Paul Williamson arrives home, only to find himself already there. What exactly is going on? Stars Paul Daneman and Norma Ronald.
Ambitious Becky abandons marriage plans for a job as a governess. Luckily, this brings new marriage prospects. With Geoffrey Whitehead.
Archaeologist George Nash explores five of Western Europe's most remarkable rock art sites.
George visits the prehistoric art of northern Italy's Val Camonica. Carved into the rock is one of the world's first maps, images of some of Europe's earliest houses and scores of Iron Age warriors. He asks if these fighting figures could be the work of just one artist.
David Mitchell hosts the game show in which panellists are encouraged to tell lies and compete to see how many items of truth they are able to smuggle past their opponents.
With Sean Lock, Arthur Smith, Sue Perkins and Miranda Hart.
The Archdeacon's not too keen on celebrating the Dean's silver wedding.
Starring Robertson Hare as the Archdeacon, William Mervyn as the Bishop, Jonathan Cecil as Bishop's Chaplain - the Reverend Mervyn Noote and John Barron as the Dean. With Joan Sanderson as Mrs Pugh-Critchley.
The ecclesiastical sitcom started life as a TV pilot in Comedy Playhouse, ahead of a run on BBC1 from 1966 to 1971. Selected scripts were revised and re-recorded for radio.
Written for radio by Pauline Devaney and Edwin Apps.
Producer: David Hatch.
Sir Gregory is set to leave, but can one of the bungling bureaucrats fill his shoes?
A weekly tribute to all those who work in government departments.
Stars Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler.
With Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley and John Graham.
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.
The Blue Door's theatre needs some help setting up, but will Mrs Potter-Smith scupper them? With Caroline Harker and Ann Bell.
The intrepid boy reporter buys a model ship that sparks off a treasure hunt. Stars Richard Pearce and Andrew Sachs.
4 Extra Debut. From Chopin to Seeger, nuclear physicist Prof Sir Joseph Rotblat's castaway choices, with Sue Lawley. From November 1998.
A refugee proves to be an aggravating and judgemental man of mystery. William Roberts reads Mordecai Richler's short tale. From October 1990.
Coronation Street's legendary barmaid relives some humorous showbiz moments from her long career with Mike Craig. From January 1986.
The Grand Theatre Swansea is a South Wales success story.
It's said to be the theatre where Hollywood star Catherine Zeta Jones first stepped on to a stage, and it's now home to the Swansea Ballet Russe and a thriving community theatre programme.
Geoffrey Wheeler discovers the stories behind the Grand's unassuming façade.
Series visiting variety theatres around the United Kingdom.
4 Extra Debut. What happened to the animals that were sent up in the early days of the space race? Stars Don Fellows. Music by Jeff Mearns.
Mel Giedroyc remembers the best of this week's 4 O'Clock Shows, including her night in an Iron Age barn, knitting a sculpture, and some of author Philip Ardagh's favourite books.
4 Extra Debut. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the Mercury Theatre on the Air broadcast that caused panic in America on Halloween in 1938.
By Peter Shaffer. 4 Extra Debut. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's final years. Peter Hall's National Theatre cast with Paul Scofield, Simon Callow and Felicity Kendal.
Scrooby Trevithick is a six part scripted comedy series written by and starring Andy Parsons following on from the first series aired on Radio 4 18 months ago - The Lost WebLog of Scrooby Trevithick.
This second series continues to follow the exploits of the hapless character of Scrooby (Andy Parsons), an enthusiastic but flawed wannabe who having returned from his wanderings is still trying to find himself by zealously posting his web diaries online.
Each episode features him attempting to make a dent in the national consciousness, and in this series, he's helped by his good friend Sasha (played by Kerry Godliman). However, his desire for success always takes him one step further than prudence dictates.
Episode 5. Journalist. In this episode, Scrooby tries to become a journalist having had a mishap with an inflatable.
The cast features a variety of talented comedians including Dara O Briain, Russell Howard, Hugh Dennis, Russell Kane, Rufus Hound, Alun Cochrane, Dominic Frisby, Paul Thorne, Martin Coyote and Barunka O'Shaughnessy.
As always, listeners are encouraged to share their comments with Scrooby at www.scroobytrevithick.com as he needs all the advice he can get.
The producer is Paul Russell, and this is an Open Mike production for BBC Radio 4.
For two hours, six nights a week, the Comedy Club offers the best laughs around. Tonight, Arthur Smith chats to author John Rogers.
Topical sketch show which anyone can write for. With Justin Edwards.
Mark Watson investigates pride as he continues his quest to free us from the seven deadly sins via stand-up comedy.
Tim Key and Tim Minchin provide sketches, songs and distractions.
MONDAY 28 OCTOBER 2013
MON 00:00 Orson Welles - War of the Worlds (b0088ypf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b03f89tl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 Mordecai Richler - Herr Bambinger (b018sxnf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 It's a Funny Business (b011klyw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 The Palace of Laughter (b0082b02)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:00 All Gas and Gaiters (b007jpqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 on Sunday]
MON 03:30 Tony Mulholland - Aesop's Astronauts (b007jxn0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
13:30 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Pamela Brown - Golden Pavements (b00tgcdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Herge - The Adventures of Tintin (b00ps29q)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 The Toff (b007jr60)
The Toff and the Runaway Bride
1. Honeymoon for One
Barbara Lawn is about to marry the Toff's old chum, Major Guy Lessing - against her father's wishes - in a gripping tale of blackmail and murder.
Terence Alexander stars as the Toff - upper-class amateur sleuth, the Honourable Richard Rollison.
First published in 1959, John Creasey’s The Toff and the Runaway Bride dramatised in six parts by Roy Lomax.
The Toff ...... Terence Alexander
Jolly ...... Robert Dorning
Barbara Lessing ...... Rosalind Shanks
Aunt Gloria ...... Peggy Ann Wood
Holy Joe ...... David Graham
Maggie ...... Frances Jeater
Major Guy Lessing ...... Alan Cuthbertson
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in June 1975.
MON 06:30 Van der Valk - Love in Amsterdam (b007jwpm)
Episode 2
Martin's finally admitted the truth: he met Elsa de Charmoy shortly before her death - and he attempted to visit her on the night she died, but claims he didn't kill her. Martin's alibi is thin and there are no other suspects, but Van der Valk takes a chance on him. Together they visit Elsa's apartment to try and find evidence...
Nicholas Freeling's crime thriller read by David Troughton.
Piet Van der Valk is the much-copied prototype detective, 'a cranky, gentle, bumbling, brilliant, non-conformist student of human behaviour whose primary concern is why rather than how crimes are committed'.
Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.
Producer: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 7 in 2006.
MON 07:00 Married (b008cbyc)
Series 3
Episode 4
Going for a drive through a time anomaly, Robin, Leslie and Dirk end up in Texas.
Hugh Bonneville stars in Tony Bagley's comedy about a confirmed bachelor Robin Lightfoot dealing with life in a parallel universe.
Robin .... Hugh Bonneville
Lesley .... Josie Lawrence
Dirk .... Stephen Frost
Maxine .... Ann Gosling
Doctor/Newsreader//Glop .... Kate Robbins
Alan .... Christopher Kelham
Arthur Smith .... Himself
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2001.
MON 07:30 The Museum of Curiosity (b03dfl0b)
Series 6
Herring, Lippincott, Clemente
This week, the Professor of Ignorance John Lloyd and his curator Humphrey Ker welcome the art historian and former director of the Greenwich Observatory Dr Kristin Lippincott; comedian, chat show host and blogger Richard Herring and animal locomotion expert Dr Christofer Clemente. Topics for illumination include Time, inspiration, writer's block, sticky ants' feet, Russia's Greatest Love Machine lizards doing wheelies and the most controversial moustache in history.
