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 04 APRIL 2020

SAT 00:00 Host Planet Earth (m000gw7g)
The Arrival

David Holland urges the Minister of Defence to destroy the Starfarer before it can return to Earth.

‘Host Planet Earth’ is a sci-fi serial in six parts originally broadcast between July and September 1967. At that time, concerns were being raised about microbes being brought back to Earth by the American and Russian space programmes. Set in England, the British space programme is eager to compete and has gained an advantage with the invention of a propulsion system that enables exploration of distant regions of the universe within weeks instead of years

The danger of invading – or invasive - alien species is only being realised very slowly, following some bizarre and seemingly unconnected events. Has that realisation come too late?

CAST:

Claire Stuart …. Brenda Bruce
Minister of Defence …. Rolf Lefebvre
Professor Ormskirk …. Clive Morton
David Holland …. Alexander John
Rathbone …. Timothy Bateson
First Woman …. Beth Boyd
Nat Blakey …. Nigel Anthony
Police Inspector …. Preston Lockwood
Commentator …. Audrey Russell
Doctor/Commissionaire …. Ronald Herdman
Second Woman …. Betty Hardy

Written by Colin Cooper and Anne Howell.

Music and FX by the Radiophonic Workshop.

Producer: Nesta Pain.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1967.


SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b0076tmn)
Common as Muck

Matthew Parris talks class, brass and manure with commoners Geoff Dyer, Michael Collins and Ian Duhig. From 2005.


SAT 01:00 Stand By For West (m000gw78)
Inspector West at Home

A Date with Justice

Roger West follows several lines of enquiry to find the crooked copper and close this case.

Chief Inspector Roger West is the creation of John Creasey, who authored more than 40 Roger West novels between 1942 and 1973.

Much like Paul Temple, West - “Scotland Yard’s youngest, smartest chief inspector” - has a long-suffering wife who also gets involved with the action. A total of six novels were adapted for radio by Maurice Travers.

Chief Inspector Roger West… Patrick Allen
Janet West… Sarah Lawson
Mark Lessing…Edward De Souza
Assistant Commissioner Sir Guy Chatsworth… Maurice Hedley
Superintendent Abbott… Grant Taylor
Inspector Bob Cornish… Frederick Treves
Mrs Fleming…Margaret Robertson
Raymond Fleming… Frederick Jaeger

Producer: John Fawcett Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1968.


SAT 01:30 Paddling With Peter Duck (b012wzfl)
Arthur Ransome is best known for writing the 'Swallows and Amazons' series of children's books. These tell of school-holiday adventures of children, mostly in the Lake District and the Norfolk Broads. Nearly all of Ransome's books involve sailing, a reflection of his own passion for boats, which he spent his lifetime owning and enjoying.

Ransome owned many boats during his lifetime, and in this programme John McCarthy, a keen sailor himself, goes to see many of them, gradually piecing together a picture of the writer, through the boats he owned.
Nancy Blackett is featured in 'We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea', as the Goblin, the boat in which four children sail across the North Sea to Holland. Ransome sailed the course himself in Nancy, and worked on the book aboard her, while living near Pin Mill on the River Orwell in Suffolk.

Recently rescued and restored, Nancy Blackett is now preserved and maintained and sailed regularly by its owners. Nancy Blackett was Arthur Ransome's favourite amongst the cruising yachts he owned during his lifetime. He named her after his favourite character, the adventurous, irrepressible leader of the Amazon Pirates who first appears in 'Swallows and Amazons'.

Ransome's dinghy Coch-y-Bonddhu was his favourite for sailing around the Walton Backwaters, just a few miles fom his home on the Orwell. He used to anchor up to work and it was here in Coch-y-Bonddhu that he wrote 'Secret Water'. The boat appears as 'Scarab' in the books. John also visits Ragged Robin, formerly named Lottie Blossom, and Peter Duck.

As John McCarthy travels around the UK visiting and sailing in Ransome's boats, he also encounters Mavis, which was the model for the Amazon and Esperance, a steam launch and a likely model for 'Captain Flint's Houseboat'.

Producer: Kevin Dawson
A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 02:00 Short Works (m000gw7d)
CG Menon - Subjunctive Moods

Clay For Bones

Subjunctive Moods
Five tales of loss, love and betrayal from the collection by C.G. Menon.

5. Clay For Bones
A woman waits outside a hospital for the second scan on her unborn child, accompanied by her long-dead grandmother, whom she never met.

CG Menon has won the Bare Fiction Prize, the Leicester Writes Prize, The Short Story Award, the Asian Writer Prize, The TBL Short Story Award and the Winchester Writers Festival award. Subjunctive Moods, her debut collection of short stories, was published in 2018. Her first novel, Fragile Monsters, will be published in 2021.

Read by Chetna Pandya.

PRODUCER: Jeremy Osborne
A Sweet Talk Production


SAT 02:15 All in a Chord (b088974y)
Terry Riley: In C

Ivan Hewett examines the chord of C major as found in Terry Riley's In C to test the idea that harmony is a reflection of history. He's joined by musicologist Pwyll ap Sion and pianist Joanna MacGregor.

Music is never created in isolation - it's conceived in relation to what's going on around a composer in terms of personal and historical events, new technologies, new ideas and artistic endeavours in other fields. In this series, Ivan Hewett is looking at five very different chords which amply demonstrate the concept that harmony is a reflection of history.

Each programme is a bite size portion of rich musical and historical investigation - and each chord has had far reaching influence on other music and is emblematic of its era.

In 1964, the Californian composer Terry Riley wrote a piece which changed the face of classical music - and it was entirely based on the chord of C major. The piece is called In C and its composition is said to mark the beginning of the Minimalist movement in music. After the complexity of the other chords in this series, this final episode explores how In C reflects the era in which it was written and, in particular, how employing the seemingly simple chord of C major was so appropriate for its time.

Ivan Hewett is a writer on music for the Daily Telegraph, broadcaster on BBC Radio 3, and teacher at the Royal College of Music.

Producer: Rosie Boulton
A Monty Funk production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 02:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsps)
Babel Tower, Part 5/8

Frederica visits the doctor and makes a major decision. Daniel learns the identity of his mystery caller.

CAST:

Frederica …. Indira Varma
Thomas Poole …. Gerard McDermott
Winifred …. Barbara Flynn
Daniel …. Shaun Dooley
Nigel …. Mark Bazeley
Bill …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Mary …. Ruby Williams
Leo …. Jack Langan
Jude Mason …. Mark Heap
Begbie …. Ben Onwukwe

Written by A.S. Byatt and dramatised by John Harvey.

Producer: Mary Peate.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.


SAT 02:45 Leo McKern - Just Resting (m000gwrz)
Episode 5

Actor Leo McKern - 'Rumpole of the Bailey' – reads from his memoirs: early acting life as an Aussie in England.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1984.


SAT 03:00 David Stafford - The Funny Side of Love (b093p3th)
Back from Oz, June reunites for a soggy summer season comeback with 1960s song partners, Gary and Charlie. Will it be hell or harmonies?

David Stafford 's wry comedy about showbiz, eternal triangles and the Eurovision Song Contest.

Starring Deborah Findlay and Neil McCaul as June and Gary Knight, Stephen Ley as Charlie, Geoffrey Durham as Jelly, Jill Graham as Donna, John Webb as Damien, Oona Beeson as Kayla, Trevor Allan Davies as Janusc and Steve Hodson as Comic/Attendant.

The boys in the band: Trevor Allan Davies (piano). Bobby Worth (drums) and David Stafford (bass guitar)

Producer: Marilyn Imrie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1993


SAT 04:00 Funny You Should Ask (b0b7hfpc)
From 17/03/1981

Peter Jones hosts the entertainment quiz about comedy as he tests a panel of experts: : Leslie Phillips, Ben Travers and Ray Cooney.

Funny You Should Ask ran for 8 series from 1976 to 1982.

Questions compiled by Michael Pointon.

Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1981.


SAT 04:30 The Adventures of John and Tony (b009m38r)
The Quest for the Holy Spectacles

John discovers that Jesus wore glasses, but whatever happened to them? And John and Tony travel to Glastonbury and Loch Ness.

Another comic journey in which John and his best friend Tony search for happiness, love, the meaning of life ... and glasses.

Written by John Hegley

Starring John Hegley, Simon Munnery, Terry Malloy, Sunny Ormonde and John Korne.

Original music by Nigel Piper.

Director: Anne Edyvean

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1999.


SAT 05:00 Bad Salsa (b04bn088)
Series 1

The Shorefest Redemption

After treatment for Ovarian and breast cancer Chippy, is mad, Jill is sad and Terri is definitely dangerous to know! The road back after cancer treatment can be tricky and full of obstacles.

In 'Bad Salsa', two middle aged women and their younger friend seek to regain their zest for life and love by learning to dance at Bad Salsa, the club where everyone knows your name but no-one knows your prognosis!

Depictions of people with cancer on TV and radio too often follow a standard format; there is the diagnosis, the depression the chemo, then the false recovery followed by the tragic death.

Bad Salsa tries to paint a picture at once more hopeful and more in line with survival rates which have improved immensely over the past 20 years.

For many, 'living with cancer' is now their day to day challenge. The characters in the series have finished their treatment and are in the process of finding their way back to normal life or at least finding a "new normal." As in the real world, the challenges of everyday life go on for our characters; like us they have boring marriages, distracting crushes, troublesome children, difficult workmates and infuriating parents, but unlike us their brush with mortality has given them a new perspective.

The fun and excitement of the series is in watching them decide to preserve the pre-cancer status quo or in Terri's words, to say "sod it all" and "go for it!"

Follow the women as they embrace the world of salsa whilst they adjust to life after cancer.


SAT 05:30 Reluctant Persuaders (m000118z)
Series 3

Holidays Are Coming

It’s Christmas Eve, and Joe Starling (Mathew Baynton) sits alone in his favourite bar telling the barman (Mark Evans) his troubles. He’s quit his job at Hardacre’s advertising agency.

A few hours earlier on Christmas Eve and Hardacre’s are having a party. Rupert Hardacre (Nigel Havers) has pulled out all the stops to celebrate the agency’s most successful year ever. By creating a wildly popular TV ad for Walton’s department store, Hardacre’s have reached the Promised Land - the reputation of the agency is restored and their future is secured. And it’s all thanks to Joe.

Joe, Hardacre, Amanda (Josie Lawrence), and Teddy (Rasmus Hardiker) gather to celebrate their achievement, get drunk, sing some karaoke and ring in Christmas. For once, everything at Hardacre’s has gone right and everyone is happy.

So how has Joe ended up in that bar?

Cast:
Hardacre.............................................Nigel Havers
Joe.........................................................Mathew Baynton
Amanda...............................................Josie Lawrence
Teddy...................................................Rasmus Hardiker
Narrator..............................................Victoria Rigby
Bartender...........................................Mark Evans
Christmas Ad Voice Over.............Gordon Kennedy

An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 06:00 Miss Marple (b007jvgc)
4.50 From Paddington

Miss Marple's friend Mrs McGillicuddy arrives for a visit to St. Mary Mead claiming she's just witnessed a murder during her rail journey from London.

On another train running alongside her carriage, she explains how a blind flew up revealing a man slowly strangling a woman – until she slumped down. But next day, when there are no newspaper reports of a corpse, the spinster sleuth sets about her own murder investigation.

Set in the days of steam railways, Agatha Christie's whodunit stars June Whitfield stars as Jane Marple.

First published in 1957 and dramatised for by Michael Bakewell.

Miss Marple ...... June Whitfield
Mrs McGillicuddy ...... Joan Sims
Lucy Eyelesbarrow ...... Susannah Harker
Detective Inspector Craddock ...... Ian Lavender
Luther Crackenthorpe ...... John Woodnutt
Emma Crackenthorpe ...... Janet Maw
Inspector Bacon ...... Sean Baker
Dr Quimper ...... Stephen Thorne
Cedric ...... Christopher Scott
Harold ...... Keith Drinkel
Alfred ...... Mark Bonner
Bryan ...... Jim Wall
Alexander ...... Jonathan Kitchens
James ...... Rory Jennings
Mrs Kidder ...... Ann Beach
Madam Joilet ...... Joanna Monro
Martine ...... Alice Arnold
Miss Ellis ...... Amanda Gordon
Wimborne ...... Lewis Jones
Inspector Dessin ...... Steve Hodson
Sergeant Wetherall ...... Chris Pavlo
Sergeant Cornish ...... Alex Lowe

Director: Enyd Williams

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1997


SAT 07:30 The Voices of... (b08r1tsz)
Series 2

Andy Partridge

An intimate portrait of the songwriter, singer and frontman of the new wave rock band XTC, Andy Partridge.

Brought up on a council estate in Swindon, Andy Partridge's escape from the poverty of his working class upbringing followed a classic path - art and music. At 15, he enrolled in what he calls the 'art floor' of the local college - Swindon didn't boast an actual art college. Then, he discovered the magnetic power of carrying around his Dad's old guitar. He didn't even have to play it to find himself the centre of attention.

In the years that followed - and in the wake of the punk explosion - he tasted celebrity and success with his band XTC. His curious vocal style and angular compositions were distinctive and influential. XTC built a cult status with songs such as Making Plans for Nigel and Senses Working Overtime, as well as albums including the acclaimed Skylarking.

But Swindon didn't lose Andy for long, despite the lure of London and New York. He lives there still, now with his American partner. And he's still writing songs - including for the recent album by the reformed Monkees.

In this programme, he talks about the trajectory of his career and the 'art blood' that has consistently flowed through his veins.

Produced by Alan Hall
A Falling Tree production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2017.


SAT 08:00 Archive on 4 (b079lt8w)
Return to Subtopia

The distinguished architectural writer Gillian Darley retraces the story of "Subtopia", one of the most significant architectural debacles of the post-war era, and considers its long shadow.

Her story starts with Ian Nairn, the maverick young architectural journalist, who invented the word "Subtopia" in the mid-1950s, when the Architectural Review ran a campaign against unsightly clutter and the blurring of distinctions between town and country.

Nairn drew upon a recent road journey he had made, stating that the outcome of "Subtopia" would be that "the end of Southampton will look like the beginning of Carlisle; the parts in between will look like the end of Carlisle or the beginning of Southampton."

He continued uncompromisingly: "The whole land surface is becoming covered by the creeping mildew that already circumscribes all of our towns. Subtopia is the annihilation of the site, the steamrollering of all individuality of place to one uniform and mediocre pattern."

Gillian Darley brings together lively original archive featuring Nairn himself, Gilbert Harding, Sir Hugh Casson, Sir John Betjeman and others, to re-trace the story.

She talks on location in Southampton with the architectural photographer Gareth Gardner about his new project to re-trace and photograph once more the locations which Nairn visited. In the studio, she explores the original and contemporary picture with the architect Janice Murphett, and the architectural writer, Gavin Stamp.

And she wonders whether, if the short-lived and unhappy Ian Nairn were alive today, what would he feel about the British landscape?

