Architecture, musicals, FBI agents, and bears on the toilet. Playwright Alan Plater talks about the career moves he never made.
The singer reveals how 'I'd Rather Go Blind' spoke to her at age 13, and how she will hand on Jacques Brel's 'Hearts'.
The perfect dinner party is never as easy at it looks, as Cara discovers to her cost. Stars Niamh Cusack and Mark Straker.
In 2001, Arthur Smith was nearly dead. He subsequently gave up drinking and entered the strange new world of the chronically sober.
A year on, the comic ruminates about his drinking days and booze generally - discovering elderflower presse, mornings and temptation. His old mucker, actress Caroline Quentin joins Arthur for some sober reflections.
Ian Fleming's magical tale of a car saved from the scrapyard that takes the Pott family on a fantastic adventure. Stars Imogen Stubbs.
Kirsty Young presents some gems from the Desert Island Discs Library. The first in the series is the creator of Harry Potter, who was interviewed by Sue Lawley in 2000.
The actress reflects on her film and television career in conversation with Mark Lawson.
For Clare, falling in love with Mike was easy, but will becoming stepmother to his son be quite so simple? Stars Niamh Cusack.
Celebrating the anniversary of the world's longest running soap opera, including interviews with various Archers, Grundys and Aldridges.
Tessa's unconventional office raffle leads to a voyage with unexpected new horizons. Stars Niamh Cusack and John Dougall.
Shady lawyer Waldorf T. Flywheel heads to Hollywood and makes a movie.
Recreation of the Marx Brothers' lost shows charting the adventures of shady lawyer Waldorf T. Flywheel and his assistant, Emmanuel Ravelli. Originally broadcast with sponsors on America's NBC radio network in the 1930s. The scripts were rediscovered in 1988.
Groucho Marx as Waldorf T. Flywheel …. Michael Roberts
Chico Marx as Emmanuel Ravelli …. Frank Lazarus
Miss Dimple and Other Female Roles …. Lorelei King
Von Blitzen …. Graham Hoadly
Tyrone Price …. Vincent Marzello
Written by Nat Perrin and Athur Sheekman.
Adapted by Mark Brisenden.
Music arranged and conducted by David Firman.
Comedian Dave Gorman explains how receiving an email set him off on his very own 'Googlewhack' adventure around the world.
Starring 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.
J Arthur Bile recalls the golden age of the silver-screen with the spotlight on cinema.
Starring Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Cleese, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie.
Written by Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie.
Originating from the Cambridge University Footlights revue 'Cambridge Circus', ISIRTA ran for 8 years on BBC Radio and quickly developed a cult following.
Music and songs by Liam Cohen and Bill Oddie.
Cardiff's extra-terrestrial peacekeepers head to Geneva's Hadron Collider laboratory. Stars John Barrowman and Lucy Montgomery.
A Tibetan monastery's new computer sparks fears that the world will end. Arthur C Clarke's short story read by John Shrapnel.
Rainer Hersch investigates the Master of the Baroque and his Big Boomy Special Effects. With Wayne Marshall. From November 1998.
A birthday binge sparks brotherly trouble for social loser Luke Walsall, and he gets clamped. Stars Tim Key. From January 2006.
A Bhangratastic regal romp as a young handsome Prince must prove that he's fit to be heir. Stars Richie Webb. Fom November 2004.
Comedy set in lower Earth where fantasy writer Sam has been coerced into joining a band of intrepid heroes as they battle the dread forces of evil in search of the legendary sword of Asnagar!
Fantasy sitcom written by Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto.
Elf Lord, Vidar ...... Darren Boyd
Dean The Dwarf ...... Kevin Eldon
Amis, The Chosen One ...... Dave Lamb
Sam ...... Stephen Mangan
Lord Darkness ...... Alistair McGowan
Amazon Princess, Penthiselea ...... Sophie Winkleman
MONDAY 04 APRIL 2011
MON 00:00 Torchwood (b00zzwfn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:45 Arthur C Clarke Stories (b00zzwfq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:45 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b00zzwfl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:50 Front Row Interviews (b0106yq2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:50 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Maeve Binchy - No Nightingales No Snakes (b00tnp6w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:15 The Archers at 60 (b0103s5f)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Sunday]
MON 02:45 Maeve Binchy - No Nightingales No Snakes (b00tnrv0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:45 on Sunday]
MON 03:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b0085j9l)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Sunday]
MON 03:30 Francophile Namesakes (b007jv92)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Sunday]
MON 04:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jny1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:00 on Sunday]
MON 04:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00zvcmn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:30 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Ian Fleming - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (b00zzwfj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Miss Marple (b0100lqx)
Nemesis
Episode 1
The wishes of a dead man sees amateur sleuth Miss Marple being sent on the ultimate mystery tour.
Published in 1971, Agatha Christie's whodunit stars June Whitfield as Miss Marple.
Dramatised in five-parts by Michael Bakewell.
Miss Marple …. June Whitfield
Mr Rafiel …. George A. Cooper
Cherry …. Jane Whittenshaw
Mr Broadribb …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Esther Anderson …. Yvonne Edgell
Mrs Risely-Porter …. Margot Boyd
Joanna Crawford …. Molly Gaisford
Richard Jameson …. Charles Simpson
Miss Temple …. Jill Balcon
Producer: Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1998.
MON 06:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j1c4k)
Episode 1
Superintendent Dalziel witnesses what seems to be a murder from his own window. Reginald Hill's thriller read by Philip Jackson.
MON 06:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jnxh)
The Cave of Secrets
Ex-commando Dick Barton uncovers an enemy plot to capture a British secret weapon.
Noel Johnson stars as Dick Barton, with John Mann as Snowey White, Alex McCrindle as Jock, William Fox as Colonel Gardiner and Margaret Robertson as Jean Hunter.
From 1946 to 1951, Dick Barton - Special Agent thrilled millions of listeners to the BBC Light Programme. The daily serial followed the exciting adventures of ex-commando Captain Richard Barton and his wartime mates Snowey White and Jock Anderson, who must solve all manner of intriguing crimes and mysteries.
Heralded by an iconic signature tune (Devil's Galop by Charles Williams) each gripping episode left listeners with a torrid cliff-hanger.
Sadly many of Dick's adventures didn't survive in the BBC archive. But in 1972 as part of celebrations for the BBC's Golden Jubilee, Dick's very first ten-part adventure by Edward J Mason was recreated with many of the original cast.
With Heron Carvic as The Professor, Derek Birch as Jimmie Law, Richard Hurndall as Sir Archie Wrangle and Geoffrey Collins as the Corporal.
Producer: Raymond Raikes
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1972.
MON 07:00 Ballylenon (b007nfs3)
Series 1
Episode 1
1953: Trouble brews when the McConkey sisters join forces with hotel owner, Phonsie Doherty to campaign for the demolition of the Georgian courthouse to make way for a car park.
Series set in the sleepy town of Ballylenon, Co Donegal, in 1953, before the days of mass tourism and proper plumbing in every home.
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Phonsie Doherty ...... TP McKenna
Muriel Maconchy ...... Margaret D'Arcy
Vera Maconchy ...... Stella McCusker
Vivienne Hawthorne ...... Aine McCartney
Guard Gallagher ...... John Hewitt
Stumpy Bonner ...... Gerard McSorley
Rev Samuel Hawthorne ...... Gerard Murphy
RL Watson ...... Roma Tomelty
O'Brollochain ...... Kevin Flood
Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes
Director: Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994.
MON 07:30 Chain Reaction (b00m508g)
Series 3
Marcus Brigstocke and Clive Anderson
Comedian Marcus Brigstocke and presenter Clive Anderson get chatting in the tag-team talk show where this week's guest is next week's interviewer. From January 2007.
