SATURDAY 28 DECEMBER 2013

SAT 00:00 Christopher Lee's Fireside Tales (b018js2l)
The Monkey's Paw
The master of terror shares WW Jacobs' classic tale of a sinister talisman sparking untold horror for a dear old couple.
SAT 00:15 MR James (b007k1kh)
MR James: Ghost Stories
Rats
Mr Thompson decides to explore the rooms at the inn where he is staying. Perhaps he shouldn't. Read by Benjamin Whitrow.
SAT 00:30 Wilkie Collins - Who Killed Zebedee? (b007jq12)
Episode 2
With just days to live, a Victorian policeman continues his final confession from his death bed.
With mystery still surrounding the brutal murder of John Zebedee, he recalls his determination to solve the case when the rest of the police force had given up.
Detective story by Wilkie Collins, first published in 1881.
Concluded by Ronald Pickup
Producer: Joanne Reardon
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in October 2003.
SAT 01:00 A Case for Dr Morelle (b007qsk2)
10. The Wedding Dress
Frightened bride-to-be Audrey Templeton is being spooked by noises in the night. Can the psychiatrist-sleuth uncover what's going on?
Ernest Dudley's Harley Street psychiatrist-turned-detective uses psychology as well as criminology to hunt down lawbreakers by deducing their felonious personalities.
Cecil Parker stars as Dr Morelle with Sheila Sim as his long-suffering assistant, Miss Frayle.
Dr Morelle …. Cecil Parker
Miss Frayle …. Sheila Sim
Audrey Templeton …. Sulwen Morgan
Evelyn Lambert …. Mary Law
Edna Lambert …. Olwyn Brookes
Mrs Vezey …. Peggy Thorpe-Bates
Commercial Traveller/Ames …. Trevor Martin
Director: Leslie Bridgmont
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in February 1957.
SAT 01:30 John Mortimer - Rumpole (b007jsf6)
The Man of God
Rumpole recalls the case of a light-fingered vicar.
"The Splendours And Miseries Of An Old Bailey Hack". Starring Maurice Denham as ageing London barrister-at-law Horace Rumpole and Margot Boyd as Hilda Rumpole
With Michael Spice as Guthrie Featherstone, John Savident as Judge Bullingham and Denys Hawthorne as Judge George Frobisher.
Originally a TV series created by writer and barrister John Mortimer, Rumpole hit the BBC radio airwaves in 1980. Case-by-case, Rumpole recalls his work at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.
Director: Ian Cotterell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1980.
SAT 02:00 Girls Will Be Girls (b00dyb0r)
From 16/03/1991
Sketches and songs from Rebecca Front and Sioned Wiliam, featuring the Suburban Heritage Audio Tour. From March 1991.
SAT 02:30 Electric Ink (b01jyq9c)
Series 2
Episode 3
Struggling print journalist Maddox takes a moral stance with disastrous results.
A comic satire set in the struggling world of newspapers.
A group of dysfunctional journalists attempt to cover major news stories whilst grappling with the demands of a multi-platform environment, as circulation figures plummet as the recession means half the workforce is laid off.
Written by Alistair Beaton and Tom Mitchelson.
Maddox ..... John Sessions
Oliver ..... Alex Jennings
Freddy ..... Stephen Wight
Carol ..... Polly Frame
Masha ..... Debbie Chazen
With Joanna Monro, Sean Baker, Adeel Akhtar,Henry Devas and Sam Dale.
Producer: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
SAT 03:00 Classic Serial (b00mjklh)
The A-Z of Dr Johnson - Boswell's Life of Johnson
Episode 2
Dramatisation by Robin Brooks of James Boswell's biography of Samuel Johnson, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Johnson's birth.
Boswell visits Johnson only intermittently, but relies on him more and more. Johnson meets Hester Thrale, who becomes his devoted friend and confidante, and the most important person in his life.
Samuel Johnson ...... Kenneth Cranham
James Boswell ...... Paul Higgins
Hester Thrale ...... Annabelle Dowler
David Garrick ...... David Hargreaves
Mrs Desmoulins ...... Susan Jameson
Joshua Reynolds ...... Matt Addis
Dilly ...... Stephen Hogan
Wilkes ...... Philip Fox
Directed by Claire Grove.
SAT 04:00 Roshi Fernando - Homesick (b01cwv65)
Test
A day out with his son gives Rohan new understandings of love. Stories of Sri Lankan immigrants in Britain, read by Paul Bazely.
SAT 04:15 Drama (b00jm2nr)
Shakespeare a la Carte
One of the highlights of the 2008 Brighton Festival was turned into an Afternoon Play for BBC Radio 4. Shakespeare A La Carte took the public by storm when it offered audiences the chance to order up their favourite bits of Shakespeare, together with coffee and croissant.
Pippa Smith, Head of Education at the Brighton Festival had the idea after a disappointing encounter at the Edinburgh Festival. "I saw a flyer advertising Shakespeare for breakfast. But breakfast turned out to be stewed tea in polystyrene cups and the Shakespeare was a lame production of 'Love Labour's Lost.' I came away with an entire show in my head. I knew I could create something much classier than this - the bards best bits performed by leading talent from the RSC and National."
