SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2024

SAT 00:00 Soul Music (m0017swt)
Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton
Candi Staton and others celebrate this 1970s disco classic which delivers an optimistic message.
Written by David Crawford and released in 1976 this is the kind of song that feels like a carefree celebration, something to lose yourself in on the dancefloor.
But its story isn't quite so simple.
As Candi reveals, Young Hearts Run Free was influenced by her own troubled and abusive relationship which she struggled to leave. In fact the creation of the song helped her gain the confidence to finally walk away.
Other contributors are:
Singer-songwriter, Glen Hansard. He performs the song 'as' his mother because it reminds him so much of what the song meant to her.
Ziggi Battles, a singer who chose to cover the song as a way of rejoicing in the role it played in recovering from a very difficult time.
Jason Gilkison, the Creative Director of Strictly Come Dancing. It will forever remind him of the first time he choreographed a group dance for Strictly at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. His grandfather had danced there himself as a young man, before establishing the first dance school in Perth, Australia, which is where Jason developed his own love of ballroom dancing.
Neil Brand, composer and broadcaster, analyses why the piece works musically. He also describes the pure joy of a version by Kym Mazelle and - unlikely as it seems - the actor and opera singer, Paul Sorvino.
It was used as the soundtrack to the ballroom scene in Baz Luhrmann's film of Romeo and Juliet.
Versions used:
Candi Staton
Glen Hansard
Maz O'Connor
Ziggi Battles
Gloria Estefan
Kym Mazelle
Kym Mazelle (Ballroom Version) with Paul Sorvino
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Karen Gregor.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2022.
SAT 00:30 Freedom Song (b008q0sr)
When celebrated African-American contralto Marian Anderson was refused permission to sing at Washington's Constitution Hall in 1939, the result was a free concert at the Lincoln memorial.
75,000 people gathered to hear Anderson's solo recital.
Tony Phillips tells the story of a remarkable event where the worlds of high art and civil rights were brought together.
Produced at BBC Manchester by Ekene Akalawu.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2008.
SAT 01:00 Whodunnits (m001dfms)
Bertie and the Crime of Passion
4. A Trail of Poison
Bertie - the Prince of Wales - discovers more about Maurice's promiscuous past.
But he seems to be as far away as ever from solving the murder at the Moulin Rouge....
Conclusion of Peter Lovesey's royal historical whodunit - set in 1891 Paris.
Starring Robert Lang and Jane Lapotaire.
Dramatised by Geoffrey M Matthews.
Bertie ...... Robert Lang
Sarah Bernhardt ...... Jane Lapotaire
Jules ...... Olivier Pierre
Goron ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Francis /Registrar ...... Stephen Critchlow
Tristan ...... Paul Jenkins
Jacques/Mustafa ...... Daniel Philpott
Landlady ...... Tessa Worsley
Director: Matthew Walters
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1995.
SAT 01:30 Whodunnits (m000cbjt)
Charles Paris: So Much Blood
6. Up In The Castle
With one suspect cleared of murdering Willy Mariello, a bomb is planted in Charles Paris's bag - meaning suspicions shift elsewhere...
Francis Matthews stars as thespian sleuth, Charles Paris.
Conclusion of Simon Brett’s thriller serial adapted from his book.
Charles Paris ...... Francis Matthews
Anna Duncan ...... Kim Thomson
James Milne ...... Alan McNaughtan
Martin Warburton ...... Michael Maloney
Frances ...... Jennifer Hilary
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1985.
SAT 02:00 Trapped (b0076gw4)
Series 1
Stand-Up Tragedy
Backstage at a comedy club, four comedians are about to discover that life on the circuit isn't always a laugh a minute.
In fact we could be heading for a Stand Up Tragedy...
Starring Philip Jackson.
Series of six black comedies written by Mark Maier and Daniel Maier.
Bill .... Philip Jackson
Lynn .... Lynne Ferguson
Rob .... Chris Pavlo
Andy .... Mark Maier
Pietr .... Daniel Maier
Froggy .... Ralph Ineson
Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2003.
SAT 02:30 The Burkiss Way (b00dghc4)
Series 5
Wave Goodbyes to CBEs the Burkiss Way
The last-ever episode of the cult sketch show.
Starring:
Fred Harris
Jo Kendall
Nigel Rees
Chris Emmett
With special guest David Jason.
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 (b09v2x5b)
Series 3
Welcome to the Family
Sophie auditions for the panto at New Hull Theatre so she can show Imran she's more than just a hairdresser.
But when Sophie doesn't get a part, Sheila decides to take matters into her own hands so she can see her daughter on that famous stage, fulfilling her dreams.
And of course, more importantly, so she can impress the committee for Kirkella ladies golf...
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
Nigel the Director ...... Mike Bubbins
Imran ...... Shane Zaza
Producer: Sam Michell
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2018.
SAT 03:30 I'm Here I Think, Where Are You? by Timothy West (b007jw4n)
5. Another Crack at Lear
1990: Timothy returns to the Bristol Old Vic as associate director, replete with every diminishing financial backing.
And it's on to the Tivoli Theatre, Dublin in 1992: to play King Lear.
Timothy must work with a Japanese costume designer and a host of digital watches regularly going off during the quietest section of the play.
Actor Timothy West concludes his last batch of letters written to his actress wife, Prunella Scales, over a period of 30 years while on tour around the UK.
Producer Michael Earley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1995.
SAT 03:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmxc)
20. Sewers
Valjean must find his way through the maze of the Paris sewer system if he is to save the life of Marius.
Victor Hugo's epic story of social injustice.
Dramatised by Lin Coghlan.
Victor Hugo .... Joss Ackland
Jean .... Roger Allam
Cosette .... Lucy Whybrow
Javert .... David Schofield
Thenardier .... Henry Goodman
Toussaint .... Annette Badland
Policeman .... Peter Darney
Policeman .... Sean Baker
Directed by Sally Avens.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2002.
SAT 04:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00mb1r1)
Series 2
Episode 3
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:
* Singer, Clare Grogan
* Journalist, Danny Kelly
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 (b0075sg8)
5. True Grit
Heather used to clean for Angela. Now Angela suspects her teenage daughter is on drugs so 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
Charlotte ...... Lisa Kay
Joe ...... Gavin Muir
Angela Bond ...... Jilly Bond
Barman ...... Tim Treloar
Director: David Hunter
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2000.
SAT 05:00 Wakefield (b00rs19x)
A dull middle-aged man has been living his monotonous ordinary life for years.
He devises a plot to temporarily leave home in order to observe the effect on his wife from a flat opposite.
But he stays away much longer than expected.
And it becomes more and more difficult for him to return...
Starring David Haig.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, first published in 1835.
Dramatised by Martyn Wade.
Wakefield ...... David Haig
Hawthorne ...... John Rowe
Mrs Wakefield ...... Richenda Carey
Mr Lucas Ferris ...... Jonathan Keeble
Mrs Brand ...... Jennie Stoller
Doctor ...... Gordon Reid
Producer: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2001
SAT 06:00 Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Secret Garden (m0024dc1)
Mary Lennox was a selfish, spoilt child, who always had her own way with her ayah and the other Indian servants.
But when cholera strikes, Mary is sent far away to Misselthwaite Manor in Yorkshire - a large estate by the moors.
Here lies a world of closed doors and secrets - inside the manor and out in the grounds...
Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel, first published in 1911
Starring Coronation Street's Helen Worth and Violet Carson.
Dramatised by John Richmond
Mary Lennox .... Helen Worth
Mrs Medlock .... Violet Carson
Mrs Lennox, Mary's mother .... Merle Kessler
Lieutenant Charlesworth .... Mark Sheridan
Mrs Crawford, wife of the English Minister .... Rosalie Williams
Mrs Pelly .... Marah Stohl
Martha .... Susan Moverley
Ben Weatherstaff .... Tom Harrison
The Robin .... Percy Edwards
Dickon .... Richard Tolan
Mr Archibald Craven, Mary's Uncle .... Ronald Herdman
Colin, his son .... Timothy Woolgar
The Nurse .... Mary Kilduff
The Doctor .... Ronald Harvi
Indian servant/Sitar player .... Suraj Mian
Director: Trevor Hill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1975.
SAT 07:30 Ramble Book by Adam Buxton (Omnibus) (m0024dc3)
In 2015, Adam Buxton’s father was diagnosed with cancer.
The comedian and podcaster moved his dad Nigel into his house and cared for him until his death.
Adam flits between that period and reflections on his childhood with his characteristic mix of charm, insight and self-deprecating humour.
He moves from the highs and lows of young adult life, to exploring the final days of his father’s life with tenderness, insight and wit.
Omnibus of five episodes abridged by Ben Lewis.
Read by Adam Buxton.
Producer: Kirsty Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2020.
SAT 08:45 Tales From A Long Room by Peter Tinniswood (m0002rx9)
Series 1
I Was There
A personal recollection of cricket's 'day of infamy'.
Despite improving weather, why was play abandoned?
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 (b017071h)
Wool Over Their Eyes
The bungling bureaucrats get sheepish over their latest muddle!
A weekly tribute to all those who work in government departments.
Written by Edward Taylor and John Graham.
Lennox-Brown …. Deryck Guyler
Lamb …. Richard Murdoch
Mildred Murfin/Dame Nora Steel …. Norma Ronald
Sir Gregory Pitkin …. Ronald Baddiley
Mr Keen/Mr Dibble/Bernard/Forth Robinson …. John Graham
News Reader …. John Cole
'The Men from the Ministry' ran for 14 series between 1962 and 1977. Deryck Guyler replaced Wilfrid Hyde-White from 1966
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 in June 1975.
SAT 09:30 The Morecambe and Wise Show (m0024dc5)
Episode 2
Eric and Ern look back on a skiing holiday when Eric wore his skis on the aeroplane.
Plus an escapade in Sherwood Forest...
Starring Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise
A radio romp written by Eric Merriman.
With:
Elaine Taylor
John Baddeley
Music from:
Anita Harris
The Mike Sammes Singers
Burt Rhodes and his Orchestra
Producer: John Browell
First broadcast on BBC Light Programme in July 1966.
SAT 10:00 Billy Bragg's Changing Times (m000l929)
1. So Much To Protest About
These are fractious times.
But there have been fractious times before.
And of all the ways of looking at history, the instinctive reactions of artists, specifically musicians, to changing times, is one of the most fascinating.
From Hamish Henderson to Tom Robinson, the Sex Pistols to U2, and more recently Radiohead and Stormzy, protest music has come a long way.
In the first of three programme, Billy Bragg takes time to savour and share the stories of great moments where musicians were inspired by unfolding events to protest, to perform and to preach of an alternative way.
Along the way there are contributions from authors, artists and academics who have seen technology transform the way in which people create and listen to protest songs.
And there will be a chance to hear from those producing protest music in the era of Brexit, Trump and fake news.
Featured programmes:
‘SONGLINES: Freedom Come All Ye’ [07/07/2009 BBC Radio Scotland]
‘WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?: The Golden Age of Protest Songs’ [28/09/2016 BBC Radio 2]
‘IS PROTEST MUSIC DEAD?’ [26/01/2016 BBC Radio 1 & BBC 1 Extra]
Producer: Dan Quick
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in July 2019.
SAT 11:00 Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Secret Garden (m0024dc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:30 Ramble Book by Adam Buxton (Omnibus) (m0024dc3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:45 Tales From A Long Room by Peter Tinniswood (m0002rx9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 14:00 The Men from the Ministry (b017071h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 The Morecambe and Wise Show (m0024dc5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 Billy Bragg's Changing Times (m000l929)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Spine Chillers (b0886z49)
Figures by Colin Haydn Evans
As soon as Ann saw the house she knew it had to be hers.
Its past turns out to be part of her future.
So all she has to do is sit in the upstairs room - kept locked for so long - and wait...
Starring Anna Massey.
Written by Colin Haydn Evans.
Ann ...... Anna Massey
Ralph Symons ...... Blain Fairman
Rebecca Symons ...... Jill Lidstone
Peter Fuller ...... Jon Strickland
Alex Slade ...... Michael Bilton
Director: Ian Cotterell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1984.
SAT 16:40 Dracula's Guest by Bram Stoker (b0bf49hl)
A young man sets out on a journey where the elements - and something elemental - are against him.
Bram Stoker’s high-gothic tale, set in the Austrian Alps.
Read by Bertie Carvel.
Abridged and produced by: Justine Willett.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in April 2012.
SAT 17:00 Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Secret Garden (m0024dc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:30 Ramble Book by Adam Buxton (Omnibus) (m0024dc3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:45 Tales From A Long Room by Peter Tinniswood (m0002rx9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 20:00 The Men from the Ministry (b017071h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 The Morecambe and Wise Show (m0024dc5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 Billy Bragg's Changing Times (m000l929)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 22:00 A Tribute to Steve Brown, with Harry Hill (m0024dc7)
Harry Hill presents a celebration of the life of his great friend and collaborator Steve Brown, who died in February 2024.
Steve was a musician and pioneer in the world of radio comedy who began his career working on several influential radio programmes in the 1980s like Radio Active, In One Ear and Week Ending to name just a few.
He would later go on to have a successful career in TV, working on shows like Spitting Image and Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge, where he memorably played the fictional band leader, Glenn Ponder.
He was also a very respected figure in the musical theatre world where he brought us shows like Spend, Spend, Spend and latterly worked with Harry himself on I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical and Tony! a rock opera about the life of Tony Blair.
In this tribute programme, Harry hears from some of Steve’s comedy and music associates like Steve Coogan, Grayson Perry, Laura Mvula, Jan Ravens, Barbara Dickson and Lenny Henry who look back and remember his life and work.
ARCHIVE:
The Mitch Benn Music Show 11th Oct 2006 BBC Radio 4
Last Word 25th Feb 2024 BBC Radio 4
Knowing Me Knowing You, 7th Oct 1994 Talkback;
Loose Ends 22nd March 2014 BBC Radio 4
In One Ear 23rd Jan 1985, BBC Radio 4
Harry Hill's TV Burp, Avalon TV
Radio Active, Sept 1982 - Aug 1983, BBC Radio 4
Spitting Image 7th Nov 1993, Spitting Image Productions for Central (ITV)
Knowing Steve Knowing You, 15th Jan 2022, BBC Radio 4 Extra
Comic Relief 1997, BBC; Tony Ferrino, Phenomenon, 1997 Sony Music
Harry Hill Funny Times, 2011; Musical Talk, the UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast, ep760 7th June 2022
Dead Ringers, s5 ep2 BBC TV
Steve Coogan, Stratagem, Babycow 2023
Lenny Henry Goes to Town, Northampton, 3rd Oct 1988, BBC

SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER 2024

SUN 00:00 The Exorcist (m0024dc9)
A priest is called in to help a 12-year-old girl who appears to be possessed by an overwhelming demonic force.
WP Blatty's modern horror classic, first published in 1971.
Starring Robert Glenister, Alexandra Mathie and Lydia Wilson.
Omnibus of two parts dramatised by Robert Forrest.
Karras ..... Robert Glenister
The Demon ..... Alexandra Mathie
Regan ..... Lydia Wilson
Chris ..... Teresa Gallagher
Kinderman ..... Karl Johnson
Dyer ..... Bryan Dick
Karl ..... Gerard McDermott
Willie ..... Christine Absalom
College President ..... Paul Stonehouse
Dr Klein ..... Ben Crowe
Dr Bowden ..... Sean Murray
Mother ..... Joanna Brookes
Sharon ..... Hannah Wood
Merrin ..... Ian McDiarmid
Frank ..... Ben Onwukwe
Director: Gaynor Macfarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2014.
SUN 01:00 Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Secret Garden (m0024dc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 Ramble Book by Adam Buxton (Omnibus) (m0024dc3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 Tales From A Long Room by Peter Tinniswood (m0002rx9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 The Men from the Ministry (b017071h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 The Morecambe and Wise Show (m0024dc5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 Billy Bragg's Changing Times (m000l929)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0024df1)
Poet Castaways
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dub poet and reggae artist Linton Kwesi Johnson is castaway by Sue Lawley.
Linton was born in 1950s rural Jamaica.
He lived in a farming community and looked after the animals, helping with the sugar harvest and fetching firewood. He lived with his grandmother after his parents separated, loving being the man of the house. She would entertain the young Linton, who she called "me husband", with folk songs, stories and ghost stories.
In 1963, when he was 11 years old, Linton came to live in England. It was a huge contrast:
"I had this childhood idea that literally the streets of London would be paved with gold and everybody living affluent lifestyles. So it was a bit of an eye-opener for me when I came and saw all these grey buildings with chimneys and smoke coming out of them and to see a white person sweeping the street!"
He experienced racism at school, from peers and teachers alike, and became interested in the black movement. He joined the British Black Panthers in his teens, discovered black literature and began to write poetry of his own.
DISC ONE: Roy Richards & Baba Brooks Band - Contact
DISC TWO: Don Drummond - Eastern Standard Time
DISC THREE: John Lennon - Imagine
DISC FOUR: Charlie Parker - Embraceable You
DISC FIVE: Antonio Vivaldi - The Four Seasons - Spring
DISC SIX: Bob Marley & The Wailers - Redemption Song
DISC SEVEN: Otis Redding - My Lover's Prayer
DISC EIGHT: Marcia Griffiths - Feel Like Jumpin'
FAVOURITE TRACK: Charlie Parker - Embraceable You
BOOK CHOICE : One Hundred Years Of Solitude
LUXURY: A bass guitar
Produced by Lisa Jenkinson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
SUN 06:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00z62ns)
Series 2
Foreign Fare
We sometimes forget that vegetables that we see as common-place today in all their varieties have wild origins.
The potato for example is a name given to a tuber that both comes from Africa and South America - and the history of their discovery and export into our European markets can be traced by examining how those first explorers named the plants.
Sir David Attenborough traces the discovery of some common vegetables to their wild beginnings - and the fascinating natural history of their use as food.
Producer: Julian Hector
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2011.
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m0024df3)
Poetry Societies - The Dylan Thomas Society
To mark 110 years since the birth of the Welsh poet [born 17th October 1914], Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and selects Poetry Societies - The Dylan Thomas Society.
Judith Palmer meets the members of the Dylan Thomas Society as they gather in Swansea for a special lunch to mark the anniversary of the poet's death.
Among the poems she hears is a previously unpublished rhyme jotted down in Dylan's fourth-form physics exercise book.
Producer: Peter Everett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
SUN 07:30 I'm Here I Think, Where Are You? by Timothy West (Omnibus) (m0024df5)
Actor Timothy West reads from letters he wrote to his actress wife, Prunella Scales, over a period of 30 years while on tour around the UK.
Omnibus of five episodes.
In 1961 Timothy describes appearing in 'Simple Spymen' at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham, and going to a cookery demonstration by Marguerite Patten.
In 1969 he actor performs Shakespeare in Bratislava and takes over The Old Vic.
He writes to Prunella Scales during his 1975 RSC 'Hedda Gabler' tour of Australia and America, and reflects on the Oscar ceremony for that year.
Timothy is asked to perform in The Vatican in October 1985 to mark the anniversary of the martyrdom of St Cyril and St Methodius.
In 1990 Timothy returns to the Bristol Old Vic as associate director.
Finally, in 1992, he writes from the Tivoli Theatre, Dublin, where he played King Lear.
The collection was first published in 1994.
Producer: Michael Earley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July/August 1995.
SUN 08:40 Inheritance Tracks (m0024df7)
Leigh Francis
Comedian and presenter Leigh Francis chooses 'Stand and Deliver' by Adam and the Ants and 'New Sensation' by INXS.
SUN 08:50 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (Omnibus) (b007jtvf)
Episode 4
Can Marius persuade his Grandfather to let him marry Cosette before Valjean takes her to England?
Victor Hugo's epic story of social injustice.
Starring Joss Ackland, Roger Allam and David Schofield.
Omnibus of episodes 16 to 20 of 25.
Dramatised by Sebastian Baczkiewicz and Lin Coghlan.
Jean Valjean .... Roger Allam
Victor Hugo... Joss Ackland
Cosette ... Lucy Whybrow
Marius ... Jonathan Forbes
Gillenormand ... Leslie Phillips
Eponine ... Patsy Palmer
Enjolras ... Peter Darney
Combeferre ... Carl Prekopp
Toussaint ... Annette Badland
Gavroche ... Leagh Conwell
Vendor ... Sean Baker
Producer: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2001.
SUN 10:00 Beyond Our Ken (b0bcm19w)
From 08/07/1958
Kenneth Horne goes shopping at a department store - and what are the public reading?
A madcap mix of sketches and songs written by Eric Merriman and Barry Took
Starring:
Kenneth Horne
Kenneth Williams
Hugh Paddick
Betty Marsden
Ron Moody
Music from Pat Lancaster, the Malcolm Mitchell Trio and the BBC Review Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Announcer: Douglas Smith
Beyond Our Ken hit the airwaves in 1958 and ran to 1964 - featuring regulars like Arthur Fallowfield, Cecil Snaith plus Rodney and Charles.
The precursor to 'Round The Horne' - sadly only 13 shows survive from the original run of 21 episodes in Series 1.
Audio restored using both home and overseas (BBC Transcription Service) recordings.
Producer: Jacques Brown
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in July 1958.
SUN 10:30 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (m0024df9)
Series 2
Jean Pierre Returns
The dear ladies are delighted to welcome back their friend - the artistic Jean Pierre - to stay, although Maud doesn't trust the Frenchman an inch.
And how will they serve tea at the Cricket Club?
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 Brackett …. Patrick Fyffe
Dr Evadne Hinge …. George Logan
Maud ...... Daphne Heard
Jean Pierre ...... Andre Maranne
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.
Produced at BBC Manchester by James Casey.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1978.
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0024df1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00z62ns)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m0024df3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 I'm Here I Think, Where Are You? by Timothy West (Omnibus) (m0024df5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Inheritance Tracks (m0024df7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (Omnibus) (b007jtvf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 Beyond Our Ken (b0bcm19w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (m0024df9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Alan Garner - The Weirdstone of Brisingamen (b095w197)
2. Sleepers
With Weirdstone lost, can Colin and Susan protect the sleepers who could save the world?
Alan Garner's fantasy novel.
Starring Robin Bailey.
Dramatised by David Wade.
Cadellin ...... Robin Bailey
Grinmer ...... Robin Bailey
Susan ...... Andrea Murphy
Colin ...... Mark Kingston
Gowther ...... James Tomlinson
Narrator ...... James Tomlinson
Bess ...... Patsy Byrne
Fenodyree ...... George Parsons
Selina ...... Rosalind Knight
Directed at BBC Manchester by Caroline Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1989.
SUN 16:30 Catch My Breath (b007k3b0)
4. Let's Party
It's party time for Adam Strachan, but his house guests prove to be far from ordinary...
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 (m0024df1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 17:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00z62ns)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m0024df3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 I'm Here I Think, Where Are You? by Timothy West (Omnibus) (m0024df5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Inheritance Tracks (m0024df7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (Omnibus) (b007jtvf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 Beyond Our Ken (b0bcm19w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (m0024df9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 On the Town with the League of Gentlemen (b007k2qm)
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot
The locals of the remote northern town get an unusual new guy for the bonfire.
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 22:30 Electric Ink (b011qfr8)
Series 1
Episode 4
The paper hires a reality star as a columnist so Maddox must find a way of rewriting her copy without upsetting her.
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
Debbie ...... Lizzy Watts
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 (b007jtzz)
Series 1
Appearances
"Look at us - hooves, goat's legs, human torso, red eyes and a pair of shrunken cow's horns. We look like something that's escaped."
No wonder Satan's starting to feel self-conscious about his appearance.
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
Felicity Montagu
Michael Fenton Stevens
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1995.
SUN 23:30 The Absolutely Radio Show (b08vxl9m)
Series 2
Episode 1
Stoneybridge Town Council prepare to receive the town's first ever tourist, the Little Girl gives her explanation of Brexit and Calum Gilhooley launches his own YouTube series.
Plus sketches about the downside of voice technology on smartphones, while Melania Trump presents a brand new podcast offering an insight into her life as First Lady.
The cast of TV's hugely popular sketch show return for series two.
Revisiting some of their much-loved sketch characters, while also introducing some newcomers.
Starring:
Pete Baikie
Morwenna Banks
Moray Hunter
Gordon Kennedy
John Sparkes
In 2013, the group that made their name on Channel Four in the 1980s and 90s got back together for Radio 4's Sketchorama: Absolutely Special - which won the BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Live Scripted Comedy.
The first series of The Absolutely Radio Show picked up a Celtic Media Award nomination for Best Radio Comedy.
Producers: Gordon Kennedy & Gus Beattie
An Absolutely/Gusman production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2017.