MON 08:00 Round the Horne (b007k1g4)
Series 2
Episode 6
Master Spy Kenneth Horne is on the star-studded trail of Doddy's joke thief, while Michael Bain and Barbara Cartload are on 'The Seamus Android Show'.
With Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee.
Recorded at the BBC's Paris Studio in Lower Regent Street, London. Announcer: Douglas Smith
Round The Horne was born out of the demise of BBC radio comedy Beyond Our Ken, after the end of writer Eric Merriman's involvement. Using the same cast and producer, Barry Took and Marty Feldman were persuaded to write the scripts - which led to four series that ran between 1965 and 1968 - packed full of parodies, recurring characters, catchphrases and double-entendres.
Music by Edwin Braden and the Hornblowers and The Fraser Hayes Four.
Producer: John Simmonds
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in April 1966.
MON 08:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b0100lqz)
Series 7
Episode 1
Dave the Rave shares all the gossip from this diary and Professor Prune dons his electrical time trousers.
Starring:
Tim Brooke-Taylor
John Cleese
Graeme Garden
David Hatch
Jo Kendall
Bill Oddie
Sketches written by Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie.
Originating from the Cambridge University Footlights revue 'Cambridge Circus', ISIRTA ran for 8 years on BBC Radio and quickly developed a cult following.
Music and songs by Liam Cohen, Dave Lee, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie.
Producer: David Hatch / Peter Titheradge
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in January 1969.
MON 09:00 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b007jq77)
Series 1
Families and Relationships
Radio's sofa-bound daytime presenter duo share some surprising items about smoking, underpants and old age.
Bill Dare's sitcom starring Robert Duncan as Mike and Julia Hills as Sue.
With Roger Blake, Mark Kilmurry, Sally Phillips and Dan Strauss.
Music by Mark Burton.
Producer: Pete Sinclair
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1996.
MON 09:30 1966 and All That (b0100q4y)
The 1920s and 30s
King George utters some unmemorable last words.
DH Lawrence of Arabia writes Lady Chatterbox's Llama.
And John Yogi Bear discovers the BBC, but finds there's not much on...
Craig Brown's satirical history of Britain begins in the 1920s and 1930s.
With:
Joss Ackland
Eleanor Bron
Rory Bremner
Ewan Bailey
Margaret Cabourn-Smith
John Humphrys
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2006.
MON 10:00 Arthur Smith's Balham Bash (b0101g5j)
Series 3
Episode 1
Arthur Smith presents music and comedy from his home in Balham, South London.
There's music in the kitchen, comedy in the front room and poetry on the landing.
Finding a decent sized performance space amongst the accumulated debris that is Arthur's life are Katie Melua, Roisin Conaty, Alun Cochrane and Nick Helm
Producer; Alison Vernon-Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2011.
MON 10:30 The House I Grew Up In (b007vg2k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Saturday]
MON 11:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0101gl8)
Episode 1
Young newlywed Harriet Pringle arrives in Bucharest in 1939, just as Europe is about to tear itself apart. Stars Joanna Lumley.
MON 12:00 Round the Horne (b007k1g4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
MON 12:30 Just a Minute (b00zsd0w)
Series 59
Episode 8
Nicholas Parsons is joined by Julian Clary, Paul Merton, Graham Norton and Terry Wogan as they try to speak without hesitation, repetition or deviation. Subjects include, My Disastrous Trip to the Zoo and for Julian Clary especially... Innuendo.
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani.
MON 13:00 Miss Marple (b0100lqx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
MON 13:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j1c4k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
MON 13:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jnxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
MON 14:00 EF Benson - Miss Mapp (b0101hxg)
Redcurrant Fool
Ruling the small English village of Tilling, the busybody sits at her window spying on her neighbours. Stars Frances Barber.
MON 14:15 Maeve Binchy - No Nightingales No Snakes (b00tn95k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:15 on Sunday]
MON 14:30 The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (b0101l1v)
Episode 1
Scotland Yard's top detective probes a gruesome 1860 country house murder. Deborah Findlay reads Kate Summerscale's account.
MON 14:45 Barry Cryer - You Won't Believe This But (b007jtzm)
Episode 1
From his beginnings in Leeds to London's Windmill Theatre - comedy stalwart Barry Cryer reads his "autobiography of sorts".
A regular panellist on I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, Barry Cryer is a stalwart of the British comedy scene. With numerous appearances on radio panel games and quiz shows to his credit, he has also been a prolific writer for shows such as The Two Ronnies and Two Old Farts in the Night with Willie Rushton. Here he tells his story in an autobiography (of sorts). Expect plenty of anecdotes about the great and the good!
Producer: Richard Edis
First broadcast on Radio 4 in 1998
MON 15:00 Patrick O'Brian - HMS Surprise (b0101l89)
Episode 1
Naval battles, political intrigue and romantic rivalry loom large in Patrick O'Brian's novel, set in 1804-5 in England, India and on the high seas.
Captain Jack Aubrey engages the Spanish at sea and the French on land - but falls victim to enemies at home.
Starring David Robb as Aubrey, Richard Dillane as Stephen Maturin, Jon Glover as Preserved Killick, David Timson as Barret Bonden, Struan Rodger as Sir Joseph Blaine, Liz Sutherland as Sophie Williams, David Holt as Lieutenant Pullings, Dan Starkey as Lieutenant Simmons, Lesley Nicol as Mrs Williams and Sarah Danes as Cecilia Williams.
Dramatised in three parts by Roger Danes.
Director: Bruce Young
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
MON 15:45 Walter Lord - A Night to Remember (b007jr36)
Episode 1
As the RMS Titanic sails to New York, an iceberg is spotted. Martin Jarvis reads a dramatic account of the doomed ocean liner.
MON 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b0101n0d)
Mel Giedroyc introduces an entertaining line up of comedians Susan Calman and Sandi Toksvig, Dr Who actor Matt Smith and Alan Bennett reading AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh.
MON 17:00 Ballylenon (b007nfs3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
MON 17:30 Chain Reaction (b00m508g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
MON 18:00 Terry Pratchett (b007k0v6)
Mort
Episode 1
Hopeless young peasant Mort is hired as an apprentice to Death, and taken to his home beyond time and space to begin his training.
The fourth of Terry's Pratchett's comic fantasy stories set on Discworld.
Dramatised in four parts by Robin Brooks.
Narrated by Anton Lesser.
Mort ...... Carl Prekopp
Death ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Lezek ...... Philip Fox
Albert ...... Phillip Jackson
Hames ...... Jon Glover
Ysabell ...... Clare Corbett
Princess Keli ...... Alice Hart
Director: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2004.
MON 18:30 Doctor Who (b00sdxsf)
Orbis
Episode 1
Lucie is kidnapped and the Doctor is living on a watery world under threat. Stars Paul McGann, Sheridan Smith and Andrew Sachs.
MON 19:00 Round the Horne (b007k1g4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
MON 19:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b0100lqz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
MON 20:00 Miss Marple (b0100lqx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
MON 20:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j1c4k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
MON 20:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jnxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
MON 21:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0101gl8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
MON 22:00 Just a Minute (b00zsd0w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 today]
MON 22:30 The Pickerskill Reports (b00j67mn)
Series 1
Harry Hindle-Rand
Ian McDiarmid stars as Dr Henry Pickerskill, retired English master of Haunchurst School for boys, looking back on his favourite pupils and their fortunes in the adult world - based on their school reports and their letters to him after they left.
