SATURDAY 08 MAY 2021

SAT 00:00 The Man in Black (b018j7ww)
Series 4

5. The New Boy by Matthew Wilkie

Craig has a new job, but how far will he go to impress his boss?

Mark Gatiss as the sinister raconteur, The Man in Black, introduces Matthew Wilkie's tale.

Craig ...... Simon Bubb
Mr Rubenstein ...... Stephen Greif
Beth ...... Victoria Inez Hardy
Nelson ...... Adam Billington
William ...... Christopher Webster

More horrifying tales from The Man in Black. You might meet him at a luggage carousel in an airport, or behind the desk at an employment agency or he might approach you in the corridor of a care home. Wherever you encounter him, he's eager to pass on his stories. Stories to unsettle and horrify. Stories to haunt you.

Director: Lucy Collingwood

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in December 2011.


SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b00p31l0)
Everyone's A Critic

Are you worried about the future of criticism?

You should be. When newspaper editors are forced to make cutbacks, it is critics who are the first in the firing line. But do we really need critics and criticism?

Critic and journalist Toby Young is joined by blogger Lynne Hatwell and occupational psychologist Clive Fletcher to write about and discuss criticism and the critics.

Presented by Dominic Arkwright.

Producer: Beatrice Fenton.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009.


SAT 01:00 Wimsey (b007jzr6)
The Nine Tailors

8 Nine Tailors Make a Man

Can upper class sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey finally solve the baffling mystery of the murder of Geoffrey Deacon?

Ian Carmichael stars as the aristocratic sleuth.

The conclusion of Dorothy L Sayers' detective mystery.

Lord Peter Wimsey …. Ian Carmichael
Bunter …. Peter Jones
Supt Blundell …. Timothy Bateson
Rev Theodore Venables …. Phillip Latham
Mrs Venables...Noel Dyson
Will Thoday …. Keith Drinkell
Harry Gotobed …. Alexander John
First Sluice Keeper …. Michael Spice
Second Sluice Keeper …. Peter Tudenham
Narrator …. John Westbrook

Dramatised by Alistair Beaton.

Producer: Martin Fisher

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1980.


SAT 01:30 Paper Doll (b07wzzzb)
" I can see you. I'm watching. Here in the dark, in this corner. I can see you, going through everything, dirtying it all with your fingers. Think you're alone, eh? Think it's just rubbish? Just wait. Soon. You'll find out. Soon. "

Two young men find more than they bargained for when they search for junk in a derelict house.

Chilling drama written by David Calcutt.

Matthews ....... Richard Pasco
Mick ....... Michael Staniforth
Ronnie ....... Daniel Abineri

Directed at BBC Birmingham by Vanessa Whitburn.

First broadcast in ‘Thirty Minute Theatre’ on BBC Radio 4 (Long Wave only) in March 1979.


SAT 02:00 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gfsmh)
The Music Room and The Attic

Married life with a conductor husband and contemplating future resolutions.

Actress Joanna Lumley concludes her home-based autobiography

Producer: Liz Webb.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.


SAT 02:15 Gudrun (m0001g8t)
Series 5

Episode 5

Gudrun goes on the run. She ends up in the mountains, at the hideaway of a powerful seeress and her followers.

Gudrun, a young woman in 11th century Iceland, must forge her path through a world of unearthly beauty yet uncompromising harshness. Lucy Catherine's Viking epic of love, revenge and faith inspired by the Icelandic sagas.

Gudrun . . . . . Kate Phillips
Freija . . . . . Samantha Dakin
Dag . . . . . Cameron Percival
Heidr . . . . . Jeanette Percival
Volva . . . . . Carolyn Pickles

Written by Lucy Catherine.
Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2018.


SAT 02:30 Woolf in the Jungle (b043xpqt)
Overshadowed for the greater part of his life by his brilliant wife Virginia, Leonard Woolf is largely remembered as a devoted husband and member of the Bloomsbury set.

Yet he was a gifted writer in his own right.

As a young man, Woolf worked as a colonial civil servant in Ceylon, as Sri Lanka was then known. After his return to England in 1911 he wrote 'The Village in the Jungle', the first English novel to portray sympathetically the plight of the rural poor in a remote corner of Empire. Published a decade before Forster's A Passage to India and two decades before Orwell's Burmese Days, it is also seen by some as the first novel to criticise British imperialism. Whilst the book has always been highly regarded in Sri Lanka because it is written from the indigenous perspective, Woolf's novel remains virtually unknown in this country.

