SATURDAY 06 APRIL 2024

SAT 00:00 Great Lives (m001h60k)
Comedian Chris McCausland on Kurt Cobain
"‘For me, it’s all about his authenticity’. Chris McCausland
Kurt Cobain, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of the band Nirvana became the voice of a generation and is to this day considered one of the most influential musicians in the history of alternative rock.
His angst ridden, often politically driven lyrics challenged the conventions of the day and resonated with youth audiences around the world. He championed the underdog and stood up for all those who had ever felt excluded from the mainstream.
Kurt’s message resonated with comedian, actor and writer Chris McCausland, but so did his music. With its raw energy and Kurt’s ‘take me as I am’ performances, Chris found a rock band that delivered the authenticity he’d been searching for.
Accompanied from New York by author, journalist and music specialist Laura Barton, Chris discusses the Great Life of Kurt Cobain, his music, his message, his sense of humour and why it’s never too late to jump in a mosh pit.
Presented by Matthew Parris.
Producer: Nicola Humphries
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2023.
SAT 00:30 And the Academy Award Goes To... (b05329jq)
Series 5
Chariots of Fire
Race, class and religion to a rhythm by Vangelis.
Paul Gambaccini explores the story behind the Best Picture winner for 1981, Chariots of Fire.
It was the brainchild of Lord Puttnam, the screenplay by socialist Colin Welland, and yet adored by President Ronald Reagan, for its patriotic glory.
David Puttnam was looking around the bookshelves of a rented house in Los Angeles. He'd just finished Midnight Express and was scouting for a new story to tell.
The books were all about yachting - these people were sailing nuts - until suddenly "The History of the Olympic Games" stood out on a shelf.
Sitting back and reading about the games in the early decades of the 20th century, he came across two remarkable stories:
* Eric Liddell, son of Scottish missionaries, was supposed to run in the 100 metres, but withdrew as the heats were held on a Sunday. Yet he went on the break world records and take Gold medal in the 400 metres.
* Harold Abrahams, a Cambridge scholar, who was determined to win in a world where anti-semitism was rife.
Paul Gambaccini meets the men who made these stories into the Best Picture Oscar winner of 1981;
Producer - Lord Puttnam
Editor - Terry Rawlings
Director - Hugh Hudson
Actor - Nigel Havers
Athletics adviser - Tom McNab
All give fresh accounts of their own race to the top of the pile at the Academy Awards.
With contributions from:
David Thomson
Toby Miller
Archive inteviews with Colin Welland and Ben Cross.
Producer: Sara Jane Hall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2015.
SAT 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (m000p16q)
Sherlock Holmes with Carleton Hobbs - Series 7
5. The Lion's Mane
The Baker Street sleuth postpones a spot of beekeeping in order to investigate a violent death.
Carleton Hobbs and Norman Shelley in their final series of tales by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories
Dramatised by Michael Hardwick.
Sherlock Holmes …. Carleton Hobbs
Doctor Watson …. Norman Shelley
Stackhurst …. Garard Green
Murdoch …. Henry Davies
Bellamy …. Humphrey Morton
Maud Bellamy …. Pat Pleasance
Mrs Hudson …. Janet Morrison
Dramatist: Michael Hardwick
Producer: Graham Gauld
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in July 1969.
SAT 01:30 Whodunnits (b011vf01)
Agatha Raisin - Series 3
5. The Fairies of Fryfam - Part 1/2
Hurt by James once too often, Agatha takes a trip to the Cornish village of Fryham.
However, she's soon disturbed by some strange lights at the bottom of her garden...
Penelope Keith stars as the PR guru turned amateur detective.
Dramatised in two parts by David Semple from the novel by MC Beaton.
Agatha Raisin …. Penelope Keith
James Lacey …. Malcolm Sinclair
Mrs Bloxby …. Liza Sadovy
Lucy Danvers …. Rebecca Saire
Tolly Danvers …. Mark Straker
Mr Popplewell …. Stephen Critchlow

Producer: Carol Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2006.
SAT 02:00 Up the Garden Path (b007w43j)
Series 1
New Year, Old Problems
It’s the beginning of a new school term and Izzy is dreading it...
Tumbling from one love entanglement to another, 30 something teacher Izzy Comyn has a predilection for inappropriate men.
Imelda Staunton stars as Izzy.
Adapted by Sue Limb from her 1984 novel into 3 radio series which ran from 1987 to 1993. Granada also adapted the series for ITV.
Izzy ...... Imelda Staunton
Maria ...... Marty Cruickshank
Michael ...... Nicholas Le Prevost
Dick ...... Mike Grady
Gwyn ...... Sion Probert
Class 4C:
Cheryl Miller
Sarah Doyle
Mark Monero
Sam Smart
Producer: Jonathan James-Moore
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1987.
SAT 02:30 Albert and Me (b007k0dw)
Series 2
A Moving Story
Single dad Bryan tries to get a loan to move house, but it's not simple.
Stars Robert Lindsay and Pat Coombs.
Written by Jim Eldridge.
Robert Lindsay takes over as the single parent struggling to find work and raise his baby son.
In the original 1977 series, Bryan was played by the late Richard Beckinsale who tragically died in 1979.
After a six-year hiatus, the series returned with Bryan's mother and baby Albert played once again by the ever-versatile Pat Coombs.
Bryan Archer ...... Robert Lindsay
Mum/Albert ...... Pat Coombs
Mrs Willis ...... Diana King
Mr Benson ...... John Arnatt
Mrs Hagger ...... Dilys Laye
Ron ...... Larry Martyn
Mary ...... Rosalind Adams
Mr Tibbies ...... Roland MacLeod
Incidental music by Max Harris.
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1983.
SAT 03:00 Plum House (b0b48ksz)
Series 2
A Sound Investment
The team are making an audio tour they hope will bring visitors flocking.
But they can't agree on who will star in the recording, and Tom has a bigger problem when he accidentally breaks the most valuable artefact in the museum.
Starring Simon Callow, Miles Jupp and Jane Horrocks.
Comedy about the inept staff at a historic house.
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to the Lake District. But one place they never go to is Plum House - the former country home of terrible poet George Pudding (1779-1848). Now a crumbling museum, losing money hand over fist, it struggles to stay open under its eccentric curator Peter Knight.
Tom Collyer tries and fails to get the museum back on track, alongside the hopelessly out of touch deputy Julian, corner-cutting gift shop manager Maureen, put-upon education officer Emma, and enthusiastic but dim-witted caretaker Alan.
Written by Ben Cottam and Paul McKenna.
Peter ...... Simon Callow
Julian ...... Miles Jupp
Maureen ...... Jane Horrocks
Tom ...... Tom Bell
Alan ...... Pearce Quigley
Emma ...... Louise Ford
Gerry ...... Danny Webb
Ralph ...... Ed Easton
Producer: Sarah Cartwright
Director: Paul Schlesinger
A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2018.
SAT 03:30 Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin (b017mwz2)
5. Adulation and Farewells
An exploration of adulation and farewells for Charles Dickens.
Claire Tomalin's acclaimed biography of Britain's great novelist paints a portrait of an extraordinarily complex man.
Tomalin evocatively portrays Dickens as a writer charged with tremendous imagination and energy, enabling him to create characters who continue to endure in our popular culture from The Artful Dodger, Mr Pickwick, Pip and David Copperfield.
He was also a hard-working journalist, a philanthropist, a supporter of social causes, and father of ten, and yet his genius also had a dark side.
Abridged by Richard Hamilton.
Read by Penelope Wilton.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011.
SAT 03:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b0705ckj)
5. Struggles
A beautifully observed account of a family in meltdown by Lucy Catherine.
Ailsa is struggling to accept that her daughter will never recover.
Luke ...... Tyger Drew-Honey
Nettie ...... Katie Angelou
Ailsa ...... Sharon Small
Martin ...... Justin Salinger
Orla ...... Rebecca Hamilton
Michael ...... Ewan Bailey
Male PC ...... Caolan McCarthy
Director: Mary Peate
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
SAT 04:00 Whispers (b007k2sl)
Series 3
Episode 3
Gyles Brandreth hosts the quiz show with scandal on its mind and slander at its heart.
Joining team captains Lucy Moore and Anthony Holden to run the gauntlet of gossip:
Dan Tetsell
John O'Farrell
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2005.
SAT 04:30 Bookcases (b00sxt6h)
Series 1
The Man in White
London 1858: A little bored by Gerald, Cordelia is having fun with the novelist Wilkie Collins, who’s having a spell of writer's block with The Woman in White.
Primus has the answer...or does he?
Starring Michael Cochrane and Maggie Steed.
Martyn Wade's Victorian era comedy.
Primus …... Michael Cochrane
Cordelia …... Maggie Steed
Edith …... Elizabeth Spriggs
Gerald …... David Horovitch
Wilkie Collins …... David Timson
Simeon …... Charles Simpson
George Eliot ..…. David Antrobus
Director: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.
SAT 05:00 RL Stevenson - The Master of Ballantrae (b00cbmp9)
2. The Unpeaceful Rest
After the brother's bitter duel - the body of James Durie has mysteriously disappeared. The House of Durrisdeer is shattered for a second time.
Brothers James and Henry Durie engage in a bitter struggle over money, power and love in this dark and dramatic adventure story set in 18th-century Scotland and America.
Starring David Rintoul and Liam Brennan.
Conclusion of Robert Louis Stevenson's buccaneering tale
Dramatised by Chris Dolan.
James Durie …. David Rintoul
Henry Durie …. Liam Brennan
Ephraim McKellar …. John Shedden
Alison Graeme …. Vicki Liddelle
Hasty …. Patrick Moy
Captain Harris …. John Kazek
Carlyle/General Clinton …. Simon Tait
Lesley Hart (Katherine)
Lord Durrisdeer …. Tom Fleming
Secundra Dass …. Ali de Souza
Colonel Johnson …. James Bryce
Mr Mountain …. Alec Heggie
Alexander Durie …. Harris Young
Producer: Bruce Young
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2004.
