SATURDAY 08 FEBRUARY 2020

SAT 00:00 Orbiter X (b0784dyd)
Inside the Moon Station
The crew of Orbiter 2 have been taken to the Moon by the shadowy Unity organisation.
First broadcast in 1959, a bold but perilous plan to conquer space with space station 'Orbiter X' is underway.
Captain Bob Britton …. John Carson
Captain Douglas McClelland …. Andrew Crawford
Flight Engineer Hicks …. Barrie Gosney
Max Kramer …. Gerik Schjelderup
Colonel Kent …. Donald Bisset
Sir Charles Day …. Leslie Perrins
With Ian Sadler and John Cazabon
Written by BD Chapman.
Producer: Charles Maxwell.
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1959.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b0076r24)
Suspicion
Matthew Parris, Julian Baggini, Will Pavia and Anthony McGowan discuss the impact of suspicious thoughts. From March 2005.
SAT 01:00 David Ellis - Find The Lady (m000dyks)
5. In Which Andrew Marsh Loses a Witness
Andrew discovers there's more to Sheila Ramsey and Margaret Everard than meets the eye - and that his life is in jeopardy...
Noel Johnson stars in a seven-part thriller serial by David Ellis.
Andrew Marsh …. Noel Johnson
Sheila Ramsey …. Jan Edwards
Margaret Everard …. Eva Haddon
Peter Lloyd …. Michael Deacon
Alf Jenkins …. Brian Haines
Joe …. Antony Viccars
Bill Rodney …. Wilfred Carter
Shirley …. Kathleen Helme
Detective Inspector Adams …. John Bentley
Detective Sergeant Rankin …. Henry Stamper
Dr Fergus …. Malcolm Hayes
Producer: Betty Davies.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1969.
SAT 01:30 When Garry Met Tony (b03vtcwl)
BBC Radio 4's "Today" sports presenter Garry Richardson has a secret passion - Big Band. An even greater secret passion is to sing with one.
But Big Band is a dying art whose future depends on a few old timers determined to keep the art alive. Garry meets one of them, Tony Douglas, the charismatic 84-year-old leader of a legendary amateur band who invites Garry to train for the headline vocal spot at their next big booking.
We join Garry as he explores the future of Big Band while on the bumpy road towards vocal stardom. Garry issued a challenge on Radio 4's Saturday Live: "Find me a Big Band for me to sing Frank Sinatra with". Responding to that challenge was Tony Douglas, who now runs the amateur Big Band at the celebrated London adult education institute Morley College - a college whose past staff members include Gustav Holst, Michael Tippett and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Garry rehearses a Frank Sinatra hit with the Morley Big Band. Along the way, he takes tips from singer Kurt Ellings, big band devotee Michael Parkinson and the legendary big band musician and singer Buddy Greco.
Garry also discovers more about the origins of big band music as dance music, sustaining Second World War morale before declining in the wake of rock and roll. But, as he finds out, the genre has not disappeared but morphed into a diverse and chameleon-like form whose future, while not certain, is fiercely defended by devotees.
The climax of the programme is when Garry finally performs at the Spice of Life jazz club in Soho. Is the man whose only claim to musical ability is playing the vibes with both hands, a second Sinatra?
Producer: Kati Whitaker
A Kati Whitaker production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2014.
SAT 02:00 Hugh Lofting - The Story of Doctor Dolittle (m000dyl3)
Episode 5
The doctor returns to England with his new friend, the Pushmi-Pullyu, a creature now extinct.
Alan Bennett concludes Hugh Lofting's novel.
Producer: Sally Avens.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1995.
SAT 02:15 A History of the Infinite (b07vwh0m)
The Mathematics of the Infinitely Small
Having looked at the infinite in philosophical and theological terms, it’s time to view it through the lens of mathematics. In the fifth programme in his series, Adrian Moore introduces us to the pivotal role mathematics has played in the quest to understand the infinite.
He begins by enlisting the help of very modern technology and considering the real question put by an 11 year old boy - what is zero divided by zero?
That’s the trigger for Adrian’s investigation of the calculus – the tool we use to reckon with very small quantities. It plays a huge part in many aspects of modern-day design, medicine and statistical work, but what is less well-known is the seventeenth century row between two eminent scientists as to who actually invented it. Adrian meets science writer, Brian Clegg, to find out about the race to claim credit.
It didn’t just cause a storm at its inception - we hear about the disagreements that dogged the calculus’s early days, with the church too getting involved in the disputes about the infinitely small.
But as Adrian discovers, the quest to understand the infinite has left us with a branch of mathematics of unparalleled importance.
A Juniper production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2016.
SAT 02:30 MM Kaye - The Far Pavilions (b00y2x5k)
Episode 5
Ash takes up his post with the Guides in Mardan, but his relationship with Belinda is increasingly troubled.
