON 02:15 Colin Dexter Short Stories (b007lr7f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Sunday]


MON 02:30 Francis Spufford - Golden Hill: Omnibus (b08r7p2s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Sunday]


MON 03:45 The Cazalets - Omnibus (b01ptgmp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Sunday]


MON 05:00 Poetry Extra (b08r7p2v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 17:00 on Sunday]


MON 05:30 Believe It! (b03ktz0f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]


MON 06:00 James Mitchell - Red File for Callan (b01msf8g)
Doubt

Callan is keen to know why Hunter wants Schneider dead. So he conducts some background research of his own.

Read by Ben Miles.

Originally published in 1969 under the title 'A Magnum for Schneider', James Mitchell's novel tells the story of his infamous TV character, David Callan (originally played by Edward Woodward) and features the other regulars, Hunter, Meres and Lonely.

Abridged by Adrian Bean
Producer: Joanna Green

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Pier Productions.


MON 06:30 The New Look (b0084gn8)

Malcolm McLaren celebrates the life of fashion designer Christian Dior and his 1940s creation - the New Look. From October 2007.


MON 07:00 Charles Dickens (b00rz6m8)
Sketches by Boz - Series 2, Love and Oysters

Comic stories of London life. Meeting an oyster seller sparks disruption for orderly John Dounce. Stars David Calder.


MON 07:30 Just a Minute (b08q4cm3)
Series 78, 15/05/2017

Just A Minute is 50 years old this year! Nicholas Parsons has been hosting since day one, and kicks off the first episode of the new series with a cracking line-up: Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence, Graham Norton and Stephen Fry.

The panel have to talk on a given subject for sixty seconds without repetition, hesitation or deviation. Graham tells us how he lets off steam, Paul informs us about Charles Darwin, Josie tells us what she thinks of low hanging fruit, and Stephen gets stuck into selfie sticks.

Hayley Sterling blows the whistle and it was produced by Matt Stronge.

Just A Minute is a BBC Studios production.


MON 08:00 The Burkiss Way (b007js2t)
Series 4, Is Britain Going the Burkiss Way, pt 2

The Martians Are Coming! Or are they? Is this a spoof? Or a spoof of a spoof?

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.


MON 08:30 Dad's Army (b007jn4c)
Series 2, Branded

Godfrey is ridiculed when Captain Mainwaring hears he was a conscientious objector.

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.


MON 09:00 Quote... Unquote (b06bhw9q)

Quote ... Unquote, the popular quotations quiz, returns for its 51st series.

In almost forty years, Nigel Rees has been joined by writers, actors, musicians, scientists and various comedy types. Kenneth Williams, Judi Dench, PD James, Larry Adler, Ian KcKellen, Peter Cook, Kingsley Amis, Peter Ustinov... have all graced the Quote Unquote stage.

Join Nigel as he quizzes a host of celebrity guests on the origins of sayings and well-known quotes, and gets the famous panel to share their favourite anecdotes.

Episode 2

Oscar winning lyricist Don Black
Actress and writer Shobu Kapoor
TV Presenter Fern Britton
Novelist and Screenwriter Anthony Horowitz

Presenter ... Nigel Rees
Producer ... Carl Cooper.


MON 09:30 The Change (b0076nxd)
Series 3, Episode 1

Convinced that his wife's having an affair with transvestite George, Ken targets Carol.

Starring Lynda Bellingham as Carol, Philip Jackson as George, Maureen Beattie as Maureen and James Vaughan as Ken.

Series 3 of the sitcom about a married couple's attempts to smooth over their singularly troubled midlife funk - Carol is hormonal and 15-stone George is a transvestite. Onlookers can't quite agree on the nature of their dynamic.

Written by Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie.

Producer: Elizabeth Freestone

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.


MON 10:00 The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks (b00l6gdv)
Skirmishes

Lucilla's "Thursday" has been a success, but Mr Cavendish is showing an interest in Barbara Lake and that is not part of her plan. Neither is the arrival of Archdeacon Beverley.

Margaret Oliphant's humorous novel dramatised by Elizabeth Proud.

Starring Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs Oliphant, Teresa Gallagher as Lucilla Marjoribanks, Paul Daneman as Archdeacon Beverley, Roy Hanlon as Dr Marjoribanks, Keith Drinkel as Mr Cavendish, Elizabeth Mansfield as Barbara Lake, and Elizabeth Proud as Mrs Nelly Woodburn.

Music by Malcolm McKee.

Producer: Sue Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1992.


MON 11:00 Tales from the East (b039bg5r)
Blow-Ins

Fenella Woolgar reads D J Taylor's 'Blow-Ins', the first in a series of stories taking their inspiration from the East Anglian coast.

In today's story, the rural idyll turns sour when winter hits a North Norfolk coastal town.

Producer: Justine Willett
Written by: D J Taylor, a Whitbread Award-winning author and journalist, who lives in Norfolk.
Reader: Fenella Woolgar is a British actor who has worked with with Mike Leigh, Conor McPherson and Woody Allen. She's recently starred in 'Dr Who', and BBC1's 'Case Histories' with Jason Isaacs.


MON 11:15 Alan Plater - The Gallery (b01p98gb)

The opening night of a new Tyneside art gallery is thrown into jeopardy by the well-meaning but ill-trained staff. Dodgy wiring, an over-zealous cleaner and a retired greyhound add to the comic mix.

Alan Plater's final play for radio stars Joe Caffrey as Trevor, Janice Acquah as Liz, Deka Walmsley as Michael, Caroline Guthrie as Heather, Phillipa Wilson as Julie and Chris Connel as Neville.

Playwright and screenwriter, Alan Plater CBE (1935-2010) was the much-loved author of hundreds of stage, radio and TV dramas including The Beiderbecke Affair, The Last of the Blonde Bombshells, Close the Coalhouse Door, The Pallisers, Z Cars and Lewis. His work for radio includes adapting his own autobiography, Stories For Another Day, and the original drama series The Devil's Music.

Director: Alison Hindell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.


MON 12:00 The Burkiss Way (b007js2t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jn4c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 13:00 James Mitchell - Red File for Callan (b01msf8g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 13:30 The New Look (b0084gn8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 14:00 15 Minute Drama (b01slvmv)
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Beaches on the Moon

By Anne Tyler dramatised by Rebecca Lenkiewicz

Episode Six - Beaches on the Moon

Pearl shoulders the blame for the tragedy that has struck her sons.

Director: David Hunter.


MON 14:15 Life at 24 Frames a Second (b00xpnd2)
If It Moves, Shoot It

Critic and writer David Thomson continues his journey through cinema and considers its enduring love affair with violence. Episode 6: If it Moves, Shoot It.

"There is violence in the medium. It begins with being in the dark, monopolized and compelled by the light. There is a kind of imprisonment. It is then increased by the way film can cut. And cut is a very appropriate word."

Producer: Mark Burman.


MON 14:30 The Forsyte Saga (b06z255z)
The Forsytes, Episode 2

John Galsworthy's epic novels of sex, money and power in an upper class family.
Dramatised for radio by Shaun McKenna

As Soames Forsyte prepares to face his wife's lover in court, an unidentified body lies in the city morgue.

Original music composed by Neil Brand

Produced and directed by Gemma Jenkins

Over the next 2 years, BBC Radio 4 is broadcasting a new dramatisation of all 9 books in John Galsworthy's The Forsyte Saga. An epic tale of sex, money and power in the lives of an upper middle-class family in London, it spans 50 years from 1886 to 1936.

Today's play concludes the first novel "The Man of Property". It's the day after Irene Forsyte's lover, the architect, Philip Bosinney, was struck down in the fog by a hansom cab. Irene waits in his lodgings for his return.

The story continues every day this week in the 15 Minute Drama slot and concludes in the Saturday Drama at 1430.

Award-winning writers Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan are dramatising the complete novels and Interludes and have taken a new approach to the books - delving deeper behind the Edwardian façade to bring more of Galsworthy's wonderful insight, wit and observation from the page. Although focussed on the period in which they were written - in the first 20 years of the 20th century - the novels feel remarkably contemporary and have much to reveal of our own world and inner lives.

Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife, Jericho) takes a central role as narrator, with Juliet Aubrey playing Irene and Joseph Millson, Soames. Later in the series they are joined by Jonathan Bailey, Max Bennett and Ben Lambert.

The Producers are Marion Nancarrow and Gemma Jenkins.


MON 14:45 Book of the Week (b03gv9qx)
The Letters of John F Kennedy, Episode 1

Letters to and from President Kennedy are published in book form and edited by Martin W Sandler to mark fifty years since the assassination of 1963. And a selection, abridged in five episodes by Penny Leicester, reveal the drama and tensions to do with American foreign policy. Other letters reveal Kennedy's wit and warmth when contacting friends and members of the public.

1. During WW2 young Kennedy was in touch with his brother Joe and the lovely but frowned upon 'Binga'.

Readers Colin Stinton, Richard Laing, Trevor White and Kelly Burke

Producer Duncan Minshull.


MON 15:00 The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks (b00l6gdv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


MON 16:00 Quote... Unquote (b06bhw9q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 16:30 The Change (b0076nxd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


MON 17:00 Charles Dickens (b00rz6m8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


MON 17:30 Just a Minute (b08q4cm3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 18:00 Simon Bovey - Slipstream (b009l6sv)
Into the Wolf's Lair

It's 1945, and the Allies are certain to win the war. Then an unidentified aircraft appears sparking a a dangerous mission...

Simon Bovey's sci-fi adventure series set during the Second World War.

Stars Rory Kinnear as Jurgen Rall, Tim McMullan as Major Barton, Ben Crowe as Lieutenant Dundas, Joannah Tincey as Kate Richey and Peter Marinker as Brigadier Erskine.

Producer: Marc Beeby

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in 2008.


MON 18:30 A Good Read (b0076l3r)

Sue MacGregor and her guests - writers, Monica Ali and Kevin Crossley-Holland - discuss books by Jeanette Winterson, Chang-Rae Lee and Julia Blackburn. From 2004.

The Passion by Jeanette Winterson
Publisher: Vintage

A Gesture Life by Chang-Rae Lee
Publisher: Granta

The Leper's Companions by Julia Blackburn
Publisher: Vintage.


MON 19:00 The Burkiss Way (b007js2t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 19:30 Dad's Army (b007jn4c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 20:00 James Mitchell - Red File for Callan (b01msf8g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 20:30 The New Look (b0084gn8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 21:00 Tales from the East (b039bg5r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


MON 21:15 Alan Plater - The Gallery (b01p98gb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


MON 22:00 Just a Minute (b08q4cm3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 22:30 The Vote Now Show (b08qy4j5)
Series 3, 21/05/2017

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present a satirical round-up of election news and comment from comedians, journalists and commentators...

