A suspect is locked away, but has a prison governor got the right man? Can Father Brown discover the answer as he makes his way across America?
Stars Andrew Sachs as Father Brown.
GK Chesterton's stories of an amateur clerical sleuth with an uncanny understanding of the criminal mind at work.
Father Brown ...... Andrew Sachs
O'Connor ...... TP McKenna
McGurk ...... Billy Boyle
Usher ...... Don Fellows
Prisoner ...... Brian Haines
Todd ...... Ed Bishop
Butler ...... Manning Wilson
Convict ...... Stuart Organ
Directed at BBC Bristol by Alec Reid.
For the first time since Hitchcock, moviegoers have embraced a film director whose name denotes a genre in itself.
Transcending his reputation as a maker of violent movies, Quentin Tarantino is also recognised by his fans and admirers as an exceptional soundtrack producer. True Romance, Natural Born Killers, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill... Tarantino selected all the tracks himself. In the first of two programmes, the enfant terrible of American Cinema reveals his musical obsessions and his influences, and talks us through the contents of his virtual jukebox.
Music is a critical element in many movies, but never more so than in Tarantino's - he plunders his own backstory, remembering the tracks of his youth, as well as often making references to - and featuring music from - cult movies and television.
This intriguing documentary (coming to you from the red leatherette banquettes of Quentin's favourite virtual diner in LA) not only forage in the annals of great popular music, they provide a unique insight into the way music can infuse a film, and the way a film can bring music back from the dusty vaults.
Also featuring Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Vicki Wickham (manager of Dusty Springfield), film producer Laurence Bender, music & movie critic Paul Gambaccini, film editor Sally Menke and music supervisors Mary Ramos and Karyn Rachtman.
Presented by conductor/composer & film-music historian Robert Ziegler.
Alexander Trott finds it is possible to become betrothed in very trying circumstances. Stars Nicholas Farrell and Peter Gunn.
Nicholas Parsons and guests return for the 75th series of the panel show where participants must try to speak for 60 seconds without hesitation, deviation or repetition. No repetition? That's no small order after nearly 50 years.
In this episode Paul Merton, Josh Widdicombe, Holly Walsh and Marcus Brigstocke join Nicholas Parsons as they try to shine discussing such diverse topics as The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, The Bard, and A Nice Cup of Tea.
Hayley Sterling blows the whistle.
Station Master Horace Hepplewhite takes on the bolshie buffet staff.
Starring Arthur Lowe as Horace, Ian Lavender as Bert, Liz Fraser as Gloria, Kenneth Connor as Bradshaw and Bill Pertwee as Trimwick.
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.
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.
The quotations quiz hosted by Nigel Rees.
As ever, a host of celebrities will be joining Nigel as he quizzes them on the sources of a range of quotations and asks them for the amusing sayings or citations that they have personally collected on a variety of subjects. We find out their least favourite quotes, and discover the most quotable people they have ever met.
This week Nigel is joined by veteran broadcast war reporter and former independent politician - Martin Bell; arts journalist - Viv Groskop; actor, writer and artist - Edward Petherbridge and actor, comedian and writer David Schneider.
Reader ..... Peter Jefferson.
'Outrageous fortune' deals a cruel blow to Mr Sims - and to an unsuspecting Mrs Patterson. Stars Karl Howman. From April 1992.
Dramatisation by Robert Forrest of John le Carre's classic novel featuring intelligence officer George Smiley.
Berlin, the early 1960s - the Wall is up between East and West and the Cold War is at freezing point. Alec Leamas is Circus Head of Station in Berlin, and his network of agents in East Germany is in great danger.
Smiley ...... Simon Russell Beale
Alec Leamas ...... Brian Cox
Liz Gold ...... Ruth Gemmell
Control ...... John Rowe
Peter Guillam ...... Richard Dillane
Elsie/Elvira ...... Siobhan Redmond
Ashe ...... Jamie Newall
Miss Crail ...... Liza Sadovy
Mr Pitt ...... Philip Fox
Grocer ...... David Hargreaves
CIA Man ...... Benjamin Askew.
Written by W.W. Jacobs. Read by Mark Williams.
Sailors' Knots, published in 1909, is an anthology of comic stories set around London and the Thames Estuary at the turn of the last century. The 'knots' are the various mix-ups that occur between sailors on shore leave and the local residents. The tales are great fun, full of entertaining characters with names like Silas Winch, Sam Small and Ginger Dick, and often deal with marital spats, misunderstandings, and rascals getting their just rewards.
W.W. Jacobs is best know for his horror story, The Monkey's Paw (1902), but the majority of his writing is comic. He was born in Wapping in 1863, where his father was manager at the South Devon Wharf at Lower East Smithfield, and his early observation of merchant ships and the behaviour of their crews informed his many humorous tales.
Mark Williams is well-known as one of the stars of BBC TV's The Fast Show ("Suits you, sir..!!") and for the role of Ron Weasley's father in the Harry Potter films.
BAFTA winner Olivia Colman, star of Broadchurch, Rev and a score of other hits, heads up the cast in this quietly intense play about Sally, a woman beset by one problem after another.
Rain, a problematic car, a problematic cat and Harold - everything seems to conspire against Sally to prevent some quality time with David.
Written by Olivier Award nominee and Devine Award-winning playwright Nick Payne.
Sophia and Jan's plan to conceal their affair now depends on tulip mania in Amsterdam.
Deborah Moggach's bestselling story of passion set during 17th century Holland's tulip mania.
Read by Emma Fielding and William Gaminara.
First published in 1999. Abridged in ten parts by Elizabeth Bradbury.
Michael Morpurgo explains how Britain's first foundling hospital met with great acclaim in 1741, but some children were still neglected.
Frederica's estranged husband Nigel demands to see his son Leo and she finds a new love interest. Stars Mark Bazeley.
The life of John le Carre by Adam Sisman, is abridged for radio in 5 episodes by Katrin Williams:
'John le Carre' was born David Cornwell, and his early life was in thrall to a genial, vivid and rascally father called Ronnie, who was never short of surprises.
Reader: Stephen Boxer.
Producer: Duncan Minshull.
Bill and Josella take a trip to the beach and ponder their future. But help is closer than they think. Read by Roger May.
Rosie Boycott and her guests, writer James Fox and Professor Ato Quayson, discuss paperbacks by JT LeRoy, Tayeb Salih and John Steinbeck. From 2002.
An evil genius and superspy turn out to have a shared interest in John Candy films. Plus the truth behind laser eye surgery and all Mr Eater wants is to be loved
Second series of the four-part sketch show in which anything is possible.
Written by James Cary.
With the Referendum result now in the team give in-depth analysis of the highs, lows and madness of the EU Campaigns. Performed by Jon Culshaw, Lewis MacLeod, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson and Duncan Wisbey.
Written by... Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, Tom Coles and Ed Amsden, Laurence Howarth, Duncan Wisbey, Sarah Campbell, Laura Major, James Bugg, Jack Bernhardt, Liam Beirne and Max Davis.
Producer.. Bill Dare
to midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Paul Garner chats to The Inbetweeners co-creator Damon Beesley.
The noble Questers set off once again to find the Sword of Asnagar, the only thing that can rid Lower Earth from the tyranny of the evil Lord Darkness.
Their search brings them to the kingdom of Premenstrua, where they defeat a band of trolls that have been terrorising the land. As a reward for their heroism, they are offered the Sword of Asnagar by its grateful ruler, Queen Eleanor. But before it's placed in their hands, they must first get her a birthday present...
Meanwhile, Kreech tries to convince Lord Darkness that what he needs to help him maintain eternal dominion over Lower Earth is a personal assistant...
