SATURDAY 03 APRIL 2021

SAT 00:00 I Am Legend by Richard Matheson (b007k0tb)
2. Tomb

Earth's last living man, Robert Neville, discovers that his wife's tomb is a lair for vampires.

Richard Matheson's 1954 cult classic set in 1976 USA. One of the 20th century's most significant vampire novels, combining sci-fi and horror.

Read by Angus McInnes.

Abridged by Scott Stainton Miller.

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by BBC Scotland and first broadcast in January 2006.


SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b00lh453)
You're Fired!

Whether it is dressed up as 'downsizing', 'delayering', 'realigning the business' or simply having to 'let people go', firing or being fired is still a painful process.

Broadcaster Anna Raeburn, writer Jeremy Clarke and psychologist Linda Blair join Dominic Arkwright to discuss the consequences of being sacked.


SAT 01:00 Stand By For West (m000tp74)
Inspector West at Bay

4. Conflict in Kensington

Inspector West of Scotland Yard focuses on a former prison inmate and his secretary's flat.

Starring Patrick Allen and Sarah Lawson.

John Creasey's detective thriller dramatised by Maurice Travers.

Chief Inspector Roger West .... Patrick Allen
Janet .... Sarah Lawson
Det -Insp Bill Sloan .... Derek Newark
Mark Lessing .... James Kerry
Eve Wedlake .... Anna Gilcrist
Jacob Kennedy .... Peter Williams
Clara Kennedy .... Margaret Woolfit
Peter Kennedy .... John Pullen

Producer: John Browell

First broadcast on Radio 2 in May 1969.


SAT 01:30 Sherlock Holmes (b09bk193)
Sherlock Holmes with Carleton Hobbs - Series 1

The Noble Bachelor

The great detective is hired to find why a bride mysteriously disappeared just hours after getting married.

Starring Carleton Hobbs as Sherlock Holmes.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's tale originally appeared in 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' published in the Strand Magazine in 1891.

Sherlock Holmes …. Carleton Hobbs
Doctor Watson …. Norman Shelley
Lestrade …. Frederick Treves
Lord Saint Simon …. William Eedle
Mrs Moulton …. Jane Jordan Rogers
Francis May Moulton …. Jerold Wells

Adapted by Michael Hardwick.

Producer: Frederick Bradnum

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in August 1959.


SAT 02:00 Not Working by Lisa Owens (b079rgy5)
Episode 10

A family crisis brings Claire and her mother together, leading her to realise what she needs to do to resolve her search for her vocation.

Lisa Owens' comic debut, depicting thirtysomething Claire Flannery's life as it unravels in minute and spectacular ways.

Concluded by Emily Bruni.

Abridged by Robin Brooks.

Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2016.


SAT 02:15 Gudrun (b096jf3p)
Series 2

Episode 5

With her way of life threatened, Gudrun risks everything when she engages in a war of words with ruthless convert the Norwegian King, Olaf Tryggvason.

Starring Kate Phillips.

Lucy Catherine’s re-telling of the Icelander classic, The Laxdoela Saga.

Gudrun, a young woman in 11th century Iceland, must forge her path through a world of unearthly beauty yet uncompromising harshness.

Gudrun ...... Kate Phillips
Freija ...... Samantha Dakin
Bolli ...... Gavi Singh Chera
Sigrid ...... Rosie Boore
Olaf Tryggvason ...... Samuel James
Norwegian Jarl ...... Simon Ludders

Director: Gemma Jenkins.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2017.


SAT 02:30 Cold Water California (b048jfly)
With freezing waters and long dark winters, Ireland may seem an unlikely place to surf.

But the surfing industry is growing fast and may even aid recovery of recession hit coastal communities north and south of the border.

Mark Patterson has surfed for over 30 years, and is fascinated by the role the ocean is playing in replenishing small coastal towns like Portrush in Northern Ireland, and Bundoran in the Republic of Ireland. Once bustling seaside resorts, both have endured a long decline, taking a hard hit during the recession.