Writer and broadcaster Nicholas Rankin explores why this is so and asks whether the book and its author deserve a more prominent place in literary history.

Among the contributors are writer Romesh Gunesekera, Woolf's biographer Victoria Glendinning, and Woolf's nephew, publisher Cecil Woolf.

Producer: Dan Shepherd

A Far Shoreline production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in May 2014.


SAT 03:00 George Eliot - The Mill on the Floss (b00gszmm)
Loving and Losing

Despite the continuing feud between their families Philip has a plan that he believes will restore happiness to Maggie Tulliver.

Starring Michael Fitzgerald and Sylvestra Le Touzel.

The conclusion of George Eliot’s 19th century novel.

Maggie ...... Sylvestra Le Touzel
Tom ...... Richard Pearce
Philip ...... Michael Fitzgerald
Stephen ...... Nicholas Gilbrook
Mrs Tulliver ...... Tina Gray
Dr Wakem ...... Roger Hume
Bob ...... Paul Downing
Lucy Dean ...... Moir Leslie
Dr Cairn ...... Simon Carter

Pianist: Harold Rich

Dramatised by Michelene Wandor.

Directed at BBC Pebble Mill by Philip Martin.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1991.


SAT 04:00 Counterpoint (b00s0b33)
Series 24

2010 Heat 5

Paul Gambaccini chairs the general knowledge music quiz from Manchester.

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

The three contestants from Teesside, London and Torquay are:

David Harman
Dan O’Hara
Valerian Ryland

Producer: Paul Bajoria

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2010.


SAT 04:30 Two Doors Down (b008h68b)
Series 2

Druids and Draws

Edith Black's lodger, Victor, the Ulster-Scots poet, has fallen in love with a Celtic druid, Anashuya - and brought her back to Belfast...

Starring Stella McCusker.

Annie McCartney's sitcom about the bohemian Belfast residents of Marlborough Road, saved from chaos by their cleaning lady, Sally.

Sally ...... Stella McCusker
Clare ...... Marcella Riordan
Evie ...... Katy Gleadhill
Victor ...... Alan Mckee
Anashuya ...... Laura Hughes
Miss Black ...... Roma Tomelty
Fintan ...... Gerard Murphy
Layla ...... Emily Walmsley
Rory ...... Richard Clements
Anna ...... Hannah R Gordon

With Gerry Anderson as Himself

Director: Tanya Nash

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2002.


SAT 05:00 The Break (b07dkk0k)
Series 1

Cold Mountain

Andy is beginning to settle in to the unusual seaside town of Flamford. When he and his Uncle Jeff find an abandoned fridge in the street, Jeff seizes the opportunity to teach his nephew the value of entrepreneurship.

Unfortunately, his plans are complicated by a particularly diligent and zealous Police Officer, a hard-nosed private landlord and Fish Shop Frank's refusal to see a business opportunity when it's sat on the pavement outside his chip shop.

Along the way, they meet a pair of half-hearted pirates, an eccentric plutocrat, Jeff's on-off paramour, Corinne and the youngest-sounding pub landlord in Britain.

Andy ...... Tom Palmer
Jeff ...... Philip Jackson
Frank ...... Mark Benton
PC Clark ...... Mark Benton
Corinne ...... Alison Steadman
Joyce ...... Alison Steadman
Morag ...... Alison Steadman
Max ...... Rasmus Hardiker
Julie ...... Shobna Gulati

Writers: Ian Brown and James Hendrie

Director: Gordon Kennedy

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


SAT 05:30 The Confessional (m000vp1b)
Series 1

The Confession of Clarke Peters

Actor, comedian and broadcaster Stephen Mangan presents a comedy chat show about shame and guilt.

Each week, Stephen invites a different eminent guest into his virtual confessional box to make three 'confessions' to him. This is the cue for some remarkable storytelling, and surprising insights.

This week, Clarke Peters, famous for his roles as Lester Freamon in The Wire and Albert Lambreaux in Treme, surprises with his stories of youthful indiscretions, hidden loot and embarrassing his brother on the Borscht Belt.

We’re used to hearing celebrity interviews where stars are persuaded to show off about their achievements and talk about their proudest moments. Stephen is not interested in that. He doesn’t want to know what his guests are proud of, he wants to know what they’re ashamed of. That’s surely the way to find out what really makes a person tick. Stephen and his guest reflect with empathy and humour on why we get embarrassed, where our shame thresholds should be, and the value of guilt.