Harry Hindle-Rand, an apparently saintly pupil and school chorister, secretly encourages one of the master's weakness for altar wine in exchange for answers to end of term exams. While the boy may be a heavenly singer, Pickerskill uncovers Hindle-Rand's darker motives and predicts correctly that he will become successful as an adult. Just not in the way one might have expected.
Dr Henry Pickerskill ..... Ian McDiarmid
Harry Hindle-Rand ..... Thomas Sangster
Lefty Rogers ..... Tony Gardner
The Chaplain ..... Mike Feast
The Colonel ..... Richard Johnson
Elfyn Wynn Thomas Evans ..... Philip Madoc
Collyer ..... Tom Kane
Stealgroynes ..... Louis Williams
Written and directed by Andrew McGibbon.
Producers: Nick Romero and Jonathan Ruffle
A Curtains For Radio production for BBC Radio 4.
MON 23:00 Arthur Smith's Balham Bash (b0101g5j)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
MON 23:30 The Bigger Issues (b010j4lm)
Discrimination
The bungling drama group perform a fable about disability - featuring ducks. With Dave Lamb and Jim North. From November 2000.
TUESDAY 05 APRIL 2011
TUE 00:00 Terry Pratchett (b007k0v6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 Doctor Who (b00sdxsf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b007jq77)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 1966 and All That (b0100q4y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Arthur Smith's Balham Bash (b0101g5j)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 The House I Grew Up In (b007vg2k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Saturday]
TUE 03:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0101gl8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Ballylenon (b007nfs3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Chain Reaction (b00m508g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Patrick O'Brian - HMS Surprise (b0101l89)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:00 on Monday]
TUE 05:45 Walter Lord - A Night to Remember (b007jr36)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:45 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Miss Marple (b0101p1x)
Nemesis
Episode 2
The investigation by amateur sleuth Jane Marple leads to a dilapidated manor house with a deadly reputation.
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars June Whitfield as Miss Marple.
Miss Marple …. June Whitfield
Mr Rafiel …. George A. Cooper
Miss Cooke …. Tricia Hitchcock
Miss Barrow …. Delia Lindsay
Lavinia Glynne …. Louie Ramsay
Anthea Bradbury-Scott …. Thelma Barlow
Clotilde Bradbury-Scott …. Mary Wimbush
Amy …. Freda Dowie
Emyln Price …. Roger Moss
Professor Wanstead …. David Swift
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Producer: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1998.
TUE 06:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j1hzk)
Episode 2
Superintendent Dalziel strongly suspects who murdered Philip Swain's wife. Reginald Hill's thriller read by Philip Jackson.
TUE 06:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jnxj)
Formula for Death
Dick Barton learns about the true nature of the secret weapon - and sets off to secure its vital instructions.
Noel Johnson stars as Dick Barton, with John Mann as Snowey White, Alex McCrindle as Jock, William Fox as Colonel Gardiner and Margaret Robertson as Jean Hunter.
From 1946 to 1951, Dick Barton - Special Agent thrilled millions of listeners to the BBC Light Programme. The daily serial followed the exciting adventures of ex-commando Captain Richard Barton and his wartime mates Snowey White and Jock Anderson, who must solve all manner of intriguing crimes and mysteries.
Heralded by an iconic signature tune (Devil's Galop by Charles Williams) each gripping episode left listeners with a torrid cliff-hanger.
Sadly many of Dick's adventures didn't survive in the BBC archive. But in 1972 as part of celebrations for the BBC's Golden Jubilee, Dick's very first ten-part adventure by Edward J Mason was recreated with many of the original cast.
With Nigel Graham as Andrews, William Bedle as the 1st Policeman, Ronald Herdman as the 2nd Policeman and Geoffrey Collins as the Porter.
Producer: Raymond Raikes
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1972.
TUE 07:00 Hordes of the Things (b0089b37)
1. The Prophecy is Cast
The kingdom of Albion is in peril, and the law of darkness encroaches...
Andrew Marshall and John Lloyd's epic four-part Tolkien parody.
Starring Paul Eddington, Paul Magee and Simon Callow.
King Yulfric the Wise …. Paul Eddington
The Chronicler …. Patrick Magee
Crown Prince Veganin …. Simon Callow
Agar …. Christian Rodska
Radox the Green …. Frank Middlemass
Maliadoc …. Hugh Thomas
King Yulfric's First Assistant Advisor …. David Ross
Caradorn …. Gordon Gostelow
Dyandetes …. Miriam Margolyes
Another Harpy …. Eve Karpf
Producer: Geoffrey Perkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1980.
TUE 07:30 The Sunday Format (b0102gv7)
Series 1
Episode 1
Radio's version of the quality newspapers, complete with lifestyle pull-out sections. With Rebecca Front. From February 1999.
TUE 08:00 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (b007jrx4)
Storm in a Tea Chest
Bob and Terry take a trip down memory lane.
Starring James Bolam as Terry Collier, Rodney Bewes as Bob Ferris and Brigit Forsyth as Thelma Chambers.
With Robert Gillespie.
Created and scripted for BBC TV by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. Adapted for radio by Patrick Tilley.
Producer: John Browell
Originally lost from the archive, the audio was recovered in a BBC Treasure Hunt.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1975.
TUE 08:30 The Burkiss Way (b00gs06p)
Series 2
Influence Friends and Win People...
Helpful hints from the Smarty Pants family and Knickertwist Copperby.
The Burkiss Way to Dynamic Living from radio's Advanced Correspondence Course
With instruction from Jo Kendall, Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett and Fred Harris.
Learn the Burkiss Way to write a script like Andrew Marshall and David Renwick and the Burkiss Way to produce a programme like Simon Brett (You'll be amazed at the results!)
Cult sketch show first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1976.
TUE 09:00 The Secret Life of Rosewood Avenue (b007k1rc)
Moving In
'What's Rosewood Avenue like? Very quiet. Very sedate. Very residential. Just the sort of place you'd feel at home in ...'
A hapless vicar discovers life behind suburbia's net curtains isn't what he expected.
Stephen Sheridan's six-part series stars James Grout as the Reverend Timothy Carswell, Margaret Courtenay as Miss Tilling, Jean Heywood as Miss Tapp and Christopher Good as Dr Warlock.
Producer: Lissa Evans.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1991.
TUE 09:30 The Leopard in Autumn (b00bs464)
Series 1
The Caramba Campaign
Ludovico - the henpecked Prince of Monte Guano - hears two neighbouring states are set to go to war. His wife Plethora badgers him into leading his ragbag of conscripts in search of booty, accompanied by his sons and mistress Rosalie...
Neal Anthony's comedy drama set in Renaissance Italy.
Stars David Swift as Ludovico, Sian Phillips as Plethora, Graham Crowden as Francesco, Paul Bigley as Alessandro, Saskia Wickham as Rosalie, Nick Romero as Salvatori, Christopher Kelham as Guido and Kim Wall as Brother Michael.
Producer: Helen Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2001.
TUE 10:00 Ambridge Extra (b0103zpz)
Series 1
Episode 1
It's the first ever Ambridge Extra. Alice is in a romantic mood and Jamie is enjoying his newfound freedom.
TUE 10:15 Maeve Binchy - No Nightingales No Snakes (b00tnp6w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Sunday]
TUE 10:30 The House (b0076k1d)
Writer and naturalist Roger Deakin presents a unique sound portrait of life in an ancient timber-framed house in Suffolk.
TUE 11:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0101tgj)
Episode 2
Harriet and Guy must face impending war in Bucharest and the treachery of friends. Stars Joanna Lumley and Honeysuckle Weeks.