TUESDAY 28 JUNE 2016
TUE 00:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (b007jrps)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 A Good Read (b00767hq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp3p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Tarantino's Jukebox (b00lj8yt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm5m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:15 The Invention of Childhood (b00sf1tp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsqh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:45 Book of the Week (b06j13r5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt2lr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt51g)
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
Episode 2
Dramatisation by Robert Forrest of John le Carre's classic novel featuring intelligence officer George Smiley.
The trap is set to catch the East German spymaster who has ruthlessly destroyed Alec Leamas's Berlin network - and the bait is Leamas himself.
Smiley ...... Simon Russell Beale
Alec Leamas ...... Brian Cox
Fiedler ...... Henry Goodman
Liz Gold ...... Ruth Gemmell
Control ...... John Rowe
Peter Guillam ...... Richard Dillane
Mundt ...... Sam Dale
Ashe ...... Jamie Newall
Doorman ...... Stephen Hogan
Miss Crail ...... Liza Sadovy
Mr Pitt ...... Philip Fox
Grocer ...... David Hargreaves
CIA Man ...... Benjamin Askew.
TUE 05:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt51j)
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
Episode 3
Dramatisation by Robert Forrest of John le Carre's classic novel featuring intelligence officer George Smiley.
The deadly game of deceit and betrayal reaches its climax at the foot of the Berlin Wall.
Smiley ...... Simon Russell Beale
Alec Leamas ...... Brian Cox
Fiedler ...... Henry Goodman
Mundt ...... Sam Dale
Liz Gold ...... Ruth Gemmell
Ashe ...... Jamie Newall
Tribunal President ...... Siobhan Redmond
Peter Guillam ...... Richard Dillane
Commissar ...... Liza Sadovy
Agent ...... Stephen Hogan
Miss Crail ...... Liza Sadovy
Mr Pitt ...... Philip Fox
Grocer ...... David Hargreaves
CIA Man ...... Benjamin Askew.
TUE 06:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp44)
Series 2
The Curse of the Golden Cross
What do an itinerant gambler, an English lady, a steward, a vicar and a professor have in common? And who has the right to it? Father Brown finds the answer.
Stars Andrew Sachs as Father Brown.
GK Chesterton's stories of an amateur clerical sleuth with an uncanny understanding of the criminal mind at work.
Father Brown ...... Andrew Sachs
Professor Smail ...... Tim Reynolds
Mr Tarrant ...... Peter Marinker
Lady Diana ...... Natasha Pyne
Leonard Smythe ...... Peter Wickham
Steward ...... Terry O'Brien
Driver ...... Jonathan Tafler
Doctor ...... Eric Stovell
Dramatised by John Scotney
Directed at BBC Bristol by Alec Reid.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1986.
TUE 06:30 Tarantino's Jukebox (b00lnczw)
Episode 2
Episode 2/2
For the first time since Hitchcock, moviegoers have embraced a film director whose name denotes a genre in itself.
Transcending his reputation as a maker of violent movies, Quentin Tarantino is also recognised by his fans and admirers as an exceptional soundtrack producer. True Romance, Natural Born Killers, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill... Tarantino selected all the tracks himself. In the 2nd of two programmes, the enfant terrible of American Cinema reveals his musical obsessions and his influences, and talks us through the contents of his virtual jukebox.
Music is a critical element in many movies, but never more so than in Tarantino's - he plunders his own backstory, remembering the tracks of his youth, as well as often making references to - and featuring music from - cult movies and television.
This intriguing documentary (coming to you from the red leatherette banquettes of Quentin's favourite virtual diner in LA) not only forages in the annals of great popular music, it focuses on the new styles of music Quentin has found for his latest movie Inglourious Basterds, which was recently nominated in the Best Picture category at the Oscars.
Also featuring film producer Laurence Bender, music & movie critic Paul Gambaccini, film editor Sally Menke, composer Charles Bernstein and music supervisors Mary Ramos and Karyn Rachtman.
Presented by conductor/composer & film-music historian Robert Ziegler.
Produced by Heavy Entertainment.
TUE 07:00 Two Doors Down (b00899nl)
Series 1
The Minister Has a Window
Clare's in a flap when the Minister from the Northern Ireland office comes for dinner with this dog.
So cleaner Sally is booked for overtime to make sure the evening runs smoothly...
Series one of Annie McCartney's four-part sitcom.
Starring Frances Tomelty as Sally, Marcella Riordan as Clare, Roma Tomelty as Miss Black, Katy Gleadhill as Evie, Gerard Murphy as Fintan, Alan Mckee as Victor, Bethan Lloyd as Anna, Patrick Gleadhill as Simon, Robert Patterson as Tony, Emily Walmsley as Layla, Joel McElnay as Ben and Alfie Lloyd as Sam.
Director: Tanya Nash
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2001.
TUE 07:30 My Teenage Diary (b07gfjhm)
Series 7
Sara Pascoe
Comedian Sara Pascoe joins Rufus Hound and reads from her teenage diaries.
She works at the Millennium Dome, gets a new boyfriend, starts university and takes her dog along for company. What could possibly go wrong?
Producer: Harriet Jaine
Executive Producer: Aled Evans
A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in June 2016.
TUE 08:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jl5j)
Series 1
The Offer
After a row with his father Albert, Harold decides to leave their rag and bone business and take up another offer of employment.
Starring Wilfrid Brambell as Albert and Harry H Corbett as Harold.
Following the conclusion of their hugely successful association with Tony Hancock, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson wrote 10 pilots for BBC TV's Comedy Playhouse in 1962.
The Offer was set in a house with a yard full of junk, featuring the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and his son Harold and it was the spark for a run of 8 series for TV.
Adapted for BBC radio from Galton and Simpson's TV script by Gale Pedrick.
Produced by Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in July 1966.
TUE 08:30 The Men from the Ministry (b007jz45)
Nothing But the Vest
The bungling bureaucrats play cupid for Mildred - and spark mayhem with their requisitions.
Stars Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler.
With Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley and John Graham.
Written by Edward Taylor and John Graham.
'The Men from the Ministry' ran for 14 series between 1962 and 1977. Deryck Guyler replaced Wilfrid Hyde-White from 1966. Sadly many episodes didn't survive in the archive, however the BBC's Transcription Service re-recorded 14 shows in 1980 - never broadcast in the UK, until the arrival of BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 in May 1975.
TUE 09:00 Dead Ringers (b07glx81)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:00 on Monday]
TUE 09:30 King of Bath (b045q4t8)
By Any Other Name
No self-respecting Bath heiress would join the travelling players, but when one does, Beau Nash comes to the rescue.
Six-part comedy drama series by Arnold Evans casting the 18th-century dandy Richard 'Beau' Nash in a series of adventures.
Beau Nash ...... David Bamber
Annie ...... Eiry Thomas
Lucy ...... Lynn Seymour
Dr Cheyne ...... Andrew Wincott
Hazlitt ...... Peter Gunn
Fanny ...... Alice Arnold
Composer: John Hardy.
Directed at BBC Wales by Alison Hindell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1999.
TUE 10:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt2m0)
The Looking Glass War
Episode 1
Dramatisation by Shaun McKenna of John le Carre's novel, the fourth to feature spymaster George Smiley.
When word reaches The Department that Soviet missiles are being installed close to the West German border, they seize the opportunity to relive former glories.
Leclerc ...... Ian McDiarmid
George Smiley ...... Simon Russell Beale
Avery ...... Patrick Kennedy
Haldane ...... Philip Jackson
Woodford ...... David Hargeaves
Sarah ...... Fenella Woolgar
Control ...... John Rowe
Carol ...... Annabelle Dowler
Taylor/Sutherland ...... Philip Fox
Peersen ...... Stephen Hogan
Lansen ...... Matt Addis
Girl ...... Lizzy Watts
Fred Leiser ...... Piotr Baumann
Directed by Marc Beeby.
TUE 11:00 Sailors' Knots (b01jwfx5)
Keeping Up Appearances
Written by W.W. Jacobs.
