SATURDAY 25 DECEMBER 2021
SAT 00:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jm1h)
The Primary Phase
Fit The Fifth
Arthur and company are blown up, but still find time for a bite at a very exclusive eatery.
Arthur Dent is one of only two survivors from Earth, demolished to make way for a by-pass. He survived thanks to his friend, Ford Prefect (who hails not from Guildford, but somewhere near Betelgeuse), a writer for the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, "the most successful book ever to have come out of the great publishing corporations of Ursa Minor".
Now paired with fellow Earth survivor Trillian and duplicitous two-headed hustler Zaphod Beeblebrox, Arthur and Ford were on the legendary planet Magrathea when the Galactic Police attacked them and an explosion occurred - they find themselves in a restaurant with a rather sensational selling point.
Douglas Adams' epic adventure in time and space.
The Book …… Peter Jones
Arthur Dent …… Simon Jones
Ford Prefect …… Geoffrey McGivern
Zaphod Beeblebrox …… Mark Wing-Davey
Trillion …… Susan Sheridan
Marvin …… Stephen Moore
Garkbit & Zarquon …… Anthony Sharp
Compere at the Restaurant at the end of the Universe …… Roy Hudd
Sound and music by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
Producer: Geoffrey Perkins.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1978.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b01k1nbq)
Tomorrow's World
Dominic Arkwright and writers Bidisha, Mark Mason and Mark C Newton boldly go where no Off the Page has been before: -
From biblical prophecy to the predictions of Nostradamus, we have a fascination with possibility of what the future might hold, and of the wonders of time travel.
In our new venture, Mark C Newton writes a sci-fi piece set in the City of London 100 years from now.
Sci-fi nut Bidisha takes us back a century to the same place, and there she dreams of what life might be like 100 years hence, i.e. now.
And Mark Mason offers his sage thoughts on the great predictions that didn't make the grade, such as Edison's assertion that gold would one day be as commonplace as steel.
With the rate of advancement in technological progress, is science-fiction now just fantasy, or does it serve a broader purpose?
Producer: Sarah Langan.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2012.
SAT 01:00 Down Payment on Death (b007jtl9)
5. The Moment of Truth
Retired hitman, Art Gordo, finally comes face-to-face with his mysterious nemesis.
Starring Dinsdale Landen.
Gripping conclusion of Jim Eldridge's thriller adapted from his own novel.
Art Gordo …. Dinsdale Landen
Louise Lenehan …. Frances Jeater
Paul Le Clerk …. Donald Gee
Sally Le Clerk …. Joanna Wake
Leon Young …. Basil Henson
Forbes …. Douglas Blackwell
Parsons …. Terrence Hardiman
Hotel Porter …. Frank Coda
Charles Allweather …. Glyn Owen
Producer: John Fawcett-Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in May 1976.
SAT 01:30 Hercule Poirot (b007wzgh)
Dead Man's Folly
4. Another Murder?
Hercule Poirot is convinced that yet another murder has been committed and Ariadne Oliver is about to startle him with fresh information.
But the great Belgian detective's little grey cells need to work in a different direction if he is to solve the mystery surrounding Nasse House.
Conclusion of Agatha Christie's whodunit starring John Moffatt.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Ariadne Oliver ...... Julia McKenzie
Mrs Folliat ...... Rosalind Knight
Alec Legge ...... John Dougall
Mrs Tucker ...... Christine Kavanagh
Marilyn Tucker ...... Nicola Holmes
Lady Stubbs ...... Amanda Waring
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2007.
SAT 02:00 Maeve Binchy Short Stories (b01pcwrh)
5. Euston
Christmas leads Mary to reflect on the family she has not seen in 20 years.
A seasonal story written by Maeve Binchy - one of Ireland's most-loved authors.
Read by Frances Tomelty
Abridged by Di Spears.
Producer: Sarah Johnson
First broadcast ion BBC Radio 4 in December 1997.
SAT 02:15 D for Dexter (b082kbyr)
Series 3
Episode 5
Skye tells Dexter they're safe, even though it's dark and they can hear strange noises.
But she's not sure if she believes it.
Amanda Whittington's heart-breakingly brave, funny and beautiful story exploring the issue of neglect.
Skye...Sydney Wade
Dexter...Alfie Johnson
Joe...Bill Rodgers
Jak...Una McNulty
Dean...Peter Caulfield
Amber...Liz Godber
Ant...John Elkington
Director: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2016.
SAT 02:30 Stars of Wonder (b06s9j7b)
Miranda Sawyer explores the magic of that enduring British ritual, the school nativity play.
Charlie Higson, Samira Ahmed, Simon Armitage, Tracey Thorn, Rory McGrath, Clare Grogan and Mark Billingham are among those inspired - or scarred - by the experience.
Northworld Primary School in London's Hackney opens its doors to reveal the inside story of its 2015 production from casting to opening night.
A Trevor Dann's Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2015.
SAT 03:00 Drama (b085trpc)
Rumpole
Rumpole and Memories of Christmas Past
Rumpole shares some of his favourite yuletide poetry, carols, and pantomime stories as he recounts seasonal legal cases which reveal, as always, the true nature of men, women, children - and She Who Must Be Obeyed!
Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt.
Written by John Mortimer.
Dramatised by Richard Stoneman.
Rumpole …. Julian Rhind-Tutt
Hilda/Peggy …. Jasmine Hyde
Donald Compton/Judge Bullingham/Basil Wrigglesworth …. Stephen Critchlow
Erskine-Brown/Gwent-Evans …. Nigel Anthony
Rev. Roger Longstaff/D.I. Cartwright/Campbell Forsyth …. Ewan Bailey
Director: Marilyn Imrie
A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2016.
SAT 03:45 The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen (b01pfwn0)
Out in the woods amongst his many large companions, a nice little fir tree is keen to grow up. Read by Paul Copley.
SAT 04:00 Quote... Unquote (m0001114)
From 5/11/2018
Nigel Rees quizzes his celebrity guests on the origins of sayings and well-known quotes, and gets the famous panel to share their favourite anecdotes and quotes.
With:
Award-winning writer of the Vicar of Dibley: Paul Mayhew-Archer
Broadcaster and author: Francine Stock
Comedian: Phil Wang
Producer: Simon Nicholls
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2018.
SAT 04:30 In the Red (b007k0hz)
Episode 5
A crucial by-election result is due, as the murders continue - but reporter George Cragge is on the case.
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
Laetitia ...... Victoria Carling
Caroline ...... Susie Brann
Home Secretary ...... Peter Yapp
Auntie Agony ...... Eva Stuart
Controller BBC 1 ...... Ian McNiece
PA Woman ...... Annabel Mullion
With Alice Arnold, Richard Turner and Tim Hope.
Music by Paul Mottram
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1995.
SAT 05:00 Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully (b01rr495)
Series 1
Little Green Lights
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.
Eddie Robson's sitcom about an alien invasion of a small English village.
Starring Hattie Morahan and Julian Rhind-Tutt.
Uljabaan's superior officer Gryvook is coming for an assessment visit. Uljabaan is hoping to get the go-ahead to invade the rest of Earth - but first he has to prepare a welcome banquet. Tradition dictates he should serve a human child... which could create an awkward atmosphere in the village.
Meanwhile Richard is helping him with the invasion budget, and the figures just aren't adding up. It seems set to be a disaster - can Katrina exploit this to get the invasion cancelled permanently?
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
Special guest: Geoff McGivern
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 2013.
SAT 05:30 Love in Recovery (b06s9szk)
Christmas Eve
Heart-warming comedy drama set in Alcoholics Anonymous on Christmas Eve, written by Pete Jackson and inspired by his own road to recovery. Starring Sue Johnston, John Hannah, Eddie Marsan, Rebecca Front, Paul Kaye and Julia Deakin.
It's Christmas Eve and the church hall is empty – except for self-appointed group leader Andy, who's waiting for the rest of his Alcoholics Anonymous group to turn up. Just in case anyone needs him. After all, Christmas can be a difficult time for recovering alcoholics – especially when your support group is this load of idiots.
But nothing proves more difficult than this particular Christmas Eve as, one by one, the members arrive, each with a different reason for seeking out the meeting hall. But whatever their troubles, one thing is clear - no one is there for a meeting.
Writer Pete Jackson is a recovering alcoholic and has spent time in Alcoholics Anonymous. It was there he found, as most people do, support from the unlikeliest group of disparate souls, all banded together due to one common bond. As well as offering the support he needed throughout a difficult time, AA also offered a weekly, sometimes daily, dose of hilarity, upset, heartbreak and friendship.
There are many different kinds of AA meetings. Love in Recovery is about meetings where people tell their stories. There are funny stories, sad stories, stories of small victories and milestones, stories of loss, stories of hope, and those stories that you really shouldn't laugh at - but still do, along with the storyteller.
A second series of Love in Recovery will return to Radio 4 next year.
Cast:
Marion........Julia Deakin
Fiona..........Rebecca Front
Simon.........John Hannah
Julie............Sue Johnston
Danno.........Paul Kaye
Andy............Eddie Marsan
Written and created by Pete Jackson
Producer/Director: Ben Worsfield
A Lucky Giant production for BBC Radio 4
SAT 06:00 Drama (m0001rjt)
Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology
‘And the game begins anew…’
We meet the trickster god Loki and his astonishing children – the giant wolf Fenrir, Jormungundr the snake that encircles the world, and Hel, the little girl who grows up to be Queen of the dead.
We meet Odin the all-father, who sacrificed his eye to see the future, and Freya the understandably angry, most beautiful of the gods and always being gambled for by unwanted suitors. And the stories take us to the very end of the world, Ragnarok.
Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology invites us into a world of gods and monsters, fiery endings and new beginnings, tricks and trust.
Diana Rigg, Derek Jacobi, Colin Morgan and Natalie Dormer lead a stellar cast, inviting us into these stories of old betrayals – and new hope.
Also featuring Neil Gaiman himself.
Dramatised by Lucy Catherine.
Teller ….. Diana Rigg
Odin ….. Derek Jacobi
Freya ..... Natalie Dormer
Loki ….. Colin Morgan
Thor ….. Nathaniel Martello-White
Balder ….. Luke Newberry
Thrym ….. Nonso Anozie
Fenrir ….. Rhashan Stone
Heimdall …..Tayla Kovacevic -Ebong
Mimir ….. Don Gilet
Sif ….. Lucy Doyle
The Stranger ….. Lewis Bray
Brokk ….. Michael Bertenshaw
Hel ….. Alexandra Constantinidi
Eitri ….. Cameron Percival
Angrboda ….. Saffron Coomber
Magnus ….. Eviee Lavery
Young Hel ….. Grace Doherty
Radio ….. Neil Gaiman
Sound Design: Wilfredo Acosta
Director/ Producer: Allegra McIlroy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2018.
SAT 07:30 Great Lives (m0001qvy)
Series 47
Mark Steel on Charlie Chaplin
Mark Steel makes the case for Charlie Chaplin being one of the most radical comedians of his time.
He reckons it's sad that most see Chaplin as that bloke who wore a bowler hat, had a funny walk, waved a cane around and wasn’t even that funny. Mark argues that Charlie Chaplin’s silent films and his "Tramp" character make sense if you look at the upheavals in society that were occurring alongside his career.
Mark is best known for the Mark Steel Lectures and Mark Steel's in Town. He says that while Chaplin was standing up for the working class, the irony was that he became the richest rebel.
Presenter Matthew Parris is also joined by Simon Louvish - author of ‘Chaplin: The Tramps Odyssey’.
Producer: Perminder Khatkar
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Christmas Day 2018.
SAT 08:00 Quote... Unquote (m0012mw7)
Quote... Unquote: A Celebration
BBC Radio 4 Extra marks the end of an era for the long-running literary panel game, Quote… Unquote.
Quote… Unquote was devised by Nigel Rees, who chaired every one of its 500 episodes. Becoming a 57 series staple on the airwaves since January 1976, its aim was to reflect all aspects of the English language and the humour derived from it. Deliberate or otherwise.
Hundreds of guests appeared in the show’s 45-year history, including Tom Stoppard, Kenneth Williams and Neil Ninnock. The actor William Franklyn read the quotes and extracts until his death in 2006. From that point, familiar Radio 4 continuity and news readers took over the role, the most recent being Charlotte Green.
Devised and introduced by Nigel Rees
Produced by James Robinson
A BBC Studios Production
New to 4 Extra.
SAT 08:30 All the Young Dudes (b007s74l)
Series 1
Waterloo Sunset
It's the end of the line for Patrick, but Joe and Maria might, just might, have some good news for everyone.
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
Mrs Fleming ...... Jenny Lee
Producer: Steve Doherty
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2001.
SAT 09:00 Sue Perkins' Christmas Comedy Stocking (b007jzvz)
1/2
Sue Perkins gets the sherry and chocolates out to accompany 3 hours of the very best vintage BBC Christmas comedy crackers:
* Radio Active's Christmas Turkey:
The National Local Radio Station links up with Bethlehem and visits some poorly hospital patients.
Stars Helen Atkinson-Wood, Geoffrey Perkins and Angus Deayton.
From 1983.
* The Masterson Inheritance Christmas Special:
The Masterson family's ancient culture reveals some curious customs. Improvised historical saga
Stars Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence, Caroline Quentin and Jim Sweeney.
From 1995.
* Lines from My Grandfather Christmas' Forehead:
How even the best laid festive plans can go awry - and a message from your milkman.
Stars Ronnie Barker, Pauline Yates and Terence Brady.
From 1971.
* Tony Hawks' Twelve Days of Christmas:
To make his girlfriend happy, comedian Tony Hawks tries collecting every item featured in the famous carol.
From 2001.
* I'm Sorry I Haven't a Christmas Carol:
Humphrey Lyttelton makes for a convincing scrooge in the all-star Clue cast's unique interpretation of the Charles Dickens classic. Stephen Fry narrates.
With Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer, Sandi Toksvig, Linda Smith, Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy, Tony Hawks and Graeme Garden.
From 2003.
Producer: Sarah Wade
Produced for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in December 2010.
SAT 12:00 The Goon Show (b00fyvxb)
Series 6
The International Christmas Pudding
An eccentric millionaire funds an expedition for fragments of a famous dessert.
Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.
Starring:
Spike Milligan
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe.
First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.
With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.
