Rumpole recalls a clear case of extortion at his Oxford College, St Joseph's.
"The Splendours And Miseries Of An Old Bailey Hack". Starring Maurice Denham as ageing London barrister-at-law Horace Rumpole and Margot Boyd as Hilda Rumpole
With Brian Sanders as the Judge, Geoffrey Bayldon as Bernard Crompton and Emily Richard as Sue Galton.
Originally a TV series created by writer and barrister John Mortimer, Rumpole hit the BBC radio airwaves in 1980. Case-by-case, Rumpole recalls his work at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.
Who is the strange woman that Tom Wallace sees in his living room? Why can he sense other people's emotions? Read by Trevor White.
Time-share shock, home shopping revenge - and the perils of redundancy...
The sketch comedy for people growing older disgracefully.
Stars Eleanor Bron, Graeme Garden, Neil Innes, Clive Swift, Roger Blake and Paula Wilcox.
Written by Nicholas Barber and Glenn Dakin, Mike Coleman, Jan Etherington, Graeme Garden, Mike Haskins, Ged Parsons, Bob Sinfield, Chris Thompson and Pete Reynolds.
Script Editor: Ged Parsons.
Music by Ronnie & The Rex and Neil Innes.
Stephen K Amos and his pick of the circuit's best stand-ups build an idiot's guide to life.
Maeve Higgins, Tom Allen and Phil Nichol join Stephen to offer a guide to standing tall.
Producer: Colin Anderson.
Sid sees the return of petrol rationing as a money spinner, with some help from the lad.
Starring Tony Hancock, Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Kenneth Williams and Hattie Jacques.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music composed by Wally Stott. Recorded by the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Crime writer Gerald is distracted when Diana loses something precious.
The convoluted chronicle of an optimistic author written by Basil Boothroyd.
Starring Ian Carmichael as Gerald C Potter and Charlotte Mitchell as his wife and more successful writer, Diana.
With James Thomason, Trader Faulkner and Robin Browne.
The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter ran from 1976 to 1981.
When Daniel's brother suggests a night in the pub and Lucy's best friend meets a new man, their plans for a week away from other people's problems come seriously unstuck.
Starring David Tennant and Elizabeth Carling.
David Spicer's comedy drama about modern life and parenthood, as seen through the eyes of two 30-something non-parents.
Daniel ....... David Tennant
Lucy ....... Elizabeth Carling
Amanda ....... Nasreen Hussain
Alison ....... Joanna Brookes
Peter ....... Robert Harley
Caroline ....... Polly Frame.
Crime writers Robert Barnard and Lindsey Davis probe who wielded a deadly skewer.
With the help of witnesses played by Maria McErlane and Lee Simpson.
Murder mystery panel game chaired by Simon Brett.
Anne anticipates Robin's return, but he's planning ahead. John Masters dramatisation with Bill Nighy and Juliet Stevenson.
When her husband's colliery goes on strike, a wife attempts to gain a share of his strike pay. Read by Peter Meakin.
Staying at home for 25 years, the strange tale of celebrated Victorian recluse James Lucas. Stars Anton Lesser and Conleth Hill. From May 2004.
It’s Clementine's turn to create a chocolate delight for the club and Charlotte tells the tale of her terrible chocolate cravings during pregnancy...
At the Muchly Bottom village chocolate lovers' club five women take turns in creating a chocolate delight and tell a chocolate-related tale while eating it.
Moya O'Shea’s delicious five-part drama.
The political intrigues of Marlborough and his wife are examined in this episode, narrated by Anna Massey.
As the Taliban brings brutal change, the orphanage is set for a new arrival. Khaled Hosseini's story read by Seeta Indrani.
Billy is in big trouble both at work and home, so he returns to his dreams of London and Ambrosia. Read by Stephen Tompkinson.
Mel finds out what happens if you send a troupe of clowns into a war zone and discovers the darker history of man's relationship with the skylark.
Fresh out of jail, conman Caleb sparks trouble by posing as a vicar. Stars Keith Barron and June Whitfield. From January 1999.
A couple take refuge 200 years in the past to escape a bitter war. Ray Bradbury's tale of conflict stars Neil Barth.
A deal is struck. Sequel to Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, with Stephen Mangan and Peter Serafinowicz.