Published in 1909, Sailors' Knots is an anthology of comic stories set around London and the Thames Estuary at the turn of the last century. The 'knots' are the various mix-ups that occur between sailors on shore leave and the local residents. The tales are great fun, full of entertaining characters (with names like Silas Winch, Sam Small and Ginger Dick) and often deal with marital spats, misunderstandings, and rascals getting their just rewards.
In this second episode, Mark Williams reads the story of Bill Buttenshaw, who is put off drink for life by the terrifying ghost of an old shipmate.
W.W. Jacobs is best known for his horror story, The Monkey's Paw (1902), but the majority of his writing is comic. He was born in Wapping in 1863, where his father was wharf manager at the South Devon Wharf at Lower East Smithfield, and his early observation of merchant ships and the behaviour of their crews informed his many humorous tales.
Mark Williams is well-known as one of the stars of BBC TV's The Fast Show ("Suits you, sir..!!") and for the role of Ron Weasley's father in the Harry Potter films.
Abridged by Roy Apps
Producer: David Blount
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 11:15 Martyn Wade - A Home of Their Own (b00b4038)
To escape their children who won't leave home, Kenneth and Clare move to a smaller house - with no space for visitors.
But the couple are soon plagued by former residents and visitors - unaware that the previous owner Mrs Hooper has departed...
Martyn Wade's comedy starring David Troughton as Kenneth and Barbara Flynn as Clare.
With Margaret Tyzack as Mrs Hooper, Richenda Carey as Miss Grainger-Taylor, Jonathan Keeble as Mr Norton, Wayne Foskett as Maurice, Harry Myers as George and Colleen Prendergast as Jill.
Production note:
'A Home of Their Own' was due to be recorded on location in a house used for a number of Martyn's previous plays, but which had become too noisy for period plays.
Ironically during the recording, the cast and crew had to decamp to a studio as severe building work at both the back and front of the house made the recording inaudible. Perhaps the house was having the last word..?
Producer: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.
TUE 12:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jl5j)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Men from the Ministry (b007jz45)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp44)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Tarantino's Jukebox (b00lnczw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 14:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm64)
Episode 7
Sophia and Jan gamble all on the tulip markets, but will they have enough time? Read by Emma Fielding and William Gaminara.
TUE 14:15 The Invention of Childhood (b00sf8t9)
Mr Locke and Mr Rousseau
Michael Morpurgo tells the story of two great 18th century philosophers, whose child-rearing ideas are influential to this day.
TUE 14:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsqs)
Babel Tower, Part 7/8
Frederica discovers that her new lover, John, has an unhinged brother and Paul makes a dramatic statement. Stars Tim Treloar.
TUE 14:45 Book of the Week (b06j6fcy)
John le Carre: The Biography
Episode 2
The life of John le Carre by Adam Sisman, is abridged for radio in five episodes by Katrin Williams:
2. Under his real name of David Cornwell, he leaves Sherbourne, goes to Bern and meets Joe Kraemer, who proves a route of sorts into the spying game.
Reader: Stephen Boxer.
Producer: Duncan Minshull.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2015.
TUE 15:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt2m0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
TUE 16:00 Counterpoint (b00fd2wx)
2005
Semi-final 1
Ned Sherrin's music quiz with Andrew Beardsell of Brighouse, Graham Bennett from Surbiton and Brian Clements of Chelmsford.
TUE 16:30 King of Bath (b045q4t8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Two Doors Down (b00899nl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
TUE 17:30 My Teenage Diary (b07gfjhm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
TUE 18:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (b007jrq5)
Episode 17
An unexpected visitor to Shirning threatens to undermine Bill and Josella's future plans. Concluded by Roger May.
TUE 18:30 John Wyndham: No Place Like Earth (b00wqb56)
'The Day of the Triffids' is one of the great post war British novels. It was the first big success for its author John Wyndham - and it came late. He was in his 40s when it was published. He went on to write a series of successful books including The Kraken Wakes, The Chrysalids and The Midwich Cuckoos.
His novels are set in middle class British suburbia - and have been accused of being 'cosy catastrophes', but at their heart is a streak of darkness. Wyndham was interested in how ordinary people would cope when extraordinary, and terrifying things happened to them.
His greatest successes came in the 1950s and his preoccupations were very much post war and cold war; nuclear annihilation, social breakdown and anxieties over communism. He was also prescient; he touches on climate change, genetically modified crops and species extinction. He was fascinated by evolution; would human beings one day be supplanted by something superior? He was also intriguing when it came to his heroines - they were resourceful, sensible and clever. An occasional tear might be shed, but the Wyndham girl was soon decapitating triffids or felling religious fanatics.
In 'No Place Like Earth' Dan Rebellato examines the importance and influence of John Wyndham on the history of British and American science fiction. The programme is produced in Manchester by Nicola Swords.
TUE 19:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jl5j)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 The Men from the Ministry (b007jz45)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 20:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp44)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Tarantino's Jukebox (b00lnczw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Sailors' Knots (b01jwfx5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
TUE 21:15 Martyn Wade - A Home of Their Own (b00b4038)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
TUE 22:00 My Teenage Diary (b07gfjhm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
TUE 22:30 Bleak Expectations (b01p71gl)
Series 5
A Writerly Life Made Dreadfully Different
There's a novel writing showdown between Pip and Charles Dickens to find out who is the greatest writer in Britain.
Mark Evans's epic Victorian comedy in the style of Charles Dickens.
Sir Philip ..... Richard Johnson
Young Pip Bin ..... Tom Allen
Gently Benevolent ..... Anthony Head
Harry Biscuit ..... James Bachman
Clampvulture ..... Geoffrey Whitehead
Ripely ..... Sarah Hadland
Pippa ..... Susy Kane
Lily ...... Sarah Hadland
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2012.
TUE 23:00 Children's Hour with Armstrong and Miller (b00933zr)
Episode 4
Martin Bain-Jones is left in the studio, while Craig Children's got a dubious new job.
Ben Miller and Alexander Armstrong star as the pompous critics.
With:
Charlie Condou
Melissa Lloyd
Tony Gardner
Written by Ben Miller and Alexander Armstrong.
Producer: Jon Rolph
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1998.
TUE 23:25 The Comedy Club Interviews (b07jghj7)
From
10pm to midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Paul Garner chats again to The Inbetweeners co-creator Damon Beesley.
TUE 23:30 Danny Robins Music Therapy (b00fgts9)
Episode 1
Danny Robins harnesses the power of music to improve the world to help humanity - and a dormouse.
With Isy Suttie, beatboxer Beardyman and the Finchley Children's Music Group.
Written by Danny Robins with Isy Suttie and Danielle Ward.
Producer: Ben Walker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2008.
WEDNESDAY 29 JUNE 2016
WED 00:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (b007jrq5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 John Wyndham: No Place Like Earth (b00wqb56)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp44)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Tarantino's Jukebox (b00lnczw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm64)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:15 The Invention of Childhood (b00sf8t9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsqs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:45 Book of the Week (b06j6fcy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt2m0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt51p)
The Looking Glass War
Episode 2
Dramatisation by Shaun McKenna of John le Carre's novel, the fourth to feature spymaster George Smiley.
As Leiser's clandestine mission into East German territory proceeds, it soon becomes clear that nothing is quite what it seems.
Leclerc ...... Ian McDiarmid
George Smiley ...... Simon Russell Beale
Avery ...... Patrick Kennedy
Haldane ...... Philip Jackson
Fred Leiser ...... Piotr Baumann
Jack Johnson ...... Ben Crowe
Anna ...... Ania Sowinski
Sarah ...... Fenella Woolgar
Control ...... John Rowe
Carol ...... Annabelle Dowler
Official ...... Philip Fox
Soldiers ...... Matt Addis, Benjamin Askew
Directed by Marc Beeby.
