Convinced Willy Mariello’s been murdered, Charles Paris enlists the help of his solicitor friend, Gerald Venables, in the investigation...
Francis Matthews stars as thespian sleuth, Charles Paris.
Six-part thriller serial adapted from his book by Simon Brett.
Charles Paris ...... Francis Matthews
Anna Duncan ...... Kim Thomson
James Milne ...... Alan McNaughtan
Gerald Venables ...... Jeremy Child
Jean Mariello ...... Frances Low
This is the story of what links the people of Wales, with one of the worst atrocities of the American Civil Rights movement. In 1963, racist bombers, blew up the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham Alabama, killing four girls in the blast. The murder of children marked another low in the violent resistance to civil rights.
News of the bombing was broadcast worldwide. The Welsh sculptor John Petts heard about it on the radio as he worked in his studio. He was so upset he wanted to do something to help. He contacted a local newspaper and a campaign was launched to raise money to help rebuild the devastated Church. No one was allowed to give more than half a crown - to ensure that no rich benefactor could take credit for the money raised. There were reports of children, black and white, queuing up in Cardiff to donate their pocket money.
Tens of thousands of people contributed to the fund. With the money that was raised, Petts was commissioned to make a new stained glass window for the Church. Grand in scale, it depicted a black man, arms out stretched, reminiscent of the crucifixion. Petts drew on his experiences as a medic in the second world war to create his image of the 'damaged male body'. He was also inspired by the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa, which had happened only a few years before.
The window is now a focus of worship and has become one of the most famous pieces of art to come out of the darkness of the civil rights period. At its foot a simple message; 'Given by The People of Wales'.
Produced in Manchester by Nicola Swords.
Maddox is an old school journalist struggling to keep up with new technology.
He feels the art of finding stories is being forgotten and he is not about to let that happen.
Old hacks meet new media in Alistair Beaton’s satire set in the changing world of the newspaper industry.
Maddox ...... Robert Lindsay
Oliver ...... Alex Jennings
Amelia ...... Elizabeth Berrington
Tasneem ...... Zita Sattar
Masha ...... Debbie Chazen
Freddy ...... Ben Willbond
Announcer ...... Matt Addis
With additional material by Tom Mitchelson.
Taking part in Strictly Come Dancing made Susan Calman happy. Completely, totally happy. And having lived with anxiety for so long, it was something of a surprise to discover something new that gave her feelings of joy. So, in Susan Calman Makes Me Happy, she explores and explains the other things in life that bring her happiness.
This week, aided and abetted by her studio audience and her wife Lee, Susan waxes lyrical about her love for animals. She may have previously mentioned (once or twice) that she’s quite partial to cats, but her affections aren’t limited to the feline world. From the dogs in her local park, via the birds that visit her garden, to grumpy Icelandic Ponies (well, sort of), Susan adores them all.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With Bill Kerr, Sidney James, Andree Melly and Kenneth Williams.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music composed by Wally Stott. Recorded by the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Les Dawson's life as a spy, a rare interview with boxer Sugar Albert Ackroyd and Cissie despairs of Ada.
With Roy Barraclough, Daphne Oxenford and Colin Edwynn.
Music by Brian Fitzgerald.
Scripted and produced by James Casey.
Roy Plomley challenges Eleanor Summerfield and Gillian Reynolds to battle David Nixon and Tim Rice in the panel game to spot mistakes.
Plus more tune-twisters from Steve Race.
Devised and written by Ian Messiter.
Robert gets involved in a performance of the play whose title we are not allowed to say. He is overly superstitious about saying "Macbeth" ... Whoops!
John Gordon Sinclair stars in Paul Mayhew-Archer's sitcom.
Robert Wilson ..... John Gordon Sinclair
Desmond Shaw ..... Gary Waldhorn
Sue ..... Caroline Quentin
Crusoe's acceptance of his solitude is shattered by a single footprint in the sand.
Older Robinson ...... Roy Marsden
Younger Robinson ...... Tom Bevan
Wells ...... Gerard McDermott
Crusoe's Father ...... John Rowe
Crusoe's Mother ...... Jenny Lee
Captain ...... Christopher Wright
Jack ...... Iwan Thomas
1. Radio Active / The Masterson Inheritance
Sue Perkins gets the sherry and chocolates out to accompany some vintage BBC Christmas comedy.
The National Local Radio Station links up with Bethlehem and visits some poorly hospital patients. Stars Helen Atkinson-Wood, Geoffrey Perkins and Angus Deayton. From 1983.
The Masterson family's ancient culture reveals some curious customs. Improvised historical saga with Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence, Caroline Quentin and Jim Sweeney. From 1995.
Now employed on the Earl of Annerdale's estate, it's time for Rachel to meet the staff, make up her team and reconnect with her brother.
And she needs to make a fateful decision...
Sarah Hall's novel is a compelling story about political and personal borders - about power, land, family and love. At its heart is Rachel Caine, tough, untouchable, an expert on wolves, and long estranged from her home county of Cumbria and her fiery mother and lost brother. Like the wolves she protects and champions, she is wary of humanity, happy in the wilderness.
Set against the dramatic and perfectly evoked backdrop of the Lakeland fells, The Wolf Border explores issues of ownership and vested power, of re-wilding and of family as Rachel finds her way home.
Professor Sir David Cannadine explores political fame and image by looking at how an object or prop, whether chosen deliberately or otherwise, can come to define a political leader - from Winston Churchill's cigar and siren suit to Margaret Thatcher's handbag.
Sir David looks at the significance of these props of power - what they mean and what they become, and what happens when, almost inevitably, Prime Ministers lose control of their image and their props take on a hostile meaning, very different from their original intentions.
Anthony Eden was one of the briefest serving Prime Ministers of modern times, and his name became inseparably linked with the Suez fiasco of 1956, from which his reputation has never recovered. But in the earlier stages of his political career, Eden was widely regarded as the most attractive and glamorous figure in British public life. These qualities were both proclaimed and symbolised by his Homburg hat, which he briefly made fashionable when it became known as the Eden on Savile Row. In fact, Anthony Eden is the only British Prime Minister, apart from the Duke of Wellington, to have had an item of apparel named after him.
But with Eden's fall from grace, the Eden hat was quickly forgotten and one biographer wrote scathingly in the 1960s, "who wears an Anthony Eden hat today?"
And while we still use the phrase Wellington boot, and remember the victor of Waterloo, the Eden Homburg, and the man who gave his name to it, have both been largely forgotten.
Chocolates, least favourite sweets and funerals occupy Nigel's time.
In the bleak Christmas following his mother's death, the young Nigel Slater sought refuge in food. Sugar mice, pink wafers and mince pies helped him survive. So too did his Aunt Elvie who, against the wishes of his father, encouraged Nigel to cook.
Eating for England, the successor to his highly acclaimed memoir Toast, is part food memoir, part collective memory bank of a nation's taste. Using the book as source material along with further conversations with Nigel, dramatist Sarah Daniels has written a playful reimagining. A grown up Nigel - played by Julian Rhind-Tutt, looks back on his childhood while caring for a now elderly, yet ever sparkling, Aunt Elvie, played by Celia Imrie.
Rich with sounds of the kitchen and recorded on location, with a cameo performance from Nigel himself.
What drives a cook to write about food? Why is there such a powerful link between memory and what we eat? And why is reading about food so irresistibly appetising?
Dramatised by Sarah Daniels.
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2014.
The commune is opened to the public and inspires unexpectedly dark thoughts about what might happen if an angry, hungry, post-apocalyptic mob did actually fall upon the community.
Written and read by Dylan Evans.
A true story that you couldn't make up - one man's attempt to survive a global catastrophe by setting up a commune in Scotland.
While lecturing in robotics, academic Dylan Evans became increasingly concerned by the visible impacts of global warming, population increase, terrorism - and by our inability to cope with a doomsday scenario in a world engineered to just-in-time living.
The concern became an obsession and Evans left his post to run an experiment. He set up a camp that would create the conditions for a post-apocalyptic world. It was established in the Scottish Highlands with a collection of people chosen for talents and skills necessary in a life without technology or comforts.
