SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018

SAT 00:00 James Follett - The Destruction Factor (b007jpbx)
Search and Destroy
Despite the national emergency, landowners try to profit from the deadly Exon strain. Stars TP McKenna and Rosalind Adams. From March 1978.
SAT 00:30 Mastertapes (b01nxh51)
Series 1, Brinsley Forde (the A-Side)
John Wilson continues the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
'New Chapter' - More than 30 years since its release, Brinsley Forde talks about Aswad's third studio album. Formed in Ladbroke Grove in West London, Aswad are the band that put UK reggae on the map. They were reknowned for their fusion of styles including dancehall, funk, hip-hop and dub and for bringing strong R&B influences to the reggae scene. New Chapter, their first album for CBS, was both a watershed for the group and a benchmark for British reggae and it features tracks like 'Natural Progression', 'Ina Your Rights', 'Candles' and 'African Children'. Released in 1981, it went on to influence the likes of Maxi Priest, Soul II Soul and Massive Attack.
In the B-side of the programme, it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions.
First broadcast on Radio 4, where a new series of Mastertapes began on 11th November.
SAT 01:00 Wimsey (b007jvmh)
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, Armistice Night
Lord Peter Wimsey investigates the puzzling death of rich, retired General Fentiman who's found dead in an armchair at his gentleman's club.
Starring Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter Wimsey, Peter Jones as Bunter, Martin Jarvis as George Fentiman and John Gabriel as Mr Murbles.
British gentleman detective Lord Peter Wimsey features in a number of detective novels and short stories by English crime writer, Dorothy L Sayers. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club was first published in 1928.
Classy and sharp-witted, aristocratic amateur sleuth Lord Peter Bredon Wimsey was born in 1890 and educated at Eton and Oxford, before serving in the military during the First World War.
Ian Carmichael appeared as Lord Peter Wimsey for BBC Radio from 1973 to 1983, in addition to the BBC TV adaptations that were broadcast between 1972 and 1975.
Adapted for radio in six episodes by Chris Miller.
Producer: Simon Brett.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1975.
SAT 01:30 The High Street Handicap (b0076syp)
Recreating a legendary fell pony race, poet Ian McMillan makes a pilgrimage to the top of the Lake District mountain 'high street'. From July 2005.
SAT 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b037jnlf)
Ian Sansom - The Norfolk Mystery, Episode 5
Julian Rhind-Tutt reads Ian Sansom's new comic thriller, The Norfolk Mystery. Morley and Sefton retire to the public bar to discuss the mystery of the reverend's death. But Morley sticks out like a sore thumb; his fondness for tongue twisters and quotations, his expansive gesticulation and the ordering of water don't help. While Sefton squirms with embarrassment, Sefton ponders (loudly) on the motivation for the reverend's apparent suicide. Later, Sefton has another assignation with the mysterious Hannah.
The Norfolk Mystery by Ian Sansom is abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.
Produced by: Sarah Langan.
SAT 02:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009j65v)
David Hicks
Laurence looks at the career of a flamboyant and influential decorator, who became a superstar of the 1960s. From March 2008.
SAT 02:30 Charles Dickens (b007w3b7)
The Old Curiosity Shop, Episode 15
The hunt continues to track down Little Nell and her grandfather. Dickens dramatisation with Alex Jennings. From January 2003.
SAT 02:45 Book of the Week (b01snxs9)
Paul Morley - The North (and Almost Everything in It), Episode 5
Paul Morley grew up in Reddish, less than five miles from Manchester and even closer to Stockport. Ever since the age of seven, old enough to form an identity but too young to be aware that 'southern' was a category, Morley has always thought of himself as a northerner. What that meant, he wasn't entirely sure. It was for him, as it is for millions of others in England, an absolute, indisputable truth.
Forty years after walking down grey pavements on his way to school, Morley explores what it means to be northern.
In today's episode it's 1976, and the Sex Pistols play Manchester's Free Hall. Morley was there.
Paul Morley is an acclaimed music journalist, writer, presenter and music producer. He made his name writing for the NME between 1977 and 1983, and has gone on to publish several books about music.
Reader: Paul Morley, with additional readings from Paul Hilton
Abridger: Viv Beeby
Producer: Justine Willett.
SAT 03:00 Afternoon Drama (b00r0smq)
Ronald Frame - Pinkerton
By Ronald Frame.
In the new immigrant community of 1840s America, Scotsman Allan Pinkerton turns detective when an influx of counterfeit dollars threatens the local economy.
Allan Pinkerton ...... Forbes Masson
Joan Pinkerton ...... Rachel Ogilvy
John Craig ...... Sam Dale
Mrs O'Riordan/elderly Woman ...... Marcella Riordan
Nathan Madison/ Croupier/Elderly Man ...... Robert Jezek
Lisl ...... Alison Pettitt
Jack Paige/Police Officer ...... John Biggins
Wolf/Bank Teller/Dr Morgan ...... Bruce Alexander
Directed by David Ian Neville.
SAT 03:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00pxq7y)
Series 1, Collecting
Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.
Why do we collect things? Is it a male response to ancient hunting instincts to provide food for the family? Today, collecting by children is in decline, and with it the development of an early fascination with the natural world around them.
SAT 04:00 The Motion Show (b070wg2g)
Series 3, Episode 4
Graeme Garden's debating game with Gyles Brandreth, Hugh Dennis, Arthur Smith and Antony Worrall Thompson. From August 2000.
SAT 04:30 Kathmandu or Bust (b01pkmq0)
The Truck Stops Here
The travellers have reached... um, well, actually they're lost in the middle of Uzbekistan. Stars David Haig. From July 1996.
SAT 05:00 The Emerald Green Show (b077ygkd)
Face Value
The show has failed to deliver, but Emerald's too desperate to give up so easily, Her feathers are ruffled when a bright and talented intern arrives...
A vain, ambitious black woman dreams of becoming a chat-show queen
Lisselle Kayla's four-part comedy series starring Llewella Gideon as Emerald Green.
With Jonathan Firth as Tristram, Iwan Thomas as Fabio, Dean Hill as Victor, Sheila Reid as Eunice, Jonathan Keeble as David and Jo Martin as Tanesha.
Director: Pam Fraser Solomon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1998.
SAT 05:30 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03w01zk)
Series 3, The Travel Piece
When Damien is offered the chance to test a new hotel as part of a writing assignment, he jumps at it. Meanwhile, Marion and Mr Mullaney are off on a date.
SAT 06:00 Jo Anderson - The Understudy (b00xls12)
An actor's obsession with a bizarre murder in Victorian theatreland sparks a deadly confrontation.
A psychological ghost story by Jo Anderson.
Starring Nigel Anthony as John Stanger, Frances Jeater as Jen Stanger, Michael Harbour as Paul Anstruther, Caroline Strong as Lindy, Peter Whitman as the Other, Barry Gordon as Belling, Neville Jason as Maurice, Fraser Kerr as Harris, Cathy Sara as Holly and Terry John as Frank.
Gaye Brown as Henrietta, Jo Anderson as the Barmaid, Tom Bevan as Peter, Paul Panting as Ben, Elaine Claxton as Lizzie, Lyndam Gregory as the Lift Operator, Teresa Gallagher as Jen's PA and Shaun Prendergast as the Geordie Doorman.
Director: Adrian Bean
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994.
SAT 07:30 Freedom Pass (b00sk9vm)
Episode 3
Sexagenarians Alan Coren and Christopher Matthew use free travel for another chatty trip on local public transport. From September 2004.
SAT 08:00 Archive on 4 (b00rl2ky)
Sculptress of Sound: The Lost Works of Delia Derbyshire
4 Extra Debut. Broadcaster and Doctor Who fan Matthew Sweet travels to The University of Manchester - home of Delia Derbyshire's private collection of audio recordings - to learn more about the wider career and working methods of the woman who realised Ron Grainer's original theme to Doctor Who.
Delia's collection of tapes had been in the safekeeping of Mark Ayres, archivist for the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Matthew meets up at Manchester University with Mark, along with Delia's former colleagues from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, Brian Hodgson and Dick Mills - plus former 'White Noise' band member David Vorhaus - to hear extracts from the archive, discuss their memories of Delia and the creative process behind some of her material.
Her realisation of the Doctor Who theme is just one small example of her genius and we'll demonstrate how the music was originally created as well as hearing individual tracks from Delia's aborted 70s' version. We'll also feature the make up tapes for her celebrated piece 'Blue Veils and Golden Sands', and hear Delia being interviewed on a previously 'lost' BBC recording from the 1960s.
Matthew's journey of discovery will take in work with the influential poet Barry Bermange, as well as her 1971 piece marking the centenary of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.
This Archive on 4 is brought up to date with an individual track from 'The Dance' from the children's programme 'Noah'. Recorded in the late 1960s this remarkable tape sounds like a contemporary dance track which wouldn't be out of place in today's most 'happening' trance clubs.
Producer: Phil Collinge.
SAT 09:00 Sondheim - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (b07l53b8)
Denis Quilley and Julia McKenzie star in an exclusive BBC recording of the Royal National Theatre's hit 1993 revival of Stephen Sondheim 's musical thriller. Introduced by Sheridan Morley.
A half-mad barber returns home after escaping from an unjust imprisonment, to take vengeance on the judge who sentenced him, ravished his wife and now plans to marry his daughter. However, Sweeney doesn't limit himself to one victim, he takes revenge against the whole world for his and his daughter's suffering by slitting the throats of his customers, whose corpses are then made into meat pies by his enterprising accomplice, Mrs Lovett.
Music and lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim based on Hugh Wheeler's book, adapted by Christopher Bond.
Starring Denis Quilley as Sweeney Todd, Julia McKenzie as Mrs Lovett, Adrian Lester as Anthony Hope, Sheila Reid as Beggar Woman/Lucy, Carol Starks as Johanna, Philip Curtis as the Bird Seller, Christopher Benjamin as Judge Turpin, Barry James as Beadle Bamford, Adriana Lewis Morgan as Tobias Ragg, Nick Holder as Adolfo Pirelli and Stephen Hanley as Fogg.
The ensemble players: Di Botcher, Megan Kelly, Mandy Moore, Martin Nelson, Peter Prentice, Ernestina Quarcoo and Rhashan Stone.
Musicians: Colin Wray [trumpet], Dean Foley [horn], Emma Fowler [clarinet], Rachel Edmunds [bassoon], Julia Leighton-Jones [violin], Judith Herbert [cello], David Berry [double-bass] and Philip Hopkins [percussion].
Associate Music Director: Mark Dorrell and Production Music Direct: Paddy Cunneen.
Director: Declan Donnellan
For the BBC: Recording Engineer: Mike Robinson, Sound Balancer: Tim Durham and Producer: John Langridge.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1994.
SAT 11:35 Stephen Sondheim in Conversation (b07l56k2)
Legendary composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim in conversation with Mark Lawson.
With a string of award-winning shows to his name - including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Into The Woods and Passion - Stephen discusses his career and shares his views on musical theatre.
Recorded with an audience at the 2010 Cheltenham Literature Festival when Stephen was on a UK book tour, coinciding with his 80th birthday.
First broadcast in Front Row on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
SAT 12:00 North by Northamptonshire (b00sp454)
Series 1, Episode 1
Sheila Hancock heads a stunning cast including Mackenzie Crook, Penelope Wilton, Felicity Montagu and Kevin Eldon. This is a clever, funny and touching series about a small town in the middle of Northamptonshire as it prepares for a talent night. It is written by and also stars Katherine Jakeways.
Each week we catch up with Rod the local supermarket manager (Mackenzie Crook) who shares rather more than is usual about his private life over the store's tannoy system.
We get to know recently divorced Jan (Felicity Montagu) who's been trying unsuccessfully to 'find herself' with a trip abroad to an elephant sanctuary. But it is at home in Wadenbrook that she starts to feel happier with herself as her friendship blossoms with ex-teacher Mary (Penelope Wilton). And, joy of joys, could it be that Jan is going to experience a touch of romance at last?
We are introduced to driving instructor and forthright self-defence teacher Esther (Katherine Jakeways) and her gentle and put-upon Jonathan (Kevin Eldon) as they struggle to start a family and we meet possibly the only happy couple in town, Ken and Keith, as they attempt to teach their pet whippets to dance for the town talent night.
