Big Toe Books is a daily children's radio programme on BBC Radio 7, presented by Kirsten O'Brien. Includes Suniti Namjoshi reading her book Aditi and the One-Eyed Monkey.
Povey orders the poorly crew onto choppy waters in search of a buoy. Stars Leslie Phillips and Stephen Murray. From March 1960.
Spooky happenings hamper John's investigation as he delves into the world of ghosts.
He can't afford a night at a haunted hotel, but he does get some expert advice from his telephone guest, Yvette Fielding.
Sheffield's John Shuttleworth continues his probe into unsolved phenomena..
With Mary Shuttleworth.
Written and performed by Graham Fellows.
Additional material by Dean Wilkinson.
The Orient Express is trapped in a snowdrift and in one compartment, a man lies murdered. Fortunately Hercule Poirot is aboard the train.
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
MacQueen ...... James Telfer
Pierre Michel ...... Frank Windsor
Dr Constantine ...... Peter Polycarpou
Masterman ...... Desmond Llewelyn
Mrs Hubbard ...... Sylvia Syms
Director Enyd Williams.
1. Murder Mansion
It's 1934 and a New York warehouse is ablaze on the Lower East Side. A gang of gun-runners are holed-up until their supply of ammo explodes.
Tough-nut hero, Secret Agent X-9 receives a phone call from wealthy industrialist, Tarleton Powers asking for his help.
Stars Stuart Milligan as X-9 and Connie Booth as Grace Powers.
The heroic agent's 4-part adventure dramatised by Mark Brisenden, from the comic strip created by Dashiell Hammett and Alex Raymond. Syndicated by King Features, it ran from 1934 to 1996.
X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan
Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth
The Top ...... William Hootkins
Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power
Deacon ...... Peter Marinker
Matthew ...... Michael John Paliotti
Captain Brady ...... John Guerrasio
Jude ...... Bruce McGregor
Cop 1 ...... Clive Rowe
All other parts played by the cast.
Originally agent X-9 had no name, but opted to call himself "Dexter" in the opening tale.
Author Dashiell Hammett is best remembered for his detective novels, The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man, while cartoonist Alex Raymond famously created sci-fi comic hero Flash Gordon.
Producer: Chris Wallis.
Kit arrives back in London wondering where Little Nell and Grandfather have gone. Dickens dramatisation starring Trevor Peacock. From December 2012.
Jesus issues a new law to live by. Dorothy L Sayers' cycle of plays on the life of Jesus Christ. Stars Gabriel Woolf.
The boy's new life at boarding school brings both friendship and hardship. Stars Sheila Hancock, Timothy Spall and Gary Cady.
Just as Albert and Harold are needing to economise, the rag and bone men are made an irresistible offer. Starring Wilfrid Brambell as Albert, Harry H Corbett as Harold and Leonard Rossiter as Welsh Hughie.
Following the conclusion of their hugely successful association with Tony Hancock, writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson wrote 10 pilots for the BBC TV's Comedy Playhouse in 1962. The Offer was set in a house with a yard full of junk, featuring the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and his son Harold and it was the spark for a run of 8 series for TV.
Adapted for radio from Galton and Simpson's TV script by Gale Pedrick.
2. Confused and Alone
The young cub becomes confused when his mother abandons him, but a new friend awaits.
Nicholas Farrell reads Henry Williamson's classic tale of otter life, first published in 1927.
Abridged in five episodes by Sally Marmion.
Life as a model and breaking into acting - leading to 'The New Avengers', 'Sapphire & Steel' and a date with James Bond.
One of this country's best loved actors, Joanna Lumley, reads from her home-based autobiography.
Producer: Liz Webb.
Gladstone's ambitions for Home Rule in Ireland end in fiasco. Anna Massey continues the history of Britain.
Julian Richards tells the story of the early days of quarrying for Portland stone in Dorset and its royal connections.
Jealous Faith is swamped with advice over how best to deal with Bill and his ex-wife Liza
Starring Lynda Bellingham as Faith and James Bolam as Bill.
Sitcom about the battles of divorcees Bill and Faith trying to forge a relationship whilst balancing the demands of his ex-wife, Liza and her teenage children, Hannah and Joe.
Series one of four inspired by the real lives of husband and wife writers, Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie.
A TV version made by LWT for ITV appeared in 1991 and ran for four series, with a spin-off series Faith in the Future.
Faith ...... Lynda Bellingham
Bill ...... James Bolam
Hilary ...... Celia Imrie
Liza ...... Belinda Lang
Hannah ...... Kelda Holmes
Joe ...... Mark Denham
Roger is tempted to stray, but he'd be keeping it in the family. Stars Rosemary Leach and Bill Nighy. From January 2002.
