SATURDAY 05 DECEMBER 2020

SAT 00:00 Methuselah's Children by Robert A Heinlein (b007s5dq)
6. The Secret
Heartbroken Lazarus Long's thoughts begin to turn to home on Earth.
Paul Birchard concludes Robert Heinlein's sci-fi novel.
Set up in the late 19th century, the aim of the Howard Foundation is to prolong human life via selective breeding and financial encouragement.
Abridged by Bert Coules.
Produced at BBC Scotland by Bruce Young.
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in July 2007.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b008kj7x)
Fatherhood
Dominic Arkwright chairs the lively discussion series.
Fatherhood
BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson became a father for the third time at the age of 61. He joins writer Will Cohu, a self-confessed middle-class would-be super dad, and charity worker Shaun Bailey, determined to defy the negative stereotype of a black father, to discuss the challenges of modern fatherhood.
SAT 01:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl4z)
Bitter Medicine
1. Friendship
Private eye V.I. Warshawski suspects all is not well at a hospital after the death of a young girl who was pregnant.
Sara Paretsky's thriller stars Sharon Gless.
V.I. Warshawski is Sara Paretsky’s tough, smart and likeable female private investigator.
Dramatised in six parts by Michelene Wandor.
V.I. Warshawski …. Sharon Gless
Fabiano …. Robert Harper
Bobby Mallory …. Bill Hootkins
Alan Humphries …. Chris Scott
Malcolm Tregiere …. Colin McFarlane
Lottie Herschel …. Eleanor Bron
Carol …. Joanna Monro
Mrs Alvarado …. Shirley Dixon
Consuela …. Teresa Gallagher
Peter Burgoyne …. William Dufris
Producer: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1996.
SAT 01:30 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000q2bl)
5. Domino
The action hots up in Tangier with deals to be done - but Patrick Cadwall is running out of time...
Stars Christopher Scoular, Richard Pasco and Annette Crosbie.
Gripping conclusion of the spy thriller serial featuring its author Ted Willis.
Patrick Cadwall …. Richard Pasco
Mark Ritchie …. Christopher Scoular
Christine Ritchie …. Annette Crosbie
Sweeney …. Alex Jennings
Bedayev …. Andrew Sachs
Svanidze …. Barry Dennen
Det Chief Supt Dell …. David Daker
David Hume …. Eric Lander
Shirley Graham …. Frances Jeater
Ronald Mills …. Nigel Graham
Mrs Dunning …. Teresa Collard
Marian Brown …. Thelma Whiteley
Narrator …. Ted Willis
Director: Christopher Venning
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1982.
SAT 02:00 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9wl)
5. 50 Years
Nicholas Hytner concludes his inside story of 12 years at the helm of Britain's greatest theatre.
Recollections of the birth of NT Live and The National's 50th Anniversary commemorations.
Intimate, candid and insightful, Balancing Acts is a passionate exploration of the art and alchemy of making theatre.
Written and read by Nicholas Hytner
Producer: Simon Richardson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2017.
SAT 02:15 Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte (b08h0c9f)
5. Seaside
Agnes's father is seriously ill so she returns home with a heavy heart.
Conclusion of Anne Bronte's compelling debut novel starring Ellie Kendrick.
Adapted by Rachel Joyce
Agnes Grey ..... Ellie Kendrick
Mrs Grey ..... Juliet Aubrey
Edward Weston ..... George Watkins
Rosalie ..... Keziah Joseph
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.
SAT 02:30 State of Grace (b045y41s)
The girls' name Grace fell out of fashion in the 1930s but has recently become very popular again.
Journalist Grace Dent sets out to discover what makes her name – and the notion - so captivating, by exploring the modern state of grace.
Grace's Nan once told her she was related to real-life Victorian heroine, Grace Darling. It was the first time Grace sensed her name had enviable properties, after years of wanting to be called Joanne.
The word 'grace' is associated with more than 20 different meanings and phrases.
From Greek mythology to Grace Jones, via philosophical reasoning and a morning at The Royal Ballet, Grace reflects on the modern merits of charm, poise and elegance as she searches for inner calm and acceptance in a more secular age.
