The BBC has announced that it has a sustainable plan for the future of the BBC Singers, in association with The VOCES8 Foundation.
The threat to reduce the staff of the three English orchestras by 20% has not been lifted, but it is being reconsidered.
See the BBC press release here.

Radio-Lists Home Now on BBC 4 Contact

RADIO-LISTS: BBC FOUR
Unofficial Weekly Listings for BBC 4 — supported by bbc.co.uk/programmes/



SATURDAY 19 APRIL 2008

SAT 19:00 Terry Jones' Medieval Lives (b0078pc6)
The Minstrel

Monty Python star and medieval enthusiast Terry Jones takes us on a tour of the Middle Ages. He reveals that minstrels were medieval spin doctors and could be warriors, political movers and shakers and even spies, playing a key and often dangerous role in history.


SAT 19:30 In Search of Medieval Britain (b009wzw1)
Wales

Medieval art historian Dr Alixe Bovey uses the oldest surviving route map of Britain to make a series of journeys through Britain in the Middle Ages. She heads west from Gloucester to follow in the footsteps of the huge armies of Edward I into Wales and uncovers evidence of a lawless borderland, a Medieval arms race and clues to the origins of the map itself.


SAT 20:05 The Book Quiz (b009wyng)
Series 2

Episode 4

Kirsty Wark presents the literary panel game, as novelist India Knight and critic James Delingpole fight it out against writer Kate Mosse and journalist Rod Liddle for a place in the semi-finals.


SAT 20:35 Mrs Brown (b0078lkb)
Dramatisation of one of history's most unusual love stories. Queen Victoria is grieving over her husband's death and finds herself unable to carry out public duties. John Brown is summoned from Balmoral to walk the Queen's pony in the hope that she will start to become herself again. The confident Highlander displays a distinct lack of respect for court protocol and quickly becomes the Queen's most trusted companion.


SAT 22:15 The Best of Youth (b00b0950)
Episode 2

Drama series telling the story of an Italian family from the 1960s till the present day, set against major events in Italian history. Nicola and Giulia, now living in Turin, are expecting a baby. As Italy is shaken by political unrest, they also find themselves on a different side of the barricade from Nicola's brother Matteo, who has become a policeman. Following her baby's birth, Giulia's sense of personal and political dissatisfaction turns her political fervour into something more extreme.


SAT 23:50 Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! (b0074s9v)
Witty drama adapted from Kenneth Williams's own words in his diaries. It's a spectacular journey inside the mind of one of British radio, TV and film's most popular, peculiar and comic performers. And one of its most tragic, too.

Spanning his entire life, this is the story of Williams's career and private life, a behind-the-scenes look at Williams, not only recreating some of his greatest performances, but also giving a candid and poignant insight into his professional hopes, personal upsets and sexual frustrations of a man who was uncomfortable in his own skin.

The screenplay is rude, arch, uncompromising and hilarious. Michael Sheen delivers a tour-de-force performance as ‘the man of a thousand voices’.


SAT 01:10 The Saint and the Hanged Man (b009wzcs)
Rob Brydon narrates a dramatised/animated documentary which reveals the clash at the heart of the Medieval mind - between the reason and the supernatural - using rational process to dissect the divine.

In 1307 the full weight of medieval justice descended on the sleepy town of Hereford. But this court wasn't summoned to prove innocence or guilt. The man on trial wasn't a murderer, or a criminal. In fact he wasn't even alive. This was a holy inquiry, called by the Catholic Church to prove whether a dead English bishop was actually a miracle-worker - and whether he should be made into a saint.

His case comprised several alleged miracles, the most notorious being the spectacular resurrection of a hanged man. A Welsh terrorist executed by the state, hanged twice just to make sure, this wanted criminal somehow came back from the dead. And now a papal court would use all the instruments of legal process - witness statements, forensic evidence, cross examination - to prove whether it was truly a miracle.


SAT 02:10 In Search of Medieval Britain (b009wzw1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:30 today]


SAT 02:40 The Book Quiz (b009wyng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:05 today]



SUNDAY 20 APRIL 2008

SUN 19:00 Inside the Medieval Mind (b009s80l)
Knowledge

Leading authority on the Middle Ages, Professor Robert Bartlett, presents a series which examines the way we thought during medieval times.

To our medieval forebears the world could appear mysterious, even enchanted. Sightings of green men, dog heads and alien beings were commonplace. The world itself was a book written by God. But as the Middle Ages grew to a close, it became a place to be mastered, even exploited.


