SATURDAY 11 JANUARY 2020

SAT 00:00 Ben Moor - Undone (b007jxhj)
Series 1

Unravelled

Things go from strange to stranger for Edna, Tankerton and both the Carlos...

Ben Moor's comic sci-fi saga stars Sarah Solemani as Edna, Ben Moor as Tankerton, Duncan Wisbey as Carlo and Tim Key as Grant.

Producer: Colin Anderson

Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2006.


SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b0076qn0)
Too Clever by Half

Matthew Parris, Toby Young, Louise Welsh and Arabella Weir discuss the dangers of being a smarty-pants. From February 2005.


SAT 01:00 Roy Clarke - The 17-Jewelled Shockproof Swiss-Made Bomb (m000d07j)
Smaller Shrinks the Standing Corn

Shields meets Marco and collects the plates. But before he and Julie can get clear of the island, the alarm is raised by one of Bruno's men...

Peter Coke stars in Roy Clarke’s thriller serial set in the world of highly-organised international smugglers.

Shields ..... Peter Coke
The Major ..... Bob Grant
Greta ..... Veronica Doran
Julie ..... Anne Stallybrass
Slip ..... Colin Edwynn
Sergeant ..... Ben Kingsley

Theme music composed and played by Trevor Holroyd.

Producer: Alan Ayckbourn

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1968.


SAT 01:30 Maiden Voyage: The First Woman in Space (b026x9mr)
In 1963 Valentina Tereshkova, a simple factory worker, was sent on a solo mission to space. She became a hero in her country, a legend around the world and an icon of gender equality.

But what really happened on the flight was kept secret in Soviet times and remains mysterious, earning Valentina the moniker 'Greta Garbo of Space'. No woman would travel to space for nearly 20 years after she returned.

Lucy Ash travels to Valentina's hometown Yaroslavl, on Moscow's Golden Ring, in search of the person behind the legend, meeting her daughter, workmates and relatives.

At a time when Putin is reviving Soviet-era pride in the motherland, we look at what Valentina's incredible journey means today.

Producer: Dorothy Feaver

A Cast Iron Radio and Recording production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in June 2013.


SAT 02:00 Book at Bedtime (b06d9t3h)
Sweet Caress: The Many Lives of Amory Clay

Episode 10

As her health declines, Amory wonders whether to continue.

William Boyd's novel follows one remarkable woman through the decades of the 20th century.

In 1915, Amory’s uncle unknowingly sets her life on its course when he gives her a Kodak Brownie No 2 as a present for her seventh birthday, igniting a lifelong passion for photography. Her camera will take her from high society London in the 1920s to the cabaret clubs and brothels of inter-war Berlin; to 1930s New York, the Blackshirt riots in London’s East End, and to France and Germany during the Second World War, where she becomes one of the first female war photographers.

She eventually comes to rest on a remote Scottish island, where she drinks, writes and looks back on a personal life that has been just as rich and complex as her professional one. She remembers the men that have been closest to her – her father, her brother, her lovers – irreparably scarred by two world wars, and reflects upon her own experiences of conflict and loss, passion and joy.

Concluded by Barbara Flynn.

Abridged by Sara Davies
Producer: Mair Bosworth

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2015.


SAT 02:15 Will Self's Great British Bus Journey (b09q3sp5)
Series 1

Jobless in Wolverhampton

Will Self continues his tour of urban Britain travelling only by coach and bus, assessing British identity at a time of flux.

Will speaks to jobless young people in Wolverhampton which has some of the highest rates of youth unemployment in the country.

Producer: Laurence Grissell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2018.


SAT 02:30 15 Minute Drama (b06r8bnf)
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala - Heat and Dust

Staying On

Finding themselves in the same situation, both women must make life-changing decisions.

Conclusion of Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's beguiling story of two English women living in India more than 50 years apart.

In 1923, Olivia is unhappily married to a civil servant. Her step-granddaughter travels to the subcontinent years later to investigate Olivia's life, which her family regarded as ‘something dark and terrible’.

The story centres on the experiences of two very different women in pre- and post- Independence India. One is circumscribed by English mores and the formal social structures of the Raj while the other is free to fall in love, live among Indian people, feel part of the culture. So, it's the story of social change as well as a potent love story.