The resulting story is a Lord of the Flies for the modern day, treating serious and normally sombre topics with dark humour. At its heart, however, is one man's well-intentioned dream and the price he paid for trying to do something good.
Abridged by Barry Johnston.
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in March 2015.
While at her holiday cottage, Diane finds a broken Moses basket on the beach. She decides to repair it, but how did it come so easily?
Read by Greta Scacchi.
Five tales by the celebrated American crime and psychological novelist and short story writer, Patricia Highsmith.
Patricia Highsmith was born in Texas in 1921-1995. She wrote eight collections of short stories and 22 novels, among them the five ‘Ripley’ novels for which she is perhaps best known. Her first, Strangers On A Train, was the basis for the eponymous Hitchcock film of 1951. She died in Switzerland in 1995.
Meet beekeeper Albert Taylor and his wife Mabel. Worried that their newborn daughter isn't eating properly, Albert starts giving her royal jelly - a highly nutritious substance fed by bees to the larvae of their queens.
The baby starts to put on weight. But Mabel begins to notice other changes too…
Five classic tales by Roald Dahl starring Charles Dance as the urbane Storyteller and Chris Emmett as Albert.
Taken from the anthology, Kiss, Kiss. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these black comedies are justly famous for their surprise endings. They show Dahl at the height of his powers as a writer of adult fiction, and are characterised by their deliciously cynical view of human nature and the relish with which they punish the charlatans, bullies and schemers who inhabit their world.
Dramatised by Stephen Sheridan.
Geoffrey Wheeler revisits the scene of the Manchester Playhouse.
Built back-to-back with the Hulme Hippodrome, itself a famous northern Variety venue, the Playhouse was host to some of the BBC's best-loved comedy and Variety programmes from the 1940s to the 1970s.
Ken Dodd, Sandy Powell, Harry Worth and Bill Waddington are among those featured in this nostalgic trip through the BBC's archives.
Series featuring Variety theatres from all over the United Kingdom.
Arthur Smith invites us into his Balham flat in south London for comedy, music and entertainment.
With his guests: Doc Brown, Gomez, Henry Paker and Richard Herring.
until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Arthur smith talks to Steve Furst.
Clare Barker's back on the social work frontline as a vomiting bug hits her colleagues.
Clare Barker is the self-absorbed social worker who has the right jargon for every problem she comes across, though never a practical solution. But there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.
Clare ... Sally Phillips
Brian ... Alex Lowe
Helen ... Liza Tarbuck
Ray ... Richard Lumsden
Libby ... Sarah Kendall
Megan/Na ... Nina Conti
Peggy ... Rosemary Leach
Dolly ... Doreen Mantle
Producer: Katie Tyrrell.
Inoculation against old age leads to unusual results. Neil Edmond and James Rawlings' cerebral sketches. From November 2005.
THURSDAY 19 DECEMBER 2019
THU 00:00 Short Works (m000ccb0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:15 Roald Dahl (b01064yd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:15 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 The Palace of Laughter (b007tzt7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Charles Paris: So Much Blood (m000cc9v)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 The Wales Window of Alabama (b00z5zxv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b05vy89l)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:15 Prime Ministers' Props (b07pgwg1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 15 Minute Drama (b04w0jxk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:45 Book of the Week (b059crlx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Daniel Defoe - Robinson Crusoe (b007jqyc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Many a Slip (b09wvq06)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 An Actor's Life for Me (b00899ps)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Electric Ink (b0116gvm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:30 Susan Calman Makes Me Happy (m000c4x4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Charles Paris: So Much Blood (m000ccwc)
Last Lunch
Charles suspects Anna Duncan of murdering Willy Mariello, but her fellow-student Martin Warburton is still behaving strangely...
Francis Matthews stars as thespian sleuth, Charles Paris.
Six-part thriller serial adapted from his book by Simon Brett.
Charles Paris ...... Francis Matthews
Anna Duncan ...... Kim Thomson
James Milne ...... Alan McNaughtan
Frances ...... Jennifer Hilary
Brian Cassells ...... Hugh Laurie
Martin Warburton ...... Michael Maloney
Stella Galpin-Lord ...... Sheila Mitchell
Guide ...... Fraser Kerr
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1985.
THU 06:30 The Playlist Series (b017ng3m)
Queen Victoria's Playlist
In Buckingham Palace, David Owen Norris and guests listen to Queen Victoria's favourite songs. We have been given access to Victoria's own gold piano, on which we'll hear music written specially by Mendelssohn for her to play in a duet with Albert. We also hear an amorous serenade written for her by Prince Albert and a song which was sung in the streets after their first child was born, Queen Victoria's Baby.
David Owen Norris has discovered a startling popular song of the period about the Great Exhibition - the excitement of setting off to see the Queen as a gold statue, and the reality of fleas, dirt, crowds, and dubious dark alleys where it was all too easy to lose one's virtue and return pregnant!
Listening to the music are Royal biographer Kate Williams, cultural critic Matthew Sweet, and expert on Victorian music Professor Jeremy Dibble. They'll be discussing what Queen Victoria's favourite songs reveal about a very musical monarch.
Producer: Elizabeth Burke.
A Loftus production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.
THU 07:00 Ballylenon (b00yqtqm)
Series 8
Crime Fiction
A writer finds the local denizens of Ballylenon ideal for a salacious work of fiction...
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Series set in the sleepy town of Ballylenon, Co Donegal in the 1960s.
Ballylenon, County Donegal. Pop. 1,999 was founded by St Lenon of Padua, when he fell into the river at this spot in 953. Ballylenon is situated on the shores of Lough Swilly with entrancing views of Muckish Mountain, in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe. (Note: Ballylenon is a fictional name, but the other landmarks are identifiable.)
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Muriel McConkey ...... Margaret D'Arcy
Vera McConkey ...... Stella McCusker
Phonsie Doherty ...... Gerard Murphy
Mrs Vivienne Hawthorne ...... Aine McCartney
Rev. Samuel Hawthorne ...... Dermot Crowley
Kevin 'Stumpy' Bonnar ...... Gerard McSorley
Guard Gallagher ...... Frankie McCafferty
Daniel O'Searcaigh ...... James Greene
Monsignor McFadden ...... Niall Cusack
Aubrey Frawley ...... Chris McHallem
Polly Acton ...... Joanna Munro
Eamonn Doyle ...... Patrick Fitzsymons
Mr Boylan ...... Derek Bailey
Pianist: Michael Harrison
Director: Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2011.
THU 07:30 Tom Allen Is Actually Not Very Nice (m000c4zq)
Episode 2
A new series from Tom Allen, star of Mock The Week, Bake Off Extra Slice, The Apprentice: You're Fired and fresh from a sell out solo performance at The London Palladium.
Tom Allen is Actually Not Very Nice explores what happens when Tom's calm and collected exterior collapses. He used to be such a nice boy but what has happened to turn him naughty?
With help from the assembled studio audience, Tom works out how best to navigate some tricky social situations and how to keep a lid on his fury when confronted with life's small injustices.
Featuring Gabby Best.
Photo credit: Edward Moore @edshots
Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios Production
THU 08:00 The Ken Dodd Show (b05p67jy)
From 25/04/1965
Meet the World's Worst Weightlifter and Doddy undertakes a desert island stint with Man Friday.
Starring Ken Dodd.
With John Laurie, Judith Chalmers, Wallas Eaton and Percy Edwards.
Music from The Migil.
Doddy's Diddy Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Lockyer.
Script by Ken Dodd and Eddie Braben.
Producer: Bill Worsley
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in April 1965.
THU 08:30 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.
THU 09:00 It's Your Round (b00yjs4p)
Series 1
Episode 1
It's the comedy panel show with no format!
Find out what hilarity ensues when Rufus Hound, Miles Jupp, Sara Pascoe and Adam Hills do battle in the games that each of them have brought along,
Stand by for "Them Next Door", "What Does My Dad Know?", "Come To Romford!" and "Newspaper Headline or Cryptic Crossword Clue".
All these games are untried, untested and unpredictable so it could all end in disaster. But that's all part of the fun!
