In an attempt to save money, Pepys makes a new year resolution to cut back on theatre-going and drinking. He fails for a whole year. Kris Marshall returns as the famous diarist.
Jeremy Nicholas finds out what learning the piano means to Paul, a prisoner serving a life sentence for murder. From November 1999.
The two comedians get chatting in the tag-team talk show, where this week's guest is next week's interviewer. From February 2007.
With Jack Train, Dorothy Summers, Horace Percival, Diana Morrison, Dino Galvini, Sydney Keith, Fred Yule, Joan Capra and Paula Green.
It's That Man Again - ITMA made a radio superstar of Tommy Handley (1894-1949) and had more than 20 million devoted listeners to the BBC Home Service each week - with millions more around the world. The show's title came from a newspaper headline used in stories about Adolf Hitler in the lead up to the Second World War.
Catchphrases like "TTFN - Ta-Ta for now" and "Can I Do You Now, Sir?" coupled with a frenetic, topical approach made it utterly distinctive.
From 1939 to 1949, over 310 episodes were broadcast, breaking away from existing comedy and music hall conventions with an anarchic and irreverent style - created by its writer Ted Kavanagh.
BBC Variety Orchestra, conducted by Charles Shadwell.
Producer: Francis Worsley.
The follow up series to Round The Horne kicks off with the first all nude radio show - with a pull-out supplement.
Starring Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Joan Sims and announcer, Douglas Smith.
After the unexpected death of Kenneth Horne in 1969, plans for the next series of Round The Horne were axed. Instead - using an old catchphrase of Kenneth Williams as a series title - Kenneth joined Hugh Paddick to continue the comedy tradition and was also reunited with his "Carry On" film co-star Joan Sims.
With the Max Harris Group.
Sandy Chalmers takes an affectionate look back at the much loved BBC institution Children's Hour, which ran from 1922 to 1964 on the BBC Home Service. Sandy was first involved with Children's Hour as a child from 1953 to close down in 1964. Her selection in this edition:
The Big Pond: The Unhappy Dragon, by Bertha Lonsdale. A short play first broadcast in 1960 narrated by Trevor Hill. With Karal Gardner, Joseph Hancock and Brian Trueman.
The Fishing Bear, written and read by Bob Congdon. From 1954.
Toytown Plays: The Conversion of Mr. Growser, by SG Hulme Beaman. The Parade of the Tin Soldiers introduces a Toytown adventure featuring Larry the Lamb and Dennis the Dachshund. With Derek McCulloch, Arthur Wyan, Ralph de Kohan, Felix Felton, Norman Shelley and Stephen Jack. From 1951.
Sue MacGregor gathers together the key people responsible for building, co-ordinating and realising the creative concepts that became The Millennium Dome at Greenwich.
Following Labour's landslide election victory in May 1997, the Prime Minister Tony Blair was determined to change the way Britain saw itself and he seized upon the idea - mooted under the outgoing Tory government - to have a major event to celebrate the forthcoming new millennium.
After much discussion and heated argument it was decided to build a dome on the site of a disused gasworks on East London's Greenwich peninsular. It would stage a grand millennium extravaganza and house a year-long exhibition to rival the 1951 Festival of Britain.
It was a hugely controversial decision from the very start, and became a project rife with argument, sackings and constant flack from the press.
The person who took the brunt of the criticism was Chief Executive Jennie Page, who was eventually sacked - shortly after the opening night. This is the first time she has spoken publically about her personal millennium experience.
Sue also hears some hitherto unreported and little known stories of both the pain and the excitement of life under the Dome.
Jennie Page, the Dome's former Chief Executive.
Mike Davies, the flamboyant architect who designed the Dome structure.
Lord Charles Falconer, the Minister for the Dome who succeeded Peter Mandelson.
Eva Jiricna, designer of the Dome's 'Spirit Zone'.
Peter Higgins, who created the 'Play Zone'.
When a special gun is auctioned, one collector is alarmed to end up facing the wrong end of the barrel. Read by Joe Dunlop.
From St Augustine in Florida, the American funny man welcomes the Nashville Bluegrass Band and local vocalist JJ Grey. From 2010.
When a jockey is framed and loses his licence, he is determined to clear his name. Thriller starring Tony Osoba, Robert Lang and Bill Nighy.
Mel's highlights from the past week on the 4 O'Clock Show, including the wonderful whistling language of the Canary Islands and the art of putting on a fireworks display.
Rhysling, the blind singer of the spaceways, captures the beauty of space and complexities of being a spaceman in songs about his heroic adventures.
Snatches of his music are interwoven with the story of how he lost his sight and became Earth's unofficial chronicler of the universe.
Read by Adam Sims.
Written in 1947, 'The Green Hills of Earth' is recognised as one of the best-ever sci-fi stories by master writer, Robert A Heinlein (1907-1988).
Produced and abridged by Gemma Jenkins.
9. Attack
With the new society on the attack, Robert Neville refuses to leave his house.
Richard Matheson's 1954 cult classic set in 1976 USA. One of the 20th century's most significant vampire novels, combining sci-fi and horror
Concluded by Angus McInnes.
Abridged by Scott Stainton Miller.
Arthur Smith looks back across the biggest arts festival in Europe, with news, reviews and much more from the Fringe and beyond.
Alison O'Kill wants to read Ivor Cutler a poem, while Craig Murray-Orr can't think with the sun in his eyes.
A tale-toddling kittle of poems, songs and stories from the lodgings of humorist Ivor Cutler.
Passers-through include sculptor Craig Murray-Orr and apprentice wordsmith Alison O'Kill.
Arthur Smith looks back across the biggest arts festival in Europe, with news, reviews and much more from the Fringe and beyond.
Cycling solo on a tandem, the inept student is Russia-bound, fundraising for donkeys. Stars Marcus Brigstocke. From August 2002.
Arthur Smith looks back across the biggest arts festival in Europe, with news, reviews and much more from the Fringe and beyond.
Journalist Jon Ronson investigates the extraordinary story of Mary Turner Thompson, who experienced the worst internet date ever which lasted seven years and was to cause the total devastation of her life.
Edinburgh-based Mary met and married a man who told her he was a CIA agent. Jon visits her in Scotland and hears the incredible twisting and turning love story of Will and Mary. Will carried a gun and had to dash off to Israel at a moment's notice; Mary was left holding the baby, never knowing when he would come back, and was unable to contact him. She even feared a terrorist attack on her home. But the most bizarre twist was still to come.
MONDAY 25 AUGUST 2014
MON 00:00 Short Stories by Robert Heinlein (b00lblq5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 I Am Legend by Richard Matheson (b007k167)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 The Reunion (b00tf9bl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 Colin Dexter Short Stories (b007lnpx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 ITMA - It's That Man Again (b007jynj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 Stop Messing About! (b00b1p9t)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:00 Chain Reaction (b00mtpl4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:30 Dick Francis (b007mw9r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
13:30 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Children's Hour: Once Upon a Time (b00qmbkt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Detective (b04f8g8h)
Series 2
1. A Dream of Riches
A robbery from a scrap merchant turns out to be a far from straightforward case - and a 'quiet' student proves to be anything but...
Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr featuring long-serving, ducking-and-diving DS Dave Brook and his assistant, Detective Constable Blair Maxton.
CAST:
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
Peter Cleall as Detective Constable Harrison
Judy …. Jacqueline Tong
Mrs Brown …. Betty Alberge
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
Carson …. Tony Caunter
Inspector Stevens …. Nicholas Courtney
Writer Robert Barr is well remembered for his work on BBC TV's 'Z-Cars' and 'Softly Softly'.
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1982.
MON 06:30 The Last Picture Show (b0076xk5)
John Wilson meets behind-the-scenes staff and visitors to major art exhibitions in London, as they come to a close. From March 2006.
MON 07:00 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b0075ng9)
Series 3
Episode 1
Sofa-bound TV presenters Mike and Sue take on party food and reading, plus therapy - could it have helped the Beatles and Henry VIII?
Series 2 of Bill Dare's sitcom stars Robert Duncan and Jan Ravens.
With Ronnie Ancona, Alistair McGowan, Roger Blake and Steve Punt.
Music by Mark Burton.
Producer: Aled Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.
MON 07:30 Just a Minute (b04dk891)
Series 70
Episode 2
Hosted by the legendary Nicholas Parsons and recorded at the Edinburgh Festival - how hard can it be to talk for 60 seconds without hesitation, repetition or deviation? Gyles Brandreth, Paul Merton and Sue Perkins find out.
MON 08:00 J Kingston Platt's Showbiz Handbook (b007k19l)
My Stag Movie, part 1/2
The veteran auditionee recalls how sometimes talent can be found in the unlikeliest places - and sometimes it can't be found at all...