WED 05:00 Two Doors Down (b00899nl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:30 My Teenage Diary (b07gfjhm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Father Brown Stories (b0081lvr)
Series 2
Actor and Alibi
A theatrical murder amid much back-stabbing is announced in the Chop-House. Father Brown finds himself in the midst of a School for Scandal.
Stars Andrew Sachs as Father Brown.
GK Chesterton's stories of an amateur clerical sleuth with an uncanny understanding of the criminal mind at work.
Father Brown ...... Andrew Sachs
Mundon Mandeville ...... Peter Jeffrey
Mrs Mandeville ...... Sheila Grant
Inspector Bagshaw ...... Bill Wallis
Ashton Jarvis ...... David Brierly
Norman Knight ...... Charles Baillie
Lady Miriam Talbot ...... Fleur Chandler
Miss Maroni ...... Karen Ascoe
Mrs Sans ...... Pauline Letts
House Manager ...... Jonathan Scott
Dramatised by John Scotney
Directed at BBC Bristol by Alec Reid.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1986.
WED 06:30 Meet the Patels (b00kvryj)
Exploring the success of the 210,000-strong community of Patels in Britain, the stereotypical Asian corner shopkeepers.
There are 50 Patel multi-millionaires and 500 millionaires on the Britain's annual Rich List, a level of success partly attributable to community solidarity. Community elders often arrange get-togethers, including singles nights, speed-dating events, and even a Patel matrimonial website, which has been cited as the most successful online marriage meet.
Clare Jenkins attends one of these events to find out why it is seen as important to marry within this large - and wealthy - community.
WED 07:00 A Whole 'Nother Story (b007641j)
Series 1
It's a Fig, Not a Date
Cassie and Pete launch into the world of dating agencies.
Cassie's blind date is Simon. He sounds attractive, but his occupation is shrouded in mystery.
Meanwhile, Pete's blind date leads him to realise a few things about Cassie who in turn has been realising a few things about Pete...
Amanda Murphy’s comedy-drama series about a friendship between a man and a woman.
Starring Debra Stephenson as Cassie and David Lamb as Pete.
PJ ...... Brendan Burns
Dad ...... Mike Grady
Mum ...... Anne Reid
Simon ...... Shaun Dooley
Check Out Girl ...... Victoria Ashley
Producer: Graham Frost
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2001.
WED 07:30 Heresy (b07gg1kd)
Series 10
Episode 6
Victoria Coren Mitchell presents another edition of the show which dares to commit heresy.
Her guests are comedians David Mitchell and Katy Brand, and columnist and author Sathnam Sanghera. Together they discuss Ed Miliband, self service checkouts and George Clooney's wedding.
An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 08:00 The Navy Lark (b01n2vcg)
Series 7
The Poveys Move House
Stressed out Captain Povey is moving house and needs the crew of HMS Troutbridge to help shift the furniture.
Stars Leslie Phillips as the Sub-Lieutenant, Jon Pertwee as the Chief Petty Officer, Stephen Murray as the Number One, Richard Caldicot as Captain Povey, Heather Chasen as Mrs Povey, Ronnie Barker as Captain Bell and Tenniel Evans as Uncle Ebeneezer .
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 BBC Light Programme in August 1965.
WED 08:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jxyr)
The Idol
Feeling tired of the Lad's big-headedness, Bill and Moira decide it's time to teach him a lesson.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With Moira Lister, Bill Kerr and Sidney James.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott. Recorded by the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Producer: Dennis Main Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1954
WED 09:00 Jest a Minute (b013f0vy)
Series 1
Episode 6
Justin Moorhouse, Greg Davies, Chris Corcoran and Lucy Porter star in Rhod Gilbert's comedy quiz. From September 2006.
WED 09:30 Rent (b04dg72g)
Series 1
Episode 3
Student lodgers Paul and Ruby's scheme to cash in on some treasure found in the attic causes a panic.
House share comedy about taking in lodgers written by Lucy Flannery.
Maria ...... Barbara Flynn
Richard ...... Patrick Barlow
Amy ...... Linda Polan
Ruby ...... Diane Louise-Jordan
Paul ...... Toby Longworth
Producer: Liz Anstee.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1993.
WED 10:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt1v0)
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Episode 1
Dramatisation by Shaun McKenna of John le Carre's classic novel featuring intelligence officer George Smiley.
Ever since the capture and torture of their agent in Czechoslovakia, the British Secret Intelligence Service has been in trouble. Now, the government has been forced to call George Smiley back from retirement to investigate the whole incident and to seek out the mole they believe to be at the heart of the service.
George Smiley ...... Simon Russell Beale
Ann Smiley ...... Anna Chancellor
Jim Prideaux ...... Anthony Calf
Peter Guillam ...... Ewan Bailey
Oliver Lacon ...... Alex Jennings
Ricki Tarr ...... Jamie Foreman
Irina ...... Vera Filatova
Mendel ...... Kenneth Cranham
Connie Sachs ...... Maggie Steed
Magyar ...... Peter Majer
Roddy Martindale ...... Philip Fox
Bill Roach ...... Ryan Watson.
WED 11:00 Sailors' Knots (b01k1n52)
The Head of the Family
Written by W.W. Jacobs.
Published in 1909, Sailors' Knots is an anthology of comic stories set around London and the Thames Estuary at the turn of the last century. The 'knots' are the various mix-ups that occur between sailors on shore leave and the local residents. The tales are great fun, full of entertaining characters (with names like Silas Winch, Sam Small and Ginger Dick) and often deal with marital spats, misunderstandings, and rascals getting their just rewards.
Mark Williams reads the last in the series when, in a case of mistaken identity, a young sailor becomes part of a family he's never met before.
W.W. Jacobs is best know for his horror story, The Monkey's Paw (1902), but the majority of his writing is comic. He was born in Wapping in 1863, where his father was wharf manager at the South Devon Wharf at Lower East Smithfield, and his early observation of merchant ships and the behaviour of their crews informed his many humorous tales.
Mark Williams is well-known as one of the stars of BBC TV's The Fast Show ("Suits you, sir..!!") and for the role of Ron Weasley's father in the Harry Potter films.
Abridged by Roy Apps
Producer: David Blount
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 11:15 Drama (b012wjcq)
Anna Symon - The Meaning of Love
by Anna Symon
When Ed finds himself sleeping in the spare room he realises he might have to rediscover exactly what love is. But coming up with the correct definition proves harder than he first imagines.
Directed by Sally Avens.
WED 12:00 The Navy Lark (b01n2vcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jxyr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 13:00 Father Brown Stories (b0081lvr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 13:30 Meet the Patels (b00kvryj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 14:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm6m)
Episode 8
Sophia's plan for escape is desperate, but will it be enough to convince her husband? Read by Emma Fielding and William Gaminara.
WED 14:15 The Invention of Childhood (b00sfcy9)
'Dear Papa, Dear Mama'
Michael Morpurgo discovers how middle and upper-class children enjoyed more informal upbringings by the late 18th century.
WED 14:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsr3)
Babel Tower, Part 8/8
The day of Frederica's divorce finally arrives and she learns whether she has won custody of her son, Leo. Stars Indira Varma.
WED 14:45 Book of the Week (b06j6g4p)
John le Carre: The Biography
Episode 3
The life of John le Carre by Adam Sisman, is abridged for radio in five episodes by Katrin Williams:
Oxford, teaching at Eton, employment at MI5. And publication. During these eventful years the shadow of his father Ronnie continues to loom large.
Reader: Stephen Boxer
Producer: Duncan Minshull
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2015.
WED 15:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt1v0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
WED 16:00 Jest a Minute (b013f0vy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
WED 16:30 Rent (b04dg72g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
WED 17:00 A Whole 'Nother Story (b007641j)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
WED 17:30 Heresy (b07gg1kd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
WED 18:00 Simon Clark - The Night of the Triffids (b07htd4f)
Episode 1
After 25 years, a colony of survivors on the Triffid-free Isle of Wight are under attack once more...
