SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2021

SAT 00:00 Haunting Women by Dermot Bolger (b016q02f)
5. The Riding Crop
A bitter dispute between sisters 200 years ago means a precious wedding gift must be cared for in the present.
Inspired by some of Ireland's most renowned female ghosts, Haunting Women is a group of stories from across the centuries.
Dermot Bolger relives five tragic tales of women who are doomed to haunt the island for eternity.
Sharon …. Dawn Bradfield
Beatrice …. Jody O’Neill
Anthony …. Luke Griffin
Creed …. John Hewitt
Lucinda …. Alison McKenna
Priest …. David Kelly
Producer: Gemma McMullan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2005.
SAT 00:15 The Mist in the Mirror by Susan Hill (b036q7t8)
5. Waves of Evil
Sir James Monmouth's eerie obsession reaches a terrifying conclusion, but is that the end of the story?
Conclusion of Susan Hill's atmospheric and chilling ghost story.
Abridged by Oliver Reynolds.
Read by Gareth Armstrong
With John Moffatt as the Narrator.
Producer: Jocelyn Boxall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1994.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b01jqsyd)
What It Says on the Tin
There is a well known advert for woodstain with the modest boast, "It does what it says on the tin."
This is the theme for our trio of writers - actor Michael Simkins, psychologist Dr Funke Baffour, and journalist Tom Mitchelson.
Truth and lies in everyday life, and how honest are we with those we love, including ourselves.
Tom Mitchelson reveals a sideline as an investigative journalist - infiltrating a male bonding cult, posing as a playboy, pretending to be a foreign language teacher - to get at a higher truth. "I find it exhilarating," he confesses.
Not everything is as it seems - as presented by Dominic Arkwright.
Producer: Miles Warde
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2012.
SAT 01:00 Galbraith and the Midas Touch (b0622ysh)
6. The Pyramid of Gold
Bill Galbraith discovers a multi-million pound theft, but fears the culprits will get away with it.
Starring Bernard Hepton as the veteran detective.
Conclusion of Robert Barr's thriller serial.
Galbraith …. Bernard Hepton
Evans …. Richard Davies
Finch …. Garard Green
Doc McDowall …. Robert Gillespie
Carson …. Matthew Francis
Inspector Burridge …. Michael Kilgarriff
Thorn …. David Ryall
Rita …. Rosalyn Slater
Producer: John Browell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1977
SAT 01:30 Little Novels by Wilkie Collins (m0011klv)
5. Miss Morris & The Stranger
A governess is the recipient of a generous legacy.
One of five Victorian mysteries by Wilkie Collins.
Dramatised by John Arden.
Wilkie Collins...Ronald Pickup
Nancy Morris...Deborah Berlin
Sextus Sax...Alastair Danson
Sir Gervase Damian...Hugh Dickson
Mrs Fosdyke...Jane Whittenshaw
Miss Melbury...Alison Pettitt
Freddy...Lucas Rush
Miss Ellen...Katie Lucy
Miss Eva...Katie Clarke
Pianist Colin Guthrie
Director: David Blount.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1998.
SAT 02:00 Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (b09hw97w)
5. Accessories Maketh the Woman
With the Man of her Dreams' gig approaching, Eleanor realises she's badly neglected her self-improvement plans. Some urgent pampering is required...
Tracy Wiles reads Gail Honeyman's heartwarming and sometimes heartbreaking novel.
Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything. But one simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself.
Read by Tracy Wiles
Abridged by Richard Hamilton.
Producer: Justine Willett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2017.
SAT 02:15 Emily Bronte - Wuthering Heights (b0b3ftjc)
10. Heathcliff
After setting a trap, Heathcliff has imprisoned Catherine and Nelly at Wuthering Heights.
A haunted Heathcliff seems determined to wreak revenge to the bitter end.
Emily Bronte's iconic love story stars Ben Batt and Chloe Pirrie.
Her only novel is unforgettable, full of passion and darkness. Thrilling but haunting until the very end, uniquely bound to its setting on the bleak Yorkshire moors.
Starring Ben Batt and Chloe Pirrie.
Dramatised by Rachel Joyce.
Heathcliff ...... Ben Batt
Cathy ...... Chloe Pirrie
Nelly ...... Emma Fielding
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2018.