Perhaps the most famous meal of all time, as it seemed to one who was there. Short dramatisations of the Easter story.
Supergrasses are criminals. Criminals are liars. Policeman believe supergrasses Why?
Intrepid reporter David Lander probes the supergrass system and in particular the career of Billy ‘Stick’ Adams
Written by Tony Sarchet.
Starring Stephen Fry as David Lander.
With Brenda Blethyn, Robert Bathurst, Janine Duvitski, Philip Pope, Julia Hills, Mark Arden and Clive Mantle.
The truncated thespians give their special treatment to the Richards, Henrys and a few more royals. From June 1994.
Phil's cheerful optimism proves to be misplaced. Starring Jim Sweeney and Caroline Quentin. From November 1993.
THURSDAY 05 APRIL 2012
THU 00:00 Bradbury 13 (b013lwvp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 Eoin Colfer - And Another Thing... (b012ylgk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 00:45 Elspeth Davie - A Collection of Bones (b012ymgs)
A Field in Space
An affecting story of 'the fields of the sky', and one expert whose speciality stuns a whole meeting. Read by Crawford Logan. From January 2002.
THU 01:00 John Mortimer - Rumpole (b007jsdk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Richard Matheson - A Stir of Echoes (b00p6125)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Double Income, No Kids Yet (b007yrh0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Foul Play (b00zshr3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Masters' India - The Lotus and the Wind (b00jn6g0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Short stories by DH Lawrence (b007k22t)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:15 Martyn Wade - Hermit Lucas (b007jx32)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 The Galton and Simpson Playhouse (b007zzxq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:30 The Right Time (b00c5snp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 John Mortimer - Rumpole (b007k4l3)
The Rotten Apple
Rumpole recalls a suspicious case of bribery in the police force.
"The Splendours And Miseries Of An Old Bailey Hack". Starring Maurice Denham as ageing London barrister-at-law Horace Rumpole and Margot Boyd as Hilda Rumpole
With Michael Spice as Guthrie Featherstone, Robert Harris as Justice Vosper and Brian Carroll as Erskine-Brown.
Originally a TV series created by writer and barrister John Mortimer, Rumpole hit the BBC radio airwaves in 1980. Case-by-case, Rumpole recalls his work at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.
Director: Ian Cotterell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1980.
THU 06:30 Richard Matheson - A Stir of Echoes (b00p684p)
Episode 4
Tom Wallace feels sure the woman he sees once lived in the house, but what does she want? Read by Trevor White.
THU 07:00 Life in London (b011q9fw)
High and Low Life
Pierce Egan is reduced to pawning himself.
He talks his way out of this bind by relating the adventures of Tom, Bob and Jerry as they drink with the lower orders in the East End, dance with high society up West and attend a masquerade, where Jerry is smitten by a serial seductress...
Starring Greg Wise and Mark Gatiss.
Pierce Egan’s 19th-century comic novel adapted by Dan Tetsell.
Pierce Egan .... Geoffrey McGivern
Corinthian Tom .... Greg Wise
Pickpocket .... Neil Edmond
Jerry Hawthorn .... Mark Gatiss
With James Bachman, Neil Edmond, Morwenna Banks, Giles Taylor and Alys Torrance.
Original music by Ben Walker
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2006.
THU 07:30 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b00yz3hs)
Series 3
Kate Adie
Kate Adie has a reputation for fearless BBC reporting from wars zones, riots and natural disasters. But, of all things, she has a mild fear of porridge.
Marcus Brigstocke helps Kate to overcome this fear for the very first time, and has a small taste of the traditional breakfast food.
She tries some other things entirely new to her too - yoga, the TV series The Sopranos, bingo and reading Swallows and Amazons.
Created and produced by Bill Dare.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2011.
THU 08:00 The Al Read Show (b008xzwj)
From 28/10/1995
Right monkey! Al takes a peek inside the world of horse racing.
A compilation of the legendary Northern comic'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 08:30 Dad's Army (b007jp95)
Series 2
A Wilson (Manager)
Captain Mainwaring is aghast when his chief clerk comes up in the world.
Starring Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring, John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Wilson, Clive Dunn as Corporal Jones, John Laurie as Private Frazer, Ian Lavender as Private Pike and Arnold Ridley as Godfrey.
