SATURDAY 17 AUGUST 2024

SAT 00:00 Soul Music (b04sv2gz)
Series 19
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
'There Is a Light That Never Goes Out' by The Smiths is explored through personal stories.
Released in 1986 on 'The Queen Is Dead' album, it's become an anthem of hope, loss and love.
As a teenager, Andy listened to it with his father, as he drove him to work. They had a moment of connection, and when his father died suddenly a few weeks later, the song took on huge significance.
When her young son was ill, Sharon Woolley drew strength from this music as she sat by his bedside in the small hours of the morning.
For comic artist Lucy Knisley, the song got her through a bad break-up with her long-term boyfriend - and its meaning changed for her when unexpected events unfolded.
Also featuring:
Mike Garry
Teddy Jameison
Mark Gatiss
Simon Goddard
Producer: Sara Conkey
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2014.
SAT 00:30 The Foghorn: A Celebration (b00yqp5z)
Peter Curran celebrates the humble foghorn's powerful role in music, literature and film.
The foghorn was invented in 1855 by Robert Foulis, a Scotsman living in Canada.
He could hear the low notes (but not the high notes) of his daughter's piano playing whist walking far from the family's fog-shrouded coastal cottage, thus inspiring the first steam powered fog horn.
But beyond the sea, it's 'whale-like' sound has inspired artists, writers and musicians to use the foghorn both as symbol and instrument.
Peter Curran hears from foghorn composer of 'Maritime Rites' Alvin Curran, Jason Gorski, aka The Fogmaster, who used to conduct guerrilla foghorn concerts in the Bay Area of California
Peter takes a tour of Portland Bill lighthouse in Dorset, with keeper Larry Walker, taking the opportunity to set off an almighty Victorian foghorn.
He also speaks to James Bond film music (and future 2012 Olympic theme) composer David Arnold, who tries to digitally recreate the foghorn's cry.
Plus Dr Harry Witchel analyses Peter's yearn for the sound as a child.
Producer: Sara Jane Hall.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2011.
SAT 01:00 Dixon of Dock Green (b016r51t)
Series 2
Give a Dog a Good Name
PC George Dixon helps the newly promoted DI Andy Crawford trap a particularly vicious criminal - a man with an achilles heel in the shape of a small dog called Shirley.
Radio revival of BBC TV's famous copper, based at a London police station.
Starring David Calder and Hamish Clark.
Written for TV by Ted Willis and adapted for radio by Sue Rodwell.
George Dixon ...... David Calder
Andy Crawford ...... Hamish Clark
Duffy ...... Shaun Prendergast
Mrs Jones ...... Carol MacReady
DI Cherry ...... Christian Rodska
Mary Crawford ...... Charlie Brooks
Director: Viv Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2006.
SAT 01:30 Raffles (b01p0twv)
Series 1
1. The Ides of March
Bunny Manders desperately needs ready cash to repay a gambling debt.
His old schoolfellow, the celebrated English cricketer AJ Raffles knows just the person to help a fellow out.
He's a jeweller in London's Bond Street - and, funnily enough, Raffles had planned to pay him a surprise visit that very night...
Starring Jeremy Clyde and Michael Cochrane.
EW Hornung's early Raffles stories of the renowned cricketer and gentleman thief.
Dramatised by David Buck.
AJ Raffles …. Jeremy Clyde
Bunny …. Michael Cochrane
Lord Upton …. George Parsons
Crony …. Graham Blockey
Crony …. Shaun Prendergast
Constable …. John Church
Young Bunny …. James Dykes
Signature tune composed by Jim Parker.
Director: Gordon House
A BBC Radio 4/World Service production, first broadcast in October 1985.
SAT 02:00 Comedy Showcase (m0021x69)
2. Mr Harris
He is a lazy, arrogant, bullying games teacher, but Mr Harris is getting out.... unless the parents lynch him first.
One of four shows making up the Comedy Showcase series.
Chris England
Morwenna Banks
Robert Harley
Andy Taylor
Martin Hyder
Roger Blake
Roger Sloman
Valerie Minifie
Written by Chris England
Producer: Phil Clarke
Series producer: Bill Dare
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1998.
SAT 02:30 Share and Share Alike (m000mlmz)
Age of Concern
Jack's had vast experience with the opposite sex.
This comes in handy when brother Leslie needs convincing that lost youth doesn't necessarily mean the end to all hopes of tasting the flesh-pots.
Starring Hugh Paddick and Michael Robbins.
Series written by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles
Jack ...... Michael Robbins
Lesley ...... Hugh Paddick
Janice ...... Elizabeth Morgan
Ron ...... Dennis Bond
Vivien ...... Karin MacCarthy

Producer John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1978.
SAT 03:00 Daliso Chaponda: Citizen of Nowhere (b0b3d42l)
Series 1
Border Patrol
Malawian comedian Daliso Chaponda looks at the relationship between the UK and Africa.
The UK and Africa have had a long a complicated past. This series looks at the history of this relationship and Daliso is our relationship guidance counsellor, helping us navigate the rocky historical waters between the two places.
A Malawian comedian who grew up all over the world, Daliso straddles cultural divides. He will help us all better understand how to sort out our differences. Or not...
In this final episode, Daliso talks about the process of immigration.
Written and performed by Daliso Chaponda.
The Other Guy ... James Quinn
Theme tune by Law.
Image by Steve Ullathorne.
Producer, Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2018.
SAT 03:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bft32)
5. Ruby Windsor
In the guise of Sir Hilary Bray, James Bond contacts SPECTRE boss Blofeld - and learns more about his Alpine hideaway.
Ian Fleming’s gripping 11th James Bond novel.
Abridged by Michael Bakewell.
Read by Joanna Lumley.
Producer: David Benedictus.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1989.
SAT 03:45 EM Forster - Where Angels Fear to Tread (b007jrzr)
10. A Bitter Truth
Englishman Philip confesses all to Italian Gino - and learns a bitter truth.
EM Forster's deliciously witty story of English conventions confounded by the romanticism of Italy.
Debut novel first published in 1905.
Dramatised by Penny Leicester.
Narrator ...... Sian Thomas
Philip ...... Jamie Bamber
Caroline ...... Emilia Fox
Harriet ...... Deborah Findlay
Gino ...... Tom George
Director: Di Speirs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2003.
SAT 04:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00jj529)
Series 1
Episode 5
James Walton chairs the show that tests and tickles the knowledge of industry pundits and people passionate about pop.
Regulars Tracey MacLeod and Andrew Collins are joined by:
Journalist, David Hepworth
T’Pau singer, Carol Decker
Reader: Beth Chalmers
Written and researched by James Walton
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2005.
SAT 04:30 The Brothers (b00ntdnr)
Series 2
Episode 2
Brothers Nigel and Michael win an award.
Sitcom about the dysfunctional Burbage siblings.
Written by Caroline and David Stafford.
Nigel Burbage …. Adam Godley
Michael Burbage …. Ray Coulthard
Oonagh …. Pauline McLynn
Zorro …. Alex Lowe
Unsuitable Man …. Harry Myers
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2005.
SAT 05:00 Heinrich Mann - Berlin (m000t0ds)
2. At Last - Rehearsals!
Aspiring young poet Andrew Zumsee has come from the provinces to make his name in Berlin society in the 1890s.
With the wealthy Turkheimers as his patrons - and Adelheid Turkheimer as his lover - a glittering artistic career looks assured.
Conclusion of Heinrich Mann's 1900 novel
Starring John Kielty.
Dramatised by Patricia Hannah.
Andrew Zumsee .... John Kielty
Adelheid Turkheimer .... Joanna Tope
Louis Turkheimer .... John Shedden
Karl Kaflisch .... Simon Tait
Dr Bedeiner .... Ralph Riach
Lizzi Laffe .... Vivienne Dixon
Diederich Klempner .... Gregor Powrie
Friederich Kopf .... Simon Donaldson
Asta Turkheimer .... Lucy Paterson
Bienaimee Matzke ... Gayanne Potter
Frau Moore.................Stella Forge
Clare Pinbush.............Hilary Neville
Blosch............................Mark McDonald
Heinrich Mann .... James Bryce
Director: David Jackson Young
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
SAT 06:00 Colin Thubron - A Cruel Madness (m00223v6)
Daniel Pashley sees a familiar woman in the grounds of a psychiatric unit where he teaches English once a week.
Surely she's Sophia, a country doctor with whom he had a passionate affair which ended abruptly 10 years earlier..?
A nightmare quest as he battles to discover why she is there..?
Starring Robert Glenister and Harriet Walker.
Dramatised by Colin Thubron from his own haunting novel, published in 1984.
Daniel Pashley .... Robert Glenister
Sophia .... Harriet Walter
McQuitty .... Jonathan Adams
Nisbet .... Keith Drinkel
Orgill .... David Bannerman
Psychiatrist .... Peter Penry Jones
Mother .... Joanna Wake
Compere .... Mark Straker
Patient .... Terence Edmond
Boy .... Neil Roberts
Director: John Theocharis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1992
SAT 07:15 An Adventure in Bed by Stacy Aumonier (m00223v8)
George regards busy people as fools.
Bed dwellers can't start wars and yet could surely still create great art lying down?
But then, a beautiful young woman called Maisie comes along and there is an astonishing transformation......
Stacy Aumonier's short story, first published in 1921.
Read by John Baddeley.
Producer: Matthew Walters
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1993.
SAT 07:30 Bog Child (Omnibus) (m000bfx7)
Episode 2
Joe is still on hunger strike in Long Kesh prison, but Fergus is distracted by Cora...
Digging for peat in the mountains, Fergus has found the body of a girl, who seems to have been murdered around 2,000 years before.
He's got to know the archaeologist in charge, and her daughter, Cora.
Fergus knows his A levels are a way out of the 'insane' world around him: his brother on hunger-strike in prison, his growing feelings for Cora, his parents arguing over the Troubles, and being blackmailed into acting as a courier for the IRA across the border, where he has befriended the sentry, Owain.
A voice comes to him in his dreams and the mystery of the bog child unfurls.
Set in the summer, 1980s, in Northern Ireland, this beautiful, subtle, intriguing and uplifting story is one you’ll never forget. Its setting is a vital historical context for current Brexit confusion: a deeply appealing and timely story set around the complex politics of the Northern Irish border.
Siobhan Dowd's award-winning novel set on the Northern Irish border during the Troubles.
Omnibus of the last first five of ten episodes abridged by Sara Davies.
Mel .... Catherine Cusack
Concluded by Finnian Garbutt.
Produce: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2019
SAT 08:45 Robb Wilton: I Should Say So (b039gk6j)
Series 2
The Pantomime
Robb Wilton (1881 - 1957) was one of the most popular music hall and radio comics of the 1930s and 1940s.
Famed as an all-round pessimist - what would he have made of 1980s Britain? Can Clara be prevented from playing Peter Pan?
Michael Williams stars as Robb Wilton - making as little sense out of life as he did 40 years before...
Written by Allen Saddler.
Producer: Brian Miller
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1988.
SAT 09:00 The Men from the Ministry (b016dgvc)
She'll Have To Go
Can the bungling bureaucrats save their secretary from the scrap heap?
A weekly tribute to all those who work in government departments.
Written by Edward Taylor and John Graham.
Lennox-Brown …. Deryck Guyler
Lamb …. Richard Murdoch
Mildred …. Norma Ronald
Sir Gregory Pitkin …. Ronald Baddiley
Other parts played by:
John Graham
Gillie Gratham
'The Men from the Ministry' ran for 14 series between 1962 and 1977. Deryck Guyler replaced Wilfrid Hyde-White from 1966.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 in September 1974.
SAT 09:30 Brothers in Law (b007k1p0)
Series 2
In and Out
Lawyer Roger sets out to defend a prisoner overly fond of life behind bars.
Henry Cecil's comic legal novel Brothers in Law was first published in 1955.
Adapted for radio from Frank Muir & Denis Norden's BBC TV scripts by Richard Waring.
Roger Thursby …. Richard Briers
Sally …. Julia Lockwood
Joy …. Bridget Armstrong
Newman …. James Beck
The Judge …. Basil Dignam
Others parts played b:y:
William Fox
Leslie Heritage
Michael Kilgarriff
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1971.
SAT 10:00 The Freedland Files (m001bbw7)
1. Vera Lynn to George Raft
Michael Freedland, the prolific author and broadcaster, opens his star-packed audio archives.
In a programme made to mark the 90th Academy Awards in 2018, Michael shares his extensive collection for the first time on 4 Extra.
As a writer, presenter and interviewer for over 50 years, he recorded many of the biggest Oscar-winning names, great entertainers and leading public figures.
Featuring extracts from Michael's radio documentaries, revealing some of the lesser-known tales of the great stars of stage and screen.
In the first of three programmes from his home in Bournemouth, Freedland introduces his recordings with:
Vera Lynn
The Reverend William Gowland
Maurice Chevalier
George Burns
Jack Benny
Walter Matthau
Jack Lemmon
Frankie Vaughan and his wife Stella Shock
Gregory Peck
Julie Andrews
George Raft
Producer: Stephen Garner
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in March 2018.
* Sadly Michael Freedland died aged 83, six months after the first broadcast.
SAT 11:00 Colin Thubron - A Cruel Madness (m00223v6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:15 An Adventure in Bed by Stacy Aumonier (m00223v8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]
SAT 12:30 Bog Child (Omnibus) (m000bfx7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:45 Robb Wilton: I Should Say So (b039gk6j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 14:00 The Men from the Ministry (b016dgvc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 Brothers in Law (b007k1p0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 The Freedland Files (m001bbw7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - The Lost World (m00223vb)
3. Our Eyes Have Seen Great Wonders
**** This programme was suggested by Hadrian Jeffs as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****
Professor Challenger is leading an expedition in Brazil - determined to prove that dinosaurs are not extinct.
Around a campfire, surrounded by a thin hedge of thorns, the petrified group can hear something out of the black prehistoric darkness, coming ever closet and closer to their flimsy defences...
Concluding episode starring Francis de Wolff, Kevin McHugh, Gerald Harper and Carleton Hobbs.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic adventure, first published in 1912.
Dramatised by Peggy Wells and Barry Campbell.
Professor Challenger .... Francis de Wolff
Edward Malone .... Kevin McHugh
Lord John Roxton .... Gerald Harper
Professor Summerlee .... Carleton Hobbs
Chairman …. Denis McCarthy
Doctor Illingworth …. Hector Ross
Gladys …. Carole Boyd
Williams Potts …. John Bull
Producer: Betty Davies
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1975.
SAT 16:55 Somebody by Jane Gardam (b08tj9mf)
Mary assumes she lives alone in a rambling old house.
Her god-daughter Lucy knows that she doesn’t...
Jane Gardam's off-kilter tale read by Gillian Bevan.
Producer: Duncan Minshull
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.
SAT 17:00 Colin Thubron - A Cruel Madness (m00223v6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:15 An Adventure in Bed by Stacy Aumonier (m00223v8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]
SAT 18:30 Bog Child (Omnibus) (m000bfx7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:45 Robb Wilton: I Should Say So (b039gk6j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 20:00 The Men from the Ministry (b016dgvc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 Brothers in Law (b007k1p0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 The Freedland Files (m001bbw7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 22:00 The Tim Vine Chat Show (b07hj0q6)
Series 1
Episode 1
Tim Vine embarks on a quest to hear the life stories of the Great British public while simultaneously showcasing his trademark gleeful wordplay and preposterous songs.
Series in which the internationally acclaimed master of the one-liner interviews members of his live audience.
In this opening episode:
* Tim talks to a death-defying parachutist
* Tim hears about a hair-raising brush with a Royal Protection Officer
* Tim tells at least two jokes about chickens
Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in June 2016.
SAT 22:30 Mitch Benn's Crimes Against Music (b007k03f)
Series 1
Death
Death comes to us all, but for the rock star; it can be the start of a whole new career.
Mitch Benn sets out on a musical journey through the showbiz glitz and backstage litter of pop music.
With:
Robert Ince
Alfie Joey
Tash Baylis
Kirsty Newton
Producer: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2004.
SAT 23:00 What The Future? (b04pshdr)
Series 1
Drugs
Britain, in a desperate attempt to look fashionable, legalises marijuana.
Soon her majesty the Queen lights up the first ceremonial joint on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Now perpetually stoned, politicians legalise other drugs to perk us all up a bit. But soon a drug addled nation turns to beat poetry, henge sell-offs and injury claims to fund its habit.
Kirsty Wark presents a documentary from the future...
Starring:
Nadia Kamil
Geoffrey McGivern
Kieran Hogson
Alistair McGowan
Alice Scott-Gemmill
Max Olesker
Jane Slavin
Recorded 30 years from now, What the Future plunges into the world of tomorrow and investigates how decisions and actions from today’s headlining issues could have massive repercussions on our later lives.
Written by Madeleine Brettingham, Steve Burge and Dale Shaw.
Producer: Victoria Lloyd.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.
SAT 23:30 Fred at The Stand (b09byv6r)
Series 1
Lyons, Mazadza, Jones and Nelson
Fred MacAulay is at The Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh doing what he does best - making people laugh.
The series brings another selection of some of the best of stand-up comedians working in the UK right now. Some you’ll know and some you won’t - yet.
In this episode:
* Zoe Lyons shares her insights into Buddhism
* Newcomer Wayne Mazadza integrates into British life
* Rosie Jones doesn't let being northern hold her back
* Mark Nelson lovingly overcomes the worst for his favourite child
Fred At The Stand is the closest thing your ears are going to get to an actual night in a comedy club.
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2017.

SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2024

SUN 00:00 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - The Lost World (m00223vb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 00:55 Somebody by Jane Gardam (b08tj9mf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:55 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 Colin Thubron - A Cruel Madness (m00223v6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:15 An Adventure in Bed by Stacy Aumonier (m00223v8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 Bog Child (Omnibus) (m000bfx7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 Robb Wilton: I Should Say So (b039gk6j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 The Men from the Ministry (b016dgvc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 Brothers in Law (b007k1p0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 The Freedland Files (m001bbw7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m00223vd)
Olympic Spirit
Tom Daley
From Avicii to Ellie Goulding. Olympic Diver Tom Daley is castaway by Lauren Laverne.
Tom started diving aged seven and by the age of 14 was representing Great Britain at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
He has won six British Championships, three European Championships and won the World Championships in 2009 and 2017 in the 10m platform event.
Born in Plymouth in 1994, he’s the oldest son of Rob and Debbie Daley. He has two younger brothers. His success at a very young age led to widespread media attention, but as he became famous, he was bullied and had to change schools at the age of 15.
His parents encouraged his sporting ambitions and he was always able to spot his father in the crowd at competitions because he’d be waving a huge union jack.
In 2006 Rob Daley was diagnosed with brain cancer and despite initially successful treatment, the cancer returned. He died in 2011, missing the London 2012 Olympics, where Tom won a bronze medal.
In 2013 Tom met Dustin Lance Black and they married in 2017. They recently became parents – through surrogacy – of a son called Robert.
Tom is currently in training for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
DISC ONE: Heather Small - Proud
DISC TWO: Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds
DISC THREE: The Streets - Dry Your Eyes
DISC FOUR: The Carpenters - Top Of The World
DISC FIVE: Eagles - Peaceful Easy Feeling
DISC SIX: CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Ellie Goulding - How Long Will I Love You
DISC SEVEN: Shaggy - Angel (feat. Rayvon)
DISC EIGHT: Avicii - Levels
BOOK CHOICE: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling
LUXURY ITEM: An oven
Producer: Cathy Drysdale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2018.
SUN 06:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mj16h)
Series 1
Tracks
Following the tracks left by animals is a great craft owned by many aboriginal people.
Doing the same with fossilised tracks is much the same skill, but with a whole new set of extraordinary revelations.
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 September 2009.
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m00223vg)
John Clare’s Scraping
Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and chooses John Clare's Scraping.
Musician Jon Boden explores the influence of music and culture on the poet John Clare.
Plus Daljit reads another poem from his Poetry Extra Book of the Month - Joy in Service on Rue Tagore by Paul Muldoon.
John Clare's first book, Poems Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery, was published in 1820. Clare describes the landscape and the poor who worked it so vividly because he lived and laboured in it. It was a literary sensation and Clare was hailed as the 'Northamptonshire Peasant Poet'. But Helpston, Clare's village, was far from a cultural desert. His father was a singer with a large repertoire. Clare appreciated the songs local people sang and collected many, hoping to make a song book.
Gypsy friends taught Clare to play the fiddle - he was, he wrote, 'a decent scraper' - and he learned tunes from Wisdom Smith. He gathered 263 tunes, noted dances and recorded country customs.
To explore the role of this culture on John Clare's life and work, Jon Boden visits his home in Helpston, looks at his tune book, plays and songs.
Jon talks to George Deacon, author of John Clare and the Folk Tradition, and hears from the poet David Morley who has written a collection inspired by Clare's friendship with Wisdom Smith. Mina Gorji reveals, too, that Clare was well-read and accumulated a sizeable library. And we hear Clare's poems.
Jon Boden wanders into the fields, noting how enclosure altered the landscape that Clare loved. Clare laments this and it contributed to his mental fragility.
Clare describes an old village custom, ' to stick a piece of greensward full of field flowers and place it as an ornament in their cottages which are called Midsummer cushions'.
A young Helpston man leads Jon to Clare's grave and describes bringing midsummer cushions to Clare's grave on his birthday with his primary school classmates. At the grave, Jon plays one of the tunes Clare noted down and played himself.
Producer: Julian May
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2020.
SUN 07:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Omnibus) (m00223vj)
Episode 1
Agent 007 James Bond hunts for SPECTRE boss Ernst Stavro Blofeld in France, and meets the beautiful Contessa.
First published in 1963, this was Ian Fleming's 11th Bond novel, sandwiched between 'The Spy Who Loved Me' and 'You Only Live Twice'.
In movie terms, this was the sixth of the original Bond movie franchise with George Lazenby playing the hero and Diana Rigg as Tracy.
Read by Joanna Lumley.
Joanna had a small, unnamed role in the 1969 film of 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service', being simply referred to as 'The English Girl'.
Omnibus of the first five of ten parts abridged by Michael Bakewell.
Producer: David Benedictus
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1989.
SUN 08:40 Inheritance Tracks (m00223vm)
Kiell Smith-Bynoe
Actor, comedian and would be MC Kiell Smith-Bynoe chooses ‘Never Too Much’ by Luther Vandross and Kyla’s ‘Do You Mind.
SUN 08:50 EM Forster - Where Angels Fear to Tread (Omnibus) (b007js09)
Episode 2
Philip and Harriet arrive in Monteriano to rescue the unfortunate Lilia's beastly baby from the horrors of an Italian upbringing.
However Philip finds himself once more captivated by the country he is supposed to decry...
Conclusion of EM Forster's deliciously witty story of English conventions confounded by the romance of Italy.
Omnibus of the last five of ten parts dramatised by Penny Leicester.
Narrator ...... Sian Thomas
Philip ...... Jamie Bamber
Caroline ...... Emilia Fox
Harriet ...... Deborah Findlay
Gino ...... Tom George
Director: Di Speirs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.
SUN 10:00 Home to Roost (m000h890)
Series 2
Kath's Baby
William appears indifferent to his daughter’s good news.
Starring Molly Sugden and Deryck Guyler.
Domestic comedy about retirement written by Anne Jones.
After 40 years working in the same office, William Wheeler has just retired and battles to adapt to his new life of leisure.
His wife Olive, on the other hand, is trying to cope with him her feet all day, for the first time in their marriage.
William Wheeler …. Deryck Guyler
Olive Wheeler …. Mollie Sugden
Jack Bailey …. Norman Rossington
Kath …. Patricia Greene
Nev …. John Baddeley
James …. Ysanne Churchman
The Posh Lady …. Linda Polan
Theme music composed and played by Alex Walsh and his Band.
Producer: Trafford Whitelock.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1975.
SUN 10:30 Drop Me Here, Darling (m000v29w)
Changing Up
Leslie feels that it’s time to look for a more senior position.
Starring Leslie Phillips.
Andrew Palmer's comedy about a former property tycoon who’s fallen on hard times and is now chauffeur to his wealthy ex-wife.
Leslie Duggan …. Leslie Phillips
Caroline Duggan …. Jill Bennett
Kay …. Norma Ronald
Michael …. Edward Judd
Emma …. Eve Karpf
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1983.
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m00223vd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mj16h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m00223vg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Omnibus) (m00223vj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Inheritance Tracks (m00223vm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 EM Forster - Where Angels Fear to Tread (Omnibus) (b007js09)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 Home to Roost (m000h890)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 Drop Me Here, Darling (m000v29w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Terry Pratchett (b007jmk0)
Guards! Guards!
1. Ankh-Morpork
Ankh-Morpork, the elucidated brethren of Ebon Night have turned their hands to magic.
When Zebbo Mooty is mysteriously vaporised in an alley, Captain Vimes of the watch, knows it's time to act.
Can a stolen library book lead to the reinvention of dragons?
Stars John Wood and Martin Jarvis.
First published in 1989, the 8th of Terry's Pratchett's comic fantasy stories set on Discworld.
Dramatised in six parts by Michael Butt.
Narrator …. Martin Jarvis
Captain Vimes …. John Wood
Nobby …. Melvyn Hayes
Sergeant Colon …. Stephen Thorne
Carrot …. Robert Gwilym
The Landlord …. Crawford Logan
Supreme Grand Master …. Brett Usher
Brother Doorkeeper …. Jeff Nuttall
Brother Fingers …. Michael Roberts
Death …. Himself
Director: John Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in November 1992.
SUN 16:30 The Twelve Maidens (m00223vp)
3. The New Witch
**** This series was suggested by Colin Ball and Steven Croote as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****
The baffled Biodar team look to a non-technical solution.
Working on a radar system that can detect sentient life - Peter and Margaret are puzzled because a nearby hilltop crowned with a circle of stones - The Twelve Maidens – comes across as a complete blank on their screens.
During their investigation at Maiden Tor , they've discovered gruesome effigies of colleagues.
Starring Martin Jarvis and Patricia Gallimore.
A sci-fi serial for radio written by Stewart Farrar.
Peter Brent .... Martin Jarvis
Margaret Govan .... Patricia Gallimore
Sgt George Blake .... Sean Arnold
Dr Carl Ewing .... Haydn Jones
Joe Gurney .... Douglas Blackwell
Leader of the Black Coven .... Patrick Tull
Bridget Williams .... Eva Stuart
Donald Williams .... Fraser Kerr
Rex Andrews .... Antony Higginson
Susan Platt .... Margaret Robertson
Professor Philip Jessup .... Lewis Stringer
Producer: David H Godfrey
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in july 1971.
**** To nominate a programme from the archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m00223vd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 17:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mj16h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m00223vg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Omnibus) (m00223vj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Inheritance Tracks (m00223vm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 EM Forster - Where Angels Fear to Tread (Omnibus) (b007js09)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 Home to Roost (m000h890)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 Drop Me Here, Darling (m000v29w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 Tim Key's Poetry Programme (m000h1mz)
Series 5
Labour
Megan has gone into labour and Tim is valiantly ploughing on with the radio show, broadcasting her contractions for all to hear.
All except Lord, that is, who looks set to miss the birth of his first child, as he’s trapped in an escape room.
Written and presented by Tim Key.
Key …... Tim Key
Lord …... Tom Basden
Megan …... Katy Wix
Bogle …... Bridget Christie
Producer: James Robinson
A BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2020.
SUN 22:30 The Simon Day Show (b011cfmx)
Series 1
Simon Day
British comedy legend and star of The Fast Show, Down the Line and Bellamy's People, Simon Day visits The Mallard Theatre as "himself".
Simon Day and his characters welcome you to this small provincial theatre somewhere in the UK.
Each week one of them comes to perform - with highlights of that night's show plus all the backstage and front-of-house happenings.
Written by Simon Day.
Simon Day ..... Simon Day
Catherine ..... Catherine Shepherd
Goose ..... Felix Dexter
Ron Bone ..... Simon Greenall
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2011.
SUN 23:00 Laura Solon - Talking and Not Talking (b00p67ts)
Series 3
Episode 4
Unwelcoming neighbour Annabelle quizzes an unsuspecting soul over his windchimes, while useless entrepreneur, Carole Price, takes another swing at selling her bad ideas to the world.
And someone travels back from the very near future to warn a man about his blind date.
Award-winning comedian Laura Solon's series of sketches, monologues and one-liners.
With:
Rosie Cavaliero
Ben Moor
Ben Willbond
Written by Laura Solon.
With additional material by Jeremy Dyson and Ben Moor.
Script Editor: Jeremy Dyson
Producer: Colin Anderson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009
SUN 23:30 The Party Party (b007wwh3)
Episode 5
It's 1993 and the Party Party - a party of the incredibly silly tendency - remains in Number 10.
"No War" Celebration Day has become a major event in Action Man's Calendar, to rank alongside "No Horse" Ascott week and "No Balls" Wimbledon.
Marvel at the pomp and ceremony in Microcosm as Penny swaps places with the Queen and Dan with a brass band.
Sitcom written by Moray Hunter.
Starring:
Morwenna Banks
Hugh Laurie
Robin Driscoll
Robert Glenister
Clive Mantle
Producer: Jamie Rix
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1987.