Canvassing for your vote this week, Steve and Hugh are joined by Andy Zaltzman, Tiffany Stevenson, Luke Kempner, Freya Parker and Soumaya Keynes.

Recorded mere hours before transmission, the Now Show team look across the political spectrum, giving their own unique take on the election news and shenanigans.

Produced by Adnan Ahmed
BBC Studios Production.


MON 23:00 News Quiz Extra (b08r893z)
Series 20, Episode 5

A satirical review of the week's news, chaired by Miles Jupp.


MON 23:45 Hearing With Hegley (b0075sf5)
Series 3, Episode 5

The Luton poet is by the sea in Aldeburgh, and gets some help with limericks from comedian Arnold Brown. From March 2000.



TUESDAY 23 MAY 2017

TUE 00:00 Simon Bovey - Slipstream (b009l6sv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Monday]


TUE 00:30 A Good Read (b0076l3r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Monday]


TUE 01:00 James Mitchell - Red File for Callan (b01msf8g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]


TUE 01:30 The New Look (b0084gn8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]


TUE 02:00 15 Minute Drama (b01slvmv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]


TUE 02:15 Life at 24 Frames a Second (b00xpnd2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Monday]


TUE 02:30 The Forsyte Saga (b06z255z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]


TUE 02:45 Book of the Week (b03gv9qx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Monday]


TUE 03:00 The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks (b00l6gdv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]


TUE 04:00 Quote... Unquote (b06bhw9q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Monday]


TUE 04:30 The Change (b0076nxd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Monday]


TUE 05:00 Charles Dickens (b00rz6m8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]


TUE 05:30 Just a Minute (b08q4cm3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]


TUE 06:00 James Mitchell - Red File for Callan (b01mthst)
The Job

Schneider invites Callan round for dinner on Sunday. Callan has the gun. Sunday is the day he must use it...

Concluded by Ben Miles.

Originally published in 1969 under the title 'A Magnum for Schneider', James Mitchell's novel tells the story of his infamous TV character, David Callan (originally played by Edward Woodward) and features the other regulars, Hunter, Meres and Lonely.

Abridged by Adrian Bean
Producer: Joanna Green

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Pier Productions.


TUE 06:30 Moving Pictures (b0076dfm)

Emrys Evans recalls the 1939 evacuation of the National Gallery's entire art collection. Faced with the threat of German bombs, the pictures were moved to Wales. From March 2003.


TUE 07:00 Girlies (b08r8bpy)
Series 2, Episode 3

Dan's financial woes catch up with him, Tula's ex remarries and Salim has a secret.

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.


TUE 07:30 Small Scenes (b071x4ny)
Series 3, Episode 1

Award-winning sketch series starring Daniel Rigby, Mike Wozniak, Cariad Lloyd, Henry Paker and Jessica Ransom. Featuring more overblown, melodramatic scenes from modern life, such as a woman who uncovers the conspiracy behind cryptic crosswords, a saxophonist who is tortured by his inability to play the solo from Baker Street and what happens if you buy Chris de Burgh's old house.

Written by Benjamin Partridge, Henry Paker and Mike Wozniak, with additional material from the cast.

Produced by Simon Mayhew-Archer.


TUE 08:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jn7v)
Series 5, A Winter's Tale

Harold admits he's planning a holiday - but without his dad Albert.

Starring Wilfrid Brambell as Albert and Harry H Corbett.

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


TUE 08:30 The Men From the Ministry (b00ysk98)
Four Men in a Wellington

The bumbling civil servants investigate a phantom air force base.

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

Stars Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. With special guests Kenneth Horne and Sam Costa.

And Norma Ronald, John Graham, Antony Viccars and Douglas Hankin.

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 April 1968.


TUE 09:00 News Quiz Extra (b08r893z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 23:00 on Monday]


TUE 09:45 Hearing With Hegley (b0075sf5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 23:45 on Monday]


TUE 10:00 The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks (b00l6l5l)
Lucilla's Luck

Mrs Mortimer is surrounded by a mystery which Lucilla can't unravel. Archdeacon Beverley seems to be involved but who else? Lucilla is determined to give advice, but Mr Cavendish may not want to hear it...

Margaret Oliphant's humorous novel dramatised by Elizabeth Proud.

Starring Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs Oliphant, Teresa Gallagher as Lucilla Marjoribanks, Paul Daneman as Archdeacon Beverley, Roy Hanlon as Dr Marjoribanks, Keith Drinkel as Mr Cavendish, Elizabeth Mansfield as Barbara Lake and John Webb as General Travers.

Music by Malcolm McKee.

Producer: Sue Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1992.


TUE 11:00 Tales from the East (b039p33c)
Moon and Henry

Poppy Miller reads Sarah Bower's story set on the windswept coast of Norfolk - after the tourists have gone. This is the second in a series of stories taking their inspiration from the coast of East Anglia.

Producer: Justine Willett
Read by: Poppy Miller
Written by: Sarah Bower, a novelist and short story writer, whose first novel, 'The Needle in the Blood', was Susan Hill's Book of the Year 2007.


TUE 11:15 Bettina Gracias - Asha's World (b007vg89)

Asha's controlling mother rings up from India to tell her she's arranged a date for her with a gorgeous Indian doctor. She refuses to go and her best friend Veronique goes instead, pretending to be Asha, setting in train a twisty romantic tale of mistaken identities.

Bettina Gracias's comedy stars Archie Panjabi as Asha, Leena Dhingra as Mum, Jemma Elder as Lisa, Anushka Dahssi as Veronique and Ajay Chhabra as Raj.

Producer: David Hunter

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.


TUE 12:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jn7v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 12:30 The Men From the Ministry (b00ysk98)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 13:00 James Mitchell - Red File for Callan (b01mthst)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 13:30 Moving Pictures (b0076dfm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 14:00 15 Minute Drama (b01sm6ry)
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Dr Tull Is Not A Toy

By Anne Tyler dramatised by Rebecca Lenkiewicz

Episode Seven - Dr. Tull is not a Toy

A vacuum cleaner goes missing and Dr. Jenny Tull finds her domestic niche.

Director: David Hunter.


TUE 14:15 Life at 24 Frames a Second (b00xpp4x)
The Look of Love

Critic and writer David Thomson continues his personal journey through the power and meaning of cinema in search of longing and romance. Episode 7: The Look of Love.

We got to the movies for many things, including spectacle, thrills and wonder, but many go to fall in love - again and again - with the thrill of romance and a kiss as big as a house. Thomson wonders how love blows us apart.

Producer: Mark Burman.


TUE 14:30 The Forsyte Saga (b06z2h3n)
The Forsytes, Episode 3

John Galsworthy's epic novels of sex, money and power in an upper class family.
Dramatised for radio by Shaun McKenna

An idyllic summer in 1892 and an unexpected encounter reawakens long-forgotten emotions in Old Jolyon

Original music composed by Neil Brand

Produced and directed by Gemma Jenkins

Over the next 2 years, BBC Radio 4 is broadcasting a new dramatisation of all 9 books in John Galsworthy's The Forsyte Saga. An epic tale of sex, money and power in the lives of an upper middle-class family in London, it spans 50 years from 1886 to 1936.

Today's play is from the interlude "Indian Summer of a Forsyte". Five years have passed since the scandal of Irene and Soames split the Forstye family apart. Old Jolyon has turned his back on Soames's side of the family and contemplates a move to the country.

The story continues every day this week in the 15 Minute Drama slot and concludes in the Saturday Drama at 1430.

Award-winning writers Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan are dramatising the complete novels and Interludes and have taken a new approach to the books - delving deeper behind the Edwardian façade to bring more of Galsworthy's wonderful insight, wit and observation from the page. Although focussed on the period in which they were written - in the first 20 years of the 20th century - the novels feel remarkably contemporary and have much to reveal of our own world and inner lives.

Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife, Jericho) takes a central role as narrator, with Juliet Aubrey playing Irene and Joseph Millson, Soames. Later in the series they are joined by Jonathan Bailey, Max Bennett and Ben Lambert.

The Producers are Marion Nancarrow and Gemma Jenkins.


TUE 14:45 Book of the Week (b03h2rdl)
The Letters of John F Kennedy, Episode 2

Letters to and from President Kennedy are published in book form and edited by Martin W Sandler to mark fifty years since the assassination of 1963. And a selection, abridged in five episodes by Penny Leicester, reveal the drama and tensions to do with American foreign policy. Other letters reveal Kennedy's wit and warmth when contacting friends and members of the public:

2. At the time of his inauguration Kennedy was lauded by a famous poet. Afterwards he wrote about the threat of communism and America's youth abroad. He also wished somebody a very happy birthday.

Readers Colin Stinton, Richard Laing, Peter Marinker, Trevor White and Stephen Greif.

Producer Duncan Minshull.


TUE 15:00 The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks (b00l6l5l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


TUE 16:00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (b008vnz5)
Episode 6

Clive Anderson referees the improvisations of Stephen Fry, John Sessions, Rory Bremner and Jon Glover.


TUE 16:30 Ballylenon (b00ft0t2)
Series 1, Episode 5

Phonsie calls in a few favours from his friend Joe MacMonagle.

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 and Gerard McSorley as Stumpy Bonnar. Dominic Letts as Aubrey Frawley, Wesley Murphy as Jonathan Ffrench O'Dowd and Marcella Riordan as Primrose Ffrench O'Dowd.

Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes.

Director: Eoin O'Callaghan

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994.


TUE 17:00 Girlies (b08r8bpy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


TUE 17:30 Small Scenes (b071x4ny)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 18:00 Simon Bovey - Slipstream (b009lw5f)
The Eagle's Nest

Barton and his team head deep behind German lines to track down a terrifying new weapon. Stars Rory Kinnear and Rachel Atkins.


TUE 18:30 Fry's English Delight (b01mdj96)
Series 5, The Story of X

Stephen Fry's X rated account of the 24th letter of the English alphabet starts in ancient Greece and ends with exploitation movies carrying X ratings. On the way we hear the truth about how x was used as a signature, its place in algebra, marketing and medicine, and with the help of Mr Gyles Brandreth why X is a mixed blessing in the English version of Scrabble.

We venture into the unknown with the story of physicist Willhelm Roentgen who discovered an odd luminescent ray that appeared to have immoral properties, and Mark Kermode explains to Stephen why marking movies with an X made them seem more attractive to the very audience they were designed to exclude.