The show was researched by James Harkin, Molly Oldfield and Stevyn Colgan of QI.
The producers were Richard Turner and Dan Schreiber.
MON 08:00 Round the Horne (b00n905p)
Series 3
Episode 17
'What Shall We Do With The Drunken Nurker?' Rambling Syd Rumpo sings - and it's a Horne from home for Kenneth at Julian and Sandy's Bona Guest House.
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 May 1967.
MON 08:30 Ray's a Laugh (b007jscc)
From 24/10/58
Ted needs some new golf clubs, but the only way he can afford them is via cigarette coupons.
Starring Ted Ray. With Kitty Bluett, Kenneth Connor, Rosalind Knight and Laidman Browne.
Ray's a Laugh - the successor to ITMA - follows the comedy exploits of Ted's life at home with his 'radio' wife Kitty, as well as in a variety of jobs. It ran from 1949-1961.
Scripted by Bernard Botting and Charles Hart.
BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet.
Producer: Leslie Bridgmont
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in October 1958.
MON 09:00 Andrew Maxwell's Public Enemies (b03f8g6l)
Drugs Trade
The drugs trade is one of our few booming industries.
Andrew looks at the facts behind both the illegal and legal drugs. What are the risks? What are the problems? And what can we do about either?
Andrew Maxwell is one of the UK's most informed and fearless stand ups. In this series of one-off stand up shows, he uses his trademark intelligence and political incisiveness to dig behind the clichés and assumptions about four possible threats to British society: food, the internet, drugs and Nationalism.
This series showcases a comedian at the top of his abilities tackling difficult and important 'slow news' topics with a depth and perceptiveness that remains outside the remit of mainstream 'topical' comedy.
Written and performed by Andrew Maxwell.
Script edited by Paul Byrne.
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2013.
MON 09:30 Beauty of Britain (b00npr8g)
Series 1
Beauty and the Beast
Comedy by Christopher Douglas and Nicola Sanderson. Beauty Olonga works as a carer for the Featherdown Agency and sees herself as an inspiration to other African girls hoping to achieve their goals in the land of semi-skimmed milk.
Beauty is looking after the elderly Mr Easterby, who has a new girlfriend and is behaving like a lovestruck teenager. She is also trying to get to the Aspire to Dream retreat. Meanwhile Anil is on a big cat stakeout, as several have been spotted in the region.
Beauty ...... Jocelyn Jee Esien
Sally ...... Felicity Montagu
Karen ...... Nicola Sanderson
Mrs Gupte ...... Indira Joshi
Anil ...... Paul Sharma
Mr Easterby ...... Leslie Phillips
Mrs Mason ...... Liz Fraser
Kevin/Cab Man/Steve ...... Christopher Douglas
Girl on Stretcher ...... Nicola Sanderson
Music by The West End Gospel Choir.
MON 10:00 Charles Dickens (b01b20s5)
Little Dorrit
Episode 1
Arthur Clennam returns from China, fearful of a wrong committed by his parents. Curious and feeling protective when he meets young seamstress, Amy Dorrit - he follows her home, to the Marshalsea Debtor's Prison, where he's introduced to her extraordinary family.
Charles Dickens's masterpiece of social satire and imprisonment dramatised in five episodes by Doug Lucie.
Starring Sir Ian McKellen as Charles Dickens.
Recorded on location in London.
Charles Dickens ...... Ian McKellen
Arthur Clennam ...... Julian Wadham
Mrs Clennam ...... Margaret Tyzack
William Dorrit ...... John Wood
Little Dorrit ...... Jasmine Hyde
Flora Finching ...... Sophie Thompson
Fanny Dorrit ...... Indira Varma
Frederick Dorrit ...... Peter Tuddenham
Affery ...... Jennie Stoller
Barnacle Junior ...... Kenny Blyth
Maggy ...... Helen Ayres
Pancks ...... Philip Joseph
Flintwinch ...... Ioan Meredith
Tite Barnacle ...... Gordon Reid
Plornish ...... Jonathan Keeble
Music by Mia Soteriou
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2001.
MON 11:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00ckcqk)
Faith and Hope Go Shopping
Bored with daily life, two friends plan to escape Meadowbank Old People's Home. Short story read by June Whitfield.
MON 11:15 Loose Ends (b03f86l9)
Howard Blake, David Greig, Speech Debelle, Daniel Rachel, Miranda Sawyer, Billy Bragg, The Leisure Society
Clive's Walking in the Air with composer Howard Blake, whose career has spanned over 50 years and produced more than 650 works. He is increasingly recognised for his classical works including concertos, oratorios, ballets, operas and many instrumental pieces. Howard talks to Clive about a special celebration of his 75th birthday.
Clive talks to celebrated playwright and theatre director David Greig, whose new play explores the impact of a horrific politically motivated crime on a small community and delves into the nature of forgiveness, reconciliation and understanding. 'The Events' is at London's Young Vic Theatre until 2nd November and then touring until 30th November.
Miranda Sawyer lays down some lyrics with author Daniel Rachel, who was born the summer before The Beatles split up, wrote his first song at the age of 16 and went on to release two albums. His debut book 'Isles of Noises' focuses on some of the UK's finest musicians, who reveal the secrets behind their art in a rare collection of conversations about fifty years of classic British songwriting.
Clive has Speech Therapy with Mercury Prize-winning rapper and social commentator Speech Debelle, whose music has themes of strength and vulnerability. So, she's the perfect curator of an exhibition of art work made by prisoners, secure patients and immigration detainees from across the country. 'The Strength & Vulnerability Bunker 'is at Royal Festival Hall, London until Sunday 1st December.
With music from folk-pop sextet The Leisure Society, who perform 'Fight For Everyone' from their album 'Alone Aboard The Ark'.
And from folk-punk-lefty Billy Bragg, who performs 'Handyman Blues' from his album 'Tooth and Nail'.
Producer: Sukey Firth.
MON 12:00 Round the Horne (b00n905p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
MON 12:30 Ray's a Laugh (b007jscc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
MON 13:00 The Toff (b007jr60)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
MON 13:30 Van der Valk - Love in Amsterdam (b007jwpm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
MON 14:00 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvxx)
Episode 11
Miss Crawley attempts to decide who will inherit her money. William Makepeace Thackeray dramatisation with Stephen Fry.
MON 14:15 Parkmasters (b00773jh)
John Claudius Loudon and the Derby Arboretum
Historian Tristram Hunt investigates the people and ideas behind our public parks, starting with the Derby Arboretum.
John Claudius Loudon was the first major advocate of public parks for the burgeoning cities of 19th-century England, largely through his prolific literary output of articles, books and magazines, where it is estimated that he wrote 60 million words to advance his cause.
Producer: Erin Riley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2007.
MON 14:30 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole (b007js5c)
The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole
Episode 1
It's 1982 and the Falklands War is underway, but Adrian has other matters on his mind. Sue Townsend's book read by Nicholas Barnes.
MON 14:45 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00g9px4)
The Hall
One of this country's best loved actors, Joanna Lumley, reads from her home-based autobiography.
She begins by elaborating on her early years in India followed by her time at boarding school back in England.
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
MON 15:00 Charles Dickens (b01b20s5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
MON 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b03ff4r0)
Mel Giedroyc gets a foothold on the history of the tree house and presents the first part of new story, Dreadful Acts by Philip Ardagh.