Angus Deayton is the host valiantly trying to keep the show together.
Writers: Angus Deayton, Ged Parsons and Paul Powell
Devised by Benjamin Partridge
Producer: Sam Michell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2011.
THU 09:30 Change at Oglethorpe (b007k0dp)
Remember, Remember the Fifth of September
The blackest day of the year has come to Oglethorpe station - it's June's birthday. Rocket and Points are keeping out of her way, but station manager David is determined to make it a day to remember!
Peter Davison and Michael Williams star in Peter Morfoot's railway sitcom.
David ...... Peter Davison
Rocket ...... Michael Williams
June ...... Rosemary Martin
Points ...... Phillippa Wilson
Hattie ...... Madge Hindle
Sodd ...... Chris Emmett
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in December 1995.
THU 10:00 Drama (b06r1b2h)
The Arabian Nights
Episode 1
The immortal stories of The Arabian Nights are brought to life in an inventive fresh adaptation by Glen Neath, reviving favourites such as Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves and The Fisherman and The Demon along with lesser known tales.
This is a world of wonder, magic and comedy - but also of contemporary realism. Successive generations in the east and the west have reinterpreted these tales, recognising the inept rulers, the resourceful slaves and the wondrous magicians. That’s why this is one of the most enduring and influential books in literature.
In this opener, we join Ata Madri (Indira Varma) as she heads to modern day Cairo to track down an elusive medieval copy of The Nights - one that is said to contain the original ending. A sea of stories awaits her.
An extraordinary ensemble of actors from east and west come together to tell the tales.
Narrator....................Nadim Sawalha
Madri.........................Indira Varma
Clive, King Yunan.......Ewan Bailey
Taxi Driver, Hasan......Nayef Rashed
Ali Baba......................Muzz Khan
Ali Baba's wife............Noa Bodner
Cassim, King of the City's Vizier......Noof McEwan
Cassim's wife.............Alyssa Kyria
Marjaneh....................Laura Hanna
Cobbler, Vizier............Niall Ashdown
Robber........................Waleed Elgadi
Captain.......................Alexei Sayle
Ali Baba's son, Young Man..............Amir El-Masry
Shopkeeper, Fisherman..................Nabil Elouahabi
Professor, Demon........Stewart Scudamore
Sage Duban.................Renu Setna
King of the City............Bhasker Patel
Evil Wife.......................Sharlit Deyzac
Sound design by Alisdair McGregor
Music by Michael Ward with David Lewin and Peter Rophone
Director: Boz Temple-Morris
A Holy Mountain production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2015.
THU 11:00 Survivors by Laura Barnett (b08606t2)
Tamsin Greig reads Laura Barnett's story of blended families. Isabel makes a gesture of Christmas day diplomacy and discovers that whilst family history may be in the past, it is rarely truly over.
A Christmas story specially commissioned for BBC Radio 4 read by Tamsin Greig.
Laura Barnett is an author and journalist.
Producer: Simon Richardson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2016.
THU 11:15 Drama (b05nt1vb)
Sean Grundy - Far Side of the Moore
Tom Hollander (Rev, Pirates of The Caribbean) stars as Patrick Moore, with Patricia Hodge as his mother Gertrude.
It's 1957 and the little known Patrick Moore is living with his mother in East Grinstead, from where he studies the heavens and writes popular factual works on astronomy, as well as science fiction under a pseudonym.
When Moore's latest book 'Suns, Myths and Men' gets a terrible review from the stuffy academic Dr Henry King, Patrick is in despair and, when the phone rings, he braces himself for more bad news.
Sean Grundy's drama is both a moving and at times laugh out loud funny telling of a key moment in the life of Patrick Moore.
This is the story of how the self taught astronomer, whose Moon maps were later used by the Apollo missions, became the presenter of The Sky At Night. But it's also the story of a mysterious love affair, and a window into the mind of one of the nation's favourite broadcasters.
Lorna ...... Felicity Duncan
Gertrude Moore ...... Patricia Hodge
Patrick Moore ...... Tom Hollander
Dr Henry King ...... Anton Lesser
Eileen Wilkins ...... Charlotte Ritchie
Leonard Miall ...... David Shaw-Parker
Arthur C Clarke ...... Simon Treves
Paul Johnstone ...... Daniel Weyman
Director: Dirk Maggs
Producer: David Morley
A Perfectly Normal production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in March 2015
THU 12:00 The Ken Dodd Show (b05p67jy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 12:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00rxf3m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 13:00 Charles Paris: So Much Blood (m000ccwc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 13:30 The Playlist Series (b017ng3m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b05vy8bv)
Sarah Hall - The Wolf Border
Episode 4
As the project gets underway, word reaches the local community and unleashes a backlash. Meanwhile Rachel has a life changing first encounter.
Sarah Hall's novel is a compelling story about power, land, family and love. At its heart is Rachel Caine, tough, untouchable, an expert on wolves, and long estranged from her home county of Cumbria and her fiery mother and lost brother. Like the wolves she protects and champions, she is wary of humanity and happiest in the untamed wilderness.
Set against the dramatic and perfectly evoked backdrop of the Lakeland fells, The Wolf Border explores issues of ownership and vested power, of re-wilding and of family as Rachel realises she can choose, and change.
Reader: Hattie Morahan
Abridger: Sally Marmion
Producer: Di Speirs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
THU 14:15 Prime Ministers' Props (b07qbcb0)
Series 1
Sir Alec Douglas-Home's Matchsticks
Professor Sir David Cannadine explores political fame and image by looking at how an object or prop, whether chosen deliberately or otherwise, can come to define a political leader.
Sir David looks at the significance of these props of power - what they mean and what they become, and what happens when, almost inevitably, Prime Ministers lose control of their image and their props take on a hostile meaning, very different from their original intentions.
The aristocratic Sir Alec Douglas-Home appeared removed both from the majority of the British people and, to some extent, the modern world itself. He showed the depth of his inexperience when he casually commented to a reporter that he used matchsticks to help him understand economic problems. "When I have to read economic documents I have to have a box of matches and start moving them into position to simplify and illustrate the points to myself."
It was a gift for Leader of the Opposition, Harold Wilson, who used the matchstick comment to goad and embarrass the Conservative Prime Minister at every opportunity. The matchsticks came to define Sir Alec's inadequacies as leader and, when it came to problem-solving, his ultimately successful opponent Wilson was more familiar with slide rules than matchsticks.
Home's premiership was the second briefest of the twentieth century, lasting just two days short of a year. Who knows what would have happened if Sir Alec hadn't made that careless matchstick comment.
Producer: Melissa FitzGerald
A Blakeway production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2016.
THU 14:30 15 Minute Drama (b04vkg6n)
Nigel Slater - Eating for England
Episode 4
As an adult, Nigel enjoys time with an aging Aunt Elvie, who has some mysterious news to impart over cream tea and champagne.
Aunt Elvie......................Celia Imrie
Nigel Slater...................Julian Rhind-Tutt
Joan..............................Fenella Woolgar
Young Nigel...................Isaac Whitmore
Waiter...........................Nigel Slater
Eating for England, the successor to his highly acclaimed memoir Toast, is part food memoir, part collective memory bank of a nation's taste. Using the book as source material along with further conversations with Nigel, dramatist Sarah Daniels has written a playful reimagining. A grown up Nigel - played by Julian Rhind-Tutt, looks back on his childhood while caring for a now elderly, yet ever sparkling, Aunt Elvie, played by Celia Imrie.
Rich with sounds of the kitchen and recorded on location, with a cameo performance from Nigel himself.
What drives a cook to write about food? Why is there such a powerful link between memory and what we eat? And why is reading about food so irresistibly appetising?
Dramatised by Sarah Daniels
Sound design by Eloise Whitmore
Director: Polly Thomas
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2014.
THU 14:45 Book of the Week (b059dfhy)
The Utopia Experiment
Episode 4
The commune comes face to face with the challenges of local authority planning permission. That, however, is the least of Dylan's problems.
Written and read by Dylan Evans.
A true story that you couldn't make up - one man's attempt to survive a global catastrophe by setting up a commune in Scotland.
