SATURDAY 02 JANUARY 2021
SAT 00:00 Mad Monkton by Wilkie Collins (m000qngx)
'I see the figure of a dark-complexioned man, standing up, with his head uncovered. One of his hands, still clutching a pistol, has fallen to his side; the other presses a bloody handkerchief to his mouth. And thus I have seen him ever since the moment of his death.'
Has the youngest son Alfred inherited the hereditary madness that’s said to blight the Monkton family?
Wilkie Collins's classic story adapted for radio by Michael Robson.
Alfred Monkton … John Castle
Piers Fortune … Gary Bond
Ada Elmslie … Sandra Freeman
Damian … Lewis Stringer
Captain Rounce … Geoffrey Matthews
Devised and directed by Derek Hoddinott.
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in March 1976.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b00cqhr5)
Winning Ugly
Dominic Arkwright chairs the lively discussion series.
He is joined by prospective MP Wilfred Emmanuel Jones, writer Susannah Jowitt and former rugby international Brian Moore, who played on the losing side in the World Cup Final in 1991 and remains haunted by the event.
SAT 01:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qngn)
1. Tip-Off
Andy is an ecology journalist who finds himself receiving a curious tip-off about a gold raid.
Starring Nick Chilvers.
John Fletcher's six-part thriller serial taking in global power struggles, smuggling and the dangers of uranium.
Andy ... Nick Chilvers
Sir Jack ... Conrad Phillips
Grey ... Rex Holdsworth
Kite ... Gregory de Polnay
Julian ... Clive Francis
Shirley ... Diane Fletcher
Mike Monk ... Christian Rodska
Lizzie ... Sheila Grant
Director: Brian Miller.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1987.
SAT 01:30 Hercule Poirot (b007jxgg)
One, Two Buckle My Shoe
Episode 5
With a killer still at large, the Belgian detective finds inspiration in the words of a psalm sung by the village church choir.
Conclusion of Agatha Christie's whodunit starring John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Chief Inspector Japp ...... Philip Jackson
Frank Carter ...... Dominic Colchester
Alistair Blunt ...... Philip Franks
Jane Olivera ...... Amanda Waring
Mr Barnes ...... Patrick Godfrey
Howard Raikes ...... Robert Portal
Original music composed by Tom Smail.
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
SAT 02:00 Believe Me by Eddie Izzard (b08x9813)
5. Marathons
The idea of taking on unusual sporting challenges appealed to Eddie Izzard – so she took on a gruelling regime of running back to back marathons throughout the length of the UK
In this memoir, Eddie has taken us on a journey through her life - one during which she's discovered much about herself along the way, and come to terms with not fitting into the box that most of us like to put people in.
With a nod to the surreal humour and disarming candour of her shows, and some occasional digressions, Believe Me tells the story of a child losing their mother yet who’s risen to become a star of comedy and drama, a leading advocate of total clothing rights, and an extreme runner of marathons.
Written and concluded by Eddie Izzard.
Director: Lizzie Davies
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2017.
SAT 02:15 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (b08bbg1j)
Harvest Time
Meg has her family and Amy is enjoying her life abroad but Jo's heart aches with a ceaseless longing for what she has lost.
The concluding episode of Louisa May Alcott's coming of age story dramatised by Rhiannon Tise.
Jo …. Julianna Jennings
Mrs March …. Tara Ward
Mr March …. John Bowler
Meg …. Natasha Barnes
Professor Bhaer …. Gunnar Cauthery
Amy …. Samantha Dakin
Laurie …. Alex Lanipekun
Produced and Directed by Tracey Neale.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2017.
SAT 02:30 Natural Histories (b08wp3gh)
Cow
Brett Westwood investigates the peaceful, hefty, cud-chewing beasts which have been by our side for thousands of years.
Discover what Shakespeare made of this special relationship, hear Dinka songs from the intense cattle-based cultures of South Sudan and travel to a Leicestershire dairy where robots do the milking.
It's a pastoral scene and a violent one too: the fearsome virility of the bull in the poetry of Lorca, sacred cows prompting vigilante violence in India, and a Greek tyrant who would bake his victims alive in a giant metal bull, its resonance turning their cries to moos.
From all this bovine history it's clear that the domestication of the cow has fundamentally changed human society.
Producer: Melvin Rickarby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2017.
SAT 03:00 The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse (m000r630)
Experience the world of a curious boy, a greedy mole, a wary fox and a wise horse who find themselves together, in sometimes difficult terrain, sharing their greatest fears and biggest discoveries about vulnerability, kindness, hope, friendship and love.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse was written and read by Charlie Mackesy.
The music was by Max Richter and Isobel Waller-Bridge.
It was produced by Colm Roche and mixed by Eli Block, with sound design by Ivor Manley
This is a shortened version of the Penguin Audio Production of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse audiobook.
SAT 03:50 Inheritance Tracks (b093m4gp)
John Cooper Clarke
The Bard of Salford chooses Bing Crosby and Al Jolson's The Spaniard Who Blighted My Life and Nick Lowe's Peace, Love and Understanding.
SAT 04:00 The Personality Test (b007sq67)
Series 3
Andrew Neil
Broadcaster and former Sunday Times Editor Andrew Neil is in the hot seat posing questions all about him.
On the panel: comedians Sue Perkins, Caroline Quinlan, Robin Ince and Will Smith.
Comedy quiz presented by a new guest host every week. All the questions are about the host.
Script by Simon Littlefield and Kieron Quirke.
Devised and produced by Aled Evans.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
SAT 04:30 Ballylenon (b00g2djy)
Series 2
Episode 3
With clergy rumours buzzing - Vera McConkey's extra busy in the telephone exchange
Series set in the sleepy town of Ballylenon, Co Donegal, in 1954, before the days of mass tourism and proper plumbing in every home.
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Phonsie Doherty …. T.P. McKenna
Muriel McConkey …. Margaret D'Arcy
Vera McConkey …. Stella McCusker
Vivienne Boal …. Aine McCartney
Guard Gallagher …. John Hewitt
Stumpy Bonnar …. Gerard McSorley
Packy McGoldrick …. Charlie Bonnar
Josie Doherty …. Ciara McKeown
Rev Samual Hawthorne …. Gerard Murphy
Mr. Mawhinney …. Harry Towb
Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes.
Director: Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.
SAT 05:00 Dot (b055gcl6)
Pilot
Dot's had quite enough of making tea in the Cabinet War Rooms. When she finds a cryptic message in the newspaper she enlists the help of her gals Myrtle and Pearl.
Can they catch the spy? And will it prove to be the big break Dot's been waiting for?
Pilot by Ed Harris for the rollicking wartime comedy set in the Cabinet War Rooms.
Dot ..... Fenella Woolgar
Myrtle ..... Kate O'Flynn
Pearl ..... Roslyn Hill
Millicent ..... Jane Slavin
Peabody ..... David Acton
Ken ..... Stephen Critchlow
Director: Jessica Brown
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2015.
SAT 05:30 Big Broadcast (m000qhh5)
Series 4
Politics
Neil Brand's musical caper set in a Chicago radio station in 1937. When a local property magnate uses the Hour of Charm to run for office, only a Hollywood star can stop him.
Cast
Katharine Hepburn ..... Susannah Fielding
Robert F. Winkler ..... Ian Conningham
Arthur Clarke ..... Neil McCaul
Barbara Meek ..... Bettrys Jones
Ramona Fairfax ..... Heather Craney
Jerry Soundguy ..... Hasan Dixon
Preston Lanister ..... Clive Hayward
Singer ..... Helen Neeves
Singer ..... Nancy Cole
Singer ..... Christopher Bowen
Singer ..... Jimmy Holliday
Foley ..... Alison Craig
Written and composed by Neil Brand
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole
SAT 06:00 DS Vogel - Body on the Heath (m000qxnw)
The young man found on London's Putney Heath had his throat cut from ear to ear.
It seems as if it could be suicide though it's not an easy way to kill yourself. But who is he, and if he did kill himself, what drove him to such a dreadful death?
Sergeant Vogel finds it difficult to find any satisfactory answers.
Douglas Livingstone, Nigel Hawthorne and Colette O'Neil star in Bill Lyons's police thriller.
Detective Sergeant Vogel …. Douglas Livingstone
Detective Superintendent Fraser …. Nigel Hawthorne
Sergeant Mann …. Walter Hall
PC Jackson …. Michael Harbour
Maureen Vogel …. Diana Bishop
Pathologist / Vogel …. Bruce Purchase
Hairdresser / Waiter / Carpark Attendant …. Alan Dudley
Laura Holland …. Colette O'Neill
Annie Viccars …. Valerie Murray
Eric Hills …. Christopher Bidmead
David Simon …. Steven Pacey
Mr Holland …. David Graham
David Simon .... Steven Pacey
Other parts by Irene Sutcliffe and Michael Tudor Barnes.
Director: Jane Morgan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1976.
SAT 07:30 Great Lives (b06ts10b)
Series 38
Martin Jennings on Charles Sargeant Jagger
In this episode, you might not know the name of the Great Life but you have probably walked past his work. At London's Hyde Park Corner - the 'Royal Artillery Memorial' stands – a huge stone monument.
Charles Sargeant Jagger was arguably the first British sculptor to try to capture the horror of war. A full-sized gun – a 9.2 howitzer protrudes from the top; four masculine soldiers surround the base – one a corpse.
Martin Jennings also a British sculptor, nominates Jagger as his Great Life. Along with the expert, art historian Ann Compton, they tell Matthew Parris how the First World War shaped and made Jagger. The producer is Perminder Khatkar.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016.
SAT 08:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00mdyl9)
Series 2
Episode 4
James Walton and the music quiz for all the young, and not so young, dudes.
Team captains Tracey MacLeod and Andrew Collins are joined by Dave Gorman and Mary Anne Hobbs to be put through their musical paces.
Reader: Beth Chalmers
Written and researched by James Walton
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2006.
SAT 08:30 Rent (b007522v)
Series 3
Episode 1
The new baby needs a name and Richard doesn’t want to reveal one of his.
Series 3 of Lucy Flannery's award-winning sitcom about Maria and Richard Reynolds and their lodgers.
Maria …. Barbara Flynn
Richard …. Patrick Barlow
Amy …. Linda Polan
Ruby …. Vivienne Rochester
Paul …. Dave Lamb
The Barrister …. Sally Grace
The Judge …. Brian Bowles
Producer: Liz Anstee.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1997.
SAT 09:00 The BBC Tour (b04d0kl7)
Savoy Hill, Broadcasting House, Lime Grove, TV Centre, Maida Vale and Bush House are just some of the iconic BBC buildings brought alive by Nick Baker in this fascinating tour of the archives from 1922 to the present.
After the Queen opened the new extension to London Broadcasting House in 2013, regular guided public tours took place. Sculptor Eric Gill's statue of Prospero and Ariel over the 1932 art deco front entrance sparked controversy over part of the latter's anatomy. BBC buildings have made news ever since.
The BBC's first home in Savoy Hill was described by DG Lord Reith as a miserable sort of place, but for ten years it broadcast a variety of talks and even some agonisingly slow Wimbledon commentaries.
Lime Grove in Shepherd's Bush was bought by the BBC in 1949 to temporarily house its fledgling TV service, but it remained in use for 42 years. Ludovic Kennedy shares its history.
BBC TV Centre is recalled by perhaps the most celebrity vox pop ever assembled.
Cerys Matthews visits the BBC music studio in Maida Vale.
Terry Waite returns to Bush House, former home to BBC World Service which sustained him during his Lebanon captivity.
Members of the public experience the BBC Broadcasting House tour (discontinued in 2016) and BBC Head of History Robert Seatter shares all the facts.
Producer: Merilyn Harris
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Testbed and first broadcast in August 2014.
SAT 12:00 Up the Garden Path (b0089kjs)
Series 3
New Men
Izzy moves into a new flat and faces a new term, but will she find a new man?
Tumbling from one love entanglement to another, 30 something teacher Izzy Comyn has a predilection for inappropriate men.
Imelda Staunton stars as Izzy.
An 6-part radio sequel adapted from Sue Limb’s 1984 novel. The last of 3 series which ran from 1987 to 1993. Granada also adapted the series for ITV.
Izzy ...... Imelda Staunton
Dick ...... Mike Grady
Michael ...... Nicholas Le Prevost
Maria ...... Marty Cruickshank
Louise ...... Phyllida Nash
Razors ...... Rene Zagger
Marianne ...... Deborah Findlay
Gwyn ...... Sion Probert
Brown ...... Geoffrey McGivern
Producer: Jonathan James-Moore
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1993.
SAT 12:30 Babblewick Hall (b04mhc03)
Series 2
Episode 1
Squire Fenton Babblewick is convinced that he is a composer of genius. His servants are less sure.
Starring Nicholas Le Prevost and Forbes Masson.
Series two of Scott Cherry’s sitcom set in the 18th-century. Fenton Babblewick is still the squire of his inherited estate.
Nicholas Le Provost ...... Squire Fenton Babblewick
Molly ...... Maggie McCarthy
Augustus Snipe ...... Forbes Masson
Jack ...... Dave Hill
Barney ...... Benedict Sandiford.
Gluck ...... Michael Troughton.
Mrs Maddison ...... Sara Coward
Mr Maddison ...... John Baddeley.
Music by Paul Mottra.
Producer: Jon Rolph
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.
SAT 13:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jxfw)
One, Two Buckle My Shoe
Episode 1
The terrified Belgian detective pays a visit to his dentist. But he can hardly anticipate the gruesome events to follow ...
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
First published in 1940 and dramatised in five parts by Michael Bakewell.
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Alfred ...... Tom George
Morley ...... Matthew Devereaux
Miss Sainsbury Seale ...... Joanna McCallum
Chief Inspector Japp ...... Philip Jackson
Georgina Morley ...... Caroline Wildi
Gladys Nevill ...... Sophie Arnold
Reilly ...... Stephen Tomkinson
Alistair Blunt ...... Philip Franks
Jane Olivera ...... Amanda Waring
Original music composed by Tom Smail.
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
SAT 13:30 Hercule Poirot (b007jxg0)
One, Two Buckle My Shoe
Episode 2
The Belgian sleuth's dentist has been found shot dead in his surgery.
Chief Inspector Japp reckons there are several very plausible suspects...
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Chief Inspector Japp ...... Philip Jackson
Gladys Nevill ...... Sophie Arnold
Alistair Blunt ...... Philip Franks
Jane Olivera ...... Amanda Waring
Mr Barnes ...... Patrick Godfrey
Howard Raikes ...... Robert Portal
Frank Carter ...... Dominic Colchester
Original music composed by Tom Smail.
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
SAT 14:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jxg5)
One, Two Buckle My Shoe
Episode 3
Mystery still surrounds the death of the Belgian detective's dentist.
Was it suicide - or murder..?
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Chief Inspector Japp ...... Philip Jackson
Alistair Blunt ...... Philip Franks
Jane Olivera ...... Amanda Waring
Mr Barnes ...... Patrick Godfrey
Georgina Morley ...... Caroline Wildi
Mrs Olivera ...... Joanna McCallum
Selby ...... Trevor Rawlins
Original music composed by Tom Smail.
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
SAT 14:30 Hercule Poirot (b007jxg9)
One, Two Buckle My Shoe
Episode 4
A month after the death of Poirot's dentist, a corpse has been found with its face horribly mutilated - yet another of his patients...
