SATURDAY 21 MARCH 2020

SAT 00:00 Fantastic Tales (b007k30x)
The White People by Arthur Machen
The nature of good and evil and the origins of sin are explored as two learned gentlemen hold a heated theological debate...
Arthur Machen's intriguing tale read by Ioan Meredith and Louise Collins.
Fantastic Tales is a collection of weird and wonderful stories from around the world.
Director: Gemma Jenkins
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in March 2007.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b0076tdr)
The Road to Hell
Matthew Parris asks Helen Walsh, Jay Benedict and poet Attila the Stockbroker about the sulphurous road to hell. From August 2005.
SAT 01:00 Paul Temple (b014qncy)
A Case for Paul Temple
5. In Which Mr Layland Tells the Truth
Hot on the heels of the Valentine gang, Paul and Steve set out on a high speed midnight drive to the coast.
In this 2011 recreation of the 1946 vintage crime serial, Paul and Steve brave great danger to reveal the identity of the mysterious West End drug dealer known only as 'Valentine'...
Crawford Logan stars as Paul Temple and Gerda Stevenson as Steve.
Between 1938 and 1968, Francis Durbridge's incomparably suave amateur detective Paul Temple and glamorous wife Steve solved case after baffling case in one of BBC radio's most popular series. They inhabited a sophisticated, well-heeled world of cocktails and fast cars.
Sadly, only half of their adventures survive in the archives. But in 2006, the BBC began recreating them using original scripts and incidental music, and recorded with vintage microphones and sound effects.
Paul Temple ...... Crawford Logan
Steve ...... Gerda Stevenson
Sir Graham ...... Gareth Thomas
Major Peters ...... Greg Powrie
Supt. Wetherby ...... Richard Greenwood
Sheila Baxter ...... Melody Grove
Mary ...... Eliza Langland
Charles Kelvin ...... Nick Underwood
Sir Gilbert Dryden ...... Michael Mackenzie
Layland ...... Robin Laing
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011.
SAT 01:30 Vines On The Front Line (b00x97hw)
"The message from a glass of Lebanese wine should be tolerance and openness between civilizations. It's more than fermented grape juice." Ramzi Ghosn, Massaya Wines.
The BBC's Middle East Editor, Jeremy Bowen, takes time out from reporting conflicts to give vinophiles a new perspective on an ancient story. Lebanon is not a place you naturally associate with winemaking.
It's a Middle Eastern country nestled between Arab neighbours whose religion forbids them to drink alcohol. It is also a country that has been scarred by war, from the 15-year civil war from 1975-1990, to the recent Israeli-Lebanon conflict in 2006.
But Lebanon is also an ancient civilisation, a country of merchants and traders - its history dating back to Noah, the first winemaker in the Bible. Fittingly the Temple of Bacchus, an impressive tribute to the God of wine, is situated amongst the ruins of Balbek, in the Bekaa Valley, a region these days better known for Hezbollah than hedonism. But the temple, like Lebanese wine, has survived centuries of war and the winemakers of the Bekka are optimistic wine will outlive war.

Sharing stories with the wine makers who, in defiance and dedication to their craft, continue to grow their vines so close to the frontline, Jeremy delves into the cultural and ethnic mosaic of this unstable but extraordinary country.
Producer: Gemma Newby
An All Out production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
SAT 02:00 Tessa Hadley - The Past (b068yhql)
Episode 5
The children observe more strange adult behaviour and Harriet experiences something new.
Sian Thomas reads Tessa Hadley's powerful and haunting novel, a beautifully observed portrait of a family and the change wrought by time across the generations.
Three middle-aged sisters and a brother meet up in their grandparents' old house for three long, hot summer weeks. Under the idyllic surface, there are immediate tensions. Secrets, misunderstandings and passion play out as the characters shift and reappraise and a way of life - bourgeois, literate, ritualised - winds down to its inevitable end.
While the siblings circle each other, and the adolescents approach each other, the children watch and come to their own conclusions.
Tessa Hadley is one of Britain's finest writers, an acute observer of character, time and place and the most published short story writer in the New Yorker in recent years.
Abridged by Sally Marmion
Producer: Di Speirs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2015.