Simon Clark's 2001 novel is the sequel to John Wyndham's sci-fi classic. At the conclusion of 'The Day of the Triffids', scientist Bill Masen had escaped with his wife and four-year-old son to the island.
Now grown up, Bill's son, David wakes up one morning to a world plunged into darkness. Now, the Triffids have an advantage over humanity.
Stars Sam Troughton as David Masen, Nicola Bryant as Cerys/Marnie/Rowena, Paul Clayton as Bill Masen/General Fielding, Geff Francis as Gabriel and John Schwab as Sam Dynes.
Adapted by the author.
Producer: John Ainsworth.
Executive Producers: Jason Haigh-Ellery & Nicholas Briggs.
A Big Finish production.
WED 18:30 Off the Page (b008jd1m)
When Will You Ever Learn
Dominic discusses our attitudes to errors slight and serious with historian Dominic Sandbrook, performer Dillie Keane and writer Isabel Losada.
Lively discussion series chaired by Dominic Arkwright. .
Producer: Mark Smalley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2007.
WED 19:00 The Navy Lark (b01n2vcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 19:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jxyr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 20:00 Father Brown Stories (b0081lvr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 20:30 Meet the Patels (b00kvryj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 21:00 Sailors' Knots (b01k1n52)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
WED 21:15 Drama (b012wjcq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
WED 22:00 Heresy (b07gg1kd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
WED 22:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (b03xf1f8)
Series 1
The B&B
Mention Milton Jones to most people and the first thing they think is 'Help!'.
King of the one-liners, Milton Jones returns BBC to Radio 4 for an amazing 10th series in a new format where he has decided to set himself up as a man who can help anyone anywhere - whether they need it or not. Because, in his own words, "No problem too problemy".
But each week, Milton and his trusty assistant Anton set out to help people and soon find they're embroiled in a new adventure. So when you're close to the edge, then Milton can give you a push.
This week, a friend who runs a B&B is in trouble - so it's time for Milton to dust off those nylon sheets and let the sparks fly.
Written by Milton with James Cary ("Bluestone 42", "Miranda") and Dan Evans (who co-wrote Milton's Channel 4 show "House Of Rooms") the man they call "Britain's funniest Milton," returns to the radio with a fully-working cast and a shipload of new jokes.
The cast includes regulars Tom Goodman-Hill ("Spamalot", "Mr. Selfridge") as the ever-faithful Anton, and Dan Tetsell ("Newsjack"), and features the one and only Josie Lawrence working with Milton for the first time.
Producer David Tyler's radio credits include Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive, Cabin Pressure, Bigipedia, Another Case Of Milton Jones, Jeremy Hardy Speaks To The Nation, The Brig Society, Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes Off, The 99p Challenge, The Castle, The 3rd Degree and even, going back a bit, Radio Active.
Produced and Directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 23:00 The Mel and Sue Thing (b00769y0)
Episode 3
More mayhem from Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
Tragedy befalls the family in Jane Austen's lost novella, plus a pair of rather tame Shock Jocks; a ridiculously simple murder to solve in Leather Island and a rare treat as the Queen pays her very own special tribute to Brian May.
With Paul Chahidi
Written by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
Producer: Elizabeth Freestone.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2002.
WED 23:30 The Hudson and Pepperdine Show (b0075tgf)
Series 1
Episode 4
Have the girls from hit American TV show ‘Friends’ really come to visit?
Variety meets sitcom meets sketch show - written and performed by Mel Hudson and Vicki Pepperdine.
With Martin Hyder and Jim North.
Script editor: Graeme Garden
Music by Richard Webb.
Producers: Claire Jones and Helen Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2000.
THURSDAY 30 JUNE 2016
THU 00:00 Simon Clark - The Night of the Triffids (b07htd4f)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 Off the Page (b008jd1m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Father Brown Stories (b0081lvr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Meet the Patels (b00kvryj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm6m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:15 The Invention of Childhood (b00sfcy9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsr3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:45 Book of the Week (b06j6g4p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt1v0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt1v7)
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Episode 2
Dramatisation by Shaun McKenna of John le Carre's classic novel.
George Smiley, called back from retirement, tries to piece together the events of the past to find the mole he believes is tearing apart the British Secret Intelligence Service.
George Smiley ...... Simon Russell Beale
Ann Smiley ...... Anna Chancellor
Control ...... John Rowe
Peter Guillam ...... Ewan Bailey
Percy Alleline ...... Bill Paterson
Ricki Tarr ...... Jamie Foreman
Toby Esterhase ...... Sam Dale
Bill Haydon ...... Michael Feast
Roy Bland...... David Hargreaves
Sam Collins ...... Nicholas Boulton.
THU 05:00 The Complete Smiley (b07pt1w3)
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Episode 3
Dramatisation by Shaun McKenna of John le Carre's classic novel.
George Smiley, called back from retirement, is reaching the end of his hunt to find the mole he believes is tearing the British Secret Intelligence Service apart.
George Smiley ...... Simon Russell Beale
Ann Smiley ...... Anna Chancellor
Control ...... John Rowe
Peter Guillam ...... Ewan Bailey
Jim Prideaux ...... Anthony Calf
Mendel ...... Kenneth Cranham
Magyar ...... Peter Majer
Ricki Tarr ...... Jamie Foreman
Toby Esterhase ...... Sam Dale
Bill Haydon ...... Michael Feast
Karla ...... Philip Fox
Polyakov ...... Stephen Greif
Steve Mackelvore ...... Piers Wehner
Mrs McCraig ...... Kate Layden
Bill Roach ...... Ryan Watson.
THU 06:00 Bill Murphy - Hallows End (b007k2zc)
Wealthy Dubliner Dermot McPhail misguidedly buys a Gothic mansion on the wild coast of west Cork, but things start going dramatically wrong when the unscrupulous property developer and his pampered wife Clodagh move in.
Is someone sabotaging Dermot's dream, or is the ancient curse of Hallows End at work?
Bill Murphy's whodunit stars Gerry O'Brien as Dermot, Ann Marie Horan as Clodagh, Darragh Kelly as Patrick, Helen Norton as Aoife and Simon Delaney as Martin/Barman.
Producer: Lawrence Jackson
Made for BBC Radio 7 by BBC Northern Ireland.
First broadcast in 2007.
THU 06:30 The Walpole Chronicle (b010t6gw)
The novelist Hugh Walpole was one of the most successful writers of his generation; a consummate story teller. In the 1920s and 30s he was a publisher's dream ticket.
Each new novel dramatically outsold the one before. On his lucrative literary tours of America he pulled in even bigger audiences than Charles Dickens who had done the circuit 80 years before. He was a friend of and admired by Virginia Woolf, Arnold Bennett, John Buchan, Henry James, Clemence Dane, and T.S. Eliot. He wrote more than 50 books including 36 novels. He was the master of the epic family saga and also an accomplished writer of psychological thrillers and supernatural tales. Carl Jung thought Walpole was a better psychologist than many of his professional colleagues.
Today Walpole is largely forgotten. It was said that "the works of Hugh Walpole will go on forever" but today only a couple of his books are still in print. But what caused this catastrophic decline in Walpole's reputation?
For this re-appraisal of Walpole and his work Eric Robson travels to the Borrowdale Valley in the Lake District where Hugh settled for the last twenty years of his life. We go in search of this larger than life character who denied the existence of income tax, spent several fortunes on collections of books and art works and sought the love of London's literary set only to be ridiculed and parodied whilst his back was turned. Why has the verdict of posterity apparently been so harsh?
