SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2023

SAT 00:00 Body Horror (m001qlln)
Episode 2

Former mortician Caroline has had a full body transplant.

But what shadows are left by the body's former inhabitant?

And whose voice is it she hears in her head?

Continuing Lucy Catherine's three-part dystopian thriller is set in London in 2050.

Caroline ..... Jill Halfpenny
Gloria ..... Shelley Conn
Paulina ..... Chetna Pandya
Anastasia ..... Samantha Dakin
Trevor ..... Clive Hayward
Mel ..... Liza Sadovy
Karina ..... Heather Craney
Che ..... Ikky Elyas
BodyEx Computer ..... Scarlett Courtney
Young Mum ..... Lucy Reynolds
Security Guard ..... Greg Jones

Developed through the Wellcome Trust Experimental stories scheme.

Director: Toby Swift

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2020.


SAT 00:45 Get Carter: The Bloody Chamber (b0bkr5p6)
The Erl-King

A hapless maid wandering deeper into the woods encounters the bewitching presence of the Erl-King, the presiding spirit of the forest.

She willingly enters his woodland lair and lies with him.

But when she discovers that he plans to turn her into a bird and imprison her with the rest of his aviary, she must somehow break the spell.

Another of Angela Carter's iconic collection of fairy stories - dramatised by Olivia Hetreed.

Erl-King ...... Ariyon Bakare
Lover ...... Rakie Ayola
Goblin ...... Jasmine Jones

At the time of writing The Bloody Chamber in the late 1970s, Angela Carter was disaffected by both sides of the feminist debate. She re-worked traditional fairy tales from her own unique, literary outsider’s point of view, putting women at the centre of the stories.

With their feisty heroines and orgiastic mash-up of beasts, shape-shifters and ghouls, her extraordinary tales are the most perfect example of her style, not just for her incomparable prose, but also in the dizzying twists and turns of perception, fantasy and myth.

Controversially influenced by De Sade, she embraced the erotic, explored our deepest and darkest urges, and subverted the roles of hunter and prey, master and mistress so that, instead of male sexuality, it is the female that becomes transgressive and powerful.

Sound Design: Lucinda Mason Brown
Director / Producer: Fiona McAlpine

An Allegra production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2018.


SAT 01:00 Don Taylor - The Jacobean Box (b01gjybr)
Shakespearian academic, Brian Blake, receives a message that a large item awaits his collection at a remote northern station.

He little suspects that it could lead to his own literary immortality...

Starring Stephen Moore.

Written by Don Taylor.

Brian Blake …. Stephen Moore
Station Master …. Peter Vaughan
Penelope …. Michelle Newell
Arkroyd …. Steve Hodson
Mary …. Teresa Gallagher

Director: Sue Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1993.


SAT 02:00 Paul Temple (b007jqq5)
Paul Temple and the Conrad Case

3. Hotel Roemer

When a further cocktail stick turns up in a parcel delivered to their hotel, Paul Temple and wife Steve decide to pay a visit to the hotel at Oberammergau which supplies them.

Francis Durbridge's crime thriller stars Peter Coke and Marjorie Westbury as BBC radio's smoothest investigator and his glamorous wife.

Paul Temple …. Peter Coke
Steve …. Marjorie Westbury
Fritz Gunter …. George Hagan
Elliot France …. James Thomason
Denis Harper …. John Bryning
Elsa, The Countess Dekker …. Joan Matheson
Mrs Wheldon …. Virginia Winter
Dr Conrad …. Rolf Lefebvre
Herr Brechschaft …. Jeffrey Segal

Producer: Martyn C Webster

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1959.


SAT 02:30 Death Speaks Another Language (m0011cnh)
6. Crisis Situation

The real identity of the sinister drug dealer ‘Buller’ is finally revealed.

Starring Hilda Kriseman and Henry Stamper.

Concluding Peter Ling’s thriller serial about the narcotics trade in ‘60s Swinging London.

Buller .... Henry Stamper
Plessey .... Geoffrey Wincott
Boss .... John Gabriel
Neil Benson .... Derek Seaton
Mrs Benson .... Hilda Kriseman
Receptionist .... Frances Jeater
Syd Schumann .... Leonard Fenton
Amanda .... Margaret Wolfit
Vince McAfferty .... Kerry Francis
Night Nurse .... Kathleen Helme
Karen Engstrom .... Patricia Gallimore
Nico Gachet .... David Valla

Producer: Ronald Mason

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in August 1969.


SAT 03:00 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (m0005tph)
5. Family Life

Molly's lived on the streets since she was a teenager.

Her violent ex-boyfriend Rusby is back in Nottingham and won't leave her alone. So when she meets Luca at a party and he asks her to go away with him she jumps at the chance to escape. Old friend Jules doesn't trust this newcomer and invites herself along for the ride.

After a night spent sleeping rough on the road to Skegness, Luca leads Molly and Jules to the door of a big house in the quaint village of Bingham.

Novel written by Mahsuda Snaith.

Read by Anjli Mohindra

Abridged by Siân Preece

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2019.


SAT 03:15 Hester by Margaret Oliphant (b03mj8lx)
5. Farewell to Vernon's?

Penelope Wilton and Lyndsey Marshal star in this high Victorian tale of a woman who runs her own bank.

Hester has not run away with her cousin, but once again Vernon's Bank is facing a run in the morning, and Hester is part of the negotiations to shore it up.

But this time, she loses her position, as local businessmen create a joint stock bank, and exclude her from its board.

Conclusion of Margaret Oliphant's novel first published in 1883.

Dramatised by Kate Clanchy & Zena Forster.

Margaret Oliphant .... Penelope Wilton
Hester Vernon .... Lyndsey Marshal
Mr Rule .... Philip Jackson
Farrington .... Patrick Brennan
Mapplethorpe .... Adam Nagaitis
Mrs Merridew .... Stephanie Racine
Harry Sellon .... Ben Crowe
Mildmay Vernon .... Paul Stonehouse
Catherine Vernon .... Lizzy Watts

Director: Jonquil Panting

First broadcast in January 2014.


SAT 03:30 The Break (m000kfq9)
Series 3

4. The Agreement

Andy and Jeff need help.

Fish Shop Frank suggests Couples Therapy as it worked so well for his ex-wife (and for him too, if he had bothered to turn up). After a session with unorthodox therapist Dr Coulson (Alison Steadman), the treatment is such a success that Andy decides to move out.

Jeff, though wounded, puts a brave face on it and gets on with his new life as best he can.

Meanwhile, Andy, is living the high life. He’s run into an old friend from London, Sean and they’re visiting nightclubs, restaurants and comedy gigs together.

Jeff ...... Philip Jackson
Dr Colson ...... Alison Steadman
Frank ...... Mark Benton
Joanne & Penny ...... Shobna Gulati
Dieter Schmidt & Truepenny ...... Rasmus Hardiker
Andy ...... James Northcote

Created and written by Ian Brown and James Hendrie.

Director; Gordon Kennedy

An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2020.


SAT 04:00 Marriage Lines (b04stqbt)
Series 1

The Move

Pastures new for Kate and George, but what about their new neighbours?

Starring Richard Briers and Prunella Scales.

Richard Waring’s sitcom based on the mutual love and mistrust of two newlyweds.

Originating on BBC TV, it ran between 1963-65 and was adapted in two series for BBC radio due to its popularity.

George ...... Richard Briers
Kate ...... Prunella Scales
Miles ...... Derek Waring
Mr Renfrew Smith ...... Felix Felton

Other parts played by:

John Graham
Leon Thau
Jo Kendall

Producer: Charles Maxwell

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in July 1965.


SAT 04:30 Charles Dickens (b00s7fbg)
Sketches by Boz - Series 2

The Boarding House

Mrs Tibbs is the owner of a most respectable Boarding House, until the arrival of a mysterious new lodger.

Gloriously comic stories of London Life by Charles Dickens.

Dramatised by Stephen Wyatt.

Boz ...... Nicholas Farrell
Mrs Tibbs ...... Imelda Staunton
Mrs Bloss ...... Annette Badland
Mr Tibbs ...... Christopher Hancock
Agnes ...... Tracy-Ann Oberman
Mr Evenson ...... Stephen Critchlow
Mr Wisbottle ...... Peter Gunn
Mr O’Bleary ...... Jason O’Mara

Director: Sally Avens

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1999.


SAT 05:00 Whispers (b007k2zg)
Series 1

Episode 3

“There never was an individual less regretted by his fellow creatures than this deceased King."

Gyles Brandreth reveals who - in the panel show that celebrates gossip rather than discretion - believing valour to be a redundant concept in the face of a good story.

Regular team captains Anthony Holden and Stella Duffy are joined by:

Jennie Bond
Geoffrey Durham.

Producer: Elizabeth Freestone

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2003.


SAT 05:30 Barbara Nice (m000n5d9)
Pilot

Stockport housewife extraordinaire Barbara Nice is the creation of 'Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights' star Janice Connolly.

In this warm-hearted sitcom pilot, Janice and John Henshaw play husband and wife Barbara and Ken.

Barbara is worried she and Ken are at risk of adding to the numbers of silver splitters - they have nothing in common; Ken's idea of retirement involves a marathon session of 'Pointless' and that doesn't fit with Barbara's idea of a well spent golden age.

When a homeless Spanish busker needs some help, Barbara sees it as the perfect opportunity to do some good and stir things up home ... A little more than she expected.

The pilot proved successful with a following series.

Written by Janice Connolly and Steve Turner.