While lecturing in robotics, academic Dylan Evans became increasingly concerned by the visible impacts of global warming, population increase, terrorism - and by our inability to cope with a doomsday scenario in a world engineered to just-in-time living.
The concern became an obsession and Evans left his post to run an experiment. He set up a camp that would create the conditions for a post-apocalyptic world. It was established in the Scottish Highlands with a collection of people chosen for talents and skills necessary in a life without technology or comforts.
The resulting story is a Lord of the Flies for the modern day, treating serious and normally sombre topics with dark humour. At its heart, however, is one man's well-intentioned dream and the price he paid for trying to do something good.
Abridged by Barry Johnston
Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in March 2015.
THU 15:00 Drama (b06r1b2h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
THU 16:00 It's Your Round (b00yjs4p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
THU 16:30 Change at Oglethorpe (b007k0dp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
THU 17:00 Ballylenon (b00yqtqm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
THU 17:30 Tom Allen Is Actually Not Very Nice (m000c4zq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 18:00 Short Works (m000ccwf)
Patricia Highsmith Stories
The Man Who Wrote Books In His Head
His wife described him as a novelist. But none of E Taylor Cheever’s 14 novels were ever committed to paper.
Read by Greta Scacchi.
Five tales by the celebrated American crime and psychological novelist and short story writer, Patricia Highsmith.
Patricia Highsmith was born in Texas in 1921-1995. She wrote eight collections of short stories and 22 novels, among them the five ‘Ripley’ novels for which she is perhaps best known. Her first, Strangers On A Train, was the basis for the eponymous Hitchcock film of 1951. She died in Switzerland in 1995.
Producer/abridger: Jeremy Osborne
A Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4 Extra
THU 18:15 Roald Dahl (b0106tjk)
Kiss Kiss
Mrs Bixby and The Colonel's Coat
Mrs Bixby - wife of a dull, New York dentist - is having an affair with a wealthy playboy known as the Colonel. When he decides to end their relationship, the Colonel gives her a mink coat as a keepsake.
Realizing that her husband will wonder where she acquired such an expensive gift, Mrs Bixby devises an ingenious plan to explain it away....
Five classic tales by Roald Dahl starring Charles Dance as the urbane Storyteller and Lorelei King as Mrs Bixby.
Taken from the anthology, Kiss, Kiss. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these black comedies are justly famous for their surprise endings. They show Dahl at the height of his powers as a writer of adult fiction, and are characterised by their deliciously cynical view of human nature and the relish with which they punish the charlatans, bullies and schemers who inhabit their world.
Dramatised by Stephen Sheridan.
Storyteller........Charles Dance
Mrs Bixby / Miss Pulteney........Lorelei King
Bixby / Colonel /
Wilkins / Pawnbroker......Kerry Shale
Director: David Blount
A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2011.
THU 18:30 Great Lives (b03s718g)
Series 32
DJ Sara Cox nominates singer Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes
The DJ Sara Cox nominates Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes, a hip hop artist and rapper who performed with the band TLC. She burned her lover's house down and TLC went bankrupt. Lisa died in a car accident aged 30, during a documentary shoot. The expert witness is music journalist Jacqueline Springer and the presenter is Matthew Parris.
Assistant Producer: Milly Chowles
Producer: Perminder Khatkar
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2014.
THU 19:00 The Ken Dodd Show (b05p67jy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 19:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00rxf3m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 20:00 Charles Paris: So Much Blood (m000ccwc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 20:30 The Playlist Series (b017ng3m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 21:00 Survivors by Laura Barnett (b08606t2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
THU 21:15 Drama (b05nt1vb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
THU 22:00 Tom Allen Is Actually Not Very Nice (m000c4zq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 22:30 Lewis Macleod Is Not Himself (b04grrpq)
Episode 1
The impression and sketch show that looks behind the scenes at the life and work of star impressionist Lewis Macleod
Lewis has performed on 4 Extra's Newsjack, plus Postman Pat, The Phantom Menace and Dead Ringers.
With Kate O'Sullivan, Duncan Wisbey and Julian Dutton.
Producer: Lyndsay Fenner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2014,
THU 23:00 Mr and Mrs Smith (b01blzkq)
The Music Festival
Will reluctantly accompanies wife Annabelle to a music festival. She brings her annoying friend Heather along.
Will Smith's sitcom about a couple in marriage counselling,
Counsellor Guy must mediate another dispute between Will and Annabelle, with flashbacks to the events that spawned the argument, and by the end, the couple find marital equilibrium once more. Sort of.
Will Smith ..... Will Smith
Annabelle Smith ..... Sarah Hadland
Guy ..... Paterson Joseph
Heather ..... Morwenna Banks
Various ..... Simon Bubb
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012.
THU 23:30 Cowards (b00fbkz5)
Series 2
Episode 1
Step inside the strange and happy world of the Cowards.
Series 2 of sketch comedy with a comic slant on human frailties
Starring Tom Basden, Stefan Golaszewski, Tim Key and Lloyd Woolf.
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2008.
FRIDAY 20 DECEMBER 2019
FRI 00:00 Short Works (m000ccwf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:15 Roald Dahl (b0106tjk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:15 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Great Lives (b03s718g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Charles Paris: So Much Blood (m000ccwc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 The Playlist Series (b017ng3m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b05vy8bv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:15 Prime Ministers' Props (b07qbcb0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 15 Minute Drama (b04vkg6n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:45 Book of the Week (b059dfhy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Drama (b06r1b2h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 It's Your Round (b00yjs4p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 Change at Oglethorpe (b007k0dp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Ballylenon (b00yqtqm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 Tom Allen Is Actually Not Very Nice (m000c4zq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Charles Paris: So Much Blood (m000cbjt)
Up In The Castle
With one suspect cleared of murdering Willy Mariello, a bomb is planted in Charles Paris's bag - meaning suspicions shift elsewhere...
Francis Matthews stars as thespian sleuth, Charles Paris.
Conclusion of Simon Brett’s thriller serial adapted from his book.
Charles Paris ...... Francis Matthews
Anna Duncan ...... Kim Thomson
James Milne ...... Alan McNaughtan
Martin Warburton ...... Michael Maloney
Frances ...... Jennifer Hilary
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1985.
FRI 06:30 Good Grief: The Story of Peanuts (b00vrvdm)
Pete Paphides, writer and music critic, talks to family, friends and fans of Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts cartoon. He asks why he related so strongly to long suffering Charlie Brown and why Peanuts was the most successful newspaper comic strip of all time.
The programme contains interviews with Schulz's widow, Jean Schulz, two of his children- Craig and Jill, as well as contributions from graphic designer Chip Kidd, comic book artist Chris Ware and life-long fan Russell T. Davies.
Schulz's died in 2000. He created Peanuts in 1950, and Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Shroeder et al still hold a huge place in people's lives and memories. The Peanuts comic strip was the most popular cartoon strip of all time and crossed boundaries of young and old- some claim it did for comic strips what the Beatles did for music. Others called it 'a beat strip', perfectly reflecting American society. But its appeal was global.
Using the most minimum of lines, Schulz was able to convey emotions and humour. His characters were contemplative, philosophical, isolated, sometimes depressed. And surprisingly they made clever observations about classical music, theology psychiatry and sport. Classic story-lines included the Great Pumpkin, Lucy vying for attention at Shroeder's piano, Linus' blanket, Snoopy versus the Red Baron, and Charlie Brown never kicking the football.
Charlie Brown, the central character was isolated and lonely. A real person, with real problems was a new idea in comics and he spoke to people all over the world- including the presenter of this programme, Pete Paphides, growing up in Birmingham.
Producer: Laura Parfitt
A White Pebble Media production first broadcast on for BBC Radio 4 in November 2010.
FRI 07:00 1834 (b011klyr)
Strong Continental Lager
21st-century teacher Jason decides 19th-century Macclesfield needs a decent pub with decent beer.
In Jim Poyser's riotous comedy of transportation and delight, Jason is now Tarquin, third son of Lord Belport with a faithful valet, Ned.
