SATURDAY 27 JUNE 2015

SAT 00:00 Alex Garland - The Coma (b007jtwc)
Episode 5
Fear of never waking up turns to fear of waking up as Carl starts to stir. Tom Goodman-Hill concludes Alex Garland's novel.
SAT 00:30 My Life in Five Songs (b01q95t1)
Series 5
Craig Armstrong
5/8 Craig Armstrong is a respected composer and arranger and a Royal Academy of Music graduate.
His film credits include the scores for William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet which earned him a BAFTA award and Moulin Rouge which earned him an Ivor Novello award for best original score. He wrote the music for the film Love Actually and has produced his own albums including Piano Works and Film Works.
Phil Cunningham opens the programme with the music to accompany the Balcony Scene from the soundtrack to the film Romeo + Juliet and then they go on to talk about these five tracks.
The Long and Winding Road - The Beatles
Lontano for Orchestra (1967 ) - Ligeti
Safe from Harm - Massive Attack
Lets make our own movies - AGF - Westernization Completed
Because of Toledo - The Blue Nile
Phil closes the programme with Enno Morricone's Love Theme.
SAT 01:00 Agatha Raisin (b011vf01)
Series 3
The Fairies of Fryfam
Hurt by James once too often, Agatha takes a trip to the Cornish village of Fryfam, but is soon disturbed by some strange lights at the bottom of her garden.
Starring Penelope Keith as Agatha Raisin, Malcolm Sinclair as James Lacey, Liza Sadovy as Mrs Bloxby and Rebecca Saire as Lucy Danvers.
Dramatised by David Semple from the novel by MC Beaton
Producer Carol Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2006.
SAT 01:30 In Search of the Singing Postman (b00tmlh2)
The writer DJ Taylor grew up in Norfolk. When he was missing his roots, he'd put on a record by Allan Smethurst, The Singing Postman, to remind him of home.
Smethurst is best known for one song - Have You Got A Loight Boy. By the mid 1960's he featured on the pop chart, just behind The Moody Blues. With his goofy smile and postman's uniform, he was the one hit wonder to end all one hit wonders. But DJ Taylor believes he was something far more than that.
Taylor argues that the songs turn out, not to be novelty numbers, but plaintive celebrations of a kind of lost, rural life that had begun to disappear, even as it was committed to vinyl. His songs are firmly rooted in the traditional ballads of Norfolk. His work is the last gasp of a genuinely popular art form, before it went down amid the onslaught of post-war mass culture.
There were even plans to send Smethurst to Nashville, the idea being that 'Country and Eastern' would appeal to the US audience. Smethurst admired the early American greats like Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family - their playing influenced his own lilting guitar style.
This programme tells the story of Smethurst's brief dalliance with fame and his steady fall into obscurity as he struggled with alcohol addiction. DJ Taylor pays tribute to the man who loved Norfolk, and through his songs preserved the memories and language of an entire way of life.
The programme is produced in Manchester by Nicola Swords.
SAT 02:00 Truman Capote - Breakfast at Tiffany's (b008900m)
Episode 5
Budding New York author Paul gets a job, but is still captivated by girl-about-town Holly Golightly. Truman Capote's New York novel. Read by Henry Goodman.
SAT 02:15 On the Map (b00rlwwy)
Maps of the Mind
Self-confessed map addict Mike Parker explores modern cartography.
Maps of the Mind. The most powerful maps aren't found on paper or a computer screen. They're the maps we hold in our memories and imaginations. Mike Parker visits a primary school in his home town to compare the pupils' maps with his own, drawn from childhood recollection. And he takes a trip to Ambridge, home of the Archers, to meet Eddie Grundy and ask him for directions around the village.
From 2010.
SAT 02:30 Mr Maugham's Journey Home (b05zzxjz)
Before the Party
Sailing home from colonial life in Borneo, Millicent tells the story of the death of her husband Harold. With David Troughton.
SAT 02:45 David Nobbs - I Didn't Get Where I Am Today... (b00cl496)
Episode 5
From Perrin and Pratt to 'Going Gently', writer David Nobbs concludes reading from his autobiography.
SAT 03:00 JB Priestley - Lost Empires (b007jr39)
3. Final Curtain
The glamour of the music halls begins to fade as Richard Herncastle embarks on a dangerous affair - and tragedy strikes the company.
Meanwhile, war is on the horizon...
Conclusion of JB Priestley's classic starring Tom Baker as Nick Ollanton.
Nick Ollanton ...... Tom Baker
Old Richard ...... Bryan Pringle
Young Richard ...... Richard Hollick
Sam ...... Freddie Davies
Tommy Beamish ...... Steven Frost
Julie Blane ...... Brigit Forsyth
Cissie Mapes ...... Deborah McAndrew
Nancy ...... Kathryn Hunt
Jenning ...... Russell Dixon
Johnson ...... John Lloyd Fillingham
Barney ...... Mike Edmunds
Nonnie ...... Ann-Marie Frater
Dramatised by Bert Coules.