MON 17:00 Anything Legal (b008cxvk)
Episode 7
The do-it-yourself skills of Charles and George arouse the suspicions of their wives Marjorie and Hilary.
Starring Donald Hewlett and Michael Knowles.
A Tale of Two City Gents by Wally K Daly
Charles ...... Donald Hewlett
George ...... Michael Knowles
Marjorie ...... Dilys Laye
Hilary ...... Norma Ronald
Theme music by Jim Parker
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1984.
MON 17:30 Married (b008cbyc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
MON 18:00 Brian Aldiss - Hothouse (b00m9p2w)
Episode 1
Millions of years in the future, a colossal banyan tree covers much of the Earth. In its boughs, the last remnants of humanity are fighting for survival, terrorised by carnivorous plants and grotesque insect life.
The Earth has stopped rotating and the Sun's output has increased. Plants are engaged in a constant tropical forest-style frenzy of growth driving other life forms to extinction...
Brian Aldiss's 1962 sci-fi fantasy read by Gareth Thomas.
Abridged in five parts by Lu Kemp.
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2009.
MON 18:30 Arthur C Clarke Stories (b00zzwfq)
The Nine Billion Names of God
The Nine Billion Names of God
A Tibetan monastery's new computer sparks fears that the world will end. Arthur C Clarke's short story read by John Shrapnel.
MON 18:45 Edgar Allan Poe (b00grsvq)
The Tell-Tale Heart
The perfect murder, planned and executed with unerring precision. Unless a rhythmic beating gives it away.
Edgar Allan Poe's short-story read by Brian Gear.
Producer: Pamela Howe
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1987.
MON 19:00 Round the Horne (b00n905p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Ray's a Laugh (b007jscc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
MON 20:00 The Toff (b007jr60)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
MON 20:30 Van der Valk - Love in Amsterdam (b007jwpm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
MON 21:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00ckcqk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
MON 21:15 Loose Ends (b03f86l9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
MON 22:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b03dfl0b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
MON 22:30 Andrew Maxwell's Public Enemies (b03f8g6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
MON 23:00 The Now Show (b03dvx6q)
Series 41
Episode 5
Steve Punt and Jon Culshaw present a comedic look at the week's news, providing a topical mix of stand-up, sketches and songs that tell you everything you need to know. With Jon Holmes, Sara Pascoe, Joe Stilgoe and Laura Shavin.
Produced by Alexandra Smith.
MON 23:30 Ready, Steady, Sink! (b007kc2k)
As the 1960s rock, pirate Radio Splash rolls and the DJs heave.
The crew on the rotting hulk broadcasting Radio Splash - Britain's 11th most popular pirate radio station - dejectedly endure each other's foul personal habits and constant lack of essential supplies.
Brett …. Peter Kay
Aunty …. Mark Little
Justin …. Julian Rhind-Tutt
Beasley …. Michael Fenton Stevens
Derek …. Julian Dutton
Wim …. Stephen Critchlow
Devised by Stuart Silver and Jeremy Pascall.
Written by Jeremy Pascall.
Producer: Carol Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 as a Comedy Showcase in January 2000.
TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER 2013
TUE 00:00 Brian Aldiss - Hothouse (b00m9p2w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 Arthur C Clarke Stories (b00zzwfq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Monday]
TUE 00:45 Edgar Allan Poe (b00grsvq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:45 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 The Toff (b007jr60)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Van der Valk - Love in Amsterdam (b007jwpm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Andrew Maxwell's Public Enemies (b03f8g6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Beauty of Britain (b00npr8g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Charles Dickens (b01b20s5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00ckcqk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:15 Loose Ends (b03f86l9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Anything Legal (b008cxvk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Monday]
TUE 05:30 Married (b008cbyc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 The Toff (b007jr8v)
The Toff and the Runaway Bride
2. The Finger of Suspicion
After bride Barbara's disappearance, the Honourable Richard Rollison faces more mystery - on the trail of Major Guy Lessing's first wife...
Terence Alexander stars as the Toff - upper-class amateur sleuth, the Honourable Richard Rollison.
John Creasey's thriller dramatised by Roy Lomax.
The Toff ...... Terence Alexander
Jolly ...... Robert Dorning
Major Guy Lessing ...... Alan Cuthbertson
Barbara Lessing ...... Rosalind Shanks
Doctor ...... Dennis McCarthy
Kevin Brennan ...... Robert Lawn
Superintendent ...... Godfrey James
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson.
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in June 1975.
TUE 06:30 Van der Valk - Love in Amsterdam (b007jwpq)
Episode 3
The Dutch detective has finally discovered murder victim Elsa de Charmoy's secret. A decoy is needed to snare the killer, but it's a very risky assignment. Tension mounts as the murderer makes his presence felt.
Nicholas Freeling's crime thriller concluded by David Troughton.
Piet Van der Valk is the much-copied prototype detective, 'a cranky, gentle, bumbling, brilliant, non-conformist student of human behaviour whose primary concern is why rather than how crimes are committed'.
Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.
Producer: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 7 in 2006.
TUE 07:00 Heated Rollers (b007qv82)
Episode 3
Granny in space - and Mrs Slocombe the locum.
The first ever all-women sketch show made for BBC Radio 2 stars Lynda Bellingham, Gwyneth Strong and Joanna Monro.
With music supplied by the Lorraine Bowen Experience.
Producer: Maria Esposito
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1999.
TUE 07:30 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b00c7923)
Series 1
Cookery Show
Reminiscences of an ex-variety star, who's cooking and drinking on a cable TV show. Stars Steve Delaney. From December 2005.
TUE 08:00 The Goon Show (m000hwwr)
Series 6
The Lost Emperor
Archaeologist Neddie Seagoon hunts for the missing treasure of Genghis Khan.
Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.
With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.
Announcer: Wallace Greenslade
Producer: Peter Eton
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in October 1955.
TUE 08:30 The Jason Explanation of... (b007jq20)
Communications
David Jason gets chatty with animals and plants - and can a medium reach Doris's dead husband to find out where his money is?
With Sheila Steafel and Royce Mills.
Following in the footsteps of Lord Clark, Dr Bronowski and Professor Galbraith, David Jason unravels the mysteries of the universe and the meaning of life.
Written by Colin Bostock Smith, Andy Hamilton, Barry Pilton and Alastair Beaton.
Music by John Owen Edwards
Producer: Geoffrey Perkins
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 in September 1977.
TUE 09:00 The Now Show (b03dvx6q)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:00 on Monday]
TUE 09:30 Street and Lane (b00vdbvk)
Series 1
Singing Detectives
Intrepid Yorkshire builders, Johnny Street and Arthur Lane welcome Tina, a glamorous young woman on work experience - as they seek out the origins of a nasty smell in a school under the nose of caretaker and music-theatre aficionado Sidney Sanderson.
Sitcom written by Ian McMillan and Dave Sheasby.
Johnny Street ...... Nick Lane
Arthur Lane ...... Fine Time Fontayne
Tina ...... Hannah Storey
Sanderson ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Producer: David Hunter
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2005.
TUE 10:00 Charles Dickens (b01b2wb5)
Little Dorrit
Episode 2
Arthur Clennam still believes his parents to have wronged someone, but he can't get any help from the Circumlocution Office.
He also thinks he’s found a new love, and Little Dorrit receives a proposal.
Charles Dickens's masterpiece of social satire and imprisonment dramatised by Doug Lucie.
Starring Sir Ian McKellen as Charles Dickens.
