Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot must dig for more clues. Is there a killer in a team of desert archaeologists?
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Hercule Poirot …. John Moffatt
Richard Carey …. Gavin Muir
Amy Leatheran …. Becky Hindley
Dr Reilly …. Norman Rodway
Dr Leidner …. William Franklyn
Sheila Reilly …. Cathy Sara
Miss Johnson …. Elizabeth Spriggs
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
A French assassin has shot his intended victim, but exactly who wanted Red Millbrook dead? Read by John Lloyd-Fillingham.
Plethora decides it's time for son and heir Salvatore to be ordained as a priest - by nonagenarian Father Ignazio.
Second series of the comedy drama set in Renaissance Italy devised by Neal Anthony.
Written by Roger Danes.
Stars David Swift as Ludovico, Sian Phillips as Plethora, Graham Crowden as Francesco, Saskia Wickham as Rosalie, Nicholas Grace as Lord Luton and Kim Wall as Father Ignazio.
My Teenage Diary returns with six more brave celebrities ready to revisit their formative years by opening up their intimate teenage diaries, and reading them out in public for the very first time.
IN this fourth programme in the series, comedian Rufus Hound is joined by writer Toby Young who revisits his teenage years, when he had a lot of fun playing knock down ginger, shooting pea shooters, and skateboarding - but let his academic work suffer.
He reflects on his mis-spent youth and talks about how it has changed his perceptions of young offenders today.
Inspired by Bill and supplied by Sid, the lad turns his home into a centre of learning.
Stars Tony Hancock.
With Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.
London bus gospel and a visit to Nibbling-On-The-Bone.
More quick-fire sketches, terrible puns, humorous songs plus TV and cinema parodies.
Stars Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie.
Written by Clive James, John Esmonde & Bob Larbey, Peter Vincent and David McKellar .
Originating from the Cambridge University Footlights revue 'Cambridge Circus', ISIRTA ran for 8 years on BBC Radio and quickly developed a cult following.
Songs by Bill Oddie and Tim Brooke-Taylor, with music by Dave Lee.
Mark Wallington and hellish hound Boogie quest to find the source of the Thames. Stars Timothy Spall. From December 1992.
Yorkshire builders in a white van - Johnny Street and Arthur Lane – are called to tackle the tricky task of a piano perilously perched on the Edwardian staircase of feisty music teacher Mrs Priam-Rhodes.
Sitcom written by Ian McMillan and Dave Sheasby.
Johnny Street ...... Nick Lane
Arthur Lane ...... Fine Time Fontayne
Mrs Priam-Rhodes ...... Margaret Robertson
Ben Nevis ...... Kenny Blyth.
Lapo ..... Phil Daniels
Loti ..... Bryan Dick
Pope Julius ..... Gary Waldhorn
Cardinal Alidosi ..... Roger Lloyd Pack
Composer ..... Adam Cork
High up on the wooden scaffolding tower of the Sistine Chapel, two fresco plasterers get on with the day's work preparing the ceiling for their boss Michelangelo who has not bothered to turn up for work again. As they do so, they bemoan the uselessness of the great master.
Pope Julius and Cardinal Alidosi visit the chapel to inspect the progress of their commission. They are never very impressed, and the Pope is more concerned about getting Michelangelo to do his funeral monument at a knock-down price.
On the Ceiling is not about great artists; it is about those people whose names don't go down in history: the ones who do the essential drudge work, their frustration at their lack of genius and their pride in their own technical expertise. In this version of events, low elements combine to make high art.
Nigel Planer is best known as Neil in The Young Ones, and as Nicholas Craig - The Naked Actor. Other television productions include Shine on Harvey Moon; Dennis Potter's Blackeyes. On stage, Nigel has performed in Simon Gray's Unnatural Pursuits; Ben Elton's We Will Rock You and Hairspray.
Stories by short fiction writer Francis Wyndham, recalling England in the 1940s.