Barbara Nice ... Janice Connolly
Ken Nice ... John Henshaw
Mary ... Angela Curran
Tonio ... David Sant
Hostel Manager ... Debra Baker

Guitarist: Kester Owen

Producer: Carl Cooper

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 2, first broadcast in November 2015.


SAT 06:00 Michael Arditti - The Family Hotel (m001bylh)
Sardonic young graduate James is helping out at his family's seaside hotel.

But the arrival of an out-of-season guest is more than he - or his mother - could ever have bargained for....

Stars Robert Glenister and Jonathan Firth.

Family drama wrtten by Michael Arditti.

Piers Alexander .... Robert Glenister
James Hardman .... Jonathan Firth
Lily Hardman .... Elizabeth Kelly
Roy Hardman .... William Simons
Corinne Evans .... Emma Gregory
Vicar .... Norman Jones
Driver .... Norman Jones
Husband .... Alan Barker
Wife/Miss Pettifew .... Joanna Myers
Girl .... Siriol Jenkins
BR conductor/Steward .... Clarence Smith
Gareth .... Peter Gunn

Director: Richard Wortley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1991.


SAT 07:30 Lowborn by Kerry Hudson (Omnibus) (m0005tl8)
Kerry Hudson is an award winning novelist, with a love of travel, art, music and culture.

Yet her life was not always like this, as she spent most of her childhood living through grinding poverty with a single mother who was always on the move.

Living in any flat or B&B they could afford, Kerry attended countless schools before she was able to leave that life behind her, 20 years ago.

Her memoir explores what it means to be poor in Britain today. Kerry revisits her childhood, in the spirit of looking back to see how far you have come.

She also visits some of the most deprived areas of the country to see if anything has fundamentally changed.

Omnibus of five parts written and read by Kerry Hudson.

Abridged and produced by Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in June 2019.


SAT 08:45 Uncle Mort's South Country (b007jqzx)
Series 1

2. Three Star Comfort

Carter checks in for some room service, but his Uncle Mort has other ideas.

Peter Tinniswood’s continuing tales of long-suffering Carter Brandon and his curmudgeonly uncle.

Uncle Mort …. Stephen Thorne
Carter Brandon …. Sam Kelly
Pat/Receptionist …. Liz Goulding
Narrator …. Christian Rodska

Uncle Mort and his Yorkshire based family first appeared in Tinniswood’s novel ‘A Touch Of Daniel’ which earned them a run of ‘I Didn't Know You Cared’ on BBC TV in four series from 1975 to 1979.

Producer: Pete Atkin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1990.


SAT 09:00 The Men from the Ministry (b012ry04)
That's My Pigeon

A visiting dignitary gets the bird-brained bureaucrats in a flap.

A weekly tribute to all those who work in government departments.

Starring Deryck Guyler and Richard Murdoch.

Written by Edward Taylor and John Graham.

Lennox-Brown …. Deryck Guyler
Lamb …. Richard Murdoch
Mildred …. Norma Ronald
Sir Gregory Pitkin …. Ronald Baddiley
‘Creepy’ Crawley …. John Graham
Newsreader …. John Cole

The Men from the Ministry' ran for 14 series between 1962 and 1977.

Deryck Guyler replaced Wilfrid Hyde-White from 1966. Sadly many episodes don't survive in the archive.

Producer: Edward Taylor

First broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 in March 1973.


SAT 09:30 Something to Shout About (b07shhvv)
Series 3

Episode 10

With executive Michael Lightfoot away, can the advertising team rise to the challenge?

"A light-hearted exposé of the advertising world!".

Set in a London ad agency called 'Apsley, Addis, Cohen, Barbican, Blythe, Giddy & Partners'.

Written by Myles Rudge with Ronnie Wolfe.

Janet Harris …. Fenella Fielding
Maggie Tufnell …. Eleanor Summerfield
Mavis Willis …Joan Sims
Adrian Beales …. Nicholas Phipps
Mr Blythe/Various …. Warren Mitchell

Producer: John Simmonds.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in December 1961.


SAT 10:00 Down by the River (m0011lyt)
3. And So, To The Sea...

Writer Laura Barton concludes her exploration of the rivers of Britain to discover how they've shaped our stories and lives.

Flowing through the BBC Radio archives, with brand new interviews, Laura follows these rivers closely to hear the tales they have to share.

Featuring:

* WEDDING RITES by Retta Bowen
Read by Emma Fielding.

* TARKA THE OTTER by Henry Williamson
1/5 Little Water Wanderer

The start of an eventful cubhood in the Devon countryside, as seen through the young otter's eyes.
Read by Nicholas Farrell.
(BBC Radio 4 – 2002)

Producer: Luke Doran

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in June 2020.


SAT 11:00 Michael Arditti - The Family Hotel (m001bylh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 12:30 Lowborn by Kerry Hudson (Omnibus) (m0005tl8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 13:45 Uncle Mort's South Country (b007jqzx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]


SAT 14:00 The Men from the Ministry (b012ry04)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 14:30 Something to Shout About (b07shhvv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


SAT 15:00 Down by the River (m0011lyt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


SAT 16:00 Body Horror (m001qlln)
[Repeat of broadcast at 00:00 today]


SAT 16:45 Get Carter: The Bloody Chamber (b0bkr5p6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 00:45 today]


SAT 17:00 Michael Arditti - The Family Hotel (m001bylh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 18:30 Lowborn by Kerry Hudson (Omnibus) (m0005tl8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 19:45 Uncle Mort's South Country (b007jqzx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]


SAT 20:00 The Men from the Ministry (b012ry04)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 20:30 Something to Shout About (b07shhvv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


SAT 21:00 Down by the River (m0011lyt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


SAT 22:00 The Mitch Benn Music Show (b00b5tc3)
Series 2

Isy Suttie

From Richard Stilgoe to Victoria Wood.

Musical comedian Mitch Benn presents his selection of some of the finest comic songs by other performers.

With guest Isy Suttie.

Producer: Ed Morrish

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in October 2006.


SAT 22:30 John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme (b04mgyps)
Series 4

Episode 3

John Finnemore, the writer and star of Cabin Pressure, regular guest on The Now Show, stars in his own hit sketch show.

There are updates from some ongoing political negotiations; witness an awkward encounter at an interfaith conference and hear a curious tale of a young man who heads to Canada to win the respect of his father.

Written by and starring John Finnemore.

With:

Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Lawry Lewin
Simon Kane
Carrie Quinlan

Producer Ed Morrish

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2014.


SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m001r2tz)
Aunty Donna 1/2

From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And tonight, Jon Holmes chats to Australia’s favourite absurdist sketch group, Aunty Donna.


SAT 23:00 Big Problems with Helen Keen (b098nlcz)
Series 2

Food

Natural resources are dwindling, so how can we make sure everyone is fed?

How has our food shopping and food production changed? Can science help? Will the future be meals in a pill?

And, most importantly, what will Helen have for her tea?

Comedy series looking at the biggest problems our species has faced since the beginning of time - and offering some incredible, absurd and possible scientific solutions.

Starring Helen Keen

With:

Jon Culshaw
Susy Kane

Written by Helen Keen, Jenny Laville, Lloyd Langford and Carrie Quinlan and special thanks to Laura-Alexandra Smith

Producer was Katie Tyrrell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2017.


SAT 23:30 Seekers (b05xhzh3)
Series 2

The Wedding Crushers

Stuart and Vanessa are keen to plan their wedding, but not everyone is happy for them.

Starring Mathew Horne, Daniel Mays, Tony Way and Zahra Ahmadi.

Job seeking sitcom written by Steve Burge.

Stuart ------ Mathew Horne
Joseph ------ Daniel Mays
Terry ----- Tony Way
Nicola ------ Zahra Ahmadi
Vanessa ----- Natalie Walter
Gary Probert ----- Steve Oram
Mr Putter ------ Ian Conningham
Kenny ------ Sam Dale

Producer: Victoria Lloyd

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2015.

SUNDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2023

SUN 00:00 The Man in Black (b00nrv03)
Series 2

2. Death Us Do Part by Mike Bartlett

Following a freak accident, John hears voices warning him off marriage. Prenuptial nerves or something sinister?

Mike Bartlett's tale is introduced by Mark Gatiss as sinister raconteur, The Man in Black.

John .... Carl Prekopp
Old Man …. Malcolm Tierney
Kate ....Tessa Nicholson
Clive .... Piers Wehner
Sarah .... Emerald O'Hanrahan
Old Woman .... Kate Layden
Doctor .... Stephen Hogan
Vicar .... Philip Fox

Horrifying series of 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.

Producer: Gemma Jenkins

Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in November 2009.


SUN 00:30 A Short History of Gothic (b00pd7cm)
2. Clytie by Eudora Welty

Watery parallels to Greek mythology, as life gets too much for a woman in Mississippi.

Clytie has lived for years in the shadow of her bullying sister and drunken brother. Suddenly, something snaps and she decides to take back control of her life.

The human heart and how it yearns for love and companionship is the subject of this dark tale by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Eudora Welty [1909 – 2001]. A short story first published in 1941, in the collection 'A Curtain of Green'.

Read by Barbara Barnes.

Producer: Gemma Jenkins

Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in December 2009.


SUN 01:00 Michael Arditti - The Family Hotel (m001bylh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]


SUN 02:30 Lowborn by Kerry Hudson (Omnibus) (m0005tl8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]


SUN 03:45 Uncle Mort's South Country (b007jqzx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]


SUN 04:00 The Men from the Ministry (b012ry04)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]


SUN 04:30 Something to Shout About (b07shhvv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]


SUN 05:00 Down by the River (m0011lyt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]


SUN 06:00 Poetry Extra (m001qt6w)
September 1, 1939

It's 50 years since the death of the poet W.H Auden. This week Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and chooses September 1, 1939.

