SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2021

SAT 00:00 The Price of Fear (b007jshy)
Lot 132

Horror legend Vincent Price tells the artistically horrifying tale of a painting. With Douglas Blackwell, Alexander John, Elizabeth Morgan and Vincent Price


SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b00j7ty0)
One Big Happy Family

Dominic Arkwright, John O'Farrell, Kathryn Flett and Andi Oliver discuss how family life shapes up to the ideal. From March 2009.


SAT 01:00 The Christopher Marlowe Mysteries (b007k1zv)
4. The Murky Mystery of Murder at St Mark's

Can a college murderer at large be outwitted?

The eloquent Elizabethan spy heads to Cambridge, where college professors are dropping like flies.

Historical comedy mysteries by Ged Parsons. Amid the splendour and squalor of Elizabethan London - scholar, playwright and government spy, Christopher Marlowe is assigned to investigate a number of baffling mysteries and perplexing intrigues...

Starring Dominic Jephcott as Marlowe, Bill Wallis as Ratsbane, Paul Brooke as Sir Francis Walsingham, Peter Serafinowicz as Darus, Gordon Reid as Sir Hubert and Sarah Thomas as Mistress Parker.

Producer: Richard Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1993.


SAT 01:30 P Division (b00rgnxh)
Two Way Cut

Episode 4

Donoghue has enough evidence to arrest Stein - but where is he? Louise wants to make a statement about the murder and Elka Willems is going to tell Mrs Salisbury about her daughter's illness.

Stars Frank Gallagher as DC Malcolm Montgomery, Robert Carlyle as DC King, Eliza Langland as WPC Elka Willems, Ginni Barlow as Mrs Sailisbury, Mary Ann Reid as Mrs Steen, Jake D'Arcy as DS Ray Sussock and Crawford Logan as DI Donoghue.

Published in 1988, this is Peter Turnbull's fifth P Division novel about his Glaswegian cops.

Dramatised by Stephen Mulrine.
Producer: Hamish Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1993.


SAT 02:00 This Orient Isle (b074zw3t)
Episode 5

Professor Jerry Brotton, one of the UK's leading experts on cultural exchange, examines Queen Elizabeth I's fascination with the Orient. He shows that England's relations with the Muslim world were far more extensive, and often more amicable, than we have ever appreciated, and that their influence was felt across the political, commercial and domestic landscape of Elizabethan England.

Derek Jacobi reads the captivating account of how Britain sent ships, treaties and gifts to the royal families of Morocco and Turkey, including a gold carriage and a full-size pipe organ.

In this episode, we visit the London stage to discover the Elizabethan fascination with the little-known world of Islam, particularly by Shakespeare and Marlowe.

Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2016.


SAT 02:15 The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler (b08md9xc)
2001, An Extra Marriage

By Anne Tyler dramatised by Rebecca Lenkiewicz

Episode ten - 2001, An Extra Marriage

Michael returns to his old neighbourhood and old loves.

Michael …. Ian Porter
Narrator …. Barbara Barnes
Radio Interviewer …. Finlay Robertson
Anna …. Georgie Glen
Lindy …. Jane Slavin
Young Pauline …. Julianna Jennings
Ex-soldier …. Nicholas Murchie
Pauline …. Sarah Stewart
Pagan/Young Michael …. Tom Forrister

Director: David Hunter.


SAT 02:30 The Map That Made Manhattan (b04fy2bq)
Over two hundred years since the beginning of its construction, this feature explores the New York grid system as real and imagined - architectural matrix, psychic space and site of continuing cultural-political argument.

The Commissioners' Plan of 1811 divided the island of Manhattan into an orthogonal grid of intersecting avenues running North-South and cross-streets running East-West, from river to river. Attacked for being nothing more than "a grid of money making", it was in fact a great democratic leveller. And if it fostered what de Tocqueville viewed as relentless monotony, its coordinates also enabled drivers and pedestrians to figure out where they stood, physically and metaphorically.

The debate continues. Urban critic Tony Hiss ('In Motion: The Experience of Travel') has written about the grid's primal orderliness: "I still think it distances us from our natural surroundings and it has given us a spurious and diminished mental geometry".

Condemned for dehumanizing and mechanising the city's inhabitants (Henry James, writing in the grid-free enclave of Greenwich Village, called it "a primal topographic curse") others saw it as a modern, rational system in step with the ethos of a young republic.

And New Yorkers themselves are of course a great source of wit and comment on the grid system.

Filled with the sounds and atmosphere of New York, and hearing entirely from its residents - from city architects and historians to taxi drivers and subway engineers - this programme considers the geometry of the grid as the brilliant intersection of architectural vision with psychic and cultural space, and as footprint for the awesome city skyline.