With contributions from Olivia 'damegrace' Cowley, a soloist with The Royal Ballet; names expert, Carole Hough; Grace Kelly fan and film studies academic, Stella Bruzzi; philosophy professor Miranda Fricker; and Grace Maxwell, whose memoir Falling and Laughing documents the recovery of her husband from a near-fatal brain haemorrhage.
Producer: Nick Baker
A Testbed production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2014.
SAT 03:00 Twenty Thousand Streets under the Sky (b07gcj61)
3. The Plains of Cement
London, 1927. Bob gives Jenny an ultimatum and Ella confronts Mr Eccles.
Starring Steven Pacey, Annette Badland, Emily Morgan and John Moffatt.
Conclusion of Patrick Hamilton’s semi-autobiographical trilogy.
Ella's mother ..... Anna Cropper
Prosser.....Geoffrey Whitehead
Prunella ..... Elizabeth Mansfield
Sammy.... Tina Marian
Andy ... David Goudge
Guvnor .... David King
Mrs Guvnor .... Jo Kendall
Other parts ..... Donald Gee, Michael Kilgarriff & Marcia King
Dramatised ny Frederic Bradnum.
Producer: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1989.
SAT 04:00 Wordaholics (b04jlpn3)
Series 3
Episode 5
Stand up comedians Lloyd Langford, Holly Walsh and Paul Sinha and novelist and classicist Natalie Haynes vie for word supremacy.
Gyles Brandreth is in the chair.
The letter of the week is the sinuous letter 'S'.
The panellists play a round about portmanteau words – and get to guess the meaning of some foreign words which have no direct equivalent in English.
And they also try to ban the words which drive them most mad.
Writers: Jon Hunter and James Kettle.
Producer: Claire Jones.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2014.
SAT 04:30 Bookcases (b00sxt6h)
Series 1
The Man in White
London 1858: A little bored by Gerald, Cordelia is having fun with the novelist Wilkie Collins, who’s having a spell of writer's block with The Woman in White.
Primus has the answer...or does he?
Martyn Wade's Victorian era comedy stars Michael Cochrane and Maggie Steed.
Primus …. Michael Cochrane
Cordelia …. Maggie Steed
Edith …. Elizabeth Spriggs
Gerald …. David Horovitch
Wilkie Collins …. David Timson
Simeon …. Charles Simpson
George Eliot …. David Antrobus
Director: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.
SAT 05:00 Clare in the Community (b062n4nb)
Series 10
Sisters
Clare and her estranged sister are forced to co-operate with one another, in between some Sparrowhawk team lead self-defence training.
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.
Clare continually struggles 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 Ramsden.
Clare ...... Sally Phillips
Brian ...... Alex Lowe
Nali/ Megan ...... Nina Conti
Ray ...... Richard Lumsden
Helen ...... Pippa Haywood
Simon ...... Andrew Wincott
Libby ...... Sarah Kendall
Joan/ Sarah Barker ...... Sarah Thom
Scarlett ...... Eleanor Curry
Stine Wetzel ...... Amelia Lowdell
Hunter ...... Neet Mohan
Dylan ...... Elliot Steel
Producer Alexandra Smith.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2015.
SAT 05:30 Dot (b0bf56gh)
Series 3
Dial M for Myrtle
Dark doings in the War Rooms as a suspicious death leaves the gals from personnel with no options other than to investigate.
Retro comic adventures with Dot and the gals from personnel in the rollicking Cabinet War Rooms comedy by Ed Harris.
Dot ...... Fenella Woolgar
Myrtle ...... Kate O'Flynn
Peg ...... Freya Parker
Peabody ...... David Actonn
Millicent ...... Jane Slavin
Grimribbling ...... Stephen Hogan
Director: Sasha Yevtushenko
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2018.
SAT 06:00 Mrs Bradley - Speedy Death (b0093zq1)
It's the 1920s: A rather ripping murder occurs in the bathroom of an elegant country house...
Gladys Mitchell's 1929 whodunit stars Mary Wimbush as the sleuth extraordinaire, Mrs Lestrange Bradley.
