SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER 2021

SAT 00:00 The First Church of the New Millennium by Bryan Appleyard (b007jqnc)
Episode 5
As architect Stephen Rix plans his cathedral he makes a dramatic decision about his life.
Read by David Horovitch.
Set in 1999, Brian Appleyard's novel was first published in 1994.
Abridged by Ed Thomason.
Producer Duncan Minshull
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1996.
SAT 00:15 The Testament of Jessie Lamb (b02x9f4n)
5. Action
Society is splintering, apocalyptic sects with fundamentalist, ecological or anti-scientific beliefs are springing up.
Panic, chaos and fear reign.
When Jessie's own world begins to fall apart and her best friend Sal experiences a shocking act of violence, Jessie realises it is time to take action.
Starring Holliday Grainger.
The conclusion of Jane Rogers' dramatisation of her award-winning novel.
Jessie ...... Holliday Grainger
Joe ...... Mark Jordon
Cath ...... Joanne Mitchell
Sal ...... Rebecca Ryan
Baz ...... Oliver Lee
Lisa ...... Nisa Cole
Director: Nadia Molinari
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2013.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b01jhb3j)
The Garden of Eden
The story of the Garden of Eden in Genesis is perhaps the most influential tale ever told.
Its chief components of God, Adam, Eve, the serpent, temptation and a paradise lost still exert a hold on western thinking. But this ancient story has not always been benign in its effects.
Presenter Dominic Arkwright is joined by three experts:
* Novelist Zina Rohan talks about her own investigations about what this story has meant, particularly to women in the west;
* Sean Thomas talks about his search for where the real garden might have been.
* Brook Wilensky-Lanford’s book ‘Paradise Lust’ described the events of the Scopes Trial of 1925 - the famous clash in Dayton, Ohio between Darwinists and creationists that featured an American presidential candidate who declared his belief that Eve was literally made from one of Adam's ribs.
Producer: Miles Warde
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2012.
SAT 01:00 Agatha Christie (b03z91x2)
Ordeal by Innocence
3. On Guard
Now Philip's been found dead, most of the family members believe Dr Calgary was right in believing their late mother's killer is still amongst them.
Everyone is on their guard...
Conclusion of Agatha Christie’s murder mystery.
Dramatised by Joy Wilkinson.
Calgary ...... Mark Umbers
Gwenda ...... Jacqueline Defferary
Kirsten ...... Wanda Opalinska
Hester ...... Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Leo ...... Sean Murray
Mickey ...... Joel MacCormack
Tina ...... Carys Eleri
Mary ...... Priyanga Burford
Huish ...... Michael Bertenshaw
Constable ...... Arthur Hughes
Director: Mary Peate

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.
SAT 01:30 Deep Six (m000fxz4)
4. Framed
Wrongfully framed for a murder, Terry Prince is trying to find out who really did it?
His suspicions fall equally on the government's Internal Security Department and on gangsters from London’s underworld....
Starring Freddie Lees.
John Fletcher’s thriller serial about an ex-SAS agent still hired for special 'jobs'.
Terry ...... Freddie Lees
Thompson ...... John Abineri
Sir James Simpson ...... Conrad Phillips
Hobson ...... David Sinclair
Chris ...... Elwyn Johnson
Fortescue ...... Hubert Rees
Linda Taylor ...... Madeleine Cemm
Directed at BBC Bristol by Brian Miller.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1984.
SAT 02:00 A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce (b09rzxhc)
Episode 5
Stephen attends the spiritual retreat, where Father Arnall describes the details of damnation for sinners.
He feels that every word is meant for him.
James Joyce's autobiographical masterpiece.
Read by Andrew Scott.
Abridged by Sara Davies.
Producer: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2018.
SAT 02:15 D for Dexter (b04nvgq5)
Series 1
Episode 5
Skye has run away after she discovered her Mum had stolen Dexter's cough medicine.
But now she's worried about her baby brother and is coming back for him.