Producer: Simon Hollis
A Brook Lapping Production

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.


SAT 03:00 Classic Serial (b00dcgdw)
Tobias Smollett - The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

Episode 3

Tobias Smollet's uproarious satire of 18th-century life, dramatised by Yvonne Antrobus.

The Bramble family's adventures continue as they begin the long trip home, a journey full of surprises and unexpected revelations.

Mathew Bramble ...... Nigel Anthony
Tabitha Bramble ...... Marcia Warren
Lydia Melford ...... Helen Longworth
Jery Melford ...... Dan Starkey
Winifred Jenkins ...... Joanna Page
Humphry Clinker ...... Stuart McLoughlin
Lieutenant Lismahago ...... John Rowe
Sir Thomas Bullford ...... Trevor Peacock
Oxmington/Dennison ...... Sam Dale
Wilson/French valet ...... Nyasha Hatendi
Frogmore ...... Stephen Critchlow

Other parts played by Chris Pavlo, Joan Walker and Ben Crowe.

Directed by Marc Beeby.


SAT 04:00 Say the Word (b00764vn)
Episode 4

Frank Delaney's panel game revolving around the English language.

With Christopher Cook, Miles Kington, Valerie Grove and Carol Boyd

Plus resident jesters - the Nimmo Twins

Producer: Simon Elmes

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2001.


SAT 04:30 The Sit Crom (b00m0zyl)
Thick Fog in All Areas

Tobias Thynne finds an unusual way to avoid the Devil's vegetables and all is confusion upon the heath.

Sue Limb's six-part comedy set during the English Civil War.

Sir John Firebasket ...... Joss Ackland
Lady Anne Firebasket ...... Denise Coffey
Tobias Thynne ...... Clive Merrison
Mercy, alias Melissa ...... Miriam Margoyles
Father Francis ...... Nickolas Grace
Slow Ned ...... Chris Emmett
Gazebo Fogg ...... Jack Klaff
Captain Arise Higgs ...... Alun Armstrong
Posthumous ...... Nicky Henson
Counter Tenor ...... Peter Hayward
Lettice ...... Jane Whittenshaw

Producer: Jonathan James-Moore

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.


SAT 05:00 Rudy's Rare Records (b00y2cvn)
Series 3

Redemption Song

Father and son comedy set in the finest old-school record shop in Birmingham.

Thanks to some dodgy paperwork, Adam and Rudy are faced with the prospect of losing the lease on their shop in less than a year. Inspired by Rudy's claim that Bob Marley once cited Rudy's Rare Records as having the best toilet facilities in Birmingham, they take extreme action.

Written by Danny Robins
Produced by Lucy Armitage

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2011.


SAT 05:30 Stand-Up Specials (m000s85m)
Rachel Parris: Austensibly Feminist

Comedian Rachel Parris, a Jane Austen fan and geek, assesses one of our greatest writer's feminist credentials.

Although Jane Austen wrote about a particular class of women at a particular period in our history , the portraits she drew have resonated with millions of subsequent readers. But rarely is she considered from a feminist perspective.

In this stand-up comedy show recorded in front of a live, virtual audience, Rachel Parris asks us to re-appraise Jane Austen's work and see it in a new light. Albeit a little irreverently.

Do Austen's books pass the Bechdel test? What do her sisters tell us about the sisterhood? What have her women got in common with women today and what can we learn from what Jane Austen had to say about marriage, men and money?

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 06:00 Sheila Hodgson - Sea Fever (m000sj51)
When devious Dennis Vyner's financial empire collapses, there's only one thing left to do - vanish, and fast! He comes up with a scheme to disappear during a luxury cruise. The trouble is, he needs the help of his wife… and his girlfriend.

Written by Sheila Hodgson.

CAST:

Dennis Vyner …. John Moffatt
Sylvia Vyner …. Elizabeth Mansfield
Julie Barnes …. Jane Leonard
Dr Lorrimer …. John Bull
Prof Guy Heydock …. John Baddeley
Prof Charles Jarvis …. James Kerry
Bonnie McBride …. Maureen Beattie
Alec Dunbar …. Jack McKenzie
Miss Parker …. Diana Lambert
Miss Pascall …. Petra Davies
Rev Fergus Anderson …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Barman/PA Announcer…. Peter Craze

Director: David Johnston

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1989.


SAT 07:30 Great Lives (b078y4tv)
Series 39

Graeme Lamb on Christine Granville

Lt-Gen Sir Graeme Lamb, former head of British special forces, champions the life of wartime spy Christine Granville, assisted by her biographer Clare Mulley.

