SATURDAY 09 FEBRUARY 2019

SAT 00:00 Andrew McGibbon - The Routemasters (b007jnsh)
Wolfie and Beetie

Raymond and Hildegard kidnap Beethoven and Mozart in their plot to create the greatest ever rock band.

Herr Grubberman comes clean, while Bernie finally discovers the truth about who - or what- is driving the time bus.

Starring Amanda Donohoe as Hilderghast, Andrew McGibbon as Raymond, Karl Minns as the Conductor, Owen Evans as Bernie, Nick Romero as Mozart, Andy Mulligan as Herr Grubberman, Dan Freedman as Glenn Miller, Alex Lowe as Taffy and Sophie Aldred as Spikea.

Written by Andrew McGibbon. Additional material by Rob Colley and Kevin Greening.

Theme by Ozzy Temple and other music by Nick Romero.

Producer: Julian Mayers

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1999.


SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b00769ym)
Gambling

Poker player Victoria Coren, trader Henry Peevers and writer Jude Collins discuss the eternal appeal of Lady Luck with Matthew Parris. From October 2002.

In each programme, Matthew Parris introduces a group of writers of fact and fiction: new talent and established names. In the context of a discussion of one of the ideas and pre-occupations of our times, each presents a piece on this week's topic.

The best new writing and the freshest conversation from 2002.


SAT 01:00 Hercule Poirot - The Mystery of the Blue Train (m0002cvc)
A Dancer's Revenge

After Ruth Kettering was found murdered on the Blue Train with her priceless rubies stolen, both her husband Derek and former lover are suspects.

And when Hercule Poirot discovers the latter has recently acquired a set of rubies, the case would seem to be cut and dried ... or is it?

First published in 1928, Agatha Christie's thriller is based on a short story from 1923, The Plymouth Express.

Stars Maurice Denham as Hercule Poirot, Janet Maw as Katherine Grey, Robert Beatty as Rufus Van Aldin, Anthony Smee as Derek Kettering, Michael Deacon as Major Knighton, Judy Buxton as Mirelle, Gordon Reid as Monsieur Carrege, Nigel Graham as Le Comte de la Roche, Pauline Letts as Mason, Jane Leonard as Zia, Ronald Herdman as Papopolous, Edward de Souza as George and Jamie Roberts as the Waiter.

Dramatised in six-parts by Michael Bakewell.

Director: David Johnston.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1985.


SAT 01:30 The Arthur Cravan Memorial Society (b01r9c9c)
Arthur Smith pieces together an unreliable portrait of Arthur Cravan - charlatan and genius, the Dada James Dean.

Arthur Cravan was - as he never tired of telling people -- the nephew of Oscar Wilde. A self-declared citizen of twenty countries, he was a dandy, forger, flaneur, critic, sailor, prospector, card sharp, thief, editor and chauffeur. He was the true father of dada and surrealism whose real work of art was himself.

Between 1911 and 1915, Cravan wrote and published the magazine Maintenant in Paris, which he filled with belligerent diatribes and scandalous braggadocio. He gave lectures, during which he insulted, mooned and fired guns at the audience. As an act of artistic bravado, he fought the heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson, and was knocked out as soon as Johnson tired of the charade.

On the run from the First World War, Cravan set sail from Mexico in 1918, intending to reach South America. He was never seen again. But no one knows what happened to him and no body was ever found. But poems and paintings attributed to Cravan continued to surface. And who exactly was the person identified as Arthur Cravan spotted in different parts of the world for decades?

Arthur Smith is beguiled by Cravan's sense of provocation, by his desire to live a rich and full life, a poetic life, in spite of it all. And in this programme he'll call the final meeting of the Arthur Cravan Memorial Society to order as he tries to cobble together the truth about this mysterious and fascinating figure.

Producer: Martin Williams.


SAT 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b04d4w6f)
A Song for Issy Bradley

Episode 5

This is the story of what happens when Issy Bradley dies.

It is the story of Ian - husband, father, maths teacher and Mormon bishop - and his unshakeable belief that everything will turn out all right if he can only endure to the end, like the pioneers did. It is the story of his wife Claire's lonely wait for a sign from God and her desperate need for life to pause while she comes to terms with what's happened.