Producer: Barney Rowntree
A Somethin Else production for BBC Radio 4
THU 07:00 All the Young Dudes (b01b3cgf)
Series 2
Happy Together
Patrick and Helen have a massive row, while Billy arranges to meet another Prisoner fan off the web. Comedy written by and starring Jim Sweeney. From September 2002.
THU 07:30 Welcome to Wherever You Are (b07gh57z)
Pilot
Andrew Maxwell hosts a truly global stand-up show, in which comedians perform from wherever on the planet they happen to be, via high quality phone lines and internet video, to a live audience in the BBC Radio Theatre, London.
This pilot features award-winning comedians in Jakarta, St Petersburg, and Los Angeles, giving the range of observations a little wider than in a typical stand-up show, Subjects covered include being the freedoms afforded to women; how powerful Vladimir Putin really is; and why Canada probably doesn't exist.
With:
Sakdiyah Ma'ruf
Igor Meerson
Guy Branum
Andrew Maxwell is a multiple Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and a regular on BBC Radio 4.
Producer: Ed Morrish
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in June 2016.
THU 08:00 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jzjx)
Series 3
The Fridge
Author Gerald and his wife Diana blow hot and cold over refrigeration.
The convoluted chronicle of an optimistic author starring Ian Carmichael as Gerald C Potter and Charlotte Mitchell as his wife, Diana.
With Brian Carroll and Danny Schiller.
Written by Basil Boothroyd.
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1979.
THU 08:30 Radio Active (b007jpck)
Series 5
Music Festival
Mike Flex and Mike Channel host Radio Active's very own live music extravaganza.
Starring Helen Atkinson-Wood, Angus Deayton, Geoffrey Perkins, Philip Pope and Michael Fenton-Stevens.
Music by Philip Pope, Steve Brown and Geoffrey Perkins.
Written by Angus Deayton and Geoffrey Perkins with John Docherty, Moray Hunter and Jeremy Pascall.
Producer: Jamie Rix
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1985 .
THU 09:00 Booked (b0075sqz)
Series 4
Episode 3
Ian McMillan chairs the irreverent writing game.
Regular panellists Mark Thomas and Dillie Keane are joined by Roger McGough and Miles Kington.
Producer: Marc Jobst
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1998.
THU 09:30 When the Dog Dies (b045bss6)
Series 4
The Hills Are Alive
Another chance to hear the much missed Ronnie Corbett in the final series of his popular sitcom by Ian Davidson and Peter Vincent. Ronnie is granddad Sandy and his old dog is Henry. If the dog dies or his lodger moves on, Sandy's children want him to downsize. He doesn't.
To help his finances, Sandy, still in the family home, took in a young couple as lodgers. But then the man left - leaving the attractive Dolores behind. AndSandy's children are quite sure she's a gold-digger. Sandy's opinion that it would be inhuman to move Henry somewhere unfamiliar is wearing a bit thin - as is the old dog himself.
Keeping the dog alive and the lodger happy is one thing, but what really concerns Sandy deeply is providing a guiding hand to his whole family - advising here, prompting there, responding to any emergency callout. If he kept himself to himself, of course, things would be a lot simpler and smoother. But a lot duller too.
Episode Four - The Hills Are Alive
Sandy's holding auditions for The Sound of Music. Everyone wants to be in it. Complete strangers burst into song. Son-in-law Blake takes advantage of Sandy's distraction to lure him into a skyscraper for old people.
Written by Ian Davidson and Peter Vincent
Producer: Liz Anstee
A CPL production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 10:00 The Complete Smiley (b07psz20)
The Honourable Schoolboy
Episode 1
It's 1975, and spymaster George Smiley takes charge of dealing with a betrayal. Stars Simon Russell Beale and Hugh Bonneville.
THU 11:00 Half-Light (b01hl4gy)
The Black Woollen Gloves
By Neil M. Gunn, first published in 1928.
Read by Claire Knight.
A newly qualified school-mistress, just arrived in the Highland town of Inverness, chances upon the love of her life in the reading room of the local library.
First in a series of three short stories by one of Scotland's finest writers, Neil M. Gunn (best known for his 1941 novel, The Silver Darlings). Gunn was born in 1891, in the coastal village of Dunbeath, in Caithness, and wrote prolifically over a period that spanned the recession of the 1920s through to the aftermath of the second world war. He died in 1973.
The stories in this series are taken from Half-Light, a new collection of Gunn's short fiction compiled by his nephew Dairmid Gunn and published by Caithness-based Whittles Publishing.
Abridged and produced by Kirsteen Cameron.
THU 11:15 Drama (b015p86d)
Mark Lawson - The Artist is Thinking
In an intriguing murder mystery in the art world, Mark Lawson pursues a theme which for him holds particular fascination; the desire of the artist to remain illusive and anonymous behind work which is heavily codified and seemingly impenetrable.
When a brilliant young art historian flies in the face of the received wisdom regarding the work of the reclusive Anderson Perrine, the artist feels a distinct invasion of his privacy. He sets about laying a series of false trails but her pursuit of him is unrelenting and he is obliged to take radically evasive action.
'THE ARTIST IS THINKING' by Mark Lawson
THE ARTIST IS THINKING is directed by Eoin O'Callaghan and produced in Belfast for Radio 4.
THU 12:00 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jzjx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 12:30 Radio Active (b007jpck)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 13:00 Bill Murphy - Hallows End (b007k2zc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 13:30 The Walpole Chronicle (b010t6gw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 14:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm73)
Episode 9
Sophia is in hiding and Jan is trying to plan their escape, but will fate intervene? Read by Emma Fielding and William Gaminara.
THU 14:15 The Invention of Childhood (b00sg1gn)
Babies, Dressed or Undressed, Jointed, Wax or Common
Michael Morpurgo traces the rise of the British toy shop in the 18th century, and the beginnings of pester power.
THU 14:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsrf)
A Whistling Woman, Part 1/7
Frederica resigns but makes a living by reviewing. Edmund has an idea for a heavier television programme. Stars James Callis.
THU 14:45 Book of the Week (b06j5ncw)
John le Carre: The Biography
Episode 4
The life of John le Carre by Adam Sisman, is abridged for radio in five episodes by Katrin Williams:
From The Spy Who Came In From The Cold to Tinker, Tailor.., le Carre is one of the biggest names in the writing world. Then there's the time he encountered Dennis Healey at a party, with genial accusations in the air.
Reader: Stephen Boxer.
Producer: Duncan Minshull.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2015.
THU 15:00 The Complete Smiley (b07psz20)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
THU 16:00 Booked (b0075sqz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
THU 16:30 When the Dog Dies (b045bss6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
THU 17:00 All the Young Dudes (b01b3cgf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
THU 17:30 Welcome to Wherever You Are (b07gh57z)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 18:00 Simon Clark - The Night of the Triffids (b07jcb0z)
Episode 2
David Masen becomes the first European to reach America since 'the blinding'. But all is not well in New York.
Simon Clark's 2001 novel is the sequel to John Wyndham's sci-fi classic. At the conclusion of 'The Day of the Triffids', scientist Bill Masen had escaped with his wife and four-year-old son to the island.
Now grown up, Bill's son, David has discovered the Triffids now have an advantage over humanity.
Stars Sam Troughton as David Masen, Nicola Bryant as Cerys/Marnie/Rowena, Paul Clayton as Bill Masen/General Fielding, Geff Francis as Gabriel and John Schwab as Sam Dynes.
Adapted by the author.
Producer: John Ainsworth.
Executive Producers: Jason Haigh-Ellery & Nicholas Briggs.
A Big Finish production.
THU 18:30 Great Lives (b007738t)
Series 11
William Beveridge
4 Extra debut. Writer Anne Fine chooses social security reformer William Beveridge. With Frank Field and Matthew Parris. From January 2007.