MONDAY 19 AUGUST 2024

MON 00:00 Terry Pratchett (b007jmk0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 The Twelve Maidens (m00223vp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m00223vd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mj16h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m00223vg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Omnibus) (m00223vj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Inheritance Tracks (m00223vm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 EM Forster - Where Angels Fear to Tread (Omnibus) (b007js09)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Home to Roost (m000h890)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Drop Me Here, Darling (m000v29w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Dixon of Dock Green (b016pklm)
Series 2
The Key of the Nick
There's supposed to be a surprise party to celebrate George's 21 years on the beat at Dock Green police station.
But it turns into a night in cold storage instead as Dixon and Crawford are held hostage...
Radio revival of BBC TV's famous copper, based at a London police station.
Starring David Calder and Hamish Clark.
Written for TV by Ted Willis and adapted for radio by Sue Rodwell.
George Dixon ...... David Calder
Andy Crawford ...... Hamish Clark
Jimmy Todd ...... Carl Prekopp
Tessa ...... Katharine Rodgers
Albert Todd ...... Michael Fenton Stevens
Director: Viv Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2006.
MON 06:30 Raffles (b01p0wps)
Series 1
2. Gentlemen and Players
When Raffles and Bunny are engaged for cricketing weeks at country estates, the playing of cricket can hardly be said to be their chief preoccupation.
Bunny is an incorrigible ladies' man, while amateur cracksman, AJ Raffles takes an understandable professional interest in his fellow guests' portable property...
Starring Jeremy Clyde and Michael Cochrane.
EW Hornung's early Raffles stories of the renowned cricketer and gentleman thief.
Dramatised by David Buck.
AJ Raffles …. Jeremy Clyde
Bunny …. Michael Cochrane
Crawshay …. Ron Pember
Lord Amersteth …. David Garth
Inspector MacKenzie …. Henry Stamper
Rector's Daughter …. Melinda Walker
Batsman …. James MacPherson
Umpire …. Gordon Reid
Maid …. Jane Leonard
Porter …. Christopher Scott
Member …. Graham Blockley
Guest …. Jamie Roberts
Signature tune composed by Jim Parker.
Director: Gordon House
A BBC Radio 4/World Service production, first broadcast in October 1985.
MON 07:00 Anything Legal (b0089hl7)
Episode 6
Charles and George's new business course sets tongues wagging.
Starring Donald Hewlett and Michael Knowles.
A Tale of Two City Gents by Wally K Daly
Charles ...... Donald Hewlett
George ...... Michael Knowles
Fiona Fenning ...... Jennifer Croxton
Course Chairman ...... Henry Stamper
Advertising Lecturer ...... John Kane
Finance Lecturer ...... Peter Cellier
Mr Hunter ...... Roland MacLeod.
Theme music by Jim Parker
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1984.
MON 07:30 Stop Messing About! (b00s3jtl)
Series 2
Episode 10
Bona news about a new LP - and who killed Cock Robin?
Starring:
Kenneth Williams
Hugh Paddick
Joan Sims
After the unexpected death of Kenneth Horne in 1969, plans for the next series of Round The Horne were axed. Instead - using an old catchphrase of Kenneth Williams as a series title - Kenneth joined Hugh Paddick to continue the comedy tradition and was also reunited with his "Carry On" film co-star Joan Sims.
Announcer: Douglas Smith
Written by Myles Rudge, David Cumming and Derek Collyer.
With the Max Harris Group.
Producer: John Simmonds
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1970.
MON 08:00 North by Northamptonshire (b00ss2cq)
Series 1
Episode 2
Clever, funny and touching series about a small town in the middle of Northamptonshire as it prepares for a talent night.
Sheila Hancock heads a stunning cast including Mackenzie Crook, Penelope Wilton, Felicity Montagu and Kevin Eldon.
Written by and also starring Katherine Jakeways
Rehearsals for the town talent night are well underway, with some of the worst acts ever seen on stage.
Recently divorced Jan has a surprise visit from neighbour and ex-teacher Mary and finds they have more than an untidy hedge in common.
Jan's ex, Frank, thinks his new love Angela may be eating too many peanuts.
Esther knocks Jan to the floor in her self-defence class but wait - could this be Jonathan coming to Jan's rescue?
And meanwhile supermarket manager Rod (Mackenzie Crook) gets trapped in an upturned shopping trolley.
Narrato ...... Sheila Hancock
Rod ...... Mackenzie Crook
Mary ...... Penelope Wilton
Jan ...... Felicity Montagu
Jonathan ...... Kevin Eldon
Esther ...... Katherine Jakeways
Keith ...... John Biggins
Frank ...... Rufus Wright
Angela ...... Lizzie Roper
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2010.
MON 08:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bphlq)
6. Sean Campbell
Agent 007, James Bond has made contact with SPECTRE boss Ernst Blofeld.
But he fears his cover story has been compromised...
Ian Fleming’s gripping 11th James Bond novel.
Abridged in ten parts by Michael Bakewell.
Read by Joanna Lumley.
Producer: David Benedictus.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1989.
MON 08:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000c9lq)
Series 4
1. Wedding
John and Maggie's wedding day finally arrives.
Will John get there in time?
Has Maggie actually managed to divorce all of her previous husbands?
Starring Bill Nighy and Anna Calder-Marshall.
The return of AL Kennedy's romantic comedy drama in five parts.
John ...... Bill Nighy
Maggie ...... Anna Calder-Marshall
Registrar ...... Neil McCaul
Barry ...... Rick Warden
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.
MON 09:00 The Unbelievable Truth (m0021x3p)
Series 30
Episode 2
David Mitchell hosts the panel game in which four comedians are encouraged to tell lies and compete against one another to see how many items of truth they’re able to smuggle past their opponents.
Angela Barnes, Glenn Moore, Shaparak Khorsandi and Neil Delamere are the panellists obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as legs, restaurants, travel and tigers.
The show is devised by Graeme Garden and Jon Naismith.
Producer: Jon Naismith
A Random Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4
MON 09:30 Door Stepping (b08z9zjd)
1. First House
Does anyone stay in one place anymore?
Statistically, moving house is one of the most stressful things we do in our lives - whether finding somewhere to live, moving in, moving out - we leave traces of ourselves scattered in kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, flat shares, student lodgings and childhood homes.
Would you like the chance to go back and revisit?
What if you could see who lives in your old bedroom, what colours the walls are painted and which posters are stuck up with blue tack? Or what has happened to the swirly hall carpet your parents laid?
In this series, Jude Rogers travels back in time, to visit the places that she's called home over nearly 4 decades - a journey through front doors, differently configured living rooms, extended bedrooms places shared with family, friends, boyfriends and most recently, her husband and child.
Some surprises are in store, as buildings change dimension in her memory, moments of joy and tragedy return, and a sense of continuity is found. Gentrification, shifting social movements and nostalgia, all observed with a candid and personal eye.
This opening episode, finds Jude nervously approaching the house she lived on a new-build estate in Wales, where she lived up to the age of 5.
The garage is gone, the back garden built on... but then she steps inside to find...?
Producer: Sara Jane Hall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2017.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m00224fl)
Gardens in the Bible - Eden, the first garden
Music and worship from the Festival city, with the Rev John McLuckie, Rector of Old St Paul's Scottish Episcopal Church in Edinburgh.
Reading: Genesis 2: 8-9, 15-18
MON 10:00 Frankly Speaking (b05pwnvh)
Dr Jacob Bronowski
Dr Jacob Bronowski discusses his career as a mathematician, scientist, writer and broadcaster.
Mary Stocks and John Maddox fire their questions at him.
Recorded in January 1964, shortly before he left England to take up a new research post in California.
Launched in 1952 on the BBC Home Service, Frankly Speaking was a novel, ground breaking series. Unrehearsed and unscripted, the traditional interviewee/interviewer pairing was initially jettisoned for three interviewers firing direct questions - straight to the point.
Early critics described it as 'unkempt', 'an inquisition' and described the guest as prey being cornered, quarry being pursued - with calls to axe the unscripted interview. But the format won out and eventually won over its detractors.
Unknown or very inexperienced broadcasters were employed as interviewers, notably John Freeman, John Betjeman, Malcolm Muggeridge, Harold Hobson, Penelope Mortimer, Elizabeth Beresford and Katherine Whitehorn.
Only about 40 of the original 100 programmes survive in the BBC archive.
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in February 1964.
MON 10:30 When Hollywood Met Halifax (b010r7bw)
Liza Tarbuck discovers how Jayne Mansfield sprinkled Hollywood glamour on the northern club circuit during the last turbulent year of her life.
Jayne Mansfield's story is a story of our times - the celebrity whose life unravelled.
In 1967, the year she was to die in a tragic road accident at 34, she packed up her furs and embarked on a little known tour of English northern clubs.
Her unique act of breathy ballads and risqué lap dancing routines astonished her audiences more used to it's-the-way-I-tell-'em comedians and inoffensive covers bands.
At the time Mansfield was spiralling into alcoholism and her life was imploding - realities she kept hidden from her English fans. The programme traces how the once glittering star of the Girl Can't Help It and Too Hot to Handle was forced to get out on the road as her movie career faded.
Producer: Paula McGinley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2011.
MON 11:00 Dixon of Dock Green (b016pklm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:30 Raffles (b01p0wps)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 12:00 Anything Legal (b0089hl7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 Stop Messing About! (b00s3jtl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 North by Northamptonshire (b00ss2cq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bphlq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000c9lq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 Just a Minute (b00mg2v4)
Series 55
Episode 7
Nicholas Parsons presides over the devious game where panellists are challenged to speak for one minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition.
With:
Paul Merton
Charles Collingwood
Stephen Fry
Jenny Éclair
Subjects include: A Perk of My Job, Shopping Online, Granny's Cooking, Blogging, Making an Impression and Three Things You Should Know About Salt.
Created by Ian Messiter.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2009.
MON 14:30 Street and Lane (b00v8lr4)
Series 1
Blues on the Stairs
Yorkshire builders in a white van - Johnny Street and Arthur Lane – are called to tackle a very tricky task.
A piano is perilously perched on the Edwardian staircase of feisty music teacher Mrs. Priam-Rhodes.
Starring Nick Lane and Fine Time Fontayne.
Sitcom written by Ian McMillan and Dave Sheasby.
Johnny Street ...... Nick Lane
Arthur Lane ...... Fine Time Fontayne
Mrs. Priam-Rhodes ...... Margaret Robertson
Ben Nevis ...... Kenny Blyth
Producer: David Hunter
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.
MON 15:00 Peter Wolf - Safe As Houses (m00224fp)
Ruth and Ellie are sent in to clear a Ministry of Defence safe house in a remote part of Devon.
Disturbing clues are uncovered to the identity of the person who was living there.
What's more, news comes in that someone has found out who he is and tried to kill him
So now, he's on the run...
Starring Juliet Aubrey and Paula Jacobs.
Thriller written by Peter Wolf.
Ruth .... Juliet Aubrey
Ellie .... Paula Jacobs
Angus .... Struan Rodger
Harding/Flintoff .... Stephen Hogan
Junior/Hunter .... Declan Wilson
Andre .... Jason Chan
Judge/Brigadier .... Andrew Harrison
Undersecretary .... Nicholas Boulton
Julie/Nurse .... Ndidi del Fatti
Director: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
MON 16:00 Frankly Speaking (b05pwnvh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:30 When Hollywood Met Halifax (b010r7bw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
MON 17:00 Dixon of Dock Green (b016pklm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:30 Raffles (b01p0wps)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 18:00 Anything Legal (b0089hl7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 Stop Messing About! (b00s3jtl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 North by Northamptonshire (b00ss2cq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bphlq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000c9lq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 Just a Minute (b00mg2v4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 Street and Lane (b00v8lr4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 21:00 Peter Wolf - Safe As Houses (m00224fp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
MON 22:00 The Unbelievable Truth (m0021x3p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 22:30 Goodness Gracious Me (b01pdy85)
Series 3
Episode 5
The man who insists Superman is Indian, and the Bhangra Muffins are acting cool.
Starring:
Sanjeev Bhaskar
Kulvinder Ghir
Meera Syal
Nina Wadia
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 Richard Pinto, Sharat Sardana, Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sanjeev Kohli.
Script Editors: Sharat Sardana and Richard Pinto
Producer: Anil Gupta.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.
MON 23:00 Catherine Bohart: TL;DR (m0021xvr)
Series 1
Episode 4
Want to brush up on the state of education for the new school year? Dust off your calculators and head for assembly. TL;DR has done the recommended reading for you.
This week, Catherine's fascinated by a funding crisis that looks set to hit almost half of UK universities. What's causing it? And what might the solution be?
Joining her in her quest for answers are comedian Pierre Novellie and The Herald's education writer, James McEnaney. In the Sidebar, Lorna Rose Treen takes a break from her Edinburgh show to give us her thoughts as she heads off for her first term at uni.
Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Sarah Campbell and Ellen Robertson.
Produced by Victoria Lloyd
Recorded at Dynamic Earth as part of The BBC at the Edinburgh Festivals
Edited by David Thomas
Production Coordinator - Beverly Tagg
A Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
MON 23:30 Radio 9 (b0401g9p)
Series 1
Episode 1
Welcome to Radio 9 - where Dark approaches Silly, shakes hands, then realises its trousers are round its ankles.
All set in a parallel universe just like ours, but different.
Series in four parts, written and performed by Johnny Daukes and Hils Barker.
With:
Sarah Walton
John Stevenson
Stefan Frank
Janice Vee
Matt Wilkinson
Michelle Gomez
Producers: Johnny Daukes and Katie Marsden
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2003.