Agatha is drawn to her young cousin Phillip when he comes to stay, but should she really be snooping in his bedroom? Read by Emily Woof.
Rehearsing for the Brecon Jazz Festival, Megan keeps playing a certain melody but where does it come from?
Her musical detective trail leads to the 1880s and the visit to Swansea of a choir of emancipated slaves...
Stars Rakie Ayola as Megan the Fifth, Margaret John as Megan the Third, Helen Griffin as Megan the First, Don Warrington as Frederick Loudin, Phylip Harries as Owan and Rhodri Hugh as the Rev Davies.
Written by Alan Plater.
Stories based on original material researched and collected by Jen Wilson of the Women's Jazz Archive, Swansea.
Music: Aula Gardiner, Richard Roberts, Peter Churchill, Nia Lynn, Dyfrig Morris and Lee Williams.
Directed in Wales by Alison Hindell.
As Jamaicans travel to England to join the war effort, news arrives about Michael. Stars Nadine Marshall and Adjoa Andoh.
Some much-needed changes to the conditions in the mines and factories are on the horizon. Anna Massey narrates the history of Britain.
How would you cope with having to relearn your history every day only to lose it again?
In SJ Watson's desperately compelling and ambitious debut thriller, a woman has no memory of who she is. She lives in the suburbs cared for by her husband, she can't work, she doesn't have any friends, she's trying to live a normal life but she can't remember anything when she wakes up in the morning. Slowly she starts to try and rebuild her memory, to piece together what has happened to her, who she is...
This is Christine's story.
Mel Giedroyc goes to the 'London Nobody Knows', finds out what mantelpieces can tell you about the British and takes a trip to 'Sea Life Loch Lomond'.
Furious Uncle Percy gets trapped and Bertie Wooster tries to avoid getting arrested!
Conclusion of the PG Wodehouse romp adapted in seven-parts by Chris Miller.
Starring Michael Hordern as Jeeves, Richard Briers as Bertie Wooster, Jonathan Cecil as Boko Fittleworth, Peter Woodthorpe as Percy, Lord Worplesden, Rosalind Adams as Nobby Hopwood and Michael Kilgarriff as Stilton Cheesewright.
Space pirate Kreekpolt knows Abby and Zara can save his daughter's life, even at the cost of their own. Stars Ciara Janson.
If George Cragge can keep close on the trail of the World Cup murderer then his BBC job looks secure - for the time being at least...
Mark Tavener's six-part sequel to his comedy thriller 'In the Red' set in the world of football, the BBC and party politics.
Starring Michael Williams as George Cragge, Barry Foster as Superintendent Jefferson and Jeremy Clyde as the PM.
With Robert Bathurst, Tracy Ann Oberman, Geoffrey Whitehead, Jim Carter, Peter Woodthorpe, Susie Brann, Christian Rodska, Keith Wickham, Ioan Meredith, Chris Pavlo and Shirley Dixon.
Tolstoy with a twist, and at home with the Jobsworths. Zesty sketch show with Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden. From June 1989.
Giles can't get a mortgage, David is computer-obsessed and Judith is a corporate Boadicea. Stars Douglas Hodge. From June 1996.
THURSDAY 26 JULY 2012
THU 00:00 Simon Guerrier - Graceless (b01l1wsj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jlx8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Dick Francis - Dead on Red (b007jrv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jv65)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Street and Lane (b00v8lr4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Nigel Planer - On the Ceiling (b01l1vy1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Short Stories by Francis Wyndham (b01l4721)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:15 Alan Plater - The Devil's Music (b007qx2y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 PG Wodehouse (b00c075v)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:30 The Leopard in Autumn (b00s3bcz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jlxs)
Murder in Mesopotamia
Episode 4
As Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot continues quizzing the suspects, a second tragedy strikes the archaeological dig.