Olivia ..... Pippa Bennett-Warner
Narrator ..... Abby Ford
Douglas ..... Simon Harrison
The Nawab ..... Ronny Jhutti
Harry ..... David Seddon
Inder Lal ..... Neet Mohan
Chid ..... Will Howard
Maji ..... Thusitha Jayasundera
Beth Crawford ..... Debra Baker
Dr Saunders ..... Sam Dale
Major Minnies ..... Chris Pavlo

Pianist ..... Laurie O'Brien

Dramatised by Shelley Silas.

Director: Gaynor Macfarlane

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2015.


SAT 02:45 Clive James: Falling Towards England (m000d6nv)
The Man in the Paper Bag

1960s England: trying to enjoy some private time with his girlfriend.

Clive James continues volume two of his autobiography.

First published in 1985 and abridged by Brian Gear.

Known around the world for his dry wit, writer, broadcaster and poet Clive James was born in 1939. Moving to England in 1962, he rose to prominence as a literary critic, TV columnist and presenter.

Clive died aged 80 in November 2019.

Producer: Pamela Howe

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1988.


SAT 03:00 Nigel Baldwin - The Tree of Liberty (m000d07l)
Moon Conjunct Uranus

The death of a young girl is linked to a magical sect. But as the evidence comes together, it seems to point back at Lacroix.

David Calder plays Lt Gen Lacroix, trying to police France despite the turmoil of the Revolution.

Nigel Baldwin’s detective series set in Amiens, 1791.

Lt Gen Lacroix ... David Calder
Madeleine ... Frances Tomelty
Duval ... Simon Ludders
Monet ... Brian Hibbard
Josephine ... Bethan Jones
Chalier .... Steve Hodson
Surgeon ... Matthew Morgan
Jean .... Robert Harper
Roland .... Christian Rodska
Michel ... Andrew Wincott
Simone .... Sara Harris-Davies

Original music by Paula Gardiner

Director: Alison Hindell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1995.


SAT 04:00 The Food Quiz (b0076n4w)
Series 2

Episode 6

Journalist and food critic, Jay Rayner puts four gastronomes through their culinary paces.

Wine writer Jancis Robinson, wild man Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, chef Alastair Little and restaurateur Ruth Watson are set for a good grilling.

Issues for digestion include what a Fat Rascal is, who spent £67,000 on a new oven, and where dried tuna sperm is served as a delicacy.

Producer: Rebecca Wells

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2004.


SAT 04:30 The Emerald Green Show (b077xx1r)
Cut

Emerald Green's illusions of glamour and fame are shattered when she meets her TV producer.

A vain, ambitious black woman dreams of becoming a chat show queen.

Lisselle Kayla's four-part comedy series starring Llewella Gideon as Emerald Green.

Tristram ...... Jonathan Firth
Fabio ...... Iwan Thomas
Victor ...... Dean Hill
Eunice ...... Sheila Reid
David ...... Jonathan Keeble

Director: Pam Fraser Solomon

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1998.


SAT 05:00 1834 (b0121lh5)
Victorian Principles

The young Queen Victoria is coming to Woolsley House for a visit. But when 21st century Jason invents the electric guitar, he unwittingly changes the course of history.....

In Jim Poyser's riotous comedy, Jason has been transported back to the 18th century as Tarquin, third son of Lord Belport with faithful valet, Ned.

Jason Slater ...... Michael Begley
Ned ...... Joe Caffrey
Hoskins ...... Kenneth Alan Taylor
Lord Belport ...... Mark Chatterton
Henry ...... James Nickerson
Queen Victoria ...... Caroline Harding

Directed at BBC Manchester by Polly Thomas.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2003.


SAT 05:30 Fred at The Stand (m000cyw8)
Series 1

Lyons, Mazadza, Jones and Delaney

Fred MacAulay introduces some of the funniest comedians in the UK doing what they do best - pure stand-up comedy. Recorded at The Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh.