British show business doyen, J Kingston Platt shares reminiscences drawn from the wealth and the poverty of his experience from the past 40 years.
Performed and written by Peter Jones.
Producer: Pete Atkin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1986
MON 08:30 The Navy Lark (b007jsdx)
Series 1
Operation Fag End
With a top brass inspection due, 50,000 duty-free cigarettes are headed to the island!
Starring Leslie Phillips as the Sub-Lieutenant, Jon Pertwee as the Chief Petty Officer, Dennis Price as Number One, Richard Caldicot as Captain Povey, Pamela Buck as Joyce, Michael Bates as Commander Shaw, Ronnie Barker as AS Johnson and Tenniel Evans as Squadron Leader Pertwee.
Laughs afloat aboard British Royal Navy frigate HMS Troutbridge. The Navy Lark ran for an impressive thirteen series between 1959 and 1976.
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman.
Producer: Alastair Scott Johnston.
First broadcast on the Light Programme in April 1959.
MON 09:00 It's Your Round (b00yz3t4)
Series 1
Episode 3
Angus Deayton hosts the comedy panel show with no format.
Arthur Smith, Lucy Montgomery, Tom Wrigglesworth and Will Smith battle it out to see who can beat each other at their own games.
Find out the hilarity that ensues when each of them play the games they've brought along. What will Arthur make of Tom's "Re-wound, Sped Up Played Backwards"? How will Twitter-fan Will Smith get on with Lucy's "Twitter-witter-witter-who" game? And how much would it take for Tom Wrigglesworth to change his name to Adolf Hitler when he plays Arthur Smith's round?
Angus Deayton valiantly tries to make sure everyone comes out of it with their reputations intact.
Writers: Angus Deayton, Ged Parsons and Paul Powell
Devised by Benjamin Partridge
Producer: Sam Michell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2011.
MON 09:30 My First Planet (b04fc5pq)
Series 2
Day Trip to Terror!
What better time for Social Media to kick in than on a dangerous search-and-rescue mission on the planet's surface? And just why is Lillian replacing her nose?
The return of the hit sitcom starring Nicholas Lyndhurst and Vicki Pepperdine (Getting On) set on a shiny new planet.
Welcome to the colony. We're aware that, having been in deep cryosleep for 73 years, you may be in need of some supplementary information.
Unfortunately, Burrows the leader of the colony has died on the voyage so his Number 2, Brian (Nicholas Lyndhurst), is now in charge. He's a nice enough chap, but no alpha male, and his desire to sort things out with a nice friendly meeting infuriates the colony's Chief Physician Lillian (Vicki Pepperdine), who'd really rather everyone was walking round in tight colour-coded tunics and saluting each other. She's also in charge of Project Adam, the plan to conceive and give birth to the first colony-born baby. Unfortunately, the two people hand-picked for this purpose - Carol and Richard - were rather fibbing about being a couple, just to get on the trip.
Add in an entirely unscrupulous Chief Scientist, Mason and also Archer, an idiot maintenance man who believes he's an "empath" rather than a plumber, and you're all set to answer the question - if humankind were to colonise space, is it destined to succumb to self-interest, prejudice and infighting? (By the way, the answer's "yes". Sorry.)
Written by Phil Whelans
Produced and Directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4.
MON 10:00 Jane Austen (b008h3ns)
Emma
1. The Matchmaker
Emma Woodhouse - handsome, clever and rich - is a young woman so blessed by life that she declares she will never marry.
However, she is determined to find the right match for her new friend Harriet Smith.
Jane Austen's sparkling comedy of love and marriage first published in 1815.
Emma Woodhouse ...... Eve Best
Mr Elton ...... David Bamber
Mr Knightley ...... Robert Bathurst
Mr Woodhouse ...... Norman Rodway
Miss Bates ...... Marcia Warren
Mrs Weston ...... Patience Tomlinson
Harriet Smith ...... Ellie Beaven
Mr Weston ...... Andrew Wincott
Jane Fairfax ...... Beth Chalmers
Frank Churchill ...... Tom Hollander
Dramatised in two parts by April de Angelis.
Music: Martin Souter and Sarah Stowe
Director: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2000.
MON 11:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fbr)
Shaft
An awkward encounter between a suited American and a pregnant woman in a stuck lift. Written and read by Anne Enright.
MON 11:15 Loose Ends (b04f8fbd)
Danny Wallace, Rodney P, Robin Hobb, Matthew Parker, Leo Leigh, Luke Sital-Singh, Bitter Ruin
From 1946 until the end of his life, Ian Fleming lived for two months of every year at the house he built on Jamaica's north coast. All the Bond novels and stories were written here. In his new book Goldeneye, Matthew Parker tells Danny how for Fleming, Jamaica was the perfect mix of British old-fashioned imperial values, and of the dangerous and sensual; the same curious combination that made the Bond novels so appealing and successful.
Fact or Fiction: The Life and Times of a Ping Pong Hustler is a chronicle of the final three years of Marty Reisman's life, a former international table tennis champion-turned-money player. Pursuing notoriety through his idiosyncratic lifestyle and motivated by his love of fame and Ping Pong, he inadvertently has to face his biggest fear: mortality. Film maker Leo Leigh talks about how he chronicled Marty's complex mix of childlike excitement, eccentric narcissism and constant charm.
Twenty years after the publication of classic novel Assassin's Apprentice, Robin Hobb returns to her best-loved characters with Fool's Assassin. One of the world's finest writers of epic fiction, Robin was raised in Alaska, where she learned how to raise a wolf cub, skin a moose and survive in the wilderness.
Why hasn't the food-obsessed British public caught on to curry goat or ackee and salt fish like it has korma, kebab and chicken chow-mein? For Notting Hill Carnival weekend, Rodney P, the Godfather of UK Rap, talks to Nikki Bedi about his mission to get to the bottom of this multicultural mystery.
With music from BITTER RUIN who perform Diggers from their album Waves and more music from LUKE SITAL-SINGH who performs Nothing Stays The Same from his album The Fire Inside
Producer: Sukey Firth.
MON 12:00 J Kingston Platt's Showbiz Handbook (b007k19l)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
MON 12:30 The Navy Lark (b007jsdx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
MON 13:00 Detective (b04f8g8h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
MON 13:30 The Last Picture Show (b0076xk5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
MON 14:00 Book at Beachtime (b0125j6y)
SJ Watson - Before I Go to Sleep
Episode 1
What if you lost your memory every time you went to sleep?
How would you cope with having to relearn your history every day only to lose it again?
In SJ Watson's desperately compelling and ambitious debut thriller, a woman has no memory of who she is.
She lives in the suburbs cared for by her husband, she can't work, she doesn't have any friends, she's trying to live a normal life but she can't remember anything when she wakes up in the morning. Slowly she starts to try and rebuild her memory, to piece together what has happened to her, who she is.
This is Christine's story.
This Debut thriller has been attracting a lot of attention and is part of Radio 4 Extra's Book at Beachtime Special Season.
Abridged by Alison Joseph
Read by Stella Gonet
Produced by Lucy Collingwood
MON 14:30 15 Minute Drama (b01b9b7s)
The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Series 3
Episode 1
Kris Marshall and Katherine Jakeways return as Mr and Mrs Pepys in Hattie Naylor's dramatisation of the diary for 1662 - a year which begins badly when Sam accidentally whacks Elizabeth in the eye with his elbow as he's waking up. On Twelfth Night they enjoy a feast, including eighteen mince pies, with their neighbours, Lord and Lady Batten, who are also celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary on that day. There's more entertainment on a night out at the theatre when they see Romeo and Juliet - but decide it's the worst play - and the worst acted - they've ever seen.
Cast
Samuel Pepys . . . Kris Marshall
Elizabeth Pepys . . . Katherine Jakeways
Captain Holmes . . . Andrew Wincott
Sir William Batten . . . Richard Mitchley
Lady Batten . . . Marilyn le Conte
Will . . . John Biddle
Captain Cook/Mr Saville . . . Matthew Gravelle
Jane . . . Rebecca Newman
Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter.
Historical consultant: Liza Picard
Sound by Nigel Lewis
A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll.
MON 14:45 Ferdinand Mount - Cold Cream (b00yqtxr)
Episode 1
Memoirs of Tory grandee and Thatcher adviser, Ferdinand Mount. Italy and mysteries of cold cream. Read by Oliver Ford Davies.
MON 15:00 Jane Austen (b008h3ns)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
MON 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b04fc6tb)
Richard Hammond reads the next episode of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again, Mel meets some unusual mummies, and listeners learn how to make some very tasty pancakes.
