SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2012

SAT 00:00 The Spaceship II (b0091tns)
The End
The crew is brought face-to-face with reality when they reach the end of the universe. Stars James Fleet and Emily Joyce.
SAT 00:30 Paradise Lost in Space (b007jp0g)
5. Things Hot Up
When Norman introduces the Oblivions to the pleasures of the flesh, one thing leads to another...
Colin Swash's sci-fi comedy about two space-age humans stranded on a friendly alien planet.
Norman ...... Tony Robinson
Max ...... David Haig
Stella ...... Louise Lombard
Macari ...... Michael Troughton
Terayz ...... Carla Mendonca
Clive ...... Guy Witcher
Buzz ...... Peter Serafinowcz
Producer: Richard Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1995.
SAT 01:00 Falco (b008klh0)
Shadows in Bronze
2. Resort
Probing the murder of a conspirator against the Emperor, Roman sleuth Falco is sent to a fashionable resort.
Starring Anton Lesser.
Lindsey Davis's witty detective, Marcus Didius Falco patrols the streets of 1st-century Rome.
Falco ....... Anton Lesser
Petronius ....... Ben Crowe
Vespasian ....... Michael Tudor Barnes
Silvia ....... Sara Poyzer
Larius ....... Christopher Kelham
Caprenius Marcellus ....... Paul Webster
Helena Justina ....... Anna Madeley
Dramatised by Mary Cutler.
Directed at BBC Birmingham by Peter Leslie Wild.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2005.
SAT 01:30 Andrew Sachs - The Revenge (b007jr11)
Que? Andrew Sachs's pioneering thriller featuring sound effects and 11 actors, but no written dialogue.
This experimental play for radio an attempt to tell a story in terms of sounds alone. There is no dialogue, and no coherent speech, yet the play is a thriller with a straightforward storyline full of action and dramatic tension.
Recorded on location using the naturalistic recording techniques of binaural stereo.
Written and interpreted by Andrew Sachs, The Revenge, was the world's first radio drama without words...
With Andrew Sachs, Sean Barrett, Fraser Kerr, Graham Ashley, Paul Rosebury, Michael Deacon, Blain Fairman, John Rye, Melody Sachs, Frances Jeater and Leonard Fenton.
Producer: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1978.
SAT 02:00 Millport (b0076bfv)
Series 3
Wild Rover
The Cumbrae Club is up and running and the islanders are already arguing over how it should be run.
Meanwhile back at Bruce House, Moira is in hysterics over her missing pet pooch. But will Irene risk missing the ferry and losing her job to help her unhappy sister?
Bittersweet comedy written by and starring Lynn Ferguson as 30-something barmaid Irene Bruce, who hankers after a better life on the mainland.
Irene ...... Lynn Ferguson
Moira/Agnes ...... Janet Brown
Alberto/Dr Hume/Ferryman/Robert the Dog /Morris ...... Lewis McLeod
Ena/Bunty ...... Gabriel Quigley
Minister/Bob ...... Robert Patterson
Dougie ...... Kenneth Bryans
Producer: Lucy Bacon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2002.
SAT 02:30 Snap (b012llxz)
Series 3
Episode 2
Trying to rebuild their relationship after divorcing, Molly and Doug try changing their least appealing traits.
But life isn't that simple...
Third and final series of Paul Mendelson’s sitcom
Starring Rebecca Lacey as Molly, Paul Venables as Doug, Soumaya Keynes as Kaz, Jessie Sullivan as Ryan, Marlene Sidaway as Annie, Robin Weaver as Dawn, Jonathan Tafler as Raymond and Richard Firth as Ansel.
Producer: David Ian Neville
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.
SAT 03:00 Charles Dickens - The Pickwick Papers (b007jzkz)
Christmas and a Wedding
Back from Ipswich, Samuel Pickwick prepares for his Christmas visit to Dingley Dell...
Charles Dickens 1837 novel dramatised in eight parts by Barry Campbell and Constance Cox.