This week, Zoe Lyons shares her insights into Buddhism, newcomer Wayne Mazadza integrates into British life, Rosie Jones doesn't let being northern hold her back, and the relentless Gary Delaney delivers a barrage of unstoppable one liners.

Produced by Richard Melvin
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 06:00 Shirley Gee - Moonshine (b065x8fy)
London, 1937: Harriet Carmichael must battle new nanny Ada Molesbridge for the love of her young daughter:

ADA: When it comes to whose child, Flora might decide. Who she cleaves to. Whose bed she chooses in the middle of the night. Who she loves.

HARRIET: Don't be ludicrous. She's my daughter, my flesh and blood. She belongs to me.

ADA: Flesh and blood is one thing. But belongs. Slippers, candlesticks, necklaces, they belong. Ask her who she chooses. Go on, wake her. Ask her. We're all people, aren't we. All human beings... Not mistress and servant, you said. Let her choose.

Ada Molesbridge ...... Rosemary Leach
Harriet Carmichael ...... Carole Boyd
David Carmichael ...... John Rowe
Flora ...... Katherine Hughes
Jessie ...... Anne Rosenfeld
Cook ...... Kathleen Helme
Mrs Molesbridge ...... Betty Hardy

For her performance as Ada Molesbridge , Rosemary Leach won the 1977 Imperial Tobacco Award for the Best Actress.

Special music by Roger Limb, BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Director: David Spenser

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1977.


SAT 07:30 The Voices of... (b07v07p8)
Ian Partridge

A portrait of the English lyric tenor Ian Partridge, in his own words and recordings.

It's not difficult to identify something classically, characteristically English about the lyric tenor Ian Partridge - his reticence and modesty, his boy chorister background and acclaimed performances of composers such as Roger Quilter, Benjamin Britten and Prince Albert.

He still lives in the same part of south London where he was born in 1938 and he spent over 50 years in a musical partnership with his sister, the pianist Jennifer Partridge. But the refined, passionate quality of Ian's voice has been a passport into other worlds - touring internationally, collaborating with celebrated composers and recording definitive interpretations of, for example, Schubert's Die schöne Müllerin, Schumann's Dichterliebe and Ralph Vaughan Williams' On Wenlock Edge.

Ian reflects on a lifetime in music that began lying under the family piano as his mother played popular songs of the 1930s and 40s and led ultimately to being appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Producer: Alan Hall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2016.


SAT 08:00 Meeting Myself Coming Back (b06ppm2m)
Kate Adie

Journalist Kate Adie reflects on her life and career, as revealed in excerpts from the BBC archives - from local radio shifts to the frontline of international crises.

Kate shares her reactions in conversation with John Wilson.

Producer: Ella-mai Robey

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2015.


SAT 09:00 Acting the Rock Star (m000d7f9)
From The Beatles and David Bowie to Spinal Tap and beyond, Lauren Laverne showcases how rock stars lives have been portrayed on radio and screen.

In this lovingly compiled long-playing retrospective we'll hear...

"When Elvis Met The Beatles" - An imagining of the occasion when the King of Rock 'N' Roll and The Fab Four came face to face in 1965.

"The Final Take: Bowie in the Studio" - Jon Culshaw’s portrayal of David Bowie during the recording of his final album Blackstar.

"Dusty Won’t Play" - A drama drawing on eye-witness accounts of what happened when Dusty Springfield refused to perform to segregated audiences in apartheid South Africa.

"Witness History: The Monkees" - A look at how a group of actors in the 1960s, who were originally hired to play wannabe pop stars, became the world's first 'manufactured' boy band.

"Queens of Noise: Get It On" - An episode from the drama about a fictional female group chasing rock stardom in the late 1980s written by The Farm's Roy Boulter and Louise Wener from Sleeper.

"Back from the Dead: The Return of Spinal Tap" - An excerpt from Peter Curran's 2009 radio special in which he spoke to the heavy metal 'legends'.

As part of this three hour musical mixtape we'll also re-visit archive interviews from Beyoncé, Diana Ross and OutKast's André 3000 in which they talk about their own acting experiences, and especially recorded for this programme, we'll hear the thoughts of the broadcaster, music journalist and Radio Times Film Editor Andrew Collins on the phenomenon of the rock biopic.