Other series guests include Marian Keyes, Cariad Lloyd, Joan Bakewell, Suzi Ruffell and Phil Wang.

Written and presented by Stephen Mangan
With extra material by Nick Doody
Produced by Dave Anderson and Frank Stirling
A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 06:00 Over the Rainbow by Bernard Kops (m000vxkk)
To escape from the cold realities of London life in Maida Vale, Sandra lives in the fantasy world of the Hollywood films of her childhood.

It's an obsession shared by her close friend, Stanley. Then one day, she discovers her married lover, Malcolm, is unfaithful to her ...

'What would Joan Crawford do? She would take a sharp, jagged bread-knife. Cut. With a look of grim determination on her face she drives along Finchley Road. Cut.'

But what will Sandra do?

Bernard Kops' comedy drama stars Maureen Lipman, Peter Woodthorpe and Derek Fowlds.

Sandra .... Maureen Lipman
Stanley .... Peter Woodthorpe
Malcolm .... Derek Fowlds
Sidney .... Neville Jason
Henry .... Leonard Fenton
Jeanette/Gloria .... Sonia Fraser
Uncle Harold .... Brian Haines
Derek .... William Eedle
Marie .... Eva Stuart
Joe .... Manning Wilson

Director: Cherry Cookson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1980.


SAT 07:30 Great Lives (b07v0fv2)
Series 40

Eliza Carthy on Caroline Norton

Eliza Carthy chooses the life of 19th-century poet and campaigner Caroline Norton to discuss with Matthew Parris.

Following separation from her controlling husband, Norton fought to gain access to her three children. She campaigned for 30 years resulting in changes to English Law that gave women a separate legal identity for the first time.

Eliza first discovered Caroline Norton when she was researching broadside ballads and came across Norton's verse ' Love not! love not! ye hopeless sons of clay'. It stood out, becoming the inspiration for her track 'Fade and Fall' and sparking an interest in Norton and her extraordinary life.

The expert is Dr Diane Atkinson, author of 'The Criminal Conversation of Mrs Norton'.

Producer: Toby Field

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2016.


SAT 08:00 The Motion Show (b071k5vf)
Series 3

Episode 5

Debates galore over mature students and putting daughters on the stage.

Graeme Garden chairs the quirky battle of words and wit.

From the Pleasance Theatre during the Edinburgh Festival.

With Hugh Dennis, Gyles Brandreth, Chris Neill and Stuart Maconie.

Producer: Helen Williams

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2000


SAT 08:30 Smelling of Roses (b007jrhd)
Series 1

Positive Thinking

Rosie's company goes New Age, promoting the Brighton leg of a lecture tour by a Californian positive-thinking guru.

Prunella Scales stars in the first of four series of Simon Brett's sitcom following the trials and tribulations of Rosie Burns and her event-management company based in Brighton.

With Arabella Weir as Kate, Rebecca Callard as Jo, Duncan Preston as Bob, Annette Badland as Tess, Alison Skilbeck as Darcy Philpotts and Kerry Shale as Lyndon Merchant.

Producer: Maria Esposito

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2000.


SAT 09:00 Somebody Laughed: Eddie Braben Brings You Sunshine (b007lm74)
The man who brought sunshine to Eric and Ernie brings some golden rays into your ears - selecting a selection of the shows what he wrote.

Eddie Braben penned some of Morecambe and Wise’s most famous lines. But that wasn't the only string to his bow – other beneficiaries of his strong comic writing include Ken Dodd and Jimmy Cricket.

Eddie himself also steps into the spotlight to helm his own vehicle the Worst Show on the Wireless – with Alison Steadman.

In between his selections, Eddie reminisces about radio and what it has meant to him.

Featuring:

* The Morecambe and Wise Show (December 1977)

* The Show With Ten Legs (February 1977)

* The Ken Dodd Show - Star Parade (July 1963)

* Jimmy's Cricket Team (June 1991)

* The Worst Show in the Wireless (February 1975)

* The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show (December 1977)

When Eddie Braben passed away aged 82 in 2013, Bruce Forsyth was one of those keen to pay tribute. Eddie began his writing career penning jokes on the back of paper bags on a fruit and veg stall.

Producer: Martin Dempsey

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in May 2007.