Recorded on location in London.
Charles Dickens ...... Ian McKellen
Arthur Clennam ...... Julian Wadham
Mrs Clennam ...... Margaret Tyzack
William Dorrit ...... John Wood
Little Dorrit ...... Jasmine Hyde
Mrs Merdle ...... Jennie Stoller
Fanny Dorrit ...... Indira Varma
Flora Finching ...... Sophie Thompson
Frederick Dorrit ...... Peter Tuddenham
Pet Meagles ...... Clare Corbett
John Chivery ...... Ben Crowe
Tip Dorritt ...... Kenny Blyth
Maggy ...... Helen Ayres
Flintwinch ...... Ioan Meredith
Mr Meagles ...... Gordon Reid
Mr Doyce ...... Jonathan Keeble
Other parts played by members of the cast.
Music by Mia Soteriou
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2001.
TUE 11:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00ckz8b)
Last Train to Dog Town
Author Neil K is stranded with the talkative characters of his unfinished Western story. Short story read by Jack Davenport.
TUE 11:15 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2gq)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes - Series 1
Silver Blaze
The sleuth heads to Devon, when a racehorse favourite disappears and his trainer is found murdered. Stars Clive Merrison.
TUE 12:00 The Goon Show (m000hwwr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Jason Explanation of... (b007jq20)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 13:00 The Toff (b007jr8v)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Van der Valk - Love in Amsterdam (b007jwpq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 14:00 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvy2)
Episode 12
Becky has plans to deal with an uncertain financial future. Narrated by Stephen Fry, stars Emma Fielding.
TUE 14:15 Parkmasters (b00773kp)
Joseph Paxton and Birkenhead Park
Historian Tristram Hunt investigates Joseph Paxton’s achievement in making something "handsome and good" on the infertile ground that eventually became Birkenhead Park - located in the centre of Merseyside.
Producer: Erin Riley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2007.
TUE 14:30 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole (b007js5p)
The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole
Episode 2
Intrigued by his parents' perturbing behaviour, Adrian realises there's something he hasn't yet seen. Read by Nicholas Barnes.
TUE 14:45 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gdhcg)
The Drawing Room
Life as a model and breaking into acting - leading to 'The New Avengers', 'Sapphire & Steel' and a date with James Bond.
One of this country's best loved actors, Joanna Lumley, reads from her home-based autobiography.
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
TUE 15:00 Charles Dickens (b01b2wb5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
TUE 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b03ffktn)
Mel Giedroyc presents Ben Fogle with his birthday bumps, and introduces the next part of the current story, Dreadful Acts by Philip Ardagh.
TUE 17:00 Flying the Flag (b00cbcpj)
Series 3
Cultural Exchange
"Someone else's culture is like someone else's toothbrush, William. You wouldn't want to use it yourself, but you're reassured to know they've got one."
With Heavy Metal and Dancing Detectors, Mackenzie and Surikov mix the oil and water of artistic detente.
Series 3 of Alex Shearer's Eastern bloc embassy sitcom.
Starring Dinsdale Landen as HM Ambassador Mackenzie, Peter Acre as William Frost, Moir Leslie as Helen Waterson, Christopher Benjamin as Colonel Surikov and Julian Dutton as Grub.
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1990.
TUE 17:30 Heated Rollers (b007qv82)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
TUE 18:00 Brian Aldiss - Hothouse (b00mdx7n)
Episode 2
The tribal elders have gone, leaving the children to face the Earth's dense jungle alone.
The Earth has stopped rotating and the Sun's output has increased. Plants are engaged in a constant tropical forest-style frenzy of growth driving other life forms to extinction...
Brian Aldiss's 1962 sci-fi fantasy read by Gareth Thomas.
Abridged in five parts by Lu Kemp.
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2009.
TUE 18:30 Arthur C Clarke Stories (b010721b)
The Nine Billion Names of God
The Star
A priest's faith is severely tested during an expedition on a burnt planet. John Shrapnel reads Arthur C Clarke's short story.
TUE 18:45 The Smell by Patrick McGrath (b007jm2c)
Patrick McGrath reads his disturbing Gothic Tale about a father's demonic control over his family.
Producer: Pan Fraser Soloman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.
TUE 19:00 The Goon Show (m000hwwr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 The Jason Explanation of... (b007jq20)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 20:00 The Toff (b007jr8v)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Van der Valk - Love in Amsterdam (b007jwpq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00ckz8b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
TUE 21:15 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2gq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
TUE 22:00 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b00c7923)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
TUE 22:30 The Castle (b012mzvp)
Series 1
Episode 1
Sitcom by Kim Fuller, set in a medieval castle with some remarkably modern trappings.
Sir John Woodstock ...... James Fleet
Sir William De Warenne ...... Neil Dudgeon
Lady Anne Woodstock ...... Susan Earl
Cardinal Duncan ...... Jonathan Kydd
Lady Charlotte ...... Ingrid Oliver
Master Henry Woodstock ...... Steven Kynman
Sam Tree ...... Toby Ross-Bryant.
TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b03hk7yt)
For two hours, six nights a week, the Comedy Club offers the best laughs around. Tonight, Tom Wrigglesworth chats to Andrew Maxwell.
TUE 23:00 Elis James's Pantheon of Heroes (b01c19p3)
Series 1
Heroic Failures
More historical heroism - as Gelert the dog, anyone who's played rugby for Wales and William Frost are put to the Totaliser Test.
Comedian Elis James compares key figures in Welsh history to determine the ultimate heroes of Wales.
With Ben Partridge and Nadia Kamil.
Written by Elis James, Gareth Gwyn and Benjamin Partridge.
Producer: Sharif Shahwan
First broadcast on BBC Radio Wales in February 2012
TUE 23:30 All Bar Luke (b010j3zv)
Series 1
Luke in the Pub
A birthday binge sparks brotherly trouble for social loser Luke Walsall, and he gets clamped. Stars Tim Key. From January 2006.
TUE 23:45 The Problem With Adam Bloom (b00gswf0)
Series 2
Comedy
Want to write comedy? Adam Bloom unveils the six steps to success.
Written by and starring Adam Bloom.
With Alistair McGowan and Rob Rouse.
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER 2013
WED 00:00 Brian Aldiss - Hothouse (b00mdx7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Arthur C Clarke Stories (b010721b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Tuesday]
WED 00:45 The Smell by Patrick McGrath (b007jm2c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:45 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 The Toff (b007jr8v)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Van der Valk - Love in Amsterdam (b007jwpq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 The Now Show (b03dvx6q)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:00 on Monday]
WED 02:30 Street and Lane (b00vdbvk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Charles Dickens (b01b2wb5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00ckz8b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:15 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2gq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Flying the Flag (b00cbcpj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:30 Heated Rollers (b007qv82)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 The Toff (b007jrcm)
The Toff and the Runaway Bride
3. No Sleep for the Wicked
With Guy and Barbara both now murder suspects - the Toff gets a shock when he breaks into the Major's flat.
Terence Alexander stars as the Toff - upper-class amateur sleuth, the Honourable Richard Rollison.
John Creasey's thriller dramatised by Roy Lomax.
The Toff ...... Terence Alexander
Jolly ...... Robert Dorning
Superintendent ...... Godfrey James
Barbara Lessing ...... Rosalind Shanks
Police Officer ...... Clifford Norgate
Major Guy Lessing ...... Alan Cuthbertson
Rose Lessing ...... Denise Buckley
Holy Joe ...... David Graham
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson.
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in June 1975.