SUN 20:00 Stephen Fry and the Gutenberg Press (b009wynj)
Stephen Fry examines the story behind the first media entrepreneur, printing press inventor Johann Gutenberg, to find out why he did it and how, a story which involves both historical enquiry and hands-on craft and technology. Fry travels across Europe to find out how Gutenberg kept his development work secret, about the role of avaricious investors and unscrupulous competitors and why Gutenberg's approach started a cultural revolution. He then sets about building a copy of Gutenberg's press.


SUN 21:00 Dear Television (b008y4c4)
Episode 1

Letters cataloguing the preoccupations and passions of television viewers over the last five decades.


SUN 21:10 Washes Whiter (b00b09ht)
Buy Some For Lulu

Series on the history of British television advertising looks at the changing face of children and teenagers in adverts, from the vulnerable, cossetted infants of the 1950s to the tough sophisticated kids of the 1980s.


SUN 22:00 Mad Men (b00b09hw)
Series 1

The Hobo Code

Drama series set in the world of advertising in 1960s New York. Peggy and Peter get intimate in the office. Salvatore is in demand by both sexes. Don has a flashback to his youth where a hobo comes to his house looking for food and work and reveals the legendary 'hobo code'.


SUN 22:50 Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who (b009x040)
Murray Lerner and Paul Crowder's documentary provides a definitive audio-visual record of the legendary British rock band, and follows Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey as they record The Who's first new music in more than 20 years and travel to the Far East for their first-ever live performance in Japan.


SUN 00:50 Electric Proms (b009zj8p)
2006

The Who

Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey are on blistering form in a session recorded at the Roundhouse in north London, as the grand finale of the BBC's Electric Proms in 2006. The setlist showcases a sprinkling of songs from their new mini-opera Wire and Glass, but it's also packed with big singalong tunes like My Generation, Who Are You, Baba O'Riley and Pinball Wizard.


SUN 01:40 Stephen Fry and the Gutenberg Press (b009wynj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:00 today]


SUN 02:40 Inside the Medieval Mind (b009s80l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 today]



MONDAY 21 APRIL 2008

MON 19:00 World News Today (b00b09r6)
The latest news from around the world.


MON 19:30 Abroad Again in Britain (b0074qhy)
Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral boasts the highest spire in Britain. Jonathan Meades, who was raised in its shadow, returns to one of the country's finest medieval buildings. He wonders how an atheist can love a building dedicated to the propagation of medieval superstitions and fears.


MON 20:30 The Book Quiz (b00b09r8)
Series 2

Episode 5

Kirsty Wark presents the literary panel game, as Wendy Holden and Giles Coren do battle against Baroness Margaret Jay and David Nicholls for a place in the final.


MON 21:00 How to Build a Cathedral (b00b09rb)
The great cathedrals were the wonders of the medieval world - the tallest buildings since the pyramids and the showpieces of medieval Christianity. Yet they were built at a time when most of us lived in hovels. Architectural historian Jon Cannon explores who the people were that built them and how they were able to achieve such a bold vision.


MON 22:00 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (b0078gfx)
A classic of the cinema, with Charles Laughton under grotesquely expressive make-up as the doomed bell-ringer.

This adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1831 novel tells the story of the hunchback Quasimodo, who silently worships lovely gypsy girl Esmeralda.

Showing as a tribute to Maureen O'Hara who died recently.


MON 23:50 Britain's Greatest Buildings (b0078gf0)
Series 1

Durham Cathedral

Series in which Dan Cruickshank explores four famous buildings. He investigates the engineering feat of building Durham Cathedral, the thinking behind which was a century ahead of any other British building. He also uncovers some of the cathedral's secrets and finds out more about the lives of the monks who worshipped there.


MON 00:40 How to Build a Cathedral (b00b09rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 21:00 today]


MON 01:40 Abroad Again in Britain (b0074qhy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:30 today]


MON 02:40 The Book Quiz (b00b24r3)
Series 2

Episode 5

Kirsty Wark presents the literary panel game, as Wendy Holden and Giles Coren do battle against Baroness Margaret Jay and David Nicholls for a place in the final.


MON 03:10 How to Build a Cathedral (b00b09rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 21:00 today]



TUESDAY 22 APRIL 2008

TUE 19:00 World News Today (b00b0b6t)
The latest news from around the world.


TUE 19:30 Pop Go the Sixties (b0088xvn)
Series 1

The Johnny Harris Orchestra

A colourful nugget of pop mined from the BBC's archive, as the Johnny Harris Band perform Satisfaction.


