SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2018

SAT 00:00 15 Minute Drama (b00ht63q)
The Death of Grass
Episode 5
Dramatisation of the science fiction novel by John Christopher.
The end of the journey is in sight but there are still plenty of obstacles ahead. At the last of them, John has to make an agonising choice.
Narrator ...... David Mitchell
Pirrie ...... Bruce Alexander
John ...... Darrell Brockis
Ann ...... Rebecca Egan
Roger ...... Gus Brown
Ashton ...... Andrew Mayer.
SAT 00:15 Susan Hill - The Mist in the Mirror (b036q7t8)
Waves of Evil
Sir James Monmouth's eerie obsession reaches a terrifying conclusion, but is that the end of the story?
Conclusion of Susan Hill's atmospheric and chilling ghost story read by Gareth Armstrong, with John Moffatt as the narrator.
Abridged in five parts by Oliver Reynolds.
Producer: Jocelyn Boxall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b0076695)
Rewriting the Past
Chris Bigsby discusses historical writing with Louis de Bernières and Lucy Moore. Are fact and fiction dangerous bedfellows?
In each programme, Professor Bigsby introduces a duo of writers of fact and fiction: new talent and established names. In the context of a discussion of one of the ideas and pre-occupations of our times, each presents a piece on this week's topic.
The best new writing and the freshest conversation from 2002.
SAT 01:00 Dick Barton - Special Agent (b007jnzs)
The Flag of Deception
In an all-out siege at Kramer's hideaway, special agent Dick Barton and his chums battle to neutralise the ray gun.
Noel Johnson stars as Dick Barton, with John Mann as Snowey White, Alex McCrindle as Jock, William Fox as Colonel Gardiner and Margaret Robertson as Jean Hunter.
From 1946 to 1951, Dick Barton - Special Agent thrilled millions of listeners to the BBC Light Programme. The daily serial followed the exciting adventures of ex-commando Captain Richard Barton and his wartime mates Snowey White and Jock Anderson, who must solve all manner of intriguing crimes and mysteries.
Heralded by an iconic signature tune (Devil's Galop by Charles Williams) each gripping episode left listeners with a torrid cliff-hanger.
Sadly many of Dick's adventures didn't survive in the BBC archive. But in 1972 as part of celebrations for the BBC's Golden Jubilee, Dick's very first ten-part adventure by Edward J Mason was recreated with many of the original cast.
With Francis de Wolff as Wilhelm Kramer, Richard Hurndall as Sir Archie Wrangle, Denis McCarthy as James Thirgood, Michael Kilgarriff as Blom, Arthur Bush as Hans and Geoffrey Collins as the Announcer.
Producer: Raymond Raikes
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1972.
SAT 01:15 15 Minute Drama (b04g19w0)
CJ Sansom - Shardlake: Dark Fire
Episode 10
Gripping conclusion of C J Sansom's bestselling Tudor crime novel, set during the last days of Thomas Cromwell.
Taken prisoner and threatened with death by the mastermind of the plot to bring down Cromwell, Shardlake and Barak must find a way to escape and warn the Earl. Can they make it in time? And how will the Wentworth family react when confronted with the truth of what lies down the well?
Written by C. J. Sansom
Dramatised by Colin MacDonald
Produced and directed by Kirsteen Cameron.
SAT 01:30 The Art of Radio Times (b03bfsyw)
Peter Day tells the story of the outstanding British graphic artists who made Radio Times magazine their canvas.
The idea that a broadcasting listings magazine should provide the opportunity for writers and artists to produce some of their finest creative work seems perhaps a little far-fetched in the present era of TV listing magazines and supplements. Yet Radio Times, which first appeared on bookstands on 28th September 1923, was a great nurturer of artistic talent.
It started with cartoons - the early magazine loved a gentle 'Punch'-like joke - but soon Radio Times evolved its own individual graphic idiom, using line drawings and motifs, alongside more conventional photographs, to illustrate the imaginative world of radio, in particular. In the magazine's heyday, an elegant Eric Fraser cover would regularly grace the bumper-selling Christmas edition, and 1953's Coronation Number became a collector's item with Fraser's simple and noble heraldic theme.