Adapted for radio from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's TV scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1975.
THU 09:00 An Actor's Life for Me (b008gbwy)
Series 2
Heart Throbs
At last, Robert’s up for a part. He’s about to play opposite Kim Basinger.
Will he let it go to his head? What do you think?
John Gordon Sinclair stars in Paul Mayhew-Archer's sitcom.
Robert Wilson ..... John Gordon Sinclair
Desmond Shaw ..... Gary Waldhorn
Sue ..... Caroline Quentin
With:
Sally Grace
Jane Slavin
Michael Fenton Stevens
Producer: Paul Spencer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1990.
THU 09:30 The Museum of Curiosity (b00s92p7)
Series 3
Episode 1
Prepare to have your synapses twisted into a string theorist's nightmare, as Professor Lloyd and his new curator, the startlingly insightful comedian Jon Richardson, hurriedly throw the dust covers off the Museum's clump of empty plinths for a brand new series of the BBC's most improving comedy panel show.
This week, fantasy novelist Sir Terry Pratchett offers them a Secret And Personal Extra Day Of The Week; cosmologist and author Marcus Chown donates a bizarre but plausible scientific theory of the afterlife known as the Enigma Point; and Shappi Khorsandi has somehow finds herself in a position to offer none other than Charlie Chaplin.
THU 10:00 The Chronicles of Narnia (b01f8m9w)
The Horse and His Boy
Episode 1
When a slave escapes with a talking horse, a mysterious lion shadows their every move. CS Lewis's adventure with Paul Scofield.
THU 10:48 Easter Diaries (b01fhh4w)
Wednesday Night
Peter describes a long night with the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. 'Wait and watch', says Jesus. But for what? Short dramatisations of the Easter story.
THU 10:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00kr7bp)
Series 1
Sloths
Sir David muses on the natural history of the sloth - perhaps the most lethargic beast in the animal world, and one that he has admitted to wanting to be.
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 June 2009.
THU 11:00 Short stories by DH Lawrence (b00cfzh6)
The Christening
A grown-up family are haunted by their brutal father's influence. Will a new baby bring about a change? Read by Peter Meakin.
THU 11:15 Martyn Wade - Dogged Persistence (b009xytf)
Recorded on location, this comedy drama centres on the relationship that develops between two woman brought together by a troublesome dog.
All Veronica's experiences as a dog-trainer are needed to curb the vicious beast bequeathed to Maureen by her late husband.
Especially written by Martyn Wade for distinguished actresses Joan Sims and Elizabeth Spriggs.
Maureen ...... Joan Sims
Veronica ...... Elizabeth Spriggs
Cab Driver ...... David Thorpe
Nettie ...... Richenda Carey
Director: Cheery Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2000.
THU 12:00 The Al Read Show (b008xzwj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jp95)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 13:00 John Mortimer - Rumpole (b007k4l3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 13:30 Richard Matheson - A Stir of Echoes (b00p684p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 14:00 Moya O'Shea - The Chocolate Lovers' Club (b00w5rkw)
Episode 4
Rosie delivers her creation to the club. Meanwhile, Clementine tells the tale of how she came to own a chocolate shop in the village.
At the Muchly Bottom village chocolate lovers' club five women take turns in creating a chocolate delight and tell a chocolate-related tale while eating it.
Moya O'Shea’s delicious five-part drama.
Mrs Drexl - Sylvia Sims
Clementine - Paula Wilcox
Rosie - Helena Breck
Sarah - Eleanor Bron
Charlotte - Carolyn Pickles
Hot Shot - Carl Prekopp
Luke - Peter Darney
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
THU 14:15 This Sceptred Isle (b007jsr2)
The King Of England Who Couldn't Speak English
Marlborough is accused of misappropriating funds that were meant for the war. Anna Massey narrates the history of Britain.
THU 14:30 Khaled Hosseini - A Thousand Splendid Suns (b00ftg0q)
Episode 9
Rasheed reacts furiously when he learns of Tariq's visit to Laila. Khaled Hosseini's story read by Seeta Indrani.
THU 14:45 Keith Waterhouse - Billy Liar (b01fcqlh)
Episode 4
As he goes to perform his pub act, things get even more complicated for the three-timing romeo. Read by Stephen Tompkinson.