SAT 02:15 Did the Victorians Ruin the World? (b08l6tp3)
Series 1
Toilets
It's the most celebrated period of British ingenuity, but are our Victorian forebears due a rethink?
Sci-curious sisters Kat and Helen Arney are on hand with some revisionist revelations that could turn what we think we know completely upside down.
Was the water-based toilet the pinnacle of 19th century hygienic invention, or did the Victorians literally flush away our most precious resource? Why did they choose the water closet over the alternatives that were available to them - the Earth Closet and the Air Closet? And was there a Fire Closet too (or was that just the result of that other great Victorian import, the curry?). Helen and Kat are holding their noses and diving in.
Helen Arney is a presenter and comedian, and Dr Kat Arney is a writer and broadcaster who has published a book on genetics.
A Hat Trick production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2017.
SAT 02:30 AS Byatt - The Frederica Quartet (b007jskj)
Still Life, Part 2/7
Frederica leaves for the south of France, while Stephanie and Daniel are celebrating.
Still Life is the second of four AS Byatt novel adaptations chronicling the lives of the Potter family, set against the social and political landscape of England of 1953-1970.
Older Frederica ...... Rosemary Leach
Young Frederica ...... Hannah Watkins
Wilkie ...... James Callis
Alexander ...... Adam Kotz
Daniel ...... Shaun Dooley
Stephanie ...... Helen Longworth
Marcus ...... Carl Prekopp
Nurse ...... Hannah Dee
Midwife ...... Sandra Clark
All four novels dramatised in 30 parts by John Harvey.
Producer: Mary Peate.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2002.
SAT 02:45 Landmarks, by Robert Macfarlane (b05pr507)
Episode 5
Robert Macfarlane visits some inspiring places, to meet the people and 'collect' the words that evoke the area:
Children, he reckons, are uniquely imaginative on their nature rambles, often inventing a language to express their little adventures.
Abridged for radio by Penny Leicester
Readers: Tobias Menzies and the author
Producer Duncan Minshull
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2015
SAT 03:00 Jean de Coras - The True Story of Martin Guerre (b070wmg2)
Episode 2
Martin Guerre's wife, Bertrande, has accepted him on his return after eight years' absence and borne him two further children.
But then she accuses him of being an impostor...
Conclusion of Guy Meredith's dramatisation from the trial notes of the 16th-century French judge, Jean de Coras.
Starring Sean Bean as Martin Guerre and Lesley Dunlop as Bertrande.
Jean de Coras..... Olivier Pierre
Bertrande's Mother... Jill Graham
Pierre Guerre.... Andrew Melville
Sanglas.... Steve Hodson
Mme Sanglas.... Geraldine Fitzgerald
Francoise.... Jo Kendall
Carbon Barrau.... Peter Gunn
Guillem.... Eric Allan
Shepherd / Dominique Pujol... John Fleming
Magistrate .... Peter Penry Jones
Other parts played by Federay Holmes, John Church, Keith Drinkel, Jonathan Adams, John Webb and Siriol Jenkins.
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1992.
SAT 04:00 Funny You Should Ask (b0b5wylf)
From 10/02/1981
Peter Jones hosts the entertainment quiz about comedy as he tests a panel of experts: Ben Travers, Ray Cooney and Leslie Phillips
Funny You Should Ask ran for 8 series from 1976 to 1982.
Questions compiled by Michael Pointon.
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1981.
SAT 04:30 Molesworth (m000gccq)
The Arts
In an attempt to win a posh radio prize, Nigel Molesworth presents his guide to Cinema, Theatre, Painting, Country Dancing.
Schoolboy terror Nigel Molesworth, formerly The Curse of St Custard’s, is now all grown-up and determined to share his experience of life.
Starring Willie Rushton.
Series written by Simon Brett based on characters created by Geoffrey Willans and by Ronald Searle.
Molesworth ...... William Rushton
Grimes ...... Clive Swift
Louise ...... Penelope Nice
Peason ...... Bob Sinfield
Fotherington-Thomas ...... Phil Nice
Lady Eiderdown ...... Chrissy Roberts
Gillibrand ...... Robert Harley
Music by Oonagh Bernon
Producer: Mark Robson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1987.
SAT 05:00 Bad Salsa (b06vkj1w)
Series 1
Mount Kilimanjaro
After treatment for Ovarian and breast cancer Chippy, is mad Jill is sad and Terri is definitely dangerous to know! The road back after cancer treatment can be tricky and full of obstacles.