Announcer: Wallace Greenslade
Producer: Peter Eton
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service on 15th November 1955.
SAT 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jzys)
Bill and Father Christmas
It's a far from festive season as Bill gets a shock from overhearing the blabbermouth Lad.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Hattie Jacques and Warren Mitchell.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott. Recorded by the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Producer: Tom Ronald
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in December 1958.
SAT 13:00 The Forum (w3cswpth)
Moomin Creator Tove Jansson
Tove Jansson was a Finnish-Swedish author and illustrator best known for her children's books about the Moomins.
These white, hippo-like characters live in the imaginary world of Moominvalley where they subtly challenge social norms and utter philosophical statements such as "I knew nothing, but I believed a lot."
While the Moomins brought Jansson worldwide fame in the 20th century, she was also a painter, an accomplished novelist and a political cartoonist who took risks poking fun at Hitler. Her work often mirrored her private life in which she defied stereotypes of the time by working and earning money for her family, travelling alone, and having relationships with both men and women.
Joining Rajan Datar to discuss the life and works of Tove Jansson are her niece, Sophia Jansson; Boel Westin - a professor of children's literature from Stockholm University and the author of the authorised biography of Tove's life called Life, Art, Words; and British children's author Philip Ardagh, author of The World of Moominvalley.
Plus Mayumi Tomihara - an expert on Tove Jansson from Tokyo's Sacred Heart University who has translated many of Tove's adult novels into Japanese.
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in March 2019.
Photo: Finnish illustrator Tove Jansson in a self-portrait with her Moomin characters (© Moomin Characters™)
SAT 13:40 Charles Dickens (m0012mts)
A Christmas Tree
A festive tale by Charles Dickens about looking into the tree, beyond the lights and baubles, and seeing many a curious thing...
Read by Oliver Ford Davies
Abridged and produced by Duncan Minshull
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in December 2004.
SAT 14:00 The Penny Dreadfuls (b0bgb26r)
Don Quixote
Published in two volumes in the early 17th Century, Cervantes' Spanish classic Don Quixote is famous as the world's first modern novel.
It's a ground-breaking piece of art that influenced countless generations of writers and at 800 plus pages of dense prose, one of the most unreadable novels ever.
Never fear! David Reed has read it so that you don't have to and condensed this mighty tome into an hour's rip-roaring entertainment.
It's a meditation on the age of chivalry, insanity and truth. A quest of windmills, magic and donkeys.
Join peasant Sancho and the man who thinks he's a Knight as they travel together locked together in a quest to save those who don't want saving and unravel enchantments which may or may not only exist in their minds.
Sylvester McCoy stars as Don Quixote.
Sancho ...... Thom Tuck
Narrator ...... Amanda Abbington
All other roles played by The Penny Dreadfuls:
Humphrey Ker
David Reed
Thom Tuck
And:
Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Vivienne Acheampong
Producer: Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2018.
SAT 15:00 Conversations from a Long Marriage (m0001qhh)
Conversations from a Long Marriage at Christmas
Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam play a couple who have been married ‘for ever’.
Children of the 60s, they’re still free spirits, drawn together by their passion for music and each other.
A two-hander, we follow their dangling conversations, as they prepare for Christmas 'à deux', open their Christmas cards, dissect their neighbours' relationships – and Joanna reveals she’s planned some rather surprising activities for Christmas Day because ‘All I want for Christmas is you’
A late-night phone call means that her Christmas wish may not be granted
Written for Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam by award-winning comedy writer and journalist Jan Etherington - who’s been married for 34 years to Gavin Petrie, with whom she has created many hit radio and TV series (Second Thoughts, Next of Kin, Faith in the Future, The Change).
Producer: Claire Jones
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2018.
SAT 15:30 Old Harry's Game (b00wqfn8)
1. Christmas Spirit
Satan decides to ban Christmas in Hell.
Andy Hamilton’s devilishly festive two-parter set in Hell.
Satan ..... Andy Hamilton
Edith ..... Annette Crosbie
Scumspawn ..... Robert Duncan
Thomas ..... Jimmy Mulville
With Felicity Montagu, Nick Revell, Philip Pope and Michael Fentons Stevens.
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2010.
SAT 16:00 Drama (m0001rjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Great Lives (m0001qvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 Henry James (m0000xnh)
The Turn of the Screw
A governess is sent to care for two orphaned children in a remote country estate.
She soon becomes convinced that forces of evil want to take possession of the children but her struggle to protect them from harm leads to a devastating conclusion.
Henry James's haunting tale dramatised by Linda Marshall Griffiths
Henry James ...... John Lynch
The Governess ...... Kate Phillips
Lord / Peter Quint ...... Jake Ferretti
Mrs Grose / Miss Jessel ...... Krissi Bohn
Flora ...... Poppy O'Brien
Miles ...... Elijah Wolf
Sound design: Steve Brooke
Director: Nadia Molinari
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2018.
SAT 19:00 Sue Perkins' Christmas Comedy Stocking (b007jzvz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 The Lee Mack Show (b00c4cd2)
Toyah Willcox
Lee Mack presents stand-up comedy, sketches and music.
With:
Toyah Willcox
Noel Britton
Angela McHale
Music by Steve Brown, Mark Allis and Kevin Powell.
Written by Lee Mack.
Additional material by Neil Webster.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in April 2005.
SAT 22:25 Comedy Club Extra (m0012nlp)
Christmas Crackers
Harriet Kemsley
Harriet Kemsley is our Christmas fairy - did all her Christmas wishes come true?
SAT 22:30 Ida Barr: Artificial Hip Hop (b00v1qvw)
Choice
Ida Barr is a music hall singer who has embraced hip hop and rap, reflecting the cultural diversity of London's East End, where she has been living in retirement for several decades.
With her genuine love of talking to people, Ida sets out investigate a new topic in each episode, creating a unique brand of music-hall, hip-hop fusion with beat boxer Shlomo.
Ida’s subject this time is "Choice".
Written by and starring Christopher Green as Ida Barr.
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2010.
SAT 22:45 Paperback Hell (b0076ch5)
Series 1
Paddy Murphy's Ghost by Frank Moran
A series of four chapters by four different authors, all of them imaginary, all of them straight out of the bestseller charts - and none of them very good.
This time, Paddy Murphy's Ghost by Frank Moran - a surprisingly popular tale of a miserable Irish childhood.
Starring:
Michael Fenton Stevens
Rebecca Front
Mel Hudson
Alex Lowe
Dan Tetsell
Ghost-written by Danny Robins and Dan Tetsell.
Producer: Lucy Armitage
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2003.
SAT 23:00 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b09jrkr8)
Bedbugs and Drumsticks
Former variety star Count Arthur gets the opportunity to audition for a Christmas production of Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
What could possibly go wrong?
Starring Steve Delaney.
Count Arthur and his erstwhile protégé Malcolm are surrounded by a host of regular characters created by his Radio Repertory Company.
Written by Steve Delaney and edited by Graham Duff.
Count Arthur Strong …... Steve Delaney
Malcolm …... Terry Kilkelly
With:
Mel Giedroyc
Alastair Kerr
Dave Mounfield
A Komedia Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2017.
SAT 23:30 Hut 33 (b00lxzyd)
Series 1
Food
The code-breakers think of some new ways to improve wartime rations.
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 Lill Roughley and Lewis MacLeod
Producer: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2007.
SUNDAY 26 DECEMBER 2021
SUN 00:00 Henry James (m0000xnh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 The Forum (w3cswpth)
[Repeat of broadcast at
13:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:40 Charles Dickens (m0012mts)
[Repeat of broadcast at
13:40 on Saturday]
SUN 02:00 The Penny Dreadfuls (b0bgb26r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Saturday]
SUN 03:00 Conversations from a Long Marriage (m0001qhh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:00 on Saturday]
SUN 03:30 Old Harry's Game (b00wqfn8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:30 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 Drama (m0001rjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 05:30 Great Lives (m0001qvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Maeve Binchy Short Stories (Omnibus) (m0012ns0)
Omnibus of five short stories written by one of Ireland’s most revered writers, Maeve Binchy.
1. Dolly’s Mother. Read by Stella McCusker [1992]
2. Home Coming, Read by Sean Campion [2001]
3. The White Trolley. Read by Jenny Agutter [1998]
4. The Feast of Stephen. Read by Jenny Agutter [1998]
5. Euston. Read by Frances Tomelty [1997]
Producers: Eoin O’Callaghan, Heather Brennon, Pam Fraser Solomon and Sarah Johnson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 between 1992 and 2001.
SUN 07:10 The Fly-By-Night by Terry Jones (m0012ns2)
A little girl takes a magical ride with a strange little creature, riding on the back of a flying cat. Read by Terry Jones.
An enchanting tale written and read by Terry Jones.
First broadcast on BBC Radio Wales in December 2013.
SUN 07:20 D for Dexter (Omnibus) (b083gzg5)
Series 3
Skye knows Dexter needs a proper breakfast, but there's no milk and Mum hasn't got a pound. So it's cornflakes with water, again. Or toast. With no spread.
Skye is 13, and she's growing up. Dexter's four. They live in Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. They've been back with Mum, Jak, for a while now, because she doesn't drink any more, except loads of coffee and coke. Jak doesn't cook either, and she's never hungry.
The only thing Skye misses about school is the free dinners, but she doesn't go very often because she likes to keep an eye on Dexter. Sometimes she thinks about the time they were in foster care. The foster carers were really annoying but they were always cooking. And Dexter was always eating.
Then Jak announces she's having a night out. She's going to the Psychic Supper at the Centre. Skye doesn't care what the spirits will say but she'd like to know what's for supper.
A heart-breakingly brave, funny and beautiful story by Amanda Whittington.
Developed with the help of Can Cook, an organisation that receives funding for specific projects from BBC Children in Need.
Omnibus of five parts.
Skye...Sydney Wade
Dexter...Alfie Johnson
Jak...Una McNulty
Uncle Dean...Peter Caulfield
Boy...Harry Steel
Dog Man...John Elkington
Shelagh...Sarah Parks
Kim/Clare...Jane Godber
Riley...Hattie
Director: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on Radio 4 in November 2016.
SUN 08:30 A Life of Bliss (m000945w)
Pleasure As Usual
David is roped in when his father and Tony decide not to wear fancy dress at a costume ball.
George Cole stars in Godfrey Harrison's sitcom about bashful, bumbling bachelor David Alexander Bliss.
David Bliss .... George Cole
Anne Fellows .... Diana Churchill
Tony Fellows .... Colin Gordon
Zoe Hunter .... Sheila Sweet
'Psyche' the Dog .... Percy Edwards
Mrs Bliss .... Gladys Young
Mr Bliss .... Carleton Hobbs
Griselda Saltmarsh .... Sheila Manahan
Brinsley Tavistock .... Tony Vickers
Quentin Massingham .... Rolf Lefebvre
The BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenhoulet.
Six series of 118 episodes of A Life of Bliss ran on the BBC Home Service from 1953. It moved to BBC TV for a run of six episodes in 1969.
Sadly very few episodes survive in the BBC archive.
Producer: Leslie Bridgmont
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in April 1959.
SUN 09:00 The Clitheroe Kid (m0012ns4)
Series 5
Too Many Crooks
Schoolboy Jimmy sparks criminal chaos over some cash ‘stolen’ from the local grocer.
Starring the diminutive Jimmy Clitheroe.
Legendary sitcom about Lancashire’s eternal cheeky schoolboy who lives with his Mother, sister and Grandad.
At its peak, ten million fans tuned in each week to hear Jimmy’s latest scheme sparking havoc.
Written by James Casey and Frank Roscoe
The Kid Himself …. Jimmy Clitheroe
Mother …. Patricia Burke
Grandad …. Peter Sinclair
Susan …. Diana Day
Danny Ross …. Alfie
Theodore Craythorpe/Harry Whittle …. Leonard Williams
With Tony Melody, Brian Trueman and Jack Woolgar.
Theme music by Alan Roper and played by the BBC Northern Dance Orchestra directed by Alan Ainsworth.
Producer: James Casey
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in January 1962.
SUN 09:30 Reluctant Persuaders (m0000mmf)
Series 3
1. Ideas for Life
Welcome back to Hardacre's, the worst advertising agency in London.
Edward Rowett's award-winning sitcom returns for a third series.
Series two ended in euphoria, as Hardacre's secured their biggest ever account - the Cosmos X10 smartphone. Now there's a reality check, as the team realise how woefully ill-equipped they are to handle a client of this magnitude.
Accounts manager Amanda Barnes immediately sets to work hiring new staff, while agency chief and creative director Rupert Hardacre heads into London's Soho to secure new and grander premises.
Meanwhile on the creative side, copywriter Joe Starling begins to doubt his ability to deliver work for an account this size, despite reassurance from his art director and best friend Teddy Beech leading Joe to take drastic action.
Hardacre …... Nigel Havers
Joe …... Mathew Baynton
Amanda …... Josie Lawrence
Teddy …... Rasmus Hardiker
Doctor …... Holly Morgan
Barista …... Andrew Nolan
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.
SUN 10:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b04hbxzv)
Absent Friends 2021
Dame Fanny Waterman
From Bach to Britten.
Leeds International Piano competition founder Dame Fanny Waterman shares her castaway choices with Kirsty Young
It was during a sleepless night, more than 50 years ago, that she came up with the idea of launching a piano competition in Yorkshire.
Since then it's become a world renowned event and been a springboard for many of our most celebrated pianists including Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia.
Even at 90, she was still teaching masterclasses and continued to be involved with every detail of the competition.
"They call me Field Marshal Fanny" she says, "I am a busy breeches."
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2010.
SUN 10:45 The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry (m0001r7k)
Series 12
The Horrible Hangover
"My name is Ava and I've never had a hangover," writes Ava Karuso. "I'm a 25 year-old Australian and I enjoy going out for drinks. However, the next day when everyone else sleeps in and licks their wounds, I get up early and get right back to my normal routine.”
Drs Rutherford and Fry investigate the ancient origins of alcohol, from Sumerians drinking beer through straws, to Aristotle's teachings ‘On Intoxication’.
But what can modern science tell us about how alcohol affects our brains? What causes the morning-after hangover and do some drinks make you feel worse than others? Are there any hangover cures that have been scientifically validated?