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Chief Inspector Japp ...... Philip Jackson
Alistair Blunt ...... Philip Franks
Jane Olivera ...... Amanda Waring
Helen Montresor ...... Joanna McCallum
Agnes ...... Teresa Gallagher
Howard Raikes ...... Robert Portal
Reilly ...... Stephen Tomkinson
Mrs Adams ...... Amanda Walker
Gladys Nevil ...... Sophie Arnold
Frank Carter ...... Dominic Colchester
Original music composed by Tom Smail.
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
SAT 15:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jxgg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
01:30 today]
SAT 15:30 A Good Read (b011vdwl)
Bill Paterson and Dea Birkett
Harriett Gilbert and her guests - actor Bill Paterson and travel writer Dea Birkett - discuss favourite paperback books by Bernhard Schlink, John Steinbeck and Richard Holme.
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
Publisher: Phoenix
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
Publisher: Penguin Modern Classics
Footsteps by Richard Holmes
Publisher Harper Press
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2011.
SAT 16:00 DS Vogel - Body on the Heath (m000qxnw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Great Lives (b06ts10b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 Jerome K Jerome - The Dancing Partner (b08tj7rs)
“All I ask of a partner is that he shall hold me firmly, take me round steadily, and not get tired before I do.”
When a group of young women complain about a lack of dance partners, a toymaker gets creative...
Jerome K Jerome's eerie tale adapted by Michael and Mollie Hardwick.
Papa Geibel …. James Hayter
Brendl …. Rolf Lefebvre
Trudi …. Sheila Grant
Olga …. Shirley Cooklin
Colonel Lens …. Peter Pratt
Hans/Fritz …. Malcolm Hayes
Irma …. Patricia Clapton
Hoffmeier …. Anthony Hall
Wensel …. Austin Trevor
MacShaugnassy …. Allan McClelland
Special effects by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
Music arranged and conducted by Denya Barlow.
Signature tune by Ron Grainer.
Producer: Charles Lefeaux
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in January 1963.
SAT 18:30 Edgar Allan Poe (b03bv04c)
The Oblong Box
A passenger on a summer voyage to New York is curious about an artist, his new wife and his strange luggage.
An Edgar Allan Poe mystery, first published in 1844.
Read by James Aubrey
Producer: James Runcie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1984.
SAT 18:45 Absent Friends - The 7th Dimension (m000r3gd)
Toby Hadoke remembers the performers, producers and writers from the world of sci fi, horror & fantasy whom we’ve lost in 2020.
Including David Prowse, Dame Diana Rigg, Honor Blackman, David Collings, Earl Cameron, Sean Arnold & Vincent Marzello.
Produced by Moy McGowan
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra.
SAT 19:00 The BBC Tour (b04d0kl7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 I Think I've Got a Problem (b007wp39)
Series 1
Episode 1
Tom Caine awakes one morning to discover he can't stop singing at inappropriate moments. As a result, he loses his job and his girlfriend Sadie.
Who are the strange bunch of musicians following him around? Why can't anyone else see them? Will Tom reach the high notes?
Andrew McGibbon and Nick Romero's everyday story about a man who can't stop himself from breaking into song.
Suggs ..... Tom Caine
Bob Monkhouse ..... Dr Boone
Mika Simmons ..... Sadie
Phil Cornwell ..... Bouche
Michael Roberts ..... Clammy Clemence
Andrew McGibbon ..... Jake
Nick Romero ..... Monty DeVere
Emma Clarke ..... Miss Lie
Songs: Andrew McGibbon. Nick Romero and Suggs
Director: Chris Neill
Producers: Torquil MacLeod. Julian Mayers and Andrew McGibbon.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2001.
SAT 22:30 What Does the K Stand For? (b04vr5j8)
Series 2
Turning Cheeks
Family arguments in the first in a series of Stephen K Amos' sitcom about his own teenage years, growing up black, gay and funny in 1980s South London.
Written by Jonathan Harvey with Stephen K Amos.
Producer: Colin Anderson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
SAT 23:00 Mark Steel's in Town (b07tbfmw)
Series 7
Stockport
"Welcome to Stockport - Home of Stockport College"
Mark Steel returns for a seventh series of the award winning show that travels around the country, researching the history, heritage and culture of six towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness, and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents.
In the first programme, Mark visits the Greater Manchester town of Stockport, once the centre of the hatting industry.
He takes a trip on the infamous 192 bus, visits the world famous hat museum and tries to get to the bottom of how one of its suburbs ended up with an infestation of marauding peacocks.
In this series Mark visits Stockport in Greater Manchester, Colchester in Essex, Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire, The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames, Lynton in North Devon and the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.
Written and performed by ... Mark Steel
Additional material by ... Pete Sinclair
Production co-ordinator ... Hayley Sterling
Producer ... Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2016.
SAT 23:30 4 at the Store (b00d7jpz)
Series 2
Episode 2
Simon Bligh hosts more stand-up from London's Comedy Store.
With:
Alan Carr
Richard Morton
Gina Yashere
Producer: Helen Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2002.
SUNDAY 03 JANUARY 2021
SUN 00:00 Jerome K Jerome - The Dancing Partner (b08tj7rs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Saturday]
SUN 00:30 Edgar Allan Poe (b03bv04c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Saturday]
SUN 00:45 Absent Friends - The 7th Dimension (m000r3gd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:45 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jxfw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
13:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:30 Hercule Poirot (b007jxg0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
13:30 on Saturday]
SUN 02:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jxg5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 Hercule Poirot (b007jxg9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jxgg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
01:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:30 A Good Read (b011vdwl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:30 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 DS Vogel - Body on the Heath (m000qxnw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 05:30 Great Lives (b06ts10b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Believe Me by Eddie Izzard (Omnibus) (b08wz59s)
When Eddie Izzard was six, she and her brother Mark lost their mother. That day, she lost her childhood too.
From early childhood memories of happy days running with a gang of local kids, doing naughty-ish things in Bangor, County Down, to months of loneliness and isolation at boarding school.
Eddie Izzard has experienced loss in a way that no child should at such a tender age. And this, as well as struggling both with dyslexia and also trying to understand her gender and sexuality issues at a time when they were not openly discussed, leads to a fascinating insight into the early life of one of Britain's most idiosyncratic and cerebral of performers.
Eddie takes us on a journey through her life - one during which she has discovered much about herself along the way, and come to terms with not fitting into the box that most of us like to put people in.
With a nod to the surreal humour and disarming candour of her shows, and some occasional digressions, Believe Me tells the story of a child losing their mother yet who’s risen to become a star of comedy and drama, a leading advocate of total clothing rights, and an extreme runner of marathons.
Omnibus of five parts written and read by Eddie Izzard.
Director: Lizzie Davies
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2017.
SUN 07:10 Inheritance Tracks (m000qyjr)
Hank Marvin
Guitarist Hank Marvin chooses Lonnie Donegan’s Rock Island Line and Allan Holdsworth’s Joshua.
SUN 07:20 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Omnibus) (b08cd2sj)
Episode 2/2
Three years have passed since we were last with the March girls. War is now over and John Brooke is safely home. Everyone is eagerly looking forward to Meg and John's wedding.
The conclusion of Louisa May Alcott's coming of age story about love, destiny and freedom.
Omnibus of the last five of ten episodes dramatised by Rhiannon Tise.
Laurie …. Alex Lanipekun
Mrs March …. Tara Ward
Meg …. Natasha Barnes
Jo …. Julianna Jennings
Amy …. Samantha Dakin
Aunt March …. Joanna Monro
Mr Brooke …. Finlay Robertson
Mr March …. John Bowler
Director: Tracey Neale.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2017.
SUN 08:30 PG Wodehouse (b00b7b0p)
What Ho! Jeeves: Joy in the Morning
Steeple Bumpleigh
Forced into a meeting he's been trying to avoid at the cottage, Bertie Wooster gets a warning.
PG Wodehouse's romp starring Michael Hordern and Richard Briers.
Adapted by Chris Miller.
Jeeves ...... Michael Hordern
Bertie Wooster ..... Richard Briers
Stilton Cheesewright ..... Michael Kilgarriff
Boko Fittleworth ..... Jonathan Cecil
Edwin the Boy Scout ..... Denise Bryer
Producer: Simon Brett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1978.
SUN 09:00 The TV Lark (b019f7nb)
Opening Night
Abandon ship! Take one naval crew - disembark them and drop anchor at a TV station - and you have 'The TV Lark'.
After four series of 'The Navy Lark', the BBC decided the comedy crew needed a new setting, so where better than brand new independent station, Troutbridge TV?
New Deputy Controller of Programmes, Henry Povey spots some familiar faces...
The Producer …. Stephen Murray
The Floor Manager …. Jon Pertwee
The Director …. Leslie Phillips
Deputy Controller,Henry Povey, …. Richard Caldicot
‘Fatso’ Johnson …. Ronnie Barker
'Taffy' Goldstein/The Mayor …. Tenniel Evans
Controller,Gervais Batsford-Shaw …. Michael Bates
Janet …. Janet Brown
TTV Continuity Announcer …. Robin Boyle
Written by Lawrie Wyman
This series proved to be only a temporary change of course for the crew of HMS Troutbridge - as they were soon back aboard 'The Navy Lark' - after 10 outings of The TV Lark.
Producer: Alastair Scott Johnston.
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in January 1963.
SUN 09:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b007k4cm)
Series 2
A Hint of Calvados
After moaning to the Corporation, embittered writer Ed gets a job offer from the BBC.
Welcome to the comical world of Ed Reardon, author, pipe smoker, consummate fare-dodger and master of the abusive e-mail.
Christopher Douglas stars as Ed Reardon.
Written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds.
Featuring:
Stephanie Cole
Philip Jackson
John Fortune
Rita May
Geoffrey McGivern
Barunka O'Shaughnessy
Geoffrey Whitehead
Dan Tetsell
Matthew Holness
Martin Hyder
Chris Addison
Joanna Scanlan
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2006.
SUN 10:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m000qyjt)
Comic Castaways
Rob Brydon
From Elvis Presley to Bruce Springsteen.
Comedian and actor Rob Brydon shares his castaway choices with Kirsty Young.
Growing up in Port Talbot, South Wales, Rob discovered performing when he was a teenager and says he came alive when he was on stage: so much so that he left school with only a couple of O Levels.
For years, he made a comfortable but unfulfilling living recording voice-overs and working on a TV shopping channel. He always dreamed of working in comedy, though, and eventually it was 'Marion and Geoff' and then 'Gavin and Stacey' that made him a household name.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2010.
SUN 10:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lxhb3)
Series 1
Birds of Paradise
Sir David Attenborough talks about the Birds of Paradise, a group of birds which evolved in the relative safety of New Guinea, allowing them to acquire adornments and feathered decorations so resplendent that they fooled the early explorers who discovered them.
Series of talks by Sir David on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.
Producer: Julian Hector.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in August 2009.
SUN 11:00 Radiolab (m0003ckq)
Series 5
23 Weeks 6 days
Radiolab follows the story of a very premature baby and the questions her parents face. With Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich.
A couple is stuck on the line between life and death, caught in a tug of war between two basic moral touchstones: doing no harm, and doing everything in our power to help.
Radiolab is a Peabody-award winning show about curiosity. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and the human experience.
Hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich investigate a strange world.
From WNYC, first broadcast on public radio in the USA in 2013.
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m000qyjx)
Can yr Adar - Song of the Birds
Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and selects Can yr Adar - Song of the Birds featuring singer-songwriter Kizzy Crawford and composer, Gwilym Simcock who describe how they wove words and music out of the landscape and wildlife of Carngafallt nature reserve in Mid Wales.
Kizzy Crawford returns to the RSPB nature reserve at Carngafallt in Mid Wales, where she was inspired to create “Can Yr Adar - Birdsong” with pianist and composer, Gwilym Simcock, and members of Sinfonia Cymru. Kizzy and Gwilym share how they wove music out of Wales's own 'Celtic rainforest', and they open a window on the hidden processes of creation, collaboration and communication that gave birth to a brand new work of art.
Produced by Chris Taylor.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2017.
SUN 12:30 The Casebook of Max and Ivan (b0978868)
Series 2
Case #47 - Crime Writing Doesn't Pay
Incompetent private detectives Max and Ivan are contacted by the very dull white goods instruction manual writer Robert R. Roberts, who wants them to investigate a series of copycat crimes based on the erotic crime fiction novels he writes under the pseudonym Scarlett Melange.
Their investigation takes them to the Peckam Flower and Vegetable show, where they fear the life of head judge Joaquin Zamorano is in considerable danger.
Along the way, they meet the one person on earth who might be more boring than Robert R. Roberts - his wife Roberta.
Written by and Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez
Max ...... Max Olesker
Ivan ...... Ivan Gonzalez
Robert R. Roberts aka Scarlett Melange ...... Jason Watkins
Roberta Roberts/Voice of the Audiobook ...... Lolly Adefope
Narrator/Malcolm McMichaelmas ...... Lewis MacLeod
Joaquin Zamarano/Impish Nutter ...... David Reed
Developed by John Stanley Productions
Produced by Ben Walker
A Retort production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2017.
SUN 13:00 Last Stories by William Trevor (Omnibus) (b0b4zwk6)
Niamh Cusack, Hattie Morahan and Dermot Crowley read five stories taken from William Trevor’s final and posthumous collection
It was published to coincide with what would have been his 90th Birthday.
The Piano Teacher's Pupil: Niamh Cusack reads a poignant story of give and take.
An Idyll in Winter: Hattie Morahan reads a story of a life lasting love.
The Crippled Man: Dermot Crowley reads a story about the end of patience.
Making Conversations: Hattie Morahan reads a tale of unrequited love and loss of nerve.
Giotto's Angels: Dermot Crowley reads a story of a man who finds comfort from angels.
Often described as the master of the short story, revered by his fellow writers and by his readers, these stories written in the last years of William Trevor’s life contain all his hallmarks; his piercing observation of human life, his humanity, his elegant prose and his distinctive voice.
Abridger: Rowan Routh
Producer: Di Speirs
First broadcast in five parts on BBC Radio 4 in June 2018
SUN 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (b09hwhh4)
Shazia Mirza
Comedian Shazia Mirza chooses Verdi's 'Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves' from the opera 'Nabucco' and 'Heroes' by David Bowie.
SUN 14:20 Graham Greene - Monsignor Quixote (Omnibus) (b07nt0dq)
Episode 1/2
Graham Green's comic 'entertainment', set in rural Spain a few years after the death of Franco.
Father Quixote makes a friend of an Italian bishop, with unexpected consequences.
Starring Bernard Cribbins.
Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes dramatised by Stephen Wyatt.
Father Quixote .... Bernard Cribbins
Sancho .... Philip Jackson
Teresa .... Susan Jameson
The Italian Bishop .... Sean Baker
The Spanish Bishop ..... Brian Protheroe
Father Herrera .... Nick Underwood
Shop Assistant ..... James Lailey
Guardia 1 .... Sam Rix
Guardia 2 ..... Sean Baker
Guardia 3 ..... Tom Forrister
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2016.
SUN 15:30 The Radio Detectives (m0002s6t)
Series 2
As My Whimsy Takes Me
Author Dorothy L Sayers created the classic aristocratic amateur sleuth who appeared on radio as well as in books, films and on TV.
Professor Jeffrey Richards delves into the casebook of the elegance and stylish British gentleman detective.
With Ian Carmichael, Simon Brett and Jill Paton Walsh.
Second affectionate five-part series about popular radio detectives.
Producer: Helen Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1999.
SUN 16:00 Ray Jenkins - Beyond The Book (m000qyjz)
Frank Moss is a policeman. He thinks it's more important to catch villains than to do things by the book....
Alan Lake, Peter Vaughan and Alex Marshall star in Ray Jenkins' police thriller.