MONDAY 28 OCTOBER 2024

MON 00:00 Alan Garner - The Weirdstone of Brisingamen (b095w197)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Catch My Breath (b007k3b0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0024df1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00z62ns)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m0024df3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 I'm Here I Think, Where Are You? by Timothy West (Omnibus) (m0024df5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Inheritance Tracks (m0024df7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (Omnibus) (b007jtvf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Beyond Our Ken (b0bcm19w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (m0024df9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Whodunnits (m000w6mb)
Dalziel & Pascoe - Exit Lines
1. Die My Dear Doctor? That's The Last Thing I'll Do ...
Three old men die within hours of each other - and one of them is murdered...
Detective duo Andy Dalziel and Peter Pascoe investigate.
Starring Donald Gee and Philip Jackson.
Reginald Hill's crime thriller, first published in 2008.
Dramatised in five parts by Betty Davies.
Detective Inspector Pascoe .... Donald Gee
Superintendent Dalziel .... Philip Jackson
Deputy Chief Constable .... Michael Elwyn
Detective Inspector Headingley .... Christopher Good
Dr Sowden .... Ben Onwukwe
Sergeant Wield .... Michael Graham Cox
Charlesworth .... David King
Ellie .... Tara Dominick
Detective Constable Seymour .... Paul Downing
Police Constable Hector .... Stephen Garlick
Ruddlesdin .... Danny Schiller
Director: Matthew Walters
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1990.
MON 06:30 Limelight (m0015vlr)
Dead Hand
1: Number Stations
A contemporary thriller set in Northern Ireland written by Stuart Drennan.
Greg is the host of a true crime podcast dedicated to uncovering the identity of a serial killer, last active over 20 years ago, known only as Dead Hand.
A killer named after a mysterious radio transmission which has been broadcasting an indecipherable code in the years since Dead Hand vanished. A code told in the voices of Dead Hand’s victims; including Greg’s missing father. However, when a new voice is added to the code, Greg realises that Dead Hand is active again.
With time already running out, can he finally crack the code and catch the killer?
Cast:
Greg ... Paul Mallon
DS Murray … Michelle Fairley
Kate … Roísín Gallagher
Lucy … Hannah Eggleton
Stacey … Eimear Fearon
Daniel … Desmond Eastwood
Assistant Jo … Nicky Harley
Operator … Louise Parker
All other roles played by members of the cast.
Writer … Stuart Drennan
Script Editor … Philip Palmer
Producer … Michael Shannon
Executive Editor … Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4.
MON 07:00 The Emerald Green Show (b078dlrj)
All For One
Will Emerald Green's ego be able to deal with the ambitious plans of new girl, Tanesha?
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
Tanesha ...... Jo Martin
Director: Pam Fraser Solomon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.
MON 07:30 The Navy Lark (m0024dcg)
Series 11
The Phenomenal Pertwee Tug
HMS Troutbridge is sent to investigate eerie lights spotted off the coast of the Isle of Wight.
Stars Leslie Phillips and Stephen Murray.
Frank Thornton stands-in for Jon Pertwee, who was busy filming ‘Doctor Who for BBC TV. He plays Pertwee's cousin.
Laughs afloat aboard British Royal Navy frigate HMS Troutbridge.
Written by Lawrie Wyman.
The Sub-Lieutenant ...... Leslie Phillips
Chief Petty Officer Nathaniel Pertwee …. Frank Thornton
The Commanding Officer ...... Stephen Murray
Captain Povey ...... Richard Caldicot
WREN Chasen/Ramona Povie …. Heather Chasen
Uncle Ebenezer/LS Goldstein …. Tenniel Evans
The Padre/Commander Bracewell …. 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 North by Northamptonshire (b017x4fn)
Series 2
Episode 2
Jan has Helen back at home, but is it what she really wants?
Sheila Hancock narrates the bittersweet adventures of the residents of Wadenbrook - a small town in Northamptonshire.
Written by Katherine Jakeways
Keith ...... John Biggins
Rod ...... Mackenzie Crook
Jonathan/Ken ...... Kevin Eldon
Narrator ...... Shelia Hancock
Helen ...... Jessica Henwick
Esther/Jacqui ...... Katherine Jakeways
Jan ...... Felicity Montagu
Norman ...... Geoffrey Palmer
Angela ...... Lizzie Roper
Mary ...... Penelope Wilton
Frank ...... Rufus Wright
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011.
MON 08:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nv4y)
1. Flying Teacups
The compelling story of housewife Alma Fielding, whose home and family are assailed by a lively and frightening poltergeist in 1938.
Reports in the papers pique Nandor Fodor's interest, and the chief ghost hunter of the International Institute for Psychical Research embarks on a quest to establish the authenticity of Alma's experiences.
Alma undergoes investigations at the Institute involving sitting and seances before its members.
But when the proceedings take an unsettling turn, Fodor turns to the methodologies pioneered by Sigmund Freud.
Against these events, war looms large over Great Britain, with popular culture and a deepening interest in spiritualism reflecting the anxieties of the day.
Kate Summerscale's acclaimed book, abridged in five parts by Julian Wilkinson.
Read by Emma Fielding.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2020.
MON 08:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmyd)
21. Valjean's Life
Once more Jean Valjean puts his life into Inspector Javert's hands, but first he insists that the wounded Marius is returned home to be cared for by his Grandfather.
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
Gillenormand ...... Leslie Phillips
Mme Gillenormand ...... Shuna Snow
Toussaint ...... Annette Badland
Basque ...... Ewan Bailey
Policeman ...... Peter Darney
Doctor ...... Christopher Goodwin
Director Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2002.
MON 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0024dcj)
Susan Hulme reports as peers discuss the situation in Ukraine.
MON 09:30 The Lore of the Land (b068tl6k)
1. Shropshire
Dr Carolyne Larrington examines the enduring relevance of the creatures of British folklore.
In the first of five parts, the medieval literature scholar travels to Shropshire to the foot of the mighty Wrekin, in search of the most prolific landscape shapers in British folk tales - the giants.
A hill that stands tall above its surroundings, the Wrekin offers panoramic views of eleven counties. Carolyne is joined by local storyteller Amy Douglas who has lived in the shadow of the Wrekin all her life.
Walking up the side of the Wrekin, Amy tells the story of the giant who is said to have formed the hill following an attempt to drown the people of Shrewsbury.
At the peak, Carolyne comes across a peculiar rock formation called the Needle's Eye which was said to have been created during a violent struggle between two giants.
As well as shaping the landscape through excessive rage, giants also take on the role of oversized engineers in the folklore of Great Britain.
Carolyne reveals that the Anglo-Saxons had no tradition of building in stone so the Roman cities fell into disrepair. The Old English poets often remarked on these ruins as the ancient work of giants.
It's not just giants who bring about landscape features, the Devil is said to create standing stones and strange rock formations across the British Isles.
In Cornwall, monoliths and stone circles are often associated with King Arthur, who has become a mythical being in our traditional folk tales. Carolyne explains that, in British folklore, these figures become a way of talking about huge processes, about geological time which slowly, but irreversibly leaves its marks on a landscape.
Producer: Max O'Brien
A Juniper Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2015.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m0024dcm)
Darkness into light - Driving out darkness
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Darkness into light - Driving our darkness
Presenter: Bishop David Walker
Reading: Isaiah 25:1-11
Music:
Sometimes a light surprises (Offertorium) - St Michael's Singers
Great is thy faithfulness - Daily Service Singers
In a world where people walk in darkness (Let us light a candle) - St Martin's Voices
MON 10:00 Sounds Natural (b07h4xwy)
Percy Edwards
From Willow Warblers to Little Crakes.
Bird-imitator, animal impersonator and entertainer, Percy Edwards discusses his love of the British countryside and, in particular, its birdlife with Derek Jones.
Aided by recordings from the BBC Sound Archive.
Percy Edwards MBE died aged 88 in 1996.
Producer: John Burton
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1972.
MON 10:30 An Excellent Dumb Discourse: Shakespeare in Silence (b0773ld6)
It's almost impossible to imagine how Shakespeare's plays could ever work in silent films - with all that powerfully nuanced poetic language, conveying so many emotions.
Yet, between 1899 and 1927, when the first commercial sound film was released, nearly 300 Shakespeare films were produced.
Judith Buchanan, director of Silents Now and Professor in the Department of English and Related Literature at the University of York, celebrates this phenomenon - the muted, gesturing figures, the stop-motion magic.
She is joined by:
* Actor, Samuel West
* Actress, Flora Spencer-Longhurst - played a silenced Lavinia in the Globe’s Titus Andronicus
* Christopher Wheeldon - Choreographer, associate of the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, London
* Paata Tsikurishvili - Director of Synetic Theatre in America
Together they explore Shakespeare in picture and movement.
A Rockethouse production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2016.
MON 11:00 Whodunnits (m000w6mb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:30 Limelight (m0015vlr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 12:00 The Emerald Green Show (b078dlrj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 The Navy Lark (m0024dcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 North by Northamptonshire (b017x4fn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nv4y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmyd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 We've Been Here Before (b00fz84k)
Series 2
Episode 3
The topical historical satirical panel show setting out to prove that there's nothing new under, or in, The Sun.
Hosted by Clive Anderson.
Mark Steel and David Quantick
battle it out against
John O'Farrell and Chris Addison
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2004.
MON 14:30 Spending My Inheritance (b00g2xfz)
Just One Night
A burst water pipe means hard-up Harry and his wife need a place to stay for the night.
Starring Kris Marshall
Sitcom written by Clive Coleman
Harry ...... Kris Marshall
Jo ...... Raquel Cassidy
Brian ...... Kenneth Cranham
Liz ...... Judy Parfitt
Jess ...... Antonia Thomas
With:
Stephen Critchlow
Manjeet Mann
Inam Mirza
Director: Sam Hoyle
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2008.
MON 15:00 Liz Lochhead - Cuba (m0024dcp)
Scotland, 1962: during the Cuban missile crisis, 14-year-old Barbara Proctor and Bernadette Griggs truly believe that the world is about to end.
Suddenly everything pales into insignificance beside their highly imaginative fears.
Starring Julie Wilson Nimmo and Pauline Lockhart.
Written by Liz Lochhead.
Bernadette .... Julie Wilson Nimmo
Barbara .... Pauline Lockhart
Grown-up Barbara .... Liz Lochhead
Jean Proctor .... Carol Ann Crawford
Dr Jim Proctor .... Sandy Welch
Jean Griggs .... Grace Glover
Frank Griggs ....Vincent Friell
Miss Arthur .... Gerda Stevenson
Mr Shaw .... Lewis Howden
Cairncross .... Finlay Welsh
Prentiss .... Ralph Riach
Director: Marilyn Imrie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.
MON 16:00 Sounds Natural (b07h4xwy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:30 An Excellent Dumb Discourse: Shakespeare in Silence (b0773ld6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
MON 17:00 Whodunnits (m000w6mb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:30 Limelight (m0015vlr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 18:00 The Emerald Green Show (b078dlrj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 The Navy Lark (m0024dcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 North by Northamptonshire (b017x4fn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nv4y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmyd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 We've Been Here Before (b00fz84k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 Spending My Inheritance (b00g2xfz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 21:00 Liz Lochhead - Cuba (m0024dcp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
MON 22:00 Just a Minute (m002465g)
Series 93
6. Doubling down at the duvet factory
Sue Perkins challenges Lucy Porter, Gyles Brandreth, Desiree Burch and Glenn Moore to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation. Subjects include The Streisand Effect, Ladders and Waving the White Flag.
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 (m0019xh0)
Series 1
London to Holyhead
Alexei Sayle takes another train journey and breaks the golden rule of travelling by train in the UK - by actually talking to his fellow passengers.
In this episode, he travels from London to Holyhead.
Among his many fellow travellers, he meets Alex who is an actor and musician on his way to perform in a musical in Llandudno.
He talks to Elaine who has been to London to visit her two very eccentric aunts.
We hear from Jessica, an organisational psychologist whose work involves helping people discover what they really want to do in life.
Stephany who has just celebrated her 20 year service award as a customer service assistant on the railway and tells Alexei of her meeting with two of her most famous customers - Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Producers: Peter Lowe & Nick Symons
A Ride production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2022.
MON 23:00 The News Quiz (m00244xr)
Series 115
Interference, Incentives and Interruptions
This week on The News Quiz, join guest host Ian Smith, along with Geoff Norcott, Amy Hoggart, Alasdair Beckett-King and Susie McCabe, as they break down accusations of Labour door-knocking across international lines, Musk's superpac and Trump's Big Mac, and the wild adventures of King Charles in the South Pacific.
Written by Ian Smith.
With additional material by: Alex Kealy, Cameron Loxdale, Christina Riggs and Laura Davis.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
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 (m000gbg8)
Series 3
Autumn
Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his examination of the four seasons of the year and the seasons of a human life, as Mark.
Reaching the halfway point of his expected lifespan - he considers what might come next.
Mark and his guests take on Autumn - the season of falling leaves and (in some cases) falling expectations of life.
With the sardonic musical brilliance of Flo and Joan and special guest Jen Brister.
As always, there's a huge number of jokes, some songs, and an awful lot of other stuff crammed into each show as the much-loved comic and his guests make their way through life at dizzying speed.
Producer: Lianne Coop
An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2020.

TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER 2024

TUE 00:00 Sounds Natural (b07h4xwy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 An Excellent Dumb Discourse: Shakespeare in Silence (b0773ld6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Whodunnits (m000w6mb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Limelight (m0015vlr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 The Emerald Green Show (b078dlrj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 The Navy Lark (m0024dcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 North by Northamptonshire (b017x4fn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nv4y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmyd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 We've Been Here Before (b00fz84k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Spending My Inheritance (b00g2xfz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Liz Lochhead - Cuba (m0024dcp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Whodunnits (m000w6md)
Dalziel & Pascoe - Exit Lines
2. What Does it Signify?
Detective Inspector Peter Pascoe wonders about the two sudden deaths.
Donald Gee and Philip Jackson star as detective duo, Andy Dalziel and Peter Pascoe.
Reginald Hill's detective thriller.
Dramatised by Betty Davies.
Det Insp Pascoe .... Donald Gee
Supt Dalziel .... Philip Jackson
Det Chief Constable .... Michael Elwyn
Det Insp Headingley .... Christopher Good
Mrs Escott .... Barbara Atkinson
Det Con Seymour .... Paul Downing
Ruddlesdin .... Danny Schiller
Sgt Price .... Michael Graham Cox
Abbiss/Sgt Myers .... John Bull
Corp Gillott I Warden .... Joe Dunlop
Mrs Frostick .... Anna Cropper
Stella Abbiss .... Elizabeth Mansfield
Mrs Warsop .... Susan Sheridan
Director: Matthew Walters
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1990.
TUE 06:30 Limelight (m001638c)
Dead Hand
Dead Hand – Episode 2: Zero Sum
A contemporary thriller set in Northern Ireland written by Stuart Drennan.
Greg is the host of a true crime podcast dedicated to uncovering the identity of a serial killer, last active over twenty years ago, known only as Dead Hand. A killer named after a mysterious radio transmission which has been broadcasting an indecipherable code in the years since Dead Hand vanished. A code told in the voices of Dead Hand’s victims; including Greg’s missing father. However, when a new voice is added to the code, Greg realises that Dead Hand is active again. With time already running out, can he finally crack the code and catch the killer?
Cast:
Greg ... Paul Mallon
DS Murray … Michelle Fairley
Kate … Roísín Gallagher
Lucy … Hannah Eggleton
Stacey … Eimear Fearon
May … Julia Dearden
Thomas … Patrick Fitzsymons
Daniel … Desmond Eastwood
Assistant Jo … Nicky Harley
Control … Louise Parker
Police Officer … Andrew McCracken
TSG lead … Patrick Buchanan
All other roles played by members of the cast.
Writer … Stuart Drennan
Script Editor … Philip Palmer
Producer … Michael Shannon
Executive Editor … Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4.
TUE 07:00 Living with Betty (b09h74f1)
Episode 3
Harold gets caught in the shed with Betty.
The East End meets Cheshire in Arline Whittaker's six-part sitcom.
Betty …........................ Barbara Windsor
Bill …............................. Glynn Edwards
Harold …...................... Peter Sallis
Muriel …........................ Rosalind Knight
Trevor …......................... Simon Molloy
Katherine …................... Diana Mather
Sergeant Grimshaw....Peter Wheeler
Recorded at City Varieties in Leeds.
Producer: Mike Craig
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in December 1986.
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (m0024fgj)
Series 6
The Raid of the International Christmas Pudding
Bloodnok’s arch enemy, The Red Bladder, returns with a dastardly plan to defeat the British.
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 January 1956.
TUE 08:00 Lemn Sissay's Social Enterprise (m000bnbf)
Episode 1
Every year since 2013, the poet, broadcaster and author Lemn Sissay has arranged a Christmas dinner for people aged 18-25 who have left the care system and have no one with whom to have Christmas dinner. No one to give presents or receive them. No-one on the other end of the cracker.
This is not a charity. It isn't even an organisation. It's a project Lemn undertook because he understands how it feels - at 18 he was released from a children's home and given an empty flat in Wigan, with no one in the world who had known him for longer than a year.
Lemn Sissay’s Social Enterprise is a four-part series for BBC Radio 4, considering what these dinners have taught him about charity, social enterprise, and people, through stand-up, interview and poetry.
In this episode, he explores the idea of shelter in all its forms - with the help of Polly Neate, the Chief Executive of the charity Shelter, and comedy writer Sarah Morgan.
Written and performed by Lemn Sissay.
Produced by Ed Morrish.
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2019.
TUE 08:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw8r)
2. The Pilfering Poltergeist
In Kate Summerscale's acclaimed book, the ghost hunter Nandor Fodor takes Alma to the seaside where once again her poltergeist creates a stir. Fodor also turns to psychoanalysis to explain Alma's experiences.
The Haunting of Alma Fielding is written by prize-winning author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, Kate Summerscale. It tells the story of a young and vivacious housewife whose home and family are assailed by a lively and frightening poltergeist in 1938. Reports in the papers pique Nandor Fodor's interest, and the chief ghost hunter of the International Institute for Psychical Research embarks on a quest to establish the authenticity of Alma's experiences. Against these events, war looms large over Great Britain, with popular culture and a deepening interest in spiritualism reflecting the anxieties of the day.
Read by Emma Fielding.
Abridged by Julian Wilkinson.
Produced by Elizabeth Allard.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2020.
TUE 08:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmyw)
22. Convinced
Cosette is convinced that Marius has died at the barricades.
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
Gillenormand ...... Leslie Phillips
Basque ...... Ewan Bailey
Policeman ...... Peter Darney
Directed by Jeremy Mortimer.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2002.
TUE 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0024fgl)
The latest news from Westminster - and beyond.
TUE 09:30 The Lore of the Land (b069b4ly)
2. Herefordshire
Fresh water is mysterious, springing up in unexpected places and vanishing just as quickly. Fresh water gives life, allows humans to settle and thrive. But it can also be dangerous - life-taking as well as life-giving. As a result, the folkloric creatures and spirits that are said to live within our rivers, streams and ponds are both kindly and threatening.
In the second episode of her five part series exploring the enduring relevance of the creatures of folklore that are traditionally said to have dwelt in the landscape of Great Britain, medieval literature scholar Dr Carolyne Larrington visits Marden in Herefordshire. Walking along the peaceful River Lugg, Carolyne is accompanied by Sophia Kingshill who has a unique area of expertise - mermaids.
Standing by Marden Church, Sophia tells the tale of the Mermaid of Marden who is said to have stolen the church bell and dragged it down to the watery depths of the Lugg. We also hear the tales of mermaids who, when respected, offer pagan healing remedies, but who can be a malevolent force when challenged by the Christian beliefs of those on dry land.
Many folkloric creatures that live in British ponds and rivers appear in cautionary tales designed to keep children away from the water's edge. There's Peg Powler who pulls children to their watery doom and Jenny Greenteeth who lives amongst the weeds.
Carolyne explains that British folklore offers us a gendered imagining of water, feminine, refreshing and nurturing, but there's also horror and danger below the placid surface; the water-hag and her clutching fingers is never too far away.
Produced by Max O'Brien.
A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2015.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m0024fgn)
Darkness into light - No Darkness at all
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Darkness into light - No Darkness at all
Presenter: Vicky Walker
Reading: John 1: 5-10
Music:
Light will dawn - Rivers and Robots
Hope shines on - Steph MacLeod
This little light of mine - Dionne Warwick
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (b09dy2s8)
Jon McGregor and Cathy Rentzenbrink
Cathy Rentzenbrink, Jon McGregor and Harriett Gilbert on books by Amy Leach, Penelope Lively and Alan Johnson.
The novelist Jon McGregor (If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things, Even the Dogs, Reservoir 13) doesn't normally like books where the story springs from 'letters and diaries found in the attic'. Can Penelope Lively's Moon Tiger convince him otherwise? (A book his fellow guest, the writer Cathy Rentzenbrink (The Last Act of Love, A Manual for Heartache) loves so much she has re-read it countless times).
Cathy doesn't much like nature writing. Can Jon's choice of a book of poetic essays - Things That Are by Amy Leach - bring her round? And might they at least find common ground with Harriett's choice, Alan Johnson's memoir This Boy?
Things That Are by Amy Leach
Publisher: Canongate
Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively
Publisher: Penguin
This Boy by Alan Johnson
Publisher: Corgi
Producer: Mair Bosworth
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
TUE 10:30 Balalaikas In Blackpool (b0076rqz)
Blackpool under Soviet control? Not quite as far-fetched as it sounds.
Why else did the Soviet Union produce a detailed map of the seaside town, clearly marked "secret"?
Henry Dodds examines Cold War invasion plans, as revealed by hundreds of maps of major British cities, ports and railheads produced by Soviet intelligence, right up until 1989.
Producer Marya Burgess
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2005.
TUE 11:00 Whodunnits (m000w6md)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:30 Limelight (m001638c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 12:00 Living with Betty (b09h74f1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (m0024fgj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Lemn Sissay's Social Enterprise (m000bnbf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw8r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmyw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 Act Your Age (b00fr1tp)
Series 1
Episode 2
Simon Mayo hosts a three-way play-off to establish which generation of comedians is the funniest.
Captains Jon Richardson, Lucy Porter and Roy Walker are joined by guests Milton Jones, Sarah Millican and Adrian Walsh.
Producers: Ashley Blaker and Bill Matthews
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2008.
TUE 14:30 Getting Nowhere Fast (b00mjq8m)
Series 3
Episode 1
Like many a menopausal flower child before him, Merv discovers his inner cowboy.
This, plus a surprise gift from his uncle Lonesome Larry Pond has him dreaming of the open road again.
But can you park a horse on double yellows?
Return of the sitcom set in ‘Cyber Pass’, an internet café.
Written by and starring Mervyn Stutter.
Merv …. Mervyn Stutter
Pam …. Lill Roughley
Nev …. Gyuri Sarossy
Chantal …. Tracy-Ann Oberman
Dibden …. John Challis
Dilkes …. Chris Ettridge
Various …. Geoffrey McGivern
Songs by Mervyn Stutter.
Performed by Swamp Things.
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2004.
TUE 15:00 Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Idiot (b00sr4hr)
1. Return to Society
In one of his most famous and personal novels, Dostoyevsky portrays the vivid inner life of Prince Myshkin, who has returned from years abroad spent trying to treat his epilepsy.
It takes courage for him to reintroduce himself into Russian society. On the long journey home, he firsts learns the story of a woman who will dominate his life from now on.
Starring Paul Rhys
Dramatised in four parts by Melissa Murray.
Prince Myshkin ...... Paul Rhys
Ganya ...... Alex Jennings
Rogazhin ...... Roger Allam
Nastasya ...... Lia Williams
General Yepanchin ...... David Swift
Mrs Yepanchin ...... Paula Jacobs
Producer: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2002.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (b09dy2s8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 Balalaikas In Blackpool (b0076rqz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Whodunnits (m000w6md)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:30 Limelight (m001638c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Living with Betty (b09h74f1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (m0024fgj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 Lemn Sissay's Social Enterprise (m000bnbf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw8r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmyw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 Act Your Age (b00fr1tp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Getting Nowhere Fast (b00mjq8m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Idiot (b00sr4hr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
TUE 22:00 Sarah Kendall: Talking Story (m000x0vb)
Chris Addison
Sarah Kendall talks to three different storytellers about what ‘story’ means to them.
How have they developed their own style of storytelling in their respective mediums?
In this opening episode, comedian, writer, actor, director Chris Addison recalls his journey from joke writing to screen writing and directing, discussing his relationship with storytelling across his broad body of work.
Sarah started out as a stand-up comic in late 1990s Australia. After performing for 15 years around the world, she transitioned into storytelling.
Sarah wanted to create something on stage that felt like the sort of films she loved to watch, so she wrote an hour-long show with a single personal story. She reimagined her teenage years as though they had been directed by John Hughes, giving her memories a full, cinematic makeover.
This connected Sarah to her audience in a more meaningful way compared to her original joke-based routines.
Her live storytelling shows were adapted for BBC Radio 4 with two seasons of her award-winning ‘Sarah Kendall: Australian Trilogy’. Since then, Sarah has gone on to write and star in the Royal Television Society award winning and BAFTA nominated sitcom ‘Frayed’.
Producer: Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2021.
TUE 22:30 The Penny Dreadfuls (b00gpbcj)
The Brothers Faversham
Horatius Faversham
The tale of Victorian Britain's most decorated soldier - Horatius Faversham.
The comedy sketch trio present swashbuckling tales of four brothers born into the same privileged aristocratic family - Horatius, Theseus, Leonidas and Augustus,
Written by and starring The Penny Dreadfuls:
Humphrey Ker
David Reed
Thom Tuck
Alexandra Faversham ... Ingrid Oliver
Narrator... Miles Jupp.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in January 2008.
TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m0024t46)
Michael Cumming 1/2
From 10.00pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Jake Yapp chats to Brass Eye director Michael Cumming.
TUE 23:00 Clare in the Community (b0612n9l)
Series 10
My Kinda Town
Clare gets involved with a devious TV producer who's making a documentary about the Sparrowhawk estate.
Brian has gone on a fitness kick and joined a men's group, which is threatened by the arrival of a new member.
Sally Phillips is Clare Barker the social worker who has all the right jargon but never a practical solution.
A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis. Clare is in her thirties, white, middle class and heterosexual, all of which are occasional causes of discomfort to her.
Clare continually struggles to control both her professional and private life In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden.
Clare ...... Sally Phillips
Brian ...... Alex Lowe
Alan ...... Richard Lumsden
Carl ...... Richard Lumsden
Simon ...... Andrew Wincott
Libby ...... Sarah Kendall
Lou ...... Lizzie Roper
Caspar ...... Karl Theobald
Malcolm ...... Anil Goutam
Producer: Alexandra Smith.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2015.
TUE 23:30 Jason Cook's School of Hard Knocks (b03vgr6q)
Best Man Speeches and Weddings
Comedian Jason Cook uses his life experiences to help us better navigate the choppy waters of life.
In this opening episode, Jason examines the pitfalls of making best man speeches.
Plus advice on how to make a wedding memorable...
With:
Zoe Harrison
Neil Grainger
Jason was the creator of BBC2's comedy Hebburn.
Producer: Sam Michell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2014.

WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER 2024

WED 00:00 A Good Read (b09dy2s8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Balalaikas In Blackpool (b0076rqz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Whodunnits (m000w6md)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Limelight (m001638c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Living with Betty (b09h74f1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (m0024fgj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Lemn Sissay's Social Enterprise (m000bnbf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw8r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmyw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Act Your Age (b00fr1tp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Getting Nowhere Fast (b00mjq8m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Idiot (b00sr4hr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Whodunnits (m000w6mx)
Dalziel & Pascoe - Exit Lines
3. Bugger Bognor. Who Killed Robert Deeks?
Can Detective Inspector Pascoe discover who killed Robert Deeks?
And how did Parrinder die..?
Donald Gee and Philip Jackson star as detective duo, Andy Dalziel and Peter Pascoe.
Reginald Hill's detective thriller.
Dramatised by Betty Davies.
Det Insp Pascoe .... Donald Gee
Supt Dalziel .... Philip Jackson
Deputy Chief Constable .... Michael Elwyn
Det Insp Headingley .... Christopher Good
Dr Sowden .... Ben Onwukwe
Det Con Seymour .... Paul Downing
PC Hector .... Stephen Garlick
Sgt Wield .... Michael Graham Cox
Mrs Frostick .... Anna Cropper
Mr Frostick .... Michael Kilgarriff
Sgt Myers .... John Bull
Andrea .... Jane Slavin
Major Kassell .... Vincent Brimble
Sir William .... Brian Miller
Customs man .... Dale Rapley
Director: Matthew Walters
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1990.
WED 06:30 Limelight (m00168rd)
Dead Hand
Dead Hand – Episode 3: Hierarchy of Victims
A contemporary thriller set in Northern Ireland written by Stuart Drennan.
Greg is the host of a true crime podcast dedicated to uncovering the identity of a serial killer, last active over twenty years ago, known only as Dead Hand. A killer named after a mysterious radio transmission which has been broadcasting an indecipherable code in the years since Dead Hand vanished. A code told in the voices of Dead Hand’s victims; including Greg’s missing father. However, when a new voice is added to the code, Greg realises that Dead Hand is active again. With time already running out, can he finally crack the code and catch the killer?
Cast:
Greg ... Paul Mallon
DS Murray … Michelle Fairley
Kate … Roísín Gallagher
Lucy … Hannah Eggleton
Stacey … Eimear Fearon
May … Julia Dearden
Freya … Carol Moore
Daniel … Desmond Eastwood
All other roles played by members of the cast.
Writer … Stuart Drennan
Script Editor … Philip Palmer
Producer … Michael Shannon
Executive Editor … Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4.
WED 07:00 Ballylenon (b0080skq)
Series 5
Episode 6
The Americans are desperate to identify the owner of the Hoover 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
Mrs McFinney …. Aine McCartney
Reverend Hawthorne …. Gerard Murphy
Stumpy Bonnat …. Gerard McSorley
Packy McGoldrick …. Charlie Bonnar
Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes.
Director: Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1998.
WED 07:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b00j1wj3)
Series 3
The Pet Dog
The Lad buys Andree a puppy for her birthday, but to his alarm - it won't stop growing!
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
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 October 1955.
WED 08:00 The Architects (b050zpxh)
Series 2
Airport
Architects Sarah and Matt journey north in pursuit of an airport contract that will put Sir Lucien and Partners back on the map.
Meanwhile Tim tries to buddy up with a TV chef who's fond of the sauce.
Arch-Brutalist Sir Lucien founded his architectural practice on a commitment to concrete in all its forms. Fashion has been a cruel mistress and four decades later things are not going well for Sir Lucian and his team of loyal-ish employees.
Comedy set in a struggling architectural practice.
Written by Jim Poyser with Neil Griffiths.
Sir Lucien ..... Geoffrey Whitehead
Sarah ..... Anna Crilly
Matt ..... Dominic Coleman
Tim ..... Alex Carter
Murray ..... Peter Forbes
Noel ..... David Hounslow
Ella ..... Rhiannon Neads
Director: Toby Swift
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2015.
WED 08:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw8x)
3. Astral Projection
In Kate Summerscale's acclaimed book, it's 1938 and the clouds of war are gathering. Meanwhile, Alma tells the ghost hunter, Nandor Fodor about an experience of astral projection. Questions are raised, and at the same time, unease over her case builds.
The Haunting of Alma Fielding is written by prize-winning author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, Kate Summerscale. It tells the story of a young and vivacious housewife whose home and family are assailed by a lively and frightening poltergeist in 1938. Reports in the papers pique Nandor Fodor's interest, and the chief ghost hunter of the International Institute for Psychical Research embarks on a quest to establish the authenticity of Alma's experiences. Against these events, war looms large over Great Britain, with popular culture and a deepening interest in spiritualism reflecting the anxieties of the day.
Read by Emma Fielding.
Abridged by Julian Wilkinson.
Produced by Elizabeth Allard.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2020.
WED 08:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmz9)
22. Wedding Day
Cosette and Marius are to be married! Outside the church, Thenardier sees a chance for a bit of blackmail.
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
Gillenormand ...... Leslie Phillips
Mme Gillenormand ...... Shuna Snow
Azelma ...... Helen Longworth
Basque ...... Ewan Bailey
Directed by Jeremy Mortimer.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2002.
WED 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0024fc7)
The latest news from Westminster - and beyond.
WED 09:30 The Lore of the Land (b069b5xl)
3. Berkshire
The dense woodland that once covered so much of Great Britain has always been populated with the creatures of folklore.
In the third episode of her five part series exploring the enduring relevance of the folkloric creatures of the British landscape, medieval literature scholar Dr Carolyne Larrington heads into the heart of an ancient forest in Windsor Great Park to seek them out.
Carolyne is joined on her walk by local storyteller and expert on Berkshire folktales, David England. As the pair venture deeper into the forest David tells the tale of Herne the Hunter. Herne is a mysterious figure. Once the king's head huntsman, he is gored to death by a raging stag. Brought back to life by a mysterious sorcerer, but robbed of his skill as a huntsman thanks to the dirty dealings of a horde of jealous hunters, Herne eventually hangs himself from an oak in the Windsor woods. According to local folklore, Herne still rides through Windsor Great Park with a pair of antlers upon his head, accompanied by a hunt made up of all those who wronged him.
This tradition of a 'wild hunt' has roots in earlier folkloric traditions. In the Anglo Saxon world, Woden the storm god leads a host of spectral huntsmen, and in Wales an underworld figure called Gwyn ap Nudd is said to be followed by a hunt that includes a pack of white hounds with red eyes and ears.
Carolyne argues that, while we've lost much of our medieval woodland, the forest still arouses a primeval sense of awe and terror. The woods are where we imagine the terrifying, the alluring and the uncivilised to range freely, inviting us to shed our city identities and return to a more instinctual way of being.
Produced by Max O'Brien.
A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2015.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m0024fc9)
Darkness into light - Unfruitful works
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Darkness into light - Unfruitful works
Presenter: Sandra Godley
Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14
Music:
Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us (Taize) - Taize Community
Lead kindly Light - Libera
The Lord's my light and salvation (William Murphy) - Zion
WED 10:00 Archive on 4 (m0009s1l)
Ghost in the Machine
Many claim to have seen ghosts, but what should a bump in the night sound like?
For Halloween, Ian Peacock puts together a soundtrack of the supernatural, from "genuine" apparitions-taped at seances and haunted houses - to the noises of spectres invented for funfairs and theatre productions.
Producers: Robyn Read and Ian Peacock.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1999.
WED 11:00 Whodunnits (m000w6mx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:30 Limelight (m00168rd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 12:00 Ballylenon (b0080skq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b00j1wj3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 The Architects (b050zpxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw8x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmz9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 Counterpoint (b02m7g03)
Series 27
2013 Heat 6
Paul Gambaccini chairs the general knowledge music quiz.
The contestants will have to display their knowledge of music in all its variety, from which hit comedy film of the 1980s featured the theme tune 'Axel F' - to which two characters are named in the title of Berlioz's opera based on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing?
There are plenty of musical extracts to identify, both familiar and surprising.
This trio of competitors battling it out at Media City in Salford are:
Miles Arnot from Chester
Wilson Bain from Glasgow
Philip Holland from Malvern
Producer: Paul Bajoria
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2013.
WED 14:30 Smelling of Roses (b007jzcd)
Series 1
Wise after the Event
The lives of Rosie and her granddaughter Jo are shaken by the return of Rosie's daughter Kate after a long spell working abroad.
The trials and tribulations of Rosie Burns and her event management company, based in Brighton.
Prunella Scales in the first of four series of Simon Brett's sitcom
Rosie ...... Prunella Scales
Kate ...... Arabella Weir
Jo ...... Rebecca Callard
Bob ...... Duncan Preston
Tess ...... Annette Badland
Mr Blantyre ...... Michael Fenton Stevens
Mr Joost ...... Stephen Thorne
Producer: Maria Esposito
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2000
WED 15:00 Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Idiot (b00srkfz)
2. The Party
In one of his most famous and personal novels, Dostoyevsky portrays the vivid inner life of Prince Myshkin, who has returned from years abroad spent trying to treat his epilepsy. It takes courage for him to reintroduce himself into Russian society.
Prince Myshkin arrives at Nastasya's birthday party full of eager anticipation and yet fear that the excitement will provoke an epileptic fit.
He feels an empathy with her, possibly because they have both suffered in the past and discovers that despite the terrible stories he has heard of her behaviour, she is a captivating and fascinating woman who he falls in love with.
Starring Paul Rhys
Dramatised by Melissa Murray.
Prince Myshkin ...... Paul Rhys
Rogazhin ...... Roger Allam
Ganya ...... Alex Jennings
Nastasya ...... Lia Williams
General Yepanchin ...... David Swift
General Ivolgin ...... Stephen Moore
Lebedev ...... Gerard McDermott
Mrs Yepanchin ...... Paula Jacobs
Aglaya ...... Tracy-Ann Oberman
Kolya ...... Carl Prekopp
Alexandra ...... Jemma Churchill
Totsky ...... Martin Hyder
Producer: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2002.
WED 16:00 Archive on 4 (m0009s1l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 Whodunnits (m000w6mx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:30 Limelight (m00168rd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 18:00 Ballylenon (b0080skq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b00j1wj3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 The Architects (b050zpxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw8x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmz9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 Counterpoint (b02m7g03)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 Smelling of Roses (b007jzcd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 21:00 Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Idiot (b00srkfz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
WED 22:00 Ivo Graham's Obsessions (m00244m8)
4. Fatiha El-Ghorri & Paul Gorton
Ivo Graham brings 2 more celebrity guests to Radio 4, to tell us about their obsessions.