Music: Chris Monks
Producer: Kate Rowland
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1994
SAT 04:00 The 99p Challenge (b01rqnfh)
Series 5
Episode 4
Crazy panel show capers with Sue Perkins, Jon Holmes, Marcus Brigstocke, Rob Rouse and Armando Iannucci. From September 2004.
SAT 04:30 Sneakiepeeks (b00pckm1)
Trust
The bungling surveillance team undertakes a top-secret category G surveillance operation.
It's a job so secret even the boss doesn't know about it.
Comedy by Harry Venning and Neil Brand about a team of inept, backstabbing surveillance operatives.
Sharla ...... Nina Conti
Bill ...... Richard Lumsden
Mark ...... Daniel Kaluuya
Mrs A ...... Kate Layden
Mr A ...... Ewan Hooper
Justine ...... Tessa Nicholson
David ...... Ewan Bailey
Delphine ...... Kate Layden
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009.
SAT 05:00 Little Blighty on the Down (b00tp807)
Series 4
Episode 2
The Parish council needs its money, but will the bank be able to pay out? Political satire with John Baddeley. From July 1991.
SAT 05:30 The Price of Happiness (b05v6gnt)
Series 1
Children
Stand-up poet Kate Fox explores some of the things she doesn't want and has cheerfully failed to achieve in life, despite feeling society constantly reminds her that, as a woman, she should.
Kate kicks off with a look at the subject of children.
Are we all wired to be baby-making machines? Not always, no. Some of us would rather spend our hard earned cash in Mango than Mothercare. Prospective parents are plagued by questions - Would I be a good parent? Would a child change my life beyond all recognition? Would having a child mean I could legitimately buy myself Lego and eat jelly?
Can legislation across the world be used to either encourage or discourage parenthood? And what's the cost of feeling you have to want the same things as everybody else? Kate and the audience draw up a list of pros and cons of having children, and work out whether the average cost of raising a child could be better spent making our lives more fun and meaningful in other ways.
Kate Fox is a comedian and poet from the North East of England. She has contributed poems and comic pieces to many Radio 4 shows including "Saturday Live", "Wondermentalist Cabaret", "From Fact to Fiction", "Woman's Hour" and "Arthur Smith's Balham Bash".
Producer: Lianne Coop
An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2015.
SAT 06:00 Ian Curteis - Miss Morison's Ghosts (b060bn9s)
Based on what's been called 'the most authenticated ghost story of all time', Ian Curteis's play tells of the paranormal events experienced by two English ladies in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, France, in 1901.
Starring Patrica Hodge as Miss Morison, Juliet Stevenson as Miss Lamont, Robert Hardy as Lord Kedlestone and Toby Longworth as Mr Hodgson.
Musical Accompaniment by Tim Woolfe
Directed by Dirk Maggs
A BBC World Service production first broadcast in 2004.
SAT 07:30 Michael Bentine - The Reluctant Jester (b01kpyzt)
The Reluctant Jester
Have Red Nose Will Travel
The founding member of The Goon Show recalls the exact moment that his comic inspiration reached full fruition.
Michael Bentine CBE concludes his reminiscences before an audience about his life and times.
Producer: Andy Aliffe
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 1993.
SAT 08:00 Archive on 4 (b040h1d7)
Dark Horse: An Alec Guinness Archive
Alistair McGowan reveals the private side of a purportedly 'retiring' artist - a man who forged one of the most stunningly successful theatrical and cinematic careers of the last century with intelligence, guile and a deep understanding of the creation of image.
One of the most extraordinary aspects of the film, television, stage and radio career that made Sir Alec the most successful British character actor of the 20th century was his apparent talent for anonymity. Laurence Olivier, Alec Guinness' mentor and co-star, famously described him as 'a dark horse' in a leading article in Time Magazine.
A remarkably good mimic, Sir Alec preferred, it seemed, to define himself by the roles he played. Was he really the scholarly, unworldly artist he appeared to be? He was a diarist, raconteur, and polished Hollywood operator, who turned self-deprecation into an art-form, took pride in not being recognised and disliked showmanship.
Alistair McGowan examines the many contradictions in the life of this enigmatic man through archive of interviews with the actor himself and those who knew him well.
Producer: Frank Stirling
A Unique production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 09:00 Selected Radiophonic Works (b00g15x3)
In 1958 an extraordinary musical laboratory was opened by the BBC. The Radiophonic Workshop provided music and sound for a wealth of BBC TV and radio programmes - from The Goon Show to Doctor Who.
Richard Coles explores the achievements of the unit and presents a carefully chosen selection of programmes showcasing the department's work:
* THE ELECTRIC TUNESMITHS
What have Doctor Who, New Worlds and Major Bloodnok's stomach in common? A Radiophonics Workshop signature tune.
