SATURDAY 28 MAY 2022

SAT 00:00 Philip Levene - The Nightwatchman (m0017m4r)
Hospital staff are confounded after a patient is admitted following an accident at a frozen food company.
Philip Levene's mysterious drama.
Starring:
Hamlyn Benson
Fraser Kerr
John Ruddock
Alan Haines
Gabriel Woolf
Eva Stuart
Margaret Wolfit
Producer: Ronald Mason
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1964.
SAT 00:15 Never Trust a Rabbit by Jeremy Dyson (m000hq18)
All in the Telling
Fletcher finds himself in a seedy club, with the urge to tell a story.
One of five stories from League of Gentleman writer, Jeremy Dyson
Read by Stephen Critchlow.
Producer: Lizzie Davies.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2000.
SAT 00:30 Sounds Natural (b07mvx97)
Harry Secombe
From the Hyena to the Mountain Gorilla.
Star of 'The Goon Show', actor and singer Harry Secombe talks to Derek Jones about his love of wildlife photography and travel
Aided by recordings from the BBC Sound Archive.
Producer: John Burton.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1976.
SAT 01:00 Lady in a Fog (m0017m4p)
5. The Little Doctor
Philip Odell’s investigations finally begin to reveal the connections between the murders and the blackmail.
Starring Robert Beatty.
Lester Powell's vintage thriller about the cases of a hard-nosed Irish-American private eye.
Philip Odell .... Robert Beatty
Heather McMara .... Sheila Manahan
The Lady in Mink .... Mary Wimbush
Martin Sorrowby .... John Bennett
Inspector Rigby .... Edward Jewesbury
Sergeant Levton .... Jeffrey Segal
Police Doctor .... Hugh Manning
Postman .... Frank Partington
Foreman .... Will Leighton
Dr Alexander Frey ....Trevor Martin
Producer: Martyn C. Webster
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1958.
SAT 01:30 A Change in the Weather (m0005nzm)
5. The End?
A dramatic climax on the Lakeland Fells.
Is this the beginning of the end for Jiffy and Burco?
Starring Dilys Laye and Polly James.
Conclusion of Eric Pringle’s unlikely adventure about a singing duo.
Henrietta ..... Dilys Laye
Louise ..... Polly James
Jiffy Perkins ..... Peter Craze
Burco Madrid ..... John Hollis
BB ..... William Simons
Det Sgt Digly ..... Trevor Nichols
City Nigel ..... Philip Sully
Det Inspector ..... David Sinclair
John ..... Richard Tate
Director: Ian Cotterell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1988.
SAT 02:00 Clock Dance by Anne Tyler (b0bclyj5)
10. Fury
Denise is furious that Willa knows who shot her and Willa is forced to make a big decision.
Novel about family and self-discovery by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anne Tyler.
Abridged by Sian Preece.
Concluded by Barbara Barnes.
Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane
Made by BBC Scotland for BBC Radio 4 and first broadcast in August 2018.
SAT 02:15 Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (b007jvyz)
20. Futures
The futures of Becky, Jos, Amelia and William are finally decided.
Stephen Fry concludes one of the greatest comic novels of the Victorian period.
Written by William Makepeace Thackeray.
Dramatised by Stephen Wyatt.
Becky Sharp .... Emma Fielding
Amelia …. Katy Cavanagh
Jos Sedley .... Toby Jones
William Dobbin .... Tom Smith
Director Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
SAT 02:30 The Frontline Prince (b0952jkk)
'This is a most rotten war unless you are actually fighting.'
Edward VIII, the king who abdicated, was deeply marked by his experience of the First World War.
Heather Jones reveals the true story of the front-line prince, drawing on new research from the Royal Archives.
Anxieties over the risks of exposing young members of the Royal Family to the realities of combat are nothing new. But the first frontline Prince of the modern age was transformed and marked by his experience: this was a time vital to the development and public image of the future King Edward VIII.
Yet his wartime role is little remembered or known. Unlike the other heads of European monarchy, Edward was constitutionally bound and politically protected.
Germany's Crown Prince was directing the forces at Verdun whilst Edward was supposed to be safely away from the front.
