SATURDAY 30 MARCH 2019

SAT 00:00 Short Works: A Season of Murder, Mystery and Suspense (m0003l5g)
Series 5
Edgar Allan Poe - The Man of the Crowd
An unknown man keeps to the shadows.In a writing career that spanned barely two decades (he died in his 41st year) the American penned over seventy short stories. These he incessantly revised over the years and many became standards of the short form (like ‘The Fall Of The House of Usher’ or ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’).But for our five fictional tales, we burrow down amongst Poe’s lesser-known, and often dark, gems.Reader: Owen TealeAbridger: Pete NicholsProducer: Karen RoseMade for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Sweet Talk Productions.
SAT 00:15 HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki (b0076rpb)
The Toys of Peace
Harvey is encouraged by his right-thinking sister to give toys that can't be used for war to her two sons. But children, in a Saki tale, are immensely inventive...Stars Anthony Calf as Harvey, Beth Chalmers as Leonora, Ben Tibber as Eric, Anton Rice as Bertie and Alex Tregear as the Waitress.Five Tales by Saki (HH Munro), dramatised by Roger Davenport.Director: Ned ChailletFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b0076d9k)
Gossip
Matthew Parris chinwags about trivia with poet Jean Binta Breeze, regular diarist Marina Hyde and writer Roy Foster.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 Robert Barr - Galbraith and the Midas Touch (b05z865m)
Aladdin's Cave
A gambling club owner appears to be at the centre of Bill Galbraith's latest mystery, but he's protected.Starring Bernard Hepton as Galbraith. With Richard Davies as Evans, Garard Green as Finch and Robert Gillespie as Doc McDowall.Written by prize-winning TV producer Robert Barr, who also wrote TV scripts for the BBC's Z Cars and Softly Softly.Produced by John BrowellFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1977.
SAT 01:30 Landscape With Canals and Machines: The Legacy of LTC Rolt (b00vrssh)
Hermione Cockburn on LTC Rolt, the writer who led us to value our industrial landscape.LTC Rolt achieved something remarkable - he changed the character of the British - for the better - by altering their perception of their land and history. Before he began writing, and campaigning, our industrial landscape was regarded a desecration of a rural idyll. It was Rolt who taught us to value it, to appreciate its beauty and to appreciate the achievements of those who created the great engines, viaducts, lighthouses, ships and railways that revolutionised Britain - and the world.The father of industrial archaeology, Rolt wrote definitive biographies of the Stephensons, Brunel, Watt and Telford. He wrote about railways, aeronautics and cars (his 1920s Alvis is still going), and 'High Horse Riderless' is an important early work of environmental philosophy. And he wrote fiction, including ghost stories.His book 'Narrowboat' led to the establishment of the Inland Waterways Association and the canal network's navigation channels, structures, towpaths, bridges, tunnels and aqueducts were saved in the nick of time.Rolt is now recognised as a pioneer of the leisure industry. He went on to rescue the bankrupt Talyllyn narrow-gauge railway and taught volunteers to restore, then run it. Such an endeavour had never been attempted before but now this is a model for renovation and conservation schemes all over contemporary Britain, and all over the world.Hermione Cockburn, with help from Timothy West (who also has a narrowboat) and Rolt's widow, Sonia, tells the story of this remarkable engineer and author and reveals how his work shapes our thinking today - not just about our past but how we deal with it for the future.
SAT 02:00 Mary Wesley - The Camomile Lawn (b0080sjp)
Episode 10
A funeral sparks a big reunion of old faces at the house in Cornwall.A house - with a fragrant lawn stretching down to the Cornish cliffs - is the link between the five cousins which neither the war nor adulthood can break.Published in 1984, Mary Wesley novel abridged in ten parts by Elizabeth Bradbury.Concluded by Sian Phillips.Producer: Tracey NealeFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1989.