TUESDAY 20 AUGUST 2024

TUE 00:00 Frankly Speaking (b05pwnvh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 When Hollywood Met Halifax (b010r7bw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Dixon of Dock Green (b016pklm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Raffles (b01p0wps)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Anything Legal (b0089hl7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Stop Messing About! (b00s3jtl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 North by Northamptonshire (b00ss2cq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bphlq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000c9lq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Just a Minute (b00mg2v4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Street and Lane (b00v8lr4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Peter Wolf - Safe As Houses (m00224fp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m00016rx)
1. Blind Man's Buff
The case of a missing cat takes a sinister turn when fantasising blind detective Jack Dunroody gets embroiled in the death of singer Sacha D'Amour.
Starring Paul B Davies.
Marius Brill 's Chandleresque noir-fiction series of whodunnits featuring blind detective Jack Dunroody.
Jack Dunroody ...... Paul B Davies
Charlie …… John White
Gladys Trump …… Jo Anderson
Thomas Underwood …… William Eedle
Freddy (Frightfully) …… Timothy Carlton
Suzi D'amour …… Prunella Gee
Jack Dunroody …… Paul Davies
Policeman …… Tim Meats
Other parts played by the cast.
Director: Andy Jordan.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1996.
TUE 06:30 Raffles (b01p10th)
Series 1
3. A Costume Piece
Reuben Rosenthall has made his millions in the diamond fields of South Africa.
It seems only right and proper to Raffles that some of this wealth should be redistributed.
But his attempts to seize the diamonds don't quite go according to plan, as a low-key stakeout spirals into a terrifying scramble for survival.
Starring Jeremy Clyde and Michael Cochrane.
EW Hornung's early Raffles stories dramatised by David Buck.
AJ Raffles …. Jeremy Clyde
Bunny …. Michael Cochrane
Reuben Rosenthall …. Geoffrey Matthews
'Slammer' Purvis …. John Hollis
Jala …. Alton Kumalo
Lady 1 …. Natasha Pyne
Lady 2 …. Jane Leonard
Odd Bodd …. Graham Blockey
Signature tune composed by Jim Parker.
Director: Gordon House
A BBC Radio 4/World Service production, first broadcast in November 1985.
TUE 07:00 Greywing (m00224jg)
5. Freeze
As Nigel signs-on, his alter-ego is needed for a siege at the benefit office.
Nigel Studdock is Bludden-on-Sand's most inept furniture-fitter - and now he's the town's costumed superhero!
His nemesis is the dastardly ice-cream tycoon. Benny Leak.
Superhero sitcom written by Simon Bullivant.
Nigel Struddock aka Greywing .... Timothy Spall
Benny Leake .... Bernard Hill
Judy Marvick .... Tilly Vosburgh
Other parts played by:
John Baddeley
Andy Rashleigh
Jill Graham
Melanie Hidson
Julian Rhind-Tutt
Producer: Colin Swash
First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in November 1992.
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (b007wvvh)
Series 6
Napoleon's Piano
Neddie Seagoon is conned into pinching the keyboard played at the Battle of Waterloo.
Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.
With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.
Announcer: Wallace Greenslade
Producer: Peter Eton
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in October 1955.
TUE 08:00 Lobby Land (b0b52wks)
Series 1
Frozen Out
It's summer in Westminster and the halls are alive with the sound of gossip, but young political editor Sam Peakes is struggling to stay afloat.
Having drawn the short straw at work, she's being tailed around by Lawrence the office intern, and she needs a story - fast.
'Hot Takes' political editor Samantha Peakes tries to make hay out of the Westminster chaos - and, ideally, keep her job.
Written by Jon Harvey, Christopher Davies and Alistair Griggs.
Sam Peakes … Ophelia Lovibond
Tom Shriver MP … Charlie Higson
Mia Phillips … Cariad Lloyd
Dom Bell … Lewis Macleod
Lawrence Mills … Ryan Sampson
Mel Munson MP …. Clare Price
Producer: Jon Harvey
A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018.
TUE 08:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bpnsg)
7. Skaters
Agent 007's cover has been blown.
So he must battle to escape Blofeld's Alpine hideaway - and fast.
Ian Fleming’s gripping 11th James Bond novel.
Abridged by Michael Bakewell.
Read by Joanna Lumley.
Producer: David Benedictus.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1989.
TUE 08:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000c9rk)
Series 4
2. Honeymoon
John and Maggie's honeymoon is more endurance test than the luxurious spa break John planned.
Starring Bill Nighy and Anna Calder-Marshall.
AL Kennedy's romantic comedy drama about love in later life.
John ...... Bill Nighy
Maggie ...... Anna Calder-Marshall
Nora ...... Lucy Reynolds
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.
TUE 09:00 Do Gooders (m0021w8b)
3. The Bully
Garrett Millerick’s Do Gooders is a new ensemble sitcom that takes us behind the charity curtain and mines the numerous frustrations that come with trying to ‘do good’ on an industrial scale. With Frank Skinner, Fay Ripley, Lisa McGrillis, Ahir Shah and Ania Magliano.
The series follows the exploits of the fundraising events team at a fictional mid-level charity, The Alzheimers Alliance. Fundraising for this kind of mid-table organisation comes with its own unique set of challenges, be it setting up eye catching events, courting celebrity endorsement or juggling the inter charity politics.
And while certainly not languishing on the lowest rungs of the charity league table, Alzheimers hasn’t got the dazzling sheen or the pulling power of a cancer charity, nor does it capture the public’s sympathies in the way lifeboats or guide dogs do.
If Cancer Research is Coca-Cola, Alzheimers Alliance is Lilt. A cracking drink, but they’ve got to work hard to remind people they exist - or face total extinction.
Episode Three - The Bully
Harriett institutes a new set of workplace bullying guidelines for the team, which proves to be more trouble than it’s worth. Clive and Gladys battle it out in a fundraising challenge, Lauren is struggling with financial woes and Ken faces transportation issues.
Cast:
Lauren – Ania Magliano
Gladys – Lisa McGrillis
Clive – Garrett Millerick
Harriett – Fay Ripley
Achi – Ahir Shah
Ken – Frank Skinner
Writer – Garrett Millerick
Sound Engineer – David Thomas
Editor – David Thomas
Production Assistant – Jenny Recaldin
Producer – Jules Lom
Executive Producers – Richard Allen-Turner, Daisy Knight, Julien Matthews, Jon Thoday
An Avalon Television production for BBC Radio 4
TUE 09:30 Door Stepping (b08zc1jm)
2. Student Days
One morning you say goodbye to your ordinary house in an ordinary Welsh village, and an ordinary bedroom filled with Blur and Oasis posters, that mum can still invade with the hoover.
Then suddenly, you're standing in front of a beautiful 400 year old building with turrets and clock towers.
You sit on your bed staring at the bare walls, wondering what poster to put up first. Your roommate arrives and you eye each other warily.
Taking that first step away from home, if you are lucky enough to go to university, can be a little more gentle that landing up in the outside world. But what challenges lie ahead?
Jude Rogers continues her journey back to the homes that have shaped her life, and meets the students who have taken up residence in her past rooms - Verity, Annie and Tilly, to find out how their lives contrast with hers.
Producer: Sara Jane Hall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2017.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m00224jj)
Gardens in the Bible - Solomon: garden of plenty
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Gardens in the Bible - Solomon: garden of plenty
Song of Solomon 4: 12-16
Led by Reverend Kirsty Thorpe.
Now the green blade riseth
Exmoor Singers