London is melting, but planetary decontaminationists Arnold and Gregor get the blame and go on the run.
Stephen Hawking once warned us that our species could soon be wiped out by plagues, asteroids and our tendency to destroy ourselves. The solution, he suggested, was for us to colonise other planets. But Chris Larner and David Gilbert's sci-fi comedy sees the truth as a little more complicated.
The Laxian Key shows how, as soon as Man steps onto another planet, he promptly fouls it up just as he did earth. The heroes of this wonderfully wacky tale are two interplanetary decontaminationists.
Arnold …. Chris Larner
Gregor …. Mark Bonner
Evan …. Trevor Cooper
Office …. Alex Lowe
Ferngraum …. Sam Dale
Jo …. Christine Kavanagh
Dolores …. Virge Gilchrist
Virtual Newsreader …. Bethan Walker
Gregor is adapting to his new insect form, but his shocked family find it harder to accept. Read by Benedict Cumberbatch.
Radical comic Mark Steel profiles the 'first modern celebrity' in English cricketing and Victorian society, WG Grace.
Series of humorous lectures covering historical figures who shaped their era.
With Melanie Hudson and Kim Wall. .
Helen Lederer, Clive Mantle and Nick Wilton's compilation of series one of the sketch comedy, broadcast live in Summer 1984.
Biting sketch show from Northern Ireland's comedy team of Tim McGarry, Damon Quinn and Mike McDowell. From February 2004.
WEDNESDAY 07 JANUARY 2009
WED 00:00 The Laxian Key (b007k2m3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Franz Kafka - Metamorphosis (b007k3r4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Hercule Poirot (b007yp1g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Dashiell Hammett - Secret Agent X-9 (b007jpzc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Charles Dickens (b007vh37)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:15 The Man Born to Be King (b008hq13)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:15 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 The Shuttleworths (b007lrj3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 The Mark Steel Lecture (b007jv2j)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:30 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 The Best of in One Ear (b00gdk9p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Half Sketch (b00gdk9r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Charles Dickens - The Personal History of David Copperfield (b007jmnd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 No Commitments (b007jp3j)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:30 on Tuesday]
WED 06:30 Second Thoughts (b008p4zq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Tuesday]
WED 07:00 Big Toe Books (b00gdw1t)
Big Toe Books is a daily children's radio programme on BBC Radio 7, presented by Kirsten O'Brien. Includes Suniti Namjoshi reading Aditi and the One-Eyed Monkey.
WED 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k0xt)
Series 1
The End of the Series
The lad himself and the gang reminisce over how they first all first met.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With Moira Lister, Bill Kerr, Sidney James and Kenneth Williams.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music composed by Wally Stott. Recorded by the BBC Augmented Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Producer: Dennis Main Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in February 1955.
WED 08:30 In the Chair (b007jsx5)
Episode 4
Will Charles Prentiss manage to scupper his rival's bid for the job of DG? Maverick hack George Cragge thinks an unrelated murder may be connected after all.
Mark Tavener's six-part satirical comedy thriller stars Michael Williams as George Cragge, Barry Foster as DCI Frank Jefferson, Hugh Laurie as the Prime Minister, Richard Griffiths as Crichton-Potter, John Bird as Martin, Stephen Fry as Charles Prentiss, Rebecca Front as Marcia Mallon, Kenneth Cranham as Jim Hardie, Geoffrey Whitehead as Director of Personnel, Simon Greehall as the Chancellor, Jonathan Keeble as John and Susie Brann as Caroline.
Music by Paul Mottram.
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1998.
WED 09:00 Hercule Poirot (b007yrng)
Murder on the Orient Express
Episode 3
Hercule Poirot has discovered the murder victim has a "past" - and is convinced that the murderer is still aboard the train.
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
Pierre Michel ...... Frank Windsor
Princess Dragmiroff ...... Sian Phillips
Miss Ohlsson ...... Kate Binchy
Count Andrenyi ...... David Thorpe
Countess Andrenyi ...... Siriol Jenkins
Colonel Arbuthnot ...... Stephen Hodson
Hardman ...... John Church
Pianist: Michael Haslam
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.
WED 09:30 Dashiell Hammett - Secret Agent X-9 (b007jpzt)
2. Carnage at Sea
The 1930s heroic agent takes on the law to pursue his arch enemy in the heart of New York.
Stars Stuart Milligan as X-9 and Connie Booth as Grace Powers.