WH Auden's September 1, 1939 was written on the eve of destruction soon after the poet's arrival in New York and the beginning of his life-long love affair with a young American poet.

It was a poem whose flaws and failings haunted Auden yet it has enjoyed a remarkable afterlife, plundered for political ads and speeches and widely circulated after 9/11 as a salve for America's wounds.

Auden's journal for that year has only recently surfaced and reveals his febrile and fertile thought processes weaving intimate private anxieties with the public crisis of a world now about to plunge into war.

The crisis of democracy and the rise of fascism, the demotic voice of radio and the secret whisper of love are twined through the poem's 99 subtle lines.
But this complex poem, despite Auden's wishes, has often been reduced to a series of epigrammatic 'greatest hits' such as 'We must love one another or die', 'ironic points of light' and 'those to whom evil is done do evil in return'.

Maria Margaronis explores all that flows into and out of a poem that speaks perpetually to our 'age of anxiety'.

Producer: Mark Burman

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2019.


SUN 06:30 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (Omnibus) (m00061t3)
Episode 1

Molly’s lived on the streets of Nottingham since she was a teenager.

Drawn to an intense young man at a party, she agrees to travel across Britain with him.

While he’s in search of buried treasure, she has her own reasons for getting out of town for a while - but along the way she’ll discover that it’s not always possible to run from your past...

Mahsuda Snaith's brilliant novel, first published in 2019.

Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes abridged by Siân Preece

Read by Anjli Mohindra

Producer Eilidh McCreadie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2019.


SUN 07:40 Inheritance Tracks (m001qt7b)
Rob Rinder

Broadcaster Rob Rinder chooses Max Bruch’s ‘Kol Nidrei’ with Natalie Clein and Beethoven’s ‘Ode To Joy’ conducted by Bernstein.


SUN 07:50 Hester by Margaret Oliphant (Omnibus) (b03nh88x)
A tale of banks and bankers. A tale of credit and discredit.

A young woman in a 19th-century Cheshire town, having been snubbed and discarded in marriage, does something truly radical.

When the family bank is in danger of a run, she pledges her whole private fortune to save it. But instead of merely underwriting it, in return she insists on running the bank herself, as a single woman, in defiance of all convention.

Margaret Oliphant's novel first published in 1883.

Starring Penelope Wilton and Lyndsey Marshal.

Sometimes called 'the feminist Trollope', Oliphant is an unjustly-neglected British writer of the 19th-century, famed for her perceptive, ironic psychology, and her strong female characters.

Omnibus of five parts dramatised by Kate Clanchy & Zena Forster - revealing a flawed and fascinating heroine, reborn for radio.

Margaret Oliphant ..... Penelope Wilton
William ..... Adam Nagaitis
Lady Ellen Vernon ..... Jasmine Hyde
Mr Rule ..... Philip Jackson
Hester Vernon ..... Lyndsey Marshal
Harry Sellon ..... Ben Crowe

Harp played by Ruth Faber

Director: Jonquil Panting

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.


SUN 09:00 A Life of Bliss (m001qt7p)
From 18/06/1957

With his engagement to Penny at an end, will David Bliss stay single for long?

Starring George Cole.

Godfrey Harrison's sitcom about bashful, bumbling bachelor, David Alexander Bliss.

David Bliss …. George Cole
Anne …. Diana Churchill
Tony ….Colin Gordon
Mrs Bliss …. Gladys Young
Psyche the Dog …. Percy Edwards
Elsbeth Hobdon …. Selwyn Morgan
Mrs Hobdon …. Molly Rankin
Mr Hobdon …. Humphrey Morton

Six series of 118 episodes of A Life of Bliss ran on the BBC Home Service from 1953. It moved to BBC TV for a run of six episodes in 1969.

Sadly very few episodes survive in the BBC archive, including the first seven starring David Tomlinson.

The BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenhoulet.

Producer: Leslie Bridgmont

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in June 1957.


SUN 09:30 Home to Roost (m0004xvc)
Series 1

To Be Or Not To Be - An OAP

Freshly-retired William Wheeler reluctantly signs-up for his pension.

Starring Molly Sugden and Deryck Guyler.

Sitcom written by Anne Jones.

After 40 years working in the same office, William Wheeler has just retired and battles to adapt to his new life of leisure.

His wife Olive, on the other hand, is trying to cope with him her feet all day, for the first time in their marriage.

William …. Deryck Guyler
Olive …. Molly Sugden
Jack Bailey …. Norman Rossington
Neville …. John Baddeley
Angela …. Ysanne Churchman
Pat …. Patricia Green
Mrs Cox …. Linda Polan

Producers: Richard Maddock and Peter Titheradge.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1974.


SUN 10:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0013gvy)
British Music Makers

Lily Allen

Singer-songwriter Lily Allen shares her castaway choices with Kirsty Young.

After first dipping her toe in musical waters by releasing her demos on social media, by 2014 Lily was one of the headline acts at Glastonbury.

But her first appearance at the festival was actually as a new-born baby carried through the crowd in swaddling. Indeed, she was as good as baptised at the font of celebrity culture – her dad, Keith, is an actor and writer, her mum, Alison, is an award-winning film producer - for a time her step-dad was Harry Enfield.

So, it seems almost inevitable that she's ended up at the centre of a media-saturated life.

Except that in all likelihood she would have been propelled there entirely by her own endeavours: her lyrics are witty and wise-ass and capture concisely what it is to be a savvy, young woman today.

She says, "the only thing I can do really is write lyrics and the only way I know how to do that is by being honest and doing it with integrity because otherwise there's no point".

DISC ONE: Common People - Pulp
DISC TWO: Where's Me Jumper - Sultans of Ping F.C.
DISC THREE: I Am the Resurrection - The Stone Roses
DISC FOUR: Blinded by the Lights - The Streets
DISC FIVE: Right Down the Line - Gerry Rafferty
DISC SIX: I'd Rather Go Blind - Etta James
DISC SEVEN: Traffic Blocking - General Degree
DISC EIGHT: Before I Grow Too Old - Tommy McLain

BOOK CHOICE: Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade - Patrick Dennis
LUXURY CHOICE: Husband’s shirt with daughter’s bunny sewn onto it
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: I Am the Resurrection - The Stone Roses

Desert Island Discs was created by Roy Plomley.

Producer: Cathy Drysdale

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2014.


SUN 10:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mlxpv)
Series 1

Bird's Nest Soup

Filming birds that make the nests of saliva - so prized by Chinese gourmet chefs - in the total darkness of a Borneo cave proved difficult.

That was until a conical mound of bat guano provided a natural platform.

Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.

Producer: Julian Hector

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2009.


SUN 11:00 Poetry Extra (m001qt6w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SUN 11:30 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (Omnibus) (m00061t3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


SUN 12:40 Inheritance Tracks (m001qt7b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:40 today]


SUN 12:50 Hester by Margaret Oliphant (Omnibus) (b03nh88x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:50 today]


SUN 14:00 A Life of Bliss (m001qt7p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SUN 14:30 Home to Roost (m0004xvc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


SUN 15:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0013gvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


SUN 15:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mlxpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 today]


SUN 16:00 The Man in Black (b00nrv03)
[Repeat of broadcast at 00:00 today]


SUN 16:30 A Short History of Gothic (b00pd7cm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 00:30 today]


SUN 17:00 Poetry Extra (m001qt6w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SUN 17:30 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (Omnibus) (m00061t3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


SUN 18:40 Inheritance Tracks (m001qt7b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:40 today]


SUN 18:50 Hester by Margaret Oliphant (Omnibus) (b03nh88x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:50 today]


SUN 20:00 A Life of Bliss (m001qt7p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SUN 20:30 Home to Roost (m0004xvc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


SUN 21:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0013gvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


SUN 21:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mlxpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 today]


SUN 22:00 The Hudson and Pepperdine Show (b0076fhj)
Series 3

Reality TV

Mel Hudson and Vicki Pepperdine are swept up in the craze for celebrities on reality TV

Starring Mel Hudson and Vicki Pepperdine

With:

Martin Hyder
Jim North

Written by Danny Robins, Richie Devlin and Dan Tetsell with the cast

Script edited by Graeme Garden

Music by Richie Webb

Producer: Chris Neill

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2003.


SUN 22:30 Chain Reaction (b03q8z47)
Series 9

Neil Innes talks to Graham Linehan

The songwriter and comic performer and comedy writer and director in the talk tag show where the guest becomes the next interviewer.

Neil Innes chats to Graham Linehan.

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

Producer: Carl Cooper

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2014.


SUN 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m001r2ss)
Aunty Donna 2/2

From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And tonight, Jon Holmes chats again with the Australian absurdist sketch group, Aunty Donna.


SUN 23:00 Spats (b007v0cy)
Series 1

Love versus Something Better

Is there anything better than love?

Luke Roberts tries to solve the big arguments using light entertainment.

Sketch series written by and starring Luke Roberts.

With:

Stephen Critchlow
Nadia Kamil
Clare Wille

Producer: Ed Morrish

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in August 2007


SUN 23:15 The Hauntening (m000p1hg)
Series 3

Sleeping

Travel through the bad gateway in this modern ghost story as writer and performer Tom Neenan discovers what horrors lurk in our apps and gadgets.