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Hercule Poirot …. John Moffatt
Mrs Mercado …. Elaine Claxton
Emmott …. Peter Whitman
Mercado …. Neville Jason
Amy Leatheran …. Becky Hindley
Carl Reiter …. Tom Bevan
Dr Leidner …. William Franklyn
Miss Johnson …. Elizabeth Spriggs
Father Lavigny …. John Hartley
Richard Carey …. Gavin Muir
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Producer: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1994.
THU 06:30 Wilkie Collins - Who Killed Zebedee? (b007jq0p)
Episode 1
Given just days to live, a Victorian policeman is ready to make his final confession
He candidly reveals his involvement in a murder case many years before. As a young police constable in London, he recalls how a young woman burst in with news of a gruesome killing...
Detective story by Wilkie Collins, first published in 1881.
Read by Ronald Pickup.
Producer: Joanne Reardon
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in October 2003.
THU 07:00 Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends (b007js43)
Series 1
Police, Camera, Amphibian
Robin's dream comes true as not one but two real criminal offences are committed on his doorstep and the police come to visit.
The only problem is he wasn't there when it happened but Wendy was...
Written by and starring Kay Stonham and Simon Greenall.
Robin ...... Simon Greenall
Wendy ...... Kay Stonham
Maureen ...... Debra Stephenson
Derek ...... Phil Cornwell
Sue ...... Jan Ravens
Glenn ...... Michael Simkins
Darnley ...... Ewan Bailey
Carol ...... Jo Enright
Pikeman ...... Sean McKenna
Producer: Mario Stylianides
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2002.
THU 07:30 Old Harry's Game (b01kt443)
Olympic Special
Episode 2
The sitcom set in hell returns with a two part special. Six years ago London won the right to host the biggest sporting event in the world and with typical modesty the Brits have barely mentioned it ever since. Well now the news has reached Satan in Hell and he decides to have a little look into this sporting event.
In part one he finds out how it all began by going back to ancient Greece - a time when Greece had great philosophers, big ideas and a bit of cash.
In part two he transports historian Edith from the chaos of Hell up to London in two thousand and twelve so she can appreciate real chaos.
Written by and starring Andy Hamilton as Satan and also starring Annette Crosbie as Edith.
THU 08:00 Yes Minister (b007jlbc)
Series 1
The Economy Drive
MP Jim Hacker plans to slim down the Civil Service. His own economy drive will set a personal example - won't it?
Starring Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds.
Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn satirical sitcom ran on BBC TV between 1980 and 1984. Yes Minister is centred around the hapless Jim Hacker and a collection of civil service underlings headed by the Machiavellian Sir Humphrey Appleby and obsequious Bernard.
Jim Hacker ...... Paul Eddington
Sir Humphrey Appleby ...... Nigel Hawthorne
Bernard ...... Derek Fowlds
Annie Hacker ...... Diana Hoddinot
Frank Weisel ...... Bill Nighy
Sir Frederick ...... Peter Cellier
Nellie ...... Valerie Murray
Ron Watson ...... Milton Johns
Jane ...... Carol Boyd
Adapted for radio by producer Pete Atkin.
First broadcast on Radio 4 in November 1983.
THU 08:30 Dad's Army (b007jqlx)
Series 3
We Know Our Onions
Jones's van is commandeered for the platoon's anti-tank gun exercise - but the trouble is it's also full of Hodges' consignment of onions.
The comic exploits of a Second World War Home Guard platoon in Walmington-on-Sea.
Adapted for radio from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's TV scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.
Captain Mainwaring …. Arthur Lowe
Sergeant Wilson …. John Le Mesurier
Corporal Jones …. Clive Dunn
Private Frazer …. John Laurie
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Warden Hodges …. Bill Pertwee
Private Walker …. Larry Martyn
Captain Ramsay …. Alan Tilvern
Sergeant Baxter …. Michael Middleton
Announcer/Newsreader …. John Snagge
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1976.