Producer: Beaty Rubens

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016.


SAT 09:00 Horne of Plenty: Beyond Our Ken to Round The Horne (b007k2b6)
The fascinating inside story behind two of BBC radio's all-time favourite comedies: 'Beyond Our Ken' and 'Round the Horne'.

Presented by a former BBC Head of Radio Light Entertainment, Jonathan James-Moore

Featuring cast members: Ron Moody and Bill Pertwee. Plus, the son of Beyond Our Ken scriptwriter Eric Merriman - Andy Merriman, Lyn Took - who was married to Barry Took, writer for both series – and the last surviving Round The Horne scriptwriter, Brian Cooke.

Extracts from Kenneth Williams diaries are read by David Benson.

Beyond Our Ken ran for 7 series, while Round The Horne ran for 4. Hear the very first and last editions of both series starring Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee, Ron Moody, Stanley Unwin and Douglas Smith.

The FIRST Beyond Our Ken - 1st July 1958:
Kenneth Horne’s diary, poking fun at tax bills and Horn-o-rama.

The LAST Beyond Our Ken - 16th July 1964:
Kenneth Horne’s week, Horn-o-rama and Drama of the Week

The FIRST Round the Horne - 7th March 1965:
Trends, the BBC's Backroom Boys and part one of 'The Clissold Saga'.

The LAST Round The Horne - 9th June 1968:
Nobody knew it was the last show, but a surprise was in store for Julian and Sandy

Producer: Peter Reed

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in May 2004.


SAT 12:00 Counterpoint (b00hzf58)
Series 23

2009 Heat 1

Paul Gambaccini chairs the general knowledge music quiz.

The questions cover every aspect of music - from the classical repertoire to world music, show tunes, film scores, jazz, rock and pop.

Three contestants battle it out:

Brenda Mortimer from Camberley
David Roy from Bushey
Paul Tobin from Taunton

Producer: Paul Bajoria

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.


SAT 12:30 HR (b00tg1c3)
Series 2

Gassing

Sam is battling retirement blues with a part-time job working for the Saviours, manning telephone lines to help those in distress. And today's first client is of course Peter, in distress about their faulty boiler.

Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce
Sam ..... Nicholas Le Prevost
George ..... Sam Dale
Voice ..... Alison Pettitt

Director: Peter Kavanagh.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.


SAT 13:00 The Prelude (Omnibus) (m000h0mf)
William Wordsworth's autobiographical poem The Prelude is arguably the most important piece of poetic writing in our language. Recorded in Wordsworth's home in Grasmere, Cumbria, Wordsworth looks back over events in his early life.

Wordsworth believed that poetry should be written in the natural language of common speech, and in that way it was revolutionary in its time.

Parts of the poem are famous, with lines quoted often, such as the description of the young Wordsworth stealing a boat. Other parts are more introspective. The young poet leaves Grasmere to go to university in Cambridge and is homesick. Wordsworth grapples with his political feelings - travelling to France at the time of the French Revolution. He enjoys the hustle and bustle of London, and is euphoric when crossing the Alps. All the time this poem is accessible, bursting with colour and description, full of gripping storytelling.

Omnibus of five parts read by Sir Ian McKellen.

With specially composed music by John Harle performed by John Harle on saxophone and Neill MacColl on guitar.

Directed in Manchester by Susan Roberts.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2020


SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (m000h0mh)
Robert Carlyle

Actor Robert Carlyle chooses ‘Watching The Wheels’ by John Lennon and ‘Waiting On A Friend’ by The Rolling Stones.


SAT 14:15 Pam Ayres' Open Road (b007kfng)
Series 2

Northumberland

Pam learns about the water themed gardens of Alnwick Castle and the rituals of the wild cattle of Chillingham.

Poet and raconteuse, Pam Ayres is back on the open road, visiting nine more places in Britain to hear tales from the people who live there.

Photograph by Laurence Watts.

Producer: Jill Marshall

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 2001.


SAT 14:45 Uncle Mort's South Country (b007rprx)
Series 1

Admiral of the Night

After visiting Hampton Court, Carter's uncle spots a fellow war veteran.

Uncle Mort …. Stephen Thorne
Carter Brandon …. Sam Kelly
The Young Woman …. Liz Goulding
Tommy Faramond …. Brian Miller
Narrator …. Christian Rodska

Written by Peter Tinniswood.

Producer: Pete Atkin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.


SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b079lt8w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SAT 16:00 Miss Marple (b007jvgc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:30 The Voices of... (b08r1tsz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 18:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jm4s)
The Secondary Phase

Fit The Tenth

Arthur discovers his unique contribution to the history of Brontitall. And a close encounter for Ford and Zaphod...

Starring Peter Jones as The Book, Simon Jones as Arthur Dent, Geoffrey McGivern as Ford Prefect, Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox, David Tate as Eddie, Stephen Moore as Marvin, Ronald Baddiley as Bird One, John Le Mesurier as the Wise Old Bird, John Baddeley as Bird Two and Rula Lenska as Lintilla.

The original scripts by Douglas Adams (1952-2001) went on to spawn a series of novels, a feature film, at least three stage shows, a TV series, a computer game, a collection of comic books - and various towels.

Radiophonic sound and music by Paddy Kingsland.

Producer: Geoffrey Perkins

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1980.


SAT 18:30 The Price of Fear (b007jmxv)
Out of the Mouths

Horror legend Vincent Price introduces a tale about unforeseen danger as a scientist tries out advanced theories on his new born son.

Stars Hywel Bennett as Richard, Elizabeth Proud as Rachel and John Quail as David.

Scripted by William Ingram.

Producer: John Dyas

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1983.


SAT 19:00 Horne of Plenty: Beyond Our Ken to Round The Horne (b007k2b6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 The Lee Mack Show (b00bfq1c)
The Lee Mack Show

Midge Ure

Midge Ure joins the quick-fire comic for stand-up, sketches and music. With Angela McHale and Steve Brown. From March 2005.


SAT 22:30 Paul Sinha's Citizenship Test (b0386j1j)
Episode 2

Paul Sinha is proudly British. He also loves a quiz. So you would have thought that the UK Citizenship Test, which newcomers to this country must pass to become citizens, would have been right up his street. But the questions in the 2012 and 2013 Home Office guides seem either bizarrely easy - "Where is Welsh most widely spoken?" - or infuriatingly vague - "What happened in the First World War?".

So Paul has created his own test, to better reflect the things that aspiring migrants should understand before they can call themselves British. In this second episode he deals with the health of the nation - our diet, our drinking habits and our athletic prowess. And he tests the studio audience on their knowledge, with those that answer incorrectly being deported.

The series intertwines the sort of comedy Paul has become known for on The Now Show, The News Quiz, and Fighting Talk, as well as his own Radio 4 shows The Sinha Test and The Sinha Games, and the command of facts and figures he demonstrates on the ITV quiz show The Chase, with a dash of the patriotism that has seen him banned from the bar at the United Nations.

Written and performed by Paul Sinha.
Producer: Ed Morrish.


SAT 23:00 Buy Me Up TV (b009fnlx)
Episode 2

Another chance to hear the comedy series inspired by every shopping channel you've ever seen and every product you've never wanted to buy.

The series features Justin Edwards, Colin Hoult, Katherine Jakeways, Ewen MacIntosh, Alex MacQueen and Greg Proops. Tonight's special guest is Ruth Madoc.


SAT 23:30 4 at the Store (b007jqn6)
Series 1

Episode 4

Stand-up at London's Comedy Store with host Simon Bligh, Matt Wellcome, Veronica McKenzie and Sean Meo. From December 1998.



SUNDAY 05 APRIL 2020

SUN 00:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jm4s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Saturday]


SUN 00:30 The Price of Fear (b007jmxv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Saturday]


SUN 01:00 The Prelude (Omnibus) (m000h0mf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:00 on Saturday]


SUN 02:10 Inheritance Tracks (m000h0mh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:10 on Saturday]


SUN 02:15 Pam Ayres' Open Road (b007kfng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Saturday]


SUN 02:45 Uncle Mort's South Country (b007rprx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Saturday]


SUN 03:00 Archive on 4 (b079lt8w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Saturday]


SUN 04:00 Miss Marple (b007jvgc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]


SUN 05:30 The Voices of... (b08r1tsz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]


SUN 06:00 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (Omnibus) (b07hp75x)
Babel Tower

In ‘Babel Tower’, the third novel of the quartet, Frederica finds herself embroiled in two court cases.

CAST:

Older Frederica .... Rosemary Leach
Frederica .... Indira Varma
Daniel .... Shaun Dooley
Nigel .... Mark Bazeley
Bill .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Winifred .... Barbara Flynn
Jude .... Mark Heap
Hugh .... Mark Umbers
Pippy .... Deborah Findlay
Alexander .... Adam Kotz
Thomas .... Gerard McDermott
Alan .... Kenny Blyth
Ruth .... Jasmine Hyde
Ginnie .... Hannah Dee
Leo .... Jack Langan
Will .... Alex Etchart
Mary .... Ruby Williams
Rupert .... Robert Portal
Begbie .... Ben Onwukwe
Stephanie .... Helen Longworth
Marcus .... Carl Prekopp

Written by A.S. Byatt and dramatised by John Harvey.

Producer: Sally Avens.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2002.


SUN 07:15 Crossing the Glacier by Berlie Doherty (b007jv9m)
Gerda and Pam are two women who find themselves emotionally frozen in the past. Short story read by Janet Dale.


SUN 07:30 Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics (b078xpfb)
Series 2

Agrippina

Join Natalie Haynes and guests for half an hour of comedy and the Classics from the BBC Radio Theatre in London.

Natalie is a reformed comedian who is a little bit obsessive about Ancient Greece and Rome.

Today she stands up in the name of one of the most powerful women of Ancient Rome and Caligula's big sister, Agrippina the Younger.

Julia Agrippina was pretty well-connected all round given that her granddad was the Emperor Augustus, her husband (also her uncle: don't ask) was Emperor Claudius and her son was Emperor Nero.

And she was no slouch. Turns out it was her handiness with the purse strings that kept the Empire going. Also, who else has survived an assassination attempt by a specially built collapsible boat?

Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery


SUN 08:00 Home to Roost (m000h0qd)
Series 2

Television Problems

There’s panic in the Wheeler household when the TV stops working. How will they cope?

Molly Sugden and Deryck Guyler play Olive and William Wheeler. After forty years working for the same company, William has retired and is trying hard to adapt to his new life of leisure. Olive, on the other hand, is trying to adapt to having her husband under her feet all day, for the first time in their marriage.

This second series ran from 1st July to 23rd September 1975.

CAST:

William Wheeler …. Deryck Guyler
Olive Wheeler …. Mollie Sugden
Nev/TV Repairman …. John Baddeley
Kath …. Patricia Greene
Ange …. Ysanne Churchman
Jack Bailey/TV Repairman …. Norman Rossington

Writer: Anne Jones

Theme music composed and played by Alex Walsh and his Band.

Producer: Trafford Whitelock.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1975 .


SUN 08:30 Jerome K Jerome - Three Men in a Boat (b01cj229)
Episode 2

"I woke at six the next morning and set to work to wake up Harris with a scull. The third prod did it: and he turned over on the other side, and said he would be down in a minute."

A tin of pineapple takes on a starring role, as George, Harris and J's holiday on the River Thames continues - with Montmorency the dog.

Adapted and performed in three episodes by Jeremy Nicholas.

Music by Jeremy Nicholas. Performed by The Grimethorpe Colliery Band

Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1984.


SUN 09:00 Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin (Omnibus) (m000h0qj)
Claire Tomalin's acclaimed biography of one of the nation's literary giants Charles Dickens is broadcast to mark the 150th anniversary of his death in June 2020

Omnibus of five parts read by Penelope Wilton.

Here Tomalin portrays Dickens as a writer "so charged with imaginative energy that he rendered nineteenth century England crackling, full of truth and life, with his laughter, horror and indignation - and sentimentality." The Artful Dodger, Mr Pickwick, Pip and David Copperfield are just a handful of the characters he created and who continue to endure. He was also a hard-working journalist, a philanthropist, a supporter of liberal social causes, and father of ten, and yet his genius also had a dark side which emerged with the breakdown of his marriage.

Claire Tomalin was literary editor of the The New Statesman and then the Sunday Times before becoming a full time writer. Her biographies are award winning. The Life and Death of Mary Wollstonecraft, won the Whitbread First Book Award, and Samuel Pepys: The Unequalled Self was Whitbread Book of the Year in 2002.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.


SUN 10:10 The Listening Project (b06ycwr2)
Graham and Natalie – It’s Just A Piece Of Paper

Fi Glover introduces a conversation between a couple who have never married; they reflect on the reasons why not, and whether or not their children will eventually tie the knot - another in the series that proves it's surprising what you hear when you listen.

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

Producer: Marya Burgess


SUN 10:15 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b09xjfn4)
Artists

Paula Rego

From Amalia Rodrigues to Giuseppe Verdi.

Painter Paula Rego shares her castaway choices with Sue Lawley.

Born in Portugal, she was an only child, and spent her days sitting with the maids as they told tales around the kitchen table.

Now she makes up stories about the people she knows and weaves them into her pictures. Like those early fairytales, her portraits always have a touch of danger about them. If you look the devil in the face, she says, face your fears and paint them - then they lose the power to scare you.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1997.


SUN 11:00 The Moth Radio Hour (b0b9v0t8)
Series 7

Confidence: Too Much, Too Little?

True stories told live in the USA: Catherine Burns introduces stories about confidence and uncertainty.

The Moth is an acclaimed not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling based in the USA. Since 1997, it has celebrated both the raconteur and the storytelling novice, who has lived through something extraordinary and yearns to share it. Originally formed by the writer George Dawes Green as an intimate gathering of friends on a porch in Georgia (where moths would flutter in through a hole in the screen), and then recreated in a New York City living room, The Moth quickly grew to produce immensely popular events at theatres and clubs around New York City and later around the USA, the UK and other parts of the world.

The Moth has presented more than 15,000 stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. The Moth podcast is downloaded over 27 million times a year.

Featuring true stories told live on stage without scripts, from the humorous to the heart-breaking.

The Moth Radio Hour is produced by Jay Allison and Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and is distributed by the Public Radio Exchange.


SUN 11:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b0100j9q)
Series 2

Hummers

Hummingbirds are given spectacular names motivated by their striking colours, patterns and shimmering metallic iridescence; their names are beautiful as are the birds.

David Attenborough has filmed them on several occasions and is fascinated by their agility and flying skills to drink nectar from flowers inaccessible to any other animal. And propelled by this rocket fuel of nature they are capable of flying great distances and living life in the fast lane. Enchanting in this story is how moved David Attenborough is when recalling a story of their conservation; a rare piece of good news he comments.

Written and presented by Sir David Attenborough

Producer: Julian Hector

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2011.