Stars Michael Begley as Jason Slater, Joe Caffrey as Ned, Kenneth Alan Taylor as Hoskins, Mark Chatterton as Lord Belport, Glenn Cunningham as Stubbs and Julia Rounthwaite as Millicent.
Directed at BBC Manchester by Polly Thomas.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2003.
FRI 07:30 Fred at The Stand (m000cbjx)
Series 1
Cook, Sutherland, Vee and Waugh
Fred MacAulay introduces some of the funniest comedians in the UK doing what they do best - pure stand up comedy. Recorded at The Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh.
This week, the unstoppable Jason Cook tells a story about performing on a cruise ship, JoJo Sutherland lets slip some of her supermum secrets, Sindu Vee tries to explain the leniency of her parenting compared to what can be found in India, and Scotsman Gareth Waugh has a plan to save the bees.
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 08:00 The Burkiss Way (b007jrtv)
Series 4
Remember the Burkiss Way
It's the clash of the game shows! Jo Kendall, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris and Nigel Rees try to win the car.
Cult sketch comedy series which originally ran from 1976 to 1980.
Written by Andrew Marshall and David Renwick.
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1979.
FRI 08:30 Something to Shout About (m000cbk0)
Series 3
Episode 5
An American client asks Maggie for a UK advert to promote his new air freshener which promises to bring the smell of nature into our homes.
But why does Mavis have to type it in the bath?
"A light-hearted exposé of the advertising world!". Set in a London ad agency called 'Apsley, Addis, Cohen, Barbican, Blythe, Giddy & Partners'.
Michael Lightfoot.................... Michael Medwin
Maggie........................................ Eleanor Summerfield
Janet............................................. Fenella Fielding
Mavis........................................... .Joan Sims
Adrian Beates........................... Nicholas Phipps
Other characters...................... Roy Dotrice
Script by Myles Rudge and Ronnie Wolfe
Producer John Simmonds
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1961.
FRI 09:00 The Food Quiz (b09k9g9q)
Christmas Special 2004
Jay Rayner gives Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Clarissa Dickson-Wright, Pat Chapman and Jancis Robinson a festive grilling on their knowledge of food and drink.
Producer: Dixi Stewart
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004.
FRI 09:30 The Phenomenon Squad (b0855z15)
The Purge
Brabazon's intrepid cops are purging pornography. But WPI Nutkins wants a wimple. Stars Roy Kinnear and Susie Blake. From October 1987.
FRI 10:00 Drama (b06rwgd7)
The Arabian Nights
Episode 2
The immortal stories of The Arabian Nights are brought to life in an inventive new adaptation by Glen Neath, as present and past merge into one.
Ata Madri (Indira Varma) is in Cairo attempting to retrieve a lost manuscript of The Arabian Nights that is said to contain the real ending of the book. As we follow her search we slip into this sea of stories.
The Hunchback Cycle is told in this episode, including the story of The Barber (Alexei Sayle) and his brothers, as well as lesser known stories.
These tales of wonder and imagination have beguiled both east and west over generations and remain as seminal and influential as ever. Here, the stories are told in a rich world of sound by an ensemble of actors from around the world.
Cast:
Narrator.....................Nadim Sawalha
Madri..........................Indira Varma
Clive, Steward............Ewan Bailey
Ali Zum, Thief, Chief....Waleed Elgadi
Tailor...........................Bhasker Patel
Tailor’s Wife................Alyssa Kyria
Christian, Old Man.......Niall Ashdown
Lame Young Man,
Al-Haddar....................Muzz Khan
Mother,
Beautiful Woman..........Noa Bodner
Barber..........................Alexei Sayle
Jewish Physician’s maid,
Judge’s Daughter.........Sharlit Deyzac
Caliph...........................Renu Setna
Bakbook,
Jewish Physician...........Amir El-Masry
Young Woman..............Laura Hanna
Bakbak.........................Nabil Elouahabi
Blind Beggar.................Noof McEwan
Watchman, Al-Ashar.....Stewart Scudamore
Hasan, Taxi Driver........Nayef Rashed
Sound design by Alisdair McGregor
Music by Michael Ward with David Lewin and Peter Rophone
Directed by Boz Temple-Morris
A Holy Mountain production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 11:00 Podcast Radio Hour (m000cbk2)
Presenters recommend their favourite podcasts and speak to the people who make them.
FRI 12:00 The Burkiss Way (b007jrtv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Something to Shout About (m000cbk0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Charles Paris: So Much Blood (m000cbjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Good Grief: The Story of Peanuts (b00vrvdm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b05vy8cc)
Sarah Hall - The Wolf Border
Episode 5
With the wolves bonding, the time is approaching for their release into the estate where they must mate to guarantee the success of the project.
And Rachel has a new surprise...
Sarah Hall's novel is a compelling story about personal and political borders, about power, land, family and love. At its heart is Rachel Caine, tough, untouchable, an expert on wolves, and long estranged from her home county of Cumbria and her fiery mother and lost brother. Like the wolves she protects and champions, she is wary of human connections, happy in the untamed wilderness.
Set against the dramatic and artfully drawn backdrops of the Lakeland fells, The Wolf Border explores issues of ownership and vested power, of re-wilding and of family bonds as Rachel discovers that she can choose, and change.
Reader: Hattie Morahan
Abridger: Sally Marmion
Producer: Di Speirs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
FRI 14:15 Prime Ministers' Props (b07syyrk)
Series 1
Harold Wilson's Pipe and Mac
Professor Sir David Cannadine explores political fame and image by looking at how an object or prop, whether chosen deliberately or otherwise, can come to define a political leader - from Winston Churchill's cigar and siren suit to Margaret Thatcher's handbag.
Sir David looks at the significance of these props of power - what they mean and what they become, and what happens when, almost inevitably, Prime Ministers lose control of their image and their props take on a hostile meaning, very different from their original intentions.
Harold Wilson sought to enhance his political image, in part by wearing a Gannex mac which made him seem ordinary, and also by puffing at his pipe, as memorably expressed in Ruskin Spear's 1974 portrait of him.
Following Stanley Baldwin, who had also made much of his pipe, Harold Wilson hoped to convey an image that was homely, benevolent and avuncular, and to some extent he succeeded. But the unintended consequence was that the pipe also enhanced Wilson's reputation for evasiveness and deviousness. Whenever asked a difficult question by an interviewer, he would delay and distract attention by lighting up - and it was widely believed that, although he puffed his pipe in public, he preferred cigars in private. A rumour that his son, Robin Wilson, scotches.
The Gannex mac was also to become a hostage to fortune for Wilson. While he was the peak of his popularity, the Gannex made him look like a man of the people and the millionaire businessman who invented Gannex, Joseph Kagan, became a close friend of Wilson. But once Kagan fell from grace due to his crooked business dealings, Wilson's Kagan connection was further evidence to his enemies that he was not to be trusted.
Producer: Melissa FitzGerald
A Blakeway production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2016.
FRI 14:30 15 Minute Drama (b04w0k8x)
Nigel Slater - Eating for England
Episode 5
Aunt Elvie, now in a home, continues to play a central part in Nigel's life.
Aunt Elvie......................Celia Imrie
Nigel Slater...................Julian Rhind-Tutt
Waiter...........................Nigel Slater
Nellie.............................Buffy Davies
Cynthia..........................Effie MacMillan
Eating for England, the successor to his highly acclaimed memoir Toast, is part food memoir, part collective memory bank of a nation's taste. Using the book as source material along with further conversations with Nigel, dramatist Sarah Daniels has written a playful reimagining. A grown up Nigel - played by Julian Rhind-Tutt, looks back on his childhood while caring for a now elderly, yet ever sparkling, Aunt Elvie, played by Celia Imrie.
Rich with sounds of the kitchen and recorded on location, with a cameo performance from Nigel himself.
What drives a cook to write about food? Why is there such a powerful link between memory and what we eat? And why is reading about food so irresistibly appetising?
Dramatised by Sarah Daniels.
Sound design by Eloise Whitmore.
Director: Polly Thomas
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2014.
