SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2021

SAT 00:00 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jpv4)
The Red Planet

5. Communication Lost

With all communications back to Earth lost, the courage of Captain Jet Morgan is severely tested during a meteor swarm...

Charles Chilton’s 1954 classic set in 1971.

Jet Morgan …. Andrew Faulds
Lemmy …. David Kossoff
Doc …. Guy Kingsley Poynter
Mitch …. Bruce Beeby
Announcer/Various …. David Jacobs
Various …. Anthony Marriott

Music composed and conducted by Van Phillips.

Producer: Charles Chilton

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in September 1954.


SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b00hr4lk)
Meeting a Star

Dominic Arkwright, James Delingpole, Agnes Poirier and Michael Simkins discuss stardom and our reaction to fame. From February 2009.


SAT 01:00 Patricia Highsmith - The Cry of the Owl (b01381wz)
Episode 4

Robert has been shot. Could Greg Wyncoop - who has not been seen since they both fought by the river - really have done it? Or is his body lying in the morgue?

Patricia Highsmith's intriguing tale of obsession stars John Sharian as Robert Forester, Adrian Lester as Greg Wyncoop, Briony Glassco as Nickie Jurgen and Peter Marinker as Detective Lippenholtz.

Adapted by Shaun McKenna.

Music composed and performed by David Chilton

Director: Marion Nancarrow

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.


SAT 01:30 Hercule Poirot (b0076tz9)
The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Episode 5

Captain Hastings and Detective Inspector Japp are bewildered by the antics of Hercule Poirot as he rushes back to Styles Court in a state of great excitement.

Agatha Christie’s 1920 thriller.

CAST:

Hercule Poirot …. John Moffatt
Hastings …. Simon Williams
Japp …. Philip Jackson
Mary …. Susan Jameson
Evie …. Nichola McAuliffe
Cynthia …. Annabelle Dowler
Dorcas …. Hilda Schroder
Lawrence …. Nicholas Boulton
Alfred …. Hugh Dickson

Original music composed by Tom Smail.

Dramatist: Michael Bakewell

Director: Enyd Williams

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.


SAT 02:00 Babette's Feast by Karen Blixen (b0850b4c)
The Great Artist

As the exquisite food and wine are consumed, old fractures are healed and broken friendships mended. But the true cost of the feast will become clear when Babette reveals the truth about her past.

Sylvestra Le Touzel reads Karen Blixen’s classic story.

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2016.


SAT 02:15 Wild Things by Charlotte Jones (b0833x3h)
Shelley's Episode

The transformative Brighton Ladies Sea Swimming Club alters lives. Five very different women's paths cross at this tough wild swimming club.

Shelley is not a member of the club, but her life and that of her daughter, depend on it.

By Charlotte Jones

Shelley ..... Michele Austin
Cassie ..... Keziah Joseph
Angie ..... Josie Lawrence
Davina ..... Sheila Reid
Jane ..... Karen Bartke
Police Officer ..... John Bowler

Directed by Liz Webb

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2016.


SAT 02:30 Ludwig Koch and the Music of Nature (b00jn4m2)
Ludwig Koch was once as famous as David Attenborough, as pioneering as 'Blue Planet' and as important as the BBC Natural History Unit. They all owe their existence to this German refugee who first recorded the music of nature. Through his archive and new field recordings the poet Sean Street tells the story of Ludwig Koch.

When Sean Street was recording in a store-room at the Science Museum for a Radio 4 archive programme he came across a grey crate, stencilled, as if it belonged to a band on tour, with KOCH on it. This was the disc-cutting machine which Ludwig Koch used for a decade to make the recordings of birds, mammals and insects that led to a new field of study, of broadcasting and the creation of the BBC's Natural History Unit.

Sean and his producer then began investigating and discovered that Koch made the first ever wildlife recording, of a bird, when he was eight, in 1889 - and that it still exists in the BBC's archives.

Koch was an effusive man and this led to several confrontations with Nazi officials, whom he despised. There is an extraordinary recording of him telling the story of a Berliner whose bullfinch sang 'The Internationale'. He was carted off to prison and the bird 'executed'. "Under dictatorship," Koch observed, "even songbirds suffer". He came to England, worked with Julian Huxley on theories of animal language, and recorded birds from the Scillies to Shetland.