Adapted for radio by Mark Brisenden, from the comic strip created by Dashiell Hammett and Alex Raymond. Syndicated by King Features, it ran from 1934 to 1996.
X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan
Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth
The Top ...... William Hootkins
Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power
Deacon ...... Peter Marinker
Steward ...... Michael John Paliotti
Bartholomew ...... John Guerrasio
Jude ...... Bruce McGregor
All other parts played by the cast.
Producer: Chris Wallis.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in January 1994.
WED 10:00 Charles Dickens (b007vjlq)
The Old Curiosity Shop
Episode 8
Desperate to find Little Nell, Quilp turns to a friend of her brother. Dickens dramatisation with Phil Daniels. From Janury 2003.
WED 10:15 The Man Born to Be King (b008h619)
The Princes of this World
Jesus has been taken prisoner. Dorothy L Sayers' cycle of plays on the life of Jesus Christ. Stars Gabriel Woolf.
WED 11:00 Charles Dickens - The Personal History of David Copperfield (b007jmqs)
Betsy Trotwood
The boy flees London in search of his only living relative. Stars Miriam Margolyes, David Bamber and Gary Cady.
WED 12:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k0xt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 12:30 The Burkiss Way (b00gsb7z)
Series 2
Govern Britain the Burkiss Way
The comedy team sweep to a political landslide.
The Burkiss Way to Dynamic Living from radio's Advanced Correspondence Course
With democratic instruction from Jo Kendall , Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett and Fred Harris.
A proportionally representative script by Andrew Marshall and David Renwick.
Ministerial production by Simon Brett.
Cult sketch show first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1977.
WED 13:00 Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson (b007jvc4)
3. First Winter
As the winter storms arrive in Devon, fish are increasingly hard to find through the ice.
Nicholas Farrell reads Henry Williamson's classic tale of otter life, first published in 1927.
Abridged in five episodes by Sally Marmion.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
WED 13:15 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gdw1w)
The Kitchen
Life as a single mum and a glimpse of old age courtesy of BBC TV's 'Absolutely Fabulous’.
One of this country's best loved actors, Joanna Lumley, reads from her home-based autobiography
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
WED 13:30 This Sceptred Isle (b007jtpj)
General Gordon Dies at Khartoum
Proposals to improve social conditions leads to urban slum clearances. Anna Massey continues the history of Britain.
WED 13:45 Men of Stone (b00ctt4x)
Series 1
The Choice of the Professionals
From Jones to Parry via Wren and Lutyens - Julian Richards tells the story of Dorset's Portland stone and London's cityscape.
WED 14:00 07/01/2009 (b00gdw1y)
Join all your CBeebies friends for songs, rhymes and stories on BBC Radio 7.
WED 17:00 After Henry (b007jmkg)
Series 1
Moving
Her daughter wants to move out. Her mother wants to move in, but should Sarah just sell up?
Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women - struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband - who never quite manage to see eye to eye.
Starring Prunella Scales as Sarah, Joan Sanderson as Eleanor, Benjamin Whitrow as Russell, Gerry Cowper as Clare and Marion Bailey as Janie.
Four radio series were made, but instead of moving to BBC TV - Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network.
Producer: Pete Atkin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1985.
WED 17:30 Coming Alive (b00gdw1p)
Series 2
Just One Night
Terry and Sandra come to blows when his ex winds up staying at the community centre. Stars Karl Howman. From August 2000.
WED 18:00 The Laxian Key (b007k2tx)
Episode 3
With the planetary decontaminationists on the run, Arnold's apologetic call for melting Earth is traced.
Stephen Hawking once warned us that our species could soon be wiped out by plagues, asteroids and our tendency to destroy ourselves. The solution, he suggested, was for us to colonise other planets. But Chris Larner and David Gilbert's sci-fi comedy sees the truth as a little more complicated.
The Laxian Key shows how, as soon as Man steps onto another planet, he promptly fouls it up just as he did earth. The heroes of this wonderfully wacky tale are two interplanetary decontaminationists.
CAST:
Arnold …. Chris Larner
Gregor …. Mark Bonner
Evan …. Trevor Cooper
Office …. Alex Lowe
Ferngraum …. Sam Dale
Jo …. Christine Kavanagh
Dolores …. Virge Gilchrist
Virtual Newsreader …. Bethan Walker
with Paul Biggin, Emma Noakes and Joseph Kloska
Music by Mark Stevens and Chris Larner
Producer: Peter Kavanagh
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in February 2007.
WED 18:30 Franz Kafka - Metamorphosis (b007k3xn)
Episode 3
Now a monstrous insect, Gregor strives to stay close to his family - but his father turns on him. Read by Benedict Cumberbatch.