SAT 06:00 Nick Stafford - A Year and a Day (m001y3g9)
A brother and sister in Derbyshire discover their High Peak estate is virtually bankrupt.
Times are also hard for their farm tenants.
Pressure mounts on both families until one explosive incident changes their lives forever.
Stars Nicholas Farrell, Tricia Kelly and Philip Jackson.
Written by Nick Stafford
Martin Malador .... Nicholas Farrell
Mary Malador .... Elaine Claxton
Harold Winter .... Philip Jackson
Jenny Winter .... Tricia Kelly
Robert Winter .... Robert Harper
Carl Hammond .... Ian Dunn
Sian Owen .... Alison Pettitt
Mr Jones .... Stephen Thorne
Mossie .... Gerard McDermott
DC Shearer .... Tracey-Ann Oberman
Other parts played by the cast.
Director: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1997.
SAT 07:30 Shakespeare in a Divided America by James Shapiro (Omnibus) (m000gncz)
Leading scholar James Shapiro makes a timely exploration of what Shakespeare’s plays reveal about deep divisions in the United States - from revolutionary times to the present day.
The plays of William Shakespeare are rare common ground in the USA. They are read at school by almost every student, staged in theatres across the country, and valued by conservatives and liberals alike. For well over two centuries, Americans of all stripes - presidents and activists, writers and soldiers - have turned to Shakespeare’s works to explore the nation’s fault lines, including issues such as race, gender, immigration, and free speech.
In a narrative arching across the centuries, from revolutionary times to the present day, James traces the unparalleled role of Shakespeare’s 400 year-old tragedies and comedies in illuminating the concerns on which American identity has turned.
Deeply researched, Shakespeare in a Divided America reveals how no writer has been more closely embraced by Americans, or has shed more light on the pressing issues in their history.
Shapiro argues it is by better understanding of Shakespeare’s role in American life that Americans might begin to mend their bitterly divided land.
Omnibus of five parts abridged by Kerry Shale and Jill Waters.
Read by Kerry Shale
Producer: Lizzie Davies
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2020.
SAT 08:45 Singular Women (b007558j)
Stella
Miriam Margolyes plays Stella, proud manageress of an unchanging chocolate shop in a changing world.
Stewart Permutt's bittersweet comedies of the world according to the third of four very different women.
Director: Marion Nancarrow
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1997.
SAT 09:00 Not in Front of the Children (b08lxyfx)
Series 2
Home From Home
Jennifer's mission to save the plants back at their old house doesn't take root...
Starring Wendy Craig and Francis Matthews.
The comedy mishaps of the Corner family - Jennifer and Henry and their three kids Trudi, Amanda and Robin.
Four series were first shown on BBC TV from 1967 to 1970.
Richard Waring adapted his own TV scripts for this radio version, now fully restored from the original reel-to-reel tapes.
Jennifer Corner …. Wendy Craig
Henry Corner …. Francis Matthews
Mary .... Charlotte Mitchell
Trudi …. Roberta Tovey
Amanda …. Jill Riddick
Mrs Weston …. Aline Waites
Peter Harrison …. Richard Waring
Marilyn …. June Liversidge
Music by Ronnie Hazlehurst
Producer: Trafford Whitelock.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in December 1970.
SAT 09:30 Ray's a Laugh (m001y3gc)
From 05/02/1960
The local council wants to find the ‘perfect resident’.
Ted thinks he fits the bill.
Starring Ted Ray.
Ray's a Laugh follows the comedy exploits of Ted's life at home with his 'radio' wife Kitty, as well as in a variety of jobs. It ran from 1949-1961.
Written by Bernard Botting and Charles Hart.
With:
Kitty Bluett
Kenneth Connor
Pat Coombs
Laidman Browne
BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet.
Producer: Leslie Bridgmont
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in February 1960.
SAT 10:00 Michael Palin's Radio Adventures (m000qyxd)
1. The Python Years
In a completely different broadcast from London’s BBC Radio Theatre, John McCarthy interviews Michael Palin.
They duo look back over the actor-adventurer’s remarkable life and career as heard on BBC radio.
Michael Palin has been a Python, a world traveller, author, actor and screenwriter, and often described as “Britain’s Nicest Man”. However one area which is often overlooked from his long and impressive career are his fascinating radio contributions.
The first of three programmes, featuring extracts from his mighty canon of work including his famous diaries, interviews about his comedy and travel work, documentaries and dramas.
Recorded in front an enthusiastic audience, we discover Palin’s love for radio as we hear a treasure trove of archives on an eclectic mix of subjects and plenty of memories of Monty Python.
Producer: Stephen Garner
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in December 2017.
SAT 11:00 Nick Stafford - A Year and a Day (m001y3g9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:30 Shakespeare in a Divided America by James Shapiro (Omnibus) (m000gncz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:45 Singular Women (b007558j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 14:00 Not in Front of the Children (b08lxyfx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 Ray's a Laugh (m001y3gc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 Michael Palin's Radio Adventures (m000qyxd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Michael Butt - The Honeybourne Tapes (m00019gp)
Robert and James are lovers, but their relationship is on the brink of collapse.
Robert is a devotee of hypnotherapy but theatre manager, James, is a sceptic.
When he treats his patient Marie, she vividly regresses to a past life as the servant of a wealthy merchant in 18th century Honeybourne.
Robert battles to convince James that his work is valid.
Starring Nicholas Farrell and Jonathan Coy.
Written by Michael Butt.
Robert …. Nicholas Farrell
James …. Jonathan Coy
Marie …. Lynsey Baxter
Gilchrist …. Stephen Critchlow
Director: Peter Kavanagh
First broadcast on Radio 4 in March 2003.
SAT 16:45 HG Wells (b08wzgvx)
Ghost Stories by HG Wells
The Door in the Wall
Lionel Wallace spends his life searching for a lost world behind a door in a white wall in London.
HG Wells’ short story was first published in 1906 in The Daily Chronicle.
Abridged by Madge Hart.
Read by David McAlister.
Producer: Pat McLoughlin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1985.
SAT 17:00 Nick Stafford - A Year and a Day (m001y3g9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:30 Shakespeare in a Divided America by James Shapiro (Omnibus) (m000gncz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:45 Singular Women (b007558j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 20:00 Not in Front of the Children (b08lxyfx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 Ray's a Laugh (m001y3gc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 Michael Palin's Radio Adventures (m000qyxd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Paul Sinha's General Knowledge (m0008hxl)
Series 1
Episode 4
Paul Sinha - comedian, lapsed GP, Chaser and genuinely the fourth best quizzer in the United Kingdom, is here to tell you about... well, everything.
As a competitive quizzer, Paul learns fascinating facts all the time. As a curious man, he then looks up the stories behind those facts and they often turn out to be even more fascinating. In this series Paul Sinha's improves your general knowledge sharing fascinating facts and hilarious stories.
In this episode, Paul reveals a dazzling list of facts, each one connected to a different year between 1970 and 1995.
From the fictional character who got a Times obituary to the woman who ruined her TV career by being too mean, this is the closest a comedy show about facts can get to being a Billy Joel song.
Written and performed by Paul Sinha.
Producer: Ed Morrish
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2019.
SAT 22:30 That Mitchell and Webb Sound (b03kqg03)
Series 5
Episode 3
An unusually pedantic episode of BBC Radio 4's Gardeners Question time, digital life after death, and the mysterious world you might find at the back of a stationery cupboard.
Offbeat sketches from the lopsided world of David Mitchell and Robert Webb.
With:
Olivia Colman
James Bachman
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.
SAT 23:00 Andrew Maxwell's Public Enemies (b03dv5n2)
The Internet
Andrew tackles the internet.
Whether it's online pornography twisting our children's minds or GCHQ reading our emails, it seems only right to have a healthy distrust of the internet.
But surely, to paraphrase a former Prime Minister, there's no such thing as the Internet - there are men, and women, and lolcats.
What is it about the internet that makes people on it so scary?
Andrew Maxwell is one of the UK's most informed and fearless stand ups.
In this series of one-off stand up shows, he uses his trademark intelligence and political incisiveness to dig behind the clichés and assumptions about four possible threats to British society.
A series showcasing a comedian at the top of his abilities tackling difficult and important 'slow news' topics with a depth and perceptiveness that remains outside the remit of mainstream 'topical' comedy.
Written and performed by Andrew Maxwell.
Script edited by Paul Byrne.
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2013.
SAT 23:30 Hut 33 (b00vy861)
Series 2
Pigs n Spivs
It's 1941 and supplies are running short in Bletchley Park, centre of the Allies' codebreaking effort.
Archie reluctantly uses the services of Mrs Best's shady contact to get some extra food and Gordon is seduced by the promise of a Superman comic.
James Cary's sitcom set at Bletchley Park - the top-secret home of the Second World War codebreakers.
Charles …. Robert Bathurst
Archie …. Tom Goodman-Hill
Minka …. Olivia Colman
Mrs Best …. Lill Roughley
Gordon …. Fergus Craig
Joshua … Alex McQueen
Spiv ...... Stephen Critchlow
Producer: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2008.