THU 09:00 The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere (b00bx21n)
Series 2
21 July 1799
Dorothy is worried about William's impending marriage. Iris bangs bolsters. Samuel Tailor Cholericke falls from grace. And Thomas de Quinine arrives....
An everyday story of towering genius in Sue Limb's six-part soap opera, set in and around the Lake District at the turn of the 18th century.
Stars Geoffrey Whitehead as William Wordsmith, Denise Coffey as Dorothy Wordsmith, Simon Callow as Samuel Tailor Cholericke, Nickolas Grace as Thomas de Quinine, Miriam Margolyes as Stinking Iris and Chris Emmett as the Leechpedlar.
Music by Stephen Oliver and performed by Cantabile.
Producer: Jonathan James-Moore
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1987.
THU 09:30 The Guessing Game (b01l1y0t)
Episode 5
Join host Clive Anderson for the comedy panel show that fancies itself as an intelligent quiz. With Jo Caulfield and Raymond Mearns.
THU 10:00 Lew Wallace - Ben Hur (b007jr51)
A Friendship Betrayed
Two men's lives run almost in parallel. One is a prince of Jerusalem, Judah Ben Hur. The other is known as "He that was born to be King of the Jews."
Lew Wallace's epic tale stars Jamie Glover as Judah Ben Hur.
Ben Hur ...... Jamie Glover
Messala ...... Samuel West
Angel ...... Deborah Berlin
Amrah ...... Phyllis Calvert
Mother ...... Margaret John
Arrius ...... Derek Waring
Tirzah ...... Natasha Pyne
Chief of Rowers ...... Don McCorkindale
Man 1 ...... Joshua Towb
Man 2 ...... Michael Tudor Barnes
Man in Boat ...... Gavin Muir
Michael Gambon reads from the Bible.
Dramatised in four parts by Catherine Czerkawska.
Music by Wilfredo Acosta.
Director: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1995.
THU 11:00 Short Stories by Francis Wyndham (b01l472p)
Matchlight
Francis Wyndam's three stories of desire and yearning during the dark days of the second world war are matchless in tone and nuance. They centre on the young and old, on those upstairs and downstairs, on those in town and country...
3. Matchlight
After a dull night at the cinema, she is mysteriously
approached by someone on the way home...
Reader Amanda Root.
Producer Duncan Minshull.
THU 11:15 Alan Plater - The Devil's Music (b007qvgd)
The Great Pork Pie Mystery
Musical detective Megan's mystery melody quest leads her to a 1920s Swansea tearoom. Stars Rakie Ayola and Margaret John.
THU 12:00 Yes Minister (b007jlbc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jqlx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 13:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jlxs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 13:30 Wilkie Collins - Who Killed Zebedee? (b007jq0p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 14:00 Andrea Levy - Small Island (b0080qnp)
Episode 4
After the end of the war, Hortense continues her vigil for missing cousin Michael. Stars Nadine Marshall and Delroy Brown.
THU 14:15 Ambridge Extra (b01l1yrw)
Series 3
Episode 8
It's still evening in Melville, and Phoebe has disappeared in a taxi. Lucas grills Kate again on where she left her car, revealing he knows it was spotted at the College. Convinced she's lying, desperate Lucas tells Kate to admit she was with Johan. They're interrupted by a call from Hayley.
The chatty driver is full of compliments, but nervous Phoebe wonders where he's taking her. He acts confident of knowing the best route.
Kate acts calm on the phone, reassuring Hayley all's well. Unimpressed Lucas asks Kate about their affair. She finally admits the truth. Wounded Lucas can't believe Kate's ingratitude. Kate defends herself passionately but admits being stupid and selfish.
Kate's relieved to hear from Mandisa, until she realises Phoebe hasn't arrived at Mandisa's. Kate tells Lucas that Phoebe knows about her affair. Kate's frantic, as Lucas gets a worried text from Phoebe. Lucas briefs Kate on what to do and heads out to find Phoebe.
