The Master and the Dean's feud intensifies as a student is found cheating. Stars Geoffrey Palmer and Michael Maloney.
Andrew Dalziel learns of a tragic accident on chief suspect Philip Swain's farm. Reginald Hill's story read by Philip Jackson.
Dick and Freddie strike lucky when they discover the smugglers' secret stash. But their luck doesn't last.
The stirring 'Devil's Galop' heralds the arrival of Douglas Kelly as 'Dick Barton - Special Agent' in another thrilling tale of criminal masterminds, espionage and daring adventure.
Originally starring Noel Johnson, Duncan Carse and Gordon Davies, Dick Barton ran on the BBC Light Programme between 1946 and 1951, but sadly, very few original recordings survive.
With the original lost, this is a very authentic sounding re-recording of 'The Cabatolin Diamonds' using the original scripts and music, which was made for international distribution. Happily the audio was rediscovered in 2009, lurking in the vaults of the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra, Australia.
Script by Geoffrey Webb.
Rabbi Su feels dumbfounded when Rabbi Abraham is invited to a Royal garden party, but then she meets someone...
Barry Grossman’s comedy-drama about the collision between the old and the new in the Jewish community of Hillfield.
Rabbi Abraham Fine ...... David De Keyser
Rabbi Su Jacobs ...... Tracy-Ann Oberman
Melvin ...... Henry Goodman
Brian ...... Jonathan Kydd
Sadie Fine ...... Doreen Mantle
Khaled ...... Nadim Sawalha
Rashid ...... Nabil Elouahabi
Music: Max Harris.
Each week, Marcus finds he's volunteered to be in charge of a big old thing - a hospital, the railways, British fashion, a prison. And each week he starts out by thinking "Well, it can't be that difficult, surely?" and ends up with "Oh - turns out it's utterly difficult and complicated. Who knew...?"
This week - Marcus has been volunteered to be the face, not to say beard and glasses, of British food. During the course of the show, he'll be eating some food, examining the subject of packaging and waste, eating some more food, looking at supermarkets and seasonality, eating a bit more food, studying manufacturing and junk foods, eating some more food and then probably bursting.
Helping him serve up the show will be Rufus Jones (Hunderby, Holy Flying Circus), William Andrews (Sorry I've Got No Head) and Margaret Cabourn-Smith (Miranda).
The show is produced by Marcus's long-standing accomplice, David Tyler, who also produces Marcus' appearances as the inimitable as Giles Wemmbley Hogg.
Written by Marcus Brigstocke, Jeremy Salsby, Toby Davies, Nick Doody, Steve Punt and Tom Neenan.
MCC chairman Sid makes the lad cricket captain for England, but places his bet on Australia to win!
Starring Tony Hancock.
With Bill Kerr, Sidney James, Andree Melly and Kenneth Williams.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music composed by Wally Stott. Recorded by the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Problem corner with Marjorie Droops, and Robinson Prunestone gets marooned.
Starring Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Cleese, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie.
Written by Simon Brett, Graeme Garden and Jo Kendall.
Originating from the Cambridge University Footlights revue 'Cambridge Circus', ISIRTA ran for 8 years on BBC Radio and quickly developed a cult following.
Music and songs by Liam Cohen, Dave Lee and Bill Oddie.
Poking fun at King Arthur, Roy Hudd takes a royal romp through history, with June Whitfield and Chris Emmett. From August 1995.
Comedy by Christopher William Hill.
Eliott, Esther and Hannah compete aggressively to promote American Chowder to the British.
Eliott Thurber ...... Michael Brandon
Esther Finn ...... Samantha Bond
Hannah Walker ...... Pippa Haywood
Zadie ...... Joannah Tincey
Baz ...... Inam Mirza
Sal ...... John Guerrasio
Other parts played by Stephen Critchlow, Jonathan Tafler, Dan Starkey, Gunnar Cauthery and Donnla Hughes.