Amanda Whittington's heart-breakingly brave, funny and beautiful story.
Skye...Sydney Wade
Dexter...Elsa Rodgers
Jak...Una McNulty
Evan...Samuel Holland
Alice...Jane Thornton
Mags...Sarah Parks
Lin...Martha Godber
Guitarist: Pip Moore
Director: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.
SAT 02:30 Songlines (b04d4pt1)
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
In 2002, The Wizard of Oz turned 75. John Cavanagh tells the story behind Judy Garland's legendary theme tune.
Features:
Ernie Harburg
Will Friedwald
Deana Rosenburg
Alastair Savage
Martin Taylor
Producer: Caroline Barbour
First broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland in November 2002.
SAT 03:00 Ben Hur (b007jr6d)
4. The King Comes into His Kingdom
After the prince's victory in the chariot race, news arrives of his mother and sister.
Starring Jamie Glover.
Conclusion of Lew Wallace's epic tale.
Dramatised by Catherine Czerkawska.
Ben Hur ...... Jamie Glover
Simonides ...... Bernard Hepton
Balthasar ...... Michael Hordern
Amrah ...... Phyllis Calvert
Mother ...... Margaret John
Esther ...... Deborah Berlin
Tirzah ...... Natasha Pyne
Malluch ...... Gavin Muir
Iras ...... Becky Hindley
Guide ...... Neville Jason
Man at Inn ...... Joshua Towb
Man 1 ...... Don McCorkindale
Man 2 ...... Derek Waring
Man 3 ...... Peter Yapp
Man 4 ...... Peter Whitman
Michael Gambon reads from the Bible.
Music by Wilfredo Acosta.
Director: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1995.
SAT 04:00 Funny You Should Ask (b0b4fbgc)
From 13/08/1979
Peter Jones hosts the entertainment quiz about comedy as he tests a panel of experts:
Roy Hudd, Doris Hare and Dick Vosburgh recall memories of careers and comic colleagues.
Funny You Should Ask ran for 8 series from 1976 to 1982.
Questions compiled by Michael Pointon.
Producer: Bob Oliver Rogers
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in August 1979.
SAT 04:30 In the Red (b007k003)
Episode 3
Anarchic BBC reporter George Cragge probes the murder of another London bank manager.
Meanwhile in Broadcasting House, BBC Controllers are counting on divine intervention to topple the Director General.
London is plagued by a series of bizarre murders of bank managers. Hot on the trail of the killer are old-style Chief Police Inspector Frank Jefferson and BBC Radio's anarchic crime correspondent, George Cragge.
Starring Michael Williams and Barry Foster.
Mark Tavener's blackly humorous murder mystery set in the world of City finance, the BBC and political parties.
Dramatised by his novel by Mark Tavener and Peter Baynham.
George Cragge ...... Michael Williams
Frank Jefferson ...... Barry Foster
Geoffrey Crichton-Potter ...... Stephen Moore
Henry ...... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Max ...... Peter Woodthorpe
Controller Radio 2 ...... Stephen Fry
Controller Radio 4 ...... John Bird
Dominic De'ath ...... Benjamin Whitrow
Hercules Fortescue ...... Nicholas Le Prevost
Andrew James ...... Peter Serafinowcz
Agony Aunt ...... Eva Stuart
Oswald ...... Simon Greenall
Chairman ...... Peter Yapp
Other parts by Oliver Sentona and Alice Arnold.
Music by Paul Mottram
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.
SAT 05:00 Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully (b01r4ycv)
Series 1
Minimum Volume
Katrina Lyons was only visiting Cresdon Green, the village where she grew up, to borrow some money from her parents. But when she tried to head back to London, it turned out alien beings known as the Geonin had lowered a force field around the village and were refusing to let anyone in or out.
Unfortunately almost everyone in the village is too cowardly, apathetic, polite or stupid to stand up to this alien menace, so Katrina has no choice but to start the resistance movement herself. In the cricket pavilion.