FRI 14:45 Book of the Week (b059jjn6)
The Utopia Experiment
Episode 5
Dylan finds himself sectioned in a hospital's psychiatric unit. It's not quite dystopia, but it's certainly not the future he had imagined.
Written and concluded by Dylan Evans.
A true story that you couldn't make up - one man's attempt to survive a global catastrophe by setting up a commune in Scotland.
While lecturing in robotics, academic Dylan Evans became increasingly concerned by the visible impacts of global warming, population increase, terrorism - and by our inability to cope with a doomsday scenario in a world engineered to just-in-time living.
The concern became an obsession and Evans left his post to run an experiment. He set up a camp that would create the conditions for a post-apocalyptic world. It was established in the Scottish Highlands with a collection of people chosen for talents and skills necessary in a life without technology or comforts.
The resulting story is a Lord of the Flies for the modern day, treating serious and normally sombre topics with dark humour. At its heart, however, is one man's well-intentioned dream and the price he paid for trying to do something good.
Abridged by Barry Johnston.
Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in March 2015.
FRI 15:00 Drama (b06rwgd7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
FRI 16:00 The Food Quiz (b09k9g9q)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
FRI 16:30 The Phenomenon Squad (b0855z15)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
FRI 17:00 1834 (b011klyr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Fred at The Stand (m000cbjx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Short Works (m000cbk4)
Patricia Highsmith Stories
The Baby Spoon
Claude is more than irritated by his wife’s attachment to an old silver keepsake.
Read by Greta Scacchi.
Five tales by the celebrated American crime and psychological novelist and short story writer, Patricia Highsmith.
Patricia Highsmith was born in Texas in 1921-1995. She wrote eight collections of short stories and 22 novels, among them the five ‘Ripley’ novels for which she is perhaps best known. Her first, Strangers On A Train, was the basis for the eponymous Hitchcock film of 1951. She died in Switzerland in 1995.
Producer/abridger: Jeremy Osborne
A Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4 Extra
FRI 18:15 Roald Dahl (b0106vcp)
Kiss Kiss
The Landlady
Meet young Billy Weaver, who has just arrived in Bath to take up a new job. He books into a curiously deserted B&B. The landlady, who inhabits a sitting room filled with stuffed animals, is welcoming but odd. Wondering if he's her only guest, Billy checks the register and sees two strangely familiar names.
Taking tea with her later, Billy suddenly remembers reading in the papers that both her former guests disappeared in mysterious circumstances. The landlady tells Billy that, like him, each was a beautiful young man whom she didn't want to leave....
Five classic tales by Roald Dahl starring Charles Dance as the urbane Storyteller and Doreen Mantle as the Landlady.
Taken from the anthology, Kiss, Kiss. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these black comedies are justly famous for Dahl's surprise endings.
Storyteller........Charles Dance
Landlady.........Doreen Mantle
Billy Weaver.....James Joyce
Mr Greenslade...John Rowe
Director: David Blount
A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2011.
FRI 18:30 Off the Page (b0076qfw)
The King Is Dead
Matthew Parris discusses succession with Misha Glenny, Richard Gott and Daisy Sampson. From February 2005.
FRI 19:00 The Burkiss Way (b007jrtv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Something to Shout About (m000cbk0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 Charles Paris: So Much Blood (m000cbjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Good Grief: The Story of Peanuts (b00vrvdm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Podcast Radio Hour (m000cbk2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
FRI 22:00 Fred at The Stand (m000cbjx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 22:30 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03srgv9)
Series 3
The Awards
Damien is nominated for a 'Melvyn' for his TV show about the culinary habits of the great poets but finds it hard to think of what to write in his column for a new gentleman's magazine. Meanwhile, Anthony busies himself preparing for an audition for an amateur production of Noel Coward's Hay Fever.
FRI 23:00 The Iguanodon (b0075cpk)
Two Sausage Rolls Between the Seven of Us
A startling revelation for Sam after he survives a sinking and the pirates - again.
The passengers and crew of 'The Iganodon' are still adrift in the Woe Betides. Will they ever get back to the mainland?
A three-part comedy adventure by Paul Lucas.
Starring Paul Haigh as Sam Varley, Bernard Cribbins as Mr Brook, Rosemary Leach as Isabel, Dermot Crowley as Don O'Reilly, John Arthur as the Captain, Patsy Byrne as Harriet and Sally Phillips as Laura.
Other parts played by Fred Harris and Kevin Eldon.
Producer: Jo Clegg
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1997.
FRI 23:30 The Mel and Sue Thing (b00769y0)
Episode 3
A guitar legend, Jane Austen and a soap opera queen. Sketches galore with Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc. From October 2002.
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
02:30 SAT (b019h2b6)
15 Minute Drama
14:30 MON (b04vk6ky)
15 Minute Drama
02:30 TUE (b04vk6ky)
15 Minute Drama
14:30 TUE (b04w0jfs)
15 Minute Drama
02:30 WED (b04w0jfs)
15 Minute Drama
14:30 WED (b04w0jxk)
15 Minute Drama
02:30 THU (b04w0jxk)
15 Minute Drama
14:30 THU (b04vkg6n)
15 Minute Drama
02:30 FRI (b04vkg6n)
15 Minute Drama
14:30 FRI (b04w0k8x)
1834
05:00 SAT (b011db7v)
1834
07:00 FRI (b011klyr)
1834
17:00 FRI (b011klyr)
2000 Years of Radio
23:00 SUN (b007jng1)
55 and Over
07:00 MON (b01p3hnx)
55 and Over
17:00 MON (b01p3hnx)
55 and Over
05:00 TUE (b01p3hnx)
A Good Read
18:30 MON (b00jcq5h)
A Good Read
00:30 TUE (b00jcq5h)
An Actor's Life for Me
09:30 WED (b00899ps)
An Actor's Life for Me
16:30 WED (b00899ps)
An Actor's Life for Me
04:30 THU (b00899ps)
Archive on 4
08:00 SAT (b05jbcf7)
Archive on 4
15:00 SAT (b05jbcf7)
Archive on 4
03:00 SUN (b05jbcf7)
Armstrong and Miller
22:30 TUE (b00t3vjx)
Arthur Smith's Balham Bash
22:30 WED (b00s3h46)
Ballylenon
07:00 THU (b00yqtqm)