MM Kaye's epic of love and war, dramatised by Rukhsana Ahmad.
Narrator ..... Vineeta Rishi
Ash ..... Blake Ritson
Gulbaz ..... Kaleem Janjua
Zarin ..... Chris Simpson
Colonel ..... Sam Dale
Khoda-Daad ..... Sam Dastor
Battye ..... Jude Akuwudike
Belinda ..... Leah Brotherhead
George ..... Lloyd Thomas
Mrs Harlowe ..... Christine Kavanagh
Major Harlowe ..... Sean Baker
Directors: Marc Beeby and Jessica Dromgoole
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2011.
SAT 02:45 Sir Harry Secombe - Goon Abroad (b01494gh)
Sports and Swansea
Goon Show star Sir Harry Secombe recalls his school days in Wales, lessons in sportsmanship, and he makes a few confessions.
Conclusion of the autobiography of comedian and singer Sir Harry Secombe.
Abridged by Elizabeth Proud.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1983.
SAT 03:00 Patrick O'Brian - Desolation Island (b037gnxr)
Episode 2
Jack Aubrey is pursued through the South Atlantic by a powerful Dutch warship whose 74 guns threaten to blow HMS Leopard out of the water.
As the Leopard tries to out-run the enemy, Jack and Stephen have to contend with a fever that lays waste to the crew and an unexpected childbirth. A confrontation with the Dutch ship leaves Jack seriously wounded - and a dangerous situation turns to disaster when his first officer takes command and runs the Leopard into an iceberg.
Conclusion of Patrick O'Brian's novel dramatised by Roger Danes.
Jack Aubrey ...... David Robb
Stephen Maturin ...... Richard Dillane
Louisa Wogan ...... Teresa Gallagher
Michael Herapath ...... Samuel Barnett
Barratt Bonden ...... Sam Dale
Preserved Killick ...... Jon Glover
Lt Grant ...... Jonathan Tafler
Byron ...... Nick Underwood
Jedediah Wilbey ...... Gerard McDermott
Josiah Plaice ...... Lloyd Thomas
Sir Joseph Blaine ...... Michael Bertenshaw
Producer/director: Bruce Young
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2013.
SAT 04:00 We've Been Here Before (b00g1rsp)
Series 2
Episode 4
Clive Anderson hosts the panel show that pokes fun at events of the past.
The topical historical satirical panel show setting out to prove that there's nothing new under, or in, The Sun.
Nick Revell and Gyles Brandreth battle it out against Helen Atkinson-Wood and John O'Farrell.
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2004.
SAT 04:30 Dry Slopes (b00lr3nz)
Series 1
The Day of Judgement
Perpetually unemployed and friendless loser Angus Dry agonises over the death of a bee.
Nick Ball’s sitcom about the unemployed son of a high-flying mother.
Angus Dry ...... Nick Ball
Mum ...... Louisa Rix
With Robert Harley, Toby Longworth and Julie Gibbs.
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1995.
SAT 05:00 Reluctant Persuaders (b08n46dj)
Series 2
Think Different
Things are looking up for Hardacre's, the worst advertising agency in London. They're pitching for the biggest account of their lives - the cutting edge new smartphone, the Cosmos X10.
It's the day of the big pitch and Hardacre, Joe, Teddy, Amanda, and Laura are waiting to be called in. They may be waiting rather a long time, in fact, as they appear to have turned up six hours early.
As the day unfolds and the wait continues, it emerges that some of the team may have something to hide. Is there more at stake than meets the eye? And what does it have to do with Charles Blackwell, Hardacre's oldest and dearest nemesis?
Edward Rowett's award-winning sitcom.
Rupert Hardacre ...... Nigel Havers
Joe ...... Mathew Baynton
Amanda ...... Josie Lawrence
Teddy ...... Kieran Hodgson
Laura ...... Olivia Nixon
Charles Blackwell ...... Martin Jarvis
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2017.
SAT 05:30 The Skewer (m000dqhk)
Series 1
Episode 4
From the mind of Jon Holmes comes topical satire like you've never heard it before.
SAT 06:00 Marie Lloyd, Queen of the Halls (b00g46xy)
After collapsing on stage one day in 1922, Marie Lloyd lies dying, battered by life, drink and hard work.
Raunchy to the end, the great music hall star recalls her songs, her audiences, her triumphs and disasters.
Steve Trafford's adaptation of his stage play stars Elizabeth Mansfield , who played Marie in the original one-woman show.