Heather spent four years piecing together Edward's crisis at not being allowed to serve in direct combat, and his role as an ordinary staff officer. The young prince struggled with ideas of heroism, masculinity and service as he donned khaki - and alarmed those charged with protecting him with his risk taking.
This is the story of a Prince who wanted to fight - and whose bravery turned sour in the years of conflict.
Producer: Mark Burman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2017.
SAT 03:00 Ken Whitmore - The Red Telephone Box (m000fg10)
Chief Inspector Raymond Cockfoster tries to keep his head, while those around him are being decapitated...
Starring Bob Grant
Ken Whitmore's comedy drama.
Chief Inspector Cockfoster …. Bob Grant
Detective Sergeant Frogman …. Christian Rodska
Benjamin Dobell …. John Hollis
Mrs Victrola …. Patricia England
Doctor Lamb …. Ronald Herdman
Peter Royle …. Finetime Fontayne
Angela Victrola …. Dorcas Morgan
Belinda Ruby …. Sally Edwards
Bob Grant is best remembered as cheeky cockney bus conductor Jack Harper in ITV's On The Buses, but he also made numerous radio appearances including the lead in BBC Radio 3’s Don Quixote.
Director: Alfred Bradley.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1986.
SAT 04:00 Guess What? (b068bf83)
Episode 10
Animal, vegetable or mineral?
Barry Took hosts a revised version of popular radio parlour game of 20 questions.
On the panel:
Geoffrey Durham
Clare Frances
Chris Serle
Written by Michael Dines.
Producer: Andy Aliffe
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.
SAT 04:30 Millport (b00762cq)
Series 2
The Verdict
The islanders unite to try and save The Cumbrae Bar from closure.
Will Irene stay and fight with them or will she take the last ferry of the day to the mainland to the new life she's always dreamed of?
Bittersweet comedy written by and starring Lynn Ferguson.
Barmaid Irene Bruce is 30-something and hankering after a better life on the mainland.
Irene ...... Lynn Ferguson
Moira/Agnes ...... Janet Brown
Alberto/Robert/Ferryman ...... Lewis McLeod
Ena/Bunty ...... Gabriel Quigley
Bob/Minister ...... Robert Patterson
Dougie ...... Matt Costello
Music arranged by Olly Fox.
Producer: Lucy Bacon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2001.
SAT 05:00 Says on the Tin (b00h62pp)
Face Cream
Eliott and Esther are on the brink of admitting their attraction when a young actress with a father fixation fixes on Eliott.
Starring Michael Brandon.
Comedy by Christopher William Hill about an American ad man, forced to relocate to London.
Eliott Thurber ...... Michael Brandon
Esther Finn ...... Samantha Bond
Hannah Walker ...... Pippa Haywood
Pippa Walker ...... Manjeet Mann
Zadie ...... Joannah Tincey
Baz ...... Inam Mirza
Max ...... Robert Lonsdale
Rutter ...... Stephen Critchlow
Angelique ...... Donnla Hughes
Other parts played by:
Janice Acquah
Jill Cardo
Jonathan Tafler
Gunnar Cauthery
Producer: Liz Webb
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.
SAT 05:30 Stand-Up Specials (m0017k54)
Don Biswas: Neurotopical
For years, comedian Don Biswas struggled with things most people take for granted - from telling the time to following simple directions.
Not long after graduating from university he found himself sacked from not one but two management trainee positions, and he fell into a depression. Well into his 20s, Don decided to seek medical advice and doctors told him he had Dyspraxia, ADHD and mild Asperger's Syndrome. Suddenly, everything made much more sense.
In Don Biswas: Neurotopical, Don explores how his diagnoses were his ticket out of the rat-race and how, as a result, he decided to take a keen interest in politics, much to the chagrin of his parents.
In his first stand-up comedy special for Radio 4, recorded in front of a live audience at the famous Frog and Bucket Comedy Club in Manchester, Don speaks candidly about his mental health conditions and the impact they've had on his outlook.