Frank Moss …. Alan Lake
Judge …. Patrick Barr
Det Chief Supt Knight …. Peter Vaughan
Det Chief Inspector Shirley …. Michael McStay
Stella Moss …. Alex Marshall
Harriet Moss …. Lysandre de la Haye
Athanasia / Schoolgirl …. Nicolette Joseph
Andreou …. Steve Plytas
Det Sgt Williams …. Norman Mitchell
Commander Beavons / President …. Brian Haines
Bender …. Barry Lowe
Set Supt Gaynor / Commander Davies …. Robert Gillespie
Commander Holton …. Peter Baldwin
Culshaw …. Brian Carroll
Danny Taylor …. Eric Mason
Friend …. John Hollis
Instrumental music arranged and played by Geroge Weigand and Robin Jeffrey.
Director: Peter King
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1980
SUN 17:00 Poetry Extra (m000qyjx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:00 today]
SUN 17:30 The Casebook of Max and Ivan (b0978868)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 today]
SUN 18:00 A Sting in the Tale (b0076jlc)
2. Myrtle, Mahonia and Rue by Briony Glassco
In an attempt to escape her recurring nightmares, a young landscape gardener decides on a drastic course of action.
An eerie tale by Briony Glassco.
Myrtle …. Rachel Atkins
Getty …. Lydia Leonard
Mahonia …. Gbemisola Ikumelo
Rue …. Cherie Taylor-Battiste
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2004.
SUN 18:30 Ancient Sorceries by Algernon Blackwood (b007jvxh)
1. Arthur's Journey
Timid commuter, Arthur Vezin becomes too enchanted with a sleepy and strange French town and its people to leave.
He's slowly drawn more and more into their realm of secrets and talk of ancient memories...and is struck by how the people there resemble cats, both in looks and behaviour...
Algernon Blackwood's dark tale read in four parts by Philip Madoc.
Born in Shooter's Hill and educated at Wellington College, Algernon Blackwood had a varied career, farming in Canada, operating a hotel, and working as a newspaper reporter in New York City before moving to England and starting to write horror stories.
He was very successful, writing 10 books of short stories and appearing on both radio and TV to tell them. He also wrote 14 novels and a number of plays, most of which were produced but not published. He was an avid nature lover and many of his stories reflect this.
Producer: Lawrence Jackson
Made for BBC 7 by BBC Northern Ireland and first broadcast in 2005.
SUN 19:00 Radiolab (m0003ckq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
SUN 20:00 Ray Jenkins - Beyond The Book (m000qyjz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 today]
SUN 21:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m000qyjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
SUN 21:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lxhb3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
SUN 22:00 The Casebook of Max and Ivan (b0978868)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 today]
SUN 22:30 All the World's a Globe (b007jww5)
7. From Nelson to Women's Emaciation
The emaciation of women.
Continuing the history of mankind.
Presented by the entire cast of the National Theatre of Brent - Desmond Olivier Dingle and Wallace, aided by Mr Barker.
Written by Patrick Barlow, with additional material by Jim Broadbent and Martin Duncan.
With guest star Peter Barker.
With thanks to
Patrick Barlow
Jim Broadbent
Martin Duncan
Producer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1990.
SUN 22:45 Hearing With Hegley (b03sb6t8)
Series 2
Episode 7
Comedian John Hegley makes a spectacle of himself in Barnet with visionary poems and songs. With Nigel Piper. From 1998.
SUN 23:00 The Museum of Everything (b00hg82b)
Series 3
The Expo
Marvel at the meerkats, visit a new theme park... and one man must face 'The Curator'.
Written and performed by Marcus Brigstocke, Danny Robins and Dan Tetsell.
With Lucy Montgomery.
Music by Dominic Haslam and Ben Walker.
Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2006.
SUN 23:30 Weak at the Top (b00ry9j0)
Series 1
Trout Farm
John Weak discovers there's a "T" missing from the end of HR, when Human Resources has a communal hot flush over his witty entry on Deirdre Simmons's leaving card...
Alexander Armstrong stars as John Weak in Guy Browning’s sitcom.
Randy, devious, sexist and workshy, John Weak puts the man into management.
John Weak ...... Alexander Armstrong
Hayley ...... Clare Perkins
Sir Marcus ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Bill Peters ...... Ron Cook
Phil Bellinger ...... Stephen Critchlow
Clare Barrett ...... Colleen Prendergast
Deidre Simmons ...... Susan Jameson
Simon Henshaw ...... Harry Myers
Producer: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2005.
MONDAY 04 JANUARY 2021
MON 00:00 A Sting in the Tale (b0076jlc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Ancient Sorceries by Algernon Blackwood (b007jvxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Last Stories by William Trevor (Omnibus) (b0b4zwk6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
13:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:10 Inheritance Tracks (b09hwhh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:10 on Sunday]
MON 02:20 Graham Greene - Monsignor Quixote (Omnibus) (b07nt0dq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:20 on Sunday]
MON 03:30 The Radio Detectives (m0002s6t)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:30 on Sunday]
MON 04:00 Ray Jenkins - Beyond The Book (m000qyjz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Poetry Extra (m000qyjx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 The Casebook of Max and Ivan (b0978868)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qydh)
2. Mixed Up
Can ecology journalist Andy escape the impact of a big business take-over battle?
Starring Nick Chilvers
John Fletcher's thriller serial taking in global power struggles, smuggling and the dangers of uranium.
Andy ... Nick Chilvers
Girl ,,, Aryon Mellor
Nigel ... Cornelius Garrett
Julian ... Clive Francis
Shirley ... Diane Fletcher
Mike Monk ... Christian Rodska
BD ... Pavel Douglas
Director: Brian Miller
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1987.
MON 06:30 Dick Francis (b007jpxx)
Bolt
1. Threats and Menaces
Champion jockey Kit Fielding is engaged to Danielle de Brescou the niece of his employer Princess Casilia.
The Princess recruits Kit to fend off Henri de Brescou, a dangerous cousin trying to involve her in the armaments business.
But Kit also has problems of his own...
Dick Francis's 1986 racing thriller dramatised in five-parts by John Ashe.
Kit Fielding ...... Eric Allan
Princess Casilia ...... Sian Phillips
Danielle ...... Elizabeth MacGovern
Henri ...... John Bull
Greening ...... Jack May
Dusty ...... Christian Rodska
Thomas ...... Steve Hodson
Allardeck ...... Bill Wallis
Roland ...... Simon Carter
Directed by Shaun MacLoughlin at BBC Pebble Mill.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1994
MON 07:00 Cooking in a Bedsitter (b08575wj)
Series 1
Potato Salad
Beattie Edmondson and Nikesh Patel star in Sue Teddern's comedy, set in a 1960s bedsitter - inspired by Katharine Whitehorn's cookery classic.
Trisha introduces Deepak to the delights of the British seaside.
Trisha.....Beattie Edmondson
Deepak.....Nikesh Patel
June.....Alison Belbin
Len.....John Bowler
Sal.....Catriona McFarlane
Nev.....Gavi Singh Chera
Katharine Whitehorn.....Karen Bartke
Director: Emma Harding
first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2016.
MON 07:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m000qlt1)
Series 73
Lockdown Recording 2
Another lockdown recording of the nation's favourite wireless entertainment sees Tony Hawks, Pippa Evans and Harry Hill pitted against Sandi Toksvig, Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden with Jack Dee in the chair. Colin Sell provides piano accompaniment.
Producer - Jon Naismith. It is a BBC Studios production.
MON 08:00 Steptoe and Son (b00s5xtn)
Series 1
Steptoe a la Carte
After meeting Monique on his round, Harold's hoping he's found true love with a French twist. But what will she make of his dad Albert?
Starring Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett.
Following the conclusion of their hugely successful association with Tony Hancock, writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson wrote 10 pilots for the BBC TV's Comedy Playhouse in 1962.
The Offer featured the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and son Harold - and was the spark for a run of 8 series on TV.
Albert Steptoe …. Wilfrid Brambell
Harold Steptoe …. Harry H Corbett
Monique …. Gwendolyn Watts
The Butler …. Ian Burford
Adapted for radio from Galton and Simpson's TV script by Gale Pedrick.
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in August 1966.
MON 08:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b01nql85)
Series 2
Education and Money
The lifestyle show hosts focus on "education" and "money".
Series 2 of Bill Dare's sitcom stars Robert Duncan and Jan Ravens.
Mike ...... Robert Duncan
Sue ...... Jan Ravens
With Roger Blake, Alistair McGowan, Sally Philips and Bill Dare.
Music by Mark Burton.
Producer: Jo Clegg
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1997.
MON 09:00 Hidden Treasures (b055q39m)
Harewood House
From gorgeous fashion creations to athlete wrestling with a python.
Lars Tharp chairs the light-hearted Antiques Quiz from the Long Gallery at the Earl of Harewood's family home in West Yorkshire.
With Henry Sandon, Sally Kevill-Davies, Tim Bentinck and Kevin Baker.
Producer: Annie Bristow
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1998.
MON 09:30 Babblewick Hall (b0075c76)
Series 2
Episode 2
Squire Babblewick is determined to buy a workhouse to turn it into a school.
Starring Nicholas Le Prevost and Forbes Masson.
Scott Cherry’s sitcom set in the 18th-century.
Nicholas Le Provost ...... Squire Fenton Babblewick
Molly ...... Maggie McCarthy
Augustus Snipe ...... Forbes Masson
Jack ...... Dave Hill
Barney ...... Benedict Sandiford.
Anne Giddy ...... Elizabeth Spriggs
Helen Giddy ...... Pat Coombs
Squire Blunt ...... Geoffrey McGivern
Music by Paul Mottra.
Producer: Jon Rolph
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.
MON 10:00 Michael Butt - The Piper's Chair (m000qydl)
A fast-moving comic double love story charting the involvement of Irish penny-whistle player Sean Hennessy and his fiddler father in the machinations that eventually lead to married bliss for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Starring Paul Rhys and Andrew Scott.
Written by Michael Butt.
Mozart...................Paul Rhys
Sean.....................Andrew Scott
Father...................Tony Rohr
Maria.................... Samantha Spiro
Constanze.............Sophie Roberts
Aloisia..................Ella Smith
Mother...................Carolyn Pickles
Leopold Mozart......Gerard McDermott
Director: David Hunter.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2005.
MON 11:00 TED Radio Hour (m000qydr)
Series 7
Changing The World
A journey through fascinating ideas based on talks by riveting speakers on the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) stage.
Guy Raz explores what it takes to change the world for the better. What motivates activism? How can each of us change the world?
First broadcast in the USA on National Public Radio in 2019.
MON 11:50 Inheritance Tracks (b07jj5fl)
Shaun Keaveny
BBC 6 Music presenter Shaun Keaveny chooses 'This Old Heart of Mine' by the Isley Brothers and 'Purple Rain' by Prince.
MON 12:00 Steptoe and Son (b00s5xtn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
MON 12:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b01nql85)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
MON 13:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qydh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
MON 13:30 Dick Francis (b007jpxx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
MON 14:00 Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson (b007k05g)
1. Little Water Wanderer
The birth and the beginning of an eventful cubhood in the Devon countryside - seen through the eyes of a young otter.
Nicholas Farrell reads Henry Williamson's classic tale of otter life, first published in 1927.
Abridged in five episodes by Sally Marmion.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
MON 14:15 Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk (b07pf1bd)
Series 1
Episode 1
Thrilling series set in 1890s Whitechapel. Welsh farm girl Megan Evans comes to London to visit her brother who is running the family's dairy business - but her brother is strangely unwelcoming.
Megan Evans ….. Bettrys Jones
Luc Evans ….. Trystan Gravelle
Samuel Singer ….. David Horovitch
Moses Lipski ….. Brian Protheroe
Annie Riley ….. Alice Haig
by Gregory Evans
Directed by Marc Beeby
In 1900 over half London's milk came from Welsh dairies. One of those dairies, on the Commercial Road, was owned and run by the writer’s family.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2016.
MON 14:30 Jack Jackson: Rhythm and Radio Fun Remembered (b0169255)
Exploring the legacy of musician and broadcaster Jack Jackson, who died in 1978, through the eyes of three generations of his family.
Kenny Everett said of him 'He was the first person to have fun on radio', but even though he inspired many broadcasters and musicians it is the incredible impact Jackson still has on his family.
This programme uncovers another Jackson dynasty overflowing with musicians, record producers and artists all striving to preserve his memory and make their own impression on the world. His two sons established a recording studio, used by artists such as Elton John, Tom Robinson and Motorhead. His daughter is a successful artist and designer and several of his grandchildren are forging effective careers in the music business - one of which co-founded production group 'Bimbo Jones' which has taken numerous number ones to the top of the dance charts. His great grand children are all encouraged to be musical.
Jackson's career in entertainment spanned fifty years. Jackson formed his band in the thirties and was a regular at London's Dorchester Hotel. He became a disc jockey in 1948 on the BBC Light Programme and his programmes featured a mix of linking his voice with comedy clips and popular music. According to his grandson Marc he was the first broadcaster in Britain to introduce the technique of sampling and to present a "clip show" programme.
He is also often cited as the man who gave the BBC the nickname 'Auntie' and the first voice heard on ITV.
Producer: Stephen Garner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
MON 15:00 Michael Butt - The Piper's Chair (m000qydl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
MON 16:00 Hidden Treasures (b055q39m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
MON 16:30 Babblewick Hall (b0075c76)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
MON 17:00 Cooking in a Bedsitter (b08575wj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
MON 17:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m000qlt1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
MON 18:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (m0006f90)
1. The End Begins
It all begins with the end - the end of the world - almost.
It happens during a night of brilliant green flashes - meteors? Perhaps - or satellite weapons. Who can say?
Survivor, Bill Masen recalls how the world was plunged into darkness with the dawning monstrous horror of ambulant plant life...
First published in 1951, John Wyndham's classic sci-fi novel dramatised in six parts by Giles Cooper.
Gary Watson …. Bill Masen
Freda Dowie …. Elspeth
Barbara Shelley …. Josella
Garard Green …. Umberto Palanguez
Ralph Truman …. Managing Director
Michael Deacon …. Young Bill
Peter Pratt …. Mr. Masen
Peter Baldwin …. Walter Lucknor
Jan Edwards …. Nurse
Rolf Lefebvre …. House Surgeon
Haydn Jones …. Publican
John Pullen …. Radio Commentator
This compelling tale has been made into a film, two television series and three radio versions.
Music composed by David Cain.
Producer: John Powell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1968.
MON 18:30 A Good Read (b011zms3)
Laura Solon and Fleur Adcock
Harriett Gilbert discusses favourite paperbacks with writer Fleur Adcock and comedian Laura Solon. Their choices include a modern classic by Evelyn Waugh and two coming-of-age novels, one set in France and the other in the north of England.
Harriett Gilbert's choice: The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden
Publ. Pan
Laura Solon's choice: Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh
Publ. Penguin Modern
Fleur Adcock's choice: Bilgewater by Jane Gardam
Publ. Abacus Books
Producer Christine Hall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
MON 19:00 Steptoe and Son (b00s5xtn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b01nql85)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
MON 20:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qydh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
MON 20:30 Dick Francis (b007jpxx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
MON 21:00 TED Radio Hour (m000qydr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
MON 21:50 Inheritance Tracks (b07jj5fl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:50 today]
MON 22:00 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m000qlt1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
MON 22:30 Comedy Club Extra (m000qyf0)
Comedy Catalysts - Series 2
Comedy Catalysts - Jessica Fostekew
The multi award-winning comic Harriet Kemsley invites her peers to celebrate the trail blazing comedians who inspired them to pick up the mic.