SAT 02:30 The Georgians: Restraint, Revolution and Reform (b04brjnr)
2. Reform
Amanda Foreman concludes her examination of the political impact of the Georgian era – looking at politics on the ground.
Considering the structures of British life that created both control and freedom, Amanda asks why Britain experienced political evolution, not revolution.
In 1832 the British political elite voluntarily chose to weaken its own power for the first and only time in history. This was the result of the Reform Act, which added 130 new seats to Parliament.
While riot and rebellion was rife and often met with violent backlash from those in power, Amanda argues that the Georgian elites placed emphasis on freedom.
Meeting radicals in Newcastle and evangelical conservatives in the Mendip hills, Amanda examines how the ordinary disenfranchised man and woman increasingly invested in politics and civic life, transforming how the elected related to the people.
Amanda examines the formative years of British politics when the most important structures of British life we value and recognise today were established – and all in the shadow of revolution. It paints a picture of the Georgian legacy, one where decadence and scandal takes a backseat to proto-democracy and social reform.
Producer: Katherine Godfrey
A Whistledown production for Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2014.
SAT 03:00 Judith Johnson - Uganda (b0886ywd)
Agoraphobic widower Billy Ellis’s wanderlust has never taken him further than Rhyl.
He spends his days keeping a troubled eye on the world through his atlas and foreign news reports.
But a growing friendship with his daughter's boyfriend tempts him to plan a trip to London...
Judith Johnson’s drama stars Ronald Pickup.
Billy Ellis .... Ronald Pickup
Trish Ellis ... Bharti Patel
Tommy Ellis... Paul Haigh
Gayle Ellis ... Michelle Butterly
Emily Ellis.... Penny Layden
Aakash .... Ameet Chaana
Sal .... Anna Niland
Director: Kristine Landon-Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1996.
SAT 04:00 It's Not What You Know (b0640pnx)
Series 3
Episode 6
Who does Susan Calman often get mistaken for?
What does Vernon Kay consider his career lowlight?
What's the naughtiest thing Sara Pascoe did as a child?
All these burning questions, and more, will be answered in the show hosted by Miles Jupp, where panellists are tested on how well they know their nearest and dearest.
In this case, comedian Susan Calman picks her friend, presenter Vernon Kay picks his old university pal, and comedian Sara Pascoe chooses her mum.
Producer: Matt Stronge
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
SAT 04:30 Ballylenon (b007jx40)
Series 4
Episode 4
A phone call gives Phonsie the ammunition to deal with Packy McGoldrick.
Series set in the sleepy town of Ballylenon, Co Donegal, in 1955.
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Phonsie Doherty …. TP McKenna
Muriel McConkey …. Margaret D'Arcy
Vera McConkey …. Stella McCusker
Vivienne Boal …. Aine McCartney
Rev Samuel Hawthorne …. Gerard Murphy
Josie Doherty …. Cathy White
Packy McGoldrick …. Tim Loane
Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes.
Director: Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1997.
SAT 05:00 All Those Women (b06fkd21)
Series 1
Episode 4
It's Maggie's 60th birthday, so bring on the surprise present! And also some unwelcome revelations and a lot of facts about ballooning...
All Those Women explores familial relationships, ageing, marriages - it's about life and love and things not turning out quite the way that you'd expected them to. Every week we join Hetty, Maggie, Jen and Emily as they struggle to resolve their own problems, and support one another.
Comedy series by Katherine Jakeways about four generations of women living under one roof.
Hetty ...... Sheila Hancock
Maggie ...... Lesley Manville
Jen ...... Sinead Matthews
Emily ...... Lucy Hutchinson
Stu ...... Chris Pavlo
David ...... Denis Lill
Niamh ...... Isy Suttie
Gareth ...... Stephen Critchlow
Announcement ...... George Watkins
Script editor: Richard Turner
Producer: Alexandra Smith
A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in October 2015.
SAT 05:30 The Confessional (m0011k2g)
Series 2
The Confession of David Quantick
Stephen Mangan puts another penitent through their paces in the comedy chat show about confession, embarrassment and a guilty conscience
Each week, Stephen invites a different eminent guest into his virtual confessional box to make three confessions. This is a cue for some rich and varied storytelling, and surprising insights. Settle back for more revelations of guilt and mortification.