Written and performed by Don Biswas
Sound Engineer and Editor: Mark Burrows
Producer: Kurt Brookes
Photo credit: Steve Best
A Made In Manchester production for BBC Radio 4
SAT 06:00 Emlyn Williams - Trespass (m0017rhq)
Former countess, Christine, asks a medium to contact her dead husband.
But the consequences spark a night of terror in the foreboding Crithin Castle in Wales.
Starring Glyn Owen, Patricia Mort and Ray Smith.
A ghost story by Emlyn Williams.
Dewar .... Glyn Owen
Bill .... Alan Downer
Gwan .... Ann Lloyd
Christine .... Patricia Mort
Saviello .... Ray Smith
Mrs Amos .... Rita Street
Mrs Henting .... Nesta Harris
Mr Grice .... Windsor Davies
Maid .... Juliet Keir
Featuring music by the Don Ellis Quintet.
Producer: Herbert Davies
First broadcast on the BBC Welsh Home Service in November 1964.
SAT 07:30 Great Lives (b0bh454t)
Series 46
Cherie Blair on Dame Rose Heilbron
For Cherie Blair, leading barrister and QC, picking her great life was simple – her role model is Rose Heilbron, England's first woman judge.
When Cherie was growing up in Liverpool, Rose Heilbron was always the name that excited her grandmother the most. Rose was a barrister and when she was arguing a case before a jury in her home city, Cherie Blair's grandmother would follow her cases avidly, sometimes from the public gallery. Then she would come back and tell young Cherie all about what had gone on.
And so Heilbron became a great example of what a Liverpool girl could achieve in the law. And she had a remarkable career - first woman in silk, first to lead in a murder case, first woman treasurer of Gray's Inn.
Cherie is joined in the studio by Hilary Heilbron QC, daughter and author of the biography: 'Rose Heilbron, Legal Pioneer of the 20th century'; plus Dr John Tribe – senior lecturer in law from the University of Liverpool.
Presenter: Matthew Parris
Producer: Perminder Khatkar
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2018.
SAT 08:00 Booked (b0075lk3)
Series 2
Episode 2
Sickboy from Trainspotting jumps into Pride and Prejudice, Fred Flintstone advertises in the lonely hearts column and The Three Musketeers gets a radical reworking.
Outrageous parody, biting wit and bizarre couplings from:
Miles Kington
Mark Thomas
Dillie Keane
John Hegley
Ian McMillan chairs the irreverent literary game.
Producer: Marc Jobst
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1997.
SAT 08:30 1834 (b011vffj)
London
Trapped in 19th-century Macclesfield, bored 21st-century Jason Slater heads to London, but is waylaid by a mint-popping highwayman...
Jason is now Tarquin, the third son of Lord Belport with his faithful valet, Ned.
Jim Poyser's riotous comedy of transportation and delight.
Jason Slater ...... Michael Begley
Ned ...... Joe Caffrey
Hoskins ...... Kenneth Alan Taylor
Lord Belport ...... Mark Chatterton
Millicent ...... Julia Rounthwaite
Henry ...... James Nickerson
Highwayman ...... Toby Hadoke
Duke of Cranmere ...... John Craig
Directed at BBC Manchester by Polly Thomas.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2003.
SAT 09:00 Hardware, Software, Anywhere (m000bf2s)
Nick Baker reflects on how the impact of technology has changed, from the dawn of language to the age of virtual reality - via a three hour showcase of archive programmes and interviews.
Hour 1: HARDWARE:
* Fry's English Delight:
Stephen Fry ponders the physicality of written language, from its earliest scrawlings to the digital age.
* The Persistence of Analogue
Tech-writer Leigh Alexander says despite the boundless conveniences of the digital world, it can sometimes feel like something's been lost in the transition to an always-on virtual society.
Hour 2: SOFTWARE
Nick revisits two of the past music software formats that used to dominate.
* The Curse of the Cassette
From 1997 - Nick Baker recalls the downside of a design classic, yet much reviled format.
* The AB of CD
From 1988 - Simon Bates looks at what the then revolutionary medium would bring to pop music and Nick meets Simon Rooks from the BBC archives.