In 1940 he joined the BBC and soon became a household name, beloved of comedians (there's a great sketch by Peter Sellers parodying him at work) because of his resolute pronunciation of English as if it were German.

As well as being wonderful radio in itself his work was of great significance. It inspired producer Desmond Hawkins to start 'The Naturalist', (using Koch's enchanting recording of a curlew as its signature tune). Sean Street uses his recordings and contributions of those who worked with him in what becomes a natural history programme in itself, with Koch the subject and Sean exploring his habits and habitat.

There is also an attempt to record curlews as he did so successfully, to shed light on the achievements of this courageous, influential and loveable genius. Today sound-recordists use tiny digital machines and sophisticated microphones. But there are other problems - traffic, planes, people - and fewer, shyer curlews.

Producer: Julian May

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.


SAT 03:00 Gerry Huxham - Russian Roulette (b007t4ll)
Dramatised events based on the life of the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky, when he undertook a potentially disastrous bet that led to the writing of ‘The Gambler’.

Written by Gerry Huxham.

Dostoyevsky .... David Troughton
Anna ..... Amanda Gordon
Gregory .... Keith Drinkel
Alexis .... Robert Harper
Polina ... Elaine Pyke
Grandmama ....Shirley Dixon
General .... Denys Hawthorne
Stellovsky .... Stephen Thorne
Dubarry .... Christopher Scott

With Ioan Meredith, Chris Pavlo, Colleen Prendergast and Mark Bonnar

Director: Janet Whitaker

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.


SAT 04:00 The Personality Test (b007vt9q)
Series 3

Eve Pollard

All about Eve – writer and ex-newspaper editor Eve Pollard is in the hot seat posing questions all about her.

Tackling the ultra-personal quiz are Sue Perkins, Caroline Quinlan, Robin Ince and Will Smith.

Comedy quiz presented by a new guest host every show. All the questions are about them. .

Script by Simon Littlefield and Kieron Quirke.

Devised and produced by Aled Evans.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.


SAT 04:30 Bristow (b007rgl8)
Series 2

The Power of the Press

The Chester-Perry buying clerk crusades to improve conditions for cleaning ladies.

Michael Williams stars as Bristow, the buying clerk from Frank Dickens' famous newspaper cartoon strip. Syndicated internationally, it ran for 41 years in London's Evening Standard.

Bristow ...... Michael Williams
Jones ...... Rodney Bewes
Gert ...... Liz Fraser
Daisy ...... Joan Sims
Mrs Purdy ...... Dora Bryan
Hewitt ...... Owen Brenman
Miss Sunman ...... Katy Odey
Stationmaster ...... Jon Glover
Stoke ...... David Battley
Hickford ...... Roger Lloyd Pack
Lift Boy ...... Ian Kelland

Music composed and performed by John Whitehall.

Producer: Neil Cargill

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1999.


SAT 05:00 Dot (b072j327)
Series 1

The Mystery at St Horribly-Vulture's School for Boys

Dot's sent to St Horribly Vulture's School for Boys to enlist a teacher for 'Shhhh Bletchley Park'.

But is he the right sort of chap for the job?

Comic adventures with Dot and the gals from personnel in the rollicking wartime comedy by Ed Harris.

Dot ..... Fenella Woolgar
Myrtle ..... Kate O'Flynn
Millicent ..... Jane Slavin
Peabody ..... David Acton
Mr Belltower ..... Brian Protheroe
Apsley ..... Sam Rix

Director: Jessica Mitic

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016.


SAT 05:30 Stand-Up Specials (m000rbpz)
Imran Yusuf: Relabelled

We all have labels. Some we're given and some we actively choose. In his first show for Radio 4 Imran Yusuf ponders one label he was born with - man.

How do you learn to be a man and what does being a 'man' even mean? In this autobiographical audience show, Imran looks at where he got his role models from as a boy, what he thought being a man was all about and how that view changed radically as he became an adult. Jackie Chan might have been his inspiration when he was young but it was a woman who sparked self-awareness and change.

This is a very funny and honest account of his life and changing attitudes to manliness.

Imran earned a Best Newcomer nomination in the Fosters Awards for his first Edinburgh show in 2010.

