SATURDAY 29 DECEMBER 2012

SAT 00:00 The Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss (b00vfjsh)
5. Desperation
Will spy hero Lucifer Box reach cult leader Olympus Mons' Satanic lair, deep beneath the Swiss Alps, in time to prevent the sacrifice of the "perfect victim"?
Mark Gatiss concludes his own fiendishly gripping adventure.
Abridged by David Jackson Young.
Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by BBC Scotland and first broadcast in 2010.
SAT 00:30 Gaston Leroux - The Phantom of the Opera (b008p5cw)
Episode 4
Raoul and the Persian enter the Phantom's lair to search for Christine. Stars Peter Guinness, Helen Goldwyn and James D'Arcy.
SAT 01:00 The Blackburn Files (b007jprs)
Series 1
A Case of Making Good
A rich woman receives a mysterious parcel of tenners and the past unfolds like a flower. Can redundant pitman turned discrete private investigator, Stephen J Blackburn solve the case?
One of five cases for the ex-pitman turned investigator and his government scheme-funded assistant Tracey. Set in a South Yorkshire town that's seen better days.
Starring Fine Time Fontayne as Stephen J Blackburn, Judy Flynn as Tracey Duggan.
With Rita May, Vanessa Rosenthal, Lorraine Peters, Lucia Laratonda and Robin Polley.
Scripted by Ian McMillan, Martyn Wiley and Dave Sheasby
Directed for BBC North East by Dave Sheasby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1989.
SAT 01:30 Miss Marple (b007jpqv)
The Murder at the Vicarage
Episode 5
Amateur sleuth Jane Marple battles to unearth the proof she needs to reveal the murderer's identity - along with a few other surprises.
The conclusion of Agatha Christie's whodunit starring June Whitfield as Miss Marple.
Rev. Leonard Clement.......................................Francis Matthews
Griselda Clement.................................................Imelda Staunton
Lettice Protheroe.................................................Rachel Atkins
Colonel Melchett.................................................Richard Todd
Dr Haydock............................................................Nigel Davenport
Inspector Slack......................................................John Baddeley
Gladys Cram..........................................................Oona Beeson
Mrs Sadler..............................................................Tina Gray
Constable................................................................Dominic Letts
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1993.
SAT 02:00 Millport (b0076bk4)
Series 3
The Siege
Millport's under siege by the neighbouring islands, furious that this little insignificant town has its own independent public house.
Amidst the madness Irene and Moira find romance where they least expect it - and Alberto unveils an unusual secret defence system.
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/Robert the Dog/Mr Shetland /Mr Sky ...... Lewis McLeod
Ena/Bunty ...... Gabriel Quigley
Minister/Bob/Mr Dunoon/Mr Orkney ...... Robert Patterson
Dougie/Mr Arran ...... Kenneth Bryans
Producer: Lucy Bacon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2002.
SAT 02:30 Snap (b012s2gf)
Series 3
Episode 3
Divorced Doug and Molly come to blows over his mum Annie, who seems to be going senile.
Continuing Paul Mendelson's sitcom about a couple trying to rebuild their relationship after divorce.
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 and Jonathan Tafler as Raymond.
Producer: David Ian Neville
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.
SAT 03:00 Anthony Trollope - Miss MacKenzie (b01pgs6s)
Episode 2
After two marriage proposals, Margaret Mackenzie has turned down the first, but what of the second? Stars Hattie Morahan.
SAT 04:00 Fay Weldon Stories (b007k04g)
Living By the Small Print
A penny-pinching young woman with an eye for a bargain begins to realise the consequences. Read by Rebecca Front.
SAT 04:15 Ben Lewis - Blue Sky Thinking (b01pgs6v)
Looking forward to her wedding, Karen's life begins to unravel following the arrival of a stranger. Stars Nicola Stapleton.
SAT 05:00 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.
SAT 05:30 Elephants to Catch Eels (b007nchq)
Series 1
Episode 2
Sly barmaid Tamsyn Trelawny and her band of smugglers battle to try and outwit local customs officer, Captain Marriott.
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 Edna, Mark Felgate as Dewey and Phil Nice as Roy.
Producer: Jan Ravens.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003.
SAT 06:00 Georgette Heyer - Regency Buck (b007k1v3)
Pretty but shrewd Judith Taverner gallops in from the provinces and daringly defies the gaming, drinking and brawling world of Regency London to claim her rights, her fortune - and who knows, perhaps her happiness?
Starring Elizabeth Proud as Judith Taverner, Simon Shepherd as Peregrine Taverner, Steve Hodson as Lord Worth and Gary Cady as Bernard Taverner.
Written by Georgette Heyer. Dramatised by Neville Teller.
Producer: David Johnston
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1986.
SAT 07:30 Comedy's Coming Home (b00800by)
Curtis Walker
The comedian travels from south London to Jamaica, birthplace of his parents, to find out how universal laughter really is. From March 2002.
SAT 08:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b00wwrgm)
Series 6
Episode 6
Highlights from the American funny man's 2009 season - with "West Wing" star Martin Sheen and the best from Lake Wobegon.
SAT 09:00 Comedy Controller (b007jw11)
Eric Sykes
Comedian and writer Eric Sykes [05/05/1923 - 04/07/2012] takes control and picks some of his favourite BBC radio comedies:
* The Goon Show: 'Phantom Batter Pudding Hurler'
Constable Neddie Seagoon sets out to apprehend Minnie and Henry's Sussex assailant. Stars Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe. From 12/10/1954.