PROMOTION NOTE
"When Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from troubled dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous insect."
This shocking opening introduces one of the twentieth century's most famous stories.
Gregor's family react with horror at his bizarre transformation but their horror slowly turns to revulsion and then monstrous indifference as he is left to quietly waste away in his bedroom.
Metamorphosis was first published in 1912.
Benedict Cumberbatch reads this surreal classic in four parts.
Stage and screen actor, Benedict Cumberbatch was Bafta nominated for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in the BBC TV drama, "Hawking". Most recently he appeared in the TV dramatisation of William Golding's seafaring trilogy, "To The Ends of The Earth". He also won critical acclaim playing Hedda's husband, George, in last year's West End production of "Hedda Gabler".
Franz Kafka (1883-1924) ranks among the twentieth-century's most acclaimed writers. He is often cited as the author whose works best evoke the concerns and preoccupations of modern life. The world in his stories is portrayed as one in which the fantastic is entirely normal, the irrational is rational, and the unreasonable seems reasonable. As Ernst Pawel wrote in his biography of the writer, "Kafka articulates the anguish of being human."
Translated by Richard Stokes
(Abridged and produced by Gemma Jenkins).
WED 19:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k0xt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 19:30 The Burkiss Way (b00gsb7z)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 today]
WED 20:00 Hercule Poirot (b007yrng)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
WED 20:30 Dashiell Hammett - Secret Agent X-9 (b007jpzt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
WED 21:00 Charles Dickens (b007vjlq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
WED 21:15 The Man Born to Be King (b008h619)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:15 today]
WED 22:00 In the Chair (b007jsx5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 22:30 Old Harry's Game (b008m4f8)
Series 1
Introduction
Fed up with eternity, Satan decides Hell needs some new guests.
"I'm bored of skiing across the lake of fire with a nun lashed to each foot. That's the trouble with eternity - it's so hard to set yourself targets."
The opening episode of Andy Hamilton's comedy series set in Hell.
Satan ...... Andy Hamilton
The Professor ...... James Grout
Thomas ...... Jimmy Mulville
Gary, The Demon ...... Steven O'Donnell
Other characters played by Philip Pope, Penelope Nice and Jasper Jacob.
Producer Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1995.
WED 23:00 Eddie Izzard - Definite Article (b007jvtj)
Episode 1
The inimitable comedian entertains an audience with his stream of consciousness at London's Shaftesbury Theatre. From 1995.
THURSDAY 08 JANUARY 2009
THU 00:00 The Laxian Key (b007k2tx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 Franz Kafka - Metamorphosis (b007k3xn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Hercule Poirot (b007yrng)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Dashiell Hammett - Secret Agent X-9 (b007jpzt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Charles Dickens (b007vjlq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:15 The Man Born to Be King (b008h619)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:15 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 In the Chair (b007jsx5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 Old Harry's Game (b008m4f8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:30 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Eddie Izzard - Definite Article (b007jvtj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Charles Dickens - The Personal History of David Copperfield (b007jmqs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Coming Alive (b00gdw1p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:30 on Wednesday]
THU 06:30 After Henry (b007jmkg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Wednesday]
THU 07:00 Big Toe Books (b00gdw5j)
Big Toe Books is a daily children's radio programme on BBC Radio 7, presented by Kirsten O'Brien. Includes Suniti Namjoshi reading from her book Aditi and the One-Eyed Monkey.
THU 08:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b0081s3d)
Series 2
Episode 3
Can crooked lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel free his jailed assistant Ravelli?
Recreation of the Marx Brothers' lost shows charting the adventures of shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel and his assistant, Emmanuel Ravelli. Originally broadcast with sponsors on America's NBC radio network in the 1930s. The scripts were rediscovered in 1988.
Groucho Marx as Waldorf T Flywheel ...... Michael Roberts
Chico Marx as Emmanuel Ravellias ...... Frank Lazarus
With Lorelei King, Graham Hoadly and Vincent Marzello.
Written by Nat Perrin and Athur Sheekman. Adapted by Mark Brisenden.
Music arranged and conducted by David Firman.
Producer: Dirk Maggs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1991.
THU 08:30 Punt and Dennis: It's Been a Bad Week (b008h3jx)
Series 2
Episode 6
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis spotlight the UK's gout capital and topless cashiers. With guest Stuart Maconie. From September 1999.
THU 09:00 Hercule Poirot (b007ys7n)
Murder on the Orient Express
Episode 4
Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot discovers that someone aboard the train is lying to him.