Christine, born Kristina Skarbek, was a glamorous swashbuckling heroine who skied into occupied Poland to distribute Allied propaganda, and parachuted into southern France to work with the Resistance after D Day. Murdered after the war by a jilted lover, she is little known today - thanks partly to the efforts of a group of men she had been close to, who formed a committee to "protect her reputation" from suggestions of sexual impropriety.

Matthew Parris chairs the discussion.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016.


SAT 08:00 The Motion Show (b06s1bnp)
Series 2

Episode 5

Dr Phil Hammond chairs the debating game with Hugh Dennis, Jon Plowman, Jenny Eclair and Nick Revell. From February 2000.


SAT 08:30 Beachcomber... By the Way (b0081b4f)
Series 1

Episode 2

Moonlight on Mrs Parsons, newts in Lord Shortcake's trouser turn-ups, and the police - as ever - on Captain Foulenough's tail.

Richard Ingrams, John Wells, John Sessions and Patricia Routledge recreate the world of the JB Morton.

Running in the Daily Express from 1924 to 1975 – JB Morton’s surreally comic ‘Beachcomber’ column paved the way for a great deal of modern humour.

Adapted by Michael Barfield with Richard Ingrams.

Announcer: Brian Perkins

Producer: Harry Thompson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1989.


SAT 09:00 Larry Adler, All Mouth Organ (b07hnqrq)
Nick Baker explores the remarkable life of virtuoso musician Larry Adler.

Larry Adler's achievement was to take the harmonica, until then thought of as a children's toy, onto the concert stages of the world. He did this with a parallel career as a celebrity, a raconteur, writer and funny man.

This celebration of his work includes rare archive and new contributions from broadcaster Paul Gambaccini, author Michael Freedland along with musician Philip Achille and those close to him.

* "The Adler Archives" - A selection of hidden gems.

* "Nice Work if You Can Get It (part one) - The Tin Sandwich"
Russell Davies explores Adler's early days in Baltimore, tours of the United States and how his virtuoso harmonica playing inspired composers. Originally broadcast in 2001

* "Deconstructing Larry"
A brand new programme sees Nick Baker attempting to unravel the mercurial world of the infamous mouth organist.

* "Blow Suck - The World's Most Successful Instrument"
Nick Baker traces the history of the harmonica. First broadcast in 1987

* "Nice Work if You Can Get It (part two) - It Ain't Necessarily So"
Russell Davies concludes his series on Adler with more anecdotes and musical tales. Originally broadcast in 2001

Producer: Stephen Garner

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in June 2016.


SAT 12:00 The Jack Benny Program (m000sj53)
A Day At The Beach

Jack organises the annual beach picnic for the cast.

On radio, The Jack Benny Show ran from February 1932 to May 1955. From that date, new shows were produced for television but there were re-runs on radio until 1958. Over the years, the programme was sponsored by a diverse range of products from jelly, to tyres and cigarettes.

With a fine cast of supporting players Benny made his show into one of the all-time great radio comedies, portraying him as likeable character, despite being vain, argumentative and a skinflint. It’s classic comedy that stood the test of time.

With Eddie Anderson as the irrepressible Rochester, Mary Livingstone, Dennis Day, The Sportsmen Quartet, announcer Don Wilson and orchestra conducted by Bob Crosby.

First broadcast on the Columbia Broadcasting System in May 1954.


SAT 12:30 Steptoe and Son (b00t39lf)
Series 2

The Siege of Steptoe Street

Albert and Harold are besieged by all their creditors demanding money.

Starring Wilfrid Brambell as Albert, Harry H Corbett as Harold and Robert Dorning as Mr Stacey the butcher

Following the conclusion of their hugely successful association with Tony Hancock, writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson wrote 10 pilots for the BBC TV's Comedy Playhouse in 1962. The Offer was set in a house with a yard full of junk, featuring the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and his son Harold and it was the spark for a run of 8 series for TV.

Adapted for radio from Galton and Simpson's TV script by Gale Pedrick.

Produced by Bobby Jaye

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in June 1967.


SAT 13:00 Out of this World: The Colin Pillinger story (p064nm11)
Professor Colin Pillinger, the Bristol-born scientist is best known as the leader of the Beagle 2 project, the attempt - in the face of opposition - to land a British spacecraft on Mars. He was involved in ground-breaking scientific research for over 40 years.

He analysed the original Apollo 11 moon rocks, was one the of the first to classify asteroids as being from Mars and with the Beagle 2 mission reignited the United Kingdom’s love for space exploration.