Alongside Eric Fraser, amongst the great British artists to create some of their most distinguished work for Radio Times were Edward Ardizzone, Val Biro and Victor Reinganum; Bob Sherriffs contributed thumbnail caricatures in the early years and 50 years later Peter Brookes, before becoming a fixture on The Times was a regular contributor.
In this programme, Peter Day explores the graphic heritage that Radio Times fostered with those who drew and those who commissioned for it.
Producer: Simon Elmes
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2013.
SAT 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b03c49d5)
James Bond - Solo
Episode 10
It is 1969 and James Bond is about to go solo, recklessly motivated by revenge.
A seasoned veteran of the service, 007 is sent to single-handedly stop a civil war in a small West African nation. Aided by a beautiful accomplice and hindered by the local militia, he undergoes a scarring experience which compels him to ignore M's orders in pursuit of his own brand of justice.
Bond's renegade action leads him to Washington DC, where he discovers a web of geopolitical intrigue and witnesses fresh horrors.
Even if Bond succeeds in exacting his revenge, a man with two faces will come to stalk his every waking moment.
Written by William Boyd, who is the author of one work of non-fiction, three collections of short stories and thirteen novels, including the bestselling historical spy thriller Restless - winner of the Costa Novel of the Year - and Any Human Heart, in which the character of Ian Fleming features. Among his other awards are the Whitbread First Novel Prize, the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Prix Jean Monnet. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and an Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. In 2005 he was awarded the CBE.
Reader: Paterson Joseph
Abridged by Libby Spurrier
Producer: Joanna Green
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 02:15 The Making of Music (b007r038)
Series 1
Haydn and the Esterhazys
James Naughtie presents a series chronicling the historical influences that affected the course of classical music.
20/30. Haydn and the Esterhazys
Employed by the hugely wealthy Esterhazy family, Joseph Haydn lived mainly in their isolated palace and produced music on demand. Of his prolific output, Haydn himself admitted that he was cut off from the outside world and forced to become original.
SAT 02:30 Maggie Allen - Not Me, But Us (b0bl6l2b)
London School of Medicine
Sophia battles to finally open the very first medical school for women. But as she's still not on the medical register, she plots a plan of action...
Sophia Jex-Blake's campaign to become a doctor continues in this true story of a late 19th century pioneer in Maggie Allen's ten-part dramatisation.
Starring Julia Watson as Sophia Jex-Blake; Michelle Newell as Elizabeth Garret Anderson; Richard Derrington as Henry Fawcett MP; and Christopher Scott as Mr Norton.
Director: Sue Wilson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
SAT 02:45 Book of the Week (b03ffsk9)
An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth
Episode 5
Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4,000 hours in space. During this time he has broken into a Space Station with a Swiss army knife, been confronted by a live snake while piloting a plane, been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft, and become a YouTube sensation with his performance of David Bowie's Space Oddity in space.
The secret to Chris Hadfield's success, and survival, is an unconventional philosophy he learned at NASA: prepare for the worst - and enjoy every moment of it.
Episode 5
Chris Hadfield comes back to earth with a bump, and discovers that he has become a YouTube and internet sensation.
Read by Garrick Hagon
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 03:00 The Once and Future King (b04tclg7)
The Lengthening Shadow
Brian Sibley's dramatisation of T. H. White's classic retelling of the King Arthur story continues. Murder and betrayal threaten to undermine all that Arthur holds dear.
Original music by Elizabeth Purnell
Directors: Gemma Jenkins, Marc Beeby and David Hunter.
SAT 04:00 The Personality Test (b007rlx5)
Series 3
Janet Street-Porter
Comedy quiz presented by a new guest host every week. All the questions are about the host.
Janet Street-Porter takes the chair, with panellists Sue Perkins, Lucy Porter, Nick Doody and Will Smith.
SAT 04:30 Elephants to Catch Eels (b007r4mg)
Series 1
Episode 5
Tamsyn's had enough of doing all the smuggling and getting none of the credit so is determined to quit.
But when she discovers there's a new charismatic smuggler in town, emergency measures are called for!
18th century Cornish village sitcom by the writers of Dead Ringers - Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain.
Starring Lucy Speed as Tamsyn Trelawny, John Bowe as Jago Trelawny, Cameron Stewart as Major Thomas Falconer, Andrew McGibbon as Captain Marriot, Martin Hyder as Squire Bascombe, Mark Felgate as Dewey, Imelda Staunton as Courageous Kate and Mark Perry as Hobbs.