THU 15:00 The Chronicles of Narnia (b01f8m9w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
THU 15:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00kr7bp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:50 today]
THU 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b01fcqlk)
Mel hears from a woman that's spent 30 years tracking the UK's elusive big wild cats, she finds out the origin of the red nosed clown and says goodbye to the Mexican circus.
THU 17:00 The World As We Know It (b00fd7zl)
The End
Donna, Johnny, Patrick and Abigail woke up on Saturday morning to find they were the last four people left on earth.
Two days later and the implications of what has happened are beginning to sink in, as they start the first week of the rest of their lives...
Sitcom by Luke Sorba.
Johnny ...... Toby Longworth
Donna ...... Meera Syal
Patrick ...... Luke Sorba
Abigail ...... Carla Mendonca
The Stranger ...... Simon Greenall
Producer: Elizabeth Anstee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1999.
THU 17:30 Life in London (b011q9fw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
THU 18:00 Bradbury 13 (b013zf1m)
Here There Be Tygers
A planet spurned is no friend to man. Ray Bradbury's surreal space tale stars Max Robinson.
THU 18:30 Eoin Colfer - And Another Thing... (b012ysn5)
Episode 4
A far-off planetoid needs a presiding god, as do some hitchhikers. Sequel to Douglas Adams' series, with Stephen Mangan.
THU 19:00 The Al Read Show (b008xzwj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Dad's Army (b007jp95)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 20:00 John Mortimer - Rumpole (b007k4l3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 20:28 Easter Diaries (b01fhh5j)
Thursday
Herod reluctantly agrees to see Jesus. He gives him the usual humiliating treatment, but is disturbed by Jesus' silence. Short dramatisations of the Easter story.
THU 20:30 Richard Matheson - A Stir of Echoes (b00p684p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 21:00 Short stories by DH Lawrence (b00cfzh6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
THU 21:15 Martyn Wade - Dogged Persistence (b009xytf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
THU 22:00 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b00yz3hs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 22:30 Bleak Expectations (b00ctlhp)
Series 2
A Happy Life, Cruelly Re-kippered
The further remarkable adventures of Pip Bin, inventor of the bin, as he struggles against the cruel plotting of his evil guardian Mr Gently Benevolent, recently returned from the dead.
Mark Evans's epic comedy in the style of Charles Dickens after far too much gin.
Volume Two, Chapter the First: A Happy Life, Cruelly Re-kippered
You're invited to bask in the kindness of St Lovely's school, with its classes of double Definitely-Not-Latin and its School Cakery. But what is that sinister presence lurking with a very large number of horses? Could it be that Mister Benevolent has plans to steal the school?
Sir Philip...........................Richard Johnson
Mr Benevolent.......................Anthony Head
Sternbeater...................Geoffrey Whitehead
Young Pip..................................Tom Allen
Harry Biscuit......................James Bachman
Lily.....................................Sarah Hadland
Mr Parsimonious...............Laurence Howarth
Pippa........................................Susy Kane
Sundry boys..............................Mark Evans
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2008.
THU 23:00 Revolting People (b008j10d)
Series 3
Them Thar Hills
Samuel and McGurk follow a prospector named Mad Pete in search of gold...
Sitcom set just before the American War of Independence.
Written by Andy Hamilton and Jay Tarses.
McGurk ...... Andy Hamilton
Samuel ...... Jay Tarses
Captain Brimshaw ...... James Fleet
Joshua ...... Tony Maudsley
Mad Pete ...... Hugh Dennis
Jeremiah ...... Philip Pope
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2004.
THU 23:30 Hut 33 (b00vy861)
Series 2
Pigs n Spivs
It's 1941 and supplies are running short in Bletchley Park, centre of the Allies' codebreaking effort.
Archie reluctantly uses the services of Mrs Best's shady contact to get some extra food and Gordon is seduced by the promise of a Superman comic.
James Cary's sitcom set at Bletchley Park - the top-secret home of the Second World War codebreakers.
Charles …. Robert Bathurst
Archie …. Tom Goodman-Hill
Minka …. Olivia Colman
Mrs Best …. Lill Roughley
Gordon …. Fergus Craig
Joshua … Alex McQueen
Spiv ...... Stephen Critchlow
Producer: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2008.