In this episode, we discover there is something even worse than a nightmare as sweet dreams turn very very sour.

Modern technology is terrifying. The average smartphone carries out three-point-three-six billion instructions per second. The average person can only carry out one instruction in that time. Stop and think about that for a second. Sorry, that’s two instructions - you won’t be able to do that.

But what if modern technology was literally terrifying?

What if there really was a ghost in the machine?

Written by Tom Neenan

Tom ....... Tom Neenan
Heidi ....... Jenny Bede
Charlie ....... Andy Nyman
The Advert ....... Rebecca Gethings

Director: David Tyler

A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2020.


SUN 23:30 Life: An Idiot's Guide (b045xxst)
Series 3

Mortality

Stephen K Amos sets out to compile an idiot's guide to mortality.

With assistance from some of the comedy circuit's best stand-ups:

Jason Cook
Brendon Burns
Robin Ince

Additional material by Stephen Grant and Hugh Sington.

Producer: Colin Anderson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2014.

MONDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2023

MON 00:00 Poetry Extra (m001qt6w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]


MON 00:30 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (Omnibus) (m00061t3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Sunday]


MON 01:40 Inheritance Tracks (m001qt7b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:40 on Sunday]


MON 01:50 Hester by Margaret Oliphant (Omnibus) (b03nh88x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:50 on Sunday]


MON 03:00 A Life of Bliss (m001qt7p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Sunday]


MON 03:30 Home to Roost (m0004xvc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Sunday]


MON 04:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0013gvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]


MON 04:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mlxpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 on Sunday]


MON 05:00 Arthur Conan Doyle - Micah Clarke (m000knv2)
1. The Messenger from the Lowlands

In 1685 England is once again threatened by Civil War as rumours fly that the Protestant Duke of Monmouth will land any day and try by whatever means possible to usurp the throne of his Catholic uncle, James II.

Innocent of these turbulent times, young Micah Clarke and his friend, Reuben, go fishing off Spithead and find themselves drawn into the very centre of a conflict that is to tear the country apart.

Starring Martyn Read, Patrick Troughton and James Bryce.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's historical novel, first published in 1889.

Dramatised in five-parts by Constance Cox.

Micah Clarke ...... Martyn Read
Decimus Saxon ...... Patrick Troughton
Reuben Lockarby ...... James Bryce
Joseph Clarke ...... Lockwood West
Mrs Clarke ...... Gwen Cherrell
Zachary Palmer ...... John Webb
Major Ogilvy ...... Gregory de Polnay
Cornet Horsford ...... Christopher Douglas
Man ...... Colin Starkey
Rider ...... Robin Summers

Director: David Johnston

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1985.


MON 05:55 The Fanthorpe Investigations (b038l0d7)
The Croglin Grange Vampire

The strange story of a vampire in North-West England.

Priest and paranormal investigator Lionel Fanthorpe relates a story from the world of the strange and unexplained.

Producer: Paul Arnold

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in August 2013.


MON 06:00 Paul Temple (b007jqqg)
Paul Temple and the Conrad Case

A Visit To Innsbruck

Betty Conrad's roommate June Jackson disappears - as the mystery deepens with the discovery of more intriguing clues.

After yet another attempt is made to kill Paul Temple and Steve - a body is discovered...

Francis Durbridge's crime thriller stars Peter Coke and Marjorie Westbury as BBC radio's smoothest investigator and his glamorous wife.

Paul Temple …. Peter Coke
Steve …. Marjorie Westbury
Madame Klein …. Dorothy Holmes Gore
Fritz Gunter …. George Hagan
Elliot France …. James Thomason
Denis Harper …. John Bryning
Elsa, The Countess Dekker …. Joan Matheson
Mrs Weldon …. Virginia Winter
Herr Breckshaft …. Jeffrey Segal

Producer: Martyn C Webster

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1959.


MON 06:30 Whodunnits (b0082c6v)
Outbreak of Fear by RD Wingfield

1. The Body on the Beach

Until PC Beaumont came to Polford, fresh from Police Training College, he'd never seen a dead body.

But despite the location of this sleepy fishing village in the West Country, he's set to complete his education...

Starring Leslie Sands and Nick Orchard.

RD Wingfield's five-part thriller serial.

Sergeant Fowler …. Leslie Sands
PC Beaumont …. Nick Orchard
Dave Clark …. Cornelius Garrett
The Doctor …. Paul Nicholson
Pete Carter …. Derek Graham
Mitchell …. Conrad Phillips
Rose …. Gillie Graham
Fred Dickey …. Fred Bryant
Albert …. Douglas Leach
Kim …. Deborah Paige
Mrs Trevor …. Patricia Gibson

Director: Brian Miller

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1982.


MON 07:00 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (m000612m)
6. The Scarecrow

Molly's lived on the streets since she was a teenager.

Her violent ex-boyfriend Rusby is back in Nottingham and won't leave her alone. So when she meets Luca at a party and he asks her to go away with him she jumps at the chance to escape. Old friend Jules doesn't trust this newcomer and invites herself along for the ride.

On the way to Skegness the friends have stopped off with Luca's parents. Their initial warm welcome is beginning to fray around the edges as Molly is plagued by dark visions.

Molly is spooked by a scarecrow which she thinks is Rusby. Joyce quizzes Molly about her job and the girl feels forced to admit that she was a sex worker. The Bargates are shocked although they try to hide it.

Molly looks for drugs to take her pain away.

Novel written by Mahsuda Snaith.

Read by Anjli Mohindra

Abridged by Siân Preece

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2019.


MON 07:15 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (b00cq1d4)
1. The Marriage

Beautiful Emma meets and marries Doctor Charles Bovary.

He's happy for the first time in his life - unlike Emma, who's distraught that her marriage lacks the passion and excitement of her fantasies.

Gustave Flaubert''s1856 French masterpiece of betrayal and wantonness - the first great novel of adultery.

Narrated by John Hurt

Dramatised in ten parts by Diana Griffiths - from Margaret Mauldon's translation.

Narrator ...... John Hurt
Charles ...... Conrad Nelson
Emma ...... Sarah Smart
Madame Bovary Snr ...... Brigit Forsyth
Monsieur Rouault ...... Russell Dixon

Producer: Pauline Harris

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2006.


MON 07:30 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar (b09fzbfm)
Series 2

The Financial Crash

Alexei considers the causes and fall-out of the 2008 financial crash, the appeal of Donald Trump and laments his lack of mainstream success.

The Godfather of Alternative Comedy delivers a mixture of stand-up, memoir and philosophy from behind the counter of his Imaginary Sandwich Bar.

Written and performed by Alexei Sayle.

With Sean Baker

Original music and lyrics by Tim Sutton

Producer: Joe Nunnery

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2017.


MON 08:00 Stop Messing About! (b00cpvf3)
Series 1

Episode 13

Problem corner - blast off into space the bona way!

Starring:

Kenneth Williams
Hugh Paddick
Joan Sims

Announcer: Douglas Smith

After the unexpected death of Kenneth Horne in 1969, plans for the next series of Round The Horne were axed. Instead - using an old catchphrase of Kenneth Williams as a series title - Kenneth joined Hugh Paddick to continue the comedy tradition and was also reunited with his "Carry On" film co-star Joan Sims.

Written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Myles Rudge

With the Max Harris Group.

Producer: John Simmonds

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1969.


MON 08:30 Semi Circles (b007jxl1)
Series 1

A Nice Area

An action committee is formed when a foreign owner applies to open a new restaurant in the area.

The improving story of life and improving times in an improving neighbourhood.

Starring Paula Wilcox and David Wood.

Sitcom written by Simon Brett

Helen ...... Paula Wilcox
Ben ...... David Wood
Mrs Kelly ...... Pat Heywood
Alastair ...... Bruce Alexander
Roger ...... Ben Aris
Mo ...... Penelope Nice
Mr Mukerjee ...... Tariq Yunis

Producer: Pete Atkin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1982.


MON 09:00 It's Your Round (b018wb95)
Series 2

Episode 2

Angus Deayton presides over another episode of the show conceived not for the panellists but by them.

Trying to beat each other at their own games:

Sandi Toksvig
Clive Anderson
Humphrey Ker
Milton Jones

Featured rounds::

Clive Anderson's "I Fought The Law", a selection of questions based around the idiosyncrasies of British Law.

Sandi Toksvig's "Lost for Words", in which panellists must guess the meaning of various foreign words that have no direct translation in English.

Humphrey Ker's "Pet, Lunch or Hat", a variation on "Snog, Marry, Avoid".

And Milton Jones' "Joke Jeopardy" in which panellists are given punchlines to cracker jokes and the panellists must guess the set-ups.

Producer: Sam Michell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2012.


MON 09:30 Alison and Maud (b007k449)
Series 2

Men Misbehaving But Only Slightly

The sisters plan a celebration for Father's 85th birthday - including chocolate cake.

Starring Denise Coffey and Miriam Margolyes.

Sue Limb's Bed and Breakfast sitcom about sisters Alison and Maud and their guests at the Abbeyfield Guest House in Norwich.

Alison ...... Denise Coffey
Maud ...... Miriam Margolyes
Father ...... Joss Ackland
Mr Mullet ...... Chris Emmett
Bernard ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Leslie ...... .Nicholas Grace

Producer: Jonathan James-Moore

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2004.