Producer: Jan Ravens.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.
SAT 05:00 Two Doors Down (b0086dhm)
Series 1
Ranting and Railings
Miss Black's vision is for all houses to have matching Victorian railings - and hers must be authentic. But her lodger, Victor sparks chaos when he gets the erection dates muddled up.
The bohemian residents of Marlborough Road in Belfast are saved from chaos by their cleaning lady, Sally.
Series one of Annie McCartney's four-part sitcom.
Starring Frances Tomelty as Sally, Roma Tomelty as Miss Black, Katy Gleadhill as Evie, Gerard Murphy as Fintan, Alan Mckee as Victor, Ali White as Saffron, Bethan Lloyd as Anna, Patrick Gleadhill as Simon and Gerard McSorley as Trevor.
Director: Tanya Nash
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2001.
SAT 05:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (b070htsr)
A Decent Interval
Episode 1
by Jeremy Front
based on the novel by Simon Brett
Directed by Sally Avens
Charles, bit part actor and amateur sleuth, returns to the stage as the Ghost in Hamlet, but rehearsals are fraught as both Ophelia and Hamlet are being played by reality TV stars and soon it's not only Shakespeare's lines that are being murdered. As the body count rises so do Charles suspicions.
Whilst at home Frances fears she may have come to the end of allowing her semi-detached husband to remain as her lodger.
Jeremy Front (Magnificent Women, Sword of Honour) continues his successful adaptations of Simon Brett's novels starring
Bill Nighy (Marigold Hotel, Dad's Army)as Charles Paris
Suzanne Burden (Fresh Meat, Tis Pity she's A Whore) as Frances - Charles ex-wife from whom he's never been able to detach himself
Amelia Bullmore (Scott and Bailey, Down The Line) as Geraldine - an actress that Charles finds very attractive and who moves in to Frances' house.
Jon Glover (Episodes, Hitchhikers) as Maurice - Charles' long suffering agent.
SAT 06:00 Emlyn Williams - The Corn is Green (b0blvk07)
1895 in a Welsh mining village, where children are sent down the mines when they turn 12.
Into this environment comes the iron-willed, blue-stockinged English teacher, Miss Moffat.
Despite resistance from villagers and the local squire, she's determined to bully and inspire her prize pupil, Morgan Evans, up and out of the pits towards the liberating freedom of learning...
Published in 1968, Emlyn Williams' novel - based partly on his own childhood in Wales - dramatised by David Gruffydd.
Starring Anna Massey as Miss LC Moffat, George Winter as Morgan Evans, Imelda Staunton as Bessie, Edward de Souza as the Squire, Rosaline Ayres as Miss Ronberry, Carole Boyd as Mrs Watty, Elizabeth Morgan as Idwal and Sion Probert as Mr Jones.
Producer: Gerry Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1985.
SAT 07:30 Touchline Tales (b01p7hd0)
Series 3
Episode 3
Old friends Des Lynam and Christopher Matthew venture out to different sporting venues - to enjoy, observe, reminisce and trade tales about some of the greatest pleasures in their lives. Today, they're at the Queen's Club in south-west London for the qualifying rounds for this year's Real Tennis British Open. They're there to try and make sense of both the sport and the rules and also to consider other sporting endeavours they can cover in future series... including one involving headless goats.
As a commentator and friend of sporting stars, Des has, as ever, a fund of stories to tell, and insights to reveal. But Christopher gamely tries to match him stride by stride with his own experiences as a lifelong spectator at the highest levels of sport (and, like Des, an occasional participant at the lowest).
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
SAT 08:00 Archive on 4 (b0075vj7)
Metropolis
Novelist Paul Bailey takes an autobiographical journey through the BBC sound archive in celebration of London, as documented by the microphone from 1930 onwards.
He recalls aspects of the city which have disappeared forever, from horse traffic to street markets, and looks at how radio has represented - and misrepresented - the average Londoner.
Producer: Thomas Morris
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2000.