Written by Katherine Jakeways
Produced by Claire Jones
In this week's episode Mary starts rehearsals for the town talent night and is shocked by 12 year old Gregory's slide show of Victorian ladies. Meanwhile Esther sends her husband Jonathan out to collect money for the Leicestershire Infertile Males Project but he ends up at The Bricklayer's Arms looking at pictures of elephants with Jan.
SAT 12:30 The Goon Show (b0081rvd)
The Mighty Wurlitzer
Neddie propels his mighty organ across the Sahara. Stars Harry Secombe and Spike Milligan. From January 1956.
SAT 13:00 Delphine De Vigan - Based on a True Story (Omnibus) (b09wtz8l)
Delphine is suffering from writer's block when she meets L. Thriller about an obsessive female friendship. Starring Janie Dee.
SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (b09wtz8n)
Suzi Quatro
Suzi Quatro: Singer and broadcaster Suzi Quatro chooses 'God Bless The Child' by Billie Holiday and 'Try A Little Tenderness' by Otis Redding.
SAT 14:15 Sentimental Journey (b007700r)
Annie Nightingale
Arthur Smith joins BBC Radio 1's Annie Nightingale on a trip back to Romania where, in 1990 following the revolution that deposed dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, the DJ organised a tour bringing Western music to the youth of Bucharest.
Producer: Sharon Banoff
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2006.
SAT 14:45 Allen Saddler - I Should Say So (b01kjtfx)
Series 1, The Poltergeist
Robb Wilton (1881-1957) was one of the most popular music hall and radio comics of the 1930s and 1940s.
Famed as an all-round pessimist - what would he have made of 1980s Britain?
Michael Williams stars as Robb Wilton - making as little sense out of life as he did 40 years before...
Written by Allen Saddler.
Producer: Brian Miller
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1986.
SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b00rl2ky)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Jo Anderson - The Understudy (b00xls12)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Freedom Pass (b00sk9vm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 Afternoon Drama (b00kphpk)
On Ego
Collaboration between neuropsychologist Paul Broks and theatre director and writer Mick Gordon.
Lecturer Alex is convinced that people are just a bundle of neurons. When his wife falls ill, he finds he has basic questions to answer about what it really means to be a person. But that is just part of an unfolding experience that questions not only his identity but his very existence.
Derek ...... Henry Goodman
Alex ...... Elliot Levey
Alice ...... Susan Lynch
Directed by Mick Gordon.
SAT 18:45 Stephen King - Cookie Jar (b09wtzqh)
Cookie Communions
After his mother's untimely death, Rhett inherits a cookie jar which proves to have some very unusual properties...
'I had sort of a peculiar childhood, because my mother was peculiar. Not outright crazy, but very, very peculiar. Stories were her way of staying sane... A way to cover that hole in reality the way you might cover a well with boards so no one would fall in. But her stories stopped working for her. Because the thing she was afraid of was in the house with her all along.'
From 'The Bazaar of Bad Dreams', Stephen King's story adapted in three parts. Read by Colin Stinton.
Music by Timothy X Atack.
Abridged and Produced by Mair Bosworth.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016.
SAT 19:00 Miriam Margolyes' Adventures in Radio (b07qcf7j)
Much-loved actress Miriam Margolyes looks back over her radio lives, choosing some of her favourite performances from the BBC Radio Archive.
Despite winning awards (BAFTA), Miriam is on the record as saying she has many regrets in her stage career, but when it comes to her radio back catalogue, she is immensely proud. Since she joined the BBC Radio Drama Repertory Company in the 1965, radio has been a true love.
Miriam's choices include:
* Sentimental Journey (Radio 4 1999) where she made an emotional trip to Belarus, with Arthur Smith to find out more about her family history;
* After Albert (Radio 4 1996) where she plays a feisty Queen Victoria, with surprising desires, after the death of Prince Albert;
* The Queen and I (Radio 4, 1992) in a Sony Radio Academy Best Actress winning performance, Miriam brings to life Sue Townsend's (Adrian Mole) comic tale about the House of Windsor, whose members are rather down on their luck;
* The Child (1979, Radio 4) where she stars in Olwen Wymark's sensitive story about a mother caring for her daughter who has profound mental health issues;
* Dickens' Women (Radio 4, 1991) Miriam chooses a favourite character, Miss Havisham, from her celebrated one-woman show stage show, recorded for Radio 4;
* The Picnic (Radio 3, 1985) Miriam stars with Timothy West in Anthony Horowitz's powerful story based on a real event in the Soviet Union in 1981;
* Singular Women, (Radio 4, 1997) Miriam becomes Stella, the manageress of a chocolate shop, demonstrating the power of the radio monologue to create a magical link of imaginations between an actor, a character and the listener.
Produced for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Peter McHugh.
SAT 22:00 My Teenage Diary (b038yk71)
Series 5, Vanessa Feltz
Another brave celebrity revisits their formative years by opening up their intimate teenage diaries and reading them out in public for the very first time.
Comedian Rufus Hound is joined by broadcaster Vanessa Feltz, who revisits her teenage years in North London. She spent her holidays packing knickers for her father's lingerie firm, and a lot of the rest of the time daydreaming about being married to her teenage boyfriend.
Producer: Harriet Jaine
A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 22:30 Irish Micks and Legends (b052jkx8)
Series 2, Diarmuid and Grainne
Aisling Bea (British Comedy Award Winner 2014) and Yasmine Akram (Sherlock) return with a second series, offering their unique take on Ireland's ancient stories.
Irish Micks and Legends is comedic, highly irreverent storytelling of ancient Irish folklore. Still the very best pals, Aisling and Yasmine take their role explaining Irish legends to the British nation very seriously indeed. That said, it would appear that they haven't had the time to do much research, work out who is doing which parts, edit out the chat or learn how to work the sound desk.
With a vast vault of fantastical myths, mixed with 21st century references to help you along, prepare for some very silly lessons in life, love and the crazy shenanigans of old Ireland and modern Irish. The first series was a Chortle Best Radio Comedy Nominee 2013.
Episode Three: Diarmuid and Grainne
Aisling and Yasmine get romantic (not like that) to tell the tale of the famous young lovers Diarmuid and Grainne. It's an affair which ended like most Irish stories - terribly.
Producer: Raymond Lau
A Green Dragon Media production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 22:45 Terry Alderton's All Crazy Now (b0643vfq)
Chicken Pole Vault
There's a pole vaulting chicken, a racing cow, a dancing bear and several confused inner voices. Street Kid is back with Morgan the Free Man and an ironic Australian - or is it an ironic Englishman? Irony is harder than it looks.
Let Terry take you on a sonic journey through comedy and possible madness. Prepare to be surprised, shocked and delighted.
Written by and starring Terry Alderton
Additional material by Johnny Spurling, Boothby Graffoe, Richard Melvin, Julia Sutherland and Owen Parker.
Sound designed by Sean Kerwin
Produced by Richard Melvin
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b09wtzqk)
Simon Day 2/3
Arthur Smith chats to star of Brian Pern and The Fast Show, Simon Day.
SAT 23:00 That Mitchell and Webb Sound (b00mg8mx)
Series 4, Episode 3
Who will succeed Zorro? Can pensioners understand the futures trade? Comedy sketch show starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb. From September 2009.
SAT 23:30 Alice's Wunderland (b03mj3hp)
Series 2, Episode 4
A trip to Wunderland, the Poundland of magical realms. In this last episode of the series, Wunderland is under threat frpm an Unclear War.
Sketch show by Alice Lowe.
Also starring Richard Glover, Simon Greenall, Rachel Stubbings, Clare Thompson and Marcia Warren.
Produced by Lyndsay Fenner.

SUNDAY 25 MARCH 2018

SUN 00:00 Afternoon Drama (b00kphpk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Saturday]
SUN 00:45 Stephen King - Cookie Jar (b09wtzqh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:45 on Saturday]
SUN 02:00 Delphine De Vigan - Based on a True Story (Omnibus) (b09wtz8l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:00 on Saturday]
SUN 03:10 Inheritance Tracks (b09wtz8n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:10 on Saturday]
SUN 03:15 Sentimental Journey (b007700r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 Allen Saddler - I Should Say So (b01kjtfx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 Jo Anderson - The Understudy (b00xls12)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 05:30 Freedom Pass (b00sk9vm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Charles Dickens (b007wfqw)
The Old Curiosity Shop (Omnibus), Episode 3
Driven to find shelter in a storm, Little Nell's grandfather finds a place at the card table.
Starring Emily Chennery as Nell, Alex Jennings as the Narrator, Trevor Peacock as Grandfather, Gerard McDermott as Giant/Grinder, Julia McKenzie as Mrs Jarley and Anna Massey as Miss Monflathers.
Charles Dickens's fourth novel was published in 1841.
Dramatised in 25 episodes by Mike Walker.
Music by Melanie Pappenheim and Anne Wood.
Director: Jeremy Mortimer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
SUN 07:15 Katie Campbell - The Announcement (b09wv0q4)
4 Extra Debut. An unmarried woman finds herself unexpectedly pregnant and decides to tell the father. What will he do? Read by Sudha Bhuchar. From March 1995.
SUN 07:30 John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme (b039q252)
Series 3, Episode 2
John Finnemore, the writer and star of Cabin Pressure, regular guest on The Now Show and popper-upper in things like Miranda, presents a third series series of his hit sketch show.
The first series was described as 'sparklingly clever' by The Daily Telegraph and 'one of the most consistently funny sketch shows for quite some time' by The Guardian. The second series won Best Radio Comedy at both the Chortle and Comedy.co.uk awards, and was nominated for a Sony award.
This time around, John promises to stop doing silly sketches about nonsense like Winnie the Pooh's honey addiction or how goldfish invented computer programming, and concentrate instead on the the big, serious issues.
This second episode of the series addresses making new friends; the problem with polymath bestselling authors; and a brief history of choice. And the show as a whole is... slightly off.
Written by and starring John Finnemore, with Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Simon Kane, Lawry Lewin and Carrie Quinlan.
Producer: Ed Morrish.
SUN 08:00 Ray's a Laugh (b007js0d)
From 22/11/1949
Ted puts money on Kitty's dream - and reporter George chases down a forger.
Starring Ted Ray.
With Kitty Bluett, Peter Sellers, Patricia Hayes, Fred Yule and Leslie Perrins.
Ray's A Laugh - the successor to ITMA - follows the comedy exploits of Ted's life at home with his 'radio' wife Kitty, as well as in a variety of jobs. It ran from 1949 to 1961.
Scripted by Eddie Maguire and Ted Ray.
Music from Bob & Alf Pearson and The Beaux and The Belles.
BBC Dance Orchestra conducted by Stanley Black.
Producer: George Inns
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in November 1949.
SUN 08:30 Harry Worth in Things Could Be Worse (b09wv0q6)
The Coach Trip
Harry takes his troublesome nephew, Edwin, on an incident-packed coach journey down the M1.
Written by David McKellar and David Renwick.
Starring Harry Worth. With John Baddeley, John Graham and Miriam Margolyes.
Producer: Simon Brett.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1976.
SUN 09:00 John Lewis-Stempel - The Wood (Omnibus) (b09wv0q8)
Over 12 months, this is the story of Cockshutt Wood in Shropshire, representative of all the small woods in our landscape and the sanctuary they provide.
From January through to December, John Lewis-Stempel records the passage of the seasons in exquisite prose, as the cuckoo flits through the green shade in the silence and the wind of winter. He explores from the roots of the oak to its tips, under the black, spicy leaf mould of the woodland floor and up into the mysterious canopy.
It's a unique account of the animals that inhabit this refuge - the fox, the pheasant, the wood mouse and the tawny owl, among others - with the stories of their births, lives and deaths threaded through the book.
Omnibus of 5 parts read by Greg Wise.
Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2018.
SUN 10:10 The Listening Project (b041yf8v)
Abbe and Eyal - Pen to Paper
Fi Glover introduces a conversation remembering a courtship conducted via pen and ink, and its romantic advantages over today's glib communications via social media, proving once again that it's surprising what you hear when you listen.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation with someone close to them about a subject they've never discussed intimately before. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation - they're not BBC interviews, and that's an important difference - lasts up to an hour, and is then edited to extract the key moment of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in the second decade of the millennium. You can upload your own conversations or just learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Marya Burgess.