SAT 02:15 A Guide to Coastal Wildlife (b074zy93)
Mudflats and Salt Marshes
What attracts so many birds to gather on vast expanses of coastal sea mud around the coast?Well, the answer can be found in this programme when Brett Westwood joins naturalist Phil Gates on the Northumberland coast and after wading carefully across a slippery bed of popping seaweed, they explore the sticky ooze of the mud flats, to discover it teeming with life; food for wading birds.As well as cockles and lugworms, there are much smaller mud snails and mud shrimps. The latter are tiny crustaceans, very elongated with enormous antennae like “curved crane jibs” which are found in vast numbers (a conservative estimate is 10,000 per square metre) swimming on the surface in liquid mud or hiding out in tunnels below the surface. This rich source of food explains why so many birds gather here to feed; birds like the smart looking shelduck; a duck which is almost the size of small goose but lays its eggs in underground burrows!Away from the mud, slightly higher up the shore on the salt marsh, Brett and Phil discover sea lavender, a plant which has a clever way of dealing with high salt levels by excreting salt crystals onto its leaves giving them a greyish sheen and a salty taste! Producer: Sarah Blunt
SAT 02:30 Edith Wharton - The Reef (b00b3zz3)
Episode 5
Darrow sets out to persuade Sophie to leave Givre, but discovers affairs are much more complicated than he’d realised.Published in 1912, The Reef is one of Edith Wharton's most accomplished yet neglected novels - revealing the submerged and perilous depths beneath the surface of even the most conventional of its characters.Starring Ben Miles as George Darrow, Jodhi May as Sophie, Teresa Gallagher as Anna, Julian Ovenden as Owen and Sian Thomas as the Narrator.Dramatised by Penny Leicester.Producer: Di SpeirsFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.
SAT 02:45 Book of the Week (b045kcjh)
A Broken Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen's Secret Chord
Episode 5
As Leonard Cohen turns 80, a new biography by Liel Leibovitz explores the life, work and passion of the poet-turned-musician. What makes Cohen such an enduring international figure in the cultural imagination?Granted extraordinary access to Cohen's personal papers, Leibovitz evokes a complicated, sometimes contradictory figure. Born into a Canadian religious Jewish family, for years a reclusive lyricist on the Greek island of Hydra, known for his bold political commentary, his devotion to Buddhist thought and his later despair over contemporary Zionism, Cohen hardly follows the rules of a conventional rock star.An intimate look at a man who, despite battles with stage fright and years spent in hermit-like isolation, is still touring and now seems to be reaching a new peak of popularity.In the final episode, Cohen begins the 1990s as a hugely successful songwriter, poet and performer. Yet spiritual crises still plague him, and he retreats to the San Gabriel Mountains to spend time with his guru. By 2006, he's forced to start touring again when evidence emerges that a long-time employee and friend may have stolen millions of dollars from him.Read by Julian Barratt, with Leonard Cohen quotes read by Colin Stinton.Abridged by: Jo CoombsProducer: Pippa VaughanA Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 03:00 Classic Serial (b0167vk2)
Silas Marner
Episode 2
After a life of exile and a miserly existence, Silas's life changes forever when Eppie, a little girl crosses his threshold on a cold New Year's evening.Their life together, from her childhood to womanhood is his salvation. But all is threatened when her biological father makes a claim on her...Conclusion of George Eliot's novel dramatised by Richard Cameron.Silas Marner ...... George CostiganEppie ....... Rebecca CallardDolly ..... Deborah McAndrewAaron ..... Stephen HoyleGodfrey/Jem ..... Conrad NelsonNancy ...... Maeve LarkinMacey .... Seamus O'NeillDr. Kimble......... Leigh SymondsPriscillia ...... Fiona ClarkeDramatised by Richard CameronDirector: Pauline Harris.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
SAT 04:00 Who Goes There? (b0075z6w)
Series 4
Episode 5
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 (b007k1q4)
Episode 5
Edgar Finchley goes on a crusade, Master Finchley plays truant and a barber gets a close shave.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 as Mr Blain, Peter Vaughan as Turk, Robert Gill as Robert Finchley, Piers Gibbon as Mr Harbottle, Kate Binchy as Miss Slater, Alan Thompson as Sir Simon Penickle and David Howarth as the Mechanic.Narrated by James Villiers.Adapted in six parts by Andy and Eric Merriman.Producer: Gareth EdwardsFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in May 1993.