TUE 19:35 Batman (b00b2n8m)
Series 2

Hizzoner the Penguin

Fantasy adventure series. It's election time in Gotham City and the Penguin has decided to run for mayor. The polls show overwhelming support for him thanks to his rescue of a baby from a runaway carriage and a contribution to the Gotham City Charity Fund. Since the only alternative to Penguin for mayor is Batman, the Caped Crusader enters the race, but cannot match Penguin's flair, snappy jingles and willingness to kiss babies. Batman and Robin are waylaid and strung up over a vat of acid.


TUE 20:00 Life in Cold Blood (b0090b9g)
Dragons of the Dry

David Attenborough reveals the surprising truth about the cold-blooded lives of reptiles and amphibians, including jacky lizards that wave, wrestling beaded lizards and the largest chameleons in the world jousting in the trees. He also comes across the world's smallest chameleon, which is no bigger than his thumbnail, and the biggest lizard in Australia.


TUE 21:00 Chinese School (b00b0b6w)
Hard Beginnings

Documentary series about a group of children at three schools in rural China. It's the start of a new academic year in Xiuning. Star student Wu Yufei starts life at China's prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing, but before she can begin her studies she must get through 20 days of gruelling military training.


TUE 22:00 Goodness Gracious Me (b00b0b6y)
Series 3

Episode 2

Award-winning British Asian comedy sketch show, starring Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Syal, Nina Wadia, Fiona Allen, Dave Lamb and Sharat Sardana.


TUE 22:30 Spectre (b00b2nff)
Teenager Tomas and two friends decide to venture out of town to pay a visit to the solitary woman who is rumoured to be a witch. When Tomas befriends her it starts a series of events that will reverberate deep into the future, with horrifying consequences.


TUE 23:50 Chinese School (b00b0b6w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 21:00 today]


TUE 00:50 BBC Proms (b007xwk2)
2007

Britten and Prokofiev - Prom 56

Petroc Trelawny introduces Britten's Four Sea Interludes and Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under their chief conductor, Jiri Belohlavek. They are joined by pianist Ivo Kahanek for a rare performance of Martinu's Fourth Piano Concerto.


TUE 02:45 Chinese School (b00b0b6w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 21:00 today]



WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2008

WED 19:00 World News Today (b00b0bdf)
The latest news from around the world.


WED 19:30 Pop Go the Sixties (b008d06d)
Series 1

Alan Price

A colourful nugget of pop mined from the BBC's archive.


WED 19:35 Batman (b00b2nbd)
Series 2

Dizzoner the Penguin

Fantasy adventure series. As he tries to become mayor, the Penguin kidnaps members of the election board in an attempt to sway the votes in his favour.


WED 20:00 A History of Britain by Simon Schama (b0074kyy)
Series 1

Dynasty

Henry II built one of the greatest empires the medieval world had seen - only to see his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and his scheming sons tear it all to pieces. He also created the jury system and the first legal statute books, but is best remembered as the man who ordered the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, his best friend turned bitterest enemy.


WED 21:00 Heist (b00b0bdh)
Drama based on the true story of an outrageous medieval heist, told in the style of Ocean's 11.

When Dick Puddlecote is released from a Flanders jail in 1302 to discover his friends, his livelihood and his woman are all in hock to the king, he decides to exact a very modern form of revenge - break into the vault at Westminster Abbey and steal the king's gold. There’s just one catch - failure would earn him and his gang ruthless torture, swift punishment and potentially an eternity in hell.

A true story sourced from original trial records, this bold comedy-drama combines the energy of a British heist comedy with the veracity of factual dramas and the bawdiness of Chaucer, breathing life into a strange and foreign world full of priests and prostitutes.


WED 22:10 Les Visiteurs (b00b257s)
French time-warp comedy about a 12th-century dignitary who accidentally kills his future father-in-law and tries to make amends by travelling through time. Seeking help from a witch, he realises that he could prevent the death from occurring if he went back in time. Unfortunately, the witch's spell sends them into the 20th century, where cultural and technological differences add to the confusion.


WED 23:55 The Last Duel (b0074sh3)
Drama-documentary telling the story of one of the last trials by battle to be fought in Europe, a tale of sex, brutality and political machination set in 14th century medieval France.

A knight, Sir Jean de Carrouges, accuses his former best friend, Jacques Le Gris, of raping his wife Marguerite. Unable to obtain justice from his feudal overlord, Carrouges appeals to the king for the ancient right to fight a duel to the death to find out God's truth. There is much at stake. If Carrouges dies in the battle, Marguerite will also be burned to death as a liar.

This tense story, told from records of the day, is set against the backdrop of the 100 years war between England and France, 14th century attitudes towards women, crime and punishment and the political intrigues of the feudal system.