SUNDAY 07 APRIL 2024

SUN 00:00 Michael Butt - The Honeybourne Tapes (m00019gp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 00:45 HG Wells (b08wzgvx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:45 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 Nick Stafford - A Year and a Day (m001y3g9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 Shakespeare in a Divided America by James Shapiro (Omnibus) (m000gncz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 Singular Women (b007558j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 Not in Front of the Children (b08lxyfx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 Ray's a Laugh (m001y3gc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 Michael Palin's Radio Adventures (m000qyxd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m001y23b)
Racing Castaways
Frankie Dettori
Champion horse racing jockey Frankie Dettori is castaway by Sue Lawley.
Over the past two decades he's won more than 2,000 races including most of the classics at home and abroad and has been Champion Jockey three times.
The son of a famous Italian jockey, he was brought up in Italy but sent by his father to train at Newmarket when he was 14 years old - 18 months later he was winning races. In 1996 he won seven races out of seven in a single day at Ascot - a feat that has not been achieved before or since.
But in 2000 he thought his luck had run out when he and fellow jockey Ray Cochrane left Newmarket in a light aircraft - only for it to plunge to the ground moments after take-off. He thought he was about to die and on coming round in the wreckage was not sure whether he was alive or dead. The event left him undecided as to what to do next. He was a hugely popular team captain on BBC TV's A Question of Sport for two years, but a chance remark from one of the contestants who thought he had retired made him realise he had to focus on being a jockey.
He returned to the sport with a renewed vigour and became Champion jockey once again. Now a father of five, Frankie plans to retire at 45 and hopes that by then he will have won the Epsom Derby - the only major title that has so far eluded him.
DISC ONE: Life is a Rollercoaster - Ronan Keating
DISC TWO: Back in Black - AC/DC
DISC THREE: Into the Groove - Madonna
DISC FOUR: Three Little Birds - Bob Marley & The Wailers
DISC FIVE: Amazing Grace - Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
DISC SIX: Fairground - Simply Red
DISC SEVEN: Feel - Robbie Williams
DISC EIGHT: Insomnia - Faithless
BOOK CHOICE: The History of the Derby
LUXURY CHOICE: Lifetime supply of Pinot Grigio
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Amazing Grace - Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Producer: Leanne Buckle
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2006.
SUN 06:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00pf12c)
Series 1
Monstrous Flowers
Deep in the steamy forests of Sumatra, the largest flowers in the world bloom, albeit for under a week.
Sir David asks - why are they so big?
Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.
Producer: Julian Hector
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2009.
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m000gf12)
Time For Verse - James Berry
Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's radio poetry archive to choose two episodes of Time for Verse featuring James Berry.
George MacBeth talks to James about his life and poetry.
Poems featured in episode 1 of the five part series:
In God's Greatest Country, 1945
On An Afternoon Train From Purley To Victoria, 1955
White Child Meets Black Man.
Poems featured in episode 2:
Travelling As We Are
It's Me Man
Two Black Labourers On A London Building Site
In-a Brixtan Markit
Producer: Alec Reid
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1988.
SUN 07:30 Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin (Omnibus) (m000h0qj)
Claire Tomalin's acclaimed biography of Britain's great novelist paints a portrait of an extraordinarily complex man.
Tomalin portrays Charles Dickens as a writer "so charged with imaginative energy that he rendered nineteenth century England crackling, full of truth and life, with his laughter, horror and indignation - and sentimentality."
The Artful Dodger, Mr Pickwick, Pip and David Copperfield are just a handful of the characters he created and who continue to endure.
He was also a hard-working journalist, a philanthropist, a supporter of liberal social causes, and father of ten, and yet his genius also had a dark side which emerged with the breakdown of his marriage.
It begins with an exploration of Charles Dickens's troubled childhood.
Omnibus of five parts abridged by Richard Hamilton.
Read by Penelope Wilton.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.
*** Claire Tomalin was literary editor of the The New Statesman and then the Sunday Times before becoming a full time writer. The Life and Death of Mary Wollstonecraft, won the Whitbread First Book Award, and Samuel Pepys: The Unequalled Self was Whitbread Book of the Year in 2002.
SUN 08:40 Inheritance Tracks (m001y23g)
Keith Brymer Jones
Potter and broadcaster Keith Brymer Jones chooses 'Fantasy' by Earth Wind and Fire, and 'I Feel Love' by Donna Summer.
SUN 08:50 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (Omnibus) (b070npz3)
Episode 1
The Williams Family bumbles along in a normally dysfunctional way until something happens which causes them all to unravel.
Lucy Catherine's beautifully observed account of a family in meltdown.
Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes.
Luke ...... Tyger Drew-Honey
Nettie ...... Katie Angelou
Ailsa ...... Sharon Small
Martin ...... Justin Salinger
Orla ...... Rebecca Hamilton
Doctor ...... Susan Jameson
Mr Holbrook ...... Richard Pepple
Rachel ...... Jane Slavin
Joe ...... Leo Wan
Police Officer/Michael ...... Ewan Bailey
Mrs Straun ...... Debra Baker
Male PC ...... Caolan McCarthy
Director: Mary Peate.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
SUN 10:00 All Gas and Gaiters (b007jptm)
Series 2
The Bishop Warms Up
The newly installed central heating at St Ogg's causes temperatures to rise.
Ecclesiastical sitcom which started life on BBC TV.
Written for radio by husband-and-wife team, Pauline Devaney and Edwin Apps.
The Archdeacon …. Robertson Hare
The Bishop …. William Mervyn
Noote …. Jonathan Cecil
The Dean …. John Barron
Mr Fox …. Hugh Paddick
Mr Dawson …. Frank Vickers
Mr Parry-Jones …. Dudley Jones
All Gas and Gaiters started life as a TV pilot in Comedy Playhouse, ahead of a run on BBC1 from 1966 to 1971.
Selected scripts were revised and re-recorded for radio as well as some new episodes.
Producer: David Hatch.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1972.
SUN 10:30 The Navy Lark (b04cg41q)
Series 10
Bunging Up
A lost toothbrush sparks chaos amongst the crew aboard HMS Troutbridge.
Stars Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee and Stephen Murray.
Laughs afloat aboard a British Royal Navy frigate.
Written by Lawrie Wyman.
The Sub-Lieutenant ...... Leslie Phillips
The Chief Petty Officer ...... Jon Pertwee
The Number One ...... Stephen Murray
Captain Povey ...... Richard Caldicot
Heather ...... Heather Chasen
The Admiral ...... Tenniel Evans
The Commander ....... Michael Bates
AS Tiddy ...... Lawrie Wyman
The Navy Lark ran for an impressive 13 series between 1959 and 1976.
Producer: Alastair Scott Johnston.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1969.
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m001y23b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00pf12c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m000gf12)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin (Omnibus) (m000h0qj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Inheritance Tracks (m001y23g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (Omnibus) (b070npz3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 All Gas and Gaiters (b007jptm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 The Navy Lark (b04cg41q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Charles Chilton - Space Force (b007jmdr)
Series 1
5. Threshold of Stars
"And what happens if we fail the test?" "It's obvious. We'll be killed."
Held captive by their abductors, the Space Force crew discover exactly what the aliens are after - while Chipper causes concern.
Starring Barry Foster and Nicky Henson.
Charles Chilton's intergalactic adventure.
Captain Saxon Berry .... Barry Foster
Chipper .... Nicky Henson
Magnus .... Nigel Stock
Lauderic .... Tony Osoba
Ifwa .... Wendy Murray
Treia .... Theresa Streatfeild
Voedica .... Lolly Cockerell
Jennie .... Jenny Twigge
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in May 1984.
SUN 16:30 Sheila Hodgson - The Striking Image (m001y23j)
'You had to force yourself to stay there, it set your nerves jangling: a black despair colouring every single object like infection.'
A doll made by a patient in recovery appears to have a strange hold over its owner.
Chilling drama written by Sheila Hodgson.
Dr Corbin .... Brian Carroll
Mrs Pawle .... Eva Stuart
Brenda Pawle .... Jenny Twigge
Miss Grayson .... Petra Davies
James Lloyd .... John Bull
Mrs Lloyd .... Josie Kidd
Marian Lloyd .... Susan Sheridan
Receptionist .... Elizabeth Rider
Director: Brian Wright
First broadcast on THIRTY MINUTE THEATRE on BBC Radio 4 in December1979.
SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m001y23b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 17:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00pf12c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m000gf12)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin (Omnibus) (m000h0qj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Inheritance Tracks (m001y23g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (Omnibus) (b070npz3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 All Gas and Gaiters (b007jptm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 The Navy Lark (b04cg41q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 Revolting People (b007jrx3)
Series 1
Even More Storm Clouds
Samuel's crooked brother lures Joshua into fighting the 'Cockney Monster'.
Sitcom set in 1770, just before the American War of Independence.
Written by Andy Hamilton and Jay Tarses.
Samuel Oliphant …. Jay Tarses
Sergeant McGurk …. Andy Hamilton
Mary Oliphant …. Sophie Thompson
Captain Brimshaw …. James Fleet
Ezekiel Spriggs …. Hugh Dennis
Cora Oliphant …. Felicity Montagu
Joshua Oliphant …. Tony Maudsley
Mrs Arbuthnot …. Susie Blake
Uncle Dan Oliphant …. William Hootkins
Announcer/Various …. Michael Fenton Stevens
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2000.
SUN 22:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (m000hdkm)
Series 4
The Petsman
As cat and dog owners go to war, Milton turns to social media to calm things down. That usually works, right?
Mention Milton Jones to most people and the first thing they think is "Help!". Each week, Milton and his trusty assistant Anton set out to help people and soon find they're embroiled in a new adventure. Because when you're close to the edge, then Milton can give you a push.
"Milton Jones is one of Britain's best gagsmiths with a flair for creating daft yet perfect one-liners" - The Guardian.
"King of the surreal one-liners" - The Times
"If you haven't caught up with Jones yet - do so!" - The Daily Mail
Written by Milton with James Cary (Bluestone 42, Miranda), and Dan Evans (who co-wrote Milton's Channel 4 show House Of Rooms), the man they call "Britain's funniest Milton," returns to the radio with a fully-working cast and a shipload of new jokes.
The cast includes regulars Tom Goodman-Hill (Spamalot, Mr. Selfridge) as the ever-faithful Anton, Josie Lawrence and Ben Willbond (Yonderland, Ghosts).
With music by Guy Jackson
Produced and directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4
SUN 23:00 Great Unanswered Questions (m000mhlt)
Series 1
Episode 1
Why are there no flying cars?
How do pain killers know where you're sore?
Northern Irish comedian Colin Murphy and his cohorts try to answer the most ridiculous of questions with the correct or at the very least, funny answers.
With:
Scientist - Dr David Booth
Comedian and computer geek - Matthew Collins.
Special guest: Jo Caulfield.
Producer: Jackie Hamilton
First broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster in April 2008.
SUN 23:30 The In Crowd (b0085jl5)
Series 4
Episode 2