SUN 10:15 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b09wv0qb)
The Emerald Isle, Frank McCourt
4 Extra Debut. From The Chieftains to Billie Holiday. Writer Frank McCourt shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley. From June 2001.
SUN 11:00 Podcast Radio Hour (b09w6t9q)
Cariad Lloyd
BBC Radio 4 Extra explores the world of podcasts and finds the best on offer from the BBC and beyond. From some of the most popular series to lesser-known hidden gems.
Sarah Wade and her guest: comedian, actress and podcaster Cariad Lloyd listen in to 'Standard Issue' from the UK and 'Heavyweight' from the USA.
SUN 12:00 Ray's a Laugh (b007js0d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SUN 12:30 Harry Worth in Things Could Be Worse (b09wv0q6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
SUN 13:00 Charles Dickens (b007wfqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 14:15 Katie Campbell - The Announcement (b09wv0q4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]
SUN 14:30 Jon McGregor - Reservoir 13 (b09wv0qd)
Omnibus
A teenage girl has gone missing on a midwinter walk in the heart of England.
As the locals are called up to join the search party and police set up roadblocks, a crowd of news reporters descends on this usually quiet village.
What effect will Becky Shaw's disappearance have on this close-knit Peak District community? And what did happen her?
But as the search for Becky goes on, so does everyday life. Cows must be milked, fences repaired, stone cut, pints poured, beds made, sermons written. And as the seasons unfold there are those who leave the village and those who are pulled back; those who come together or break apart. There are births and deaths; secrets kept and told; small kindnesses and unanticipated betrayals.
Jon McGregor's Reservoir 13 is one of the most acclaimed and talked-about novels of the 2017. It won the Costa Novel Award, was shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize, and was longlisted for the Man Booker. It was a Guardian, Financial Times, TLS, Telegraph and Observer Book of the Year.
Omnibus of parts 1-5 read by Lee Ingleby.
Abridged in ten parts by Sara Davies.
Producer: Justine Willett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2018.
SUN 15:45 A Tribute to Leslie Howard (b09wv5q4)
BBC Home Service tribute to 'Gone with the Wind' film star, Leslie Howard, broadcast to mark his tragic wartime death on 1st June 1943 - when his flight from Lisbon to London came under attack from enemy aircraft. The plane went missing and was assumed lost.
Born on 3rd April 1893, Howard started as a bank clerk, but went on to become a huge cinema box office draw in the 1930s.
Writer JB Priestley, who broadcast with Howard many times, pays tribute.
Narrator: Joseph MacLeod
Written by Basil Woon.
Producer: Laurence Gilliam
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service on 6th June 1943.
SUN 16:00 Saturday Drama (b04k4022)
Jonathan Myerson - Reykjavik
4 Extra Debut. 11th October 1986: the height of the Cold War, enough missiles to detonate the planet two thousand times over.
Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev meet at Gorbachev's request for a one-day, informal chat, at the (some say haunted) Hofdi House near Reykjavik. But in the small brown room where they meet, Gorbachev suddenly blindsides the Americans: out of the blue, he offers 50% cuts in all missiles - and he'll sign today. The White House team is catastrophically unprepared for this - no one predicted it.
But Reagan sees how he can really achieve something.... and within hours they are talking the most colossal cuts in nuclear warheads, aiming to reach zero missiles within ten years. How did this happen? How did it fail?
Drawing on both American and Russian transcripts of every word said between the two leaders, Jonathan Myerson's gripping drama explores the pressures on both sides, moment by moment, as the deal grows bigger and bigger, and the drama shifts from measured words at the negotiating table, to the panic, graft and invention of the two diplomatic teams outside the room.
Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting
Images courtesy of the Ronald Ronald Reagan Library.
SUN 17:00 Poetry Extra (b09wv5qd)
Fred's Archive
Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's radio poetry archive with 'Fred's Archive' - a unique collection of recorded poets explored by Joan Bakewell.
Back in the crazy days of the 1960s, Fred Hunter began to record some of the great poets of his time, including Tom Raworth, Lee Harwood, Robert Duncan, Edward Dorn, Anselm Hollo, Stuart Montgomery and Basil Bunting.
Producer: Neil Rosser
An Above The Title production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2008.
SUN 17:30 John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme (b039q252)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 18:00 The World of Daphne du Maurier (b09wv5qs)
The Apple Tree
Recently widowed George Carey has an irrational hatred for the old apple tree in his garden.
He decides it must be dug up - but it's a decision he's going to regret for the rest of his life - what's left of it...
Series of adaptations of Daphne Du Maurier's famous short stories.
Starring Charles Gray as Mr Carey.
With Douglas Blackwell as Willis, Patricia Leventon as Midge, Katherine Parr as Mrs Lord and Daphne Rogers as Mrs Hall.
Dramatised and produced by Derek Hoddinott.
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in 1974.
SUN 18:30 Weird Tales (b00x4gb2)
Series 1, Out of the Depths, by Melissa Murray
Series of four chilling and intimate plays.
By Melissa Murray. When Martha discovers her sister Grace has been trying past-life regression to break a cycle of abusive relationships, she decides it is time for them to return to a place from their past. Travelling to Cornwall, they are forced to confront demons. But which sister needs to be free and what will it cost?
Martha ...... Elizabeth Berrington
Grace ...... Naomi Frederick
Tom ...... Ed Gaughan
Lovecraft ...... Stephen Hogan
Therapist ...... Caroline Guthrie.
SUN 19:00 Podcast Radio Hour (b09w6t9q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
SUN 20:00 John Lewis-Stempel - The Wood (Omnibus) (b09wv0q8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SUN 21:10 The Listening Project (b041yf8v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:10 today]
SUN 21:15 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b09wv0qb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:15 today]
SUN 22:00 John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme (b039q252)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 22:30 Meet David Sedaris (b03npb2y)
Series 4, The Sea Section; Dog Days
One of the world's best storytellers is back on BBC Radio 4.
This week, dealing with family tragedy in 'The Sea Section' and some comic verse about our canine friends in 'Dog Days'.
Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4.
SUN 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b09wv5qv)
Simon Day 3/3
Arthur Smith chats to star of Brian Pern and The Fast Show, Simon Day.
SUN 23:00 John Shuttleworth's Lounge Music (b0495t6m)
Series 1, Chas & Dave
Since the mid-1980s, aspiring singer/songwriter, John Shuttleworth has been posting audio cassettes of his 'finest songs to date' to pop stars throughout the land, in the hope that someone would record his material. But all to no avail.
However, the BBC has very kindly given John a series and asked him to invite pop starts to bring their music to his Sheffield home. So it is that Chas & Dave, Heaven 17, Toyah Willcox and Leee John find themselves in John's lounge having tea with wife Mary, being flirted with by Mary's friend Joan and hassled by John's agent Ken Worthington, as they try and perform not only one their greatest hits but more importantly, one of John's.
In the first show John welcomes Chas Hodges from Chas & Dave into the lounge. But where's Dave? Has he heard that Mary won't allow jellied eels in the house or didn't he want to come?
Whatever the reason, Chas will have to perform on his own using John's trusty keyboard although, as he's been influenced by Jerry Lee Lewis, John warns him that he won't tolerate any feet on the keyboard.
Written and Performed by Graham Fellows.
Producer: Dawn Ellis
A Chic Ken production for BBC Radio 4.
SUN 23:30 2000 Years of Radio (b007jng1)
Series 1, Crusade Roadshow
Out and about, historic expeditions and more are on the airwaves. Stars Marcus Brigstocke. From November 2000.
SUN 23:45 Quando, Quando, Quando (b007zd2c)
Fishy Business
When the racketeering Fish Brothers pay the Quandos a visit, Carlo is in turmoil, Anthony is in Timbuktu and Charlie is in a world of his own.
Brothers Rene, Carlo and Charlie Quando chop, snip and crimp their lucky clients into shape at London's finest hair salon.
Six-part comedy written and performed by Rainer Hersch and Mark Maie. With Stephen Greif and Catherine Tate.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1999.

MONDAY 26 MARCH 2018

MON 00:00 The World of Daphne du Maurier (b09wv5qs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Weird Tales (b00x4gb2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Charles Dickens (b007wfqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:15 Katie Campbell - The Announcement (b09wv0q4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 Jon McGregor - Reservoir 13 (b09wv0qd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:45 A Tribute to Leslie Howard (b09wv5q4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Sunday]
MON 04:00 Saturday Drama (b04k4022)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Poetry Extra (b09wv5qd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 17:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme (b039q252)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Wimsey (b007jvmm)
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, The General's Last Evening
Lord Peter Wimsey probes the mysterious Mr Oliver - and a pair of tricky wills.
Starring Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter Wimsey, Martin Jarvis as George Fentiman and Allan Cuthbertson as Robert Fentiman.
British gentleman detective Lord Peter Wimsey features in a number of detective novels and short stories by English crime writer, Dorothy L Sayers. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club was first published in 1928.
Classy and sharp-witted, aristocratic amateur sleuth Lord Peter Bredon Wimsey was born in 1890 and educated at Eton and Oxford, before serving in the military during the First World War.
Ian Carmichael appeared as Lord Peter Wimsey for BBC Radio from 1973 to 1983, in addition to the BBC TV adaptations that were broadcast between 1972 and 1975.
Adapted for radio in six episodes by Chris Miller.
Producer: Simon Brett.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1975.
MON 06:30 Barbed Wire Ballads (b0076rrr)
Miles Kington hears the voices of internees in German prisoner-of-war camps during the First World War recorded by the Royal Prussian Phonographic Commission. From May 2005.
MON 07:00 Winston (b007jncr)
Winston in Love, Clip Clop, Clip Clop
Father says he's going to marry Mrs Sunderland and cut the rest of the family off without a bean.
It's his wedding day. But is he serious?
Peter Tinniswood's bawdy comedy serial stars Bill Wallis as Winston, Maurice Denham as Father, Shirley Dixon as Nancy, Liz Goulding as Rosie and Christian Rodska as William.
Director: Shaun MacLoughlin.
First broadcast on BBC Radio in February 1991.
MON 07:30 Just a Minute (b09w05zc)
Series 80, Episode 5
Nicholas Parsons invites Shappi Khorsandi, Jo Caulfield, Julian Clary and Paul Merton to speak for 60 seconds on the subjects like Superfoods, Cairo and Hercule Poirot.
Hayley Sterling blows the whistle.
Produced by Victoria Lloyd.
A BBC Studios Production.
MON 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k1f3)
The Chef That Died of Shame
The regular Hancock's cast play different characters - in the rise and fall saga of a pie-stall cook, Percy Higgins.
Starring Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sidney James. Andree Melly and Kenneth Williams.
Announcer: Kenneth Williams
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music composed by Wally Stott. Recorded by the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Producer: Dennis Main Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1955.
MON 08:30 Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b007ynfd)
Series 1, Episode 4
It's a dog's life for shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel when a Pekingese goes missing.
Recreation of the Marx Brothers' lost shows charting the adventures of shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel and his assistant, Emmanuel Ravelli. Originally broadcast with sponsors on America's NBC radio network in the 1930s. The scripts were rediscovered in 1988.
Starring Michael Roberts as Groucho Marx as Waldorf T Flywheel and Frank Lazarus as Chico Marx as Emmanuel Ravelli
With Lorelei King and Graham Hoadly.
Written by Nat Perrin and Athur Sheekman. Adapted by Mark Brisenden.
Music arranged and conducted by David Firman.
Producer: Dirk Maggs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1990.
MON 09:00 We've Been Here Before (b00fz84k)
Series 2, Episode 3
Clive Anderson's yesteryear quiz, with Mark Steel, John O'Farrell, Chris Addison and David Quantick. From June 2004.
MON 09:30 King Street Junior (b007jnkg)
Series 9, A Bridge to Afar
The happiest days of your life? Well, that depends....
As workmen dig up the playground, lessons are learned when an old boy visits the school.
Created by Jim Eldridge, ten series of this comedy about a junior school ran between 1985 and 1998. King Street Junior Revisited ran from 2002 to 2005.
Written by Paul Copley.