And we end with some affectionate xxxx kisses on the bottom with a mathematical explanation as to how and why you gottem and what they mean, courtesy of Rene Descartes and Fats Waller.

Producer: Nick Baker
A Testbed Production for BBC Radio 4.


TUE 19:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jn7v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 19:30 The Men From the Ministry (b00ysk98)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 20:00 James Mitchell - Red File for Callan (b01mthst)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 20:30 Moving Pictures (b0076dfm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 21:00 Tales from the East (b039p33c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


TUE 21:15 Bettina Gracias - Asha's World (b007vg89)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


TUE 22:00 Small Scenes (b071x4ny)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 22:30 Revolting People (b007lrv1)
Series 2, Trying Times

Sergeant McGurk reveals why the English won the Battle of Culloden. 1770 America sitcom stars Andy Hamilton. From April 2001.


TUE 23:00 Simon Evans Goes to Market (b0435p0k)
Series 1, Land

How do you make economics funny? How do you put the comedy in commodity? Simon Evans has the answer in this new series which asks us to get involved in investment.

Rather than being cowed by an apparently complicated and overwhelming system, Simon jumps right in. He takes as his focus four commodities which are so intrinsic to our lives they have an almost elemental significance - land, gold, oil and grain. Yet, despite the fact we encounter them everywhere we look, very few people have been able to build a fortune on them.

All that's about to change as, Simon enlists help from the experts. Each week he will be joined by Tim Harford, Merryn Somerset Webb and a guest specialist as they examine the chequered social and economic histories of these commodities. By looking at four such fundamental products, Simon brings us to a closer understanding of how global economic forces have a far-reaching and often surprising impact on our lives.

In this first episode, Simon looks at Land. How did it come to be traded, why we think bricks and mortar are a safe investment and who really owns the land we buy.
Performed by ..... Simon Evans, with regular guests Tim Harford and Merryn Somerset-Webb, and Land expert Kevin Cahill
Written by ..... Simon Evans with Benjamin Partridge, Guy Venables, Andy Wolton
Producer ..... Tilusha Ghelani.


TUE 23:30 Twenty Players (b06g65m6)
Series 1, Doug and Demelza Davidson

Forgotten sporting heroes. David Vine tells the story of Britain's most intrepid mixed lugers. From May 1995.


TUE 23:45 Steven Appleby's Normal Life (b00807sc)
Series 1, Normal Kids

The cartoonist unearths an alien conspiracy to turn the world into a holiday camp for kids. Stars Paul McCrink. From August 2001.



WEDNESDAY 24 MAY 2017

WED 00:00 Simon Bovey - Slipstream (b009lw5f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Tuesday]


WED 00:30 Fry's English Delight (b01mdj96)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Tuesday]


WED 01:00 James Mitchell - Red File for Callan (b01mthst)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]


WED 01:30 Moving Pictures (b0076dfm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]


WED 02:00 15 Minute Drama (b01sm6ry)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]


WED 02:15 Life at 24 Frames a Second (b00xpp4x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Tuesday]


WED 02:30 The Forsyte Saga (b06z2h3n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]


WED 02:45 Book of the Week (b03h2rdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Tuesday]


WED 03:00 The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks (b00l6l5l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]


WED 04:00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (b008vnz5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Tuesday]


WED 04:30 Ballylenon (b00ft0t2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Tuesday]


WED 05:00 Girlies (b08r8bpy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]


WED 05:30 Small Scenes (b071x4ny)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]


WED 06:00 Dick Francis (b007m9f7)
Proof, Episode 1

The champagne is flowing at a party thrown by racehorse trainer Jack Haythorne, when tragedy strikes. But is it just an accident..?

Dick Francis's thriller dramatised in eight parts by Ernest Dudley.

Stars Nigel Havers as Tony Beach, George Parsons as Gerard, Jennifer Piercey as Flora, Tim Reynolds as Fulham, Pauline Letts as Mrs Fulham, Alan Dudley as Jack, Andrew Branch as Jimmy, Stephen Hattersley as Sgt. Ridger and Manning Wilson as Chief Sup. Wilson.

Director: Matthew Walters

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1987.


WED 06:30 The Sad Story of Jim Thorpe (b01kbhjt)

This programme explores the sad and controversial life of Jim Thorpe - the American Indian who was the star of the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, where the Swedish King famously told him 'Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world'.

Thorpe had grown up on the Sac and Fox Indian reservation in Oklahoma and then, as a teenager, was sent 1500 miles away to a boarding school in Pennsylvania whose purpose was to 'civilise' Indian children by eradicating their culture. Its motto was 'Kill the Indian and save the man'. The pupils were forced to wear military uniforms, have short hair, and were punished if they spoke their own languages. 'The last phase of the Indian wars was fought in the classroom', says one contributor.

Thorpe was saved by sport and became the school's great star at both athletics and American football. He's often described as the 'first international sporting superstar'. But in 1913 it came out that he had been paid a few dollars to play minor-league baseball and the elite amateurs who ran US athletics rushed to condemn him as a professional. He was summarily stripped of his medals. But the public were on his side and his status in America is that of a popular hero victimised by those in power.

He went on to become the first great professional football player, but he could never cope with fame and died in near poverty in 1953. His widow arranged for him to be buried in a small town in Pennsylvania which offered to build a memorial to him. They town even changed its name to 'Jim Thorpe', but his Indian tribe are pursuing a legal battle to have his remains returned to Oklahoma.

Producer: Mark Whitaker
A Square Dog Radio Production for BBC Radio 4.


WED 07:00 An Actor's Life for Me (b008gbwy)
Series 2, Heart Throbs

Robert Wilson lands a romantic lead role, but will it all go to his head? Stars John Gordon Sinclair. From February 1990.


WED 07:30 Rum Bunch (b08q63kz)
Series 1, Clenton

Justin Edwards, Mel Giedroyc and Dave Mounfield are in the fictional town of Clenton to perform a poorly researched reenactment of the life of Annie Oakley, the gun toting legend of the Wild West.

Due to Mel's terrible American accent, Justin has asked Clare Grogan to take on the main role - much to Mel's annoyance - while Dave is trying to boost the sales of his homemade fish paste by getting a celebrity endorsement. Things take a turn for the worse after Clare, inspired by her criminal alter ego, goes off script.

Will Mel ride to her old friends' rescue? Will they be able to understand what she says if she does?

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.


WED 08:00 The Navy Lark (b049b1nq)
Avoiding Redundancy

Pertwee is aghast to discover an oversight may end his naval career aboard HMS Troutbridge.

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 Mrs Povey, Tenniel Evans as LS Goldstein, Michael Bates as the Padre 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 December 1968.


WED 08:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jsqv)
Series 5, Around the World in 80 Days

The lad accepts a bet when challenged to copy Phileas Fogg's trip - but in far less time.

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 March 1958.


WED 09:00 Genius (b008m9jv)
Series 2, Brian Sewell

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


WED 09:30 Wally Who? (b08rbhg6)
The Whiz Kid

"I should have gone into big business years ago Eric. This is going to be a new era for me. No more fishing around in the pedal bin for used teabags. I'll be able to employ people to do that for me."

Can Wally Thornton convince his pals that his business ideas are more than just pipe dreams?

Starring Tony Brandon as Wally.

With Chris Ellison, John Jardine, Nick Maloney and Rosalind Knight.

Tony Brandon's BBC career was mainly as a disc-jockey for Radio 1 and 2 from 1967-1982, but as an actor, he also recorded the comedy series 'The Family Brandon' and 'Wally Who?'.

Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor.

Theme and incidental music by Debbie Katz.

Produced in Manchester by Mike Craig.

First broadcast on BBC Radio in November 1982.


WED 10:00 The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks (b00l74dw)
The Battle Lost and Won

Ten years have passed and Lucilla worries that she might have "gone off".

When the MP for Carlingford dies, it seems that the two contenders, Mr Ashburton and Mr Cavendish are not of that opinion.

Margaret Oliphant's humorous novel dramatised by Elizabeth Proud.

Starring Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs Oliphant, Teresa Gallagher as Lucilla Marjoribanks, Roy Hanlon as Dr Marjoribanks, Keith Drinkel as Mr Cavendish, Christopher Scott as Mr Ashburton, Elizabeth Mansfield as Barbara Lake and Nicholas Murchie as Tom Marjoribanks.

Music by Malcolm McKee.

Producer: Sue Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1992.


WED 11:00 Tales from the East (b039zdvf)
The Mustard Car

Blake Morrison's short story set in a close-knit Suffolk village, in which tensions between locals and outsiders are mounting.

This is the last in a series of stories taking their inspiration from the coast of East Anglia.

Producer: Justine Willett

Writer: Blake Morrison is a British poet and author of both fiction and non-fiction, including 'And When Did You Last See Your Father?' which won the J. R. Ackerley Prize for Autobiography, and made into a film starring Jim Broadbent and Juliet Stevenson. He has also written a study of the James Bulger murder, 'As If'. Since 2003, Morrison has been Professor of Creative and Life Writing at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He is based partly in London and Suffolk.

Reader: Poppy Miller.


WED 11:15 Afternoon Drama (b01k290b)
Jennifer Howarth - Lord Behold Us

Written by Jennifer Howarth.

Set in Birmingham 1958. Michael Cooper is 12 and it is the first assembly of a new school term. Amid hearty cheers, the headmaster Mr Gardner announces there will be a school play this term - The Merchant of Venice directed by charismatic English teacher Mr Dawson.

Michael accompanies his friend Grayling to the auditions and lands himself a small acting role as well as singing a song.

Michael's sister Pat goes to a different school but wishes she was at Michael's school. She loves the theatre but her school doesn't do proper plays.

Their father is a lawyer in the Courts service - a successful, handsome man, who is dismissive of Michael's abilities and ridicules his ideas and interests. He is also a governor at Michael's school.

One evening Michael's father is visited by the headmaster and a fellow governor and some shocking news about Mr Dawson is revealed. Mr Cooper wants him sacked with immediate effect but the headmaster wants to stand by him - an extraordinary Headmaster for such bigoted times.

Cast:
Pat ....... Bryony Hannah
Michael ....... George Hill
Mr Dawson ....... Tom Riley
Father ....... Peter Wight
Mother ....... Jenny Funnell
Mr Gardner/Robert ...... Nicholas Boulton
Frank ....... Kim Wall
Grayling ....... Nicholas West
Janet ...... Cara Baker
Anderson ...... James Anderson

Director: Celia De Wolff
A Pier Production For BBC Radio 4.