SAT 05:00 The Elephant Man (b007k2cj)
While the Cat's Away
Leonard and Adam head off to Frankfurt for the sake of the polar bear's future - and the zoo's!Debbie Barham's eight-part sitcom about the life of an elephant zoo keeper.Starring Peter Serafinowicz as Terry Lyon, Chris Emmet as Leonard, Geoff McGivern as George, Geraldine Fitzgerald as Maureen, Richard Pearce as Adam, Joanna Monro as Stephanie and Wayne Forester as Morse.Producer: Richard Wilson.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1996.
SAT 05:30 Where's the F in News (m0003cpg)
Series 2
Episode 3
An energetic, intelligent female-anchored show with a female panel - using the events, trends and talking points they think should really be top of the news agenda in a series of fresh and funny challenges.Host Jo Bunting is joined by a panel of women including comedians Jo Brand, Sara Barron and Lauren Pattison and broadcaster Samira Ahmed.Jo Bunting is a producer and writer of topical comedy and satire, with credits including Have I Got News For You, the Great British Bake Off spin off show An Extra Slice with Jo Brand, and the successful topical chat show That Sunday Night Show presented by Adrian Chiles on ITV. Jo was a guest interviewer on Loose Ends for several years and a panellist on Loose Women.An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4
SAT 06:00 Saturday Drama (b042cq8f)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
James Bond seems more interested in gambling at the Casino Royale than tracking down elusive SPECTRE chief Blofeld. Then he meets Tracy, emotionally disturbed daughter of mafia boss Draco.Now he has a double motive: seek and destroy Blofeld, and prevent Tracy killing herself.Impersonating a College of Arms official Bond infiltrates Blofeld's Swiss mountain-top lair. He learns that Blofeld and aide Irma Bunt are brainwashing young women. Why? Is biological warfare involved? Backed by 'M' and Draco, Bond mounts an air assault. But can he pin down monstrous Blofeld? And what will happen to Tracy?Toby Stephens is on top form as 007. A stellar cast includes Joanna Lumley, Alfred Molina, Alex Jennings, Lisa Dillon, John Standing, Janie Dee, Lloyd Owen, Joanna Cassidy, Clare Dunne and Julian Sands, with Jarvis himself as the voice of Fleming.Specially composed music: Mark Holden and Michael LopezDramatised by Archie ScottneyDirector: Martin JarvisProducer: Rosalind AyresA Jarvis & Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 07:30 The Gambaccini Years (b037vb3r)
Episode 1
Paul Gambaccini is the only broadcaster who has presented regular programmes on BBC Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4.2013 marked his 40th anniversary in British broadcasting, since his arrival at Radio 1 in 1973 from American college radio and Rolling Stone magazine.In a series of special shows, recorded with an audience, Paul and invited guests look back, with extracts from some of his all-time favourite interviews. The programmes cover interviews with his pop music heroes, as well as with major figures from the world of theatre, cinema and comedy, conducted during his time as a presenter and interviewer on arts programmes such as Kaleidoscope.Joining Paul for the first in the series are music legends Elton John and Joan Armatrading, lyricist Tim Rice, writer and former Python Michael Palin and fellow music broadcaster Bob Harris.Producer: Paul BajoriaFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2013.
SAT 08:00 Archive on 4 (b04stc6c)
Singing Together
Jarvis Cocker sets out on a musical journey to trace the history of Singing Together, the long-running BBC Schools radio programme which got generations of children singing. He uncovers the stories of those who made the programme, listened as children, and used it in their classrooms. Together they remember Monday mornings at 11am, when pupils up and down the country opened their song books and gathered round as teachers wheeled out their classroom radios.He delves into the archive to uncover the origins of the programme, hearing the first presenter, Herbert Wiseman, describe how he started the series at the outbreak of the Second World War as a way of reaching out to children at a time when many had been evacuated. Wartime teacher Brenda Jenkins, who used Singing Together with her class of evacuees, remembers how 'singing always helped'Jarvis explores the power of singing to bringing people together. He also uncovers the origins of the folk songs used in the programme and traces how it changed though the 1960s and 70's, opening up to musical traditions from around the world. He reflects on the impact of the long running series - which gave many their first introduction to folk heritage- with award winning musician Eliza Carthy.And he asks why recordings of this hugely popular series were not preserved for posterity. Only a handful of episodes survive in the BBC archive but, with the help of a small community of collectors, he sets out to find some of the missing episodes.Producer: Ruth EvansEditor: David Ross.