TUE 12:00 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (b007jrx4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 12:30 Down the Line (b00zshns)
Series 4
Episode 3
The return of the ground-breaking Radio 4 show, hosted by the legendary Gary Bellamy; brought to you by the creators of The Fast Show.
Down the Line stars Rhys Thomas as Gary Bellamy, with Simon Day, Felix Dexter, Charlie Higson, Lucy Montgomery and Paul Whitehouse,
Special guests are Lee Mack, Adil Ray and Fiona Whitehouse.
Producers: Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson.
TUE 13:00 Miss Marple (b0101p1x)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j1hzk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 13:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jnxj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
TUE 14:00 EF Benson - Miss Mapp (b0101tp5)
God Bless the Prince of Wales
The small English village of Tilling is abuzz with anticipation of the arrival of a royal visitor. Stars Frances Barber.
TUE 14:15 Ambridge Extra (b0103zpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
TUE 14:30 The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (b010fs53)
Episode 2
Mounting suspicion in a notorious Victorian murder case leads the inspector to make a shocking arrest. Read by Deborah Findlay.
TUE 14:45 Barry Cryer - You Won't Believe This But (b007jtzv)
Episode 2
Showbiz stalwart Barry Cryer recalls his early years in comedy and the even earlier years of his childhood growing up in Leeds.
TUE 15:00 Patrick O'Brian - HMS Surprise (b0101tp7)
Episode 2
Scurvy, death and a surprise proposal, as Captain Jack Aubrey conveys a British ambassador to the East Indies. Stars David Robb. From October 2008.
TUE 15:45 Walter Lord - A Night to Remember (b007jr3m)
Episode 2
After hitting an iceberg, the Titanic's captain tries to discover how badly the ship has been damaged. Read by Martin Jarvis. Episode 2 of 10.
TUE 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b0101vmm)
Mel Giedroyc hosts an afternoon tea party with Paddington Bear, Jamie Oliver, Rory Bremner, Christopher Milne and Winnie the Pooh.
TUE 17:00 Hordes of the Things (b0089b37)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
TUE 17:30 The Sunday Format (b0102gv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Terry Pratchett (b007k134)
Mort
Episode 2
Death sends his apprentice Mort to collect three lives, but the lad takes a fancy to one of them - a princess.
The fourth of Terry's Pratchett's comic fantasy stories set on Discworld.
Narrated by Anton Lesser.
Mort ...... Carl Prekopp
Death ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Albert ...... Phillip Jackson
Ysabell ...... Clare Corbett
Princess Keli ...... Alice Hart
Cutwell ...... Adam Godley
Abbot ...... John Rowe
Ammeline ...... Sheila Mitchell
Stallholder ...... Jon Glover
Maid ...... Liz Sutherland
Dramatised by Robin Brooks.
Director: Gordon House
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2004.
TUE 18:30 Doctor Who (b00sh12y)
Orbis
Episode 2
Can Lucie restore the Time Lord's memory in time to save the planet from destruction? Stars Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith.
TUE 19:00 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (b007jrx4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 The Burkiss Way (b00gs06p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 20:00 Miss Marple (b0101p1x)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j1hzk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 20:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jnxj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
TUE 21:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0101tgj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
TUE 22:00 Down the Line (b00zshns)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 today]
TUE 22:30 Creme de la Crime (b010j4pb)
Series 2
The Lord and Mike Shepherd
Michael Feydeau and David Pershore probe the unsolved case of a vanishing lord. Stars Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis. From May 2002.
TUE 22:45 My Booze Hell, by Little Johnny Cartilage (b010j4pd)
And Cue Supersonic
The washed-up TV star finds himself 'In the Psychiatrist's Chair' with Dr Anthony Clare.
The not-terribly-true autobiography of 1970s idol Little Johnny Cartilage.
Written by and starring Johnny Meres.
With:
Dr Anthony Clare
Ben Miller
Peter Serafinowicz
Geoff McGivern
Rosemary Martin
Deborah Berlin
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1996.
TUE 23:00 Ed Reardon's Week (b010j4pg)
Series 1
The Swim
Does it seem that the media is run by idiots, lying charlatans and moronic 12-year-olds who should've been drowned at birth in a bucket of raw sewage?
Welcome to the world of Ed Reardon, author, pipe smoker, consummate fare-dodger and master of the abusive e-mail.
Christopher Douglas stars as Ed Reardon.
Written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds.
In a one-bedroom flat over a hairdresser's in Berkhamsted, Ed has lived on his own since his wife and grown-up kids left him, forcing the sale of the London home.
Ed's first and last published novel ‘Who Would Fardels Bear?’ was bought by Hollywood, relocated from Oldham to San Francisco and turned into a Sally Field movie ('Sister Mom') in the mid-70s. It was directed by Ed's best mate Jaz Milvane whose career has since gone stratospheric. Ed's broke up on re-entry; with the exception of his episode of Tenko in 1982, the royalties of which now amount to about £17 a year - but are anxiously awaited nonetheless.
Ed’s been forced into lowbrow work for the ever popular Christmas book market. Jane Seymour's Household Hints (1996) and The Brand's Hatch Story got him through a couple of winters.
But Ed remains bullishly optimistic. He may have just one pair of trousers and a seven-figure Amazon sales ranking, but no writer knows more about stealing his agent's stationery... and as a freeloader Ed Reardon is the acknowledged leader of his profession.
Enjoy Ed's flawed attempts to escape poverty and gain the literary success he strongly feels is due. Regular characters include Felix (Ed's long-standing friend and former agent) Ping (his new '12 year-old' agent), the lively pensioners he teaches a screenwriting class to and the irritatingly rich and successful, Jaz Milvane.
Featuring:
Stephanie Cole
John Fortune
Ronnie Golden
Sally Grace
Sally Hawkins
Martin Hyder
Philip Jackson
Rita May
Geoffrey McGivern
Dan Tetsell
Geoffrey Whitehead
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2005.
TUE 23:30 Just Juliette (b010j4pj)
Series 2
Episode 5
The cash-strapped ex-TV host looks for work, but has hubby Ron beaten her to it? Stars Jenny Eclair. From December 2000.
WEDNESDAY 06 APRIL 2011
WED 00:00 Terry Pratchett (b007k134)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Doctor Who (b00sh12y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 The Secret Life of Rosewood Avenue (b007k1rc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 The Leopard in Autumn (b00bs464)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Ambridge Extra (b0103zpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:15 Maeve Binchy - No Nightingales No Snakes (b00tnp6w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Sunday]
WED 02:30 The House (b0076k1d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0101tgj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Hordes of the Things (b0089b37)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 The Sunday Format (b0102gv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Patrick O'Brian - HMS Surprise (b0101tp7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:45 Walter Lord - A Night to Remember (b007jr3m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:45 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Miss Marple (b0102h2y)
Nemesis
Episode 3
The potential witness has a suspicious 'accident', so amateur sleuth Jane Marple widens the net.
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars June Whitfield as Miss Marple.
Miss Marple …. June Whitfield
Joanna Crawford …. Molly Gaisford
Miss Temple …. Jill Balcon
Professor Wanstead …. David Swift
Lavinia Glynne …. Louie Ramsay
Clotilde Bradbury-Scott …. Mary Wimbush
Anthea Bradbury-Scott …. Thelma Barlow
Mrs Merrypit …. Kathleen Helme
The Postmistress …. Patricia Scott
Emyln Price …. Roger Moss
The Coroner …. Colin Pinney
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Producer: Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1998.
WED 06:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j1whd)
Episode 3
Peter Pascoe's reconstruction is ready for his detective boss Andrew Dalziel. Reginald Hill's thriller read by Philip Jackson.