WED 12:00 The Navy Lark (b049b1nq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jsqv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


WED 13:00 Dick Francis (b007m9f7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


WED 13:30 The Sad Story of Jim Thorpe (b01kbhjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


WED 14:00 15 Minute Drama (b01sm71d)
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, This Really Happened

By Anne Tyler dramatised by Rebecca Lenkiewicz

Episode Eight - This Really Happened

Cody's son Luke makes the journey to Baltimore and the Homesick Restaurant.

Director: David Hunter.


WED 14:15 Life at 24 Frames a Second (b00xw155)
Happy Endings

Critic and writer David Thomson goes in search of happiness on the big screen in his personal history of cinema.
Episode 8: Happy Endings.

Escaping into the world of flickering dreams, finding happiness over the rainbow, and realizing that everything is going to be all right in the end is one of cinema's most powerful allures. But is the chase more appealing than the pay off?

Producer: Mark Burman.


WED 14:30 The Forsyte Saga (b06z2tj3)
The Forsytes, Episode 4

John Galsworthy's epic novels of sex, money and power in an upper class family.
Dramatised for radio by Shaun McKenna

Past scandals come back to haunt the present. It's been 12 years since the breakdown of his marriage and Soames Forsyte wants a son.

Original music composed by Neil Brand

Produced and directed by Gemma Jenkins

Over the next 2 years, BBC Radio 4 is broadcasting a new dramatisation of all 9 books in John Galsworthy's The Forsyte Saga. An epic tale of sex, money and power in the lives of an upper middle-class family in London, it spans 50 years from 1886 to 1936.

Today's play marks the start of the second novel, "In Chancery".

The story continues every day this week in the 15 Minute Drama slot and concludes in the Saturday Drama at 1430.

Award-winning writers Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan are dramatising the complete novels and Interludes and have taken a new approach to the books - delving deeper behind the Edwardian façade to bring more of Galsworthy's wonderful insight, wit and observation from the page. Although focussed on the period in which they were written - in the first 20 years of the 20th century - the novels feel remarkably contemporary and have much to reveal of our own world and inner lives.

Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife, Jericho) takes a central role as narrator, with Juliet Aubrey playing Irene and Joseph Millson, Soames. Later in the series they are joined by Jonathan Bailey, Max Bennett and Ben Lambert.

The Producers are Marion Nancarrow and Gemma Jenkins.


WED 14:45 Book of the Week (b03h3l0p)
The Letters of John F Kennedy, Episode 3

Letters to and from President Kennedy are published in book form and edited by Martin W Sandler to mark fifty years since the assassination of 1963. And a selection, abridged in five episodes by Penny Leicester, reveal the drama and tension to do with American foreign policy. Other letters reveal Kennedy's wit and warmth when contacting friends and members of the public:

3. In the early 60's Kennedy is starkly reminded of events in Vietnam. He also jokes with a friend about the worth of his signature - and how to make more out of it!

Readers Colin Stinton, Richard Laing, Trevor White and Stephen Greif.

Producer Duncan Minshull.


WED 15:00 The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks (b00l74dw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


WED 16:00 Genius (b008m9jv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


WED 16:30 Wally Who? (b08rbhg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


WED 17:00 An Actor's Life for Me (b008gbwy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


WED 17:30 Rum Bunch (b08q63kz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


WED 18:00 Simon Bovey - Slipstream (b009m2ff)
The Tomorrow World

Barton and the team have found the Germans' secret weapon. But what exactly is it? Stars Rory Kinnear and Tim McMullan.


WED 18:30 Off the Page (b011zzhl)
Pleasure and Pain of Public Transport

The three contributors to this edition of Off the Page are all seasoned travellers who know very well both the pleasures and the pain of public transport. Ian Marchant wanted to write a book about inland waterways but was persuaded to write about trains instead and while researching that he fell in love with the idea of the railway; poet Lavinia Greenlaw has been making a sound installation based on comments overheard at a station; and writer and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe has never owned a car. But presenter Dominic Arkwright throws a spanner in the works when he reveals a loathing for public transport and that he will go to any length to avoid it.

Producer Paul Dodgson.


WED 19:00 The Navy Lark (b049b1nq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


WED 19:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jsqv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


WED 20:00 Dick Francis (b007m9f7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


WED 20:30 The Sad Story of Jim Thorpe (b01kbhjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


WED 21:00 Tales from the East (b039zdvf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


WED 21:15 Afternoon Drama (b01k290b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


WED 22:00 Rum Bunch (b08q63kz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


WED 22:30 Goodness Gracious Me (b007jwpj)
Series 2, Episode 2

The Marriage Emporium running low on Indian brides - and "Fifty Ways To Leave Your Mother".

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.


WED 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b08s8645)

The best in contemporary comedy. Cariad Lloyd chats to stand up Jayde Adams.


WED 23:00 Lionel Nimrod's Inexplicable World (b007r4mj)
Series 1, Death and the Afterlife

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


WED 23:30 Weak at the Top (b00rmygl)
Series 1, Smoked Meat

Mean marketing director John Weak battles to roll out an urgent global website. Stars Alexander Armstrong. From September 2005.



THURSDAY 25 MAY 2017

THU 00:00 Simon Bovey - Slipstream (b009m2ff)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Wednesday]


THU 00:30 Off the Page (b011zzhl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Wednesday]


THU 01:00 Dick Francis (b007m9f7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]


THU 01:30 The Sad Story of Jim Thorpe (b01kbhjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]


THU 02:00 15 Minute Drama (b01sm71d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]


THU 02:15 Life at 24 Frames a Second (b00xw155)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Wednesday]


THU 02:30 The Forsyte Saga (b06z2tj3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]


THU 02:45 Book of the Week (b03h3l0p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Wednesday]


THU 03:00 The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks (b00l74dw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]


THU 04:00 Genius (b008m9jv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Wednesday]


THU 04:30 Wally Who? (b08rbhg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Wednesday]


THU 05:00 An Actor's Life for Me (b008gbwy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]


THU 05:30 Rum Bunch (b08q63kz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]


THU 06:00 Dick Francis (b007mb1q)
Proof, Episode 2

In the tragedy's aftermath, Tony Beach goes wine and whisky tasting in the cause of criminal investigation. Stars Nigel Havers.


THU 06:30 The Music Factory (b00769jq)

BBC institution Music While You Work was created to give wartime productivity a boost. Russell Davies taps his foot to a national audio treasure. From September 2002.


THU 07:00 Street and Lane (b00vdbvk)
Series 1, Singing Detectives

The intrepid Yorkshire builders take on work experience Tina, but how will the lass do? Stars Nick Lane. From September 2005.


THU 07:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b05w000p)
Series 10, My Companion

In his continuing quest for somewhere to live, Ed finds himself living in an empty phoneshop, the occupation of which the council hopes will encourage the stakeholders to engage with their creativity. Far from enticing people in to attend 'slam poetry events' Ed has other things on his mind when he and his ex-wife Janet decide to attend the funeral of an old friend - together. Their children are not happy at this prospect, and neither is Elgar when he's left at a cattery called 'Southpaws'.

Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas.

Produced by Dawn Ellis.

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


THU 08:00 Marriage Lines (b04nqbmh)
Series 1, Four-Part Harmony

Whilst George is in the pub, Kate worries about what he's really up to...

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 Heather Chasen, Geoffrey Matthews, Jo Kendall and Nigel Graham.

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.


THU 08:30 Benny Hill (b08rbw5t)
Benny Hill Time

Benny Hill seeks romance in a rowing boat and tries to get a handle on bank robbery.

With Peter Vernon, Jan Waters and Patricia Hayes.

Music from Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson with The Hill Time Band conducted by Malcolm Lockyer.

Scripted by Benny Hill.

Producer: John Browell

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1965.


THU 09:00 Guess What? (b068bf83)
Episode 10

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


THU 09:30 Such Rotten Luck (b01p3l1r)
Series 1, A Touch of the Whatsits

Woodhouse may have to face life alone. Comedy-drama starring Tim Pigott-Smith and Zoe Wanamaker. From September 1989.


THU 10:00 Arnold Bennett - Anna of the Five Towns (b01nvg46)
Episode 1

Arnold Bennett's powerful story of love, tyranny and rebellion set against the vitality and harshness of life in the Staffordshire Potteries in the late nineteenth century, dramatised by Helen Edmundson.

Brought up in the repressive tradition of Methodism by her miserly father, Anna Tellwright dreams of independence and freedom. On coming of age she learns that she is to inherit a fortune and realises that she is loved by the charismatic Henry Mynors. But with the money comes responsibility and a growing bond with one of her tenants William Price.

Anna.....Charlotte Riley
Tellwright.....David Schofield
Young Agnes.....Emilia Harker
William Price.....Michael Socha
Titus Price.....James Masters
Henry Mynors.....Lee Williams
Beatrice/Older Agnes.....Rosina Carbone
Mrs Sutton.....Olwen May
Revivalist.....Andrew Westfield
Sarah Vodrey.....Jacqueline Redgwell

Directed by Nadia Molinari.


THU 11:00 Feminine Mystiques (b037jn8q)
Mink

By Marina Warner
Read by Emma Fielding

Fifty years since the first publication of Betty Friedan's seminal feminist work The Feminine Mystique, Radio 4 has commissioned three leading writers to celebrate her influence in new short stories exploring the contemporary feminist landscape.

Emma Fielding reads the first story in this series, by award winning writer and mythographer Marina Warner. Just as some of Angela Carter's short stories from The Bloody Chamber were first published in high fashion magazine Vogue, and Carter's retelling of fable and myth turned on the original meaning of 'glamour' as a spell, Marina Warner explores feminine mystique through a housewife in the 1950s who weaves hope and freedom into her longing for a mink coat.

Marina Warner has written novels, short stories and non-fiction centering around women and the imagery and iconography they conjure for more than thirty years.

The other writers in the series are British-Sierra Leonean novelist Aminatta Forna, winner of the Commonwealth Writers Prize and judge of the Man Booker International Prize, with a surreal and wryly humourous contemporary story read by Doon MacKichan, and Sarah Hall, one of Granta's Best Young British Novelists 2013, who brings us a story set in a dystopian near future, read by Francesca Dymond.

Producer: Allegra McIlroy.


THU 11:15 Afternoon Drama (b01k2bvz)
Douglas Livingstone - Road to the Borders

Written by Douglas Livingstone.

Road to the Borders is set in Hawick over the weekend of the Reivers' Festival - a few days when the deeds of the reivers (dictionary definition: one who makes raids or plunders) are celebrated.