A tricky restaurant customer and a confused football manager.
Comedy sketch show from Manchester.
With:
Helen Moon
Robin Ince
Smug Roberts
Kate Ward
Written by Carl Cooper, Susan Vale, Rob & Neil Gibbons, Martin Mor and Robin Ince.
Producer: Graham Frost
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2004.

MONDAY 08 APRIL 2024

MON 00:00 Charles Chilton - Space Force (b007jmdr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Sheila Hodgson - The Striking Image (m001y23j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m001y23b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00pf12c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m000gf12)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin (Omnibus) (m000h0qj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Inheritance Tracks (m001y23g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (Omnibus) (b070npz3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 All Gas and Gaiters (b007jptm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 The Navy Lark (b04cg41q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (m000p7y8)
Sherlock Holmes with Carleton Hobbs - Series 7
6. His Last Bow
The Baker Street sleuth must help England in her darkest hour.
Carleton Hobbs and Norman Shelley star in their final appearance in the tales by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Dramatised by Michael Hardwick.
Sherlock Holmes …. Carleton Hobbs
Doctor Watson …. Norman Shelley
Mrs Hudson …. Janet Morrison
Von Bork …. Dennis Goacher
Von Herling …. Francis de Wolff
Producer: Graham Gauld
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in July 1969.
MON 06:30 Whodunnits (b011vhyk)
Agatha Raisin - Series 3
6. The Fairies of Fryfam - Part 2: Murder in the Dark
Agatha continues to investigate the murder in the village of Fryfam in Cornwall - but, even more of a mystery, can James forgive and forget?
Penelope Keith stars as the PR guru turned amateur detective.
MC Beaton’s novel dramatised by David Semple
Agatha Raisin …. Penelope Keith
James Lacey …. Malcolm Sinclair
Mrs Bloxby …. Liza Sadovy
Lucy Danvers …. Rebecca Saire
Arthur Popplewell …. Stephen Critchlow
Producer: Carol Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2006.
MON 07:00 Winston (b007s165)
Winston Comes to Town
Easy to Love
Old rogue Winston's new-found wealth goes to his head - but what's to be done about Father?
Peter Tinniswood's bawdy comedy serial.
Winston ...... Bill Wallis
Father ...... Maurice Denham
Nancy ...... Shirley Dixon
Rosie ...... Liz Goulding
William ...... Christian Rodska
Director: Shaun MacLoughlin
First broadcast on BBC Radio in January 1990.
MON 07:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jnbp)
Series 5
Men of Property
Albert and Harold set out to buy the freehold of their rag and bone yard.
Starring Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett.
Classic sitcom about the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and his son Harold.
Written for BBC TV and adapted for BBC Radio by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Albert ...... Wilfrid Brambell
Harold ...... Harry H Corbett
With:
Norman Bird
Jeanne Cook
Michael McClain
Producer :Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in June 1974.
MON 08:00 Mum's on the Run (b00tt5vn)
Episode 5
Battling lippy kids, annoying neighbours and a jazz playing ex-husband means Jen's failing to be the yummy mummy she longs to be.
The desire to impress Mr Rigby and silence nagging children persuades Jen to attempt some charitable work. But a botched attempt to give blood and a disastrous baking error lead only to further humiliation.
Starring Ronni Ancona.
Mother of two, Master of none - the hectic life ("What life?") of single mum, Jen.
Written by Alexis Zegerman.
Jen ..... Ronni Ancona
Mr. Rigby ..... John Gordon Sinclair
Shelley ..... Alexis Zegerman
Felicity ..... Amy Dabrowa
Toby ..... Alexander Heath
Chugger ..... Lloyd Thomas
Nurse/David's Mum ..... Sally Orrock
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2010.
MON 08:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sgs1)
1. Letter
When the North Kent Echo receives a letter from a woman claiming her daughter was the result of virgin birth, they send feature writer Jean Swinney to investigate.
Jean is almost 40 and and leads a restricted life with her demanding mother.
But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change...
Historical romance novel by Clare Chambers, first published in 2020.
Read by Monica Dolan
Abridged in ten parts and produced by Jeremy Osborne
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.
**** Clare Chambers was born in Croydon and studied English at Hertford College, Oxford. After graduating she lived for a year in New Zealand where she wrote her first novel Uncertain Terms at the age of 22. Small Pleasures was a BBC2 Between The Covers Book Club Pick.
MON 08:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070crdl)
6. Laptop
A beautifully observed account of a family in meltdown by Lucy Catherine.
15 year old Nettie is still being kept alive artificially after her accident.
Her mum is trying to find out what she was up to by looking at her laptop.
Luke ...... Tyger Drew-Honey
Nettie ...... Katie Angelou
Ailsa ...... Sharon Small
Martin ...... Justin Salinger
Orla ...... Rebecca Hamilton
Doctor ...... Susan Jameson
Michael ...... Ewan Bailey
Nurse ...... Evie Killip
Herbie ...... Richard Pepple
Director: Mary Peate
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
MON 09:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001xws4)
Series 8
1. Bounty Hunter
In this week's case Alfie turns bounty hunter and goes on the hunt for a wanted man (an infamous bike thief).
Join Alfie and his audience of sworn-in deputies as they decide how to get their man.
Written and presented by Alfie Moore
Script Editor: Will Ing
Production Co-ordinators: Katie Baum
Producer: Sam Holmes
A BBC Studios Audio Production
MON 09:30 A Piece of Cake (m0002z5p)
1. Goosnargh Cake
A type of shortbread containing caraway seeds, Goosnargh Cake was traditionally eaten at religious festivals.
But it has mysterious origins – so who created the original recipe?
Five choice slices of British sweet treats as Sheila McClennon tells the stories behind them.
Producer: Libby Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m001y1m0)
Guiding Light – Direction
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Guiding Light – Direction
Psalm 119: 129-135
Led by Fr Frankie Mulgrew
Lead Me Lord
St Martin's Voices
Lead kindly light
The Sixteen
The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Bryn Terfel
MON 10:00 Radiolab (m001y3st)
Series 11
Love Is In The Air
Radiolab on seagulls changing our understanding of sexuality in nature, and the secret life of America’s bald eagle.
With Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser.
Radiolab is a Peabody-award winning show about curiosity. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and the human experience.
The Radiolab team investigate a strange world.
From WNYC. First broadcast on public radio in the USA in 2023.
MON 10:55 Inheritance Tracks (m0010y13)
Ann Cleeves
Crime writer Ann Cleeves inherits ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ and passes on ‘Farewell to Stromness’, by Peter Maxwell Davies.
MON 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (m000p7y8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:30 Whodunnits (b011vhyk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 12:00 Winston (b007s165)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jnbp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 Mum's on the Run (b00tt5vn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sgs1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070crdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 Many a Slip (b09wvq06)
From 15/08/1978
Quizmaster Roy Plomley challenges his contestants to spot the mistakes.
Eleanor Summerfield and Gillian Reynolds
battle
David Nixon and Tim Rice
Plus more tune-twisters from Steve Race.
Devised and written by Ian Messiter.
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1978.
MON 14:30 Ring Around the Bath (b01gklt7)
Series 3
Loophole
Patrick gets a TV presenting job on the Barbeque Channel - filming on location in the family home.
As the flames get higher, Stella's precious garden is under threat!
Starring Duncan Preston and Pippa Haywood.
Lucy Clare and Ian Davidson's sitcom about topsy-turvy family life.
Patrick …. Duncan Preston
Stella …. Pippa Haywood
Alison …. Claudie Blakley
Rick …. Bruce MacKinnon
Xanthe …. Catherine Shepherd
Egg …. Daniela Denby-Ashe
Fergus .... Russell Bently
Director: Elizabeth Freestone
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2006.
MON 15:00 A Surfeit of Smiths (m001y1m2)
Mr Salvadori is justifiably proud of his recently upgraded hotel.
Smooth efficiency is the keynote of the establishment: Until, that is, Ashley Parker MP and his girlfriend book in as 'Mr and Mrs Smith'.
If only they were the only Smiths staying for the weekend and if Mr Salvadori's command of English were just a little better....
Starring Hywel Bennett and Dinsdale Landen.
John Graham's farcical comedy.
Ashley Parker MP .... Dinsdale Landen
Mr Salvadori .... Hywel Bennett
Samantha Hobbs .... Helen Fraser
Diane .... Frances Jeater
Birdie Smith .... Bessie Love
Culver Smith .... Cyril Shaps
Harold Hobbs .... Alan Dudley
Brenda Hobbs .... Eva Stuart
Keith .... David Timson
Receptionist .... George Parsons
Barman .... Spencer Banks
Operator .... Judy Franklin
Director: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1981.
MON 16:00 Radiolab (m001y3st)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:55 Inheritance Tracks (m0010y13)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:55 today]
MON 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (m000p7y8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:30 Whodunnits (b011vhyk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 18:00 Winston (b007s165)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jnbp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 Mum's on the Run (b00tt5vn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sgs1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070crdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 Many a Slip (b09wvq06)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 Ring Around the Bath (b01gklt7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 21:00 A Surfeit of Smiths (m001y1m2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
MON 22:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001xws4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 22:30 Goodness Gracious Me (b007jwn0)
Series 1
Episode 4
The multi-talented Mrs Bedi lands in hospital - and meet 'The Six Million Rupee Man'.
Starring:
Sanjeev Bhaskar
Kulvinder Ghir
Meera Syal
Nina Wadia
Nitin Sawhney
Gold Winner of the Sony Radio Academy Awards. The sketch comedy show originally ran on BBC Radio 4 from 1996 to 1998, later transferring to TV on BBC Two from 1998 to 2001.
Written by Sharat Sardana, Richard Pinto and the cast.
Producers: Gareth Edwards & Anil Gupta
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1996.
MON 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m001y1m4)
Emmanuel Sonubi 1/2
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And tonight, Arthur Smith chats to Emmanuel Sonubi.
MON 23:00 The Now Show (m001xvt4)
Series 64
Episode 4
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. Starring Jon Holmes on animals making headlines, Angela Barnes on theft and an original song from Jonny & the Baptists. With voices from Ed Jones and Roisin O’Mahony.
The show was written by the cast with additional material from Tasha Dhanraj, Mike Shepard, Alex Bertulis-Fernandes and Peter Tellouche.
Producer: Sasha Bobak
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Caroline Barlow
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
MON 23:30 Dave Podmore (b007qx6y)
Dave Podmore's Cricket Fix
Episode 3
Dave Podmore refuses to stand idly by as English cricket stares down both barrels of a bottomless doldrum.
On a chaotic overseas tour, his private life takes a turn for the worse.
Christopher Douglas stars as Pod.
Written by Christopher Douglas, Nick Newman and Andrew Nickolds.
Dave ...... Chris Douglas
Andy ...... Andrew Nickolds
With:
Nicola Sanderson
Chris Pavlo
Producer: Richard Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2001.