Featuring health psychologist and hangover researcher Sally Adams, chemist Andrea Sella and science writer Adam Rogers, author of 'Proof: The Science of Booze'.
Presenters: Hannah Fry, Adam Rutherford
Producer: Michelle Martin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2018.
SUN 11:00 The Moth Radio Hour (m000l13d)
Series 10
The Call
True stories told live in the USA: Sarah Austin Jenness introduces stories of ringtones, rekindled connections, and revolution.
The Moth is an acclaimed not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling based in the USA. Since 1997, it has celebrated both the raconteur and the storytelling novice, who has lived through something extraordinary and yearns to share it. Originally formed by the writer George Dawes Green as an intimate gathering of friends on a porch in Georgia (where moths would flutter in through a hole in the screen), and then recreated in a New York City living room, The Moth quickly grew to produce immensely popular events at theatres and clubs around New York City and later around the USA, the UK and other parts of the world.
The Moth has presented more than 15,000 stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. The Moth podcast is downloaded over 27 million times a year.
Featuring true stories told live on stage without scripts, from the humorous to the heart-breaking.
The Moth Radio Hour is produced by Jay Allison and Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and is distributed by the Public Radio Exchange.
First broadcast in the USA in 2019.
SUN 11:55 The Fly-By-Night by Terry Jones (m0012ns2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:10 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m0012ns8)
Between the Ears - Yuletide in the Land of Ice and Fire
Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and selects Between the Ears - Yuletide in the Land of Ice and Fire. Acclaimed Icelandic poet and author Gerður Kristný journeys into the curious world of Iceland's Christmas myths.
With not one but thirteen Santa Clauses, troll-like figures who sneak down from the mountains to make mischief at Christmas and a 'Yule Cat' who prowls through the snow looking for lazy people to eat, there are myriad fantastical - and sometimes sinister - festive tales indigenous to Iceland.
Creeping down from the mountains one by one over the thirteen nights before Christmas, Iceland's Jólasveinar, or 'Yule Lads' are eccentric characters out to make mischief. From 'Door Slammer' to 'Spoon Licker', 'Sausage Swiper' to 'Meat Hook', the Yule Lads - part of Icelandic folklore stretching back centuries - can be mischievous and menacing, stealing from pantries, playing pranks and scaring children.
These days they are known to leave gifts in children's shoes (or a potato in the case of the badly-behaved) but their parents - evil ogress Grýla and her lazy husband Leppalúði - are still the subject of frightening tales, known to eat naughty children. Even their pet Yule Cat prowls the country's towns and villages looking for lazy people to eat.
With music, sound, poetry and accounts from Icelanders bringing the tales to life, Gerður Kristný guides an atmospheric exploration of Iceland's festive stories, providing insight into unique Icelandic cultural traditions and revealing larger, universal, questions about folklore and why we tell scary stories.
Award-winning poet and author Gerður Kristný won the 2010 Icelandic Literature Prize for her poetry book Blóðhófnir, which is based on an ancient Nordic myth. She has also written award-winning novels and short stories for both children and adults.
Produced by Lorna Skingley
A Smooth Operations production first broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in 2015.
SUN 12:30 HR (b00hls1b)
Series 1
An Away-Day
Senior manager Peter and his HR officer Sam hate team away-days, but equally fear performing badly and putting their jobs at risk.
But is it a good idea to practise bonding skills while inebriated?
Nigel Williams’ comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter ...... Jonathan Pryce
Sam ...... Nicholas Le Prevost
Director: Peter Cavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.
SUN 13:00 The Lore of the Land (Omnibus) (m0012nsb)
An examination of the enduring relevance of the creatures of British folklore.
Omnibus of five episodes with medieval literature scholar Dr Carolyne Larrington:
She begins in Shropshire at the foot of the mighty Wrekin, in search of the most prolific landscape shapers in British folk tales - the giants.
In Marden, she explores freshwater mermaids and other folkloric creatures that are said to live in Britain's rivers and ponds.
Next In Windsor Great Park, where folkloric creatures are said to lurk in Britain's woodlands and forests.
In Orkney, where folkloric creatures are said to dwell in the sea and on the shore.
Finally in North Yorkshire, Dr Carolyne explores the folkloric creatures said to reside on Britain's farms.
Producer: Max O'Brien
A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2015.
SUN 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (b07djq70)
Don McLean
Singer-songwriter Don McLean chooses 'White Christmas' by Bing Crosby and 'Don't Be Cruel' by Elvis Presley.
SUN 14:20 Young Victoria by Juliet Ace (Omnibus) (b00xlw19)
Episode 1
The reflections of the young Victoria as she turns 16...
A portrait of this extraordinary queen's younger life and happy years of her marriage, reveals some of her remarkable and long-lasting achievements.
Written by Juliet Ace, based on the letters and diaries of the young Queen Victoria.
Starring Imogen Stubbs.
Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes.
Victoria ........ Imogen Stubbs
Duchess of Kent ........ Anna Massey
Prince Albert ........ Adrian Lukis
Baroness Lehzen ........ Selina Cadell
Sir John Conroy ........ John Rowe.
Melbourne ........ Christopher Cazenove
WAG ........ Andrew Wincott
William IV ........ Terence Edmond
Prince of Wales Bertie ........ Thomas Arnold
Princess Vicky ........ Clare Corbett
Prince of Wales Bertie as a child ........ George Allonby
Producer: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2001.
SUN 15:30 Alice Is Still in Wonderland (b06pb5pw)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has become an icon of British culture - the bizarre story and flamboyant illustrations have inspired all kinds of imagery, fashion, architecture, theatre, decoration and events.
But its sinister undercurrents and dreamscape have also impressed artists and musicians.
Lead singer and songwriter of alternative rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, Siouxsie Sioux, explores the strange allure of Lewis Carroll's book, first published in 1865.
"From 8 onwards, I returned to those pictures of strange, impossible animals and freakish, devious adults as I followed the solitary, brave girl, from one weird encounter to the next. I was struck that Alice could grow or shrink at the bite of a cake or the sip of a drink - my body was changing by the day and I was desperate to be older and taller, like my sister, as I wobbled around in my mum’s high heels. The Mad Hatter, the Dozy Dormouse, the Mock Turtle, the Duchess’ baby pig and playing croquet with flamingos as mallets all made me laugh and I loved the floating head of the grinning Cheshire Cat who couldn't be beheaded.
But there was something else that drew me into Wonderland that I couldn’t have named then, though I sensed its irreverence - something darker about adults and their rules and their craziness and endless unreasonableness. Alice was an ally and the book helped me dream myself out of the London suburbs." Siouxsie Sioux
Siouxsie Sioux travels to Oxford to retrace Lewis Carroll's inspiration and influence. With an Un-Oxford soundtrack.
Made to mark the 150th anniversary of the book’s publication.
A Cast Iron Radio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2015.
SUN 16:00 Hans Christian Andersen - The Snow Queen (b00pgyd8)
Gerda sets off into the wide world to find her playmate Kay.
She's been seduced away by the powerful Snow Queen to her ice palace in the far north.
Starring Diana Rigg.
Hans Christian Andersen's wintry fairy tale dramatised by Berlie Doherty.
Narrated by Dirk Bogarde. .
Snow Queen ……. Diana Rigg
Kay (Grown Up) ……. Joshua Towb
Gerda (Grown Up) ……. Deborah Berlin
Grandmama ……. Margaret John
Baa-Baa ……. Bill Patterson
Finn Woman ……. Kristin Milward
Robber Queen ……. Peter Woodthorpe
Crow ……. Paul Copley
Crow Sweetheart ……. Natasha Pyne
Prince ……. Oliver Senton
Robber Girl ……. Emma Wray
Troll ……. Gavin Muir
Troll ……. Don McCorkindale
Robber ……. George Parsons
Kay (child) ……. James Cohen
Gerda (child) ……. Samantha Glen
Boys:
Robbie Gill
David Cooper
Adam Morley
Laurence Amias
The story was the inspiration for Disney's Oscar-winning animated film, Frozen.
Music by David Chilton.
Produced by Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1994.
SUN 17:00 Poetry Extra (m0012ns8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:00 today]
SUN 17:30 HR (b00hls1b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 today]
SUN 18:00 Jerome K Jerome - After Supper Ghost Stories (b0868pcg)
It’s Christmas Eve, 1891.
In Laburnum Grove, Tooting, Uncle John's whisky-punch and Aunt Maria's toasted lobsters are not the only frights on the menu...
Jerome K. Jerome’s ghostly tale.
Dramatised by Paul Wetherby.
Narrator …. Dinsdale Landen
Uncle John …. Geoffrey Matthews
Aunt Maria …. Linda Polan
Mr Coombes …. Roger Hammond
Teddy Biffles …. Jonathan Tafler
Mr Scrubbles …. David Holt
The Ghost of a Sinful Man …. John Baddeley
Pianist: Neil Brand
Director: David Blount
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.
SUN 18:45 A Dreadful Night by Anton Chekhov (b0868d54)
Returning home from a seance one Christmas Eve, Ivan Spektroff is horrified by what’s waiting for him.
Alec McCowen reads Anton Chekhov's atmospheric short story.
Producer: Matthew Walters
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in January 1990.
SUN 19:00 The Moth Radio Hour (m000l13d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
SUN 19:55 The Fly-By-Night by Terry Jones (m0012ns2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:10 today]
SUN 20:00 Hans Christian Andersen - The Snow Queen (b00pgyd8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 today]
SUN 21:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b04hbxzv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
SUN 21:45 The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry (m0001r7k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
SUN 22:00 HR (b00hls1b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 today]
SUN 22:25 Comedy Club Extra (m0012nsd)
Christmas Crackers
Jon Holmes
Jon Holmes is our Boxing Day Elf on the Shelf (and radio) - how have his leftovers been?
SUN 22:30 Bridget Christie's Christmas List (b06s9s00)
Father Christmas helps Bridget bring about a feminist Christmas for 2015, whether he wants to or not.
Written by and starring Bridget Christie.
Featuring (much to their surprise):
Miles Jupp
Robin Ince
Jon Culshaw
Leo Wan
A Christmas show for everyone. Even men.
Producer: Alexandra Smith
A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2015.
SUN 22:45 The Demon Cakestand of Beastley Chase (b008f8hb)
A festive tale from the Mausoleum Club. Could Sir Henry's cake adoration be his downfall? Stars Stephen Fry. From December 1984.
SUN 23:00 The Harpoon (b00g31qh)
Christmas Special
A glowing Yuletide feast in the pages of the golden magazine's bumper Christmas special.
Enjoy the snow-capped lettering and a silver sixpence hidden in the middle.
With:
Susie Brann
Alistair McGowan
Mary Elliot-Nelson
Peter Baynham
Julian Dutton
Producer: Sarah Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1991.
SUN 23:30 The Museum of Everything (b007k425)
Series 2
The Dig
Discover the results of a ‘live’ archaeology dig and visit a very liberal safari park.
Written and performed by:
Marcus Brigstocke
Danny Robins
Dan Tetsell.
With Lucy Montgomery.
Music by Dominic Haslam and Ben Walker.
Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2005.
MONDAY 27 DECEMBER 2021
MON 00:00 Jerome K Jerome - After Supper Ghost Stories (b0868pcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:45 A Dreadful Night by Anton Chekhov (b0868d54)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:45 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 The Lore of the Land (Omnibus) (m0012nsb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
13:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:10 Inheritance Tracks (b07djq70)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:10 on Sunday]
MON 02:20 Young Victoria by Juliet Ace (Omnibus) (b00xlw19)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:20 on Sunday]
MON 03:30 Alice Is Still in Wonderland (b06pb5pw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:30 on Sunday]
MON 04:00 Hans Christian Andersen - The Snow Queen (b00pgyd8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Poetry Extra (m0012ns8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 HR (b00hls1b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Father Brown Stories (b00f0sgw)
Series 2
The Perishing of the Pendragons
Mystery afloat as a Cornish family's curse starts to unravel.
Who will come into his rightful inheritance - and will Father Brown be in time to avert a tragedy?
Andrew Sachs stars as Father Brown,
GK Chesterton's stories of an amateur clerical sleuth with an uncanny understanding of the criminal mind at work.
Dramatised by John Scotney
Father Brown ...... Andrew Sachs
Flambeau ...... Olivier Pierre
The Admiral ...... Edward Kelsey
Sir Cecil Fanshaw ...... Brian Hewlett
Tregear ...... Keith Kraushaar
Tommy/Walter ...... James Goode
Directed at BBC Bristol by Alec Reid.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1986
MON 06:30 Detective (b0blv0cz)
Series 4
1. Surveillance
When heavies from different firms gather, DS Brook and his colleagues suspect a major blag is on the cards.
Starring Ray Brooks and Stephen Garlick.
Robert Barr’s stories of crime and detection in London
Featuring long-serving, ducking-and-diving Detective Sergeant Dave Brook with his new partner, Detective Constable Tully.
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Tully …. Stephen Garlick
DS Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
DS Dean …. David Simeon
Inspector Wade …. David Sinclair
Steve …. Trevor Nichols
Commander …. Bernard Brown
Robert Barr is best remembered for his work on BBC TV's crime serials 'Z-Cars' and 'Softly Softly'.
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1985.
MON 07:00 Reluctant Persuaders (m0000ngj)
Series 3
2. Happiest Place On Earth
The mood at Hardacre’s advertising agency is black.
After losing the biggest account of their careers – the Cosmos X10 smartphone – the team have slid back down the greasy pole and find themselves once again serving only the smallest and least interesting clients around.
While Joe, Amanda and Hardacre continue to feel sorry for themselves, Teddy is determined to lift their spirits. Appointing himself chief morale officer, he sets out to brighten the mood at the agency with a succession of increasingly ill-advised morale-boosting schemes.
What starts with an innocuous Hawaiian shirt day soon snowballs into a team-building and bonding exercise none of the staff will ever forget.
Hardacre ...... Nigel Havers
Joe ...... Mathew Baynton
Amanda ...... Josie Lawrence
Teddy ...... Rasmus Hardiker
Laura ...... Olivia Nixon
WPC and Crystal ...... Holly Morgan
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.
MON 07:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m0012ny7)
Series 76
Episode 4
Back for a second week at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre, Marcus Brigstocke and Rory Bremner are joined on the panel by Pippa Evans and Andy Hamilton, with Jack Dee the unimpressed umpire. Piano accompaniment is provided by Colin Sell. Producer - Jon Naismith. It is a BBC Studios production.