SAT 09:00 Pete Firman's World of Magic (b061v8x4)
From Ancient Egypt to the modern day, the act of conjuring has captivated audiences for centuries. It's a world of secrecy and intrigue that deals in incredible acts of wonder and stunning feats of deception. For magician and comedian Pete Firman, it's a world that has enchanted him since he was an 8 year old child watching Paul Daniels on TV.
In this compilation Pete makes a pilgrimage to the Magic Circle in London to dig deeper into the history of the art's colourful past. Assisted by president Scott Penrose they trace the roots of modern day illusionism from Harry Houdini, The Maskelynes and Chung Ling Soo through to contemporary kings such as Derren Brown and David Blaine. They also delve into the world of trick inventors, go behind the scenes with theatrical illusionists and get a crash course in performing street magic.
From the simplest acts of sleight of hand to high profile stunts, join Pete on a journey through the world of magic that's set to confound and inspire in equal measures. Featuring:
* The History Of Magic (BBC Radio 4 - 1997)
* Houdini - Great Lives (BBC Radio 4 - 2009)
* Box Jumpers (BBC Radio 4 - 2004)
* Spoon, Jar, Jar, Spoon - The Two Sides Of Tommy Cooper (BBC Radio 4 - 2009)
* The Backstreet Business (BBC Radio 4 - 2008)
* Magic In The Theatre - Front Row (BBC Radio 4 - 2010)
* Passing The Hat (BBC Radio 4 - 2009)
* David Blaine - Steve Wright In The Afternoon (BBC Radio 2 - 2003)
* The Science Of Magic - All In The Mind (BBC Radio 2 - 2011)
* Derren Brown - Chain Reaction (BBC Radio 4 - 2012)
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by BBC Radio Scotland.
SAT 12:00 We've Been Here Before (b007s945)
Series 1
Episode 3
Clive Anderson's panel show of the past with Steve Punt, David Quantick, Robin Ince and Gyles Brandreth. From August 2003.
SAT 12:30 The Goon Show (b007jtrk)
The Rent Collectors
Neddie Seagoon is sent to claim back thousands in arrears, but he falls in the water. Stars Spike Milligan. From January 1957.
SAT 13:00 Get Carter: The Bloody Chamber (Omnibus) (b0blvktr)
Five stories to gobble you up. Angela Carter's iconic collection of fairy stories, adapted for radio by Olivia Hetreed.
With their feisty heroines and orgiastic mash-up of beasts, shape-shifters and ghouls, Angela Carter's extraordinary tales are the most perfect example of her style, not just for her incomparable prose, but also in the dizzying twists and turns of perception, fantasy and myth.
Controversially influenced by De Sade, she embraced the erotic, explored our deepest and darkest urges, and subverted the roles of hunter and prey, master and mistress so that, instead of male sexuality, it is the female that becomes transgressive and powerful.
The Bloody Chamber
Anne ..... Sophie Cookson
Marquis ..... Jasper Britton
Mother ..... Rakie Ayola
Jean Yves ..... Nigel Pilkington
The Erl-King
Lover ..... Rakie Ayola
Erl-King ..... Ariyon Bakare
Goblin ..... Jasmine Jones
Wolf-Alice
Angela Carter..... Fiona Shaw
Wolf-Alice ..... Lily Lesser
Duke ..... Jonathan Tafler
Head Nun ..... Phoebe Fildes
Main Hunter ..... Nigel Pilkington
Mother Superior ..... Adjoa Andoh
Nun ..... Susan Wooldridge
Novice ..... Grace Englert
Novice..... Jalleh Alizadeh
Hunter...... Tre Gordon
Hunter ..... Tom Clegg
The Tiger's Bride
Beauty..... Hannah Genesius
Valet ..... Jonathan Tafler
Clockwork Maid..... Jasmine Jones
The Company of Wolves
Wise Woman ..... Adjoa Andoh
Bawdy Woman ..... Susan Wooldridge
Pushy Woman ..... Tessa Wojtczak
Red ..... Lily Lesser
Huntsman..... Alexander Vlahos
Granny ..... Phyllida Law
Girl ..... Jalleh Alizadeh
Girl ..... Grace Englert
Director / Producer - Fiona McAlpine
Sound Design - Lucinda Mason Brown
An Allegra Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2018.
SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (b0blvlbm)
Kim Wilde
Singer Kim Wilde chooses Cilla Black's 'Anyone who had a heart' and 'Everything put together falls apart' by Paul Simon.
