SATURDAY 22 MAY 2021

SAT 00:00 Planet B (b00j2j7k)
Series 1
10. Death's Door
John and Lioba aim to meet in the real world, but can they really escape their virtual reality?
Conclusion of series one of three about a mystery virtual world.
Written by Matthew Broughton.
John ...... Gunnar Cauthery
Medley ...... Lizzy Watts
Cerberus ...... Chris Pavlo
Lioba ...... Donnla Hughes
All other parts played by Janice Acquah, Jill Cardo, Stephen Critchlow,Paul Rider, Manjeet Mann, Matthew Broughton and Adjoa Andoh.
Director: Jessica Dromgoole
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in March 2009.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b00p93sw)
How's My Driving?
Having a driving licence used to be proof you'd grown up and could move about on your own. Now it is almost a guilty pleasure.
Dominic Arkwright borrowed a car to get to the studio to meet entrepreneur Alison Larkman (who walked), broadcaster Chris Serle (on his motor scooter) and actor Patrick Field (bike, train and bike) to consider the point of driving in the 21st century.
Producer: Christine Hall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009.
SAT 01:00 The Doomed Oasis, by Hammond Innes (b007jsrw)
5. The Empty Quarter
As his quest continues, lawyer George Grant is led into an inhospitable desert - and into the heart of a long-standing conflict.
Starring Tim Munro.
Arabian adventure based on Hammond Innes' 1960 novel.
Adapted by Rene Basilico.
George Grant ....... Tim Munro
Colonel Whittaker ....... Bernard Horsfall
Prince Khalid ....... Raad Rawi
Salim ....... George Masri
David Whittaker ....... Christopher Guard
Hamid ....... Mamdouh Ashour
Ali....... Ali Refaie
Boy ....... Yasmin Abdul Rahman
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in September 1984.
SAT 01:30 Dalziel & Pascoe - Exit Lines (m000w6lw)
5. The Comedy is Over
Three old men dead. Two unsolved problems. Has Detective Inspector Pascoe got one answer?
Donald Gee and Philip Jackson star as detective duo, Andy Dalziel and Peter Pascoe.
Reginald Hill's thriller dramatised by Betty Davies.
Det Insp Pascoe .... Donald Gee
Supt Dalziel .... Philip Jackson
Charley .... Charles Simpson
Mrs Escott .... Barbara Atkinson
Det Con Seymour .... Paul Downing
Sgt Wield .... Michael Graham Cox
PC Hector .... Stephen Garlick
Abbiss .... John Bull
Cpl Gillott .... Joe Dunlop
Major Kassell .... Vincent Brimble
Sir William .... Brian Miller
Charlesworth .... David King
Elite .... Tara Dominick
Ruddlesdin ....Danny Schiller
Moody .... Dale Rapley
Director: Matthew Walters
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1990.
SAT 02:00 The Transition by Luke Kennard (b08dwyh9)
Episode 5
Transition mentors Janna and Stu confront Karl and Genevieve with the stark facts of their situation: heavily in debt and no prospect of that changing if they continue with their current jobs and expectations.
Karl is becoming increasingly suspicious about the true motives behind the secretive organisation's 'rehabilitation' programme.
Bryan Dick reads Luke Kennard's novel, inspired by 'Generation Debt', set a few years from now in an unnamed British city.
Abridged by Robin Brooks.
Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.
SAT 02:15 Gudrun (m00057rq)
Series 6
Sigrid
Sigrid's intended husband has discovered her terrible secret and now her life hangs in the balance.
Stars Hollie Burgess.
Lucy Catherine's Viking epic of love, revenge and faith continues. Set in the 11th century, Gudrun is in the New World, and her estranged daughter Sigrid in England.
Both mother and daughter have reasons to seek forgiveness as they forge a path through lands of unearthly beauty and uncompromising harshness.
Sigrid ..... Hollie Burgess
The Virgin ..... Marilyn Nnadebe
Silvia ..... Susan Jameson
Saxon ..... Joseph Ayre
Gorm ..... David Hounslow
Canute ..... Aaron Gelkoff
Gunnar ..... Chris Pavlo
Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
SAT 02:30 Be My Guest (b0b520pj)
Patrick Cargill
Actor Patrick Cargill is best remembered as the star of 'Father Dear Father'.
Made by Thames TV for ITV, this popular 70s sitcom was written especially for Patrick, who played a writer forever struggling with his teenage daughters.
Patrick says 'Be My Guest' as he shares highlights from his varied acting career in TV, film and on stage - and plays some of his favourite songs.