FRIDAY 06 APRIL 2012
FRI 00:00 Bradbury 13 (b013zf1m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Eoin Colfer - And Another Thing... (b012ysn5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 00:45 Elspeth Davie - A Collection of Bones (b012ysn7)
A Collection of Bones
A troubling tale of a man with an obsessive hobby, and what happens when it suddenly comes to an end. Read by Crawford Logan.
FRI 01:00 John Mortimer - Rumpole (b007k4l3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Richard Matheson - A Stir of Echoes (b00p684p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 An Actor's Life for Me (b008gbwy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 The Museum of Curiosity (b00s92p7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 The Chronicles of Narnia (b01f8m9w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00kr7bp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:50 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Short stories by DH Lawrence (b00cfzh6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:15 Martyn Wade - Dogged Persistence (b009xytf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 The World As We Know It (b00fd7zl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 Life in London (b011q9fw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 John Mortimer - Rumpole (b007jsf6)
The Man of God
Rumpole recalls the case of a light-fingered vicar.
"The Splendours And Miseries Of An Old Bailey Hack". Starring Maurice Denham as ageing London barrister-at-law Horace Rumpole and Margot Boyd as Hilda Rumpole
With Michael Spice as Guthrie Featherstone, John Savident as Judge Bullingham and Denys Hawthorne as Judge George Frobisher.
Originally a TV series created by writer and barrister John Mortimer, Rumpole hit the BBC radio airwaves in 1980. Case-by-case, Rumpole recalls his work at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.
Director: Ian Cotterell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1980.
FRI 06:30 Richard Matheson - A Stir of Echoes (b00p689c)
Episode 5
After his series of terrifying premonitions, Tom battles to discover what Helen wants. Concluded by Trevor White.
FRI 07:00 Smelling of Roses (b007k22c)
Series 2
Bill of Fare
Rosie and her team are asked to organise a food fair by the formidable Lord Pickton.
But they don't realise the event is a setup to promote Hinchcliff Manor - rather than the stallholders...
Prunella Scales stars in the second of four series of Simon Brett's sitcom following the trials and tribulations of Rosie Burns and her event-management company based in Brighton.
With Arabella Weir as Kate, Rebecca Callard as Jo, Duncan Preston as Bob, Annette Badland as Tess, Jon Glover as Nigel Mazoni, Bill Wallis as Lord Pickton, Natalie Walter as Vicks and Will Ing as Rupert,
Producer: Maria Esposito
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2001.
FRI 07:30 In and Out of the Kitchen (b016ljx7)
Series 1
January 1st to 5th
Mouth-watering entries from the kitchen diary of cookery writer, Damien Trench.
written by and starring Miles Jupp.
In a mixture of narrative, dialogue and recipes, Damien unflinchingly captures every angle of his day-to-day life, "no matter how grisly or, indeed, how gristly".
Damien and his partner, Anthony, deciding on their New Year's Resolutions. They start by finally making up their minds to commit to each other...namely, by signing up a builder, Mr Mullaney to install a new kitchen which Damien hopes will eventually become the food and preparation space that he's always dreamed of.
On top of all this, Anthony decides to get fit and Damien decides to do a radio programme about the French bean. But not everything goes according to plan...
Also featuring Damien's easy-to-follow recipes: for a "Super Simple" Roast Beef, cooking your own pasta, and "Marvellously Moist Muffins".
Damien Trench ...... Miles Jupp
Anthony ...... Justin Edwards
Damien's Mother ...... Selina Cadell
Mr Mullaney ...... Brendan Dempsey
Ian Frobisher ...... Philip Fox
Researcher ...... Alex Tregear
Producer: Sam Michell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.
FRI 08:00 The Navy Lark (b013r1vy)
Series 5
A Deliberate Bashing
Desperate to escape his mother-in-law, can Captain Povey rely on the crew of HMS Troutbridge to assist?
Stars Jon Pertwee as the Chief Petty Officer, Leslie Phillips as the Sub-Lieutenant, Stephen Murray as the Number One, Ronnie Barker as Commander Bell, Richard Caldicote as Captain Povey, Ronnie Barker as Commander Bell, Tenniel Evans as Taffy Goldstein, Janet Brown as Mrs Crump and Lawrie Wyman as the Inspector.