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
Dr Constantine ...... Peter Polycarpou
Mrs Hubbard ...... Sylvia Syms
Miss Debenham ...... Francesca Annis
Foscarelli ...... Frank Coda
Fraulein Schmidt ...... Linda Polan
Count Andrenyi ...... David Thorpe
Countess Andrenyi ...... Siriol Jenkins
Miss Ohlsson ...... Kate Binchy
Pianist: Michael Haslam
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.
THU 09:30 Dashiell Hammett - Secret Agent X-9 (b007jq0q)
3. The Powers That Be
The all-American hero battles to save gold bullion and solve Evelyn's disappearance.
Stars Stuart Milligan as X-9 and Connie Booth as Grace Powers.
Adapted for radio by Mark Brisenden, from the comic strip created by Dashiell Hammett and Alex Raymond. Syndicated by King Features, it ran from 1934 to 1996.
X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan
Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth
The Top ...... William Hootkins
Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power
Deacon ...... Peter Marinker
Matthew ...... Michael John Paliotti
Captain Brady ...... John Guerrasio
Harper-Carp ...... Kerry Shale
Waitress ...... Miranda Pleasance
All other parts played by the cast.
Producer: Chris Wallis.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in January 1994.
THU 10:00 Charles Dickens (b007jwgf)
The Old Curiosity Shop
Episode 9
A weary Little Nell and her Grandfather find some welcome help on their travels. Dickens dramatisation with Julia McKenzie. From January 2003.
THU 10:15 The Man Born to Be King (b008h3nq)
King of Sorrows
Will the death of Jesus satisfy the Sanhedrin? Dorothy L Sayers' cycle of plays on the life of Jesus Christ. Stars Gabriel Woolf.
THU 11:00 Charles Dickens - The Personal History of David Copperfield (b007jmr2)
The Question of My Future
David and Steerforth's trip to Yarmouth has unforeseen consequences. Stars Miriam Margolyes, Gary Cady and Timothy Spall.
THU 12:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b0081s3d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 12:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b00gf8dg)
Bedtime stories with odd sound effects. Humphrey Lyttelton and Willie Rushton in the antidote to panel games. From March 1983.
THU 13:00 Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson (b007jvcb)
4. Prey
Spring arrives in the Devon countryside, with the smell of man and the cry of a she-otter.
Nicholas Farrell reads Henry Williamson's classic tale of otter life, first published in 1927.
Abridged in five episodes by Sally Marmion.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
THU 13:15 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gf8dj)
The Dressing Room
Playing Patsy on BBC TV's Absolutely Fabulous and Joanna's life-long love of fashion.
Much-loved actor, Joanna Lumley continues her home-based autobiography
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
THU 13:30 This Sceptred Isle (b007jtpt)
Salisbury Becomes Prime Minister
Churchill and Chamberlain appear, and the thorny question of Home Rule in Ireland. Anna Massey narrates the history of Britain.
THU 13:45 Men of Stone (b00cv175)
Series 1
Island Life Then
Julian Richards takes a trip through time to uncover some of Portland's social history, from pregnant brides to taboo mammals.
THU 14:00 08/01/2009 (b00gf8dl)
Join all your CBeebies friends for songs, rhymes and stories on BBC7.
THU 17:00 Doctor in the House (b007jt0n)
In the Wards
Unleashed on the patients, the medics are unprepared for the formidable Sister Virtue.
The misadventures of student doctor Simon Sparrow - adapted for radio by Ray Cooney from Richard Gordon's novel 'Doctor in the House' published in 1952.
Starring Richard Briers as Simon Sparrow, Geoffrey Sumner as Sir Lancelot Spratt, Ray Cooney as Tony Benskin, Edward Cast as Taffy Evans, Joan Sanderson as Sister Virtue and Irene Handl as Mrs Clark.
Producer: David Hatch
Recorded at the BBC Paris studio in London.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1968.
THU 17:30 A Whole New Ball Game (b00gf8dn)
Series 2
The Friendly
Fists fly when Andy and Robert's football teams meet, but not among the players. Stars Brenda Blethyn. From November 1994.
THU 18:00 The Laxian Key (b007k30w)
Episode 4
Evans the Welsh vigilante aims to senselessly bomb the planetary decontaminationists for melting Earth.
Stephen Hawking once warned us that our species could soon be wiped out by plagues, asteroids and our tendency to destroy ourselves. The solution, he suggested, was for us to colonise other planets. But Chris Larner and David Gilbert's sci-fi comedy sees the truth as a little more complicated.
The Laxian Key shows how, as soon as Man steps onto another planet, he promptly fouls it up just as he did earth. The heroes of this wonderfully wacky tale are two interplanetary decontaminationists.