For the beauty of the earth (Rutter)
Cambridge Singers
Jesus is Lord, Creation's voice proclaims it
St Martin's Voices
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (b08wp59r)
Kathy Burke and Tom Allen
Theatre director/writer/actor Kathy Burke and comedian Tom Allen join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Patrick Hamilton, John Walters and Barbara Pym.
Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton
Publisher: Penguin
Role Models by John Walters
Publisher: Macmillan
Crampton Hodnet by Barbara Pym
Publisher: Macmillan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2017.
TUE 10:30 Things Fall Apart: Chinua Achebe's Lament (b00bw51n)
Chinua Achebe's lament 'Things Fall Apart' is a novel set at the turn of the century in what is now Nigeria.
It tells the story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature.
50 years after its publication the novel still has a huge worldwide appeal.
Zina Saro-Wiwa explores the legacy of Africa's first great post-colonial novel.
Produces: Mark Rickards & Elizabeth Idienumah
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.
TUE 11:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m00016rx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:30 Raffles (b01p10th)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 12:00 Greywing (m00224jg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (b007wvvh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Lobby Land (b0b52wks)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bpnsg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000c9rk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 The Personality Test (b007tckc)
Series 3
Edwina Currie
Ex-MP, novelist and broadcaster Edwina Currie is in the hot seat posing questions all about her.
With:
Sue Perkins
Carrie Quinlan
Will Smith
Robin Ince
Series with changing hosts who quiz the panel.
Script by Simon Littlefield and Kieron Quirke.
Devised and produced by Aled Evans.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2007.
TUE 14:30 Tickets Please (b00p5xc2)
Episode 4
After delays caused by lightning, a 20-piece orchestra in coach G practices. This offers Robin a plangent background for his declaration of love.
But can he seize his chance before the train arrives at Exeter St David's?
Sitcom on rails by Mark Maier.
Robin …. Jeremy Swift
Nadine …. Alex Kelly
Peter …. Malcolm Tierney
Carol …. Tessa Nicholson
Carl …. Nicholas Boulton
Diana …. Melissa Advani
Linda …. Kate Layden
Keith …. Stephen Hogan
Other parts played by Philip Fox, Piers Wehner and Joseph Cohen-Cole
Producer: Peter Kavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009.
TUE 15:00 Drama on 4 (m000h265)
Marian and George
Marian Evans (aka George Eliot) has to make some extremely difficult choices
Choosing between the brother she loves and the love of her life George Lewes, between respectability and social scandal - and between doing her duty and finding the freedom to write.
Starring Lia Williams and Tom Goodman-Hill.
Biographical drama written by Anna Linstrum.
Marian .... Lia Williams
George Henry Lewes .... Tom Goodman-Hill
Isaac .... John Lightbody
Young Mary Anne .... Maddie Evans
Young Isaac .... Aaron Gelkoff
Chapman .... Sargon Yelda
Elisabeth/ Mrs Evans .... Maggie Service
Susannah .... Bettrys Jones
Printer/ Porter .... Hasan Dixon
Director: Emma Harding
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2020.
TUE 15:45 Scafell by David Anderson (m00224jl)
A young man recalls a failed Lake District climb with his father and the promise he made to him.
David Anderson's short story read by Eric Allen.
Producer: Harriet Lang
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1994.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (b08wp59r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 Things Fall Apart: Chinua Achebe's Lament (b00bw51n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m00016rx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:30 Raffles (b01p10th)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Greywing (m00224jg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (b007wvvh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 Lobby Land (b0b52wks)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bpnsg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000c9rk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 The Personality Test (b007tckc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Tickets Please (b00p5xc2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Drama on 4 (m000h265)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
TUE 21:45 Scafell by David Anderson (m00224jl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
TUE 22:00 Do Gooders (m0021w8b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
TUE 22:30 Kevin Eldon Will See You Now (m0007x63)
Series 4
A Giraffe On A Pulley
Kevin Eldon and his all-important cast present the show from Kevin’s very own mansion.
Complete with an Italian genius, a brace of pedantic sons, a giraffe on a pulley and Britain’s noisiest toast.
Also starring:
Morwenna Banks
Kate Duchêne
Justin Edwards
Miles Jupp
Paul Putner
David Reed
Catherine Shepherd
Dan Skinner
Written by Kevin Eldon.
Additional material by Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris.
Director: David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2019.
**** Kevin Eldon is a comedy phenomenon.
He’s been in virtually every major comedy show in the last decade or two. But not content with working with the likes of Chris Morris, Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci, Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse, Stewart Lee, Julia Davis and Graham Linehan, he also created his own comedy series for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m00229xr)
Ola Labib 1/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And tonight, Jon Holmes talks to Ola Labib.
TUE 23:00 Clare in the Community (b03sztry)
Series 9
Panic Room
Clare is forced to confront an old phobia after a regular home visit takes an unusual turn.
Fortunately, Helen is on hand to help. Back in the office, Joan is left holding the babies.
Sally Phillips is Clare Barker the social worker who has all the right jargon but never a practical solution.
A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis. Clare is in her thirties, white, middle class and heterosexual, all of which are occasional causes of discomfort to her.
Clare continually struggles to control both her professional and private life
In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden.
Clare ...... Sally Phillips
Brian ...... Alex Lowe
Nali ...... Nina Conti
Megan ...... Nina Conti
Ray ...... Richard Lumsden
Terry Dobson ...... Richard Lumsden
Helen ...... Liza Tarbuck
Libby ...... Sarah Kendall
Joan ...... Sarah Thom
Producer: Alexandra Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2014.
TUE 23:30 The Wilson Dixon Line (b00kdnj9)
Words of Wisdom
Cowboy philosopher Wilson Dixon shares his viewpoints on life, love and relationships through songs and anecdotes.
Wilson’s affectionate tribute to the philosophy of country music begins with his observations of society and the differences between the UK and Cripple Creek.
Saddled up with sidekick Snake Wizzelteats, his observations on everyday life draw us into world full of larger than life characters and situations.
Written and performed by Jesse Griffin.
Sidekick Snake Wizzelteats ...... Jesse Budd
Introduced by Johnnie Walker.
Wilson Dixon is the creation of Jesse Griffin; an award winning comedian, actor and founding member of the acclaimed comedy trio The 4 Noels. He's performed extensively around Australia and New Zealand, as well as the UK comedy circuit.
Recorded with an audience at BBC Maida Vale, London.
Producer: Lianne Coop
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in May 2009.

WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST 2024

WED 00:00 A Good Read (b08wp59r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Things Fall Apart: Chinua Achebe's Lament (b00bw51n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m00016rx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Raffles (b01p10th)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Greywing (m00224jg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (b007wvvh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Lobby Land (b0b52wks)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bpnsg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000c9rk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 The Personality Test (b007tckc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Tickets Please (b00p5xc2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Drama on 4 (m000h265)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:45 Scafell by David Anderson (m00224jl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m0001722)
2. Donne To Death
Wronged by Sir George Moore in the 17th century, poet John Donne is said to haunt the family home once a year to exact a deathly revenge....
Starring Paul B Davies.
Marius Brill's Chandleresque noir-fiction series of whodunnits featuring blind detective Jack Dunroody.
Jack Dunroody ...... Paul B Davies
Terry Moore ...... Rebecca Front
Dog/Nigel Wavers ...... David Holt
Valerie Moore ...... Judy Parfitt
Mark/Mary ...... Jane Whittenshaw
Bob Moore ...... Peter Yapp
Thelonious the Monk ...... David Collings
Director: Andy Jordan.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1996.
WED 06:30 Raffles (b01p3d3w)
Series 1
4. Nine Points of the Law
Bunny is forced to extemporise when Raffles' theft of a valuable painting seems to go wrong.
Starring Jeremy Clyde and Michael Cochrane.
EW Hornung's early Raffles stories dramatised by David Buck.
AJ Raffles …. Jeremy Clyde
Bunny …. Michael Cochrane
Addenbrooke …. David Buck
Craggs …. Nigel Graham
Signature tune composed by Jim Parker.
Director: Gordon House
A BBC Radio 4/World Service production, first broadcast in November 1985.
WED 07:00 Bangers and Mash (b0075gnn)
2. Cooking the Books
Kingsley's done a runner, and the catering company is going bust.
Now Jimmy needs to find a bookkeeping genius.
Katie Hims's sitcom about a chaotic catering company.
Martina ...... Catherine Harvey
Kingsley ...... Mark Straker
Jimmy ...... Gerard McDermott
Juan Jose ...... Roger May
Carol ...... Jane Whittenshaw.
Director: Cat Horn
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1999.
WED 07:30 The Missing Hancocks (b08k2ctk)
Series 3
The Racehorse
A re-creation of a missing classic episode of Hancock's Half Hour.
Also missing from the original 1955 episode was The Lad Himself, as Tony Hancock had absconded to Rome. He was replaced for the first three episodes of series 3 by The Goon Show's Harry Secombe. In this re-creation, Harry is replaced by his son Andy Secombe.
Harry Secombe …. Andy Secombe
Bill Kerr …. Kevin Eldon
Kenneth Williams …. Robin Sebastian
Andree Melly …. Susy Kane
The Racehorse. With Tony Hancock indisposed, Harry Secombe has 10 bob left so Bill decides to spend it on a racehorse. The fact that it only has three legs doesn't deter Sid from entering it in the Britannia Steeplechase.
The first modern sitcom, Hancock's Half Hour made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Galton & Simpson as one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history.
Sadly, 20 episodes of the show are missing from the BBC Archives. After two highly successful series, another five of those episodes have been lovingly re-created in the BBC Radio Theatre.
The classic Hancock score newly recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Levon Parikian.
Producers: Ed Morrish and Neil Pearson
The original version was broadcast on the 3rd May, 1955.
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in March 2017.
WED 08:00 The Architects (b03xgslr)
Series 1
What's the Point?
With Sir Lucien's signature brutalist style hopelessly out of fashion, he seeks to overcome his creative block in the spas of Baden-Baden.
Unfortunately for Tim, he needs someone to share the experience with.
Stars Dominic Coleman, Ingrid Oliver and Geoffrey Whitehead.
Sitcom set in a struggling architectural practice.
Written by Jim Poyser and Neil Griffiths.
Matt ...... Dominic Coleman
Sarah ...... Ingrid Oliver
Sir Lucien ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Tim ...... Alex Carter
Hayley ...... Aisling Bea
Nurse ...... Carolyn Pickles
Gregory Nettles ...... Sean Murray
Mr Russell ...... Steve Toussaint
Lotte ...... Georgie Fuller
Director: Toby Swift
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2014.
WED 08:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bpswt)
8. Proposal
Having evaded capture by Blofeld's men in Switzerland, agent 007 battles to establish what the villain is up to.
Ian Fleming’s gripping 11th James Bond novel.
Abridged by Michael Bakewell.
Read by Joanna Lumley.
Producer: David Benedictus.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1989.
WED 08:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000cc6h)
Series 4
3. Worries
Maggie forgets date night and would rather do some work.
This leaves John worrying that she's getting bored with him already.
AL Kennedy's romantic comedy drama about love in later life.
John ...... Bill Nighy
Maggie ...... Anna Calder-Marshall
Colin ...... Clive Hayward
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.
WED 09:00 Ian Smith Is Stressed (m0021xq0)
2. The Body
Comedian Ian Smith is constantly stressed and in this series he is looking for any means to calm the hell down. In this episode Ian explores his various body anxieties and tries to make himself feel better by heading to a topless body painting event. Featuring for (possibly) the first time on radio, live ostepathy!
A new stand-up series from Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated comedian Ian Smith.
Written and Performed by Ian Smith
Additional Material from Rhiannon Shaw, Max Davis and Charlie Dinkin
Assistant Producer: Ewan McAdam
Produced by Benjamin Sutton and Laura Shaw
A Daddy’s SuperYacht production for BBC Radio 4
WED 09:30 Door Stepping (b08zdlq9)
3. Rent
Jude Rogers return to the homes she has lived in throughout her life.
She returns to rented accommodation across London in the 1990's - her first flat-share, central and cheap, and occupied then by a bevy of colourful characters - now empty and being used as a long term investment.
Then she crosses town to find her former first floor flat in Hackney in East London.
This is now subsidised by the local council as an attempt to keep born and bred Londoners close to their families, despite rocketing rents.
Producer: Sara Jane Hall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2017.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m00224fj)
Gardens in the Bible - Gethsemane: scene of betrayal
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Gardens in the Bible - Gethsemane: scene of betrayal
Luke 22: 39-47
Led by Bishop David Walker.
Abide with me
Junior Garr & choir
Hear my prayer O Lord (Purcell)
Cambridge Singers
Great is thy faithfulness
Philippa Hanna
WED 10:00 Archive on 4 (m000ydhw)
Singled Out
Historian and journalist Zoe Strimpel delves into the archive to explore the surprising history of the 'single'.
Most adults in today’s society expect to be single for a least a period of time. Although normal and natural, the state of being unattached is far from boring, with a rich and diverse history.
Zoe sets out to trace key moments in that history using some extraordinary archive, and in conversation with historians and cultural figures.
She begins with the story of the ‘surplus’ women, made forcibly single by the First World War and 1918 flu pandemic.
In an era when marriage was a universal expectation for young women, how did these women disrupt the stereotype of the ‘barren spinster’? Zoe delves into a unique oral archive in which the women tell their own stories and reflect on their colourful experiences in the interwar years.
She traces the birth of the modern single - from the new urban classes using personal ads to the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 70s, when liberated love seekers of different sexualities took advantage of new freedoms but also encountered new pressures and problems - loneliness in particular.
She discusses the most famous incarnation of the 1990s ‘singleton' - Bridget Jones - with her creator Helen Fielding.
Was Bridget a dated gender caricature, or a realistic depiction of the pressures and pleasures facing 30 something women? And what was it about women's 'biological clocks' that so fascinated the commentariat in the era of Bridget Jones - and Sex and the City?
Finally, Zoe reflects on the opportunities - and chaos - facing singles in the age of Tinder.
Dating apps have brought choice, convenience and speed, but do they also carry risks of exploitation, sexism and abuse?
Producer: Leala Padmanabhan.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2021.
WED 11:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m0001722)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:30 Raffles (b01p3d3w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 12:00 Bangers and Mash (b0075gnn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 The Missing Hancocks (b08k2ctk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 The Architects (b03xgslr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bpswt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000cc6h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b07mzt4s)
Series 9
Godley, Wainwright, Taylor
The Professor of Ignorance John Lloyd and his new curator Noel Fielding welcome:
* Comedian, actor, writer pub landlady and 2006 runner up for the 'Scotswoman of the Year' award, Janey Godley
* A scientist whose controversial research supports the theory that alien bacteria are constantly bombarding the Earth from outer space, Dr Milton Wainwright;
* Author and award-winning man behind mask Number Eight in the iconic heavy metal band Slipknot, Corey Taylor.
His books includes: You're Making Me Hate You: A Cantankerous Look at the Common Misconception That Humans Have Any Common Sense Left.
The Museum's Guest Committee speculate on Dogs From The 1970s; a little CD tray that collects germs from the stratosphere; and the phenomenon of deep fried food.
Researchers: Mike Turner and Anne Miller of QI.
Producers: Richard Turner & James Harkin.
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in August 2016.
WED 14:30 Two Doors Down (b0076h2y)
Series 3
Give the Dog a Bone
Miss Black's new lodger is a successful actor, but he’s not who she was hoping for...
Starring Stella McCusker.
Annie McCartney's sitcom about the bohemian Belfast residents of Marlborough Road, saved from chaos by their cleaning lady, Sally.
Sally ...... Frances Tomelty
Edith ...... Roma Tomelty
Gervase ...... James Greene
Victor ...... Alan McKee
Clare ...... Marcella Riordan
Evie ...... Katy Gleadhill
Anna ...... Hannah R Gordon
Trevor ...... Gerard McSorley
Simon ...... Lloyd Houston
Layla ...... Eadaoin Hegarty
Ben ...... Conor Hinds OA
Eddie McIlwaine ...... As Himself
Director: Tanya Nash
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2003.
WED 15:00 Walter de la Mare - Memoirs of a Midget (m001hn0m)
1. Miss M
The diminutive Miss M struggles to find her place in Victorian society.
A haunting story of love, intrigue and obsession.
Starring Emma Fielding.
Walter de la Mare's surrealistic novel - first published in 1921.
Dramatised in three parts by Stephen Wyatt.
Miss M .... Emma Fielding
Sir Walter Pollacke .... John Church
Pollie .... Melanie Hudson
Young Miss M .... Sian Jenkins
Adam Waggett .... Matthew Morgan
Gypsy Woman .... Susan Brown
Mrs Bowater .... Jill Graham
Bates .... John Baddeley
Fanny Bowater .... Sylvestra le Touzel
Dr Phelps .... John Webb
Young Man .... David Holt
Harold Crimble .... Keith Drinkel
Lady Pollacke .... Maureen O'Brien
Mrs Crimble .... Pauline Letts
Director: Martin Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1993.
WED 16:00 Archive on 4 (m000ydhw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m0001722)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:30 Raffles (b01p3d3w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 18:00 Bangers and Mash (b0075gnn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 The Missing Hancocks (b08k2ctk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 The Architects (b03xgslr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bpswt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000cc6h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b07mzt4s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 Two Doors Down (b0076h2y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 21:00 Walter de la Mare - Memoirs of a Midget (m001hn0m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
WED 22:00 Ian Smith Is Stressed (m0021xq0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 22:30 Chain Reaction (b08hlt48)
Series 12
Sara Pascoe Interviews Harry Hill
Sara Pascoe turns interviewer and invites her chosen guest Harry Hill into the Chain Reaction hot seat.
Chain Reaction is the talk show with a twist where the interviewee becomes the interviewer in the next show.
Harry is the very first comedian that Sara ever saw live. They discuss Gogglebox, constructive criticism, remaking the Godfather and the merits of sharks.
Harry Hill is an award winning comedian and world class swingball player. Born in Woking in 1964, he holds a medical degree from the University of London. His books include Flight from Deathrow and Tim the Tiny Horse.
He's been a stand-up since the early 1990s and is well known as the star of TV Burp and the voice of You've Been Framed. Harry can currently be seen on Alien Fun Capsule.
Sara Pascoe is a comedian, writer and actor known for her acclaimed live shows - Sara Pascoe the Musical and Sara Pascoe vs History to name just two - as well as numerous high profile TV appearances on programmes ranging from Live at the Apollo, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and W1A.
Her debut book Animal: The Autobiography of a Female Body was released in 2016.
Producer: Adnan Ahmed
Photo credit: Matt Stronge
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.
WED 23:00 Seekers (b03dvgh9)
Series 1
The Scratchcard
Joe and Terry replace Stuart with new best friend Janice.
She's never worked - except as a human guinea pig for pharmaceutical trials and she drinks during the day - she is officially the bestest person they've ever met.
As well as being usurped by Janice, Stuart is usurped by Gary Probert who has unbelievably and appallingly taken over his job at the Job Centre and is working very closely with Nicola.
Steven Burge’s comedy about the staff and the clients who frequent a Job Centre in the Essex town of Rayleigh.
Starring Matthew Horne and Daniel Mays.
Stuart ...... Mathew Horne
Joe ...... Daniel Mays
Terry ...... Tony Way
Mr Dancer ...... Tony Way
Nicola ...... Zahra Ahmadi
Janice ...... Sally Grace
Gary Probert ...... Steve Oram
Dave Manager ...... Alex Lowe
Kevin Rush ...... Alex Lowe
Teresa Glock ...... Bharti Patel
Mr Bishop ...... David Seddon
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2013
WED 23:30 Yours Truly, Pierre Stone (b09czt2z)
Episode 3
Sam Bain's adaptation of his own darkly comic satirical novel about Pierre Stone, a man so engrossed in the lives of TV stars that he completely ignores the disintegration of his own life.
This time, Pierre's attempts to attract the attention of Strictly Come Dancing's Tess Daly leads to him dropping a line to Claudia Winkleman.
Perhaps, he thinks, if he can play them off against each other Tess will get jealous and realise that she really ought to reply to at least one of his fan messages.
In his efforts to get Tess jealous enough to notice he exists, Pierre also recruits local ne'er-do-well Vicky to take part in a rather unlikely game of celebrity Twister...
Alex Macqueen stars as Pierre.
With:
Lolly Adefope
Producer: Gareth Edwards
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2017.
WED 23:45 The Pin (b06mg9gb)
Series 1
Episode 3
Join Alex and Ben in their weird twist on the double-act sketch show.
Strap in for a 15 minute delve in to a world of oddness performed in front of a live studio audience.
The Pin are an award-winning comedy duo, and legends of Edinburgh festival.
They deconstruct the sketch form, in a show that exists somewhere between razor-sharp smartness and utterly joyous silliness.
Producer: Sam Bryant.
First broadcast in Radio 4 in November 2015.