WED 06:30 Dick Francis - Dead on Red (b007jrrl)
Episode 1
Simmering resentment brings a high-class hitman over from France to target a horse-race jockey. Read by John Lloyd-Fillingham.
WED 07:00 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.
WED 07:30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse (b00txjth)
Series 4
In the Name of the Wee Man
Stanley Baxter, inspired in his own stellar career by the man's outstanding impersonations, stunning pantomime dame performances and brilliant comic timing; pays tribute to Tommy Lorne, one of Scotland's greatest early twentieth century comedians
Stanley says: "In the long and distinguished history of great Scottish comedians there is one name that stands out particularly in my mind, that of Tommy Lorne. His star burned brightly, but briefly, in the early years of the 20th century. My parents loved him, as did many Glaswegians, and in 1934 as an eight year old boy I was taken to the Theatre Royal to see him as Dame in Babes in the Wood. Although he died only a year later and I was to see him no more, his hilarious and extraordinary stage persona is still etched in my memory. He was, rightly, a huge star in Scotland, and although he may be long gone I'd hate for him to be forgotten. So this is my tribute to the great Tommy Lorne entitled, in the words of his own, famous catch phrase: 'In the Name of the Wee Man.'"
Baxter recounts the triumphs and disappointments of Tommy's short life, where he brought laughter and happiness to many in his Pantomime Dame performances and musical hall routines, recreated in this production by Stanley himself, joined by John Sessions, himself an ace impersonator and life long fan of Stanley's , he says that Stanley has had exactly the same kind of lasting influence on his work as Tommy Lorne had on Stanley himself.
Cast:
Tommy Lorne ..... Stanley Baxter
Willie Barbour ..... John Sessions
Harry McKelvie ..... John Ramage
Mary ..... Gabriel Quigley
Danny ..... David Holt
Producer: Marilyn Imrie
A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007v1p4)
Series 4
Agricultural 'Ancock
The lad turns farmer - unaware that sneaky Sid's sold him a top cricket ground.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With 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.
Producer: Dennis Main Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in February 1957.
WED 08:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b011tzml)
Series 7
Episode 11
A complete guide to London - and Professor Prune's Time Trousers materialise in gangster-ridden Chicago.
Starring Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Cleese, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and 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 Bill Oddie, Liam Cohen and Dave Lee.
Producer: David Hatch/Peter Titheradge
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in March 1969.
WED 09:00 Know Your Place (b018jpjy)
Room to Manoeuvre
Cleaner Elsie borrows a flat for a night, but must keep caretaker Ramsay out of the way.
Ramsay Potts is the jobsworth caretaker at a crumbling Edwardian block of flats, pursued by the over-amorous cleaner Elsie.
Starring Roy Dotrice as Ramsay and Patricia Hayes as Elspeth Spurgeon.
Eight-part sitcom written by Andrew Palmer and Nell Brennan.
With John Graham, Jon Glover, Norma Ronald, Nell Brennan and Yvonne Manners.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1982.
WED 09:30 In the End (b007s6js)
Episode 6
Maverick hack George Cragge thinks he is next on the murderer's list. Comedy thriller with Michael Williams. From December 1999.
WED 10:00 Charles Dickens (b01b311m)
Little Dorrit
Episode 3
Mr Pancks has made discoveries about the Dorrit family, but Arthur still hasn’t solved his family's secret...
Charles Dickens's masterpiece of social satire and imprisonment dramatised by Doug Lucie.
Starring Sir Ian McKellen as Charles Dickens.
Recorded on location in London.
Charles Dickens ...... Ian McKellen
Arthur Clennam ...... Julian Wadham
Mrs Clennam ...... Margaret Tyzack
William Dorrit ...... John Wood
Little Dorrit ...... Jasmine Hyde
Mrs Merdle ...... Jennie Stoller
Mr Pancks ...... Philp Joseph
Fanny Dorrit ...... Indira Varma
Mr Merdle ...... Kenneth Cranham
Flora Finching ...... Sophie Thompson
Frederick Dorrit ...... Peter Tuddenham
Pet Meagles ...... Clare Corbett
John Chivery ...... Ben Crowe
Tip Dorritt ...... Kenny Blyth
Maggy ...... Helen Ayres
Flintwinch ...... Ioan Meredith
Mr Meagles ...... Gordon Reid
Mr Doyce ...... Jonathan Keeble
Other parts played by members of the cast.
Music by Mia Soteriou
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2001.
WED 11:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00cl7lx)
Gastronomicon
Disobeying rules for a silver wedding anniversary recipe book sparks unexpected consequences. Short story read by Lynda Baron.
WED 11:15 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2j4)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes - Series 1
The Yellow Face
The sleuth investigates when a hideous apparition at a cottage window troubles an anxious husband. Stars Clive Merrison.
WED 12:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007v1p4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 12:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b011tzml)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 13:00 The Toff (b007jrcm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 13:30 Dick Francis - Dead on Red (b007jrrl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 14:00 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvy5)
Episode 13
Becky and Rawdon make a tactical visit to relatives, and Becky finds a new companion. With Stephen Fry and Emma Fielding.
WED 14:15 Parkmasters (b00773lw)
James Pennethorne and Victoria Park, London
James Pennethorne created Victoria Park in east London for some of the poorest people in the capital.
The space may have resembled Regent's Park with grand carriageways and vistas, but the workers made it their own as they congregated to discuss politics and to bathe in the grand lakes before the park had even officially opened.
Historian Tristram Hunt continues his history of the people and ideas behind the creation of public parks.
Producer: Erin Riley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2007.
WED 14:30 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole (b007js60)
The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole
Episode 3
Adrian's mother is pregnant, and there's a battle to choose the family holiday. Will Adrian's dad get his way? Read by Nicholas Barnes.
WED 14:45 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gdw1w)
The Kitchen
Life as a single mum and a glimpse of old age courtesy of BBC TV's 'Absolutely Fabulous’.
One of this country's best loved actors, Joanna Lumley, reads from her home-based autobiography
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
WED 15:00 Charles Dickens (b01b311m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
WED 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b03fgfs1)
Mel Giedroyc explores what it takes to keep a parrot as a pet, and introduces the next part of the current story, Dreadful Acts by Philip Ardagh.
WED 17:00 PG Wodehouse - The Inimitable Jeeves (b007rgl7)
Honoria Glossop
When Bingo Little's new love lands Bertie Wooster in bother - who can save the day?
PG Wodehouse's romp starring Michael Hordern and Richard Briers.
Jeeves ...... Michael Hordern
Bertie Wooster ..... Richard Briers
Sir Roderick Glossop ..... Andrew Cruickshank
Aunt Agatha ..... Joan Sanderson
Bingo Little ..... Jonathan Cecil
Lord Rainsby ..... James Villiers
Honoria Glossop ..... Miriam Margolyes
Oswald Glossop ..... Denise Bryer
Adapted by Chris Miller.
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1973.
WED 17:30 The Leopard in Autumn (b00bs464)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
WED 18:00 Brian Aldiss - Hothouse (b00mj3gd)
Episode 3
The manipulative Morel fungus guides Gren and Poyly's lives without their tribe.
Millions of years in the future, a colossal banyan tree covers much of the Earth. In its boughs, the last remnants of humanity are fighting for survival, terrorized by carnivorous plants and grotesque insect life.
The Earth has stopped rotating and the Sun's output has increased. Plants are engaged in a constant tropical forest-style frenzy of growth driving other life forms to extinction...
Brian Aldiss's 1962 sci-fi fantasy read by Gareth Thomas.