MON 17:00 Second Thoughts (b00fnfp3)
Series 2
There Goes the Bride
It's Faith and Bill's wedding day - can they manage to tie the knot?
Sitcom about the battles of divorcees Bill MacGregor and Faith Greyshott trying to forge a relationship whilst balancing the demands of his ex-wife, Liza and her teenage children, Hannah and Joe.
Stars Lynda Bellingham as Faith, James Bolam as Bill, Celia Imrie as Hilary, Kelda Holmes as Hannah, Mark Denham as Joe, Belinda Lang as Liza, John Baddeley as the Registrar, Richard Tate as the Video Man and Ben Onwukwe as the Cabbie.
Series two of four inspired by the real lives of its writers, husband and wife Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie.
A TV version made by LWT for ITV appeared in 1991 and ran for four series, with a spin-off ‘Faith in the Future’.
Producer: Sioned Wiliam
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1989.
MON 17:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b0075ng9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
MON 18:00 It's Your Round (b00yz3t4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
MON 18:30 A Good Read (b04fc6y4)
Mavis Nicholson and Toyah Willcox
4 Extra Debut. Tom Sutcliffe, Mavis Nicholson and Toyah Willcox discuss books by Anne Tyler, Ben Okri and F Scott Fitzgerald. From March 1998.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Publisher: Penguin
The Famished Road by Ben Okri
Publisher: Vintage
Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler
Publisher: Vintage.
MON 19:00 J Kingston Platt's Showbiz Handbook (b007k19l)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
MON 19:30 The Navy Lark (b007jsdx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
MON 20:00 Detective (b04f8g8h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
MON 20:30 The Last Picture Show (b0076xk5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
MON 21:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fbr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
MON 21:15 Loose Ends (b04f8fbd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
MON 22:00 Just a Minute (b04dk891)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
MON 22:30 My First Planet (b04fc5pq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
MON 23:00 Old Harry's Game (b00whwzs)
Series 6
Psychiatry
Edith quizzes Satan about "The Fall", but Satan sees it more as "The Push" and feels God has anger-management issues.
Andy Hamilton's comedy set in Hell.
Starring Andy Hamilton as Satan, Annette Crosbie as Edith, Robert Duncan as Scumspawn and Jimmy Mulville as Thomas.
Other characters played by Michael Fenton Stevens, Philip Pope and Felicity Montagu
Producer Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2007.
MON 23:30 World of Pub (b007v1dk)
Series 2
Episode 4
Dodgy Phil lays on an unusual awards ceremony to improve the faded fortunes of Barry and Garry's pub.
Tony Roche's comedy about the world's worst pub in London's East End.
Dodgy Phil ...... John Thomson
Barry ...... Phil Cornwell
Garry ...... Alistair McGowan
Bob ...... Tony Roche
With Debra Stephenson and Simon Greenall.
Special effects: Carl Phillips and Nick Romero.
Music: Bill Bailey
Producer: Jane Berthoud
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1999.
TUESDAY 26 AUGUST 2014
TUE 00:00 Book at Beachtime (b0125j6y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 15 Minute Drama (b01b9b7s)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Monday]
TUE 00:45 Ferdinand Mount - Cold Cream (b00yqtxr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 It's Your Round (b00yz3t4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 A Good Read (b04fc6y4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Detective (b04f8g8h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 The Last Picture Show (b0076xk5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Jane Austen (b008h3ns)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fbr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:15 Loose Ends (b04f8fbd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Second Thoughts (b00fnfp3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Monday]
TUE 05:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b0075ng9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Detective (b04fc958)
Series 2
2. Two on the Run
Detective Sergeant Dave Brook finds himself pursuing a pair of foolish students - and fighting for a share of police resources.
Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr featuring long-serving, ducking-and-diving DS Dave Brook and his assistant, Detective Constable Blair Maxton.
CAST:
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Judy …. Jacqueline Tong
DS Kelly …. John Judd
Anna …. Emily Morgan
Clark …. Gary Cady
Drayton …. Stephen Garlick
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1982.
TUE 06:30 The Storytellers (b00770r5)
Adrian Chiles investigates the growing ranks of Britain's professional storytellers, guardians of our oral tradition and performers of hundreds of ancient fables that resonate with modern meaning.
TUE 07:00 The Fall of the Mausoleum Club (b007jqjk)
The Charge of the Boys' Brigade
Miss Primrose is ordered to travel to South Africa and murder General Cheeseman. With Alison Steadman. From September 1988.
TUE 07:30 Meet David Sedaris (b03lnprh)
Series 4
#2 to Go; Innocents Abroad
One of the world's funniest storytellers is back on BBC Radio 4 doing what he does best.
This week, in "#2 to Go", a trip to China does not work out well for David - especially on the food front.
The second story is called "Innocents Abroad" and tackles the tricky tightrope of "going native" when learning a foreign language.
Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 08:00 The Goon Show (b007jpcq)
Series 8
The Space Age
Neddy and Crun attempt to launch Min into space, but she gets stuck up the chimney. Stars Spike Milligan. From November 1957.
TUE 08:30 Doctor in the House (b007jt20)
Our First Operation
Sir Lancelot Spratt causes alarm for medic Simon Sparrow in the operating theatre.
The misadventures of student doctor Simon Sparrow - adapted for radio by Ray Cooney from Richard Gordon's novel 'Doctor in the House' published in 1952.
Starring Richard Briers as Simon Sparrow, Geoffrey Sumner as Sir Lancelot Spratt, Ray Cooney as Tony Benskin, Edward Cast as Taffy Evans and Ann Murray as Sister.
Producer: David Hatch
Recorded at the BBC Paris studio in London.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1968.
TUE 09:00 Who Goes There? (b007w4f8)
Series 2
Episode 4
Martin Young chairs the quiz looking at lives of the noteworthy and notorious from the history books.
Tackling the biographical teasers are team captains Francis Wheen and Fred Housego with guests Polly Toynbee and Miles Kington.
Producer: Aled Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1998.
TUE 09:30 The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere (b007jsn0)
Series 2
2nd October 1799
Domestic bliss is enhanced by the arrival of John Sheets. Views are exchanged on the desirability of the married state. And a game of cricket is proposed...
An everyday story of towering genius in Sue Limb's six-part soap opera, set in and around the Lake District at the turn of the 18th century.
Stars Geoffrey Whitehead as William Wordsmith, Denise Coffey as Dorothy Wordsmith, Simon Callow as Samuel Tailor Cholericke, Miriam Margolyes as Stinking Iris, Chris Emmett as the Leechpedlar and Nicky Henson as John Sheets.
Music by Stephen Oliver and performed by Cantabile.
Producer: Jonathan James-Moore
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1987.
TUE 10:00 Jane Austen (b008h4xg)
Emma
2. Proposal
Emma's composure is threatened by two new arrivals in Highbury - Mr Elton's new wife and Mr Weston's handsome son.
Conclusion of Jane Austen's sparkling comedy of love and marriage first published in 1815.
Emma Woodhouse ...... Eve Best
Mr Elton ...... David Bamber
Mr Knightley ...... Robert Bathurst
Mr Woodhouse ...... Norman Rodway
Miss Bates ...... Marcia Warren
Mrs Weston ...... Patience Tomlinson
Harriet Smith ...... Ellie Beaven
Mr Weston ...... Andrew Wincott
Frank Churchill ...... Tom Hollander
Mrs Elton ...... Josie Lawrence
Mr Elton ...... David Bamber
Servant ...... Helen Ayres
Music: Martin Souter
Dramatised by April de Angelis.
Director: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2000.
TUE 11:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fc5)
Tiger Man
As the second Gulf War erupts, Simon wants to 'retard thought implantation'. Written by Mimi Thebo. Read by Stephen Perring.
TUE 11:15 John Graham - Resting (b01p7j2n)
Murder, theft and romance in a home for elderly actors. Stars Googie Withers, Wendy Hiller, Michael Denison and Jimmy Jewel. From April 1991.
TUE 12:00 The Goon Show (b007jpcq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 12:30 Doctor in the House (b007jt20)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Detective (b04fc958)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 13:30 The Storytellers (b00770r5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 14:00 Book at Beachtime (b0125m78)
SJ Watson - Before I Go to Sleep
Episode 2
What if you lost your memory every time you went to sleep?
How would you cope with having to relearn your history every day only to lose it again?
In SJ Watson's desperately compelling and ambitious debut thriller, a woman has no memory of who she is. She lives in the suburbs cared for by her husband, she can't work, she doesn't have any friends, she's trying to live a normal life but she can't remember anything when she wakes up in the morning. Slowly she starts to try and rebuild her memory, to piece together what has happened to her, who she is.