Told through archive interviews and recordings of Colin plus new interviews with those who knew him best - "Out of this World" tells Colin's incredible life.

Narrator Jon Culshaw.

Producers Pete Simson and Tom Ryan.

First broadcast on BBC Radio Bristol in May 2018; 4 Extra Debut in February 2020.


SAT 14:00 Tina C (b06qmpqw)
Tina C: Herstory

Episode 1

Country music star Tina C presents her life story, starting with her humble origins in deepest Tennessee and taking us all the way to where she stands today - a global feminist icon, and political powerhouse. And she can still knock out a tune or two too.

Tina will be joined on stage by a three-piece band who will help her recreate her biggest hits, and a special guest interviewer who will talk to her about her struggles.

In this first episode, Tina recalls her childhood. A humble start in life provides a rich seam of stories which fed into her early work. Family has always been important to Tina - as tracks like Hard Times, Don't Be Afraid to Start Crying, and Tramp on a Trampoline show.

From the moment her second album No Dick's As Hard As My Life was released, the world took notice of country music singer Tina C. Since then she has become a global brand. Following 9/11 she has been travelling the world 24/11 working for peace and being a poster girl for American democracy, selling that unique vision of hope to the rest of the world whether they want it or not. Seductive and persuasive, she is here to recruit you to her world view. She is the living embodiment (and what a body) of soft power. Tina C. has performed in venues all over the world, with her own TV show and five series on BBC Radio. You can run but you can't hide from Tina C.

Tina is the creation of Christopher Green, a multi-award winning writer and performer.

"Tina C is one of my favourite performers. She is witty, often outrageous and always in tune! I can't wait to see what Chris Green comes up with next" Sir Ian McKellen

""Christopher Green's Tina C is one of the great comic creations of the age. A genuinely fine country singer, but with a twist of satire and insight which is rare and to be highly prized". Stephen Fry

Written & performed by Christopher Green.
Additional voices: Debra Baker & Leo Wan.
The Band: Duncan Walsh-Atkins, Mark Hardisty & Phil Wraith.
Special guest interviewer: Dr Raj Persaud.
Producer: Victoria Lloyd

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.


SAT 14:30 The Masterson Inheritance (b007jqqh)
Series 3

The Masterson's Magical Marquee, pt 1

The improvised historical family saga's two-part romp about a Victorian travelling circus. Stars Paul Merton. From July 1995.


SAT 15:00 Tim Key's Late Night Poetry Programme (b052jkxb)
Series 3

Love

In the first of a series, Tim Key grapples with the concept of love by telling the story of one man's romance with a beautiful cashier. Musical accompaniment is provided by Tom Basden.

Written and presented by Tim Key
With Tom Basden and Katy Wix

Produced by James Robinson

A BBC Cymru Wales Production

The Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning comedian returns for a third series of his Late Night Poetry Programme. Since series two Tim has been busy touring his latest acclaimed live show, Single White Slut, thrilling audiences at the Old Vic in Daniel Kitson's Tree, as well as filming movies such as Steve Coogan's Alpha Papa and Richard Ayoade's The Double. But now he's back on late night Radio 4 doing what he does best - attempting to recite poetry whilst tormenting his friend and musician, the equally brilliant Tom Basden.

Praise for Tim Key

"...You never know when Key will suddenly toss you a fantastic joke or startlingly well-constructed line." Radio Times

"The show... has a kind of artistry and strange beauty that makes it unlike any other hour of stand-up you are likely to see." The Observer

"In any other sphere apart from comedy, we'd probably class this way of looking at the world as certifiable. Here it feels like genius." The Telegraph.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2015.


SAT 15:15 iGod (b00wr7v2)
Food

iGOD is a highly original and funny new late-night comedy series for Radio 4. It stars Simon Day (The Fast Show) and David Soul (Starsky & Hutch) and is written by one of the head writers of the BAFTA award-winning The Thick Of It, Sean Gray and produced by Simon Nicholls (Ed Reardon's Week / News At Bedtime).

We all worry about the end of the world, as economists and environmentalists speak in apocalyptic terms everyday. iGOD says that trying to predict the end of the world is as pointless as moisturising an elephant's elbow.

In each episode, an unnamed, all-seeing narrator (David Soul - Starsky and Hutch) shows us that it is stupid to be worrying, as he looks back at some of the most entertaining apocalypses on parallel Earths. Each week our case study is a normal bloke called Ian (Simon Day) who manages to accidentally initiate the apocalypse of a different parallel world through a seemingly harmless single act (telling a lie, being lazy, cooking some lambshanks). A succession of comic vignettes ensue that escalate to the end of a parallel world.