With Leslie Phillips and Michael Cochrane
Dramatised by Elizabeth Proud
Mrs Bradley ..... Mary Wimbush
Carstairs ..... Leslie Phillips
Bertie Phillipson ..... Michael Cochrane
Garde Bing ..... Philip Sully
Alistair Bing .... Garard Green
Eleanor Bing ..... Rowan Suart
Dorothy Clark ..... Teresa Gallagher
Mabel Cobbn ..... Lois Burgess
Sir Joseph .... David King
Inspector Boring ..... Christopher Scott
Ferdinand Lestrange/Doctor .... Simon Treves
Parsons ..... Fraser Kerr
Director Sue Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1990.
SAT 07:30 Great Lives (b0076v1v)
Series 8
Mae West
Writer Kathy Lette chooses Hollywood's 'queen of the quip', Mae West. With Simon Louvish and Francine Stock. From 2005.
SAT 08:00 The Motion Show (b0075s3q)
Series 1
Episode 6
Should the beautiful people should inherit the Earth? – and should the police all be like TV copper, Dixon of Dock Green?
Dr Phil Hammond watches over proceedings in the quirky debating game.
With Pete Sinclair, Steve Punt, Michael White and Simon Fanshawe.
Producer: Helen Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1998.
SAT 08:30 Life in London (b011kpfk)
Mr Lushington
If Pierce can't meet his deadline, how will the audience hear about a visit to the slums, George IV's interior decorating, and a dog fighting a monkey?
Starring Greg Wise, Mark Gatiss and James Bachman.
Pierce Egan’s 19th-century comic novel adapted by Dan Tetsell.
Pierce Egan .... Geoffrey McGivern
Hustle .... Alex Macqueen
Corinthian Tom .... Greg Wise
Pickpocket .... Neil Edmond
Jerry Hawthorn .... Mark Gatiss
Jarvey .... Ben Graves
Bob Logic .... James Bachman
Fishwife .... Laura Shavin
Mrs Egan .... Alys Torrence
Corinthian Kate .... Amanda Abbington
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2006.
SAT 09:00 Comedy Controller (b007qz59)
Bill Oddie
"Professor" Bill Oddie delivers his thesis on The Development of Radio Comedy in the 20th Century.
Expect the Prof to challenge some received wisdoms. Questions will be asked afterwards, so do pay close attention please.
Oddie's lavishly illustrated lecture includes these "Goodies":
* Up the Pole:
Love-struck Jimmy is desperate to buy his girl a ring. Starring Jimmy Jewel, Ben Warriss and Jon Pertwee. From 01/11/1948
* ITMA - It's That Man Again:
The last episode, first aired just days before Tommy Handley's death. With Hattie Jacques and Jack Train. From 06/01/1949
* Archie's the Boy:
Chaos ensues as 'Mr Hill' loses his briefcase. Radio ventriloquism starring Archie Andrews and Peter Brough. With Mr Benny Hill. From 11/11/1954
* Beyond Our Ken
Series 3 (7/14):
Kenneth Horne's busy week - and check out the latest film releases in 'Picture Go Round'. With Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick and Betty Marsden. From 27/05/1960
* On the Hour
Series 2 (4/6):
Reports of a right royal shocker, plus Alan Partridge with all the sport. Chris Morris fronts the news satire. With Steve Coogan. From 14/05/1992
* On the Town with the League of Gentlemen
(2/6) Death by Mau Mau:
There's a bug going round Spent. Pre-TV dark-com with Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith and Mark Gatiss. From 13/11/1997
Producer: Nick St George
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in June 2006.
SAT 12:00 Relativity (m000222b)
Series 2
Episode 3
Ian and Chloe’s wedding day is a typically chaotic, argumentative, loving affair. Ken eats the lip balm and Chloe’s estranged parents test Ken and Margaret’s patience.
Drawing on his own family, Richard Herring’s comedy drama, builds on the warm, lively characters and family dynamics of the first series.
His affectionate observation of inter-generational misunderstanding, sibling sparring and the ties that bind will resonate with anyone who has ever argued with their dad about who the current Pope is.
