SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 2024

SAT 00:00 Soul Music (b00763px)
Series 2
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
Cole Porter's song of farewell and parting caught the imagination of wartime sweethearts and remains powerful and relevant today.
Writer Anna Blundy talks about the significance of this song in her life and her writing.
Singer Robert Offord describes the effect of singing it at a memorial concert for Aids victims.
Biographer William McBrien tells of the poignancy of this song in Cole Porter's own life.
And psychologist Dr Colin Murray Parkes describes the emotions surrounding the act of saying "Goodbye".
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 August 2001.
SAT 00:30 A Dancer Dies Twice (b075pm41)
"A dancer dies twice", the legendary choreographer Martha Graham said, "once when they stop dancing, and this first death is the more painful."
This is a documentary about first deaths and last dances, about what happens when an instrument as finely tuned as a dancer's body begins to change.
From the music which prompts a twitch of muscle memory to the comedown which follows a burst of performance adrenaline. These are stories of the last dances and what comes next from Gabriella Schmidt, Isabel Mortimer from Dancers' Career Development, and former principal ballerinas Natasha Oughtred and Wendy Whelan.
Eavesdrop on training young dancers at the Royal Ballet School as they shape muscle and bone into elegant lines, diving into the visceral excitement of pounding pointe shoes and powerful leaping bodies.
Plus a visit to the Sage Dance Company and the Company of Elders as they work with dancers who move with grace and beauty in defiance of their changing bodies.
From the first anxious glance in the mirror to the last touch - how does the language of our bodies change as we age?
Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2016.
SAT 01:00 The Fall and Rise of Danny Clark (b00774vs)
After his Dad dies doing a job for gangland boss Frankie Weems, young Danny Clark vows never to get involved in crime.
But now Frankie comes knocking on his door, wanting his help.
And Frankie's not a man you say no to...
Starring Robert Boulter.
Andrew Chappell's gangster thriller.
Danny …. Robert Boulter
Sharon …. Emma Noakes
Gramps …. Desmond McNamara
Inspector Hedges …. Sam Dale
Director: Peter Kavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2007.
SAT 01:45 Whodunnits (m000lh5v)
Bloody Eisteddfod
5. What Future?
The climax of the Eisteddfod is nigh - the Chairing Ceremony with friends, enemies are gathered together.
Daf has more on his mind than who will win the poetry contest.
There is a serious crime to solve and his future is hanging in the balance.
Myfanwy Alexander's adaptation of her Welsh novel provides a lively insight into contemporary rural life as well as culture.
Detective Inspector Daf Dafis ...... Steffan Rhodri
Detective Sergeant Sheila Francis/Eira ap Owain Edwards ...... Rhian Morgan
Gethin Teifi ...... Matthew Gravelle
Professor Talwyn Teifi/John Jones ...... Richard Elfyn
Manon/Gaenor Jones ...... Mali Harries
Chrissie Humphries ...... Lisa Jên Brown
Carys Dafis ...... Caryl Lewis
Garmon Jones ...... Rhodri Trefor
Ed Mills ...... Wyn Davies
Archdruid ...... Emyr Roberts
Producers: Myfanwy Alexander and Emyr Roberts
A Cwmni THR production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2020.
SAT 02:00 The Older Woman (b03bsg2p)
Series 2
Episode 6
After his TV documentary, Roy Hitchcock has, at last, achieved recognition, but at what price?
Reputations and relationships are put on the line and some extreme weather conditions seem to be contributing towards an ending of apocalyptic proportions.
Starring Geraldine James and Martin Clunes.
Conclusion of Tony Bagley's romantic comedy drama serial with a twist.
Roy Hitchcock …. Martin Clunes
Jane Gallaghan …. Geraldine James
Chad Mann …. Nicky Henson
Colin …. David Troughton
Mrs Churchill …. Rebecca Front
Marina …. Tilly Vosburgh
Other parts played by:
Alistair McGowan
Melanie Hudson
Peter Serafinowicz
Paul Panting
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1994.
SAT 02:30 The Burkiss Way (b007jsl5)
Series 5
Write Extremely Long Programme Titles the Burkiss Way
It's time to meet the Muppets with President Nixon.
Cult sketch comedy series which originally ran from 1976 to 1980.
Starring:
Fred Harris
Jo Kendall
Nigel Rees
Chris Emmett
Written by Andrew Marshall and David Renwick.
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1980.
SAT 03:00 To Hull and Back (b09sn1hl)
Series 3
Stockholm Syndrome
Sophie tries to find some new customers for the Hull salon.
However, in doing so, she unwittingly attracts the attention of a couple of animal rights activists who are looking for somewhere new to protest...
Starring Lucy Beaumont and Maureen Lipman.
Lucy Beaumont’s warm-hearted sitcom about Sophie's efforts to escape her overbearing mother, Sheila.
Sophie ...... Lucy Beaumont
Sheila ...... Maureen Lipman
Jean ...... Kerrie Marsh
Waitress ...... Kerrie Marsh
Imran ...... Shane Zaza
Mo ...... Mike Bubbins
Producer: Sam Michell
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2018.
SAT 03:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m00146hk)
5. Details
Piranesi begins to recover details that the House has made him forget.
Piranesi lives in the House. Perhaps he always has.
In his notebooks, day after day, he makes a clear and careful record of its wonders: the labyrinth of halls, the thousands upon thousands of statues, the tides that thunder up staircases, the clouds that move in slow procession through the upper halls.
On Tuesdays and Fridays Piranesi sees his friend, the Other. At other times he brings tributes of food to the Dead. But mostly, he is alone.
Messages begin to appear, scratched out in chalk on the pavements. There is someone new in the House. But who are they and what do they want? Are they a friend or do they bring destruction and madness as the Other claims? Lost texts must be found; secrets must be uncovered.
The world that Piranesi thought he knew is becoming strange and dangerous.
The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.
Susanna Clarke's novel about the dreamlike, gothic territory. Piranesi.
Abridged by Sara Davies.
Read by Samuel Anderson.
Producer: Alison Crawford
A BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2022.
SAT 03:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmqj)
10. Decision
Once again Jean Valjean is forced to start a new life and confront the possibility of leaving the safety of the Convent.
Victor Hugo's epic story of social injustice.
Dramatised by Sebastian Baczkiewicz.
Jean .... Roger Allam
Victor Hugo .... Joss Ackland
Cosette (adult) .... Lucy Whybrow
Fauchlevant / Lecturer .... Sean Baker
Mother Superior .... Marlene Sidaway
Marius .... Jonathan Forbes
Combeferre .... Carl Prekopp
Enjolras .... Peter Darney
Grantaire .... Ewan Bailey
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2001.
SAT 04:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00m0mb4)
Series 2
Episode 1
James Walton tests and tickles the knowledge of industry pundits and people passionate about pop music.
Regulars Tracey MacLeod and Andrew Collins are joined by:
* Broadcaster, Mary Anne Hobbs
* Comedian, Dave Gorman
Reader: Beth Chalmers
Written and researched by James Walton.
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2006.
SAT 04:30 Lucky Heather (b0075s45)
3. The Searchers
Emma thinks that her mother is having an affair and asks Heather to investigate.
Just this side of nosey, Heather is western movie-mad. She's also the Sherlock Holmes of the rundown Sutter Estate.
Starring Lindsey Coulson.
Sitcom by Sue Teddern.
Heather ...... Lindsey Coulson
Natalie ...... Abigail Hart
Ryan ...... Ben Crowe
Emma ...... Kelly Wright
Gill ...... Zeina Harding-Roots
Woman/Jackie ...... Janice Acquah
Mark/Bingo Caller ...... Christopher Kelham
Director: David Hunter
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2000.
SAT 05:00 Drama on 4 (m000q9g0)
Dot and the Russian Dossier
May, 1941: The future of the war hangs in the balance, with Dot selected for a most perilous mission.
She casts off the shackles of her desk job in the personnel department in Whitehall's War Rooms.
Disguise, deception and dastardly doings await - as she enters the field of conflict.
Starring Fenella Woolgar.
Witty wartime comedy by Ed Harris - author of BBC Radio's popular sitcom 'Dot'.
Dot ...... Fenella Woolgar
Myrtle ...... Kate O'Flynn
Peabody ...... David Acton
Archie ...... Carl Prekopp
Sister Frances ...... Clare Corbett
Director: Sasha Yevtushenko
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2020.
SAT 05:45 Short Works (m000dryf)
Table Manners by Susmita Bhattacharya
5. Mango Season
A woman makes a discovery about her extraordinary great-grandmother’s past.
Concluding tale of home and migration from the Table Manners collection by Susmita Bhattacharya.
Read by Aysha Kala.
Producer: Jeremy Osborne
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Sweet Talk productions - first broadcast in January 2020.
SAT 06:00 Michael Frayn - Birthday (m0023xqr)
On Liz’s 27th birthday, her heavily pregnant sister Jess visits, and they're both in for a shock.
Dawn French makes her BBC radio debut.
Michael Frayn's comedy, written in 1969 for BBC TV.
Jess .... Dawn French
Liz .... Deborah Findlay
Neil .... Thomas Wheatley
Willa .... Liz Crowther
Bernie .... Peter Gunn
Arthur/Jack .... John Webb
Student .... Matthew Morgan
Dr Hodges .... Oona Beeson
Nurse .... Joanna Wake
Sister Edwards .... Ann Windsor
Adapted and directed by Matthew Walters.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1992.
SAT 07:15 Waste Flesh by Gee Williams (m0023xqw)
Inspired by the work of George Orwell, Vinny photographs his hometown community in North Wales.
Gee Williams' short story read by Robert Harper.
Producer: Tanya Nash
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1998.
SAT 07:30 A Month in Siena by Hisham Matar (Omnibus) (m0023xr0)
When Hisham Matar was 19, he came across the Sienese School of painting for the first time.
In the year in which Matar's life was shattered by the disappearance of his father, the work of the great artists of Siena seemed to offer him a sense of hope.
Over the years that followed, his feelings towards these paintings would deepen and, as he says,
“Siena began to occupy the sort of uneasy reverence the devout might feel towards Mecca or Rome or Jerusalem”.
25 years later, this is the encounter between the writer and the city he had worshipped from afar.
It's a dazzling evocation of an extraordinary place and its effect on the writer's life. It's also an immersion in painting, a consideration of grief and a profoundly moving contemplation of the relationship between art and the human condition.
Written by Hisham Matar.
Omnibus of five parts abridged by Jill Waters and Jonquil Panting.
Read by Khalid Abdalla
Producer: Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in July 2020.
SAT 08:45 Tales From A Long Room by Peter Tinniswood (m0002h63)
Series 1
The Lady Wife
Should a cricket fanatic marry, when perpetually entranced by the mistress that is 'the summer game'?
Robin Bailey reads another of Peter Tinniswood's cricket tales, as the acerbic Brigadier.
Abridged for radio by the author.
Producer: Tony Cliff
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1981.
SAT 09:00 The Men from the Ministry (b007jzd0)
That's My Baby
Love-struck civil servant Lamb is fast-tracked into fatherhood.
A weekly tribute to all those who work in government departments.
Stars Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler.
Written by Edward Taylor and John Graham.
Lennox-Brown …. Deryck Guyler
Lamb …. Richard Murdoch
Mildred Murfin …. Norma Ronald
Sir Gregory Pitkin …. Ronald Baddiley
Mr Armstrong …. John Graham
Cybil Brady …. Pat Coombs
Mrs Mayling …. Cass Allen.
The Men from the Ministry ran for 14 series between 1962 and 1977.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 in June 1975.
SAT 09:30 Stilgoe's Around (b007k3xj)
City of London
Richard Stilgoe goes into Britain's financial heartland to dispel the myths of money-making.
Written by Richard Stilgoe.
With:
Belinda Lang
Tim Piggott Smith
Charles Collingwood
Kathryn Tickell
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1989.
SAT 10:00 Unsung Heroines (m000ntdk)
2. Florrie Forde, Betty Davis, Caroline Norton, Wangari Maathai, Hoda Sharawi, Mary Tealby, Olive Shapley
History is full of incredible women who did amazing things.
And yet, even though their legacy is still felt today, their names aren't on the tip our tongues.
We've all heard of Florence Nightingale and Amelia Earhart - but what about Annie Russell Maunder, Jayaben Desai or Josephine Butler? They're much less well known, yet they all made significant and enduring contributions to our world.
The writer and comedian Viv Groskop has been trawling the BBC radio archives to find out about a kickass sisterhood that refused to stay at home when that's what was expected of them.
We meet the pioneering physician, Sophia Jex Blake; the Nobel laureate environmentalist, Wangari Maathai, the social reformer, Caroline Norton; the champion cyclist, Beryl Burton; we take a trip to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to learn about its founder, Mary Tealby. And many more.
Viv also invites contemporary women to nominate their favourite unsung heroines - so we hear from Clare Balding, Cathy Newman, Samira Ahmed, Natalie Haynes, Gemma Cairney, Angela Barnes and Jessica Fostekew about the females they call phenomenal.
From ancient Rome to the 21st Century, Viv Groskop brings inspiring women out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
Producer: Moy McGowan
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2020.
SAT 11:00 Michael Frayn - Birthday (m0023xqr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:15 Waste Flesh by Gee Williams (m0023xqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]
SAT 12:30 A Month in Siena by Hisham Matar (Omnibus) (m0023xr0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:45 Tales From A Long Room by Peter Tinniswood (m0002h63)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 14:00 The Men from the Ministry (b007jzd0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 Stilgoe's Around (b007k3xj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 Unsung Heroines (m000ntdk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 16:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (m0023xr3)
2. The Search for a Haven
As the Triffids destroy Britain, Bill works with his father to clone a genetic mutation to try and sterilise them all.
Bill goes in search of Josella to seek a haven where they can rebuild their shattered lives.
But the Triffids aren’t the only threat to their survival....
Conclusion of John Wyndham’s classic 1951 post-apocalyptic novel.
Dramatised by Lance Dann.
Bill Masen .... Jamie Glover
Josella Playton …. Tracy-Ann Oberman
Coker .... Lee Ingleby
Colonel Jacques .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Miss Durrant …. Richenda Carey
The Blind Girl …. Helen Ayres
Susan …. Lucy Trickett
Yellow Team Leader …. Jonathan Forbes
Bill’s Guard …. Gavin Muir
Original music composed and performed by Simon Russell.
Director: Rosalynd Ward
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in 2001.
SAT 17:00 Michael Frayn - Birthday (m0023xqr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:15 Waste Flesh by Gee Williams (m0023xqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]
SAT 18:30 A Month in Siena by Hisham Matar (Omnibus) (m0023xr0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:45 Tales From A Long Room by Peter Tinniswood (m0002h63)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 20:00 The Men from the Ministry (b007jzd0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 Stilgoe's Around (b007k3xj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 Unsung Heroines (m000ntdk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Welcome to Wherever You Are (b09jgkll)
Series 1
Episode 4
Andrew Maxwell hosts a truly global stand-up show, in which comedians perform from wherever on the planet they happen to be, to an audience in the BBC Radio Theatre, London.
With:
Omar Ramzi
Kansiime Anne
Francesco De Carlo
From his home in Dubai, it's Saudi-born 'White Sudani' Omar Ramzi.
From Kampala, it's the 'Queen of African Comedy' Kansiime Anne,
Plus from Rome, Francesco it's De Carlo, who is the regular Italian correspondent for Unspun with Matt Forde.
Producer: Ed Morrish
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2017.
SAT 22:30 The Secret World (b03k2bt9)
Series 4
Episode 2
Sean Connery, Griff Rhys Jones, Pam Ayres, Kirsty Young, Peter Sallis, all have one thing in common.
They enjoy nothing more than coming together every week or so for a bit of bare knuckle fighting.
Well, they do in the strange alternative universe that is The Secret World. The impressions show with a difference.
With:
Jon Culshaw
Julian Dutton
Lewis MacLeod
Jess Robinson
Debra Stephenson
Duncan Wisbey
Written by Bill Dare, Julian Dutton and Duncan Wisbey.
Produced and created by: Bill Dare.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.
SAT 23:00 Two Episodes of Mash (b01mk9nz)
Series 2
Episode 2
Barricaded inside their studio, David O'Doherty is holding all the Radio 4 microphones hostage in an attempt to make the network give the team their own radio series.
Prepare for unique versions of the news, weather, sport, traffic and a fly on the wall documentary about working behind-the-scenes on a sketch show.
Things look set to take a turn for the worse with a phone call from the Radio 4 Negotiator.
An online animation of the Fishing Sketch by Tom Rourke can be seen on episode 1 of this series via the BBC Radio 4 Extra website.
A mix of silly, surreal sketches and banter starring Diane Morgan, and Joe Wilkinson.
With:
David O'Doherty
Paul Harry Allen
Bobbie Pryor
Gary Newman
Producer: Clair Wordsworth
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2012.
SAT 23:30 Can't Tell Nathan Caton Nothing (b01snbm8)
Series 2
About Animals
It turns out Grandma's Achilles heel is a mouse!
Nathan can't believe he's lost his fearless Grandma because of a mouse, and is determined to catch it and restore his Grandma to feisty normality.
This is the story of young, up-and-coming comedian Nathan Caton, who becomes the first in his family to graduate from University - only to opt for a career in comedy - much to his family's annoyance who want him to get a 'proper job' using his architecture degree.
Each episode shows the criticism, interference and rollercoaster ride that Nathan endures from his family as he pursues his career against their wishes.
Will Nathan be able to persist and follow his dreams? Or will he give in to his family's interference?
A mix of Nathan's stand-up intercut with scenes from his family life.
Written by: Nathan Caton.
Additional material by: Ola and Maff Brown.
Nathan ...... Nathan Caton
Mum ...... Adjoa Andoh
Dad ...... Curtis Walker
Grandma ...... Mona Hammond
Robber/Steve ...... Don Gilet
Producer: Katie Tyrrell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2013.
SAT 23:45 Sounding Off with McGough (b007k4tl)
5. What She Did
Roger McGough's poetic reflections on the perennially fruitful topic of love.
With the accompaniment of long-time musical collaborator Andy Roberts.
Recorded at the Bath Festival.
Producer: Sara Davies
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2000.

SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER 2024

SUN 00:00 John Wyndham - The Day of the Triffids (m0023xr3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 Michael Frayn - Birthday (m0023xqr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:15 Waste Flesh by Gee Williams (m0023xqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 A Month in Siena by Hisham Matar (Omnibus) (m0023xr0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 Tales From A Long Room by Peter Tinniswood (m0002h63)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 The Men from the Ministry (b007jzd0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 Stilgoe's Around (b007k3xj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 Unsung Heroines (m000ntdk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0023xq8)
Poet Castaways
Imtiaz Dharker
Poet and artist, Imtiaz Dharker is castaway by Kirsty Young.
Winner of the Queen's Gold Medal for her work, Imtiaz's life seems a perfect reflection of the inter-relatedness of The Commonwealth.
Born in Pakistan she was no more than a few months old when the family packed up their belongings and flew four thousand miles to start a new life - exchanging the blistering, dusty lanes of Lahore for the blustery, rain-slicked roads of Glasgow.
Her father worked hard and, from scratch, built a big, successful business and a comfortable life for his children.
But the immigrant fairy tale came undone when his restless, well-educated, westernised daughter married in secret, running away to Bombay. Her parents disowned her and she would never see her mother again.
Her work centres on themes of freedom, cultural intolerance, everyday life and gender politics.
DISC ONE: Sachal Studios Orchestra -Take Five
DISC TWO: Donald O’Connor & Gene Kelly - Moses Supposes from Singin' in the Rain
DISC THREE: Shankar Mahadevan - Breathless
DISC FOUR: Ayesha Dharker - Charara charara maro chakro chale
DISC FIVE: Klemens Schnorr - Johann Sebastian Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor for Organ
DISC SIX: Antony - If It be Your Will
DISC SEVEN: John Grierson and Stuart Legg - Benjamin Britten's Night Mail
DISC EIGHT: Ronald Binge - Sailing By into the Shipping Forecast read by Luke Tuddenham
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Ronald Binge - Sailing By into the Shipping Forecast read by Luke Tuddenham
BOOK CHOICE: An atlas of the whole world
LUXURY CHOICE: The Victoria and Albert Museum in London
Producer: Sarah Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2015.
SUN 06:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lmdh4)
Series 1
Dragons
What did Sir David do when he was confronted by a 10-foot-long grey-scaled reptile -with a long yellow forked tongue whipping in and out of its mouth?
He didn't run!
In fact, he was one of the first to film the Komodo dragon.
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 July 2009.
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m0023xqb)
Bronzeville Beat: 2/2 We Real Cool
Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and chooses Bronzeville Beat featuring poets of Chicago.
Through poetry slams like Louder Than A Bomb, Chicago's powerful poetic tradition is being reforged by the young, bringing their diverse experience & new voices to light for the first time.
They are connected to Black Chicago's literary mother, Gwendolyn Brooks, both by their exposure to new ways of celebrating poetry at school & the community of competition & comradeship.
2020 was to mark the 20th anniversary of Louder than a Bomb, the world's biggest poetry slam but Covid 19 brought it to a halt. Maria Margaronis gathers up a community of poets online to liberate their words now on hold.
Producer: Mark Burman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2020.
SUN 07:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (Omnibus) (m0023xqd)
Episode 1
Piranesi lives in the House. Perhaps he always has.
In his notebooks, day-after-day, he makes a clear and careful record of its wonders: the labyrinth of halls, the myriad statues, the tides that thunder up staircases, the clouds that move in slow procession through the upper halls.
On Tuesdays and Fridays Piranesi sees his friend, the Other. At other times he brings tributes of food to the Dead. But mostly, he is alone.
Messages begin to appear, scratched out in chalk on the pavements. There is someone new in the House. But who are they and what do they want? Are they a friend or do they bring destruction and madness as the Other claims? Lost texts must be found; secrets must be uncovered.
The world that Piranesi thought he knew is becoming strange and dangerous.
The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.
Written by Susanna Clarke.
Omnibus of the first five of ten parts abridged by Sara Davies.
Read by Samuel Anderson.
Producer: Alison Crawford
A BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2022.
SUN 08:40 Inheritance Tracks (m0023xqh)
Nicola Adams
Double Olympic Gold Medallist Nicola Adams chooses ‘Hustlin’’ by Rick Ross and ‘Sure Thing’ by Miguel.
SUN 08:50 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (Omnibus) (b007jtt7)
Episode 2
Jean Valjean is determined to rescue Fantine's child from a life of misery with the Thernadier family.
Victor Hugo's epic story of social injustice.
Starring Joss Ackland, Roger Allam and David Schofield.
Omnibus of episodes 6 to 10 of 25.
Dramatised by Sebastian Baczkiewicz and Lin Coghlan.
Victor Hugo... Joss Ackland
Jean Valjean .... Roger Allam
Inspector Javert ...David Schofield
Thenardier ... Henry Goodman
Mme Thenardier ... Jane Whittenshaw
Cosette (child) ... Sophie Shad
Eponine (child) ...Connie Gurie
Drinker 1/Tradesman 1... Ewan Bailey
Drinker 2/Tradesman 2... Peter Darney
Fauchlevant ...Sean Baker
Gillenormand ... Leslie Phillips
Mme Gillenormand ...Shuna Snow
Maboeuf ... Timothy Bateson
Cosette (adult) ... Lucy Whybrow
Producer: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2001.
SUN 10:00 The Clitheroe Kid (m0023xqk)
Series 6
When Grandad Papered The Parlour
With Jimmy’s mother away, and money tight, can Grandad manage to decorate the parlour?
Starring the diminutive Jimmy Clitheroe.
Legendary sitcom about Lancashire’s eternal cheeky schoolboy who lives with his Mother, sister and Grandad.
The Clitheroe Kid clocked up 16 series between 1956 and 1972. At its peak, ten million fans tuned in each week to hear Jimmy’s latest scheme sparking havoc.
Written by James Casey and Frank Roscoe.
The Kid Himself …. Jimmy Clitheroe
Mother …. Patricia Burke
Grandad …. Peter Sinclair
Theodore Craythorpe/Harry Whittle …. Leonard Williams
Alfie .... Danny Ross
Susan …. Diana Day
With:
Brian Truman
Theme music by Alan Roper and played by the BBC Northern Dance Orchestra directed by Alan Ainsworth.
Producer: James Casey
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1962.
SUN 10:30 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (m0023xqm)
Series 2
Down Your Way
The dear ladies prepare for the arrival of the long-running BBC radio show - Down Your Way.
Starring Dame Hilda Bracket and her lifelong companion Dr Evadne Hinge.
Brought to you from the genteel setting of the Suffolk village of Stackton Tressel, where the musical duo reside.
Written by Mike Craig, Lawrie Kinsley and Ron McDonnell.
Dame Hilda Bracket ...... George Logan
Dr Evadne Hinge ...... Patrick Fyffe
Maud ...... Daphne Heard
Sexton ...... Derek Southcott.
Brian Johnston ...... Himself
Three series ran on BBC Radio 4 between 1977 and 1979, with further spin-off seasons on BBC Radio 2 until 1990.
In the early 1980s, they expanded over to BBC TV with the series Dear Ladies.
Producer: James Casey
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1978.
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0023xq8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lmdh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m0023xqb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (Omnibus) (m0023xqd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Inheritance Tracks (m0023xqh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (Omnibus) (b007jtt7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 The Clitheroe Kid (m0023xqk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (m0023xqm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 A Stone Woman by AS Byatt (m000nmn9)
3. A New World
As Ines' petrification continues, she can now no longer speak and can barely make out Thorsteinn's form with her fading vision.
But another world is opening up to her - a world she finds both terrifying and compelling.
AS Byatt's sensuous and ultimately uplifting account of one woman's transformation into stone.
Penelope Wilton concludes the powerful modern day gothic fable that muses on grief.
Producer: Claudine Toutoungi
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in December 2004
SUN 16:30 Catch My Breath (b007k387)
2. Hiding
Fugitives Kate and Colleen hide from the police - but who's hiding with them?
Starring Claire Knight and Suzanne Donaldson.
Marty Ross's supernatural thriller.
Kate ...... Claire Knight
Colleen ...... Suzanne Donaldson
Strachan ...... Liam Brennan
Old Strachan ...... John Shedden
Donnie ...... Lewis Howden
Isla ...... Eileen McCallum
Octavia ...... Lucy Patterson
DC Carbeth ...... James Bryce
WPC Briggs ...... Jill Riddiford
Dennis ...... Finlay McLean
Producer: Bruce Young
Made for BBC 7 by BBC Radio Scotland. - first broadcast in December 2007.
SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0023xq8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 17:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lmdh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m0023xqb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (Omnibus) (m0023xqd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Inheritance Tracks (m0023xqh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (Omnibus) (b007jtt7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 The Clitheroe Kid (m0023xqk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (m0023xqm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 On the Town with the League of Gentlemen (b007k273)
Death by Mau Mau
The misfits of the remote northern town are having a fun run - and is there a nasty bug going round?
The first incarnation of the award-winning black comedy, about the "local people" of Spent - before it hit TV.
Starring:
Mark Gatiss
Reece Shearsmith
Steve Pemberton
Written by the cast and Jeremy Dyson.
The League of Gentlemen won a Perrier Edinburgh Festival award in 1997 and this radio series debuted in the same year. They also won a Sony Radio Award. The cult series switched to TV for three series on BBC 2 from 1999, plus stage shows and a feature film.
Producer: Sarah Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1997.
SUN 22:25 The Comedy Club Interviews (m00246t7)
Robin Morgan 1/4
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And tonight, Esyllt Sears interviews the comedian and writer Robin Morgan.
SUN 22:30 Electric Ink (b011f3pc)
Series 1
Episode 2
Circulation is going through the roof.
Starring Robert Lindsay and Alex Jennings.
Old hacks meet new media in Alistair Beaton’s satire set in the changing world of the newspaper industry.
Maddox ...... Robert Lindsay
Oliver ...... Alex Jennings
Amelia ...... Elizabeth Berrington
Tasneem ...... Zita Sattar
Masha ...... Debbie Chazen
Freddy ...... Ben Willbond
Announcer ...... Matt Addis
With additional material by Tom Mitchelson.
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2009.
SUN 23:00 Old Harry's Game (b008pb1r)
Series 1
Corruption
Can Satan convince the Professor that all human beings are corruptible – even his wife?
Andy Hamilton's devilishly funny sitcom set in Hell.
Satan ...... Andy Hamilton
The Professor ...... James Grout
Thomas ...... Jimmy Mulville
Gary, The Demon ...... Steven O'Donnell
Other characters played by:
Philip Pope
Penelope Nice
Jasper Jacob
Producer Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1995.
SUN 23:30 Twenty Players (b06jmc82)
Series 1
Gertrude Trelawny Ferris
Gerald Sinstadt tells the story of the sporting all-rounder Gertrude Trelawny Ferris.
Simon Bullivant's album of forgotten sporting heroes in a highly collectible series of six parts.
Producer: Richard Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1995.
SUN 23:45 Hearing with Hegley (b0075ss5)
Series 3
Episode 7
John Hegley invites fellow poet Christopher Logue into his house to admire his poetry bookshelf.
They discuss their favourite writers and join forces on a rendition of Hillare Belloc's Tarantella".
Character comedian Andrew Bailey spends most of his time trying to fix the curtain rail.
Producer: Nigel Piper
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2000.