Hattie Morahan and Julian Rhind-Tutt star in Eddie Robson's sitcom about an alien invasion of a small English village.
Uljabaan is working on an education programme for after the invasion, creating a list of books suitable for children to read. His chosen advisor is Mrs Leeson from the charity shop. Katrina is confident she could do a better job, and hopes she could use it for subversive purposes - so she volunteers. But can she sneak anything past Uljabaan? And can she convince Lucy she's not really being a traitor?
Katrina Lyons ...... Hattie Morahan
Field Commander Uljabaan ...... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Margaret Lyons ...... Jan Francis
Richard Lyons ...... Peter Davison
Lucy Alexander ...... Hannah Murray
Computer ...... John-Luke Roberts
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 2013.
SAT 05:30 It's Not What You Know (b09w10bc)
Series 5
Episode 3
Joe Lycett tests Melanie Chisholm, Kerry Godliman and Jack Carroll on how well they know their nearest and dearest.
What's Mel C's favourite Spice Girls song, where is Kerry's dream holiday destination and who would play Jack in the film of his life?
All these questions, and more, will be answered in the show hosted by Joe Lycett where panellists' relationships are put to the test...
Produced by Adnan Ahmed.
It was a BBC Studios Production.
SAT 06:00 Al Hunter - However (m0012gdm)
Al Hunter's comedy of love and war set in the Russo-Japanese war.
Starring John Gordon-Sinclair and Willie Rushton.
Andrei's job is to write reports about fictional successes from the front.
When these are believed at home, he accidentally becomes a hero overnight.
Andrei .... John Gordon Sinclair
Czar .... Willie Rushton
Princess Elisaveta .... Alison Dowling
Piotr .... Graham Seed
Trigorin .... David Richard-Fox
Yeltsin .... Timothy Carlton
Lady Karenina .... Avril Clark
Brezhnev .... Timothy Bateson
Kosygin/Gorbachev .... Shaun Prendergast
Andropov .... Norman Jones
Director; Adrian Bean
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1991.
SAT 07:30 Great Lives (b0952qq7)
Series 43
Andrea Catherwood on Constance Markievicz
Constance Markievicz led an amazing life - a leading figure during the Easter Rising of 1916, she was the first woman elected to Parliament though she never took her seat.
Markievicz was born into a wealthy Anglo-Irish family and gained her exotic surname from marriage to a Polish count. She was adventurous, flamboyant, committed to woman's rights, court-martialled and nearly shot.
Nominating her is Andrea Catherwood, ex-ITN correspondent who made her first documentary for BBC Radio 4.
Presented by Matthew Parris.
With Lindie Naughton, author of Markievicz - A Most Outrageous Rebel.
Producer: Miles Warde
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2017.
SAT 08:00 Listomania (b055jtlt)
Series 1
Episode 5
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:
Sarah Millican
Andrew O'Neill
Ricky Wilson
Roisin Conaty
Written by James Kettle and Juliet Meyers with Max Davis and Gabby Hutchinson Crouch.
Producer: Sam Bryant
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 2015.
SAT 08:30 All the Young Dudes (b007r4md)
Series 1
Girls Talk
Patrick and Helen get dragged along to a stag and hen night - for a couple neither of them know.
The lives of Patrick and wife Helen as they settle back into the town where he was born.
Comedy drama written by and starring Jim Sweeney.
Patrick …. Jim Sweeney
Helen …. Cathryn Harrison
Billy …. Steve Steen
Moira …. Sadie Shimmin
Joe …. Stephen Frost
Maria …. Flaminia Cinque
Charlie …. Izzy de Rosario
Siobhan …. Josie Lawrence
Valeriy …. Yuri Klimov
Fake Russian Waiter …. Chris Pavlo
Announcer: Whispering Bob Harris
Producer: Steve Doherty
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2001.