Amid the comedy, Richard broaches some more serious highs and lows of family life.
Margaret…………….Alison Steadman
Ken…………………...Phil Davis
Jane/Lorelei…………….Fenella Woolgar
Clive………………Tony Gardner
Ian……………….Richard Herring
Chloe…………..Emily Berrington
Pete………………..Gordon Kennedy
Holly………………...Tia Bannon
Mark………………Fred Haig
Nick………………..Harrison Knights
Registrar………………..Danny Kirrane
Writer Richard Herring is a comedian, writer, blogger and podcaster and the world's premier semi-professional self-playing snooker player.
Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore
Produced by Polly Thomas
Executive Producers: Jon Thoday and Richard Allen Turner
An Avalon Television production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2019.
SAT 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jpl8)
Series 6
The Elopement
With Bill suffering heartache, can Sid and The Lad Himself smooth the path to true love?
Starring Tony Hancock.
With Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Lillian Grasson, Wilfred Babbage, Fraser Kerr and Lee Crutchley.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.
Producer: Tom Ronald
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959.
SAT 13:00 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000pw5w)
1. Who Goes Home?
Lord Willis discovers that neighbours of his are in great trouble. involved in an extraordinary drama that makes headlines in the world's press.
MP Mark Ritchie is on the run - tailed by MI5, but who else is chasing him?
Stars Richard Pasco and Annette Crosbie.
Spy thriller serial adapted in five parts by Ted Willis from his novel.
Christine Ritchie …. Annette Crosbie
Radio Announcer / Doorkeeper …. Astley Jones
Mark Ritchie …. Christopher Scoular
Det Chief Superintendent …. David Daker
Coombes …. Hugh Dickson
Irvine …. James Kerry
Patrick Cadwall …. Richard Pasco
Telephone Operator / Stewardess …. Rosalind Adams
Detective Constable Green …. Simon Hewitt
Marian Brown …. Thelma Whiteley
Narrator …. Ted Willis
Producer: Christopher Venning
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1982.
SAT 13:30 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000pxmc)
2. Death in West Hampstead
British Intelligence inform Christine Ritchie that they have been following her husband, MP Mark Ritchie, because they suspect him of being a Soviet spy.
Ritchie's loyal secretary Marian Brown shares a flat in London and feels Mark has let her down.
Stars Richard Pasco and Annette Crosbie.
Spy thriller serial featuring its author Ted Willis.
Curly …. Alex Jennings
Bedayev …. Andrew Sachs
Christine Ritchie …. Annette Crosbie
Det Chief Supt Dell …. David Daker
Willie …. Jim Reid
Patrick Cadwall …. Richard Pasco
Marian Brown …. Thelma Whiteley
Nurse …. Theresa Streatfield
Letitis …. Wendy Murray
Narrator …. Ted Willis
Director: Christopher Venning
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1982.
SAT 14:00 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000py8h)
3. The Executioner
MP Mark Ritchie has fled to Tangier with both MI5 and the KGB on his tail. His secretary has been killed by his exploding suitcase.
His wife, Christine, is in a 'safe house'. But there's mystery over the whereabouts of his secretary's flatmate.
Stars Richard Pasco and Annette Crosbie.
Spy thriller serial featuring its author Ted Willis.
Joseph Gaul …. Allan Cuthbertson
Badayev …. Andrew Sachs
Christine Ritchie …. Annette Crosbie
Newscaster / Driver …. Astley Jones
Set Chief Supt Dell …. David Daker
Coombes …. Hugh Dickson
Irvine …. James Kerry
Operator / Secretary …. Madi Hedd
Willie …. Jim Reid
Patrick Cadwall …. Richard Pasco
Ray Markham / Det Sergeant Gunn …. Simon Hewitt
Marian Brown …. Thelma Whiteley
Letitia …. Wendy Murray
Narrator …. Ted Willis
Director: Christopher Venning
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1982.
SAT 14:30 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000q13v)
4. Reunion in Tangier
The disgraced MP Mark Ritchie has fled to a hotel in Tangier. Back in England, friends and foes are making plans to follow him there.