SUN 12:00 Home to Roost (m000h0qd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SUN 12:30 Jerome K Jerome - Three Men in a Boat (b01cj229)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


SUN 13:00 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (Omnibus) (b07hp75x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SUN 14:15 Crossing the Glacier by Berlie Doherty (b007jv9m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


SUN 14:30 Hilary Mantel - The Mirror and the Light (Omnibus) (m000h0qn)
Episode 3

Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

After Henry’s disastrous decision to surprise his new bride, Anne of Cleves, relations are delicate. Henry wants rid of Anne, but Cromwell fears this will mean the end of the alliance with Germany...

Writer: Hilary Mantel
Reader: Anton Lesser
Abridger: Katrin Williams
Producer: Justine Willett


SUN 15:45 A Guide to Woodland Birds (b00c4mf9)
The Big Stuff

Brett Westwood, Stephen Moss and Chris Watson identify the sounds of jays, tawny owls, sparrowhawks and other larger woodland birds.

Producer Sarah Blunt.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.


SUN 16:00 Drama (b01lwdx3)
Paul Theroux - The White Man's Burden

A radio adaptation of Paul Theroux's stage play about the young Rudyard Kipling's humiliating final months as an American resident. The great English writer plans to settle in Vermont with his American wife, but a clash with his brother-in-law results in death threats, a court case and public scandal. Will Kipling manage to keep his head when all about are losing theirs?

Written by Paul Theroux
Adapted and directed by Emma Harding.


SUN 17:00 Poetry Extra (m000h0qv)
Adventures In Poetry - Daffodils by William Wordsworth

Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's radio poetry archive and chooses Adventures in Poetry – Daffodils by William Wordsworth.

Peggy Reynolds looks at the lasting impact of one of the best-known poems in the language with the help of an academic, a Lake District writer, the poet's most recent biographer, the secretary of the Daffodil Society, a rap artist, a teacher, her pupils and the poet Gillian Clarke. From the series exploring the background, effect and lasting appeal of some of our best-loved and most familiar poems.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2000.


SUN 17:30 Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics (b078xpfb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SUN 18:00 Mary Shelley - Frankenstein (b007jptw)
Episode 1

Classic dark tale of a young scientist's monstrous attempts to discover the secrets of creating life. Stars Michael Maloney. From October 1994.


SUN 19:00 The Moth Radio Hour (b0b9v0t8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


SUN 19:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b0100j9q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:50 today]


SUN 20:00 Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin (Omnibus) (m000h0qj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SUN 21:10 The Listening Project (b06ycwr2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:10 today]


SUN 21:15 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b09xjfn4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:15 today]


SUN 22:00 Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics (b078xpfb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SUN 22:30 Twenty Players (b06jmc82)
Series 1

Gertrude Trelawny Ferris

Forgotten sporting heroes. Gerald Sinstadt tells the story of the sporting all-rounder Gertrude Trelawny Ferris. From June 1995.


SUN 22:45 The Music Teacher (b00sgbh0)
Series 1

Episode 4

Written by Richie Webb.

Another tough week shut away in a tiny windowless practice room enduring challenging pupils for music teacher Nigel Penny, in this new musical comedy written by and starring 2009 Writers' Guild Award winner Richie Webb. Featuring Vicki Pepperdine as Arts Centre Manager Belinda.

Episode 4 sees Nigel faced with the usual bizarre array of pupils: the midlands answer to Bob Dylan, a homemade keyboard hobbyist and a singing dog prove to be fairly hard going. But it is Arts Centre manager Belinda - so usually the cause of much of his misery - who offers Nigel the chance of a lifetime: to write a jingle advertising the Arts Centre to feature on local radio. This is the chance Nigel has been looking for. This is his way out. This is his ticket to the fame and fortune that he so nearly tasted as a Young Musician of the Year Finalist in 1975. If only he could get The Beatles 'Eight Days A Week' out of his head he'd be fine. But he can't. And the deadline is approaching fast.

Cast:
Nigel Penny ...... Richie Webb
Belinda ...... Vicki Pepperdine
Other roles by Dave Lamb, Jim North and Jess Robinson.

Produced by Richie Webb
Directed by Nick Walker
A Top Dog production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 23:00 The Secret World (b012b1z6)
Series 2

Episode 2

Alan Titchmarsh - quaint gardener or ruthless murderer? Jon Culshaw and friends probe the private lives of the famous. From July 2010.


SUN 23:30 Fabulous (b00f41w5)
Series 2

Episode 3

Faye is anxious. She knows that today's women are Fabulous; they have it all, the job, the house, the colour co-ordinated capsule wardrobe and they cope with the pressures modern life brings effortlessly, with nothing more than a copy of Prima and a poem by Pam Ayres to guide them. So why can't she pull it off? With the family coming to dinner, life should be cozy...

Starring Daisy Haggard with Katy Brand, Stephen Critchlow, Justin Edwards, Sally Grace, Martin Hyder, Geoffrey McGivern, Joanna Neary, Jo Scanlan, Laura Solon and Dan Starkey. The children were Bradley Ford, Renee Clark and Chelsea Jabbau.

Written by Lucy Clarke

Music by Osymyso

Producer Simon Nicholls

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.



MONDAY 06 APRIL 2020

MON 00:00 Mary Shelley - Frankenstein (b007jptw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Sunday]


MON 01:00 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (Omnibus) (b07hp75x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]


MON 02:15 Crossing the Glacier by Berlie Doherty (b007jv9m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Sunday]


MON 02:30 Hilary Mantel - The Mirror and the Light (Omnibus) (m000h0qn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Sunday]


MON 03:45 A Guide to Woodland Birds (b00c4mf9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Sunday]


MON 04:00 Drama (b01lwdx3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]


MON 05:00 Poetry Extra (m000h0qv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 17:00 on Sunday]


MON 05:30 Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics (b078xpfb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]


MON 06:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00pg50h)
Series 1

A Bit of Tomfoolery

Detective Sergeant Dave Brook is teamed-up with young Detective Constable Maxton from sleepy Epsom. How will he cope with the mean streets of his new London patch?

Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr.

Starring Ray Brooks as long-serving, ducking-and-diving DS Dave Brook. His new side-kick is 23 year-old ‘grammar school boy’ DC Blair Maxton, played by Christopher Blake

DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Chief Inspector Roach …. David Daker
Harry Dean …. George Tovey
Doctor Briggs …. James Taylor
Lady Dennery …. Aimee Delamain
Mr. Stimson …. Martin Friend

Former BBC war correspondent, Robert Barr is best remembered for his work on BBC TV’s ‘Z-Cars’ and ‘Softly Softly’.

Producer: Martin Fisher

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1980


MON 06:30 Launching The Style Decade (b00s7dvt)
Launched in 1980, Robert Elms investigates the origins and influence of The Face, the 'style bible' of the 80s. The magazine was at the forefront of a remarkable change in the visual landscape of Britain in the 1980s: from Sunday newspaper supplements, to television ads, to ordinary high street shop fronts.

Until 1980 music magazines were black and white broadsheet papers like the NME and Melody Maker. Then in the summer of 1980 The Face changed all that. Started by the former NME and Smash Hits editor Nick Logan, it brought a flash of colour to the magazine industry, mixing pop, politics, photography, fashion and style, all tied together by the iconic design of art director Neville Brody.

The Face advocated that music didn't matter unless everyone looked good. With the innovative marriage of fashion and music, 'the best dressed magazine' quickly became the arbiter of style and cool in 1980s England.

At its most successful The Face was at the forefront of every major youth movement and was pivotal in launching the career of models Kate Moss and photographer Juergen Teller. Taking stock, publisher Nick Logan and Neville Brody reveal what they believe to be the lasting impact of The Face on style and design.

Producer: Barney Rowntree
A Somethin Else production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.


MON 07:00 Says on the Tin (b00g4fv7)
Toothpaste

Disgraced American ad man Eliott Thurber is forced to transfer to the new London branch of Parabola Media.

CAST:

Eliott Thurber .... Michael Brandon
Esther Finn .... Samantha Bond
Hannah Walker .... Pippa Haywood
Zadie .... Joannah Tincey
Ted Bruckner .... Malcolm Tierney
Toothrot …. Chris Pavlo
Customs Officer …. Stephen Critchlow
Woman ….Janice Acquah
Child …. Manjeet Mann
Stewardess …. Donnla Hughes
Plaque Inam Mirza

Written by Christopher Hill.

Producer: Liz Webb.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2008.


MON 07:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (m000gt6b)
Series 4

The Art Dealer

Milton’s attempt to become an international art dealer leads to a deadly brush with danger.

Mention Milton Jones to most people and the first thing they think is "Help!". Each week, Milton and his trusty assistant Anton set out to help people and soon find they're embroiled in a new adventure. Because when you're close to the edge, then Milton can give you a push.

"Milton Jones is one of Britain's best gagsmiths with a flair for creating daft yet perfect one-liners" - The Guardian.

"King of the surreal one-liners" - The Times

"If you haven't caught up with Jones yet - do so!" - The Daily Mail

Written by Milton with James Cary (Bluestone 42, Miranda), and Dan Evans (who co-wrote Milton's Channel 4 show House Of Rooms), the man they call "Britain's funniest Milton," returns to the radio with a fully-working cast and a shipload of new jokes.

The cast includes regulars Tom Goodman-Hill (Spamalot, Mr. Selfridge) as the ever-faithful Anton, Josie Lawrence and Ben Willbond (Yonderland, Ghosts).

With music by Guy Jackson

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


MON 08:00 The Navy Lark (b0084rjj)
Have Been Towing

HMS Troutbridge comes home, dragging vessels from around the world behind her.

Stars Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee and Stephen Murray.

Laughs afloat aboard British Royal Navy frigate HMS Troutbridge. The Navy Lark ran for an impressive 13 series between 1959 and 1976.

The Sub-Lieutenant ...... Leslie Phillips
The Chief Petty Officer ...... Jon Pertwee
The Number One ...... Stephen Murray
Captain Povey ...... Richard Caldicot
Heather ...... Heather Chasen
Captain Hardcastle ...... Ronnie Barker
The Admiral ...... Tenniel Evans
Captain Atchinson ...... Michael Bates

Written by Lawrie Wyman

Producer: Alastair Scott Johnston.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in July 1967.


MON 08:30 Dad's Army (b007jqzq)
Series 3

The Recruit

With Captain Mainwaring in hospital, the Vicar and the Verger spark unrest in the Home Guard platoon.

Starring Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring, John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Wilson, Clive Dunn as Corporal Jones, John Laurie as Private Frazer, Arnold Ridley as Private Godfrey, Ian Lavender as Private Pike, Bill Pertwee as Hodges, Frank Williams as the Vicar, Edward Sinclair as the Verger and Larry Martyn as Private Walker.

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 July 1976.


MON 09:00 The Unbelievable Truth (b078xpfg)
Series 16

Episode 4

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

Joe Lycett, Sam Simmons, Richard Osman and Aisling Bea are the panellists obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as the jokes, ghosts, LEGO and reality TV.

The show is devised by Graeme Garden and Jon Naismith, the team behind Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.

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


MON 09:30 Chambers (b007jp12)
Series 2

Only the Lonely

John Fuller-Carp uses his masculine charms on a lady judge, while Ruth decides to adopt a baby. Stars John Bird. From May 1998.


MON 10:00 Leslie Charteris - The Saint (b00b9k9p)
The Saint Overboard

Lantern-jawed, haloed hero Simon Templar - otherwise known as The Saint - sets out to solve the disappearance of missing sunken bullion.

The seventeenth book in the adventures of The Saint, first published in 1936.

CAST:

Simon Templar …. Paul Rhys
Loretta Page …. Patsy Kensit
Roger/Ivaloff …. Charles Simpson
Peter Quentin/Intruder …. Jonathan Keeble
Orace …. John Hollis
Vogel …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Murdoch …. John Guerrasio
Prof Yule …. David Timson
Arnheim/Helmsman …. Joshua Towb

Written by Leslie Charteris and dramatised by Neville Teller.

Director: Matthew Walters

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.


MON 11:00 TED Radio Hour (m000h9cm)
Series 7

Overcoming

Guy Raz explores how people overcome struggles, whether they be mental, physical, or social - turning them into a strength.

We all have our struggles, whether they be mental, physical, or social. But what is it that makes some of us keep trying and striving to overcome despite the odds? In this hour, TED speakers tell their stories about overcoming a weakness and turning it into a strength. Guests include Professor Temple Grandin, poet Shane Koyczan, psychologist Eleanor Longden, and educator Kakenya Ntaiya.

First broadcast on NPR in the USA in 2014.


MON 12:00 The Navy Lark (b0084rjj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jqzq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 13:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00pg50h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 13:30 Launching The Style Decade (b00s7dvt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b06nnnly)
Death in the Fifth Position by Gore Vidal

Episode 1

With McCarthyism reaching fever pitch in 1950s America, Peter Sargeant - a dashing PR man - is hired by the Grand St Petersburg ballet to fend off rumours that their star choreographer is a communist. But New York’s ballet world is shocked when, on the opening night, the lead ballerina plummets to her death from a wire, maintaining her classical pose in the ‘fifth position’ as she hits the floor.

Gore Vidal’s earlier novel The City and the Pillar was published in 1948 when the author was 23 years old. Its central story of a homosexual relationship caused such a scandal that the New York Times book critic refused to review any book by Gore Vidal. Others followed his lead and the author found himself at a loss as to how to continue to earn a living through his pen until a publisher suggested that he turn his hand to writing under a different name. Death In the Fifth Position was published in 1952 - the first of a trio of entertainments featuring Peter Cutler Sargeant II as a publicist turned private eye.

Episode 1:
Peter Sargeant, a young publicist, is invited to the offices of the Grand St Petersburg ballet.

Written by Edgar Box (Gore Vidal)
Read by Jamie Parker

Abridged by Isobel Creed
Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4


MON 14:15 Cosmic Quest (b00bfpzk)
The Sky's the Limit

Astronomer Heather Couper charts the history of our growing understanding of the universe and progress of astronomy. From 2008.


MON 14:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsqh)
Babel Tower, Part 6/8

Frederica's estranged husband Nigel demands to see his son Leo and she finds a new love interest. Stars Mark Bazeley.


MON 14:45 Leo McKern - Just Resting (m000h1zd)
Episode 6

Actor Leo McKern - 'Rumpole of the Bailey' – reads from his memoirs: actors, writers and struggling for parts and humility.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1984.


MON 15:00 Leslie Charteris - The Saint (b00b9k9p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


MON 16:00 The Unbelievable Truth (b078xpfg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 16:30 Chambers (b007jp12)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


MON 17:00 Says on the Tin (b00g4fv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


MON 17:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (m000gt6b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 18:00 Host Planet Earth (m000hcj1)
The Price of Freedom

The Starfarer has returned from space, but the men inside it are dead.

The creatures which have killed them and the obscene horror which threatens to overwhelm the earth have at last been made plain...