TUESDAY 09 APRIL 2024

TUE 00:00 Radiolab (m001y3st)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:55 Inheritance Tracks (m0010y13)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:55 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (m000p7y8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Whodunnits (b011vhyk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Winston (b007s165)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jnbp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Mum's on the Run (b00tt5vn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sgs1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070crdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Many a Slip (b09wvq06)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Ring Around the Bath (b01gklt7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 A Surfeit of Smiths (m001y1m2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 The Rivals (b080r360)
Series 4
1. The Clairvoyants
Inspector Lestrade was made to look a fool in the Sherlock Holmes stories.
Now he gets his own back, with tales of Holmes' rivals.
James Fleet stars as Inspector Lestrade.
After his protégé Constance Dunlap saves a woman from drowning, the woman mumbles "this was meant to happen".
Lestrade helps Constance investigate her suspicions that this was no accident - and that the woman is in mortal danger...
Written by Arthur B Reeve and dramatised by Chris Harrald.
Lestrade ...... James Fleet
Constance ...... Susannah Fielding
Mildred ...... Olivia Poulet
Mr Forest and Tom Knowles ...... Chris Pavlo
Madame D'Urfe ...... Claire Perkins
Jim Dainty ...... Brian Protheroe
Penman ...... Sean Baker
Secretary ...... Kirsty Oswald
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016.
TUE 06:30 Whodunnits (b00w190h)
Charles Paris - Murder in the Title
1. Sabotage?
As ever, Charles is his own worst enemy, a louche lush who can resist anything except temptation especially in the form of women and alcohol.
His intentions may be good but somehow the results always go wrong.
He's been out of work so long now he feels he may never get a job - and he's driving Frances his semi-ex-wife mad. So when he's offered a small role in an awful play up in Rugland, she nearly pushes him out the door.
But as always with Charles, murder is never far behind when a series of nasty accidents start to befall the cast...
Bill Nighy stars as actor-cum-sleuth, Charles Paris.
Crime novel by Simon Brett.
Dramatised in four parts by Jeremy Front.
Charles Paris ..... Bill Nighy
Frances ..... Suzanne Burden
Maurice ..... Jon Glover
Fabio ..... Theo Cross
Tony ..... Sam Dale
Lindsay ..... Christine Kavanagh
Ronnie ..... Sean Baker
Sean ..... Iain Batchelor
Phoebe ..... Claire Harry
Chris ..... Henry Devas
Landlady ..... Sally Orrock
Barmaid ..... Leah Brotherhead
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2010.
TUE 07:00 The Michael Bentine Show (b00kfx35)
From 29/04/1984
This is the ultimate one man show.
Michael Bentine stars as everyone from an abbot in a monastic order to some international space controllers.
Written and performed by the host.
Producer: Jamie Rix
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in April 1984.
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (b007k4c2)
Series 5
The Canal
Back home after 43 years, why must Neddie Seagoon never go near the oily waters again?
Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
Special guest: Valentine Dyall
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 November 1954.
TUE 08:00 The Wilsons Save the World (b09f39tt)
Series 1
Holiday
Michael and Maxine Wilson and their teenage daughters, Lola and Cat (plus their bearded dragon Chomsky, and about 150,000 bees) have resolved to live a cleaner, greener, serener life.
Starring Marcus Brigstocke and Kerry Godliman.
Sitcom about trying to live ethically and do the right thing.
Written by Marcus Brigstocke and Sarah Morgan.
Millions of people try every day to make 'good' choices and do the 'right thing', be ethical, charitable and community minded. It's hard. Most of us live with hypocrisy and failure all the time but keep on trying.
The Wilsons, good folk that they are, are trying about 20% harder and learning to live with about 19% more failure. They are not giving up.
In this opening episode Max needs a holiday and so does Mike but what's the right choice ethically?
As they balance the appeal of hot sun versus a carbon-neutral campsite Cat has her own agenda and Lola wrestles with the rights and wrongs of charity.
Mike ...... Marcus Brigstocke
Maxine ...... Kerry Godliman
Lola ...... India Brown
Cat ...... Mia Jenkins
Paul ...... Mike Wozniak
Producer: Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2017.
TUE 08:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sj80)
2. Husband
Jean visits Gretchen’s husband, Howard Tilbury in his jeweller’s shop near Covent Garden.
A novel of unexpected second chances set in 1950s England. Written by Clare Chambers
When the North Kent Echo receives a letter from a woman claiming her daughter was the result of virgin birth, they send feature writer Jean Swinney to investigate.
Jean is almost 40 and and leads a restricted life with her demanding mother.
But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change.
Read by Monica Dolan
Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.
TUE 08:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070dksm)
7. Vigil
A beautifully observed account of a family in meltdown written by Lucy Catherine.
Luke is still keeping watch by his sister's hospital bedside.
Luke ...... Tyger Drew-Honey
Nettie ...... Katie Angelou
Ailsa ...... Sharon Small
Martin ...... Justin Salinger
Rachel ...... Jane Slavin
Pat ...... Gerard McDermott
Orla ...... Rebecca Hamilton
Richard ...... George Watkins
Woman ...... Debra Baker
Director: Mary Peate.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
TUE 09:00 Tim Key's Poetry Programme (m001xwts)
3. Safari
Key takes the show on safari, with Tom Basden, Katy Wix and guest star Sam Campbell.
A poetry show like no other – over the course of 6 series Key has performed magic, music, cookery and witchcraft; he’s delivered a baby, gone underground, up the Shard and into space.
And sometimes he finds time to read poems.
This series our regulars are joined by guest stars Stephen Merchant, Lolly Adefope, Mike Wozniak, Sam Campbell, Simon Armstrong and Morgana Robinson.
Written and presented by Tim Key
Produced by James Robinson
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An EcoAudio certified production
TUE 09:30 A Piece of Cake (m0002zv6)
2. Pontefract Cake
Sheila McClennon visits the historic market town of Pontefract in West Yorkshire to trace the origins of its famous cakes made of liquorice.
Another choice slice of five British sweet treats and the stories behind them.
Producer: Libby Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m001y1h6)
Guiding Light – Purpose
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Guiding Light – Purpose
Proverbs 3: 1-6
Led by Major Anne Read
Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah
Huddersfield Choral Society
God Is Working His Purpose Out
Manchester Cathedral Choir
Lord for the years
Daily Service Singers
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (b07zzg8f)
Cariad Lloyd and Mike Bullen
Actor, comedian and writer Cariad Lloyd and Cold Feet screenwriter Mike Bullen join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Iris Murdoch, Joshua Ferris and Margery Allingham.
To Rise Again At A Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris
Publisher: Penguin
The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch
Publisher: Vintage
The Tiger in the Smoke by Margery Allingham
Publisher: Vintage
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016.
TUE 10:30 My Dream Dinner Party (m0008pdv)
John Cleese's Dream Dinner Party
Actor, comedian and writer John Cleese hosts a dinner party with a twist - all his guests are from beyond the grave!
But his heroes are brought back to life by the magic of the BBC radio archive.
An all-star line-up is joining John for dinner:
* Writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley
* Hollywood actress Bette Davis
* Comedian and writer Spike Milligan
* Film maker and writer Susan Sontag
* Neurologist Oliver Sacks.
While John and his guests wait for the Indian takeaway to arrive, they don't waste any time in discussing past drug experiences, the trauma of war, being a superstar, the threat of technology - and the joy of silliness.
Then the comedians Peter Cook and Dudley Moore turn up for a late night brandy.
Producers: Sarah Peters & Peregrine Andrews
A Tuning Fork and Open Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2019.
TUE 11:00 The Rivals (b080r360)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:30 Whodunnits (b00w190h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 12:00 The Michael Bentine Show (b00kfx35)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (b007k4c2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 The Wilsons Save the World (b09f39tt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sj80)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070dksm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 Hidden Treasures (b054z4kp)
Petworth House
A reclining marble sculpture, a very peculiar chair, and some weird and wonderful objects from the kitchen.
Lars Tharp chairs the light-hearted Antiques Quiz.
From the North Gallery of Petworth House in West Sussex - crammed with works of Turner, William Blake, Reynolds and Gainsborough.
With:
Eric Knowles
Clive Farahar
Hilary Kay
Producer: Annie Bristow
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1998.
TUE 14:30 The Change (b0076p3r)
Series 3
Episode 3
With both couples' relationships seemingly over, another bombshell hits: there's a baby on the way.
How on earth will the news be received?
Sitcom about a married couple's attempts to smooth over their singularly troubled midlife funk - Carol is hormonal and George is a transvestite.
Onlookers can't quite agree on the nature of their dynamic.
Starring Lynda Bellingham and Philip Jackson
Written by Gavin Petrie and Jan Etherington.
Carol …. Lynda Bellingham
George …. Philip Jackson
Violet ...... Marcia Warren
Maureen …. Maureen Beattie
Ken …. James Vaughan
Sonia …. Emma Kennedy
Jerry …. Barnaby Kay
Dave …. Mark Powley
Doctor ...... Rosie Armstrong
Diana Aitchison ...... Herself
Producer: Elizabeth Freestone
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
TUE 15:00 Robert Tressell - The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (m001y1h9)
1. Pity the Poor Painter
"We're all of us philanthropists. Toilin' and sweatin' at our noble task of making money for Mr Rushton. We're The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists!"
It's Edwardian England: Frank wonders if his fellow workers will ever realise their toil is profit for others?
Starring Brian Glover, Sean Barrett and Mark Straker.
Robert Tressell's novel, first published in 1914.
Dramatised in six parts by Gregory Evans.
Bob Crass .... Brian Glover
Robert Tressell .... Sean Barrett
Hunter .... Bryan Pringle
Frank Owen .... Mark Straker
Adam Sweater .... Peter Vaughan
Joe Philpot .... Norman Jones
Fred Harlow .... Robin Summers
Bundy .... Richard Tate
Bert White .... Richard Pearce
Alf Slyme .... David Goudge
Sawkins .... Michael Graham Cox
Will Easton .... Donald Gee
Jack Linden .... Philip Newman
Newman .... Peter Craze
Newsagent .... Christopher Good
Ruth Easton .... Kate Lock
Nora Owen .... Joan Walker
Frankie Owen .... Andrew Mulquin
George Rushton .... Denis Lill
Written under the pen name Robert Tressell, Robert Noonan’s semi-autobiographical novel was published posthumously in 1914.
Born in Dublin in 1870 and settling in Hastings, England in 1901, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is Noonan’s sardonic critique of the way society is organised, with the ‘philanthropists’ being poorly paid workers who continue to help make profits for the owners of businesses.
A house painter and sign writer by trade (the inspiration for his pen name), Noonan died in Liverpool from tuberculosis in 1911.
He was buried in a pauper's grave. His true identity as author of his novel was not revealed for 40 years.
Director: Michael Bakewell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1989.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (b07zzg8f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 My Dream Dinner Party (m0008pdv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 The Rivals (b080r360)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:30 Whodunnits (b00w190h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 18:00 The Michael Bentine Show (b00kfx35)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (b007k4c2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 The Wilsons Save the World (b09f39tt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sj80)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070dksm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 Hidden Treasures (b054z4kp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 The Change (b0076p3r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Robert Tressell - The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (m001y1h9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
TUE 22:00 Tim Key's Poetry Programme (m001xwts)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
TUE 22:30 Josh Howie's Losing It (m0000syx)
Series 2
The Getaway
Stand-up comic Josh and his wife battle to come to terms with the arrival of their first child.
Josh and Monique take their baby away for a weekend in Ireland.
Sadly the trip doesn’t get off to the best of starts when Josh upsets several people on the plane.
Sitcom starring Josh Howie and Pippa Evans.
Written by Josh Howie.
Josh ...... Josh Howie
Monique ...... Pippa Evans
With:
Donal Coxi
Julian Deane
Stephen Hagen
Jonathan Kemp
Debra Tammer
Wendy Wason
Producer: Ashley Blaker.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2018.
TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m001y1hc)
Emmanuel Sonubi 2/2
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And tonight, Arthur Smith chats to Emmanuel Sonubi.
TUE 23:00 At Home With The Snails (b007k2h6)
Series 1
Episode 1
George is Professor of Symbolics at Oxford University and is desperately trying to write a book.
His depressed son Alex has done nothing since university until, one day, he starts to become obsessed with snails.
His father now has material for his next book.
Meanwhile his mother makes things for all the family, including a big cuddly snail, and together, this nice middle-class English family go quietly mad.
Starring Geoffrey Palmer and Gerard Foster.
Gerard Foster's comedy drama about a man with an unusual hobby.
George ..... Geoffrey Palmer
Beverley ..... Angela Thorne
Alex ..... Gerard Foster
Rose ..... Miranda Hart
Producer: Jane Berthoud
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2001.
TUE 23:30 Pleased to Meet You (b007k35j)
Series 1
Episode 3
90-something good-time girl Dora Dale spills the beans on the Rat Pack, John and Yoko - and the subtext of Right Said Fred sung by Bernard Cribbins.
Betraying confidences and breaking unwritten rules galore, the friend of the stars reveals more surprising and salacious secrets to Martin Kelner.
Starring Dora Dale.
With Jake Yapp.
Written by Martin Kelner and Jake Yapp.
Produced by BBC Radio Leeds for BBC 7.
First broadcast in August 2006.

WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL 2024

WED 00:00 A Good Read (b07zzg8f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 My Dream Dinner Party (m0008pdv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 The Rivals (b080r360)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Whodunnits (b00w190h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 The Michael Bentine Show (b00kfx35)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (b007k4c2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 The Wilsons Save the World (b09f39tt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sj80)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070dksm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Hidden Treasures (b054z4kp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 The Change (b0076p3r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Robert Tressell - The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (m001y1h9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 The Rivals (b081ld30)
Series 4
2. The Stanway Cameo Mystery
Inspector Lestrade was made to look a fool in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Now he gets his own back, with tales of Holmes' rivals.
James Fleet stars as Inspector Lestrade.
Lord and Lady Stanway win the auction for the priceless but cursed 'Stanway Cameo', but it is instantly stolen. Inspector Lestrade is less than pleased to be investigating alongside society detective Martin Hewitt.
Lestrade ...... James Fleet
Martin Hewitt ...... Adam James
Mr Claridge ...... James Lailey
Verlaine / Mr Cutler ...... Nick Underwood
Woollett / Hahn / Auctioneer ...... Sean Baker
Lord Stanway ...... Brian Protheroe
Lady Stanway ...... Elizabeth Bennett
Written by Arthur Morrison and dramatised by Chris Harrald.
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2016.
WED 06:30 Whodunnits (b00w77k5)
Charles Paris - Murder in the Title
2. Victim
Charles has been the victim of an attempted stabbing.
Can he find the murderer before they strike again - or will he be fired from the cast first?
Bill Nighy stars as actor-cum-sleuth, Charles Paris.
By Jeremy Front - based on Simon Brett's novel.
Charles Paris ..... Bill Nighy
Frances ..... Suzanne Burden
Maurice ..... Jon Glover
Fabio ..... Theo Cross
Tony ..... Sam Dale
Sean ..... Iain Batchelor
Ronnie ..... Sean Baker
Phoebe ..... Claire Harry
Chris ..... Henry Devas
Landlady ..... Sally Orrock
Barmaid ..... Leah Brotherhead
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2010.
WED 07:00 Ballylenon (b007tcbg)
Series 3
Episode 4
A job offer for the Reverend Hawthorne raises Ms Boal's expectations.
Series set in the sleepy town of Ballylenon, Co Donegal, in 1953, before the days of mass tourism and proper plumbing in every home.
CAST:
Phonsie Doherty …. TP McKenna
Vera McConkey …. Stella McCusker
Muriel McConkey …. Margaret D'Arcy
Vivienne Boal …. Aine McCartney
Stumpy Bonnar …. Gerard McSorley
Guard Gallagher …. John Hewitt
Reverend Hawthorne …. Gerard Murphy
Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes.
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Director: Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1996.
WED 07:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b009rnlw)
Series 6
The Fete
The Lad rashly agrees to tempt Sir Laurence Olivier to open the East Cheam Garden Fete.
Starring Tony Hancock. With Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Wilfred Babbage, Jack Watson and Hugh Morton.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.
Producer: Tom Ronald
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in December 1959.
WED 08:00 Dot (b08rptr4)
Series 2
Trees
Dot and the gals are tasked with a top secret mission in the countryside.
A German plane crashes nearby; will this be Dot's big chance for promotion?
Rollicking war time comedy by Ed Harris about the staff from the personnel department of the Cabinet Rooms.
Dot ...... Fenella Woolgar
Myrtle ...... Kate O'Flynn
Peg ...... Freya Parker
Millicent ...... Jane Slavin
Hans ...... Nicholas Murchie
Pip Crudely ...... David Sterne
Producer: Jessica Mitic.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2017.
WED 08:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sh8f)
3. Matron
Jean goes to Broadstairs to talk to Alice Halfyard, the former matron of the St Cecilia Nursing Home.
When the North Kent Echo receives a letter from a woman claiming her daughter was the result of virgin birth, they send feature writer Jean Swinney to investigate.
Jean is almost 40 and and leads a restricted life with her demanding mother. But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change.
The author Clare Chambers was born in Croydon and studied English at Hertford College, Oxford. After graduating she lived for a year in New Zealand where she wrote her first novel Uncertain Terms at the age of 22. Small Pleasures was a BBC2 Between The Covers Book Club Pick.
Written by Clare Chambers
Read by Monica Dolan
Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.
WED 08:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070fdj1)
8. Communication
A beautifully observed account of a family in meltdown.
Luke is desperate to communicate with his comatose twin sister somehow.
Luke ...... Tyger Drew-Honey
Nettie ...... Katie Angelou
Ailsa ...... Sharon Small
Martin ...... Justin Salinger
Rachel ...... Jane Slavin
Orla ...... Rebecca Hamilton
Pat ...... Gerard McDermott
Annie ...... Debra Baker
Richard ...... George Watkins
Dr Makarem ...... Ewan Bailey
Nurse ...... Evie Killip
Mr Rathbone ...... Chris Pavlo
Written by Lucy Catherine.
Directed by Mary Peate.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
WED 09:00 Room 101 with Paul Merton (m001xvkz)
Series 2
Chris McCausland
Paul Merton interviews a variety of guests from the world of comedy and entertainment to find out what they would send to Room 101 as well as the one item they cannot live without.
In this first episode of the series, Chris McCausland attempts to banish teacups with tiny handles and prices that end in 99p, as well as explaining his unswerving devotion to a particular Christmas-time edible treat.
Additional material John Irwin and Suki Webster
Produced by Richard Wilson
A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4
WED 09:30 A Piece of Cake (m0002zjl)
3. Chorley Cake
Sheila McClennon visits Lancashire to investigate the origin of Chorley Cakes, famous for their thick pastry on the outside with a filling of currants or raisins.
Five choice slices of British sweet treats and the stories behind them.
Producer: Libby Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2004.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m001y1h1)
Guiding Light – Let your light shine
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Guiding Light – Let your light shine
Matthew 5 13-16
Led by Rev Grace Thomas
Shine all your light
Beth Nielsen Chapman
Light of the World (John Dankworth)
(Rugby Choir - solo: Ischia Gooda)
He is the light
Bryan & Katie Torwalt
WED 10:00 Short Cuts (m000k2m0)
The Outside
Lying on your back and gazing at the stars in Australia, viewing the world through the eyes of a little dog and venturing outside your home - Josie Long presents short documentaries and adventures in sound about the outside world.
Emu in the Sky
Featuring Krystal DeNapoli
Produced by Krystal DeNapoli, Michelle Macklem, and Zoe Tennant
Paws for Thought (featuring Little Oblong)
Produced by Phil Smith
The Outside
Produced by Hana Walker-Brown
Production team: Andrea Rangecroft and Alia Cassam
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2020.
WED 10:30 Joan Turner: The Highs and Lows of the Wacky Warbler (b00wlgg4)
Lesley Garrett tells the story of the operatic comedienne whose turbulent lifestyle brought both success and failure.
Joan Turner was a larger-than-life star who enjoyed a successful stage and television career in the 1960s and 70s. She was born in Belfast in 1922 and made her debut at the Finsbury Empire as a singing comedienne. Joan could perform pop or opera with her four-and-a-half-octave soprano voice, impersonate Judy Garland and Bette Davis, and then change to stand-up comic.
She worked with The Crazy Gang, appeared at many Royal Events, recorded for Pye Records and became the highest-earning female singer in Britain. Touring the music halls she was considered a 'female Harry Secombe', and in the States they billed her as "The Wacky Warbler".
One reviewer described her as having "the voice of an angel and the wit of a devil".
Even though she gained a reputation for being difficult and unpredictable she remained a much loved figure on the show business circuit.
Her daughter Susanna Page always believed that "the best way to describe Mum is that she thought every day was Christmas". She was to discover painfully that it was not.
By the late nineties an unkind reverse reduced her to the status of a bag lady walking the streets of Las Vegas and Los Angeles searching for work. She battled with gambling and alcoholism.
A few film and television roles saw a short revival in her fortunes but her last live comeback attempt ended in a drunken shambles. She spent her final years in sheltered accommodation in Surrey.
Contributions from actor Harry Dickman, Variety entertainer Roy Hudd and Joan's daughter, Susanna Page.
Producer: Stephen Garner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
WED 11:00 The Rivals (b081ld30)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:30 Whodunnits (b00w77k5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 12:00 Ballylenon (b007tcbg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b009rnlw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 Dot (b08rptr4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sh8f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070fdj1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 Say the Word (b00764j5)
Episode 1
Frank Delaney's panel game series revolving around the English language.
From the Ways with Words literary festival in Totnes, Devon.
With:
Sandi Toksvig
Tommy Pearson
Laura Wright
Christopher Matthew
On hand to offer a witty perspective on the world of words are the Nimmo Twins.
Producer: Simon Elmes
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2001.
WED 14:30 Elephants to Catch Eels (b007mcc4)
Series 1
Episode 1
If smugglers were the rock stars of the day, Tamsyn Trelawny was Drumlin Bay's very own Ms Dynamite-ee-ee.
But how will she cope when a keen young soldier from London is appointed the new local customs collector?
18th century Cornish village sitcom by the writers of Dead Ringers - Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain.
Tamsyn Trelawny …… Lucy Speed
Jago Trelawny …… John Bowe
Major Thomas Falconer …… Cameron Stewart
Captain Marriot …… Andrew McGibbon
Squire Bascombe …… Martin Hyder
Lady Mary …… Julia Deakin
Dewey …… Mark Felgate
Various …… Phil Nice
Producer: Jan Ravens.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003.
WED 15:00 Robert Tressell - The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (m001y1h3)
2. Making Money For Mr Rushton
Edwardian England: as the renovation continues Frank tries to educate his fellow workers about their plight.
"We're all of us philanthropists. Toilin' and sweatin' at our noble task of making money for Mr Rushton. We're The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists!"
Sean Barrett stars as Robert Tressell, Brian Glover as Bob Crass and Mark Straker as Frank Owen.
Written by Robert Tressell.
Written under the pen name Robert Tressell, Robert Noonan’s semi-autobiographical novel was published posthumously in 1914. Born in Dublin in 1870 and settling in Hastings, England in 1901, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is Noonan’s sardonic critique of the way society is organised, with the ‘philanthropists’ being poorly paid workers who continue to help make profits for the owners of businesses.
A house painter and sign writer by trade (the inspiration for his pen name), Noonan died in Liverpool from tuberculosis in 1911.
He was buried in a pauper's grave. His true identity as author of his novel was not revealed for 40 years.
Robert Tressell .... Sean Barrett
Bob Crass .... Brian Glover
Hunter .... Bryan Pringle
Frank Owen .... Mark Straker
Adam Sweater .... Peter Vaughan
Joe Philpot .... Norman Jones
George Rushton .... Denis Lill
Nora Owen .... Joan Walker
Newman .... Peter Craze
Will Easton .... Donald Gee
Fred Harlow .... Robin Summers
Sawkins .... Michael Graham Cox
Alf Slyme .... David Goudge
Ruth Easton .... Kate Lock
Barmaid .... Jo Kendall
Drunk .... John Bull
Arthur .... Richard Tate
Bert White .... Richard Pearce
Dr Weakling .... John Warner
Amos Grinder .... Geoffrey Matthews
Jeremiah Didlum.... John Moffatt
Dramatised in six parts by Gregory Evans.
Director: Michael Bakewell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1989.
WED 16:00 Short Cuts (m000k2m0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 16:30 Joan Turner: The Highs and Lows of the Wacky Warbler (b00wlgg4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
WED 17:00 The Rivals (b081ld30)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:30 Whodunnits (b00w77k5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 18:00 Ballylenon (b007tcbg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b009rnlw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 Dot (b08rptr4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sh8f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070fdj1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 Say the Word (b00764j5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 Elephants to Catch Eels (b007mcc4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 21:00 Robert Tressell - The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (m001y1h3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
WED 22:00 Room 101 with Paul Merton (m001xvkz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 22:30 The Museum of Everything (b007k3wp)
Series 2
The Museum Reopens
Discover the fate of Badgerland as well as finding out about the life and work of Victorian author Thomas Queesley.
Feel free to wander around our many galleries and experience the history of everything.
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.
WED 23:00 Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section (b042ztrc)
Series 3
Tom Basden
Stand-up Alex Horne and his band explore the theme of home and leisure through live music and comedy.
With songs about radiators, a pork pie - and Wayne Rooney amongst others.
With guest comedian:
Tom Basden