Comedian Fatiha-El Ghorri and Paul Gorton of the hit BBC show 'The Traitors' join Ivo this week. Fatiha El-Ghorri is obsessed with trainers, and judges the audience on theirs while Paul details the hours he spends in his gaming room. Ivo also delves into the audience to find out what their obsessions are, and finally Ivo is joined by a Very Obsessed Person, or 'VOP'. This week, Ailish Morrison comes on to tell us about her unexpected twin passions of cheerleading and Lord of the Rings.

Hosted by Ivo Graham
Featuring Fatiha El-Ghorri, Paul Gorton and Ailish Morrison

Written by Ivo Graham and Zoe Tomalin

Additional Material by Cody Dahler, Christina Riggs and Peter Tellouche

Recorded at the Marylebone Theatre by Duncan Hannant
Sound edited by Charlie Brandon-King
Production Coordinators: Katie Baum and 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 (m0018x6r)
Series 2
Episode 8
Liam goes on a date with a fish called Winda and has a cosmic experience.
Anton must bring him back down to earth to host a party.
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 (b040hrx4)
Episode 3
Legendary Scottish surrealist Ivor Cutler samples the archives and enjoys some Marabut music and a jolly Japanese ditty
With:
Fiona MacDonald
Producer: Mark Savage
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1991.
WED 23:00 The Big Fun Show (b00l1xbh)
Episode 2
From a persistent patio door salesman, to a woman who thinks she’s married a goat, the Big Fun Team are here with half an hour of big fun!
Written and presented by Paul Merton, John Irwin and Neil Mullarkey.
Also starring:
Josie Lawrence
Tony Hawkes
Julian Clary
Music by Tony Hawks.
Producer: David Tyler
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1988.
WED 23:30 The Skewer (m00244mq)
Series 12
Episode 7
The week’s biggest stories like you’ve never heard them before. Jon Holmes remixes the news into a satirical concept album.

This week - Hamas and the Argonauts, Puff Daddy The Magic Dragon, and As You Wish, Wesley Streeting.

Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
WED 23:45 Self-Storage (b01g97vg)
Series 1
Break-Up
No woman, no job. Dave has no choice but to stow everything.
Following the breakup of his marriage, Dave moves all his possessions into The Storage Garden, meeting security guard Ron and mysterious 'neighbour' Geoff.
Stars Reece Shearsmith and Mark Heap.
Sitcom written by Tom Collinson and Barnaby Power.
Dave ...... Reece Shearsmith
Geoff ...... Mark Heap
Ron ...... Tom Goodman-Hill
Judy ...... Rosie Cavaliero
Sarah ...... Susan Earl
Boss ...... Phil Nichol
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2007.

THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER 2024

THU 00:00 Archive on 4 (m0009s1l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Whodunnits (m000w6mx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Limelight (m00168rd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Ballylenon (b0080skq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b00j1wj3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 The Architects (b050zpxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw8x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmz9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Counterpoint (b02m7g03)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Smelling of Roses (b007jzcd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Idiot (b00srkfz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Whodunnits (m000w6mz)
Dalziel & Pascoe - Exit Lines
4. All My Possessions for One Moment of Time
Helped or hindered by his boss - Detective Inspector Pascoe is no nearer a solution over the mystery of three deaths...
Donald Gee and Philip Jackson star as detective duo, Andy Dalziel and Peter Pascoe.
Reginald Hill's detective thriller.
Dramatised by Betty Davies.
Det Insp Pascoe .... Donald Gee
Supt Dalziel .... Philip Jackson
Mrs Escott .... Barbara Atkinson
Det Con Seymour .... Paul Downing
Sgt Wield .... Michael Graham Cox
Charlesworth .... David King
Mrs Soper .... Anna Cropper
Mr Soper .... Michael Kilgarriff
Andrea .... Jane Slavin
Charley .... Charles Simpson
Ellie .... Tara Dominick
Abbiss .... John Bull
Warden .... Joe Dunlop
Director: Matthew Walters
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1990.
THU 06:30 Limelight (m0016hhb)
Dead Hand
Dead Hand – Episode 4: 97
A contemporary thriller set in Northern Ireland written by Stuart Drennan.
Greg is the host of a true crime podcast dedicated to uncovering the identity of a serial killer, last active over twenty years ago, known only as Dead Hand. A killer named after a mysterious radio transmission which has been broadcasting an indecipherable code in the years since Dead Hand vanished. A code told in the voices of Dead Hand’s victims; including Greg’s missing father. However, when a new voice is added to the code, Greg realises that Dead Hand is active again. With time already running out, can he finally crack the code and catch the killer?
Cast:
Greg ... Paul Mallon
DS Murray … Michelle Fairley
Kate … Roísín Gallagher
Lucy … Hannah Eggleton
Stacey … Eimear Fearon
Thomas … Patrick Fitzsymons
Assistant Jo … Nicky Harley
All other roles played by members of the cast.
Writer … Stuart Drennan
Script Editor … Philip Palmer
Producer … Michael Shannon
Executive Editor … Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4.
THU 07:00 Are You From the Bugle? (b01jt2sc)
A Bit of Bad News
Butterthwaite's frustrated cub reporter Graham faces a steep learning curve.
John Gradwell's six-part 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 Silverleaf and Margaret Stallard.
Producer: Kathy Smith.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1996.
THU 07:30 It Sticks Out Half A Mile (b007jpyj)
8. Marooned
A visit to the pier theatre ends in disaster for Arthur Wilson and Miss Perkins.
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
Frank Pike …. Ian Lavender
Bert Hodges …. Bill Pertwee
Miss Perkins …. Vivienne Martin
Derek …. Paul Russell
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 Alex Edelman's Peer Group (m000f07s)
Series 3
Cool
Award-winning comedian Alex Edelman discusses the concept of "cool".
With help from his "peer group" at the University of West London, Alex examines what is cool, how to be cool, and why it's still important today.
Written and presented by Alex Edelman.
Producer: Sam Michell
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2020.
THU 08:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw9h)
4. An Unsettling Turn of Events
In Kate Summerscale's acclaimed book about a 1938 haunting in London, events take an unsettling turn and the ghost hunter, Nandor Fodor, has questions to answer about his own role in the quest to understand the nature of Alma's supernatural phenomena.
The Haunting of Alma Fielding is written by prize-winning author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, Kate Summerscale. It tells the story of a young and vivacious housewife whose home and family are assailed by a lively and frightening poltergeist in 1938. Reports in the papers pique Nandor Fodor's interest, and the chief ghost hunter of the International Institute for Psychical Research sets out to establish the authenticity of Alma's experiences. Against these events, war looms large over Great Britain, with popular culture and a deepening interest in spiritualism reflecting the anxieties of the day.
Read by Emma Fielding.
Abridged by Julian Wilkinson.
Produced by Elizabeth Allard.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2020.
THU 08:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmzr)
24. Tortured
Jean Valjean, tortured by memories, tells Marius the truth about his criminal past.
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
Gillenormand ...... Leslie Phillips
Azelma ...... Helen Longworth
Basque ...... Ewan Bailey
Directed by Jeremy Mortimer.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2002.
THU 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0024fmj)
The latest news from Westminster - and beyond.
THU 09:30 The Lore of the Land (b069b60w)
4. Orkney
The fourth episode of medieval literature scholar Dr Carolyne Larrington's series exploring the enduring relevance of the creatures of British folklore.
On the Orkney isles, local storyteller Lynn Barbour is on hand to recount folktales filled with the mysterious beings that are said to live in the sea and on the shore.
Gazing out to sea, Carolyne spies a seal in the bay. Lynn explains that grey seals, known locally as selkies, play an important role in Orkney folklore. It is said that selkies shed their skins and come on land in human form. The selkies are known to have relationships with humans, but these often end badly.
Lynn tells the tale of the Selkie of Wastness in which a man steals a selkie maiden's skin and persuades her to become his wife. We also hear the story of the Selkie of Sule Skerry which features a lonely wife forming a relationship with a selkie man in her husband's absence. The couple have a selkie child, but when the husband returns he kills both the child and the selkie man while hunting.
And there are tales of the Sea Trow, with their faces like monkeys made of jellyfish and the Muckle Mester Stoorworm, a great serpent that once spat out its teeth which formed the Orkney isles. With the sea lapping in the background, Lynn describes the Finn-men who live in a watery city down in the depths of the sea and beckon sailors to join them.
Carolyne explains that these local tales examine the boundary between sea and shore. In Orkney, there are possibilities to cross that boundary close at hand, but the stories warn that you do so at your peril.
Transformation, tragedy, desire and despair mark these tales of sea and shore.
Produced by Max O'Brien.
A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2015.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m0024fml)
Darkness into light - Hidden Things
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Darkness into light - Hidden Things
Presenter: Sharon Grenham-Thompson
Reading: Daniel 2:20-23
THU 10:00 Short Cuts (b080t0p7)
The Witching Hour
* An invitation to wander out into the darkness
* An actor who discovers she's been killed off in real life
* A late night wander into the Icelandic night
Josie Long hears tales of the witching hour as she ventures out for a midnight walk in the woods.
The Sudden Walk
Produced by Phil Smith
Lazaretto
Produced by The Inner Ear
The Witching Hour
Feat. Heather Donahue
Interviewed by Deborah Coughlin
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2016.
THU 10:30 Music To Scream To - The Hammer Horror Soundtracks (m001f6bj)
Curse of the Werewolf, The Brides of Dracula, Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell – some films from the height of Hammer Films’ prolific output in the late 1950s and 1960s. Many of the musical soundtracks were composed by leading British modernists of the late 20th century.
Hammer’s music supervisor Philip Martell hired the avant-garde composers of the day – the likes of Malcolm Williamson (later Master of the Queen’s Music), Elisabeth Lutyens, Benjamin Frankel and Richard Rodney Bennett all made a living scoring horror films alongside their concert hall work.
Prising open Dracula’s coffin to unearth the story of Hammer’s modernist soundtracks, composer and pianist Neil Brand explores the nuts and bolts of scary music – how it is designed to psychologically unsettle us – and explores why avant-garde music is such a good fit for horror.
On his journey into the abyss, Neil visits the haunted mansion where many of the Hammer classics were made, Bray Studios in Berkshire, and gets the low-down from Hammer aficionado Wayne Kinsey, film music historian David Huckvale, composer Richard Rodney Bennett, and one of Hammer’s on-screen scream queens, actress Madeline Smith.
Producer: Graham Rogers
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2022.
THU 11:00 Whodunnits (m000w6mz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:30 Limelight (m0016hhb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 12:00 Are You From the Bugle? (b01jt2sc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 It Sticks Out Half A Mile (b007jpyj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 Alex Edelman's Peer Group (m000f07s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw9h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmzr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Dilemma (b05qg5jh)
Series 4
Episode 2
Sue Perkins presents another edition of the show that puts the big moral and ethical questions to a mixed panel. This week, it's the turn of comedians Lucy Porter and Andy Zaltzman, BBC 6 Music DJ Shaun Keaveny, and food writer Jack Monroe, who debate letting your children play with the offspring of racists, going on the minimum wage in exchange for other people's living standards being raised, and how to react to discovering infidelity just before you get married. Episode two of six.
Dilemma is presented by Sue Perkins, and was devised by Danielle Ward.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2015.
THU 14:30 The Brothers (b00q9xrj)
Series 3
Loony Tunes
As Bugs Bunny makes an untimely appearance, Nigel and Michael go their separate ways. Stars Adam Godley. From March 2007.
THU 15:00 Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Idiot (b00srqfj)
3. Analysis
In one of his most famous and personal novels, Dostoyevsky portrays the vivid inner life of Prince Myshkin, who has returned from years abroad spent trying to treat his epilepsy. It takes courage for him to reintroduce himself into Russian society.
While recovering from an epileptic fit, the Prince analyses his feelings for the two very different women he has met - the spoilt but captivating Nastasya Filipovna, who is fatally attracted to the evil Rogozhin, and the more timid Aglaya, who is secretly in love with him.
She and the Prince meet but the outcome is not what she had hoped for...
Starring Paul Rhys
Dramatised by Melissa Murray.
Paul Rhys …. Prince Myshkin
Roger Allam …. Rogazhin
Alex Jennings …. Ganya
Lia Williams …. Nastasya
Stephen Moore …. General Ivolgin
Gerard McDermott …. Lebedev
Paula Jacobs …. Mrs Yepanchin
Tracy-Ann Oberman …. Aglaya
Carl Prekopp …. Kolya
Jemma Churchill …. Varya
Jonathan Keeble …. Man
Producer: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2002.
THU 16:00 Short Cuts (b080t0p7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 Music To Scream To - The Hammer Horror Soundtracks (m001f6bj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 Whodunnits (m000w6mz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:30 Limelight (m0016hhb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 18:00 Are You From the Bugle? (b01jt2sc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 It Sticks Out Half A Mile (b007jpyj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 Alex Edelman's Peer Group (m000f07s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw9h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmzr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Dilemma (b05qg5jh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 The Brothers (b00q9xrj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 21:00 Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Idiot (b00srqfj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
THU 22:00 Olga Koch: OK Computer (m00245pm)
Series 3
4. Death
Comedian and computer scientist Olga Koch and her sassy digital assistant get deep on this week’s topic. About 6-feet deep. That’s right, we’re talking about death in the series finale of OK Computer.

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 (b007k45s)
Series 1
Episode 5
The latest on the 'Penelope Keith riots', and just 38 weeks to Wimbledon.
All the news as it happens, if it happens – and the sport with Alan Partridge.
Savagely satirical award-winning comedy starring Chris Morris.
With Steve Coogan, David Schneider, Rebecca Front, Patrick Marber and 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 September 1991.
THU 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m0024t64)
Michael Cumming 2/2
From 10.00pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Jake Yapp chats again to Brass Eye director Michael Cumming.
THU 23:00 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b01q7bq4)
Series 5
Les Dennis
Les Dennis tries his first ever taste of cheese, reads The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, hears his first ever Rolling Stones album and watches hit TV comedy 'The Inbetweeners'.
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 (b00ls6bt)
Series 1
Episode 4
More fun and frolics round at Arthur Smith’s home in Balham, south London.
With comedians:
Stewart Lee
Reginald D Hunter
Plus music from Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Will she be in Arthur’s kitchen?
Pippa Evans - as singer-songwriter Loretta Maine - lends a hand.
Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2009.