Abridged in five parts by Lu Kemp.
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2009.
WED 18:30 Arthur C Clarke Stories (b010gqsf)
The Nine Billion Names of God
Death and the Senator
If a medical space station can cure cardiac conditions, who gets treatment? John Shrapnel reads Arthur C Clarke's short story.
WED 18:45 Basil Copper - The Candle in the Skull (b007jpyd)
Martin's attempt to dispose of his wife does not go according to plan - but his daughter gets a sinister treat for Hallowe'en.
Read by Gerard McDermott.
Producer: Louise Grealish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1997.
WED 19:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007v1p4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 19:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b011tzml)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 20:00 The Toff (b007jrcm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 20:30 Dick Francis - Dead on Red (b007jrrl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 21:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00cl7lx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
WED 21:15 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2j4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
WED 22:00 Arthur Smith's Balham Bash (b010hcwk)
Series 3
Episode 3
Arthur Smith presents comedy and music from his flat in Balham, south London.
With stand-up comedy from Sean Lock in the living room, Annette Fagon on the landing and music from Squeeze in the kitchen.
Producer Alison Vernon-Smith.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2011.
WED 22:30 Radio Shuttleworth (b007wwdf)
Series 2
Peter Purves
John discovers Blue Peter's Peter Purves has always wanted to play a nasty character. Would he audition for the role of Captain Hook in the drop-in centre's production of Peter Pan?
The semi-detached world of aspiring singer-songwriter John Shuttleworth direct from his front room in Sheffield.
Written and performed by Graham Fellows.
With Phil Nichol and Milton Jones.
Additional material by Martin Willis.
Producer: Dawn Ellis.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2000
WED 23:00 Revolting People (b008kmv2)
Series 3
Secrets and Lies
War is now only two days away. Or three if wet.
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
Mary ...... Jan Ravens
Joshua ...... Tony Maudsley
Ezekiel ...... Hugh Dennis
Cora ...... Penelope Cora
Stan ...... Philip Pope
Elizabeth ...... Rebecca Front
Agnes ...... Selina Griffiths
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2004.
WED 23:30 Down the Line (b010dp1c)
Series 4
Episode 6
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 Amelia Bullmore, Simon Day, Felix Dexter, Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse.
Special guests are Adil Ray and Arabella Weir.
Producers: Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse
A Down The Line production for BBC Radio 4.
THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER 2013
THU 00:00 Brian Aldiss - Hothouse (b00mj3gd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 Arthur C Clarke Stories (b010gqsf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 00:45 Basil Copper - The Candle in the Skull (b007jpyd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:45 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 The Toff (b007jrcm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Dick Francis - Dead on Red (b007jrrl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Know Your Place (b018jpjy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 In the End (b007s6js)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Charles Dickens (b01b311m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00cl7lx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:15 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2j4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 PG Wodehouse - The Inimitable Jeeves (b007rgl7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:30 The Leopard in Autumn (b00bs464)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 The Toff (b007jrfz)
The Toff and the Runaway Bride
4. Death Is No Alibi
As the murder count mounts, the police hunt Richard - and there's a discovery in the River Thames...
Terence Alexander stars as the Toff - upper-class amateur sleuth, the Honourable Richard Rollison.
John Creasey's thriller dramatised by Roy Lomax.
The Toff ...... Terence Alexander
Jolly ...... Robert Dorning
Inspector Ellerby ...... Roger Gartland
Sergeant ...... Michael Shannon
Inspector Reno ...... Godfrey James
Robert Lawn ...... Kevin Brennan
Barbara Lessing ...... Rosalind Shanks
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson.
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in June 1975.
THU 06:30 Dick Francis - Dead on Red (b007jrv7)
Episode 2
A French assassin has shot his intended victim, but exactly who wanted Red Millbrook dead? Read by John Lloyd-Fillingham.
THU 07:00 The Galton and Simpson Playhouse (b00p9354)
The Offer
The original 1962 script that sparked the triumphant Steptoe and Son. Stars Freddie Jones and John Thomson. From January 1999.
THU 07:30 Clare in the Community (b01pp88x)
Series 8
On Expenses
With society collapsing all around us Social Worker Clare Barker is appalled to be stuck indoors bean counting. But as Clare discovers anomalies in the Sparrowhawk Family Centre's expense claims will friendship and loyalty win over professional integrity?
Sally Phillips stars as Clare Barker the social worker who has all the right jargon but never a practical solution.
A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis. Clare is in her thirties, white, middle class and heterosexual, all of which are occasional causes of discomfort to her.
Each week we join Clare in her continued struggle to control both her professional and private life. In her private life Clare is struggling to come to terms with Brian's infidelity. Will their relationship survive?
In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden
Clare ...... Sally Phillips
Brian ...... Alex Lowe
Nali ...... Nina Conti
Ray ...... Richard Lumsden
Helen ...... Liza Tarbuck
Simon ...... Andrew Wincott
Libby ...... Sarah Kendall
Paul ...... Ben Crowe
Mrs Manjula ...... Bharti Patel
Producer: Katie Tyrrell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2013.
THU 08:00 Dad's Army (b00q9gk2)
Series 2
Uninvited Guests
Calamity strikes when the Home Guard and ARP wardens share the church hall.
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, Arnold Ridley as Godfrey and Bill Pertwee as Hodges.
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 March 1975.
THU 08:30 Take It From Here (b00dyywt)
From 24/08/1948
A song for a musical, a look at leisure time and a musical twist in a medical drama.
Starring Professor Jimmy Edwards, Dick Bentley, Joy Nichols, Clarence Wright and Alan Dean.
Music from The Keynotes and the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Frank Cantell.
Frank Muir and Denis Norden's scripted classic comedy
Producer: Charles Maxwell
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in August 1948.
THU 09:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jv7w)
See You Outside Boots in Oxford
Mark and his manic mutt look for the enigmatic Jennifer in the city of dreaming spires. Stars Timothy Spall. From December 1992.
THU 09:30 Sneakiepeeks (b00p6307)
Honeytrap Hotel
Comedy by Harry Venning and Neil Brand about a team of inept, backstabbing surveillance operatives.
Beagle Team infringe every civil liberty in the book in the name of national security.
Bill .... Richard Lumsden
Sharla .... Nina Conti
Mark .... Daniel Kaluuya
Tony Savage .... Kevin Eldon
Geoff .... John Biggins
Ted .... Shaban Arifi
Nanny/Milij .... Alex Tregear
Mr Smith .... Nigel Hastings
Mrs Smith .... Kate Layden
Bishop .... Ewan Hooper
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009
THU 10:00 Charles Dickens (b01b3clm)
Little Dorrit
Episode 4
The newly wealthy Dorrits set off on a tour of Europe but Little Dorrit is homesick.
Fanny finds a suitor and William is gratified by the attentions of the banker, Mr Merdle.
Charles Dickens's masterpiece of social satire and imprisonment dramatised by Doug Lucie.
Starring Sir Ian McKellen as Charles Dickens.
Recorded on location in London.
Charles Dickens ...... Ian McKellen
Arthur Clennam ...... Julian Wadham
Mrs Clennam ...... Margaret Tyzack
William Dorrit ...... John Wood
Little Dorrit ...... Jasmine Hyde
Mr Merdle ...... Kenneth Cranham
Mrs Merdle ...... Jennie Stoller
Fanny Dorrit ...... Indira Varma
Flora Finching ...... Sophie Thompson
Frederick Dorrit ...... Peter Tuddenham
John Chivery ...... Ben Crowe
Tip Dorritt ...... Kenny Blyth
Flintwinch ...... Ioan Meredith
Mr Pancks ...... Philip Joseph
Mr Doyce ...... Jonathan Keeble
Other parts played by members of the cast.