MONDAY 14 OCTOBER 2024

MON 00:00 A Stone Woman by AS Byatt (m000nmn9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Catch My Breath (b007k387)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0023xq8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lmdh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m0023xqb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (Omnibus) (m0023xqd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Inheritance Tracks (m0023xqh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (Omnibus) (b007jtt7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 The Clitheroe Kid (m0023xqk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (m0023xqm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bzv3)
1. The Fortune Teller
A seemingly innocent engagement for Prime Minister Jack Stoddart becomes perilous and politically volatile.
But the full facts and strange repercussions over the incident at Okefield Park may not be revealed for 30 years - when the Government archives are opened to public scrutiny...
Starring Leslie Sands.
Six-part thriller written by Ted Willis - adapted from his own novel first published in 1974.
PM Jack Stoddart .... Leslie Sands
Jess Stoddart .... Mary Wimbush
Victor .... Cyril Shaps
Hugh Lashwood .... Preston Lockwood
Chief Constable .... Peter Tuddenham
Daines .... Jonathan Scott
Simon .... Peter Acre
Sue Swinton .... Charlotte Long
George Sharp .... Anthony Daniels
Insp Wiley .... Scott Cherry
Hemmings .... Francis Middleditch
Julia Hammond .... Narissa Knights
Director: Graham Gauld
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1984.
MON 06:30 The Blackburn Files (b007jpvg)
Series 2
1. A Case of Frinks and Moores
When an open-air sculpture exhibition is raided, pitman-turned-private eye Steven J Blackburn is thrown into the jungle of international dealing.
Starring Fine Time Fontayne and Judy Flynn.
The return of Yorkshire's ex-pitman turned private investigator, Stephen J Blackburn.
Written by Ian McMillan, Martyn Wiley and Dave Sheasby.
Stephen J Blackburn …. Finetime Fontayne
Tracey Duggan …. Judy Flynn
Rollo …. Christopher Wilkinson
Kerenski …. John Graham Davies
Dempsey …. Kieran Cunningham
Directed in Sheffield by Dave Sheasby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1991.
MON 07:00 The Emerald Green Show (b077xx1r)
Cut
Emerald Green's illusions of glamour and fame are shattered when she meets her TV producer.
Starring Llewella Gideon.
Lisselle Kayla's sitcom about a vain, ambitious black woman who dreams of becoming a chat show queen.
Tristram ...... Jonathan Firth
Fabio ...... Iwan Thomas
Victor ...... Dean Hill
Eunice ...... Sheila Reid
David ...... Jonathan Keeble
Director: Pam Fraser Solomon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1998.
MON 07:30 The Navy Lark (m0023wpx)
Series 11
The Fleet Initiative Test
Can the crew of HMS Troutbridge overcome the odds and win the fleet initiative test?
Starring Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee and Stephen Murray.
Laughs afloat aboard British Royal Navy frigate HMS Troutbridge.
Written by Lawrie Wyman
The Sub-Lieutenant ...... Leslie Phillips
The Chief Petty Officer ...... Jon Pertwee
The Commanding Officer ...... Stephen Murray
Captain Povey ...... Richard Caldicot
Mrs Povey ….. Heather Chasen
Leading Seaman Goldstein ….. Tenniel Evans
Mayor of Calais …. Michael Bates
The Navy Lark ran for an impressive 13 series between 1959 and 1976.
Producer: Alastair Scott Johnston
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in February 1970.
MON 08:00 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03xd3hn)
Series 3
The Prisoner
Nerves are fraying as Anthony's first night of Hay Fever looms, not helped by news of a dangerous prisoner loose in the area.
Meanwhile, Damien contends with an angry neighbour...
Sitcom written by and starring Miles Jupp, charting the life of cookery writer Damien Trench and his partner Anthony.
Damien Trench ...... Miles Jupp
Anthony ...... Justin Edwards
Mr Mullaney ...... Brendan Dempsey
Marion Duffett ...... Lesley Vickerage
Ian Frobisher ...... Philip Fox
Steven ...... Ade Oyefeso
Constable Clive ...... David Seddon
Superintendent Michael ...... Bertenshaw
Victim Liaison Officer ...... Priyanga Burford
Producer: Sam Michell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.
MON 08:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014g9t)
6. 16
16 appears in The House and leaves a message for Piranesi.
Piranesi lives in the House. Perhaps he always has.
In his notebooks, day after day, he makes a clear and careful record of its wonders: the labyrinth of halls, the thousands upon thousands of statues, the tides that thunder up staircases, the clouds that move in slow procession through the upper halls.
On Tuesdays and Fridays Piranesi sees his friend, the Other. At other times he brings tributes of food to the Dead. But mostly, he is alone.
Messages begin to appear, scratched out in chalk on the pavements. There is someone new in the House. But who are they and what do they want? Are they a friend or do they bring destruction and madness as the Other claims? Lost texts must be found; secrets must be uncovered.
The world that Piranesi thought he knew is becoming strange and dangerous.
The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.
Susanna Clarke's novel about the dreamlike, gothic territory. Piranesi.
Abridged by Sara Davies.
Read by Samuel Anderson.
Producer: Alison Crawford
A BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2022.
MON 08:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmrg)
11. Pursuit
Marius is walking in the Luxembourg Gardens and sees Cosette. Just one glance and his life is changed forever!
But Jean Valjean is nervous...
Victor Hugo's epic story of social injustice.
Dramatised in 25 episodes by Sebastian Baczkiewicz and Lin Coghlan.
Victor Hugo .... Joss Ackland
Jean .... Roger Allam
Cosette .... Lucy Whybrow
Marius .... Jonathan Forbes
Combeferre .... Carl Prekopp
Toussaint .... Annette Badland
Producer: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2001.
MON 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0023wpz)
Sean Curran reports on calls to improve trust in politics.
MON 09:30 The Town Is The Menu (b040hhnr)
1. Peterhead
Forfar has its Bridie and Cullen its Skink but how do you capture Peterhead on a plate?
Food Innovator Simon Preston and award winning chef David Littlewood gather a colourful cast of local characters on board a fishing trawler.
They'll share stories and songs of the sea in a bid to help them create a brand new signature dish for the town.
Local trawlerman Jimmy Buchan tells of a life spent fishing off Peterhead; folk singer and storyteller, Pauline Cordiner, conjures up some of the darker side of life for a fishing community while local photographer Scott Donald sees the town through an alternative lens.
The challenge for the chef is how to re-tell all their stories and ideas through one delicious dish!
Producer: Pennie Latin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2014.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m0023wq1)
The Gospel in Children's Stories - God transforming our lives
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: The Gospel in Children's Stories - God transforming our lives (Cinderella)
Presenter: Jay Hulme
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Music:
Lord of the church, we pray for our renewing - St Martin's Voices
Spirit of the living God - Matt Redman
Lord of my Life - Lucy Grimble
MON 10:00 Frankly Speaking (b05p6lk7)
Tennessee Williams
American playwright Tennessee Williams faces a three-way interview with:
John Freeman
John Bowen
Peter Duval Smith
Recorded during a visit to England in 1959, Tennessee had by then written all his major plays - but despite that was seriously questioning his future in the commercial theatre. He talks candidly of the misery of waiting for the reviews after opening night.
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.
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in August 1959.
MON 10:30 The Day the Refugees Came (b073655v)
Michael Palin tells a story of the little Somerset town of Wincanton.
Back in 1992, its Postmaster, GP and Parish Priest rescued a group of refugees from war ravaged Bosnia, at the height of the Balkan Wars in 1992.
Producers: Alasdair Cross and Lisa Lipman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016.
MON 11:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bzv3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:30 The Blackburn Files (b007jpvg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 12:00 The Emerald Green Show (b077xx1r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 The Navy Lark (m0023wpx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03xd3hn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014g9t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmrg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 We've Been Here Before (b00ft41b)
Series 2
Episode 1
Return of the topical historical satirical panel show setting out to prove that there's nothing new under, or in, The Sun.
Hosted by Clive Anderson.
Gyles Brandreth and Arthur Smith
battle it out against
John O'Farrell and Arabella Weir.
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2004.
MON 14:30 Spending My Inheritance (b00fsyld)
To Your Very Good Health
With all their spending on exercise machines and looking after themselves, Harry's parents seem in better shape than he is.
A 40-something son must watch from the sidelines as his newly-retired parents spend their hard-earned cash on themselves.
Starring Kris Marshall
Sitcom written by Clive Coleman
Harry ...... Kris Marshall
Jo ...... Raquel Cassidy
Brian ...... Kenneth Cranham
Liz ...... Judy Parfitt
Jess ...... Antonia Thomas
Assistant ...... Manjeet Mann
Doctor ...... Inam Mirza
Director: Sam Hoyle
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2008.
MON 15:00 Drama on 4 (m000p0t6)
Meltdown
A famous actress reaches the end of her patience with selfies and the demands of strangers.
She decides to locks herself in the loo...
Starring Joanna Lumley.
Tessa Gibbs's comedy about the tension between fame and privacy.
Emily Sanders ...... Joanna Lumley
Frank ...... Robert Glenister
Tara ...... Claire Rushbrook
Anita ...... Maggie Service
Noah/The Fan ...... Ben Onwukwe
Evan Davis as himself
Director: Gaynor Macfarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2020.
MON 15:45 Short Works (m000rwwy)
Lift by Glenn Patterson
An elderly woman misses her bus into Belfast so shares a taxi with a young woman she meets at the stop.
Over the course of the journey, she comes to reassess her entire life...
An original short story specially commissioned by BBC Radio 4 from the Northern Irish writer Glenn Patterson.
Glenn's an author and screenwriter from Belfast. He has written ten novels as well as audio dramas for Radio 3 and Radio 4 and is the co-writer of 'Good Vibrations', an award-winning movie based on the life of Belfast punk impresario Terri Hooley.
Read by Maggie Cronin
Producer: Michael Shannon
A BBC Northern Ireland production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.
MON 16:00 Frankly Speaking (b05p6lk7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:30 The Day the Refugees Came (b073655v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
MON 17:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bzv3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:30 The Blackburn Files (b007jpvg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 18:00 The Emerald Green Show (b077xx1r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 The Navy Lark (m0023wpx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03xd3hn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014g9t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmrg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 We've Been Here Before (b00ft41b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 Spending My Inheritance (b00fsyld)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 21:00 Drama on 4 (m000p0t6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
MON 21:45 Short Works (m000rwwy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
MON 22:00 Just a Minute (m0023nqc)
Series 93
4. Trying Times - the national newspaper for judges
Sue Perkins challenges Jan Ravens, Tony Hawks, Katherine Parkinson and Stephen Fry to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation. Subjects include Small Town Secrets, Mark Antony, and the Subject of Ridicule.

Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
Producer: Rajiv Karia
An EcoAudio certified production.

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
MON 22:30 Alexei Sayle's Strangers on a Train (m0019jw2)
Series 1
Bristol to Penzance
Alexei Sayle takes a train journey and breaks the golden rule of travelling by train in the UK - he actually talks to his fellow passengers.
He travels in this episode from Bristol to Penzance.
Among his many fellow travellers, he meets:
* Bert, a Cornish Bard, Marissa and Leanne who have travelled the world working on cruise liners
* Angela who for many years ran one of Cornwall's most famous and historic pubs
* Astra who is learning the ropes at circus school
Producers: Peter Lowe & Nick Symons
A Ride production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2022.
MON 23:00 The News Quiz (m0023nzm)
Series 115
Cleverly Timed Exits
This week on The News Quiz the panel unpack Sue Gray's cabinet exit, the arrival of man (and possible Irish Law firm) Morgan McSweeney and James Cleverly pipped at the post.
Written by Geoff Norcott
With additional material by: Cody Dahler, James Farmer, Tom Mayhew and Christina Riggs.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production
MON 23:30 Mark Watson Talks a Bit About Life (m000fvzp)
Series 3
Spring
Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed quest to make sense of the human experience.
Expect jokes galore and a few songs with Mark aided by the sardonic musical brilliance of Flo and Joan.
And Mark has a fresh comedy friend in each show.
For starters, it's Lou Sanders.
A time of new beginnings, lambs and other cliches.
Spring kicks off this series about the four seasons of the year and the seasons of a human life, as Mark - at the halfway point of his expected lifespan - considers what might come next...
Producer: Lianne Coop
An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2020.

TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2024

TUE 00:00 Frankly Speaking (b05p6lk7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 The Day the Refugees Came (b073655v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bzv3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 The Blackburn Files (b007jpvg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 The Emerald Green Show (b077xx1r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 The Navy Lark (m0023wpx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03xd3hn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014g9t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmrg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 We've Been Here Before (b00ft41b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Spending My Inheritance (b00fsyld)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Drama on 4 (m000p0t6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]
TUE 05:45 Short Works (m000rwwy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bzv6)
2. Westminster One
It's almost impossible to believe that UK Prime Minister Jack Stoddart and his wife were kidnapped in broad daylight within yards of a huge crowd.
As the country reels from the abduction, security forces swing into action.
Will the strange repercussions of an incident at Okefield Park ever be revealed?
Starring Leslie Sands and Mary Wimbush.
Thriller series written by Ted Willis - adapted from his own novel.
PM Jack Stoddart .... Leslie Sands
Jess Stoddart .... Mary Wimbush
Victor .... Cyril Shaps
Commander Knowles .... Geoffrey Matthews
Hugh Lashwood .... Preston Lockwood
Home Secretary .... Leslie Heritage
Sir George Owen .... Henry Stamper
Sir Maurice Jennings .... Lockwood West
Inspector Wiley .... Scott Cherry
Chief Constable/Mr Hoddle .... Peter Tuddenham
Hemmings .... Francis Middleditch
Karel .... Jonathan Owen
Valchik .... Anthony Daniels
Mrs Hoddle .... Margot Boyd
Jane .... Moir Leslie
Kevin Fraser .... Jimmy Chisholm
Sunderland/Douglas Lamb .... Alaric Cotter
Newsreader …. Peter Donaldson
Director: Graham Gauld
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1984.
TUE 06:30 The Blackburn Files (b007jpvw)
Series 2
2. A Case of Hearts and Flowers
When his brother-in-law's Filofax is held to ransom, Steven J Blackburn investigates.
Starring Fine Time Fontayne and Judy Flynn.
Another case for Yorkshire's ex-pitman turned private investigator, Stephen J Blackburn.
Written by Ian McMillan, Martyn Wiley and Dave Sheasby.
Stephen J Blackburn …. Finetime Fontayne
Tracey Duggan …. Judy Flynn
Mam …. Rita May
Shirley …. Christine Cox
Director: Dave Sheasby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1991.
TUE 07:00 Living with Betty (b09g5sd6)
Episode 1
London's East End meets Cheshire.
Displaced city dwellers Bill and Betty move uncomfortably in with his son, Trevor and pretentious daughter-in-law, Katherine.
Starring Barbara Windsor and Peter Sallis.
Arline Whittaker's six-part sitcom.
Betty …. Barbara Windsor
Bill …. Glynn Edwards
Harold …. Peter Sallis
Muriel …. Rosalind Knight
Trevor …. Simon Molloy
Katherine …. Diana Mather
Recorded at City Varieties in Leeds
Producer: Mike Craig
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1986.
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (b007jmyg)
Series 6
The Greenslade Story
The amazing story of the rise and fall of BBC Home Service radio announcer Wallace Greenslade.
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 December 1955.
TUE 08:00 Alone (m000b6tk)
Series 2
The Big Scene
Louisa is due to make an appearance in a popular TV sitcom and invites everyone round to her flat to watch it go out ‘live’.
Under pressure from Ellie, Louisa also invites the show’s star, Maya Kumari, to come and watch it go out too.
The unattached Maya proves extremely popular with the men, particularly Mitch, and Ellie soon finds herself in a very awkward spot.
Sitcom about five single, middle aged neighbours living in flats in a converted house in North London.
Mitch is a widower and part-time therapist, looking to put his life back together now that he is single and living with Will, his younger, more volatile and unhappily divorced half-brother.
Elsewhere in the building is schoolteacher Ellie who is shy, nervous and holds a secret candle for Mitch. Overly honest, frustrated actress Louisa, and socially inept IT nerd Morris complete the line-up of mis-matched neighbours.
Mitch ...... Angus Deayton
Will ...... Pearce Quigley
Ellie ...... Abigail Cruttenden
Louisa ...... Kate Isitt
Morris ...... Bennett Arron
Maya ...... Mina Anwar
Written and created by Moray Hunter
Produced by Gordon Kennedy
Based on an original idea developed in association with Dandy Productions
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2019.
TUE 08:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014fzn)
7. Calculation
Piranesi calculates that there will soon be a great flood and 16 leaves him a message that he can't ignore.
Piranesi lives in the House. Perhaps he always has.
In his notebooks, day after day, he makes a clear and careful record of its wonders: the labyrinth of halls, the thousands upon thousands of statues, the tides that thunder up staircases, the clouds that move in slow procession through the upper halls.
On Tuesdays and Fridays Piranesi sees his friend, the Other. At other times he brings tributes of food to the Dead. But mostly, he is alone.
Messages begin to appear, scratched out in chalk on the pavements. There is someone new in the House. But who are they and what do they want? Are they a friend or do they bring destruction and madness as the Other claims? Lost texts must be found; secrets must be uncovered.
The world that Piranesi thought he knew is becoming strange and dangerous.
The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.
Susanna Clarke's novel about the dreamlike, gothic territory. Piranesi.
Abridged by Sara Davies.
Read by Samuel Anderson.
Producer: Alison Crawford
A BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2022.
TUE 08:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmrx)
12. Entangled
Cosette is entangled in a plot hatched by the evil Thenardiers to catch Jean Valjean.
Victor Hugo's epic story of social injustice.
Dramatised by Lin Coghlan.
Victor Hugo ...... Joss Ackland
Jean ...... Roger Allam
Cosette ...... Lucy Whybrow
Marius ...... Jonathan Forbes
Thenardier ...... Henry Goodman
Mme Thenardier ...... Jane Whittenshaw
Javert ...... David Schofield
Eponine ...... Patsy Palmer
Azelma ...... Helen Longworth
Combeferre ...... Carl Prekopp
Toussaint ...... Annette Badland
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2001.
TUE 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0023y8g)
The latest news from Westminster - and beyond.
TUE 09:30 The Town Is The Menu (b047z8xc)
2. Barnard Castle
Stories of Dickens, Richard III, an entrepreneurial community and a unique landscape.
These all provide inspiration for food innovator Simon Preston and local chef Andrew Rowbotham as they capture the spirit of Barnard Castle in Teesdale in a single signature dish.
Local antiques expert David Harper shares stories from history; young business entrepreneur Leah Hobson gives her alternative view of the townsfolk through the clothes they buy and sell while retired vet Neville Turner provides a window into the beautiful flora and fauna that surrounds the town.
Producer: Pennie Latin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2014.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m0023y8l)
The Gospel in Children's Stories - Good over evil
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: The Gospel in Children's Stories - Good over evil
Presenter: Becky Silver
Reading: Luke 23:34-43
Music:
When a knight won his spurs - Salisbury Cathedral Choir
There is a green hill (Chilcott) - St Martin's Voices
Sing my tongue the glorious battle (Pange Lingua) - St Martin's Voices
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (b09bysng)
Jenny Colgan and Steven Camden (Polarbear)
Author Jenny Colgan and writer/performer Steven Camden (Polarbear) join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Jon Krakauer, Antoine de Saint-Exupery and Jim Carroll.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Publisher: Pan
The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll
Publisher: Penguin
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Publisher: Egmont
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2017.
TUE 10:30 Jackie And Me (b00v7znc)
Jackie Clune celebrates the teen magazine that was friend, guide and agony aunt to generations of teenage girls.
From 1964 – 1993, 'Jackie' advised its massive readership on matters of vital importance:
* How to apply blusher properly
* What colour to wear if you met Donny Osmond
* How to conceal spots
* And - most crucially of all - how to get that boy.
Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2003.
TUE 11:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bzv6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:30 The Blackburn Files (b007jpvw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 12:00 Living with Betty (b09g5sd6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (b007jmyg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Alone (m000b6tk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014fzn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmrx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 Booked (b007549n)
Series 1
Episode 6
Dr Faustus brews up with Willy Wonka, and Ma Larkin bares all to the butler from Remains of the Day.
Outrageous parody, biting wit and bizarre couplings from:
Miles Kington
Mark Thomas
Dillie Keane
Roger McGough
Ian McMillan chairs the irreverent literary game.
Producer: Marc Jobst
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1995.
TUE 14:30 Romantic Friction (b00764j4)
Clouds
Romance writer, Anna is blissfully happy.
Brian is finding that grading sand paper is fun when he's thinking about Anna.
Even faithful cockney muse Minnie is happy because it looks as if Anna's new-found romance is spilling over into her prose.
But could there be a cloud on the horizon when Brian's old friend Dougie unexpectedly turns up with the tempting offer of building fibreglass ducks in the Shetland Islands?
Starring Samantha Bond and Hugh Bonneville.
Michelle Read's four-part comedy-drama series.
Anna ...... Samantha Bond
Brian ...... Hugh Bonneville
Deirdre ...... Beth Chambers
Fertility Doll ...... Adjoa Andoh
Buddah ...... Kammy Darweish
Brenda ...... Michelle Read
Bob ...... Andrew Wincott
Minnie ...... Sue Elliott-Nicholls
Book ...... Michael Fenton Stevens
Dougie ...... Ewan Bailey
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2001.
TUE 15:00 The Tree of Liberty (m000czhx)
1. Friends in High Places
Amiens, 1791: Lieutenant General Lacroix is trying to police France despite the turmoil of the Revolution.
A girl is murdered while Robespierre is in town.
Could there be a cover-up going on?
Starring David Calder.
Nigel Baldwin's detective series in four-parts.
Lt Gen Lacroix ... David Calder
Monet ... Brian Hibbard
Charlotte .... Kathryn Pogson
Dupont .... Ian Rowlands
Roland .... Christian Rodska
Robespierre .... Brendan Charleson
Didier .... Steve Hodson
Mme Rives .... Bethan Jones
Surgeon .... Matthew Morgan
Mme Giradou ... Lesley Rooney
Duval ... Simon Ludders
Original music by Paula Gardiner.
Director: Alison Hindell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1995.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (b09bysng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 Jackie And Me (b00v7znc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bzv6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:30 The Blackburn Files (b007jpvw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Living with Betty (b09g5sd6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (b007jmyg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 Alone (m000b6tk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014fzn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmrx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 Booked (b007549n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Romantic Friction (b00764j4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 21:00 The Tree of Liberty (m000czhx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
TUE 22:00 Heresy (m0018p6f)
Series 12
Episode 6
Victoria Coren Mitchell presents another edition of the show which dares to commit heresy. This week with Jo Bunting, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Horne.
Written, presented and produced by Victoria Coren Mitchell
with additional material from Dan Gaster and Charlie Skelton
Series created by David Baddiel
An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4
TUE 22:30 The Consultants (b0076pz9)
Series 2
Episode 5
The Adventure-Bakers make a time-strudel and travel through history.
Cerebral sketch show written by and starring:
Neil Edmond
Justin Edwards
James Rawlings
Producer: Will Saunders
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2003.
TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m00246t9)
Robin Morgan 2/4
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Celebrating Shwmae Su'mae Day, Esyllt Sears interviews fellow Welsh comedian Robin Morgan.
TUE 23:00 Crème de la Crime (b00890lk)
Series 3
The Lies of the Artists
Michael Feydeau -TV's much-loved Inspector Niblett - and crime expert David Pershore probe a case of counterfeit art.
Tales from the vaults of villainy written by and starring Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis.
With:
Olivia Colman
Ewan Bailey
Steven Kynman
Director: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2003.
TUE 23:15 Warhorses of Letters (b01p7by2)
Series 2
Episode 3
The romantic correspondence between two of history's most important horses: Napoleon's mount Marengo and the Duke of Wellington's own Copenhagen.
The opposing armies are on the march through Belgium.
But our lovers face a more immediate challenge to their relationship, as Marengo's stablemate Marcy turns out to be a stalking horse...
Marengo ..... Stephen Fry
Copenhagen ..... Daniel Rigby
Narrator ..... Tamsin Greig
Written on their behalf by Marie Phillips and Robbie Hudson.
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2012.
TUE 23:30 Lionel Nimrod's Inexplicable World (b007jqhc)
Series 1
The Human Mind
The sci-fi star and inventor explains life's big mysteries
Written by and starring Richard Herring and Stewart Lee
With:
Tom Baker
Rebecca Front
Armando Iannucci
Producer Sarah Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1992.

