SATURDAY 09 MARCH 2019

SAT 00:00 A Short History of Vampires (b00z55h6)
Quid Pro Quo
Tanya Huff’s deliciously noir tale of an immortal whose lover is in mortal danger.Read by Genevieve Adam.The ultimate killing machines. Natalie Haynes introduces a four-part series of dark stories, as she examines why the vampire - an iconic figure in horror-fiction - continues to exert such a powerful hold on our imaginations...Producer: Gemma JenkinsMade for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2011.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b0076czy)
The Voice
Writers Maggie O'Farrell, Niall Griffiths and Lana Citron talk to Matthew Parris about how they found their voice.In each programme, Matthew Parris introduces a group of writers of fact and fiction: new talent and established names. In the context of a discussion of one of the ideas and pre-occupations of our times, each presents a piece on this week's topic.The best new writing and the freshest conversation from 2003.
SAT 01:00 Russell Thorndike - Doctor Syn (b00dbqwq)
Episode 9
The Dragoons attempt to foil the swashbuckling smugglers' plan - but tragedy lies ahead. Read by Rufus Sewell.Christopher Syn, a brilliant young scholar, is a Doctor of Divinity at Oxford, but his eventual decision to throw away the Bible for the sword in a mad quest for vengeance will influence the rest of his life.Russell Thorndike's 18th Century, Kent-based adventure features pirates, smuggling, highwaymen, duels, wicked squires and beautiful Spanish ladies. Based on the first two novels (published 1935 and 1936) in the seven-title sequence, 'Doctor Syn on the High Seas' and 'Doctor Syn Returns'. Abridged by Doreen Estall.Writer Russell Thorndike (1885-1972) is less well-known than his sister, the actress Dame Sybil Thorndike, but his Doctor Syn novels hold a special place in the affection of lovers of atmospheric, swashbuckling storytelling everywhere. His novels have been filmed with actors as diverse as George Arliss, Peter Cushing and Patrick McGoohan in the role of Syn, and the Kent village of Dymchurch holds an official 'Day of Syn' every other year, to commemorate a home-grown literary folk hero.Producer: Lawrence JacksonMade for BBC Radio 7 by BBC Northern IrelandFirst broadcast in 2006.
SAT 01:30 Vital Mental Medicine: Shackleton's Banjo (b00wdgr5)
As his ship was sinking through the Antarctic pack-ice, Ernest Shackleton allowed each member of his expedition to take 2lbs of possessions with them as they abandoned ship. One exception was made; Shackleton saved Leonard Hussey's banjo saying, "We must have that banjo. It's vital mental medicine."So it proved; when Shackleton set off in a small boat to sail to South Georgia to get help, he left behind on Elephant Island twenty-two men. They lived for months under an upturned boat and some old sails. Every Saturday the banjo-playing meteorologist mounted a concert. He composed songs and whenever they caught a seal to eat brought out his banjo. He played, the men sang - and anger and depression were kept at bay.Leonard Hussey survived, as did his banjo, now in the National Maritime Museum, its skin marked with a dozen signatures of members of the failed expedition to the South Pole.Tim van Eyken is best known as a squeeze-box player and singer - he was the Song Man in 'War Horse' at the National Theatre. But he also plays the banjo. Tim explores the character of Hussey and the role he and his banjo played in saving the sanity of the explorers. He plays some of his songs - sadly not on Hussey's banjo, which is too fragile, but on his own, made by Pete Stanley, who sheds some light on the original instrument.Tim also hears from Pieter van der Merwe of the National Maritime Museum about the importance of music in expeditions and, thanks to some remarkable archive recordings, Hussey himself. He plays the tune Shackleton asked for the night he died. Hussey reveals, too, that his banjo had seen action in warmer climes, "having among other things been played to an audience of cannibals in Africa."Producer: Julian May.
SAT 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b067h157)
Simon Mawer - Tightrope
Episode Five
Marian discovers a disturbing truth about her brother Ned. Meanwhile, Major Fawley attempts to recruit her back into the secret service.A tale of love, betrayal and espionage as the political alliances forged during the Second World War give way to the moral uncertainties of the Cold War.Marian Sutro is a highly successful British SOE operative working with the French Resistance. Then she is betrayed and imprisoned in Ravensbrück by the Nazis.Returning to England a broken woman, she attempts to immerse herself in a normal life with a mundane job in London. However, the lure of the secret service and her desire to work for the greater good is never far away.As the Americans test ever more deadly atomic weapons and the Russians join the frantic race to match them, Marian finds herself in demand by all sides with no moral compass to guide her.She must walk an increasingly precarious tightrope between her beliefs, her profession and her desires.Reader: Peter FirthAbridger: Jeremy OsborneProducer: Rosalynd WardA Sweet Talk Production for BBC RadioFirst broadcast on Radio 4 in 2011.