Laughs afloat aboard British Royal Navy frigate HMS Troutbridge. The Navy Lark ran for an impressive thirteen series between 1959 and 1976.
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman
Producer: Alastair Scott Johnston.
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in April 1963.
FRI 08:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jp1c)
Series 6
Porn Yesterday
Harold's aghast when he discovers exactly 'What the Butler Saw'!
Starring Wilfrid Brambell as Albert and Harry H Corbett as Harold.
Written for TV and adapted for radio by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Albert ...... Wilfrid Brambell
Harold ...... Harry H Corbett
Mabel ...... Norma Ronald
Vicar ...... Anthony Sharpe
Following the conclusion of their hugely successful association with Tony Hancock, writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson wrote 10 pilots for the BBC TV's Comedy Playhouse in 1962. The Offer was set in a house with a yard full of junk, featuring the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and his son Harold and it was the spark for a run of eight series for TV.
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in March 1976.
FRI 09:00 North East of Eden (b01f9t2c)
Invaders and Outsiders
Marcia leaves London when she inherits her uncle's medical practice on the remote Paradise Island in Northumbria - with its Wind O' Change pub and populace of slightly dodgy fisherman.
Rebecca Front and Joan Sims stars in Peter Kerry's sitcom.
Doctor Marcia Hulme …. Rebecca Front
Auntie Annie …. Joan Sims
Hjorst/The Translator …. Niall Ashdown
Joseph Gates …. James Garbutt
Mrs Peevis …. Jean Southern
William …. Sammy Johnson
Ralph Gates …. Stephen Thirkeld
Other Roles …. Peter Kerry
Producer: Kathy Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1997.
FRI 09:30 Puzzle Panel (b00xhck5)
Episode 3
More testing brain teasers with Chris Maslanka, Anne Bradford, Professor David Singmaster and William Harston. From June 1998.
FRI 10:00 The Chronicles of Narnia (b01f9t67)
The Horse and His Boy
Episode 2
Trekking with their talking horses, the runaway orphan and princess arrive in Tashbaan. CS Lewis's adventure with David Suchet.
FRI 10:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00kvt8f)
Series 1
Monstrous Flowers
Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.
Deep in the steamy forests of Sumatra, the largest flowers in the world bloom, albeit for under a week. But why are they so big?
FRI 11:00 Short stories by DH Lawrence (b007k2kc)
Goose Fair
An unexpected fire at Selby's factory proves to be a turning point in the relationship between Will and Lois. Read by Peter Meakin.
FRI 11:15 Nick Warburton - Every Book in the World (b00td5s8)
The real-life Victorian bibliomaniac, Sir Thomas Philipps, aimed to own a copy of every book in the world. But his mania came at a price.
A Victorian road movie, Nick Warburton's play is a study in obsession.
Stars Benjamin Whitrow as Sir Thomas Philipps, Lia Williams as Elizabeth Philipps and Peter Gunn as Herbert.
Director: Mark Smalley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2006.
FRI 12:00 The Navy Lark (b013r1vy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jp1c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 John Mortimer - Rumpole (b007jsf6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Richard Matheson - A Stir of Echoes (b00p689c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 14:00 Moya O'Shea - The Chocolate Lovers' Club (b00w6f7p)
Episode 5
A huge cake box sits on the table, as the mysterious Mrs Drexl tells a tale which surprisingly concerns them all - as she explains how she came to be invited to join the club...
At the Muchly Bottom village chocolate lovers' club five women take turns in creating a chocolate delight and tell a chocolate-related tale while eating it.
Conclusion of Moya O'Shea’s delicious five-part drama.
Mrs Drexl - Sylvia Sims
Clementine - Paula Wilcox
Rosie - Helena Breck
Sarah - Eleanor Bron
Charlotte - Carolyn Pickles
Hot Shot - Carl Prekopp
Luke - Peter Darney
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
FRI 14:15 This Sceptred Isle (b007jsrc)
The Hanoverians and the Jacobite Rising
The rise of the man destined to become Britain's first Prime Minister - Robert Walpole. Anna Massey narrates the history of Britain.