Charles Dickens ..... Simon Cadell
Mr Pickwick ... Freddie Jones
Mr Winkle .... Philip Bond
Mr Tupman ..... Michael Graham Cox
Mr Snodgrass .... Stephen Thorne
Sam Weller ... Douglas Livingstone
Tony Weller .... John Hollis
Mrs Weller .... Stella Tanner
Mr Stiggins .... Christopher Benjamin
Mr Wardle --- Jack May
Old Mrs Wardle .... Kathleen Helme
Emily .... Heather Bell
Isabella .... Anne Rosenfeld
Arabella Allen .... Rosalind Ayres
Ben Allen ..... Tim Piggott Smith
Bob Sawyer .... Nigel Anthony
Joe .... Michael Troughton
Emma ... Jane Knowles
Coachman ... Michael Goldie
Mr Trundle .... Kenneth Shanley
Director: Jane Morgan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1977.
SAT 04:00 Perspectives (b00lxfbj)
Attendance
By Elizabeth Reeder. A man comes to a life-changing decision as he observes his lover tending to a dying relative. Read by Robin Laing.
SAT 04:15 Alex Ferguson - My Uncle Freddie (b007jw6h)
A Catalogue of Disasters
Set-backs and surprises unite the family, making Lecky the hero of the hour. 1930s Jarrow childhood trilogy with Shaun Prendergast.
SAT 05:00 Beachcomber... By the Way (b008y6pd)
Series 3
Episode 6
More odd stories, idiotic court hearings and surprises from the dictionary.
Richard Ingrams, John Wells, John Sessions, Joan Sims and Patricia Routledge recreate the world of JB Morton.
With Brian Bowles, Simon Greenall, Henrietta Gooden and featuring June Whitfield.
Running in the Daily Express from 1924 to 1975 – JB Morton’s surreally comic ‘Beachcomber’ column paved the way for a great deal of modern humour – thanks to characters he created between the wars.
Adapted by Michael Barfield with Richard Ingrams.
Announcer: Brian Perkins
Producer: Harry Thompson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1994.
SAT 05:30 Elephants to Catch Eels (b007mcc4)
Series 1
Episode 1
If smugglers were the rock stars of the day, Tamsyn Trelawny was Drumlin Bay's very own Ms Dynamite-ee-ee.
But how will she cope when a keen young soldier from London is appointed the new local customs collector.?
18th century Cornish village sitcom by the writers of Dead Ringers - Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain.
Starring Lucy Speed as Tamsyn Trelawny, John Bowe as Jago Trelawny, Cameron Stewart as Major Thomas Falconer, Andrew McGibbon as Captain Marriot, Martin Hyder as Squire Bascombe, Julia Deakin as Lady Mary, Mark Felgate as Dewey and Phil Nice as Various Characters.
Producer: Jan Ravens.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003.
SAT 06:00 Peter Roberts - Holy Fool (b014gj3c)
Living a glorious, chivalrous dream - or just crazy?
A knight errant sails through a series of adventures involving the greatest figures in the medieval world. The story of William the Marshall - with a real-life Don Quixote and his cohort.
Peter Roberts's drama stars Michael Williams as Jean d'Erlee, William Chubb as William Marshal, Garard Green as Henry II, Christopher Scott as Henry FitzHenry, Martin Head as Richard Lionheart, Francis Thomson as the Poet, Susan Jeffrey as Isabella Chepstow,
Other parts played by Tom Roberts, Simon Carter, Graham Padden and Neal Foster.
Directed at BBC Pebble Mill by Nigel Bryant.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1993.
SAT 07:30 Jack and the Genetically Modified Beanstalk (b018ft4x)
4 Extra Debut. Stage and science collide to show how laboratory research may one day make panto fantasies a reality. With Sharon Ann Holgate.
SAT 08:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b00wt94f)
Series 6
Episode 5
From New York's Town Hall - the festive American funny man with Norah Jones and the city's Russian Chamber Chorus. From 2009.
SAT 09:00 Horne of Plenty: Beyond Our Ken to Round The Horne (b007k2b6)
The fascinating inside story behind two of BBC radio's all-time favourite comedies: 'Beyond Our Ken' and 'Round the Horne'.
Presented by a former BBC Head of Radio Light Entertainment, Jonathan James-Moore
Featuring cast members: Ron Moody and Bill Pertwee. Plus, the son of Beyond Our Ken scriptwriter Eric Merriman - Andy Merriman, Lyn Took - who was married to Barry Took, writer for both series – and the last surviving Round The Horne scriptwriter, Brian Cooke.
Extracts from Kenneth Williams diaries are read by David Benson.