SAT 09:00 The Lives of Harry Towers (m0001wkw)
Best remembered today as the notorious producer of over 100 cheaply made exploitation movies, Harry Alan Towers began his long career in radio.
Using this medium, he created dozens of high quality classic shows including, most famously, The Lives of Harry Lime, starring Orson Welles.
Adam Roche tells the story of Towers’ pioneering and globe-trotting radio career.
From his first successful attempts to get his programmes on air in the late 1930s, via some unwanted attention from American law-enforcement authorities, through to his star-studded productions of the ‘50s.
SAT 12:00 Clare in the Community (b00fslwd)
Series 2
Past Caring
Clare encounters an old friend (but can't remember who she is) and tries to match-make.
It's Brian's birthday and Clare has bought him a pair of tracksuit bottoms and is organising a dinner...
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 30s, 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.
Starring Sally Phillips and Alex Lowe.
Clare ...... Sally Phillips
Brian ..... Alex Lowe
With:
Richard Lumsden
Gemma Craven
Ellen Thomas
Nina Conti
Andrew Wincott
Vicki Pepperdine
Delroy Brown
Producer: Katie Tyrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2005.
SAT 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jpgq)
Series 2
The Day the Balloon Went Up
Captain Mainwaring gets carried away with the platoon's war effort.
The comic exploits of a Second World War Home Guard platoon in Walmington-on-Sea.
Adapted for radio from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's BBC TV scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.
Captain Mainwaring …. Arthur Lowe
Sergeant Wilson …. John Le Mesurier
Corporal Jones …. Clive Dunn
Private Fraser …. John Laurie
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Warden Hodges …. Bill Pertwee
Vicar …. Frank Williams
The Verger …. Edward Sinclair
Squadron Leader …. Michael Knowles
Announcer …. John Snagge
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1975.
SAT 13:00 Archive on 4 (b00sf0tg)
Priestley's Postscripts
Martin Wainwright marks the life of a broadcasting phenomenon - the story of how Yorkshire man JB Priestley became the voice of the nation during the darkest days of the Second World War.
Using original broadcasts, information stored in BBC files and interviews with his son Tom Priestley and step son Nicolas Hawkes, Martin revisits these extraordinary broadcasts and asks why, in spite of their astonishing popularity, Priestley was taken off air?
Producers: Catherine Plane and Phil Pegum.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2010.
SAT 14:00 The Penny Dreadfuls (b07m43rg)
The Curse of the Beagle
In 1831 a 22 year old Charles Darwin set sail on the HMS Beagle for a 5 year voyage that he said changed the course of his life.
He later published his stories of the trip, but in this reimagining comedy trio The Penny Dreadfuls reveal the untold story that Darwin was to keep to himself.
Starring Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck
Charles Darwin ...... Thom Tuck
McCormick ...... Humphrey Ker
Professor Henslow ...... David Reed
Old Mother Trousers ...... Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Written by David Reed with additional material by Humphrey Ker
Producer: Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2016.
SAT 15:00 Susan Calman - Keep Calman Carry On (b09h6k15)
Series 2
Gardening
Susan Calman is the least relaxed person she knows.
She has no down time, no hobbies (unless you count dressing up your cats in silly outfits) and her idea of relaxation is to sit on her sofa playing Assassin's Creed, an hour into which she is in a murderous rage with sky high blood pressure. Her wife had to threaten to divorce her to make her go on holiday, and she's been told by the same long-suffering wife that unless she finds a way to switch off, and soon, she's going to be unbearable.
Susan decided her best bet was to try to immerse herself in the pursuits that her friends find relaxing, to find her inner zen and outer tranquillity.
In her first series, she attempted to find the new Susan Calm, by watching Cricket; going Hillwalking; visiting an Art Gallery and being spontaneous. She enjoyed these pursuits, but all too soon found herself slipping back into her old ways. So she's trying again.
For starters, she’s taking a trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh to learn about Gardening with Val McDermid, in the hope of one day being able to tell her Euphorbia from Euphoria.