Conclusion of the sci-fi serial first broadcast in Summer 1967. At that time, concerns were being raised about microbes being brought back to Earth by the American and Russian space programmes. Set in England, the British space programme is eager to compete and has gained an advantage with the invention of a propulsion system that enables exploration of distant regions of the universe within weeks instead of years

The danger of invading – or invasive - alien species is only being realised very slowly, following some bizarre and seemingly unconnected events. Has that realisation come too late?

Chris Johnson …. Tommy Eytle
Claire Stuart …. Brenda Bruce
David Holland …. Alexander John
Ian …. Preston Lockwood
Don Wells: …. Nigel Anthony
Guard …. Humphrey Morton
Woman …. Beth Boyd
Professor Ormskirk …. Clive Morton
Announcer …. Rolf Lefebvre

Written by Colin Cooper and Anne Howell.

Music and FX by the Radiophonic Workshop.

Producer: Nesta Pain.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in September 1967.


MON 18:30 A Good Read (b00nvfmz)
Erica Wagner and Francis Gilbert

Sue MacGregor talks to a husband and wife team, literary editor at The Times Erica Wagner and teacher and writer Francis Gilbert, about their favourite books, which include Ursula Le Guin's Wizard of Earthsea.

Books featured in the programme:

Erica's choice: A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin, Puffin

Francis's choice: The Boy with the Topknot by Sathnam Sanghera, Penguin

Sue's choice: Deaf Sentence by David Lodge, Penguin.

Produced by Mark Smalley.

First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2009.


MON 19:00 The Navy Lark (b0084rjj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 19:30 Dad's Army (b007jqzq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 20:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00pg50h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 20:30 Launching The Style Decade (b00s7dvt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 21:00 TED Radio Hour (m000h9cm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


MON 22:00 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (m000gt6b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 22:30 Chain Reaction (b00gsb83)
Series 2

Mark Thomas Interviews Alexei Sayle

One tough-talking funny man chats to another in the tag talk show, where the guest is next week's interviewer.

Based on the original BBC Radio 5 programme of the same name, Chain Reaction is a simple idea of big name stars from the world of entertainment interviewing others whose work they appreciate and admire.

Recorded with an audience, the interviews focus on the life, career and the passions of the interviewee but often prove to be as revealing about the interviewer.

Producer: Tilusha Ghelani

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.


MON 23:00 The Now Show (m000gvmx)
Series 56

Episode 5

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis get to grips with the continuing COVID-19 lock-down and disruption with sketches and guests.

With comedians Geoff Norcott and Robin Morgan plus music from Tim Sutton and Sooz Kempner. Additional voices from Luke Kempner and Gemma Arrowsmith.

Written by the cast, with additional material from Mike Shepherd, Laura Major, Donald Alexander and Charlie Dinkin.

Producer Adnan Ahmed
A BBC Studios Production


MON 23:30 Hut 33 (b00lxzyd)
Series 1

Food

The Bletchley Park code-breakers think of some new ways to improve wartime rations. Stars Robert Bathurst. From July 2007.



TUESDAY 07 APRIL 2020

TUE 00:00 Host Planet Earth (m000hcj1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Monday]


TUE 00:30 A Good Read (b00nvfmz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Monday]


TUE 01:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00pg50h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]


TUE 01:30 Launching The Style Decade (b00s7dvt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]


TUE 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b06nnnly)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]


TUE 02:15 Cosmic Quest (b00bfpzk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Monday]


TUE 02:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsqh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]


TUE 02:45 Leo McKern - Just Resting (m000h1zd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Monday]


TUE 03:00 Leslie Charteris - The Saint (b00b9k9p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]


TUE 04:00 The Unbelievable Truth (b078xpfg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Monday]


TUE 04:30 Chambers (b007jp12)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Monday]


TUE 05:00 Says on the Tin (b00g4fv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]


TUE 05:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (m000gt6b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]


TUE 06:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00pckm9)
Series 1

Operation Homecoming

DS Dave Brook and his new young partner are drafted into a Scotland Yard operation to tackle an armed gang.

Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr.

Starring Ray Brooks as long-serving, ducking-and-diving DS Dave Brook. His side-kick is 23 year-old ‘grammar school boy’ DC Blair Maxton, played by Christopher Blake.

DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Chief Inspector Roach …. David Daker
Chief Inspector Benbow …. Godfrey Kenton
Judie …. Jacqueline Tong
Glenville …. John Quayle
Jarman …. Timothy Carlton
Jennings …. Adrian Egan

Former BBC war correspondent, Robert Barr is best remembered for his work on BBC TV’s ‘Z-Cars’ and ‘Softly Softly’.

Producer: Martin Fisher

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1980


TUE 06:30 Mallorca and Middle-Aged Men in Lycra (b047w54s)
Each year thousands of Middle-Aged Men in Lycra flock to Mallorca for sun, sea and saddles. Described by Sir Bradley Wiggins as a 'Scalextric for cyclists', we find out why the island is such a Mecca for cyclists.

Cycling in the UK is nothing like this. It can be wet, windy and cold and traffic can make riding a bike risky business. But in Mallorca the climate is perfect, the terrain is varied and drivers are considerate. We speak to self-confessed 'Mamils' - Middle-Aged Men In Lycra - about their love for cycling, and visit Mallorca to meet the riders who follow the pedals of their heroes, most notably Sir Bradley Wiggins who has a regular base on the island and trains here to prepare for his epic races.

Ahead of the Tour De France that this year begins in Yorkshire, we trace the emergence of the Mamil; we look at their bikes, their kit, their love of lycra and their motivation and discover why cycling has become the boom sport it has in the UK.

Presented and Produced by Martin Poyntz-Roberts

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.


TUE 07:00 HR (b00tj5qm)
Series 2

Dogging

Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.

Sam, determined to help depressed Peter find a sense of purpose in his retirement, gets him a dog. But will the scruffy mongrel help Peter? Or will it add to his aggression and sense of injustice?

Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce
Sam ..... Nicholas Le Prevost
Nasty Man ..... Tony Bell
Woman ..... Christine Kavanagh
Man ..... Sam Dale

Director: Peter Kavanagh.

First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2010.


TUE 07:30 A Normal... (m000gtnq)
Universe

Henry Normal: A Normal... Universe

"Shove up National Treasures. We need to make room for Henry Normal"
Simon O'Hagan - Radio Times

The sixth instalment in this acclaimed, occasional series in which acclaimed, occasional writer Henry Normal uses poetry, stories and comedy to tackle those subjects so big only radio can possibly contain them.

In this new episode Henry explores our relationship to the vastness of the universe throughout eternity and beyond, taking us on a curious journey of time and space with the aid of a very big microscope and some dodgy rhymes.

Henry Normal is a multi-award winning writer, producer and poet. Co-writer of award winning TV programmes such as The Royle Family, The Mrs Merton Show, Coogan’s Run and Paul Calf, and producer of, amongst many others, Oscar-Nominated Philomena, Gavin and Stacey and Alan Partridge.

He has published several volumes of poetry, including Travelling Second Class Through Hope, Staring Directly at the Eclipse, Raining Upwards and his new volume This Phantom Breath. And his memoir, A Normal Family: Everyday adventures with our autistic son.

Praise for previous episodes in this series:

"It's a rare and lovely thing: half an hour of radio that stops you short, gently demands your attention and then wipes your tears away while you have to have a little sit down"

"It's a real treat to hear a seasoned professional like Henry taking command of this evening comedy spot to deliver a show that's idiosyncratic and effortlessly funny"

"Not heard anything that jumps from hilarious to moving in such an intelligent, subtle way as Henry Normal's show"

Written and performed by Henry Normal
Production Coordinator - Beverly Tagg
Produced by Carl Cooper

This was a BBC Studios production.


TUE 08:00 The Goon Show (b007td29)
Yehti

Neddie Seagoon goes Yehti hunting – in deepest, darkest Yorkshire. Stars Harry Secombe and Spike Milligan. From March 1955.


TUE 08:30 Round the Horne (b00nnpz7)
Series 3

Episode 20

Kenneth Horne in the sinister tale of 'The Head of the BBC Who Came From Out of the Cold' - and Julian and Sandy reveal how to get massive lallies at Body Bona.

With Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee.

Recorded at the BBC's Paris Studio in Lower Regent Street, London. Announcer: Douglas Smith

Round The Horne was born out of the demise of BBC radio comedy Beyond Our Ken, after the end of writer Eric Merriman's involvement. Using the same cast and producer, Barry Took and Marty Feldman were persuaded to write the scripts - which led to four series that ran between 1965 and 1968 - packed full of parodies, recurring characters, catchphrases and double-entendres.

Music by Edwin Braden and the Hornblowers and The Fraser Hayes Four.

Producer: John Simmonds

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in June 1967.


TUE 09:00 The Now Show (m000gvmx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 23:00 on Monday]


TUE 09:30 Gossip from the Garden Pond (b04g7d6q)
The Tadpole and the Dragonfly

The Tadpole played by Julian Rhind Tutt and the Dragonfly played by Alison Steadman, reveal the truth about life in a garden pond, in the first of three very funny tales, written and introduced by Lynne Truss, with sound recordings by Chris Watson.

The jaunty Tadpole revels in his youth as he darts about the pond, generally avoiding his neighbours because most of them want to eat him! "When are you going to grow up?" asks the Dragonfly. This is far from easy as the tadpole is quick to point out, as he has to go through a whole traumatic body-changing metamorphosis. The only disadvantage, he reckons, of being young and immature of course, is that you have no hands, which makes things tricky when you want to wave at anyone or take a selfie, but it's a small price to pay for the freedom of youth reckons our happy-go-lucky fellow, until a strange dream signals a life-changing event. "One minute you're wiggling, wiggling. and the next you look absolutely daft waving your bottom around, coz there's nothing on the end of it"

The Dragonfly is lighter than air, quick, beautiful; all dazzling wings and observant eyes . She is also quite highly sexed and living life at a great rate knowing that she doesn't have much time. Having spent months and months living in the murk and mud of the garden pond as an ugly, aggressive nymph, her life was transformed when she felt impelled to climb up a stem and was transformed into an adult. She is dazzling; with her aerial acrobatics, fine wings and long slender limbs. But she knows she hasn't long to live and before she dies, she must feed and find a mate "I'm gorgeous, I'm ready ... and I'm hot, hot, hot".

Producer Sarah Blunt.


TUE 10:00 Leslie Charteris - The Saint (b00b9xgx)
The Saint Closes the Case

Simon Templar is confronted by arch-villain, Doctor Rayt Marius, in a deadly struggle to save the world from an evil weapon.

The third book in the adventures of The Saint, first published in 1930 under the title 'The Last Hero'.

CAST:

Simon Templar …. Paul Rhys
Patricia Holm …. Kim Thomson
Roger Conway …. Charles Simpson
Orace …. John Hollis
Norman Kent …. Joshua Towb
Doctor Rayt Marius …. Sandor Eles
Inspector Claude Eustace Teal …. John Baddeley
Professor Vargan …. John Turner
Captain Harding …. Ross Livingstone
Cynthia …. Linda Regan
Janos …. Paul Jenkins
Gabor/Rudolph …. Jonathan Keeble
Bela …. Stephen Critchlow
Golter/Hale/Lazlo …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Malone/Tibor/Foreshaw …. David Timson

Written by Leslie Charteris and dramatised by for radio by Roger Danes.

Director: Matthew Walters

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.


TUE 11:00 Shorts (b06zqk36)
Scottish Shorts

Everyone's The Same Inside by Wayne Price

Guilt, laughter and death come to mind as a man recalls his family's long connection to a reclusive outsider.
Read by Steven McNicoll

Producer Eilidh McCreadie

Author Wayne Price was born in south Wales and has lived and worked in Scotland since 1987. He is an award-winning fiction and poetry writer and has twice been a finalist for the Manchester International Poetry Prize. He teaches at the University of Aberdeen and his debut novel, 'Mercy Seat' was published in 2015.


TUE 11:15 Drama (b066vcmy)
Sarah Wooley - Fifteen Minutes

By Sarah Wooley

"Making money is art, and working is art and good business is the best art." - Andy Warhol

Set in New York in the heady days of Studio 54, in the late 1970s and early 80s, "Fifteen Minutes" looks at the later period in Andy Warhol's life when he was painting portraits to commission and running 'Interview' magazine. Young editor, Bob Colacello has the bright idea of hiring the ageing Truman Capote to do celebrity interviews. In exchange for his monthly column, Capote would be gifted a portrait. And so began one of the most complicated and explosive of collaborations.

A BBC Scotland production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane.


TUE 12:00 The Goon Show (b007td29)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 12:30 Round the Horne (b00nnpz7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 13:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00pckm9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 13:30 Mallorca and Middle-Aged Men in Lycra (b047w54s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b06q796r)
Death in the Fifth Position by Gore Vidal

Episode 2

With McCarthyism reaching fever pitch in 1950s America, Peter Sargeant - a dashing PR man - is hired by the Grand St Petersburg ballet to fend off rumours that their star choreographer is a communist. But New York's ballet world is shocked when, on the opening night, the lead ballerina plummets to her death from a wire, maintaining her classical pose in the 'fifth position' as she hits the floor.

Gore Vidal's earlier novel The City and the Pillar was published in 1948 when the author was 23 years old. Its central story of a homosexual relationship caused such a scandal that the New York Times book critic refused to review any book by Gore Vidal. Others followed his lead and the author found himself at a loss as to how to continue to earn a living through his pen until a publisher suggested that he turn his hand to writing under a different name. Death In the Fifth Position was published in 1952 - the first of a trio of entertainments featuring Peter Cutler Sargeant II as a publicist turned private eye.

Episode 2:
Our narrator, Peter Sargeant, is beginning to get to know the members of the Grand St Petersburg ballet company. Their complicated relationships have already come to his attention when he overheard the conductor Miles Sutton threatening to kill his wife, Ella, the lead ballerina in the new ballet.

Written by Gore Vidal (as Edgar Box)
Read by Jamie Parker

Abridged by Isobel Creed
Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 14:15 Cosmic Quest (b00bfpzp)
Cathedrals of the Cosmos

Astronomer Heather Couper reflects on the importance of the sun to ancient agrarian society. With Timothy West.


TUE 14:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsqs)
Babel Tower, Part 7/8

Frederica discovers that her new lover, John, has an unhinged brother and Paul makes a dramatic statement. Stars Tim Treloar.


TUE 14:45 Leo McKern - Just Resting (m000h11k)
Episode 7

Actor Leo McKern - 'Rumpole of the Bailey' – reads from his memoirs: playing with Shakespeare on stage with Ralph Richardson.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1984.


TUE 15:00 Leslie Charteris - The Saint (b00b9xgx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


TUE 16:00 Jest a Minute (b01789l0)
Series 2

Episode 3

Rhod Gilbert's comedy quiz from the Glee Club in Cardiff.

With Lucy Porter, Milton Jones, Lloyd Langford and Chris Corcoran.

Producers: Paul Forde and Gareth Gwynn.

First broadcast on BBC Radio Wales in 2006.