Inviting a variety of guests from the world of entertainment - Be My Guest ran for several series spanning the 1960s and 80s.
Producer: Richard Burwood
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in July 1974.
SAT 03:00 Drama (b096fsmx)
Stardust by Ray Connolly
Show me a boy who never wanted to be a rock star and I'll show you a liar.
Following on from the events of 'That'll be the Day', it's the early 1960s sand Jim MacLaine is now an aspiring pop musician.
He seeks out his old mate Mike, because every pop star needs a road manager.
Written by Ray Connolly, based on the 1974 film of the same name.
Mike .... Greg Wood
Jim .... Jack Gordon
Stevie / Barnacle Tim .... Chris Hannon
Sally / Mrs Porter-Lee .... Fiona Clarke
Danielle / Air Stewardess .... Verity Henry
Porter Lee / Johnny .... Stephen Marzella
JD / Colin Day .... Jason Done
Director: Gary Brown.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2017.
SAT 04:00 Counterpoint (b00s7vtk)
Series 24
2010 Heat 7
Paul Gambaccini chairs the general knowledge music quiz from London.
The questions cover every aspect of music - from the classical repertoire to world music, show tunes, film scores, jazz, rock and pop.
The three contestants from London, Gosport and Brighton are:
Raymond Allen
Simon Heilbron
Edward McDermott
Producer Paul Bajoria
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2010.
SAT 04:30 Bristow (b007tdnn)
Series 3
Of Moles and Men
The office rebel returns with some inside information which must surely lead to promotion.
Michael Williams stars as Bristow
Frank Dickens' sitcom is based on his famous long-running newspaper cartoon strip about the Chester-Perry buying clerk.
Bristow ...... Michael Williams
Jones ...... Rodney Bewes
Mrs Purdy ...... Dora Bryan
Hewitt ...... Owen Brenman
Gert ...... Liz Frazer
Daisy ...... Joan Sims
Fred Stokes ...... David Battley
Miss Glockling ...... Carol Starks
Teacher ...... Jane Booker
Miss Sunman ...... Katy Odey
Fudge ...... Jon Glover
Music: John Whitehall
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2000.
SAT 05:00 The Break (b07gf4s6)
Series 1
Sunday, Flipping Sunday
Dawn breaks on a beautiful Sunday morning in Flamford. Uncle Jeff is on a quest for spiritual comfort and persuades his nephew Andy to join him by bribing him with the promise of a proper roast dinner.
They find that the local church has installed a new vicar, the Reverend Beverley, who invites Jeff to her bible class that evening. The words "bring a bible" strike a chill to Jeff's heart. He has never owned a bible, and neither has Andy.
They spend the rest of the day trying to find a bible on a Sunday, with Andy's stomach rumbling as he pictures his dinner slipping further away. On their quest they encounter Derek Horrox The Mayor, Peter Humfriss, The Town Crier, and a slightly unnerving bookseller.
Jeff ...... Philip Jackson
Andy ...... Tom Palmer
Reverend Beverley ...... Shobna Gulati
Derek Horrox the Mayor ...... Rasmus Hardiker
Peter Humfriss, the Town Crier ...... Mark Benton
Writers: Ian Brown and James Hendrie
Director: Gordon Kennedy
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in June 2016.
SAT 05:30 The Confessional (m000w3mf)
Series 1
The Confession of Marian Keyes
Actor, comedian and broadcaster Stephen Mangan presents a comedy chat show about shame and guilt.
Each week Stephen invites a different eminent guest into his virtual confessional box to make three 'confessions'. This is a cue for some remarkable storytelling, and surprising insights.
We’re used to hearing celebrity interviews where stars are persuaded to show off about their achievements and talk about their proudest moments. Stephen is not interested in that. He doesn’t want to know what his guests are proud of, he wants to know what they’re ashamed of. That’s surely the way to find out what really makes a person tick. Stephen and his guest reflect with empathy and humour on things like why we get embarrassed, where our shame thresholds should be, and the value of guilt.
This week the prolific novelist and writer Marian Keyes confesses, from her home in Dublin, details of a disservice she did that still haunts her 20 years after the event. She also tells tales of a lost glove and of Joan of Arc at a fancy dress ball.
Other guests in this series include Dr Phil Hammond, Cariad Lloyd, Joan Bakewell, Suzi Ruffell, Phil Wang and Alastair Campbell.
Written and presented by Stephen Mangan
With extra material by Nick Doody
Devised with Dave Anderson and produced by Frank Stirling
A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4
SAT 06:00 Terence Rattigan - The Winslow Boy (b0129678)
"It is easy to do justice - very hard to do right".