Alex's Horne Section are:
Joe Auckland
Mark Brown
Will Collier
Ben Reynolds
Ed Sheldrake
Producer: Julia McKenzie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2014.
WED 23:30 The Skewer (m001xvr0)
Series 11
Episode 8
The week’s biggest stories like you’ve never heard them before. The news, remixed as a satirical comedy concept album.

Jon Holmes presents the multi-award-winning The Skewer. Headphones on. This week - Spirit of Dark Thames Water, the Cruci-Hate Crime-Bill, and if you want blood, we've got it.

Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
WED 23:45 Crème de la Crime (b0081mpp)
Series 2
Six Feet Down Under
Michael Feydeau -TV's much loved Inspector Niblett - and crime expert, David Pershore probe a strange death by cutlery back in 1824.
Tales from the vaults of villainy.
Written by and starring Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis.
With:
Ewan Bailey
Emma Kennedy
Chris Pavlo
Director: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2002.

THURSDAY 11 APRIL 2024

THU 00:00 Short Cuts (m000k2m0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 Joan Turner: The Highs and Lows of the Wacky Warbler (b00wlgg4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 The Rivals (b081ld30)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Whodunnits (b00w77k5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Ballylenon (b007tcbg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b009rnlw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Dot (b08rptr4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sh8f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070fdj1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Say the Word (b00764j5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Elephants to Catch Eels (b007mcc4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Robert Tressell - The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (m001y1h3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 The Rivals (b082fgt8)
Series 4
3. The Secret of Dunstan's Tower
Inspector Lestrade was made to look a fool in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Now he gets his own back, with tales of Holmes' rivals.
James Fleet stars as Inspector Lestrade.
Lestrade enlists the help of the brilliant blind detective Max Carrados when he is asked to help a woman who believes that an old prophecy is foretelling her death.
In 1662 a fierce quarrel lead to the fatal wounding of Sir Philip Belmont by Henry Ainsworth who owned Dunstan's Tower. Before Sir Philip died he prophesied that when blood appeared on the steps of the grand staircase of Dunstan's Tower, then one of the Ainsworth family had a week to live.
Blood has now appeared on the steps and the present Lady Ainsworth is awaiting her death.
Lestrade ...... James Fleet
Max Carrados ...... Pip Torrens
Tom Ainsworth ...... Tom Forrister
Edith Ainsworth ...... Kirsty Oswald
Lady Una Ainsworth ...... Joanna Munroe
Parkinson ...... James Lailey
Swarbrick ...... Sean Baker
Written by Ernest Bramah and dramatised by Chris Harrald.
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2016.
THU 06:30 Whodunnits (b00wdf4d)
Charles Paris - Murder in the Title
3. Killer?
Charles is appearing in a terrible play - 'The Message is Murder'.
It's so bad that someone wants to kill off the cast...
Bill Nighy stars as actor-cum-sleuth, Charles Paris.
By Jeremy Front - based on Simon Brett's novel.
Charles Paris ..... Bill Nighy
Frances ..... Suzanne Burden
Maurice ..... Jon Glover
Fabio ..... Theo Cross
Tony ..... Sam Dale
Sean ..... Iain Batchelor
Ronnie ..... Sean Baker
Elaine ..... Christine Kavanagh
Phoebe ..... Claire Harry
Chris ..... Henry Devas
Frank ..... Tony Bell
Protestor ..... Sally Orrock
Barmaid ..... Leah Brotherhead
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2010.
THU 07:00 Second Thoughts (b00k2fl1)
Series 3
Room With a Queue
Hannah is off to university, so Bill and Faith bicker over who gets her vacated bedroom.
Starring Lynda Bellingham and James Bolam
Sitcom about the battles of divorcees Bill and Faith beginning married life, whilst balancing the demands of his ex-wife and her teenage children.
Faith …… Lynda Bellingham
Bill …… James Bolam
Hilary …… Celia Imrie
Liza …… Belinda Lang
Hannah …… Emma Gregory
Joe …… Mark Denham
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 April 1991.
THU 07:30 Dad's Army (b008h50c)
Series 3
Absent Friends
Captain Mainwaring returns to platoon insubordination - and an escaped convict.
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 Martyn
Mrs Pike …. Pearl Hackney
Additional music by Dennis Gomm.
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1976.
THU 08:00 Cooking in a Bedsitter (b09h2rby)
Series 2
Mutton Rissoles
Spring, 1965. Trisha moves into a new bedsitter with toast-loving Moira.
Beattie Edmondson and Nikesh Patel star in Sue Teddern's romantic comedy, inspired by Katharine Whitehorn's cookery classic.
Extracts from Cooking in a Bedsitter are read by Eleanor Bron.
Trisha ...... Beattie Edmondson
Deepak. ...... Nikesh Patel
June. ...... Ellie Darvill
Len. ...... Rupert Holliday-Evans
Moira. ...... Isabella Inchbald
Robert. ...... Clive Hayward
Karl. ...... Adam Fitzgerald
Julie. ...... Abbie Andrews
Director: Emma Harding
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2017.
THU 08:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sjyb)
4. Friendship
Jean is developing a friendship with Gretchen and Howard, but she must keep up the investigation. In London, she visits Martha - Gretchen’s friend from her time at St. Cecilia’s.
When the North Kent Echo receives a letter from a woman claiming her daughter was the result of virgin birth, they send feature writer Jean Swinney to investigate.
Jean is almost 40 and and leads a restricted life with her demanding mother. But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change.
The author Clare Chambers was born in Croydon and studied English at Hertford College, Oxford. After graduating she lived for a year in New Zealand where she wrote her first novel Uncertain Terms at the age of 22. Small Pleasures was a BBC2 Between The Covers Book Club Pick.
Written by Clare Chambers
Read by Monica Dolan
Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.
THU 08:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070hbsq)
9. Life Support
A beautifully observed account of a family in meltdown.
Nettie is still being kept on life support as her pregnancy continues.
Luke ...... Tyger Drew-Honey
Nettie ...... Katie Angelou
Ailsa ...... Sharon Small
Martin ...... Justin Salinger
Orla ...... Rebecca Hamilton
Pat ...... Gerard McDermott
Herbie ...... Richard Pepple
Written by Lucy Catherine.
Directed by Mary Peate.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
THU 09:00 What's the Story, Ashley Storrie? (m001xvrb)
1. How Dad Met Mother
Glasgow's nightlife in the early 1980's was still flying the flag for disco, bell bottoms and oversized lapels, and it was outside the local club in Shettleston where Ashley's parents met for the first time, starting the story that led to an unexpected marriage and a family feud that was never resolved.
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4
Written by Ashley Storrie
Produced by Julia Sutherland
THU 09:30 A Piece of Cake (m0002z0g)
4. Kendal Mint Cake
According to legend, a 19th-century Kendal confectioner invented Kendal Mint Cake by accident in the Cumbrian town.
Little did he realise the outsized role it was to take in mountaineering history – including fuelling the first ascent of Mount Everest.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes shares fond memories of his own expeditions - and key role the cake played for him.
Five choice slices of British sweet treats as Sheila McClennon tells the stories behind them.
Producer: Libby Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2004.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m001y1hh)
Guiding Light – Illuminated Path
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Guiding Light – Illuminated Path
Proverbs 4: 10-19
Led by Swarzy Macaly
Music
Lead my Feet
Seth Pinnock & A New Thing
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Becca Folkes with Seth Pinnock & A New Thing
Already Done
Becca Folkes with Seth Pinnock & A New Thing
THU 10:00 Great Lives (b0076b1l)
Bernard Manning nominates Mother Teresa
Comedian Bernard Manning chooses Mother Theresa of Calcutta.
With Humphrey Carpenter.
The biographical series in which a distinguished guest chooses someone who's inspired their life.
Will their hero stand up to intensive scrutiny and merit the description of having led a great life?
Also in the studio is Anne Sebba, Mother Teresa's biographer.
Producer: Jolyon Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2002.
THU 10:30 Manto: Uncovering Pakistan (b07fl5br)
Sarfraz Manzoor explores the life of the Pakistani writer, Sa'adat Manto.
Sa’adat Hassan Manto was a writer who confronted social taboos in Indio-Pakistani society. Even though he died in 1955, an alcoholic and penniless, his work still speaks to 21st century Pakistan.
"If you find my stories dirty, the society you are living in is dirty. With my stories, I only expose the truth" (Manto)
Born in Punjab in what was then British India on 11th May 1912, Manto died aged only 42 in Punjab, by then Pakistan. As a film and radio script writer, a journalist and most significantly as short story writer in Urdu, he chronicled the chaos that prevailed in the run up to, during and after the Partition of India in 1947. Manto was tried for obscenity six times - three times in British India and three times in Pakistan, but he was never convicted.
"A writer picks up his pen only when his sensibility is hurt" (Manto)
Often compared with DH Lawrence, Manto (much like Lawrence) wrote about topics considered to be social taboos in Indio-Pakistani society. With stories such as 'Atishparay' (Nuggets of Fire), 'Bu' (Odour), 'Thanda Gosht' (Cold Meat) and 'Shikari Auratein' (Women of Prey), he portrayed the darkness of the human psyche and the collective madness of the social and political changes around him.
"If you cannot bear these stories then society is unbearable. Who am I to remove the clothes of this society, which itself is naked. I don't even try to cover it, because that is not my job. That is the job of dressmakers" (Manto)
With the help of Manto's three daughters, Nusrat, Nighat and Nuzhat, as well as writers and scholars like Ayesha Jalal, Suniya Qureshi, Preti Taneja and Mohammed Hanif, presenter Sarfraz Mansoor tells Manto’s story and assesses his legacy.
Producer: Paul Kobrak
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2017.
THU 11:00 The Rivals (b082fgt8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:30 Whodunnits (b00wdf4d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 12:00 Second Thoughts (b00k2fl1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 Dad's Army (b008h50c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 Cooking in a Bedsitter (b09h2rby)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sjyb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070hbsq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Genius (b008h5bx)
Series 2
Carol Vorderman
Rotating rooms and a flexible retirement plan?
Dave Gorman asks TV’s Carol Vorderman to choose the public's best loopy idea.
Award-winning comedian Dave Gorman and a celebrity guest chew over the ridiculous, unworkable but sometimes genius inventions, schemes and policies of the public.
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2006.
THU 14:30 Gilbert Without Sullivan (b0076f18)
Series 1
An Elixir of Love
When the Reverend Stanley Gay imposes his strong views on marriage on his flock with the help of a secret potion, there are unexpected results...
The first series of short stories by WS Gilbert dramatised by Stephen Wyatt.
WS Gilbert …. Jonathan Coy
Stanley Gay …. Paul Downing
Jessie Lightly …. Cathy Sara
Zorah …. Gillian Goodman
Sir Caractacus Lightly …. Christopher Scott
Grosvenor …. John Fleming
Playwright and humourist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best known for his comic opera collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan, which first captivated audiences across the English-speaking world in the late 19th century.
Director: Sue Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2003.
THU 15:00 Robert Tressell - The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (m001y1hk)
3. The Great Money Trick
Edwardian England: pressure on the workers mounts as Frank explains ‘capitalism’, and the Great Money Trick.
"Money is the cause of poverty because it is the device used to rob the workers of the fruits of their labours... I'll show you 'ow the Great Money Trick works."
Sean Barrett stars as Robert Tressell, Brian Glover as Bob Crass and Mark Straker as Frank Owen.
Written by Robert Tressell.
Written under the pen name Robert Tressell, Robert Noonan’s semi-autobiographical novel was published posthumously in 1914. Born in Dublin in 1870 and settling in Hastings, England in 1901, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is Noonan’s sardonic critique of the way society is organised, with the ‘philanthropists’ being poorly paid workers who continue to help make profits for the owners of businesses.
A house painter and sign writer by trade (the inspiration for his pen name), Noonan died in Liverpool from tuberculosis in 1911.
He was buried in a pauper’s grave. His true identity as author of his novel was not revealed for 40 years.
Robert Tressell .... Sean Barrett
Bob Crass .... Brian Glover
Hunter .... Bryan Pringle
Frank Owen .... Mark Straker
Fred Harlow .... Robin Summers
Joe Philpot .... Norman Jones
Will Easton .... Donald Gee
Sawkins .... Michael Graham Cox
Bundy .... Richard Tate
Bert White .... Richard Pearce
Alf Slyme .... David Goudge
Collector .... Peter Craze
Ruth Easton .... Kate Lock
Mrs Crass .... Eva Stuart
Drunk .... John Bull
Conductor .... Christopher Good
Woman .... Alice Arnold
Mrs Newman .... Joanna MacKie
Rosie Newman .... Susan Sheridan
Nora Owen .... Joan Walker
Frankie Owen .... Andrew Mulquin
Dramatised by Gregory Evans.
Director: Michael Bakewell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1989.
THU 16:00 Great Lives (b0076b1l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 Manto: Uncovering Pakistan (b07fl5br)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 The Rivals (b082fgt8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:30 Whodunnits (b00wdf4d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 18:00 Second Thoughts (b00k2fl1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 Dad's Army (b008h50c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 Cooking in a Bedsitter (b09h2rby)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sjyb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070hbsq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Genius (b008h5bx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 Gilbert Without Sullivan (b0076f18)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 21:00 Robert Tressell - The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (m001y1hk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
THU 22:00 What's the Story, Ashley Storrie? (m001xvrb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 22:30 John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme (b086s7dk)
Series 6
Episode 2
John makes a decision on behalf of the nation; delivers an unusual rhythm; and has a bright idea about money. And, well... Since you ask him for a tale of strange transformations...
John Finnemore, writer and star of Cabin Pressure and John Finnemore's Double Acts and regular guest on The Now Show and The Unbelievable Truth, presents the sixth series of his multi-award-winning show.
John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme was described by The Radio Times as "the best sketch show in years, on television or radio", and by The Daily Telegraph as "funny enough to make even the surliest cat laugh". Already the winner of a BBC Audio Drama Award and a Radio Academy Silver Award, John was named the 2016 Radio Broadcaster of the Year by the Broadcasting Press Guild for his work on Souvenir Programme.
Written by and starring John Finnemore.
With
Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Simon Kane
Lawry Lewin
Carrie Quinlan
Producer ... Ed Morrish
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in January 2017.
THU 23:00 The Mark Steel Revolution (b007jswj)
The French Revolution
Radical comic Mark Steele turns his analytical mind to the guillotine and all things French.
In the first of six lectures on the theme of revolution, Mark examines some of the major historical forces at work during revolutions as well as holding up a mirror to our own age.
With Martin Hyder and Carla Mendonca.
Producer: Phil Clarke
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.
THU 23:30 Everyone Quite Likes Justin (b01mc0mc)
Series 2
Episode 1
Justin's still living with his father-in-law, still working with his ex-wife and still calling on his Gran for her words of wisdom.
And now he also has to cope with not having a plus one to bring to his school reunion.
Starring Justin Moorhouse, Anne Reid and Paul Copley.
Sitcom written by Justin Moorhouse and Jim Poyser.
In one version of his life, Justin is a loveable celebrity who is successful, funny, and stopped in the street by adoring fans. He's the man who has everything.
In the more realistic version he's a DJ in a slightly shabby local radio station who gets hassled by the occasional oddball on the street. And he's the man who hopes for everything.
And at home? Well, it's chaotic. His wife has left him, taking custody of his 8-year-old son Justin jnr.
So he's back on the market. So he's currently living in his father-in-law's spare room in Bury. The only person who understands him is his Gran, living in luxury in an old folk's home in Warrington. Oh, and his producer Bryn but this might not be such a good thing.
Justin ...... Justin Moorhouse
Gran ...... Anne Reid
Ray ...... Paul Copley
Lisa ...... Christine Bottomley
Bryn ...... Lloyd Langford
Miles ...... Rob Rouse
Tanya ...... Victoria Elliott
Man ...... Jim Poyser
Recorded with an audience in Manchester.
Producer: Steven Canny
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2012.