MON 10:00 Arthur Conan Doyle - Micah Clarke (m000knv2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 today]


MON 10:55 The Fanthorpe Investigations (b038l0d7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:55 today]


MON 11:00 Paul Temple (b007jqqg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 11:30 Whodunnits (b0082c6v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 12:00 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (m000612m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


MON 12:15 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (b00cq1d4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


MON 12:30 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar (b09fzbfm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 13:00 Stop Messing About! (b00cpvf3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 13:30 Semi Circles (b007jxl1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 14:00 It's Your Round (b018wb95)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 14:30 Alison and Maud (b007k449)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


MON 15:00 Arthur Conan Doyle - Micah Clarke (m000knv2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 today]


MON 15:55 The Fanthorpe Investigations (b038l0d7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:55 today]


MON 16:00 Paul Temple (b007jqqg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 16:30 Whodunnits (b0082c6v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 17:00 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (m000612m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


MON 17:15 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (b00cq1d4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


MON 17:30 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar (b09fzbfm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 18:00 Stop Messing About! (b00cpvf3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 18:30 Semi Circles (b007jxl1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 19:00 It's Your Round (b018wb95)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 19:30 Alison and Maud (b007k449)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


MON 20:00 Radiolab (m0017d2f)
Series 9

Mixtape 4 - 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.

Radiolab Mixtape, a special 4 part series featuring the impact of the cassette tape.

Radiolab Mixtape 4 Help? Stories of cassette tapes as peculiar helpers, self-help, village history and lost love.

Three stories: first, a tale of how the cassette tape supercharged the self-help industry. Second, cassettes filled with history make an epic journey across Africa with a group of Lost Boys. And finally, Simon meets up with fellow Radiolabber David Gebel to dig through an old box of mixtapes and rediscover the unique power of these bygone love letters.

Radiolab Mixtape was reported, produced, scored and sound designed by Simon Adler.

From WNYC. First broadcast on public radio in the USA in 2021.


MON 20:55 Inheritance Tracks (b0755t89)
Ben Elton

Writer and comic Ben Elton chooses 'Sagt Mir Wo Die Blumen Sind'? sung by Marlene Dietrich and 'We are the Champions' by Queen.


MON 21:00 Mastertapes (b06wctts)
Series 5

Bellowhead (the A Side)

Bellowhead talk, and play tracks from their most successful album, released in 2010, 'Hedonism'.

Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them.

Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes - the A-side and B-side.

In the A-side, Donovan talks to John Wilson about what is still the best selling independent folk album of all time.

The idea for Bellowhead came to John Spiers and Jon Boden when they were caught in a traffic jam on tour. The longer they were stuck in the car, the more names of friends they came up with of whom to invite – initially settling on a ‘modest’ line-up of 10 which then grew to an even sillier 11-piece after the recording of their first EP.

In June 2015, they announced that the band would be calling it a day on May 1st 2016, and exactly two weeks after the twelfth anniversary of their first ever gig in Oxford Town Hall they will finish their farewell tour with an intimate final show in the very same venue. The tickets for this gig sold out in two minutes.

Their most commercially successful album, Hedonism was recorded in Abbey Road Studios and released in October 2010. Produced by John Leckie, it served up a further mix of shanties, folk songs and dance tunes, arranged in an eclectic mix of musical styles and influences.

The album includes rousing versions of ‘Cold Blow The Wind’, ‘New York Girls’ and the Jacques Brel song ‘Amsterdam’

In the B-side of the programme, it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions.

Producer: Paul Kobrak

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2016.


MON 21:30 The Long Drop by Denise Mina (b09v3359)
6. Consequences

Roused to anger by Watt's clumsy enquiries into the murder of his family, the Glasgow underworld comes calling.

Denise Mina's reimagines the true crime trial of Scotland's first serial killer, Peter Manuel, in a dark and compelling exploration of truth and storytelling.

Glasgow, 1957. Businessman William Watt wants answers about his family's murder.

Small time crook Peter Manuel claims to have them. But you don't get something for nothing. Over the course of a bizarre night these unlikely drinking partners will swap stories and attempt to cut a deal to emerge from scandal with reputations, and profits, intact.

Read by Liam Brennan

Abridged in ten parts by Siân Preece.

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2018.


MON 21:45 The Dead Hour by Denise Mina (b00w8kng)
6. Proof

Cub reporter Paddy Meehan thinks she knows the identity of who killed the lawyer.

But can she prove it..?

Denise Mina's gripping crime thriller set in Glasgow, 1984.

Dramatised in ten parts by Chris Dolan.

Paddy Meehan .... Amy Manson
Billy .... Stevie Hannan
Neilson …. Simon Donaldson
Trisha .... Cara Kelly
Gourlay …. Laurie Ventry
Sean .... Paul Hickey
JT .... Finlay McLean
Kate .... Patricia Kavanagh
Sullivan .... Andrew Clark
Burns …. Grant O'Rourke
Ramage …. Mark McDonnell
Lafferty …. Stewart Porter
Knox …. Andrew Byatt
Bernie …. Richard Conlon

Director: Bruce Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2009.


MON 22:00 Paul Sinha's Perfect Pub Quiz (m001qm7t)
Series 2

Episode 3

In each episode of Paul Sinha’s Perfect Pub Quiz, the quizzer, comedian and Rose d’Or winner Paul Sinha invites the audience to tell him their favourite quiz questions, before offering up not just different and surprising questions, but also the fascinating stories behind the answers.

It’s facts, jokes, stories and puns – just the way you like them.

This week's show has a Hampshire flavour, as Paul takes on an audience in Andover. What popular food owes its existence to the people of Southampton? What's the best bridge in Hampshire? And why did Florence Nightingale think it was all over?

Written and performed by Paul Sinha
Additional material: Oliver Levy
Additional questions: The Audience

Original music: Tim Sutton

Sound engineer: David Thomas

Producer: Ed Morrish

A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4.


MON 22:30 Small Scenes (b03gbxnj)
Series 1

Episode 3

Discover the cosmetic benefits of old men's legs and a visit to the Witness Protection Conference 2013.

The symphonious sketch show series.

Starring:

Daniel Rigby
Mike Wozniak
Sara Pascoe
Henry Paker

Written by the cast and Benjamin Partridge with additional material from Eddie Robson.

Producer: Simon Mayhew-Archer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2013


MON 23:00 The News Quiz (m001qmn5)
Series 112

Episode 3

Andy Zaltzman quizzes the week's news. Providing all the answers are Ria Lina, Ayesha Hazarika, Chris McCausland, and Alasdair Beckett-King.

In this episode Andy and the panel discuss Rishi rowing back on net zero, Wales slowing down, HS2 grinding to a halt and Starmer's European sojourn.

Written by Andy Zaltzman

With additional material by
Cody Dahler
Mike Shephard
Rhiannon Shaw
and Miranda Holms

Producer: Gwyn Rhys Davies
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Coordinator: Dan Marchini
Sound Editor: Giles Aspen

A BBC Studios Production


MON 23:30 Lee and Herring's Fist of Fun (b007k1qh)
Belfast

Goldilocks, Robert the Bruce and body awareness.

Stewart Lee and Richard Herring’s mix of sharp sketches and situations, stand up topical gags and banter.

From Queen's University, Belfast.

With:

Peter Baynham
Ronni Ancona
John Thomson

Lee and Herring went to write and star in their successful TV transfer to BBC Two in 1995.

Cult BBC Radio 1 series first broadcast in October 1993.

TUESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2023

TUE 00:00 Arthur Conan Doyle - Micah Clarke (m000knv2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 on Monday]


TUE 00:55 The Fanthorpe Investigations (b038l0d7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:55 on Monday]


TUE 01:00 Paul Temple (b007jqqg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]


TUE 01:30 Whodunnits (b0082c6v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]


TUE 02:00 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (m000612m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]


TUE 02:15 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (b00cq1d4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Monday]


TUE 02:30 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar (b09fzbfm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]


TUE 03:00 Stop Messing About! (b00cpvf3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]


TUE 03:30 Semi Circles (b007jxl1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]


TUE 04:00 It's Your Round (b018wb95)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Monday]


TUE 04:30 Alison and Maud (b007k449)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Monday]


TUE 05:00 Arthur Conan Doyle - Micah Clarke (m000kn9k)
2. The Perilous Journey

Following a dramatic encounter with Colonel Decimus Saxon, Micah and Reuben are drawn into the Civil War between the Protestant usurper the Duke of Monmouth and the Catholic King James II.

They must set off on the dangerous journey to join the Duke and his forces at Taunton.

Starring Martyn Read, Patrick Troughton and Simon Ward.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's historical novel - set to the backdrop of the 1685 Monmouth Rebellion.

Dramatised by Constance Cox.

Micah Clarke …. Martyn Read
Decimus Saxon …. Patrick Troughton
Reuben Lockarby …. James Bryce
Duke of Monmouth …. Simon Ward
Sir Gervas Jerome .... Mark Straker
Sir Jacob Clancing .... Lockwood West
Dame Hobson .... Mia Soteriou
Mayor Timewell .... William Eedle
Ruth Timewell .... Jenny Funnell
John Derrick .... William Hope
Dr Ferguson .... Harry Stamper
Lord Grey .... David Sinclair
Captain Buyse .... Geoffrey Collins
Master Wade .... Steve Hodson
Master Tetheridge .... Stephen Thorne

Director: David Johnston

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1985.


TUE 05:55 The Fanthorpe Investigations (b038xly1)
The Green Children of Woolpit

The legend of two green children who appeared in a village.

Priest and paranormal investigator Lionel Fanthorpe relates a story from the world of the strange and unexplained.

Producer: Paul Arnold

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in August 2013.