WED 06:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jny2)
The Treacherous Invitation
Trapped with chum Snowey, special agent Dick Barton gets some unwelcome room-mates.
Noel Johnson stars as Dick Barton, with John Mann as Snowey White, Alex McCrindle as Jock, William Fox as Colonel Gardiner and Margaret Robertson as Jean Hunter.
From 1946 to 1951, Dick Barton - Special Agent thrilled millions of listeners to the BBC Light Programme. The daily serial followed the exciting adventures of ex-commando Captain Richard Barton and his wartime mates Snowey White and Jock Anderson, who must solve all manner of intriguing crimes and mysteries.
Heralded by an iconic signature tune (Devil's Galop by Charles Williams) each gripping episode left listeners with a torrid cliff-hanger.
Sadly many of Dick's adventures didn't survive in the BBC archive. But in 1972 as part of celebrations for the BBC's Golden Jubilee, Dick's very first ten-part adventure by Edward J Mason was recreated with many of the original cast.
With Francis de Wolff as Wilhelm Kramer, Nigel Graham as Andrews, Heron Carvic as The Professor, William Bedle as the 1st Policeman, Ronald Herdman as the 2nd Policeman, Haydn Jones as the Taxi Driver, Denis McCarthy as James Thirgood and Geoffrey Collins as the Watchman.
Producer: Raymond Raikes
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1972.
WED 07:00 Mr Finchley Takes the Road (b007k0qs)
Episode 1
Mr Finchley falls in love with a canary-coloured caravan and a rather stubborn horse.
Victor Canning's novel about the adventures of a man and his horse-drawn caravan touring the 1930s countryside of Kent.
Richard Griffiths stars as Mr Finchley.
With Dinah Sheridan as Mrs Finchley, Ron Pember as Mr Rivers, Peter Vaughan as Turk.James Grout as Mr Sprake and Alan Thompson as Mr Harricot.
Narrated by James Villiers.
Adapted in six parts by Andy and Eric Merriman.
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in April 1993.
WED 07:30 The Very World of Milton Jones (b007rsz6)
Series 1
Episode 1
Falling from the sky, the comedian's life starts flashing before his eyes. With Alexander Armstrong. From August 1998.
WED 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b008f307)
Series 5
The Junk Man
Griselda's plan to clear out The Lad's house backfires spectacularly.
Starring 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 May 1958.
WED 08:30 The Ken Dodd Show (b007jx22)
Star Parade
The King of Knotty Ash aims his tickling stick at holidays and DIY.
This show is from the 'Star Parade' series - one-off shows featuring the biggest stars of TV and radio at the time
With Judith Chalmers, Cardew Robinson and Harold Berens.
Music from The Springfields.
Script co-written with Eddie Braben.
Producer: Eric Miller.
First heard on the BBC Light Programme in July 1963.
WED 09:00 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b010jz7j)
Ken Handley pitches to a motorway services chain. Advertising satire with Martin Jarvis and Wendy Richard. From January 1982.
WED 09:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b0102kd7)
Comedy panel game with Humphrey Lyttelton, Willie Rushton, Graeme Garden, Barry Cryer and Tim Brooke-Taylor. From April 1982.
WED 10:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b00zzwfl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Sunday]
WED 10:50 Front Row Interviews (b0106yq2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:50 on Sunday]
WED 11:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0102n1d)
Episode 3
With war looming, Harriet and Guy realise that their time in Bucharest is drawing to a dangerous close. Stars Joanna Lumley.
WED 12:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b008f307)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 12:30 Act Your Age (b00zsjz7)
Series 3
Episode 2
Simon Mayo hosts the three-way battle between the comedy generations to find out which is the funniest.
Will it be the Up-and-Comers, the Current Crop or the Old Guard who will be crowned, for one week at least, as the Golden Age of Comedy?
Jon Richardson is joined by Andi Osho, Rufus Hound teams up with Andrew Maxwell and Ted Robbins is paired with both Roger De Courcey and Nookie Bear.
Devised and produced by Ashley Blaker and Bill Matthews.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2011.
WED 13:00 Miss Marple (b0102h2y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 13:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j1whd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 13:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jny2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
WED 14:00 EF Benson - Miss Mapp (b0102n1j)
The Wars of the Roses and the Poppies
Ladies of the English village of Tilling speculate how to devise a new outfit in an economical manner. Stars Frances Barber.
WED 14:15 Maeve Binchy - No Nightingales No Snakes (b00tnrv0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:45 on Sunday]
WED 14:30 The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (b0102n1l)
Episode 3
Detective Inspector Jack Whicher's prime murder suspect faces questions about the gruesome killing. Read by Deborah Findlay.
WED 14:45 Barry Cryer - You Won't Believe This But (b007jv01)
Episode 3
Comedy stalwart Barry Cryer recalls his Leeds school years - and the stars he met when working at the city's Empire Theatre.
WED 15:00 Patrick O'Brian - HMS Surprise (b0102nrl)
Episode 3
Tragedy halts the ship's voyage. In Calcutta, Stephen makes a proposal of marriage but faces a duel. Stars David Robb. From October 2008.
WED 15:45 Walter Lord - A Night to Remember (b007jr4k)
Episode 3
The stricken passengers of the steamship RMS Titanic leave their cabins and head to the ship's decks. Martin Jarvis reads Walter Lord's account.
WED 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b0102nrn)
Mel Giedroyc gets theatrical as Alan Bennett reads from AA Milne's classic tale of Winnie the Pooh and Tamsin Greig shares some of her favourite music.
WED 17:00 Mr Finchley Takes the Road (b007k0qs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
WED 17:30 The Very World of Milton Jones (b007rsz6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
WED 18:00 Terry Pratchett (b007k1c1)
Mort
Episode 3
Death has fun in the real world, leaving his daughter Ysabell and Mort in charge of the life-collecting business.
The fourth of Terry's Pratchett's comic fantasy stories set on Discworld.
Narrated by Anton Lesser.
Mort ...... Carl Prekopp
Death ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Albert ...... Phillip Jackson
Ysabell ...... Clare Corbett
Princess Keli ...... Alice Hart
Cutwell ...... Adam Godley
Keeble ...... Philip Fox
Landlord ...... Jon Glover
Dramatised by Robin Brooks.
Director: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2004.
WED 18:30 Doctor Who (b00slmv5)
The Beast of Orlok
The Beast of Orlok
Landing in 19th century Germany, the Time Lord discovers the legends of a vicious beast are all too true. Stars Paul McGann.
WED 19:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b008f307)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 19:30 The Ken Dodd Show (b007jx22)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 20:00 Miss Marple (b0102h2y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 20:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j1whd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 20:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jny2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
WED 21:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0102n1d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
WED 22:00 Act Your Age (b00zsjz7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 today]
WED 22:30 Naked Radio (b00ls1sr)
The Scottish comedy team review the newsmakers of the year. With Gregor Fisher and Elaine C Smith. From December 1984.
WED 23:00 Tales from the Tower (b00jjq7l)
Complete With Wipeable Cover
From Blackpool Tower, caretaker Bob spies on a businesswoman being hounded by the press. Stars David Holt. From August 2001.
WED 23:30 Poets' Tree (b00slxyx)
Episode 2
Islington poet Paul Hamilton meets a fruit linguist, and visits a young offenders institute to demonstrate the rehabilitative powers of poetry.
Poetry magazine spoof with Kevin Eldon and Stewart Lee.
With Olivia Colman and Peter Serafinowicz.
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2008.