Arabella is determined to keep her engagement to John Morton a secret. Perhaps, there is a more exciting and wealthy husband she might be able to catch ...
In this little known tale, Anthony Trollope never allows The American Senator's attitude to get in the way of plot -and his ability to weave story strands which arise out of credible motivation, psychology and emotion is as sure as ever. The characters are as finely drawn as we have come to expect from the pen of Trollope. There's the extraordinary Arabella but also the comic, kind natured and the tragic characters too.
Arabella finds herself in the ignoble occupation of husband/fortune-hunting. She's aware that the years are passing and the strain of numerous failed relationships have made her prospects increasingly poor. She is unofficially engaged to John Morton, a diplomat, and owner of a large estate, but now the wealthy and more exciting Lord Rufford has come into view. His estate being larger and more grand. Surely he is worth fighting for?
Arabella, encouraged by her monstrous mother, Lady Augustus, decides to try and keep Morton on the back-burner (but deny her engagement in public) while engineering a series of compromising situations in an outrageous attempt to win Rufford.
But Arabella is playing a dangerous game and although her behaviour is both conniving and ruthless, she is extraordinary and powerfully-drawn and so does not become an out-and-out anti-heroine. She is, to some degree, the victim of her situation - and of her mother. She is courageous as well as devious, and she has her pride. As the tale concludes and she seeks some degree of redemption she achieves tragic status.
A parallel but secondary plot concerns Reginald Morton, an elder cousin of John, and Mary Masters, who is the complete antithesis to Miss Trefoil. Mary's absurd, domineering stepmother thinks that Mary should marry a besotted local farmer, Lawrence Twentyman but Mary is in love with Reginald Morton. Is he in love with her though? She finds support in the shape of Reginald's kind and gentle aunt, Lady Ushant, but there is the stern and grim grandmother of both John and Reginald who stands in the way of happiness because of a long-standing family feud.
Elias Gotobed, the visiting senator of the book's title, has little impact on events - but he has an important part to play as an observer of events; a gauche but vigorous critic of the antiquated elements of English society and the establishment. Gotobed's conclusions are a supplement to those which can be drawn from Arabella's tale, where greed, class-consciousness and snobbery are mercilessly displayed.
'The American Senator' is, in part, a state of the nation novel - enhanced by the parallels between Trollope's world and ours. Arabella has her modern-day equivalents, and the Senator's remarks throughout the dramatisation about the working man's passive and subservient nature have not lost their relevance.
Anthony Trollope produced a vast collection of work about credible people and their foibles. He gained recognition as a writer who portrayed English life is a wry and honest manner with a cast of humorous and delightful characters. His portrayal of female characters is particularly skilful and Arabella Trefoil is no exception.
Martyn Wade is a skilled and talented radio writer and dramatist. He has dramatised the 'Barsetshire' novels for radio and the 'Palliser' series too. His other Trollope dramatisations have included 'Orley Farm' and 'Miss Mackenzie'. He also dramatised Ada Leverson's 'The Little Ottleys' for Woman's Hour.
Sophia's plan for escape is desperate, but will it be enough to convince her husband? Read by Emma Fielding and William Gaminara.
A naval chef plans a grand farewell dinner for his captain, just as his son is sent to fight in the Iraq war. Stars Todd Carty, Lindsey Coulson, Jamie Kenna and Nick Sayce.
Howard is no help in rescuing Vera, so Irene, after breaking out of her Ibizan jail, implores Brian to help.
But when Brian catches up with Vera in Moscow, Vera's enraging remarks about her new-found intimacy with Irene's son-in-law urge Irene to write an anonymous letter she may regret...
Irene ...... Prunella Scales
Vera ...... Patricia Routledge
Howard ...... Christopher Kelham
The up and down relationship of two mature ladies shared via their barbed correspondence.
Written by Lou Wakefield and Carole Havman.