MON 08:00 Marriage Lines (b061ygcr)
Series 2
Episode 5
George and Kate get in a tizzy showing-off baby Helen.
Starring Richard Briers and Prunella Scales.
Richard Waring’s sitcom based on the mutual love and mistrust of two newlyweds.
Originating on BBC TV, it ran between 1963-65 and was adapted in two series for BBC radio due to its popularity.
George …. Richard Briers
Kate …. Prunella Scales
Nora …. Heather Chasen
Peter …. Ronald Hines
Harry …. Fraser Kerr
Sheila …. Carole Boyd
Producer: Charles Maxwell
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in April 1967.
MON 08:30 Second Thoughts (b007jzst)
The Fight Before Christmas
Faith's children and Bill's ex-wife threaten her dream of a perfect festive lunch.
Starring Lynda Bellingham and James Bolam.
A festive edition of the sitcom about the lives of two middle-aged divorcees.
Faith …. Lynda Bellingham
Bill …. James Bolam
Liza …. Belinda Lang
Hannah …. Julia Sawalha
Joe …. Mark Denham
Richard …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Hilary …. Geraldine Fitzgerald
Inspired by the real lives of its writers, husband and wife Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie.
A TV version made by LWT for ITV ran from 1991.
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.
MON 09:00 It's Your Round (b01b8zw3)
Series 2
Episode 6
Angus Deayton presides over the show where the format is, there isn't one.
Instead, each of the four panellists has brought their own round for the other panellists to play. How will each round play out? And, more importantly, who will be beaten at their own game?
Featured rounds in this episode:
Alex Horne's "Font, Fighter or Fragrance" in which panellists are given a word and they must guess whether that word refers to a typographical font, the name of a Gladiator from ITV's show "Gladiators" or a "Lynx deodorant" fragrance.
Roisin Conaty's "Four Second Pitch" in which panellists have but four seconds to pitch Angus the elements of an idea for a blockbuster film and a new religion.
Paul Sinha's "World Record Recall" in which panellists have to fill in the missing details from the description of a real record from the Guinness Book of World Records.
And Rufus Hound's "Which Lady Done Say That Thing" in which panellists must guess which audience member said a certain phrase. As the title suggests.
Producer: Sam Michell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2012.
MON 09:30 Getting Nowhere Fast (b007k1xx)
Series 2
Episode 3
Pamela hoists the Union Flag to commemorate the demise of Thatcher and a tidal wave of competitive capitalism engulfs the bistro.
The CyberPass becomes a lean machine as Merv goes on a course and creates an internal market.
Dibden gets a Loyalty Card for Services to Drink.
Chantal sells Free Range Adult Magazines and even Neville takes to the street in a surge of private enterprise.
Sitcom written by and starring Mervyn Stutter.
Merv ...... Mervyn Stutter
Pam ...... Lill Roughley
Dibden ...... John Challis
Chantal ...... Tracy-Ann Oberman
PC Dilkes ...... Michael Mears
Nev ...... Gyuri Sarossy
Producer: Mario Stylianides
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2003.
MON 10:00 Neil Gaiman - Stardust (b07xs23j)
Part 1
Challenged to retrieve a fallen star by the beautiful Victoria Forester, to whom he has lost his heart, Tristran Thorn leaves his home in the sleepy English village of Wall and crosses into the mysterious and magical land of Faerie.
But when Tristran locates the fallen star he discovers it is no mere meteorite, but an injured young woman, Yvaine.
Tristran, however, is not the only person to have seen and be in pursuit of the fallen star. Deep in Faerie, Morwanneg the witch queen, is also hunting the star, whose heart she plans to cut out to restore youth to herself and her sisters.
High on Mount Huon, Primus, Tertius and Septimus, the three living heirs to the realm of Stormhold, seek out the star to claim the right to their recently deceased father’s kingdom, and each will stop at nothing – not even murder – to ensure they are the only brother left in the running for the throne!
With Yvaine’s life in danger, she and Tristran find themselves embarking on an extraordinary adventure, full of danger and intrigue as they flee across Faerie.
Encountering Little Hairy Men, witches, and lightning-hunting sky pirates along the way, Tristran is about to uncover the secret to his own identity and a fate beyond his wildest dreams at his journey’s end.
Neil Gaiman's fantasy novel dramatised in two parts by Dirk Maggs.
Narrator ...... Eleanor Bron
Tristran ...... Matthew Beard
Yvaine ...... Sophie Rundle
Sound Design: Wilfredo Acosta and Dirk Maggs
Directors: Dirk Maggs &Heather Larmour
Producer: Heather Larmour
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2016.
MON 11:00 TED Radio Hour (m0013gh7)
Series 8
A Century of Money
A journey through fascinating ideas based on talks by riveting speakers on the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) stage.
Manoush Zomorodi explores recessions, depressions, bubbles, and blue skies - how can we build a more stable financial future?
First broadcast in the USA on National Public Radio in 2020.
MON 11:50 Inheritance Tracks (m0012nyc)
Miriam Margolyes
Actress Miriam Margolyes chooses MacCrimmon's Lament and Cecilia Bartoli singing Agitata Da Due Venti by Vivaldi.
MON 12:00 Marriage Lines (b061ygcr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
MON 12:30 Second Thoughts (b007jzst)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
MON 13:00 Father Brown Stories (b00f0sgw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
MON 13:30 Detective (b0blv0cz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
MON 14:00 Letters From Tove (m000c9np)
Episode 1
Out of the thousands of letters Moomin creator Tove Jansson wrote, a cache remains that she addressed to her family, her dearest confidantes, and her lovers, both male and female.
Into these, she spilled her innermost thoughts, defended her ideals and revealed her heart.
To read these letters is both an act of startling intimacy and a rare privilege.
Penned with grace and humour, Letters from Tove offers an almost seamless commentary on Tove Jansson's life as it unfolds within Helsinki's bohemian circles and her island home.
Spanning 50 years between her art studies and the height of Moomin fame, we hear the bleakness of war, the hopes for love that were dashed and renewed, and her determined attempts to establish herself as an artist.
Translated from the Swedish by Sarah Death.
Abridged by Polly Coles
Read by Sarah Lambie
Producer: Clive Brill
A Brill production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2019.
MON 14:15 D for Dexter (b09dtd3r)
Series 4
Episode 1
Jak is drinking again, so Skye has to look out for Dexter. She never knows if her mum is going to be in, out, or out of it.
Last night she didn't come home at all. Doesn't bother Skye. Her mum can do what she wants: it's her life. Except it's Dexter's life too, and if social services find out how bad things are, they might come and take him away again.
Skye is 14 and Dexter's five, and they live in Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. Dexter has just started school, so Skye has to drop him off and pick him up, because Jak can't do it. She'd never remember and if by some miracle she did, the teachers would see her and then there'd be questions. Luckily Skye's been excluded from her school, so she can keep an extra close eye on what's going on at home and make sure Dexter's where he should be.
She needs to be on her toes, because you never know who Jak might bring home next.
The story was developed with the help of Footsteps 2000, an organisation that supports young people who are affected by a loved one's substance misuse, and receives funding for specific projects from BBC Children in Need.
The fourth of 7 series by Amanda Whittington.
Sydney Wade … Skye
Alfie Johnson … Dexter
Zoe Johnson … Shanice
Una McNulty … Jak
Etta Fusi … Leanne
Julie Riley … Mia
Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong … Mr Doshi
Octavia Bettis … Nasty Girl
Music by Smashing Pumpkins and Beyoncé, performed by Tom Constantine.
Director: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on Radio 4 in November 2017.
MON 14:30 What the Scandinavians Know About Children's Literature (b01dtls8)
Why does Scandinavian children's literature 'punch above its weight' in terms of worldwide sales, and why does it have a particularly unique voice?
From the super-human strength of Pippy Longstocking by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren to the strange Finnish animals dreamt up by Tove Jansson in the Moomin stories, and the anarchic Wild Baby created by Barbro Lindgren and Eva Eriksson.
It began with probably the best known storyteller for children - Hans Christian Andersen - continued with the work of Elsa Beskow, the Swedish Beatrix Potter, and is alive today in the books of authors like Gro Dahle.
According to Professor Maria Nikolajeva, a senior editor for the Oxford Encyclopaedia of Children's Literature, Scandinavian books are not rooted in the world of fantasy, like other children's stories. It's often grounded in a slightly skewed reality in which the childlike characters exhibit 'magical' talents. And she claims that the Scandinavian culture of respect for the child, the history of the region, and those long winters, have had a profound effect on the character of its literature.
Presented by Mariella Frostrup.
Producer: Helen Lee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2012.
MON 15:00 Neil Gaiman - Stardust (b07xs23j)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
MON 16:00 It's Your Round (b01b8zw3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
MON 16:30 Getting Nowhere Fast (b007k1xx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
MON 17:00 Reluctant Persuaders (m0000ngj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
MON 17:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m0012ny7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
MON 18:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jm2k)
The Primary Phase
Fit The Sixth
Arthur and company escape from a war, but exactly what have they escaped to?
Arthur Dent is one of only two survivors from Earth, demolished to make way for a by-pass. He survived thanks to his friend, Ford Prefect (who hails not from Guildford, but somewhere near Betelgeuse), a writer for the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, "the most successful book ever to have come out of the great publishing corporations of Ursa Minor".
They've managed to escape from Restaurant at the End of Universe on the Black Ship only to find themselves where they never thought they'd be, only 2 million years earlier. What on earth are they going to do when face to face with 'how, why and where phases' of galactic development?
Douglas Adams' epic adventure in time and space.
The Book …… Peter Jones
Caprain of the 'B' Ark ..... David Jason
His Number One and Management Consultant …… Jonathan Cecil
Arthur Dent …… Simon Jones
Ford Prefect …… Geoffrey McGivern
Zaphod Beeblebrox …… Mark Wing-Davey
Trillion …… Susan Sheridan
Marvin …… Stephen Moore
The Number Two and hairdresser …… Aubrey Woods
The Marketing Girl …… Beth Porter
Sound and music by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
Producer: Geoffrey Perkins.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1978.
MON 18:30 A Good Read (b02ykrf0)
Colin Murray and Bob Mills
Harriett Gilbert and her guests - sports presenter, Colin Murray and comedian, Bob Mills - discuss their favourite books by Richard Brautigan, Georgette Heyer and Kazuo Ishiguro.
In Watermelon Sugar by Richard Brautigan
Publisher: Vintage
These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer
Publisher: Arrow Books
An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro
Publisher: Faber
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2013.
MON 19:00 Marriage Lines (b061ygcr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Second Thoughts (b007jzst)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
MON 20:00 Father Brown Stories (b00f0sgw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
MON 20:30 Detective (b0blv0cz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
MON 21:00 TED Radio Hour (m0013gh7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
MON 21:50 Inheritance Tracks (m0012nyc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:50 today]
MON 22:00 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m0012ny7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
MON 22:25 Comedy Club Extra (m0012nyh)
Christmas Crackers
Jake Yapp
As we enter the Festive Wilderness Jake Yapp tells us what he's been up to over Christmas.
MON 22:30 Life With Lederer (m0012nym)
4. The Dinner Party
Cookbook and bottle in hand, Helen Lederer nervously prepares a supper party.
Written by Helen Lederer, Roger Planer and Richard McBrien.
With:
Malcolm Raeburn
Nigel Carrington
Barbara Dryhurst
Sandra Maitland
Produced at BBC Manchester by Paul Z Jackson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1990.
MON 22:45 Date With Fate (b0092wr7)
Love Bites
We've all been visited by the doubt that perhaps we've chosen a less than perfect soul-mate
Martin's proposal to his girlfriend does not go according to plan.
Harold Wing Pinero is your host.
The last of four comic close encounters with fate written by Gary Parker and Phil Whelans.
Harold Wing Pinero …. Charles Gray
Martin …. Paul Raffield
Wendy …. Gillian Bevan
Journalist/Sheila …. Tracy Wiles
Liam …. James Nesbitt
Others …. Stephen Critchlow
Guitar played by Tim Hope.
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast in BBC Radio 4 in March 1996.
MON 23:00 Dead Ringers (m0012nyr)
Christmas Specials 2021
The Multiverse Special
A "Today programme" special which takes a satirical look back at recent events in alternative earths around the multiverse. There are worlds in which England attempts to break free from the yoke of Scottish rule, the most serious pandemic is man flu, Love Island is an important world power, Ronnie Corbett is worshipped as a god and TV series Succession is also wildly popular - but not as you would know it.
Performed by Jon Culshaw, Lewis Macleod, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson and Duncan Wisbey.
Written by Nev Fountain and Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden and Tom Coles, Edward Tew, Sophie Dickinson, Rob Darke, Dan Audritt and Kat Butterfield, Cody Dahler, and Duncan Wisbey.
Producer... Bill Dare
Production Coordinator... Caroline Barlow
Sound Designer... Rich Evans
A BBC Studios Production
MON 23:45 Creme de la Crime (b007yvm3)
Series 1
The Bells and St Clement
Michael Feydeau and David Pershore review an ancient curious case of a fallen monk.
Tales from the vaults of villainy.
Written by and starring Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis.
With:
Emma Kennedy
Simon Greenall
Director: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2001.
TUESDAY 28 DECEMBER 2021
TUE 00:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jm2k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 A Good Read (b02ykrf0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Father Brown Stories (b00f0sgw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Detective (b0blv0cz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Letters From Tove (m000c9np)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:15 D for Dexter (b09dtd3r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 What the Scandinavians Know About Children's Literature (b01dtls8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Neil Gaiman - Stardust (b07xs23j)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 It's Your Round (b01b8zw3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Getting Nowhere Fast (b007k1xx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Reluctant Persuaders (m0000ngj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Monday]
TUE 05:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m0012ny7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Father Brown Stories (b00f0sgy)
Series 2
The Arrow of Heaven
An American millionaire safe in his fortress, death threats, a murky past and a bolt from the blue.
Father Brown, on his first visit to the United States, unravels the mystery and exposes thereby a mire of hypocrisy.
Stars Andrew Sachs as Father Brown.
GK Chesterton's stories of an amateur clerical sleuth with an uncanny understanding of the criminal mind at work.