Meanwhile, the driver tries to reassure Phoebe and points out his 'protection' - a baseball bat. When asked to take Phoebe back to Melville, the driver gets angry. Lucas keeps Kate on the line, and approaches the driver who demands his money. The scene explodes with the driver reaching for his bat. It's all heard back at home by an hysterical Kate, who's powerless to do anything.
Produced by Sarah Bradshaw.
THU 14:30 Book at Beachtime (b0125070)
SJ Watson - Before I Go to Sleep
Episode 4
What if you lost your memory every time you went to sleep?
How would you cope with having to relearn your history every day only to lose it again?
In SJ Watson's desperately compelling and ambitious debut thriller, a woman has no memory of who she is. She lives in the suburbs cared for by her husband, she can't work, she doesn't have any friends, she's trying to live a normal life but she can't remember anything when she wakes up in the morning. Slowly she starts to try and rebuild her memory, to piece together what has happened to her, who she is.
This is Christine's story.
Abridged by Alison Joseph
Read by Stella Gonet
Produced by Lucy Collingwood
THU 15:00 Lew Wallace - Ben Hur (b007jr51)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
THU 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b01l1ysb)
Mel Giedroyc ventures into the newsroom with the BBC's School Report, finds out more about the 'London Nobody Knows' and hears some positive news about the River Thames.
THU 17:00 Four Joneses and a Jenkins (b007jqlp)
September: Watch the Birdie
An everyday story of sheep, sin and scholarship under the shadow of the Long Mynd.
Sue Limb’s pastoral sitcom follows six months in the life of the Jones family, who live on a small farm in rural Wales.
It’s the start of the farming year, as daughter Megan sets her sights on Mr Bootle...
Mr Jones ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Ma Jones ...... Lisabeth Miles
Megan Jones ...... Rebecca Front
Owen Jones ...... Matthew Morgan
Mr Jenkins ...... Nickolas Grace
Bootle ...... Michael Fenton Stevens
Recorded on location.
Music composed by John Whitehall.
Producer: Jonathan James Moore.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2000.
THU 17:30 Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends (b007js43)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
THU 18:00 Simon Guerrier - Graceless (b01l1zzx)
Series 2
The Line
Fleeing the past, Abby and Zara arrive in Marek's home city. Why is everyone so scared of Manchu Golding? Stars Ciara Janson.
Abby - Ciara Janson
Zara - Laura Doddington
Marek - Fraser James
Manchu Golding - Derek Griffiths
Surly Steve - John Banks
Helen - Daisy Ashford
Written by Simon Guerrier
Directed by Lisa Bowerman
A Big Finish Production.
THU 19:00 Yes Minister (b007jlbc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Dad's Army (b007jqlx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 20:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jlxs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 20:30 Wilkie Collins - Who Killed Zebedee? (b007jq0p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 21:00 Short Stories by Francis Wyndham (b01l472p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
THU 21:15 Alan Plater - The Devil's Music (b007qvgd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
THU 22:00 Old Harry's Game (b01kt443)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 22:30 Bleak Expectations (b00nyy8s)
Series 3
An Evil Life Sort of Explained
Pip Bin, Harry Biscuit and Gently Benevolent find themselves trapped in the vast emptiness of space.
As their doom looks increasingly inevitable, Mr Benevolent finally explains just why it is that he is so very very evil.
Mark Evans's epic Victorian comedy in the style of Charles Dickens.
Sir Philip ...... Richard Johnson
Young Pip Bin ...... Tom Allen
Gently Benevolent ...... Anthony Head
Lovely Benevolent ...... Jane Asher
Harry Biscuit ...... James Bachman
Hardthrasher/Sternbeater/Wackwallop ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Miss Christmasham ...... Sarah Hadland
Miss Sweetly Delightful ...... Raquel Cassidy.