This is Christine's story.
Abridged by Alison Joseph
Read by Stella Gonet
Produced by Lucy Collingwood
TUE 14:30 15 Minute Drama (b01b9jnw)
The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Series 3
Episode 2
In Hattie Naylor's dramatisation of Pepys' diary for 1662, Sam wants to go on a jaunt to Portsmouth with Captain Cook - a trip combining navy business with pleasure. But Elizabeth is not so keen on him going without her, especially as he insists on sending her away from London to the country where she'll get no visitors. On Sam's return they see a puppet show at Covent Garden, and catch up on court gossip with Lord Sandwich - the new Queen is about to arrive from Portugal but the King is still spending most nights with his mistress, Lady Castlemaine.
CAST
Samuel Pepys . . . Kris Marshall
Elizabeth Pepys . . . Katherine Jakeways
Sir William Batten . . . Richard Mitchley
Sir William Coventry . . . Andrew Wincott
Jane . . . Rebecca Newman
Captain Cook . . . Matthew Gravelle
Mr Hollier . . . Gareth Pierce
Lord Sandwich . . . Blake Ritson
Will . . . John Biddle
Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter.
Historical consultant: Liza Picard
Sound by Nigel Lewis
A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll.
TUE 14:45 Ferdinand Mount - Cold Cream (b00yrshz)
Episode 2
Shooting with father leads to farce and tragedy. Tory grandee Ferdinand Mount's memoir, read by Oliver Ford Davies.
TUE 15:00 Jane Austen (b008h4xg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
TUE 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b04fcczd)
Inventions galore on today's show as Mel visits the British Inventions Show and hears about how some familiar things were invented. Plus a visit to the workshop of a goldsmith.
TUE 17:00 Up the Garden Path (b0089kjs)
Series 3
New Men
Izzy moves into a new flat and faces a new term, but will she find a new man?
Tumbling from one love entanglement to another, 30 something teacher Izzy Comyn has a predilection for inappropriate men.
Imelda Staunton stars as Izzy.
An 6-part radio sequel adapted from Sue Limb’s 1984 novel. The last of 3 series which ran from 1987 to 1993. Granada also adapted the series for ITV.
Izzy ...... Imelda Staunton
Dick ...... Mike Grady
Michael ...... Nicholas Le Prevost
Maria ...... Marty Cruickshank
Louise ...... Phyllida Nash
Razors ...... Rene Zagger
Marianne ...... Deborah Findlay
Gwyn ...... Sion Probert
Brown ...... Geoffrey McGivern
Producer: Jonathan James-Moore
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1993.
TUE 17:30 The Fall of the Mausoleum Club (b007jqjk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
TUE 18:00 Who Goes There? (b007w4f8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
TUE 18:30 Musical Legends (b016wzww)
Gerry Marsden
1/1 Gerry and the Pacemakers made pop history when their first three singles reached the top of the pop charts in the 1960's.
Signed by Brian Epstein their first single 'How Do You Do It' was originally given to The Beatles but the Fab Four decided against it and the song, which was recorded in the famous Abbey Road Studio in London, launched Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1963. Later that year 'I Like It' and 'You'll Never Walk Along' secured their place in pop history.
The group featured in the film Ferry Cross The Mersey which showed the sights and sounds of Liverpool at the time. The group's leader Gerry Marsden wrote the title song which was a top ten hit for the band.
Gerry went on to star on the West End Stage in Charlie Girl with Anna Neagle and Derek Nimmo.
Gerry's still touring and playing the hits and will be appearing this month in Perth, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Talking to Tom Morton, Gerry recalls his friendship with John Lennon, those extraordinary days when they topped the pop charts and Tom asks him how, after nearly fifty years in the business , how do you do it?
TUE 19:00 The Goon Show (b007jpcq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Doctor in the House (b007jt20)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 20:00 Detective (b04fc958)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 20:30 The Storytellers (b00770r5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 21:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fc5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
TUE 21:15 John Graham - Resting (b01p7j2n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
TUE 22:00 Meet David Sedaris (b03lnprh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
TUE 22:30 Fags, Mags and Bags (b010t5wm)
Series 4
Ayabassa Alan
More shop based shenanigans and over the counter philosophy, courtesy of Ramesh Mahju and his trusty sidekick Dave.
Written by and starring Donald McLeary and Sanjeev Kohli, Fags, Mags & Bags has proved a hit with the Radio 4 audience with this series picking up a Writers' Guild nomination for best comedy in 2011.
In this episode, which guest stars Kevin Eldon, the new dance craze Ayabassa sweeps the town. Meanwhile Dave finds a new friend in the shape of the local doctor which puts Ramesh's nose out.
So join the staff of Fags, Mags and Bags in their tireless quest to bring nice-price custard creams and cans of coke with Arabic writing on them to an ungrateful nation.
Ramesh Mahju has built up the business over the course of thirty years, and is a firmly entrenched feature of the local area. However, he does apply the "low return" rules of the shop to all other aspects of his life.
He is ably assisted by his shop sidekick Dave, a forty-something underachiever who shares Ramesh's love of the art of shopkeeping, even if he is treated like a slave.
Then of course there are Ramesh's sons, Sanjay and Alok, both surly and not particularly keen on the old school approach to shopkeeping. But they are natural successors to the business and Ramesh is keen to pass all his worldly wisdom onto them - whether they like it or not.
Cast:
Ramesh ..... Sanjeev Kohli
Dave ..... Donald Mcleary
Sanjay ..... Omar Raza
Alok ..... Susheel Kumar
Dr Southwell ..... Kevin Eldon
Mrs Begg ..... Marjory Hogarth
Mrs Armstrong ..... Maureen Carr
Lovely Sue ..... Julie Wilson Nimmo
Bra Jeff ..... Steven McNicol
Producer: Gus Beattie
A Comedy Unit production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b04g4mwr)
The best in contemporary comedy. Tonight, Aisling Bea chats to Sharon Horgan.
TUE 23:00 The Maltby Collection (b00ct1wk)
Series 1
Episode 5
The senior management team head off to a conference on the Isle of Wight, leaving Rod in charge of the museum...
Geoffrey Palmer and Julian Rhind-Tutt star in David Nobbs’ sitcom about a small museum of paintings and sculpture.
Rod Millet ...... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Walter Brindle ...... Geoffrey Palmer
Prunella Edgecumbe ...... Rachel Atkins
Julian Crumb-Loosely ...... Ben Willbond
Des Wainwright ...... Michael Smiley
Eva Tattle ...... Julia Deakin
Wilf Arbuthnot ...... Geoff McGivern
Stelios Constantinopolis ...... Chris Pavlo
Dave Edgecumbe ...... Anthony Glennon
Lofty Harmsworth ...... Simon Treves
Gus ...... John Dougall
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2007.
TUE 23:30 And Now in Colour (b007jscz)
Series 2
Stately Home
The team take the audience on a posh day out. Starring Tim de Jongh, William Vandyck and Tim Firth. From January 1991.
WEDNESDAY 27 AUGUST 2014
WED 00:00 Book at Beachtime (b0125m78)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 15 Minute Drama (b01b9jnw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 00:45 Ferdinand Mount - Cold Cream (b00yrshz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Who Goes There? (b007w4f8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Musical Legends (b016wzww)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Detective (b04fc958)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Storytellers (b00770r5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Jane Austen (b008h4xg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fc5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:15 John Graham - Resting (b01p7j2n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Up the Garden Path (b0089kjs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:30 The Fall of the Mausoleum Club (b007jqjk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Detective (b04fcx1d)
Series 2
3. A Meeting With Anna
Tension between DS Dave Brook and DS Sam Kelly is showing. Meanwhile Anna asks for help. Can she be trusted?
Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr featuring long-serving, ducking-and-diving DS Dave Brook and his assistant, Detective Constable Blair Maxton.
CAST:
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Judy …. Jacqueline Tong
DS Kelly …. John Judd
Anna …. Emily Morgan
PC Anderson …. Stephen Garlick
Clark …. Gary Cady
Jenkins …. David Milner
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1982.
WED 06:30 School of Rock (b0076ypk)
Folk, Jazz and Rock 'n' Roll
4 Extra Debut. Andy Kershaw goes back to Leeds University to see how jazz, folk and rock went to college. With Pete Townshend. From June 2006.
WED 07:00 An Actor's Life for Me (b00rzqpw)
Series 3
The Police Farce
Robert Wilson is acting in a disorderly manner.
Farcical sitcom about the trials and tribulations of a young actor desperately seeking work.