Dramatised by John Scotney.
Father Brown ...... Andrew Sachs
Barnard ...... Ed Bishop
Harris ...... Guy Gregory
Wendell ...... Andrew Branch
Norman Drage ...... Sean Prendergast
Brander Merton ...... Richard Durden
Peter Wayne ...... Johnny Myers
Matt ...... Harry Towb
Customs Officer ...... Tim Reynolds
Directed at BBC Bristol by Alec Reid.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1986.
TUE 06:30 Detective (b0blv6vl)
Series 4
2. A Family Affair
DS Brook investigates a series of brutal attacks after the death of a local crime lord whose ill-gotten gains go missing...
Starring Ray Brooks and Stephen Garlick.
Robert Barr’s stories of crime and detection in London
Featuring long-serving, ducking-and-diving Detective Sergeant Dave Brook with his new partner, Detective Constable Tully.
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Tully …. Stephen Garlick
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
Paul Garratt …. Brian Croucher
Mr Finch …. David Garth
Tommy …. Robin Summers
Mr Wilkins …. David Sinclair
Tony Peters …. Trevor Nichols
Tommy Adler …. Tommy Adler
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in July 1985.
TUE 07:00 Small Scenes (b072n66g)
Series 3
Episode 2
More overblown, melodramatic scenes from modern life.
Meet the woman who uncovers the conspiracy behind cryptic crosswords, discover the real reason that dairy products have pictures of cows on them plus a man who's addicted to giving lifts.
Award-winning sketch show.
Starring:
Daniel Rigby
Mike Wozniak
Cariad Lloyd
Henry Paker
Jessica Ransom
Written by Benjamin Partridge, Henry Paker and Mike Wozniak, with additional material from the cast.
Producer: Simon Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.
TUE 07:30 The Missing Hancocks (m0012p1b)
Series 4
The Christmas Eve Party
The Missing Hancocks recreates those episodes of the classic Hancock's Half Hour that have been wiped or lost from the archive.
The first modern sitcom, Hancock's Half Hour made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Ray Galton and Alan Simpson as one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history. But 20 episodes of the show were missing from the BBC archives. Now, after four highly successful series, the final batch of those episodes have been lovingly re-recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC Radio Theatre.
Tonight's episode: When Hancock throws a noisy party his neighbours, full of the Christmas spirit, take him to court.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, and with the classic score re-recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, the show stars Kevin McNally, Kevin Eldon, Simon Greenall, Robin Sebastian and Margaret Cabourn-Smith. The Christmas Eve Party was first broadcast on the 28th December, 1954.
Produced by Neil Pearson & Paul Sheehan.
Written by Ray Galton & Alan Simpson
Music recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Levon Parikian.
A BBC Studios Production.
TUE 08:00 The Goon Show (b007jln0)
The Greatest Mountain in the World
Neddie Seagoon attempts to climb a peak even higher than Everest.
Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.
With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.
Announcer: Wallace Greenslade
Producer: Peter Eton
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in March 1954.
TUE 08:30 Molesworth (m000g4js)
Leisure
Leisure means watching sport on TV with plenty of beer and cigs, not playing it.
School boy 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
Fotherington Thomas …. Phil Nice
Louise …. Penelope Nice
Darryl …. Robert Harley
Peason …. Bob Sinfield
Lucinda …. Chrissy Robert
Music by Oonagh Bernon
Producer: Mark Robson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1987.
TUE 09:00 The Food Quiz (m0001r4f)
Christmas Special 2005
What is the correct pastry for mince pies?
How many extra miles you need to walk to burn off extra Christmas calories?
Jay Rayner grills four contestants with festive culinary conundrums.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Giorgio Locatelli
Charita Jones
Michele Roberts
Producer: Alice Feinstein
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2005.
TUE 09:30 The Mitch Benn Music Show (b007w3z1)
Series 1
6. Phil Nichol
From Toy Dolls to John Shuttleworth.
Musical comedian Mitch Benn presents his selection of some of the finest comic songs by other performers.
With guest Phil Nichol.
Producer: Ed Morrish
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in August 2005.
TUE 10:00 Neil Gaiman - Stardust (b07xs2g4)
Part 2
Realising the fallen star is in danger from dark forces in the land of Faerie, Tristran sets out to rescue Yvaine before she falls into their clutches.
Neil Gaiman's fantasy novel dramatised by Dirk Maggs.
Challenged to retrieve a fallen star by the beautiful Victoria Forester, to whom he has lost his heart, Tristran Thorn leaves his home in the sleepy English village of Wall and crosses into the mysterious and magical land of Faerie.
But when Tristran locates the fallen star he discovers it is no mere meteorite, but an injured young woman, Yvaine.
Tristran, however, is not the only person to have seen and be in pursuit of the fallen star. Deep in Faerie, Morwanneg the witch queen, is also hunting the star, whose heart she plans to cut out to restore youth to herself and her sisters.
High on Mount Huon, Primus, Tertius and Septimus, the three living heirs to the realm of Stormhold, seek out the star to claim the right to their recently deceased father’s kingdom, and each will stop at nothing – not even murder – to ensure they are the only brother left in the running for the throne!
With Yvaine’s life in danger, she and Tristran find themselves embarking on an extraordinary adventure, full of danger and intrigue as they flee across Faerie. Encountering Little Hairy Men, witches, and lightning-hunting sky pirates along the way, Tristran is about to uncover the secret to his own identity and a fate beyond his wildest dreams at his journey’s end.
Narrator ...... Eleanor Bron
Tristran ...... Matthew Beard
Yvaine ...... Sophie Rundle
Sound Design: Wilfredo Acosta and Dirk Maggs
Directors: Dirk Maggs &Heather Larmour
Producer: Heather Larmour
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2016.
TUE 11:00 The Supernatural North (b091wdfk)
Our imaginations tend to be more like medieval maps than modern ones. They team with myth and fantasy, dragons and anthropophagi. So, as our minds follow the compass point on the map North what is it that we see?
Anodyne manufactured images of Santa and his elves, reindeer sleighs streaking across starry skies, snowmen and children "walking in the air", and polar bears frolicking in crystal caves of ice? Or are our thoughts drawn to the deeper and darker lore of the True North of mountain trolls, demons and direwolves, white witches and white walkers, snow queens and Sámi shamans?
Radio 3 New Generation Thinker Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough journeys to Arctic Norway in search of the supernatural world that haunts the imagination of writers such as Philip Pullman, AS Byatt, CS Lewis, Hans Christian Andersen and the authors of the medieval Icelandic sagas.
Following the trail of a 9th century Norseman called Ohthere, who travelled along the northern coast of Norway and down to the White Sea in Russia, Eleanor sets out from the coastal city of Tromsø in northern Norway. But whereas Ohthere wanted to survey the land and acquire walrus ivory, reindeer and exotic furs, Eleanor is looking for a stranger North - a place inhabited by mountain trolls, witches and giants.
Featuring:
AS Byatt, author of Ragnarok;
Philip Pullman, author of Northern Lights;
Professor Peter Davidson of Aberdeen University and author of The Idea of North
Dr Carolyne Larrington of Oxford University, a specialist in the Icelandic sagas
Professors Rune Hagen, Tromso University
Richard Holt of Tromso University
Artist Jeffrey Vallance
Readers: Elaine Claxton and Paul Heath.
Producer: Philippa Ritchie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in August 2014.
TUE 11:45 Christmas With... (b04vk9nm)
Clare Barker
Clare has had enough; it's the 29th December and it's high time Christmas was packed up for another year. Social work doesn't just stop because it's the festive season, but will a chance encounter bring back a bit of seasonal magic?
Sally Phillips is Clare Barker the social worker who has all the right jargon but never a practical solution.
In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.
Clare ...... Sally Phillips
Brian ...... Alex Lowe
Nali ...... Nina Conti
Old Man / Father Christmas ...... Hugh Bonneville
Son ...... Shaun Mason
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden
Producer Alexandra Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2014.
TUE 12:00 The Goon Show (b007jln0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 12:30 Molesworth (m000g4js)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Father Brown Stories (b00f0sgy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Detective (b0blv6vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 14:00 Letters From Tove (m000c9rf)
Episode 2
In spring 1939 Tove Jansson leaves for Italy.
She feels the lure of Renaissance art, but war is on its way so there is no time to lose. She travels via Berlin and Munich to Verona.
Out of the thousands of letters Moomin creator Tove Jansson wrote, a cache remains that she addressed to her family, her dearest confidantes, and her lovers, both male and female.
Into these, she spilled her innermost thoughts, defended her ideals and revealed her heart.
To read these letters is both an act of startling intimacy and a rare privilege.
Penned with grace and humour, Letters from Tove offers an almost seamless commentary on Tove Jansson's life as it unfolds within Helsinki's bohemian circles and her island home.
Spanning 50 years between her art studies and the height of Moomin fame, we hear the bleakness of war, the hopes for love that were dashed and renewed, and her determined attempts to establish herself as an artist.
Translated from the Swedish by Sarah Death.
Abridged by Polly Coles
Read by Sarah Lambie
Producer: Clive Brill
A Brill production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2019.
TUE 14:15 D for Dexter (b09dxz1g)
Series 4
Episode 2
Even though she's drinking and she's mostly out of it, Jak knows that Leanne is bad news.
But still, she's made Skye move in to Dexter's room and now Leanne thinks everything is hers. She won't stop talking and smoking weed.
But Skye knows something even worse. She knows what's in Leanne's bin bags.
Amanda Whittington's heart-breakingly brave, funny and beautiful story exploring the issue of neglect.
Sydney Wade … Skye
Alfie Johnson … Dexter
Zoe Johnson … Shanice
Una McNulty … Jak
Etta Fusi … Leanne
Julie Riley … Mia
Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong … Mr Doshi
Octavia Bettis … Nasty Girl
Music by Smashing Pumpkins and Beyoncé, performed by Tom Constantine.
Director: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
TUE 14:30 Iceland's Dark Lullabies (b09jcnpr)
At the darkest time of the year in Iceland scary creatures come out to play.
Storyteller Andri Snær Magnason used to be terrified by his grandmother's Christmas tales of Gryla the 900 year old child eating hag and her 13 troll sons - the Yule Lads - who would come down from the mountains looking for naughty children in the warmth of their homes. These dark lullabies partly hark back to a pre-Christian Christmas when people worshipped the Norse gods.
As Iceland opens up to global influences after centuries of isolation Andri travels from farmstead to lava field and reflects on these traditions: whether the elves still crash your house to throw a Christmas party or the cows still talk on New Year's Eve; and what happens when you have to spend Christmas alone, locked inside Ikea?
Featuring the Graduale Nobile Choir conducted by Árni Heiðar Karlsson
Additional sound design by Phil Channell.
Producer: Neil McCarthy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2017.
TUE 15:00 Neil Gaiman - Stardust (b07xs2g4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
TUE 16:00 The 3rd Degree (b01rqnf1)
Series 3
University of Edinburgh
A lively and funny quiz show, hosted by Steve Punt, where a team of three University students take on a team of three of their professors.
Coming this week from the University of Edinburgh, the specialist subjects are Biological Sciences, History of Art and International Relations and the questions range from Lady Chatterley and Aubrey Beardsley through to laughing gas and Carly Rae Jepson.
The rounds vary between Specialist Subjects and General Knowledge, quickfire bell-and-buzzer rounds, and the 'Highbrow and Lowbrow' round cunningly devised to test not only the students' knowledge of current affairs, history, languages and science, but also their Professors' awareness of television, film, and One Direction.
The resulting show is funny, fresh, and not a little bit surprising, with a truly varied range of scores, friendly rivalry, and moments where students wished they had more than just glanced at that reading list.
The host Steve Punt, although best known as a satirist on The Now Show, is also someone who delights in all facets of knowledge, not just in the Humanities (his educational background) but in the sciences as well. He has made a number of documentaries for Radio 4, on subjects as varied as "The Poet Unwound - The History Of The Spleen" and "Getting The Gongs" (an investigation into awards ceremonies), as well as a comedy for Radio 4's Big Bang Day set in the Large Hadron Collider, called "The Genuine Particle".
Producer: David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2013.
TUE 16:30 The Mitch Benn Music Show (b007w3z1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Small Scenes (b072n66g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
TUE 17:30 The Missing Hancocks (m0012p1b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
TUE 18:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jm34)
The Secondary Phase
Fit The Seventh
Who hasn't been confronted with a temporal anomaly while drunk? Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect struggle to work it out.
The show that began with the end of the world continues with Arthur and Ford stranded on prehistoric earth, and Zaphod Beeblebrox and Marvin thoroughly devoured by a carbon-copy of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal.
The Book …. Peter Jones
Arthur Dent …. Simon Jones
Ford Prefect/ Frogstar Robot …. Geoffrey McGivern
Marvin …. Stephen Moore
Zaphod Beeblebrox …. Mark Wing-Davey
Assistant Arcturan Pilot …. Bill Paterson
Captain/ Receptionist/Lift …. David Tate
Roosta …. Alan Ford
The global multi-media success story that is 'Hitchhiker's' started life on Radio 4 in March 1978. 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.
The answer to the meaning of life, the universe and everything is 42. If you work out what the Ultimate Question is, please let us know.
Radiophonic sound and music by Paddy Kingsland.
Producer: Geoffrey Perkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1978.
TUE 18:30 Soul Music (b03zy246)
Series 18
Crazy
"It's the kind of music that makes you feel like you're just hurting so good"
People of different ages reflect on why the pop country classic 'Crazy' made famous by Patsy Cline brings out such strong emotions in them.
Featuring a young woman mourning the loss of a father's love after divorce - and broadcaster Fiona Phillips reflects on losing her father to Alzheimer's disease.
87 year old Wayne Rethford met Patsy Cline in 1961 and two years later happened upon the crash site where she died after her plane came down in a heavy storm in Tennessee.
"That music becomes embedded in your soul" he says.
Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact
Producer: Maggie Ayre
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2014.