In this second series, broadcast across the week in Radio 4 Extra’s Comedy Club, four of the UK’s top stand-up comedians share how their comedy heroes informed their stand-up styles, and changed their lives.
This episode features Jessica Fostekew celebrating her hero, the anarchic and charasmatic alternative comedian, Rik Mayall.
Also featuring:
Jen Brister on French and Saunders
Josie Long on David O’Doherty
Shazia Mirza on Richard Pryor
Harriet Kemsley is an award winning comedian, writer, podcaster, and host of the Comedy Club on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Produced by Anne-Marie Luff, Made for 4 Extra
MON 22:45 Hamish and Dougal: You'll Have Had Your Tea (b00jzzg3)
Series 2
The Fitness Club
The Laird challenges Dougal to swim, cycle and run in a MacAthlon. Stars Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden. From March 2004.
MON 23:00 The News Quiz (m000qnkb)
Series 104
Best of 2020
Andy Zaltzman gives 2020 the treatment it deserves in this compilation episode of News Quiz highlights from planet earth's latest annus horribilis.
Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios Production
MON 23:30 At Home With The Snails (b007jvlw)
Series 2
Episode 1
George and Beverley decide to feign their deaths to see how their children will cope with the grief.
He wants to write a book about it all and she hopes they’ll realise how much they miss them, so that they can become one big happy reunited family.
But will their plan actually work?
Second series of Gerard Foster's comedy drama
George ..... Geoffrey Palmer
Beverley ..... Angela Thorne
Alex ..... Gerard Foster
Rose ..... Miranda Hart
Hosana ..... Debra Stephenson
Producer: Jane Berthoud
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2002.
TUESDAY 05 JANUARY 2021
TUE 00:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (m0006f90)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 A Good Read (b011zms3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qydh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Dick Francis (b007jpxx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson (b007k05g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:15 Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk (b07pf1bd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Jack Jackson: Rhythm and Radio Fun Remembered (b0169255)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Michael Butt - The Piper's Chair (m000qydl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Hidden Treasures (b055q39m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Babblewick Hall (b0075c76)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Cooking in a Bedsitter (b08575wj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Monday]
TUE 05:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m000qlt1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qykx)
3. Quiz
Can ecology journalist Andy Smith discover who is smuggling refined uranium out of Britain?
Now he must quiz his former colleague, Nigel, about what goes on in Natural International ...
Nick Chilvers stars in John Fletcher's thriller serial.
Nigel ... Cornelius Garrett
Anne ... Caroline Blakiston
Julian ... Clive Francis
Kite ... Gregory de Polnay
Sir Jack ... Conrad Phillips
Grey ... Rex Holdsworth
B.D. ...Pavel Douglas
Director: Brian Miller
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1987.
TUE 06:30 Dick Francis (b007jpyf)
Bolt
2. Horses Begin to Die
Henri de Brescou, bent upon obtaining authority from the French Government to make plastic guns, threatens Roland, Princess Casilia's frail and elderly husband.
Dick Francis's racing thriller dramatised by John Ashe.
Kit Fielding ...... Eric Allan
Princess Casilia ...... Sian Phillips
Danielle ...... Elizabeth MacGovern
Henri ...... John Bull
Roland ...... Simon Carter
Dusty ...... Christian Rodska
Thomas ...... Steve Hodson
Allardeck ...... Bill Wallis
Wykeham ...... William Eedle
Directed by Shaun MacLoughlin at BBC Pebble Mill.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1994
TUE 07:00 Showstopper (b00y8yjn)
4. Super Heroes
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is a brand new comedy in which the Showstopper team create a hilarious improvised musical on the spot - with the songs, plot and characters based entirely on suggestions from the live studio audience.
The cast includes Pippa Evans, Ruth Bratt, Dylan Emery, Lucy Trodd, Sean McCann and Oliver Senton.
Produced by Sam Bryant
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
TUE 07:30 The Museum of Curiosity (m000qvtp)
Museum of New Year's Curiosity
Professor of Ignorance John Lloyd and the Museum’s latest curator Alice Levine are joined by past curators Sally Phillips and Dan Schreiber and Senior Lecturer in Social and Cultural Artificial Intelligence Dr Kate Devlin.
The episode was recorded remotely in December 2020.
The Producer was Anne Miller.
The Exec Producer was Victoria Lloyd.
The Production Coordinator was Mabel Wright.
Edited by David Thomas.
A BBC Studios Production
TUE 08:00 The Goon Show (b007jnxg)
Ill Met by Goonlight
Neddie Seagoon is sent to capture the German general who commands the island of Crete. Stars Spike Milligan. From March 1957.
TUE 08:30 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b007jsb8)
Series 3
Episode 5
Ken and Sandy both suffer marital problems, but at least they've won Pink Len's ad account. Stars Martin Jarvis. From November 1986.
TUE 09:00 The News Quiz (m000qnkb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:00 on Monday]
TUE 09:30 Drama (m0001mv2)
Looking for Oil Drum Lane
A dramatisation of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's comedy writing partnership - from Tony Hancock's departure to striking gold with Steptoe and Son. Starring Marc Wootton, Phil Cornwell, Barry Castagnola, James Hurn and Toby Longworth.
Weaving comedy archive and newly written scenes, the show follows the tortuous search for Oil Drum Lane, the fictional address of Steptoe and Son. The programme commemorates the passing of Ray Galton in October 2018.
Ray Galton and Alan Simpson met in a tuberculosis sanatorium in 1948. They became friends through a shared passion for radio comedy. To amuse themselves, they broadcast their own sketches over the hospital radio. After sending their material to famous comedy writers of the day Denis Norden and Frank Muir, Alan and Ray were encouraged to post some scripts to the BBC. An unexpectedly positive response left the fledgling writers ecstatic.
Soon they became regular sketch writers for the BBC. They met Tony Hancock and rose to the top of their profession.
But when Hancock decided to go it alone Galton and Simpson were devasted and left high and dry.
The team was then commissioned by the colourful head of light entertainment at the BBC, Tom Sloane, to write ten comedy plays - but the loss of Hancock generated an impenetrable writer's block - until they hammered out a pilot sit-com that became Steptoe and Son.
Ray Galton........................................Marc Wootton
Alan Simpson...................................Barry Castagnola
Tony Hancock/Wilfred Brambell......James Hurn
Harry H Corbett...............................Phil Cornwell
Tom Sloan........................................Ian Pearce
Duncan Wood..................................Toby Longworth
Other parts were played by the cast.
Written by Ian Pearce.
Script Editor - Nick Romero.
Directed and Produced by Andrew McGibbon.
A Curtains For Radio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2018.
TUE 10:00 HG Wells (b08fdkd1)
Ann Veronica
Episode 1
Spirited and fiercely intelligent, Ann Veronica is a 21st Century woman in an Edwardian Hobble skirt. She runs away from her stiflingly conventional home and her domineering father to make a fresh start in London. A lively and surprising story; not least because it's created by H.G. Wells.
Ann Veronica …. Amy Hoggart
Mr Stanley …. Geoffrey Whitehead
H.G. Wells …. Bill Nighy
Manning …. Toby Hadoke
Aunt Molly …. Ruth Alexander-Rubin
Constance …. Emily Pithon
Miss Miniver …. Victoria Brazier
Ramage …. Jonathan Keeble
Teddy …. Ashley Margolis
Produced and directed by Pauline Harris
Dramatised by Ellen Dryden
The storytelling is witty and ironic and Ann Veronica caused a scandal in its time because of the feminist sensibilities of the heroine and also because of the affair Wells was having with Amber Reeves, the woman who inspired the novel's eponymous character. This is a relatively unknown and unexpected novel by Wells. The Spectator described Ann Veronica as a "poisonous book..." Although unlikely to offend modern listeners, this novel addresses many feminist versus femininity issues that are still relevant today.
Amy Hoggart who stars as Ann Veronica is a stand-up comedian and actress, best known for starring in Almost Royal, a faux-reality show on BBC America. She portrays a low-ranking heir to the British throne, Poppy Carlton. Other credits include Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (2016) and Crackanory (2013).
She is the daughter of renowned journalist Simon Hoggart, niece of Times television critic Paul Hoggart, and granddaughter of sociologist Richard Hoggart. Amy attended Cambridge University,and was a member of the Footlights, whilst reading English.
The novel deals with the early stages of what is arguably the most important social development of the 20th C. the education and financial and sexual liberation of women. And the fact is that, nearly a hundred years later, the problem of women who want to marry, have children and pursue a liberating career, is still not easy to solve. Wells makes a good case for freer sexual relationships, but Amber Reeves - and later Rebecca West - were the ones whose lives were changed - by bearing and bringing up a child by him.
Geoffrey Whitehead plays Ann's father, Mr. Stanley - most recent credits include Geoffrey in Not Going Out as Lee Mack's disapproving father-in-law, and Mr. Newbold in Still Open All Hours. His career spans decades and he has appeared in a huge range of television, film and radio roles. In the theatre, he has played at the Shakespeare Globe, St. Martin's Theatre and Bristol Old Vic.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.
TUE 11:00 Archive on 4 (b082szm7)
Being Bored: The Importance Of Doing Nothing
Is boredom under threat? There are more TV channels than we can count, Smartphones keep us engaged around the clock, and the constant white noise of social media coerces us to always 'interact'. In fact, there is so much to stimulate our everyday lives in this digital age that we need never be bored ever again. So do we still need to be bored? And what would we miss if we did eliminate boredom completely from our lives?
The happily bored Phill Jupitus takes a creative look at our attitude to this misunderstood emotion. He will examine what boredom is, and how it has influenced our leisure time, our workplaces, our creativity and our evolution. Phill will examine its impact on comedy, art, music, and television, taking us from punk to prison, from J. R. R. Tolkien to Sherlock Holmes, from Danish sex clubs to London's 'Boring Conference'.
This will be a lively look at the simple, very real and essential emotion of boredom, and a stout defence of the right to sometimes just sit down and do nothing.
Interviews include - the Reverend Richard Coles, the writer Natalie Haynes, the artist George Shaw, the comedy writer & producer Robert Popper, the psychologist Peter Toohey, the punk musician Gaye Black (formerly of The Adverts), the psychologist Sandi Mann, the BBC newsreader Simon McCoy, Dr Teresa Belton and the social media entrepreneur Jodie Cook.
TUE 12:00 The Goon Show (b007jnxg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 12:30 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b007jsb8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qykx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Dick Francis (b007jpyf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 14:00 Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson (b007k06r)
2. Confused and Alone
The young cub becomes confused when his mother abandons him, but a new friend awaits.
Nicholas Farrell reads Henry Williamson's classic tale of otter life, first published in 1927.
Abridged in five episodes by Sally Marmion.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
TUE 14:15 Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk (b07pgvjj)
Series 1
Episode 2
As young Welsh woman Megan Evans begins to learn about the family's dairy business and life in 1890s Whitechapel she also begins to suspect that her brother is hiding something.
Megan Evans ….. Bettrys Jones
Luc Evans ….. Trystan Gravelle
Samuel Singer ….. David Horovitch
Moses Lipski ….. Brian Protheroe
Annie Riley ….. Alice Haig
Madog Prys ….. James Lailey
by Gregory Evans
Directed by Marc Beeby.
In 1900 over half London's milk came from Welsh dairies. One of those dairies, on the Commercial Road, was owned and run by the writer’s family.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2016.
TUE 14:30 Steve the Sweep (b03vgf45)
Steve Carver learns the trade of a chimney sweep.
As more and more house holders open-up fireplaces and install wood-burning stoves - partly in an attempt to counter rising energy prices - chimney sweeping has become something of a recession-busting business.
The busiest time of year is the run-up to Christmas and it was during this frantic time in December of last year that Steve Carver shadowed two Cambridgeshire chimney-sweeps for a week: Lawson Wight, a sweep of fifteen years' experience, and Ralph While-Paddon, more of a new-comer.
Ralph was in the army for nearly thirty years, leaving as a Lieutenant-Colonel, and enjoys the relatively stress-free life that sweeping allows. However, as Steve discovers, it is all relative: removing birds' nests, knowledge of building regulations and the inner-workings of stoves are all part of a highly-responsible job that both Lawson and Ralph believe should require proper qualifications and regulation – something that, as yet, isn't the case in the UK.
Producer: Karen Gregor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
TUE 15:00 HG Wells (b08fdkd1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
TUE 16:00 Who Goes There? (b0075yw8)
Series 4
Episode 2
Martin Young chairs the quiz which looks at the noteworthy and the notorious from history.
Tackling the biographical teasers are team captains Francis Wheen and Fred Housego with guests Gyles Brandreth and Sheridan Morley.
Producer: Liz Anstee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2000.
TUE 16:30 Drama (m0001mv2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Showstopper (b00y8yjn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
TUE 17:30 The Museum of Curiosity (m000qvtp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
TUE 18:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (m0006fxb)
2. A Light in the Night
'London was a city of the blind, the capital of a blind country in a blind world.'
Bill Masen finds a new companion, but can they survive the chaos of their surroundings?
First published in 1951, John Wyndham's classic sci-fi novel dramatised by Giles Cooper.
Gary Watson …. Bill Masen
Barbara Shelley …. Josella Playton
John Wyse …. Blind Man
John Pullen …. Radio Commentator
Music composed by David Cain.
Producer: John Powell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1968.
TUE 18:30 Soul Music (b00mg3yv)
Series 8
The Look of Love
Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.
Hal David discusses writing The Look of Love with Burt Bacharach, for the soundtrack of the spoof 1967 James Bond film Casino Royale. This classic track, sung by Dusty Springfield, provided the musical backdrop for a love scene between Peter Sellers and Ursula Andress.
Dusty Springfield's former backing singer, Simon Bell, remembers being on stage at the Albert Hall when Dusty laughed her way through a performance of the song, and musician Jonathan Cohen describes how the samba rhythm underscoring Dusty's smooth vocals combine to make this an enduringly popular love song.
It has been covered many times by artists including Isaac Hayes, Gladys Knight and the French singer Mirielle Mathieu. This programme hears from people whose personal memories of love and loss are forever linked with The Look of Love.
Contributors:
Sue Clarke
Wally Welling
Simon Bell
Trevor Foster
Jonathan Cohen
Hal David
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
TUE 19:00 The Goon Show (b007jnxg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b007jsb8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 20:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qykx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Dick Francis (b007jpyf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Archive on 4 (b082szm7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
TUE 22:00 The Museum of Curiosity (m000qvtp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
TUE 22:30 Comedy Club Extra (m000qyl1)
Comedy Catalysts - Series 2
2. Jen Brister on French & Saunders
The multi award-winning comic Harriet Kemsley invites her peers to celebrate the trail blazing comedians who inspired them to pick up the mic.
In this second series, broadcast across the week in Radio 4 Extra’s Comedy Club, four of the UK’s top stand-up comedians share how their comedy heroes informed their stand-up styles, and changed their lives.
This episode features Jen Brister celebrating the groundbreaking partnership of French & Saunders
Also featuring:
Jessica Fostekew on Rik Mayall.
Josie Long on David O’Doherty
Shazia Mirza on Richard Pryor
Harriet Kemsley is a comedian, writer, podcaster, and host of the Comedy Club on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Produced by Anne-Marie Luff, Made for 4 Extra
TUE 22:45 Ivor Cutler - Cutler the Lax (b03vczgx)
Episode 1
Legendary Scottish surrealist Ivor Cutler provides disappointment for cavemen and a cheap alternative to liquor.
With Fiona MacDonald.
Producer: Mark Savage
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1991.