Stars Karl Howman as Mr Sims, James Grout as the Headmaster, Deirdre Costello as Mrs Patterson, Paul Copley as Mr Long, Marlene Sidaway as Miss Lewis, Margaret John as Mrs Stone, Vivienne Martin as Mrs Rudd, Ronald Hines as Harold Harper, John Hollis as Mr Ridley, Carla Prosser as Trish, Danielle Del Guidice as Sophie and Maredith Plancencia as May Miao Lee.
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1996.
MON 10:00 Classic Serial (b047wb66)
The Great Scott, The Bride
4 Extra Debut. Mike Harris adapts Sir Walter Scott's The Bride of Lammermoor.
The novel is set in the Lammermuir Hills of south-east Scotland at the beginning of the 18th Century and tells of a tragic love affair between young Lucy Ashton and her family's enemy Edgar Ravenswood.
The Ashtons and Ravenswoods have been enemies for centuries - but will a proposed union between the warring families finally bring peace?
Music Composed and performed by Ross Hughes and Esben Tjalve
Violin and viola - Oliver Langford
Written by Mike Harris
Produced and Directed by Clive Brill
A Brill production for BBC Radio 4.
MON 11:00 Goodnight, Vienna (b04vd8gq)
The Last Train, by Jo Baker
4 Extra Debut. A multi-contributor series of specially-commissioned radio stories about this most beguiling of cities. To the outsider, Vienna can be a state of mind as much as an actual place.
Episode 1 (of 3): The Last Train by Jo Baker
Vienna 1939. Leah is hurried through the streets by her mother to try and catch the last Kindertransport (the means by which thousands of children were evacuated from mainland Europe) out of the city.
Jo Baker was educated at Oxford and Queen's University, Belfast. She is the author of several novels, most recently 'Longbourn' in 2013. Jo lives in Lancaster.
Reader: Bryony Hannah
Produced by Jeremy Osborne
A Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4.
MON 11:15 Afternoon Drama (b00fbkp9)
Donna Franceschild - Quartet, Autumn Leaves
4 Extra Debut. A series of four comic dramas following the fortunes of a jazz quartet in the remote west Highlands of Scotland by Donna Franceschild.
Robbie used to be a professional jazz pianist, now he's a much-abused and miserable music teacher. On the edge of despair, and just about to sit down to a microwave meal for one, he hears a strange noise. It's a sheep farmer playing double bass in his bathroom.
A moving comedy about a musician who, having lost everything, accidentally gains a jazz quartet.
Pianist: Eoin Millar
Original music composed by Eoin Millar.
Director: Kirsty Williams.
MON 12:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k1f3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 12:30 Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b007ynfd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:00 Wimsey (b007jvmm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 13:30 Barbed Wire Ballads (b0076rrr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b037sqm4)
Ian Sansom - The Norfolk Mystery, Episode 6
Julian Rhind-Tutt reads Ian Sansom's comic thriller, The Norfolk Mystery.
Sefton and Morley had set out to do field research for Morley's latest educational book - a guide to Norfolk. But they have been diverted by the death of the vicar in Blakeney. Morley is determined to get back on track though, so they pay a visit to a Miss Harris, a faded start of light opera. She shares with Morley some local myths and folk stories. With her regal manner, she 'measures out sentences as though she were handing out precious gifts.' She is also barely able to contain her disapproval for the late vicar; 'He wore pullovers'. Meanwhile Sefton hears shocking news about Hannah, and Lizzie tells him all of the local gossip about her and the vicar.
The Norfolk Mystery by Ian Sansom is abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.
Produced by: Sarah Langan.
MON 14:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009mc8w)
Country House
Laurence plots the rise of the country house style in the disquieting years of the '70s and '80s when the past became a consolation and an escape from the present. From March 2008.
MON 14:30 Charles Dickens (b007wn99)
The Old Curiosity Shop, Episode 16
Mrs Nubbins and the mysterious gentleman try to find Nell and her grandfather.
Starring Alex Jennings as the Narrator, Lindsey Coulson as Mrs Nubbins, Clive Swift as the Single Gent, Phil Daniels as Quilp, Julia McKenzie as Mrs Jarley and Ian Masters as Batchelor.
Charles Dickens's fourth novel was published in 1841.
Dramatised in 25 episodes by Mike Walker.
Music by Melanie Pappenheim and Anne Wood.
Director Jeremy Mortimer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
MON 14:45 Book of the Week (b00sz34f)
Hampton Sides - Hellhound on His Trail, The Escape
Hampton Sides' compelling book sheds fresh light on the assassination of Martin Luther King and the hunt for his killer, James Earl Ray.
In this opening episode, Ray makes a dramatic escape from his penitentiary and assumes the first of many aliases.
Meanwhile, an increasingly exhausted Martin Luther King plans a bold new direction for the civil rights movement.
Read by Christian Camargo and Clarke Peters.
First published in 2010 and abridged by Viv Beeby.
Producer: Emma Harding
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
MON 15:00 Classic Serial (b047wb66)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:00 We've Been Here Before (b00fz84k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 16:30 King Street Junior (b007jnkg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
MON 17:00 Winston (b007jncr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 17:30 Just a Minute (b09w05zc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 18:00 James Follett - The Destruction Factor (b007k4t9)
World Without Fire
Before any action from the Americans, the British government must track down all the deadly Exon seeds. Stars TP McKenna and Paul Copley. From March 1978.
MON 18:30 A Good Read (b09wvd59)
Cherie Booth and Andrew Davies
Sue MacGregor and her guests - Cherie Booth QC and screenwriter, Andrew Davies - discuss their favourite books by Alison Lurie, Michelle de Kretser and Ian McEwan. From 2005.
Love and Friendship by Alison Lurie
Publisher: Vintage
The Hamilton Case by Michelle de Kretser
Publisher: Vintage
Saturday by Ian McEwan
Publisher: Vintage.
MON 19:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k1f3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b007ynfd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 20:00 Wimsey (b007jvmm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 20:30 Barbed Wire Ballads (b0076rrr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 21:00 Goodnight, Vienna (b04vd8gq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
MON 21:15 Afternoon Drama (b00fbkp9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]
MON 22:00 Just a Minute (b09w05zc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 22:30 Cowards (b00fbkz5)
Series 2, Episode 1
Sketch show with a comic slant on human frailties. With Tom Basden, Tim Key and Lloyd Woolf. From November 2008.
MON 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b09yd7pd)
Sisters 1/2
The best in contemporary comedy. Iain Lee takes to Sisters.
MON 23:00 The Now Show (b09w32bj)
Series 52, Episode 4
Steve Punt, Hugh Dennis and guests Gemma Arrowsmith, Marcus Brigstocke, Jess Robinson and Ahir Shah present the week via topical stand-up and sketches.
Steve and Hugh try and get their heads round Cambridge Analytica, Marcus completely and definitely seriously calls for the Berlin Wall to be re-erected, while Ahir has a few things to say about baby boomers, and Jess tackles the news of a feminist James Bond.
Steve and Hugh also talk to Adam Kay about life as a Junior Doctor.
It was a BBC Studios Production.
MON 23:30 The Problem With Adam Bloom (b018zvmk)
Series 3, Reading
Adam Bloom investigates his fear of reading aloud. Just what is the point of books?
After very negative but funny experiences at school, the comedian managed to avoid reading a book for much of his adult life. But he does find one novel that inspires him to start reading again.
Written by and starring Adam Bloom.
With Rob Rouse, Hattie Hayridge and Stefano Polini.
Producer: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2005.

TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018

TUE 00:00 James Follett - The Destruction Factor (b007k4t9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 A Good Read (b09wvd59)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Wimsey (b007jvmm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Barbed Wire Ballads (b0076rrr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b037sqm4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009mc8w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Charles Dickens (b007wn99)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:45 Book of the Week (b00sz34f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Classic Serial (b047wb66)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 We've Been Here Before (b00fz84k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 King Street Junior (b007jnkg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Winston (b007jncr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 05:30 Just a Minute (b09w05zc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Wimsey (b007jvmr)
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, Mr Oliver
Probing the last hours of the life of General Fentiman, upper class sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey seeks out his grandson.
Starring Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter Wimsey, Allan Cuthbertson as Robert Fentiman and Martin Jarvis as George Fentiman.
British gentleman detective Lord Peter Wimsey features in a number of detective novels and short stories by English crime writer, Dorothy L Sayers. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club was first published in 1928.
Classy and sharp-witted, aristocratic amateur sleuth Lord Peter Bredon Wimsey was born in 1890 and educated at Eton and Oxford, before serving in the military during the First World War.
Ian Carmichael appeared as Lord Peter Wimsey for BBC Radio from 1973 to 1983, in addition to the BBC TV adaptations that were broadcast between 1972 and 1975.
Adapted for radio in six episodes by Chris Miller.
Producer: Simon Brett.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1975.
TUE 06:30 Late Learners (b00vt28n)
William Hague quit as Conservative party leader and took up the piano. How did he and other late-starters fare? From January 2004.
TUE 07:00 Arrested Development (b0075vh3)
Episode 1
Penny and Dave are getting married, but there are a few hiccups - Penny's hair being just one of them. She wanted the Julia Roberts look but has ended up with a Mrs Merton instead.
Stars Letitia Dean as Penny (Sharon from BBC 1's EastEnders), Phil Cornwell as Dave and Julian Rhind-Tutt as Andy.
Simon Warne's four-part comedy serial.
Producer: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2000.
TUE 07:30 Love in Recovery (b07378df)
Series 2, Starting Over
Second series of the award-nominated comedy drama set in Alcoholics Anonymous, written by Pete Jackson and inspired by his own road to recovery. Stars Sue Johnston, John Hannah, Eddie Marsan, Rebecca Front, Paul Kaye and Julia Deakin.
Love in Recovery follows the lives of five very different recovering alcoholics. Taking place entirely at their weekly meetings, we hear them moan, argue, laugh, fall apart, fall in love and - most importantly - tell their stories.
In this first episode of the series, Fiona (Rebecca Front) has a problem she thinks only Danno (Paul Kaye) can solve. But Danno has his own problems - and he's on the run.
Writer Pete Jackson is a recovering alcoholic and has spent time in Alcoholics Anonymous. It was there he found support from the unlikeliest group of disparate souls - with one common bond. As well as offering the support he needed throughout a difficult time, AA also offered a weekly, sometimes daily, dose of hilarity, upset, heartbreak and friendship.
There are lots of different kinds of AA meetings. Love in Recovery is about meetings where people tell their stories. There are funny stories, sad stories, stories of small victories and milestones, stories of loss, stories of hope, and those stories that you really shouldn't laugh at - but still do, along with the storyteller.
Written and created by Pete Jackson
Producer/Director: Ben Worsfield
A Lucky Giant production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 08:00 The Ken Dodd Show (b05vrf9c)
From 17/08/1975
The King of Knotty Ash investigates the world of trading and money, as only he can
Starring Ken Dodd.
With Jo Manning Wilson, Miriam Margolyes, Talfryn Thomas, Chris Emmett, Michael McClain and John Graham.
Devised and written by Ken Dodd with Dave Dutton, David McKellar, Maurice Bird, Terry Ravenscroft and Philip and Mike Brennan.
Doddy's Diddy Orchestra conducted by Geoff Alderson.
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in August 1975.
TUE 08:30 The Men From the Ministry (b007jp4q)
In the Picture
The bungling bureaucrats spark confusion in a moral crusade!
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 September 1974.
TUE 09:00 The Now Show (b09w32bj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 23:00 on Monday]
TUE 09:30 Turf Wars (b00zsjyj)
The Accidental Head
The Accidental Head by Jeremy Front
Beth just wants what's best for her 11 year old son; a solid secondary education at the kind of school that recognises his genius, as well as his aptitude for baroque music. A school like Folgate. But when the family is edged out of Folgate's catchment area, a battle begins.
Beth takes on the might of the council with a mixture of community action, ancient by-laws and sheep.
Directed by James Robinson.
TUE 10:00 Classic Serial (b048jcg0)
The Great Scott, Ivanhoe
The second season of adaptations of some of Sir Walter Scott's most popular novels with David Tennant as Walter Scott.
Scott Cherry adapts Ivanhoe.
Set in 1194 after the failure of the third Crusade, King Richard I is said to be in captivity in Austria after having been taken on his way back to England. In his absence, his brother John is plotting to take over the throne.