Now they are drawing a new crowd - surfers. Many come to learn the basics, while others travel from far overseas to sample Ireland's waves, considered by many to be world-class, on a par with anything found in Hawaii, Australia or California.

Mark learns that a few intrepid souls began to explore remote waves along Ireland's coastline in the early 1960's, sometimes dressed only in jeans and t-shirt as they braved the freezing waters. Now with modern wetsuits and affordable boards, everyone wants to learn.

In Bundoran, Mark meets the surfer instructor who feels the ocean saved his life. In Portrush, he meets a six time Irish surf champion with a lifestyle that nearly destroyed him. And then there are the surfers who risk their lives for the ultimate thrill - surfing monstrous waves up to 60 feet high.

It's not The Beach Boys, bronzed bodies or bikinis - this is Coldwater California.

Producer: Conor McKay

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2014.


SAT 03:00 Laurie Graham - Perfect Meringues (b0075m9z)
Being a cook on TV was meant to lead to fame, fortune and a rich social life.

But for miserable Lizzie Partridge, it means dinners-for-one and a stroppy adolescent daughter, Eleanor.

Starring Imelda Staunton.

Written by Laurie Graham.

Lizzie Partridge …. Imelda Staunton
Louie …. Christopher Biggins
Kim …. Lesley Joseph

With Stephen Moore, Nina Wadia, Patricia Brake, Angela Moran, June Barrie, Christopher Grimes, Sarah Pearman and Michael Wilson.

Producer: Viv Beeby.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1999.


SAT 04:00 It's Not What You Know (b01d2rz3)
Series 1

Episode 4

Miles Jupp presides over more relation revelations in the show where it's not what you know that matters, but who. And more importantly, how well you know them.

Writer and broadcaster, Emma Freud, stand-up Tom Wrigglesworth and BBC 6Music’s Shaun Keaveny, each nominate one of their intimate circle to answer a series of questions and the try to second-guess how their nominees responded.

Emma picks her son, Jake, Tom his dad, Richard, and Shaun plumps for younger brother, Paul.

Producer: Sam Michell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2012.


SAT 04:30 Fat Chance (b01b3fp9)
Weighty Matters

A TV star turns up at Wendy Bottomley's slimming club and Graham unwisely divulges his secret to Lee...

Jenny McDade's high-fat bittersweet comedy for those believing there's a thin person inside them begging to get out.

Graham Pitscottie ..... Gareth Corke
Wendy Bottomley ..... Janine Duvitski
Clive Bottomley ..... Michael Troughton
Soo Pitscottie ..... Anne Reid
Tina Tattersall ..... Julia Deakin
Kelly Chambers ..... Tilly Gaunt
Lee Dubs ..... Harry Myers
Mrs Enright ..... Frances Jeater

Producer: Sally Avens

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1999.


SAT 05:00 Clare in the Community (b083p889)
Series 11

Unfaithful

Brian's been going through Clare's emails and made an upsetting discovery.

He's insisted on a couple's therapy session although Clare isn't taking proceedings entirely seriously.

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

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

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

Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden.

Clare ...... Sally Phillips
Brian ...... Alex Lowe
Vanessa...... Amita Dhiri
Clive...... Alex Macqueen

Producer: Alexandra Smith

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2016.


SAT 05:30 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 06:00 Kenneth Grahame - The Wind in the Willows (b00fyl8x)
Mole, Rat and Badger try to curb the wild ways of their friend, Toad as they set out on their famous adventure.

Dramatised and narrated by Alan Bennett.

Starring Richard Briers, Derek Waring, Nickolas Grace and Adrian Scarborough.

Alan Bennett's acclaimed Royal National Theatre version of Kenneth Grahame classic story first published in 1908.