FRI 14:30 Khaled Hosseini - A Thousand Splendid Suns (b00ftk07)
Episode 10
Laila and Tariq are reunited, but she still misses Mariam. Khaled Hosseini's story read by Seeta Indrani.
FRI 14:45 Keith Waterhouse - Billy Liar (b01f9wj6)
Episode 5
Billy's fantasies have all been exposed. Will he leave to start a new life in London? Concluded by Stephen Tompkinson.
FRI 15:00 The Chronicles of Narnia (b01f9t67)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
FRI 15:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00kvt8f)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:50 today]
FRI 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b01f9wnk)
Mel hits a high C with a boy soprano who sang one of the most beautiful pieces of music in the world, and she finds out what it's like to be 15 and performing as a circus clown.
FRI 17:00 Brothers in Law (b007k2wl)
Series 2
Disqualified
Bad driving results in a near miss for barrister Roger Thursby.
Starring Richard Briers as Roger Thursby, Julia Lockwood as Sally, John Barron as the Judge, Peter Jones as Piper, Garard Green as Sharp and John Ruddock as Smith.
Written by Henry Cecil and Basil Dawson.
Published in 1955, Henry Cecil's comic legal novel Brothers in Law was adapted first for TV in 1962 by Frank Muir and Denis Norden. It provided the first regular starring role for Richard Briers, who later reprised his role of the idealistic young lawyer Roger Thursby for BBC Radio between 1970 and 1972.
Producer: David Hatch.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1971.
FRI 17:30 Smelling of Roses (b007k22c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
FRI 18:00 Bradbury 13 (b0146gb0)
The Happiness Machine
An inventor's machine is guaranteed to make everyone happy, except his wife. Ray Bradbury's tale of strife stars Jesse Bennett.
FRI 18:30 Eoin Colfer - And Another Thing... (b012yym0)
Episode 5
An immortal challenge must be faced - will Zaphod Beeblebrox get to see Thor? Sequel to Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, with Stephen Mangan.
FRI 18:45 Elspeth Davie - A Collection of Bones (b012yym2)
The Eyelash
A humorous diversion into an evening meal, ruined by a small matter which prompts a big discussion. Read by Edith MacArthur. From January 2002.
FRI 19:00 The Navy Lark (b013r1vy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jp1c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 John Mortimer - Rumpole (b007jsf6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 20:28 Easter Diaries (b01fhh69)
Friday
Mary recalls an incident in her childhood, as her fears for her son are realised. Short dramatisations of the Easter story.
FRI 20:30 Richard Matheson - A Stir of Echoes (b00p689c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Short stories by DH Lawrence (b007k2kc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
FRI 21:15 Nick Warburton - Every Book in the World (b00td5s8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
FRI 22:00 In and Out of the Kitchen (b016ljx7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 22:30 Old Harry's Game (b007jm9l)
Series 3
This Thing Called Love
Satan worries about his image, and the Professor is concerned over his widow's remarriage.
Andy Hamilton’s devilishly funny sitcom set in Hell.
Satan …. Andy Hamilton
The Professor …. James Grout
Thomas …. Jimmy Mulville
Scumspawn …. Robert Duncan
Other characters played by Philip Pope, Michael Fenton Stevens, Felicity Montagu and Nick Revell
Producer Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1999.
FRI 23:00 The Skivers (b00jd5jn)
Series 3
Paul McKenna
Hypnotist Paul McKenna gets a taste of his own medicine. Sketch show with Nick Golsen and Tim de Jongh. From January 1997.
FRI 23:30 Vent (b01f9xz7)
Series 3
Stirrings in the Night
Ben and Mary's love life is in jeopardy, so Blitz recruits Lord Byron to offer the couple some useful relationship advice.
Starring Neil Pearson.
Nigel Smith's dark sitcom about a man in a coma, travelling through the distinctly odd landscape of his own unconscious mind.
Ben ...... Neil Pearson
Mary ...... Fiona Allen
Mum ...... Josie Lawrence
Blitz ...... Leslie Ash
Nurse ...... Jo Martin
Derek ...... Stephen Frost
Marley/Lord Byron ...... Spencer Brown
Bea ...... Scarlett Milburn-Smith
Director: Nigel Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009.