Produced by Stuart Ross.

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra.


SAT 12:00 Capital Gains (b007qgnq)
Series 1

Risk Capital

Amateur philosopher, Julius Hutch is looking forward to spending his retirement just "pottering".

But one morning, he wakes early to find that his life is changed forever...

Peter Jones stars as Julius Hutch.

First of two series written by Collin Johnson.

Julius Hutch ...... Peter Jones
Mrs Pauline Tone ...... Celestine Randall
Kate ...... Justine Midda
Sexton Lewis ...... Jeffrey Wickham
News Reader ...... Collin Johnson

Producer: Andy Jordan.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1995.


SAT 12:30 Dad's Army (b008h50c)
Series 3

Absent Friends

Captain Mainwaring returns to platoon insubordination - and an escaped convict.

Adapted for radio from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's TV scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.

Captain Mainwaring …. Arthur Lowe
Sergeant Wilson …. John Le Mesurier
Corporal Jones …. Clive Dunn
Private Frazer …. John Laurie
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Walker …. Larry Martyn
Mrs Pike …. Pearl Hackney

Additional music by Dennis Gomm.

Producer: John Dyas

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1976.


SAT 13:00 Exile (Omnibus) (m000d7fc)
Episode 1

What do you do when your beliefs are condemned by the rest of society?

Adrian Bean marks the 400 year anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower. A gripping story about one family's journey into the unknown.

Sarah Hargreaves doesn't share her husband Matthew's desire to join the Puritan exiles, but when their son Benjamin is arrested on a trumped-up charge they have little choice but to go. Things go rapidly from bad to worse, and they decide to leave everything behind. Hoping to find peace and like minded souls in a new religious community in America, they spend everything they have left on a ticket to sail on the Mayflower. The journey is long and difficult, and when they finally arrive the family starts to fall apart.

Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes.

Sarah Hargreaves - Louise Brealey
Matthew Hargreaves - Trystan Gravelle
Ben - Joel MacCormack
Elizabeth - Megan McInerney
Saul Tregarron - Matthew Gravelle
Captain Jones - John Cording
Reverend Kerswell - Marc Danbury
Woman - Ashleigh Haddad

Directed by John Norton

A BBC Cymru Wales production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2020.


SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (m000d7fg)
Dan Snow

Historian Dan Snow chooses Slide Away by Oasis and Mr Brightside by The Killers.


SAT 14:15 With Great Pleasure (b00cxr9l)
Will Hutton

Will Hutton, chief executive of the Work Foundation, shares his admiration for not just JM Keynes but also writers such as Dickens and Umberto Eco.

Readers: Michelle Terry and William Hope

Producer: Mark Smalley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2008.


SAT 14:45 Clive James: Falling Towards England (m000d7fk)
Chunk Chunk - Yerk Yerk

1960s England: a childhood fear of dentists and meeting Mr Jolly.

Clive James concludes volume two of his autobiography.

First published in 1985 and abridged by Brian Gear.

Known around the world for his dry wit, writer, broadcaster and poet Clive James was born in 1939. Moving to England in 1962, he rose to prominence as a literary critic, TV columnist and presenter.

Clive James died aged 80 in November 2019.

Producer: Pamela Howe

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1988.


SAT 15:00 Meeting Myself Coming Back (b06ppm2m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


SAT 16:00 Shirley Gee - Moonshine (b065x8fy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:30 The Voices of... (b07v07p8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 18:00 Dan Dare (m000d7fm)
Series 2

Operation Saturn 2/2

It’s a year since Dan Dare, Lieutenant Digby and Professor Jocelyn Peabody helped rid the Earth of The Mekon’s army of ruthless robots, although the evil alien is still at large.

When The Nautilus, an experimental ship that disappeared a decade previously, suddenly reappears in orbit around the Moon, they are sent to investigate. The clues point to Saturn being involved in some way, but the new threat to Earth comes from far closer to home.

Based on the Eagle comic strip 'Dan Dare' created in 1950 by the Reverend Marcus Morris and Frank Hampson.