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2024

WED 00:00 A Good Read (b09bysng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Jackie And Me (b00v7znc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bzv6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 The Blackburn Files (b007jpvw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Living with Betty (b09g5sd6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (b007jmyg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Alone (m000b6tk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014fzn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmrx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Booked (b007549n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Romantic Friction (b00764j4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 The Tree of Liberty (m000czhx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bz22)
3. The Anonymous Man
The hunt for the kidnapped Prime Minister and his wife is on.
Hundreds of extremists have been rounded up and questioned.
Because it seems that the victims have been flown out of the country - possibly to Eastern Europe - the Security Services have begun to make their own enquiries.
So, where is he?
Will the strange repercussions of an incident at Okefield Park ever be revealed?
Starring Leslie Sands.
Thriller series written by Ted Willis - adapted from his own novel.
PM Jack Stoddard .... Leslie Sands
Jess Stoddard .... Mary Wimbush
Victor .... Cyril Snaps
Commander Knowles .... Geoffrey Matthews
Hugh Lashwood .... Preston Lockwood
Sunderland .... Alaric Cotter
Kevin Fraser .... Jimmy Chisholm
Eike .... Peter Acre
Valchik .... Anthony Daniels
Home Secretary .... Leslie Heritage
Sir Maurice Jennings .... Lockwood West
Sue Swinton .... Charlotte Long
Karel .... Jonathan Owen
Inspector Wiley .... Scott Cherry
Director: Graham Gauld
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1984.
WED 06:30 The Blackburn Files (b007w5d7)
Series 2
3. A Case of a Golden Smile
When Betty Ackroyd sees her husband Archie on a TV quiz show, it's for the first time since he walked out 30 years ago.
Private eye Stephen J Blackburn investigates.
Starring Fine Time Fontayne and Judy Flynn.
Another case for Yorkshire's ex-pitman turned private investigator, Stephen J Blackburn.
Written by Ian McMillan, Martyn Wiley and Dave Sheasby.
Stephen J Blackburn …. Finetime Fontayne
Tracey Duggan …. Judy Flynn
Mam …. Rita May
Mrs Ackroyd …. Ann Rye
Ted of Mansfield …. Norman Mills
Nigel Phillips …. John Basham
Producer: Dave Sheasby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1991.
WED 07:00 Ballylenon (b007znmy)
Series 5
Episode 4
Guard Gallagher gets new lodgings, as arguments rage over the cottage.
Series set in the sleepy town of Ballylenon, County Donegal in 1956.
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Phonsie Doherty …. TP McKenna
Muriel McConkey …. Margaret D'Arcy
Vera McConkey …. Stella McCusker
Vivienne Hawthorne …. Aine McCartney
Rev Hawthorne …. Gerard Murphy
Peg Sweeney …. Marcella Riordan
Father O’Flatley …. John Guiney
Packy McGoldrick …. Charlie Bonnar
Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes.
Director: Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.
WED 07:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k251)
Series 2
The Marrow Contest
The green-fingered Lad takes on the authorities to save his pride and joy.
Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's classic comedy about the life and times of Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With:
Bill Kerr
Sidney James
Kenneth Williams
Andree Melly
Announcer: Kenneth Williams
Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.
Music recorded by the BBC Augmented Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Producer: Dennis Main Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in June 1955.
WED 08:00 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b04tjft4)
Series 2
Earning Your Corn
Tom's mum is not best pleased with Tom's dad.
He pressgangs her into helping out at a celebration he's planning to celebrate 168 years since the repeal of the Corn Laws ("Well, it'd be tempting fate to hold on for the bicentennary").
They've chosen the Toby Carvery as a suitable dining venue.
Meanwhile, Tom has decided to buy a flat in London, much to his gran's chagrin.
Tom ...... Tom Wrigglesworth
Granny ...... Judy Parfitt
Dad ...... Paul Copley
Mum ...... Kate Anthony
Written by Tom Wrigglesworth and James Kettle. With Miles Jupp.
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2014.
WED 08:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014gj2)
8. November 2012
Piranesi discovers the events of 15 November 2012.
Piranesi lives in the House. Perhaps he always has.
In his notebooks, day after day, he makes a clear and careful record of its wonders: the labyrinth of halls, the thousands upon thousands of statues, the tides that thunder up staircases, the clouds that move in slow procession through the upper halls.
On Tuesdays and Fridays Piranesi sees his friend, the Other. At other times he brings tributes of food to the Dead. But mostly, he is alone.
Messages begin to appear, scratched out in chalk on the pavements. There is someone new in the House. But who are they and what do they want? Are they a friend or do they bring destruction and madness as the Other claims? Lost texts must be found; secrets must be uncovered.
The world that Piranesi thought he knew is becoming strange and dangerous.
The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.
Susanna Clarke's novel about the dreamlike, gothic territory. Piranesi.
Abridged by Sara Davies.
Read by Samuel Anderson.
Producer: Alison Crawford
A BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2022.
WED 08:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmsd)
13. Mortal Danger
Jean Valjean is in mortal danger, but can Marius summon Inspector Javert to save him?
Victor Hugo's epic story of social injustice.
Dramatised by Sebastian Baczkiewicz.
Victor Hugo ...... Joss Ackland
Jean ...... Roger Allam
Cosette ...... Lucy Whybrow
Marius ...... Jonathan Forbes
Javert ...... David Schofield
Thenardier ...... Henry Goodman
Mme Thenardier ...... Jane Whittenshaw
Babet ...... Christopher Goodwin
Eponine ...... Patsy Palmer
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2001.
WED 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0023xf1)
The latest news from Westminster - and beyond.
WED 09:30 The Town Is The Menu (b047zn5n)
3. Merthyr Tydfil
A fiery history of rebellion and working class spirit from the town that fuelled the industrial revolution.
These provide inspiring ingredients for food innovator Simon Preston and award winning chef Stephen Terry as they create a brand new signature dish for Merthyr Tydfil.
A cast of colour local characters gather at Theatr Soar to share some of the more surprising stories from Merthyr's past - from Mario Basini we hear of the town's Italian community; retired nurse Margaret Lloyd reflects on over 80 years in the town while history enthusiast Chris Parry recalls some of the fights which characterise the town's fiery past.
The challenge for Stephen and Simon is to bring all those elements together in a single dish which captures the essence of this intriguing town.
Producer: Pennie Latin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2014.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m0023xf3)
The Gospel in Children's Stories -The Prodigal Son
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: The Gospel in Children's Stories -The Prodigal Son
Presenter: Swarzy
Reading: Luke 15:18-24
Music:
Good Good Father - Housefires
Jesus is Better - Austin Stone Worship
Firm Foundation - Maverick City
WED 10:00 Archive on 4 (m000f5zq)
Andrea Levy: In Her Own Words
Profiling the life and work of Andrea Levy, the best-selling author of Small Island, who died in February 2019.
Speaking on condition that the recording would only be released after her death, Andrea Levy gave an in-depth interview to oral historian Sarah O’Reilly for the British Library’s Authors’ Lives project in 2014.
Drawing on this recording, along with comments from friends, family and collaborators, this programme explores Levy’s changing attitude towards her history and her heritage and how it is intimately bound up with her writing.
Andrea grew up in North London in the 1960s, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants. Her father Winston came to Britain in 1948 on the Empire Windrush, and her mother Amy arrived six months later. At home, Jamaica was never discussed. Levy recalls how her parents believed that, in order to get on in this country they should live quietly and not make a fuss, and the silence around race in the family home haunted her throughout her life:
"I have dreams now where I sit down with my parents and we talk about the difficulty of being a black person in a white country. But at the time? No help whatsoever."
A significant day arrived when she attended a racism awareness course in her workplace in the 1980s. Staff were asked to split into two groups. "I walked over to the white side of the room. But my fellow workers had other ideas and I found myself being beckoned over by people on the black side. I crossed the floor. It was a rude awakening. It sent me to bed for a week."
Writing came to Levy's rescue. Her first three books - Every Light In The House Burnin' (1994), Never Far from Nowhere (1996) and Fruit of the Lemon (1999) - explored questions of immigrant identity and were semi-autobiographical. Through her writing, she explored the historical connection between Britain and the Caribbean as a profoundly British concern, and her literary project was to make people of both small islands aware of their intertwined history.
It was the publication of the prize-winning Small Island in 2004 that propelled Andrea Levy to international acclaim.
The novel told the story of Jamaican families like her own integrating into post-war Britain and drew directly from the experiences of her parents and their passage to the Mother Country. The success of Small Island held deep personal significance for Andrea: "From then on I thought, 'Things are possible'".
Writing The Long Song, her novel set on a 19th century Caribbean slave plantation, was, she says, "the most terrifying thing to have to go into". With the recent Windrush scandal and wider debates about the legacy of the slave trade in Britain, Levy’s work could not be more relevant. The Long Song was published in 2010 and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. But it was during the writing of this book that Andrea was diagnosed with the cancer that would, she knew, eventually kill her.
Andrea Levy speaks here for the first time about living with a terminal illness and her hopes for posterity. And we hear an excerpt from a previously unpublished dialogue from her archives, now housed at the British Library, in which she tackles her imminent demise with her trademark wit and wisdom.
With Gary Younge, Baroness Lola Young, Louise Doughty, Helen Edmundson, Sarah Williams, Margaret Busby, Sharmaine Lovegrove, Catherine Hall and Andrea's husband Bill Mayblin.
Voice actors:
Josef-Israel
Lynsey Murrell
Producers:: Melissa FitzGerald & Sarah O'Reilly
A Blakeway production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2020.
WED 11:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bz22)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:30 The Blackburn Files (b007w5d7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 12:00 Ballylenon (b007znmy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k251)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b04tjft4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014gj2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmsd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 Counterpoint (b01sm2f5)
Series 27
2013 Heat 4
Paul Gambaccini chairs the general knowledge music quiz.
As well as demonstrating a broad general knowledge of music, they'll have to demonstrate a wide knowledge of music in all its variety, as well as specialising in a musical topic of which they've had no prior warning. Will they prefer questions on Verdi, or on Paul Weller?
The fourth trio of competitors are in the Radio Theatre, London for the fourth heat of the series.
* E Goh from London
* Adam Harvey from Bury St. Edmunds
* Richard Wyborn from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.
Producer: Paul Bajoria
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2013.
WED 14:30 Hazelbeach (b00ly7mv)
Series 2
Cleaner
Ronnie has a close encounter in Hull, while his hapless friend Nick invents a new sport.
Starring Jamie Foreman.
Caroline and David Stafford's comedy about likeable conman Ronnie Hazelbeach.
Ronnie Hazelbeach ...... Jamie Foreman
Nick ...... Paul Bazely
James ...... Neil Stuke
Chloe ...... Tracy Wiles
Doctor Helmut ...... Stephen Hogan
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2009.
WED 15:00 The Tree of Liberty (m000d050)
2. To Be a Pilgrim
Lacroix calls on the local sorceress to help him solve what appears to be a ritual killing.
Lieutenant General Lacroix is trying to police France despite the turmoil of the Revolution.
Starring David Calder.
Nigel Baldwin’s detective series set in Amiens, 1791.
Lt Gen Lacroix ... David Calder
Monet ... Brian Hibbard
Charlotte .... Kathryn Pogson
Madeleine .... Frances Tomelty
Didier .... Steve Hodson
Roland .... Christian Rodska
Mme des Chats ... Sue Roderick
Surgeon ... Matthew Morgan
Duval ... Simon Ludders
Original music by Paula Gardiner.
Director: Alison Hindell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1995.
WED 16:00 Archive on 4 (m000f5zq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bz22)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:30 The Blackburn Files (b007w5d7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 18:00 Ballylenon (b007znmy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k251)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b04tjft4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014gj2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmsd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 Counterpoint (b01sm2f5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 Hazelbeach (b00ly7mv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 21:00 The Tree of Liberty (m000d050)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
WED 22:00 Ivo Graham's Obsessions (m0023q3x)
Series 1
2. Susie McCabe & Kieran Hodgson
Ivo Graham travels to Glasgow to find out what obsesses his guests, Glaswegian comedian Susie McCabe, and comedian, actor, and Glasgow adoptee Kieran Hodgson.
Susie builds her credentials as a Lego obsessive, and Kieran waxes lyrical about the journey up the East Coast Main Line. The audience share their obsessions too, and Ivo receives a gift from one kind audience member. This week's very obsessed person, or 'VOP' is Dr Malcolm Knight, who brings his love of puppetry to its most natural medium, the radio.
Hosted by Ivo Graham
Featuring Susie McCabe, Kieran Hodgson and Dr Malcolm Knight
Written by Ivo Graham and Zoe Tomalin
Additional Material by Alex Kealy, Peter Tellouche and Christina Riggs
Recorded at the Tron Theatre by Sean Kerwin
Sound editing by Charlie Brandon King
Production Coordinators: Katie Baum & Jodie Charman
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies, a BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4
An EcoAudio certified production
Show image: Matt Stronge
WED 22:30 The Goldfish Bowl (m0018gpn)
Series 2
Episode 6
Anton and Liam - the Eric and Ernie of the fish fraternity - are back with more underwater wit and fishy frivolity.
Anton decides that Liam must toughen up when he is threatened by a piranha.
Starring Sean Foley and Hamish McColl.
Goldfish bowl based sitcom written by Shaun Prendergast.
Anton .... Sean Foley
Liam ....Hamish McColl
Susan ....Tracy Ann Oberman
Struan ....Shaun Prendergast
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2000.
WED 22:45 Ivor Cutler - Cutler the Lax (b03vczgx)
Episode 1
Legendary Scottish surrealist Ivor Cutler provides disappointment for cavemen and a cheap alternative to liquor.
With:
Fiona MacDonald
Producer: Mark Savage
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1991.
WED 23:00 Elis James's Pantheon of Heroes (b01c19p3)
Series 1
Heroic Failures
More historical heroism - as Gelert the dog, anyone who's played rugby for Wales and William Frost are put to the Totaliser Test.
Comedian Elis James compares key figures in Welsh history to determine the ultimate heroes of Wales.
With:
Ben Partridge
Nadia Kamil
Written by Elis James, Gareth Gwyn and Benjamin Partridge.
Producer: Sharif Shahwan
First broadcast on BBC Radio Wales in February 2012.
WED 23:30 The Skewer (m0023q46)
Series 12
Episode 5
The week’s biggest stories like you’ve never heard them before. The news remixed into a satirical comedy concept album.

Jon Holmes presents the multi-award-winning The Skewer. This week - Sooty and Sue Gray, and Iranian Avengers Assemble.

Headphones on.

Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
WED 23:45 Little Lifetimes by Jenny Eclair (b04fc70w)
Series 1
The Viewing
A lonely woman takes a peek into other people's properties and lives when their houses are put up for sale.
Starring Annette Badland.
Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives.
Producer: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2014.

THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER 2024

THU 00:00 Archive on 4 (m000f5zq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bz22)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 The Blackburn Files (b007w5d7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Ballylenon (b007znmy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k251)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b04tjft4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014gj2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmsd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Counterpoint (b01sm2f5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Hazelbeach (b00ly7mv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 The Tree of Liberty (m000d050)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bzcc)
4. Breakthrough
A group of activists claim responsibility for kidnapping the Prime Minister and his wife.
After the initial shock of his capture, the PM starts to challenge his captors.
For the first time, he's been allowed to see his wife.
Will the strange repercussions of an incident at Okefield Park ever be revealed?
Starring Leslie Sands.
Thriller series written by Ted Willis - adapted from his own novel.
PM Jack Stoddart .... Leslie Sands
Jess Stoddart .... Mary Wimbush
Victor .... Cyril Shaps
Commander Knowles .... Geoffrey Matthews
Hugh Lashwood .... Preston Lockwood
Valchik .... Anthony Daniels
Karel .... Jonathan Owen
Jane .... Moir Leslie
James Lang .... Arnold Diamond
Home Secretary .... Leslie Heritage
Insp Wiley .... Scott Cherry
DI Martin/Thornby .... Colin Starkey
Ben Tomkins .... David Goudge
Cheryl .... Helen Atkinson Wood
WPS Bellamy .... Ellen McIntosh
Marlow .... Lewis Stringer
Newsreader …. Peter Donaldson
Director: Graham Gauld
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1984.
THU 06:30 The Blackburn Files (b007w3zt)
Series 2
4. A Case of Whistle and Run
A routine case for private eye Stephen J Blackburn starts to look like his final investigation
Starring Fine Time Fontayne and Judy Flynn.
Another case for Yorkshire's ex-pitman turned private investigator, Stephen J Blackburn.
Written by Ian McMillan, Martyn Wiley and Dave Sheasby.
Stephen J Blackburn …. Finetime Fontayne
Tracey Duggan …. Judy Flynn
Mam …. Rita May
Angela …. Daryl Fishwick
Rodney …. Christopher Kent
Producer: Dave Sheasby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1991.
THU 07:00 Are You From the Bugle? (b01jcc07)
Rovers Return
A celebrity is visiting Butterthwaite. Can cub reporter Graham get the story?
John Gradwell's sitcom about life in Butterthwaite's local newspaper office.
Bert Ball …. Jeffrey Holland
Graham Carpenter …. Robert Beck
Brenda Thistlethwaite …. Frances Jeater
Arnold Beasley …. David Ryall
Vicky Cox …. Sue Devaney
Lawrence Stevens …. Dean Williamson
All other parts played by:
Rachel Atkins
Mark Gatiss
Peter Serafinowicz
Producer: Kathy Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1996.
THU 07:30 It Sticks Out Half A Mile (b007jps8)
6. The Friends of Frambourne Pier
Frank Pike and Bert Hodges try to enlist some volunteers to help restore the pier.
Starring John Le Mesurier, Ian Lavender and Bill Pertwee.
A seaside saga of pier perpetuation.
Written by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.
Arthur Wilson …. John Le Mesurier
Bert Hodges …. Bill Pertwee
Frank Pike …. Ian Lavender
Fred Guthrie …. Glynn Edwards
Miss Perkins …. Viviene Martin
Mrs Briggs … Hilda Braid
Ernest Woolcott …. Michael Knowles
Based on the Dad's Army characters originally created by Jimmy Perry and David Croft.
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1984.
THU 08:00 Believe It! (b08mbgxk)
Series 3
Truth
After a brush with death, Richard Wilson concludes that it's time to tell the truth.
To everybody. He can't just be nice all the time. Sometimes you've got to tell it how it is.
Jon Canter's not quite true autobiography of Richard Wilson.
Will you believe any of it?
Himself ...... Richard Wilson
Himself ...... David Tennant
Cabbie ...... Simon Greenall
Workman ...... Simon Greenall
Sheila Kaufmann ...... Arabella Weir
Tamsen ...... Alice Redman
Maddie ...... Kellie Shirley
Marcus ...... Tom Dawze
Actress ...... Lucy Robinson
Compere ...... Martine McMenemy
Director: Clive Brill
A Brill production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2017.
THU 08:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014gmz)
9. The Great Flood
‘The Great Flood’ Piranesi calculated is upon us.
Piranesi lives in the House. Perhaps he always has.
In his notebooks, day after day, he makes a clear and careful record of its wonders: the labyrinth of halls, the thousands upon thousands of statues, the tides that thunder up staircases, the clouds that move in slow procession through the upper halls.
On Tuesdays and Fridays Piranesi sees his friend, the Other. At other times he brings tributes of food to the Dead. But mostly, he is alone.
Messages begin to appear, scratched out in chalk on the pavements. There is someone new in the House. But who are they and what do they want? Are they a friend or do they bring destruction and madness as the Other claims? Lost texts must be found; secrets must be uncovered.
The world that Piranesi thought he knew is becoming strange and dangerous.
The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.
Susanna Clarke's novel about the dreamlike, gothic territory. Piranesi.
Abridged by Sara Davies.
Read by Samuel Anderson.
Producer: Alison Crawford
A BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2022.
THU 08:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmsv)
14. Discovery
Eponine has found out where Cosette is living, but will she tell Marius?
Victor Hugo's epic story of social injustice.
Dramatised by Sebastian Baczkiewicz.
Victor Hugo ...... Joss Ackland
Jean ...... Roger Allam
Cosette ...... Lucy Whybrow
Marius ..... Jonathan Forbes
Combeferre ..... Carl Prekopp
Toussaint ...... Annette Badland
Babet ..... Christopher Goodwin
Eponine ...... Patsy Palmer
Gaoler / Guard ...... Sean Baker
Waggoner ...... Ewan Bailey
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2001.
THU 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0023y2w)
The latest news from Westminster - and beyond.
THU 09:30 The Town Is The Menu (b0480347)
4. Cambridge
Can town and gown be united through food?
That's the challenge for food innovator Simon Preston and chef Alex Rushmer as they try to create a dish which will appeal to both the townsfolk and the 'gownsfolk', members of university, in Cambridge - a small city with a huge reputation.
University chaplin, Malcolm Guite, shares inspiring stories of the great and the good including a walk with CS Lewis, local historian Caroline Biggs talks of Cambridge's surprising past as an inland port, while tour guide and ex-road sweeper, Allan Brigham, shares his unique perspective on this beautiful city.
Producer: Pennie Latin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2014.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m0023y2z)
The Gospel in Children's Stories - Eternal Life Through Him
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: The Gospel in Children's Stories - Eternal Life Through Him
Presenter: Isabelle Hamley
Reading: John 11 : 21-27
THU 10:00 Great Lives (m000jmtf)
Dolly Alderton on Doris Day
Dolly Alderton's love of Doris Day began when she watched Calamity Jane as a young child.
And for Dolly, the incandescent film star was as much of a poster girl as The Spice Girls. But Dolly's view of the legendary actress and singer has changed as she's matured.
Dolly joins Matthew Parris and Dr Tamar Jeffers McDonald, Reader in Film and Head of the School of Arts at the University of Kent, to discuss dancing, divorces and dogs.
Together they explore whether the image of Doris Day as a happy-go-lucky girl-next-door is a true reflection of the life and character of one of the 20th century's most famous stars.
Producer: Camellia Sinclair
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2020.
*** Credit: Love Me or Leave Me (dir. Charles Vidor, MGM); Pillow Talk (dir. Michael Gordon, Arwin Productions).
THU 10:30 Archaeology of a Storyteller (m0015v90)
Author Alan Garner has spent all his life living within the same few square miles of Cheshire and can trace his family's history in this area back to the 16th century.
Digging down into his novels, Archaeology of a Storyteller uncovers the historical inspiration behind the stories written by the man who many authors consider to be their favourite writer.
All his novels, from The Stone Book Quartet, to Treacle Walker, and his famous children's books, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen and The Moon of Gomrath, mine this area for history and legend, truth, and imagination. These stories are literally embedded in the archaeology and geology of the land - in the mysterious caves and tunnels under Alderley Edge.
Although Garner is highly regarded by writers like Philip Pullman, Neil Gaiman, Susan Cooper and David Almond and Frank Cottrell Boyce, he says his closest friends are archaeologists!
Since 1957, Garner has lived in an old medieval house a stone's throw from the gigantic radio telescope at Jodrell Bank. In 1972 his house was joined by the Medicine House, an old timber-framed building the Garners saved from demolition 18 miles away, now protected by their organisation The Blackden Trust.
Alan Garner knows the stories told by every stone, timber and protective mark in his home - and every inch of the surrounding land.
Sifting through layers of interviews, including the archaeologists Mark Edmonds and Tim Campbell-Green, archive recordings and extracts from his work,
Archaeology of a Storyteller sets out to uncover how Garner found his creative inspiration in a small patch of Cheshire.
Music composed and performed by John Dipper
Reader: Robert Powell
Producer: Andy Cartwright
A Soundscape production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2022.
THU 11:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bzcc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:30 The Blackburn Files (b007w3zt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 12:00 Are You From the Bugle? (b01jcc07)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 It Sticks Out Half A Mile (b007jps8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 Believe It! (b08mbgxk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014gmz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmsv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Wordaholics (b04kf5zv)
Series 3
Episode 6
Gyles Brandreth hosts the competitive comedy game where panellists vie for wordy supremacy
With:
* Comedian, Ed Byrne
* Stand up and art expert, Hannah Gadsby
* Punmaster general, Milton Jones
* Classics boffin, Natalie Haynes
The letter of the week is 'Z'.
The panellists must coin their own topynyms and they also have to guess which foreign words are edible.
There's a chance to add their own new word to the dictionary, before they delve into 'A Dictionary of Americanisms' from 1848.
Writers: Jon Hunter and James Kettle.
Producer: Claire Jones.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2014.
THU 14:30 The Brothers (b00psscz)
Series 3
The One True Yoghurt
Nigel stutters, Michael proposes, and Zorro seeks the meaning of life in a dessert.
Sitcom about the dysfunctional Burbage siblings.
Written by Caroline and David Stafford.
Nigel Burbage …. Adam Godley
Michael Burbage …. Ray Coulthard
Oonagh …. Pauline McLynn
Peter Burbage …. James Fleet
Zorro …. Alex Lowe
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2007.
THU 15:00 The Tree of Liberty (m000czqf)
3. Health of a Nation
When a doctor is found dead, his son confesses to the murder.
But he's got an alibi, so why would he lie?
Lieutenant General Lacroix is trying to police France, despite the turmoil of the Revolution.
Starring David Calder.
Nigel Baldwin’s detective series set in Amiens, 1791.
Lt Gen Lacroix ... David Calder
Monet ... Brian Hibbard
Charlotte .... Kathryn Pogson
Madeleine ... Frances Tomelty
Duval ... Simon Ludders
Ferrier ... Andrew Wincott
Mme Dupre ... Sue Roderick
Georges .... Robert Harper
Panchaud ... Steve Hodson
Surgeon ... Matthew Morgan
Original music by Paula Gardiner.
Director: Alison Hindell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1995.
THU 16:00 Great Lives (m000jmtf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 Archaeology of a Storyteller (m0015v90)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bzcc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:30 The Blackburn Files (b007w3zt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 18:00 Are You From the Bugle? (b01jcc07)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 It Sticks Out Half A Mile (b007jps8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 Believe It! (b08mbgxk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014gmz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmsv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Wordaholics (b04kf5zv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 The Brothers (b00psscz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 21:00 The Tree of Liberty (m000czqf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
THU 22:00 Olga Koch: OK Computer (m0023q0j)
Series 3
2. Religion
Comedian and computer scientist Olga Koch tries to explain beliefs and superstitions to her sassy and ultra-rational digital assistant Algo. Can you ever truly “get” Madonna? (The pop icon or the mother of Jesus).
Performed by Olga Koch
Written by Olga Koch and Charlie Dinkin
Featuring Rajiv Karia as Algo
Additional material from Rajiv Karia, Peter Tellouche and Christina Riggs
Produced by Benjamin Sutton
A BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4
THU 22:30 On the Hour (b008s3k9)
Series 1
Episode 3
Campaigning to tighten the letter of the law, and war is declared.
The show that's in the thick of the action with a microphone – plus all the sport from Alan Partridge.
Savagely satirical award-winning comedy starring Chris Morris.
With:
Steve Coogan
David Schneider
Rebecca Front
Patrick Marber
Doon Mackichan
Written by Chris Morris, Richard Herring, Steven Wells, Andrew Glover, David Quantick and Stewart Lee.
Editor: Armando lannucci
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1991.
THU 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m00249b6)
Robin Morgan 3/4
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And tonight, Esyllt Sears interviews the comedian and writer Robin Morgan.
THU 23:00 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b01pp5vg)
Series 5
Dave Gorman
Marcus Brigstocke invites comic Dave Gorman to try new experiences.
How did he get on horse-riding for the first time?
Series in which guests experience new things and give their verdicts to Marcus Brigstocke – and explain why they've waited so long to do it.
Producer: Bill Dare
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2013.
THU 23:30 Arthur Smith's Balham Bash (b00lk09w)
Series 1
Episode 2
Arthur Smith invites an audience into his home in Balham, south London, for music and comedy.
With guest comedians:
Benjamin Zephaniah
Stephen K Amos
Matt Holness
Pippa Evans - as singer-songwriter Loretta Maine - lends a hand.
Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2009.

FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER 2024

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (m000jmtf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Archaeology of a Storyteller (m0015v90)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001bzcc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 The Blackburn Files (b007w3zt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Are You From the Bugle? (b01jcc07)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 It Sticks Out Half A Mile (b007jps8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Believe It! (b08mbgxk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014gmz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmsv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Wordaholics (b04kf5zv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 The Brothers (b00psscz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 The Tree of Liberty (m000czqf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001c6bf)
5. Confession
One week of mobilising the massive resources of police and security services has produced very little results.
But Commander Knowles has uncovered a rather tenuous link between Sue Swinton and one of the kidnappers...
Will the strange repercussions of an incident at Okefield Park ever be revealed?
Starring Leslie Sands.
Thriller series written by Ted Willis - adapted from his own novel,
PM Jack Stoddart .... Leslie Sands
Jess Stoddart .... Mary Wimbush
Victor .... Cyril Shaps
Commander Knowles ... Geoffrey Matthews
Hugh Lashwood .... Preston Lockwood
Valchik .... Anthony Daniels
Karel .... Jonathan Owen
Insp Wiley .... Scott Cherry
WPS Bellamy .... Ellen McIntosh
DI Martin .... Colin Starkey
Ben Tomkins .... David Goudge
Sgt Evans .... Jon Strickland
Alan Peploe .... William Eedle
Jane .... Moir Leslie
Sgt Macey/Wallace .... Brett Usher
Sue Swinton .... Charlotte Long
Director: Graham Gauld
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1984.
FRI 06:30 Whodunnits (m000c58m)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
1. The Photo Call
An actor dies as thespian sleuth Charles Paris is rehearsing for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
A stage dagger turns murderously into a real one...
Francis Matthews stars as Charles Paris.
Six-part thriller serial adapted from his own book by Simon Brett.
Charles Paris ...... Francis Matthews
Brian Cassells ...... Hugh Laurie
Frances ...... Jennifer Hilary
James Milne ...... Alan McNaughtan
Maurice Skellern ...... Harry Landis
Pam Northcliffe ...... Sara Corper
Michael Vanderzee ...... Mark Wing-Davey
Martin Warburton ...... Michael Maloney
Willy Mariello ...... Billy McColl
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1985.
FRI 07:00 Trapped (b0076grw)
Series 1
All Downhill from Here
A group of friends are landed in a situation they're desperate to get out of - on the slopes of a ski resort.
Series of six black comedies written by Mark Maier and Daniel Maier.
Nadine .... Olivia Colman
Clare .... Joanna Holden
Craig .... Mark Maier
Paul .... Chris Pavlo
Enzo .... Daniel Maier
Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2003.
FRI 07:30 The Burkiss Way (b007jsnb)
Series 5
Settle Out of Court the Burkiss Way
Find out 'What's My Gender', plus a galactic 'Panorama'.
Cult sketch comedy series which originally ran from 1976 to 1980.
Starring:
Fred Harris
Jo Kendall
Nigel Rees
Chris Emmett
Written by Andrew Marshall and David Renwick.
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1980.
FRI 08:00 To Hull and Back (b09tcnm7)
Series 3
Fourth in Show
When Sophie's new boyfriend Imran tells her he doesn't like her glasses, she's desperate for a pair of Givenchy designer specs.
But the salon's client list is still worryingly short and she can't get the money together.
So when she hears a dog show is coming to town with big cash prizes to be won for well groomed pets, Sophie realises how she might be able to make her designer dreams a reality.
Meanwhile, Sheila makes a worrying discovery and Jean meets a potential girlfriend...
Starring Lucy Beaumont and Maureen Lipman.
Lucy Beaumont’s warm-hearted sitcom about Sophie's efforts to escape her overbearing mother, Sheila.
Sophie ...... Lucy Beaumont
Sheila ...... Maureen Lipman
Jean ...... Kerrie Marsh
Ernie ...... Norman Lovett
Baker ...... Debra Baker
Dotty ...... Annie Sawle
Producer: Sam Michell
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2018.
FRI 08:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014gth)
10. Decision
Piranesi makes an important decision.
Piranesi begins to recover details that the House has made him forget.
Piranesi lives in the House. Perhaps he always has.
In his notebooks, day after day, he makes a clear and careful record of its wonders: the labyrinth of halls, the thousands upon thousands of statues, the tides that thunder up staircases, the clouds that move in slow procession through the upper halls.
On Tuesdays and Fridays Piranesi sees his friend, the Other. At other times he brings tributes of food to the Dead. But mostly, he is alone.
Messages begin to appear, scratched out in chalk on the pavements. There is someone new in the House. But who are they and what do they want? Are they a friend or do they bring destruction and madness as the Other claims? Lost texts must be found; secrets must be uncovered.
The world that Piranesi thought he knew is becoming strange and dangerous.
The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.
Susanna Clarke's novel about the dreamlike, gothic territory. Piranesi.
Abridged by Sara Davies.
Concluded by Samuel Anderson.
Producer: Alison Crawford
A BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2022.
FRI 08:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmtb)
15. Secrecy
Love is in the air in the Rue Plumet. But why is Jean Valjean so obsessed with secrecy?
Victor Hugo's epic story of social injustice.
Dramatised by Lin Coghlan.
Victor Hugo ...... Joss Ackland
Jean ...... Roger Allam
Cosette ...... Lucy Whybrow
Marius ...... Jonathan Forbes
Thenardier ...... Henry Goodman
Maboeuf ...... Timothy Alcock
Combeferre ...... Carl Prekopp
Toussaint ...... Annette Badland
Eponine ...... Patsy Palmer
Gavroche ...... Leagh Conwell
Babet ...... Christopher Goodwin
Claque ...... Ewan Bailey
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2001.
FRI 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0023xdv)
The latest news from Westminster - and beyond.
FRI 09:30 The Town Is The Menu (b04807hv)
5. Inverness
How do you capture the city of Inverness in a single dish?
That's the challenge for food innovator Simon Preston and local chef Steven Devlin as they gather some colourful local characters at Eden Court Theatre to hear inspirational stories, past and present.
Naturalist, Kenny Taylor, shares his perspective on the city's unique blend of wilderness in an urban environment, from journalist Iain MacDonald there's comic stories of the theft of Nessy while Gaelic broadcaster Roddy Maclean draws on a the city's rich multi-lingual and multi-cultural history.
Producer: Pennie Latin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2014.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m0023xdx)
The Gospel in Children's Stories - Beauty and the Beast : Overcoming the Natural Man
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: The Gospel in Children's Stories - Beauty and the Beast : Overcoming the Natural Man
Led from Wales by the Revd Dr Rosa Hunt
Reading: Romans 5: 4-9
Music:
Arglwydd Iesu, arwain f'enaid (Lord Jesus, led my soul)
Liverpool Welsh Choral Union
Unless a grain of wheat
Bernadette Farrell
Love divine all loves excelling
The Ardwyn Singers
BBC Wales recording
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (b00z5c89)
Series 11
Simple Gifts
Simple Gifts started life as a Shaker Hymn and became incorporated into the hymn Lord of the Dance and Aaron Copland's ballet suite Appalachian Spring.
Nora Guthrie describes the central place this tune has played throughout her life.
Pete Lashley tells how he heard it unexpectedly whilst touring in New Zealand.
Michael Carter explains why his father chose this tune for his famous hymn "Lord of the Dance" and Scott Malchus describes running a marathon whilst listening to this music.
Featuring:
Thomas Swain
Michael Carter
Nora Guthrie
Scott Malchus
Pete Lashley
Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.
Producer: Rosie Boulton
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2011.
FRI 10:30 Butterfly Mind (p04flpy0)
Can a Shaman cure writer's block?
David Greig goes on a very personal quest in an attempt to find out.
David Greig is one of our most respected and successful playwrights. He's also the Artistic Director of the Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh.
But he is suffering from writer's block; he is 'exhausted, like a mined out mine'.
He's tried many a cure, without success, and now he wants to visit a Shaman to see if there is a solution to be found somewhere in the spirit world.
As quests go, it's slightly odd, sometimes light-hearted but serious in parts...
Producer: Karen Gregor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2016.
FRI 11:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001c6bf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:30 Whodunnits (m000c58m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 12:00 Trapped (b0076grw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:30 The Burkiss Way (b007jsnb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 To Hull and Back (b09tcnm7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014gth)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmtb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00m52xh)
Series 2
Episode 2
James Walton tests and tickles the knowledge of industry pundits and people passionate about pop music.
Regulars Tracey MacLeod and Andrew Collins are joined by:
* Writer, David Quantick
* Comedian, Stewart Lee
Reader: Beth Chalmers
Written and researched by James Walton
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2006.
FRI 14:30 Lucky Heather (b0075s9h)
4. Unforgiven
Recently widowed Denis hires Heather to trace his first love Yvonne.
Just this side of nosey, Heather is western movie-mad. She's also the Sherlock Holmes of the rundown Sutter Estate.
Starring Lindsey Coulson.
Sitcom by Sue Teddern.
Heather ...... Lindsey Coulson
Natalie ...... Abigail Hart
Ryan ...... Ben Crowe
Craig ...... Tom George
Denis ...... James Taylor
Allison ...... Gemma Saunders
Charlotte ...... Lisa Kay
Lisa ...... Beth Chalmers
Maev ...... Dearbhla Molloy
Yvonne ...... Elizabeth Bell
Director: David Hunter
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2000.
FRI 15:00 The Tree of Liberty (m000d07l)
4. Moon Conjunct Uranus
The death of a young girl is linked to a magical sect.
But as the evidence comes together, it seems to point back at Lacroix.
Lieutenant General Lacroix is trying to police France despite the turmoil of the Revolution.
Starring David Calder.
Nigel Baldwin’s detective series set in Amiens, 1791.
Lt Gen Lacroix ... David Calder
Madeleine ... Frances Tomelty
Duval ... Simon Ludders
Monet ... Brian Hibbard
Josephine ... Bethan Jones
Chalier .... Steve Hodson
Surgeon ... Matthew Morgan
Jean .... Robert Harper
Roland .... Christian Rodska
Michel ... Andrew Wincott
Simone .... Sara Harris-Davies
Original music by Paula Gardiner.
Director: Alison Hindell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1995.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (b00z5c89)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Butterfly Mind (p04flpy0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Death May Surprise Us (m001c6bf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Whodunnits (m000c58m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Trapped (b0076grw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 The Burkiss Way (b007jsnb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 To Hull and Back (b09tcnm7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (m0014gth)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmtb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00m52xh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Lucky Heather (b0075s9h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:00 The Tree of Liberty (m000d07l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
FRI 22:00 Randy Feltface's Destruction Manual (m0023hth)
4. Water
Randy Feltface takes a deep dive and comes up wishing he hadn’t. Extinction, pollution, rising temperatures and a very angry salmon all make an unwelcome appearance in this show - but will Randy press on with his plan to press the destruction button, or will he have a change of heart and share his hopes for the future?
This head-on charge into possibly the most important subject facing humanity comes to you via a show where you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll learn, you’ll laugh again between the learny bits and most of all, you’ll be able to say “I was there when Radio 4 decided to have show hosted by a puppet”
Randy Feltface has been seen on Netflix, ABC, NBC, and has a huge & devoted following across the globe (1m+ social media followers, 1.6m TikTok followers, 833k subscribers, 79m YouTube views). His hour-long specials are YouTube cult classics, his world tours are sold out sensations, and he's the only Radio 4 presenter to be entirely made of felt.
With Margaret Cabourn-Smith, William Hartley & Venice Ohleyer
Produced & directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 22:30 The Million Pound Radio Show (b007jq9d)
Series 2
Episode 7
Talking dolphins - and bible sponsorship.
Sharp-edged topical humour in the most expensive show on radio.
Written by and starring Andy Hamilton and Nick Revell.
With:
Harry Enfield
Morwenna Banks
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1986.
FRI 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m00249fr)
Robin Morgan 4/4
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And tonight, Esyllt Sears interviews the comedian and writer Robin Morgan.
FRI 23:00 Absolute Power (b007ys7m)
Series 3
Episode 3
Roguish Martin enters the Lords as Charles takes on a Big Brother TV 'star'.
Stephen Fry and John Bird star in Mark Tavener's biting satire.
Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are spin masters in the world of government and media relations.
Charles Prentiss …. Stephen Fry
Martin McCabe …. John Bird
Sir Archibald Sullivan …. Tony Gardner
Maurice …. David Timson
With:
Lisa Coleman
James Vaughan
Beth Chalmers
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2002.
FRI 23:30 Elvenquest (b00kfgcx)
Series 1
Episode 4
The heroes answer a distress call from some sirens and Lord Darkness's pursuit of all things evil is put to one side as he considers getting himself an heir.
More comic adventures set in lower Earth where fantasy writer Sam has been coerced into joining a band of intrepid heroes as they battle the dread forces of evil in search of the legendary sword of Asnagar!
Fantasy sitcom written by Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto.
Sam ...... Stephen Mangan
Vidar ...... Darren Boyd
Dean ...... Kevin Eldon
Penthiselea ...... Sophie Winkleman
Lord Darkness ...... Alistair McGowan
Kreech ...... Kevin Eldon
Amis ...... James Bachman
With:
Chris Pavlo
Lizzy Watts
Clare Willie
Producers: Anil Gupta & Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2009.