Hour 3: ANYWHERE
Nick looks at bigger changes in our physical perceptions, and experiences a new medium – Virtual Reality, as developed in the BBC Virtual Reality hub.
* The Digital Human - Between
In addition to virtual reality, Aleks Krotoski, probes a different, more subtle way in which digital tech changes our perception of personal space.
Nick rounds off his showcase with a warning from literature, and from history.
Stephen Fry joins him to discuss the 1909 novella, 'The Machine Stops' which envisages a physical world changed, if not destroyed by technology. But what happens when that technology breaks down?
Producer: Stephen Garner
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in 2019.
SAT 12:00 Tales From the Mausoleum Club (b007k1w6)
The Inaudible Man
1903: a murky autumn day. The Honourable Clarence Green enters the lobby of what turns out to be one of the queerest clubs in London.
In the Smoking Room he eagerly listens to the first creepy tale of an otolaryngologist.
Starring Terence Stamp, Joss Ackland and Spike Milligan.
Star-packed curious and macabre comedy series written by Ian Brown and James Hendrie
Dr Bates ...... Terence Stamp
Wyvern ...... Joss Ackland
Psychiatrist ...... Spike Milligan
Arturo ...... Andrew Sachs
Green ...... Royce Mills
Mrs Boyle ...... Sheila Steafel
Felch ...... Michael Ripper:
Policeman ...... Arthur Smith
Hornby ...... Adam Wide
Music by Max Harris.
Producer: Paul Spencer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1987.
SAT 12:30 Chambers (b007jp12)
Series 2
Only the Lonely
John Fuller-Carp uses his masculine charms when he finds himself in competition with rival Vernon Ames.
Meanwhile, Ruth is very broody...
Clive Coleman’s sitcom set in perhaps the country's least spectacular law chambers.
John Fuller Carp ...... John Bird
Hilary Tripping ...... James Fleet
Vince ...... Jonathan Kydd
Ruth Quirke ...... Sarah Lancashire
With:
Jeremy Clyde
Joanna Monro
Tracy-Ann Oberman
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1998.
SAT 13:00 Cook and Greenaway: In Perfect Harmony (m0017l6v)
Celebrating the incredible careers of the song-writing duo Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway.
Born in Bristol, the award-winning partnership wrote some of the biggest songs in music history, for some of the biggest names.
Cook went on to have phenomenal success in Nashville and Greenaway with the Drifters in the UK.
Together they've enjoyed an unbelievable career spanning seven decades.
Producer: Tom Ryan
Made for BBC Radio Bristol and first broadcast in 2021.
SAT 14:00 John Finnemore's Double Acts (b08snhwp)
Series 2
Mercy Dash
Malcolm needs some help.
Sue has a spot of time on her hands.
Winchester beckons.
Starring Julia McKenzie and Gus Brown.
Series of two-handers written by Cabin Pressure's John Finnemore.
Malcolm ...... Gus Brown
Sue ...... Julia McKenzie
Producer: David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2017.
SAT 14:30 What Does the K Stand For? (b04wwgz3)
Series 2
All the Fun of the Affair
Stephen takes a nostalgic look at some "exciting" trips taken in his early years.
Stephen K Amos's sitcom about growing up black, gay and funny in 1980s South London.
Written by Jonathan Harvey with Stephen K Amos.
Himself ...... Stephen K Amos
Young Stephen ...... Shaquille Ali-Yebuah
Stephanie Amos ...... Fatou Sohna
Virginia Amos ...... Ellen Thomas
Vincent Amos ...... Don Gilet
Miss Bliss ...... Michelle Butterly
Jayson Jackson ...... Frankie Wilson
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2015.
SAT 15:00 Everyone Quite Likes Justin (b01292g0)
Series 1
Episode 2
Justin is a Manchester DJ who tries to balance love, work and everything else without much success.
Now his job seems to be on the line.
Starring Justin Moorhouse, Anne Reid and Paul Copley.
Sitcom written by Justin Moorhouse and Jim Poyser.
Despite his messy life, Justin always remains positive. Every new day is a new opportunity, "When life throws you lemons, make lemonade".
Recorded in front of an audience in Manchester.