In 1965 husband and wife Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö published the first of their series of 10 police procedurals featuring Inspector Martin Beck and his team. Written during a time when Stockholm saw demonstrations against the Vietnam War, the arming and re-organisation of the police force and stresses on the welfare state, the Beck novels deliberately used the crime genre to depict changes in Swedish society.
Current crime best sellers Jo Nesbø, Henning Mankell, Åsa Larsson, Camilla Lackberg, Jens Lapidus, Val McDermid and Gunnar Staalesen are amongst those discussing the influence of the Martin Beck series with Mark Lawson as part of his series looking at European history through crime fiction.
On the trail of missing New Yorker Francis Gaillard, Sir Edward Leithen heads to the wilds of Canada. Read by Paul Young.
Byron Rogers goes in search of those who provide the wallpaper of the movies, the Hollywood extras. Read by Crawford Logan.
Mel explores the amazing life of the real-life Professor Calculus, and Stephen Mangan reads the third part of The Dream Travellers by Sherry Ashworth.
More sisterly bickering in Beckenham, but why is Victoria learning to speak French? Stars Angela Thorne. From April 2006.
Horror legend Vincent Price tells the chilling tale of a violinist with very special hands
Starring John Graham, Coral Browne, Roger Snowdon and Michael Burlington.
Written by William Ingram.
Jarral and his friends head to Prince Mephtik's garden, where an alarming battle awaits them
Douglas Hill's sci-fi fantasy dramatised in four parts by Wally K Daly.
Starring Eric Allen as Jarral the man, James Holland as Jarral the boy, Elizabeth Bell as Archer, Ben Onwukwe as Carver, Susan Sheridan as Mandra, David Bannerman as Yorrold, Hugh Dixon as Prince Mephtik.
Special effects by Dick Mills.
Music by Peter Howells of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
Martin Bain-Jones is left in the studio, while Craig Children's got a dubious new job.
Ben Miller and Alexander Armstrong star as the pompous critics.
Written by Ben Miller and Alexander Armstrong.
For two hours, six nights a week, the Comedy Club offers the best laughs around. Tonight, Tom Wrigglesworth chats to stand-up comedian Tiernan Douieb.
More mayhem from Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
More adventures of spoilt Harriet and her pushy aunt in the second part of Jane Austen's lost novella, Fanny Adams, plus grumpy French au pairs and a special preview performance of the Ukranian entry for next year's Eurovision.
Written by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
Producer: Elizabeth Freestone.
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.
Starring Sanjeev Bhaskar, Nitin Sawheny, Meera Syal and Nina Wadia.
Music by Nitin Sawhney.
THURSDAY 25 JULY 2013
THU 00:00 The Price of Fear (b007jn0n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 Douglas Hill - The Blade of the Poisoner (b007jrr6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Mark Tavener - High Table, Lower Orders (b00h8x8d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j622d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent: The Cabatolin Diamonds (b0379lbh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Crowned Hudds (b00pgydd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Says on the Tin (b00gqzw0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Classic Serial (b013fnz7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm6m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:15 Drama (b00771rc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 No Commitments (b007k3qk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:30 The Attractive Young Rabbi (b007k2vh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Mark Tavener - High Table, Lower Orders (b00h91l0)
Series 2
Episode 3
A Cambridge college student is found hanged, but was it suicide or murder? Mark Tavener's comic thriller stars Geoffrey Palmer and Samuel West.
THU 06:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j6bh4)
Episode 9
After his tragic accident, Andrew Dalziel hears Arnie Stringer's final words. Reginald Hill's story read by Philip Jackson.
THU 06:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent: The Cabatolin Diamonds (b037bbfq)
Episode 9
Dick and Freddie are recovering, but that doesn't stop their dogged pursuit of their female adversary.
The stirring 'Devil's Galop' heralds the arrival of Douglas Kelly as 'Dick Barton - Special Agent' in another thrilling tale of criminal masterminds, espionage and daring adventure.