John Gordon Sinclair stars in Paul Mayhew-Archer's sitcom.
Robert ..... John Gordon Sinclair
Desmond Shaw ..... Gary Waldhorn
Sue ..... Gina McKee
With:
Toby Longworth
Simon Slater
Jon Glover
Millie Tiffin
Harriet Thorpe
Andrew Berkeley
Producer: Diane Messias
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1993.
WED 07:30 Dead Ringers (b04dn1ry)
Series 12
Episode 4
After a rest of 7 years, the classic, award winning impressions show is back with a new cast of characters.
No one will be safe from the merciless parodies, as the show takes down every programme, institution and politician you hold dear.
Starring Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey, Lewis MacLeod, Debra Stevenson.
Producer: Bill Dare.
WED 08:00 The Burkiss Way (b007jr1v)
Series 3
Not to Be Unwrapped the Burkiss Way
Queen Victoria needs some help with a personal problem - and all is revealed 'Upstairs Downstairs'.
Starring Fred Harris, Jo Kendall, Nigel Rees and Chris Emmett .
Cult sketch comedy series which originally ran from 1976 to 1980.
Written by Andrew Marshall and David Renwick.
Producer: John Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1977.
WED 08:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00f6r5f)
Series 2
Episode 1
A trendy couple debate "what's in and what's out" - and a lonesome two-headed giant.
More quick-fire sketches, terrible puns, humorous songs plus TV and cinema parodies.
Stars Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie.
Written by John Cleese, Graeme Garden, Tony Hendra, Brian Cooke, Johnnie Mortimer and Hugh Woodhouse.
Originating from the Cambridge University Footlights revue 'Cambridge Circus', ISIRTA ran for 8 years on BBC Radio and quickly developed a cult following.
Songs by Bill Oddie and Jean Hart with music by Dave Lee.
Producer: Humphrey Barclay
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in October 1965.
WED 09:00 Dilemma (b017c9pp)
Series 1
Episode 2
Sue Perkins puts Nick Revel, Danielle Ward, Grace Dent and Ricky Wilson through the moral and ethical wringer in the show where there are no "right" answers - but some deeply damning ones...
Would you let an annoying colleague take credit for your work if it meant they would get a job elsewhere?
Would you take part in a sham marriage?
Plus the panel try to solve some Dilemmas from the audience.
Devised by Danielle Ward.
Producer: Ed Morrish.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.
WED 09:30 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b007jv5j)
Series 2
Episode 6
Ad man Ken Handley faces his own emergency when he's coerced into a Samaritans campaign. Stars Martin Jarvis. From March 1984.
WED 10:00 David Cook - Walter Now (b00gh9dg)
by David Cook. In 1982 Channel 4 launched with "Walter", directed by Stephen Frears and starring Ian McKellen as a man with learning difficulties. More than 25 years later award-winning writer David Cook brings us up to date with Walter's life and Ian McKellen recreates his extraordinary performance.
Walter.....Ian McKellen
Steph.....Becky Hindley
Mr Herd.....Malcolm Tierney
Mary.....Anna-Marie Heslop
Bernard.....Robert Londsdale
Terry.....Gunnar Cauthery
Tom.....Edmund Davies
Mrs Hall.....Jill Cardo
Boy.....Ceallach Spellman
Director Claire Grove
In November 1982, a Channel 4 launched with "Walter" by David Cook, directed by Stephen Frears and starring Ian McKellen as a man with learning difficulties. It was an outstandingly truthful social commentary, heartbreaking and thought provoking. More than 25 years later award-winning writer David Cook brings us up to date with Walter's life in 'Walter Now' and Sir Ian McKellen recreates his extraordinary performance.
Walter is now a pensioner. Following the death of his mother Walter spent many years living in a psychiatric hospital. When that was closed down he moved to hostel accommodation where he is isolated and lonely. When his support worker hears of a house share with three others he suggests Walter. But Walter is twice the age of the rest. Will they accept him? Will he cope with independent living? Will they integrate with the community around them?
Sir Ian McKellen is best known for Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings. Other recent films include The Da Vinci Code and The X-Men. His portrayal of King Lear for the RSC in 2006-7 was much acclaimed and was released on DVD in January 2009.
David Cook is a stage and television actor who began to write novels in the early 1970s.
WED 11:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fcp)
Putting It Across
Can Colin command authority when he becomes the manager of an over-35s amateur football team? Written and read by Matt Harvey.
WED 11:15 Annie Caulfield - On the Field (b01pkmq6)
Craig has joined the army to get away from football, but somehow the game has followed him to Basra. Stars Daniel Abelson.
WED 12:00 The Burkiss Way (b007jr1v)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 12:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00f6r5f)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 13:00 Detective (b04fcx1d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 13:30 School of Rock (b0076ypk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 14:00 Book at Beachtime (b0125mth)
SJ Watson - Before I Go to Sleep
Episode 3
What if you lost your memory every time you went to sleep?
How would you cope with having to relearn your history every day only to lose it again?
In SJ Watson's desperately compelling and ambitious debut thriller, a woman has no memory of who she is. She lives in the suburbs cared for by her husband, she can't work, she doesn't have any friends, she's trying to live a normal life but she can't remember anything when she wakes up in the morning. Slowly she starts to try and rebuild her memory, to piece together what has happened to her, who she is...
This is Christine's story.
Abridged by Alison Joseph
Read by Stella Gonet
Produced by Lucy Collingwood
WED 14:30 15 Minute Drama (b01bb7jc)
The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Series 3
Episode 3
In Hattie Naylor's dramatisation of 1662, Samuel witnesses the death of Henry Vane, a Puritan executed after an unfair trial. At home he tends to his appearance, by having Jane comb out his hair which is 'foul with powdering and other troubles', and bathe his feet in herbs. There is much discussion of the new Queen's poor fashion sense - she wears old fashioned farthingales and has a hairstyle not seen in England for years. Elizabeth, meanwhile, appears to be going deaf - until Mr Hollier, the doctor, comes to the rescue.
CAST
Samuel Pepys . . . Kris Marshall
Elizabeth Pepys . . . Katherine Jakeways
Henry Vane/Swan . . . Matthew Gravelle
Lord Sandwich . . . Blake Ritson
Jane . . . Rebecca Newman
Mr Hollier . . . Gareth Pierce
Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter.
Historical consultant: Liza Picard
Sound by Nigel Lewis
A BBC Cymru Wales Production, directed by Kate McAll.
WED 14:45 Ferdinand Mount - Cold Cream (b00yrw87)
Episode 3
After a letter from the bank manager, Ferdinand needs employment. The writer and politician's memoir read by Oliver Ford Davies.
WED 15:00 David Cook - Walter Now (b00gh9dg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
WED 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b04fd4q2)
Mel visits the Museum of Flight and learns how to fly, meets the Red Arrows and learns about ejector seats. Plus, sing along with the man who wrote the music for Mary Poppins.
WED 17:00 Hats Off (b00n4901)
Series 2
Episode 1
Maureen Lipman compiles and reinterprets monologues, letters and songs originally written and performed by Joyce Grenfell.
WED 17:30 An Actor's Life for Me (b00rzqpw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
WED 18:00 Dilemma (b017c9pp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
WED 18:30 Off the Page (b00769n0)
Style
4 Extra Debut. Novelists Richard Francis and Michael Bracewell and former Design Museum director Alice Rawsthorn debate 'style'. From September 2002.
Matthew Parris introduces a group of writers of fact and fiction: new talent and established names. In the context of a discussion of one of the ideas and pre-occupations of our times, each presents a piece on this week's topic.
The best new writing and the freshest conversation from 2002.
WED 19:00 The Burkiss Way (b007jr1v)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 19:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00f6r5f)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 20:00 Detective (b04fcx1d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 20:30 School of Rock (b0076ypk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 21:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fcp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
WED 21:15 Annie Caulfield - On the Field (b01pkmq6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
WED 22:00 Dead Ringers (b04dn1ry)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
WED 22:30 Elvenquest (b01616lj)
Series 3
Episode 1
When Sam is left behind to "guard the stuff" whilst the others are off killing the Man-munching Giant of Rankor he is accosted by a beautiful maiden, Eirwen, who has been kept captive in the giant's castle and takes Sam to be her rescuer. She promptly proposes, throwing the future of the Questers' Fellowship into jeopardy.
Meanwhile, Lord Darkness' attempts to conquer Lower Earth take a new turn when Kreech discovers an ancient prophesy enabling Lord Darkness to create the "UnChosen One", an evil spirit that is the only being that can defeat the Chosen One.