* The Al Read Show
A look at the fire brigade and the morning after the night before - a collection of the Northern comic's 1950s monologues. From 06/02/1966
* Round the Horne: Series 4 (6/16)
Kenneth Horne's in for a shock from sneaky Kenneth Williams - and bona gifts galore from Julian and Sandy. From 31/03/1968
* The Ken Dodd Show
Nude photography and a Scottish monster are on Doddy's chuckles menu. With John Laurie and Patricia Hayes. From 19/07/1964
* Variety Bandbox
With Frankie Howerd, William Ternent, Jerry Allen, Barbara Leigh, Peter Sellers, Bill Kerr and Philip Slessor. From 22/01/1950
* Take It from Here
The fall and rise of a Punch & Judy show - and in 'The Glums' Ron and Eth are planning their honeymoon. Stars Jimmy Edwards, Dick Bentley and June Whitfield. From 19/02/1959.
Producer: Mik Wilkojc
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in 2005.
SAT 12:00 A Little Twist of Dahl: Omnibus (b01phj36)
Five darkly comic tales by the master of the bizarre - Roald Dahl. With Charles Dance as the storyteller.
SAT 13:15 Petrella (b007jmcy)
Series 1
Outpacing the Fiend
A ruthless murderer puts the inspector's marriage under strain and his family in mortal danger. Stars Philip Jackson.
SAT 14:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b008hzh9)
Series 3
Episode 6
Shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel is collecting for 'charity' in a seasonal scam.
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
With Lorelei King, Graham Hoadly and Vincent Marzello.
Written by Nat Perrin and Athur Sheekman. Adapted by Mark Brisenden.
Music arranged and conducted by David Firman.
Producer: Dirk Maggs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1992.
SAT 14:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00t9zpz)
Series 4
Episode 7
Making movie news: 'The Lone Hydrangea' and 'The Sound of Monks' and 'The Curse of the Flying Wombat' continues...
More quick-fire sketches, terrible puns, humorous songs and parodies.
Stars Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Cleese, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie.
Written by Tim Brooke-Taylor, Ian Lang, Graeme Chapman, John Cleese, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Eric Idle, 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 Dave Lee and Bill Oddie.
Producer: Humphrey Barclay
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in November 1966.
SAT 15:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b00wwrgm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Georgette Heyer - Regency Buck (b007k1v3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Just William - Live! (b01pfrrc)
Series 3
William Holds the Stage
Last May, as part of Winchester's Best of British Festival in celebration of the Jubilee, Martin Jarvis performed the first of two of Richmal Crompton's comic classics, live on-stage.
In William Holds the Stage, when an old boy of the school gives a lecture on Hamlet, William gets a somewhat confused idea that Shakespeare's plays were written by a man called Ham, and that Shakespeare poisoned Ham, and stole the plays and pretended he had written them. Then a man called Bacon got involved and possibly someone called Eggs as well.
When it's announced that the class will perform a scene from Hamlet in front of a live audience, William decides that, despite being cast as an attendant, he'd prefer to play the leading role himself. But things don't go entirely to plan.
A packed house at the Theatre Royal rocks with laughter as Jarvis performs William's hilariously inventive version of Shakespeare's masterpiece. Just William as 'stand-up'.
Performed by Martin Jarvis
Director: Rosalind Ayres.
A Jarvis and Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 18:00 Bradbury 13 (b012kx00)
Dark They Were and Golden Eyed
The Bittering family aim to make the best of life on Mars. Ray Bradbury's tale of alienation stars Bryce Chamberlain.
SAT 18:30 The Female Ghost (b00nj7cx)
The Cold Embrace
When handsome young artist Josef betrays his delicate fiancée, her retribution is eerily appropriate...
The first of four ghostly stories by women dramatised by Christopher Hawes.
Mary Braddon's eerie tale stars Stephanie Turner as Mary Braddon, Jonathan Firth as Josef, Alison Pettitt as Gertrude, Ioan Meredith as the Postmaster, John Hartley as Father, Carolyn Jones as the Woman, Hugh Dickson as the Passenger, Tracy-Ann Oberman as Parisienne and Chris Pavlo as the Fisherman.
Producer: Marion Nancarrow
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1997.
SAT 19:00 Comedy Controller (b007jw11)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation (b007jpvk)
Series 2
How to Have a Baby
From storks to the delivery, the host's comic lecture plus sketches. With Debbie Issit and Gordon Kennedy. From October 1994.
SAT 22:30 The Jason Byrne Show (b01phj38)
Series 3
The Irish and the Scottish Are Black-Belts in Misery
Jason compares international attitudes to other people's good fortune and explains why his Irish background means that revelling in misery is never far away.
Why is British fruit so bitter? Can Jason relieve heart-ache in the audience and what simple pleasures make Jason and his son happy?
Themed audience comedy show with high-energy stand-up and sketches featuring Laurence Howarth and Daisy Haggard.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2010.
SAT 23:00 Patricia Highsmith - The Cry of the Owl (b01381wz)
Episode 4
Robert has been shot. Could Greg Wyncoop - who has not been seen since they both fought by the river - really have done it? Or is his body lying in the morgue?
Patricia Highsmith's intriguing tale of obsession stars John Sharian as Robert Forester, Adrian Lester as Greg Wyncoop, 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 (b00t108q)
Episode 2
A fresh discovery in the London hunt for a runaway turns private-eye Billy Rucker into a murder suspect. Stars David Morrissey.