Wilfred of Ivanhoe, son of Cedric and one of the few remaining Saxon Lords, joined Richard in the Crusade but has been disinherited by his father for showing allegiance to a Norman. Ivanhoe is rumoured to have come to the rescue of his King in his hour of need but has since disappeared. Is he alive? Rowenna - the woman he loves - anxiously waits for news.
Adapted by Scott Cherry
Produced and Directed by Clive Brill
A Brill production for BBC Radio.
TUE 11:00 Goodnight, Vienna (b04vk1cz)
Jonke's Schnitzel, by James Hopkin
A multi-contributor series of specially-commissioned radio stories about this most beguiling of cities. To the outsider, Vienna can be a state of mind as much as an actual place.
Episode 2 (of 3): Jonke's Schnitzel by James Hopkin
The Narrenturm, or Tower Of Fools, was once the principal mental asylum in Vienna. It has now been reopened. But to what purpose?
James Hopkin's short stories have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4, including The Mural At Frau Krauser's, A Georgian Trilogy and A Dalmatian Trilogy, which was broadcast in 2012. He is currently working on his second novel.
Reader: Tim McInnerny
Produced by Jeremy Osborne
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 11:15 Afternoon Drama (b01rlmsg)
Donna Franceschild - Quartet, The Gig at the Red Stag
A series of four comic dramas following the fortunes of a jazz quartet in the remote west Highlands of Scotland by Donna Franceschild.
Robbie used to be a professional pianist, now he's a miserable music teacher who has accidentally found himself at the centre of an over-enthusiastic, amateur jazz quartet.
On the verge of playing their first gig, the lead singer's home-life spins out of control, and, with it, the hopes and dreams of her fellow musicians.
Piano: Jim Clelland
Double Bass: Eoin Millar
Drums: Ken Mathieson
Original music composed by Eoin Millar
Director: Kirsty Williams.
TUE 12:00 The Ken Dodd Show (b05vrf9c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Men From the Ministry (b007jp4q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Wimsey (b007jvmr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Late Learners (b00vt28n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b037ty8q)
Ian Sansom - The Norfolk Mystery, Episode 7
Julian Rhind-Tutt reads Ian Sansom's comic thriller, The Norfolk Mystery.
Morley's investigations are the talk of the town in the village of Blakeney. They are also getting up the nose of the Deputy Detective Chief Inspector for the Norfolk Constabulary. Despite Morley's best efforts to engage the detective in philosophical debate, the detective makes it clear that Morley should keep his distance. So Morley ignores Sefton's plea to investigate the desecration of the statue of the Virgin Mary in the church, and decides instead to visit Reverend Swain in the neighbouring village.
The Norfolk Mystery by Ian Sansom is abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.
Produced by: Sarah Langan.
TUE 14:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009mc90)
Loft Living
Bowen hits Manchester to explore the rise of lofts during the 1980s - a change in people's expectations of what homes could be. From April 2008.
TUE 14:30 Charles Dickens (b007wpf2)
The Old Curiosity Shop, Episode 17
A kindly soul takes pity on the desperate Little Nell and her grandfather. Dickens dramatisation starring Trevor Peacock. From January 2003.
TUE 14:45 Book of the Week (b00szv9n)
Hampton Sides - Hellhound on His Trail, Eric S Galt
Hampton Sides' compelling new book sheds fresh light on the assassination of Martin Luther King and the hunt for his killer, James Earl Ray. In today's episode, King commits himself to leading a march in Memphis on behalf of striking sanitation workers, but the march goes disastrously wrong. Little does King know that a fugitive called Eric S Galt, aka James Earl Ray, appears to be following his every move.
Read by Christian Camargo and Clarke Peters.
Abridged by Viv Beeby
Produced by Emma Harding
The book: Hellhound on his Trail was published in the UK on 3rd June 2010 by Allen Lane.
The readers: Christian Camargo is an American actor, probably best known for his role as Brian Moser in the Showtime drama series Dexter. He also appeared in the Oscar winning 2009 film, The Hurt Locker as head psychiatrist Lieutenant Colonel John Cambridge. In summer 2010, he is playing Ariel in the Bridge Project's production of The Tempest at the Old Vic Theatre, London.
Clarke Peters is an American actor, singer and director, who is probably best known for playing Detective Lester Freamon in the HBO drama series, The Wire. He also appeared in the second series of Damages. He has numerous West End and Broadway credits and was nominated for a Tony award for writing the book of the musical revue, Five Guys Named Moe.
TUE 15:00 Classic Serial (b048jcg0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:00 The Personality Test (b00m5tks)
Series 1, Gyles Brandreth
The broadcaster, author and ex-MP quizzes a panel about himself. With Alan Carr, Sue Perkins and Lucy Porter. From July 2006.
TUE 16:30 Ballylenon (b007jvhs)
Series 4, Episode 1
The discovery that a ramshackle cottage may have belonged to the family of US President, Herbert Hoover presents Phonsie with a major financial opportunity.
Series set in the sleepy town of Ballylenon, Co Donegal in 1955.
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Starring TP McKenna as Phonsie Doherty, Margaret D'Arcy as Muriel McConkey, Stella McCusker as Vera McConkey, Aine McCartney as Vivienne Boal, John Hewitt as Guard Gallagher, Gerard McSorley as Stumpy Bonnar, Anna Manahan as Peg Sweeneyand Gerard Murphy as Rev Samuel Hawthorne.
Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes.
Director: Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1997.
TUE 17:00 Arrested Development (b0075vh3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 17:30 Love in Recovery (b07378df)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Algernon Blackwood - The Willows (b007jvd3)
Episode 1
When the narrator and his companion camp on a remote island, they think they see a body in the water and a man calling to them. But that's just the start of this clawing claustrophobic tale of suspense and mounting terror.
Read by Roger Allam.
Algernon Blackwood's chilling tale has been described as one of the finest supernatural stories ever.
Producer: Lawrence Jackson
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in 2005.
TUE 18:30 Pioneers (b013xvbd)
Series 2, Michael Apted
Pioneer, Michael Apted tells Clare English about his 'Up' documentary series which proved to be the catalyst for reality television.
Involved in the popular strand since its conception in 1964, Michael has followed the lives of 14 children every seven years since.
Producer: Philip Sime
First broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland in 2011.
TUE 19:00 The Ken Dodd Show (b05vrf9c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 The Men From the Ministry (b007jp4q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 20:00 Wimsey (b007jvmr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Late Learners (b00vt28n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Goodnight, Vienna (b04vk1cz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
TUE 21:15 Afternoon Drama (b01rlmsg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]
TUE 22:00 Love in Recovery (b07378df)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 22:30 Elvis McGonagall Takes a Look on the Bright Side (b0435j99)
Series 1, Taking Care of Business
Stand-up poet, armchair revolutionary, comedian and broadcaster Elvis McGonagall (aka poet and performer Richard Smith) is determined to do something about his bitter, dyspeptic and bloody minded view of contemporary life. There are good things out there, if he could only be bothered to find them.
From his home in the Graceland Park near Dundee, the Scottish punk poet goes in search of the brighter side of life. With the help of his dog,Trouble, his friend, Susan Morrison, and his own private narrator, Clarke Peters, Elvis does his very best to accentuate the positive - he really does. Recorded almost entirely on location, in a caravan on a truly glamorous industrial estate somewhere in Scotland.
Episode 3. Taking Care of Business. Elvis rails against the wage gap, franchises, capitalism and corporate nonsense, until he is persuaded that his poetry is a bankable concern. He embarks on the glittering road to profit.
As Elvis, poet Richard Smith is the 2006 World Poetry Slam Champion, the compere of the notorious Blue Suede Sporran Club and appears regularly on BBC Radio 4 ("Saturday Live", the "Today Programme", "Arthur Smith's Balham Bash", "Last Word", "Off The Page" and others as well as writing and presenting the popular arts features "Doggerel Bard" on the art of satiric poetry and "Beacons and Blue Remembered Hills" on the extraordinary resonance of A.E. Housman's 'Shropshire Lad', which was recorded on location as well.
(further info at www.elvismcgonagall.co.uk)
Written by Elvis MacGonagall, with Richard Smith, Helen Braunholtz-Smith and Frank Stirling.
Producer: Frank Stirling
A Unique production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 22:45 Richard Marsh (b01rlrk1)
Love and Sweets, The Grand Canyon
Winner of Best Scripted Comedy in the BBC Audio Awards 2014, poet and playwright Richard Marsh fuses poetry and prose to tell the funny and poignant story of his honeymoon road trip across America with the girl of his dreams.
Richard and Siobhan have always wanted to drive across America, and they're doing it in style - in an old banger, covered from top to tail with their favourite sweets, on honeymoon. Their thrilling journey through the States takes them to gun clubs in West Virginia, dying docks in Baltimore, casinos in Las Vegas, moon-lit beaches by the Atlantic and a magnificent sight Richard's always dreamt of seeing - the Grand Canyon.
But it turns out America's quite big, and Siobhan's not very good at driving on the right - or asking for directions. It's a lot of hard miles, and they can't drive away from themselves. Is their new marriage strong enough to withstand all those hot, silent mornings - or has the honeymoon period come to an end more quickly than they thought?
Contains some explicit language.
Written and performed by Richard Marsh
Producer: Ben Worsfield
A Lucky Giant production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 23:00 Elvenquest (b00vy3n6)
Series 2, Episode 1
Second series of the fantasy-based sitcom set in Lower Earth. The intrepid band of Questers, led by Elven Lord, Vidar, set off once again on their search for the Sword of Asnagar which is the only thing that can free them from the tyranny of the evil Lord Darkness. Joining Vidar on the Quest is Dean, the dwarf, Penthiselea, an Amazon warrior princess, Sam, the human, and Amis, the Chosen One (formerly Sam's dog who took human form when he arrived in Lower Earth - he alone can wield the Sword of Asnagar that will defeat Lord Darkness). Each episode sees the valiant team on another adventure as they heroically try their best not to get killed.
Episode 1 sees the Questers saved from near certain death by a strong and charming loner, who goes by the name of Byorthnoth the Brave. But is Byorthnoth quite what he seems? And does it really matter when he has such lovely hair? Meanwhile, Lord Darkness is back from the Void and has discovered that he's lost his immortality...
An all-star cast, featuring Stephen Mangan as "Sam", Alistair McGowan as "Lord Darkness", Kevin Eldon as "Dean/Kreech", Darren Boyd as "Vidar", Ben Miles as "Byorthnoth", Sophie Winkleman as "Penthiselea" and Dave Lamb as "Amis".".
TUE 23:30 Arthur Smith's Balham Bash (b00s3h46)
Series 2, Episode 3
Comedy and entertainment with Arthur Smith in his own home - with Doc Brown, Gomez, Henry Paker and Richard Herring.

WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH 2018

WED 00:00 Algernon Blackwood - The Willows (b007jvd3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Pioneers (b013xvbd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Wimsey (b007jvmr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Late Learners (b00vt28n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b037ty8q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009mc90)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 Charles Dickens (b007wpf2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:45 Book of the Week (b00szv9n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Classic Serial (b048jcg0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 The Personality Test (b00m5tks)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Ballylenon (b007jvhs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Arrested Development (b0075vh3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:30 Love in Recovery (b07378df)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Wimsey (b007jvmz)
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, Exhumation
Lord Peter Wimsey awaits Doctor Horner's verdict. At a party thrown by pal Margery, the upper class sleuth does a little more digging.
Starring Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter Wimsey, Allan Cuthbertson as Robert Fentiman and Gabriel Woolf as Inspector Parker.
British gentleman detective Lord Peter Wimsey features in a number of detective novels and short stories by English crime writer, Dorothy L Sayers. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club was first published in 1928.
Classy and sharp-witted, aristocratic amateur sleuth Lord Peter Bredon Wimsey was born in 1890 and educated at Eton and Oxford, before serving in the military during the First World War.
Ian Carmichael appeared as Lord Peter Wimsey for BBC Radio from 1973 to 1983, in addition to the BBC TV adaptations that were broadcast between 1972 and 1975.
Adapted for radio in six episodes by Chris Miller.
Producer: Simon Brett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1975.