WED 00:55 Heist (b00b0bdh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 21:00 today]


WED 02:05 How to Build a Cathedral (b00b09rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 21:00 on Monday]


WED 03:05 The Last Duel (b0074sh3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 23:55 today]



THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2008

THU 19:00 World News Today (b00b0bzj)
The latest news from around the world.


THU 19:30 In Search of Medieval Britain (b00b0cc0)
London and South East

Medieval art historian Dr Alixe Bovey uses the oldest surviving route map of Britain to make a series of journeys through Britain in the Middle Ages. She follows the ancient pilgrim trail from the east coast to London and tracks the flow of commodities and ideas from the rest of Europe, a trade that ultimately cost the lives of half the population of London.


THU 20:00 The Voices of Morebath (b00b0cc2)
A look at one of the 2007 Samuel Johnson Prize contenders, Eamon Duffy's The Voices of Morebath.


THU 20:10 A History of British Art (b0074mqq)
Dreams and Hammers

Six-part series tracing the history of British art from 1066 to the modern day, written and presented by Andrew Graham-Dixon. Here, he travels back to the landscape of the Middle Ages to see the treasures that survived the Reformation which lie hidden in the corners of our churches and cathedrals.


THU 21:00 Inside the Medieval Mind (b009wzw3)
Sex

Leading authority on the Middle Ages, Professor Robert Bartlett presents a series which examines the way we thought during medieval times. He unearths remarkable evidence of the complex passions of medieval men and women. The Church preached hatred of the flesh, promoted the cult of virginity and condemned woman as the sinful heir to Eve. Yet this was the era that gave birth to the idea of romantic love.


THU 22:00 Crusades (b00b0cfw)
Jerusalem

Encased in medieval armour and resembling an armed dustbin, Terry Jones sets out on the 1000-mile walk from the Bosporus to the Holy City - a journey that took the Crusaders two years. Terry recounts how four in five Crusaders died on the road trying to cross a mountain in torrential rain wearing 200 pounds of iron, and how they became religious fanatics and cannibals who slaughtered a defenceless population.


THU 22:50 Mad Men (b00b09hw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 22:00 on Sunday]


THU 23:35 Chinese School (b00b0b6w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 21:00 on Tuesday]


THU 00:35 In Search of Medieval Britain (b00b0cc0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:30 today]


THU 01:05 Inside the Medieval Mind (b009wzw3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 21:00 today]


THU 02:05 The Book Quiz (b00b09r8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:30 on Monday]


THU 02:35 In Search of Medieval Britain (b00b0cc0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:30 today]


THU 03:05 Inside the Medieval Mind (b009wzw3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 21:00 today]



FRIDAY 25 APRIL 2008

FRI 19:00 World News Today (b00b0ckz)
The latest news from around the world.


FRI 19:30 Swan Lake (b0074tn9)
Darcey Bussell presents extended highlights from the classic production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake by the Kirov Ballet at the Maryinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, conducted by Valery Gergiev. At the heart of this spectacular performance is the prima ballerina, Ulyana Lopatkina, in the demanding dual role of Odette, the white swan, and Odile, her black swan rival.


FRI 21:00 Soul Britannia (b0074tbt)
I Feel Good

Series that examines the dynamic impact of black American and Caribbean sounds on British music and society. A generation of young white music fans fell in love with black music in the 60s and sold it back to America while a generation of immigrants from the Caribbean helped introduce soul and ska to Britain and helped launch a new youth culture. Featuring rare archive performances and interviews with Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Solomon Burke, Elton John, Sam Moore, Georgie Fame and many others.


FRI 22:00 BBC Four Sessions (b00b0cl1)
Van Morrison

Series of unique and intimate concerts at St Luke's in London, featuring musicians from around the world. Van Morrison showcases tracks from albums including Keep It Simple, Magic Time and Vanlose Stairway, backed by a full band and joined by guests including guitarist Mick Green and organ maestro Georgie Fame.


FRI 23:00 Van Morrison on Later with Jools Holland (b00b0cl3)
A selection of Van Morrison's finest performances from the Later with Jools Holland and Hootenanny shows.


FRI 23:30 The Avengers (b0074rvt)
Series 5

The Fear Merchants

1960s drama series. Emma and Steed investigate after a businessman collapses with hysteria, followed by two of his companions.


FRI 00:20 The Avengers (b0074rw9)
Series 5

Escape in Time

Crime drama. Steed and Mrs Peel investigate the murder of an agent shot with a 16th-century bullet and a second victim stabbed with a Jacobean dagger.