It is the story of the agony and hope of Zippy Bradley's first love, the story of Alma Bradley's cynicism and reluctant bravery, and it is the story of seven-year-old Jacob. But mostly it's the story of a family trying to work out how to carry on when their world has fallen apart.

Incredibly moving, unexpectedly funny and sharply observed, A Song for Issy Bradley, explores the outer reaches of doubt and faith. Author Carys Bray was brought up in a devout Mormon family. In her early thirties she left the church and replaced religion with writing. She was awarded the Scott prize for her debut short story collection Sweet Home. A Song for Issy Bradley is her first novel.

Written by Carys Bray
Abridged by Libby Spurrier

Read by Emma Fielding

Producer: Joanna Green
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 02:15 Lucy Kellaway's History of Office Life (b03775g6)
The Telephone and New Office Technology

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

New technology including the telephone, telegraph, typewriters, adding machines, and even filing cabinets revolutionised office work in the late 19th century. In particular the telephone was looked on suspiciously in the UK. Britain's chief post office engineer, Sir William Preece, told a House of Commons committee : 'I have one in my office, but more for show. If I want to send a message, I employ a boy to take it.'. Lucy visits the stores of the museum of London to see early examples of office technology, including an early private telephone belonging to the Rothschilds.

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

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


SAT 02:30 Lynne Reid Banks - The L-Shaped Room (b00srvkl)
Episode 5

Pregnant Jane books an appointment at an abortion clinic, but Mavis offers her an illegal alternative. Stars Lynne Seymour.


SAT 02:45 Book of the Week (b03ttg7x)
The Almost Nearly Perfect People: The Truth about the Nordic Miracle

Sweden, the Perfect Society

Sweden – a country held up as a beacon of perfection by the Western world and yet disliked by its neighbours.

Journalist Michael Booth embarks on a revealing and often humorous journey through all five of the Nordic countries to discover the secrets of their success.

Reader: Gunnar Cauthery
Abridged by Richard Hamilton
Produced by Gemma Jenkins


SAT 03:00 Elizabeth Bowen - The House in Paris (b0890hpt)
1924-1934

Fading fast, is scheming Mme Fisher sowing the seeds for the ultimate destruction of her house in Paris?

Elizabeth Bowen's classic novel dramatised in three-parts by Margaret Steward.

Stars Sara Kestelman as Mme Fisher, Sunny Ormonde as Karen, Susan Bovell as Naomi Fisher, John Duttine as Max, Ann Windsor as Aunt Violet, David King as Uncle Bill, Fiona Christie as Henrietta and Joshua Goodman as Leopold.

Music by Anthea Gomez.

Producer: Sue Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994.


SAT 04:00 Foul Play (b00zf4tf)
Series 4

The Final Judgement

Crime writers Jessica Mann and James Melville investigate a distinctly 'kinky' matter.

With the help of witnesses played by Maria McErlane and Lee Simpson.

Murder mystery panel game chaired by Simon Brett.

Producer: Liz Anstee

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.


SAT 04:30 Anything Legal (b0089hl7)
Episode 6

Charles and George's new business course sets tongues wagging.

A Tale of Two City Gents by Wally K Daly

Starring Donald Hewlett as Charles, Michael Knowles as George, Jennifer Croxton as Fiona Fenning, Henry Stamper as the Course Chairman, John Kane as the Advertising, Peter Cellier as the Finance Lecturer and Roland MacLeod as Mr Hunter.

Theme music by Jim Parker

Producer: John Fawcett Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1984.


SAT 05:00 The Cold Swedish Winter (b04d1kvg)
Series 1

Winter

A sitcom from Danny Robins, writer of the Lenny Henry comedy Rudy's Rare Records. This series is set and recorded in Sweden and stars Adam Riches, Danny Robins and some of Sweden's most popular TV comedy actors.

Geoff, a marginally successful stand-up comic from London, is moving to the tiny, cold and unpronounceable village of Yxsjö in northern Sweden - a culture shock forced on him by his Swedish girlfriend Linda's decision to move home to raise their child.