Let Right Be Done - is the the theme of this drama by Terence Rattigan - set just before the First World War.
A father battles to prove the innocence of his son, accused of stealing a postal order at his Edwardian naval college.
His stubborn quest sparks reverberations at the House of Commons.
Arthur Winslow ...... Michael Aldridge
Grace Winslow ...... Pauline Letts
Catherine Winslow ...... Sarah Badel
Dickie Winslow ...... Michael Maloney
Ronnie Winslow ...... John McAndrew
Violet ...... Peggy Page
Attorney-General ...... Nicholas Courtney
John Watherstone ...... David Timson
Miss Barnes ...... Margaret Robertson
Mrs Beggs ...... Gladys Spencer
Desmond Curry ...... Michael Spice
Herbert Ridgeley-Pearce ...... John Rye
1st Lord of the Admiralty ...... Patrick Barr
Sir Robert Morton ...... Aubrey Woods
Adapted from Terence Rattigan's stage and TV scripts and directed by Ian Cotterell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1981.
SAT 07:30 Great Lives (b07wby0q)
Series 40
Cyrus Todiwala on Dadabhai Naoroji
Chef Cyrus Todiwala chooses Dadabhai Naoroji, the 'Grand Old Man of India' who in 1892 became Britain's first Asian MP for Finsbury Central.
He later returned to India and petitioned for the country to be self-governing. Gandhi, who was Dadabhai's mentee, would later refer to him as the Father of the Nation.
Matthew Parris presents and Zerbanoo Gifford is the expert.
Producer: Toby Field
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2016.
SAT 08:00 Whispers (b007k2kg)
Series 1
Episode 1
What is the rather inflammatory connection between Salman Rushdie and The Beatles?
This is the series celebrating our fascination with gossip, rumour and controversy.
Gyles Brandreth hosts the panel game with scandal on its mind and slander at its heart.
The regular team captains are writer and critic, Anthony Holden and actor and writer, Stella Duffy.
Joining them to test their wits, and wit against the most notorious figures in history are broadcaster, Rosie Millard and best-selling author, Jenny Colgan.
Producer: Elizabeth Freestone
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2003.
SAT 08:30 Smelling of Roses (b007k0d2)
Series 1
Survival of the Fittest
Rosie’s company hosts a management team building course. It all goes well until the murder mystery dinner, but it isn't Rosie who makes a killing.
Prunella Scales in Simon Brett's sitcom.
The trials and tribulations of Rosie Burns and her event management company, based in Brighton.
Rosie ...... Prunella Scales
Kate ...... Arabella Weir
Jo ...... Rebecca Callard
Bob ...... Duncan Preston
Tess ...... Annette Badland
Barry ...... Lee Simpson
Alex ...... Chris Pavlo
Dick ...... David Holt
Producer: Maria Esposito
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2000.
SAT 09:00 From Gorsemere to Gloomsbury: The Literary Lunacy of Sue Limb (m0009bys)
Shaun Ley takes you on a three-hour guided tour through a world of literary lunacy that flows from the pen of dramatist Sue Limb.
The voyage of parody takes the listener from the Lake District retreat of Romantic poets – a rural idyll rocked by the arrival of the philandering Lord Biro – to gardens of Sizzlinghurst Castle and the “very modern” politics and personal lives of the Gloomsbury set.
The English Civil War gets cavalier treatment in The Sit Crom, where a scullery maid attempts to save a king, while in present-day Norwich two sisters attempt to save their Bed and Breakfast in Alison & Maud.
Shaun discusses the ideas and inspiration behind Sue’s writing with the author herself and talks about turning scripts into performance with regular cast members, Nigel Planer and Miriam Margolyes.
Joss Ackland, Denise Coffey, Geoffrey Whitehead, Simon Callow and Tim Curry star in featured episodes of:
* The Wordsmiths of Gorsemere
* Gloomsbury
* The Sit Crom
* Alison and Maud
* Lord Byron's Don Juan is performed by Will Kirk.
* Dorothy Wordsworth's diary is read by Scarlett Courtney.
Producer: Adam Bowen
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2019.
SAT 12:00 A Trespasser's Guide to the Classics (b08h0c9k)
Series 2
The Neck
In 19th-century Whitby, a magician prepares to compete with Harry Houdini at a major international Magic Convention. When a ship carrying a cargo of 50 coffins runs aground on the town's beach, he suspects Houdini of pulling a huge publicity stunt.
Comedy troupe Peepolykus assume the roles of minor characters in great works of fiction and derail the plot of the book through their hapless buffoonery.