Until James I & VI united England and Scotland the reivers ruled the Borders, stealing their neighbours' cattle and exacting revenge for the raids they suffered themselves. Hamish is as English as they come, but his father was born in the Borders and Jim's pride in his ancestry becomes more marked the older he becomes. As he looks back with regret to the rules that governed his forbears, he wishes his son could be more like the reivers of old.

Road to the Borders is the sixth play in the Road series, in which writer Douglas Livingstone and director Jane Morgan team up at an event. The particular sounds are recorded and the atmosphere absorbed before Douglas writes the play. On this occasion, he responded to the romance and melodrama of the story of the reivers and the fact that his own father was a Scot played some part in the making of the play.

Producer/Director: Jane Morgan
A Unique production for BBC Radio 4.


THU 12:00 Marriage Lines (b04nqbmh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


THU 12:30 Benny Hill (b08rbw5t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


THU 13:00 Dick Francis (b007mb1q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


THU 13:30 The Music Factory (b00769jq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


THU 14:00 15 Minute Drama (b01snjpw)
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Apple Apple

By Anne Tyler dramatised by Rebecca Lenkiewicz

Episode Nine - Apple Apple

Glimpses of happiness are found in the youthful diaries of the now blind Pearl.

Director: David Hunter.


THU 14:15 Life at 24 Frames a Second (b00xw272)
The Last Flight

Critic and writer David Thomson nears the end of his journey through the power of cinema. Episode 9: The Last Flight.

Flight begins almost at the same moment as the motion picture camera cranks into life and many of its early directors had themselves taken to the air to experience the tumult of the clouds. Flying on film, the camera swooping through space, promise escape. It is close to a dream. The dream of total immersion as we enter the screen and lose ourselves, perhaps forever.

Producer: Mark Burman.


THU 14:30 The Forsyte Saga (b06z4w7z)
The Forsytes, Episode 5

John Galsworthy's epic novels of sex, money and power in an upper class family.
Dramatised for radio by Shaun McKenna

With divorce on his mind, Soames Forsyte prepares to meet his estranged wife Irene for the first time in 12 years.

Original music composed by Neil Brand

Produced and directed by Gemma Jenkins

Over the next 2 years, BBC Radio 4 is broadcasting a new dramatisation of all 9 books in John Galsworthy's The Forsyte Saga. An epic tale of sex, money and power in the lives of an upper middle-class family in London, it spans 50 years from 1886 to 1936.

Today's play is from the second novel, "In Chancery".

The story continues every day this week in the 15 Minute Drama slot and concludes in the Saturday Drama at 1430.

Award-winning writers Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan are dramatising the complete novels and Interludes and have taken a new approach to the books - delving deeper behind the Edwardian façade to bring more of Galsworthy's wonderful insight, wit and observation from the page. Although focussed on the period in which they were written - in the first 20 years of the 20th century - the novels feel remarkably contemporary and have much to reveal of our own world and inner lives.

Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife, Jericho) takes a central role as narrator, with Juliet Aubrey playing Irene and Joseph Millson, Soames. Later in the series they are joined by Jonathan Bailey, Max Bennett and Ben Lambert.

The Producers are Marion Nancarrow and Gemma Jenkins.


THU 14:45 Book of the Week (b03h6px7)
The Letters of John F Kennedy, Episode 4

Letters to and from President Kennedy are published in book form and edited by Martin W Sandler to mark fifty years since the assassination of 1963. And a selection, abridged in five episodes by Penny Leicester, reveal the drama and tensions to do with American foreign policy. Other letters reveal Kennedy's wit and warmth when contacting friends and members of the public:

4. During the Berlin Crisis of 1961, the leaders of America and the Soviet Union agreed to communicate with letters that were 'personal and private'. Refreshingly, their respective tones were different to official missives. Kennedy also received thanks from Elizabeth II.

Readers Colin Stinton, Richard Laing, Stephen Greif and Kelly Burke

Producer Duncan Minshull.


THU 15:00 Arnold Bennett - Anna of the Five Towns (b01nvg46)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


THU 16:00 Guess What? (b068bf83)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


THU 16:30 Such Rotten Luck (b01p3l1r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


THU 17:00 Street and Lane (b00vdbvk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


THU 17:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b05w000p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


THU 18:00 Simon Bovey - Slipstream (b009m464)
This Island Earth

Things can't get much worse for Barton and his team in their wartime efforts. Or can they? Stars Rory Kinnear and Tim McMullan.


THU 18:30 Great Lives (b00js9g1)
Series 18, Sir Thomas Beecham

Matthew Parris presents the biographical series in which his guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

Politician and broadcaster David Mellor promotes the life of Sir Thomas Beecham, conductor and founder of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He was known for his wit and energy, which spawned a huge number of anecdotes, but which of them are true?


THU 19:00 Marriage Lines (b04nqbmh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


THU 19:30 Benny Hill (b08rbw5t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


THU 20:00 Dick Francis (b007mb1q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


THU 20:30 The Music Factory (b00769jq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


THU 21:00 Feminine Mystiques (b037jn8q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


THU 21:15 Afternoon Drama (b01k2bvz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


THU 22:00 Ed Reardon's Week (b05w000p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


THU 22:30 Helen Keen's It Is Rocket Science (b01hkz33)
Series 2, Episode 1

Helen Keen stars alongside Peter Serafinowicz and Susy Kane for a second series of the factually-correct but funny exploration of the science and history of space travel. This week examines the Fermi paradox - if the universe is really infinite it should contain infinite life, and yet we have had no contact from alien civilisations. It also takes a look at different ideas through history of what life might be like on other planets, and some of the more surprising suggestions scientists have had on how to get in touch with it, from giant burning parallelograms in the Sahara to sending nude pictures into space....

Written by Helen Keen and Miriam Underhill
Produced by Garth Edwards.


THU 22:45 Where Did It All Go Wrong? (b0076qhy)
Series 2, The True Confessions of Sherlock Holmes II

4 Extra Debut. Sherlock Holmes wants the limelight again and chases after a German Count. Written and performed by Simon Munnery. From February 2005.


THU 23:00 The Comedy Club Interviews (b08s86c2)

The best in contemporary comedy. Cariad Lloyd chats again to stand up Jayde Adams.


THU 23:05 Rubbish (b00899qv)
Series 2, Surveillance

Comedy series by Tony Bagley about Martin Christmas, local government officer, cynic and manic depressive.

4/6. Surveillance

While testing out his latest initiative, a tannoy system that works in conjunction with the CCTV system, Martin becomes its next victim. Will he be able to clear his name?

Martin ...... Reece Dinsdale
Barney ...... Matthew Cottle
John ...... Neil Dudgeon
Banks/Binbagger ...... Ewan Bailey
Tannoy ...... Martin Trenaman.


THU 23:30 The Mitch Benn Music Show (b007v1p5)
Series 1, Episode 4

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



FRIDAY 26 MAY 2017

FRI 00:00 Simon Bovey - Slipstream (b009m464)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Thursday]


FRI 00:30 Great Lives (b00js9g1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Thursday]


FRI 01:00 Dick Francis (b007mb1q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]


FRI 01:30 The Music Factory (b00769jq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]


FRI 02:00 15 Minute Drama (b01snjpw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]


FRI 02:15 Life at 24 Frames a Second (b00xw272)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Thursday]


FRI 02:30 The Forsyte Saga (b06z4w7z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]


FRI 02:45 Book of the Week (b03h6px7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Thursday]


FRI 03:00 Arnold Bennett - Anna of the Five Towns (b01nvg46)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]


FRI 04:00 Guess What? (b068bf83)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Thursday]


FRI 04:30 Such Rotten Luck (b01p3l1r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Thursday]


FRI 05:00 Street and Lane (b00vdbvk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]


FRI 05:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b05w000p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]


FRI 06:00 Dick Francis (b007mcnx)
Proof, Episode 3

The fraud plot thickens, as Tony Beach meets the boss of whisky hauliers Charter Carriers. Stars Nigel Havers.


FRI 06:30 Stone Age Sound (b007635r)

Can sound solve the mysteries of the 5000-year-old Neolithic grave at Newgrange in Ireland? With Joanna Pinnock. From July 2001.


FRI 07:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jv6z)
Sonning, I'll Definitely Meet You in Sonning

Mark and his manic mutt are rowing up the Thames, but will Jennifer ever come on board? Stars Timothy Spall. From December 1992.


FRI 07:30 Sketchorama (b01k2h1q)
Series 1, Episode 1

Award-winning character comedian and doyen of sketch comedy Humphrey Ker presents the pick of the best live sketch groups currently performing on the UK comedy circuit in this brand new showcase - with character, improv, broken and musical sketch comedy.

Humphrey Ker is himself an established sketch performer, writer, actor and comedian who won the Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh festival in 2011. For five years he was part of the much-loved sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls, with whom he wrote and performed in a string of Edinburgh festival smashes, two series on BBC7 and two plays for Radio 4.

The sketch groups featured in episode one of Sketchorama are:

Delete the Banjax: Writer/performers Caroline May-Jones, Daniel Cook, Gareth Cooper and Samuel Champion. They've enjoyed three critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, picking up a ThreeWeeks Editors Award at Ed Fringe 2010 and, with their charmingly chaotic performance style, have become one of the most talked about comedy acts on the circuit.

Lady Garden: The all-female group are Beattie Edmondson, Rose Johnson, Eleanor Thom and Camille Ucan. Since their Edinburgh debut in 2008, their fast-paced shows filled with fantastic character creations have received widespread praise from audiences and critics alike.

Idiots of Ants: Andrew Spiers, Elliott Tiney, Benjamin Wilson and James Wrighton. Since forming in 2007, they have gone on to sell-out four Edinburgh festivals and a run in London's prestigious West End. They have attracted a staggeringly large internet following, with their 'Facebook in real life' and 'Wii Breakfast' sketches achieving multi-million hits.

Producer: Gus Beattie
A Comedy Unit production for BBC Radio 4.


FRI 08:00 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00rxf3m)
Series 3, Episode 4

The Archers sell up - and Admiral Lord Nelson's diary.

More quick-fire sketches, terrible puns, humorous songs and parodies.

Stars Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Cleese, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie.

Written by John Esmond and Bob Larbey, Graeme Garden, Eric Idle, David & Peter Lund and Bill Oddie.

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 Dave Lee and Bill Oddie.

Producer: Humphrey Barclay

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in April 1966.


FRI 08:30 Doctor at Large (b009544m)
Women on Board

Seasick ship's doctor Simon Sparrow takes a shine to the company chairman's daughter...