TUE 06:00 Paul Temple (b007jqqt)
Paul Temple and the Conrad Case

A Dry Martini

The stylish detective and his wife are advised to drop their enquiries and to avoid Captain Smith.

Francis Durbridge's thriller stars Peter Coke as Paul Temple and Marjorie Westbury as Steve in another intriguing case for BBC radio's smoothest investigator and his glamorous wife.

Paul Temple …. Peter Coke
Steve …. Marjorie Westbury
Sir Graham Forbes …. Richard Williams
Joyce Gunter …. Dorothy Smith
Madame Klein …. Dorothy Holmes Gore
Fritz Gunter …. George Hagan
Elliot France …. James Thomason
Denis Harper …. John Bryning
Elsa, Countess Dekker …. Joan Matheson
Mrs Weldon …. Virginia Winter
Dr Conrad …. Rolf Lefebvre
Herr Breckshaft …. Jeffrey Segal

Between 1938 and 1968, Francis Durbridge's incomparably suave amateur detective Paul Temple and glamorous wife Steve solved case after baffling case in one of BBC radio's most popular series. They inhabited a sophisticated, well-heeled world of cocktails and fast cars.

Producer: Martyn C Webster

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1959.


TUE 06:30 Whodunnits (b0082f1k)
Outbreak of Fear by RD Wingfield

2. The Second Body

No sooner has Richard Aldridge's body turned up when Sergeant Fowler's boss arrives from New Scotland Yard - and makes a discovery...

Starring Leslie Sands and Nick Orchard.

RD Wingfield's thriller serial.

Sergeant Fowler …. Leslie Sands
PC Beaumont …. Nick Orchard
Dave Clark …. Cornelius Garrett
The Doctor …. Paul Nicholson
Pete Carter …. Derek Graham
Chadwick …. Nicholas Courtney
Joe Hardy …. John Gabriel
Radio DJ …. Jim Reid
Miss Reed …. Ann Morrish
Vicar …. Ronald Russell

Director: Brian Miller

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1982.


TUE 07:00 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (m00060wd)
7. Looking Back

Molly has lived on the streets since she was a teenager. Her violent ex-boyfriend Rusby is back in Nottingham and won't leave her alone. So when she meets Luca at a party and he asks her to go away with him to find treasure, she jumps at the chance to escape. Old friend Jules doesn't trust this newcomer and invites herself along for the ride.

The trio have broken their journey to Skegness at Luca's parents' house. When Molly overhears them discussing their son's mental health, her own traumatic memories from her days on the streets come flooding back.

Read by Anjli Mohindra

Written by Mahsuda Snaith

Abridged by Siân Preece

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2019.


TUE 07:15 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (b00cq60z)
2. The Ball

The dazzling splendour of a Marquis ball intensifies married Emma's longing for excitement

Gustave Flaubert's French masterpiece of betrayal and wantonness - the first great novel of adultery.

Narrated by John Hurt.

Dramatised by Diana Griffiths from Margaret Mauldon's translation.

Narrator ...... John Hurt
Charles ...... Conrad Nelson
Emma ...... Sarah Smart
Madame Bovary Snr ...... Brigit Forsyth
Monsieur Rouault ...... Russell Dixon

Producer: Pauline Harris

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2006.


TUE 07:30 Showstopper (b00y2sjt)
3. Scout Camp

The Showstopper team are here to create a hilarious improvised comic musical on the spot!

Featuring 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
Oliver Senton

It’s curtain-up on the musical world of cub scouting....

Producer: Sam Bryant

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2011.


TUE 08:00 The Goon Show (b007jyf4)
Series 9

The Call of the West

Count Moriarty and Grytpype-Thynne sell saxophones to the Indians in a cowboy caper.

Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.

Starring:

Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
Peter Sellers

First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.

With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.

Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.

Announcer: Wallace Greenslade

Producer: John Browell

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in January 1959


TUE 08:30 Growing Pains (m001qtqq)
1. Teamwork

Pat fancies the idea of fostering. But can she convert her husband Tom and family to her way of thinking?

Steve Wetton’s six-part series featuring the Hollingsworth family. Carpet salesman Tom and wife Pat have three children, Mark [15], Lisa [14] and Simon [12]. Pat, her older sister, Miriam - a lecturer - and their mother moved south from Yorkshire 25 years previously.

With no plans to have more children of her own, and no means of income, Pat feels that fostering may be the way forward.

Tom Hollingsworth …. Ray Brooks
Pat Hollingsworth …. Sharon Duce
Gran .... Jean Heywood
Miriam .... Jacqueline Tong
Mark .... Richard Pearce
Lisa .... Tika Viker-Bloss
Simon .... Nicholas Delve
Caroline Thornley .... Susan Sheridan

Producer: Lissa Evans

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1989.


TUE 09:00 The Motion Show (b00762kw)
Series 4

Episode 3

Debates galore from returning to nature - to joining Big Brother.

Graeme Garden chairs the quirky battle of words and wit.

With Marcus Brigstocke, Steve Punt, Stuart Maconie and Jenny Eclair.

Producer: Helen Williams

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2001.


TUE 09:30 On Baby Street (b00drrz9)
Series 1

Episode 2

Three expectant mothers prepare for their arrivals in different ways.

Comedy drama by Jenny Eclair and Julie Balloo about three pregnant women living in the same street.

Mother Nature .... Jenny Eclair
Yvette ....Tilly Vosburgh
Dad .... Keith Allen
Shona .... Caroline Hook
Ian .... Graham Fellows
Robert .... Hugh Ross
Geraldine .... Frances Barber
Kelly .... Kathy Burke
Sophie .… Sue Elliot-Nicholls
Larry .... Kevin Eldon
Lilian .... Eva Stuart
Kevin .… James Sutton

Producer: Jane Berthoud.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1996.


TUE 10:00 Arthur Conan Doyle - Micah Clarke (m000kn9k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 today]


TUE 10:55 The Fanthorpe Investigations (b038xly1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:55 today]


TUE 11:00 Paul Temple (b007jqqt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 11:30 Whodunnits (b0082f1k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 12:00 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (m00060wd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


TUE 12:15 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (b00cq60z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


TUE 12:30 Showstopper (b00y2sjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 13:00 The Goon Show (b007jyf4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 13:30 Growing Pains (m001qtqq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 14:00 The Motion Show (b00762kw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


TUE 14:30 On Baby Street (b00drrz9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


TUE 15:00 Arthur Conan Doyle - Micah Clarke (m000kn9k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 today]


TUE 15:55 The Fanthorpe Investigations (b038xly1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:55 today]


TUE 16:00 Paul Temple (b007jqqt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 16:30 Whodunnits (b0082f1k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 17:00 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (m00060wd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


TUE 17:15 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (b00cq60z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


TUE 17:30 Showstopper (b00y2sjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 18:00 The Goon Show (b007jyf4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 18:30 Growing Pains (m001qtqq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 19:00 The Motion Show (b00762kw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


TUE 19:30 On Baby Street (b00drrz9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


TUE 20:00 TED Radio Hour (m0015sqw)
Series 8

A Love Letter To The Ocean

A journey through fascinating ideas based on talks by riveting speakers on the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) stage.

Manoush Zomorodi explores our enduring relationship with something that covers 75% of the Earth – the sea.

First broadcast in the USA on National Public Radio in 2021.


TUE 20:50 Inheritance Tracks (m000ql57)
Sophie Kinsella

Writer Sophie Kinsella chooses “500 Miles” by The Seekers and F Couperin "Les Baricades Mysterieuses" played by Angela Hewitt.


TUE 21:00 Mastertapes (b06wd266)
Series 5

Bellowhead (the B Side)

Bellowhead answer questions from the audience about their 2010 album, 'Hedonism'.

Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them.

Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes - the A-side and B-side.

The B-side: Bellowhead's 2010 album, Hedonism

Having discussed the making of 'Hedonism' (in the A-side of the programme) Bellowhead respond to questions from the audience and performs exclusive live acoustic versions of some to the key tracks from the album.

Producer: Paul Kobrak

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016.


TUE 21:30 The Long Drop by Denise Mina (b09v3ff6)
7. The Trial

'The Long Drop' is Denise Mina's first foray into true crime. The award-winning author reimagines the trial of Scotland's first serial killer, Peter Manuel, in a dark and compelling exploration of truth and storytelling.

Glasgow, 1957. Businessman William Watt wants answers about his family's murder. Small time crook Peter Manuel claims to have them. But you don't get something for nothing. Over the course of a bizarre night these unlikely drinking partners will swap stories and attempt to cut a deal to emerge from scandal with reputations, and profits, intact.

Peter Manuel's murder trial reaches a critical stage as the High Court hears his disputed confessions to the murders of Anne Kneilands, Isabelle Cooke, the Watt and the Smart families.

Read by Liam Brennan
Abridged by Siân Preece
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2018.


TUE 21:45 The Dead Hour by Denise Mina (b00wdldw)
7. Shock

As reporter Paddy Meehan battles to unmask the killer - there's a shock in store at the hospital.

Written by Denise Mina.

Paddy Meehan ...... Amy Manson
Billy ...... Stevie Hannan
Neilson ...... Simon Donaldson
Trisha ...... Cara Kelly
Gourlay ...... Laurie Ventry
Sean ...... Paul Thomas Hickey
JT ...... Finlay McLean
Kate ...... Patricia Kavanagh
Sullivan ...... Andrew Clark
Burns ...... Grant O'Rourke
Ramage ...... Mark McDonnell
Lafferty ...... Stewart Porter
Knox ...... Andrew Byatt
Bernie ...... Richard Conlon

Dramatised by Chris Dolan

Director: Bruce Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2009.