WED 06:30 Asian Weddings: Something Gold, Nothing Borrowed, Everything New (b01h2c3n)
4 Extra Debut. Big fat gypsy weddings might have hit the headlines, but the traditional British Asian wedding has always been big. Often including several separate ceremonies and events spread over a week or more, the cost of the average Asian wedding in the UK is frequently well over £30,000. With the significance of marriage or 'shaadi' being huge in south Asian culture, weddings are a serious business. From the lavish designer outfits and the elaborate cakes to the grand stages where the bride and groom sit on their thrones, complete with a lighting and sound system to rival a TV talent show, this is an industry worth a reported £300 million a year in the UK alone.
Yasmeen Khan explores the glamorous world of British Asian weddings. She takes in an Asian wedding exhibition in the UK, meeting the clothes designers, wedding planners, toastmasters, food suppliers, chefs, videographers and 'yellow gold' jewellers making their fortunes as the second and third generation tie the knot, all of them keen to help the families show off their wealth. She learns about the different cultural aspects of a Muslim, Sikh and Hindu wedding. She visits a couple's big day and explore the meaning behind cultural traditions, such as the confiscating of the groom's shoes by the bride's sisters and cousins - finding out what he must do to get them back.
Yasmin also delves into the politics of the guest list at an Asian wedding, many of which are huge affairs with hundreds and sometimes thousands of guests! And she discovers just how much family relations are tested as an increasing number of couples pay for something that has traditionally been paid for by the bride's family.
Produced by: Yasmeen Khan & Neil Rosser
A Ladbroke Production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 07:00 Ring Around the Bath (b00tnp6t)
Series 2, New Ways to Comb Old Gravel
Alison returns from Spain to find that Egg's taken her room and Xanthe has shrunk her favourite jeans in the wash.
Dad Patrick disappears off to work, leaving mum Stella to sort out the chaos - as she continues dreaming of a life in the country - without her grown-up children.
Series 2 of Lucy Clare and Ian Davidson's sitcom about topsy-turvy family life.
Stars Duncan Preston as Patrick, Penny Downie as Stella, Claudie Blakley as Alison, Bruce MacKinnon as Rick, Catherine Shepherd as Xanthe and Daniela Denby-Ashe as Egg.
Producer: Elizabeth Freestone
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
WED 07:30 It's Not What You Know (b09w10bc)
Series 5, Episode 3
Joe Lycett tests Melanie Chisholm, Kerry Godliman and Jack Carroll on how well they know their nearest and dearest.
What's Mel C's favourite Spice Girls song, where is Kerry's dream holiday destination and who would play Jack in the film of his life?
All these questions, and more, will be answered in the show hosted by Joe Lycett where panellists' relationships are put to the test...
Produced by Adnan Ahmed.
It was a BBC Studios Production.
WED 08:00 The Navy Lark (b007v15c)
Mutiny aboard Troutbridge
The crew of HMS Troutbridge set sail across the sea, but end up with very crossed wires.
Starring Stephen Murray as the Number One, Jon Pertwee as the Chief Petty Officer, Leslie Phillips as the Sub-Lieutenant, Ronnie Barker as AS Johnson, Richard Caldicot as Captain Povey, Tenniel Evans as Sir Willoughby Toddhunterbrown Heather Chasen as Lady Toddhunterbrown and Michael Bates as Lt. Bates.
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 November 1960.
WED 08:30 Round the Horne (b00j05x7)
Series 1, Episode 13
Kenneth Horne Master Spy gets an Eiffel while Julian and Sandy offer some animal advice at their new shop in Chelsea, Bona Pets. Rambling Sid Rumpo sings a special song of Cornwall.
With Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee.
Recorded at the BBC's Paris Studio in Lower Regent Street, London. Announcer: Douglas Smith
Round The Horne was born out of the demise of BBC radio comedy Beyond Our Ken, after the end of writer Eric Merriman's involvement. Using the same cast and producer, Barry Took and Marty Feldman were persuaded to write the scripts - which led to four series that ran between 1965 and 1968 - packed full of parodies, recurring characters, catchphrases and double-entendres.
Music by Edwin Braden and the Hornblowers and The Fraser Hayes Four.
Producer: John Simmonds
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1965.
WED 09:00 Many a Slip (b09wvq06)
Roy Plomley challenges Eleanor Summerfield and Gillian Reynolds to battle David Nixon and Tim Rice in the panel game to spot mistakes.
Plus more tune-twisters from Steve Race.
Devised and written by Ian Messiter.
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1978.
WED 09:30 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.
WED 10:00 Classic Serial (b0495nlb)
The Great Scott, Redgauntlet
A free adaptation by Robin Brooks of Scott's novel - now set in the year 2035, in a fictional future Scotland.
This is the second season of adaptations of some of Sir Walter Scott's most popular novels, with David Tennant as Walter Scott.
Alan Fairford is destined to become a lawyer but is distracted from his studies by the sudden disappearance of his best friend Danny Latimer.
Danny's absence seems to be connected with the sudden appearance of Stuart Galloway - aka Redgauntlet - who has business with Alan's father, Alexander.
But who is Redgauntlet? And what is his mission?
Alan Fairford sets out to find out the answers and hopefully to rescue his friend.
Written by Robin Brooks.
Produced and Directed by Clive Brill.
A Brill production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 11:00 Goodnight, Vienna (b04ws4j0)
A Bird in Vienna
A multi-contributor series of specially-commissioned radio stories about this most beguiling of cities. To the outsider, Vienna can be a state of mind as much as an actual place.
Episode 3 (of 3): A Bird In Vienna by Louise Stern
An old woman in America remembers a moment from her Viennese childhood in the 1930s.
Louise Stern grew up in Fremont, California and is the fourth generation of her family to be born deaf. She now lives and works in London as an artist and writer. Chattering, her first collection of short stories, was published in 2010. The Electric Box, her first commission for radio, featured in the series 'Where Were You...' in 2012. Her experimental showcase, Latido, was broadcast in 2013.
Reader: Eleanor Bron
Produced by Jeremy Osborne.
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 11:15 Afternoon Drama (b01rlptw)
Donna Franceschild - Quartet, The Music Festival
A series of four comic dramas following the fortunes of a jazz quartet in the remote west Highlands of Scotland by Donna Franceschild.
Robbie used to be a professional pianist, now he's a miserable music teacher who has accidentally found himself at the centre of an over-enthusiastic, amateur jazz quartet.
As the band prepare for their biggest ever gig, Iain, the drummer, is given some potentially life-changing news when a young woman walks into the local pub claiming to be his daughter.
Piano: Jim Clelland
Double Bass: Eoin Millar
Drums: Ken Mathieson
Director: Kirsty Williams.
WED 12:00 The Navy Lark (b007v15c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 12:30 Round the Horne (b00j05x7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:00 Wimsey (b007jvmz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 13:30 Asian Weddings: Something Gold, Nothing Borrowed, Everything New (b01h2c3n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b037v4gl)
Ian Sansom - The Norfolk Mystery, Episode 8
Julian Rhind-Tutt reads Ian Sansom's new comic thriller, The Norfolk Mystery. Morley is still determined to discover who sent the bullet in the post to the vicar. On his visit to Reverend Swain from the neighbouring village, he discovered that Swain had been good friends with the late vicar for years, having met at Oxford. However, Morley's attempts to get Swain to speculate on the motivation for the vicar's suicide were thwarted.
Their latest research for their guide to the county of Norfolk takes Morley and Sefton to College Park; home to a community of artists headed by the enigmatic Juan and his muse, Constance. Although Morley is thrilled to annotate the steps of their folk dancing, it turns out that the bohemians also remain tight lipped to the point of defensiveness when it comes to the dead vicar and his housekeeper. Morley sniffs something amiss.
The Norfolk Mystery by Ian Sansom is abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.
Produced by Sarah Langan.
WED 14:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009mc94)
Retail
A history of shopping for the home from imports from India during colonial times to the Conran-fuelled passion for European design. From April 2008.
WED 14:30 Charles Dickens (b007wq1z)
The Old Curiosity Shop, Episode 18
The evil money-lender Quilp is furious and wants Mrs Nubbins out of the way. Dickens dramatisation starring Phil Daniels. From January 2003.
WED 14:45 Book of the Week (b00szv9b)
Hampton Sides - Hellhound on His Trail, Memphis
Hampton Sides' compelling new book sheds fresh light on the assassination of Martin Luther King and the hunt for his killer, James Earl Ray.
Martin Luther King and Eric S Galt, aka James Earl Ray, both arrive in Memphis. It is April 3rd 1968. As King makes himself comfortable in the familiar surroundings of Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel, Galt installs himself in a boarding house opposite, with a clear view of the door of Room 306.
Read by Christian Camargo and Clarke Peters.
Abridged by Viv Beeby.
Produced by Emma Harding.
The book: Hellhound on his Trail was published in the UK on 3rd June 2010 by Allen Lane.
The readers: Christian Camargo is an American actor, probably best known for his role as Brian Moser in the Showtime drama series Dexter. He also appeared in the Oscar winning 2009 film, The Hurt Locker as head psychiatrist Lieutenant Colonel John Cambridge. In summer 2010, he is playing Ariel in the Bridge Project's production of The Tempest at the Old Vic Theatre, London.
Clarke Peters is an American actor, singer and director, who is probably best known for playing Detective Lester Freamon in the HBO drama series, The Wire. He also appeared in the second series of Damages. He has numerous West End and Broadway credits and was nominated for a Tony award for writing the book of the musical revue, Five Guys Named Moe.
WED 15:00 Classic Serial (b0495nlb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 16:00 Many a Slip (b09wvq06)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 16:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b0075ng9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
WED 17:00 Ring Around the Bath (b00tnp6t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 17:30 It's Not What You Know (b09w10bc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 18:00 Algernon Blackwood - The Willows (b007jvd9)
Episode 2
The canoe is damaged and the narrator decides the willow trees are against their presence on the island. Read by Roger Allam. From March 2005.
WED 18:30 The Tingle Factor (b04xp2ml)
Michael Winner
Michael Winner shares those musical moments which stir strong emotions with Jeremy Nicholas.
From Chopin to Gene Kelly, the film director also looks back over his life and career.
Producer: Ray Abbott
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994.
WED 19:00 The Navy Lark (b007v15c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 Round the Horne (b00j05x7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 20:00 Wimsey (b007jvmz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 20:30 Asian Weddings: Something Gold, Nothing Borrowed, Everything New (b01h2c3n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 21:00 Goodnight, Vienna (b04ws4j0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
WED 21:15 Afternoon Drama (b01rlptw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]
WED 22:00 It's Not What You Know (b09w10bc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 22:30 The Secret World (b01n11x0)
Series 3, Episode 4
From Michael Caine to Mark Zuckerberg, Jon Culshaw and friends imagine the private lives of the famous. From September 2012.
WED 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b09yd7z8)
Sisters 2/2
The best in contemporary comedy. Iain Lee takes to Sisters.
WED 23:00 As Told to Craig Brown (b00b0sh6)
Series 1, Episode 2
The satirist ponders Tuscan holidays and asks what is the greatest fruit or vegetable? With Steve Wright. From April 2008.
WED 23:30 The Consultants (b007vb2j)
Series 2, Episode 1
Chesney ends a hostile takeover using marriage. Cerebral sketch show with Neil Edmond and Justin Edwards. From November 2003.

THURSDAY 29 MARCH 2018

THU 00:00 Algernon Blackwood - The Willows (b007jvd9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 The Tingle Factor (b04xp2ml)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Wimsey (b007jvmz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Asian Weddings: Something Gold, Nothing Borrowed, Everything New (b01h2c3n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b037v4gl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009mc94)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Charles Dickens (b007wq1z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:45 Book of the Week (b00szv9b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Classic Serial (b0495nlb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Many a Slip (b09wvq06)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b0075ng9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Ring Around the Bath (b00tnp6t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:30 It's Not What You Know (b09w10bc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Wimsey (b007jvn1)
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, At Lady Dormer's
Discovering General Fentiman was poisoned, Lord Peter Wimsey decides to probe Miss Dorland's hobby.
Starring Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter Wimsey, Allan Cuthbertson as Robert Fentiman, Amanda Reiss as Ann Dorland and Gabriel Woolf as Inspector Parker.