THURSDAY 22 AUGUST 2024

THU 00:00 Archive on 4 (m000ydhw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m0001722)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Raffles (b01p3d3w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Bangers and Mash (b0075gnn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 The Missing Hancocks (b08k2ctk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 The Architects (b03xgslr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bpswt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000cc6h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b07mzt4s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Two Doors Down (b0076h2y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Walter de la Mare - Memoirs of a Midget (m001hn0m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m00017ky)
3. Blind Devotion
Blind detective Jack Dunroody is hired by Thelonious, a monk worried about the fate of his Abbot at an island monastery...
Starring Paul B Davies.
Marius Brill's Chandleresque noir-fiction series of whodunnits featuring blind detective Jack Dunroody.
Jack Dunroody ...... Paul B Davies
Terry Moore ...... Rebecca Front
Thelonious the Monk ...... David Collings
Abbot ...... David Waring
Guy Ronleen ...... John Turner
Rose Scarlet ...... Natasha Pyne
Dog/Damian ...... David Holt
Underwood ...... John Hartley
Boots ...... Ian Masters
Parrot ...... Jonathan Keeble
Director: Andy Jordan.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1991.
THU 06:30 Raffles (b01p3hkh)
Series 1
5. Wilful Murder
Bunny is horrified when gentleman thief Raffles calmly declares he wants to try a different crime - by planning to commit a murder.
Starring Jeremy Clyde and Michael Cochrane.
EW Hornung's early Raffles stories dramatised by David Buck.
AJ Raffles …. Jeremy Clyde
Bunny …. Michael Cochrane
Crawshay …. Ron Pember
Sergeant/Waiter …. John Church
Inspector MacKenzie …. Henry Stamper
Signature tune composed by Jim Parker.
Director: Gordon House
A BBC Radio 4/World Service production first broadcast in November 1985.
THU 07:00 Coming Alive (b00fks6h)
Series 1
Coming Out
Terry King is an ex-convict, an ex-conman with a chance to prove himself and find his feet again.
His challenge is to bring life into a run down community centre with the support of Sandra Gaines, a social worker with a warm heart and an unhappy past.
This is the story of how two people fall in love in spite of themselves.
Starring Karl Howman, Phyllis Logan and Geoffrey Whitehead.
Terry King ...... Karl Howman
Sandra Gaines ...... Phyllis Logan
Mr Preston ...... David Holt
Mr Wade ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Steve ...... Ben Crowe
Wizzer ...... Giles Fagan
George ...... Chris Pavlo
Hobb ...... Harry Myers
Producer: Marilyn Imrie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1999.
THU 07:30 Dad's Army (b007jrl4)
Series 3
Is There Honey Still for Tea?
Private Godfrey's humble abode, Cherry Tree Cottage, is threatened with demolition to make way for a new aerodrome...
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 Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Cissie Godfrey …. Joan Cooper
Colonel/Sir Charles …. Fraser Kerr
Announcer/Newsreader …. John Snagge
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1976.
THU 08:00 My Teenage Diary (m000jvz0)
Series 9
Bill Oddie
Rufus Hound with more honest, intimate and hilarious interviews, with famous guests reading from their genuine teenage diaries.
In this episode, former Goodie Bill Oddie talks about an extremely demanding Outward Bound course in the Lake District in 1958.
Hill walking, abseiling and jumping into freezing cold waterfalls are all part of the fun.
Producer: Harriet Jaine
A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2020.
THU 08:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bpxgc)
9. Stock Market
With Blofeld's evil plan revealed, he must be stopped. But Bond is forced to use unconventional means.
Read by Joanna Lumley.
First published in 1963, this was Ian Fleming's 11th Bond novel, sandwiched between 'The Spy Who Loved Me' and 'You Only Live Twice'. In movie terms, this was the sixth of the original Bond movie franchise with George Lazenby playing the hero and Diana Rigg as Tracy.
The reader, Joanna Lumley, had a small, unnamed role in the 1969 film of 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service', being simply referred to as 'The English Girl'.
Abridged by Michael Bakewell.
Producer: David Benedictus
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1989.
THU 08:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000cc0y)
Series 4
4. Affair
John is convinced that Maggie is having an affair with one of her colleagues and is moving to Aberdeen.
AL Kennedy's romantic comedy drama about love in later life in five parts.
John ...... Bill Nighy
Maggie ...... Anna Calder-Marshall
Colin ...... Clive Hayward
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.
THU 09:00 The Train at Platform 4 (m0021xt2)
Series 2
4. Smart Train
When an update goes wrong, the train’s automated systems cause chaos, in the comedy set in the claustrophobic carriages of a cross-country rail service. Starring Rosie Cavaliero and written by Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis.
Dodgy air conditioning, indecipherable announcements, toilet doors that open randomly – it sounds like your average train journey. But this time things are even worse than normal, as Sam and the team attempt to wrestle back control of a train gone haywire.
The Train at Platform 4 follows the long-suffering crew who manage to scrape through every shift like a dysfunctional family – Train Manager, Sam (Rosie Cavaliero; Inside No. 9) First Class Steward, Noel (Hugh Dennis; Outnumbered), and Trolley Operator Tash (Amy Geldhill; Alma’s Not Normal). The passengers are made up of a rolling roster of guest stars.
Sam…. Rosie Cavaliero
Noel…. Hugh Dennis
Tash….. Amy Gledhill
Richard Monkton…. Steve Punt
Mum…. Gemma Arrowsmith
Tom…. Milo Robinson
Written by....Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis
Producer… James Robinson
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
THU 09:30 Door Stepping (b08zdlrr)
4. We're Getting a Mortgage
Things are getting serious for Jude Rogers as she makes the decision to buy her first home in the London suburbs - its where she will get married from, have her first child, and she only moved out last year... its an emotional moment as she returns to the first home she bought.
"It's amazing how powerful smell is. Instantly, I see my son as a baby, scuttling across the wooden floor in his walker. I expect my husband to walk through from the kitchen. I hear a cat's footsteps upstairs, and stop calling out for our cat, Poppy. She lived here for three years, and died, at 15, last summer."
Producer: Sara Jane Hall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2017.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m0022432)
Gardens in the Bible - The Resurrection Garden
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Gardens in the Bible - The Resurrection Garden
John 19:41-20:2, 6-8.
Led by Richard Littledale.
Music:
There is a green hill (from 'St John Passion') - Bob Chilcott
St Martin's Voices
A Norfolk Rhapsody - Ralph Vaughan Williams
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
All things bright and beautiful - Philip Stopford
BBC Daily Service Singers with Natalie, Young Chorister of the Year
Laudate omnes genes - Taize
Taize Community
For the beauty of the earth
St Martin's Voices
THU 10:00 Great Lives (b009qr2r)
Peter Cushing
Actor and writer Mark Gatiss chooses an actor most noted for horror film roles, Peter Cushing.
Cushing found fame with the Hammer films of the 1970s, but his career on stage, screen, radio and TV stretched over 40 years, from being Laurel and Hardy's stooge, to Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars.
Presented by Matthew Parris.
With expert witness David Miller
Producer: Perminder Khatkar
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2008.
THU 10:30 Gone Today, Hair Tomorrow (b01104bx)
For centuries, hair has been used as a symbol of remembrance - from a single lock hidden in a drawer, to the practice of weaving hair into bracelets or appearing in art and jewellery.
Historian and biographer Juliette Barker, traces these practices through history and talks to some collectors.
Nowadays, hair also offers us the chance to retrieve good quality DNA, so could it return as a way to remember our loved ones and ancestors?
Producer Kevin Mousley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2011.
THU 11:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m00017ky)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:30 Raffles (b01p3hkh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 12:00 Coming Alive (b00fks6h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jrl4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 My Teenage Diary (m000jvz0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bpxgc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000cc0y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Dilemma (b03w0j4d)
Series 3
Episode 4
Sue Perkins puts Nick Doody, Angela Barnes, Dominic Lawson and Cush Jumbo through the moral and ethical wringer.
The panellists attempt to resolve dilemmas based around horses and awkward family situations.
Plus a real-life dilemma about identity - and an attempt to help an audience member with affairs of the heart.
Devised by Danielle Ward.
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2014.
THU 14:30 No Commitments (b01qyntd)
Series 11
A Life More Ordinary
Finance director Roger is feeling apprehensive about his pending retirement, so Victoria invites Derek for dinner to tell them how wonderful it can be.
Simon Brett’s sitcom about the lives and squabbles of three very different sisters.
Anna ....... Rosemary Leach
Victoria ....... Angela Thorne
Charlotte ....... Felicity Montagu
Roger ....... Bill Nighy
Emily ....... Lisa Coleman
Derek......Rowland Davies
Music by Elizabeth Parker of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
Written and produced by Simon Brett
First broadcast on BBC Radio in February 2005.
THU 15:00 Walter de la Mare - Memoirs of a Midget (m001hn17)
2. Mr Anon
Miss M, already trapped by smart London society, finds herself torn between the demands of her obsessive young suitor and the 'evil' Fanny Bowater.
The diminutive Miss M struggles to find her place in Victorian society.
A haunting story of love, intrigue and obsession.
Starring Emma Fielding.
Walter de la Mare's surrealistic novel - first published in 1921.
Dramatised by Stephen Wyatt.
Miss M .... Emma Fielding
Sir Walter Pollacke .... John Church
Fanny Bowater .... Sylvestra Le Touzel
Mr Anon .... Robert Glenister
Mrs Bowater .... Jill Graham
Lady Pollacke .... Maureen O'Brien
Mrs Monnerie .... Anna Massey
Harold Crimble .... Keith Drinkel
Flemming .... Sandra James Young
Susan Monnerie .... Federay Holmes
Director: Martin Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1993.
THU 16:00 Great Lives (b009qr2r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 Gone Today, Hair Tomorrow (b01104bx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m00017ky)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:30 Raffles (b01p3hkh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 18:00 Coming Alive (b00fks6h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 Dad's Army (b007jrl4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 My Teenage Diary (m000jvz0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bpxgc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000cc0y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Dilemma (b03w0j4d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 No Commitments (b01qyntd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 21:00 Walter de la Mare - Memoirs of a Midget (m001hn17)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
THU 22:00 The Train at Platform 4 (m0021xt2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 22:30 John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme (b09k8fsn)
Series 7
Episode 1
Listen out for a very awkward phone call, and a poem from a world-famous polymath.
There's also a correction to something that happened in the first series and a story about the importance of good manners...
This is the show described by 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".
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 2018.
THU 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m0022b11)
Ola Labib 2/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And tonight, Jon Holmes talks to Ola Labib.
THU 23:00 Alun Cochrane's Fun House (b01rlnhp)
The Kitchen
Comedian Alun Cochrane has a 25 year mortgage which he can only pay off by being funny.
In this series he takes us on a room by room, stand up tour of his house.
He has a fridge that beeps at him when he doesn't move quickly enough and a fire alarm he can't reach.
His relationship with his house is a complicated one.
A hoarder of funny and original observations on everyday life, Alun invites us to help him de-clutter his mind and tidy his ideas into one of those bags that you hoover all the air out of and keep under your bed.
This show will help Alun and his house work through their relationship issues and prevent a separation that Alun can ill afford; at least not until the market picks up anyway.
Performers: Alun Cochrane and Gavin Osborn
Writers: Alun Cochrane and Andy Wolton
Producer: Carl Cooper.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
THU 23:30 Bunk Bed (m0004mhj)
Series 7
Rhys Ifans
In the dark and in a bunk bed, your tired mind can wander away from the hurly burly of the day.
Bafta-winning Welsh actor Rhys Ifans joins Peter Curran and Patrick Marber on the spare mattress.
They get down to the subject of pocket globes, his desire to be a Stone Age cave painter, and the versatility of the kitchen whisk.
Producer: Peter Curran
A Foghorn production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2019.
THU 23:45 Woof (b0bh5hpw)
True Tales of Romance and Failure
It's All in a Name
None of us are getting any younger and is kitchen matchmaking on the cards?
Bittersweet comic real life stories written and performed by Chris Neill.
With:
Martin Hyder
Isy Suttie
Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2018.