Originally starring Noel Johnson, Duncan Carse and Gordon Davies, Dick Barton ran on the BBC Light Programme between 1946 and 1951, but sadly, very few original recordings survive.
With the original lost, this is a very authentic sounding re-recording of 'The Cabatolin Diamonds' using the original scripts and music, which was made for international distribution. Happily the audio was rediscovered in 2009, lurking in the vaults of the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra, Australia.
Script by Geoffrey Webb.
Producer: Morris West
First broadcast in Australia in April 1949.
THU 07:00 Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me (b0076sqs)
Series 2
Thanks for the Memory
No Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me
Series 2
Episode 4 of 4 - Thanks for the Memory
George is surprised when everyone seems to have forgotten his 70th birthday. Roy, concealing his real plans, offers to buy him a bag of chips on the way home from the pub. But an evening of celebration brings back some bittersweet memories.
Don Warrington..... Roy
Yvonne Brewster..... Vi
Sam Kelly..... George
George Layton..... Barry
Caroline Lee Johnson..... Bernadette
Marcus Powell... Victor
Mike Kearsey..... Trombonist
Written by Marcus Powell
Producer Carol Smith.
THU 07:30 My First Planet (b01gvqnq)
Series 1
Inglorious Barters
Written by Phil Whelans
A queue for the loo and a rogue backrub threaten to blow up the colony. And just what is Lillian's "Special Skill"...?
A sitcom set on a shiny new planet where we ask the question - if humankind were to colonize space, is it destined to succumb to self-interest, prejudice and infighting? (By the way, the answer's "yes". Sorry.)
Welcome to the colony. We're aware that having been in deep cryosleep for 73 years, you may be in need of some supplementary information.
Personnel
Unfortunately, Burrows the leader of the colony has died on the voyage, so his Number 2, Brian (Nicholas Lyndhurst) is now in charge. He's a nice enough chap, but no alpha male, and his desire to sort things out with a nice friendly meeting infuriates the colony's Chief Physician Lillian (Vicki Pepperdine - "Getting On"), who'd really rather everyone was walking round in tight colour-coded tunics and saluting each other. She's also in charge of Project Adam, the plan to conceive and give birth to the first colony-born baby. Unfortunately, the two people hand-picked for this purpose - Carol and Richard - were rather fibbing about being a couple, just to get on the trip.
Add in an entirely unscrupulous Chief Scientist, Mason and also Archer, an idiot maintenance man who believes he's an "empath" rather than a plumber, and you're all set to answer the question - if humankind were to colonize space, is it destined to succumb to self-interest, prejudice and infighting? (By the way, the answer's "yes". Sorry.)
Produced & directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive Television Ltd Production for BBC Radio 4
with special guest
Carshalton Richard Bond.
THU 08:00 Dad's Army (b007jm2h)
Series 1
The Showing Up of Corporal Jones
Corporal Jones will be forced to retire from the platoon, unless he manages to complete an assault course in 15 minutes....
The comic exploits of a Second World War Home Guard platoon in Walmington-on-Sea.
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 Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Frazer …. John Laurie
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Private Walker …. Graham Stark
Major Smith …. Jack Watson
Announcer …. John Snagge
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 in April 1974.
THU 08:30 Take It From Here (b01dtg79)
From 04/12/1958
Napoleonic double-doings, while Ron's latest news shocks broody Eth in 'The Glums'.
Starring Professor Jimmy Edwards, Dick Bentley and June Whitfield.
Announcer: Brian Matthew
Music from Wallace Eaton and the Keynotes and the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Scripted by Frank Muir and Denis Norden.
Producer: Charles Maxwell
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in December 1958.
THU 09:00 Big Jim and the Figaro Club (b008g6v4)
Transport of Delight
Demobbed Old Ned heads south after the war and joins a special construction team.
Six anarchic tales from those demob days “when we was going to build the new Jerusalem - you know, before the world turned lax and sour”.