Anne Reid ..... Gran
Christine Bottomley ..... Lisa
Justin Moorhouse ..... Justin
Lloyd Langford ..... Bryn
Paul Copley ..... Ray
Susan Cookson ..... Tanya
Producer: Steven Canny
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2011
SAT 15:30 Mark Steel's in Town (b01p0rpj)
Series 4
Whitehaven
Mark Steel performs for the residents of Whitehaven.
He discusses surrealist pirates, the dubious origins of rum butter, and the un-reassuring link between rugby and nuclear power.
During his visit to the Cumbrian coastal town, he investigates the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people - everything from rivalries, slang and traditions to the eccentricities which makes them unique.
Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a bespoke stand-up show for the locals.
Written by Mark Steel.
Additional material by Pete Sinclair.
Producer: Sam Bryant
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2012.
SAT 16:00 Emlyn Williams - Trespass (m0017rhq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Great Lives (b0bh454t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 Bram Stoker - Dracula (b04y9dzf)
2. The Warmth of Strangers
Lucy Westenra is dead.
But Professor Van Helsing is determined to find out the true cause of her death, track it down, fight it and defeat it forever.
Nicky Henson stars as Count Dracula.
Bram Stoker's disturbing vampire tale of horror, re-imagined by Rebecca Lenkiewicz.
Concluding a thrilling ride through the dark psyche of Victorian England.
Count Dracula .... Nicky Henson
Dr Seward .... Charles Edwards
Renfield .... Don Gilet
Jonathan Harker .... Michael Shelford
Mina Harker .... Ellie Kendrick
Lucy Westenra .... Scarlett Brookes
Dr Van Helsing .... John Dougall
Arthur .... Joe Sims
Maid .... Christine Absalom
Policeman .... Robert Blythe
Simmons .... Patrick Brennan
Vampiress .... Sarah Thom
Vampiress .... Ellie Crook
Vampiress .... Stephanie Racine
Child .... Harper Bone
Singer .... Adriana Festeu
Director: Jessica Dromgoole.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.
SAT 19:00 Hardware, Software, Anywhere (m000bf2s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 4 at the Store (b007jqn6)
Series 1
Episode 4
Simon Bligh hosts more stand-up comedy.
Direct from the Comedy Store in London.
Featuring:
Matt Wellcome
Veronica McKenzie
Sean Meo.
Producer: Helen Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1998.
SAT 22:30 Thom Tuck - Goes Straight to DVD (b01rvppv)
The Olsens
Comedian Thom Tuck draws more parallels between underrated straight-to-DVD movies with captivating tales from his own life experience.
This time its the offerings from "The Olsen Twins", self made millionaires from their empire of teenage market films.
Thom looks at the journey of their success, and draws parallels with the wise (and not so wise) choices he's made in his life.
Producer: Lianne Coop.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
SAT 23:00 Foley and McColl: The Interview (b0076cyy)
The Moroccan Striped Pig
The comedy duo behind the Morecambe and Wise tribute ‘The Play What I Wrote’ finally give their big interview and spill the beans to Michael Parkinson.
This time, they tell Parky about their strange first meeting.
Written by and starring Sean Foley and Hamish McColl.
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003.
SAT 23:15 Jigsaw (b01qwgm6)
Series 1
Episode 2
Trying not to annoy your accountant – and getting really local on chat lines.
A rapid-fire and surreal sketch show.
Pieced together by stand-up comedians Dan Antopolski, Tom Craine and Nat Luurtsema.
Produced by Colin Anderson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2013.
SAT 23:30 The Odd Half Hour (b00wdh4m)
Series 2
Episode 4
A right-wing intervention and must-have board games.
Comedy sketch show which answers the questions you probably never asked:
Starring:
Kevin Bishop
Stephen K Amos
Doon Mackichan
Justin Edwards
Jessica Ransom
Written by Madeleine Brettingham, Jason Hazeley, Justin Edwards, Joel Morris, Steve Dawson, Andrew Dawson, Timothy Inman, Mike Wozniak, Henry Paker, Jane Lamacraft, James Kettle and Dale Shaw.
Producer: Simon Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2010.