Problem is, it means Lord Darkness has to impregnate a hideous, misshapen creature. If only there was one of those close to hand...
Fantasy-based sitcom set in Lower Earth written by Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto.
Sam …. Stephen Mangan
Lord Darkness …. Alistair McGowan
Dean/Kreech …. Kevin Eldon
Vidar …. Darren Boyd
EirwenMartha Howe-Douglas
Amis ‘The Chosen One’ …. Dave Lamb
Penthiselea …. Sophie Winkleman
Producer: Sam Michell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2011.
WED 23:00 The Shuttleworths (b007m950)
John Shuttleworth's Open Mind
Vampires
On the trail of vampires, John Shuttleworth visits Whitby.
But when the investigation hits full tilt he gets worried about the health of next-door neighbour Ken Worthington. Could he be Dracula's latest victim?
Sheffield's premier singer-songwriter continues his probe into unsolved phenomena.
With a guest appearance by Fame Academy's Alistair Griffin.
Written and performed by Graham Fellows.
Additional material by Dean Wilkinson.
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2006.
WED 23:30 Sarah at the Stand (b014qt9s)
Episode 4
Sarah Millican is in Edinburgh for stand-up and backstage chat with Stephen Carlin and Jim Jefferies. From October 2010.
WED 23:45 Poets' Tree (b00srg4q)
Episode 4
Paul Hamilton looks at pop music's poetic merits plus a tribute to an unheralded genius. Stars Kevin Eldon. From April 2008.
THURSDAY 28 AUGUST 2014
THU 00:00 Book at Beachtime (b0125mth)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 15 Minute Drama (b01bb7jc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 00:45 Ferdinand Mount - Cold Cream (b00yrw87)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Dilemma (b017c9pp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Off the Page (b00769n0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Detective (b04fcx1d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 School of Rock (b0076ypk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 David Cook - Walter Now (b00gh9dg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fcp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:15 Annie Caulfield - On the Field (b01pkmq6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Hats Off (b00n4901)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:30 An Actor's Life for Me (b00rzqpw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Detective (b04fgp85)
Series 2
4. Contract to Kill
DC Maxton finds himself in line for a possible promotion, while DS Brook gets a visit from a mystery woman...
Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr featuring long-serving, ducking-and-diving DS Dave Brook and his assistant, Detective Constable Blair Maxton.
CAST:
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
Chief Inspector …. Stephen Yardley
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Judy …. Jacqueline Tong
DS Kelly …. John Judd
Anna …. Emily Morgan
Tessa Mitchell …. Deidre Costello
Ronald Blake …. Roy Holder
Desk Sergeant …. Steve Hodson
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1982.
THU 06:30 School of Rock (b0076ysk)
From Glory Days to Disco
Andy Kershaw investigates how the arrival of punk and disco affected the student music scene. With Captain Sensible. From June 2006.
THU 07:00 Stockport, So Good They Named It Once (b007jrfl)
Series 1
Focus
Jason reckons his cheating ex-girlfriend wants him back, Dave gets his new company car - and Karen brings home a potential new member of the family.
The lives of the Stockport-based, Conroy family - in series 1 of Jim Poyser and Damian Lanigan's comedy drama.
Starring Dominic Monaghan as Jason, John McArdle as Eddie, Beverley Callard as Maureen. Jason Done as Michael, Stefan Escreet as Dave, Emma Clarke as Collete and Jo-Anne Knowles as Debbie and Chris Pavlo as Hugo.
Music: Big George
Producer: Neil Mossey
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1999.
THU 07:30 Susan Calman Is Convicted (b01qjb1y)
Series 1
Equal Marriage
Susan Calman explores issues on which she has strong opinions - starting with the hot political topic of Equal Marriage from a personal perspective.
When Susan was younger, she thought marriage was silly. A patriarchal institution which she would never buy into. That was until she grew up, fell in love and wanted more than anything to get married - except she couldn't.
Susan relates her own personal experiences on this matter; including the minutiae of the legislation governing her recent civil partnership ceremony, as well as examining the well-trodden arguments against the issue.
Producer: Lyndsay Fenner.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2013 - before new legislation was passed.
THU 08:00 Parsley Sidings (b007jp7p)
Series 2
A Night Out
A stranded passenger sparks a chain of disasters at the sleepy railway station.
Starring Arthur Lowe as Horace, Kenneth Connor as Bradshaw/Clara, Liz Fraser as Gloria, Ian Lavender as Bert, John Graham as the Inspector/Minister and Hilary Pritchard as Doris.
Jim Eldridge's eponymous series is set in a sleepy railway station. The Hepplewhites have run 'Parsley Sidings' station for generations and the current Station Master, Horace, hopes that his son Bert will continue the line. Mild-mannered Ticket Clerk Bert wants to work anywhere but on the railways. His colleague, Station Announcer Gloria Simpkins, secretly loves him. Porter Percy Valentine is an archetypal wheeler-dealer and the ancient Signalman, Bradshaw, causes havoc and dispenses home-made remedies in equal measure. The 'Parsley Sidings' nemesis is Phineas Perkins, the station master of Potwhistle Halt, one stop down the line.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 1973.
THU 08:30 Take It From Here (b01b1s9l)
From 26/03/1958
The 10th anniversary Show, with a 'Pygmalion' spoof and The Operatic Weather Forecast.
Starring Professor Jimmy Edwards, Dick Bentley and June Whitfield.
Music from Wallace Eaton and the Keynotes and the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Scripted by Frank Muir and Denis Norden.
Producer: Charles Maxwell
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1958.
THU 09:00 Too Much Information (b00n1023)
Episode 1
Waft Tourist Information attempt to justify a huge donation from the Heritage Lottery Fund with a hastily erected papier-mâché historical model - but it turns out disastrously sexual!
Neil Warhurst's four-part comedy drama set in the idiosyncratic world of a tourist information office.
WARREN ................ JEFF RAWLE
DOUGLAS ............. MALCOLM TIERNEY
HEATHER............... LIZA SADOVY
LUCY................. JOANNAH TINCEY
BRYAN.................. PAUL BARNHILL
MR JEFFERSON............ STEPHEN HOGAN
Producer: Liz Webb
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2009.
THU 09:30 The Small World of Dominic Holland (b007v2f5)
Shopping
The comedian shares his thoughts on money and shopping.
Six-part series illustrating the Domedic minutiae of life.
Stand-up and sketches with Simon Greenall, Sally Grace and Dave Lamb.
Producer: Maria Esposito
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2000.
THU 10:00 Classic Serial (b01pt998)
Janet Frame - An Angel at My Table
Episode 1
Janet Frame was New Zealand's best known but least public author. The author of twelve novels, four story collections, one book of poetry and three volumes of autobiography, even at the height of her success Frame shunned publicity, which had the effect of making the media and her readership even more intrusively interested.
Frame's story is extraordinary. As her biographer Michael King said, "her family was an anvil on which disasters fell". But it was the issue of Frame's mental health which generated the most conjecture. To set the record straight about the circumstances of her committal to mental hospitals and being diagnosed with schizophrenia, in the early 80's Janet Frame wrote her autobiography; three volumes entitled 'To The Island (1982), An Angel At My Table and The Envoy From Mirror City (both 1984).
It was after the publication of "An Angel At My Table", at a time when several of her books had gone out of print, that Frame's literary status was cemented. When later the books were made into an award winning film by Jane Campion, her writing was introduced to an international audience.
This two-part radio adaptation is by Anita Sullivan.
With students from Houghton Valley School and Wellington High School, New Zealand
Adapted for radio by - Anita Sullivan
Music: Simon Russell
Sound Design: David Thomas
Production Assistants: Sarah Tombling and Kathy Caton
Associate Producer: Andrew Foster (New Zealand)
A Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 11:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fd3)
Enough Said
Michael is worried that he might not be able to have children with his wife, but he has a plan. Written by Philip Gross. Read by Andrew Hilton.
THU 11:15 Georgia Pritchett - Stay (b007jw2n)
Lonely Lizzie runs a dog kennels. Her teenage daughter is aiming for sainthood. Tim, the kennels' handyman, strives daily to avoid the small calamities that seem to seek him out.
But romance is in the air when the new doctor arrives...
Georgia Pritchett's romantic comedy stars Sophie Thompson as Lizzie, Duncan Preston as Dr Perkins, Sheridan Smith as Emily, Timothy Spall as Tim, Elizabeth Bell as Mrs Beresford and Gavin Muir as Dr James.
Director: Marilyn Imrie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2000.