Music by Mia Soteriou
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2001.
THU 11:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00cl6vd)
The Ugly Sister
A Cinderella pantomime character wonders if her own Prince Charming is in the audience. Short story read by Lesley Sharp.
THU 11:15 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2kh)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes - Series 1
The Stockbroker's Clerk
The sleuth probes the mystery company behind a young man's offer of a dream job. Stars Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.
THU 12:00 Dad's Army (b00q9gk2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 12:30 Take It From Here (b00dyywt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 13:00 The Toff (b007jrfz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 13:30 Dick Francis - Dead on Red (b007jrv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 14:00 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvy8)
Episode 14
A cash crisis forces Amelia to make a terrible decision about little Georgie's future. With Stephen Fry and Emma Fielding.
THU 14:15 Parkmasters (b00773n6)
William Barron and West Park, Macclesfield
William Barron was a zealot for municipal gardens in the benefit that they could raise the moral tone of the nation - the Temperance movement was a great believer in public parks.
Historian Tristram Hunt continues his history of the people and ideas behind the creation of public parks.
Producer: Erin Riley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2007.
THU 14:30 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole (b007js6b)
The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole
Episode 4
While on holiday in Skegness, spotty Adrian and his mother receive some shocking news from his father. Read by Nicholas Barnes.
THU 14:45 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gf8dj)
The Dressing Room
Playing Patsy on BBC TV's Absolutely Fabulous and Joanna's life-long love of fashion.
Much-loved actor, Joanna Lumley continues her home-based autobiography
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
THU 15:00 Charles Dickens (b01b3clm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
THU 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b03fgrb2)
Happy Halloween! Mel Giedroyc sets off on the trail of the mythical dog monster the Gytrash, and introduces the next part of the current story, Dreadful Acts by Philip Ardagh.
THU 17:00 Ring Around the Bath (b01hc2x1)
Series 3
Pressure Times Volume Is a Constant
Egg's boyfriend moves in. Rick moves out - and comes back. And the arrival of Alison's baby is only a couple of months away. Can Stella keep track of her wayward family?
Series 3 of Lucy Clare and Ian Davidson's sitcom about topsy-turvy family life.
Stars Duncan Preston as Patrick, Pippa Haywood as Stella, Claudie Blakley as Alison, Bruce MacKinnon as Rick, Catherine Shepherd as Xanthe and Daniela Denby-Ashe as Egg.
Director: Elizabeth Freestone
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2006.
THU 17:30 The Galton and Simpson Playhouse (b00p9354)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
THU 18:00 Brian Aldiss - Hothouse (b00mpnkm)
Episode 4
Gren and Poyly survive the volcano, but the Morel is becoming increasingly frustrated.
Millions of years in the future, a colossal banyan tree covers much of the Earth. In its boughs, the last remnants of humanity are fighting for survival, terrorized by carnivorous plants and grotesque insect life.
The Earth has stopped rotating and the Sun's output has increased. Plants are engaged in a constant tropical forest-style frenzy of growth driving other life forms to extinction...
Brian Aldiss's 1962 sci-fi fantasy read by Gareth Thomas.
Abridged in five parts by Lu Kemp.
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2009.
THU 18:30 Arthur C Clarke Stories (b010m6lf)
The Nine Billion Names of God
Superiority
In war, the more technologically advanced side can still be defeated. John Shrapnel reads Arthur C Clarke's short story.
THU 18:45 Moy McCrory - All Hallows (b007v1p6)
A girl dreads visitors from the spirit world on All Hallow's Eve. Short story by Moy McCrory, read by Sylvestra Le Touzel.
THU 19:00 Dad's Army (b00q9gk2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Take It From Here (b00dyywt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 20:00 The Toff (b007jrfz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 20:30 Dick Francis - Dead on Red (b007jrv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 21:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00cl6vd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
THU 21:15 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2kh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
THU 22:00 Clare in the Community (b01pp88x)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 22:30 Will Smith Presents the Tao of Bergerac (b007tz8w)
Episode 1
Jersey-born comedian Will Smith is obsessed with 1980s BBC TV detective series Bergerac.
So when he found an audio book of John Nettles reading the ancient Chinese text of the Tao, it's become a guiding force to navigate the minefield of his life.
For starters, Will is seeking justice.
With Adam Buxton, Matt Holness, Simon Greenall, Dan Tetsell and John Nettles.
Written by Will Smith and Roger Drew.
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2007.
THU 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b03hk7yw)
For two hours, six nights a week, the Comedy Club offers the best laughs around. Tonight, more chat from Tom Wrigglesworth and Andrew Maxwell.
THU 23:00 Armando Iannucci (b007jzbt)
Series 2
Episode 1
From world religious strife to greeting cards and crank calls.
Armando lannucci hosts wry comical discussion, sketches and music.
With Rebecca Front, David Schneider and Richard Herring.
Written by Armando Iannucci, Peter Baynham, Richard Herring, Stewart Lee and Ben Moor.
Producer: Sarah Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 1 in March 1994.
FRIDAY 01 NOVEMBER 2013
FRI 00:00 Brian Aldiss - Hothouse (b00mpnkm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Arthur C Clarke Stories (b010m6lf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 00:45 Moy McCrory - All Hallows (b007v1p6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:45 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 The Toff (b007jrfz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Dick Francis - Dead on Red (b007jrv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jv7w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 Sneakiepeeks (b00p6307)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Charles Dickens (b01b3clm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00cl6vd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:15 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2kh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Ring Around the Bath (b01hc2x1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 The Galton and Simpson Playhouse (b00p9354)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 The Toff (b007jrjk)
The Toff and the Runaway Bride
5. Motive for Murder
With fresh clues discovered over Barbara's history - the Toff is Paris-bound, when police stop his car...
Terence Alexander stars as the Toff - upper-class amateur sleuth, the Honourable Richard Rollison.
John Creasey's thriller dramatised by Roy Lomax.
The Toff ...... Terence Alexander
Jolly ...... Robert Dorning
Inspector Ellerby ...... Roger Gartland
Lady Gloria ...... Peggy Ann Wood
Sergeant ...... David Graham
Police Constable ...... John Bull
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson.
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in June 1975.
FRI 06:30 Israel Zangwill - Cheating the Gallows (b007jq4t)
Odd couple, Tom Peters and Everard G Roxdal are two inseperable lodgers - but a bank robbery threatens their intense friendship. And what about the cash?
Israel Zangwill's story is read by Lloyd Hutchinson.
Israel Zangwill was a writer and political activist (1864 – 1926)
Producer: Joanne Reardon
Made for BBC 7 by BBC Radio Drama, Manchester.
First broadcast in 2003.
FRI 07:00 The Right Time (b0076mj9)
Series 4
Episode 4
Getting mad at the milkman, a rocking DJ – and a very intuitive answerphone.
Sketch show about growing older disgracefully.
Stars Eleanor Bron, Dudley Sutton, Roger Blake and Paula Wilcox.
Written by Nicholas Barber & Glenn Dakin, Jill Brodie & John Pidgeon, Dave Dixon, Mike Haskins, George Poles, Alan Stafford, Dudley Sutton and Chris Thompson & Pete Reynolds.
Script editor: George Poles.
Music by Ronnie & The Rex.
Producer: Katie Marsden
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2004.