Smith approached Richard Hahlo, Jonathan Cullen and Fiona Dunn, who form the theatre company Hydrocracker. They devised a show where the actors, masquerading as waiters in a Pizza Restaurant, take over the performance when they hear that the real actors have been delayed driving down from Stratford. For the radio adaptation two extra characters played by Sian Webber and Richard Attlee, have been created.
Says Richard Hahlo: "They frame the action for those listening at home. It's good that we will record it live, because what you get are big chunks of Shakespeare interwoven into the to-ing and fro-ing of these waiters trying to get these speeches organised."
Cast:
Peter Quince ..... Richard Hahlo
Nick Bottom ..... Jonathan Cullen
Frances Flute ...... Fiona Dunn
Hermione ..... San Webber
Crispin ......Richard Attlee
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 05:00 Capital Gains (b007rq8b)
Series 1
Capital Return
Home at last, how will Julius Hutch come to terms with the bank that made him rich? Can he set himself up to live happily ever after?
Peter Jones stars as Julius Hutch.
Written by Collin Johnson.
Julius Hutch ...... Peter Jones
Pauline Tone ...... Celestine Randall
Sexton Lewis ...... Jeffrey Wickham
Peter Fang ...... Peter Whitman
News Reader ...... Collin Johnson
Kate ...... Justine Midda
Producer: Andy Jordan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1995.
SAT 05:30 Smelling of Roses (b007jrrq)
Series 1
A Good Cause
Rosie’s company is tasked to put together a charity gala concert in aid of the Afghans.
But there’s confusion over whether it’s for the people or the dogs?
Prunella Scales in Simon Brett's sitcom.
The trials and tribulations of Rosie Burns and her event management company, based in Brighton.
Rosie ...... Prunella Scales
Kate ...... Arabella Weir
Jo ...... Rebecca Callard
Bob ...... Duncan Preston
Tess ...... Annette Badland
Ginnie ...... Joanna Munro
Lady Helen ...... Celia Imrie
Producer: Maria Esposito
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2000.
SAT 06:00 Saturday Drama (b00s7yrb)
JB Priestley - An Inspector Calls
By J. B. Priestley
The Birlings are celebrating the engagement of their daughter Sheila when a police Inspector calls. Each member of the family is questioned about their relationship with a young woman, Eva Smith. And they each have to face up to their role in her tragic story.
Inspector Goole ... Toby Jones
Arthur Birling....David Calder
Sibyl Birling...Frances Barber
Sheila Birling ... Morvern Christie
Eric Birling ... Sam Alexander
Gerald Croft ...Geoffrey Streatfeild
Edna... Vineeta Rishi
Directed by Jeremy Mortimer.
SAT 07:30 The Seeds of Love (b00tvpvc)
Cecil Sharp collected thousands of songs to try and bring English folk music to a wider audience. Malcolm Taylor investigates. From August 2003.
SAT 07:58 Big Ben's Chimes (b03m78kj)
Big Ben as an Icon of Britain
Archive recordings and a new poem by Ian McMillan pay tribute to the chimes of Big Ben, familiar across the globe on BBC Radio.
SAT 08:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b01c6brd)
Series 7
Episode 18
From a gym in Minnesota, the American funny man welcomes a University Concert Choir and singing saw master Andy McCormick. From 2011.
SAT 09:00 Let's Get Quizzical (b0106tcv)
Brains, Pickles and Slips
Russell Davies' historical trawl through radio quiz and panel games includes Have a Go, Many a Slip, The News Quiz pilot and Twenty Questions, via numerous other classics.
SAT 11:58 Big Ben's Chimes (b03m78kj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:58 today]
SAT 12:00 The Tales of Beatrix Potter (Omnibus) (b0076gm4)
Five stories from celebrated children's author, Beatrix Potter - old favourites and some lesser known tales:
1. The Tale of Pigling Bland
Two young pigs embark on an adventure on the way to market. Starring Johnny Vegas and Morwenna Banks.
2. The Tale of Peter Rabbit
If there's one thing we should all know - it's NOT to go into Mr McGregor's garden. Starring Chris Addison.
3. The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck
Jemima looks for a quiet place to lay her eggs away from the farmer’s wife. Starring Janine Duvistki.
4. The Tale of Mr Tod
Tommy Brock the Badger and Mr Tod the fox are old enemies. Stars Seymour Mace and John Henshaw.
5. The Tale of Ginger and Pickles
A terrier and a ginger cat run a shop – mainly on credit. Stars Reece Shearsmith and John Henshaw.
Potter's love of the British landscape and its inhabitants - coupled with her world famous ability for storytelling - means she's been one of our most celebrated children's authors.
The timeless wonders of her stories pit the delight and childlike innocence of the very human characters against the dark and dramatic ruthlessness of the food-chain-led underbelly of Cumbria's fields and hedgerows.
Adapted and directed by Sean Grundy
Produced by Sally Harrison
A Woolyback production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2013.