TUE 16:30 Are You From the Bugle? (b01jzq5m)
Butterthwaite White Hell

Will snow play havoc with Graham's chances of landing a story? Stars Jeffrey Holland and Robert Beck. From June 1996.


TUE 17:00 HR (b00tj5qm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


TUE 17:30 A Normal... (m000gtnq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 18:00 Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 (b007jwfl)
Episode 1

With human spare-part surgery the norm, marketing expert Eleanor visits cloning's HQ: Abbotsville. Stars David Birrell.


TUE 18:30 The Tingle Factor (b07h0z8v)
Peter Skellern

Singer-songwriter and pianist, Peter Skellern talks to Robin Ray about the sounds which stirs his emotions.

Recalling his life and career, Peter's selection includes Ketty Lester, Phil Harris and commentary from a legendary Apollo spaceflight.

Producer: Andrew Mussett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1991.


TUE 19:00 The Goon Show (b007td29)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 19:30 Round the Horne (b00nnpz7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 20:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00pckm9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 20:30 Mallorca and Middle-Aged Men in Lycra (b047w54s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 21:00 Shorts (b06zqk36)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


TUE 21:15 Drama (b066vcmy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


TUE 22:00 A Normal... (m000gtnq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 22:30 The Mark Steel Solution (b007jzk8)
Series 1

Government Economic Policy Should Be Decided By Sport

Radical proposals to improve our lives, with the comedian's athletic revolution. With Pete Sinclair. From November 1992.


TUE 23:00 Beauty of Britain (b00npr8g)
Series 1

Beauty and the Beast

Comedy by Christopher Douglas and Nicola Sanderson. Beauty Olonga works as a carer for the Featherdown Agency and sees herself as an inspiration to other African girls hoping to achieve their goals in the land of semi-skimmed milk.

Beauty is looking after the elderly Mr Easterby, who has a new girlfriend and is behaving like a lovestruck teenager. She is also trying to get to the Aspire to Dream retreat. Meanwhile Anil is on a big cat stakeout, as several have been spotted in the region.

Beauty ...... Jocelyn Jee Esien
Sally ...... Felicity Montagu
Karen ...... Nicola Sanderson
Mrs Gupte ...... Indira Joshi
Anil ...... Paul Sharma
Mr Easterby ...... Leslie Phillips
Mrs Mason ...... Liz Fraser
Kevin/Cab Man/Steve ...... Christopher Douglas
Girl on Stretcher ...... Nicola Sanderson

Music by The West End Gospel Choir.


TUE 23:30 The Guns of Adam Riches (b01qwj0j)
Series 1

The Third Pole

In this final episode, the award-winning comedian Adam Riches tells the story of Martin, an audience member from London, who started the evening as an unsuspecting software developer, but ended it as the greatest explorer ever to walk the earth. As Martin battles to be the first man to reach the "Third Pole", he is faced by many challenges, including a rival team of Norwegians, led inexplicably by the German filmmaker, Werner Herzog.

Written by and starring Adam Riches.

Also starring Cariad Lloyd, Jim Johnson and Simon Yadoo.

Produced by Simon Mayhew-Archer and Rupert Majendie.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2013.



WEDNESDAY 08 APRIL 2020

WED 00:00 Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 (b007jwfl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Tuesday]


WED 00:30 The Tingle Factor (b07h0z8v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Tuesday]


WED 01:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00pckm9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]


WED 01:30 Mallorca and Middle-Aged Men in Lycra (b047w54s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]


WED 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b06q796r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]


WED 02:15 Cosmic Quest (b00bfpzp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Tuesday]


WED 02:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsqs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]


WED 02:45 Leo McKern - Just Resting (m000h11k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Tuesday]


WED 03:00 Leslie Charteris - The Saint (b00b9xgx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]


WED 04:00 Jest a Minute (b01789l0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Tuesday]


WED 04:30 Are You From the Bugle? (b01jzq5m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Tuesday]


WED 05:00 HR (b00tj5qm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]


WED 05:30 A Normal... (m000gtnq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]


WED 06:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00p8g0h)
Series 1

Bedtime Story, part 1/2

DS Dave Brook confronts a notorious crime family, who seem to have all the answers.

Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr.

Starring Ray Brooks as long-serving, ducking-and-diving DS Dave Brook. His side-kick is 23 year-old ‘grammar school boy’ DC Blair Maxton, played by Christopher Blake.

DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Chief Inspector Roach …. David Daker
Hughie Crerand …. Michael Packer
Jimmy Lowrie …. Tom Bowles
Station Officer …. Gordon Reid
Jane Miller …. Clare Clifford
Mr. Evans …. Philip Voss
Mrs. Stevenson …. Betty Alberge

Producer: Martin Fisher

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1980.


WED 06:30 A Gripping Yarn (b0418p75)
In A Gripping Yarn, Jane Garvey explores the world of knitting. It's a lot more exciting and dynamic than the simple 'knit one, purl one' sweater would have you believe!

Tracing its popularity from the American revolution through to modern "guerilla" knitters, Jane comes across composer such as Hafdís Bjarnadótti, who designs music to represent knitting patterns, and jailbirds who earn remission through knitting.

Utilised by therapists, developed by social media and discovered by Reality TV, its image is now a million miles away from the knitting granny.

Introducing Jane to this hitherto hidden world are fashion historian Dr Joanne Turney, Christine Kingdom of the UK Hand Knitting Association and Rachel Matthews, owner of an Aladdin's cave of different Yarns of all colours and textures in East London.

Producer: Joanne Watson
An Alfi production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.


WED 07:00 Stockport, So Good They Named It Once (b007jrfl)
Series 1

Focus

Jason reckons his cheating ex-girlfriend wants him back, Dave gets his new company car - and Karen brings home a potential new member of the family.

The lives of the Stockport-based, Conroy family - in series 1 of Jim Poyser and Damian Lanigan's comedy drama.

Starring Dominic Monaghan as Jason, John McArdle as Eddie, Beverley Callard as Maureen. Jason Done as Michael, Stefan Escreet as Dave, Emma Clarke as Collete and Jo-Anne Knowles as Debbie and Chris Pavlo as Hugo.

Music: Big George

Producer: Neil Mossey

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1999.


WED 07:30 The Wilsons Save the World (b09f39tt)
Series 1

Holiday

A brand new sitcom for BBC Radio 4 written by Marcus Brigstocke and Sarah Morgan and starring Marcus Brigstocke as Mike and Kerry Godliman as his wife Max.

Michael and Maxine Wilson and their teenage daughters, Lola and Cat (plus their bearded dragon Chomsky, and about 150,000 bees) have resolved to live a cleaner, greener, serener life. This is a show about living ethically... whatever that means. Millions of people try every day to make 'good' choices and do the 'right thing', be ethical, charitable and community minded. It's hard. Most of us live with hypocrisy and failure all the time but keep on trying. The Wilsons, good folk that they are, are trying about 20% harder and learning to live with about 19% more failure. They are not giving up.

In this episode Max needs a holiday and so does Mike but what's the right choice ethically? As they balance the appeal of hot sun versus a carbon-neutral campsite Cat has her own agenda and Lola wrestles with the rights and wrongs of charity.

Producer...Julia McKenzie
Production Coordinator...Tamara Shilham
A BBC Studios Production.


WED 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007r3dg)
Series 4

The Espresso Bar

Making no money out of being in showbiz, the lad sees his future in selling coffee.

Starring Tony Hancock, Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Kenneth Williams and Hattie Jacques.

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.

Producer: Dennis Main Wilson

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in December 1956.


WED 08:30 Tales From the Mausoleum Club (b007jnpk)
Soldiers Three: India Nil

A chilling tale of what happened when a greedy soldier gets all that he wishes for. Stars Stephen Fry. From January 1987.


WED 09:00 Counterpoint (b00j3vct)
Series 23

2009 Heat 2

Paul Gambaccini welcomes three contestants from the North of England to the second heat of the series, from Manchester, with questions on all aspects of music spanning every era.


WED 09:30 Bangers and Mash (b0075h5q)
Episode 5

Juan Jose's declaration of love has thrown Martina into confusion.

Six-part comedy series by Katie Hims.

Stars Roger May as Juan, Catherine Harvey as Martina, Gerard McDermott as Jimmy, Jane Whittenshaw as Carol, Marlene Sidaway as Mrs Olney and Anthony Zaki as the Health Inspector.

Director: Catherine Horn

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1999.


WED 10:00 Leslie Charteris - The Saint (b007jtvy)
The Saint Plays With Fire

Simon Templar uncovers a fascist conspiracy to seize power in France.

The twentieth book in the adventures of The Saint, first published in 1938 under the title 'Prelude for War'.

CAST:

Simon Templar …. Paul Rhys
Patricia Holm …. Kim Thomson
Valerie …. Fiona Fullerton
Inspector Claude Eustace Teal/Usher …. John Baddeley
Peter Quentin …. Jonathan Keeble
Fairweather …. John Hartley
Luker …. Geoffrey Whitehead
General Sangore …. John Turner
Orace …. John Hollis
Knightley/Foreman …. Andrew Branch
Marteau/Constable/Pietri/Sergeant …. Roger May
Coroner/Bravache …. David Collings
Bream/Senappe …. David Timson

Written by Leslie Charteris and dramatised by for radio by Neville Teller.

Director: Matthew Walters

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.


WED 11:00 Jim Morrison's Will to be Weird (m000h1z5)
2: Strange Days

Had Jim Morrison of The Doors not died in mysterious circumstances at the tender age of 27 in 1971, he would have celebrated his 75th birthday in 2018.

Over three sixty-minute episodes, Paul Gambaccini mixes the music and poetry of the man with the influences that moulded the self-proclaimed ‘The Lizard King’. Paul first encountered Morrison in 1967 when, as a young music director on a New Hampshire radio station, he eagerly opened The Doors’ first single ‘Break On Through’. He followed his career from beginning to end and, to this day, visits Morrison’s grave in Paris.

In addition to Paul’s memories and observations, we delve into the Radio Archive and feature:

‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ [Radio 3 29/03/1995]
A unique interpretation of William Blake’s 18th century masterpiece

‘Dreadzone Aldous Huxley Readings’ [Radio 1 1995]
Greg Roberts [now Greg Dread] reads excerpts from ‘Brave New World’]

Producer: Mik Wilkojc

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first heard in 2018.


WED 12:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007r3dg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


WED 12:30 Tales From the Mausoleum Club (b007jnpk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


WED 13:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00p8g0h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


WED 13:30 A Gripping Yarn (b0418p75)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


WED 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b06q79tr)
Death in the Fifth Position by Gore Vidal

Episode 3

With McCarthyism reaching fever pitch in 1950s America, Peter Sargeant - a dashing PR man - is hired by the Grand St Petersburg ballet to fend off rumours that their star choreographer is a communist. But New York's ballet world is shocked when, on the opening night, the lead ballerina plummets to her death from a wire, maintaining her classical pose in the 'fifth position' as she hits the floor.

Gore Vidal's earlier novel The City and the Pillar was published in 1948 when the author was 23 years old. Its central story of a homosexual relationship caused such a scandal that the New York Times book critic refused to review any book by Gore Vidal. Others followed his lead and the author found himself at a loss as to how to continue to earn a living through his pen until a publisher suggested that he turn his hand to writing under a different name. Death In the Fifth Position was published in 1952 - the first of a trio of entertainments featuring Peter Cutler Sargeant II as a publicist turned private eye.

Episode 3:
It becomes clear that Ella Sutton’s death was not an accident. What is also clear is that one of the ballerinas is pregnant and the father of the child (as the whole company knows) is Miles Sutton, the conductor and widower.

Written by Edgar Box (Gore Vidal)
Read by Jamie Parker

Abridged and Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4


WED 14:15 Cosmic Quest (b00bfpzr)
Stories of the Sky

Astronomer Heather Couper reflects on how early man mapped the stories of his mythology onto the constellations in the sky.


WED 14:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsr3)
Babel Tower, Part 8/8

The day of Frederica's divorce finally arrives and she learns whether she has won custody of her son, Leo. Stars Indira Varma.


WED 14:45 Leo McKern - Just Resting (m000h1z7)
Episode 8

Actor Leo McKern - 'Rumpole of the Bailey' – reads from his memoirs: life before and after becoming a TV legal legend, Rumpole.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1984.


WED 15:00 Leslie Charteris - The Saint (b007jtvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


WED 16:00 Counterpoint (b00j3vct)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


WED 16:30 Bangers and Mash (b0075h5q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


WED 17:00 Stockport, So Good They Named It Once (b007jrfl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


WED 17:30 The Wilsons Save the World (b09f39tt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


WED 18:00 Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 (b007k4bh)
Episode 2

Eleanor discovers more about the work of Abbottsville, where the clones reveal very human-like feelings. Stars Alison Carney.


WED 18:30 How Tickled Am I? (b007jp11)
Series 1

Les Dawson

"Hardship? He knew all about it..."

Mark Radcliffe profiles the career of the Mancunian wordsmith who started out playing piano in a Parisian brothel - and went on to become one of this country's most popular comedians.

Featuring Roy Barraclough.

A six-part series exploring the tradition of the northern comedian.

Producer: Bernadette McConnell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1999.


WED 19:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007r3dg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


WED 19:30 Tales From the Mausoleum Club (b007jnpk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


WED 20:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00p8g0h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


WED 20:30 A Gripping Yarn (b0418p75)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


WED 21:00 Jim Morrison's Will to be Weird (m000h1z5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


WED 22:00 The Wilsons Save the World (b09f39tt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


WED 22:30 Warhorses of Letters (b03pdhkq)
Series 3

Episode 1

First in a new series of the world's best-loved epistolary equine comedy-romance, as we reveal more of the recently-discovered, passionate letters between the Duke of Wellington's horse Copenhagen (played by Daniel Rigby) and Napoleon's steed Marengo (played by Stephen Fry), with an introduction by Tamsin Greig.

Beginning at the height of the Battle of Waterloo and Marengo's close brush with death our heroes deal with the aftermath of battle as Marengo becomes part of the spoils of war. Will defeat bring him exile to St Helena at his master's side, or will be be untied with his true love Copenhagen? And if the latter, should they rebrand themselves as hot new power-couple Mopenhagen? Or Carengo?

Written by Robbie Hudson and Marie Phillips
Produced by Gareth Edwards.


WED 22:45 Guy Browning's Small Talk (b0076mv2)
Series 2

How to Kiss

The writer enumerates the many and varied methods of engendering facial contact, and where it might lead. From August 2004.


WED 23:00 Clare in the Community (b015ctw6)
Series 7

Rude Girl

Social Worker, Clare Barker, is concerned she may be linguistically out of touch with today's youth. Brian fails to impress Clare with numerous romantic gestures. A Heating Engineer causes a stir in the Family Centre and Megan causes chaos.

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.

Episode Three 'Rude Girl' Cast:

SALLY PHILLIPS Clare
ALEX LOWE Brian
NINA CONTI Megan / Nali / Beautician
RICHARD LUMSDEN Ray
LIZA TARBUCK Helen
ANDREW WINCOTT Simon / John Harris / Youth Leader
SARAH KENDALL Libby
NATHAN CATON Daniel
GERARD McDERMOT Mr Truscott / Barman / Paramedic
STEFAN RAMSDEN Thomas

Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden
Producer Katie Tyrrell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.