WED 23:45 The Correspondent (b00j59wz)
Series 1
Episode 2
Uncle Richard arrives for Leslie's funeral, and Tom's letter writing gets him into trouble at work.
THURSDAY 07 APRIL 2011
THU 00:00 Terry Pratchett (b007k1c1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 Doctor Who (b00slmv5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b007jvq2)
Series 1
Episode 1
Ken Handley pitches to a motorway services chain. Advertising satire with Martin Jarvis and Wendy Richard. From January 1982.
THU 01:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b0102kd7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b00zzwfl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Sunday]
THU 02:50 Front Row Interviews (b0106yq2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:50 on Sunday]
THU 03:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0102n1d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Mr Finchley Takes the Road (b007k0qs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 The Very World of Milton Jones (b007rsz6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Patrick O'Brian - HMS Surprise (b0102nrl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:45 Walter Lord - A Night to Remember (b007jr4k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:45 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Miss Marple (b0102tmh)
Nemesis
Episode 4
Amateur sleuth Jane Marple curtails her tour to investigate the murders - and the manor house beckons...
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars June Whitfield as Miss Marple.
Miss Marple …. June Whitfield
Professor Wanstead …. David Swift
Anthea Bradbury-Scott …. Thelma Barlow
Emyln Price …. Roger Moss
Miss Barrow …. Delia Lindsay
Miss Cooke …. Tricia Hitchcock
Mrs Blackett …. Hilda Schroder
Archdeacon Brabazon …. Desmond Llewelyn
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Producer: Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1998.
THU 06:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j2512)
Episode 4
Superintendent Dalziel receives a tip off about Waterson, his missing key witness. Reginald Hill's story read by Philip Jackson.
THU 06:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jny3)
The Nest of Rats
Special agent Dick and his chums get more ruthless in pursuit of the secret weapon. Can they persuade our hero to jump ship?
Noel Johnson stars as Dick Barton, with John Mann as Snowey White, Alex McCrindle as Jock, William Fox as Colonel Gardiner and Margaret Robertson as Jean Hunter.
From 1946 to 1951, Dick Barton - Special Agent thrilled millions of listeners to the BBC Light Programme. The daily serial followed the exciting adventures of ex-commando Captain Richard Barton and his wartime mates Snowey White and Jock Anderson, who must solve all manner of intriguing crimes and mysteries.
Heralded by an iconic signature tune (Devil's Galop by Charles Williams) each gripping episode left listeners with a torrid cliff-hanger.
Sadly many of Dick's adventures didn't survive in the BBC archive. But in 1972 as part of celebrations for the BBC's Golden Jubilee, Dick's very first ten-part adventure by Edward J Mason was recreated with many of the original cast.
With Francis de Wolff as Wilhelm Kramer, Nigel Graham as Andrews, Haydn Jones as Sid, Arthur Bush as Hans, Derek Birch as the Inspector and Geoffrey Collins as the Policeman.
Producer: Raymond Raikes
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1972.
THU 07:00 One Foot in the Grave (b007jmxg)
Alive and Buried
Grumpy Victor Meldrew arrives at work to learn that he's no longer employed and is set to be replaced by a box.
With time passing very slowly in his enforced retirement, Victor gripes about newsreaders and worries about becoming a lavatory junkie.
Richard Wilson stars as Victor and Annette Crosbie as his long-suffering wife Margaret.
Adapted for radio by David Renwick from his BBC TV script.
Victor Meldrew ...... Richard Wilson
Margaret Meldrew ...... Annette Crosbie
Mrs Warboys ...... Doreen Mantle
Nick Swainey ...... Owen Brenman
With Sally Grace and Jeffrey Holland.
Winning numerous awards, six series were made for TV plus numerous specials on BBC ONE from 1990 to 2000.
Producer: Diane Messias
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1995.
THU 07:30 Cabin Pressure (b00lmcyc)
Series 2
Helsinki
Carolyn and her sister haven't spoken for fifteen years. Which is why Arthur has invited her to a party on board, together with 500 Euros-worth of smuggled orchids...
Meanwhile, Martin gets tangled up in some karate and a fishcake.
With special guest Alison Steadman.
Starring
Carolyn Knapp-Shappey ..... Stephanie Cole
1st Officer Douglas Richardson ..... Roger Allam
Capt. Martin Crieff ..... Benedict Cumberbatch
Arthur Shappey ..... John Finnemore
Ruth Gregson ..... Alison Steadman
Kieran Gregson ..... Matt Green
Milo ..... Simon Greenall
Written by John Finnemore
Produced & Directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for the BBC
THU 08:00 The Men from the Ministry (b0102v9g)
The Bigger the Better
A peculiar potion grows on the bumbling bureaucrats.
A weekly tribute to all those who work in government departments.
Stars Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. With Norma Ronald, Clive Dunn and Gordon Clyde.
Written by Edward Taylor and John Graham.
'The Men from the Ministry' ran for 14 series between 1962 and 1977. Deryck Guyler replaced Wilfrid Hyde-White from 1966. Sadly many episodes didn't survive in the archive, however the BBC's Transcription Service re-recorded 14 shows in 1980 - never broadcast in the UK, until the arrival of BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 in August 1970.
THU 08:30 The Al Read Show (b00cq63d)
From 7/10/1995
The legendary Northern comic pokes at courting, marriage, kids and football.
A compilation of Al Read's 1950s monologues.
Originally produced at BBC North by Ronnie Taylor
Compilation produced by Mike Craig.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 1995.
THU 09:00 No Commitments (b007jp1m)
Series 8
Fresh Starts
Former TV soap star Charlotte finds the path to self-knowledge. Stars Rosemary Leach and Celia Imrie. From January 2002.
THU 09:30 Just a Minute (b0102wdf)
Chairman Nicholas Parsons starts the stopwatch for Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Derek Nimmo and Greg Proops. From January 1998.
THU 10:00 Ambridge Extra (b01040dx)
Series 1
Episode 2
Alice has a surprise awakening and Jamie faces new temptations.
THU 10:15 Loose Ends (b00zzmsf)
Peter Curran and guests take over the Radio 4 airwaves for a glorious 45 minutes of eclectic conversation and music.
Peter will be entering the 'Dragons' Den' this week as Deborah Meaden joins us in the Loose Ends studio. Deborah's the Den's second most frequent investor , and chats to Peter about her new project 'valuemystuff.com.'
From 'The West Wing' to the West End - Richard Schiff joins the cast of Jack Rosenthal's SMASH! Best known for playing Toby Ziegler in The West Wing he is no stranger to treading the boards over here, appearing in 2007 in the West End production of Underneath the Lintel.
Peter will be talking to musical theatre star, multi-platinum recording artist and chat show host Michael Ball. The king of British musical is famously known for his roles in Hairspray, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Les Miserables.
Chef, Broadcaster and Writer Allegra McEvedy talks to Alison Jackson, who shocked the world with her BAFTA Award-winning BBC TV series, Double Take. Alison has made a name for herself through her use of famous lookalikes to create paparazzi parodies. With the Royal Wedding looming, 'Kate and Wills Up the Aisle: A Right Royal Fairy Tale' is a tongue in cheek look at the royal romance.
There is music from Tom Williams and the Boat and Josh T Pearson.
Producer: Sukey Firth.
THU 11:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0102wdh)
Episode 4
Forced to leave Romania, Harriet waits anxiously in Athens for news of husband Guy. Stars Joanna Lumley and Honeysuckle Weeks.
THU 12:00 The Men from the Ministry (b0102v9g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 12:30 So Wrong It's Right (b00zslfj)
Series 2
Episode 4
Charlie Brooker hosts the panel show devoted to the art of being wrong with comedians Rufus Hound, Sharon Horgan and Fergus Craig competing to give the best in wrong answers.