This week, Stephen is in conversation with David Quantick, the prolific writer and broadcaster whose career has taken him from staff writer at NME to winning an Emmy award for his work on Veep. They discuss fake news, how to devastate a birthday party and airborne nudity.
Other guests in the series include Olivia Williams, Anthony Horowitz, Ed Byrne, Shaparak Khorsandi and Konnie Huq.
Written and presented by Stephen Mangan
With extra material by Nick Doody
Produced by Frank Stirling
A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4
SAT 06:00 Rebel Angel (m0011sxp)
John Keats is a major romantic poet in-waiting.
Meanwhile, he is training to become a London surgeon in the brutal times of body snatchers and no anaesthetics...
Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt.
Written by Angus Graham Campbell
John Keats .... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Tyrrell .... Joshua Towb
Newmarch .... Ross Livingstone
Mackereth .... Peter Kenny
Lucas .... Derek Waring
Stephens .... Jonathan Keeble
Shelley .... Kim Wall
Keats' Mother .... Jane Whittenshaw
Charles Cowden Clark .... David Timson
Richard Abbey .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Kean .... Gavin Muir
George Keats .... Paul Jenkins
Keats as a boy .... Jonathan Newman
Anne Matthew .... Melanie Hudson
Leigh Hunt .... Ian Masters
Caroline Matthew .... Alison Reid
Director Richard Wortley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1995.
SAT 07:30 Great Lives (b091v0c7)
Series 43
Tracy Chevalier on Mary Anning
Novelist Tracy Chevalier discusses the life of Mary Anning with Matthew Parris.
Mary was a working class woman from Lyme Regis who discovered full dinosaur skeletons on Dorset's Jurassic Coast and sold them to collectors in the early 1800s.
Her remarkable finds came before Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and she believed them at first to be giant crocodiles, but as scientists began flocking to Lyme Regis to buy her specimens, she started to educate herself in geology, becoming an authority on fossils.
However, as with many of the subjects of Great Lives, she was never fully credited for her efforts and faded from public consciousness after her death.
With Hugh Torrens, Emeritus Professor of History of Science and Technology at the University of Keele.
Producer: Maggie Ayre
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2017.
SAT 08:00 Listomania (b09yhgks)
Series 1
Episode 2
From the magnificent to the mundane.
From the humble 'to do' list to the bucket list and many more...
Susan Calman hosts the series exploring the world of the lists.
With:
Joe Lycett
Celia Pacquola
Holly Walsh
Lloyd Langford
Written by James Kettle and Gráinne Maguire with Max Davis and Gabby Hutchinson Crouch.
Producers: Sam Bryant and Adnan Ahmed.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 2015.
SAT 08:30 All the Young Dudes (b007ncd1)
Series 1
Homeward Bound
After 20 years away, Patrick finds himself back in a place he once called home.
But what are the chances of running into your best mates from school?
Comedy-drama written by and starring Jim Sweeney.
Patrick …… Jim Sweeney
Billy …… Steve Steen
Joe …… Stephen Frost
Moira …… Sadie Shimmin
Maria …… Flaminia Cinque
Charlie …… Izzy De Rosario
Removal Man …… Alex Lowe
Producer: Steve Doherty
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2001.
SAT 09:00 I Am A Storyteller: William Trevor at 80 (b00bqm6t)
Gillian Reynolds CBE presents a celebratory showcase featuring a collection of the stories and plays of much-loved Irish novelist and playwright, William Trevor.
Originally broadcast to mark his 80th birthday.
As a radio critic, Gillian lists Trevor’s work as some of her all-time favourites. Her following selection features Prunella Scales, Penelope Wilton, Dorothy Tutin, Denys Hawthorne, Bryan Pringle and Niamh Cusack:
* Beyond The Pale (1980)
* The Forty-Seventh Saturday (1980)
* The Dancing Master's Music (1997)
* The Penthouse Apartment (1998)
* Solitude (2004).
Gillian also features excerpts from John Tusa’s 2005 Interview with William Trevor, where he reveals that a writer must “be open to instincts as to where the story is taking you”. He also explains that he does an “enormous amount of re-writing" using a manual typewriter as "Computers frighten me...".