FRI 07:30 My Teenage Diary (b01ks9zd)
Series 4
Toby Young
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.
Producer: Harriet Jaine
A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 08:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jlb0)
Series 2
Pilgrim's Progress
Old soldier Albert is eager to revisit the World War One battlefields of Flanders, but Harold's in the mood to mock.
Starring Wilfrid Brambell as Albert and Harry H Corbett as Harold.
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 8 series for TV.
Adapted for radio from Galton and Simpson's TV script by Gale Pedrick.
Produced by Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in June 1967.
FRI 08:30 Life With The Lyons (b00ztcr7)
Roaming Scandals
Holiday shambles - as Bebe heads for Loch Lomond and Ben is planning a surprise.
Starring real-life American family: Ben Lyon and his wife Bebe Daniels and their children, Barbara and Richard.
With Molly Weir as Aggie, Doris Rogers as Florrie, Angela Ferguson Arthur Lawrence and John Pullen.
Life With The Lyons was one the BBC's most popular radio sitcoms between1950 and 1961. It was also adapted for BBC TV.
Written by Bebe Daniels and Bob Block
BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet.
Producer: Tom Ronald
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1961.
FRI 09:00 Millport (b0075t3w)
Series 1
Lineage
Big brother Gordon has returned to Millport on the tiny Isle of Cumbrae, off the west coast of Scotland.
But Irene wonders why anyone would return once they've had the chance to escape?
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 ...... Janet Brown
Alberto/Robert/Bob ...... Lewis McLeod
Ena/Bunty ...... Gabriel Quigley
Doogie ...... Matt Costello
Gordon/Minister ...... Robert Paterson
Producer: Lucy Bacon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2000.
FRI 09:30 The Change (b00nd0tk)
Series 1
The Great Pretender
Life for George and Carol was just fine and now that their daughter is married they'll have time for themselves again. Carol's looking forward to it being just the two of them.
George, however, thinks the time is right to finally be honest with his wife and introduce her to Georgina.
Lynda Bellingham and Chris Ellison star as troubled hormonal wife Carol whose husband George finally reveals that he's a transvestite.
Sitcom by Gavin Petrie and Jan Etherington.
Carol ...... Lynda Bellingham
George ...... Chris Ellison
Violet ...... Sylvia Syms
Maureen ...... Maureen Beattie
Dave ...... Mark Powley
Ken ...... James Vaughan
Jerry ...... Richard Standing
Producer: Maria Esposito
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2001.
FRI 10:00 Charles Dickens (b01b3fqd)
Little Dorrit
Episode 5
After her father's death Little Dorrit is still in Italy when the newly-married Fanny has a strange visit from Mr Merdle.
Arthur is struck by disaster and Mrs Clennam is forced to reveal the family secret at last.
Conclusion of Charles Dickens's masterpiece of social satire and imprisonment.
Starring Sir Ian McKellen as Charles Dickens.
Recorded on location in London.
Charles Dickens ...... Ian McKellen
Arthur Clennam ...... Julian Wadham
Mrs Clennam ...... Margaret Tyzack
Little Dorrit ...... Jasmine Hyde
Fanny Dorrit ...... Indira Varma
John Chivery ...... Ben Crowe
Flintwinch ...... Ioan Meredith
Mr Pancks ...... Philip Joseph
Mr Doyce ...... Jonathan Keeble
Mr Merdle ...... Kenneth Cranham
Chivery ...... Gordon Reid
Dramatised by Doug Lucie.
Music by Mia Soteriou
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2001.
FRI 11:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00cl32x)
Fule's Gold
After 40 years teaching creative writing, sneaky Mr Fisher discovers a masterpiece. Short story read by Stephen Moore.
FRI 11:15 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2mx)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes - Series 1
The Gloria Scott
Cruel blackmail and mutiny at sea, as the Baker Street sleuth recalls his very first case. Starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.
FRI 12:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jlb0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Life With The Lyons (b00ztcr7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 The Toff (b007jrjk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Israel Zangwill - Cheating the Gallows (b007jq4t)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 14:00 William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (b007jvyc)
Episode 15
Becky is delighted to be presented at court, but Rawdon is not happy. With Stephen Fry, Emma Fielding and Stephen Wyatt.
FRI 14:15 Parkmasters (b00773ph)
Edward Milner and the Lincoln Arboretum
Historian Tristam Hunt investigates the history of public parks: landscape gardener Edward Milner created a model template.
FRI 14:30 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole (b007js6k)
The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole
Episode 5
Fifth-former Adrian's O-levels are looming, and his mother takes him to the social security office. Read by Nicholas Barnes.
FRI 14:45 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gfsmh)
The Music Room and The Attic
Married life with a conductor husband and contemplating future resolutions.
Actress Joanna Lumley concludes her home-based autobiography
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
FRI 15:00 Charles Dickens (b01b3fqd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
FRI 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b03fh136)
Mel Giedroyc explores the history of the land speed record, and brings us the final episode of the current story, Dreadful Acts by Philip Ardagh.
FRI 17:00 Beachcomber... By the Way (b0089jcr)
Series 2
Episode 2
JB Morton's whimsies as performed by Richard Ingrams, Patricia Routledge, John Sessions and John Wells. From July 1991.
FRI 17:30 The Right Time (b0076mj9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
FRI 18:00 Brian Aldiss - Hothouse (b00mtpl0)
Episode 5
A parting of the ways for the Morel and Gren, but the search for a home goes on.
Millions of years in the future, a colossal banyan tree covers much of the Earth. In its boughs, the last remnants of humanity are fighting for survival, terrorized by carnivorous plants and grotesque insect life.
The Earth has stopped rotating and the Sun's output has increased. Plants are engaged in a constant tropical forest-style frenzy of growth driving other life forms to extinction...
Conclusion of Brian Aldiss's 1962 sci-fi fantasy read by Gareth Thomas.
Abridged by Lu Kemp.
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2009.
FRI 18:30 Arthur C Clarke Stories (b010tbkp)
The Nine Billion Names of God
The Sentinel
The story from which Arthur C Clarke developed the film '2001: A Space Odyssey' with Stanley Kubrick. Read by John Shrapnel.
FRI 18:45 E Nesbit - Hurst of Hurstcote (b007jmyy)
"John! John! Let me go! For Heaven's sake let me go! Then she fell back dead."
John Hurst's murky past returns to haunt him when his wife dies unexpectedly of marsh fever.
Linus Roach reads E Nesbit’s Gothic Horror story.
Producer: Gemma Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1996.
FRI 19:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jlb0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Life With The Lyons (b00ztcr7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 The Toff (b007jrjk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Israel Zangwill - Cheating the Gallows (b007jq4t)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Joanne Harris - Jigs and Reels (b00cl32x)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
FRI 21:15 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2mx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
FRI 22:00 My Teenage Diary (b01ks9zd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 22:30 BBC New Comedy Awards (b03fh20f)
2013
Wildcard Vote 2013
2012 winner Lucy Beaumont brings you highlights from the eight shortlisted runners-up, fighting for the two 'wildcard' semi-final places. Listen in and decide who gets your vote.
FRI 23:15 The Comedy Club Interviews (b03gvq99)
For two hours, six nights a week, the Comedy Club offers the best laughs around. Tonight, Arthur Smith is joined by Mike Livesley to celebrate all things Viv Stanshall.
FRI 23:30 The Mary Whitehouse Experience (b007jpq5)
From 17/02/1990
Nice or nastiness? What is embarrassing? Stars David Baddiel, Rob Newman, Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis. From February 1990.