TUE 19:00 The Goon Show (b007jln0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Molesworth (m000g4js)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 20:00 Father Brown Stories (b00f0sgy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Detective (b0blv6vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 21:00 The Supernatural North (b091wdfk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
TUE 21:45 Christmas With... (b04vk9nm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:45 today]
TUE 22:00 The Missing Hancocks (m0012p1b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
TUE 22:25 Comedy Club Extra (m0012p1f)
Christmas Crackers
Iain Lee
Iain Lee shares his Christmas Crackers with the Comedy Club
TUE 22:30 Susan Calman - Keep Calman Carry On (b09jvvny)
Series 2
Birdwatching
Susan Calman is the least relaxed person she knows. Unless she finds a way to switch off, and soon, her wife says 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.
So now she’s going birdwatching with the writer and comedian Emma Kennedy.
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.
TUE 23:00 The Maltby Collection (b00czc0j)
Series 1
Episode 6
A popular TV detective series comes to film at the museum and its super-suave star takes a fancy to Prunella, leaving Rod and Julian feeling marginalised.
Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt and Geoffrey Palmer.
David Nobbs’ sitcom about a small art museum staffed by eccentrics and obsessives.
Rod Millet ...... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Walter Brindle ...... Geoffrey Palmer
Prunella Edgecumbe ...... Rachel Atkins
Julian Crumb-Loosely ...... Ben Willbond
Des Wainwright ...... Michael Smiley
Eva Tattle ...... Julia Deakin
Wilf Arbuthnot ...... Geoff McGivern
Stelios Constantinopolis ...... Chris Pavlo
Jeremy Noone ...... Hugh Dennis
Clive ...... Neil Fitzmaurice
Arabella ...... Eve Dallas
Nick ...... Jot Davies
Charlie Tattle ...... Barry Cryer
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2007.
TUE 23:30 Concrete Cow (b0076js0)
Series 1
Episode 3
The real reason for the discovery of America, the dangers of Tarot, finding lost polar explorers and Lesser Known Novels.
Sketch show made by actors reading out scripts in front of an audience, who laughed, and then keeping the good bits.
Starring
Olivia Colman
Robert Webb
Sally Hawkins
Steven Kynman
Chris Pavlo
Written by James Cary, Sally Hawkins, Catherine Shepherd, Ashley Blake, Jon Holme and Robin Ince.
Producer: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2002
WEDNESDAY 29 DECEMBER 2021
WED 00:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jm34)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Soul Music (b03zy246)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Father Brown Stories (b00f0sgy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Detective (b0blv6vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Letters From Tove (m000c9rf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:15 D for Dexter (b09dxz1g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 Iceland's Dark Lullabies (b09jcnpr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Neil Gaiman - Stardust (b07xs2g4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 The 3rd Degree (b01rqnf1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 The Mitch Benn Music Show (b007w3z1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Small Scenes (b072n66g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:30 The Missing Hancocks (m0012p1b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp3p)
Series 2
The Mistake of the Machine
A suspect is locked away, but has a prison governor got the right man? Can Father Brown discover the answer as he makes his way across America?
Stars Andrew Sachs as Father Brown.
GK Chesterton's stories of an amateur clerical sleuth with an uncanny understanding of the criminal mind at work.
Dramatised by John Scotney
Father Brown ...... Andrew Sachs
O'Connor ...... TP McKenna
McGurk ...... Billy Boyle
Usher ...... Don Fellows
Prisoner ...... Brian Haines
Todd ...... Ed Bishop
Butler ...... Manning Wilson
Convict ...... Stuart Organ
Directed at BBC Bristol by Alec Reid.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1986.
WED 06:30 Detective (b0blv8k4)
Series 4
3. Search Warrant
DS Brook is obliged to assist The Flying Squad – The Sweeney - but he's troubled by plans for the operation.
Starring Ray Brooks and Stephen Garlick.
Robert Barr’s stories of crime and detection in London
Featuring long-serving, ducking-and-diving Detective Sergeant Dave Brook with his new partner, Detective Constable Tully.
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Tully …. Stephen Garlick
DS Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
DS Tommy Miller …. Peter Childs
DS Phil Allen …. Anthony Jackson
Mrs Collins …. Gwen Cherrell
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in July 1985.
WED 07:00 Believe It! (b08lhg9p)
Series 3
Knight Fever
The third series of Jon Canter's not quite true autobiography of actor Richard Wilson.
Believe what you like!
Richard was unwell last year. He had a heart attack. But now he's recovered and is fighting fit.
With a new lease of life - he considers those things most likely to make him happy in the future. What's on his bucket list? Get a Knighthood of course!
Himself ...... Richard Wilson
Himself ...... Antony Sher
Himself ...... Daniel Evans
Himself ...... David Tennant
Himself ...... Angus Deayton
Francois ...... Jasmine Hyde
Jane ...... Jasmine Hyde
Suzy ...... Eva Feiler
Dave the Sound Engineer ...... Wilfredo Acosta
Big Issue Seller ...... Kellie Shirley
Produced and directed by Clive Brill.
A Brill production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2017.
WED 07:30 Conversations from a Long Marriage (m0012nt8)
Conversations from a Long Marriage at Christmas again
Once more, we are party to Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam’s Christmas plans, in Jan Etherington’s award-winning, two-hander comedy, produced by Claire Jones.
We join them as Joanna breathily compliments Roger - ‘How do you get it so perfect every time?’ His reply ‘Hot goose fat and regular tossing’ reveals that they are enjoying his signature roast potatoes. They’re spending a quiet Christmas with Peter and Sally but this snowballs into an extravagant houseparty when Peter is offered a rich friend’s country pile and invites other couples.
Their recently widowed friend, Marian, is anticipating her pregnant daughter, Rosie’s, arrival but as Rosie cancels and Peter changes the arrangements yet again, Joanna picks up a flyer which offers her and Roger ‘a kind and important Christmas, rather than a glitzy gorgefest’. Can they get back to a Christmas they actually want?
Starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam. Written by Jan Etherington. Production co-ordinator Beverly Tagg. Produced and directed by Claire Jones. A BBC Studios Production.
WED 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k0gt)
Series 4
The Diary
It's New Year's Eve and the Lad is pondering what could have been.
Featuring the famous 'test pilot' scene.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With Bill Kerr, Sidney James, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music composed and conducted by Wally Stott.
Producer: Dennis Main Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in December 1956.
WED 08:30 If You're So Clever, Why Aren't You Rich? (b00p33gd)
Series 1
Nothing But The Truth
A week's jury service promises to open up a world of social opportunities for David - not least the chance to meet a potential girlfriend who is not a member of his cycling touring group.
Stars Richard E Grant, Amanda Root and Peter Capaldi.
Comedy drama series about three promising graduates still underachieving in their 30s.
Written by Paul Shearer and Richard Turner.
Giles …… Richard E Grant
Judith …… Amanda Root
David …… Peter Capaldi
Bill …… Alexander Armstrong
Mrs Horrocks …… Jillie Meers
Mr Horrocks …… Geoffrey Whitehead
Heather …… Annabel Mullion
Judge …… Eva Stuart
Producer: Paul Schlesinger.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1995.
WED 09:00 The Write Stuff (m0012ntc)
At Christmas
Fierce seasonal quizzing and Christmas-themed pastiches.
James Walton’s tinsel-covered literary quiz.
With:
Sebastian Faulks
John Walsh
Miles Kington
Sabrina Broadbent
Reader: Becky Hindley
Producer Katie Marsden
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004.
WED 09:30 Smelling of Roses (b00dwnch)
Series 4
Episode 1
A theatre awards ceremony sparks no end of subterfuge for event organiser Rosie and her team. All thanks to some hypersensitive theatrical characters...
Prunella Scales stars in Simon Brett's sitcom.
The trials and tribulations of Rosie Burns and her event management company, where the clients are only part of the problem...
Rosie ..... Prunella Scales
Jo ..... Rebecca Callard
Bob ..... Duncan Preston
Tess ..... Annette Badland
Crosby Grantham ..... Timothy West
Stella Steele ..... Richenda Carey
Producer: Simon Brett.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2003.
WED 10:00 Drama (b09xj1nn)
Ibsen - An Enemy of the People:
Episode 1
A small Norwegian spa town relies on the local spring for its prosperity, but Dr Thomas Stockmann is concerned the waters may be contaminated.
Could disease be spreading? If so, would the community's livelihood be jeopardised?
Henrik Ibsen's dynamic thriller starring Alfred Molina, Adam Godley, Susannah Fielding, Ian Ogilvy and James Callis.
Dramatised in two-parts by Rebecca Lenkiewicz.
Dr Thomas Stockmann ...... Alfred Molina
Peter Stockman ...... Adam Godley
Catherine ...... Rosalind Ayres
Petra ...... Susannah Fielding
Hovstad ...... James Callis
Aslaksen ...... Matthew Wolf
Billing ...... Darren Richardson
Horster ...... Simon Templeman
Morten Kiil ...... Ian Ogilvy
Boy ...... Joe Katzenellenbogen
Boy ...... Freddie Katzenellenbogen
Specially composed music: by A-Mnemonic.
Director: Martin Jarvis
A Jarvis and Ayres production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2018.
WED 11:00 The Sondheim Archive (m000p8hc)
1. Finishing the Hat
Maria Friedman pays tribute to the American composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim who died in November 2021.
Followed by the first of three programmes from the BBC Radio Theatre in London, in which Maria explores Sondheim programmes in the BBC’s archive, whilst discussing the incredible impact of his work and performing songs from his hit shows.
Multi-award winning actor, singer and director Maria had an association with Sondheim's musicals ever since she starred in the National Theatre’s production of “Sunday in the Park With George” in 1990.
She's joined by actor Mark Umbers who starred in her recent production of "Merrily We Roll Along", pianist and composer Jason Carr who has done orchestrations for Sondheim musicals.
Plus critic David Benedict who is writing Sondheim's authorised biography and Catherine Jayes who has worked as Musical Director on Sondheim shows.
Producer: Emma Kingsley
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in March 2019.
WED 12:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k0gt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 12:30 If You're So Clever, Why Aren't You Rich? (b00p33gd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 13:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp3p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 13:30 Detective (b0blv8k4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 14:00 Letters From Tove (m000cc85)
Episode 3
“You’re right, I’m your best friend – I always will be,” writes Tove Jansson to Eva Konikoff in 1947.
It is over six years since Eva moved to the USA but their friendship endures.
Out of the thousands of letters Moomin creator Tove Jansson wrote, a cache remains that she addressed to her family, her dearest confidantes, and her lovers, both male and female.
Into these, she spilled her innermost thoughts, defended her ideals and revealed her heart.
To read these letters is both an act of startling intimacy and a rare privilege.
Penned with grace and humour, Letters from Tove offers an almost seamless commentary on Tove Jansson's life as it unfolds within Helsinki's bohemian circles and her island home.
Spanning 50 years between her art studies and the height of Moomin fame, we hear the bleakness of war, the hopes for love that were dashed and renewed, and her determined attempts to establish herself as an artist.
Translated from the Swedish by Sarah Death.
Abridged by Polly Coles
Read by Sarah Lambie
Producer: Clive Brill
A Brill production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2019.
WED 14:15 D for Dexter (b09dyxxy)
Series 4
Episode 3
Last night Skye had a sort of sleepover, first time ever. With Leanne.
She can't invite anyone home from school because of Jak's drinking, and no one ever asks her to theirs, so this is the next best thing.
And the tattoo that Leanne did on her ankle is still there.
Amanda Whittington's heart-breakingly brave, funny and beautiful story exploring the issue of neglect.
Sydney Wade … Skye
Alfie Johnson … Dexter
Zoe Johnson … Shanice
Una McNulty … Jak
Etta Fusi … Leanne
Julie Riley … Mia
Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong … Mr Doshi
Octavia Bettis … Nasty Girl
Music by Smashing Pumpkins and Beyoncé, performed by Tom Constantine.
Director: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
WED 14:30 When Standing Stones Come Down to Drink (b00wnlct)
In lowland Scotland scary stories and the presence of the dead are associated with Halloween. But in the Northern Isles all those customs belong to Christmas.
It began life not as a jolly day for children but as the feast of the returning dead: Yule. At Yule a truce was declared with the living, all work on the farm was stopped and large quantities of strong ale were brewed for the feast. Now hauntings were at their peak and uncanny things walked. Viking undead, with their supernatural strength and hunger for flesh, were not to be trifled with - they could tear your roof or your head off at this time of year.
On Tulya's E'en, seven days before Christmas, the Trows [trolls] were granted permission to leave their underground homes "in the heart of the earth and dwell, if it so pleased them, above the ground." so the sign of the cross had to be made on everything.
According to folklore, the Trow becomes more active and more dangerous as Yule approaches - just like the undead of the Viking sagas.
At this point it was believed that the undead were allowed to leave neolithic mounds and barrows to trouble the living. Even Orkney's standing stones, the Great Ring of Brodgar, the stones of Stenness, might be seen leaving their ancient places to go for a drink, dipping down to the waters of burn and loch, nodding to each other as they progressed, like Ents moving from a stone forest.
Tom Morton explores the spookiest time of the year in the Northern Isles
Contributors:
Dr Andrew Jennings of the Centre for Nordic Studies, at Scalloway Castle in Shetland
Storyteller: Laurence Tulloch
Tom Muir of the Orkney Museum
Shetland storyteller: Elma Johnson
Storyteller: Davy Cooper
Producer: Louise Yeoman
First broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland in December 2010.
WED 15:00 Drama (b09xj1nn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
WED 16:00 The Write Stuff (m0012ntc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
WED 16:30 Smelling of Roses (b00dwnch)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
WED 17:00 Believe It! (b08lhg9p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
WED 17:30 Conversations from a Long Marriage (m0012nt8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
WED 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, while Ford and Arthur are stranded on prehistoric Earth.
Douglas Adams' sci-fi comedy following the misadventures of hapless human Arthur Dent.
The Book …. Peter Jones
Arthur Dent …. Simon Jones
Ford Prefect …. Geoffrey McGivern
Zaphod Beeblebrox …. Mark Wing-Davey
Roosta …. Alan Ford
Eddie …. David Tate
Gargravarr …. Valentine Dyall
Radiophonic sound and music by Paddy Kingsland.
Producer: Geoffrey Perkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1978.
WED 18:30 The Radio Detectives (b007jp7r)
Series 1
Enter the Saint
Professor Jeffery Richards dons his halo to track down the history and the varied portrayals of the Robin Hood of Crime, Simon Templar, aka The Saint.
With:
Dick Fiddy
Neville Teller
Affectionate five-part series about popular radio detectives.