TUE 22:00 Suggs: Love Letters to London (m0005f4q)
Hampstead

A side of London you’ve never heard before, seen through the eyes of a national treasure. With special guest, Boy George.

Performed by Suggs
Written by Suggs with Owen Lewis
Featuring: Boy George
Directed by Owen Lewis
Musical Director: Owen Parker
Executive Producer: Richard Melvin
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 22:30 Cliche (m000xcyb)
From 23/3/1981

From spray-on celeb faces to Village Idiot of the Year.

Series of sketch shows.

Starring:

Carole Hayman
Nick Maloney
Simon Molloy
Brian Southwood

Script and songs written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor.

Musical accompaniment by Pete Lingwood.

Produced at BBC Manchester by Ron McDonnell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1981


TUE 23:00 Meet David Sedaris (m000v2xd)
Series 8

Instalment 5

What with the whole world grinding to a viral halt and everything, this special series of essays and diary entries is recorded at the Sussex home of the world-renowned storyteller.

More of the world-renowned storyteller’s home recordings. Featuring a selection of eight shorter essays.

1. Don't Think About Sex Robots
2. Haven't We Met?
3. On Hoarding
4. Crystal Ball
5. Jazz Hands
6. Getting There
7. Skirt
8. Goldenheart

David Sedaris first shared his very particular world view having brought us The SantaLand Diaries back in 1996.

In this eighth series of Meet David Sedaris, he continues to entertain with sardonic wit and incisive social critiques.

David Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humour writers and, in 2019, was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The great skill with which he slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that he's a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today.

Produced by Steve Doherty.

A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021.


TUE 23:30 Elvenquest (b017mwrv)
Series 4

Queen Eleanor

The noble Questers set off once again to find the Sword of Asnagar, the only thing that can rid Lower Earth from the tyranny of the evil Lord Darkness.

Their search brings them to the kingdom of Premenstrua, where they defeat a band of trolls that have been terrorising the land. As a reward for their heroism, they are offered the Sword of Asnagar by its grateful ruler, Queen Eleanor. But before it's placed in their hands, they must first get her a birthday present...

Meanwhile, Kreech tries to convince Lord Darkness that what he needs to help him maintain eternal dominion over Lower Earth is a personal assistant.

Fantasy-based sitcom set in Lower Earth written by Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto

Vidar ...... Darren Boyd
Queen Eleanor ...... Louise Delamere
Dean/Kreech ...... Kevin Eldon
Amis ...... Dave Lamb
Sam ...... Stephen Mangan
Lord Darkness ...... Alistair McGowan
Penthiselea ...... Ingrid Oliver

Producer: Sam Michell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2013.

WEDNESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2023

WED 00:00 Arthur Conan Doyle - Micah Clarke (m000kn9k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 on Tuesday]


WED 00:55 The Fanthorpe Investigations (b038xly1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:55 on Tuesday]


WED 01:00 Paul Temple (b007jqqt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]


WED 01:30 Whodunnits (b0082f1k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]


WED 02:00 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (m00060wd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]


WED 02:15 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (b00cq60z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Tuesday]


WED 02:30 Showstopper (b00y2sjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]


WED 03:00 The Goon Show (b007jyf4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]


WED 03:30 Growing Pains (m001qtqq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]


WED 04:00 The Motion Show (b00762kw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Tuesday]


WED 04:30 On Baby Street (b00drrz9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Tuesday]


WED 05:00 Arthur Conan Doyle - Micah Clarke (m000knvb)
3. King Monmouth

Having set off on the dangerous ride to Taunton to join Monmouth's rebel forces, Micah and his friend Reuben have had many extraordinary encounters.

First with Sir Jacob Clancing who sends an enigmatic and ominous message to the Duke; then with the deceptively foppish Sir Gervas who joins their cause; and then with Mayor Timewell whose pretty daughter catches Reuben's eye.

Finally they come face to face with the great Monmouth himself.

Starring Martyn Read, Patrick Troughton and James Bryce.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's historical novel set to the backdrop of the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685.

Dramatised by Constance Cox.

Micah Clarke …. Martyn Read
Decimus Saxon …. Patrick Troughton
Reuben Lockarby …. James Bryce
Duke of Monmouth …. Simon Ward
Sir Gervas Jerome ... Mark Straker
Lord Grey ... David Sinclair
Duke of Beaufort .... John Rye
Mayor Timewell .... Willlam Eedle
Captain Buyse .... Geoffrey Collins
Dr Ferguson .... Henry Stamper
Major Ogilvy .... Gregory de Polnay
Captain Murgatroyd .... Jack McKenzie
Captain Sinclair .... Michael Jayes
Farmer Brown ... Peter Tuddenham
Silas .... John Forbes-Robertson
Long John .... Clive Panto

Director: David Johnston

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1985.


WED 05:55 The Fanthorpe Investigations (b039b74y)
The Catacomb Phenomenon

The strange tale of the Catacomb Phenomenon.

Priest and paranormal investigator Lionel Fanthorpe relates stories from the world of the strange and unexplained.

Producer: Paul Arnold

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


WED 06:00 Paul Temple (b007jqrt)
Paul Temple and the Conrad Case

Concerning Captain Smith

Arriving to collect vital information from Countess Dekker, the stylish detective gets a shock.

Francis Durbridge's thriller stars Peter Coke as Paul Temple and Marjorie Westbury as Steve in another intriguing case for BBC radio's smoothest investigator and his glamorous wife.

Paul Temple …. Peter Coke
Steve …. Marjorie Westbury
Captain Williams …. John Bennett
Inspector Digby …. Peter Wilde
Paddy …. John Hollis
Denis Harper …. John Bryning
Elsa, Countess Dekker …. Joan Matheson
Charlie …. James Beattie
Sir Graham Forbes …. Richard Williams
Dr Conrad …. Rolf Lefebvre
Herr Breckshaft …. Jeffrey Segal

Between 1938 and 1968, Francis Durbridge's incomparably suave amateur detective Paul Temple and glamorous wife Steve solved case after baffling case in one of BBC radio's most popular series. They inhabited a sophisticated, well-heeled world of cocktails and fast cars.

Producer: Martyn C Webster

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in April 1959.


WED 06:30 Whodunnits (b0082h1n)
Outbreak of Fear by RD Wingfield

3. Triple Murder

With victims mutilated by a serial killer on Sergeant Fowler's hands, police radios in the village of Polford pick up mysterious signals...

Starring Leslie Sands and Nick Orchard.

RD Wingfield's thriller serial.

Sergeant Fowler …. Leslie Sands
PC Beaumont …. Nick Orchard
Dave Clark …. Cornelius Garrett
The Doctor …. Paul Nicholson
Pete Carter …. Derek Graham
Chadwick …. Nicholas Courtney
Joe Hardy …. John Gabriel
Mitchell …. Conrad Phillips
Eric Farrow …. Malcolm Young
Mrs Farrow …. Rosemary Sigel

Director: Brian Miller

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1982.


WED 07:00 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (m000610f)
8. Igor

Molly has lived on the streets since she was a teenager. Her violent ex-boyfriend Rusby is back in Nottingham and won't leave her alone. So when she meets Luca at a party and he asks her to go away with him she jumps at the chance to escape. Old friend Jules doesn't trust this newcomer and invites herself along for the ride.

The trio have reached Skegness but it's late. They hook up with homeless man Igor to kill time until Luca is ready to search for his buried treasure.

Read by Anjli Mohindra

Written by Mahsuda Snaith

Abridged by Siân Preece

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2019.


WED 07:15 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (b00cqdwd)
3. The Solicitor

As Emma and Charles move to a new town, she makes the acquaintance of a young solicitor.

Gustave Flaubert's French masterpiece of betrayal and wantonness - the first great novel of adultery.

Narrated by John Hurt.

Dramatised by Diana Griffiths from Margaret Mauldon's translation.

Narrator ...... John Hurt
Charles ...... Conrad Nelson
Emma ...... Sarah Smart
Madame Bovary Snr ...... Brigit Forsyth
Monsieur Rouault ...... Russell Dixon
Doctor Lariviere ...... Martin Reeve
Mere Rollet ...... Julie McCabe
Madame Lefrancois ...... Siobahn Finneran
Monsieur Homais ...... David Fleeshman
Leon Dupuis ...... James D'Arcy

Producer: Pauline Harris

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2006.


WED 07:30 Relativity (m000l2qt)
Series 3

Episode 2

Jane leaves husband Pete and goes to stay with her parents, throwing Ken and Margaret’s weekly milk order into chaos.

Pete struggles to hold the fort at home, but fails to notice 17 year old Holly going off to join Extinction Rebellion. Ian and Chloe are still just trying to get baby Don to stop crying.

The third series of Richard Herring’s comedy drama builds on the warm, lively characters and sharply observed family dynamics of previous series.

His affectionate observation of inter-generational misunderstanding, sibling sparring and the ties that bind will resonate with anyone who has ever gone back to live at home, after the age of 40.

Richard Herring is a comedian, writer, blogger and podcaster and the world's premier semi-professional self-playing snooker player.

Margaret…………….Alison Steadman
Ken……………..Phil Davis
Jane…………….Fenella Woolgar
Ian……………….Richard Herring
Chloe…………..Emily Berrington
Pete………………..Gordon Kennedy
Holly………………...Tia Bannon
Mark………………Fred Haig
Nick………………..Harrison Knights

Written by Richard Herring
Sound design by Eloise Whitmore
Producer: Polly Thomas
Executive Producers: Jon Thoday and Richard Allen Turner.