SAT 02:15 A Piece of Cake (m000303q)
Eccles Cake
Sheila McClennon visits the Lancashire town of Eccles to taste these sweet currant-and-pastry cakes.Five choice slices of British sweet treats and the stories behind them.Producer: Libby CrossFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2004.
SAT 02:30 15 Minute Drama (b05y16ms)
Cyrano de Bergerac
Episode 5
The final part of Glyn Maxwell's adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. Swordsman, Philosopher, Poet Raconteur - Cyrano is all of these things , but none of them make him happy. What he wants more than anything is the love of the beautiful Roxane. But he has one huge problem that is as plain as the nose on his face. Is he too ugly to be loved ? Especially when the new handsome cadet Christian de Neuvillette also declares his love for her . However Christian's way with words needs a little help . Cyrano has been helping him. But after many years and a siege in between is the scheme about to unravel ?CYRANO Tom BurkeROXANE/MOTHER SUPERIOR Emily PithonSGT CARBONNE ..Jonathan KeebleLE BRET Christopher HarperDE GUICHE Conrad NelsonCHRISTIAN Kieran HodgsonRAGUENEAU Roger MorlidgeMusic Harry BlakeDirected in Salford by Susan Roberts
SAT 02:45 Book of the Week (b040qxkl)
B is for Bauhaus: An A-Z of the Modern World
Episode 5
An essential tool kit for understanding the modern world, by the Director of London's Design Museum, Deyan Sudjic.Not a dictionary, though it attempts to tell you all you need know about everything from Authenticity to Zips. It's not an autobiography either, though it does offer a revealing and highly personal inside view of contemporary culture.It's about what makes a Warhol a genuine fake, the creation of national identities, the mania to collect. It's also about the world seen from the rear view mirror of Grand Theft Auto V, and digital ornament and why we value imperfection. It's about drinking a bruisingly dry martini in Adolf Loo's American bar in Vienna, and about Hitchcock's film sets. It's about fashion and technology, about politics and art.Born in London, Deyan Sudjic studied architecture in Edinburgh, edited Domus in Milan, was the director of the Venice architecture biennale, and a curator in Glasgow, Istanbul and Copenhagen. He's the author of The Language of Things and The Edifice Complex.Episode 5:W is for War and whether design collections are really the place for weapons? Y asks is Youtube really so democratic? Z is for Zip and how in the thirties it was the height of modernity. Deyan Sudjic considers them all.W is for War: are museums the place for weapons? Y is for Youtube and Z is for Zip.Deyan Sudjic considers tRead by Deyan SudjicAbridged by Polly ColesProduced by Clive BrillA Pacificus Production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 03:00 Saturday Drama (b041469s)
CS Forester's London Noir
The Pursued
1935: When Marjorie finds Dorothy, her pretty young sister, lying dead with her head in the oven, the obvious assumption is suicide.But the girl's mother, Mrs Clair, a tough-minded woman is not convinced. She believes that Dorothy was murdered by Marjorie's cheating husband Ted.Unable to prove her theory, Mrs Clair begins to cook up a secret, terrible revenge...One of three seminal psychological thrillers by CS Forester - dramatised by Paul Mendelson.Most famous for his Hornblower series, CS Forester wrote these thrillers at the start of his career taking crime writing in a new direction, portraying ordinary, desperate people committing monstrous acts, and showing events spiralling terribly, chillingly, out of control.Music composed by Gary C. NewmanClarinet: Samantha BaldwinDirector: David Ian Neville
SAT 04:00 Who Goes There? (b0075yw8)
Series 4
Episode 2
Martin Young chairs the quiz which looks at the noteworthy and the notorious from history.Tackling the biographical teasers are team captains Francis Wheen and Fred Housego with guests Gyles Brandreth and Sheridan Morley.Producer: Liz AnsteeFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2000.
SAT 04:30 Mr Finchley Takes the Road (b007k0zf)
Episode 2
Mr Finchley runs into an ancient mariner who has many tales to tell of his life at sea, each one taller than the last.Meanwhile, following hot on his tail is Oliver Watt-Anselm, the worst private eye in the world...Victor Canning's novel about the adventures of a man and his horse-drawn caravan touring the 1930s countryside of Kent.Richard Griffiths stars as Mr Finchley.With John Bird, Chris Emmett and Jon Glover.Narrated by James Villiers.Adapted in six parts by Andy and Eric Merriman.Producer: Gareth EdwardsFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in April 1993.