FRIDAY 12 APRIL 2024

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (b0076b1l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Manto: Uncovering Pakistan (b07fl5br)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 The Rivals (b082fgt8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Whodunnits (b00wdf4d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Second Thoughts (b00k2fl1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 Dad's Army (b008h50c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Cooking in a Bedsitter (b09h2rby)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000sjyb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070hbsq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Genius (b008h5bx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 Gilbert Without Sullivan (b0076f18)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Robert Tressell - The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (m001y1hk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 The Rivals (b082x79t)
Series 4
4. The Mystery of the Scarlet Thread
Inspector Lestrade was made to look a fool in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Now he gets his own back, with tales of Holmes' rivals.
James Fleet stars as Inspector Lestrade.
Lestrade enlists the help of 'the Thinking Machine' Professor SFX Van Dusen with what he suspects may be a series of attempted murders.
City dealer Nicholas Henley, has nearly been gassed three times in apparent accidents in the luxury flats of Malplaquet House. All the residents have secrets, but which one of them is out to get Henley?
Lestrade ...... James Fleet
Van Dusen ...... Tony Gardner
Nicolas Henley ...... Nick Underwood
Charlotte Lipscombe ...... Joannah Tincey
Reginald Cabell ...... James Lailey
Miss Regnier ...... Kirsty Oswald
Burlingame ...... Brian Protheroe
Pemberley ...... Sean Baker
Written by Jacques Futrelle and dramatised by Chris Harrald.
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2016.
FRI 06:30 Whodunnits (b00wlbvx)
Charles Paris - Murder in the Title
4. Murderer?
Who is determined to close the Regent Theatre?
Someone who is willing to commit murder to get their way...
Bill Nighy stars as actor-cum-sleuth, Charles Paris.
By Jeremy Front - based on Simon Brett's novel.
Charles Paris ..... Bill Nighy
Frances ..... Suzanne Burden
Maurice ..... Jon Glover
Tony ..... Sam Dale
Sean ..... Iain Batchelor
Elaine ..... Christine Kavanagh
Phoebe ..... Claire Harry
Chris ..... Henry Devas
Martha ..... Sally Orrock
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2010.
FRI 07:00 Up the Garden Path (b007wpnk)
Series 1
Tangled Webs
The complex life and loves of Izzy Comyn, with her propensity for telling lies.
Tumbling from one love entanglement to another, 30 something teacher Izzy Comyn has a predilection for inappropriate men.
Imelda Staunton stars as Izzy.
Adapted by Sue Limb from her 1984 novel into 3 radio series which ran from 1987 to 1993. Granada also adapted the series for ITV.
Izzy ...... Imelda Staunton
Maria ...... Marty Cruickshank
Michael ...... Nicholas Le Prevost
Dick ...... Mike Grady
Class 4C:
Sarah Doyle
Kerryann White
Mark Monero
Sam Smart
Producer: Jonathan James-Moore
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1987.
FRI 07:30 Albert and Me (b007jzd2)
Series 2
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
Can Bryan save his sister Vera's marriage from breakdown?
Stars Robert Lindsay and Pat Coombs.
Robert Lindsay plays single parent Bryan Archer struggling to find work while raising his baby son, Albert.
Bryan Archer ...... Robert Lindsay
Mum/Albert ...... Pat Coombs
Mrs Willis ...... Diana King
Vera ...... Marcia Warren
Edward ...... Gorden Kaye
Written by Jim Eldridge.
Incidental music by Max Harris.
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1983.
FRI 08:00 Plum House (b0b52cms)
Series 2
Thief Encounter
Peter and Julian are determined to retrieve a valuable pudding artefact and they've enlisted the help of a crooked connection to do so.
Emma and Tom try to keep everyone on the straight and narrow - but Maureen finds herself mysteriously drawn to the shady visitor.
Comedy about the inept staff at a historic house. Starring Simon Callow, Jane Horrocks and Miles Jupp.
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to the Lake District. But one place they never go to is Plum House - the former country home of terrible poet George Pudding (1779-1848).
Now a crumbling museum, losing money hand over fist, it struggles to stay open under its eccentric curator Peter Knight. Tom Collyer tries and fails to get the museum back on track, alongside the hopelessly out of touch deputy Julian, corner-cutting gift shop manager Maureen, put-upon education officer Emma, and enthusiastic but dim-witted caretaker Alan.
Peter ...... Simon Callow
Julian ...... Miles Jupp
Maureen ...... Jane Horrocks
Tom ...... Tom Bell
Alan ...... Pearce Quigley
Emma ...... Louise Ford
Gerry ...... Danny Webb
Ralph ...... Ed Easton
Written by Ben Cottam and Paul McKenna
Produced by Sarah Cartwright
Directed by Paul Schlesinger
A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018.
FRI 08:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000skcj)
5. Outing
With Gretchen’s blessing and encouragement, Jean takes Margaret for an outing in London.
When the North Kent Echo receives a letter from a woman claiming her daughter was the result of virgin birth, they send feature writer Jean Swinney to investigate.
Jean is almost 40 and and leads a restricted life with her demanding mother. But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change.
The author Clare Chambers was born in Croydon and studied English at Hertford College, Oxford. After graduating she lived for a year in New Zealand where she wrote her first novel Uncertain Terms at the age of 22. Small Pleasures was a BBC2 Between The Covers Book Club Pick.
Written by Clare Chambers
Read by Monica Dolan
Abridged by Jeremy Osborne
Produced by Jeremy Osborne
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.
FRI 08:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070hscp)
10. Dark Night
A beautifully observed account of a family in meltdown.
Luke's dark night of the soul is over.
Luke ...... Tyger Drew-Honey
Nettie ...... Katie Angelou
Ailsa ...... Sharon Small
Martin ...... Justin Salinger
Orla ...... Rebecca Hamilton
Doctor ...... Susan Jameson
Written by Lucy Catherine.
Directed by Mary Peate.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
FRI 09:00 You Heard It Here First (m001y1hr)
Series 2
Episode 1
Chris McCausland asks Iain Stirling and Su Pollard to take on Alasdair Beckett-King and Sophie Duker, deciphering brainteaser sound cues for points and pride whilst trying not to muck about too much along the way. The teams must figure out what on earth is being advertised on TV, guess what famous objects or locations children are trying to describe, and guess what sounds their teammates are trying to recreate.
Producer: Sasha Bobak
Assistant Producer: Becky Carewe-Jeffires
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Coordinator: Dan Marchini
A BBC Studios Production
An EcoAudio certified production
FRI 09:30 A Piece of Cake (m000303q)
5. Eccles Cake
Sheila McClennon visits the Lancashire town of Eccles to taste these sweet currant-and-pastry cakes.
Five choice slices of British sweet treats and the stories behind them.
Producer: Libby Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2004.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m001y1hy)
Guiding Light - God's Plan
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Guiding Light - God's Plan
Led by the Revd Dr Emma Whittick
Reading: Romans 8: 24-30
Thy Hand O God Has Guided
Cardiff Polyphonic Choir
All My Hope On God Is Founded
Choir of Bangor Cathedral
Christ Be Our Light
Choir of Llandaff Cathedral
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (m0011rkf)
Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific
Ezio Pinza was the first person to sing Some Enchanted Evening when South Pacific opened on Broadway in 1949. His granddaughter, Sarah Goodyear, recounts his extraordinary life story: from international opera singer, to political prisoner, then a star of musical theatre.
Perhaps best known for its 1958 film version, South Pacific famously starred Rossano Brazzi as Emile de Becque. However his singing voice was provided by opera star, Giorgio Tozzi. His son, Eric Tozzi, recalls hearing his father practise Some Enchanted Evening in their California beach-side home.
Canan Maxton runs the charity, Talent Unlimited, which supports student musicians. Some Enchanted Evening was the signature tune to her own love story, which inspired her to launch that organisation.
Alan Titchmarsh is best known as a TV gardener, but he has a surprisingly good voice. Some Enchanted Evening is a childhood favourite which reminds him of his parents, but he couldn't have foreseen the day when he would sing it live at the London Palladium for an ITV audience (credit to ITV All Star Musicals, produced by Multistory Media for the extract used).
Daniel Evans is the Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre. He staged a well-reviewed production of South Pacific, one which explores the racist theme Rodgers and Hammerstein originally sought to address in their Broadway production. He explains the role Some Enchanted Evening plays in the storyline of the show.
Julian Ovenden played Emile de Becque in the Chichester production. He describes what it's like to perform this very famous and much anticipated song.
BBC Audio Producer: Karen Gregor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2021.
FRI 10:30 A Brief History of TIM (b07kl685)
Lynne Truss explores the history of the Speaking Clock, which was launched amid great anticipation on 24th July, 1936.
TIM, “the wonder instrument of the Post Office”, used state of the art technology, with the voice reproduced from rotating glass discs. In the first year the service was only available in London, but still received around 12 million calls. Since then, the clock’s four successive "Golden Voices" have told the time through a world war, huge cultural and technological changes, and radical developments in our understanding of time itself.
Two celebrated cosmologists comment on aspects of time and timekeeping: Professor Stephen Hawking, and Professor Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal – it was an earlier holder of this title, Harold Spencer Jones, who made the first call to TIM, at the inaugural ceremony in 1936.
Lynne visits the grand original speaking clock, now housed at the British Horological Institute; and she meets the current Golden Voice, Sara Mendes da Costa, who describes what it is like to be part of this very British institution.
Through music and archive, the programme travels back in time to the competitions to appoint Sara and her predecessors - Jane Cain, Pat Simmons, and Brian Cobby – and to discover how much times have changed.
Sound design by Dave Dodd.
Producer: Susan Kenyon
A Whistledown production, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016.
FRI 11:00 The Rivals (b082x79t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:30 Whodunnits (b00wlbvx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 12:00 Up the Garden Path (b007wpnk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Albert and Me (b007jzd2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Plum House (b0b52cms)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000skcj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070hscp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 Whispers (b007k358)
Series 3
Episode 4
Gyles Brandreth hosts the quiz show with scandal on its mind and slander at its heart.
Julian Fellowes and Penny Junor join team captains Lucy Moore and Anthony Holden to run the gauntlet of gossip.
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2005.
FRI 14:30 Bookcases (b00szhvl)
Series 1
The Prosser Prize
London 1858: Primus is determined that Spavin and Spavin's entry should win this distinguished literary award, even if it means seducing the sponsors.
Martyn Wade's Victorian era comedy stars Michael Cochrane and Maggie Steed.
Primus …. Michael Cochrane
Cordelia …. Maggie Steed
Edith …. Elizabeth Spriggs
Gerald …. David Horovitch
Simeon …. Charles Simpson
Mrs Prosser …. Frances Jeater
Prosser …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Thackeray …. David Antrobus
Director: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.
FRI 15:00 Robert Tressell - The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (m001y1j2)
4. Other People's Hard Work
Edwardian England: with renovation of the rich man’s house complete, the workers face winter unemployment.
"Seems to me we needn't bother ourselves with the ratepayers at all.... We run this town! We've got the council in our pockets!"
Sean Barrett stars as Robert Tressell, Brian Glover as Bob Crass and Mark Straker as Frank Owen.
Written by Robert Tressell.
Written under the pen name Robert Tressell, Robert Noonan’s semi-autobiographical novel was published posthumously in 1914. Born in Dublin in 1870 and settling in Hastings, England in 1901, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is Noonan’s sardonic critique of the way society is organised, with the ‘philanthropists’ being poorly paid workers who continue to help make profits for the owners of businesses.
A house painter and sign writer by trade (the inspiration for his pen name), Noonan died in Liverpool from tuberculosis in 1911.
He was buried in a pauper’s grave. His true identity as author of his novel was not revealed for 40 years.
Robert Tressell .... Sean Barrett
Bob Crass .... Brian Glover
Hunter .... Bryan Pringle
Frank Owen .... Mark Straker
Adam Sweater .... Peter Vaughan
Fred Harlow .... Robin Summers
Joe Philpot .... Norman Jones
Bundy .... Richard Tate
Will Easton .... Donald Gee
Newman .... Peter Craze
Amos Grinder .... Geoffrey Matthews
Jeremiah Didlum ... John Moffatt
George Rushton .... Denis Lill
Nora Owen .... Joan Walker
Mary Linden .... Alice Arnold
Man .... John Bull
Jack Linden .... Philip Newman
Secretary .... Eva Stuart
Dr Weakling .... John Warner
Councillor .... Michael Graham Cox
Dramatised by Gregory Evans.
Director: Michael Bakewell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1989.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (m0011rkf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 A Brief History of TIM (b07kl685)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 The Rivals (b082x79t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Whodunnits (b00wlbvx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Up the Garden Path (b007wpnk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 Albert and Me (b007jzd2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 Plum House (b0b52cms)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (m000skcj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 Lucy Catherine - Halfway Here (b070hscp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 Whispers (b007k358)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Bookcases (b00szhvl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Robert Tressell - The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (m001y1j2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
FRI 22:00 You Heard It Here First (m001y1hr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
FRI 22:30 Laura Solon - Talking and Not Talking (b00y9xdg)
Series 1
Episode 6
Revelations about hats, tents and some disturbing tales from Beatrix Potter.
Award-winning comedian Laura Solon's sketch and character comedy series.
With:
Ben Moor
Katherine Parkinson
Ben Willbond
Written by Laura Solon.
With additional material by the cast, Carl Cooper, Tony Roche and Andy Marlatt.
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2007.
FRI 23:00 Jake Yapp's Media Circus (b0bcgw3b)
Speech Radio
Jake Yapp applies his sharp satirical eye to the modern media, exploring its strengths, weaknesses and idiosyncrasies through stand-up, sketch and music.
This time, Jake uses the medium of speech radio to satirise... Speech Radio. Exploring its most exhausting iterations and tropes.
Written, performed and composed by Jake Yapp.
With:
George Fouracres
Emily Lloyd-Saini
Additional material by Robin Morgan.
Producer: Joe Nunnery
A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2018.
FRI 23:30 Weak at the Top (b00tjnmq)
Series 2
Values
Marketing maestro John Weak tries to solve the meeting room crisis with some challenging seduction...
Randy, devious, sexist and workshy, John Weak puts the man into management – in Guy Browning’s sitcom.
Starring Alexander Armstrong as marketing maestro and "totty" magnet John Weak.
Hayley ...... Clare Perkins
Sir Marcus ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Bill Peters ...... Ron Cook
Tim ...... Ewan Bailey
Giles ...... Stephen Critchlow
Sam ...... Adjoa Andoh
Music: David Pickvance
Producer: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2006.