British gentleman detective Lord Peter Wimsey features in a number of detective novels and short stories by English crime writer, Dorothy L Sayers. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club was first published in 1928.
Classy and sharp-witted, aristocratic amateur sleuth Lord Peter Bredon Wimsey was born in 1890 and educated at Eton and Oxford, before serving in the military during the First World War.
Ian Carmichael appeared as Lord Peter Wimsey for BBC Radio from 1973 to 1983, in addition to the BBC TV adaptations that were broadcast between 1972 and 1975.
Adapted for radio in six episodes by Chris Miller.
Producer: Simon Brett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1975.
THU 06:30 Words, Words, Words (b00vlv2c)
Sue Perkins explores the London home of Dr Samuel Johnson, pioneering author of A Dictionary of the English Language (1755). From September 2009.
THU 07:00 North by Northamptonshire (b00ss2cq)
Series 1, Episode 2
Sheila Hancock heads a stunning cast including Mackenzie Crook, Penelope Wilton, Felicity Montagu and Kevin Eldon. This is a clever, funny and touching series about a small town in the middle of Northamptonshire as it prepares for a talent night. It is written by and also stars Katherine Jakeways.
Rehearsals for the town talent night are well underway, with some of the worst acts ever seen on stage.
Recently divorced Jan has a surprise visit from neighbour and ex-teacher Mary and finds they have more than an untidy hedge in common.
Jan's ex, Frank, thinks his new love Angela may be eating too many peanuts.
Esther knocks Jan to the floor in her self-defence class but wait - could this be Jonathan coming to Jan's rescue?
And meanwhile supermarket manager Rod (Mackenzie Crook) gets trapped in an upturned shopping trolley.
Written by Katherine Jakeways.
Produced by Claire Jones.
THU 07:30 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b09w16mn)
Hexagonal Phase, Episode 3
Simon Jones stars as Arthur Dent in a brand new full-cast series based on And Another Thing..., the sixth book in the famous Hitchhiker's Guide trilogy.
Forty years on from the first ever radio series of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Arthur Dent and friends return to be thrown back into the Whole General Mish Mash, in a rattling adventure involving Viking Gods and Irish Confidence Tricksters, with our first glimpse of Eccentrica Gallumbits and a brief but memorable moment with The Ravenous Bugblatter Beast Of Traal.
Starring John Lloyd as The Book, with Simon Jones as Arthur, Geoff McGivern as Ford Prefect, Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox, Sandra Dickinson and Susan Sheridan as Trillian, Jim Broadbent as Marvin the Paranoid Android and Jane Horrocks as Fenchurch. The cast also includes Samantha Béart, Toby Longworth, Andy Secombe, Ed Byrne, Lenny Henry, Philip Pope, Mitch Benn, Jon Culshaw and Professor Stephen Hawking.
The series is written and directed by Dirk Maggs and based on And Another Thing... by Eoin Colfer, with additional unpublished material by Douglas Adams.
Music by Philip Pope
Production research by Kevin Jon Davies
Written and directed by Dirk Maggs
Based on the novel And Another Thing... by Eoin Colfer, with additional material by Douglas Adams
Recorded at The Soundhouse Ltd by Gerry O'Riordan
Sound Design by Dirk Maggs
Produced by Dirk Maggs, Helen Chattwell and David Morley
A Perfectly Normal production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 08:00 Marriage Lines (b0663ftq)
Series 2, Episode 10
Can a job abroad solve George and Kate's housing crisis?
Richard Briers and Prunella Scales star in their second series based on the mutual love and mistrust of a young married couple.
Originating on BBC TV, it was adapted for radio due to its popularity by Richard Waring from his own TV scripts.
A decade later, Richard Briers was starring as Tom Good in The Good Life whilst Prunella Scales starred as Sybil in Fawlty Towers. They remained friends until Richard Briers' death in 2013.
Producer: Charles Maxwell
Recorded at the BBC Paris Studio in London.
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1967.
THU 08:30 The Goon Show (b007jn16)
The Tales of Montmartre
Paris, passion and duplicity abound in the tangled lives of two talented painters. Stars Spike Milligan. From January 1956.
THU 09:00 Listomania (b09x4n4c)
Pilot episode
Susan Calman hosts the pilot for the series exploring the world of the list - from the magnificent to the mundane - from the humble 'to do' list to the bucket list...
With Lucy Porter, Joe Lycett, Richard Herring and Katherine Ryan.
Written by James Kettle and Gráinne Maguire.
Producers: Adnan Ahmed and Sam Bryant
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 2014.
THU 09:30 HR (b01bb7jh)
Series 3, Naked
Nigel Williams' comedy series returns for a third run of six new hilarious episodes. Jonathan Pryce and Nicholas le Prevost star as two 60-something chums enjoying a comfortable retirement. Until, that is, in the first episode they get a chilly warning about an imminent danger to their pensions. Will they soon be joining the army of dispossessed older folk?
Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce
Sam ..... Nicholas le Prevost
Man ..... James Lailey
Director....Peter Kavanagh.
THU 10:00 DH Lawrence - Sons and Lovers (b007jlqq)
Episode 1
Paul Morel is born in Nottinghamshire at the turn of the 20th century. His father is a hard-working, hard-drinking miner, but his mother a refined woman of middle-class aspirations.
As family conflict grows, Paul's mother turns to her sons.
Published in 1913, DH Lawrence's novel dramatised in three parts by Michael Butt.
Starring Benedict Sandeford as Paul Morel, Elizabeth Estenson as Gertrude Morel, Clive Russell as Walter Morel, and Fiona Clarke as Miriam.
Director: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1999.
THU 11:00 Man about the House (b04mhd5l)
The Top Back by Andrew Martin
Three stories explore men's relationships with their homes:
1. The Top Back by Andrew Martin
When he was born, Clive's bedroom in the old house was full of toys. Decades
later he still seems to be there, surrounded by them all..
Reader: Paul Copley
Producer: Duncan Minshull.
THU 11:15 Afternoon Drama (b01rlsvj)
Donna Franceschild - Quartet, Almost Top of the Bill
A series of four comic dramas following the fortunes of a jazz quartet in the remote west Highlands of Scotland.
Robbie used to be a professional pianist, now he's a miserable music teacher who has accidentally found himself at the centre of an amateur jazz quartet.
As the band try desperately to get a gig, Stuart, the bass player, finds his home and livelihood in jeopardy.
Piano: Jim Clelland
Double Bass: Eoin Millar
Drums: Ken Mathieson
Original music composed by Eoin Millar.
Director: Kirsty Williams.
THU 12:00 Marriage Lines (b0663ftq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 12:30 The Goon Show (b007jn16)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:00 Wimsey (b007jvn1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 13:30 Words, Words, Words (b00vlv2c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b037vcx2)
Ian Sansom - The Norfolk Mystery, Episode 9
Julian Rhind-Tutt reads Ian Sansom's new comic thriller, The Norfolk Mystery.
Morley and Sefton are keen to meet the person who painted a disturbing and lustful portrait of the maid, Hannah. Their next enquiries take them to the local shop where their best efforts at discrete enquiry are thwarted by a big man wielding a cricket bat. Then, Morley is harangued into attending a sherry party hosted by the Thistle Smiths, where he is a fish out water. Sefton discovers that the aged Mrs Thistle Smith has a teenage son. Meanwhile, the professor makes the fatal mistake of ragging Morley.
The Norfolk Mystery by Ian Sansom is abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.
Produced by: Sarah Langan.
THU 14:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009mc98)
Eco-houses
Laurence explores new ways to build and run a home for the mass market by visiting an eco-community in Nottingham. From April 2008.
THU 14:30 Charles Dickens (b007jwjt)
The Old Curiosity Shop, Episode 19
As Little Nell recuperates, the kindly schoolmaster teaches her a life lesson. Dickens dramatisation with Alex Jennings. From January 2003.
THU 14:45 Book of the Week (b00szv9d)
Hampton Sides - Hellhound on His Trail, Racial Apocalypse
Hampton Sides' compelling new book sheds fresh light on the assassination of Martin Luther King and the hunt for his killer, James Earl Ray. In today's episode, as news of King's murder spreads, the USA prepares itself for widespread unrest. Meanwhile, Eric S Galt, aka James Earl Ray, is already making his escape north to Canada.
Read by Christian Camargo and Clarke Peters.
Abridged by Viv Beeby.
Produced by Emma Harding.
The book: Hellhound on his Trail was published in the UK on 3rd June 2010 by Allen Lane.
The readers: Christian Camargo is an American actor, probably best known for his role as Brian Moser in the Showtime drama series Dexter. He also appeared in the Oscar winning 2009 film, The Hurt Locker as head psychiatrist Lieutenant Colonel John Cambridge. In summer 2010, he is playing Ariel in the Bridge Project's production of The Tempest at the Old Vic Theatre, London.
Clarke Peters is an American actor, singer and director, who is probably best known for playing Detective Lester Freamon in the HBO drama series, The Wire. He also appeared in the second series of Damages. He has numerous West End and Broadway credits and was nominated for a Tony award for writing the book of the musical revue, Five Guys Named Moe.
THU 15:00 DH Lawrence - Sons and Lovers (b007jlqq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:00 Listomania (b09x4n4c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 16:30 HR (b01bb7jh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
THU 17:00 North by Northamptonshire (b00ss2cq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 17:30 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b09w16mn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 18:00 Algernon Blackwood - The Willows (b007jvdj)
Episode 3
The companions prepare for a second night and the inevitable attack from the island's mysterious forces. Read by Roger Allam. From March 2005.
THU 18:30 Great Lives (b00wqbjq)
Series 23, Samuel Beckett
Business guru Sir Gerry Robinson was born in Ireland but moved to England in his teens, and he chooses Samuel Beckett, another Irishman who lived away for much of his life - in Paris. Gerry, a late convert to Beckett's plays, loves him because he's accepting of the human condition: that we're all locked in this repetitive pattern. We don't want to keep on doing the same thing over and over again, but we do. Presenter Matthew Parris is also joined by Jim Knowlson, who was a personal friend of Samuel Beckett for 19 years, and is his authorised biographer. He reveals that Beckett was far from the dour gloomy figure of popular imagination, and was in fact very good company - as long as you didn't interrupt him when he was watching the rugby on the telly on a Saturday afternoon.
Producer: Beth O'Dea.
THU 19:00 Marriage Lines (b0663ftq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 The Goon Show (b007jn16)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 20:00 Wimsey (b007jvn1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 20:30 Words, Words, Words (b00vlv2c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 21:00 Man about the House (b04mhd5l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
THU 21:15 Afternoon Drama (b01rlsvj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]
THU 22:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b09w16mn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 22:30 Sketchorama (b04800pr)
Series 3, Episode 2
Tom Tuck presents the pick of the best live sketch groups currently performing on the UK comedy circuit - featuring three up and coming groups in character, improv, broken and musical sketch comedy.
In this programme:
Mixed Doubles.
Rose Robinson, Paul Aitchison, Megan Smith and Will Close formed Mixed Doubles in 2012 after meeting at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and deciding to postpone unemployment through the means of sketch comedy. Their debut performances were at the Henley Fringe Festival in July 2012 and after a successful opening stint, London shows became an increasing regularity in the build-up to their rampant first appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2013. They scooped the 'People's Choice Award' for their viral Modern Conversation at the Dave Comedy Festival in 2013 and were named Finalists in the Foster's 'So You Think That's Funny - Best New Sketch Act' of the same year.
The Real MacGuffins.
A London based sketch comedy group formed in 2008 by Dan March, Jim Millard and Matt Sheahan. They have performed their unique brand of sketch comedy across the UK as well as supporting comedians including Stewart Lee, Dave Gorman and Perrier Award Winners Tim Vine, Phil Nichol, Adam Riches and Doctor Brown. The group have proved a crowd favourite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival throughout 2010, 2011 and 2013.
Bob and Jim.
Bob and Jim have created three Edinburgh shows - 'Modern Urges' (2011), 'GO' (2012) and 'Two Stars' (2013) and are Musical Comedy Awards Finalists (2014).
Producer: Gus Beattie
A Comedy Unit Production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 23:00 Masala FM (b007jz5q)
Episode 5
When the Asian radio station boss gets religion, the result is far from heavenly. Stars Sanjeev Bhaskar. From October 1996.