TUE 23:00 James Acaster's Findings (b04nv97q)
Series 1
2. Fruit
Triple Foster's nominated comedian James Acaster presents the results of his research.
This week, he's been investigating 'Fruit'. With Nathaniel Metcalfe ('Fresh from the Fringe') and Bryony Hannah ('Call the Midwife').
Produced by Lyndsay Fenner.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
TUE 23:15 Expenses Only (b07krkgy)
2. Graphics
Put away your P45, you're not going to need it – it's Expenses Only. Our two young interns Tim and Miranda face facetious directors, frustrating commutes and flirtatious trumpets as they begin the first week of their internship in London within the fickle world of art and graphic design.
Expenses Only is a narrative sketch show by writer Alex Lynch, centred around internships and the world of work experience.
In each episode, the show's two leading twenty-something protagonists, Tim (enthusiastic worker) and Miranda (jaded graduate), attempt to break into a different industry through a series of increasingly challenging placements.
The series is made up of an ensemble cast and is also tied together using linking sketches, signature ad-breaks and the Narrator who, with his deadpan delivery and wry commentary, guides us through the schadenfreude and chaos that unravels across an episode.
Cast:
Tim... Rasmus Hardiker
Miranda... Lucy Beaumont
Narrator... Robert Glenister
Player... Kathryn Bond
Player... Simon Bubb
Player... Beth Goddard
Player... Matt Green
Player... Simon Greenall
Player... Christine Kavanagh
Player... Paul G Raymond
Player... Lorna Shaw
Player... Kellie Shirley
Player... Tom Glenister
Recorded live at Bush Hall, London.
Creator / Writer: Alex Lynch
Additional material by Charlotte Michael
Director: Celia De Wolff
Executive Producer: Peter Hoare
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2016.
TUE 23:30 Mark Tavener - Absolute Power (b007t3kk)
Series 2
Episode 1
Prentiss McCabe try to save New Labour from total voter humiliation. Starring Stephen Fry and John Bird. From January 2001.
WEDNESDAY 06 JANUARY 2021
WED 00:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (m0006fxb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Soul Music (b00mg3yv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qykx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Dick Francis (b007jpyf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson (b007k06r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:15 Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk (b07pgvjj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 Steve the Sweep (b03vgf45)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 HG Wells (b08fdkd1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Who Goes There? (b0075yw8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Drama (m0001mv2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Showstopper (b00y8yjn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:30 The Museum of Curiosity (m000qvtp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qyx8)
4. Danger
As the take-over battle intensifies, journalist Andy Smith finds himself in danger.
Starring Nick Chilvers, a thriller in six parts, taking in global power struggles, smuggling and the dangers of uranium, written by John Fletcher.
Andy ... Nick Chilvers
Julian ... Clive Francis
Kite ... Gregory De Polnay
Sir Jack ... Conrad Phillips
Grey ... Rex Holdsworth
Shirley ... Diane Fletcher
Anne ... Caroline Blakiston
Stanley ... Nick Brimble
Rogers ... Trevor Nichols
Other parts played by Richard Curnow
Directed by Brian Miller.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1987.
WED 06:30 Dick Francis (b007jpyx)
Bolt
3. Hostile Intelligence
Danielle de Brescou is followed and terrified by two men in hoods, while two of Princess Casilia's finest racing horses are slaughtered with a bolt gun.
Dick Francis's racing thriller dramatised by John Ashe.
Kit Fielding ...... Eric Allan
Princess Casilia ...... Sian Phillips
Danielle ...... Elizabeth MacGovern
Henri ...... John Bull
Roland ...... Simon Carter
Dusty ...... Christian Rodska
Wykeham ...... William Eedle
Lord Vaughnley ...... Gerry Hinks
Prince Litsi ...... Sam Dastor
Beatrice Bunt ...... Margaret Robertson
Directed by Shaun MacLoughlin at BBC Pebble Mill.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1994
WED 07:00 Start/Stop (b03bsb9c)
Series 1
Two Parties
by Jack Docherty
A new sitcom about three couples sailing off in to the sunset. And sinking. This week two parties provide a particular challenge.
Producer ..... Steven Canny
Jack Docherty
Jack has an exceptional record of making stand-out comedy. He first performed at the 1980 Edinburgh Festival Fringe with the comedy sketch group The Bodgers and went on to write for radio and television including: Spitting Image, Alas Smith and Jones, Vic Reeves Big Night Out, Absolutely, The Lenny Henry Show, Max Headroom, Weekending, The News Huddlines and a ton of other things.
He has also performed in a huge variety of comedy shows including in The Comic Strip Presents, The Morwenna Banks Show, Monarch of the Glen, Red Dwarf V, The Old Guys and Badults. He has also featured in the Radio 4 comedies Baggage and Mordrin MacDonald - 21st Century Wizard and has appeared on various comedy panel shows including Have I Got News For You and It's Only TV But I Like It. Jack presented his own show The Jack Docherty Show which ran for 2 years on Channel 5.
WED 07:30 Conversations from a Long Marriage (m000qm0q)
Series 2
Just the Way You Are
Conversations from a Long Marriage is a two-hander comedy, starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam, as a long-married couple who met in the Summer of Love and are still passionate about life, music and each other. We listen to – and empathise with - their dangling ‘conversations’ covering everything from health scares, jealousy and confessions, to TV incompatibility and sourdough bread.
In episode one, Roger gives Joanna a masterclass in dishwasher stacking while Joanna instructs him on how to wave goodbye to departing guests. As the turbulent year turns, Joanna makes some New Year Resolutions - for Roger - and suggests their marriage needs a re-boot’ . ‘Out the door?’ is his response.
Written by Jan Etherington. Produced and directed by Claire Jones.
A BBC Studios Production.
Reviews for series 1 were excellent, including:
‘Sublimely funny, touching series. Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam have had illustrious acting careers but can they ever have done anything better than Jan Etherington’s two hander? This is a work of supreme craftsmanship.’ Simon O’Hagan. RADIO TIMES
'Conversations…. Is the delicious fruit of Jan Etherington’s experience of writing lots of TV and radio comedy (previously with husband Gavin Petrie), blessed by being acted by Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam. They are lifelike and likeable. Comedies about likeable people are not common. Treasure this one, produced by Claire Jones.’ Gillian Reynolds. SUNDAY TIMES
WED 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b009rnlw)
Series 6
The Fete
The lad rashly agrees to tempt Sir Laurence Olivier to open the East Cheam Garden Fete.
Starring Tony Hancock. With Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Wilfred Babbage, Jack Watson and Hugh Morton.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.
Producer: Tom Ronald
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in December 1959.
WED 08:30 Up the Garden Path (b008f3kh)
Series 3
Gooseberries and Fools
Can a relationship with her ex-pupil Razors be the best thing for teacher Izzy?
Imelda Staunton stars as Isabelle 'Izzy' Comyn.
With Mike Grady as Dick, Marty Cruickshank as Maria, Nicholas Le Prevost as Michael, Phyllida Nash as Louise, Rene Zagger as Razors, Sion Probert as Gwyn, Neil McCaul as Bill and Judith Jacob as Linda.
Tumbling from one love entanglement to another, 30-something teacher Izzy has a predilection for inappropriate men.
A six-part radio sequel first adapted from Sue Limb’s 1984 novel. The last of three series which ran from 1987 to 1993. Granada also adapted the series for ITV.
Producer: Jonathan James-Moore
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1993.
WED 09:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00mjktm)
Series 2
Episode 5
James Walton tests and tickles the knowledge of industry pundits and people passionate about pop music.
Team captains Tracey MacLeod and Andrew Collins are joined by Stewart Lee and David Quantick to be put through their musical paces
Reader: Beth Chalmers
Written and researched by James Walton.
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2006.
WED 09:30 Rent (b05pb40g)
Series 3
Episode 2
Maria needs a day out, so Paul has to look after the baby - but can he be trusted?
Series 3 of Lucy Flannery's award-winning sitcom about Maria and Richard Reynolds and their lodgers.
Stars Barbara Flynn as Maria, Patrick Barlow as Richard, Linda Polan as Amy, Vivienne Rochester as Ruby, Dave Lamb as Paul, Sally Grace as the Mother and Sarah Parkinson as the Checkout Girl.
Producer: Liz Anstee.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1997.
WED 10:00 HG Wells (b08g3rbp)
Ann Veronica
Episode 2
This witty and lively tale sees Ann Veronica living alone in London in her quest for liberation but it's an uphill struggle; she has to fight off the sexual advances of a so called friend, discovers the love of her life is married, and gets arrested and imprisoned for a suffragette raid on the House of Commons.
Ann Veronica …. Amy Hoggart
Mr Stanley …. Geoffrey Whitehead
H.G. Wells …. Bill Nighy
Aunt Molly …. Ruth Alexander-Rubin
Kitty Brett …. Verity Henry
Manning …. Toby Hadoke
Ramage …. Jonathan Keeble
Produced and directed by Pauline Harris
Dramatised by Lavinia Murray
The storytelling is witty and ironic and Ann Veronica caused a scandal in its time because of the feminist sensibilities of the heroine and also because of the affair Wells was having with Amber Reeves, the woman who inspired the novel's eponymous character. This is a relatively unknown and unexpected novel by Wells. The Spectator described Ann Veronica as a "poisonous book..." Although unlikely to offend modern listeners, this novel addresses many feminist versus femininity issues that are still relevant today.
Amy Hoggart who stars as Ann Veronica is a stand-up comedian and actress, best known for starring in Almost Royal, a faux-reality show on BBC America. She portrays a low-ranking heir to the British throne, Poppy Carlton. Other credits include Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (2016) and Crackanory (2013).
She is the daughter of renowned journalist Simon Hoggart, niece of Times television critic Paul Hoggart, and granddaughter of sociologist Richard Hoggart. Amy attended Cambridge University,and was a member of the Footlights, whilst reading English.
The novel deals with the early stages of what is arguably the most important social development of the 20th C. the education and financial and sexual liberation of women. And the fact is that, nearly a hundred years later, the problem of women who want to marry, have children and pursue a liberating career, is still not easy to solve. Wells makes a good case for freer sexual relationships, but Amber Reeves - and later Rebecca West - were the ones whose lives were changed - by bearing and bringing up a child by him.
Geoffrey Whitehead plays Ann's father, Mr. Stanley - most recent credits include Geoffrey in Not Going Out as Lee Mack's disapproving father-in-law, and Mr. Newbold in Still Open All Hours. His career spans decades and he has appeared in a huge range of television, film and radio roles. In the theatre, he has played at the Shakespeare Globe, St. Martin's Theatre and Bristol Old Vic.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.
WED 11:00 Michael Palin's Radio Adventures (m000qyxd)
1. The Python Years
In a completely different broadcast from London’s BBC Radio Theatre John McCarthy meets with Michael Palin to celebrate the actor-adventurer’s remarkable life and career as heard on BBC radio.
Michael Palin has been a Python, a world traveller, author, actor and screenwriter, and often described as “Britain’s Nicest Man”. However one area which is often overlooked from his long and impressive career are his fascinating radio contributions.
Featuring extracts from his mighty canon of work including his famous diaries, interviews about his comedy and travel work, documentaries and dramas.
Recorded in front an enthusiastic audience, we discover Palin’s love for radio as we hear a treasure trove of archives on an eclectic mix of subjects and plenty memories of Monty Python.
Producer: Stephen Garner
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in December 2017.
WED 12:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b009rnlw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 12:30 Up the Garden Path (b008f3kh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 13:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qyx8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 13:30 Dick Francis (b007jpyx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 14:00 Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson (b007jvc4)
3. First Winter
As the winter storms arrive in Devon, fish are increasingly hard to find through the ice.
Nicholas Farrell reads Henry Williamson's classic tale of otter life, first published in 1927.
Abridged in five episodes by Sally Marmion.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
WED 14:15 Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk (b07pgwg3)
Series 1
Episode 3
Thriller set in 1890s Whitechapel. Meg makes some unpleasant discoveries about the family's dairy business and her brother reveals a devastating secret.
Megan Evans ….. Bettrys Jones
Luc Evans ….. Trystan Gravelle
Samuel Singer ….. David Horovitch
Annie Riley ….. Alice Haig
by Gregory Evans
Directed by Marc Beeby.
In 1900 over half London's milk came from Welsh dairies. One of those dairies, on the Commercial Road, was owned and run by the writer’s family.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2016.
WED 14:30 Too Many Books (b01351q2)
It's something that most of us have to do, from time to time: get rid of old books. People moving house, someone whose partner has died, those simply needing more space in the kitchen find that their bookshelves just aren't big enough.
Sarah Cuddon examines the difficult decisions behind the seemingly mundane choices we make when deciding which books stay and which books go.
Amongst the people she talks to are Brian, who lives in Dorset. One shelf at a time, he wades through, weighing up a Delia Smith against a book about Spike Milligan. Does it stay on the shelf? Should it go in the box? Angel is contemplating a vast and varied collection of valuable volumes left after the death of her husband. Whilst Trevor in South East London peruses each title, skimming, pausing to reflect on his attachment to Boswell, Hunter S Thompson and James Lee Burke. They all stare at their shelves and start making painful decisions, based on their human relationship with individual books.
What will happen to them? Are they destined for ebay? A high end auction? Or to get rained-on in a sad-looking plastic bag outside a charity shop?
Sarah visits Britain's largest second hand bookshop. Every book has to justify its shelf space and Sarah discovers the fate of thousands of unwanted ones.
Arriving early, pavement bookseller Mike assesses the clutter and junked belongings at a car boot sale.
As the stories unfold, we learn that the reasons people hold on to them are as individual as the books.
Presenter: Sarah Cuddon
Producer: Tamsin Hughes
A Testbed production
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
WED 15:00 HG Wells (b08g3rbp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
WED 16:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00mjktm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
WED 16:30 Rent (b05pb40g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
WED 17:00 Start/Stop (b03bsb9c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
WED 17:30 Conversations from a Long Marriage (m000qm0q)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
WED 18:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (m0006fxl)
3. Conference and Confusion
'There's a light... someone's trying to get the sighted people together - we're not alone!'
Bill and Josella join an army-led group, but their plans for a new community falter...
First published in 1951, John Wyndham's classic sci-fi novel dramatised by Giles Cooper.
Gary Watson …. Bill Masen
Barbara Shelley …. Josella Playton
Anthony Viccars …. Colonel Jaques
Peter Sallis …. Coker
Freda Dowie …. Elspeth
Victor Lucas …. Doctor Varless
Michael McClain …. Michael Beadley
Nigel Graham …. Ivan Simpson
Marjorie Westbury …. Miss Barr
Michael Deacon …. Mac
Jan Edwards …. Lucy
James McManus …. Alf
Hilda Kriseman …. Child
Anthony Jackson …. Other
Pauline Letts …. Other
Christopher Bidmead …. Other
Music composed by David Cain.
Producer: John Powell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1968.
WED 18:30 Short Cuts (b09xjw3m)
Series 15
Into the Woods
From tree climbing to getting lost in the forest, Josie Long ventures into the woods.
Featuring Sook-Yin Lee on the wild forest of her childhood, the musician and radio producer Phil Smith on the love and freedom of clambering amid the branches, and a mother and daughter losing themselves amongst the trees.
Climb
Featuring Jochen Raiss and Leah
Produced by Phil Smith
Lost
Featuring Rachel and Carolyn Lloyd
Produced by Andrea Rangecroft
Behind My House
Music by Sook-Yin Lee
Produced by Sook-Yin Lee
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2018.