WED 23:30 The Sofa of Time (b00j0hqt)
Here Comes Bod

Can Milford and Parker overcome Raamen Bod and find the Sofa of Time? Stars Mark Heap and Nick Frost. From November 2002.



THURSDAY 09 APRIL 2020

THU 00:00 Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 (b007k4bh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Wednesday]


THU 00:30 How Tickled Am I? (b007jp11)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Wednesday]


THU 01:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00p8g0h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]


THU 01:30 A Gripping Yarn (b0418p75)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]


THU 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b06q79tr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]


THU 02:15 Cosmic Quest (b00bfpzr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Wednesday]


THU 02:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsr3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]


THU 02:45 Leo McKern - Just Resting (m000h1z7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Wednesday]


THU 03:00 Leslie Charteris - The Saint (b007jtvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]


THU 04:00 Counterpoint (b00j3vct)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Wednesday]


THU 04:30 Bangers and Mash (b0075h5q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Wednesday]


THU 05:00 Stockport, So Good They Named It Once (b007jrfl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]


THU 05:30 The Wilsons Save the World (b09f39tt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]


THU 06:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00p66fb)
Series 1

Bedtime Story, part 2/2

Can Detective Sergeant Dave Brook drive a wedge between two notorious crime families?

Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr.

Starring Ray Brooks as long-serving, ducking-and-diving DS Dave Brook. His side-kick is 23 year-old ‘grammar school boy’ DC Blair Maxton, played by Christopher Blake.

DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
Chief Inspector Roach …. David Daker
Jimmy Lowrie …. Tom Bowles
Station Officer …. Gordon Reid
Hughie Crerand …. Michael Packer
Ma Lowrie …. Hilda Fennemore
Billie Sellars …. Colin Bell

Producer: Martin Fisher

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1980.


THU 06:30 Picking Round Apples (b014qxbg)
Steve Carver lives the life of a seasonal apple picker on a farm in Herefordshire.

In his previous programmes for Radio 4 'Dancing Round the Mediterranean' and 'Touring Round Torquay' , Steve immersed himself in a new line of work, living alongside co-workers and experiencing their way of life.

Now he is 'Picking Round Apples' in Herefordshire:

For a week in mid-August, Steve gave up his home comforts and moved into a small campervan parked in the corner of a field in rural Herefordshire.

Every year a small band of retired people establish a make-shift and temporary, but close community. Every day, all day, they pick apples. The money they earn boosts their pensions, and a simple and quietly sociable life is also a great draw.

However it's hard work - bad backs, scratched arms, and sore feet are the wounds that must be borne.

The retired pickers live in their motor-homes for the summer, with many over-wintering in Spain when the weather begins to cool. No such luxury (or destination) for Steve - we gave him a basic campervan, with no electrical 'hook-up'; the use of a microwave in a farm-building, which also houses the showers and loos.

He was cold at night (trekking socks a necessity in bed, even in August), he got a little sick of microwave meals, but he enjoyed meeting the other pickers, appreciating what they meant by 'getting into the zone' of apple picking: reach... pick... put in bucket... reach... pick... put in bucket... almost - as Steve said - like a form of meditation.

Join Steve to find out how he got on 'Picking Round Apples' at Tillington Fruit Farm near Ledbury in Herefordshire.

Producer: Karen Gregor

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.


THU 07:00 The Architects (b03xgslr)
Series 1

What's the Point?

Jim Poyser and Neil Griffiths' comedy series set in a struggling architectural practice. With Sir Lucien's signature brutalist style hopelessly out of fashion, he seeks to overcome his creative block in the spas of Baden-Baden. Unfortunately for Tim, he needs someone to share the experience with.

Directed by Toby Swift.


THU 07:30 Ability (b0b0v537)
Series 1

Episode 1

Matt is 25. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad. Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him. He is funny and clever and "up for stuff" - partly because he is keen to show that there's nothing he can't do, but also because, if he's honest, he's aware that he's less likely than other people to get the blame.

Now Matt's left home for the first time and moved in to share a flat with his best mate, Jess. But when Bob (Allan Mustafa) shows up as the new carer, the fun really starts. Bob is new to the job and, although willing, domestic duties are not really his forte. He's better at selling weed and dealing in knocked off iPads.

But he likes Matt and treats him like a real person. So, as far as Matt is concerned, Bob is here to stay.

Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. Like his sitcom creation, Lee has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app. Lost Voice Guy is - probably - the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid. He won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2014, has done three full Edinburgh shows and been tour support for Ross Noble, Patrick Kielty and Jason Cook. Lee has previously worked for Sunderland City Council's communications team, and the BBC in Newcastle and London as well, as various local newspapers.

Katherine Jakeways is the co-creator and co-writer of Ability. Katherine is a multi-award nominated writer. She has written North by Northamptonshire, Guilt Trip and All Those Women for BBC Radio 4 as well as numerous radio plays. She has also written for Crackanory and The Tracey Ullman Show for TV along with a BBC 1 pilot, Carol and Vinney.

A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4.


THU 08:00 Frankie Howerd (m000h103)
Series 2

Episode 3

Frankie continues his reminiscences by looking back at his old jobs and his time in Malaya.

Ably assisted by June Whitfield, Bob Todd, Geoffrey Beevers and John Samson, Francis titters and teeters through his eventful life and illustrious career.

Written by David McKellar and David Nobbs.

Producer: David Hatch.

First broadcast in BBC Radio 2 in June 1973.


THU 08:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00t9zpz)
Series 4

Episode 7

Making movie news: 'The Lone Hydrangea' and 'The Sound of Monks' and 'The Curse of the Flying Wombat' continues...

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

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

Written by Tim Brooke-Taylor, Ian Lang, Graeme Chapman, John Cleese, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Eric Idle, 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 November 1966.


THU 09:00 Booked (b07llch7)
Series 4

Episode 6

Ian McMillan chairs the irreverent literary quiz with Dillie Keane, Miles Kington, Roger McGough and Mark Thomas. From August 1998.


THU 09:30 Capital Gains (b00sqlnp)
Series 2

Political Capital

At last Julius Hutch has the answer, but is it too late? If a desperate mission succeeds, Julius can make his first speech in Parliament...

Starring Peter Jones as Julius Hutch.

With Celestine Randall as Pauline Hutch, Justine Midda as Kate, Jeffrey Wickham as Sexton Lewis, Stephen Thorne as Sir Gainford Blounty, Jillie Meers as Dahlia Sprout, Collin Johnson as Haiku, Hugh Dickson as the Colonel, Toni G Barry as Liz Dangerfield and Brian Perkins as Himself.

Scripted by Collin Johnson.

Producers: Andy Jordan and David Blount

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1997.


THU 10:00 Evelyn Waugh - A Handful of Dust (m000h6c7)
Episode 1

By Evelyn Waugh
Dramatised in 2 parts by Bill Matthews

Episode 1
When Brenda Last embarks on an affair that is the talk of London society it has tragic consequences for all those involved.
With Tara Fitzgerald as Brenda Last and Jonathan Cullen as Tony Last.

CAST:
Beaver .... Ronan Vibert
Mrs Beaver .... Sally Grace
Jock .... James Simmons
Marjorie .... Victoria Carling
John Andrew .... Nathan Grower
Milly .... Dariel Pertwee
Ambrose..... Kim Wall
Babs .... Jane Whittenshaw
Polly .... Colleen Prendergast
Veronica .... Patience Tomlinson
Jenny .... Alice Arnold
Ben .... Keith Drinkel
Nanny .... Ann Beach

Director Sally Avens

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.


THU 11:00 Shorts (b070cgkr)
Scottish Shorts

Still Life by Margaret Morton Kirk

Artist Jack lives quietly on a remote Scottish island until a chance meeting with a tourist changes everything.

Read by Melody Grove
Producer Eilidh McCreadie

Margaret Morton Kirk is a writer from Inverness. Her short stories have achieved success in a number of competitions and she is currently working on a crime novel set in her home town.


THU 11:15 Andrew Sachs - Made in Heaven (m000h9cp)
'Drudge. Mrs Drudge. That's me. Day in, day out. Nothing but drudging, drudgery, drudgeration. Till Drudge Us Do Part. Oh yes, there's him too. He's got some funny habits-and no understanding of the work I do here.... and then there's the children.'

A comedy of marriage starring Prunella Scales and Timothy West.

Harriet Avon PRUNELLA SCALES
P. R. Avon TIMOTHY WEST
Furniture man PETER BALDWIN
Freda SIAN DAVIES
Sir Walter Plenty PETER PRATT
Judge ROLF LEFEBVRE
Vivian's voice SHEILA GRANT
Other parts played by ALISTER CAMERON , JAMES MCMANUS, ELIZABETH PROUD and JONATHAN SCOTT

Produced by GLYN DEARMAN

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1971.


THU 12:00 Frankie Howerd (m000h103)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


THU 12:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00t9zpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


THU 13:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00p66fb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


THU 13:30 Picking Round Apples (b014qxbg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


THU 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b06q7fd9)
Death in the Fifth Position by Gore Vidal

Episode 4

With McCarthyism reaching fever pitch in 1950s America, Peter Sargeant - a dashing PR man - is hired by the Grand St Petersburg ballet to fend off rumours that their star choreographer is a communist. But New York's ballet world is shocked when, on the opening night, the lead ballerina plummets to her death from a wire, maintaining her classical pose in the 'fifth position' as she hits the floor.

Gore Vidal's earlier novel The City and the Pillar was published in 1948 when the author was 23 years old. Its central story of a homosexual relationship caused such a scandal that the New York Times book critic refused to review any book by Gore Vidal. Others followed his lead and the author found himself at a loss as to how to continue to earn a living through his pen until a publisher suggested that he turn his hand to writing under a different name. Death In the Fifth Position was published in 1952 - the first of a trio of entertainments featuring Peter Cutler Sargeant II as a publicist turned private eye.

Episode 4:
At Peter’s suggestion, Jane Garden - his new girlfriend - has stepped in to take on the lead role played by the murdered ballerina, Ella Sutton. In the meantime, Detective Gleason has some questions to ask Peter about ‘the murder weapon’.

Written by Edgar Box (Gore Vidal)
Read by Jamie Parker

Abridged and Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4


THU 14:15 Cosmic Quest (b00bfpzt)
Mirror of the Earth

Astronomer Heather Couper looks at the history of astrology which began as a way of advising rulers on their military campaigns.


THU 14:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsrf)
A Whistling Woman, Part 1/7

Frederica resigns but makes a living by reviewing. Edmund has an idea for a heavier television programme. Stars James Callis.


THU 14:45 Paper Gardens (b007k2gk)
The Holy Suburb - Cookham

Leslie Forbes peers behind the Berkshire privet hedges in search of renowned artist Stanley Spencer's personal Eden.


THU 15:00 Evelyn Waugh - A Handful of Dust (m000h6c7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


THU 16:00 Booked (b07llch7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


THU 16:30 Capital Gains (b00sqlnp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


THU 17:00 The Architects (b03xgslr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


THU 17:30 Ability (b0b0v537)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


THU 18:00 Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 (b007k4kc)
Episode 3

Dr Abbotts claims clones are emotionless, while Jefferson and Lucy try to learn Carter 5's true fate. Stars Oliver Hembrough.


THU 18:30 Great Lives (b04f9r9m)
Series 34

Ray Mears on Rommel

The life of Erwin Rommel, for a time Hitler's favourite general is nominated by Ray Mears. Matthew Parris hears why this German soldier was a "great life". They are also joined by Dr Niall Barr, Reader in Military History, Defence Studies Department at Kings College, London.

Producer: Perminder Khatkar.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.


THU 19:00 Frankie Howerd (m000h103)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


THU 19:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00t9zpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


THU 20:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00p66fb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


THU 20:30 Picking Round Apples (b014qxbg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


THU 21:00 Shorts (b070cgkr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


THU 21:15 Andrew Sachs - Made in Heaven (m000h9cp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]


THU 22:00 Ability (b0b0v537)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


THU 22:30 Newsjack (m000h105)
Newsjack Unplugged, Series 5

Episode 3

Newsjack's plucky younger sibling where each week, Eshaan Akbar transforms the news into sketches and one-liners with the help of the Great British public.

Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production


THU 22:45 Quando, Quando, Quando (b007zd2c)
Fishy Business

When the racketeering Fish Brothers pay the Quandos a visit, Carlo is in turmoil, Anthony is in Timbuktu and Charlie is in a world of his own.

Brothers Rene, Carlo and Charlie Quando chop, snip and crimp their lucky clients into shape at London's finest hair salon.

Six-part comedy written and performed by Rainer Hersch and Mark Maie. With Stephen Greif and Catherine Tate.

Producer: Claire Jones

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1999.


THU 23:00 Elvenquest (m000h106)
Series 1

Episode 6

Finally the Sword of Asnagar is found. But is Sam a traitor? Fantasy comedy starring Darren Boyd and Dave Lamb. From June 2009


THU 23:30 At Home With The Snails (b007k2h6)
Series 1

Episode 1

Fed-up Alex has done nothing since university, but then he discovers an unusual hobby. Stars Geoffrey Palmer. From June 2001.



FRIDAY 10 APRIL 2020

FRI 00:00 Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 (b007k4kc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Thursday]


FRI 00:30 Great Lives (b04f9r9m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Thursday]


FRI 01:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b00p66fb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]


FRI 01:30 Picking Round Apples (b014qxbg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]


FRI 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b06q7fd9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]


FRI 02:15 Cosmic Quest (b00bfpzt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Thursday]


FRI 02:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsrf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]


FRI 02:45 Paper Gardens (b007k2gk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Thursday]


FRI 03:00 Evelyn Waugh - A Handful of Dust (m000h6c7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]


FRI 04:00 Booked (b07llch7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Thursday]


FRI 04:30 Capital Gains (b00sqlnp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Thursday]


FRI 05:00 The Architects (b03xgslr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]


FRI 05:30 Ability (b0b0v537)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]


FRI 06:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b03h6xz3)
Series 1

The Bank Raid

An old-style bank raid keeps the boys busy. Will DS Brook make his date with Judie?

Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr.

Starring Ray Brooks as long-serving, ducking-and-diving DS Dave Brook. His side-kick is 23 year-old ‘grammar school boy’ DC Blair Maxton, played by Christopher Blake.

DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
Chief Inspector Roach …. David Daker
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Forensic Scientist …. Roger Hammond
Mr. Franklin …. John Ringham
Miss Rees …. Liza Flanagan
Collator …. James Sosmo
Matron …. Margot Boyd
Police Officer …. David Timson
Charles Owen …. John Sharp
Judie …. Jacqueline Tong
Mrs. Miller …. Julie May

Producer: Martin Fisher

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1980.