CAST:
Arnold …. Chris Larner
Gregor …. Mark Bonner
Evan …. Trevor Cooper
Office …. Alex Lowe
Ferngraum …. Sam Dale
Jo …. Christine Kavanagh
Dolores …. Virge Gilchrist
Virtual Newsreader …. Bethan Walker
with Paul Biggin, Emma Noakes and Joseph Kloska
Music by Mark Stevens and Chris Larner
Producer: Peter Kavanagh
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in February 2007.
THU 18:30 Franz Kafka - Metamorphosis (b007k43b)
Episode 4
Now a monstrous insect, Gregor strives to stay close to his family - but his father turns on him. Read by Benedict Cumberbatch.
PROMOTION NOTE
"When Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from troubled dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous insect."
This shocking opening introduces one of the twentieth century's most famous stories.
Gregor's family react with horror at his bizarre transformation but their horror slowly turns to revulsion and then monstrous indifference as he is left to quietly waste away in his bedroom.
Metamorphosis was first published in 1912.
Benedict Cumberbatch reads this surreal classic in four parts.
Stage and screen actor, Benedict Cumberbatch was Bafta nominated for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in the BBC TV drama, "Hawking". Most recently he appeared in the TV dramatisation of William Golding's seafaring trilogy, "To The Ends of The Earth". He also won critical acclaim playing Hedda's husband, George, in last year's West End production of "Hedda Gabler".
Franz Kafka (1883-1924) ranks among the twentieth-century's most acclaimed writers. He is often cited as the author whose works best evoke the concerns and preoccupations of modern life. The world in his stories is portrayed as one in which the fantastic is entirely normal, the irrational is rational, and the unreasonable seems reasonable. As Ernst Pawel wrote in his biography of the writer, "Kafka articulates the anguish of being human."
Translated by Richard Stokes
(Abridged and produced by Gemma Jenkins).
THU 19:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b0081s3d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 19:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b00gf8dg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 today]
THU 20:00 Hercule Poirot (b007ys7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
THU 20:30 Dashiell Hammett - Secret Agent X-9 (b007jq0q)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
THU 21:00 Charles Dickens (b007jwgf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
THU 21:15 The Man Born to Be King (b008h3nq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:15 today]
THU 22:00 Punt and Dennis: It's Been a Bad Week (b008h3jx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 22:30 The Very World of Milton Jones (b007scyt)
Series 3
Episode 2
Drowning in a sea of shark's fin soup, the comic's life as celebrity chef flashes before his eyes. From April 2001.
THU 23:00 Spike Milligan - Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall (b00gf8pm)
Episode 5
A poorly rendered national anthem heralds a peculiar boxing match, and panic breaks out when Spike and his band play at a dance.
Spike Milligan shares more very frank memories of his wartime service.
Published in 1971, Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall is the first volume of the Spike Milligan's idiosyncratic military memoir.
Reversioned into 8 parts by BBC Radio 4 Extra.
THU 23:30 The Problem With Adam Bloom (b00gf8pp)
Series 2
Edinburgh
Adam Bloom has taken a show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival over many years.
This is a retrospective of his time performing in Scotland's capital city.
With Alistair McGowan.
Written by Adam Bloom.
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
THU 23:45 Truly, Madly, Bletchley (b007ynlt)
Series 1
Episode 2
Phone boxes, plastics and agents are on the agenda for the Home Counties Councillors. With Liz Fraser. From January 1997.
FRIDAY 09 JANUARY 2009
FRI 00:00 The Laxian Key (b007k30w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Franz Kafka - Metamorphosis (b007k43b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Hercule Poirot (b007ys7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Dashiell Hammett - Secret Agent X-9 (b007jq0q)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Charles Dickens (b007jwgf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:15 The Man Born to Be King (b008h3nq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:15 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Punt and Dennis: It's Been a Bad Week (b008h3jx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 The Very World of Milton Jones (b007scyt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:30 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Spike Milligan - Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall (b00gf8pm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 The Problem With Adam Bloom (b00gf8pp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:30 on Thursday]
FRI 04:45 Truly, Madly, Bletchley (b007ynlt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:45 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Charles Dickens - The Personal History of David Copperfield (b007jmr2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 A Whole New Ball Game (b00gf8dn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:30 on Thursday]
FRI 06:30 Doctor in the House (b007jt0n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Thursday]
FRI 07:00 Big Toe Books (b00gffhz)
Big Toe Books is a daily children's radio programme on BBC Radio 7, presented by Kirsten O'Brien. Includes Suniti Namjoshi reading Aditi and the One-Eyed Monkey.