George Luce finds out how sounds and tunes are conjured out of springs, shampoo bottles and electronic synthesisers. From BBC Radio 4, 1971.
* THE DREAMS
One of Delia Derbyshire's ‘Inventions for Radio’ produced in collaboration with the poet and dramatist Barry Bermange for the BBC Third Programme in 1964.
* THE GOON SHOW Series 9 (14/17) The Scarlet Capsule
Professor Ned Quatermass unravels a mystery around some enigmatic blue serge suits.
Stars Spike Milligan. From the BBC Home Service, 1959.
* INFERNO REVISITED
Peter Howell’s musical play by Peter Howell inspired by Dante's Inferno, with Alec McCowen as the Guide.
The music was realised at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. From BBC Radio 3, 1983
Plus clips of Bath Time (1976), Relativity (1974) and the legendary sound effect of Doctor Who’s TARDIS.
With contributions from Coldcut, Dick Mills and Mark Ayres.
Producer: Elizabeth Jaynes
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in December 2008.
SAT 12:00 The Burkiss Way (b007jsfr)
Series 5
The Man from the Burkiss Way
A deadly game of Russian Roulette Video Cassette and Blake's 7 spoofed.
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: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1980.
SAT 12:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00vt6jy)
Series 5
Episode 7
The transport cafe that discovered Haute Cuisine - and the "Grim" fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Green Witch.
More quick-fire sketches, terrible puns, humorous songs and parodies.
Stars Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Cleese, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie.
Written by Eric Idle, Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden and Andy Smith.
Originating from the Cambridge University Footlights revue 'Cambridge Circus', ISIRTA ran for 8 years on BBC Radio and quickly developed a cult following.
Music and songs by Dave Lee, Leon Cohen and Bill Oddie.
Producer: Humphrey Barclay
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in June 1967.
SAT 13:00 The Pursuits of Darleen Fyles (b060bsf3)
Series 7 Omnibus
Return of the award-winning drama series, an illuminating and quirky exploration of the challenges and aspirations of a young couple with learning disabilities.
SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (b010gbwd)
Laurie Anderson
The artist and musician inherits 'Music in Twelve Parts' by Philip Glass and passes on 'Strange Fruit' by Billie Holiday.
SAT 14:15 In the Psychiatrist's Chair (b060bss8)
Spike Milligan
Writer and comedian Spike Milligan tells Professor Antony Clare about the profound impact of shell shock on his mental health.
Psychiatrist Dr Anthony Clare's in depth interviews with prominent people from different walks of life.
Born in Dublin, author Anthony held a doctorate in medicine, a master's degree in philosophy and was a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. After becoming a regular on BBC Radio 4's Stop the Week in the 1980s, he became Britain's best-known psychiatrist and earned his own vehicle, In the Psychiatrist's Chair. Starting in 1982, this series ran until 2001 and also transferred to TV.
Anthony Clare died suddenly in Paris aged 64 in 2007.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1982.
SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b040h1d7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Ian Curteis - Miss Morison's Ghosts (b060bn9s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Michael Bentine - The Reluctant Jester (b01kpyzt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 Stanislaw Lem - Solaris (b00pf12m)
Episode 1
A psychologist is sent to a rundown space station to find out what has happened to its crew. When his long-dead young wife turns up, he suddenly finds himself in serious trouble.
Stanislaw Lem's famous modern sci-fi classic dramatised by Hattie Naylor.
Starring Ron Cook as Kris, Stuart Richman as Sartoris, Tim McMullan as Snow, Joanne Froggatt as Rheya and Maxine Burth as the Woman.
Music by Alice Trueman
Sound Design: Steve Brooke
Directed at BBC Manchester by Polly Thomas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
SAT 19:00 Selected Radiophonic Works (b00g15x3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better (b00kvq7t)
Series 1
Wrath
Mark Watson investigates wrath 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 jealous glances.
Producer: Katie Marsden
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2007.
SAT 22:30 Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive (b007x6kn)
Series 3
Episode 3
Topical piffle and outrageous fibs from Armando and his special guests Dara O Briain, Simon Evans and David Quantick. From August 2007.
SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b0612yb8)
The best in contemporary comedy. Tonight Arthur Smith is joined by John Robbins.
SAT 23:00 The Lee Mack Show (b00c4cd2)
Toyah Willcox
Toyah Willcox joins the sharp comedian for stand-up, sketches and music. With Angela McHale and Steve Brown. From April 2005.
SAT 23:30 Innes Own World (b017px05)
Episode 4
Neil Innes invites you to join him inside his own mind for half an hour.
There are some stories of working with Monty Python, jingles for products you never thought you needed and a modest little song called Isn't It Great Being A Star?
It's the only show that promises to pluck the eyebrows of intelligence with the sugar tongs of fact.
Script Editor: John Dowie
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2003.