William Trevor died aged 88 in 2016.
Producer: Nick St George
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast to mark William Trevor’s 80th birthday in May 2008.
SAT 12:00 It's Your Round (b018g279)
Series 2
Episode 1
This is the series where panellists bring their own round for the others to play.
Hosted by Angus Deayton:
Trying to beat each other at their own games:
Miles Jupp
Fred MacAulay
Josie Long
Nick Helm
Featured rounds:
Miles Jupp's 'Test Match Specialists', a quiz using the rules and regulations of the 'world's finest sport' (Miles' words)
Fred MacAulay's 'Play Your Various Different Categories Right', like 'Play Your Cards Right', but with other variables such as Scottish landmarks, household accident statistics, Radio 4 presenter's heights and, er, the song 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' by Band Aid.
Josie Long's 'Dream Day Job' in which panellists have to guess an audience member's dream day job by asking yes/no questions.
Nick Helm's 'Cream Crackered' in which panellists have to eat as many cream crackers as they can in a minute...commentated on by Test Match Special's very own, Henry Blofeld.
Producer: Sam Michell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011.
SAT 12:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b00pqh8s)
Series 6
The Charterhouse Redemption
Ed is happily ensconced in Berkhamsted's premier accommodation for the financially distressed.
The comical world of an author, pipe smoker, consummate fare-dodger and master of the abusive e-mail.
Christopher Douglas stars as Ed Reardon.
Written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds.
Ed Reardon ...... Christopher Douglas
Olive ...... Stephanie Cole
Felix ...... John Fortune
George ...... Simon Greenall
Jaz ...... Philip Jackson
Pearl ...... Rita May
Clipp ...... Geoff McGivern
Ping ...... Barunka O'Shaughnessy
Geoff ...... Tom Price
Stan ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2010.
SAT 13:00 Archive on 4 (b049xldv)
Boy, Oh Boy, He's Going Down
Sean Street examines those moments where Radio forgets itself, when laughter, alcohol or sheer emotion well up.
Traditionally the wireless has been somewhat formal, but occasionally reporters have been overwhelmed by what they're witnessing, contributors so passionate in argument and commentators overcome by mirth - or drink - that the conventions are dropped.
Then communication comes pure, direct and unselfconscious: a Battle of Britain dogfight sounds like sport, sport like war, a naval fleet becomes fairyland, the author of a fairytale about rabbits attacks another guest.
Hear the moments when Radio reveals far more than what is said.
Producer: Julian May
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2000.
SAT 14:00 The Penny Dreadfuls (b012f5qv)
Revolution
The French Revolution was one of the most far-reaching social and political upheavals in modern history.
It spanned 10 years, involving the execution of the King, collapse of monarchy and slaughter of thousands at the guillotine.
Comedy trio The Penny Dreadfuls attempt to tell the epic story of the Revolution in one hour, with jokes.
Starring Richard E Grant and Sally Hawkins.
Maximilien Robespierre was the dictatorial architect of the Reign of Terror, who sent thousands to their death. Marie-Therese was the 16 year old daughter of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI.
Marie-Therese was incarcerated for three years by the revolutionaries. When she was locked up her father, mother, aunt and little brother were also with her.
After her father was executed, the rest of the family were moved to another part of the tower and Marie-Therese was kept in solitary confinement.
It's recorded that Robespierre visited Marie-Therese at one point in the tower but there's no historical record of that conversation. This play is that conversation.
Robespierre ...... Richard E Grant
Therese ...... Sally Hawkins
Written by and co-starring Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck
With Margaret Cabourn-Smith.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2011.
SAT 15:00 Old Harry's Game (b00hlcr4)
Series 7
Episode 1
Jean-Paul Sartre said "Hell is other people", but, as Satan will tell you, Hell is actually a fiery, unendingly cruel domain where Oliver Reed can never catch the barman's eye and Yves St Laurent is forced to wear a donkey jacket.
Hell is thrown into confusion when a dog turns up. Animals aren't meant to be in Satan's care because they aren't inherently evil - except for dolphins!
Andy Hamilton’s devilishly funny sitcom set in Hell.