Producer: Jon Rolph
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.
WED 19:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k0gt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 19:30 If You're So Clever, Why Aren't You Rich? (b00p33gd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 20:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp3p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 20:30 Detective (b0blv8k4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 21:00 The Sondheim Archive (m000p8hc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
WED 22:00 Conversations from a Long Marriage (m0012nt8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
WED 22:25 Comedy Club Extra (m0012ntg)
Christmas Crackers
Isy Suttie
Isy Suttie shares what she's been up to over Christmas
WED 22:30 Little Lifetimes by Jenny Eclair (b04fc70w)
Series 1
The Viewing
A lonely woman takes a peek into other people's properties and lives when their houses are put up for sale.
Starring Annette Badland.
Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives.
Producer: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2014.
WED 22:45 Tim Key's Late Night Poetry Programme (b01dht2y)
Series 1
Egypt
Tim Key is on a cultural pilgrimage to Cairo, as he grapples with the meaning of 'Egypt'.
Written and presented by Tim Key
Tom Basden plays guitar, while wearing a fez.
Producer: James Robinson
First broadcast on BBC Radio in March 2012.
WED 23:00 Radio Active (b007jvxw)
Series 6
Stop That Crime UK
The phone lines are open - as the radio team create their own, very special reconstructions to help catch the crooks.
Starring:
Helen Atkinson-Wood
Geoffrey Perkins
Angus Deayton
Philip Pope
Michael Fenton-Stevens
Written by Angus Deayton and Geoffrey Perkins with Michael Fenton-Stevens and Jon Canter.
Music by Philip Pope and Angus Deayton.
Producer: David Tyler
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1986.
WED 23:30 The News at Bedtime (b00pftgq)
Series 1
Episode 6
Twin presenters John Tweedledum and Jim Tweedledee present in-depth news analysis covering the latest stories happening this 'once upon a time'.
Mary Mary has shocking news of an egg on a wall.
Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman
Starring Jack Dee and Peter Capaldi.
With:
Lewis MacLeod
Alex Macqueen
Lucy Montgomery
Vicki Pepperdine
Dan Tetsell
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009.
WED 23:45 The Goldfish Bowl (b007k0x7)
Series 1
Episode 6
Liam and Anton witness the break up of Martin and Susan's relationship through their goldfish bowl.
Written by and starring Shaun Prendergast.
Martin …. Shaun Prendergast
Susan …. Sarah Parish
Anton …. Hamish McColl
Liam …. Sean Foley
Producer: Sally Avens.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.
THURSDAY 30 DECEMBER 2021
THU 00:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jm3n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 The Radio Detectives (b007jp7r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp3p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Detective (b0blv8k4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Letters From Tove (m000cc85)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:15 D for Dexter (b09dyxxy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 When Standing Stones Come Down to Drink (b00wnlct)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Drama (b09xj1nn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 The Write Stuff (m0012ntc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Smelling of Roses (b00dwnch)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Believe It! (b08lhg9p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:30 Conversations from a Long Marriage (m0012nt8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp44)
Series 2
The Curse of the Golden Cross
What do an itinerant gambler, an English lady, a steward, a vicar and a professor have in common? And who has the right to it? Father Brown finds the answer.
Stars Andrew Sachs as Father Brown.
GK Chesterton's stories of an amateur clerical sleuth with an uncanny understanding of the criminal mind at work.
Dramatised by John Scotney.
Father Brown ...... Andrew Sachs
Professor Smail ...... Tim Reynolds
Mr Tarrant ...... Peter Marinker
Lady Diana ...... Natasha Pyne
Leonard Smythe ...... Peter Wickham
Steward ...... Terry O'Brien
Driver ...... ...... Jonathan Tafler
Doctor ...... Eric Stovell
Directed at BBC Bristol by Alec Reid.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1986.
THU 06:30 Detective (b0blv9s3)
Series 4
4. The Interrogation
DC Tully arrests a man behaving suspiciously. If - as he claims - he's innocent then why does he refuse to talk?
Starring Ray Brooks and Stephen Garlick.
Robert Barr’s stories of crime and detection in London
Featuring long-serving, ducking-and-diving Detective Sergeant Dave Brook with his new partner, Detective Constable Tully.
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Tully …. Stephen Garlick
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
Ferris …. Tim Roth
Rennie …. Timothy Carlton
Mrs Graham …. Ellen McIntosh
PC Edwards …. Bernard Brown
Jailer …. Trevor Nichols
PC …. Graham Blockey
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in July 1985.
THU 07:00 Meet David Sedaris (b08zc6g1)
Series 6
A Number of Reasons I've Been Depressed, Lately; Diary extracts
The globetrotting, trash-picking, aisle-rolling storyteller is back on Radio 4 with more words of wit and wisdom:
* A Number Of Reasons I've Been Depressed, Lately
* Plus some recent diary extracts.
With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, David Sedaris has become one of America's pre-eminent humour writers. The great skill with which he slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that he is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today.
David Sedaris's first book, Barrel Fever (1994), which included The SantaLand Diaries. was a critical and commercial success, as were his follow-up efforts, Naked (1997), Holidays on Ice (1997) and Me Talk Pretty One Day (2000). He became known for his bitingly funny recollections of his youth, family life and travels, making semi-celebrities out of his parents and siblings.
David Sedaris has been nominated for three Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word and Best Comedy Album. A feature film adaptation of his story C.O.G. was released after a premier at the Sundance Film Festival (2013). He has been a contributor to BBC Radio 4 since 1996.
Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2017.
THU 07:30 The Tim Vine Chat Show (m0012q6s)
Christmas Special 2021
Tim pulls a cracker with the Great British Public and delivers a sleigh full of Christmas one-liners in this, the festive radio treat that features interviews with the audience as well as Tim’s world famous one-liners and songs.
Featuring guests with fascinating Christmas stories like Terry the wood-seller as well as some musical Yuletide advice about Christmas dinner. Tim also sets a fiendish challenge to see how many dressing gowns you can remember.
Producer: Richard Morris
Production co-ordinator: Sarah Nicholls
A BBC Studios Production
THU 08:00 The Men from the Ministry (b01109vz)
Thoroughly Modern Ministry
Life's a drag for Lamb when a new receptionist isn't all she seems...
A weekly tribute to all those who work in government departments.
Lennox-Brown …. Deryck Guyler
Lamb …. Richard Murdoch
Mildred Murfin …. Norma Ronald
Sir Gregory Pitkin …. Ronald Baddiley
Matthews …. John Graham
Written by Edward Taylor and John Graham.
'The Men from the Ministry' ran for 14 series between 1962 and 1977.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 in August 1971.
THU 08:30 After Henry (b007jnh1)
Series 2
The Cold
'Some people like all the pampering and self-indulgence that goes with being ill, and some of us just don't. It really comes down to whether one's a selfish sort of person or not.
Sarah, her mother Eleanor and daughter Clare battle with colds - and each other.
Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women - struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband - who never quite manage to see eye to eye.
Sarah ...... Prunella Scales
Eleanor ...... Joan Sanderson
Russell ...... Benjamin Whitrow
Clare ...... Gerry Cowper
Doctor ...... Peter Howell
Four radio series were made, but instead of moving to BBC TV - Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network.
Producer: Pete Atkin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1986.
THU 09:00 Many a Slip (b007jrx1)
From 20/08/1974
Quizmaster Roy Plomley challenges his contestants to spot the mistakes.
Eleanor Summerfield and Isobel Barnett
battle
David Nixon and Paul Jennings
With some tune-twisters from Steve Race.
Devised and written by Ian Messiter.
Producer: Trafford Whitelock
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1974.
THU 09:30 Clare in the Community (b00g27lm)
Series 2
Brian Come Home
Couples counselling is explored as a means to calm the ultra-PC social worker's constant criticism of her boyfriend Brian.
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
Jay ...... Richard Lumsden
Helen ...... Gemma Craven
Irene ...... Ellen Thomas
Megan ...... Nina Conti
Simon ...... Andrew Wincott
With Gerard McDermott
Producer: Katie Tyrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2005.
THU 10:00 Drama (b09yckvk)
Ibsen - An Enemy of the People:
Episode 2
Dr Stockmann has discovered the town's spa-baths are contaminated. How will this affect local business interests? Will Stockmann be publicly vilified?
Will campaigning courage turn into self-righteous fanaticism? Vested interest lives on and this timeless 1882 drama is as up to date now as when it was first performed.
Henrik Ibsen's dynamic thriller starring Alfred Molina, Adam Godley, Susannah Fielding, Ian Ogilvy and James Callis.
Dramatised by Rebecca Lenkiewicz.
Dr Thomas Stockmann ...... Alfred Molina
Peter Stockman ...... Adam Godley
Catherine ...... Rosalind Ayres
Petra ...... Susannah Fielding
Hovstad ...... James Callis
Aslaksen ...... Matthew Wolf
Billing ...... Darren Richardson
Horster ...... Simon Templeman
Morten Kiil ...... Ian Ogilvy
Edvard Vik ...... Martin Jarvis
The Drunk ...... Julian Holloway
Specially composed music: by A-Mnemonic.
Director: Martin Jarvis
A Jarvis and Ayres production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2018.
THU 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b04hbxzv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Sunday]
THU 11:45 The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry (m0001r7k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 on Sunday]
THU 12:00 The Men from the Ministry (b01109vz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 12:30 After Henry (b007jnh1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 13:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp44)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 13:30 Detective (b0blv9s3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 14:00 Letters From Tove (m000cc0t)
Episode 4
Tove Jansson talks about Atos Wirtanen, author, politician, journalist and newspaper editor, in 1944. They have been a couple for over a year.
Out of the thousands of letters Moomin creator Tove Jansson wrote, a cache remains that she addressed to her family, her dearest confidantes, and her lovers, both male and female.
Into these, she spilled her innermost thoughts, defended her ideals and revealed her heart.
To read these letters is both an act of startling intimacy and a rare privilege.
Penned with grace and humour, Letters from Tove offers an almost seamless commentary on Tove Jansson's life as it unfolds within Helsinki's bohemian circles and her island home.
Spanning 50 years between her art studies and the height of Moomin fame, we hear the bleakness of war, the hopes for love that were dashed and renewed, and her determined attempts to establish herself as an artist.
Translated from the Swedish by Sarah Death.
Abridged by Polly Coles
Read by Sarah Lambie
Producer: Clive Brill
A Brill production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2019.
THU 14:15 D for Dexter (b09f2cxw)
Series 4
Episode 4
Skye's in shock.
She has to pretend that everything's ok, but nothing will ever be the same again.
Amanda Whittington's heart-breakingly brave, funny and beautiful story exploring the issue of neglect.
Sydney Wade … Skye
Alfie Johnson … Dexter
Zoe Johnson … Shanice
Una McNulty … Jak
Etta Fusi … Leanne
Julie Riley … Mia
Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong … Mr Doshi
Octavia Bettis … Nasty Girl
Music by Smashing Pumpkins and Beyoncé, performed by Tom Constantine.
Director: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
THU 14:30 Natural Histories (b082hg39)
Fly Agaric
Brett Westwood seeks out the magical mushroom, Fly Agaric.
With its red cap and white spots. Its story is entwined with Father Christmas, Alice in Wonderland and the founding of religion itself.
The mushroom's hallucinogenic properties and its appearance in fairy tales make it the most evocative of all British fungi.
Brett goes searching for a fly agaric into the woods with River Cottage forager John Wright and talks to pharmacologist Professor Richard Miller and Dr Patrick Harding author of The Christmas Book about its surprising importance in human culture.
With readings from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Claire Skinner.
Original Producer: Beth O'Dea
Archive Producer: Andrew Dawes for BBC Audio in Bristol
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2016.
THU 15:00 Drama (b09yckvk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
THU 16:00 Many a Slip (b007jrx1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
THU 16:30 Clare in the Community (b00g27lm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
THU 17:00 Meet David Sedaris (b08zc6g1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
THU 17:30 The Tim Vine Chat Show (m0012q6s)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 18:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jm46)
The Secondary Phase
Fit The Ninth
The Vogons make an unwelcome return, Zaphod holds a séance, and Arthur's quest for tea paralyses the ship.
Douglas Adams' sci-fi comedy following the misadventures of hapless human Arthur Dent.
The Book …. Peter Jones
Arthur Dent …. Simon Jones
Ford Prefect …. Geoffrey McGivern
Zaphod Beeblebrox …. Mark Wing-Davey
Eddie …. David Tate
Marvin ….Stephen Moore
The Nutrimat Machine …. Leueen Willoughby
Vogon Captain …. Bill Wallis
Zaphod Beeblebrox IV …. Richard Goolden
Radiophonic sound and music by Paddy Kingsland.
Producer: Geoffrey Perkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1978.
THU 18:30 Great Lives (b09h3rc7)
Series 44
Will Gregory on Flann O'Brien
Goldfrapp's Will Gregory is centre-stage at the Colston Hall in Bristol to tell Matthew Parris why he feels a kinship with Flann O'Brien.
The Irish writer's books 'At Swim-Two-Birds' and 'The Third Policeman' are now hailed as literary masterpieces, but only came to prominence after the author's death.
Carol Taaffe, who has written about Flann, helps make sense of the man who wrote under three pseudonyms - Brian O'Nolan, Flann O'Brien, and Myles na gCopaleen. They look more closely at the novels and newspaper column he wrote alongside his job in the Civil Service, whilst maintaining a steady presence in Dublin's pubs.
Will reads extracts he believes illustrate the brilliance with which O'Brien slips between realism and surrealism, and Carol sheds light on who said that 'At Swim-Two-Birds' "....was just the book to give your Sister if she's a loud dirty boozy girl."
Producer: Toby Field
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2017.
THU 19:00 The Men from the Ministry (b01109vz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 19:30 After Henry (b007jnh1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 20:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp44)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 20:30 Detective (b0blv9s3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 21:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b04hbxzv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Sunday]
THU 21:45 The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry (m0001r7k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 on Sunday]
THU 22:00 The Tim Vine Chat Show (m0012q6s)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 22:25 Comedy Club Extra (m0012s36)
Christmas Crackers
Laura Lexx
Laura Lexx brings us a sackload of festive cheer.