SAT 12:00 Psmith in the City by PG Wodehouse (b00dgjw3)
First Steps in a Business Career

Comedy series following the adventures of the extraordinary Psmith and his friend Mike in the world of Edwardian finance.

Mike's future looks gloomy when he's forced to give up his dreams of university and work in a bank. But help is at hand...

PG Wodehouse ..... Simon Williams
Psmith ..... Nick Caldecott
Mike Jackson ..... Inam Mirza
John Bickersdyke ..... Stephen Critchlow
Mr Rossiter/Mr Jackson ..... Chris Pavlo
Mr Waller ..... Jonathan Tafler
Bannister ..... Robert Lonsdale

Written by PG Wodehouse.
Dramatised by Marcy Kahan.

Producer: Abigail le Fleming

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2008.


SAT 12:30 Four Joneses and a Jenkins (b007jqlp)
September: Watch the Birdie

An everyday story of sheep, sin and scholarship under the shadow of the Long Mynd.

Sue Limb’s pastoral sitcom follows six months in the life of the Jones family, who live on a small farm in rural Wales.

It’s the start of the farming year, as daughter Megan sets her sights on Mr Bootle...

Mr Jones ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Ma Jones ...... Lisabeth Miles
Megan Jones ...... Rebecca Front
Owen Jones ...... Matthew Morgan
Mr Jenkins ...... Nickolas Grace
Bootle ...... Michael Fenton Stevens

Recorded on location.

Music composed by John Whitehall.

Producer: Jonathan James Moore.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2000.


SAT 13:00 Archive on 4 (b0b39r1q)
Commuterville

It’s over 175 years since the word "commuter" was used for the first time. (The word does not in fact describe a traveller, it describes a transaction: regular travellers on the railroad into Manhattan were given the opportunity to "commute" their individual tickets into a season pass. Ever since, commuters have been both travellers and revenue stream.)

Today - our great cities inhale and exhale millions of commuters, who start their journey in the darkness of winter mornings in the suburbs, resurface blearily in the heart of the city and return to long tucked-in children in darkness.

It wasn't meant to be like this. Matthew Sweet looks at our imagined world of fantasy journeys and asks if driverless cars, monorails, or high speed transport systems might deliver them in the future.

Producer: Mark Rickards

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2018.


SAT 14:00 Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics (b03z9gmm)
Series 1

Sophocles

A fresh look at the ancient world.

Natalie Haynes, critic, writer and reformed stand-up comedian, brings the ancient world entertainingly up to date. In each of the four programmes she profiles a figure from ancient Greece or Rome and creates a stand-up routine around them. She then goes in search of the links which make the ancient world still very relevant in the 21st century.

Episode 2: Sophocles invents modern drama with Oedipus the King. Spoiler alert! – it doesn't end well. This episode includes handy hints on how to get in the mood for a classical tragedy (bring a bottle.) With Professor Edith Hall, poet and playwright Frank McGuinness and TV critic Andrew Collins.

Producer Christine Hall

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.


SAT 14:30 Revolting People (b007lrv1)
Series 2

Trying Times

A wife returns, a daughter gives birth and Sergeant McGurk reveals the real reason the English won the Battle of Culloden.

The return of the comedy set just before the American Revolution.

Written by Andy Hamilton and Jay Tarses.

Stars Jay Tarses as Samuel Oliphant, Andy Hamilton as Sergeant McGurk, James Fleet as Captain Brimshaw, Jan Ravens as Mary, Hugh Dennis as Ezekiel Spriggs, Penelope Nice as Cora Oliphant, Tony Maudsley as Joshua Oliphant, Susie Blake as Elizabeth Oliphant and Selina Griffiths as Agnes.

Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2001.


SAT 15:00 The Consultants (b05z6glc)
Series 4

Episode 1

The lighthouse tour and the old-fashioned parents.

Cerebral sketch show written by and starring Neil Edmond, Justin Edwards and James Rawlings.

Producer: Will Saunders

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2005.


SAT 15:30 Chris Addison's Civilization (b00dr4t0)
Controlling the Universe

Chris Addison goes on a journey through the vast and rich subject of civilisation and explains exactly what we need to create a new one.

In the opening episode, he investigates the notion of a controllable universe.

With:

Professor Austin Herring (Geoffrey McGivern)
Jo Enright
Dan Tetsell

Producer: Simon Nicholls

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2006.