Marie Lloyd ...... Elizabeth Mansfield
Alec Hurley ...... Robert Lister
Bernard Dillon ...... Kilian McKenna
Bella ...... Jenny Howe
Doctor ...... James Greene
Mrs Ormiston Chant ...... Jo Kendall
Percy Courtenay ...... Christopher Good
Grace ...... Sarah Mansfield
Alice ...... Susan Sheridan
Temperance Advocate ...... Mary Allen
Manager ...... Danny Schiller
Mr Blythe Pratt ...... Timothy Alcock
Marconi ...... Ben Onwukwe
Agent ...... Andrew Wincott
Charlie ...... Nigel Carrington
Prince of Wales ...... Michael Kilgarriff
Official ...... Brian Miller
Committee Member ...... Timothy Carlton
Music director: Jack Glover
Musicians:
Maurice Cambridge
Noel Langley
Steve Wilks
Roy Babington
Stephen Rose
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1990.
SAT 07:30 Journeys Down My Street (b01s09k1)
Ode to Finchleystrasse
Amidst all the coverage of contemporary migration to Britain, it is easy to forget the older generations of immigrants, from across the world, who have settled here and made Britain their home.
In this series, Mike Berlin, an urban historian from Birkbeck College, University of London, visits individual streets at the heart of such communities, to hear the stories of earlier immigrants - their arrival, their early lives and their observations on Britain today.
In this episode:
After the Nazi annexation of Austria in March 1938, Vienna's large Jewish community fled - some to Glasgow and Manchester but the vast majority to the area of North-West London close to Swiss Cottage.
The area became so full of German-speaking refugees that anecdotes tell of war-time bus conductors calling out "Finchleystrasse - Passports Please!" as the bus drew up at the top of the Finchley Road.
The shops and cafes are no longer there, but a vibrant group of elderly refugees share their memories of Finchleystrasse with historian Mike Berlin and reflect on their conflicting desires to recreate the best of Vienna whilst assimilating into British society.
Producer: Beaty Rubens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
SAT 08:00 Archive on 4 (b0707r9z)
The Art of the Obit
Matthew Bannister, presenter of BBC Radio 4's obituary programme, Last Word, celebrates the culture, style, purpose and panache of a media institution: the obituary.
Matthew finds out about the delicate work of preparation, as he talks to leading obituary figures about how they choose which lives to cover. He examines some landmark obituaries, and reads from The Times full page obit on Hitler, an indicator of how the often delicate balance between honesty and sensitivity is achieved.
Matthew also reveals some of his own behind-the-scenes stories – like the time he made uncomfortably close contact with the corpse.
And a look at future developments, as some of the leaders in the obituary field reveal moves into the world of the pre-recorded farewell obituary video.
Musician Dave Swarbrick recalls how it felt to see his premature obit in print, and Matthew explores why working in the world of the obit is always surprising and unexpectedly life-affirming.
Producer: Neil George.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
SAT 09:00 Mark Billingham's Rule Book of Crime (b01r19jd)
Best-selling crime writer Mark Billingham has always been obsessed with the creative criminal minds of the past.
Over three hours, Mark sets out to detect the clues dropped in the BBC archives, by his favourite crime writers:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Dame Agatha Christie
Raymond Chandler
PD James
Henning Mankell
Clues that reveal why their sleuthing creations - Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, Philip Marlowe, Adam Dalgliesh and Kurt Wallander - are so enduring.
Having created his own flawed crime fighter, Detective Inspector Tom Thorne, Mark’s wrestled with the thorny issue of inventing a distinctive new voice amongst a myriad of detecting greats. What’s more important, devious plotting or debauched heroes, a killer in plain sight or rug-pulling twists?
In plundering the archive for answers, Mark has uncovered a hidden BBC radio detecting gem. Debuting in the late 1970s and running for a few seasons into the 1980s, it starred an actor who could be a lead in TV classic Cathy Come Home and voice an iconic children’s cartoon. It was penned by a writer that worked on TV police dramas Z Cars and Softly Softly.
All is revealed in Mark Billingham’s Rule Book of Crime.
Producer: Peter McHugh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in March 2013.
SAT 12:00 Whispers (b007k2kr)
Series 2
Episode 1
Revelations about Rasputin and accordion playing from Idi Amin.
Gyles Brandreth hosts the quiz show with scandal on its mind and slander at its heart.
Geoffrey Durham and Valerie Grove join team captains Lucy Moore and Anthony Holden to run the gauntlet of gossip.
Producer: Elizabeth Freestone
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2004.
SAT 12:30 Married (b00c0c35)
Series 1
Episode 1
Confirmed bachelor Robin Lightfoot wakes up one morning and discovers to his horror that he’s married with two children.
Is it a nightmare, a practical joke or something much more sinister?
Hugh Bonneville stars in the first of three comedy series by Tony Bagley.
Robin ...... Hugh Bonneville
Lesley ...... Josie Lawrence
Julia ...... Barbara Murray
Dirk ...... Steve Frost
Penny ...... Melanie Hudson
Ned ...... Sam Bradley
Maxine ...... Ann Gosling
Policeman ...... Anthony Ofoegbu
Producer Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1999.