Two middle aged women and their younger friend seek to regain their zest for life and love by learning to dance at Bad Salsa, the club where everyone knows your name but no-one knows your prognosis!
Depictions of people with cancer on TV and radio too often follow a standard format; there is the diagnosis, the depression the chemo, then the false recovery followed by the tragic death.
Written by Kay Stonham, Bad Salsa tries to paint a picture at once more hopeful and more in line with survival rates which have improved immensely over the past 20 years.
For many, 'living with cancer' is now their day to day challenge. Our characters have finished their treatment and are in the process of finding their way back to normal life or at least finding a "new normal." Everyday challenges must go on like boring marriages, distracting crushes, troublesome children, difficult workmates and infuriating parents. But their brush with mortality gives them a new perspective.
So do they preserve their pre-cancer status quo or in Terri's words, to say "sod it all" and "go for it!"
Follow the women as they embrace the world of salsa whilst they adjust to life after cancer.
Chippy ...... Sharon Rooney
Jill ...... Natasha Little
Terri Camille ...... Coduri
Marco ...... Derek Elroy
Gordon ...... Andrew Obeney
Elaine ...... Ayesha Antoine
Georgie ...... Emily Chase
Joel ...... Joe Johnsey
Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2014.
SAT 05:30 Reluctant Persuaders (m0000t4z)
Series 3
Because She's Worth It
Work at Hardacre’s advertising agency is brought to a standstill when Teddy (Rasmus Hardiker) becomes obsessed with a series of literary thrillers – the continuing adventures of John Soldier in titles such as Kill And Let Die and The Deathman Cometh.
Soon he has Joe (Mathew Baynton) and Amanda (Josie Lawrence) hooked on them as well, and all work is put on hold as the team obsess over the most exciting books they’ve ever read.
Meanwhile, Hardacre (Nigel Havers) receives a visit from an old flame (guest star Frances Barber), and finds himself caught in a battle for her affections with a wholly unexpected opponent.
Cast:
Hardacre...............................Nigel Havers
Joe...........................................Mathew Baynton
Amanda.................................Josie Lawrence
Teddy.....................................Rasmus Hardiker
Laura......................................Olivia Nixon
Laurie Patterson.................Frances Barber
Book Launch Host.............Edward Rowett
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4
SAT 06:00 John Buchan - The Courts of the Morning (b00ljk9j)
High adventure in South America, where The Republic of Olifa is rich in minerals, and ripe for revolution.
CAST:
Castor .... Ian McDiarmid
Janet Roylance .... Fiona Francis
Archie Roylance …. Andrew Wardlaw
Sandy Clanroyden .... Sandy Neilson
Babs .... Lynn Bains
Luis .... Richard Greenwood
Mayakovsky .... Finlay Welsh
Romanes …. Mark Coleman
Hamilton .... Derek Anders
Written by John Buchan and dramatised by Guy Slater.
Director: Patrick Rainer.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1994.
SAT 07:30 Recycled Radio (b053bq4j)
Series 3
Recycled: Work
Welcome to the chopped up, looped up, sped up world of Recycled Radio.
This week Gerald Scarfe introduces the subject of work. Joining the production line of grafters and skivers are Norman Tebbit, John Prescott, Sheila Hancock and the Mantovani Orchestra. We're taken back to a time when having a kip on the job was the done thing, and ask whether hard work is the route to true happiness.
Fun, silly, thoughtful radio ... recycled.
With contributions from Evan Davis, Margaret Thatcher, Jenni Murray, Tony Blair, John Fortune, Gordon Brown, Aristotle and William Hague.
Producer: Melvin Rickarby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.
SAT 08:00 Archive on 4 (b013rg2p)
When the Eyes of the World Were on the Clyde
"We are not going to strike. We are not even having a sit-in strike. Nobody and nothing will come in and nothing will go out without our permission. And there will be no hooliganism, there will be no vandalism, there will be no bevvying, because the world is watching us." (Jimmy Reid)
Back in 1971, shipyard workers in Glasgow embarked on a paradigm-shifting piece of industrial action. The general public of the 1970s were used to strikes. But a mass work-in in the Clyde ship yards drew support from across the political spectrum, and delivered a humiliating blow to the Heath Government.