Written and presented by Imran Yusuf

Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith

A Yada-Yada Audio production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 06:00 Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau (b01qqsw3)
Queen Flavia writes a fateful letter to her true love Rudolf Rassendyll. Sequel to The Prisoner of Zenda.

King Rudolf/Rudolf Rassendyll …. Julian Glover
Queen Flavia …. Hannah Gordon
Herbert/Bauer …. Nigel Anthony
Hermann / Anton von Strofzing …. David Sinclair
James …. Timothy Alcock
Station-Master / Butler…. Wilfrid Carter
Countess Helga …. Hilda Schroder
Fritz von Tarlenheim …. David Timson
Anton von Strofzing …. David Sinclair
Madame Helsing/Mother Hof …. Diana Bishop
Rischenheim …. Kerry Francis
Rupert of Hentzau …. Martin Jarvis
Chancellor Helsing / Farmer …. Peter Williams
Constable/Thug …. Vernon Joyner
Colonel Sapt …. Nigel Stock
Fraulein Helsing …. Bonnie Hurren
Bernenstein …. Sean Barrett
Simon/Thug …. Fraser Kerr
Rosa …. Cherry Gilliam


SAT 07:30 Great Lives (b06ycr4x)
Series 38

Eliza Manningham-Buller chooses Abraham Lincoln

Former director of MI5, Eliza Manningham-Buller, tells Matthew Parris why she regards Abraham Lincoln as a great life.

But will her hero stand up to intensive scrutiny and merit the description of having led a great life? The expert is Dr Tony Hutchison, from the American Studies Department at the University of Nottingham.

The producer is Perminder Khatkar.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016.


SAT 08:00 The Motion Show (b0075wj0)
Series 2

Episode 1

Dr Phil Hammond chairs the debating game with Gyles Brandreth, Tony Hawks, Jo Caulfield and Arthur Smith. From January 2000.


SAT 08:30 Rent (b00752lq)
Series 3

Episode 4

Maria turns agony aunt, but is Paul finally turning all grown-up and responsible?

Series 3 of Lucy Flannery's award-winning sitcom about Maria and Richard Reynolds and their lodgers.

CAST:

Maria …. Barbara Flynn
Richard …. Patrick Barlow
Amy …. Linda Polan
Ruby …. Vivienne Rochester
Paul …. Dave Lamb
The Mother …. Sally Grace
The Checkout Girl …. Sarah Parkinson

Producer: Liz Anstee.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1997.


SAT 09:00 The Freedland Files (b09t0r9c)
Made to mark the 90th Academy Awards ceremony in 2018, Michael Freedland, the prolific author and broadcaster, opens his audio archives for the very first time.

As a writer, presenter and interviewer for over fifty years Freedland has an extensive collection of material which contains the biggest Oscar winning names in film, great entertainers and leading public figures.

In this special 4 Extra showcase recorded from his Bournemouth home he explores the private recordings made for his book and article research along with extracts from his radio documentaries and reveals some of the lesser-known tales of the great stars of stage and screen.

Many of the selections from his archives have never been broadcast before and along with key material from the iconic names of Hollywood such as Julie Andrews, Fred Astaire, Hope and Crosby, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, James Cagney we also hear exclusive interview recordings with Morecambe and Wise and a fascinating not to be missed conversation with Margaret Thatcher before she became prime minister.

Michael Freedland passed away in October 2018.

Producer: Stephen Garner

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in March 2018.


SAT 12:00 The Jack Benny Program (m000rml7)
From Palm Springs with Bob Hope

The cast are in Palm Springs, California where they tease Jack about his horsemanship and appearance in Quick magazine.

On radio, The Jack Benny Show ran from February 1932 to May 1955. From that date, new shows were produced for television but there were re-runs on radio until 1958. Over the years, the programme was sponsored by a diverse range of products from jelly, to tyres and cigarettes.

Audiences related to Jack Benny and his willingness to give some of the best comedy lines in the show to his supporting cast, made him popular with listeners, guests and colleagues.

Taking part in this episode:

Jack Benny
Mary Livingstone
Phil Harris
Dennis Day
Don Wilson
Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
Bob Hope

First broadcast on CBS in March 1950.


SAT 12:30 Winston (b007k4b8)
Series 1

A Happy Family

Nancy has recently moved to the village with sister Rosie, brother William and her Father.