SAT 14:15 With Great Pleasure (b00773bz)
2006
Rick Stein
Chef Rick Stein shares his favourite prose, poetry and cookery writing, featuring Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth David.
Christian Rodska and Jenny Coverack join him to entertain an audience at the Seafood School in Padstow, Cornwall.
Producer: Viv Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
SAT 14:45 Stewart Permutt - Singular Women (b0075569)
Frances
Celia Imrie plays a shy teacher with an unwanted notoriety. Bittersweet comedies about four very different women. From September 1997.
SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b0075vj7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Emlyn Williams - The Corn is Green (b0blvk07)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Touchline Tales (b01p7hd0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 Doctor Who (b06gxdks)
The Demons of Red Lodge and Other Stories
Something menacing lurks outside the woodshed on a dark, misty Suffolk night in 1665.
Peter Davison is the Fifth Doctor with his companion Nyssa played by Sarah Sutton.
This episode is one of four generated by Big Finish Productions' 2010 'Opportunity for New Writers' contest, which attracted around 1200 entries,
Peter Davison played the Fifth Doctor from 1981 to 1984.
Sarah Sutton played Nyssa between 1981 and 1983. She was first seen on 'The Keeper of Traken' - Traken being Nyssa's home planet, when she starred with the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker)
Written by Jason Arnopp.
Original music composed by Richard Fox and Lauren Yason.
Directed by Ken Bentley
Producer: David Richardson
A Big Finish production.
SAT 18:30 Fear on 4 (b007jqdp)
Net Suicide
Michael Scantgrace is a City dealer facing complete ruin when he stumbles across the Suicide Club on the internet. Should he sign up?
Fear on 4 brings you more in a series of nerve-tinglers.
Stars Gerald McDermott as Michael, Tracy-Ann Oberman as Susannah, John Rowe as Roy and David Brooks as Bob.
Written by Stephen Wyatt.
Director: David Hunter
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1997.
SAT 19:00 Pete Firman's World of Magic (b061v8x4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Old Harry's Game (b00c6jfr)
Series 5
Moral Leadership
Hell is close to bursting, so to stem the flow, Satan ponders his entry policy. Devilish sitcom stars Andy Hamilton. From September 2005.
SAT 22:30 The Richest Man in Britain (b00p346t)
The Cultural Attache
Sitcom by Nick Hornby and Giles Smith about an ageing rock star and his search for fulfilment.
Trillionnaire rocker Dave Mabbutt and his personal assistant Dom come to blows over the one thing money can't buy.
Dave Mabbutt ...... Mark Williams
Dom ...... Russell Tovey.
SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b0bmkf1l)
Josh Howie 2/2
The best in contemporary comedy. Arthur Smith talks to Josh Howie.
SAT 23:00 The Lawrence Sweeney Mix (b008vzdy)
Series 2
Episode 2
Invention as it happens. Josie Lawrence and Jim Sweeney's improvised sketches driven by the audience. From February 2008.
SAT 23:30 Mark Watson's Live Address to the Nation (b016lgkl)
Strength
Mark Watson reignites his quest to improve the world, nimbly assisted by Tim Key and Tom Basden.
As broadcast live in November 2011 - Mark invites the audience join in via tweets and messages to work out how we can all make the world a better place.
Asking the big questions crucial to our understanding of ourselves and society - Mark kicks off with a look at "Strength".
Strength comes in many forms. We all need to be strong sometimes in life, whether we're dealing with an emotional fall-out or carrying a really heavy dog to the vet's. Some have inner strength, like people who survive divorce etc; some have outer strength, like guys who pull buses with their teeth in competitions.
But can strength be - ironically - a weakness? Strength can have its downsides. Our fondness for displays of strength has led to disastrous episodes like wars breaking out and 'Gladiators' being brought back. Mr Strong, in the Mr Men books, got strong by eating a barn full of eggs, but must have suffered terrible side-effects. How can we be strong, but remain human?
Mark Watson is a multi-award winning comedian, including the inaugural If.Comedy Panel Prize 2006. He is assisted by Tim Key, winner of Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2009 and Tom Basden who won the If.Comedy Award for Best Newcomer 2007.
Produced by Lianne Coop.
First broadcast live on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.