Satan…. Andy Hamilton
Edith …. Annette Crosbie
Scumspawn …. Robert Duncan
Thomas …. Scumspawn
With played by Michael Fenton Stevens and Philip Pope.
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.
SAT 15:30 The Skivers (b007xwy1)
Series 2
William Franklyn
Dolphins - and Sue Lawley's big secret is revealed.
The return of Nick Golson and Tim de Jongh's skilful sketch show with special guest – sssh! William Franklyn, who’s mixing the drinks.
Written and performed by Nick Golson and Tim de Jongh.
With Peter Bradshaw and Mel Giedroyc
Producer: Jon Naismith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1995.
SAT 16:00 Rebel Angel (m0011sxp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Great Lives (b091v0c7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 Spine Chillers (b08bs3pd)
Jill Hyem - Origami
When Mr Shimojo takes a room in Helen Bestall's house, no one is prepared for the sequence of horrifying events which his presence seems to generate. A tale of the supernatural.
Mr Shimojo.............................Sean Barrett
Helen Bestall.........................Carole Boyd
Peter Trent.............................Christopher Scoular
Lucy Bestall............................Helen Worth
Pronunciation adviser: Masatoshi Tobia
Written by Jill Hyem
Directed by Kay Patrick at BBC Manchester
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1984.
SAT 18:45 The Strange and The Sinister by William Croft Dickinson (b0b53jlf)
3. Return at Dusk
During wartime, can a soldier overcome a terrible fear - not of battle - but of a terrifying visitor?
Read by Moultrie Kelsall.
William Croft Dickinson introduces his stories of the supernatural set in Scotland.
Producer: John Gray
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in October 1961.
SAT 19:00 I Am A Storyteller: William Trevor at 80 (b00bqm6t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 The Lee Mack Show (b00bbnvy)
Tony Hadley
Tony Hadley joins the quick-fire comic for stand-up, sketches and music. With Angela McHale and Trevor Crook. From March 2005.
SAT 22:30 Women Talking About Cars (m0001b9c)
Series 3
1. Floella Benjamin
Victoria Coren Mitchell returns with a new series of the interview programme that uses a famous woman's cars as a vehicle to talk about her life. This week Victoria talks to the actress, singer, writer, business woman, and politician Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham, known to millions of Play School viewers as Floella Benjamin.
Floella tells of how her supremely happy childhood in Trinidad turned to unhappiness when her parents left her with a cruel foster family; the joy of being reunited with her mother and father when she came to England; learning to overcome racism with a smile; the freedom that came with passing her driving test; buying and then selling her very own Austin 35; driving around looking for parties in the 60s; appearing in the musical Hair without having to take her clothes off; the power of Play School and the enduring importance of children's TV; the day her husband's dream came true with a vintage Bentley; and why when she became a peer she chose Baroness of Beckenham as her title.
Car descriptions read by Sarah Hadland.
Produced by Gareth Edwards.
A BBC Studios Production, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2018.
SAT 23:00 The Skivers (b007yt85)
Series 2
Adam Ant
The secrets of Des Lynham and Sue Cook are revealed.
Nick Golson and Tim de Jongh's skilful sketch show with special guest Adam Ant – with his greatest hits heard as never before...
Written and performed by Nick Golson and Tim de Jongh.
With Peter Bradshaw and Mel Giedroyc
Producer: Jon Naismith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1995.
SAT 23:30 Guy Browning's Small Talk (b0076n58)
Series 2
How to Get Out More
From popping out in order to stay in, to the delights of camping, the writer shares life-coaching tips. From September 2004.
SAT 23:45 Helen Keen's It Is Rocket Science (b01jhdhr)
Series 2
Episode 4
Last in the series of Helen Keen's quirky comic but true look at the past and future of space exploration.
This week looks at what we could do if a giant asteroid was heading straight for us and looks at where else we might be able to go in the solar system if Earth was destroyed, and how we might get there. And we ask the most searching of all questions, why didn't the dinosaurs avoid extinction by developing a space programme of their own? And if they had, how could a T Rex have flown a spaceship with those tiny arms?
With Helen Keen, Peter Serafinowicz, Susy Kane.
Written by Helen Keen and Miriam Underhill.
Produced by Gareth Edwards.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2012.