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2009
THU 23:00 Goodness Gracious Me (b00fqbsz)
Series 2
Episode 4
A dizzy Indian ad agency, a lovesick lament to Lahore - and the blundering Bhangra Muffins.
Starring:
Sanjeev Bhaskar
Kulvinder Ghir
Nitin Sawhney
Meera Syal
Nina Wadia
Gold Winner of the Sony Radio Academy Awards. The sketch comedy show originally ran on BBC Radio 4 from 1996 to 1998, later transferring to TV on BBC TWO from 1998 to 2001.
Scripted by Richard Pinto, Sharat Sardana, Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Sanjeev Kohli and Nina Wadia.
Script Editor: Sharat Sardana
Producer: Anil Gupta.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1997.
THU 23:25 The Comedy Club Interviews (b01ljyj5)
From
10pm until midnight, Sunday to Friday, the Comedy Club offers two hours of comedy. Tom Wrigglesworth hosts, and Ray Peacock talks to Richard Herring, about his Edinburgh show.
THU 23:30 Rudy's Rare Records (b00nsfzp)
Series 1
Take Me Home, Country Roads
Three generations of men and their musical tastes collide in this family sitcom set in a Birmingham record shop. Starring Lenny Henry.
Written by Danny Robins and Dan Tetsell from an original idea by Lenny Henry.
Rudy Sharpe owns an old record store in Birmingham - the last bastion of black music in Handsworth. When he suffers a 'heart attack', his neurotic, middle-aged, middle-class, divorcee son Adam and 17 year old grandson Richie come up from London to look after him.
Crammed together, living in the tiny flat above the shop, the three men are set to clash on a daily basis. Whilst Rudy and Richie share a love of reggae and soul music, Adam is the odd one out - thanks to his tastes in classical music.
Adam Sharpe ...... Lenny Henry
Richie Sharp ...... Joe Jacobs
Rudy Sharpe ...... Larrington Walker
Doreen ...... Claire Benedict
Tasha ...... Natasha Godfrey
Clifton ...... Jeffery Kissoon
Alison ...... Tracy-Ann Oberman
Customers ...... Colin Hoult/Doc Brown
Producer: Lucy Armitage.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2008.
FRIDAY 27 JULY 2012
FRI 00:00 Simon Guerrier - Graceless (b01l1zzx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jlxs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Wilkie Collins - Who Killed Zebedee? (b007jq0p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere (b00bx21n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 The Guessing Game (b01l1y0t)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Lew Wallace - Ben Hur (b007jr51)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Short Stories by Francis Wyndham (b01l472p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:15 Alan Plater - The Devil's Music (b007qvgd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Four Joneses and a Jenkins (b007jqlp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends (b007js43)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jly9)
Murder in Mesopotamia
Episode 5
Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot battles to reveal the identity of the desert murderer...
The gripping conclusion of Agatha Christie's whodunit starring John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Hercule Poirot …. John Moffatt
Coleman …. David Jarvis
Captain Maitland …. Richard Todd
Mrs Mercado …. Elaine Claxton
Sheila Reilly …. Cathy Sara
Dr Reilly …. Norman Rodway
Dr Leidner …. William Franklyn
Richard Carey …. Gavin Muir
Amy Leatheran …. Becky Hindley
Producer: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1994.
FRI 06:30 Wilkie Collins - Who Killed Zebedee? (b007jq12)
Episode 2
With just days to live, a Victorian policeman continues his final confession from his death bed.
With mystery still surrounding the brutal murder of John Zebedee, he recalls his determination to solve the case when the rest of the police force had given up.
Detective story by Wilkie Collins, first published in 1881.
Concluded by Ronald Pickup
Producer: Joanne Reardon
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in October 2003.
FRI 07:00 The Patrick and Maureen Maybe Music Experience (b007lr4s)
Episode 4
Unhappily married Patrick and Maureen are getting on so badly that they’re forced to present their final show form separate studios.
But even that doesn't stop them quarrelling...