Mole ... Adrian Scarborough
Rat ... Richard Briers
Toad ... Nickolas Grace
Badger ... Derek Waring
Albert ... Terence Rigby
Otter ... John Hartley
Chief Weasel ... David March
Weasel Norman ... Stephen Tompkinson
Rupert ... Graham Seed
Monlca ... Allson Dowling
Magistrate ... Leslie Phillips

Narrator: Alan Bennett

Other cast members:

Amy Stanton, Belinda Baldwin, Danny Schiller, David Holt, David Sinclair, Elizabeth Mansfield, Geoffrey Matthews, Jack Stevens, James Hall, James Taylor, Jeffrey Holland,, Jessie Holder, Jill Graham, Luciano Macis, Lucie Fitchett, Maria Charles, Natasha Pyne, Paul Panting, Peter Acre, Peter Kenny, Peter Whitman, Sam Gordon, Simon Treves, Stefan Arestis, Tina Gray, Tom Bevan, Victoria Gunning and Victoria Wojciechowska

Original music and songs by Jeremy Sams.

Musicians:

Sara Clarke, Williams Cox, Julia Findon, Nicola Hadley, Anna Hemery, Juliet Leighton-Jones, Christopher O'Neal, Jane Pickles, Andrew Roberts, Jeremy Sams, Jane Sebba, Kate Somerby, Missak Takoussian, Keith Thompson and Christopher Wells

Producer: David Blount

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1994.


SAT 08:00 Heresy (b07fg6tt)
Series 10

Episode 5

Victoria Coren Mitchell presents the show which dares to commit heresy.

With comedians Lee Mack and David Baddiel and performer and QI elf Andrew Hunter Murray.

Together they discuss Netflix, father figures and Katie Hopkins.

An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2016.


SAT 08:30 Snap (b00tf82j)
Series 1

Episode 2

After their split, Molly and Doug are determined to prove they can have a life without each other.

And maybe they would, if it wasn't for Doug's elderly mum misbehaving...

Paul Mendelson’s sitcom stars Rebecca Lacey and Paul Venables.

Molly …. Rebecca Lacey
Doug …. Paul Venables
Kaz …. Soumaya Keynes
Ryan …. Jessie Sullivan
Scarlet …. Rebecca Front
Annie …. Marlene Sidaway
Raymond …. Jonathan Tafler

Producer: David Ian Neville

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2003.


SAT 09:00 I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, Again (b01r5495)
Bill Oddie celebrates the cult BBC radio comedy series that originated from the Cambridge University Footlights - I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again - with three hours of history and hysteria. With Humphrey Barclay.

Featuring:

* Clips of Cambridge Circus.

* I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again: Series 2 (5/9)

Singing dogs - and the tale of Martin Copperwick. Starring Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie. From November 1965.

* I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again: Series 6 (9/13)

Worries over Bill Oddie's singing voice - and Shakespeare's funny side. Starring John Cleese, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden : Acting (adult) Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie. From June 1968.

* I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again: Series 7 (13/13)

A look at love, sex and marriage - plus the tense climax to the hunt for the Time Trousers. Stars John Cleese, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie. From April 1969.

* I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again: 25th Anniversary Edition

The original cast of John Cleese, Tim Brook Taylor, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie reunite to celebrate 25 years of the programme. From December 1989

Producer: Nick St George

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in March 2013


SAT 12:00 Like They've Never Been Gone (b00cz8np)
Series 4

Episode 6

It’s Tommy and Sheila’s anniversary – 40 years in showbiz!

Lewis is hoping it’ll pass quietly and cheaply. But will a short hospital stay force Tommy to start taking life easier?

Mike Coleman's sitcom starring Roy Hudd and June Whitfield.

Ageing showbiz couple Tommy Franklin and Sheila Parr battle on with their second stab at fame.

Tommy Franklin …. Roy Hudd
Sheila Parr …. June Whitfield
Hetty Stark …. Pat Coombes
Murray …. Julian Eardley
Louis Elstein …. Edward Halsted
Vicky Blunt/Nurse …. Emma Kennedy

Music by Frido Ruth.

Producer: Steve Doherty

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2002.