FRIDAY 01 NOVEMBER 2024

FRI 00:00 Short Cuts (b080t0p7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Music To Scream To - The Hammer Horror Soundtracks (m001f6bj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Whodunnits (m000w6mz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Limelight (m0016hhb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Are You From the Bugle? (b01jt2sc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 It Sticks Out Half A Mile (b007jpyj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Alex Edelman's Peer Group (m000f07s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw9h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jmzr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Dilemma (b05qg5jh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 The Brothers (b00q9xrj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Idiot (b00srqfj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Whodunnits (m000w6lw)
Dalziel & Pascoe - Exit Lines
5. The Comedy is Over
Three old men dead.
Two unsolved problems.
Has Detective Inspector Pascoe got one answer?
Donald Gee and Philip Jackson star as detective duo, Andy Dalziel and Peter Pascoe.
Conclusion of Reginald Hill's detective thriller.
Dramatised by Betty Davies.
Det Insp Pascoe .... Donald Gee
Supt Dalziel .... Philip Jackson
Charley .... Charles Simpson
Mrs Escott .... Barbara Atkinson
Det Con Seymour .... Paul Downing
Sgt Wield .... Michael Graham Cox
PC Hector .... Stephen Garlick
Abbiss .... John Bull
Cpl Gillott .... Joe Dunlop
Major Kassell .... Vincent Brimble
Sir William .... Brian Miller
Charlesworth .... David King
Elite .... Tara Dominick
Ruddlesdin ....Danny Schiller
Moody .... Dale Rapley
Director: Matthew Walters
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1990.
FRI 06:30 Limelight (p0bytt4r)
Dead Hand
Dead Hand – Episode 5: Ceasefire Babies
A contemporary thriller set in Northern Ireland written by Stuart Drennan.
Greg is the host of a true crime podcast dedicated to uncovering the identity of a serial killer, last active over twenty years ago, known only as Dead Hand. A killer named after a mysterious radio transmission which has been broadcasting an indecipherable code in the years since Dead Hand vanished. A code told in the voices of Dead Hand’s victims; including Greg’s missing father. However, when a new voice is added to the code, Greg realises that Dead Hand is active again. With time already running out, can he finally crack the code and catch the killer?
Cast:
Greg … Paul Mallon
DS Murray … Michelle Fairley
Kate … Roísín Gallagher
Lucy … Hannah Eggleton
Stacey … Eimear Fearon
May … Julia Dearden
Control … Louise Parker
Police Officer … Andrew McCracken
TSG lead … Patrick Buchanan
Marc Sheene … Conleth Hill
All other roles played by members of the cast.
Writer … Stuart Drennan
Script Editor … Philip Palmer
Producer … Michael Shannon
Executive Editor … Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4.
FRI 07:00 Trapped (b0076mpz)
Series 1
Sow Cottage
The new residents of the village of Little Latchmere are having a bit of trouble fitting in...
Six black comedies by Mark Maier and Daniel Maier.
Edward .... Andrew Burt
Rev Fraction .... Duncan Wisbey
Adam .... Robert Webb
Paul .... Daniel Maier
Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2003.
FRI 07:30 Doctor in the House (b007jsw0)
St Swithin's
Simon Sparrow dithers over registering to train as a doctor as St. Swithin's hospital in London.
The misadventures of student doctor, Simon Sparrow.
Starring Richard Briers
Adapted for radio by Ray Cooney from Richard Gordon's 'Doctor in the House' published in 1952.
Simon Sparrow …. Richard Briers
Sir Lancelot Spratt …. Geoffrey Sumner
Tony Benskin …. Ray Cooney
Secretary …. Erik Chitty
Sister …. Beth Boyd
Padre …. Michael Deacon
The Dean …. John le Mesurier
Producer: David Hatch
Recorded at the BBC Paris studio in London.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1968.
FRI 08:00 Michael Spicer: Before Next Door (m000k32m)
Pilot
What happens when a socially awkward and neurotic part-time comedian becomes a global internet sensation?
Michael Spicer: Before Next Door charts Michael's real-life progress - sort of - as his Room Next Door videos amass tens of millions of views online and win him acclaim for his comedy, at last.
But how will Michael cope?
Will this married father of two ever be able to quit his day job as a copywriter for a kitchen worktop company? Why is the broadcaster Peter Curran in his house? And could hang-gliding with BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Emma Barnett be a way to advance his career?
After 20 years of making comedy under the radar, Michael is now on the cusp of leaving the office behind and - with the help of his wife Roberta - making a living out of being funny. But will an ordinary person like Michael be able to successfully navigate the unpredictable road to fame? Well, probably not, no.
Performers: Michael Spicer with Ellie Taylor, Joanna Neary, Peter Curran and Emma Barnett.
Writer: Michael Spicer
Producer: Matt Tiller
TalkRadio interview with Boris Johnson from TalkRadio / News Licensing.
A Starstruck production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2020.
FRI 08:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw9k)
5. An Encounter with Sigmund Freud
In Kate Summerscale's account of Alma Fielding's supernatural experiences in London in 1938, explanations prove controversial. With questions remaining, is the real reason for her haunting knowable?
The Haunting of Alma Fielding is the acclaimed book from prize-winning author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, Kate Summerscale. It tells the story of a young and vivacious housewife whose home and family are assailed by a lively and frightening poltergeist in 1938. Reports in the papers pique Nandor Fodor's interest, and the chief ghost hunter of the International Institute for Psychical Research sets out to establish the authenticity of Alma's experiences. Against these events, war looms large over Great Britain, with popular culture and a deepening interest in spiritualism reflecting the anxieties of the day.
Concluded by Emma Fielding.
Abridged by Julian Wilkinson.
Produced by Elizabeth Allard.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2020.
FRI 08:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jn05)
25. Finale
Thenardier attempts to blackmail Marius. Meanwhile, Jean Valjean is dying. How he longs to be reunited with Cosette.
Victor Hugo's epic story of social injustice.
Dramatised by Sebastian Baczkiewicz.
Victor Hugo ...... Joss Ackland
Jean Valjean ...... Roger Allam
Cosette ...... Lucy Whybrow
Marius ...... Jonathan Forbes
Thenardier ...... Henry Goodman
Toussaint ...... Annette Badland
Basque ...... Ewan Bailey
Azelma ...... Helen Longworth
Directed by Jeremy Mortimer.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2002.
FRI 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0024g2p)
The latest news from Westminster - and beyond.
FRI 09:30 The Lore of the Land (b069b676)
5. North Yorkshire
In the final episode of her five part series exploring the enduring relevance of the creatures of Great British folklore, medieval literature scholar Dr Carolyne Larrington travels to Hart Hall in Glaisdale, North Yorkshire.
Strolling down towards Hart Hall and its surrounding dairy farm, Carolyne is joined by local storyteller Rose Rylands. Rose explains that Hart Hall features in a local folktale which involves a peculiar creature known as a hob. Hobs are small dwarf like beings, covered in shaggy hair. They're said to have large feet and superhuman strength. According to local folklore, hobs take up residence on certain farms and stay for generations, working in secret to provide assistance to the farmer.
Standing in a barn, surrounded by calves, Rose tells the tale of the hob of Hart Hall who saved a bumper harvest from being ruined by the rain. The farm hands reward the hob with a hemp shirt and a leather belt for his efforts, however this causes grave offence and the hob storms off never to be seen again. Carolyne reveals that, by giving him a gift, the farm hands had inadvertently treated the hob like an employee who gets paid in kind, rather than a spirit who gives his labour for free.
Carolyne and Rose head to Runswick Bay where they creep inside a cave known as the Hob Hole which is said to be the residence of a hob with medicinal powers. For years locals would bring their children to the cave in the hope that the hob would cure them of whooping cough.
Back at Hart Hall we hear tales of other farm spirits such as the Hogboon and the mischievous boggart. Carolyne explains that labour relations and our treatment of people in the workplace are central to these tales.
Produced by Max O'Brien.
A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2015.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m0024fsv)
Darkness into light - The Foundation Stone
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Darkness into light - The Foundation Stone
Presenter: Mark Dowd
Reading: Peter 2:7-10
Music:
The Church's One Foundation - King's College Choir, Cambridge
Ye that know the Lord is gracious (Rustington) - Portsmouth Cathedral Choir
In Christ alone - Junior Garr
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (m000y6n2)
The Parting Glass
"But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise
And you should not
I'll gently rise and softly call
Goodnight and joy be to you all"
The Parting Glass was written in Scotland and has criss crossed the Irish Sea, becoming a popular song among Celtic peoples around the world.
Folk singer Karine Polwart, talks of its fragile beauty as a song that can be a rousing drinking song at the end of the night but equally a poignant farewell at a funeral.
For Alaskan Fire Chief Benjamin Fleagle, there was no more fitting song to honour his mentor and colleague at his Fire Department when he passed away over a decade ago.
Alissa McCulloch 'clung' to the song when she heard the Irish singer Hozier sing a version of it at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. At the time, Alissa was mentally unwell at home in Australia and was admitted to hospital where she listened to the song over and over finding comfort in its timeless beauty.
After Canada's worst mass shooting in its history, Pete MacDonald and his sisters recorded an acapella version of the song as a musical tribute to those who lost their lives. It's a tradition in Nova Scotia to sing in the kitchen at parties, wakes and celebrations and they wanted to pay their respects to the dead.
The Irish singer Finbar Furey has performed the song with his band the Fureys and talks about its appeal not only in Scotland and Ireland but throughout the Scots-Irish diaspora.
Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol: Maggie Ayre
FRI 10:30 A Fine Defence of Enid Blyton (b00fm031)
Despite enjoying the stories in childhood, as an adult, the writer Anne Fine ignored Blyton's work, in part because of the drip drip of disapproval that has accompanied her books for many decades. But, going back to her battered old Blytons, she realised exactly why she had found the books so captivating - they are remarkably good reads - real page turners.
Anne Fine does not deny that Blyton is the creator of creaking plots, cardboard characters who often used non pc language. An author of jolly adventures, in which the most enormous amounts of food and drink are consumed by children who never put on weight. And yet her books have outsold all other children's authors. In 2008, Blyton was voted the UK's best-loved writer. Her work has been translated into 40 different languages and she's sold over 500 million books worldwide.
Includes extracts from a rare interview with her only surviving daughter, Imogen Smallwood, and contributions from her biographer, Barbara Stoney, as well as the UK's leading Blyton scholar, Dr David Rudd [Professor of Children's literature at Bolton University] - there are also archive recordings of Enid herself, her elder daughter Gillian Baverstock and her brother Hanley who explains how the siblings comforted each other during parental rows.
Reader Miriam Margolyes
Producer: Helen Lee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2008.
FRI 11:00 Whodunnits (m000w6lw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:30 Limelight (p0bytt4r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 12:00 Trapped (b0076mpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Doctor in the House (b007jsw0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Michael Spicer: Before Next Door (m000k32m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw9k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jn05)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00mdyl9)
Series 2
Episode 4
James Walton and the music quiz for all the young, and not so young, dudes.
Regulars Tracey MacLeod and Andrew Collins are joined by:
Comedian, Dave Gorman
Broadcaster, Mary Anne Hobbs
Reader: Beth Chalmers
Written and researched by James Walton
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2006.
FRI 14:30 Lucky Heather (b0075smn)
6. High Noon
16 years ago, Heather's best friend Dawn ran off with Heather's man Joe.
Now Dawn has the cheek to ask Heather to check if Joe is having an affair!
Just this side of nosey, Heather is western movie-mad. She's also the Sherlock Holmes of the rundown Sutter Estate.
Starring Lindsey Coulson.
Conclusion of Sue Teddern's sitcom.
Heather ...... Lindsey Coulson
Dawn ...... Tessa Peake-Jones
Maev ...... Dearbhla Molloy
Natalie ...... Abigail Hart
Ryan ...... Ben Crowe
Joe ...... Gavin Muir
Lou ...... Gerard McDermott
Waiter ...... David Holt
Director: David Hunter
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2000.
FRI 15:00 Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Idiot (b00srvkn)
4. Feelings and Fear
In one of his most famous and personal novels, Dostoyevsky portrays the vivid inner life of Prince Myshkin, who has returned from years abroad spent trying to treat his epilepsy. It takes courage for him to reintroduce himself into Russian society.
Nastasya and Aglaya meet to talk over their feelings for the Prince. Although still emotionally involved with Rogozhin, Nastasya is determined to marry the Prince which is heartbreaking news for Aglaya who really loves him.
The Prince's health is on a knife-edge, and he begins to fear for his life.
Starring Paul Rhys
Dramatised by Melissa Murray.
Paul Rhys …. Prince Myshkin
Roger Allam …. Rogazhin
Alex Jennings …. Ganya
Lia Williams …. Nastasya
David Swift …. General Yepanchin
Gerard McDermott …. Lebedev
Paula Jacobs …. Mrs Yepanchin
Tracy-Ann Oberman …. Aglaya
Carl Prekopp …. Kolya
Jemma Churchill …. Varya
Martin Hyder …. Footman
Producer: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in Novmeber 2002.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (m000y6n2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 A Fine Defence of Enid Blyton (b00fm031)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Whodunnits (m000w6lw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Limelight (p0bytt4r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Trapped (b0076mpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 Doctor in the House (b007jsw0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 Michael Spicer: Before Next Door (m000k32m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale (m000nw9k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 Victor Hugo - Les Miserables (b007jn05)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00mdyl9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Lucky Heather (b0075smn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Idiot (b00srvkn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
FRI 22:00 Call Jonathan Pie (m0024cxt)
Call Jonathan Pie: US Election Specials
American Dream: Part 1
In the first of two US election specials Pie (Tom Walker) is tackling the thorny issue of democracy and is quickly derailed. As he takes his usual balanced (not) approach to the US presidential candidates Jules (Lucy Pearman) dangles a juicy carrot. There’s a big gig in the offing; if only he can stop ranting about one of the candidates. Can you guess which one? 
Written and performed by Tom Walker.
Additional material by Daniel Abelson and Will Franken
Jules …. Lucy Pearman.
Sam ….. Aqib Khan
Roger ….. Nick Revell
Callers ….. Rosie Holt, Ellile Dobing, Daniel Abelson, Will Franken and Ed Kear
Original Music ....Jason Read
Voiceover .... Bob Sinfield.
Producer ….. Alison Vernon-Smith
Executive Producer ….. Julian Mayers
Production Co-Ordinator ….. Ellie Dobing
A Yada-Yada Audio Production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 22:30 The Jason Byrne Show (b01dhnrz)
Series 2
Ageing
Award-winning comedian Jason Byrne tackles the pros and cons of getting older.
Fast-paced stand-up comedy and sketch show
With:
Laurence Howarth
Anna Bengo
Producer: Julia McKenzie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2009.
FRI 23:00 Absolute Power (b00805kb)
Series 3
Episode 5
Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe are challenged to boost public opinion about men.
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
Clive …. Tom George
Jeremy Lewis …. James Vaughan
With Beth Chalmers
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2002.
FRI 23:30 Elvenquest (m000h106)
Series 1
Episode 6
Finally the Sword of Asnagar is found. But is Sam a traitor?
It seems the Quest is near its end as the noble band reach the Rock of Sorrows. But Sam is tempted by Lord Darkness and has to decide between his friends and his home.
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 ...... Dave Lamb
Producers: Anil Gupta & Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2009.