SAT 16:00 Over the Rainbow by Bernard Kops (m000vxkk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:30 Great Lives (b07v0fv2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 18:00 Dan Dare (b0076rwk)
Series 1

1 The Voyage of Venus 1/2

Dashing test pilot, Dan Dare, is selected to fly the Anastasia - a new experimental spacecraft using alien technology - on its maiden voyage to Venus. The mission is to make first contact with the mysterious civilisation that sent the technological secrets to Earth...

Adventures based on the Eagle comic strip 'Dan Dare' created in 1950 by the Reverend Marcus Morris and Frank Hampson.

Starring Ed Stoppard as Dan Dare, Geoff McGivern as Digby, Heida Reed as Professor Peabody, Raad Rawi as the Mekon, Bijan Daneshmand as Sondar, Amber Aga as Treen General, David O'Mahony as the Flight Engineer, Kelly Burke as Flight Control, and Dianne Weller as the On-board Computer.

Dramatised by Richard Kurti and Bev Doyle.
Director: Andrew Mark Sewell.
Made by B7 Media.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2018.


SAT 18:30 Eagle: The Space Age Weekly (b00wqdx6)
Sir Tim Rice explores the lasting appeal of British magazine Eagle and the impact of its flagship character Dan Dare.

Eagle ran in two main incarnations between 1950 and 1994. Dan Dare, often referred to as "Biggles in space", is regarded in some circles as the greatest British science fiction hero of the 20th century

In this feature we chart the influences behind the comic, and explore the life of its creator Marcus Morris, a fascinating man who began the publication because of his concern over 'horrific' US comics which presented 'disturbing' storylines which he felt 'corrupted British youth'.

The programme reveals how Dan Dare was originally envisaged as a space chaplain before becoming the popular astronaut. It also examines the work of illustrator Frank Hampson who introduced technology years ahead of its time. Hampson knew the Space Age was on its way while serving in the Second World War and seeing the German VI rockets. He made the Dan Dare strips as realistic as possible by dressing his team in spacesuits and uniforms, basing the look of the fictional characters on his colleagues.

We reveal how the stories had educational value and, along with Dan Dare, we look at other Eagle offerings including Shakespeare's plays and the Greek myths which ran as comic strips.

Featuring contributions from author Philip Pullman, Sally Morris the daughter of Eagle Creator Marcus and Eagle Society member David Britton.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.


SAT 19:00 Somebody Laughed: Eddie Braben Brings You Sunshine (b007lm74)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 Rigor Mortis (b007k4xd)
Series 1

Episode 5

Dr Webster is puzzled when his 13 year old daughter isn't keen on a trip to the path lab. Stars Peter Davison. From July 2003.


SAT 22:30 Josie Long: Romance and Adventure (b074zw4l)
Series 1

Episode 1

A sitcom from award-winning comedian Josie Long about a young woman trying to build a new, more fulfilling life for herself in Glasgow.

Glasgow is the indie band theme park, where Josie will finally be happy and accepted. But almost as soon as she de-trains at Queen Street Station she begins to think she's made a big mistake.

Josie sets about finding friends, a place to live and a new job.

Based on characters from the short films "Romance and Adventure" and "Let's Go Swimming" by Josie Long and Douglas King.

Josie - Josie Long
Darren - Darren Osborne
Roddy - Sanjeev Kohli
Kerry - Hatty Ashdown
Eleanor - Clare Grogan
Chris - Michael Bertenshaw
Mona - Rebecca Hamilton
Fraser - Chris Pavlo

Written by Josie Long
Producer: Colin Anderson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2016.


SAT 23:00 Jason Cook's School of Hard Knocks (b03vgr6q)
Best Man Speeches and Weddings

Comedian Jason Cook uses his life experiences to help us better navigate the choppy waters of life.

In this opening episode, Jason examines the pitfalls of making best man speeches, with advice on how to make a wedding memorable.

With Zoe Harrison and Neil Grainger.

Jason was the creator of BBC2's comedy Hebburn.

Producer: Sam Michell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2014.


SAT 23:30 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b04yk55d)
Series 6

Gyles Brandreth

Marcus Brigstocke persuades his reluctant guest to try new experiences: things they really ought to have done by now. Some experiences are loved, some are loathed, in this show all about embracing the new.

This week, Gyles Brandreth is persuaded to spend a day doing absolutely nothing, and writes his first ever pop song.

Produced by Bill Dare.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2015.