Stars Christopher Scoular, Richard Pasco and Annette Crosbie.
Spy thriller serial featuring its author Ted Willis.
Hotel Clerk / Sweeney …. Alex Jennings
Badayev …. Andrew Sachs
Christine Ritchie …. Annette Crosbie
David Hume …. Barry Dennen
Mark Ritchie …. Christopher Scoular
David Hume …. Eric Lander
Shirley Graham …. Frances Jeater
Coombes …. Hugh Dickson
Patrick Cadwall …. Richard Pasco
Jules …. Simon Hewitt
Narrator …. Ted Willis
Director: Christopher Venning
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1982.
SAT 15:00 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000q2bl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 01:30 today]
SAT 15:30 A Good Read (b00zlkng)
Andi Osho and Toby Young
Sian Williams and her guests - comedian, Andi Osho and journalist, Toby Young - discuss their favourite books by Stewart Lee, Kingsley Amis and Kathryn Stockett.
How I Escaped My Certain Fate by Stewart Lee
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis
Publisher: Penguin
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Publisher: Penguin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2011.
SAT 16:00 Mrs Bradley - Speedy Death (b0093zq1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Great Lives (b0076v1v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 James Follett - The Doppelganger Machine (m000q4mm)
Christmas, 1933: a plane is due to fly mail from France to England
The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy takes off from Paris Orly Airport en route to Croydon aerodrome.
But their unexpected actual destination – and time-zone - astounds both the aircraft’s occupants and the authorities on the ground.
James Follett’s mystery stars Peter Pratt and Hector Ross.
Travers …. Peter Pratt
Skip …. Hector Ross
Gerry …. Nigel Lambert
Mac …. Hugh Ross
Esther …. Eva Haddon
Muller …. William Eedle
Sergeant …. John Samson
Anton Barrett …. Manning Wilson
Post Office Official …. Denis McCarthy
Officer …. Julian Fox
Radar Operator …. John Foley
PO Cash …. John Bull
Director: Roger Pine
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1974.
SAT 19:00 Comedy Controller (b007qz59)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Saturday Night Fry (b0091t5j)
Episode 4
Stephen Fry gets nostalgic as he serves up more witty banter and sketches.
With Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent and Alison Steadman.
Written by Stephen Fry with additional material by Ian Brown and James Hendrie.
Producer: Dan Patterson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1988.
SAT 22:30 The Maltby Collection (b00mg0wp)
Series 3
Episode 3
Warring curators, wedding cleaners and a dodgy alarm system all add to the unwanted pressure on Walter.
Geoffrey Palmer and Julian Rhind-Tutt star in series 3 of David Nobbs’ sitcom about a small museum of paintings and sculpture.
Rod Millet ...... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Walter Brindle ...... Geoffrey Palmer
Prunella Edgecumbe ...... Rachel Atkins
Susie Maltby ...... Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Julian Crumb-Loosely ...... Ben Willbond
Wilf Arbuthnot ...... Geoff McGivern
Eva Tattle ...... Juklia Deakin
Des Wainwright ...... Michael Smiley
Stelios Constantinopoulis ...... Chris Pavlo
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2009.
SAT 23:00 Elis James's Pantheon of Heroes (b01pbxz2)
Series 2
Myths
The Red Dragon, Merlin, and Fireman Sam.
Comedian Elis James compares key figures in Welsh history to determine the ultimate heroes of Wales.
With Ben Partridge and Nadia Kamil.
Written by Elis James, Gareth Gwyn and Benjamin Partridge.
Producer: Sharif Shahwan
First broadcast on BBC Radio Wales in December 2012.
SAT 23:30 The Ape That Got Lucky (b0080nk7)
Social Development
The real story of the human brain.
According to scientists, it’s developed to help us cope with our unpleasantly complicated social lives.
Chris Addison’s continues his spoof exploration of the fascinating subject of human evolution.
Starring Chris Addison.
With Professor Austin Herring (aka Geoffrey McGivern), Jo Enright and Dan Tetsell.
Written by Chris Addison and Carl Cooper.
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.