In this audience stand up show, Susan reveals how successful she's been - both at relaxing and at the pursuit itself - as well as playing in and discussing a handful of illustrative clips from her efforts.
Written by Susan Calman and Jon Hunter.
Producer: Lyndsay Fenner
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2017.
SAT 15:30 Old Harry's Game (b00j16ky)
Series 7
Episode 4
Why is a baby in Hell?
Only God can bring people back to life, but can God be persuaded?
Andy Hamilton’s devilishly funny sitcom set in Hell.
Satan…. Andy Hamilton
God …. Timothy West
Edith …. Annette Crosbie
Scumspawn …. Robert Duncan
Thomas …. Jimmy Mulville
With Felicity Montagu.
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2009.
SAT 16:00 Al Hunter - However (m0012gdm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Great Lives (b0952qq7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 Algernon Blackwood - The Empty Sleeve (m0012gdp)
"All forms of creative energy are one. And any desire that has grown too strong is dangerous. For the mind - failing to grasp the beloved object by normal means - may break free and attempt... something else!"
A virtuoso violinist’s desire for a rare instrument is irresistible, but there are dire consequences...
Starring Malcolm Hayes.
Algernon Blackwood's tale of the supernatural and the uncanny.
Dramatised by Sheila Hodgson.
Dr. John Silence .... Malcolm Hayes
Stephen Hubbard .... Fraser Kerr
Isadore Hyman .... Peter Woodthorpe
Cabby/Theatre Manager .... Hector Ross
Porter .... Garard Green
Arthur Gilmer .... Haydn Jones
William Gilmer .... Alan Dudley
Producer: Harry Catlin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1975.
SAT 18:45 Playing With Fire by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (b0701mnh)
Regularly every Sunday, Markham and his friends hold a seance in Badderly Gardens.
But one Sunday a Frenchman joins them - and conducts a dangerous experiment.
First published in 1900, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s tale - abridged by Doreen Estall
Read by Edward De Souza
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 – 1930) is best known for his many detective stories about Sherlock Holmes.
Producer: Pat McLoughlin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1989
SAT 19:00 The Lives of Harry Towers (m0001wkw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 The Lee Mack Show (b00bwzv3)
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Sophie Ellis-Bextor joins the quick-fire comic for stand-up, sketches and music. With Angela McHale. From March 2005.
SAT 22:30 Women Talking About Cars (m0001l8h)
Series 3
4. Una Stubbs
Actress, dancer and national treasure Una Stubbs talks to Victoria Coren Mitchell about her remarkable career from Summer Holiday to Sherlock.
With memories of childhood and motherhood, movies and needlework, Una discusses the vehicles she's driven along the way and why these days she has chosen to live car-free.
Readings by Sarah Hadland.
Sadly Una passed away in August 2021.
Producer: Gareth Edwards
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2018.
SAT 23:00 The Skivers (b0080rd1)
Series 2
Spike Milligan
Nick and Tim de Jongh welcome Spike Milligan to the last ever BBC Radio 4 show to be recorded at the famous BBC Paris Studios.
Located in Lower Regent Street, London, this was home to countless BBC shows from Round The Horne to Just A Minute - from 1946 to 1995.
Skilful sketch show written and performed by Nick Golson and Tim de Jongh.
With:
Peter Bradshaw
Mel Giedroyc
Producer: Jon Naismith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1995.
SAT 23:30 Hut 33 (b00lqfm2)
Series 1
Careless Talk
A security breach at Bletchley Park puts the wartime code-breakers under suspicion.
James Cary's sitcom set in Bletchley Park in 1941.
Three code-breakers are forced to share a draughty wooden hut, as they try to break German ciphers. Unfortunately, they hate each other.
Charles …. Robert Bathurst
Archie …. Tom Goodman-Hill
Minka …. Olivia Colman
Gordon …. Fergus Craig
Joshua …. Alex MacQueen
With Miranda Raison.
Producer: Adam Bromley.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2007.