THU 23:30 Bleak Expectations (b00nkv3r)
Series 3, A Now Grim Life Yet More Grimified
Young Pip is betrayed and receives a spectral visitor. Mark Evans's Dickensian spoof. Stars Tom Allen. From November 2009.

FRIDAY 30 MARCH 2018

FRI 00:00 Algernon Blackwood - The Willows (b007jvdj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Great Lives (b00wqbjq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Wimsey (b007jvn1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Words, Words, Words (b00vlv2c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b037vcx2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009mc98)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 Charles Dickens (b007jwjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:45 Book of the Week (b00szv9d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 DH Lawrence - Sons and Lovers (b007jlqq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Listomania (b09x4n4c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 HR (b01bb7jh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 North by Northamptonshire (b00ss2cq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b09w16mn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Wimsey (b007jvn3)
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, Ann Dorland
With two suspects missing, Lord Peter Wimsey battles to pinpoint the poisoner.
Starring Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter Wimsey, Allan Cuthbertson as Robert Fentiman, Martin Jarvis as George Fentiman, Amanda Reiss as Ann Dorland and Gabriel Woolf as Inspector Parker.
British gentleman detective Lord Peter Wimsey features in a number of detective novels and short stories by English crime writer, Dorothy L Sayers. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club was first published in 1928.
Classy and sharp-witted, aristocratic amateur sleuth Lord Peter Bredon Wimsey was born in 1890 and educated at Eton and Oxford, before serving in the military during the First World War.
Ian Carmichael appeared as Lord Peter Wimsey for BBC Radio from 1973 to 1983, in addition to the BBC TV adaptations that were broadcast between 1972 and 1975.
Adapted for radio in six episodes by Chris Miller.
Producer: Simon Brett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1975.
FRI 06:30 Brandreth's Pills (b00pdk2q)
Gyles Brandreth tells the tale of one of the most influential people you've never heard of - his great great grandfather, Benjamin. It's a story that takes us from Liverpool in the 1830s to New York, with a cast of hucksters, quacks, politicians, millionaires, and medics - not to mention the founders of tabloid journalism and mass advertising. Benjamin Brandreth set sail from Liverpool in 1835 with nothing. By the time of his death in 1887 he was a New York senator, a landowner, the owner of one of New York's biggest hotels, and one of the richest men in the country. He had invented the giant billboard, financed Gordon Bennett's yellow press and developed mass advertising. How? Brandreth's vegetable pills! They were a powerful laxative. Brandreth claimed they could cure almost anything, he spent a fortune on advertising, and people believed him.
Producer: Chris Bond.
FRI 07:00 The Emerald Green Show (b078dlrj)
All For One
Will Emerald Green's ego be able to deal with the ambitious plans of new girl, Tanesha?
A vain, ambitious black woman dreams of becoming a chat-show queen.
Lisselle Kayla's 4-part comedy series starring Llewella Gideon as Emerald Green.
With Jonathan Firth as Tristram, Iwan Thomas as Fabio, Dean Hill as Victor, Sheila Reid as Eunice, Jonathan Keeble as David and Jo Martin as Tanesha.
Director: Pam Fraser Solomon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.
FRI 07:30 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03wp5j6)
Series 3, The Works Barbecue
Damien is forced to confront his hatred of barbecues, when Anthony organises one for some work colleagues. Meanwhile, Mr Mullaney is putting the finishing touches to the 'shoffice'.
FRI 08:00 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b007jncs)
Series 6, Episode 7
Operation Chocolate - and a stirring ode to queen of the silver screen, Julie Andrews.
Starring Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Cleese, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie.
Written by Bill Oddie and John Cleese.
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 Liam Cohen, Dave Lee and Bill Oddie.
Producer: David Hatch/Peter Titheradge
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in May 1968.
FRI 08:30 Brothers in Law (b007k1p0)
Series 2, In and Out
Lawyer Roger sets out to defend a prisoner overly fond of life behind bars.
Starring Richard Briers as Roger Thursby, Julia Lockwood as Sally, Bridget Armstrong as Joy, James Beck as Newman and Basil Dignam as the Judge.
Others parts by William Fox Leslie Heritage and Michael Kilgarriff.
Written by Henry Cecil and Basil Dawson.
Published in 1955, Henry Cecil's comic legal novel Brothers in Law was adapted first for TV in 1962 by Frank Muir and Denis Norden. It provided the first regular starring role for Richard Briers, who later reprised his role of the idealistic young lawyer Roger Thursby for BBC Radio between 1970 and 1972.
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1971.
FRI 09:00 The Motion Show (b071k5vf)
Series 3, Episode 5
Graeme Garden hosts the comic debating show with Gyles Brandreth, Hugh Dennis, Chris Neill and Stuart Maconie. From August 2000.
FRI 09:30 Kathmandu or Bust (b07rhlzg)
A Sticky Night
The travellers have Nepal almost in sight until their truck is stolen by bandits. Stars David Haig. From June 1996.
FRI 10:00 DH Lawrence - Sons and Lovers (b007jlr6)
Episode 2
Clinging to her sons, unhappy Gertrude is jealous of Paul's success and his friendship with Miriam. Stars Elizabeth Estensen. From September 1999.
FRI 11:00 Man about the House (b04n6953)
The Parable of the Green House
Three specially commissioned stories that explore men's relationships with their homes:
2. The Parable of the Green House by Jess Walter
Dale hangs around his house, thinking bad things are happening in the yard. He becomes obsessed by this.
Reader: Trevor White
Producer: Duncan Minshull.
FRI 11:15 Afternoon Drama (b03ttmdp)
John Banville - Bowen and Betjeman
4 Extra Debut. Award-winning novelist, John Banville, imagines an encounter between Elizabeth Bowen and John Betjeman as they meet for luncheon in a Dublin hotel during the Second World War. As their conversation ranges over their lives, their loves, their politics, we are given a portrait of wartime Dublin and London and of the place of the artist in a world at war.
Writer ..... John Banville
Director ..... Gemma McMullan
Producer ..... Gemma McMullan.
FRI 12:00 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b007jncs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Brothers in Law (b007k1p0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Wimsey (b007jvn3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Brandreth's Pills (b00pdk2q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 14:00 Book at Bedtime (b037vflr)
Ian Sansom - The Norfolk Mystery, Episode 10
Julian Rhind-Tutt reads the final part of Ian Sansom's new comic thriller, The Norfolk Mystery.
Swanton Morley and his assistant Stephen Sefton had set out in rural Norfolk to conduct field research for Morley's latest set of guidebooks. However their attentions have been diverted by the deaths of the local vicar and his maid, Hannah. In the pursuit of their enquiries, they have bumped into several local characters; the formidable Miss Harris, the parsimonious Reverend Swain, the free spirited Juan and Constance, the curmudgeonly detective and of course Mrs Thistle Smith and her husband, Morley's nemesis, the Professor. All gather today in the church to hear a shocking revelation.
The Norfolk Mystery by Ian Sansom is abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.
Produced by: Sarah Langan.
FRI 14:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009mc9d)
Ideal Home Show
Laurence talks to philosopher Alain de Botton about how our ideas of the home have changed and what the future holds. From April 2008.
FRI 14:30 Charles Dickens (b007jwk3)
The Old Curiosity Shop, Episode 20
With the help of Samson Brass, Quilp plots to get Kit Nubbins out of the way. Dickens dramatisation starring Alex Jennings. From January 2003.
FRI 14:45 Book of the Week (b00szv9g)
Hampton Sides - Hellhound on His Trail, Breakthrough
Hampton Sides' compelling new book sheds fresh light on the assassination of Martin Luther King and the hunt for his killer, James Earl Ray. In today's episode, the FBI's manhunt for King's killer has made an exciting breakthrough - they now know that the real name of their prime suspect. But they first need to pursue him to London, where he is hiding out under another new identity - that of 'Ramon Sneyd'.
Read by Christian Camargo and Clarke Peters.
Abridged by Viv Beeby
Produced by Emma Harding
The book: Hellhound on his Trail was published in the UK on 3rd June 2010 by Allen Lane.
The readers: Christian Camargo is an American actor, probably best known for his role as Brian Moser in the Showtime drama series Dexter. He also appeared in the Oscar winning 2009 film, The Hurt Locker as head psychiatrist Lieutenant Colonel John Cambridge. In summer 2010, he is playing Ariel in the Bridge Project's production of The Tempest at the Old Vic Theatre, London.
Clarke Peters is an American actor, singer and director, who is probably best known for playing Detective Lester Freamon in the HBO drama series, The Wire. He also appeared in the second series of Damages. He has numerous West End and Broadway credits and was nominated for a Tony award for writing the book of the musical revue, Five Guys Named Moe.
FRI 15:00 DH Lawrence - Sons and Lovers (b007jlr6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:00 The Motion Show (b071k5vf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Kathmandu or Bust (b07rhlzg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
FRI 17:00 The Emerald Green Show (b078dlrj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 17:30 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03wp5j6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Algernon Blackwood - The Willows (b007jvdr)
Episode 4
The Swede offers his opinion on the island's evil forces and the necessity of offering them a sacrifice. Read by Roger Allam. From April 2005.
FRI 18:30 Mastertapes (b01p0bnh)
Series 1, Brinsley Forde (the B-Side)
John Wilson continues the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Having discussed the making of New Chapter, the third album from the UK reggae group, Aswad, Brinsley Forde responds to questions from the audience and performs live versions of some to the tracks from the album which was released more than three decades ago.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, where a new series of Mastertapes began on 11th November.
FRI 19:00 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b007jncs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Brothers in Law (b007k1p0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 Wimsey (b007jvn3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Brandreth's Pills (b00pdk2q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Podcast Radio Hour (b09wwb78)
David McGuire
Amanda Litherland and David McGuire recommend their favourite podcasts. Includes 'Reply All' and a chat with presenter Alex Goldman. Also new BBC Radio 1 comedy series Kench, featuring Ben Partridge.
FRI 22:00 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03wp5j6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 22:30 The Show What You Wrote (b04dqrtd)
Series 2, Geography
Second series of Radio 4's themed sketch show made entirely from contributions sent in by the public.
The best ideas have been chosen from thousands of submissions from new writers resulting in a show like no other.
Recorded in Manchester.
Episode 2 - Geography
Written by:
The Public
Producers:
Alexandra Smith
Carl Cooper.
FRI 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b09ylv2f)
Sally Phillips 1/3
From 10.00 to midnight, 7 days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Arthur Smith chats to Sally Phillips.
FRI 23:00 Kevin Eldon Will See You Now (b04jk3s3)
Series 2, Escarpments
Comedy's best kept secret ingredient returns with another series of his own sketch show. Sketches, characters, sound effects, bit of music, some messin' about, you know...
This week, if you've ever been abducted by an alien, had an idea for a novelty tea towel or simply love escarpments, then this is the show for you. It's also the show for you if you don't have any of the afore-mentioned qualifications.
Kevin Eldon is a comedy phenomenon. He's been in virtually every major comedy show in the last fifteen years, but not content with working with the likes of Chris Morris, Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci, Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse, Stewart Lee, Julia Davis and Graham Linehan, he's finally decided to put together another run of his own comedy series for BBC Radio 4.
After all the waiting - Kevin Eldon Will See You Now...
Appearing across the series are Amelia Bullmore (I'm Alan Partridge, Scott and Bailey), Julia Davis (Nighty Night), Paul Putner (Little Britain), Justin Edwards (The Consultants), David Reed (The Penny Dreadfuls) and Catherine Shepherd (Cardinal Burns, Harry and Paul).
Written by Kevin Eldon, with additional material by Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris (A Touch Of Cloth, That Mitchell and Webb Sound)
Original music by Martin Bird
Produced and Directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 23:30 A Look Back at the Nineties (b007jqk5)
1995
Sponsoring the British Army, the impact of total European integration - and the House of Commons votes for the Honesty Act...
Recorded in 1993 - Brian Perkins, Kate Robbins and Chris Barrie 'look back' at the rest of 1990s yet to happen - starting with 1995.
A satirical review set on New Year's Eve 1999 - the Sony Gold award-winning comedy recalls the events from 1995 to 1999.
Predicted by 'Spitting Image' writers Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Pete Sinclair.
Producer: Caroline Leddy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1993.