Dan Dare …. Ed Stoppard
Digby …. Geoff McGivern
Professor Peabody …. Heida Reed
Sondar …. Bijan Daneshmand
Sir Hubert …. Michael Cochrane
Blasco …. Jonathan Rhodes
The Vora …. Nicholas Briggs
Flight Control …. Diane Spencer
Maxwell .... Fiona McAlpine
On-Board Computer .... Dianne Weller

Original music: Imran Ahmad

Dramatised by Patrick Chapman from an original story by Frank Hampson.

Produced and directed by Andrew Mark Sewell.

Made by B7 Media


SAT 18:30 Weird Tales (b01nrrbs)
Series 3

The Burial of Tom Nobody by Richard Vincent

The Reverend Braiden is forced to embark on a through-the-night road trip by a mysterious trio who threaten him with a terrifying test of faith at its end.

Series of chilling plays for winter nights.

Peter ..... Geoffrey Streatfeild
Silas ..... James Lailey
Sarah ..... Lynne Verrall
Michael ..... Simon Bubb
Eleanor ..... Tracy Wiles
Police Officer .. Paul Moriarty

Director: Gemma Jenkins

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011.


SAT 19:00 Acting the Rock Star (m000d7f9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 The Show What You Wrote (b06rys4c)
Series 3

Body & Soul

John Thomson, Shobna Gulati, Fiona Clarke, Chris Jack, and Gavin Webster star in the themed sketch show made entirely from contributions sent in by the public.

The best ideas have been chosen from thousands of submissions from new writers resulting in a show like no other.

The theme of "Body & Soul" sees an innovative approach to teaching, a relaxing new type of massage, and the most important component of British culture being exported around the world (whether the world wants it or not).

Written by: James Bugg, Josh Cluderay, Mark Cowling, Jay Droch, Neil Hickey, Tony Hickson, Dan Hobson and Jon Bridle, Scott Kingsnorth, Dan Kiss, Jay Roach, David Salisbury and Mike Whalley.

Script Editor: Jon Hunter

Producers: Ed Morrish and Paul Sheehan

A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2015.


SAT 22:30 Masala FM (b007jyfv)
Episode 2

Maz Mazoo gets an offer from Radio Fun FM, Madoona, the Asian Madonna is intent on making her mark on Masala FM, and Shanta's sick of the pair of them.

Six-part sitcom written by Meera Syal

Starring Sanjeev Bhaskar, Nitin Sawheny, Meera Syal and Nina Wadia.

Music by Nitin Sawhney.

Producer: Liz Anstee

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1996.


SAT 23:00 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar (b084bmn9)
Series 1

History and the Role of the Entertainer

Alexei explores the role of the entertainer. Along the way he explains why he will never go on Strictly Come Dancing, the reason Newsnight needs to be 11 hours long and questions why TV comedy panel shows help rehabilitate the careers of 'war criminals'.

The Godfather of Alternative Comedy delivers a mixture of stand-up, memoir and philosophy from behind the counter of his Imaginary Sandwich Bar.

Starring Alexei Sayle, Jake Yapp, Nicholas Parsons and Paul Merton

Written and performed by Alexei Sayle.

Additional Material by Sarah Campbell.

Producer: Joe Nunnery

A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2016.


SAT 23:30 Dr John Cooper Clarke at the BBC (b082j0gl)
Series 1

In the O-Zone Zone

The Bard of Salford performs a selection of poems on stage at the BBC’s Radio Theatre in London.

* Majorca
* Dekko Beach
* I Mustn’t Go Down to the Sea Again
* Nation’s Ode to the Coast

Written and performed by Dr John Cooper Clarke.

Introduction by Johnny Green.

Producer: Joe Nunnery

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2016.


SAT 23:45 Political Animals (b03lrzjw)
Series 2

Buddy and Bill

Bill Clinton's dog, Buddy, relives his turbulent tenure - made perilous by his arch enemy, Socks the Cat.

Another unreliable dog's eye view of the trials and tribulations of Washington living in the White House.

Buddy ..... Kerry Shale
Socks ..... Joel Maccormack
West Wing Guy ..... David Seddon

Written by Tony Bagley.

Director: Marc Beeby.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.