Geoff has to contend with snow, moose, pickled herring, unemployment, snow, Maypole dancing, snowmobiles, snow, meatball rolling, saunas, social democracy, snow, the weirdest pizzas in Europe, bears, deep forests, death metal, illegal alcohol, snow.

Above all, he has a new family to contend with. The Andersson's bewilder him - from father Sten who has a worrying tendency to growl like a bear and threaten him with any blunt instrument to hand, to Gunilla who threatens him with naked folk-dancing.

It's worth it all for Linda, of course - apart from her new found urge to conform with everything and except for her brother, a Goth with a propensity to set fire to things.

Episode 1: Winter
In which Geoff attempts to start a career as a comedian in Yxsjö. In a town with barely any shops, where the venue is run by Linda's father, getting an audience is going to be a problem.

Writer: Danny Robins
Director: Frank Stirling
A Unique production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 05:30 Clare in the Community (b0832fpz)
Series 11

Hell on Wheels

Episode 2 - Hell On Wheels

It's 'Disability Awareness Day' so Clare has taken it upon herself to raise awareness. Back at home, Nali has plans to become an internet sensation.

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

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

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

Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden
Producer Alexandra Smith

A BBC Studios production.


SAT 06:00 Ellis Peters - Flight of a Witch (b00813sf)
A strange disappearance on the Hallowmount and a horrific murder lead Tom Felse to make his own private investigations into the mystery.

Ellis Peters' intriguing novel dramatised by Sally Hedges

Iwan Thomas as Tom Felse, Rob Spendlove as DI George Felse, Michael Tudor Barnes as Peter Blacklock, Deborah Berlin as Anna/Tabitha, Ian Brooker as Arthur Becker, Roger May as Miles, Sara Coward as Eve, Joyce Gibbs as Mrs Brooks, Susan Jeffrey as Jane Dowl, James Thackray as Godfrey, Richard Curnow as Dominic, Marc Finn as Lockier, Alex Jones as Geoff and Mary Clarkson as Lisa.

Music by Anthea Gomez.

Directed at BBC Pebble Mill by Sue Wilson.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1997.


SAT 07:30 Last Chance to See (m0002h5y)
Gone Fishing!

Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine go in search of a tragic Chinese ‘river princess’: the Yangtze River dolphin.

Series in which Douglas Adams and conservationist Mark Carwardine go in search of weird, exotic endangered animals.

Producer: Gaynor Shutte

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1989.


SAT 08:00 Ed Doolan Interviews... (b00fhzr1)
Frank Carson

It's the way I tell 'em! Northern Irish funny man Frank Carson looks back over his life and showbiz career with Ed Doolan and chooses some of his favourite music.

Ed Doolan was one of Britain’s best-known BBC local radio presenters, broadcasting to the West Midlands for over 40 years. Ed died aged 76 in 2018.

First broadcast on BBC WM


SAT 09:00 Peter Ustinov - The Radio Years (b065xb02)
John McCarthy explores the radio archives of Sir Peter Ustinov and reveals the actor and raconteur's fascinating contributions to an eclectic mix of programmes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


SAT 12:00 The 99p Challenge (b00nnpzc)
Series 2

Episode 4

Crazy panel show capers as host Sue Perkins grills Simon Pegg, Mel Giedroyc, Peter Baynham and Richard Herring.

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

Producer: David Tyler

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2000.


SAT 12:30 The Goon Show (b007jpp1)
The Moriarty Murder Mystery

Inspector Neddie Seagoon turns sleuth and meets a creepy undertaker. Stars Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers. From January 1958.


SAT 13:00 Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk (b092g86d)
Series 2 Omnibus

Megan Evans is looking to expand her dairy business but dark forces are beginning to gather and her life is further complicated by the unexpected arrival of her troubled sister.

Omnibus written by Gregory Evans.

Megan Evans ..... Bettrys Jones
Samuel Singer ..... David Horovitch
Annie Riley ..... Alice Haig
Fred Wensley ..... Samuel James
Iolo Jones ..... Philip Fox
Dora Lipski ..... Chetna Pandya
Huw ..... Tom Forrister
Nun ..... Julie Teal

Director: Marc Beeby

In 1900 over half London's milk came from Welsh dairies. One of those dairies, on the Commercial Road, was owned and run by the writer's family.