WED 19:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b009rnlw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 19:30 Up the Garden Path (b008f3kh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 20:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qyx8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 20:30 Dick Francis (b007jpyx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 21:00 Michael Palin's Radio Adventures (m000qyxd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
WED 22:00 Conversations from a Long Marriage (m000qm0q)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
WED 22:30 Comedy Club Extra (m000qyxl)
Comedy Catalysts - Series 2
3. Josie Long on David O'Doherty
The multi award-winning comic Harriet Kemsley invites her peers to celebrate the trail blazing comedians who inspired them to pick up the mic.
In this second series, broadcast across the week in Radio 4 Extra’s Comedy Club, four of the UK’s top stand-up comedians share how their comedy heroes informed their stand-up styles, and changed their lives.
This episode features Josie Long celebrating the irish comedian David O'Doherty and his "low energy musical whimsy"
Also featuring:
Jessica Fostekew on Rik Mayall.
Jen Brister on French and Saunders
Shazia Mirza on Richard Pryor
Harriet Kemsley is a comedian, writer, podcaster, and host of the Comedy Club on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Produced by Anne-Marie Luff, Made for 4 Extra
WED 22:45 Ivor Cutler - Cutler the Lax (b03zx9pg)
Episode 2
Legendary Scottish surrealist Ivor Cutler discovers ancient Egyptian music and what the Dutch think of British pubs.
With Fiona MacDonald.
Producer: Mark Savage
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1991.
WED 23:00 Lobby Land (m0006v00)
Series 2
Vis-à-Vis
Topical sitcom following life in Westminster through the eyes of Sam Peakes, a young political editor at a clickbait website, as she tries to make sense of the madness engulfing British politics. Starring Yasmine Akram, Charlie Higson, Cariad Lloyd, Dan Tetsell and Daniel Lawrence Taylor.
Sam Peakes ...... Yasmine Akram
Tom Shriver MP ...... Charlie Higson
Mia Phillips ...... Cariad Lloyd
Gideon Burnside ...... Dan Tetsell
Nathan Edmonds ...... Daniel Lawrence Taylor
Written by Jon Harvey, Sarah Dempster and Christopher Davies.
With additional material by Laura Major.
Production Co-Ordinator ...... Tam Shilham
Script Editor ...... Dan Tetsell
Executive Producer ...... Lucy Armitage
Editor ...... Jerry Peal
Producer ...... Jon Harvey
A Naked production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2019.
WED 23:30 Alun Cochrane's Fun House (b01rlnhp)
The Kitchen
Comedian Alun Cochrane has a 25 year mortgage which he can only pay off by being funny. In this series he takes us on a room by room, stand up tour of his house.
He has a fridge that beeps at him when he doesn't move quickly enough and a fire alarm he can't reach. His relationship with his house is a complicated one.
A hoarder of funny and original observations on everyday life, Alun invites us to help him de-clutter his mind and tidy his ideas into one of those bags that you hoover all the air out of and keep under your bed. This show will help Alun and his house work through their relationship issues and prevent a separation that Alun can ill afford; at least not until the market picks up anyway.
Performers: Alun Cochrane and Gavin Osborn
Writers: Alun Cochrane and Andy Wolton
Producer: Carl Cooper.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
THURSDAY 07 JANUARY 2021
THU 00:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (m0006fxl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 Short Cuts (b09xjw3m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qyx8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Dick Francis (b007jpyx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson (b007jvc4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:15 Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk (b07pgwg3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Too Many Books (b01351q2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 HG Wells (b08g3rbp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00mjktm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Rent (b05pb40g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Start/Stop (b03bsb9c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:30 Conversations from a Long Marriage (m000qm0q)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qz0d)
5. Capture
As journalist Andy Smith discovers who is smuggling uranium, will he escape mortal danger?
Starring Nick Chilvers, a thriller in six parts, taking in global power struggles, smuggling and the dangers of uranium, written by John Fletcher.
Andy ... Nick Chilvers
Rogers ... Trevor Nichols
Stanley ... Nick Brimble
Julian ... Clive Francis
Kite ... Gregory De Polnay
Anne ... Caroline Blakiston
Sir Jack ... Conrad Phillips
Grey ... Rex Holdsworth
Directed by Brian Miller.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1987.
THU 06:30 Dick Francis (b007jpzb)
Bolt
4. The Killing Game
Prince Litsi faces terror, hanging by his finger tips from the top of the old stand at Bradbury race-course.
Dick Francis's racing thriller dramatised by John Ashe.
Kit Fielding ...... Eric Allan
Princess Casilia ...... Sian Phillips
Danielle ...... Elizabeth MacGovern
Roland ...... Simon Carter
Dusty ...... Christian Rodska
Wykeham ...... William Eedle
Hodges ...... Gerry Hinks
Prince Litsi ...... Sam Dastor
Beatrice Bunt ...... Margaret Robertson
Allardeck ...... Bill Wallis
Directed by Shaun MacLoughlin at BBC Pebble Mill.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1994
THU 07:00 Mr Muzak (b095qcjy)
Series 1
Rock the Boat
Richie Webb stars as performance shy cocktail pianist Nigel Penny.
Nigel Penny's attempts to live his life in the background have been thwarted by the surprise arrival of his entrepreneurial half-brother, Pav (Paul G Raymond) who is desperate to find gigs for Nigel and his musical partner, wannabe singer Rachel (Jess Robinson).
Despite his protestations of sea-sickness, Pav books Nigel to accompany Rachel as the entertainment on a floating barge at an event hosted by Belinda (Vicki Pepperdine), an old acquaintance of Nigel's. Meanwhile Stan (Dave Lamb) is yearning to return to his homeland.
Directed by Nick Walker
Audio Production by Matt Katz
Written and produced by Richie Webb
A Top Dog production for Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2017.
THU 07:30 The Missing Hancocks (m000qmpv)
Series 4
New Year Resolutions
The Missing Hancocks recreates those episodes of the classic Hancock's Half Hour that have been wiped or lost from the archive.
The first modern sitcom, Hancock's Half Hour made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Ray Galton and Alan Simpson as one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history. But 20 episodes of the show were missing from the BBC archives. Now, after four highly successful series, the final batch of those episodes have been lovingly re-recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC Radio Theatre.
Tonight's episode: Hancock announces his list of New Year Resolutions, and is confident he can stick to them. Bill Kerr is equally confident that this is a money-making opportunity.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, and with the classic score re-recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, the show stars Kevin McNally, Kevin Eldon, Simon Greenall, Robin Sebastian and Susy Kane, and with a special guest appearance by Paul Merton. New Year's Resolutions was first broadcast on the 4th January, 1956.
Produced by Neil Pearson & Hayley Sterling.
Written by Ray Galton & Alan Simpson
Music recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Levon Parikian.
A BBC Studios Production.
THU 08:00 Beyond Our Ken (m000qz0g)
Series 4
Episode 20
Kenneth Horne goes behind the scenes – and Hornerama looks at History.
With Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee and Announcer, Douglas Smith.
The precursor to ‘Round The Horne’, ‘Beyond Our Ken’ hit the airwaves in 1958 and ran to 1964 – featuring regulars like Cecil Snaith, Stanley Burkinshaw and Rodney and Charles.
Music from Janet Waters, The Hornets and the BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet.
Written by Eric Merriman
Producer: Jacques Brown
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1961.
THU 08:30 Wally Who? (b08rbhg6)
The Whiz Kid
"I should have gone into big business years ago Eric. This is going to be a new era for me. No more fishing around in the pedal bin for used teabags. I'll be able to employ people to do that for me."
Can Wally Thornton convince his pals that his business ideas are more than just pipe dreams?
Starring Tony Brandon as Wally.
With Chris Ellison, John Jardine, Nick Maloney and Rosalind Knight.
Tony Brandon's BBC career was mainly as a disc-jockey for Radio 1 and 2 from 1967-1982, but as an actor, he also recorded the comedy series 'The Family Brandon' and 'Wally Who?'.
Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor.
Theme and incidental music by Debbie Katz.
Produced in Manchester by Mike Craig.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in November 1982.
THU 09:00 Genius (b008jdzb)
Series 2
Sid Waddell
Perforated bread and counselling with a twist.
Dave Gorman asks Darts commentator Sid Waddell to choose the public's best loopy idea.
Award-winning comedian Dave Gorman and a celebrity guest chew over the ridiculous, unworkable but sometimes genius inventions, schemes and policies of the public.
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2006.
THU 09:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b007k4lq)
Series 2
The Operation
Will pain inspire the writer's novel - or will he just moan in his hospital bed? Stars Christopher Douglas. From January 2006.
THU 10:00 Drama (b08cr6wm)
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Episode 1
Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife, The Fall) and Rebecca Front (War and Peace, Dr Thorne) star with Clare Perkins in this much-loved gothic treat.
'It's only an accident that I'm not you, and you're not me.'
A Little Princess starts with a schoolgirl. But it's not a school story. Frances Hodgson Burnett's tough tale shows us a London full of foreign wealth and child poverty. That's why for over a century, its shocking story and unforgettable young characters have influenced everything from Angela Carter to anime.
And Kate Clanchy's radical new dramatisation discovers the Indian heart of Sara Crewe. When Sara is rich, she is treated just the same as other girls. But when she is not rich - exactly who is she? And why has she been brought to England?
Sara Crewe ..... Archie Panjabi
Becky Perkins ..... Clare Perkins
Miss Minchin ..... Rebecca Front
Young Sara ..... Nishi Malde
Young Becky ..... Polly Allen
Captain Crewe ..... Tom Forrister
Miss Amelia ..... Adie Allen
Lavinia ..... Rebecca Hamilton
Little Lottie ..... Jocelyn MacNab
Ermengarde ..... Lucy Hutchinson
Mr Barrow ..... Jonathan Forbes
Ram Dass ..... Sagar Radia
Mrs Herbert ..... Elizabeth Bennett
Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.
THU 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m000qyjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Sunday]
THU 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lxhb3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 on Sunday]
THU 12:00 Beyond Our Ken (m000qz0g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 12:30 Wally Who? (b08rbhg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 13:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qz0d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 13:30 Dick Francis (b007jpzb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 14:00 Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson (b007jvcb)
4. Prey
Spring arrives in the Devon countryside, with the smell of man and the cry of a she-otter.
Nicholas Farrell reads Henry Williamson's classic tale of otter life, first published in 1927.
Abridged in five episodes by Sally Marmion.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
THU 14:15 Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk (b07pj820)
Series 1
Episode 4
When Meg learns the truth about her brother's involvement with gangster Moses Lipski, she realises that she will have to do something to save both him and the family business.
Megan Evans ….. Bettrys Jones
Samuel Singer ….. David Horovitch
Luc Evans ….. Trystan Gravelle
Annie Riley ….. Alice Haig
Moses Lipski ….. Brian Protheroe
Iolo Jones ….. Nick Underwood
by Gregory Evans
Directed by Marc Beeby.
In 1900 over half London's milk came from Welsh dairies. One of those dairies, on the Commercial Road, was owned and run by the writer’s family.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2016.
THU 14:30 Curb your Judaism (b015n6q1)
Comedian and writer David Schneider investigates why British Jewish comedy has lagged behind compared to its much more self-confident American equivalent. Mention Jewish humour in this country and the first names that spring to mind would most likely all be American: Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Jackie Mason, Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld and so on.
It's been well-documented how Jews have dominated the US entertainment industry but in the UK, says Schneider, it's been a different story. He investigates why Jewish comics and writers have lagged behind and whether, with the airing of two new Jewish sitcoms on British television, 'Grandma' House' and 'Friday Night Dinner', the tide is finally turning. Does this mean a greater sense of self-confidence for British Jewish comic identity and for the community as a whole, or just a greater acceptance of Jewishness in mainstream media?
Schneider speaks to Robert Popper, the writer of 'Friday Night Dinner', and to Dan Swimer who co-wrote 'Grandma's House' about how both shows were keen to avoid Jewish stereotypes and portray families with universal appeal. Writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran talk about their difficulties in getting a Jewish sitcom commissioned in the past and how they decided to write Jewish characters instead, such as Dorian in 'Birds of a Feather'.
Meera Syal discusses the contrast with British Asian comedy and why it's been so successful, while David Baddiel considers how political correctness has impacted on Jewish comedy in this country. Finally Schneider speaks to one of Britain's most successful Jewish comedians Matt Lucas, who says he's now ready to explore his own ethnicity further with his sitcom project 'Four Generations'.
Presented by David Schneider
Producer: Simon Jacobs
A Unique Production
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
THU 15:00 Drama (b08cr6wm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
THU 16:00 Genius (b008jdzb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
THU 16:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b007k4lq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
THU 17:00 Mr Muzak (b095qcjy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
THU 17:30 The Missing Hancocks (m000qmpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 18:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (m0006fdh)
4. Dead End
'How am I supposed to find supplies like this - chained to a lot of blind men?'
Bill is forced to help a group of blind survivors. Will he ever find Josella, again?
First published in 1951, John Wyndham's classic sci-fi novel dramatised by Giles Cooper.
Gary Watson …. Bill Masen
James McManus …. Alf
Michael Deacon …. Mac
Jan Edwards …. Lucy
Peter Sallis …. Coker
Hilda Kriseman …. Miss Durrant
John Pullen …. Stephen Brennell
Wilfred Carter …. Sid
Rosalind Shanks …. Vera
Ann Murray …. Woman
Music composed by David Cain.
Producer: John Powell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1968.
THU 18:30 Great Lives (b06vkdz3)
Series 38
Susan Calman on Molly Weir
Matthew Parris invites his guests to nominate the person who they feel is a great life. Comedian Susan Calman chooses the Scottish actress Molly Weir who began her long career on radio before moving into television and becoming one of the first Scottish female voices on national media in the 1950s.
Producer: Maggie Ayre & Perminder Khatkar.
THU 19:00 Beyond Our Ken (m000qz0g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Wally Who? (b08rbhg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 20:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qz0d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 20:30 Dick Francis (b007jpzb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 21:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m000qyjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Sunday]
THU 21:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lxhb3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 on Sunday]
THU 22:00 The Missing Hancocks (m000qmpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 22:30 Comedy Club Extra (m000qz0l)
Comedy Catalysts - Series 2
4. Shazia Mirza on Richard Pryor
The multi award-winning comic Harriet Kemsley invites her peers to celebrate the trail blazing comedians who inspired them to pick up the mic.
In this second series, broadcast across the week in Radio 4 Extra’s Comedy Club, four of the UK’s top stand-up comedians share how their comedy heroes informed their stand-up styles, and changed their lives.
This episode features Shazia Mirza celebrating the phenomenal American comedian Richard Pryor
Also featuring:
Jessica Fostekew on Rik Mayall.
Jen Brister on French and Saunders
Josie Long on David O'Doherty
Harriet Kemsley is a comedian, writer, podcaster, and host of the Comedy Club on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Produced by Anne-Marie Luff, Made for 4 Extra
THU 22:45 Ivor Cutler - Cutler the Lax (b040hrx4)
Episode 3
Legendary Scottish surrealist Ivor Cutler samples the archives and enjoys some Marabut music and a jolly Japanese ditty
With Fiona MacDonald.
Producer: Mark Savage
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1991.
THU 23:00 Craig Brown's Lost Diaries (b00v1nhb)
January and February
Satirist Craig Brown dips into the private lives of public figures from the 1960s to the present day.
As the New Year begins, great thinkers like Barack Obama, John Prescott and Barbara Cartland turn their thoughts to new beginnings.
Voiced by Jan Ravens, Alistair McGowan, Lewis McLeod, Ewan Bailey, Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Dolly Wells.
Written by Craig Brown.