FRI 01:10 BBC Four Sessions (b00b0cl1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 22:00 today]


FRI 02:10 Soul Britannia (b0074tbt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 21:00 today]


FRI 03:10 Van Morrison on Later with Jools Holland (b00b0cl3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 23:00 today]




LIST OF THIS WEEK'S PROGRAMMES
(Note: the times link back to the details; the pids link to the BBC page, including iPlayer)

A History of Britain by Simon Schama 20:00 WED (b0074kyy)

A History of British Art 20:10 THU (b0074mqq)

Abroad Again in Britain 19:30 MON (b0074qhy)

Abroad Again in Britain 01:40 MON (b0074qhy)

Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who 22:50 SUN (b009x040)

BBC Four Sessions 22:00 FRI (b00b0cl1)

BBC Four Sessions 01:10 FRI (b00b0cl1)

BBC Proms 00:50 TUE (b007xwk2)

Batman 19:35 TUE (b00b2n8m)

Batman 19:35 WED (b00b2nbd)

Britain's Greatest Buildings 23:50 MON (b0078gf0)

Chinese School 21:00 TUE (b00b0b6w)

Chinese School 23:50 TUE (b00b0b6w)

Chinese School 02:45 TUE (b00b0b6w)

Chinese School 23:35 THU (b00b0b6w)

Crusades 22:00 THU (b00b0cfw)

Dear Television 21:00 SUN (b008y4c4)

Electric Proms 00:50 SUN (b009zj8p)

Goodness Gracious Me 22:00 TUE (b00b0b6y)

Heist 21:00 WED (b00b0bdh)

Heist 00:55 WED (b00b0bdh)

How to Build a Cathedral 21:00 MON (b00b09rb)

How to Build a Cathedral 00:40 MON (b00b09rb)

How to Build a Cathedral 03:10 MON (b00b09rb)

How to Build a Cathedral 02:05 WED (b00b09rb)

In Search of Medieval Britain 19:30 SAT (b009wzw1)

In Search of Medieval Britain 02:10 SAT (b009wzw1)

In Search of Medieval Britain 19:30 THU (b00b0cc0)

In Search of Medieval Britain 00:35 THU (b00b0cc0)

In Search of Medieval Britain 02:35 THU (b00b0cc0)

Inside the Medieval Mind 19:00 SUN (b009s80l)

Inside the Medieval Mind 02:40 SUN (b009s80l)

Inside the Medieval Mind 21:00 THU (b009wzw3)

Inside the Medieval Mind 01:05 THU (b009wzw3)

Inside the Medieval Mind 03:05 THU (b009wzw3)

Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! 23:50 SAT (b0074s9v)

Les Visiteurs 22:10 WED (b00b257s)

Life in Cold Blood 20:00 TUE (b0090b9g)

Mad Men 22:00 SUN (b00b09hw)

Mad Men 22:50 THU (b00b09hw)

Mrs Brown 20:35 SAT (b0078lkb)

Pop Go the Sixties 19:30 TUE (b0088xvn)

Pop Go the Sixties 19:30 WED (b008d06d)

Soul Britannia 21:00 FRI (b0074tbt)

Soul Britannia 02:10 FRI (b0074tbt)

Spectre 22:30 TUE (b00b2nff)

Stephen Fry and the Gutenberg Press 20:00 SUN (b009wynj)

Stephen Fry and the Gutenberg Press 01:40 SUN (b009wynj)

Swan Lake 19:30 FRI (b0074tn9)

Terry Jones' Medieval Lives 19:00 SAT (b0078pc6)

The Avengers 23:30 FRI (b0074rvt)

The Avengers 00:20 FRI (b0074rw9)

The Best of Youth 22:15 SAT (b00b0950)

The Book Quiz 20:05 SAT (b009wyng)

The Book Quiz 02:40 SAT (b009wyng)

The Book Quiz 20:30 MON (b00b09r8)

The Book Quiz 02:40 MON (b00b24r3)

The Book Quiz 02:05 THU (b00b09r8)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame 22:00 MON (b0078gfx)

The Last Duel 23:55 WED (b0074sh3)

The Last Duel 03:05 WED (b0074sh3)

The Saint and the Hanged Man 01:10 SAT (b009wzcs)

The Voices of Morebath 20:00 THU (b00b0cc2)

Van Morrison on Later with Jools Holland 23:00 FRI (b00b0cl3)

Van Morrison on Later with Jools Holland 03:10 FRI (b00b0cl3)

Washes Whiter 21:10 SUN (b00b09ht)

World News Today 19:00 MON (b00b09r6)

World News Today 19:00 TUE (b00b0b6t)

World News Today 19:00 WED (b00b0bdf)

World News Today 19:00 THU (b00b0bzj)

World News Today 19:00 FRI (b00b0ckz)