The misadventures of newly qualified doctor, Simon Sparrow - adapted for radio by Ray Cooney from Richard Gordon's 'Doctor at Large' published in 1955.

Starring Richard Briers as Simon Sparrow, Geoffrey Sumner as Sir Lancelot Spratt, Ray Cooney as Jock Hornby, Peter Jones as Easter, Joan Sanderson as Edna Swithenbank and Norma Ronald as Wendy Swithenbank.

Producer: David Hatch

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1969.


FRI 09:00 The 3rd Degree (b07bbbjp)
Series 6, The University of Gloucestershire

A funny and dynamic quiz show hosted by Steve Punt - this week from the University of Gloucestershire with specialist subjects including Biosciences, Media and Religious Studies and questions ranging from Betjeman to BB King via Botham and brass instruments.

The programme is recorded on location at a different University each week, and it pits three Undergraduates against three of their Professors in an original and fresh take on an academic quiz.

The rounds vary between Specialist Subjects and General Knowledge, quickfire bell-and-buzzer rounds and the Highbrow and Lowbrow round cunningly devised to test not only the students' knowledge of current affairs, history, languages and science, but also their Professors' awareness of television, sport, and quite possibly Justin Bieber. In addition, the Head-to-Head rounds see students take on their Professors in their own subjects, offering plenty of scope for mild embarrassment on both sides.

Other Universities featured in this series include Chester, York, Birmingham City, Bath and Glasgow.

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


FRI 09:30 No Commitments (b007gz65)
Series 13, New Beginnings

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

6/6. New Beginnings

Can all the loose ends be tied up in time?

Anna ...... Rosemary Leach
Victoria ...... Angela Thorne
Charlotte ...... Felicity Montagu
Emily ...... Lisa Coleman
Eddie ...... James Green
Nick ...... Kieran Hill
George ...... Bruce Alexander
Roger ...... Jonathan Coy.


FRI 10:00 Arnold Bennett - Anna of the Five Towns (b01nvmwm)
Episode 2

Arnold Bennett's powerful story of love, tyranny and rebellion set against the vitality and harshness of life in the Staffordshire Potteries in the late nineteenth, dramatised by Helen Edmundson.

Having inherited a fortune on her twenty first birthday Anna Tellwright begins to gain independence and freedom. But on her return from an eventful holiday with the Suttons and Henry Mynors her joy is marred by some shocking news about one of her tenant's Titus Price. Anna's growing concern for his son William leads her to a defiant act that threatens everything.

Anna.....Charlotte Riley
Tellwright.....David Schofield
Young Agnes.....Emilia Harker
William Price.....Michael Socha
Henry Mynors.....Lee Williams
Beatrice/Older Agnes.....Rosina Carbone
Mrs Sutton.....Olwen May
Mr Sutton/Coroner.....Jonathan Keeble
Sarah Vodrey.....Jacqueline Redgwell

Directed by Nadia Molinari

Anna voyages to the Isle of Man with the Suttons where Henry proposes to her. On returning home and receiving her father's blessing, the joy of her engagement is immediately marred by news that Titus Price has hanged himself. Anna feels that she and her father are culpable, despite Henry's insistence to the contrary. Anna sees Willie, who confesses that he has been involved in forgery. Anna understands his desperation and does everything in her power to protect him and his father's reputation, risking her engagement and the wrath of her father in so doing..


FRI 11:00 Feminine Mystiques (b037v9jl)
What to Expect

By Aminatta Forna
Read by Doon MacKichan

Fifty years since the first publication of Betty Friedan's seminal feminist work The Feminine Mystique, three leading writers to celebrate her influence in new short stories exploring the contemporary feminist landscape.

Doon MacKichan reads Aminatta Forna's surreal and wryly funny contemporary story. A young woman rebels against the weight of expectation and the minute daily constraints of appropriate behaviour. A story with an unexpected and humourous twist.

Aminatta Forna is winner of the Commonwealth Writers Prize and judge of the Man Booker International Prize. She is the author of Ancestor Stones and The Hired Man

Producer: Allegra McIlroy.


FRI 11:15 Afternoon Drama (b00tt6r8)
David Nobbs - We Happened to Be Passing

It is a quiet Saturday morning in the Hinchcliffe home. Tony and Sal, tired after a week of work, have time on their hands. But not for each other. Middle aged and middle class - they haven't had kids and they still feel that emotional vacuum.

The doorbell rings. It is an American couple - Monty and Janey - a rather loud duo they stayed with in Delaware years ago. They said "If ever you happened to be passing...". Well, the Americans are passing and they have no hotel booked. To Tony's horror Sal invites them to stay. Well, it's only polite isn't it?

Once Monty and Janey are settled the doorbell goes again. It is Jan and Hilda, the Flemish Belgian couple from Bruges. They kindly helped when Janey had a migraine in Bruges. Even fed them some waterzooi (flemish stew). In gratitude Sal and Tony said - "If ever you happened to be passing."

Then the doorbell goes again - it is Pierre and Colette, French Belgians who helped them in Namur when Sal was sick over a Saab because she had eaten some cloying Flemish stew. In gratitude they said - "If ever you happened to be passing."

So - polite Tony and Sal have a house full. The Americans are loud and pompous and the Belgians loathe each other. But when Colette and Jan find themselves drawn to one another, the ensuing, messy crisis precipitates a reassessment of all the couples' pattern of a behaviour.

A wonderfully perceptive comedy of manners and international relations by David Nobbs - writer of 'The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin' and 'A Bit of a Do'

Directed by Gary Brown.


FRI 12:00 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00rxf3m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


FRI 12:30 Doctor at Large (b009544m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


FRI 13:00 Dick Francis (b007mcnx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


FRI 13:30 Stone Age Sound (b007635r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


FRI 14:00 15 Minute Drama (b01snxsf)
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Dinner

By Anne Tyler dramatised by Rebecca Lenkiewicz

Episode Ten - Dinner

Home truths are aired at the final family dinner.

Director: David Hunter.


FRI 14:15 Life at 24 Frames a Second (b00xw5mw)
Fade to Black

For the past two weeks the film critic and writer David Thomson has taken his own highly idiosyncratic journey through the power and magic of cinema. But now he considers whether, under the relentless spread of visual media, and in the age of instant delivery, the dream palaces are places to dream anymore. Episode 10: Fade to Black.

Producer: Mark Burman.


FRI 14:30 The Forsyte Saga (b06z5g7g)
The Forsytes, Episode 6

John Galsworthy's epic novels of sex, money and power in an upper class family.
Dramatised for radio by Shaun McKenna

Soames is determined to win back his estranged wife Irene. His relentless pursuit of her brings him into conflict with his cousin Jo, threatening a new family rift.

Original music composed by Neil Brand

Produced and directed by Gemma Jenkins

Over the next 2 years, BBC Radio 4 is broadcasting a new dramatisation of all 9 books in John Galsworthy's The Forsyte Saga. An epic tale of sex, money and power in the lives of an upper middle-class family in London, it spans 50 years from 1886 to 1936.

Today's play is from the second novel, "In Chancery".

The story continues every day this week in the 15 Minute Drama slot and concludes in the Saturday Drama at 1430.

Award-winning writers Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan are dramatising the complete novels and Interludes and have taken a new approach to the books - delving deeper behind the Edwardian façade to bring more of Galsworthy's wonderful insight, wit and observation from the page. Although focussed on the period in which they were written - in the first 20 years of the 20th century - the novels feel remarkably contemporary and have much to reveal of our own world and inner lives.

Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife, Jericho) takes a central role as narrator, with Juliet Aubrey playing Irene and Joseph Millson, Soames. Later in the series they are joined by Jonathan Bailey, Max Bennett and Ben Lambert.

The Producers are Marion Nancarrow and Gemma Jenkins.


FRI 14:45 Book of the Week (b03h7grj)
The Letters of John F Kennedy, Episode 5

Letters to and from President Kennedy are published in book form and edited by Martin W Sandler to mark fifty years since the assassination of 1963. And a selection, abridged in five episodes by Penny Leicester, reveal the drama and tensions to do with American foreign policy. Other letters reveal Kennedy's wit and warmth when contacting friends and family:

5. Kennedy receives a vivid communique from his advisor JK Galbraith about the practicalities of shelter during nuclear attack. Later he writes to the British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan - words of social nicety and trepidation about the Russians.

Readers Colin Stinton, Richard Laing, Peter Marinker and Trevor White

Producer Duncan Minshull.


FRI 15:00 Arnold Bennett - Anna of the Five Towns (b01nvmwm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


FRI 16:00 The 3rd Degree (b07bbbjp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


FRI 16:30 No Commitments (b007gz65)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


FRI 17:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jv6z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


FRI 17:30 Sketchorama (b01k2h1q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


FRI 18:00 Simon Bovey - Slipstream (b009mbjn)
Fight for the Future

Jurgen and Kate are desperate to get the weapon away before all is lost. Stars Rory Kinnear and Rachel Atkins.


FRI 18:30 Soul Music (b036v094)
Series 16, Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

The hymn 'Make Me a Channel of Your Peace' found its way into weddings, funerals and school assemblies and in this week's 'Soul Music' we hear how it has also embedded itself into the hearts of peace campaigners, charity workers and reformed alcoholics.

The simplicity of this hymn often belies the challenges at its heart. Its lyrics call for unconditional love and forgiveness in the toughest situations. The words are based on a poem which has often been attributed to St Francis of Assisi. However, Franciscan Historian, Dr Christian Renoux, suggests it was most likely to have been written by an anonymous French noble women.

The poem travelled across the globe with translations published during the first and second world wars, subsequently bringing inspiration to public figures ranging from Mother Theresa to President Roosevelt.

In 1967 it caught the eye of South African born musician and 'yogi' Sebastian Temple who put these words to its most famous musical arrangement. It's Sebastian's version that was played at Princess Diana's funeral and that has also touched the hearts of millions worldwide.

Mathew Neville of children's charity 'World Vision' recalls his encounter with this hymn in the Democratic Republic of Congo, whilst closer to home Wendy and Colin Parry share their memories of this music and the role it played in remembering their son Tim, who was killed in the 1993 Warrington Bombings.

In Minnesota former lawyer Mike Donohue reflects on how this hymn has guided him on a journey through alcohol abuse and dementia and Sarah Hershberg remembers her good friend Sebastian Temple, who first played this simple hymn in her front room before it went on to travel the world.