THU 12:00 Parsley Sidings (b007jp7p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 12:30 Take It From Here (b01b1s9l)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 13:00 Detective (b04fgp85)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 13:30 School of Rock (b0076ysk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 14:00 Book at Beachtime (b0125070)
SJ Watson - Before I Go to Sleep
Episode 4
What if you lost your memory every time you went to sleep?
How would you cope with having to relearn your history every day only to lose it again?
In SJ Watson's desperately compelling and ambitious debut thriller, a woman has no memory of who she is. She lives in the suburbs cared for by her husband, she can't work, she doesn't have any friends, she's trying to live a normal life but she can't remember anything when she wakes up in the morning. Slowly she starts to try and rebuild her memory, to piece together what has happened to her, who she is.
This is Christine's story.
Abridged by Alison Joseph
Read by Stella Gonet
Produced by Lucy Collingwood
THU 14:30 15 Minute Drama (b01bb9ch)
The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Series 3
Episode 4
In Hattie Naylor's dramatisation of the diary for 1662, Sir William Batten is having a storey added to his house - so Sam decides to keep up with the neighbours and do the same. Sir William is becoming tiresome in more ways than one - he's untidy in the office, and pays too much for materials. In August the Queen comes to town by barge and Samuel goes to watch - it's so busy and crowded he can't get a boat, even for 8 shillings. Then some scaffolding collapses and people are injured. Sam notes that the only person of 'quality' who tries to help is the King's mistress, Lady Castlemaine, who tends to an injured child. Sam is also worried about his new neighbour, Sir John Minnes, who keeps questioning him over their shared boundaries.
CAST
Samuel Pepys . . . Kris Marshall
Elizabeth Pepys . . Katherine Jakeways
Jane . . . Rebecca Newman
Sir William Batten . . . Richard Mitchley
Sir John Minnes . . . Alun Raglan
Captain Cook . . . Matthew Gravelle
Lord Sandwich . . . Blake Ritson
Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter.
Historical consultant: Liza Picard
Sound by Nigel Lewis
A BBC Cymru Wales production directed by Kate McAll.
THU 14:45 Ferdinand Mount - Cold Cream (b00ysn2n)
Episode 4
A surprise new job at the heart of the Thatcher government. Tory grandee Ferdinand Mount's memoir, read by Oliver Ford Davies.
THU 15:00 Classic Serial (b01pt998)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
THU 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b04fgskw)
Mel heads out with the cowboys of Madagascar, learns all about aerobatics with a stunt pilot, takes a tour of a submarine and meets a man who makes a living with Lego.
THU 17:00 No Commitments (b007jmst)
Series 2
Frail Memorials
Sisterly sparring erupts when Anna organises a service for a friend.
Simon Brett’s sitcom about the lives and squabbles of three very different sisters.
Anna …. Rosemary Leach
Victoria …. Nicola Pagett
Charlotte …. Josie Lawrence
Emily …. Lisa Coleman
Judy …. Teresa Gallagher
Jeremy …. Ronald Herdman
John …. Dominic Letts
Music by Elizabeth Parker of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1993.
THU 17:30 Stockport, So Good They Named It Once (b007jrfl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
THU 18:00 Too Much Information (b00n1023)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
THU 18:30 Great Lives (b019fx9s)
Series 26
Gracie Allen
Matthew Parris is joined by the actress Emma Kennedy to explore the life of the American comedienne Gracie Allen. George Burns and Gracie Allen were a hugely successful stage act who went on to conquer the new media of radio and television. But, unusually for the time, it was Gracie who was getting all the laughs, whilst George played the straight man. For actress and comic Emma Kennedy, Gracie was a pioneering female comic who, with her energy, wit and "illogical logic", paved the way for the likes of Lucille Ball and Roseanne Barr. Professor Brian Ward provides the expert analysis.
THU 19:00 Parsley Sidings (b007jp7p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Take It From Here (b01b1s9l)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 20:00 Detective (b04fgp85)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 20:30 School of Rock (b0076ysk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 21:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fd3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
THU 21:15 Georgia Pritchett - Stay (b007jw2n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
THU 22:00 Susan Calman Is Convicted (b01qjb1y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 22:30 Radio 9 (b04fgtgy)
Series 2
Episode 2
An unusual travel diary, very dangerous racing and faking skiing downhill. Stars Johnny Daukes and Hils Barker. From July 2005.
THU 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b04g4mwt)
The best in contemporary comedy. Tonight, Aisling Bea chats to Sharon Horgan.
THU 23:00 At Home With The Snails (b007k2xv)
Series 1
Episode 3
Alex is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice when his mum thinks she is pregnant. Stars Gerard Foster. From July 2001.
THU 23:30 Think the Unthinkable (b01mtkqn)
Series 4
Be Happy
The bumbling management consultants grapple with physical perfection for Phil's gym. Stars Marcus Brigstocke. From October 2005.
FRIDAY 29 AUGUST 2014
FRI 00:00 Book at Beachtime (b0125070)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 15 Minute Drama (b01bb9ch)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 00:45 Ferdinand Mount - Cold Cream (b00ysn2n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Too Much Information (b00n1023)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Great Lives (b019fx9s)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Detective (b04fgp85)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 School of Rock (b0076ysk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Classic Serial (b01pt998)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fd3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:15 Georgia Pritchett - Stay (b007jw2n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 No Commitments (b007jmst)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 Stockport, So Good They Named It Once (b007jrfl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Detective (b04fgwcj)
Series 2
5. Four Faces of Crime
DS Brook and DC Harrison meet the eccentric Mr Parsons. Meanwhile a gruesome meat axe murder is investigated...
Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr featuring long-serving, ducking-and-diving DS Dave Brook and his assistant, Detective Constable Blair Maxton.
CAST:
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Judy …. Jacqueline Tong
Peter Parsons … Derek Francis
Tommy …. Johnny Wade
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1982.
FRI 06:30 School of Rock (b0076ywb)
Live at Leeds Again
Andy Kershaw is backstage as The Who return to play a gig at Leeds University. With Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. From June 2006.
FRI 07:00 Bangers and Mash (b0075gv1)
Episode 3
A health inspector calls. Will the struggling catering team have to halt pie production?
Six-part comedy series by Katie Hims.
Stars Catherine Harvey as Martina, Gerard McDermott as Jimmy, Roger May as Juan Jose, Jane Whittenshaw as Carol and Anthony Zaki as the Health Inspector.
Director: Cat Horn
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1999.
FRI 07:30 Mark Thomas: The Manifesto (b00xhzjc)
Series 3
Episode 3
Comedian-activist, Mark Thomas, considers the blue-sky political policy suggestions of the public.
This week's agenda:
1) Nationalise British Music Festivals
2) Abolish Stamp Duty
3) Reduce Voting Age to 16
Plus more weird and wonderful suggestions from the studio audience, submitted as "Any Other Business".
FRI 08:00 The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show (b007qv81)
Series 3
Episode 1
Legendary comic duo Eric and Ernie play wine-tasting connoisseurs, pay tribute to marriage guidance service and enjoy an afternoon in the garden.
Written by Eddie Braben.
With Allan Cuthbertson and Ann Hamilton.
Singing guest: Anita Harris
Music from Max Harris and his Orchestra.
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in December 1977
FRI 08:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jzss)
Series 3
The Clock
Author Gerald and his wife Diana hear some bumps in the night.
The convoluted chronicle of an optimistic author starring Ian Carmichael as Gerald C Potter and Charlotte Mitchell as his wife, Diana.
With Douglas Blackwell and Patricia Hughes.
Written by Basil Boothroyd.
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1979.
FRI 09:00 The 99p Challenge (b007js0s)
Series 2
Episode 1
Crazy panel show capers as host Sue Perkins grills Jack Docherty, Pater Baynam, Armando Iannucci and Simon Pegg.
The game where someone stands to leave the studio 99p richer than when they came in.
Producer: David Tyler
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2000.
FRI 09:30 Rent (b04fh18w)
Series 1
Episode 5
It's a full moon, Ruby's away and Paul's lovelorn. Will Maria's matchmaking succeed and will Richard ever finish the gardening?
House share comedy about life with lodgers written by Lucy Flannery.
Maria ...... Barbara Flynn
Richard ...... Patrick Barlow
Ruby ...... Diane Louise-Jordan
Amy ...... Linda Polan
Paul ...... Toby Longworth
Producer: Liz Anstee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1993.
FRI 10:00 Classic Serial (b01q76l0)
Janet Frame - An Angel at My Table
Episode 2
The autobiography of Janet Frame, dramatised for radio by Anita Sullivan.
Frame was New Zealand's best known but least public writer. The author of 12 novels, four story collections, one book of poetry and three volumes of autobiography, even at the height of her success Frame shunned publicity - which had the effect of making the media and her readership even more intrusively interested. It was the issue of her mental health which generated the most conjecture.