Starring Imelda Staunton as Maureen Maybe and Patrick Barlow as Patrick Maybe.
Special guest: Rachel Weisz
Doctor ...... Peter Jones
Cleonni ...... Carla Mendonca
Peter Davies ...... John Ramm
Written by Patrick Barlow.
Script associate: Nev Fountain
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1999.
FRI 07:30 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b014gmfm)
Series 4
Ian Hislop
Marcus Brigstocke invites Private Eye editor and broadcaster Ian Hislop to try new experiences, including buying his first ever pair of jeans.
Whether the experiences are banal or profound, the show is about embracing the new and getting out of our comfort zones.
The title comes from the fact that the show's producer and creator Bill Dare had never seen the film Star Wars.
Producer: Bill Dare
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011.
FRI 08:00 The Navy Lark (b01l2td2)
Series 6
Germany's Troutbridge
HMS Troutbridge's mission to foster good relations with the German navy goes awry.
Stars Leslie Phillips as the Sub-Lieutenant, Jon Pertwee as the Chief Petty Officer, Stephen Murray as the Number One, Richard Caldicote as Captain Povey, Heather Chasen as Heather, Michael Bates as Rear Admiral Ironbridge, Tenniel Evens as Taffy Goldstein and Ronnie Barker as Lieutenant Queeg.
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 December 1963.
FRI 08:30 The Burkiss Way (b00jr7fy)
Series 2
Get Off With Life The Burkiss Way
Thrills abound as the RAC do their version of 'Gone With the Wind'.
The Burkiss Way to Dynamic Living
Appearing for the prosecution and defence: Jo Kendall, Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett and Fred Harris.
From briefs prepared by Andrew Marshall and David Renwick.
Under the judicial eye of producer: Simon Brett.
Cult sketch show first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1977.
FRI 09:00 After Henry (b007jnl5)
Series 2
The Kitten
'One kitten looks pretty much like another kitten so far as I'm concerned. They're just small versions of cats. And I'm not that keen on cats.'
Sarah and her mother disagree over tidiness of the house - until a visitor arrives...
Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women - struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband - who never quite manage to see eye to eye.
Sarah ...... Prunella Scales
Eleanor ...... Joan Sanderson
Russell ...... Benjamin Whitrow
Clare ...... Gerry Cowper
Policeman ...... Michael Hadley
Percy Bradshaw ...... Simon Brett
Four radio series were made, but instead of moving to BBC TV - Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network.
Producer: Pete Atkin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1986.
FRI 09:30 Trivia Test Match (b014j422)
Brian Johnston bowls questions galore to Willie Rushton, William Franklyn, Tim Rice and Paul Merton. From October 1992.
FRI 10:00 Lew Wallace - Ben Hur (b007jr5g)
Son of Arrius
Judah Ben Hur has been falsely accused of attempted murder, sent to the galleys and rescued by Arrius of Rome. He now returns in search of his mother and sister.
Lew Wallace's epic tale stars Jamie Glover as Judah Ben Hur.
Ben Hur ...... Jamie Glover
Messala ...... Samuel West
Simonides ...... Bernard Hepton
Ilderim ...... Freddie Jones
Balthasar ...... Michael Hordern
Drusus ...... Ian Masters
Esther ...... Deborah Berlin
Iras ...... Natasha Pyne
Servant ...... Joshua Towb
Passenger ...... Michael Tudor Barnes
Malluch ...... Gavin Muir
Iras ...... Becky Hindley
Michael Gambon reads from the Bible.
Dramatised by Catherine Czerkawska.
Music by Wilfredo Acosta.
Director: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1995.
FRI 11:00 AS Byatt - Gode's Story (b007jtb6)
The tragic tale of a brash young sailor and a beautiful miller's daughter.
Sheila Mitchell reads AS Byatt’s fairy tale.
Producer: Pam Fraser Solomon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1995.