FRIDAY 23 AUGUST 2024

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (b009qr2r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Gone Today, Hair Tomorrow (b01104bx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m00017ky)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Raffles (b01p3hkh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Coming Alive (b00fks6h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 Dad's Army (b007jrl4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 My Teenage Diary (m000jvz0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bpxgc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000cc0y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Dilemma (b03w0j4d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 No Commitments (b01qyntd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Walter de la Mare - Memoirs of a Midget (m001hn17)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m00018cy)
4. More Than Meets The Ear
Detective Jack Dunroody is trapped in a cave, with the tide rising - and a monastery murder still to solve...
Starring Paul B Davies.
Marius Brill's Chandleresque noir-fiction series of whodunnits featuring blind detective Jack Dunroody.
Jack Dunroody ...... Paul B Davies
Terry Moore ...... Rebecca Front
Thelonious the Monk ...... David Collings
Dog/Damian ...... David Holt
Rose Scarlet ...... Natasha Pyne
Guy Ronleen ...... John Turner
Boots ...... Ian Masters
Underwood ...... John Hartley
Parrot ...... Jonathan Keeble
Other parts played by the cast.
Director: Andy Jordan.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1991.
FRI 06:30 Raffles (b01p3mq2)
Series 1
6. The Chest of Silver
With Inspector MacKenzie's suspicions about Raffles' professional life growing, AJ decides it's time to visit Scotland.
But Bunny is not to go with him: as he has responsibility for guarding Raffles' illegally-acquired silver plate.
Starring Jeremy Clyde and Michael Cochrane.
EW Hornung's early Raffles stories dramatised by David Buck.
Inspector MacKenzie …. Henry Stamper
Man 1 at Turkish Baths …. David Garth
Man 2 at Turkish Baths …. Garard Green
Man 1 at Bank …. Richard Durden
Man 2 at Bank …. Robin Summers
Clerk …. Brian Smith
Porter …. Adrian Egan
Cabman …. Gordon Reid
Flunkey …. David Learner
Signature tune composed by Jim Parker.
Director: Gordon House
A BBC Radio 4/World Service production first broadcast in November 1985.
FRI 07:00 Comedy Showcase (m00224w1)
3. The Big Town All Stars
The small-time band with ambitions beyond wedding gigs - rehearse - for another wedding gig.
But who will be assertive enough to tell Laureli she must share the solo numbers?
Written by Bill Dare
Starring:
Stephen Tompkinson
Clive Rowe
Adrian Scarborough
Doon Mackichan
Darren Boyd
Dan Strauss
Henrietta Garden
Matthew Little
Compose: r David Firman
Producer Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1998.
FRI 07:30 Share and Share Alike (m000mskx)
Shared Interests
Jack is fed up with living with his brother Lesley in order to gain their inheritance. He’s hankering after the pleasures of his old lifestyle.
Desperate situations call for desperate measures.
And if the price of a day at the races - with his brother in tow, of course - is attending one of Lesley's evening classes, what is there to lose? He soon finds out....
Starring Hugh Paddick and Michael Robbins.
Series written by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles
Jack Burrows ...... Michael Robbins
Lesley Burrows ...... Hugh Paddick
Mr Brown ...... Deryck Guyler
Ron ...... Denis Bond
Instructor ...... Margot Boyd
Receptionist ...... Rosalyn Slater
Racing Commentator: ...... Peter O'Sullevan
Producer John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1978.
FRI 08:00 Room 101 with Paul Merton (m001m5p5)
Series 1
Claudia Winkleman
Returning in its original one-to-one incarnation, Paul Merton interviews a variety of guests from the world of comedy and entertainment to find out what they would send to Room 101.
Kicking off the series, Claudia Winkleman attempts to banish picnics, whispering and alliteration.
Additional material John Irwin and Suki Webster.
Producer: Richard Wilson
A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2023.
FRI 08:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bq049)
10. Skeletons
Battling the evil Blofeld, Bond joins forces with Draco. All looks plain sailing for 007 and Tracy.
Read by Joanna Lumley.
First published in 1963, this was Ian Fleming's 11th Bond novel, sandwiched between 'The Spy Who Loved Me' and 'You Only Live Twice'. In movie terms, this was the sixth of the original Bond movie franchise with George Lazenby playing the hero and Diana Rigg as Tracy.
The reader, Joanna Lumley, had a small, unnamed role in the 1969 film of 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service', being simply referred to as 'The English Girl'.
Abridged by Michael Bakewell.
Producer: David Benedictus
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1989.
FRI 08:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000c8ql)
Series 4
5. Struggles
Maggie teaches the flirtatious Colin a lesson while John struggles to save the library and his marriage.
AL Kennedy's romantic comedy drama about love in later life in five parts.
John ...... Bill Nighy
Maggie ...... Anna Calder-Marshall
Colin ...... Clive Hayward
Mrs Williams ...... Jessica Turner
Breezy stranger ...... Neil McCaul
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.
FRI 09:00 Carbon Lifeforms (m0019m1q)
1. Food
The brand new carbon neutral comedy magazine show that dangles (think: Emission Impossible) itself over the climate crisis.
Not content to simply be carbon neutral, environmental comedian (and actual Council Waste Education Officer) Jon Long teams up with scientist and TV presenter Tara Shine for a new hybrid BBC Radio 4 show that emits jokes, sketches, games, songs and facts as they aim to (carbon) capture all things climate and environment - demystifying the issues, and helping listeners make positive choices in their everyday lives.
Episode 1: Food, with guests Arielle Souma and Jay Rayner
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 09:30 Door Stepping (b08zdm5n)
5. Coming Home
Jude Rogers finds herself drawn back to the country of her birth - Wales - in the conclusion of the series.
"The property boom in London gave us the means to get out and buy bigger - my God, we could even buy a house with a GARDEN!. So we fell in love with a house in Wales, looking over the Monnow Valley, a part of the world where we didn't know anybody, or anything, really. All our friends in London, our home for nearly two decades, thought we were mad."
Producer: Sara Jane Hall.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2017.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m00224w3)
Gardens in the Bible - Garden of eternity
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Gardens in the Bible - Garden of eternity
Revelation 22: 1-5
Led by Canon Ann Easter.
Music
For the healing of the nations
The Priory Singers
The Tree of Life (Peter Nardone)
St Martin's Voices
Praise to the Lord, the almighty, the King of creation
Daily Service Singers
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (b0075zdm)
Series 1
Abide with Me
An exploration of why Henry F Lyte's words and William H Monk's tune have so much significance for the people of Malawi, a railway chaplain, a miner's daughter and a vicar in India.
Series about music that makes the hairs stand up on the back of our necks.
Producer: Rosie Boulton
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2000.
FRI 10:30 The Loss of Lostness (b06gtfql)
"Let's Get Lost..." croons Chet Baker, harmonising with his own trumpet.
It's a 1950s recording made at the high-water mark of jazz - that improvised and meandering art form.
Taking his instruction from Baker, Stephen Smith sets out.
However, modern technology can almost guarantee that we need never be lost again - in cities, encyclopaedias or record shops. Many of today's teenagers have never been lost, either literally or metaphorically. We've been given wifi-enabled omnipotence. But, Stephen asks, "Where's the fun in that?"
So, Stephen turns off his GPS and explores the joys of mooching about, taking a wrong turning - only to stumble upon some unexpected delight.
He has some rollicking encounters along the way.
Stephen meets a man in Hampton Court Maze who claims he was clean-shaven when he went in.
He goes on a Sunday drive - remember them? - with design guru Stephen Bayley - where they reminisce about "the Proustian pleasure of a packet of cheese and onion...on an absolutely futile drive".
Via Virginia's Woolf's great essay on getting lost, "Street Haunting", he goes to see Graham Gouldman of 10cc. The idea of getting lost strikes a chord with Gouldman. There's lots of messing around on guitars. Gouldman talks about getting lost in the record shops of his youth, relives the writing of their greatest hit "I'm Not in Love", and in the end pens a new song to lostness. Stephen asks Graham what he might do with it.
A week later, a fully recorded version arrives in Stephen's inbox - and he hits play....
Producer: Adele Armstrong
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2015.
FRI 11:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m00018cy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:30 Raffles (b01p3mq2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 12:00 Comedy Showcase (m00224w1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Share and Share Alike (m000mskx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Room 101 with Paul Merton (m001m5p5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bq049)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000c8ql)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00jnlsm)
Series 1
Episode 6
James Walton chairs the show that tests and tickles the knowledge of industry pundits and people passionate about pop.
Regulars Tracey MacLeod and Andrew Collins are joined by:
Writer, Richard Curtis
Broadcaster, Anthony Wilson.
Reader: Beth Chalmers
Written and researched by James Walton
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2005.
FRI 14:30 The Brothers (b00ny721)
Series 2
Episode 3
The arrival of Nigel and Michael's father sparks yet more havoc.
Sitcom about the dysfunctional Burbage siblings.
Written by Caroline and David Stafford.
Nigel Burbage …. Adam Godley
Michael Burbage …. Ray Coulthard
Oonagh …. Pauline McLynn
Zorro …. Alex Lowe
Peter Burbage …. James Fleet
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2005.
FRI 15:00 Walter de la Mare - Memoirs of a Midget (m001hnb3)
3. The Circus
Miss M's determination to be free leads her into the world of the circus - and danger...
The diminutive Miss M struggles to find her place in Victorian society.
A haunting story of love, intrigue and obsession.
Starring Emma Fielding.
Walter de la Mare's surrealistic novel - first published in 1921.
Dramatised by Stephen Wyatt.
Miss M ... Emma Fielding
Sir Walter Pollacke .... John Church
Mrs Monnerie .... Anna Massey
Susan Monnerie .... Federay Holmes
Fanny Bowater .... Sylvestra Le Touzel
Mr Anon .... Robert Glenister
Captain Valentine .... David Holt
Percy Maudlen .... Charles Simpson
Adam Waggett .... Matthew Morgan
Gypsy Woman .... Susan Brown
Showman .... John Junkin
Mrs Bowater .... Jill Graham
Director: Martin Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1993.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (b0075zdm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 The Loss of Lostness (b06gtfql)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 S-Laughter in the Dark (m00018cy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Raffles (b01p3mq2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Comedy Showcase (m00224w1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 Share and Share Alike (m000mskx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 Room 101 with Paul Merton (m001m5p5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (b07bq049)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 Subterranean Homesick Blues (m000c8ql)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00jnlsm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 The Brothers (b00ny721)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Walter de la Mare - Memoirs of a Midget (m001hnb3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
FRI 22:00 Scott Agnew: Dead Man Talking (m00223t0)
Series 1
3. Brought Back to Be Me
Scott was disappointed there was nobody waiting for him when he died. In this episode he ponders whether someone was in fact watching over him and tells the most unbelievable funeral story of all time. With an unexpected apology from his mum, a trip to get measured for a suit and rolling down a hill chased by a bunch of OAPs - this is an episode packed with anecdotes and revelations.
The final episode in a trilogy of tales that gets into the gritty and grim goings on that nearly saw Scott pushing up the daisies. Each episode is far from a forlorn fable, but rather is bursting with colourful, lively stories of the people who have shaped Scott's life and helped him along the way.
This is more than just a life story, this is Scott's death story.
A stand up series, written and performed by Scott Agnew
Produced by Lauren Mackay
Audio recorded by Chris Currie and Niall Young
FRI 22:30 Matt Berry Interviews... (b0b7hbcv)
Series 1
Simon Callow
Matt Berry presents a series of interviews with the greats of the stage, screen and music world.
Matt brings you his interview with Simon Callow - recorded in his tiny dressing room at the top of London's Ambassadors theatre in 1987 where he was starring in an adaptation of Jilly Cooper's book 'Riders'.
Simon is a true, true renaissance man. Such talents should always be cherished as their mere existence will inadvertently brighten any situation, or project they are involved with. Not only has he become a Goliath of the theatre but also of the written word. His works on Dickens, and Orson Welles are very highly regarded.
Written, performed and edited by Matt Berry.
Producer: Matt Stronge
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018.
FRI 22:45 Tom Mayhew Is Benefit Scum (m000t49m)
Series 1
Scroungers
Working Class comedian Tom Mayhew takes you on an autobiographical journey through the benefits system in a stand-up series that takes a wry, sideways look at the prejudices that people have towards benefits claimants and turns those assumptions on their head.
This time, Tom looks at the benefits system and asks if it actually works.
Tom is a critically acclaimed comedian, whose material about being working-class – mixing the personal and the political, with the punchline-rate of a one-liner comic – sets him apart from any other act on the circuit.
Tom Mayhew is Benefit Scum is an audio adaptation of Mayhew's acclaimed Edinburgh show I, Tom Mayhew.
Producer: Benjamin Sutton
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021.
FRI 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m0022b0s)
Ola Labib 3/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And tonight, Jon Holmes talks to Ola Labib.
FRI 23:00 Absolute Power (b007w32v)
Series 2
Episode 5
McCabe, unable to get his hands on a corkscrew, finds he's obliged to do some work - like sexing up hats and Delia Smith's image.
Meanwhile, Prentiss is in discussion with a representative from the Prison Reform Society. He's unwilling to take part - until he's blackmailed...
Mark Tavener's comedy about the Machiavellian doctors of PR spin
Charles Prentiss .... Stephen Fry
Martin McCabe .... John Bird
Gayle …. Clare Corbett
With Siobhan Hayes, Tony Gardner, Beth Chalmers and Tamsin Greig
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2001.
FRI 23:30 As Told To Craig Brown (b00bfp2j)
Episode 6
In the crosshairs of satire are hysterical media and busty starlets.
Craig Brown introduces a mixture of satire, social observation and nonsense.
Narrated by Juliet Stevenson and Steve Wright.
With:
John Humphrys
Ronni Ancona
Jon Culshaw
Lewis MacLeod
Sally Grace
Ewan Bailey
Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2008.