In her twenties she spent four and a half years in mental hospitals and was wrongly diagnosed with schizophrenia. Her writing saved her; the success of her first collection of short stories (The Lagoon and Other Stories) convincing doctors that she did not need a planned lobotomy.
To "set the record straight" about the circumstances of her committal to mental hospitals, in the early 80's Janet Frame wrote her autobiography; three volumes entitled 'To The Is-land (1982) An Angel At My Table and The Envoy From Mirror City (both 1984). It was after the publication of "An Angel At My Table", at a time when several of her books had gone out of print, that Frame's literary status was cemented.
An Angel At My Table Episode 2 of 2
In episode two, after a failed suicide attempt, Janet agrees to a short period in hospital to recuperate. But the arrival of her mother to take her home triggers a reaction in Janet that will have calamitous repercussions for years to come.
All other roles were played by members of the cast.
With thanks to Houghton Valley School and Wellington High School, New Zealand.
Adapted for radio by Anita Sullivan
Music - Simon Russell
Sound design - David Thomas
Productions assistants -Sarah Tombling and Kathy Caton
Associate producer - Andrew Foster (New Zealand)
Producer/Director - Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 11:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fdm)
A Steady Chap
A daughter starts to worry after her divorced mother meets a new man. Is he too good to be true? Written by Gillian Tindall. Read by Clare Corbett. From June 2003.
FRI 11:15 Drama (b01ngrwp)
Andy Walker - The Man Who Jumped From Space
The real life story of Captain Joe Kittinger and Project Excelsior. As jet planes flew higher and faster in the 1950s, the USAF became increasingly worried about the safety of flight crew who had to eject at high altitude. So Project Excelsior was initiated to perfect a parachute system that would allow a safe, controlled descent after a high-altitude ejection.
Producer Gary Brown
Project Excelsior was initiated in 1958 to design a parachute system that would allow a safe, controlled descent after a high-altitude ejection.
To test the parachute system, staff at Wright Field built a 200 ft (61 m) high helium balloon with a capacity of nearly 3 million cubic feet (85,000 m³) that could lift an open gondola and test pilot into the stratosphere. Joe Kittinger, who was test director for the project, made three ascents and test jumps. This is the story of the three jumps.
FRI 12:00 The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show (b007qv81)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jzss)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Detective (b04fgwcj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 School of Rock (b0076ywb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 14:00 Book at Beachtime (b0124v3t)
SJ Watson - Before I Go to Sleep
Episode 5
What if you lost your memory every time you went to sleep?
How would you cope with having to relearn your history every day only to lose it again?
In SJ Watson's desperately compelling and ambitious debut thriller, a woman has no memory of who she is. She lives in the suburbs cared for by her husband, she can't work, she doesn't have any friends, she's trying to live a normal life but she can't remember anything when she wakes up in the morning. Slowly she starts to try and rebuild her memory, to piece together what has happened to her, who she is.
This is Christine's story.
Abridged by Alison Joseph
Read by Stella Gonet
Produced by Lucy Collingwood
FRI 14:30 15 Minute Drama (b01bbb68)
The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Series 3
Episode 5
In Hattie Naylor's dramatisation of the diary for 1662, Samuel's brother, Tom, is in love and hoping to marry. But he has exaggerated his income and after some toing and froing, his fiancée breaks the engagement, much to Tom's distress. Lord Sandwich tells Sam that there is hidden treasure undiscovered in the Tower - and charges Samuel with trying to find it. The year ends with Elizabeth unwell in bed and Sam feeding her Christmas treats.
CAST
Samuel Pepys . . . Kris Marshall
Elizabeth Pepys . . . Katherine Jakeways
Lord Sandwich . . . Blake Ritson
Tom . . . Gareth Pierce
Mr Wade . . . Matthew Gravelle
Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter.
Historical consultant: Liza Picard
Sound by Nigel Lewis
A BBC Cymru Wales production directed by Kate McAll.
FRI 14:45 Ferdinand Mount - Cold Cream (b00ysqf2)
Episode 5
A dramatic moment in political history and a return to damsons. Ferdinand Mount's memoir concluded by Oliver Ford Davies.
FRI 15:00 Classic Serial (b01q76l0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
FRI 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b04fh1qs)
Mel Giedroyc meets a parachuting teddy bear, takes a trip around the world in a camper van, visits the National Motor Museum and cooks up a tasty tattie scone.
FRI 17:00 After Henry (b007k2z7)
Series 2
Bedside Manners
Poorly Sarah's in hospital and must cope with visits from her mother and daughter.
Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women - struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband - who never quite manage to see eye to eye.
Starring Prunella Scales as Sarah, Joan Sanderson as Eleanor, Gerry Cowper as Clare, Benjamin Whitrow as Russell and Deborah Findlay as the Sister.
Four radio series were made, but instead of moving to BBC TV - Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network.
Producer: Pete Atkin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1986.
FRI 17:30 Bangers and Mash (b0075gv1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
FRI 18:00 The 99p Challenge (b007js0s)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
FRI 18:30 Pioneers (b00wmvmt)
Series 1
David Blunkett
David Blunkett talks about how failure wasn't an option during his rise to political high office.
Blind from birth, he talks openly about the isolation of attending boarding school from the age of four, as well as the trauma of losing his father at the age of twelve.
Coming from a deprived background, David recognised very quickly that his route out of poverty was through education and against all odds, he graduated from Sheffield University at the age of 22.
David went on to become the youngest-ever councillor on Sheffield City Council, and climbed his way through the political ladder to become the first ever blind Home Secretary.
First broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland in 2010.
FRI 19:00 The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show (b007qv81)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jzss)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 Detective (b04fgwcj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 School of Rock (b0076ywb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 21:00 He Would, Wouldn't He? (b0076fdm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
FRI 21:15 Drama (b01ngrwp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
FRI 22:00 Mark Thomas: The Manifesto (b00xhzjc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 22:30 Father Figure (b01c3dlh)
The Wake
Set in London this is a Belfast-tinged sitcom post 'The Troubles' but suffused with old sectarian enmities. It's centred around young couple Tom and Elaine Murphy [called Jason and Chloe in the pilot] and their son Dylan [in the pilot they had young kids called Mikey and Lewis]. For childcare reasons, Jason has recently given up his job at the 'Irish Republican theme pub' meaning that Elaine - a hospital doctor - is the breadwinner. Jason's parents [Mary and Paddy] are staunch Irish Catholics. The mother disapproves of their Protestant daughter-in-law, but the father tries to keep the peace. Chloe's parents [Jarleth and Tina] hold equally extreme Protestant views.
Series regulars include Jason Byrne, as well as Sharon Horgan [Pulling], Pauline McLynn [Father Ted], Michael Smiley [Spaced], Paul Putner [Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle], and West End star Paul Nicholas [Just Good Friends]. Others featured in the series include Simon Nye, Caroline Quentin, Mathew Horne, Kevin Eldon, Stewart Lee, Liza Tarbuck, Tim Minchin, Miriam Margolyes, Michael Kitchen, and Rhys Thomas.
FRI 23:00 Chain Reaction (b012x130)
Series 7
Simon Day talks to Peter Hook
Chain Reaction is Radio 4's tag-team interview show. Each week, a figure from the world of entertainment chooses another to interview; the next week, the interviewee turns interviewer, and they in turn pass the baton on to someone else - creating a 'chain' throughout the series.
This seventh series started with Rhys Thomas interviewing Simon Day. This week, Simon is asking the questions, and has chosen one of his musical heroes: Peter Hook, best known for playing bass in Joy Divison and New Order, and for co-owning and running one of the most famous nightclubs in the world - which lost £10 for every punter who walked through the door for over a decade. The interview skips through the early days of punk, Joy Division's transformation into New Order, and Peter's new career as a DJ. "I thought DJs were arrogant and overpaid", he says, "So when I became one I fitted right in".
FRI 23:30 Goodness Gracious Me (b01nwbhk)
Series 3
Episode 1
The Kapoors visit a stately home, food for thought from Smeeta Smitten, Showbiz Kitten and why the royal family are Indian...
Starring:
Sanjeev Bhaskar
Kulvinder Ghir
Meera Syal
Nina Wadia
Gold Winner of the Sony Radio Academy Awards. The sketch comedy show originally ran on BBC Radio 4 from 1996 to 1998, later transferring to TV on BBC TWO from 1998 to 2001.
Scripted by Richard Pinto, Sharat Sardana, Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sanjeev Kohli.
Script Editor: Sharat Sardana
Producer: Anil Gupta.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1998.