THU 22:30 The Penny Dreadfuls (m00082z4)
Hadrian’s Beard
Emperor Hadrian was so eager to defend the outer reaches of the Roman Empire and repel attacks from the Barbarians, that he was determined to build a wall across Britain, sea to sea, just north of the great fort Vindolanda.
That physical legacy is still in part visible between Northumberland and Cumbria to this day.
This comedy play looks under the skin of the Emperor who broke with various traditions, not least growing a beard where all Roman leaders were previously clean-shaven; and his deep love of all things Grecian.
All does not go according to plan when he arrives and it seems that this brave 'soldier' is more troubled than first impressions suggest.
Written by David Reed
Emperor Hadrian ... Tony Gardner
Queen Bridget ... Mina Anwar
With The Penny Dreadfuls:
Humphrey Ker
David Reed
Thom Tuck
And Margaret Cabourn-Smith.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2019.
THU 23:15 Ivor Cutler - A Wet Handle (b00cl648)
Episode 2
'Walking Down the Road' and 'The Jambeena Body Affair'.
Music, prosaic idiosyncrasy and whimsy from the unique Ivor Cutler.
With:
Alison O'Kill
Craig Murray-Orr
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in June 1997.
THU 23:30 The Secret World (b012gs0y)
Series 2
Episode 3
David Beckham tries to hire a rainbow for a party.
The comedy impressions series examining the bizarre and private lives of public people.
Starring:
Jon Culshaw
Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Julian Dutton
Jess Robinson
Lewis Macleod
Duncan Wisbey
Written by Bill Dare and Julian Dutton.
Producer: Bill Dare
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2010.
FRIDAY 31 DECEMBER 2021
FRI 00:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jm46)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Great Lives (b09h3rc7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Father Brown Stories (b007jp44)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Detective (b0blv9s3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Letters From Tove (m000cc0t)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:15 D for Dexter (b09f2cxw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 Natural Histories (b082hg39)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Drama (b09yckvk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Many a Slip (b007jrx1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 Clare in the Community (b00g27lm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Meet David Sedaris (b08zc6g1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 The Tim Vine Chat Show (m0012q6s)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Father Brown Stories (b0081lvr)
Series 2
Actor and Alibi
A theatrical murder amid much back-stabbing is announced in the Chop-House. Father Brown finds himself in the midst of a School for Scandal.
Stars Andrew Sachs as Father Brown.
GK Chesterton's stories of an amateur clerical sleuth with an uncanny understanding of the criminal mind at work.
Dramatised by John Scotney
Father Brown ...... Andrew Sachs
Mundon Mandeville ...... Peter Jeffrey
Mrs Mandeville ...... Sheila Grant
Inspector Bagshaw ...... Bill Wallis
Ashton Jarvis ...... David Brierly
Norman Knight ...... Charles Baillie
Lady Miriam Talbot ...... Fleur Chandler
Miss Maroni ...... Karen Ascoe
Mrs Sans ...... Pauline Letts
House Manager ...... Jonathan Scott
Directed at BBC Bristol by Alec Reid.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1986.
FRI 06:30 Detective (b0blvcb3)
Series 4
5. The Tip-Off
A local villain tells DS Brook that he is going straight and wants to turn informant on some planned break-ins.
Starring Ray Brooks and Stephen Garlick.
Robert Barr’s stories of crime and detection in London
Featuring long-serving, ducking-and-diving Detective Sergeant Dave Brook with his new partner, Detective Constable Tully.
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Tully …. Stephen Garlick
DS Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
Joe Harper …. Johnny Wade
DS Rigby …. Christopher Douglas
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in July 1985.
FRI 07:00 The Headset Set (b01206cg)
Series 1
Episode 1
It's Sailesh's first day as team leader at Smile5.
This is a mail order catalogue company selling everything from Rolex watches to lawnmowers, from financial products to phone and broadband, from holidays to health insurance.
And somewhere in a brown-field wasteland miles from the nearest town, it runs one of the largest call centres operating in the UK.
This is the world of The Headset Set.
Eavesdrop on both sides of the bizarre, horrific and ludicrous phone calls when customers call in as events unfold with company staff.
Aleesha ..... Chizzy Akudolu
Bernie ..... Margaret-Cabourn Smith
Big Tony ..... Colin Hoult
Sailesh ..... Paul Sharma
Various ..... Philip Fox
Other characters played by the cast.
Written by James Kettle, Stephen Carlin, Andy Wolton, Ben Partridge, Colin Hoult, Dan Tetsell, Dale Shaw, Kevin Core, Rob Gilroy and Tom Neenan
Script editor: Dan Tetsell
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2011.
FRI 07:30 Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section (b03mg0cs)
Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section New Year
Comedian Alex Horne is joined by his 5 piece band to kick off the New Year's Eve celebrations.
There's comedy and original live music.
With guests:
Milton Jones
Vocal gymnast, Beardyman
Singer and comedian, Jenny Bede.
Producer: Julia Mckenzie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.
FRI 08:00 Dad's Army (b007jpp4)
Series 3
The Honourable Man
With a visitor from the Soviet Union due to pay a visit, Captain Mainwaring is feeling peeved with Sergeant Wilson.
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 TV scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.
Captain Mainwaring …. Arthur Lowe
Sergeant Wilson …. John Le Mesurier
Corporal Jones …. Clive Dunn
Private Frazer …. John Laurie
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Walker …. Larry Martin
Warden Hodges …. Bill Pertwee
The Town Clerk …. Julian Orchard
Russian Visitor .... Fraser Kerr
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1976.
FRI 08:30 Married (b00c0c35)
Series 1
Episode 1
Confirmed bachelor Robin Lightfoot wakes up one morning and discovers to his horror that he’s married with two children.
Is it a nightmare or a practical joke?
Or something much more sinister?
Hugh Bonneville stars in the first of three comedy series by Tony Bagley.
Robin ...... Hugh Bonneville
Lesley ...... Josie Lawrence
Julia ...... Barbara Murray
Dirk ...... Steve Frost
Penny ...... Melanie Hudson
Ned ...... Sam Bradley
Maxine ...... Ann Gosling
Policeman ...... Anthony Ofoegbu
Producer Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1999.
FRI 09:00 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
Leslie Phillips
Questions compiled by Michael Pointon.
Funny You Should Ask ran for 8 series from 1976 to 1982.
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1981.
FRI 09:30 In the Red (b007k0qh)
Episode 6
Reporter George is due in court - while BBC controllers keep on plotting to axe 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
Laetitia ...... Victoria Carling
Controller BBC 1 ...... Ian McNiece
Prosecution ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Fortescue's PA ...... Jane Slavin
With Alice Arnold, Eva Stuart, Gavin Muir, Annabel Mullion and Richard Turner.
Music by Paul Mottram
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1995.
FRI 10:00 Drama (b01j2bmz)
Wilkie Collins - The Haunted Hotel
In 1860, the formidable Countess Narona marries a rich young aristocrat in London - but shortly after travelling to Venice her husband dies, apparently of natural causes, leaving the Countess a rich woman.
Years later, guests in a Venetian hotel encounter the terrifying apparition of a murder victim seeking revenge.
Wilkie Collins' gothic horror tale is a powerful combination of ghost story and detective mystery.
Dramatised by Rod Beacham.
Countess Narona ...... Adjoa Andoh
Henry Westwick ...... Harry Lloyd
Agnes Lockwood ...... Jasmine Hyde
Francis Westwick ...... Simon Bubb
Suzannah Westwick ...... Katherine Igoe
Emily Ferrari ...... Alex Rivers
Megan ...... Josie Kidd
Doctor Wybrow ...... Gerard McDermott
Carstairs ...... James Lailey
Doctor Bruno ...... Rod Beacham
Director: Bruce Young.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2012.
FRI 11:00 Podcast Radio Hour (m0012slg)
Best of Podcast Radio Hour 2021
Laura Grimshaw and Chris Pearson take a look back at some of the Podcast Radio Hour highlights and best guests of 2021.
Featuring:
Nicola Coughlan and Camilla Whitehill from Whistle Through The Shamrocks
Pandora Sykes from Pieces of Britney
Repeat Beat Poet from Lunar Poetry Podcast
Danny Robins from The Battersea Poltergeist and Uncanny
Karen Rice from Stolen Goodbyes
Justin Rowlatt - the BBC's Environment Editor and presenter of A Pyrotechnic History of Humanity
Caro Minks from Seen and Not Heard
Nicky Campbell from One of the Family
BenBrick from Have You Heard George's Podcast?
Tom Price from My Mate Bought A Toaster
And guest presenters Jessica Fostekew, Jon Holmes, Scott Bryan, Shivani Dave, Salena Godden, Isy Suttie, Greg Cochrane and Ella Watts.
FRI 12:00 Dad's Army (b007jpp4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Married (b00c0c35)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Father Brown Stories (b0081lvr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Detective (b0blvcb3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 14:00 Letters From Tove (m000c8qf)
Episode 5
Out of the thousands of letters Moomin creator Tove Jansson wrote, a cache remains that she addressed to her family, her dearest confidantes, and her lovers, both male and female.
Into these, she spilled her innermost thoughts, defended her ideals and revealed her heart. To read these letters is both an act of startling intimacy and a rare privilege.
Penned with grace and humour, Letters from Tove offers an almost seamless commentary on Tove Jansson's life as it unfolds within Helsinki's bohemian circles and her island home. Spanning fifty years between her art studies and the height of Moomin fame, we hear the bleakness of war, the hopes for love that were dashed and renewed, and her determined attempts to establish herself as an artist.
Translated from the Swedish by Sarah Death
Abridged by Polly Coles
Read by Sarah Lambie
Produced by Clive Brill
A Brill production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 14:15 D for Dexter (b09f39tp)
Series 4
Episode 5
Dexter's teacher wants to help, but it just makes things worse.
And now Skye's more frightened than ever that they'll come and take Dexter away.
Amanda Whittington's heart-breakingly brave, funny and beautiful story exploring the issue of neglect.
Sydney Wade … Skye
Alfie Johnson … Dexter
Zoe Johnson … Shanice
Una McNulty … Jak
Etta Fusi … Leanne
Julie Riley … Mia
Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong … Mr Doshi
Octavia Bettis … Nasty Girl
Music by Smashing Pumpkins and Beyoncé, performed by Tom Constantine.
Director: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2017..
FRI 14:30 Short Cuts (b08rq6dv)
Series 12
Magical Realism
Josie Long presents documentaries where reality takes on a magical aspect - tales of snake-filled American towns, a visit to a shaman and of crashing back down to earth.
The Curve of the Earth
Produced by Stephanie Rowden
http://www.stephanierowden.com
The Shaman
Produced by Rikke Houd
Snake Pit, Waurika
Produced by Sarah Geis
Magical Realism
Produced by Phil Smith
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in May 2017.
FRI 15:00 Drama (b01j2bmz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
FRI 16:00 Funny You Should Ask (b0b5wylf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
FRI 16:30 In the Red (b007k0qh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
FRI 17:00 The Headset Set (b01206cg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section (b03mg0cs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 18:00 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (b007jm4s)
The Secondary Phase
Fit The Tenth
Arthur discovers his unique contribution to the history of Brontitall. And a close encounter for Ford and Zaphod...
Douglas Adams' sci-fi comedy following the misadventures of hapless human Arthur Dent.
The Book …. Peter Jones
Arthur Dent …. Simon Jones
Ford Prefect …. Geoffrey McGivern
Zaphod Beeblebrox …. Mark Wing-Davey
Eddie …. David Tate
Marvin …. Stephen Moore
Bird One …. Ronald Baddiley
The Wise Old Bird …. John Le Mesurier
Bird Two …. John Baddeley
Lintilla …. Rula Lenska
Radiophonic sound and music by Paddy Kingsland.
Producer: Geoffrey Perkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1980.
FRI 18:30 Off the Page (b01k9wpr)
Bohemians
Bohemians - love them or loathe them, we've all met them.
Dominic Arkwright and guests discuss avant-garde free spirits - or pretentious, posing pseudo-intellectuals, depending on your point of view.
With an original free spirit; the writer Hanja Kochansky, writer and critic Cosmo Landesman, whose parents' eccentric behaviour caused the young Cosmo much embarrassment; and by the journalist who declares in his blog that he is 'right about everything', James Delingpole.
Has the British bohemian spirit - if there ever was one - disappeared?
Now boho is mainstream, desirable even, what is there to rebel against?
Producer: Sarah Langan.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2012.
FRI 19:00 Dad's Army (b007jpp4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Married (b00c0c35)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 Father Brown Stories (b0081lvr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Detective (b0blvcb3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Podcast Radio Hour (m0012slg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
FRI 22:00 Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section (b03mg0cs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 22:25 Comedy Club Extra (m0012slj)
Christmas Crackers
Jake Yapp
Jake Yapp rounds off our Christmas Crackers - and the year - in song
FRI 22:30 Hamish and Dougal: You'll Have Had Your Tea (b008kl37)
Hogmanay Special
Hamish and Dougal find themselves celebrating Hogmanay with a busload of celebrities after they get stuck in a snowdrift on its way to the BBC's Hogmanay Cavalcade in Edinburgh.
Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden star as the two elderly Scotsmen famed for their appearances on BBC Radio’s I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.
Mrs Naughtie ...... Alison Steadman
The Laird ...... Jeremy Hardy
Humphrey Lyttelton ...... Butler
Tim Brooke-Taylor ...... Himself
Sandi Wedge ...... Sandi Toksvig
James ...... James Naughtie
Pianist Colin Sell
Producer: Jon Naismith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004.
FRI 23:00 Old Harry's Game (b00wr9vv)
2. Ring in the New
Satan decides he needs a holiday away from hell.
Written by and starring Andy Hamilton.
With Annette Crosbie as Edith, Robert Duncan as Scumspawn, Jimmy Mulville as Thomas.
And Felicity Montagu, Nick Revell, Philip Pope and Michael Fentons Stevens.
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2010.
FRI 23:30 That Mitchell and Webb Sound (b00m6bhh)
Series 4
Episode 1
An orthopaedic supplies company with its very own trans-galactic portal.
The correct way to talk to an emperor.
How Saturday night TV shows are invented.
And a mysterious discovery at the Institute of Creatures.
All is revealed in the return of the comedy sketch show series.
Starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb.
With:
Olivia Colman
James Bachman
Sarah Hadland
Producer Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2009.