When Winston, the local poacher and handyman, is thrown out by his wife because of his infidelities, he invites himself to stay with them and starts to spoil the family by acquiring a brand new freezer for them, by doing all the washing and ironing and by cooking them superb meals.

But they are deeply suspicious. What could be Winston's motives?

Peter Tinniswood's bawdy comedy serial stars Bill Wallis as Winston, Maurice Denham as Father, Shirley Dixon as Nancy, Liz Goulding as Rosie and Christian Rodska as William.

Directed at BBC Bristol by Shaun MacLoughlin.

First broadcast on BBC Radio in April 1989.


SAT 13:00 Archive on 4 (b08n1hnh)
The 90s: A Holiday from History

Jonathan Freedland re-examines the 1990s from a new angle - recalling it as a rare period of peace and prosperity. But could it also be the decade which ultimately led to Trump and Brexit?

Sandwiched between the end of the Cold War and the war on terror, the 1990s now look like an oasis of calm. The decade witnessed the end of apartheid in South Africa, the fall of the Soviet Union and peace in Northern Ireland. As a result, people became preoccupied by more domestic dramas. Just as the UK was gripped by the saga of Charles and Diana's marriage, the Americans were hooked on the OJ Simpson trial.

Jonathan unearths a rich selection of archive and hears from MPs John Redwood and Harriet Harman about their perspectives on this most unusual decade. But he also argues that some of the forces unleashed in that decade would only start to manifest themselves in the middle of the 2010s - with the rise of Donald Trump and the UK's decision to leave the EU.

Producer: Laurence Grissell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2017.


SAT 14:00 I, Regress (b018xs90)
Series 1

Episode 1

A dark, David Lynch-ian comedy, ideally suited for an unsettling and surreal late night listen. 'I, Regress' sees Matt Berry (The IT Crowd, Garth Marenghi's Dark Place, Snuff Box) playing a corrupt and bizarre hypnotherapist taking unsuspecting clients on twisted, misleading journeys through their subconscious.

Each episode sees the doctor dealing with a different client who has come to him for a different problem (quitting smoking, fear of water, etc). As the patient is put under hypnosis, we 'enter' their mind, and all the various situations the hypnotherapist takes them through are played out for us to hear. The result is a dream- (or nightmare-) like trip through the patient's mind, as funny as it is disturbing.

Episode 1: Karen House-Water (Katherine Parkinson) visits Dr Berry to treat her fear of water, and finds that the cure can sometimes be worse than the disease - via mermaids, the titanic, and talking dolphins.

The cast across the series include Katherine Parkinson (IT Crowd), Morgana Robinson (The Morgana Show), Simon Greenall (I'm Alan Partridge), Jack Klaff (Star Wars, For Your Eyes Only), Tara Flynn (The Impressions Show, Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle), Alex Lowe (Barry From Watford, The Peter Serafinowicz Show), and Derek Griffiths (Playschool, Bod, and The Royal Exchange).

A compelling late night listen: tune in and occupy someone else's head!

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2012.


SAT 14:15 James Acaster's Findings (b04pv6kv)
Series 1

4. Paint

Triple Foster's nominated comedian James Acaster presents the results of his research. This week, he's been investigating 'Paint'. With Nathaniel Metcalfe ('Fresh from the Fringe') and Bryony Hannah ('Call the Midwife').

Produced by Lyndsay Fenner.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.


SAT 14:30 Lobby Land (m00076vg)
Series 2

Brecon Bad

Sam heads to Wales to cover the fallout from the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election, giving Mia the worst birthday of her life.

Starring Yasmine Akram, Charlie Higson, Cariad Lloyd, Dan Tetsell and Daniel Lawrence Taylor.
Written by Jon Harvey, Christopher Davies and Sarah Dempster

Produced by Jon Harvey
A Naked production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2019.


SAT 15:00 Lionel Nimrod's Inexplicable World (b007qx6z)
Series 1

The Universe

The spoof TV sci-fi star explains life's big mysteries. Stars Richard Herring, Stewart Lee and Tom Baker. From October 1992.


SAT 15:30 Old Harry's Game (b00bf9z0)
Series 4

Beautiful England

As Satan sets out to prove England is the worst nation, Scumspawn tackles a lager lout. Satanic sitcom stars Andy Hamilton. From April 2001.