THU 19:00 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jzjx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Radio Active (b007jpck)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 20:00 Bill Murphy - Hallows End (b007k2zc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 20:30 The Walpole Chronicle (b010t6gw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 21:00 Half-Light (b01hl4gy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
THU 21:15 Drama (b015p86d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
THU 22:00 Welcome to Wherever You Are (b07gh57z)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 22:30 The Music Teacher (b03b2mdg)
Series 3
Episode 3
Richie Webb returns as multi-instrumentalist music teacher Nigel Penny.
Belinda offers Nigel's services as a songwriter to the local football team to celebrate their possible cup run. Nigel, however, is slightly more concerned with a money-spinning sideline selling cheap and nasty music satchels whilst coping with his usual array of challenging pupils.
Directed by Nick Walker
Audio production by Matt Katz
Written and produced by Richie Webb
A Top Dog Production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 22:45 Can't Tell Nathan Caton Nothing (b01sdmzn)
Series 2
About Money
The series is a mix of Nathan's stand-up intercut with scenes from his family life.
Janet a.k.a. Mum - loves Nathan, but she aint looking embarrassed for nobody!
Martin a.k.a. Dad - clumsy and hard-headed and leaves running the house to his wife (she wouldn't allow it to be any other way).
Shirley a.k.a. Grandma - How can her grandson go on stage and use foul language and filthy material... it's not the good Christian way!
Can't Tell Nathan Caton Nothing - tells the story of young, up-and-coming comedian Nathan Caton, who after becoming the first in his family to graduate from University, opted not to use his architecture degree but instead to try his hand at being a full-time stand-up comedian, much to his family's annoyance who desperately want him to get a 'proper job.'
Each episode illustrates the criticism, interference and rollercoaster ride that Nathan endures from his disapproving family as he tries to pursue his chosen career.
Episode 3: About Money
In a mix of stand-up and re-enacted family life - Nathan Caton finds out how his loved ones would react if he were rich. But, sadly, he isn't.
NATHAN ..... NATHAN CATON
MUM ..... ADJOA ANDOH
DAD ..... CURTIS WALKER
GRANDMA ..... MONA HAMMOND
LAYLA ..... CHIZZY AKUDOLU
REVEREND WILLIAMS / MR DANIELS ..... DON GILÉT
SHIFTY ..... OLA
Written by Nathan Caton and James Kettle
Additional Material by Ola and Maff Brown
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
THU 23:00 Old Harry's Game (b007jvjx)
Series 4
Beauty
Satan introduces the Professor and Thomas to Helen of Troy and her plain friend, Daphne. Stars Andy Hamilton. From May 2001.
THU 23:25 The Comedy Club Interviews (b07jghm4)
From
10pm to midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Paul Garner chats again to The Inbetweeners co-creator Damon Beesley.
THU 23:30 Polyoaks (b01ntls1)
Series 2
Distance Healing
Polyoaks is just an ordinary Health Clinic somewhere in Bristol, but it lives in extraordinary times. General Practice is facing a revolution in health care, "the biggest shake-up to the NHS in a lifetime" - the third of those in the last five years or so. Doctors are being asked to manage their own budgets, cut costs and regularly prove their own competence. This tends to present opportunities and crises in equal measure.
In this episode, Distance Healing, Hugh is pioneering a new online diagnosis system that will save time, money and any necessity to meet patients face to face. This promises to be a money spinner too, if he can persuade other West Country Clinical Commissioning Groups to buy it. The two flies in the ointment are Mrs. Lewis, their most persistent hypochondriac who will insist on arriving at the surgery unannounced, and of course Roy, who has his own ideas about contact healing.
Cast:
Dr. Roy Thornton..............................Nigel Planer
Dr. Hugh Thornton............................Simon Greenall
TV's "Dr. Jeremy".............................David Westhead
Betty Crossfield................................Jane Whittenshaw
Nurse Vera Duplessis........................Polly Frame
Mr. Devlin.........................................Phil Cornwell
Mrs. Lewis........................................Mel Hudson
Mr. Wring..........................................Duncan Wisbey
Written by Dr. Phil Hammond and David Spicer
Directed by Frank Stirling
Producer by David Spicer
A Unique production for BBC Radio 4.
FRIDAY 01 JULY 2016
FRI 00:00 Simon Clark - The Night of the Triffids (b07jcb0z)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Great Lives (b007738t)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Bill Murphy - Hallows End (b007k2zc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 The Walpole Chronicle (b010t6gw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm73)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:15 The Invention of Childhood (b00sg1gn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsrf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:45 Book of the Week (b06j5ncw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 The Complete Smiley (b07psz20)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 The Complete Smiley (b07psz64)
The Honourable Schoolboy
Episode 2
The Americans make their presence felt, and tragedy strikes in Hong Kong. Stars Simon Russell Beale and Hugh Bonneville.
FRI 05:00 The Complete Smiley (b07psz6l)
The Honourable Schoolboy
Episode 3
Can George Smiley keep the situation under control? Can Jerry Westerby be trusted? Stars Simon Russell Beale and Daisy Haggard.
FRI 06:00 Graham Swannell - Hec (b07hwpdl)
Now aged 87 and living in a home, old soldier Hector is wheeled into Richmond Park on fine days. There he remembers the Battle of the Somme back in 1916, and a young girl called Ethel.
Stars Bill Fraser as Hector.
Script by Graham Swannell.
Producer: John Tydeman
First broadcast in Thirty Minute Theatre on BBC Radio 4 in 1985.
FRI 06:30 Down and Out in the City of Angels (b0128lmt)
Rob Campbell used to be in charge of a top secret computer system for the US military; he now camps down for the night in a doorway, his hair matted, his fingernails grimy, alert for trouble from cops. Corporal Hernadez left the US Infantry in 2006, and considers himself pretty sorted out; but he still gets jumpy hearing fireworks on the 4th of July.
It's Veteran's Day in California. It's a day to celebrate returning heroes, and in true Hollywood style, Arnold Schwarzenegger is giving the address. But Los Angeles, city of sunshine and movie stars, is also the homeless capital of America - estimates vary between 50 and 75 thousand - and returning US veterans from Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, make up a fifth of that number.
Veterans are 50% more likely to become homeless than any other demographic in the US, and to try and end the crisis, one year ago, President Obama gave a speech in which he not only promised to fight the problem, but end homelessness completely amongst veterans by 2015.
Can Obama succeed in his plan to avert a human crisis as a flood of newly discharged soldiers, carrying with them the trauma of war, re-enter an economy in recession?
Peter Bowes heads out to skid row - more than just a row, actually 50 square blocks of down town LA - to find out what the challenge will be, meeting the down and outs on skid row, a city within a city, to find out where things went wrong for America's heroes, and whether Obama has a hope of turning round America's hidden shame.
Producer: Sara Jane Hall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2011.
FRI 07:00 Tom Wrigglesworth: Utterly at Odds with the Universe (b04g8rhd)
Adapted from his sell-out Edinburgh show Tom Wrigglesworth takes an emotional journey exploring his profound relationship with his granddad, and comes to fully understand the influence he has had on his life.
FRI 07:30 Rumblings from the Rafters (b07h65c6)
Death Watch Beetle and Queen Wasp
Alison Steadman and Bill Paterson star as a bossy queen wasp and a death watch beetle as they reveal the truth about life in a draughty old attic in a house in Amersham.
The first of three tales, written and introduced by Lynne Truss.
Death Watch Beetle ...... Bill Paterson
Queen Wasp ...... Alison Steadman
The Death Watch Beetle is a wood-boring beetle. Having spent twelve years as a larva boring through a single rafter in the house with no one to talk to, our beetle is now an adult with about 5 weeks left to live. He has just three aims in life:
Firstly, to find a mate, which he does by banging his head on the timber "Oh Come on girls, .. I know you're out there ... Don't tell me this attic has ever seen such a specimen before. This lovely compact dark brown capsule of hard cuticle covered with yellowish scale-like hair and just under a centimetre long - it could all be yours!