SAT 13:15 Baldi (b007k085)
Series 3
The Bookcase
Paolo Baldi helps a librarian investigate the link between her young lover's death, a shifty Chicago cop and the surprisingly dangerous, illegal trade in rare books.
David Threlfall stars as the murder-solving priest, Paolo Baldi.
Written by Simon Brett.
With Tina Kellegher as Tina Mahon, Bill Nighy as O'Connor, TP McKenna as Father Troy, Geraldine James as Maggie,Owen Roe as Rynne, Gerard McSorley as Dr Virgo, Niall Buggy as Donal Clare, Luke Griffin as Billy and Collette Proctor as Kitty Henderson.
Format by Barry Devlin. Developed and produced by BBC Northern Ireland.
Script Editor: Gemma McMullan
Recorded at RTE's studios in Dublin.
Director: Mark Lambert
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
SAT 14:00 Dave Sheasby - Shifting the Leaves (b007jtch)
Episode 5
In her quest to finally come to terms with her Cornish past, Marjorie gets help from some youngsters.
Written by Dave Sheasby.
Marjorie Beaumont ...... Elizabeth Bradley.
Mrs Nugent ...... June Barrie
Mandy ...... Alison Pettitt
Tilson ...... Tristan Sturrock
Producer: David Hunter
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1998.
SAT 14:15 Puzzling Passions (b0075yr0)
Rock Paintings
Marcel Berlins gets his hands dirty when he delves into the world of tactile puzzles and a famous cube. From October 2000.
SAT 14:30 Jan Struther - Mrs Miniver (b00nnp65)
Back From Abroad; Three Stockings
The engaging stories of an English housewife, created in The Times of 1937 and immortalised on film. Read by Penelope Wilton.
SAT 14:45 The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi (b00xnddx)
Episode 5
Crippled by his comedy antics, the superstar clown must bow out. Kenneth Cranham concludes Andrew McConnell Stott's account. From December 2009.
SAT 15:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b01c6brd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Saturday Drama (b00s7yrb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Meet David Sedaris (b03m3nty)
Series 4
Episode 4
One of the world's funniest storytellers is back on BBC Radio 4 doing what he does best.
This week, the pros and cons of being grown up enough to have a guest room in "Company Man", and some more extracts from his hilarious diary, which he has kept nightly for over 30 years.
Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 18:00 Fear on 4 (b0088l6z)
Series 1
Speciality of the House
Mr Costain is introduced to a fine restaurant by his boss, but what exactly is in the Special? Stars Timothy West and the Man in Black, Edward De Souza.
SAT 18:30 The Price of Fear (b007jmgf)
Come as You Are
Horror film legend Vincent Price gets a chilling invitation to a very special costume party.
Co-starring Morris Perry, Betty Huntley-Wright and Peter Williams.
Scripted by Bill Ingram.
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in 1974.
SAT 18:58 Big Ben's Chimes (b03m78kj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:58 today]
SAT 19:00 Let's Get Quizzical (b0106tcv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 The Lawrence Sweeney Mix (b00kpybx)
Series 1
Episode 4
Something you find in the Attic – and an unusual gathering with the neighbours...
Josie Lawrence and Jim Sweeney make it up as they go along!
Faced with a live studio audience and a couple of microphones - the masters of improve create sketches from shouted out suggestions.
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2007.
SAT 22:30 The Jason Byrne Show (b01g7nry)
Series 2
Holidays
Award-winning comedian Jason Byrne tackles the stress of going on holiday.
Stand up and sketches with Laurence Howarth and Daisy Haggard.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2009.
SAT 23:00 Julie Enfield Investigates (b010nwbj)
Leaves of the Dead
4. Pyramids In The Spider
Rendered unconscious, detective superintendent Julie Enfield has been injected with a deadly drug.
Are Lawrence Evans and her dad in a position to help?
Conclusion of Nick Fisher’s atmospheric thriller starring Imelda Staunton as Julie Enfield.
Julie Enfield ...... Imelda Staunton
Dad ...... Geoffrey Matthews
Lawrence Evans ...... Ross Livingstone
Stephen Arnold ...... Alex Lowe
Amanda Thorne ...... Janet Maw
Melanie Sharp ...... Colleen Prendergast
Dorothy ...... Shirley Dixon
Phil Carter ...... Christopher Scott
Arthur Morton ...... Stephen Thorne
Richard Baker ...... Ioan Meredith
Sal ...... Tracy-Ann Oberman
Terry Faulkner ...... Hugh Dickson
Producer: Richard Wortley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1997.
SAT 23:30 Jennifer Donnelly - A Gathering Light (b0150pc2)
Episode 1
In 1906 the body of a drowned woman is found in Big Moose Lake, in upstate New York.
As the story behind Grace Brown's death unfolds, 17 year old Mattie Gokey must chose to between her desire to be a writer, and the excitement of a first romance.
Jennifer Donnelly's debut novel read by Vicki Simon.
Abridged by Penny Leicester.
Producer: Liz Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
SAT 23:45 The Late Alfred Hitchcock Presents (b00tqlfh)
The Waxwork
By AM Burrage. In a reprise of the director's celebrated series from beyond the grave, convincing effigies become all too real. Stars Michael Roberts.