FRI 06:30 Past Presence (b0076mgw)
Why has King John’s Magna Carta of 1215 endured through wars and even European Union arguments?

Presenter Tristram Hunt traces the background and interpretation of Magna Carta from its inception through to modern times.

Producer: Matthew Dodd.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2004.


FRI 07:00 Electric Ink (b01jjtn5)
Series 2

Episode 1

By Alistair Beaton and Tom Mitchelson.

A comic satire set in the struggling world of newspapers. Maddox has lost the job of news editor and now faces being sued.

Maddox ..... John Sessions
Oliver ..... Alex Jennings
Freddy ..... Stephen Wight
Carol ..... Polly Frame
Masha ..... Debbie Chazen
Keith ..... Sam Dale
Producer ..... Sally Avens

Alistair Beaton and Tom Mitchelson's satire is set in the world of modern newspapers.

A group of dysfunctional journalists attempt to cover major news stories at the same time as grappling with the demands of working in a multi-platform environment, watching circulation figures plummet and the recession causing half the workforce to be laid off.

At the heart of the comedy is the relationship between Maddox Bradley, a journalist who mourns the day of proper investigative journalism, and Freddy, the online editor who will regurgitate a press release quite happily and call it a story. But they have a grudging respect for the each other as Freddy helps Maddox stay afloat in the world of Twitter, Facebook and podcasting and Maddox shows Freddy how to sniff out the real story. Both are at the mercy of Oliver, the pragmatic Editor more concerned with keeping his job, and Carol, the news editor who believes that circulation will increase if they run pieces on Big Mac eating orang-utans and 'intelligent' skunks rather than Maddox's moral crusading diatribes. And only Masha, the Russian head of online communities, who wants to give away all their content because that is true democracy, knows Freddy's secret; that he's a posh boy from Eton rather than a hypercool kid from the street; well that's what Freddy thinks anyway.

Alistair Beaton is one of our best known political satirists. He won the Evening Standard comedy award for his play 'Feelgood', was a founding member of 'Not The Nine O'clock News' and also wrote 'A Very Social Secretary' and ' The Trial of Tony Blair' for television. Tom Mitchelson is a writer and journalist.

John Sessions takes on the role of Maddox Bradley. John is best known for his improvisation work on Whose Line is It Anyway and Stella Street. Stephen Wight was last seen in Whites on BBC2 and won the Evening Standard Award for Best Newcomer in 2007. He recently appeared at the National Theatre in The Habit of Art alongside Alex Jennings. Polly Frame was most recently seen in Earthquakes in London at the National and Debbie Chazen is currently on tour with Calendar Girls.


FRI 07:30 Just a Minute (m000h9y5)
The panel game hosted by Nicholas Parsons comes from The Mermaid Theatre in London where the panellists are Paul Merton, Sue Perkins, Graham Norton and Ross Noble.


FRI 08:00 The Men from the Ministry (b00y2xmy)
French Cricket

The hapless duo set out to sell the national game overseas.

A weekly tribute to all those who work in government offices and to all the others who spend their days there as well.

Stars Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch.

With Norma Ronald, Roy Dotrice, David Graham and Betty Marsden.

Written and produced by Edward Taylor.

'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.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1962.


FRI 08:30 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b0089jcz)
Series 3

Episode 2

An escaped murderer is after the shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel.

Recreation of the Marx Brothers' lost shows charting the adventures of shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel and his assistant, Emmanuel Ravelli. Originally broadcast with sponsors on America's NBC radio network in the 1930s. The scripts were rediscovered in 1988.

Starring Michael Roberts as Groucho Marx as Waldorf T Flywheel and Frank Lazarus as Chico Marx as Emmanuel Ravelli.

With Lorelei King, Graham Hoadly and Vincent Marzello.

Written by Nat Perrin and Athur Sheekman. Adapted by Mark Brisenden.

Music arranged and conducted by David Firman.

Producer: Dirk Maggs

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1992.


FRI 09:00 Funny You Should Ask (b0b8brq5)
From 24/03/1981

Peter Jones hosts the entertainment quiz about comedy as he tests a panel of experts: Leslie Crowther, Barry Cryer and Dick Vosburgh.

Funny You Should Ask ran for 8 series from 1976 to 1982.

Questions compiled by Michael Pointon.

Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1981.


FRI 09:30 The Adventures of John and Tony (b009pn8p)
The Total Hotel Experience

John and his best friend Tony find themselves taking part in a seaside hotel's murder-mystery weekend.

John just wants to play dominoes, but amongst the guests is a woman from his past - with her potatoes.

Written by John Hegley

Starring John Hegley, Simon Munnery, Terry Malloy, Sunny Ormonde and Andy Hockley.

Original music by Nigel Piper.

Director: Anne Edyvean

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1999.


FRI 10:00 Evelyn Waugh - A Handful of Dust (m000h6q1)
Episode 2

By Evelyn Waugh
Dramatised in 2 parts by Bill Matthews

Episode 2
Tony's life is shattered by Brenda's revelation of adultery.
With Tara Fitzgerald as Brenda Last and Jonathan Cullen as Tony Last.

CAST:
Beaver ..... Ronan Vibert
Jock .... James Simmons
Milly ..... Dariel Pertwee
Mrs Beaver .... Sally Grace
Dr Messinger .... Robert Glenister
Rosa .... Vivienne Rochester
Mr Todd .... Jack Klaff
Teddy Last .... Daniel Philpott
Reggie .... David Timson
Ambrose ... Kim Wall
Babs .... Jane Whittenshaw
Polly .... Colleen Prendergast
Tony's Solicitor .... Denys Hawthorne
Senior Detective .... Geoffrey Whttehead
Winnie .... Jade Williams
Jenny .... Alice Arnold

Director Sally Avens

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.


FRI 11:00 Podcast Radio Hour (m000h9cy)
Presenters recommend their favourite podcasts and speak to the people who make them.


FRI 12:00 The Men from the Ministry (b00y2xmy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


FRI 12:30 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b0089jcz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


FRI 13:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b03h6xz3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


FRI 13:30 Past Presence (b0076mgw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


FRI 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b06q7gwp)
Death in the Fifth Position by Gore Vidal

Episode 5

With McCarthyism reaching fever pitch in 1950s America, Peter Sargeant - a dashing PR man - is hired by the Grand St Petersburg ballet to fend off rumours that their star choreographer is a communist. But New York's ballet world is shocked when, on the opening night, the lead ballerina plummets to her death from a wire, maintaining her classical pose in the 'fifth position' as she hits the floor.

Gore Vidal's earlier novel The City and the Pillar was published in 1948 when the author was 23 years old. Its central story of a homosexual relationship caused such a scandal that the New York Times book critic refused to review any book by Gore Vidal. Others followed his lead and the author found himself at a loss as to how to continue to earn a living through his pen until a publisher suggested that he turn his hand to writing under a different name. Death In the Fifth Position was published in 1952 - the first of a trio of entertainments featuring Peter Cutler Sargeant II as a publicist turned private eye.

Episode 5:
The story continues with the members of the Grand St Petersburg ballet anticipating the imminent arrest of the husband of the murdered ballerina. Not only had Miles Sutton been asking his wife for a divorce, he was also hiding a serious drug habit. Questions remain however over the murder weapon - the pair of shears found by our narrator, Peter, after the murder took place. The performances of the now sell-out ballet continue as does the investigation, and tonight a wealthy patron holds a party for the company.

Written by Edgar Box (Gore Vidal)
Read by Jamie Parker

Abridged and Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4


FRI 14:15 Cosmic Quest (b00bfpzw)
Three Wise Men

Heather Couper reviews ancient associations of stars and planets with deities and astrology's link to maths and the 24-hour day.


FRI 14:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsrt)
A Whistling Woman, Part 2/7

Frederica has doubts about her television career and her brother, Marcus, makes a shocking discovery. Stars Karl Prekopp.


FRI 14:45 Paper Gardens (m000h2p5)
The Plant Hunters

Leslie Forbes pays a visit to London's Kew Gardens to investigate the enthusiasm of plant hunters and botanical artists.


FRI 15:00 Evelyn Waugh - A Handful of Dust (m000h6q1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


FRI 16:00 Funny You Should Ask (b0b8brq5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


FRI 16:30 The Adventures of John and Tony (b009pn8p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


FRI 17:00 Electric Ink (b01jjtn5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


FRI 17:30 Just a Minute (m000h9y5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


FRI 18:00 Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 (b007k4s9)
Episode 4

Dr Abbotts finds his 'party trick' used against him, and Paul Smith takes full advantage of the chaos. Stars David Birrell.


FRI 18:30 Off the Page (b0076tr2)
Your Inner Child

Matthew Parris, Pat Kane, Matt Harvey and Hilary Mantel discuss the idea of being young at heart. From September 2005.


FRI 19:00 The Men from the Ministry (b00y2xmy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


FRI 19:30 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b0089jcz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


FRI 20:00 Robert Barr - Detective (b03h6xz3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


FRI 20:30 Past Presence (b0076mgw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


FRI 21:00 Podcast Radio Hour (m000h9cy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]


FRI 22:00 Just a Minute (m000h9y5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


FRI 22:30 Bird Island (b01jxslg)
Series 1

Episode 2

On one hand, Ben is on the trip of a lifetime to Sub-Antarctica. On the other, he's trapped in an icy hell with one other person, a dodgy internet connection and a dictaphone. Loneliness is something of a problem. His fellow travelling scientist Graham should alleviate this, but the tragi-comic fact is, they are nerdy blokes, so they can only stumble through yet another awkward exchange. Ben experiences all the highs and lows that this beautiful, but lonely place has to offer but fails miserably to communicate this to Graham. So, Ben shares his thoughts with us in the form of an audio 'log'.

Apart from his research studying the Albatross on the Island, Ben attempts to continue normal life with an earnestness and enthusiasm which is ultimately very endearing. We're with him as chats awkwardly with Graham, telephones his mother and as he tries to form a long distance relationship with a woman through Chemistry.com. In fact, we follow Ben as everything occurs to him. We also hear the pings and whirrs of machinery, the Squawks and screeches of the birds and the vast expanse outside. Oh, and ice. Lots of ice.

EPISDE TWO:
Bird Island is the story of Ben, a young scientist working in Antarctica, trying to socially adapt to the loneliness by keeping a cheery audio diary on his Dictaphone. An atmospheric 15 minute non audience comedy.
Ben and Graham are short on food supplies and can't radio main base. Tensions rise as they are forced to survive on porridge.

Written by ..... Katy Wix

Produced by ..... Tilusha Ghelani.


FRI 22:45 Paperback Hell (b0076ch5)
Series 1

Paddy Murphy's Ghost

A tale of a miserable Irish childhood in another spoof chapter of a bestseller. Starring Michael Fenton Stevens. From January 2003.


FRI 23:00 Little Britain (b008gh5h)
Series 1

Episode 2

Back where it premiered, Matt Lucas and David Walliams' oddball TV smash hit without the cameras. From March 2001.


FRI 23:30 The Maltby Collection (b00xn9fp)
Series 2

Episode 3

Will the museum's first ever Sunday opening run smoothly? Stars Julian Rhind-Tutt and Geoffrey Palmer. From June 2008.




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

4 at the Store 23:30 SAT (b007jqn6)

A Good Read 18:30 MON (b00nvfmz)

A Good Read 00:30 TUE (b00nvfmz)

A Gripping Yarn 06:30 WED (b0418p75)

A Gripping Yarn 13:30 WED (b0418p75)

A Gripping Yarn 20:30 WED (b0418p75)

A Gripping Yarn 01:30 THU (b0418p75)

A Guide to Woodland Birds 15:45 SUN (b00c4mf9)

A Guide to Woodland Birds 03:45 MON (b00c4mf9)

A Normal... 07:30 TUE (m000gtnq)

A Normal... 17:30 TUE (m000gtnq)

A Normal... 22:00 TUE (m000gtnq)

A Normal... 05:30 WED (m000gtnq)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (Omnibus) 06:00 SUN (b07hp75x)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (Omnibus) 13:00 SUN (b07hp75x)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (Omnibus) 01:00 MON (b07hp75x)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet 02:30 SAT (b007jsps)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet 14:30 MON (b007jsqh)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet 02:30 TUE (b007jsqh)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet 14:30 TUE (b007jsqs)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet 02:30 WED (b007jsqs)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet 14:30 WED (b007jsr3)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet 02:30 THU (b007jsr3)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet 14:30 THU (b007jsrf)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet 02:30 FRI (b007jsrf)

AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet 14:30 FRI (b007jsrt)

Ability 07:30 THU (b0b0v537)

Ability 17:30 THU (b0b0v537)

Ability 22:00 THU (b0b0v537)

Ability 05:30 FRI (b0b0v537)

All in a Chord 02:15 SAT (b088974y)

Andrew Sachs - Made in Heaven 11:15 THU (m000h9cp)

Andrew Sachs - Made in Heaven 21:15 THU (m000h9cp)

Archive on 4 08:00 SAT (b079lt8w)

Archive on 4 15:00 SAT (b079lt8w)

Archive on 4 03:00 SUN (b079lt8w)

Are You From the Bugle? 16:30 TUE (b01jzq5m)

Are You From the Bugle? 04:30 WED (b01jzq5m)

At Home With The Snails 23:30 THU (b007k2h6)

Bad Salsa 05:00 SAT (b04bn088)

Bangers and Mash 09:30 WED (b0075h5q)

Bangers and Mash 16:30 WED (b0075h5q)

Bangers and Mash 04:30 THU (b0075h5q)

Beauty of Britain 23:00 TUE (b00npr8g)

Bird Island 22:30 FRI (b01jxslg)

Book at Bedtime 14:00 MON (b06nnnly)

Book at Bedtime 02:00 TUE (b06nnnly)

Book at Bedtime 14:00 TUE (b06q796r)

Book at Bedtime 02:00 WED (b06q796r)

Book at Bedtime 14:00 WED (b06q79tr)

Book at Bedtime 02:00 THU (b06q79tr)

Book at Bedtime 14:00 THU (b06q7fd9)

Book at Bedtime 02:00 FRI (b06q7fd9)

Book at Bedtime 14:00 FRI (b06q7gwp)

Booked 09:00 THU (b07llch7)

Booked 16:00 THU (b07llch7)

Booked 04:00 FRI (b07llch7)

Buy Me Up TV 23:00 SAT (b009fnlx)

Capital Gains 09:30 THU (b00sqlnp)

Capital Gains 16:30 THU (b00sqlnp)

Capital Gains 04:30 FRI (b00sqlnp)

Chain Reaction 22:30 MON (b00gsb83)

Chambers 09:30 MON (b007jp12)

Chambers 16:30 MON (b007jp12)

Chambers 04:30 TUE (b007jp12)

Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin (Omnibus) 09:00 SUN (m000h0qj)

Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin (Omnibus) 20:00 SUN (m000h0qj)

Clare in the Community 23:00 WED (b015ctw6)

Cosmic Quest 14:15 MON (b00bfpzk)

Cosmic Quest 02:15 TUE (b00bfpzk)