Ballylenon
17:00 THU (b00yqtqm)
Ballylenon
05:00 FRI (b00yqtqm)
Bleak Expectations
22:30 MON (b00nyy8s)
Bone Stories
02:15 SAT (b0910svm)
Book at Bedtime
02:00 SAT (b07hj93g)
Book at Bedtime
14:00 MON (b05v7tmb)
Book at Bedtime
02:00 TUE (b05v7tmb)
Book at Bedtime
14:00 TUE (b05vy88z)
Book at Bedtime
02:00 WED (b05vy88z)
Book at Bedtime
14:00 WED (b05vy89l)
Book at Bedtime
02:00 THU (b05vy89l)
Book at Bedtime
14:00 THU (b05vy8bv)
Book at Bedtime
02:00 FRI (b05vy8bv)
Book at Bedtime
14:00 FRI (b05vy8cc)
Book of the Week
02:45 SAT (b05nvb6f)
Book of the Week
14:45 MON (b059crs2)
Book of the Week
02:45 TUE (b059crs2)
Book of the Week
14:45 TUE (b055fkbc)
Book of the Week
02:45 WED (b055fkbc)
Book of the Week
14:45 WED (b059crlx)
Book of the Week
02:45 THU (b059crlx)
Book of the Week
14:45 THU (b059dfhy)
Book of the Week
02:45 FRI (b059dfhy)
Book of the Week
14:45 FRI (b059jjn6)
Change at Oglethorpe
09:30 THU (b007k0dp)
Change at Oglethorpe
16:30 THU (b007k0dp)
Change at Oglethorpe
04:30 FRI (b007k0dp)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
01:00 SAT (m000c58m)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
06:00 MON (m000cb2p)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
13:00 MON (m000cb2p)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
20:00 MON (m000cb2p)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
01:00 TUE (m000cb2p)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
06:00 TUE (m000cctj)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
13:00 TUE (m000cctj)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
20:00 TUE (m000cctj)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
01:00 WED (m000cctj)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
06:00 WED (m000cc9v)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
13:00 WED (m000cc9v)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
20:00 WED (m000cc9v)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
01:00 THU (m000cc9v)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
06:00 THU (m000ccwc)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
13:00 THU (m000ccwc)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
20:00 THU (m000ccwc)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
01:00 FRI (m000ccwc)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
06:00 FRI (m000cbjt)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
13:00 FRI (m000cbjt)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
20:00 FRI (m000cbjt)
Clare in the Community
23:00 WED (b00snrjy)
Colin Hoult's Carnival of Monsters
23:00 SAT (b037j6vl)
Cowards
23:30 THU (b00fbkz5)
Creme de la Crime
07:00 SUN (b00807sd)
Creme de la Crime
14:00 SUN (b00807sd)
Creme de la Crime
02:00 MON (b00807sd)
Dad's Army
08:30 MON (b007jpp4)
Dad's Army
12:30 MON (b007jpp4)
Dad's Army
19:30 MON (b007jpp4)
Daniel Defoe - Robinson Crusoe
10:00 TUE (b007jqy3)
Daniel Defoe - Robinson Crusoe
15:00 TUE (b007jqy3)
Daniel Defoe - Robinson Crusoe
03:00 WED (b007jqy3)
Daniel Defoe - Robinson Crusoe
10:00 WED (b007jqyc)
Daniel Defoe - Robinson Crusoe
15:00 WED (b007jqyc)
Daniel Defoe - Robinson Crusoe
03:00 THU (b007jqyc)
David Attenborough's Life Stories
11:50 SUN (b00kr7bp)
David Buck - Barnsdale Wake
06:00 SAT (b05nxrtc)
David Buck - Barnsdale Wake
16:00 SAT (b05nxrtc)
David Buck - Barnsdale Wake
04:00 SUN (b05nxrtc)
Dawn Lowe-Watson - Closed to Visitors
10:00 MON (b04yf35h)
Dawn Lowe-Watson - Closed to Visitors
15:00 MON (b04yf35h)
Dawn Lowe-Watson - Closed to Visitors
03:00 TUE (b04yf35h)
Dead Ringers
23:00 MON (m000c4sj)
Dead Ringers
09:00 TUE (m000c4sj)
Desert Island Discs Revisited
10:15 SUN (b08ynt12)
Desert Island Discs Revisited
20:40 SUN (b08ynt12)
Down Your Way
14:15 SAT (m000c991)
Down Your Way
02:15 SUN (m000c991)
Drama
10:00 THU (b06r1b2h)
Drama
11:15 THU (b05nt1vb)
Drama
15:00 THU (b06r1b2h)
Drama
21:15 THU (b05nt1vb)
Drama
03:00 FRI (b06r1b2h)
Drama
10:00 FRI (b06rwgd7)
Drama
15:00 FRI (b06rwgd7)
E Nesbit - Hurst of Hurstcote
18:45 SAT (b007jmyy)
E Nesbit - Hurst of Hurstcote
00:45 SUN (b007jmyy)
Electric Ink
07:00 WED (b0116gvm)
Electric Ink
17:00 WED (b0116gvm)
Electric Ink
05:00 THU (b0116gvm)
Four Joneses and a Jenkins
07:00 TUE (b007jz3j)
Four Joneses and a Jenkins
17:00 TUE (b007jz3j)
Four Joneses and a Jenkins
05:00 WED (b007jz3j)
Fred at The Stand
05:30 SAT (b09cz4d4)
Fred at The Stand
07:30 FRI (m000cbjx)
Fred at The Stand
17:30 FRI (m000cbjx)
Fred at The Stand
22:00 FRI (m000cbjx)
From the Vineyard
07:15 SUN (b06tq9rm)
From the Vineyard
14:15 SUN (b06tq9rm)
From the Vineyard
02:15 MON (b06tq9rm)
Good Grief: The Story of Peanuts
06:30 FRI (b00vrvdm)
Good Grief: The Story of Peanuts
13:30 FRI (b00vrvdm)
Good Grief: The Story of Peanuts
20:30 FRI (b00vrvdm)
Great Lives
18:30 THU (b03s718g)
Great Lives
00:30 FRI (b03s718g)
Grossman's War
03:00 SAT (b014qxbd)
Grossman's War
03:15 SAT (b014qxbs)
Grossman's War
06:00 SUN (b0150b0c)
Grossman's War
13:00 SUN (b0150b0c)
Grossman's War
16:00 SUN (b0150ghf)
Grossman's War
01:00 MON (b0150b0c)
Grossman's War
04:00 MON (b0150ghf)
Guilt Trip
07:30 SUN (b07lhg2q)
Guilt Trip
17:30 SUN (b07lhg2q)
Guilt Trip
22:00 SUN (b07lhg2q)
Guilt Trip
05:30 MON (b07lhg2q)
HG Wells
18:00 SUN (b08hrkd4)
HG Wells
00:00 MON (b08hrkd4)
Hancock's Half Hour
08:00 WED (b00j283n)
Hancock's Half Hour
12:00 WED (b00j283n)
Hancock's Half Hour
19:00 WED (b00j283n)
Hannah Gadsby: Arts Clown
23:15 SUN (b055gcdq)
Huddwinks
09:30 MON (b009gc4p)
Huddwinks
16:30 MON (b009gc4p)
Huddwinks
04:30 TUE (b009gc4p)
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
07:30 MON (m000c4x9)
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
17:30 MON (m000c4x9)
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
22:00 MON (m000c4x9)
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
05:30 TUE (m000c4x9)
I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again
08:30 THU (b00rxf3m)
I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again
12:30 THU (b00rxf3m)
I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again
19:30 THU (b00rxf3m)
ITMA - It's That Man Again
08:00 SUN (m000cb3q)
ITMA - It's That Man Again
12:00 SUN (m000cb3q)
In Search of the Holy Whale
01:30 SAT (b00xnynk)
In and Out of the Kitchen
22:30 FRI (b03srgv9)
Inheritance Tracks
14:10 SAT (m000c98z)
Inheritance Tracks
02:10 SUN (m000c98z)
Inheritance Tracks
11:50 MON (b0bk12c9)
Inheritance Tracks
21:50 MON (b0bk12c9)
It's Jocelyn
22:00 SAT (b08gy87v)
It's Not What You Know