SAT 13:00 24 Kildare Road (Omnibus) (m000f6yw)
Episode 1
Two boys out sledging in their local park find the body of an old woman in the snow. We move backwards and forwards in time meeting people the old woman has met, her friends and her family, to discover what led her to this point.
All the characters connected to the woman have their own stories which combine to form a moving account of modern life and loves.
Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes.
Ryan ..... Harry Grasby
Jackson ..... Aaron Gelkoff
Mick ..... David Reed
Hayley ..... Christine
Marion ..... Marcia Warren
Ozzy ..... Ikky Elyas
Ned ..... Will Kirk
Call Handler ..... Scarlett Courtney
Bloke/Phil ..... Ian Conningham
Kadija ..... Nahel Tzegai
Pat/Shirley ..... Heather Craney
Rose ..... Jessica Turner
Frank/Taxi Driver ..... Neil McCaul
Zoe ..... Amanda Wilkin
Eve ..... Sinead MacInnes
Eli/Ben ..... Greg Jones
Directed by Mary Peate
Written by Katie Hims
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2010.
SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (m000f6yz)
Jeff Goldblum
Actor and musician Jeff Goldblum chooses 'Misty' by Erroll Garner and 'We'll Meet Again' by Vera Lynn.
SAT 14:15 With Great Pleasure (m000f6z1)
Jude Kelly
Jude Kelly selects works by Shakespeare, Wole Soyinka, David Nobbs and Edward Said, as well as speeches by John F. Kennedy and Leonard Bernstein.
Readers: Diana Quick and John Shrapnel
From London's Southbank Centre, when Jude Kelly was Artistic Director.
Producer: Mark Smalley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2008.
SAT 14:45 Uncle Mort's North Country (b007jrb8)
Series 2
My Friend Dornford
Carter Brandon and his uncle's day trip to see Arthur Scargill's 'twin'. Peter Tinniswood's adventures with Jim Broadbent.
SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b0707r9z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Marie Lloyd, Queen of the Halls (b00g46xy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Journeys Down My Street (b01s09k1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 Guy de Maupassant - The Inn (b09rbpy5)
Published in 1886, Guy de Maupassant's haunting short story is a wintry, snowbound tale of loneliness and dark imaginings, as a young mountain guide finds himself in sole charge of a remote Alpine hotel.
It begins with the first stirrings of a love affair; it ends in mystery and mayhem.
Ulrich ...... Robin Laing
Gaspard ...... Gareth Thomas
Louise Hauser ...... Vicki Liddelle
Jeanne Hauser ...... Kirstin Murray
Jean Hauser ...... John Shedden
Aunt Berthe ...... Tamara Kennedy
Uncle Maurice ...... Sandy Neilson
Dramatised by Sue Glover.
Director: David Jackson Young
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2006.
SAT 19:00 Mark Billingham's Rule Book of Crime (b01r19jd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Josh Howie's Losing It (b07qbcb8)
Series 1
The Letter
Stand-up comic Josh comes to terms with the impending birth of his first child.
Josh and his wife Monique go to the hospital to attend their 20 week scan. Unfortunately Monique has forgotten the appointment letter, which is the only thing Josh can now think about.
Sitcom starring Josh Howie and Pippa Evans.
Written by Josh Howie.
With Jed Aukin, Liz Garland, Michael Legge, Shazia Mirza and Paul Tonkinson.
Producer: Ashley Blaker
A Black Hat production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in August 2016.
SAT 22:30 Masala FM (b0080p9x)
Episode 6
Love is in the air at Masala FM as their first wedding resulting from Khalid's matrimonial phone-in looms.
But is love blind, or just stupid?
Sitcom written by Meera Syal
Starring Sanjeev Bhaskar, Nitin Sawheny, Meera Syal and Nina Wadia.
Music by Nitin Sawhney.
Producer: Liz Anstee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1996.
SAT 23:00 Wondermentalist Cabaret (b00yqspr)
Series 1
Episode 4
Matt Harvey's warm-hearted poetry cabaret in the company of fellow poets Les Barker, Pete Hunter and Jude Simpson.
Supported by one man house band, Jerri Hart, they vie for the audience's approval at the Comedy Box, Bristol, in the Dead Poets' Slam, wooing us with the deathless words of their best-loved poets from the past.
The audience too play their part, composing their own crowd-sourced poem (the subjects of which can vary wildly, from reflecting on the delights and demerits of cheese, to Sunday mornings, and the winter habits of gerbils).
Producer: Mark Smalley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2011.
SAT 23:30 Mark Thomas Presents (b0076w5y)
Mort Sahl
A one-off performance by the great Mort Sahl , pioneering political comic of the 1950s and 60s, who proves that his grip on events is as sharp and biting as ever.
Series in which Mark Thomas introduces iconic American comedy performers.
Producer: Paul Bajoria
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2005.