FRI 08:00 Round the Horne (b00j05wn)
Series 1
Episode 6
Complaints to the BBC - and Kenneth Horne heads to a new bona bistro courtesy of Julian and his friend Sandy.
Starring Kenneth Horne. With Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee.
Recorded at the BBC's Paris Studio in Lower Regent Street, London.
Announcer: Douglas Smith
Round The Horne was born out of the demise of BBC radio comedy Beyond Our Ken, after the end of writer Eric Merriman's involvement. Using the same cast and producer, Barry Took and Marty Feldman were persuaded to write the scripts - which led to four series that ran between 1965 and 1968 - packed full of parodies, recurring characters, catchphrases and double-entendres.
Music by Edwin Braden and the Hornblowers and The Fraser Hayes Four.
Producer: John Simmonds
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in April 1965.
FRI 08:30 Radio Active (b007jw18)
Series 7
God Alone Knows
The Right Reverend Reverend Wright brings you all the very latest from around the parish.
Starring Helen Atkinson Wood, Angus Deayton, Geoffrey Perkins, Philip Pope and Michael Fenton-Stevens.
Music by Philip Pope and Michael Fenton-Stevens.
Written by Angus Deayton and Geoffrey Perkins.
Producer: David Tyler
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1987.
FRI 09:00 Hercule Poirot (b007ytww)
Murder on the Orient Express
Episode 5
Time is against Belgian sleuth, Hercule Poirot as he battles to unmask the murderer aboard the Orient Express.
John Moffatt stars as Hercule Poirot in the conclusion of Agatha Christie's whodunit.
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
Dr Constantine ...... Peter Polycarpou
Masterman ...... Desmond Llewelyn
Pierre Michel ...... Frank Windsor
Princess Dragmiroff ...... Sian Phillips
Mrs Hubbard ...... Sylvia Syms
Miss Debenham ...... Francesca Annis
Count Andrenyi ...... David Thorpe
Countess Andrenyi ...... Siriol Jenkins
Colonel Arbuthnot ...... Stephen Hodson
Foscarelli ...... Frank Coda
Miss Ohlsson ...... Kate Binchy
MacQueen ...... James Telfer
Fraulein Schmidt ...... Linda Polan
Music composed and played by Michael Haslam
From the book published in 1934 and dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1993.
FRI 09:30 Dashiell Hammett - Secret Agent X-9 (b007jq13)
4. You're the Top
1930s action hero X-9 finally confronts his nemesis at the top of a New York landmark.
Conclusion starring Stuart Milligan as X-9 and Connie Booth as Grace Powers.
Adapted for radio by Mark Brisenden, from the comic strip created by Dashiell Hammett and Alex Raymond. Syndicated by King Features, it ran from 1934 to 1996.
X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan
Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth
The Top ...... William Hootkins
Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power
Alden Powers ...... Peter Marinker
Luke ...... Michael John Paliotti
Captain Brady ...... John Guerrasio
Harper-Carp ...... Kerry Shale
Sister Agnes ...... Miranda Pleasance
All other parts played by the cast.
Producer: Chris Wallis.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in January 1994.
FRI 10:00 Charles Dickens (b007vmbs)
The Old Curiosity Shop
Episode 10
Mrs Jarley keeps Little Nell and her Grandfather fully occupied. Dickens dramatisation with Julia McKenzie. From January 2003.
FRI 10:15 The Man Born to Be King (b008h4ww)
The King Comes to His Own
At last, the Son of Man returns. Dorothy L Sayers' cycle of plays on the life of Jesus Christ. Stars Gabriel Woolf.
FRI 11:00 Charles Dickens - The Personal History of David Copperfield (b007jmtp)
Good and Bad Angels
David falls in love, and questions his friendship with Steerforth. Stars Miriam Margolyes, Sheila Hancock and Phil Daniels.
FRI 12:00 Round the Horne (b00j05wn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Lines From My Grandfather's Forehead (b00gffj3)
From 15/03/1971
A rival to the Bard of Avon, the challenge of buying an antique teaspoon and a sleepless night.
A sequential entertainment for radio starring Ronnie Barker.
With Terence Brady and Pauline Yates.
Pianist: Gordon Langford.
Guitarist: Dick Abell.
Written by:
Terence Brady
Donald Churchill
David Climie
John Graham
Charles Mackay
Spike Milligan
Peter Spence
Roger Till
Gerald Wiley (Ronnie's Barker's pseudonym)
Gordon Langford.
Producer: John Fawcett-Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1971.
FRI 13:00 Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson (b007jvch)
5. The Chase
As the otter basks in the sun, a pack of hounds catch his scent, sparking a great chase.