SAT 05:00 The Elephant Man (b007jsfp)
Endangered Species
Peter Serafinowicz stars in DA Barham's sitcom about the life of Terry Lyon, an elephant keeper at his local zoo. He gets on better with animals than people. As the zoo lurches towards bankruptcy, his future looks bleak. Co-stars Chris Emmet as Leonard.DA Barham - alias Debbie Ann - used her gently gender-obscured writing name. Aged just 15, she'd sent in scripts to BBC comedy programmes. In 2003 she tragically died from heart failure due to anorexia, aged only 26. In her short, brilliant comedy career, she'd written for The News Huddlines, Spitting Image, The News Quiz, Weekending, Loose Ends, as well as big names like Bob Monkhouse, Graham Norton, Rory Bremner and Clive Anderson.Produced by Richard Wilson.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.
SAT 05:30 Clare in the Community (b08587nz)
Series 11
You Take the High Road
It's the social work event of the year and Clare Barker is giving the keynote speech; it's the biggest moment of her career. Provided she can actually get there for it. Back at home Brian and Nali have been taken in by Ray after a barbecue got out of hand. His housekeeping leaves a bit to be desired as far as Nali's concerned.Sally Phillips is Clare Barker the social worker who has all the right jargon but never a practical solution.A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis. Clare is in her thirties, white, middle class and heterosexual, all of which are occasional causes of discomfort to her.Each week we join Clare in her continued struggle to control both her professional and private life In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.Written by Harry Venning and David RamsdenProducer Alexandra SmithA BBC Studios production.
SAT 06:00 Hercule Poirot (b009v35c)
Cards on the Table
1936: The enigmatic Mr Shaitana hosts an unusual dinner party. His guests include four sleuths - including Hercule Poirot - and four suspected murderers.After dinner, the guests play bridge, with the sleuths in one room and the suspects in another, where Shaitana watches on. By the end of the game, Shaitana has been fatally stabbed with a weapon from his collection.Agatha Christie's thriller stars John Moffat as Poirot, Stephanie Cole as Ariadne Oliver, Donald Sinden as Colonel Race, Ioan Meredith as Superintendent Battle, Christopher Godwin as Mr Shaitana, David Timson as Dr Roberts, Mary Wimbush as Mrs Lorrimer, Helen Longworth as Anne Meredith, Nigel Anthony as Major Despard, Sarah Paul as Rhoda Dawes, Marlene Sidaway as Mrs Luxmore and Ewan Bailey as The Butler.From Agatha Christie's 1936 novel dramatised by Michael Bakewell.Director: Enyd Williams.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
SAT 07:30 Last Chance to See (m00034lt)
The Sultan Of Juan Fernandez
Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine visit Robinson Crusoe Island, near Chile, to find: a Juan Fernandez Fur Seal. From 1989.Series in which Douglas Adams and conservationist Mark Carwardine go in search of weird, exotic endangered animals.Producer: Gaynor ShutteFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1989.
SAT 08:00 Archive on 4 (b00766q4)
The Escape Factory
During World War II British prisoners-of-war had a remarkable ally in the shape of Britain's other secret service, MI9.Its job was to smuggle information and ingenious devices into camps to ensure the success of some of the most daring escape stories ever.John Stephen Dalziel finds out more about the organisation which was to provide inspiration for Ian Fleming's "Q" in one of the most amazing untold stories of World War II.Produced by Pamela Rutherford.First broadcast on Radio 4 in March 2002.
SAT 09:00 The Sondheim Archive (m00034lw)
Multi-award winning actor, singer and director Maria Friedman has had an association with the musicals of Stephen Sondheim for 30 years ever since she starred in the National Theatre’s production of “Sunday in the Park With George” in 1990. For this Radio 4 Extra showcase, she is joined by a panel of guests in the BBC Radio Theatre to explore Sondheim programmes in the BBC’s archive, discuss the incredible impact of his work and perform some of the songs from his hit shows.Maria is joined by actor Mark Umbers who starred in her recent production of "Merrily We Roll Along", pianist and composer Jason Carr who has done orchestrations for Sondheim musicals, critic David Benedict who is writing Sondheim's authorised biography and Catherine Jayes who has worked as Musical Director on Sondheim shows.
SAT 12:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00mdyl9)
Series 2
Episode 4
James Walton and the music quiz for all the young, and not so young, dudes.Team captains Tracey MacLeod and Andrew Collins are joined by Dave Gorman and Mary Anne Hobbs to be put through their musical paces.Reader: Beth ChalmersWritten and researched by James WaltonProducer: Dawn EllisFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2006.