Charlie's favourite hobby - the computer game - comes in for the So Wrong It's Right treatment this week. Asked to pitch a terrible idea for a computer game, who will triumph in the battle between Fergus' Football Player Liaison Officer, Sharon's Breast Feeding game and Rufus' innovative third person shooter - You Should Have Seen It Man Like Wow?
Also up for examination are the panel's nominations for modern woes - how will Charlie react to Rufus' nomination for his greatest modern irritant: 'Charlie Brooker'.
The host of So Wrong It's Right, Charlie Brooker, also writes for The Guardian and presents BBC4's satirical series Newswipe & Screenwipe as well as Channel 4's You Have Been Watching. He won Best Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards 2009 and Columnist of the Year at the 2009 British Press Awards for his newspaper columns.
Produced by Aled Evans
A Zeppotron Production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 13:00 Miss Marple (b0102tmh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 13:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j2512)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 13:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jny3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
THU 14:00 EF Benson - Miss Mapp (b0102yy1)
The Duel
As news of a deadly quarrel spreads, Elizabeth Mapp relishes the idea she may be the cause of it. Stars Frances Barber.
THU 14:15 Ambridge Extra (b01040dx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
THU 14:30 The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (b0102yy3)
Episode 4
Years after the gruesome killing, there's a surprise confession - but does it explain what happened? Read by Deborah Findlay.
THU 14:45 Barry Cryer - You Won't Believe This But (b007jv08)
Episode 4
Showbiz legend Barry Cryer charts his path to fame - and how recording his first record sparked a short-lived singing career.
THU 15:00 Paul B Davies - Spy Nozy and the Poets (b007jvty)
Suspicious behaviour by new residents in the small Somerset village of Nether Stowey leads to the arrival of a Home Office spy and a memorable encounter immortalised in literary history.
Starring Bill Nighy as Mr Walsh and Martin Clunes as Coleridge - the protagonists in a drama where espionage, intrigue and poetic inspiration blur the boundaries between truth and fiction. With Graeme Garden as Mr King.
Directed in Bristol by Sara Davies.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
THU 15:45 Walter Lord - A Night to Remember (b007jr4x)
Episode 4
As the sinking Titanic issues an SOS, women and children are ordered into the ocean liner's lifeboats. Read by Martin Jarvis.
THU 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b01031c3)
Mel Giedroyc introduces Rupert the Bear and Winnie the Pooh, finds out whether or not a pea plant can grow on a human lung and hears all about ancient dinosaur droppings.
THU 17:00 One Foot in the Grave (b007jmxg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
THU 17:30 Cabin Pressure (b00lmcyc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 18:00 Terry Pratchett (b007k1l2)
Mort
Episode 4
Death has disappeared, leaving his apprentice Mort, his daughter Ysabell and Albert the cook to carry on the life-collecting operation.
The conclusion of Terry's Pratchett's comic fantasy set on Discworld.
Narrated by Anton Lesser.
and Jon Glover as the Duke.
Mort ...... Carl Prekopp
Death ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Albert ...... Phillip Jackson
Ysabell ...... Clare Corbett
Princess Keli ...... Alice Hart
Cutwell ...... Adam Godley
Rincewind ...... Philip Fox
Duke ...... Jon Glover
Dramatised by Robin Brooks.
Director: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2004.
THU 18:30 Doctor Who (b00snkcc)
The Beast of Orlok
The Beast of Orlok
Can the Time Lord and assistant Lucie stamp out the menace forever - or will they become its latest meal? Stars Paul McGann.
THU 19:00 The Men from the Ministry (b0102v9g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 19:30 The Al Read Show (b00cq63d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 20:00 Miss Marple (b0102tmh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 20:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j2512)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 20:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jny3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
THU 21:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0102wdh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
THU 22:00 So Wrong It's Right (b00zslfj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 today]
THU 22:30 The End of the Road Show (b00ktfrf)
Episode 3
The series reaching the parts other comedy shows can't. With Nick Hancock, Tony Hawks and Neil Mullarkey. From January 1992.
THU 23:00 Comic to Comic (b007znnn)
Series 2
Miles Jupp
From gag-writing to TV's Balamory - the self-styled posh stand-up tells the story of his career.
Series in which Bruce Morton talks to top stand-up comedians about life, the universe and comedy.
Producer: Carol Purcell
First broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland in January 2006.
THU 23:30 Children's Hour with Armstrong and Miller (b00933zr)
Episode 4
Martin Bain-Jones is left in the studio, while Craig Children's got a dubious new job.
Ben Miller and Alexander Armstrong star as the pompous critics.
With:
Charlie Condou
Melissa Lloyd
Tony Gardner
Written by Ben Miller and Alexander Armstrong.
Producer: Jon Rolph
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1998.
FRIDAY 08 APRIL 2011
FRI 00:00 Terry Pratchett (b007k1l2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Doctor Who (b00snkcc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 No Commitments (b007jp1m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Just a Minute (b0102wdf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Ambridge Extra (b01040dx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:15 Loose Ends (b00zzmsf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:15 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0102wdh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 One Foot in the Grave (b007jmxg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 Cabin Pressure (b00lmcyc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Paul B Davies - Spy Nozy and the Poets (b007jvty)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:45 Walter Lord - A Night to Remember (b007jr4x)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:45 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Miss Marple (b010330g)
Nemesis
Episode 5
Amateur sleuth Jane Marple's friends come to her aid, as she battles to solve the murder mystery.
Conclusion of Agatha Christie's whodunit starring June Whitfield as Miss Marple.
Miss Marple …. June Whitfield
Professor Wanstead …. David Swift
Lavinia Glynne …. Louie Ramsay
Clotilde Bradbury-Scott …. Mary Wimbush
Anthea Bradbury-Scott …. Thelma Barlow
Miss Cooke …. Tricia Hitchcock
Miss Barrow …. Delia Lindsay
Michael Rafiel …. Peter Gunn
Mr Broadribb …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Producer: Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1998.
FRI 06:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j272l)
Episode 5
Superintendent Andrew Dalziel's key suspect asks to change his statement. Reginald Hill's thriller read by Philip Jackson.
FRI 06:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jnyn)
Interrogating Archie
Kramer and his gang home in on the final clue about the secret weapon, turning their attention to its inventor.
Noel Johnson stars as Dick Barton, with John Mann as Snowey White, Alex McCrindle as Jock, William Fox as Colonel Gardiner and Margaret Robertson as Jean Hunter.
From 1946 to 1951, Dick Barton - Special Agent thrilled millions of listeners to the BBC Light Programme. The daily serial followed the exciting adventures of ex-commando Captain Richard Barton and his wartime mates Snowey White and Jock Anderson, who must solve all manner of intriguing crimes and mysteries.
Heralded by an iconic signature tune (Devil's Galop by Charles Williams) each gripping episode left listeners with a torrid cliff-hanger.
Sadly many of Dick's adventures didn't survive in the BBC archive. But in 1972 as part of celebrations for the BBC's Golden Jubilee, Dick's very first ten-part adventure by Edward J Mason was recreated with many of the original cast.
With Francis de Wolff as Wilhelm Kramer, Richard Hurndall as Sir Archie Wrangle, Denis McCarthy as James Thirgood and Geoffrey Collins as the Police Sergeant.
Producer: Raymond Raikes
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1972.
FRI 07:00 Desmond Olivier Dingle's Compleat Life and Works of William Shakespeare (b007k26q)
Episode 1
The Royal Dingle Company versus the Bard. Theatrical spoof with Patrick Barlow and guest Richard E Grant. From September 1995.