FRI 19:00 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00rxf3m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


FRI 19:30 Doctor at Large (b009544m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


FRI 20:00 Dick Francis (b007mcnx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


FRI 20:30 Stone Age Sound (b007635r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


FRI 21:00 The Forsyte Saga (b06zh1dw)
The Forsytes, Episode 7

From the novels of John Galsworthy
Dramatised for radio by Shaun McKenna

Irene has fled to Paris to escape her husband, Soames, who now has a private detective watching her every move.
But even Soames cannot control the secrets and changes which are rolling towards the Forsytes.

Original music composed by Neil Brand

Produced and directed by Marion Nancarrow

This Saturday Drama concludes "In Chancery", the second book of "The Forsytes". We pick up the story again in April.


FRI 22:00 Sketchorama (b01k2h1q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


FRI 22:30 Laura Solon: Talking and Not Talking (b00bg3gf)
Series 2, Episode 1

The comedy award-winner finds 1001 uses for peas, misses a meeting and shuns a caravan owner. With Ben Moor. From May 2008.


FRI 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b08sqmqv)

The best in contemporary comedy. Arthur Smith chats to Tom Ward.


FRI 23:00 Bleak Expectations (b00djnq3)
Series 1, A Life Sadly Smashed Then, Happily, Restored a Bit

Pip lands in court - can a friend save the day? Mark Evans's Dickensian spoof stars Richard Johnson. From September 2007.


FRI 23:30 Chain Reaction (b00kwdsm)
Series 1, Jenny Eclair Interviews Jimmy Carr

Feisty comedienne, Jenny Éclair and deadpan funny man, Jimmy Carr in the tag talk show, where this week's guest turns interviewer in the next show.

Producer Tilusha Ghelani

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004.




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

15 Minute Drama 02:00 SAT (b01sjn57)

15 Minute Drama 14:00 MON (b01slvmv)

15 Minute Drama 02:00 TUE (b01slvmv)

15 Minute Drama 14:00 TUE (b01sm6ry)

15 Minute Drama 02:00 WED (b01sm6ry)

15 Minute Drama 14:00 WED (b01sm71d)

15 Minute Drama 02:00 THU (b01sm71d)

15 Minute Drama 14:00 THU (b01snjpw)

15 Minute Drama 02:00 FRI (b01snjpw)

15 Minute Drama 14:00 FRI (b01snxsf)

A Good Read 18:30 MON (b0076l3r)

A Good Read 00:30 TUE (b0076l3r)

Admissions: A Life in Brain Surgery 09:00 SUN (b08r468y)

Admissions: A Life in Brain Surgery 20:00 SUN (b08r468y)

Afternoon Drama 11:15 WED (b01k290b)

Afternoon Drama 21:15 WED (b01k290b)

Afternoon Drama 11:15 THU (b01k2bvz)

Afternoon Drama 21:15 THU (b01k2bvz)

Afternoon Drama 11:15 FRI (b00tt6r8)

Alan Plater - The Gallery 11:15 MON (b01p98gb)

Alan Plater - The Gallery 21:15 MON (b01p98gb)

Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section 22:30 SAT (b01rl1y3)

An Actor's Life for Me 07:00 WED (b008gbwy)

An Actor's Life for Me 17:00 WED (b008gbwy)

An Actor's Life for Me 05:00 THU (b008gbwy)

Arnold Bennett - Anna of the Five Towns 10:00 THU (b01nvg46)

Arnold Bennett - Anna of the Five Towns 15:00 THU (b01nvg46)

Arnold Bennett - Anna of the Five Towns 03:00 FRI (b01nvg46)

Arnold Bennett - Anna of the Five Towns 10:00 FRI (b01nvmwm)

Arnold Bennett - Anna of the Five Towns 15:00 FRI (b01nvmwm)

Ballylenon 16:30 TUE (b00ft0t2)

Ballylenon 04:30 WED (b00ft0t2)

Believe It! 07:30 SUN (b03ktz0f)

Believe It! 17:30 SUN (b03ktz0f)

Believe It! 22:00 SUN (b03ktz0f)

Believe It! 05:30 MON (b03ktz0f)

Benny Hill 08:30 THU (b08rbw5t)

Benny Hill 12:30 THU (b08rbw5t)

Benny Hill 19:30 THU (b08rbw5t)

Bettina Gracias - Asha's World 11:15 TUE (b007vg89)

Bettina Gracias - Asha's World 21:15 TUE (b007vg89)

Bleak Expectations 23:00 FRI (b00djnq3)

Boogie Up the River 05:00 SAT (b007jv65)

Boogie Up the River 07:00 FRI (b007jv6z)

Boogie Up the River 17:00 FRI (b007jv6z)

Book of the Week 14:45 MON (b03gv9qx)

Book of the Week 02:45 TUE (b03gv9qx)

Book of the Week 14:45 TUE (b03h2rdl)

Book of the Week 02:45 WED (b03h2rdl)

Book of the Week 14:45 WED (b03h3l0p)

Book of the Week 02:45 THU (b03h3l0p)

Book of the Week 14:45 THU (b03h6px7)

Book of the Week 02:45 FRI (b03h6px7)

Book of the Week 14:45 FRI (b03h7grj)

Bussmann and Quantick Kingsize 23:30 SUN (b045gdqt)

Cabin Pressure 23:00 SUN (b00lxh3r)

Chain Reaction 23:30 FRI (b00kwdsm)

Charles Dickens 07:00 MON (b00rz6m8)

Charles Dickens 17:00 MON (b00rz6m8)

Charles Dickens 05:00 TUE (b00rz6m8)

Classic Toys 01:30 SAT (b0075fz2)

Colin Dexter Short Stories 07:15 SUN (b007lr7f)

Colin Dexter Short Stories 14:15 SUN (b007lr7f)

Colin Dexter Short Stories 02:15 MON (b007lr7f)

Dad's Army 12:00 SAT (b007tbwz)

Dad's Army 08:30 MON (b007jn4c)

Dad's Army 12:30 MON (b007jn4c)

Dad's Army 19:30 MON (b007jn4c)

Desert Island Discs Revisited 10:15 SUN (b08r7l3v)

Desert Island Discs Revisited 21:15 SUN (b08r7l3v)

Dick Francis 06:00 WED (b007m9f7)

Dick Francis 13:00 WED (b007m9f7)

Dick Francis 20:00 WED (b007m9f7)

Dick Francis 01:00 THU (b007m9f7)

Dick Francis 06:00 THU (b007mb1q)

Dick Francis 13:00 THU (b007mb1q)

Dick Francis 20:00 THU (b007mb1q)

Dick Francis 01:00 FRI (b007mb1q)

Dick Francis 06:00 FRI (b007mcnx)

Dick Francis 13:00 FRI (b007mcnx)

Dick Francis 20:00 FRI (b007mcnx)

Doctor Who 18:00 SAT (b08r41ft)

Doctor Who 00:00 SUN (b08r41ft)

Doctor at Large 08:30 FRI (b009544m)

Doctor at Large 12:30 FRI (b009544m)

Doctor at Large 19:30 FRI (b009544m)

Ed Reardon's Week 07:30 THU (b05w000p)

Ed Reardon's Week 17:30 THU (b05w000p)

Ed Reardon's Week 22:00 THU (b05w000p)

Ed Reardon's Week 05:30 FRI (b05w000p)

Feminine Mystiques 11:00 THU (b037jn8q)

Feminine Mystiques 21:00 THU (b037jn8q)

Feminine Mystiques 11:00 FRI (b037v9jl)

Francis Spufford - Golden Hill: Omnibus 14:30 SUN (b08r7p2s)

Francis Spufford - Golden Hill: Omnibus 02:30 MON (b08r7p2s)

Frankly Speaking 14:15 SAT (b05s8j39)

Frankly Speaking 02:15 SUN (b05s8j39)

Fry's English Delight 18:30 TUE (b01mdj96)

Fry's English Delight 00:30 WED (b01mdj96)

Genius 09:00 WED (b008m9jv)

Genius 16:00 WED (b008m9jv)

Genius 04:00 THU (b008m9jv)

Girlies 07:00 TUE (b08r8bpy)

Girlies 17:00 TUE (b08r8bpy)

Girlies 05:00 WED (b08r8bpy)

Goodness Gracious Me 22:30 WED (b007jwpj)

Great Lives 18:30 THU (b00js9g1)

Great Lives 00:30 FRI (b00js9g1)

Guess What? 09:00 THU (b068bf83)

Guess What? 16:00 THU (b068bf83)

Guess What? 04:00 FRI (b068bf83)

Hancock's Half Hour 12:30 SAT (b007jnmp)

Hancock's Half Hour 08:30 WED (b007jsqv)

Hancock's Half Hour 12:30 WED (b007jsqv)

Hancock's Half Hour 19:30 WED (b007jsqv)

Hardeep's Sunday Lunch 07:30 SAT (b01nx3ph)

Hardeep's Sunday Lunch 17:30 SAT (b01nx3ph)

Hardeep's Sunday Lunch 05:30 SUN (b01nx3ph)

Hearing With Hegley 23:45 MON (b0075sf5)

Hearing With Hegley 09:45 TUE (b0075sf5)

Helen Keen's It Is Rocket Science 22:30 THU (b01hkz33)

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again 08:00 FRI (b00rxf3m)

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again 12:00 FRI (b00rxf3m)

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again 19:00 FRI (b00rxf3m)

Inheritance Tracks 14:10 SAT (b08r40fk)

Inheritance Tracks 02:10 SUN (b08r40fk)

Inheritance Tracks 10:10 SUN (b08r7l3s)

Inheritance Tracks 21:10 SUN (b08r7l3s)

James Mitchell - Red File for Callan 01:00 SAT (b01ms576)

James Mitchell - Red File for Callan 06:00 MON (b01msf8g)

James Mitchell - Red File for Callan 13:00 MON (b01msf8g)

James Mitchell - Red File for Callan 20:00 MON (b01msf8g)

James Mitchell - Red File for Callan 01:00 TUE (b01msf8g)

James Mitchell - Red File for Callan 06:00 TUE (b01mthst)

James Mitchell - Red File for Callan 13:00 TUE (b01mthst)

James Mitchell - Red File for Callan 20:00 TUE (b01mthst)

James Mitchell - Red File for Callan 01:00 WED (b01mthst)

Just a Minute 07:30 MON (b08q4cm3)

Just a Minute 17:30 MON (b08q4cm3)

Just a Minute 22:00 MON (b08q4cm3)

Just a Minute 05:30 TUE (b08q4cm3)

Ladies of Letters 02:30 SAT (b012211j)

Ladies of Letters 06:00 SUN (b0124trd)

Ladies of Letters 13:00 SUN (b0124trd)