By John Nicholson and Richard Katz
Javier ...... Javier Marzan
John ...... John Nicholson
Lucy ...... Sanchia McCormack
Professor Van Hesling ...... Richard Katz
Mrs Higgins ...... Chetna Pandya
Guard ...... John Dougall
Guard ...... Nicholas Murchie
Peepolykus (pronounced people-like-us) has exported its brand of irreverent comic theatre to over 100 towns and cities across four continents, often under the auspices of the British Council.
Their CV includes two tours of Bangladesh, winning the audience award at The Tehran Festival, performing to royalty in Brunei, to Indian states people in the Himalayas, a truly disastrous run in Barbados, an unforgettable stint on The Price is Right in Australia and other occasional bits of telly for the BBC.
With theatre scripts licensed worldwide, they played for 3 months in London’s West End and collaborated with numerous organisations.
Peepolykus is produced by Eleanor Lloyd Productions.
Director: Sasha Yevtushenko
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.
SAT 12:30 The Elephant Man (b007jsfp)
Endangered Species
Terry Lyon, assistant head keeper of Southwood Zoo, trusts animals because most people think he's a waste of space.
But as the zoo lurches towards bankruptcy, his future looks bleak.
DA Barham's eight-part sitcom stars Peter Serafinowicz.
Terry ...... Peter Serafinowicz
Leonard ...... Chris Emmett
Maureen ...... Geraldine Fitzgerald
Derek ...... Wayne Forester
George ...... Geoff Fitzgerald
Stephanie ...... Joanna Munro
Adam ...... Richard Pearce
DA Barham - alias Debbie Ann - used her gently gender-obscured writing name. Aged just 15, she'd sent in comedy scripts to the BBC. She tragically died in 2003 from heart failure due to anorexia, aged just 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.
Producer: Richard Wilson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in August 1996.
SAT 13:00 The Jon Pertwee Files (m0006lvy)
Sean Pertwee celebrates his father Jon’s broadcasting career in this special documentary made to mark the actor’s birth centenary.
Featuring rediscovered archive material, rare interviews and behind-the-scenes recordings.
From his radio days playing a disreputable postman and a chief petty officer in The Navy Lark, to his TV portrayals of the dandy Doctor Who and the anarchic scarecrow, Worzel Gummidge.
Producers: Richard Latto and Stuart Manning.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in July 2019.
SAT 14:00 There Is No Escape (b06grjn7)
Episode 1
Andrew Lawrence's sitcom about a man dissatisfied with his life, whose feeble attempts to run away invariably end with him traipsing home defeated.
In this opening episode, Andrew arrives home from work one evening to find the house even more of a mess than usual. An argument with his girlfriend about cleaning escalates and Andrew storms out to find something to eat.
After a soul destroying encounter with the woman in the local shop, who can only recommend frozen turkey dinosaurs for his meal, Andrew joins his work mate, Lennie, for a consolation dinner in the pub.
Later he returns home and is forced to negotiate about a cleaner through the letterbox before he is finally allowed back in.
Starring:
Andrew Lawrence
Diane Morgan
With Rosie Cavaliero and Marek Larwood.
Producer: Jane Berthoud
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2015.
SAT 14:30 Bridget Christie Minds the Gap (b04wwnh8)
Series 2
Episode 1
Bridget is back asking who has the best sexism in the world, deconstructing a yoghurt advert and taking a look at what happens when a perfectly normal woman appears on TV.
With token man, Fred MacAulay who reveals a hitherto unsuspected penchant for certain kitchen cleaning products.
As she hasn't managed to single-handedly eradicate sexism, Bridget Christie returns in her multi-award winning series about modern feminism.
Bridget thought that she'd be able to put her feet up assuming her last series would bomb. Sadly it was a huge success and she's had to bang on about feminism ever since.
Written by Bridget Christie.
Producers: Alison Vernon-Smith and Alexandra Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2015.
SAT 15:00 Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better (b00k9dc3)
Series 1
Lust
Mark Watson investigates lust as he continues his quest to free us from the seven deadly sins via stand-up comedy.
Tim Key and Tim Minchin provide sketches, songs and distractions.
Producer: Katie Marsden
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2007.
SAT 15:30 Lucy Montgomery's Variety Pack (b012qtv1)
Series 2
Episode 1
The human chameleon's host of characters from a chatty school girl to a decrepit charwoman.
Multi-paced, one woman Fast Show showcasing the exceptional talent of Lucy Montgomery.
With:
Philip Pope
Sally Grace
Waen Shepherd
Natalie Walter
Written by Lucy Montgomery with additional material by Steven Burge, Jon Hunter, Fay Rusling and Barunka O'Shaughnessy.