FRI 11:15 Alan Plater - The Devil's Music (b007qss0)
Beacons
Musical detective Megan's mystery melody quest comes full circle when she gets a surprise. Stars Rakie Ayola.
FRI 12:00 The Navy Lark (b01l2td2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 The Burkiss Way (b00jr7fy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jly9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Wilkie Collins - Who Killed Zebedee? (b007jq12)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 14:00 Andrea Levy - Small Island (b0080sd5)
Episode 5
Hortense makes the journey from Jamaica to London, but she only finds disappointment. Stars Nadine Marshall and Don Gilet.
FRI 14:15 This Sceptred Isle (b007jtgk)
The Great Exhibition
Great writers at work, an outbreak of cholera and a grand display in Hyde Park. Anna Massey narrates the story of Britain.
FRI 14:30 Book at Beachtime (b0124v3t)
SJ Watson - Before I Go to Sleep
Episode 5
What if you lost your memory every time you went to sleep?
How would you cope with having to relearn your history every day only to lose it again?
In SJ Watson's desperately compelling and ambitious debut thriller, a woman has no memory of who she is. She lives in the suburbs cared for by her husband, she can't work, she doesn't have any friends, she's trying to live a normal life but she can't remember anything when she wakes up in the morning. Slowly she starts to try and rebuild her memory, to piece together what has happened to her, who she is.
This is Christine's story.
Abridged by Alison Joseph
Read by Stella Gonet
Produced by Lucy Collingwood
FRI 15:00 Lew Wallace - Ben Hur (b007jr5g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
FRI 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b01l2w19)
On the day of the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, Mel Giedroyc hears the story of one of the greatest Olympians and goes down one of the famous London markets.
FRI 17:00 Beachcomber... By the Way (b008d0hd)
Series 2
Episode 3
JB Morton's whimsies as performed by Richard Ingrams, Patricia Routledge, John Sessions and John Wells. From July 1991.
FRI 17:30 The Patrick and Maureen Maybe Music Experience (b007lr4s)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
FRI 18:00 Simon Guerrier - Graceless (b01l2wcw)
Series 2
The Flood
Have Abby and Zara found a safe haven at last? A flood threatens the townspeople, but something's behind it. Stars Ciara Janson.
Abby - Ciara Janson
Zara - Laura Doddington
Brondle - Michael Cochrane
Wing - Joanna Van Gyseghem
Nina - Daisy Ashford
Soldier - John Banks
Written by Simon Guerrier
Directed by Lisa Bowerman
A Big Finish Production.
FRI 19:00 The Navy Lark (b01l2td2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 The Burkiss Way (b00jr7fy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 Hercule Poirot (b007jly9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Wilkie Collins - Who Killed Zebedee? (b007jq12)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 21:00 AS Byatt - Gode's Story (b007jtb6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
FRI 21:15 Alan Plater - The Devil's Music (b007qss0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
FRI 22:00 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b014gmfm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 22:30 Old Harry's Game (b007jvjx)
Series 4
Beauty
Satan introduces the Professor and Thomas to Helen of Troy and her plain friend, Daphne. Stars Andy Hamilton. From May 2001.
FRI 23:00 Big Town All Stars (b007jr8x)
Series 1
If You Scratch My Back
A teacher joins a struggling a cappella group to quit geography. Stars Stephen Tompkinson. From February 2000.
FRI 23:30 Lee and Herring's Fist of Fun (b007k272)
London
Bring back Geoffrey to ‘Rainbow’ and some cutting remarks about Lorena Bobbit.
From the BBC Paris Studio, London.
Stewart Lee and Richard Herring’s mix of sharp sketches and situations, stand up topical gags and banter.
With Peter Baynham, Rebecca Front and John Thomson.
Special guest Geoffrey Hayes from ITV kids show Rainbow.
Lee and Herring went to write and star in their successful TV transfer to BBC Two in 1995.
Cult BBC Radio 1 series first broadcast in November 1993.