In June 1971 John Davies, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, declared there will be no more state subsidies for the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders - all part of Ted Heath's plans to remove "lame duck" industries from the public purse. Shop steward Jimmy Reid's responded: "We don't only build ships on the Clyde, we build men. They have taken on the wrong people and we will fight."
The eyes of the world's media fell on Clydeside for the fourteen month work-in. Radio Four revisits the dramatic confrontations at Westminster between John Davies and Tony Benn, the Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, and reveals a private meeting between union leaders and Ted Heath at No 10, where they were reputedly offered whisky, but refused.
Journalist John Lloyd looks back at the extraordinary story of how Clydesiders took their future into their own hands, and looks at its relevance to current day events.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2011.
SAT 09:00 Motherhood: Bump, Birth and Beyond (m000gn54)
Jessica Fostekew charts the horrors and the highs of the 9 months of life with a bump, the moment of reckoning with birth, and the chaos, or not, that lies ahead.
Using the BBC Archive and interviews with lots of special guests including Jenny Eclair, Cariad Lloyd, Sara Barron, Richard & Catie Herring, Caroline Mabey, Jen Brister, Hatty Ashdown, Kirsty Newton, Katie Mulgrew, Taylor Glenn, Robin Ince, Laura Lexx, Sindhu Vee, Diane Morgan, and Holly Walsh.
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in 2018.
SAT 12:00 The Unbelievable Truth (b0731bsv)
Series 16
Episode 1
David Mitchell hosts the panel game in which four comedians are encouraged to tell lies and compete against one another to see how many items of truth they're able to smuggle past their opponents.
Henning Wehn, Jon Richardson, Susan Calman and Jack Dee are the panellists obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as tattoos, milk, supermarkets and Vladimir Putin.
Devised by Graeme Garden and Jon Naismith, the team behind Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.
Producer: Jon Naismith
A Random Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2016..
SAT 12:30 Capital Gains (b00shdzt)
Series 2
Seed Capital
Billionaire philanthropist Julius Hutch has never voted, but when his wife leaves home and a compulsory purchase order arrives, he takes action.
Peter Jones stars as Julius Hutch.
Written by Collin Johnson.
Julius Hutch ...... Peter Jones
Pauline Tone ...... Celestine Randall
Kate ...... Justine Midda
Sexton Lewis ...... Jeffrey Wickham
Sir Gainford Blounty ...... Stephen Thorne
Dahlia Sprout ...... Jillie Meers
Other parts played by Collin Johnson, David Holt and Brian Perkins.
Producers: Andy Jordan and David Blount
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1997 .
SAT 13:00 Helen Dunmore - Your Blue-Eyed Boy (Omnibus) (m000gnwq)
Simone is a district judge whose husband Donald is on the verge of bankruptcy and breakdown.
She attends court, passes judgement on the lives of others when out of the blue a letter arrives; someone she has tried to forget has not forgotten her and Simone's private history is about to collide with her public world.
Simone - Pippa Nixon
Donald - Graeme Hawley
Michael - Andonis Anthony
Matt - Elija Wolf
Joe - Milo Robinson
Busker - Paul Cargill
Omnibus of five episodes dramatised by Fiona Evans.
Produced and directed by Pauline Harris
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2020.
SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (m000gn56)
Duff McKagan
Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan chooses Funk 49 by The James Gang and Little Doll by The Stooges.
SAT 14:15 Pam Ayres' Open Road (b007kflj)
Series 2
St Austell
Pam is in Cornwall where she visits a china clay quarry, the Eden Project and drops in on singer-songwriter Peter Skellern.
Poet and raconteuse Pam Ayres is back on the open road, visiting nine more places in Britain to hear tales from the people who live there.
Photograph by Laurence Watts.
Producer: Jill Marshall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 2001.
SAT 14:45 Uncle Mort's South Country (b007jqzx)
Series 1
Three Star Comfort
Carter Brandon checks in for some room service, but his uncle has other ideas.
Uncle Mort …. Stephen Thorne
Carter Brandon …. Sam Kelly
Pat/Receptionist …. Liz Goulding
Narrator …. Christian Rodska
Written by Peter Tinniswood.
Producer: Pete Atkin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.
SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b013rg2p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 John Buchan - The Courts of the Morning (b00ljk9j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Recycled Radio (b053bq4j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jm3n)
The Secondary Phase
Fit The Eighth
Zaphod and Roosta are being taken to the evil Frogstar, white Ford and Arthur are stranded on prehistoric Earth.
Starring Peter Jones as The Book, Simon Jones as Arthur Dent, Geoffrey McGivern as Ford Prefect, Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox, Alan Ford as Roosta. David Tate as Eddie and Valentine Dyall as Gargravarr.
The original scripts by Douglas Adams (1952-2001) went on to spawn a series of novels, a feature film, at least three stage shows, a TV series, a computer game, a collection of comic books - and various towels.
Radiophonic sound and music by Paddy Kingsland.
Producer: Geoffrey Perkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1978.
SAT 18:30 The Price of Fear (b007jnhf)
To My Dear, Dear Saladin
Horror legend Vincent Price introduces a tale of a cat - and its unusual inheritance.
To Emily, Great Aunt Hesta leaves her entire fortune, including her home, Longbridge Manor.
To her beloved cat, Saladin, she bequeaths continuing life on the estate. But Emily's husband, Freddie has other ideas and dearly pays the price...
Starring Edward Woodward as Freddie, Annette Crosbie as Emily, Steve Hodson as Smiley and Lewis Stringer as the Solicitor
Scripted by William Ingram.
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1983.
SAT 19:00 Motherhood: Bump, Birth and Beyond (m000gn54)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 28 Acts in 28 Minutes (b01nswqw)
Series 1
Episode 2
John Humphrys gives 28 performers 60 seconds to entertain an audience:
Justin Edwards
Alfie Joey
The Trap
Jo Enright
Dave Johns
Jim Jeffries
Joanna Neary
Danny Robins
Scott Capurro
Roger McGough
Toby Hadoke & John Warburton
Martin Hutton
Gary Le Strange
Debra-Jane Appleby
James Bachman
Steve Hughes.
Dan Antopolski
Sarah Millican
Patrick Monahan
Michael Redmond
Alan Cochrane.
Derek upon Tweed
Jayne Tunnicliffe
Glenn Wool
Kevin Day
Adam Bloom
Richard Herring
Slaughterhouse Live
Producers: Rohan Acharya and Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2006.
SAT 22:30 Chain Reaction (b074xvfq)
Series 11
Roy Hudd interviews Alison Steadman
Series 11 of the show where one week's interviewee becomes the next week's interviewer. The first episode of Chain Reaction was broadcast on BBC Radio Five in 1991 when John Cleese was the first comedian in the hot seat. Now, 25 years on, a new series sees another raft of the world's best-loved comedians talking to each other about their lives and work. This week, comedy legend and music hall expert Roy Hudd turns interviewer as he chats to the much loved actress, Alison Steadman.
Roy Hudd has clocked up more than 50 years in showbusiness, starting out as a Butlins redcoat in the 1950s and then developing a stellar career through numerous successes on stage, radio and screen. BBC Radio listeners know him best as the host of the much loved News Huddlines on Radio 2 for 26 years. More recently, Roy gained plaudits for his moving portrayal of Bud Flanagan in the BBC drama 'We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story'.
Alison Steadman is an actress who has been popular with the British public and worldwide since making her name in the critically acclaimed works of Mike Leigh in the 1970s. She went on to deliver much-loved and memorable performances across both drama and comedy in Pride and Prejudice and Gavin and Stacey amongst many others.
In this programme Roy talks to Alison about her early days growing up in Liverpool, her trip to the palace to get the OBE and her critically acclaimed work with Mike Leigh.
Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Radio Comedy Production.
SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m000gnws)
Tolu Ogunmefun 2/3
From 10.00pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And Angela Barnes chats to Man Like Mobeen’s Tolu Ogunmefun.
SAT 23:00 Buy Me Up TV (b007l8q0)
Pilot
Every shopping channel you've ever seen, every product you've never wanted. Stars Justin Edwards. From May 2007.
SAT 23:30 4 at the Store (b00ct1wm)
Series 1
Episode 2
Stand-up at London's Comedy Store, with host Simon Bligh, John Mann, Marian Unfaithful and Paul Tonkinson. From December 1998.