SAT 12:30 Round the Horne (b00j05x7)
Series 1

Episode 13

Kenneth Horne Master Spy gets an Eiffel while Julian and Sandy offer some animal advice at their new shop in Chelsea, Bona Pets. Rambling Sid Rumpo sings a special song of Cornwall.

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

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

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

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

Producer: John Simmonds

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1965.


SAT 13:00 Archive on 4 (b09th2km)
The Bald Truth

For thousands of years, bald men have been the subject of ridicule. As a result they've felt ashamed and have resorted to desperate measures to hide their condition.

During the decades when hair style was a cultural battleground between youth and the establishment, the balding man was at the bottom of the heap. No prime minister since Clement Attlee has been bald.

But increasingly, bald men are coming out of the closet and shaving their heads - and some women too. Research shows that bald men are perceived as less attractive but more dominant. Now that we are more relaxed about hair style, and more willing to tolerate tonsorial diversity, are bald men finally able to shed the stigma? And could the comb-over finally make a come back?

Ian Marchant, who has shaved his head since the early 1980s, investigates.

Producer: Jolyon Jenkins.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2018.


SAT 14:00 Barry's Lunch Club (b07889gb)
Travel

Alex Lowe is 82 year old Barry, who invites an audience to his weekly lunch club where he scrutinises themes close to his heart.

With club secretary Hilary to rein him in, and club treasurer Peter providing support on the civic hall piano, this is the ultimate life-style guide for an ageing nation.

In this opening session, Barry responds to a question about travel for the over 60s and relates his disastrous holiday experiences on a cruise ship and at an activity holiday.

Barry is a cockney moved to the suburbs during the war. He is not given to looking at the old days through rose coloured spectacles, and is well up to speed with current trends. A seemingly harmless old boy, he lures people into a false sense of security, delivering hilariously stinging rebukes or erudite assessments of how the world is treating the over 60s.

Stand-up comedy crossed with sitcom, the show plays out in real time as if we are eavesdropping on a civic hall meeting group.

Written by Alex Lowe and Alex Walsh-Taylor

Barry ...... Alex Lowe
Hilary ...... Stephanie Cole
Peter ...... Philip Pope

Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor
Executive Producer: Kevin Dawson

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2016.


SAT 14:30 The In Crowd (b00sbrl6)
Series 3

Episode 1

Robin Ince, Helen Moon, Smug Roberts and Kate Ward are the strange personalities who make up the In Crowd.

Meet the travel agent who won't let anyone go further than Lowestoft and the army officer who can't wait to offer himself up as the first to be eaten in a crisis.

Plus the cultural hooligans who smash up beautiful things, and Wendy Clapper who thinks a trip to see the Northern Lights means a weekend in Blackpool.

Sketch show from Manchester's Comedy Store.

Producer: Graham Frost

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2002.


SAT 15:00 Lucy Montgomery's Variety Pack (b00w20zg)
Series 1

Episode 1

Meet a masseuse who likes to ensure her clients are relaxed and a cleaning lady who knows her place

Tim Vincent's Mum checks into a hotel - and all the way from Las Vegas, Candi Karmel the 80-year-old diva who can't stop performing.

Characters galore courtesy of Lucy Montgomery.

With Philip Pope, Sally Grace, Waen Shepherd and Natalie Walter

Written by Lucy Montgomery, Barunka O'Shaughnessy, Steven Burge, Jon Hunter and Holly Walsh

Script Editor: Dan Tetsell

Music by Philip Pope

Producer: Katie Tyrrell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2010.


SAT 15:30 Son of Cliche (b00p4mcr)
Freddie Fortune

From a spoof Melvyn Bragg to a signing chimp.

Featuring 'The Further Reasonably Exciting Adventures of Captain Invisible and the See-Thru Kid'.

Sketch comedy starring:

Chris Barrie
Nick Maloney
Nick Wilton.

Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor.

Producer: Alan Nixon

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1984.


SAT 16:00 Kenneth Grahame - The Wind in the Willows (b00fyl8x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 18:00 Nightfall (m000ttvf)
Series 4

The Old Post Road

Late for a dinner engagement, Steven and Wendy take a shortcut down a deserted road where they encounter a series of increasingly bizarre paranormal events.