Nicholas Farrell reads Henry Williamson's classic tale of otter life, first published in 1927.
Abridged in five episodes by Sally Marmion.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
FRI 13:15 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gfsmh)
The Music Room and The Attic
Married life with a conductor husband and contemplating future resolutions.
Actress Joanna Lumley concludes her home-based autobiography
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
FRI 13:30 This Sceptred Isle (b007jtpz)
Victoria's Golden Jubilee
50 'marvellous years' or the reign of 'a pampered old woman of sullen visage'? Anna Massey continues the history of Britain.
FRI 13:45 Men of Stone (b00cvdf7)
Series 1
Island Life Now
Is the Dorset stone industry's future underground? And what do you do with a worked-out quarry? Julian Richards investigates.
FRI 14:00 09/01/2009 (b00gfsmk)
Join all your CBeebies friends for songs, rhymes and stories on BBC Radio 7.
FRI 17:00 Linda Smith's A Brief History of Timewasting (b00fn0jh)
Series 2
Poltergeist
Linda Smith's life of Riley is interrupted by an idle poltergeist after a Psychic Fayre, and live-in builder Chris reveals an unwanted Gift.
Sitcom written by and starring Linda Smith.
With Femi Elufowoju Jnr, Jeremy Hardy, Margaret John, Martin Hyder and Chris Neill.
Producer: Jon Rolph
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2002.
FRI 17:30 For Better or for Worse (b00gfsmm)
Series 1
Episode 3
Sweethearts Bernard and Iris scour the neighbourhood for his sulking dad.
Gorden Kaye and Su Pollard star in Vince Powell’s sitcom about the turbulent relationship of an odd couple.
Iris ...... Su Pollard
Bernard ...... Gorden Kaye
Wilf ...... David Ross
Daisy ...... Paula Tilbrook
Police Sergeant ...... Peter Wheeler
Doreen ...... Julie Higginson
Tommy ...... Roger John-Lee
Writer Vince Powell (1928–2009) scripted a number of popular TV sitcoms including Love Thy Neighbour, For the Love of Ada and Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width.
Produced in Manchester by Mike Craig.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1993.
FRI 18:00 The Mortal Immortal by Mary Shelley (b007jw60)
Frankenstein author, Mary Shelley's fantastical tale explores man's fascination with eternal life and elixirs. Read by Shaun Dooley.
A young man works for a powerful alchemist. Feeling jilted in love and consumed with jealousy towards a rival, he secretly drinks one of his Master's potions hoping to cure himself of these emotions. Instead, he’s soon facing a living hell…
Romantic novelist, biographer and editor, Mary Shelley is best known as the author of Frankenstein (1818), published when she was just 21. The radical scientific ideas explored in her first novel attracted wide criticism during her lifetime. Writing nearly 100 years before HG Wells, Shelley is now recognised as one of sci-fi’s founding figures.
Producer: Gemma Jenkins
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2005.
FRI 18:30 I Am Legend by Richard Matheson (b007k0s3)
1. Immune
Robert Neville is immune to a plague which has decimated the population
Earth's last living man takes on hordes of survivors turned into monstrous vampires.
1954 cult classic set in the United States of America in 1976.
Read by Angus McInnes.
One of the 20th century's most significant vampire novels, Richard Matheson's 'I Am Legend' combines the worlds of sci-fi and horror.
Abridged in nine parts by Scott Stainton Miller.
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by BBC Scotland and first broadcast in 2006.
FRI 19:00 Round the Horne (b00j05wn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Lines From My Grandfather's Forehead (b00gffj3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:30 today]
FRI 20:00 Hercule Poirot (b007ytww)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Dashiell Hammett - Secret Agent X-9 (b007jq13)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Charles Dickens (b007vmbs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
FRI 21:15 The Man Born to Be King (b008h4ww)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:15 today]
FRI 22:00 Radio Active (b007jw18)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 22:30 All Classical Music Explained (b007jspb)
The History of Music
Rainer Hersch's comedic tour of our melodic past. With the Fine Arts Brass Ensemble and Richard Thomas. From October 1998.
FRI 23:00 The Reduced Shakespeare Radio Show (b007jp54)
The Comedies
From 'Merry Wives' to a 'Merchant' - but are the crazy, mixed-up Bard's comedies actually funny? From May 1994.
FRI 23:30 Rigor Mortis (b00gfsmp)
Series 3
Episode 3
Trying to guard his legacy, the professor lets Anthony and Ruth run the path lab. Stars Geoffrey Whitehead. From February 2006.