Cosmic Quest 14:15 TUE (b00bfpzp)

Cosmic Quest 02:15 WED (b00bfpzp)

Cosmic Quest 14:15 WED (b00bfpzr)

Cosmic Quest 02:15 THU (b00bfpzr)

Cosmic Quest 14:15 THU (b00bfpzt)

Cosmic Quest 02:15 FRI (b00bfpzt)

Cosmic Quest 14:15 FRI (b00bfpzw)

Counterpoint 12:00 SAT (b00hzf58)

Counterpoint 09:00 WED (b00j3vct)

Counterpoint 16:00 WED (b00j3vct)

Counterpoint 04:00 THU (b00j3vct)

Crossing the Glacier by Berlie Doherty 07:15 SUN (b007jv9m)

Crossing the Glacier by Berlie Doherty 14:15 SUN (b007jv9m)

Crossing the Glacier by Berlie Doherty 02:15 MON (b007jv9m)

Dad's Army 08:30 MON (b007jqzq)

Dad's Army 12:30 MON (b007jqzq)

Dad's Army 19:30 MON (b007jqzq)

David Attenborough's Life Stories 11:50 SUN (b0100j9q)

David Attenborough's Life Stories 19:50 SUN (b0100j9q)

David Stafford - The Funny Side of Love 03:00 SAT (b093p3th)

Desert Island Discs Revisited 10:15 SUN (b09xjfn4)

Desert Island Discs Revisited 21:15 SUN (b09xjfn4)

Drama 16:00 SUN (b01lwdx3)

Drama 04:00 MON (b01lwdx3)

Drama 11:15 TUE (b066vcmy)

Drama 21:15 TUE (b066vcmy)

Electric Ink 07:00 FRI (b01jjtn5)

Electric Ink 17:00 FRI (b01jjtn5)

Elvenquest 23:00 THU (m000h106)

Evelyn Waugh - A Handful of Dust 10:00 THU (m000h6c7)

Evelyn Waugh - A Handful of Dust 15:00 THU (m000h6c7)

Evelyn Waugh - A Handful of Dust 03:00 FRI (m000h6c7)

Evelyn Waugh - A Handful of Dust 10:00 FRI (m000h6q1)

Evelyn Waugh - A Handful of Dust 15:00 FRI (m000h6q1)

Fabulous 23:30 SUN (b00f41w5)

Frankie Howerd 08:00 THU (m000h103)

Frankie Howerd 12:00 THU (m000h103)

Frankie Howerd 19:00 THU (m000h103)

Funny You Should Ask 04:00 SAT (b0b7hfpc)

Funny You Should Ask 09:00 FRI (b0b8brq5)

Funny You Should Ask 16:00 FRI (b0b8brq5)

Gossip from the Garden Pond 09:30 TUE (b04g7d6q)

Great Lives 18:30 THU (b04f9r9m)

Great Lives 00:30 FRI (b04f9r9m)

Guy Browning's Small Talk 22:45 WED (b0076mv2)

HR 12:30 SAT (b00tg1c3)

HR 07:00 TUE (b00tj5qm)

HR 17:00 TUE (b00tj5qm)

HR 05:00 WED (b00tj5qm)

Hancock's Half Hour 08:00 WED (b007r3dg)

Hancock's Half Hour 12:00 WED (b007r3dg)

Hancock's Half Hour 19:00 WED (b007r3dg)

Hilary Mantel - The Mirror and the Light (Omnibus) 14:30 SUN (m000h0qn)

Hilary Mantel - The Mirror and the Light (Omnibus) 02:30 MON (m000h0qn)

Home to Roost 08:00 SUN (m000h0qd)

Home to Roost 12:00 SUN (m000h0qd)

Horne of Plenty: Beyond Our Ken to Round The Horne 09:00 SAT (b007k2b6)

Horne of Plenty: Beyond Our Ken to Round The Horne 19:00 SAT (b007k2b6)

Host Planet Earth 00:00 SAT (m000gw7g)

Host Planet Earth 18:00 MON (m000hcj1)

Host Planet Earth 00:00 TUE (m000hcj1)

How Tickled Am I? 18:30 WED (b007jp11)

How Tickled Am I? 00:30 THU (b007jp11)

Hut 33 23:30 MON (b00lxzyd)

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again 08:30 THU (b00t9zpz)

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again 12:30 THU (b00t9zpz)

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again 19:30 THU (b00t9zpz)

Inheritance Tracks 14:10 SAT (m000h0mh)

Inheritance Tracks 02:10 SUN (m000h0mh)

Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 18:00 TUE (b007jwfl)

Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 00:00 WED (b007jwfl)

Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 18:00 WED (b007k4bh)

Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 00:00 THU (b007k4bh)

Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 18:00 THU (b007k4kc)

Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 00:00 FRI (b007k4kc)

Jenny Stephens - Jefferson 37 18:00 FRI (b007k4s9)

Jerome K Jerome - Three Men in a Boat 08:30 SUN (b01cj229)

Jerome K Jerome - Three Men in a Boat 12:30 SUN (b01cj229)

Jest a Minute 16:00 TUE (b01789l0)

Jest a Minute 04:00 WED (b01789l0)

Jim Morrison's Will to be Weird 11:00 WED (m000h1z5)

Jim Morrison's Will to be Weird 21:00 WED (m000h1z5)

Just a Minute 07:30 FRI (m000h9y5)

Just a Minute 17:30 FRI (m000h9y5)

Just a Minute 22:00 FRI (m000h9y5)

Launching The Style Decade 06:30 MON (b00s7dvt)

Launching The Style Decade 13:30 MON (b00s7dvt)

Launching The Style Decade 20:30 MON (b00s7dvt)

Launching The Style Decade 01:30 TUE (b00s7dvt)

Leo McKern - Just Resting 02:45 SAT (m000gwrz)

Leo McKern - Just Resting 14:45 MON (m000h1zd)

Leo McKern - Just Resting 02:45 TUE (m000h1zd)

Leo McKern - Just Resting 14:45 TUE (m000h11k)

Leo McKern - Just Resting 02:45 WED (m000h11k)

Leo McKern - Just Resting 14:45 WED (m000h1z7)

Leo McKern - Just Resting 02:45 THU (m000h1z7)

Leslie Charteris - The Saint 10:00 MON (b00b9k9p)

Leslie Charteris - The Saint 15:00 MON (b00b9k9p)

Leslie Charteris - The Saint 03:00 TUE (b00b9k9p)

Leslie Charteris - The Saint 10:00 TUE (b00b9xgx)

Leslie Charteris - The Saint 15:00 TUE (b00b9xgx)

Leslie Charteris - The Saint 03:00 WED (b00b9xgx)

Leslie Charteris - The Saint 10:00 WED (b007jtvy)

Leslie Charteris - The Saint 15:00 WED (b007jtvy)

Leslie Charteris - The Saint 03:00 THU (b007jtvy)

Little Britain 23:00 FRI (b008gh5h)

Mallorca and Middle-Aged Men in Lycra 06:30 TUE (b047w54s)

Mallorca and Middle-Aged Men in Lycra 13:30 TUE (b047w54s)

Mallorca and Middle-Aged Men in Lycra 20:30 TUE (b047w54s)

Mallorca and Middle-Aged Men in Lycra 01:30 WED (b047w54s)

Mary Shelley - Frankenstein 18:00 SUN (b007jptw)

Mary Shelley - Frankenstein 00:00 MON (b007jptw)

Miss Marple 06:00 SAT (b007jvgc)

Miss Marple 16:00 SAT (b007jvgc)

Miss Marple 04:00 SUN (b007jvgc)

Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics 07:30 SUN (b078xpfb)

Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics 17:30 SUN (b078xpfb)

Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics 22:00 SUN (b078xpfb)

Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics 05:30 MON (b078xpfb)

Newsjack 22:30 THU (m000h105)

Off the Page 00:30 SAT (b0076tmn)

Off the Page 18:30 FRI (b0076tr2)

Paddling With Peter Duck 01:30 SAT (b012wzfl)

Pam Ayres' Open Road 14:15 SAT (b007kfng)

Pam Ayres' Open Road 02:15 SUN (b007kfng)

Paper Gardens 14:45 THU (b007k2gk)

Paper Gardens 02:45 FRI (b007k2gk)

Paper Gardens 14:45 FRI (m000h2p5)

Paperback Hell 22:45 FRI (b0076ch5)

Past Presence 06:30 FRI (b0076mgw)

Past Presence 13:30 FRI (b0076mgw)

Past Presence 20:30 FRI (b0076mgw)

Paul Sinha's Citizenship Test 22:30 SAT (b0386j1j)

Picking Round Apples 06:30 THU (b014qxbg)

Picking Round Apples 13:30 THU (b014qxbg)

Picking Round Apples 20:30 THU (b014qxbg)

Picking Round Apples 01:30 FRI (b014qxbg)

Podcast Radio Hour 11:00 FRI (m000h9cy)

Podcast Radio Hour 21:00 FRI (m000h9cy)

Poetry Extra 17:00 SUN (m000h0qv)

Poetry Extra 05:00 MON (m000h0qv)

Quando, Quando, Quando 22:45 THU (b007zd2c)

Reluctant Persuaders 05:30 SAT (m000118z)

Robert Barr - Detective 06:00 MON (b00pg50h)

Robert Barr - Detective 13:00 MON (b00pg50h)

Robert Barr - Detective 20:00 MON (b00pg50h)

Robert Barr - Detective 01:00 TUE (b00pg50h)

Robert Barr - Detective 06:00 TUE (b00pckm9)

Robert Barr - Detective 13:00 TUE (b00pckm9)

Robert Barr - Detective 20:00 TUE (b00pckm9)

Robert Barr - Detective 01:00 WED (b00pckm9)

Robert Barr - Detective 06:00 WED (b00p8g0h)

Robert Barr - Detective 13:00 WED (b00p8g0h)

Robert Barr - Detective 20:00 WED (b00p8g0h)

Robert Barr - Detective 01:00 THU (b00p8g0h)

Robert Barr - Detective 06:00 THU (b00p66fb)

Robert Barr - Detective 13:00 THU (b00p66fb)

Robert Barr - Detective 20:00 THU (b00p66fb)

Robert Barr - Detective 01:00 FRI (b00p66fb)

Robert Barr - Detective 06:00 FRI (b03h6xz3)

Robert Barr - Detective 13:00 FRI (b03h6xz3)

Robert Barr - Detective 20:00 FRI (b03h6xz3)

Round the Horne 08:30 TUE (b00nnpz7)

Round the Horne 12:30 TUE (b00nnpz7)

Round the Horne 19:30 TUE (b00nnpz7)

Says on the Tin 07:00 MON (b00g4fv7)

Says on the Tin 17:00 MON (b00g4fv7)

Says on the Tin 05:00 TUE (b00g4fv7)

Short Works 02:00 SAT (m000gw7d)

Shorts 11:00 TUE (b06zqk36)

Shorts 21:00 TUE (b06zqk36)

Shorts 11:00 THU (b070cgkr)

Shorts 21:00 THU (b070cgkr)

Stand By For West 01:00 SAT (m000gw78)

Stockport, So Good They Named It Once 07:00 WED (b007jrfl)

Stockport, So Good They Named It Once 17:00 WED (b007jrfl)

Stockport, So Good They Named It Once 05:00 THU (b007jrfl)

TED Radio Hour 11:00 MON (m000h9cm)

TED Radio Hour 21:00 MON (m000h9cm)

Tales From the Mausoleum Club 08:30 WED (b007jnpk)

Tales From the Mausoleum Club 12:30 WED (b007jnpk)

Tales From the Mausoleum Club 19:30 WED (b007jnpk)

Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! 07:30 MON (m000gt6b)

Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! 17:30 MON (m000gt6b)

Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! 22:00 MON (m000gt6b)

Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! 05:30 TUE (m000gt6b)

The Adventures of John and Tony 04:30 SAT (b009m38r)

The Adventures of John and Tony 09:30 FRI (b009pn8p)

The Adventures of John and Tony 16:30 FRI (b009pn8p)

The Architects 07:00 THU (b03xgslr)

The Architects 17:00 THU (b03xgslr)

The Architects 05:00 FRI (b03xgslr)

The Goon Show 08:00 TUE (b007td29)

The Goon Show 12:00 TUE (b007td29)

The Goon Show 19:00 TUE (b007td29)

The Guns of Adam Riches 23:30 TUE (b01qwj0j)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 18:00 SAT (b007jm4s)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 00:00 SUN (b007jm4s)

The Lee Mack Show 22:00 SAT (b00bfq1c)

The Listening Project 10:10 SUN (b06ycwr2)

The Listening Project 21:10 SUN (b06ycwr2)

The Maltby Collection 23:30 FRI (b00xn9fp)

The Mark Steel Solution 22:30 TUE (b007jzk8)

The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel 08:30 FRI (b0089jcz)

The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel 12:30 FRI (b0089jcz)

The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel 19:30 FRI (b0089jcz)

The Men from the Ministry 08:00 FRI (b00y2xmy)

The Men from the Ministry 12:00 FRI (b00y2xmy)

The Men from the Ministry 19:00 FRI (b00y2xmy)

The Moth Radio Hour 11:00 SUN (b0b9v0t8)

The Moth Radio Hour 19:00 SUN (b0b9v0t8)

The Music Teacher 22:45 SUN (b00sgbh0)

The Navy Lark 08:00 MON (b0084rjj)

The Navy Lark 12:00 MON (b0084rjj)

The Navy Lark 19:00 MON (b0084rjj)

The Now Show 23:00 MON (m000gvmx)

The Now Show 09:00 TUE (m000gvmx)

The Prelude (Omnibus) 13:00 SAT (m000h0mf)

The Prelude (Omnibus) 01:00 SUN (m000h0mf)

The Price of Fear 18:30 SAT (b007jmxv)

The Price of Fear 00:30 SUN (b007jmxv)

The Secret World 23:00 SUN (b012b1z6)

The Sofa of Time 23:30 WED (b00j0hqt)

The Tingle Factor 18:30 TUE (b07h0z8v)

The Tingle Factor 00:30 WED (b07h0z8v)

The Unbelievable Truth 09:00 MON (b078xpfg)

The Unbelievable Truth 16:00 MON (b078xpfg)

The Unbelievable Truth 04:00 TUE (b078xpfg)

The Voices of... 07:30 SAT (b08r1tsz)

The Voices of... 17:30 SAT (b08r1tsz)

The Voices of... 05:30 SUN (b08r1tsz)

The Wilsons Save the World 07:30 WED (b09f39tt)

The Wilsons Save the World 17:30 WED (b09f39tt)

The Wilsons Save the World 22:00 WED (b09f39tt)

The Wilsons Save the World 05:30 THU (b09f39tt)

Twenty Players 22:30 SUN (b06jmc82)

Uncle Mort's South Country 14:45 SAT (b007rprx)

Uncle Mort's South Country 02:45 SUN (b007rprx)

Warhorses of Letters 22:30 WED (b03pdhkq)