04:00 SAT (b0640pnx)
It's Your Round
09:00 THU (b00yjs4p)
It's Your Round
16:00 THU (b00yjs4p)
It's Your Round
04:00 FRI (b00yjs4p)
Jelly Mountain
22:45 TUE (b00fr1z3)
Just a Minute
12:00 SAT (b01lhbgx)
Just a Minute
09:00 MON (b01lswv8)
Just a Minute
16:00 MON (b01lswv8)
Just a Minute
04:00 TUE (b01lswv8)
Kalangadog Junction
16:30 TUE (b09fggby)
Kalangadog Junction
04:30 WED (b09fggby)
Last Orders
00:30 SAT (b00qx1m5)
Lewis Macleod Is Not Himself
22:30 THU (b04grrpq)
Listen to Les
08:30 WED (b007wvm2)
Listen to Les
12:30 WED (b007wvm2)
Listen to Les
19:30 WED (b007wvm2)
Many a Slip
09:00 WED (b09wvq06)
Many a Slip
16:00 WED (b09wvq06)
Many a Slip
04:00 THU (b09wvq06)
Mr and Mrs Smith
23:00 THU (b01blzkq)
Off the Page
18:30 FRI (b0076qfw)
Peter Nichols - A Day in the Death of Joe Egg
19:00 SUN (m000cb40)
Philip Pullman - The Book of Dust (Omnibus)
14:30 SUN (b09d5l7r)
Philip Pullman - The Book of Dust (Omnibus)
02:30 MON (b09d5l7r)
Podcast Radio Hour
11:00 FRI (m000cbk2)
Podcast Radio Hour
21:00 FRI (m000cbk2)
Poetry Extra
17:00 SUN (m000cb3y)
Poetry Extra
21:30 SUN (m000cb3y)
Poetry Extra
05:00 MON (m000cb3y)
Prime Ministers' Props
14:15 MON (b07mxt94)
Prime Ministers' Props
02:15 TUE (b07mxt94)
Prime Ministers' Props
14:15 TUE (b07nrlqn)
Prime Ministers' Props
02:15 WED (b07nrlqn)
Prime Ministers' Props
14:15 WED (b07pgwg1)
Prime Ministers' Props
02:15 THU (b07pgwg1)
Prime Ministers' Props
14:15 THU (b07qbcb0)
Prime Ministers' Props
02:15 FRI (b07qbcb0)
Prime Ministers' Props
14:15 FRI (b07syyrk)
Radio 9
23:30 SUN (b04hkfq5)
Radio Active
23:30 MON (b007k39v)
Ray Bradbury - The Shape of Things to Come
18:00 SAT (b0499l5n)
Ray Bradbury - The Shape of Things to Come
00:00 SUN (b0499l5n)
Recycled Radio
07:30 SAT (b04d1kvd)
Recycled Radio
17:30 SAT (b04d1kvd)
Recycled Radio
05:30 SUN (b04d1kvd)
Revolting People
22:30 SAT (b00ww9fh)
Rhys James
07:30 TUE (m000c4qk)
Rhys James
17:30 TUE (m000c4qk)
Rhys James
22:00 TUE (m000c4qk)
Rhys James
05:30 WED (m000c4qk)
Roald Dahl
18:15 MON (b0105vtp)
Roald Dahl
00:15 TUE (b0105vtp)
Roald Dahl
18:15 TUE (b0105zkh)
Roald Dahl
00:15 WED (b0105zkh)
Roald Dahl
18:15 WED (b01064yd)
Roald Dahl
00:15 THU (b01064yd)
Roald Dahl
18:15 THU (b0106tjk)
Roald Dahl
00:15 FRI (b0106tjk)
Roald Dahl
18:15 FRI (b0106vcp)
Ross Noble Goes Global
23:30 SAT (b01cvr0t)
Round the Horne
08:30 TUE (b00lrv62)
Round the Horne
12:30 TUE (b00lrv62)
Round the Horne
19:30 TUE (b00lrv62)
Short Works
18:00 MON (m000cb2v)
Short Works
00:00 TUE (m000cb2v)
Short Works
18:00 TUE (m000cctq)
Short Works
00:00 WED (m000cctq)
Short Works
18:00 WED (m000ccb0)
Short Works
00:00 THU (m000ccb0)
Short Works
18:00 THU (m000ccwf)
Short Works
00:00 FRI (m000ccwf)
Short Works
18:00 FRI (m000cbk4)
Sid and Dora
08:30 SUN (b04vd29z)
Sid and Dora
12:30 SUN (b04vd29z)
Somebody Laughed: Eddie Braben Brings You Sunshine
09:00 SAT (b007lm74)
Somebody Laughed: Eddie Braben Brings You Sunshine
19:00 SAT (b007lm74)
Something to Shout About
08:30 FRI (m000cbk0)
Something to Shout About
12:30 FRI (m000cbk0)
Something to Shout About
19:30 FRI (m000cbk0)
Sounds Natural
18:30 TUE (b08yr9x7)
Sounds Natural
00:30 WED (b08yr9x7)
Stilgoe's Around
12:30 SAT (b007k3xj)
Stilgoe's Around
09:30 TUE (m000cctl)
Sue Perkins' Christmas Comedy Stocking
11:00 WED (m000cc9y)
Sue Perkins' Christmas Comedy Stocking
21:00 WED (m000cc9y)
Survivors by Laura Barnett
11:00 THU (b08606t2)
Survivors by Laura Barnett
21:00 THU (b08606t2)
Susan Calman Makes Me Happy
07:30 WED (m000c4x4)
Susan Calman Makes Me Happy
17:30 WED (m000c4x4)
Susan Calman Makes Me Happy
22:00 WED (m000c4x4)
Susan Calman Makes Me Happy
05:30 THU (m000c4x4)
TED Radio Hour
11:00 MON (m000cb2s)
TED Radio Hour
21:00 MON (m000cb2s)
Telling Tales
11:00 TUE (m000cctn)
Telling Tales
21:00 TUE (m000cctn)
The Brown Camp
06:30 TUE (b03ggllz)
The Brown Camp
13:30 TUE (b03ggllz)
The Brown Camp
20:30 TUE (b03ggllz)
The Brown Camp
01:30 WED (b03ggllz)
The Burkiss Way
08:00 FRI (b007jrtv)
The Burkiss Way
12:00 FRI (b007jrtv)
The Burkiss Way
19:00 FRI (b007jrtv)
The Comedy Club Interviews
22:55 SUN (m000d0fk)
The Comedy Club Interviews
22:55 MON (m000cy94)
The Comedy Club Interviews
22:55 WED (m000d20b)
The Consultants
23:30 WED (b007jwvr)
The Country Girls
13:00 SAT (m000c98x)
The Country Girls
01:00 SUN (m000c98x)
The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket
08:00 MON (b04nd4k2)
The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket
12:00 MON (b04nd4k2)
The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket
19:00 MON (b04nd4k2)
The Food Quiz
09:00 FRI (b09k9g9q)
The Food Quiz
16:00 FRI (b09k9g9q)
The Goon Show
08:00 TUE (b007k4c2)
The Goon Show
12:00 TUE (b007k4c2)
The Goon Show
19:00 TUE (b007k4c2)
The Iguanodon
23:00 FRI (b0075cpk)
The Ken Dodd Show
08:00 THU (b05p67jy)
The Ken Dodd Show
12:00 THU (b05p67jy)
The Ken Dodd Show
19:00 THU (b05p67jy)
The Listening Project
10:10 SUN (b05wz90g)
The Listening Project
21:25 SUN (b05wz90g)
The Mel and Sue Thing
23:30 FRI (b00769y0)
The Moth Radio Hour
11:00 SUN (b09k85pj)
The Palace of Laughter
18:30 WED (b007tzt7)
The Palace of Laughter
00:30 THU (b007tzt7)
The Phenomenon Squad
04:30 SAT (b084p6qt)
The Phenomenon Squad
09:30 FRI (b0855z15)
The Phenomenon Squad
16:30 FRI (b0855z15)
The Playlist Series
06:30 THU (b017ng3m)
The Playlist Series
13:30 THU (b017ng3m)
The Playlist Series
20:30 THU (b017ng3m)
The Playlist Series
01:30 FRI (b017ng3m)
The Remains of Foley and McColl
22:30 SUN (b007jrrn)
The Secret World
23:00 TUE (b0121myp)
The Unbelievable Truth
16:00 TUE (b06d2g56)
The Unbelievable Truth
04:00 WED (b06d2g56)
The Wales Window of Alabama
06:30 WED (b00z5zxv)
The Wales Window of Alabama
13:30 WED (b00z5zxv)
The Wales Window of Alabama
20:30 WED (b00z5zxv)
The Wales Window of Alabama
01:30 THU (b00z5zxv)
Think the Unthinkable
23:30 TUE (b00cqh5b)
Three-a-Penny (Omnibus)
09:00 SUN (m000cb3s)
Tom Allen Is Actually Not Very Nice
07:30 THU (m000c4zq)
Tom Allen Is Actually Not Very Nice
17:30 THU (m000c4zq)
Tom Allen Is Actually Not Very Nice
22:00 THU (m000c4zq)
Tom Allen Is Actually Not Very Nice
05:30 FRI (m000c4zq)
Who Ate All The Pies?
15:45 SUN (m000cb3v)
Who Ate All The Pies?
03:45 MON (m000cb3v)
William Gibson - Pattern Recognition
00:00 SAT (b007k21k)
Ziggy Stardust Came from Isleworth
06:30 MON (b00tdpz8)
Ziggy Stardust Came from Isleworth
13:30 MON (b00tdpz8)
Ziggy Stardust Came from Isleworth
20:30 MON (b00tdpz8)
Ziggy Stardust Came from Isleworth
01:30 TUE (b00tdpz8)