SAT 12:30 Dad's Army (b007k1s5)
Series 1
The Man and the Hour
14th May 1940: George Mainwaring, manager of Swallow's Bank in Walmington-on-Sea, answers his country's wartime call to form a platoon of Local Defence Volunteers - with the help of a misfit bunch of tradesmen and bankers.Six years after legendary sitcom Dad's Army started on BBC TV, these specially adapted radio versions began recording with the original cast.Starring Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring, John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Wilson, Clive Dunn as Corporal Jones, Ian Lavender as Private Pike, John Laurie as Private Fraser, James Beck as Private Walker, Arnold Ridley as Godfrey and John Snagge as the announcer.Adapted from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's original BBC TV scripts by Michael Knowles and Harold Snoad.Producer: John DyasFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1974.
SAT 13:00 A Small Town Murder (Omnibus) (m00034ly)
Meera Syal stars as family liaison officer Jackie Hartwell.Nobody seems to mind when notorious mobster Jimmy Reid goes missing in suspicious circumstances. He’s an out-and-out villain who’d get kicked out of hell for bad behaviour – a West Midlands millionaire made rich from a successful career in every aspect of organised crime, and a man made infamous by the cruelty of his tactic.If someone has finally done him in, what’s not to like?However, it’s down to Jackie Hartwell to remain impartial and support his wife and daughter as much as she can. And who knows, maybe they’ll have something that might help the investigation.But Jackie soon realises she’s being lied to - and not just by the victim’s family. It’s also her fellow police officers who are being economical with truth.Cast:Jackie................Meera SyalPeter..................Mathew MarshDee.....................Ayesha AntoineAngela................TBAClaire...................TBAWritten by Scott CherryProduced and Directed by Clive BrillA Brill production for BBC Radio 4
SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (m00034m0)
Simon Williams
The Upstairs, Downstairs actor chooses ‘I Whistle A Happy Tune’ from the musical ‘The King and I’ and ‘Lullabye’ by Billy Joel.
SAT 14:15 Down Your Way (m00034m2)
Simon Weston at Pinderfields Hospital
Simon Weston, the Falklands War veteran, explores new advances in care at the Yorkshire Regional Burns Unit.Down Your Way was a schedule staple for decades - starting on the BBC Home Service in 1946 and ending its run on BBC Radio 4 in 1992. Using a variety of hosts, including Richard Dimbleby and Brian Johnston, the programme toured villages, towns and cities across the UK. At the height of the series' success in the 1950s, it was attracting 10 million listeners a week.Producer: Kerry McGeever.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1992.
SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b00766q4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Hercule Poirot (b009v35c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Last Chance to See (m00034lt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 John Wyndham - Chocky (m00034m4)
12-year-old Matthew Gore sparks concern for his parents when he appears to develop an intelligent, persistent imaginary friend whom he calls Chocky.As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that, far from being imaginary, Chocky is a very real alien intelligence. But then Matthew comes to the attention of sinister government forces...First published in Amazing Stories magazine in 1963, John Wyndham's developed his story as a full sci-fi novel five years later.Stars Judy Bennett as Matthew, Eric Thompson as David, Sheila Grant as Mary, Peter Baldwin as Alan, Michael Spice as Landis, Rolf Lefebvre as Sir William Thorbe, Lockwood West as Dr Frost, John Baddeley as Dennis Chattery and a cameo appearance from Jack De Manio.Adapted and directed by John Tydeman.First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1968.
SAT 19:00 The Sondheim Archive (m00034lw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Bridget Christie Minds the Gap (b01rgmfd)
Series 1
Episode 4
Bridget investigates women in comedy as she answers that old chestnut 'Are Women Funny?'.Last of a four-part stand-up comedy series on the state of British feminism today.With Fred MacAulayProducer: Alison Vernon-SmithFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2013.
SAT 22:30 Liam Williams: Ladhood (b06qk005)
Series 1
House Party
Liam Williams - a two-time Edinburgh Festival Award nominated comedian - shares his teenage misadventures in the Yorkshire suburbs.With evocative monologues by "Adult Liam" being interjected with flashback scenes from his teenage years, this four-part series was recorded in Leeds and stars teens from Yorkshire.Each episode delves into Liam's memories of his first fight, virginity loss, the best house party ever organised, and his marvellous outwitting of an entire teaching staff.This is the New Labour, post-mining, aspirational heartland, meeting 50 Cent and Generation Y ennui, represented in a bourgeois radio format - by one of Britain's most exciting comedians.Producer: Arnab ChandaA BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2015.
SAT 23:00 28 Acts in 28 Minutes (b008kmqx)
Series 2
Episode 2
John Humphrys gives 28 performers 60 seconds each to entertain with sketches, stand-up, music and surprises. With Arthur Smith and Carrie Quinlan. From January 2008.
SAT 23:30 Saturday Night Fry (b007jt12)
Episode 6
Stephen Fry serves up a final portion of witty banter and sketches.With Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Emma Thompson and Phyllida Law. Written by Stephen Fry with additional material by Ian Brown and James Hendrie.Producer: Dan PattersonFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1988.