First broadcast in five parts on BBC Radio 4 in 2017


SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (m0002h61)
Joanne Froggatt

Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt selects ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Kate Bush and ‘Proud Mary’ performed by Ike and Tina Turner.


SAT 14:15 Frankly Speaking (b07xpm12)
Peter Scott

The conservationist, ornithologist and painter, Peter Scott answers questions posed by Dilys Powell, Harry Rae and John Hillaby.

He was interviewed in 1961 (aged 52) when his autobiography 'The Eye of the Wind' had just been published..

Sir Peter Scott was born in 1909 and died in 1989.

Launched in 1952 on the BBC Home Service, Frankly Speaking was a novel, ground breaking series. Unrehearsed and unscripted, the traditional interviewee/interviewer pairing was initially jettisoned for three interviewers firing direct questions. Early critics described it as 'unkempt', 'an inquisition' and described the guest as prey being cornered, quarry being pursued - with calls to axe the unscripted interview. But the format won out and eventually won over its detractors.

Only 40 or so of the original 100 programmes survive.

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in 1961.


SAT 14:45 Peter Tinniswood - Tales From a Long Room (m0002h63)
Series 1

The Lady Wife

Should a cricket fanatic marry, when perpetually entranced by the mistress that is 'the summer game'?

Robin Bailey reads the third of five stories from Peter Tinniswood's cricket tales.

Abridged for radio by the author.

Producer: Tony Cliff

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1981.


SAT 15:00 Ed Doolan Interviews... (b00fhzr1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SAT 16:00 Ellis Peters - Flight of a Witch (b00813sf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:30 Last Chance to See (m0002h5y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 18:00 Doctor Who (b07djrkw)
The Crimes of Thomas Brewster

Episode 2

The Doctor discovers why his imposter has been shipping arms and unsuspecting people to a distant planet.

Starring Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor, Maggie Stables as Evelyn Smythe, John Pickard as Thomas Brewster and Anna Hope as DI Menzies.

Writer: Jonathan Morris

Producer: Nicholas Briggs.

A Big Finish production.


SAT 19:00 Peter Ustinov - The Radio Years (b065xb02)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 My Teenage Diary (b04vkgls)
Series 6

Alex Horne

Comedian Alex Horne's teenage diary focuses on his 1997 gap year, which he spent teaching English in China. But looking back, Alex wishes he'd spent more time teaching grammar, and less time worrying about girls and sampling the local nightlife.

Produced by Harriet Jaine
A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 22:30 Liam Williams: Ladhood (b06ns6l4)
Series 1

The Fight

Liam Williams - a two-time Edinburgh Festival Award nominated comedian - shares his teenage misadventures in the Yorkshire suburbs.

With evocative monologues by "Adult Liam" being interjected with flashback scenes from his teenage years, the four-parts series was recorded in Leeds and stars teens from Yorkshire.

Each episode delves into Liam's memories of his first fight, virginity loss, the best house party ever organised, and his marvelous outwitting of an entire teaching staff.

This is the New Labour, post-mining, aspirational heartland, meeting 50 Cent and Generation Y ennui, represented in a bourgeois radio format - by one of Britain's most exciting comedians.

Producer: Arnab Chanda

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


SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m0002ndh)
Mark Thomas 2/2

The best in contemporary comedy. Arthur Smith talks to Mark Thomas.


SAT 23:00 The Absolutely Radio Show (b069h77m)
Series 1

Episode 2

Members of the cast of Channel 4's hugely popular sketch show Absolutely reunite for a brand new radio series.
Pete Baikie, Morwenna
Banks, Moray Hunter, Gordon Kennedy and John Sparkes are back together with all new material. They are revisiting some of their much loved sketch characters, while also introducing some newcomers to the show.

In 2013, the group got back together for Radio 4's Sketchorama: Absolutely Special, which won a BBC Audio Drama Award in the Best Live Scripted Comedy category.

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

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

Produced by Gus Beattie and Gordon Kennedy
An Absolutely/Comedy Unit production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 23:30 Saturday Night Fry (b008yv5q)
Episode 2

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

With Emma Thompson, Jim Broadbent and Robert Bathurst.

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

Producer: Dan Patterson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1988.