Ladies of Letters 01:00 MON (b0124trd)

Laura Solon: Talking and Not Talking 22:30 FRI (b00bg3gf)

Lee and Herring's Fist of Fun 23:00 SAT (b0080qgm)

Life at 24 Frames a Second 02:15 SAT (b00xhfg3)

Life at 24 Frames a Second 14:15 MON (b00xpnd2)

Life at 24 Frames a Second 02:15 TUE (b00xpnd2)

Life at 24 Frames a Second 14:15 TUE (b00xpp4x)

Life at 24 Frames a Second 02:15 WED (b00xpp4x)

Life at 24 Frames a Second 14:15 WED (b00xw155)

Life at 24 Frames a Second 02:15 THU (b00xw155)

Life at 24 Frames a Second 14:15 THU (b00xw272)

Life at 24 Frames a Second 02:15 FRI (b00xw272)

Life at 24 Frames a Second 14:15 FRI (b00xw5mw)

Lionel Nimrod's Inexplicable World 23:00 WED (b007r4mj)

Mark Gatiss - The Devil in Amber 18:30 SUN (b00vc8bl)

Mark Gatiss - The Devil in Amber 00:30 MON (b00vc8bl)

Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better 23:30 SAT (b00d45ny)

Marriage Lines 08:00 THU (b04nqbmh)

Marriage Lines 12:00 THU (b04nqbmh)

Marriage Lines 19:00 THU (b04nqbmh)

Marriott's Monologues 14:45 SAT (b00sp3xq)

Marriott's Monologues 02:45 SUN (b00sp3xq)

Miranda Hart: From Hampshire to Hollywood 09:00 SAT (b08r3xx1)

Miranda Hart: From Hampshire to Hollywood 19:00 SAT (b08r3xx1)

Moving Pictures 06:30 TUE (b0076dfm)

Moving Pictures 13:30 TUE (b0076dfm)

Moving Pictures 20:30 TUE (b0076dfm)

Moving Pictures 01:30 WED (b0076dfm)

News Quiz Extra 23:00 MON (b08r893z)

News Quiz Extra 09:00 TUE (b08r893z)

No Commitments 04:30 SAT (b007cnzv)

No Commitments 09:30 FRI (b007gz65)

No Commitments 16:30 FRI (b007gz65)

Off the Page 18:30 WED (b011zzhl)

Off the Page 00:30 THU (b011zzhl)

Poetry Extra 17:00 SUN (b08r7p2v)

Poetry Extra 05:00 MON (b08r7p2v)

Quote... Unquote 09:00 MON (b06bhw9q)

Quote... Unquote 16:00 MON (b06bhw9q)

Quote... Unquote 04:00 TUE (b06bhw9q)

Radio 9 22:30 SUN (b0421tlp)

Ray Bradbury - Tales of the Bizarre 18:00 SUN (b007jpvj)

Ray Bradbury - Tales of the Bizarre 00:00 MON (b007jpvj)

Revolting People 22:30 TUE (b007lrv1)

Rubbish 23:05 THU (b00899qv)

Rum Bunch 07:30 WED (b08q63kz)

Rum Bunch 17:30 WED (b08q63kz)

Rum Bunch 22:00 WED (b08q63kz)

Rum Bunch 05:30 THU (b08q63kz)

Simon Bovey - Slipstream 18:00 MON (b009l6sv)

Simon Bovey - Slipstream 00:00 TUE (b009l6sv)

Simon Bovey - Slipstream 18:00 TUE (b009lw5f)

Simon Bovey - Slipstream 00:00 WED (b009lw5f)

Simon Bovey - Slipstream 18:00 WED (b009m2ff)

Simon Bovey - Slipstream 00:00 THU (b009m2ff)

Simon Bovey - Slipstream 18:00 THU (b009m464)

Simon Bovey - Slipstream 00:00 FRI (b009m464)

Simon Bovey - Slipstream 18:00 FRI (b009mbjn)

Simon Evans Goes to Market 23:00 TUE (b0435p0k)

Sketchorama 07:30 FRI (b01k2h1q)

Sketchorama 17:30 FRI (b01k2h1q)

Sketchorama 22:00 FRI (b01k2h1q)

Small Scenes 07:30 TUE (b071x4ny)

Small Scenes 17:30 TUE (b071x4ny)

Small Scenes 22:00 TUE (b071x4ny)

Small Scenes 05:30 WED (b071x4ny)

Something Is Terribly Wrong 08:00 SAT (b0076hxp)

Something Is Terribly Wrong 15:00 SAT (b0076hxp)

Something Is Terribly Wrong 03:00 SUN (b0076hxp)

Soul Music 00:30 SAT (b036k8v8)

Soul Music 18:30 FRI (b036v094)

Steptoe and Son 08:00 TUE (b007jn7v)

Steptoe and Son 12:00 TUE (b007jn7v)

Steptoe and Son 19:00 TUE (b007jn7v)

Steven Appleby's Normal Life 23:45 TUE (b00807sc)

Stone Age Sound 06:30 FRI (b007635r)

Stone Age Sound 13:30 FRI (b007635r)

Stone Age Sound 20:30 FRI (b007635r)

Street and Lane 07:00 THU (b00vdbvk)

Street and Lane 17:00 THU (b00vdbvk)

Street and Lane 05:00 FRI (b00vdbvk)

Such Rotten Luck 09:30 THU (b01p3l1r)

Such Rotten Luck 16:30 THU (b01p3l1r)

Such Rotten Luck 04:30 FRI (b01p3l1r)

TED Radio Hour 11:00 SUN (b08r7lt1)

TED Radio Hour 19:00 SUN (b08r7lt1)

Tales from the East 11:00 MON (b039bg5r)

Tales from the East 21:00 MON (b039bg5r)

Tales from the East 11:00 TUE (b039p33c)

Tales from the East 21:00 TUE (b039p33c)

Tales from the East 11:00 WED (b039zdvf)

Tales from the East 21:00 WED (b039zdvf)

Ted Chiang - Understand 00:00 SAT (b007scyn)

The 3rd Degree 04:00 SAT (b079nfk8)

The 3rd Degree 09:00 FRI (b07bbbjp)

The 3rd Degree 16:00 FRI (b07bbbjp)

The Ape That Got Lucky 22:00 SAT (b008039f)

The Burkiss Way 08:00 MON (b007js2t)

The Burkiss Way 12:00 MON (b007js2t)

The Burkiss Way 19:00 MON (b007js2t)

The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks 03:00 SAT (b00l60zl)

The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks 10:00 MON (b00l6gdv)

The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks 15:00 MON (b00l6gdv)

The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks 03:00 TUE (b00l6gdv)

The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks 10:00 TUE (b00l6l5l)

The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks 15:00 TUE (b00l6l5l)

The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks 03:00 WED (b00l6l5l)

The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks 10:00 WED (b00l74dw)

The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks 15:00 WED (b00l74dw)

The Carlingford Chronicles - Miss Marjoribanks 03:00 THU (b00l74dw)

The Cazalets - Omnibus 15:45 SUN (b01ptgmp)

The Cazalets - Omnibus 03:45 MON (b01ptgmp)

The Change 09:30 MON (b0076nxd)

The Change 16:30 MON (b0076nxd)

The Change 04:30 TUE (b0076nxd)

The Comedy Club Interviews 22:55 WED (b08s8645)

The Comedy Club Interviews 23:00 THU (b08s86c2)

The Comedy Club Interviews 22:55 FRI (b08sqmqv)

The Forsyte Saga 06:00 SAT (b06z0ybl)

The Forsyte Saga 16:00 SAT (b06z0ybl)

The Forsyte Saga 04:00 SUN (b06z0ybl)

The Forsyte Saga 14:30 MON (b06z255z)

The Forsyte Saga 02:30 TUE (b06z255z)

The Forsyte Saga 14:30 TUE (b06z2h3n)

The Forsyte Saga 02:30 WED (b06z2h3n)

The Forsyte Saga 14:30 WED (b06z2tj3)

The Forsyte Saga 02:30 THU (b06z2tj3)

The Forsyte Saga 14:30 THU (b06z4w7z)

The Forsyte Saga 02:30 FRI (b06z4w7z)

The Forsyte Saga 14:30 FRI (b06z5g7g)

The Forsyte Saga 21:00 FRI (b06zh1dw)

The Frankie Howerd Variety Show 08:00 SUN (b008jw8j)

The Frankie Howerd Variety Show 12:00 SUN (b008jw8j)

The Kneebone Bonanza - Omnibus 13:00 SAT (b01rky6l)

The Kneebone Bonanza - Omnibus 01:00 SUN (b01rky6l)

The Listening Project 11:55 SUN (b03ffth3)

The Listening Project 19:55 SUN (b03ffth3)

The Men From the Ministry 08:30 TUE (b00ysk98)

The Men From the Ministry 12:30 TUE (b00ysk98)

The Men From the Ministry 19:30 TUE (b00ysk98)

The Mitch Benn Music Show 23:30 THU (b007v1p5)

The Music Factory 06:30 THU (b00769jq)

The Music Factory 13:30 THU (b00769jq)

The Music Factory 20:30 THU (b00769jq)

The Music Factory 01:30 FRI (b00769jq)

The Navy Lark 08:00 WED (b049b1nq)

The Navy Lark 12:00 WED (b049b1nq)

The Navy Lark 19:00 WED (b049b1nq)

The New Look 06:30 MON (b0084gn8)

The New Look 13:30 MON (b0084gn8)

The New Look 20:30 MON (b0084gn8)

The New Look 01:30 TUE (b0084gn8)

The Sad Story of Jim Thorpe 06:30 WED (b01kbhjt)

The Sad Story of Jim Thorpe 13:30 WED (b01kbhjt)

The Sad Story of Jim Thorpe 20:30 WED (b01kbhjt)

The Sad Story of Jim Thorpe 01:30 THU (b01kbhjt)

The Vote Now Show 22:30 MON (b08qy4j5)

Twenty Players 23:30 TUE (b06g65m6)

Wally Who? 09:30 WED (b08rbhg6)

Wally Who? 16:30 WED (b08rbhg6)

Wally Who? 04:30 THU (b08rbhg6)

Weak at the Top 23:30 WED (b00rmygl)

Where Did It All Go Wrong? 22:45 THU (b0076qhy)

Whose Line Is It Anyway? 16:00 TUE (b008vnz5)

Whose Line Is It Anyway? 04:00 WED (b008vnz5)

Wordaholics 05:30 SAT (b04fzc7p)

Writing at the Kitchen Table 02:45 SAT (b0075smk)