Secondly, to make as much noise as he can.
And finally, to live long enough to see the roof cave in.
The Queen Wasp is very, very bossy, and very, very stressed. She carries the entire responsibility for the wasp colony and its thousands of inhabitants, all of whom are her own progeny. There is an enormous amount of work to be done.
"They call themselves workers, these girls, but quite frankly, none of them knows what real work actually is." It is lonely at the top too," I did consider leaving all this, at one point. None of them knows this; they'd be heartbroken to think I might have left them" and she is just beginning to lose her grip. "Bring me my list" she constantly yells.
Life doesn't get much more stressful than this.
Wildlife sound recordings Chris Watson
Producer Sarah Blunt.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2016.
FRI 08:00 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (b007nf1x)
End of an Era
It's Bob and Thelma's big day - and he's on tranquilisers!
Starring James Bolam as Terry Collier, Rodney Bewes as Bob Ferris and Brigit Forsyth as Thelma Chambers..
With Sheila Fearn, Joan Hickson, Anita Carey, Daphne Heard and Barbara Ogilvie.
Created and scripted for BBC TV by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.
Adapted for radio and produced by John Browell.
Audio recovered from a listener to BBC 7.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1975.
FRI 08:30 The Goon Show (b007jtth)
Series 7
Insurance: The White Man's Burden
Neddie Seagoon tries to set fire to the English Channel to claim the insurance.
Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan and Larry Stephens.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
Jack Train
First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.
With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.
Announcer: Wallace Greenslade
Producer: Pat Dixon
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in February 1957.
FRI 09:00 Whispers (b007k2sf)
Series 3
Episode 2
Gyles Brandreth chairs the scandals quiz with Anthony Holden, Lucy Moore, Richard Herring and Louise Doughty. From October 2005.
FRI 09:30 No Commitments (b01m8511)
Series 10
Rules of Engagement
With Emily due to wed, Victoria is finally able to upstage her younger sister Charlotte. Stars Angela Thorne. From February 2004.
FRI 10:00 The Complete Smiley (b07psz6r)
Smiley's People
Episode 1
George finds himself back in harness to the circus when an old friend and colleague is found dead. John le Carre thriller stars Simon Russell Beale.
FRI 11:00 Half-Light (b01hxtmk)
The White Hour
By Neil M. Gunn, first published in 1924.
Read by Ann Louise Ross.
An elderly Highland woman is comforted in her final hours by the companionable nearness of her beloved granddaughter and the young woman's lover.
Second in a series of three short stories by one of Scotland's finest writers, Neil M. Gunn (best known for his 1941 novel, The Silver Darlings). Gunn was born in 1891, in the coastal village of Dunbeath, in Caithness, and wrote prolifically over a period that spanned the recession of the 1920s through to the aftermath of the Second World War. He died in 1973.
The stories in this series are taken from Half-Light, a new collection of Gunn's short fiction compiled by his nephew Dairmid Gunn and published by Caithness-based Whittles Publishing.
Abridged and produced by Kirsteen Cameron.
FRI 11:15 Dermot Bolger - Temptation (b0076frt)
Powerful emotions erupt as married Alison is reunited with a long lost love on holiday in Ireland.
Stars Zara Turner as Alison Gill, Peter McDonald as Chris Conway, Gary Whelan as Peadar, Eleanor Methven as Joan, Gerard McSorley as the Doctor, Coirle Magee as Sheila, Jack Logue as Danny and Emma McNeill as the Babysitter.
Producer: Gemma McMullan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
FRI 12:00 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (b007nf1x)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 The Goon Show (b007jtth)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Graham Swannell - Hec (b07hwpdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Down and Out in the City of Angels (b0128lmt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 14:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm7m)
Episode 10
Sophia feels she has committed a terrible sin and must pay for it, but how? Read by Emma Fielding and William Gaminara.
FRI 14:15 The Invention of Childhood (b00sg3tf)
The Child Is Father of the Man
With evangelicals to rationalists battling over Britain's children, Michael Morpurgo searches surviving 18th-century records.
FRI 14:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jsrt)
A Whistling Woman, Part 2/7
Frederica has doubts about her television career and her brother, Marcus, makes a shocking discovery. Stars Karl Prekopp.
FRI 14:45 Book of the Week (b06j5ycc)
John le Carre: The Biography
Episode 5
The life of John le Carre by Adam Sisman, is abridged for radio in five episodes by Katrin Williams:
From The Constant Gardener in the 1990s to the present day, and the author is still very much at work - "I find it very difficult to read my own stuff, but I look at it with satisfaction."
Reader: Stephen Boxer
Producer: Duncan Minshull
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2015.
FRI 15:00 The Complete Smiley (b07psz6r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
FRI 16:00 Whispers (b007k2sf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
FRI 16:30 No Commitments (b01m8511)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Tom Wrigglesworth: Utterly at Odds with the Universe (b04g8rhd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Rumblings from the Rafters (b07h65c6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Simon Clark - The Night of the Triffids (b07jwj32)
Episode 3
The more David Masen learns about Manhattan, the less he likes it. And the island's leader has a dubious past.
Simon Clark's 2001 novel is the sequel to John Wyndham's sci-fi classic. At the conclusion of 'The Day of the Triffids', scientist Bill Masen had escaped with his wife and four-year-old son to the island.
Now grown up, Bill's son, David wakes up one morning to a world plunged into darkness. Now, the Triffids have an advantage over humanity.
Stars Sam Troughton as David Masen, Nicola Bryant as Cerys/Marnie/Rowena, Paul Clayton as Bill Masen/General Fielding, Geff Francis as Gabriel and John Schwab as Sam Dynes.
Adapted by the author.
Producer: John Ainsworth.
Executive Producers: Jason Haigh-Ellery & Nicholas Briggs.
A Big Finish production.
FRI 18:30 Sounds Natural (b07hwrh5)
Spike Milligan
From Rhesus Monkeys to Kookaburras. Star of The Goon Show, Spike Milligan talks to Derek Jones about his enthusiasm for wild animals and his concern for their future - aided by recordings from the BBC Sound Archives.
Spike Milligan KBE: born 1918 - died 2002.
Producer: John Burton.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1972.
FRI 19:00 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (b007nf1x)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 The Goon Show (b007jtth)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 Graham Swannell - Hec (b07hwpdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Down and Out in the City of Angels (b0128lmt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Half-Light (b01hxtmk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
FRI 21:15 Dermot Bolger - Temptation (b0076frt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
FRI 22:00 The Iguanodon (b0075cbr)
Away and Slightly to the Left
Sam Varley is looking for a lift back to the mainland when his boat is wrecked in a storm.
Mr Brook is looking for an unforgettable adventure at sea, after a lifetime in custards.
Neither of them get quite what they're expecting on a boat called 'The Iguanodon'...
Three-part comedy adventure by Paul Lucas.
Sam Varley ...... Paul Haigh
Mr Brook ...... Bernard Cribbins
Don O'Reilly ...... Dermot Crowley
Isabel ...... Rosemary Leach
The Captain ...... John Arthur
Laura ...... Sally Phillips
Harriet ...... Patsy Byrne
Producer: Jo Clegg
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1997.
FRI 22:30 BBC New Comedy Awards (b07hnq1k)
2016
Heat 3 - Manchester
Ten new comedians perform in the third heat from Manchester's Comedy Store with host Justin Moorhouse.
FRI 23:25 The Comedy Club Interviews (b07kd804)
From
10pm to midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Arthur Smith chats with Felicity Ward.
FRI 23:30 The Consultants (b0076q2b)
Series 2
Episode 6
Crossword challenges and dinner with the devil. Offbeat songs and sketches with Neil Edmond, Justin Edwards and James Rawlings. From May 2004.