An Avalon Television production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2020.


WED 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jnf8)
Series 5

The Insurance Policy

Shrewd Miss Pugh urges the Lad to get insured. But is Sid's policy such a wise buy?

Stars Tony Hancock.

With Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams.

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 February 1958.


WED 08:30 King of Bath (b045xxsw)
Merely Players

A duelling count and a quack apothecary - only Beau Nash can give a looming tragedy a happy ending.

Six-part comedy drama series by Arnold Evans casting the 18th-century dandy Richard 'Beau' Nash in a series of adventures.

Beau Nash ...... David Bamber
Annie ...... Eiry Thomas
Count von Richthofen ...... Andrew Wincott
Mr Trout ...... Simon Ludders
Fintan Fitzgerald ...... Richard Nichols
Poppy ...... Lesley Rooney

Composer: John Hardy

Directed at BBC Wales by Alison Hindell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1999.


WED 09:00 It's Not What You Know (b07wthbz)
Series 4

Episode 2

Joe Lycett discovers how well a panel of celebrity guests know their nearest and dearest

In this episode, Joe probes into the lives of of Zoe Lyons, Adrian Chiles and Mae Martin

Producer Matt Stronge

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016.


WED 09:30 His Master's Voice (b007spvp)
3. Gordon Brown Special

Political satire set in the office of the weekly magazine for the thinking Tory.

Keith decides that it's time for a Gordon Brown Special, but can the team unite on the angle they take and avoid just being rude about Scotland? And how will Giles contribute when he's busy testing 25 different whiskies for a consumer comparison article?

Lord Malan............. Robert Hardy
Keith..................... Tony Gardner
Anna..................... Amelia Bullmore
Giles..................... Michael Maloney
Katrina................... Rachel Atkins

With Stephen Critchlow

Written by Mark Tavener and Steve Punt

Producer - Dawn Ellis

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2007.


WED 10:00 Arthur Conan Doyle - Micah Clarke (m000knvb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 today]


WED 10:55 The Fanthorpe Investigations (b039b74y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:55 today]


WED 11:00 Paul Temple (b007jqrt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


WED 11:30 Whodunnits (b0082h1n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


WED 12:00 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (m000610f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


WED 12:15 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (b00cqdwd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


WED 12:30 Relativity (m000l2qt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


WED 13:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jnf8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


WED 13:30 King of Bath (b045xxsw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


WED 14:00 It's Not What You Know (b07wthbz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


WED 14:30 His Master's Voice (b007spvp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


WED 15:00 Arthur Conan Doyle - Micah Clarke (m000knvb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 today]


WED 15:55 The Fanthorpe Investigations (b039b74y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:55 today]


WED 16:00 Paul Temple (b007jqrt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


WED 16:30 Whodunnits (b0082h1n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


WED 17:00 How to Find Home by Mahsuda Snaith (m000610f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


WED 17:15 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (b00cqdwd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


WED 17:30 Relativity (m000l2qt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


WED 18:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jnf8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


WED 18:30 King of Bath (b045xxsw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


WED 19:00 It's Not What You Know (b07wthbz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


WED 19:30 His Master's Voice (b007spvp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


WED 20:00 Archive on 4 (m0001gn5)
What Big Teeth You Have...

Children's author Anthony McGowan examines the tangled story behind the beloved children's stories.

Once upon a time in Kassel, two brothers set out to record the traditional oral tales of their country. To their horror, they realised that the stories - full of sex and violence - were happily being devoured by children in nurseries all over Germany. The first people to police the stories of the Brothers Grimm were the brothers themselves, as they sanitised the stories over seven editions.

This bowdlerising trend continued throughout the 19th century, when children's literature was used as a didactic tool to encourage moral behaviour. Right into the 20th century the tales were used to reinforce the moral beliefs of the day. From the prim and proper 'Listen with Mother', to Walt Disney's first foray into big screen animated features - 'Snow White' complete with seven dwarves - the fairy tales reinforced the ideals of the day.

Then in the 1930s, films were released in Germany - stories where the huntsman in Little Red Riding Hood wears an army uniform and Snow White's father leads a heroic charge into Poland.

After the war there was a policing of the Grimms, this time by the Allied Commanders - complete removal. But, like Snow White in her glass coffin, they were only waiting to be revived. In the 1960s there was a resurgence of interest in the Grimms. Acclaimed analyst Bruno Bettelheim claimed that the stories were not vehicles for human evil - but that the tales were essential in the development of children's minds.

Coinciding with, or because of Bettelheim's work, there soon came a rush of new versions of the stories reclaiming them for a post-war world, from Angela Carter to acclaimed fantasy writer Jane Yolen who expressed the horrors of the Holocaust through Sleeping Beauty, Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods and Philip Pullman's new tales.

Yet, as Anthony discovers, the various interpretations of these classic tales belie the true origins of the tales that were not, as we have been led to believe, spoken stories told by the good German peasant folk to their children at bedtime.....


WED 21:00 Short Cuts (b06pb74b)
Series 8

Wild Water

From finding your way in a cold, dark sea swim to coping with the isolation at the bottom of the ocean, Josie Long hears stories of wild water.

The items featured in the programme are:

Mirage
Produced by Cicely Fell

Pool Party
Produced by Phil Smith

Diver
Produced by Andrea Rangecroft

The Swim
Produced by Jodie Taylor with Jenny Horwell

Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2015.


WED 21:30 The Long Drop by Denise Mina (b09v6yh1)
8. The Defence

'The Long Drop' is Denise Mina's first foray into true crime. The award-winning author reimagines the trial of Scotland's first serial killer, Peter Manuel, in a dark and compelling exploration of truth and storytelling.

Glasgow, 1957. Businessman William Watt wants answers about his family's murder. Small time crook Peter Manuel claims to have them. But you don't get something for nothing. Over the course of a bizarre night these unlikely drinking partners will swap stories and attempt to cut a deal to emerge from scandal with reputations, and profits, intact.

Manuel has sacked his legal team and is conducting his own defence against multiple murder charges.

Read by Liam Brennan
Abridged by Siân Preece
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2018.


WED 21:45 The Dead Hour by Denise Mina (b00wdldy)
8. Sister

On the trail of a murderer, reporter Paddy Meehan discovers the victim had a sister - who's gone missing.

Written by Denise Mina.

Paddy Meehan ...... Amy Manson
Billy ...... Stevie Hannan
Neilson ...... Simon Donaldson
Trisha ...... Cara Kelly
Gourlay ...... Laurie Ventry
Sean ...... Paul Thomas Hickey
JT ...... Finlay McLean
Kate ...... Patricia Kavanagh
Sullivan ...... Andrew Clark
Burns ...... Grant O'Rourke
Ramage ...... Mark McDonnell
Lafferty ...... Stewart Porter
Knox ...... Andrew Byatt
Bernie ...... Richard Conlon

Dramatised by Chris Dolan

Director: Bruce Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2009.


WED 22:00 Please Use Other Door (m001qmgv)
Series 2

Episode 2

How can a tea-cosy help with dating decisions? What would football fans chant if they could express their true feelings? What are some of the do’s and don’ts of role play?

Performed by; Jason Forbes, Will Hartley, Rosie Holt, Rebecca Shorrocks, Witney White and Toby Williams.

The series of four is written by; Ed Amsden and Tom Coles, Simon Alcock, Sarah Campbell, Julian Dutton, Robert Darke, Julian Dutton, Sophie Dickson, Paul F Tayler, Jim Campbell, Alex Nash & Sam South, Matt Harrison, Katy Swainston, Rhyan Orrick, Charlotte Patterson, Peter Tellouche, Cody Dahler, Davina Bentley, Jon Long and Bill Dare.

Production Co-ordinator Caroline Barlow
Sound Design Rich Evans
Original music by Bill Dare, produced by Iona Vallance
Produced and created by Bill Dare
BBC Studios Production for Radio 4


WED 22:30 The Harri-Parris' Radio Show (b066zl5x)
Series 1

West End Boys

Ifan plots to split Anni from Ben, roping her ex-boyfriends into a scheme at Rumourz.

Sitcom with songs by Llinos Mai about the latest goings on from West Wales' most dysfunctional farming family.

Starring:

Llinos Mai
Daniel Rochford
Rhys ap Trefor
Oli Wood
Rhian Morgan

Producer: Mark Harrison

First broadcast on BBC Radio Wales in August 2015.


WED 23:00 The Harpoon (b007lnx3)
Series 1

Episode 4

Nostalgia galore in the Empire's favourite weekly magazine.

With Susie Brann, Julian Dutton, Peter Baynham, Alistair McGowan, Mary Elliot-Nelson and Bryonie Pritchard.

Producer: Sarah Smith

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1991.


WED 23:30 Joseph Morpurgo's Walking Tour (b09ghmgs)
The East End

Joseph Morpurgo presents another 'educational' audio adventure.

Step out on our walking tour of London's historic east end, which you'll be exploring through its pubs.

Written and performed by Joseph Morpurgo.

With:

Naomi Petersen
Jonathan Broke

Sound design by Craig Schuftan.

Producer: Alexandra Smith

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2017.


WED 23:45 Lenny Henry's Rogues Gallery (b07c2v2p)
Series 1

The Birthing Project

An alien updates his governing council on a research trip to Earth that ended in disaster.

Series of comic monologues with twists-in-the-tale.

Written and performed by Lenny Henry.

Producer: Sam Michell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2016.