SAT 09:00 Unsung Heroines (m0003tbm)
History is full of incredible women who did amazing things. And yet, even though their legacy is still felt today, their names aren't on the tip our tongues. We've all heard of Florence Nightingale and Amelia Earhart - but what about Annie Russell Maunder, Jayaben Desai or Josephine Butler? They're much less well known, yet they all made significant and enduring contributions to our world.The writer and comedian Viv Groskop has been trawling the BBC radio archives to find out about a kickass sisterhood that refused to stay at home when that's what was expected of them.We meet the pioneering physician, Sophia Jex Blake; the Nobel laureate environmentalist, Wangari Maathai, the social reformer, Caroline Norton; the champion cyclist, Beryl Burton; we take a trip to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to learn about its founder, Mary Tealby. And many more.Viv also invites contemporary women to nominate their favourite unsung heroines - so we hear from Clare Balding, Cathy Newman, Samira Ahmed, Natalie Haynes, Gemma Cairney, Angela Barnes and Jessica Fostekew about the females they call phenomenal.From ancient Rome to the 21st Century, Viv Groskop brings inspiring women out of the shadows and into the spotlight.Producer - Moy McGowan
SAT 12:00 Booked (b00753g9)
Series 1
Episode 1
Richard III talks to Eeyore and Oedipus shares confessions with Captain Haddock.Outrageous parody, biting wit and original writing from Roger McGough, Miles Kington, Mark Thomas and Dillie Keane. Barnsley poet Ian McMillan chairs the first of a six-part series of the irreverent literary game.Producer: Marc JobstFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1995.
SAT 12:30 The Six Mothers-in-Law of Henry VIII (b0076hv6)
Episode 1
Twenty years married to Catherine of Aragon - and no son for the King. Should she take all the blame?An unreliable history, created and written in six parts by Barry Grossman.Starring Jonathan Coy as Henry VIII, Carla Mendonca as Catherine of Aragon, Sheila Steafel as Donna Elvira, John Rowe as Cardinal Wolsey, Milton Jones as Thomas Cromwell, Stephen Gretf as the Pope, and Alfred Burke as the Chronicler.Music by Jim Parker.Producer: John Fawcett WilsonFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
SAT 13:00 The Pillow Book (b09gjzcp)
Series 10 Omnibus
Lady Shonagon and Lieutenant Yukinari return in this popular mystery, The Pillow Book, set in 10th Century Japan.Following the Empress Teishi's father's death, a new Chancellor holds power in the Palace. He has ensured his daughter now occupies the throne, as Empress and First Consort to the Emperor.Summoned to a meeting with the new Empress, Shonagon is visited by a disturbing vision.The Pillow Book is inspired by the writings of Sei Shonagon, a poet and lady-in-waiting to the Empress of the 10th Century Japanese court.Omnibus written by Robert Forrest.Shonagon ...... Ruth GemmellYukinari ...... Stuart McQuarrieSaisho ...... Victoria LiddelleEmpress Teishi ...... Laura ReesEmpress Shoshi ...... Katie LeungDirected by Lu Kemp.A BBC Scotland Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in five parts in 2017 .
SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (m0003tbt)
Dave Gorman
Dave Gorman with Dr Hook’s When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman and Reasons to Be Cheerful by Ian Dury and The Blockheads.
SAT 14:15 Down Your Way (m0003tc0)
Dame Jennifer Jenkins in Styal
Dame Jennifer Jenkins visits the Cheshire village of Styal to learn about the lives of 19th century mill workers. Dame Jennifer also meets a Unitarian Minister and drops by the local primary school.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: Jill Marshall.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1989.
SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b04stc6c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Saturday Drama (b042cq8f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 The Gambaccini Years (b037vb3r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 Liz Lochhead - Maleficium (b00761fp)
Spells, charms and an imagined cursing. Taking its title from the word for a malicious act of witchcraft - Maleficium draws on real terrifying accounts of witches' trials and confessions to create voices for three imaginary characters.Alice, Margery and Jinnet - a farm hand, a farmer's wife and an elderly "cunning-woman" - two of whom are brought to the point of tragedy when they're accused of witchcraft by the other.Starring Clare Corbett as Alice, Siobhan Redmond as Margery, Freda Dowie as Jinnet and Jon Glover as The Skeptick, Willem Ladd.Written by Liz Lochhead.Producer: Robert KetteridgeFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
SAT 18:45 Ray Bradbury - The Pedestrian (b0076mvx)
There will come a time when we won't be allowed to walk - by order of the authorities.Read by David Horovitch.Producer: Duncan MinshullFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
SAT 19:00 Unsung Heroines (m0003tbm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Chain Reaction (b01ljwn3)
Series 8
Chris Addison interviews Derren Brown
Comedian Chris Addison gets the rare chance to talk to the amazing Derren Brown about magic, comedy, art, faith and Hitler.Episodes in the chain include:Rebecca Front being interviewed by the man who knows her best, her big brother, Jeremy Front.Rebecca Front talking to her Thick Of It co-star and fellow non-nudist, Chris Addison, about working with Armando Iannucci and embracing his middle-classness through stand-up;Chris Addison in a rare interview with the actually-really-nice-and-he-doesn't-do-any-of-that-weird-stuff-in-real-life, Derren Brown;Derren Brown chatting hair, beliefs and Tim Minchin with comedy musical megastar and fellow sceptic Tim Minchin;A poorly Tim Minchin being handed tissues whilst attempting to interview with no questions a not-at-all-poorly and hilarious Caitlin Moran.Caitlin Moran getting to spend time and talk shoes, Bananarama and women with her comedy hero Jennifer Saunders.And.Jennifer Saunders turning up a week later to find the series has ended. Probably. We weren't there because the series had ended.Produced by Carl CooperFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2012.
SAT 22:30 Richard Herring's Objective (b00vhgc7)
Series 1
The St George's Flag
Comedian Richard Herring reclaims those things we have given a bad name to.Today he's reclaiming the English National Flag from any associations with far right extremists. Why does the man and woman on the street have no idea when St George's day is? Who is St George?Richard asks a vexillologist (flag expert) about how flags have come to symbolise nations.He also talks to anthropologist Kate Fox who has studied the behaviour of the English, about why the English are not natural flag waving patriots. The show was recorded in front of an audience.Producer: Tilusha GhelaniFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m00041b8)
Andy Hamilton 2/2
From 10pm - midnight, 7 days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Angela Barnes chats again to Andy Hamilton.
SAT 23:00 Beauty of Britain (b01064yj)
Series 2
Laurelmead
No professional care-worker can afford to miss Beauty Olonga's survival guide to Britain - its overheated houses, its disappointing church services and its world-class charity shops. Series 2 of this Radio 4 comedy follows Beauty's continuing adventures as the Featherdown Agency sends her to provide care for the elderly.Beauty sees herself as an inspiration to other African girls hoping to live the dream in Britain. The series breaks the embarrassed silence about what happens to us when we get old and start to lose our faculties. It shows the process in all its chaotic, tragi-comedy but it does so from the point of view of Beauty, whose Zimbabwean Shona background has taught her to respect age. Beauty sees Britain at its best, its worst and also sometimes without its clothes on running the wrong way down the M6 with a toy dog shouting 'Come on!'Episode 2 'Laurelmead''A British care home is basically a big house named after a tree' observes Beauty, as she decides to work at Laurelmead this week. A change from her usual live in work, but working for the care home brings its own difficulties. There is some good news- her church choir is through to the regional finals of 'Go for Gospel'.CAST:Beauty ... Jocelyn Jee EsienKriss ... Felix DexterNeville ... Clive SwiftMrs Gupte ... Indira JoshiAnil ... Paul SharmaWorship Leader Wayne ... Lloyd ThomasUncle Custard ... Chris DouglasSandra ... Nicola SandersonThe music for the series was performed by The West End Gospel Choir.Written by Christopher Douglas and Nicola SandersonThe producer is Tilusha Ghelani.
SAT 23:30 The Big Booth (b007k25t)
Series 1
Episode 4
Boothby Graffoe's thoughts, sketches and soup time machine. With Steve Frost and guitarist Antonio Forcione. From January 2000.