Beyond Our Ken ran for 7 series, while Round The Horne ran for 4. Hear the very first and last editions of both series starring Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee, Ron Moody, Stanley Unwin and Douglas Smith.
The FIRST Beyond Our Ken - 1st July 1958:
Kenneth Horne’s diary, poking fun at tax bills and Horn-o-rama.
The LAST Beyond Our Ken - 16th July 1964:
Kenneth Horne’s week, Horn-o-rama and Drama of the Week
The FIRST Round the Horne - 7th March 1965:
Trends, the BBC's Backroom Boys and part one of 'The Clissold Saga'.
The LAST Round The Horne - 9th June 1968:
Nobody knew it was the last show, but a surprise was in store for Julian and Sandy
Producer: Peter Reed
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in May 2004.
SAT 12:00 Modesty Blaise (b01pfb33)
A Taste for Death
Made for 4 Extra. Peter O'Donnell's hero takes on a mission involving a young girl with ESP, a desert location and a villain intent on murder.
SAT 13:15 Petrella (b007jmbt)
Series 1
Vengeance Foreseen
The philosophising sleuth's probe of murky protection rackets sparks trouble a bit too close to home. Stars Philip Jackson.
SAT 14:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k06k)
Series 6
The Christmas Club
The lad lives to regret answering a knock at the front door.
Starring Tony Hancock. With Sidney James, Wilfred Babbage, Hugh Morton and Frank Partington.
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 December 1959.
SAT 14:30 Round the Horne (b00j05w2)
Series 1
Episode 2
Kenneth Horne's secrets from the BBC backroom boys and continuing 'The Clissold Saga'.
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 March 1965.
SAT 15:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b00wt94f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Peter Roberts - Holy Fool (b014gj3c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 What's So Funny? (b01pdy7q)
Ed Byrne, Kerry Godliman and Paul Chowdhry preview the best Christmas comedy, plus tales of panto and Ed interviews Lee Mack.
SAT 18:00 Bradbury 13 (b012f50v)
Kaleidoscope
The aftermath of a disaster in space. Can there be beauty in dying? Ray Bradbury's classic tale stars Scott Wilkinson.
SAT 18:30 Ghost Stories of Walter De La Mare (b00wwd8m)
The Almond Tree
A man looks back on the complex relationship between his parents and a female friend of his father's. It's one that will influence the rest of his life...
Read by Julian Wadham.
Walter de la Mare (1873-1956) was a popular award-wining poet, short story writer and novelist. He wrote for both children and adults.
Abridged by Doreen Estall.
Producer: Lawrence Jackson
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in December 2010.
SAT 19:00 Horne of Plenty: Beyond Our Ken to Round The Horne (b007k2b6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation (b007jrj6)
Series 2
How to Be a Popular Figure Around Town
Out to make a good impression, it's the host's comic lecture plus sketches. With Debbie Issit and Gordon Kennedy. From October 1994.
SAT 22:30 The Jason Byrne Show (b01pfrm4)
Series 3
Use Your Imagination to Have the Best Fun
Jason Byrne looks at the subject of technology – getting all nostalgic over the novelty of 24 hour photos.
Amongst the audience, he discovers a human wheelbarrow; an advertiser who struggles to give a name to things and everything he needs to recreate the sounds of a Clangers' convention.
Themed audience comedy show with high-energy stand-up and sketches featuring Laurence Howarth and Margaret Cabourn-Smith.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2010.
SAT 23:00 Patricia Highsmith - The Cry of the Owl (b0131yvn)
Episode 3
As each day passes with Greg still missing after the fight, Detective Lippenholtz is finding Robert's story harder to believe.
Patricia Highsmith's intriguing tale of obsession stars John Sharian as Robert Forester, Adrian Lester as Greg Wyncoop, Joanne McQuinn as Jenny Theirolf, Briony Glassco as Nickie Jurgen and Peter Marinker as Detective Lippenholtz.
Adapted by Shaun McKenna.
Music composed and performed by David Chilton
Director: Marion Nancarrow
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
SAT 23:30 Adam Baron - Hold Back the Night (b00sydl4)
Episode 1
Ex-cop turned private-eye Billy Rucker scours London's hot and humid underbelly for runaway teenagers. Stars David Morrissey.