With a full-range of sound effects and wonderfully funny and surreal twists, iGOD will be a true aural extravaganza.

Written by Sean Gray

Producer: Simon Nicholls

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.


SAT 15:30 Old Harry's Game (b007jvjx)
Series 4

Beauty

Satan introduces the Professor and Thomas to Helen of Troy and her plain friend, Daphne. Stars Andy Hamilton. From May 2001.


SAT 16:00 Sheila Hodgson - Sea Fever (m000sj51)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:30 Great Lives (b078y4tv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 18:00 Red Moon (m000sj55)
Phase 3: Syzygy

Eddie Sloper gets drawn-in even further but, when his life is endangered, which side should he fear?

An alternative-history, Cold War thriller, where American and Soviet Moon bases aim their nuclear missiles at targets across the planet.

Winner of Best Online Audio Drama at the BBC Audio Drama Awards, 2019.

CAST:

Eddie Sloper …. Philip Bulcock
Quirke …. Joe Riley
Luchnik …. Stephen Critchlow
Lieutenant-General Atherton …. William Hope
Mrs Jones/Felicity …. Georgina Periam
Dr Susan Madison …. Yasmine Holness-Dove
BBC Reporter/POSK Receptionist …. Sarah Whitehouse
Base Commander …. Richard Reed
Cab Driver …. Greg Page

Music composed and performed by Francesco Quadraruopolo.

Story by Jack Bowman and Robert Valentine.

Written, directed and produced by Robert Valentine.

A Wireless Theatre Production recorded at the RNIB Talking Book Studios.


SAT 18:23 John Wyndham - Trouble with Lichen (b007k3kn)
Episode 3

Biochemist Diana's compensation payout catches the attention of Fleet Street.

Meanwhile, Paul has told his wife about the antigerone

The scientific world, government, media and the beauty salon collide in John Wyndham's 1960 sci-fi novel.

Read by Joanna Tope.

Abridged by Scott Stainton Miller.

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

Made for BBC Radio 7 by BBC Scotland and first broadcast in 2007.


SAT 19:00 Larry Adler, All Mouth Organ (b07hnqrq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 The Party Party (b007jx3r)
Episode 4

No one in Microcosm notices that the quiz show Narrator has gone missing. Stars Hugh Laurie and Clive Mantle. From June 1987.


SAT 22:30 Elastic Planet (b007js6h)
The Train

The Ministry of Furniture and methodist pirates.

Oliver Postgate narrates a stream of bizarre coincidences in Ben Moor’s cosmic comedy of connections.

With Miriam Margolyes, Dan Strauss, Michael Troughton and Neil Mullarkey.

And Sir Patrick Moore, Sir Robert Stephens and Richard Baker.

Producer: Jon Naismith

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995


SAT 22:45 We Know Everything (b083j3f0)
Episode 2

Which really did come first - the chicken or the Cheg? Dan Gaster and Paul Powell tackle audience quirky questions. From July 1995.


SAT 23:00 Tina C (b06r885k)
Tina C: Herstory

Episode 2

1999 sees Tina C established as a global icon, and exploring her feminist side.

Jenni Murray quizzes Tina about the highs and lows of finding your feet as a woman in Nashville.

Written & performed by Christopher Green.
Additional voices: Susan Jameson & Leo Wan.
The Band: Duncan Walsh-Atkins, Mark Hardisty & Phil Wraith.
Produced by Victoria Lloyd.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.


SAT 23:30 Chain Reaction (b01ljwn3)
Series 8

Chris Addison interviews Derren Brown

Comedian Chris Addison gets the rare chance to talk to the amazing Derren Brown about magic, comedy, art, faith and Hitler.

Episodes in the chain include:

Rebecca Front being interviewed by the man who knows her best, her big brother, Jeremy Front.

Rebecca Front talking to her Thick Of It co-star and fellow non-nudist, Chris Addison, about working with Armando Iannucci and embracing his middle-classness through stand-up;

Chris Addison in a rare interview with the actually-really-nice-and-he-doesn't-do-any-of-that-weird-stuff-in-real-life, Derren Brown;

Derren Brown chatting hair, beliefs and Tim Minchin with comedy musical megastar and fellow sceptic Tim Minchin;

A poorly Tim Minchin being handed tissues whilst attempting to interview with no questions a not-at-all-poorly and hilarious Caitlin Moran.

Caitlin Moran getting to spend time and talk shoes, Bananarama and women with her comedy hero Jennifer Saunders.

And.

Jennifer Saunders turning up a week later to find the series has ended. Probably. We weren't there because the series had ended.

Produced by Carl Cooper

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2012.