SAT 16:00 Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau (b01qqsw3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 17:30 Great Lives (b06ycr4x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 18:00 Aldous Huxley - The Dwarves (b0b2jflw)
Sir Hercules and his wife, Filomena, are dwarves who have turned their country estate into a haven for others like themselves.

This world of peace and harmony exists for many years until it becomes threatened from a most unexpected quarter.

Based on Chapter 13 of Crome Yellow by Aldous Huxley.

Dramatised by Peter Mackie.

Stars David Learner as Hercules, Claire Faulconbridge as Filomena, Garard Green as the Narrator, Ronald Herdman a Sir Henry, Hedli Niklaus as Lady Sarah, Eric Stovell as Ferdinando, Silas Gregory as Ferdinando & Hercules as boys, Tony Turner as Charles, Rob Swinton as Simon, Alan Devereux as Jenkins, Alex Jones as Gregory and John Dixon as Sebastian.

Harpsichord played by Marlene Fleet.

Violin played by William Hand.

Directed at BBC Pebble Mill by Philip Martin.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1986.


SAT 19:00 The Freedland Files (b09t0r9c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 22:00 I Think I've Got a Problem (b007ynmg)
Series 1

Episode 4

After getting a job at a supermarket, Tom finally proposes to Sadie, but first he must ask her father for permission.

Tom's "imaginary" band get in on the act. Will it all end with a song and a dance?

Andrew McGibbon and Nick Romero's everyday story about a man who can't stop himself from breaking into song.

Suggs ..... Tom Caine
Bob Monkhouse ..... Dr Boone
Mika Simmons ..... Sadie
Phil Cornwell ..... Bouche
Michael Roberts ..... Clammy Clemence
Andrew McGibbon ..... Jake
Nick Romero ..... Monty DeVere
Emma Clarke ..... Melody

Songs: Andrew McGibbon. Nick Romero and Suggs

Director: Chris Neill

Producers: Torquil MacLeod. Julian Mayers and Andrew McGibbon.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2001.


SAT 22:30 What Does the K Stand For? (b04ykd7f)
Series 2

The BFF

Best Friends Forever.

Stephen K Amos's sitcom about growing up black, gay and funny in 1980s south London.

Written by Jonathan Harvey with Stephen K Amos.

Stephen K Amos … Stephen K Amos
Young Stephen … Shaquille Ali-Yebuah
Stephanie Amos … Fatou Sohna
Virginia Amos … Ellen Thomas
Vincent Amos … Don Gilet
Miss Bliss … Michelle Butterly
Jayson Jackson … Frankie Wilson
Roy ... Ryan Watson

Producer: Colin Anderson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2015.


SAT 23:00 Mark Steel's in Town (b07wc305)
Series 7

Kingston-upon-Thames

Mark visits The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames.

He takes a trip on a river boat, rides the longest single truss escalator in the world and spends an evening in and the suburb of New Malden, home to the largest population of South Koreans outside Korea where he samples the delights of Kimchi and sings in a Noraebang.

Mark Steel's seventh series of the award winning show that travels around the country, researching the history, heritage and culture of six towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness, and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents.

Written and performed by ... Mark Steel
Additional material by ... Pete Sinclair
Production co-ordinator ... Hayley Stirling
Producer ... Carl Cooper

A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2016..


SAT 23:30 Tudur Owen - Where on Earth is Anglesey? (m0001b1t)
Episode 1

What do CenterParcs, Sky Sports and The Royal Horticultural Society all have in common? They’ve all accidentally omitted Anglesey from their official maps of the UK in the recent past.

It seems that despite being the largest island in the Irish Sea and the largest island of Wales, Anglesey remains a mystery to most and so one man is going to have to work his socks off to put it firmly back on the map.

Hosted by Wales and Anglesey’s very own favourite stand-up, Tudur Owen, this programme is one man’s mission to both rejoice in and roast the island he calls home.

In Episode 1 Tudur gives us a whistlestop tour of Anglesey history, from ancient invaders to the present day.

Written by Tudur Owen with additional material by Gareth Gwynn. Also featuring Gareth Pierce and Lisa-Jên Brown.

Recorded at Canolfan Beaumaris on Anglesey.

Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios Production

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2018.