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
THU 23:30 Fags, Mags and Bags (b0952b1r)
Series 7
Begrudging a Crunchie
The hit series returns for a seventh series with more shop based shenanigans and over the counter philosophy, courtesy of Ramesh Mahju and his trusty sidekick Dave. Written by and starring Donald Mcleary and Sanjeev Kohli.
Set in a Scots-Asian corner shop, the award winning Fags, Mags & Bags sees a return of all the shop regular characters, and some guest appearances along the way, from the likes of Sean Biggerstaff, Mina Anwar, Greg McHugh and Simon Greenall.
In the final episode of the series, Malcolm surprises Ramesh by announcing she wants to become a Foster carer.
Join the staff of Fags, Mags and Bags in their tireless quest to bring nice-price custard creams and cans of coke with Arabic writing on them to an ungrateful nation. Ramesh Mahju has built it up over the course of over 30 years and is a firmly entrenched, friendly presence in the local area. He is joined by his shop sidekick, Dave.
Then of course there are Ramesh's sons Sanjay and Alok, both surly and not particularly keen on the old school approach to shopkeeping, but natural successors to the business. Ramesh is keen to pass all his worldly wisdom onto them - whether they like it or not!
Producer: Gus Beattie for Gusman Productions
A Comedy Unit production for BBC Radio 4.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2017.
FRIDAY 08 JANUARY 2021
FRI 00:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (m0006fdh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Great Lives (b06vkdz3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qz0d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Dick Francis (b007jpzb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson (b007jvcb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:15 Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk (b07pj820)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 Curb your Judaism (b015n6q1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Drama (b08cr6wm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Genius (b008jdzb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b007k4lq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Mr Muzak (b095qcjy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 The Missing Hancocks (m000qmpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qz19)
6. The End?
Ecology journalist Andy Smith is now entirely in Sir Jack Watson's power - can he escape?
Starring Nick Chilvers, a thriller in six parts, taking in global power struggles, smuggling and the dangers of uranium, written by John Fletcher.
Andy ... Nick Chilvers
Sir Jack ... Conrad Phillips
Stanley ... Nick Brimble
Anderson ... Trevor Nichols
Anne ... Caroline Blakiston
Shirley ... Diane Fletcher
Directed by Brian Miller.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1987.
FRI 06:30 Dick Francis (b007qg3v)
Bolt
5. Nemesis for Two
Champion jockey Kit Fielding gets wind that Henri de Brescou plans to kill more horses. Kit is determined to put a stop to this needless slaughter.
Conclusion of Dick Francis's racing thriller.
Kit Fielding ...... Eric Allan
Princess Casilia ...... Sian Phillips
Danielle ...... Elizabeth MacGovern
Roland ...... Simon Carter
Wykeham ...... William Eedle
Prince Litsi ...... Sam Dastor
Henri ...... John Bull
Greening ...... Jack May
Thomas ...... Steve Hodson
Beatrice Bunt ...... Margaret Robertson
Allardeck ...... Bill Wallis
Dramatised by John Ashe.
Directed by Shaun MacLoughlin at BBC Pebble Mill.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1994.
FRI 07:00 Dot (b0714033)
Series 1
The Astonishing Adventures of Agent Whiff-Whaff
Comic adventures with Dot and the gals from personnel who are getting squiffy over Agent Bertie Whiff-Whaff.
Bertie wants Dot promoted, but can Dot handle life on the other side of the hallway?
Rollicking wartime comedy by Ed Harris - set in the personnel department of the Cabinet War Rooms.
Dot ..... Fenella Woolgar
Myrtle ..... Kate O'Flynn
Peg ..... Freya Parker
Millicent ..... Jane Slavin
Peabody ..... David Acton
Agent Bertie Whiff-Whaff ..... Adie Allen
Director: Jessica Mitic
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.
FRI 07:30 Big Broadcast (m000qlqd)
Series 4
Sex
Neil Brand's musical caper set in a Chicago radio station in 1937. When the station is threatened with closure by the League of Decency, Katharine Hepburn responds in style.
Cast
Katharine Hepburn ..... Susannah Fielding
Cary Grant ..... Ian Conningham
Arthur Clarke ..... Neil McCaul
Barbara Meek ..... Bettrys Jones
Ramona Fairfax ..... Heather Craney
Jerry Soundguy ..... Hasan Dixon
Preston Lanister ..... Clive Hayward
Danny Folly ..... Franchi Webb
Singer ..... Helen Neeves
Singer ..... Nancy Cole
Singer ..... Christopher Bowen
Singer ..... Jimmy Holliday
Foley ..... Alison Craig
Written and composed by Neil Brand
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole
FRI 08:00 The Men from the Ministry (b007jmck)
Bare Necessities
The bumbling bureaucrats hit obstacles galore when deciding a new route for a motorway...
A weekly tribute to all those who work in government departments.
Stars Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler.
With Norma Ronald, John Graham, Ronald Baddiley and Joan Sanderson.
Written by Edward Taylor and John Graham.
'The Men from the Ministry' ran for 14 series between 1962 and 1977. Deryck Guyler replaced Wilfrid Hyde-White from 1966. Sadly many episodes didn't survive in the archive, however the BBC's Transcription Service re-recorded 14 shows in 1980 - never broadcast in the UK, until the arrival of BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Producer: Edward Taylor,
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1970.
FRI 08:30 Second Thoughts (b007jx4k)
Series 2
Overtaken By Events
Hannah's driving her mother round the bend, while son Joe is discovering girls.
Sitcom about the battles of divorcees Bill MacGregor and Faith Greyshott trying to forge a relationship whilst balancing the demands of his ex-wife, Liza and her teenage children, Hannah and Joe.
Stars Lynda Bellingham as Faith, James Bolam as Bill, Celia Imrie as Hilary, Kelda Holmes as Hannah, Mark Denham as Joe.
Series two of four inspired by the real lives of its writers, husband and wife Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie.
A TV version made by LWT for ITV appeared in 1991 and ran for four series, with a spin-off 'Faith in the Future'.
Producer: Sioned Wiliam
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1989.
FRI 09:00 The Personality Test (b007tckc)
Series 3
Edwina Currie
Ex-MP, novelist and broadcaster Edwina Currie tests a panel about herself. With Sue Perkins and Robin Ince. From July 2007.
FRI 09:30 Ballylenon (b00gddtk)
Series 2
Episode 4
After "overhearing" that Reverend Hawthorne is leaving Ballylenon for a larger congregation, telephone operator Vera McConkey loses no time in communicating the good news to the local newspaper, The Vindicator.
Series set in the sleepy town of Ballylenon, Co Donegal, in 1954, before the days of mass tourism and proper plumbing in every home.
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Starring TP McKenna as Phonsie Doherty, Margaret D'Arcy as Muriel McConkey, Stella McCusker as Vera McConkey, Aine McCartney as Vivienne Boal, John Hewitt as Guard Gallagher, Charlie Bonnar as Packy McGoldrick, Ciara McKeown as Josie Doherty and Gerard Murphy as Rev Samuel Hawthorne.
Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes.
Director: Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.
FRI 10:00 Drama (b08dmrzv)
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Episode 2
Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife, The Fall) and Rebecca Front (War and Peace, Dr Thorne) star with Clare Perkins in this much-loved gothic treat.
'It's only an accident that I'm not you, and you're not me.'
A Little Princess starts with a schoolgirl. But it's not a school story. Frances Hodgson Burnett's tough tale shows us a London full of foreign wealth and child poverty. That's why for over a century, its shocking story and unforgettable young characters have influenced everything from Angela Carter to anime.
And Kate Clanchy's radical new dramatisation discovers the Indian heart of Sara Crewe. When Sara is rich, she is treated just the same as other girls. But when she is not rich - exactly who is she? And why has she been brought to England?
Sara Crewe ..... Archie Panjabi
Becky Perkins ..... Clare Perkins
Miss Minchin ..... Rebecca Front
Young Sara ..... Nishi Malde
Young Becky ..... Polly Allen
Ram Dass ..... Sagar Radia
Mr Carrisford ..... James Lailey
Mr O’Neill ..... Nick Underwood
Miss Amelia ..... Adie Allen
Mrs Brown ..... Elizabeth Bennett
Lavinia ..... Rebecca Hamilton
Ermengarde ..... Lucy Hutchinson
Anne ..... Kirsty Oswald
Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.
FRI 11:00 Podcast Radio Hour (m000hwpk)
Interviews to inspire
Amanda Litherland revisits the Podcast Radio Hour archive to see what budding podcasters can learn from some of her most inspirational guests:
Ira Glass talks about the beginnings of This American Life.
Dame Kelly Holmes discusses the challenge of moving from interviewee to interviewer.
Clare Balding highlights the importance of getting a great idea on its feet.
Jay Rayner talks about the joy of conversation over a good meal.
George The Poet reveals how he combined disciplines to create the award winning Have You Heard George's Podcast.
Jessie Ware and her mum Lennie talk about the much loved Table Manners.
David Dimbleby shows how it's never too late to start your own series
And Stephen Fry expresses his love for podcasts as a unique medium to feed our curiosity.
FRI 12:00 The Men from the Ministry (b007jmck)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Second Thoughts (b007jx4k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qz19)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Dick Francis (b007qg3v)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 14:00 Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson (b007jvch)
5. The Chase
As the otter basks in the sun, a pack of hounds catch his scent, sparking a great chase.
Nicholas Farrell reads Henry Williamson's classic tale of otter life, first published in 1927.
Abridged in five episodes by Sally Marmion.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
FRI 14:15 Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk (b07pjkhm)
Series 1
Episode 5
To save both her brother and the family's dairy business Meg must risk everything and confront the dangerous Moses Lipski. Thriller set in 1890s Whitechapel.
Megan Evans ….. Bettrys Jones
Samuel Singer ….. David Horovitch
Luc Evans ….. Trystan Gravelle
Moses Lipski ….. Brian Protheroe
Annie Riley ….. Alice Haig
by Gregory Evans
Directed by Marc Beeby.
In 1900 over half London's milk came from Welsh dairies. One of those dairies, on the Commercial Road, was owned and run by the writer’s family.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2016.
FRI 14:30 Take Two - Joan Baez (b007mhw0)
Richard Coles presents a discussion series looking at collaborations between two musicians.
Richard Cole, Martin Carthy and Michael Gray discuss the king and queen of the folk revival in the early 1960s, Dylan and Baez who were the darlings of the emerging civil rights movement until Dylan turned his back on the folk scene, and on Baez, to play his distinctive style of electric blues-rock.
Produced by Adam Fowler.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
FRI 15:00 Drama (b08dmrzv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
FRI 16:00 The Personality Test (b007tckc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Ballylenon (b00gddtk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Dot (b0714033)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Big Broadcast (m000qlqd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 18:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (m0006fx1)
5. World Narrowing
'The utter loneliness was beginning to get on my nerves.'
Killer plants are on the rampage across the countryside. Bill sets-off in search of Josella but finds a new companion...
First published in 1951, John Wyndham's classic sci-fi novel dramatised by Giles Cooper.
Gary Watson …. Bill Masen
Barbara Shelley …. Josella Playton
Jill Cary …. Susan
Freda Dowie …. Mary
David Brierley …. Dennis
Margaret Robertson …. Joyce
Music composed by David Cain.
Producer: John Powell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1968.
FRI 18:30 Off the Page (b00ctl6y)
Making Your Mind Up
Dominic Arkwright, Dr David Lewis, Christine Webber and Michael Blastland discuss our decision-making process. From June 2008.
FRI 19:00 The Men from the Ministry (b007jmck)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Second Thoughts (b007jx4k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qz19)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Dick Francis (b007qg3v)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Podcast Radio Hour (m000hwpk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
FRI 22:00 Big Broadcast (m000qlqd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 22:30 The Consultants (b008j2v3)
Series 3
Episode 2
Chesney throws a festive party for his colleagues. Cerebral sketch show with Neil Edmond and Justin Edwards. From December 2004.
FRI 23:00 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b01pp5vg)
Series 5
Dave Gorman
Marcus Brigstocke invites comic Dave Gorman to try new experiences, including horse-riding and a strip club. From January 2013.
FRI 23:30 Richard Herring's Objective (b00v730v)
Series 1
The Toothbrush Moustache
Richard Herring reclaims objects that we've grown to hate.
This week he's reclaiming the toothbrush moustache on behalf of comedy - taking it back from Hitler to give to it's rightful owner Charlie Chaplin. Based on his Edinburgh show Richard examines why a particular piece of facial hair can evoke revulsion in all who see it when in fact the person first associated with it was one of the funniest people on the planet. He grows his own toothbrush moustache and hears what passers by make of it, talks to a German moustache expert about Hitler's vanity and describes how wearing it on the day after the BNP won seats in the last European election strengthened his resolve to continue his campaign. The show was recorded in front of an audience.