Script Editor: Dan Tetsell
Music by Philip Pope
Producer: Katie Tyrrell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2011.
SAT 16:00 Terence Rattigan - The Winslow Boy (b0129678)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Great Lives (b07wby0q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 Dan Dare (b0bfxjs5)
Series 1
3 The Red Moon Mystery 1/2
Infected by the evil Mekon's virus and unable to return to Earth, Dan Dare and the crew of the Anastasia are ordered to the desolate planet of Mars...
Adventures based on the Eagle comic strip 'Dan Dare' created in 1950 by the Reverend Marcus Morris and Frank Hampson.
First of a two-part adventure starring Ed Stoppard.
Dramatised by James Swallow.
Dan Dare ....... Ed Stoppard
Digby ....... Geoff McGivern
Professor Peabody ....... Heida Reed
Sir Hubert ...... Michael Cochrane
Creator ...... Marcus Morris
On-board Computer ...... Dianne Weller
Ivor Dare ...... Hugh Fraser
Sergeant Scott ...... Jake Maskall
Corporal Dajani ...... Jalleh Alizadeh
Dr Harlan Stoll ...... Greg Keith
Teacher ...... Diane Spencer
Flamer Spry ...... Ryan Sewell
Director: Andrew Mark Sewell.
Made by B7 Media.
SAT 18:35 Ray Bradbury - There Will Come Soft Rains (b007k2w1)
2026: With surroundings destroyed and devoid of human life, an automated house carries on...
Dramatisation of Ray Bradbury’s short story
The Woman ...... Joan Miller
Commentator ...... David King-Wood
Music composed and conducted by Antony Hopkins
Singers: Ann Dowdall and John Carol Case.
Adapted and produced by Nesta Pain.
First broadcast on the BBC Third Programme in September 1962.
SAT 19:00 From Gorsemere to Gloomsbury: The Literary Lunacy of Sue Limb (m0009bys)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Rigor Mortis (b007k419)
Series 1
Episode 1
Dr Webster realises that he recognises the man he’s just performed a routine autopsy on, but where from?
His colleague, Professor Donaldson is aghast at the medical ethics of the situation whilst Dr Anderson is convinced that there's some kind of conspiracy going on.
Dr Webster can't understand what all the fuss is about...
Laurence Howarth’s sitcom set in the fascinating, but misunderstood world of the pathology lab.
Dr Anthony Webster ...... Peter Davison
Dr Ruth Anderson ...... Tracy-Ann Oberman
Professor Donaldson ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Gordon ...... Tom Price
Chloe ...... Marianne Levy
Simon ...... Gus Brown
David/Patient ...... Stephen Critchlow
Elaine ...... Beth Chalmers
Music by Paul Mottram and Stephanie Benavente.
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2003.
SAT 22:30 Josie Long: Romance and Adventure (b076p08g)
Series 1
Episode 3
Josie's 32nd birthday has her questioning whether her dream of one day having a family is now unrealistic.
Comedy drama about a young woman trying to build a more fulfilling life for herself in Glasgow.
Based on characters from the short films "Romance and Adventure" and "Let's Go Swimming" by Josie Long and Douglas King.
Josie ...... Josie Long
Darren ...... Darren Osborne
Roddy ...... Sanjeev Kohli
Kerry ...... Hatty Ashdown
Eleanor ...... Clare Grogan
Chris ...... Michael Bertenshaw
Mona ...... Rebecca Hamilton
Fraser ...... Chris Pavlo
Genevieve ...... Puja Panchkoty
Producer: Colin Anderson
A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2016.
SAT 23:00 Jason Cook's School of Hard Knocks (b03ws221)
Dumping and Proposals
Jason Cook continues dispensing advice on how best to navigate the choppy waters of life and come out the other side without feeling woozy, using the full spectrum of his own experiences as his educational aids.
This time, he looks at the two-sides of the romance coin: dumping someone and proposing to someone.
Stories from the audience help to throw more light on the matter in hand.
With Zoe Harrison and Neil Grainger.
Producer: Sam Michell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.
SAT 23:30 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b05108h0)
Series 6
Dame Kelly Holmes
Dame Kelly Holmes, a self-confessed chocoholic, tries her first deep fried Mars bar, but will she try the chocolate covered scorpion?
And to conquer her fear of drowning, she tries hypnotherapy.
Marcus Brigstocke persuades his guests to try new experiences: things they really ought to have done by now.
Some experiences are loved, some are loathed, in this show all about embracing the new.
Producer: Bill Dare
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2015.