FRI 07:30 The Penny Dreadfuls (b00gpbcj)
The Brothers Faversham
Horatius Faversham
The tale of Victorian Britain's most decorated soldier - Horatius Faversham.
The comedy sketch trio present swashbuckling tales of four brothers born into the same privileged aristocratic family - Horatius, Theseus, Leonidas and Augustus,
Written by and starring Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck.
Alexandra Faversham ... Ingrid Oliver
Narrator... Miles Jupp.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in January 2008.
FRI 08:00 The Navy Lark (b0103qmd)
Series 2
Johnson's Diet
Commander Povey discovers there's no official record of HMS Troutbridge - and someone's very hungry.
Starring Leslie Phillips as the Sub-Lieutenant, Jon Pertwee as the Chief Petty Officer, Stephen Murray as Number One, Richard Caldicot as Commander Povey, Ronnie Barker as AS Johnson, Heather Chasen as Heather, Michael Bates as Commander Bracewell and Tenniel Evans as Goldstein.
The Navy Lark ran for an impressive 13 series on BBC Radio between 1959 and 1976.
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman.
Producer: Alastair Scott Johnston.
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in February 1960.
FRI 08:30 Harry Worth (b00r2jxk)
Thirty Minutes Worth
The Holiday
Harry Worth's doctor prescribes him a sunshine holiday.
Starring Harry Worth.
With Jacqueline Clarke, Charles Collingwood, Julie Higginson and Milton Johns.
Script by Vince Powell.
Producer: Mike Craig
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 1988.
FRI 09:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jv65)
I'll See You on Tower Pier at 11
Mark Wallington and hellish hound Boogie quest to find the source of the Thames. Stars Timothy Spall. From December 1992.
FRI 09:30 Genius (b008h570)
Series 1
Richard Madeley
From mini-elephants to food on tap.
Dave Gorman asks TV host Richard Madeley to select the public's best loopy idea.
Award-winning comedian Dave Gorman and a celebrity guest chew over the ridiculous, unworkable but sometimes genius inventions, schemes and policies of the public.
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2005.
FRI 10:00 What's So Funny? (b0103ryy)
Series 1
Episode 1
Rufus Hound is joined by Dom Joly with news, reviews and previews of what's happening in comedy this week.
FRI 10:30 Ambridge Extra Omnibus (b01040gb)
Series 1, Episodes 1-2
It's the first ever Ambridge Extra. Alice is in a romantic mood and Jamie's enjoying his newfound freedom.
FRI 11:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0103qmg)
Episode 5
Harriet and Guy flee to Egypt, but the reality of war strains their fragile marriage. Stars Joanna Lumley and Honeysuckle Weeks.
FRI 12:00 The Navy Lark (b0103qmd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 The Now Show (b00zt4hh)
Series 33
Once upon a Time There Was a Deficit
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis take a look between the lines of the Coalition cuts story; Jon Holmes shrugs at the iPad and finds a way to enliven British theatre; Mitch Benn downloads a Cloud Girlfriend and guest stand-up Paul Sinha doesn't spout 'extreme anti-white vitriol' towards the countryside.
FRI 13:00 Miss Marple (b010330g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j272l)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 13:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jnyn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
FRI 14:00 EF Benson - Miss Mapp (b0103qml)
Kingfisher Blue
Tilling's busybody delights villagers at her own party - by wearing the same outfit as a fellow guest. Stars Frances Barber.
FRI 14:15 Maeve Binchy - No Nightingales No Snakes (b00tp9d8)
Episode 5
Harry and Nessa are delighted with their routine, but how will they cope with needy neighbour Melly? Stars Niamh Cusack.
FRI 14:30 The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (b0103qmn)
Episode 5
Years after the murder confession, a letter reveals the truth. Deborah Findlay concludes Kate Summerscale's account. Episode 5 of 5.
FRI 14:45 Barry Cryer - You Won't Believe This But (b007jv0f)
Episode 5
Charting his path to fame, comedy legend Barry Cryer recalls his big writing break - thanks to a famous female impersonator.
FRI 15:00 Alan Bennett - An Englishman Abroad (b007jyxz)
When a mysterious Englishman appears in her dressing-room, the actress Coral Browne assumes he is with the embassy, but, if so, why are his trousers out at the knees? And what does he want with her face-powder?
Alan Bennett based this drama on a real incident in Moscow involving the spy Guy Burgess in 1958.
Guy Burgess......................Michael Gambon
Coral Browne....................Penelope Wilton
Mrs Burgess.......................Lala Lloyd
Claudius..............................John Baddeley
Tolya/Hamlet.....................Michael Higgs
Adapted from BBC TV's 1983 film and directed by Hilary Norrish
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in 1994.
FRI 15:45 Walter Lord - A Night to Remember (b007jr5b)
Episode 5
With only women and children allowed on lifeboats, panic and friction spreads aboard the doomed Titanic. Read by Martin Jarvis.
FRI 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b0103qsw)
Mel Giedroyc introduces national treasures Jacqueline Wilson and Alan Bennett along with Andi Osho's Sneaky Peeks for the comedy week ahead on Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.
FRI 17:00 Desmond Olivier Dingle's Compleat Life and Works of William Shakespeare (b007k26q)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
FRI 17:30 The Penny Dreadfuls (b00gpbcj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Terry Pratchett (b007jl80)
Wyrd Sisters
1. Surprise Bundle
Three witches meet on a blasted heath while murder is in the air.
Terry Pratchett 's popular tale dramatised in four parts by Vince Foxall.
CAST:
Granny Weatherwax …. Sheila Hancock
Nanny Ogg …. Lynda Baron
Magrat Garlick …. Deborah Berlin
Duke Felmet …. Ian Masters
Lady Felmet …. Kristin Milward
King Verence …. John Hartley
Mrs Vitoller …. Natasha Pyne
Director: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.
FRI 18:30 Doctor Who (b00sqh1x)
The Scapegoat
Episode 1
The Time Lord is forced down into Gestapo-run Paris, where he meets 'The Most Assassinated Man in the World'. Stars Paul McGann.
FRI 19:00 The Navy Lark (b0103qmd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Harry Worth (b00r2jxk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 Miss Marple (b010330g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j272l)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 20:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jnyn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
FRI 21:00 Olivia Manning - Fortunes of War (b0103qmg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
FRI 22:00 The Now Show (b0103rz0)
Fresh from 4 - Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present a satirical look at the week's news. From 1st April 2011.
FRI 22:45 Elastic Planet (b007k2h5)
The Babies
Links between cheese sculpture, pavement privatisation, skirting boards and the great knitting reform act.
Animator and voice of Bagpuss and the Clangers, Oliver Postgate island-hops through a stream of bizarre coincidences.
Ben Moor’s cosmic comedy of connections with Miriam Margoyies, Dan Strauss, Kerry Shale, Michael Simkins, Gary Waldhorn, Alan Dedicoat, Hugh Scully and James Naughtie.
Producer: Jon Naismith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.
FRI 23:00 What's So Funny? (b0103ryy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
FRI 23:30 Lenin of the Rovers (b007jpj6)
Series 1
Episode 1
Midfield football maestro Ricky Lenin's battle for Britain's first all-communist football team. Ricky introduces his radical thinking to Felchester Rovers.
Starring Alexei Sayle as Ricky Lenin, Keith Allen as Terry Trotsky, Andrew McClean as Stevie Stalin and Maurice Colbourne as Ray of the Rovers.
Legendary BBC football commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme is Frank Lee Brian.
Written by Marcus Berkmann.
Producer: Harry Thompson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1988.