Producer ..... Alison Vernon-Smith.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
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 (b00d7jpz)
A Good Read
15:30 SAT (b011vdwl)
A Good Read
03:30 SUN (b011vdwl)
A Good Read
18:30 MON (b011zms3)
A Good Read
00:30 TUE (b011zms3)
A Sting in the Tale
18:00 SUN (b0076jlc)
A Sting in the Tale
00:00 MON (b0076jlc)
Absent Friends - The 7th Dimension
18:45 SAT (m000r3gd)
Absent Friends - The 7th Dimension
00:45 SUN (m000r3gd)
All the Way from Memphis
08:00 SAT (b00mdyl9)
All the Way from Memphis
09:00 WED (b00mjktm)
All the Way from Memphis
16:00 WED (b00mjktm)
All the Way from Memphis
04:00 THU (b00mjktm)
All the World's a Globe
22:30 SUN (b007jww5)
Alun Cochrane's Fun House
23:30 WED (b01rlnhp)
Ancient Sorceries by Algernon Blackwood
18:30 SUN (b007jvxh)
Ancient Sorceries by Algernon Blackwood
00:30 MON (b007jvxh)
Archive on 4
11:00 TUE (b082szm7)
Archive on 4
21:00 TUE (b082szm7)
At Home With The Snails
23:30 MON (b007jvlw)
Babblewick Hall
12:30 SAT (b04mhc03)
Babblewick Hall
09:30 MON (b0075c76)
Babblewick Hall
16:30 MON (b0075c76)
Babblewick Hall
04:30 TUE (b0075c76)
Ballylenon
04:30 SAT (b00g2djy)
Ballylenon
09:30 FRI (b00gddtk)
Ballylenon
16:30 FRI (b00gddtk)
Believe Me by Eddie Izzard (Omnibus)
06:00 SUN (b08wz59s)
Believe Me by Eddie Izzard
02:00 SAT (b08x9813)
Beyond Our Ken
08:00 THU (m000qz0g)
Beyond Our Ken
12:00 THU (m000qz0g)
Beyond Our Ken
19:00 THU (m000qz0g)
Big Broadcast
05:30 SAT (m000qhh5)
Big Broadcast
07:30 FRI (m000qlqd)
Big Broadcast
17:30 FRI (m000qlqd)
Big Broadcast
22:00 FRI (m000qlqd)
Comedy Club Extra
22:30 MON (m000qyf0)
Comedy Club Extra
22:30 TUE (m000qyl1)
Comedy Club Extra
22:30 WED (m000qyxl)
Comedy Club Extra
22:30 THU (m000qz0l)
Conversations from a Long Marriage
07:30 WED (m000qm0q)
Conversations from a Long Marriage
17:30 WED (m000qm0q)
Conversations from a Long Marriage
22:00 WED (m000qm0q)
Conversations from a Long Marriage
05:30 THU (m000qm0q)
Cooking in a Bedsitter
07:00 MON (b08575wj)
Cooking in a Bedsitter
17:00 MON (b08575wj)
Cooking in a Bedsitter
05:00 TUE (b08575wj)
Craig Brown's Lost Diaries
23:00 THU (b00v1nhb)
Curb your Judaism
14:30 THU (b015n6q1)
Curb your Judaism
02:30 FRI (b015n6q1)
DS Vogel - Body on the Heath
06:00 SAT (m000qxnw)
DS Vogel - Body on the Heath
16:00 SAT (m000qxnw)
DS Vogel - Body on the Heath
04:00 SUN (m000qxnw)
David Attenborough's Life Stories
10:45 SUN (b00lxhb3)
David Attenborough's Life Stories
21:45 SUN (b00lxhb3)
David Attenborough's Life Stories
11:45 THU (b00lxhb3)
David Attenborough's Life Stories
21:45 THU (b00lxhb3)
Desert Island Discs Revisited
10:00 SUN (m000qyjt)
Desert Island Discs Revisited
21:00 SUN (m000qyjt)
Desert Island Discs Revisited
11:00 THU (m000qyjt)
Desert Island Discs Revisited
21:00 THU (m000qyjt)
Dick Francis
06:30 MON (b007jpxx)
Dick Francis
13:30 MON (b007jpxx)
Dick Francis
20:30 MON (b007jpxx)
Dick Francis
01:30 TUE (b007jpxx)
Dick Francis
06:30 TUE (b007jpyf)
Dick Francis
13:30 TUE (b007jpyf)
Dick Francis
20:30 TUE (b007jpyf)
Dick Francis
01:30 WED (b007jpyf)
Dick Francis
06:30 WED (b007jpyx)
Dick Francis
13:30 WED (b007jpyx)
Dick Francis
20:30 WED (b007jpyx)
Dick Francis
01:30 THU (b007jpyx)
Dick Francis
06:30 THU (b007jpzb)
Dick Francis
13:30 THU (b007jpzb)
Dick Francis
20:30 THU (b007jpzb)
Dick Francis
01:30 FRI (b007jpzb)
Dick Francis
06:30 FRI (b007qg3v)
Dick Francis
13:30 FRI (b007qg3v)
Dick Francis
20:30 FRI (b007qg3v)
Dot
05:00 SAT (b055gcl6)
Dot
07:00 FRI (b0714033)
Dot
17:00 FRI (b0714033)
Drama
09:30 TUE (m0001mv2)
Drama
16:30 TUE (m0001mv2)
Drama
04:30 WED (m0001mv2)
Drama
10:00 THU (b08cr6wm)
Drama
15:00 THU (b08cr6wm)
Drama
03:00 FRI (b08cr6wm)
Drama
10:00 FRI (b08dmrzv)
Drama
15:00 FRI (b08dmrzv)
Ed Reardon's Week
09:30 SUN (b007k4cm)
Ed Reardon's Week
09:30 THU (b007k4lq)
Ed Reardon's Week
16:30 THU (b007k4lq)
Ed Reardon's Week
04:30 FRI (b007k4lq)
Edgar Allan Poe
18:30 SAT (b03bv04c)
Edgar Allan Poe
00:30 SUN (b03bv04c)
Expenses Only
23:15 TUE (b07krkgy)
Fags, Mags and Bags
23:30 THU (b0952b1r)
Genius
09:00 THU (b008jdzb)
Genius
16:00 THU (b008jdzb)
Genius
04:00 FRI (b008jdzb)
Graham Greene - Monsignor Quixote (Omnibus)
14:20 SUN (b07nt0dq)
Graham Greene - Monsignor Quixote (Omnibus)
02:20 MON (b07nt0dq)
Great Lives
07:30 SAT (b06ts10b)
Great Lives
17:30 SAT (b06ts10b)
Great Lives
05:30 SUN (b06ts10b)
Great Lives
18:30 THU (b06vkdz3)
Great Lives
00:30 FRI (b06vkdz3)
Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk
14:15 MON (b07pf1bd)
Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk
02:15 TUE (b07pf1bd)
Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk
14:15 TUE (b07pgvjj)
Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk
02:15 WED (b07pgvjj)
Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk
14:15 WED (b07pgwg3)
Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk
02:15 THU (b07pgwg3)
Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk
14:15 THU (b07pj820)
Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk
02:15 FRI (b07pj820)
Gregory Evans - Blood and Milk
14:15 FRI (b07pjkhm)
HG Wells
10:00 TUE (b08fdkd1)
HG Wells
15:00 TUE (b08fdkd1)
HG Wells
03:00 WED (b08fdkd1)
HG Wells
10:00 WED (b08g3rbp)
HG Wells
15:00 WED (b08g3rbp)
HG Wells
03:00 THU (b08g3rbp)
Hamish and Dougal: You'll Have Had Your Tea
22:45 MON (b00jzzg3)
Hancock's Half Hour
08:00 WED (b009rnlw)
Hancock's Half Hour
12:00 WED (b009rnlw)
Hancock's Half Hour
19:00 WED (b009rnlw)
Hearing With Hegley
22:45 SUN (b03sb6t8)
Hercule Poirot
01:30 SAT (b007jxgg)
Hercule Poirot
13:00 SAT (b007jxfw)
Hercule Poirot
13:30 SAT (b007jxg0)
Hercule Poirot
14:00 SAT (b007jxg5)
Hercule Poirot
14:30 SAT (b007jxg9)
Hercule Poirot
15:00 SAT (b007jxgg)
Hercule Poirot
01:00 SUN (b007jxfw)
Hercule Poirot
01:30 SUN (b007jxg0)
Hercule Poirot
02:00 SUN (b007jxg5)
Hercule Poirot
02:30 SUN (b007jxg9)
Hercule Poirot
03:00 SUN (b007jxgg)
Hidden Treasures
09:00 MON (b055q39m)
Hidden Treasures
16:00 MON (b055q39m)
Hidden Treasures
04:00 TUE (b055q39m)
I Think I've Got a Problem
22:00 SAT (b007wp39)
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
07:30 MON (m000qlt1)
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
17:30 MON (m000qlt1)
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
22:00 MON (m000qlt1)
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
05:30 TUE (m000qlt1)
I've Never Seen Star Wars
23:00 FRI (b01pp5vg)
Inheritance Tracks
03:50 SAT (b093m4gp)
Inheritance Tracks
07:10 SUN (m000qyjr)
Inheritance Tracks
14:10 SUN (b09hwhh4)
Inheritance Tracks
02:10 MON (b09hwhh4)
Inheritance Tracks
11:50 MON (b07jj5fl)
Inheritance Tracks
21:50 MON (b07jj5fl)
Ivor Cutler - Cutler the Lax
22:45 TUE (b03vczgx)
Ivor Cutler - Cutler the Lax
22:45 WED (b03zx9pg)
Ivor Cutler - Cutler the Lax
22:45 THU (b040hrx4)
Jack Jackson: Rhythm and Radio Fun Remembered
14:30 MON (b0169255)
Jack Jackson: Rhythm and Radio Fun Remembered
02:30 TUE (b0169255)
James Acaster's Findings
23:00 TUE (b04nv97q)
Jerome K Jerome - The Dancing Partner
18:00 SAT (b08tj7rs)
Jerome K Jerome - The Dancing Partner
00:00 SUN (b08tj7rs)
John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids
18:00 MON (m0006f90)
John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids
00:00 TUE (m0006f90)
John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids
18:00 TUE (m0006fxb)
John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids
00:00 WED (m0006fxb)
John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids
18:00 WED (m0006fxl)
John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids
00:00 THU (m0006fxl)
John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids
18:00 THU (m0006fdh)
John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids
00:00 FRI (m0006fdh)
John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids
18:00 FRI (m0006fx1)
Last Stories by William Trevor (Omnibus)
13:00 SUN (b0b4zwk6)
Last Stories by William Trevor (Omnibus)
01:00 MON (b0b4zwk6)
Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful
08:30 TUE (b007jsb8)
Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful
12:30 TUE (b007jsb8)
Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful
19:30 TUE (b007jsb8)
Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue
08:30 MON (b01nql85)
Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue
12:30 MON (b01nql85)
Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue
19:30 MON (b01nql85)
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Omnibus)
07:20 SUN (b08cd2sj)
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
02:15 SAT (b08bbg1j)
Lobby Land
23:00 WED (m0006v00)
Mad Monkton by Wilkie Collins
00:00 SAT (m000qngx)
Mark Steel's in Town
23:00 SAT (b07tbfmw)
Mark Tavener - Absolute Power
23:30 TUE (b007t3kk)
Michael Butt - The Piper's Chair
10:00 MON (m000qydl)
Michael Butt - The Piper's Chair
15:00 MON (m000qydl)
Michael Butt - The Piper's Chair
03:00 TUE (m000qydl)
Michael Palin's Radio Adventures
11:00 WED (m000qyxd)
Michael Palin's Radio Adventures
21:00 WED (m000qyxd)
Mr Muzak
07:00 THU (b095qcjy)
Mr Muzak
17:00 THU (b095qcjy)
Mr Muzak
05:00 FRI (b095qcjy)
Natural Histories
02:30 SAT (b08wp3gh)
Off the Page
00:30 SAT (b00cqhr5)
Off the Page
18:30 FRI (b00ctl6y)
PG Wodehouse
08:30 SUN (b00b7b0p)
Podcast Radio Hour
11:00 FRI (m000hwpk)
Podcast Radio Hour
21:00 FRI (m000hwpk)
Poetry Extra
12:00 SUN (m000qyjx)
Poetry Extra
17:00 SUN (m000qyjx)
Poetry Extra
05:00 MON (m000qyjx)
Radiolab
11:00 SUN (m0003ckq)
Radiolab
19:00 SUN (m0003ckq)
Ray Jenkins - Beyond The Book
16:00 SUN (m000qyjz)
Ray Jenkins - Beyond The Book
20:00 SUN (m000qyjz)
Ray Jenkins - Beyond The Book
04:00 MON (m000qyjz)
Rent
08:30 SAT (b007522v)
Rent
09:30 WED (b05pb40g)
Rent
16:30 WED (b05pb40g)
Rent
04:30 THU (b05pb40g)
Richard Herring's Objective
23:30 FRI (b00v730v)
Second Thoughts
08:30 FRI (b007jx4k)
Second Thoughts
12:30 FRI (b007jx4k)
Second Thoughts
19:30 FRI (b007jx4k)
Short Cuts
18:30 WED (b09xjw3m)
Short Cuts
00:30 THU (b09xjw3m)
Showstopper
07:00 TUE (b00y8yjn)
Showstopper
17:00 TUE (b00y8yjn)
Showstopper
05:00 WED (b00y8yjn)
Some Mother's Son
01:00 SAT (m000qngn)
Some Mother's Son
06:00 MON (m000qydh)
Some Mother's Son
13:00 MON (m000qydh)
Some Mother's Son
20:00 MON (m000qydh)
Some Mother's Son
01:00 TUE (m000qydh)
Some Mother's Son
06:00 TUE (m000qykx)
Some Mother's Son
13:00 TUE (m000qykx)
Some Mother's Son
20:00 TUE (m000qykx)
Some Mother's Son
01:00 WED (m000qykx)
Some Mother's Son
06:00 WED (m000qyx8)
Some Mother's Son
13:00 WED (m000qyx8)
Some Mother's Son
20:00 WED (m000qyx8)
Some Mother's Son
01:00 THU (m000qyx8)
Some Mother's Son
06:00 THU (m000qz0d)
Some Mother's Son
13:00 THU (m000qz0d)
Some Mother's Son
20:00 THU (m000qz0d)
Some Mother's Son
01:00 FRI (m000qz0d)
Some Mother's Son
06:00 FRI (m000qz19)
Some Mother's Son
13:00 FRI (m000qz19)
Some Mother's Son
20:00 FRI (m000qz19)
Soul Music
18:30 TUE (b00mg3yv)
Soul Music
00:30 WED (b00mg3yv)
Start/Stop
07:00 WED (b03bsb9c)
Start/Stop
17:00 WED (b03bsb9c)
Start/Stop
05:00 THU (b03bsb9c)
Steptoe and Son
08:00 MON (b00s5xtn)
Steptoe and Son
12:00 MON (b00s5xtn)
Steptoe and Son
19:00 MON (b00s5xtn)
Steve the Sweep
14:30 TUE (b03vgf45)
Steve the Sweep
02:30 WED (b03vgf45)
TED Radio Hour
11:00 MON (m000qydr)
TED Radio Hour
21:00 MON (m000qydr)
Take Two - Joan Baez
14:30 FRI (b007mhw0)
Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson
14:00 MON (b007k05g)
Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson
02:00 TUE (b007k05g)
Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson
14:00 TUE (b007k06r)
Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson
02:00 WED (b007k06r)
Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson
14:00 WED (b007jvc4)
Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson
02:00 THU (b007jvc4)
Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson
14:00 THU (b007jvcb)
Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson
02:00 FRI (b007jvcb)
Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson
14:00 FRI (b007jvch)
The BBC Tour
09:00 SAT (b04d0kl7)
The BBC Tour
19:00 SAT (b04d0kl7)
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
03:00 SAT (m000r630)
The Casebook of Max and Ivan
12:30 SUN (b0978868)
The Casebook of Max and Ivan
17:30 SUN (b0978868)
The Casebook of Max and Ivan
22:00 SUN (b0978868)
The Casebook of Max and Ivan
05:30 MON (b0978868)
The Consultants
22:30 FRI (b008j2v3)
The Goon Show
08:00 TUE (b007jnxg)
The Goon Show
12:00 TUE (b007jnxg)
The Goon Show
19:00 TUE (b007jnxg)
The Men from the Ministry
08:00 FRI (b007jmck)
The Men from the Ministry
12:00 FRI (b007jmck)
The Men from the Ministry
19:00 FRI (b007jmck)
The Missing Hancocks
07:30 THU (m000qmpv)
The Missing Hancocks
17:30 THU (m000qmpv)
The Missing Hancocks
22:00 THU (m000qmpv)
The Missing Hancocks
05:30 FRI (m000qmpv)
The Museum of Curiosity
07:30 TUE (m000qvtp)
The Museum of Curiosity
17:30 TUE (m000qvtp)
The Museum of Curiosity
22:00 TUE (m000qvtp)
The Museum of Curiosity
05:30 WED (m000qvtp)
The Museum of Everything
23:00 SUN (b00hg82b)
The News Quiz
23:00 MON (m000qnkb)
The News Quiz
09:00 TUE (m000qnkb)
The Personality Test
04:00 SAT (b007sq67)
The Personality Test
09:00 FRI (b007tckc)
The Personality Test
16:00 FRI (b007tckc)
The Radio Detectives
15:30 SUN (m0002s6t)
The Radio Detectives
03:30 MON (m0002s6t)
The TV Lark
09:00 SUN (b019f7nb)
Too Many Books
14:30 WED (b01351q2)
Too Many Books
02:30 THU (b01351q2)
Up the Garden Path
12:00 SAT (b0089kjs)
Up the Garden Path
08:30 WED (b008f3kh)
Up the Garden Path
12:30 WED (b008f3kh)
Up the Garden Path
19:30 WED (b008f3kh)
Wally Who?
08:30 THU (b08rbhg6)
Wally Who?
12:30 THU (b08rbhg6)
Wally Who?
19:30 THU (b08rbhg6)
Weak at the Top
23:30 SUN (b00ry9j0)
What Does the K Stand For?
22:30 SAT (b04vr5j8)
Who Goes There?
16:00 TUE (b0075yw8)
Who Goes There?
04:00 WED (b0075yw8)