Nightfall is a series of supernatural and horror dramas made by Canada’s CBC Radio that ran from 1980-83. It went on to become one of the most popular shows in the network’s history. During 100 episodes over three seasons, Nightfall featured a mix of original stories and adaptations of classic tales

Wendy …. Jayne Eastwood
Steven …. Geoff Bowes
Ned Archer …. Sandy Ramer

Other parts played by Michael Wincott, Jon Granick, Alan Fawcett and David Calderisi

Host … Henry Ramer

Writer: William Lane

Producer: Bill Howell

First broadcast on the CBC in March 1982.


SAT 18:30 Robert Holmes - Aliens in the Mind (b007jltw)
3. Unexpected Visitations

Believing the apparently simple-minded Flora Kiery may be the key to the strange genetic mutation they've discovered on the Isle of Luig, Professor Curtis Lark and John Cornelius persuade her to leave the island and come with them to London.

They believe that only by exhaustive laboratory tests can they ever hope to solve the mystery of her extraordinary telepathic powers...

Starring Peter Cushing and Vincent Price.

John Cornelius .... Peter Cushing
Curtis Lark .... Vincent Price
Flora Kiery .... Sandra Clarke
Kalman Baromek .... Steve Playtus
Joan .... Joan Mathieson
Purser .... Andrew Sear

Written by Rene Basilico from an idea by Robert Holmes.

Producer: John Dyas

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1977.


SAT 19:00 I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, Again (b01r5495)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 Bridget Christie Minds the Gap (b01rgmfd)
Series 1

Episode 4

Bridget investigates women in comedy as she answers that old chestnut 'Are Women Funny?'

Last of a four-part stand-up comedy series on the state of British feminism today.

With Fred MacAulay

Producer; Alison Vernon-Smith

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2013.


SAT 22:30 Barry's Lunch Club (b07908hv)
Dating for the over 60s

82 year old Barry offers advice about dating for the older generation. To his amazement, Hilary is happy to discuss her recent experience in the field.

Barry invites an audience to his weekly lunch club where he scrutinises themes close to his heart. With club secretary Hilary to rein him in, and club treasurer Peter providing support on the civic hall piano, this is the ultimate life-style guide for an ageing nation.

Barry is a cockney moved to the suburbs during the war. He is not given to looking at the old days through rose coloured spectacles, and is well up to speed with current trends. A seemingly harmless old boy, he lures people into a false sense of security, delivering hilariously stinging rebukes or erudite assessments of how the world is treating the over 60s.

Stand-up comedy crossed with sitcom, the show plays out in real time as if we are eavesdropping on a civic hall meeting group.

Written by Alex Lowe and Alex Walsh-Taylor.

Barry ...... Alex Lowe
Hilary ...... Stephanie Cole
Peter ...... Philip Pope

Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor
Executive Producer: Kevin Dawson

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2016.


SAT 23:00 It's Jocelyn (b06wg7rw)
Series 1

Episode 4

Meet a monosyllabic shop assistant, a pair of terrible African Drummers and a two terrible bedroom DJ's called 'Uncooth Youth FM'.

Jocelyn Jee Esien vents her frustration at the world around her through sketches and stand-up.

With Curtis Walker, Ninia Benjamin and Kevin J.

Producer: John Pocock

A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in January 2016.


SAT 23:30 World of Pub (b00cm91k)
Series 2

Episode 3

Dodgy Phil hatches a sporting scheme to improve the fortunes of Barry and Garry's bar.

Tony Roche's comedy about the world's worst pub in London's East End.

Dodgy Phil ...... John Thomson
Barry ...... Phil Cornwell
Garry ...... Alistair McGowan

With Debra Stephenson, Kim Wall and Tony Roche.

Special effects: Carl Phillips and Nick Romero.

Music: Bill Bailey

Producer: Jane Berthoud

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1999.