CAST:
Big Jim …. Norman Rossington
Harold Perkins …. Roland Curram
Old Ned …. Harold Goodwin
Nimrod …. David John
Turps … Sylvester McCoy
Chick …. David Beckett
The Farmer …. Douglas Blackwell
The Farmer’s Daughter …. Karen Ascoe
Narrator …. Bernard Cribbins.
Written by Ted Walker.
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1987.
THU 09:30 Life in London (b01167w4)
In Training for a Swell
A tour of the sprawling post-Regency Metropolis in the years before the Victorians turned up and made everything boring
All in the company of garrulous author Pierce Egan, cocksure urbanite Corinthian Tom, his naive Somerset cousin Jerry Hawthorn and their drunken compatriot Bob Logic.
Starring Greg Wise, Mark Gatiss and James Bachman.
Pierce Egan’s 19th-century comic novel adapted by Dan Tetsell.
Pierce Egan .... Geoffrey McGivern
Corinthian Tom .... Greg Wise
Jerry Hawthorn .... Mark Gatiss
Bob Logic .... James Bachman
Old Hawthorn .... Christopher Douglas
Corinthian Kate .... Amanda Abbingdon
Mrs Belcher .... Laura Shavin
Mr Primefit .... Dave Lamb
Music: Ben Walker
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2006.
THU 10:00 Classic Serial (b013rj8z)
Anthony Trollope - The American Senator
Episode 2
The American Senator
By Anthony Trollope
Dramatised by Martyn Wade
Part Two
Lord Rufford has kissed Arabella twice but she realises that much more needs to be done to win him and his estate. It is now time to tell John Morton she no longer wants to marry him?
Anthony Trollope..........Robert Glenister
Arabella Trefoil.............Anna Maxwell Martin
Lady Augustus.............Barbara Flynn
John Morton.................Blake Ritson
Senator Gotobed..........Stuart Milligan
Lady Ushant................Joanna David
Reginald Morton...........Daniel Rabin
Mary Masters...............Penelope Rawlins
Lawrence Twentyman...Carl Prekopp
Lord Rufford.................Henry Devas
Duchess of Mayfair.......Elaine Claxton
Mounser Green............Joanathan Forbes
Mrs. Masters...............Jane Whittenshaw
Mr Bearside.................Sean Baker
Directed by Tracey Neale
The Story:
In this little known tale, Anthony Trollope never allows The American Senator's attitude to get in the way of plot -and his ability to weave story strands which arise out of credible motivation, psychology and emotion is as sure as ever. The characters are as finely drawn as we have come to expect from the pen of Trollope. There's the extraordinary Arabella but also the comic, kind natured and the tragic characters too.
Arabella finds herself in the ignoble occupation of husband/fortune-hunting. She's aware that the years are passing and the strain of numerous failed relationships have made her prospects increasingly poor. She is unofficially engaged to John Morton, a diplomat, and owner of a large estate, but now the wealthy and more exciting Lord Rufford has come into view. His estate being larger and more grand. Surely he is worth fighting for?
Arabella, encouraged by her monstrous mother, Lady Augustus, decides to try and keep Morton on the back-burner (but deny her engagement in public) while engineering a series of compromising situations in an outrageous attempt to win Rufford.
But Arabella is playing a dangerous game and although her behaviour is both conniving and ruthless, she is extraordinary and powerfully-drawn and so does not become an out-and-out anti-heroine. She is, to some degree, the victim of her situation - and of her mother. She is courageous as well as devious, and she has her pride. As the tale concludes and she seeks some degree of redemption she achieves tragic status.
A parallel but secondary plot concerns Reginald Morton, an elder cousin of John, and Mary Masters, who is the complete antithesis to Miss Trefoil. Mary's absurd, domineering stepmother thinks that Mary should marry a besotted local farmer, Lawrence Twentyman but Mary is in love with Reginald Morton. Is he in love with her though? She finds support in the shape of Reginald's kind and gentle aunt, Lady Ushant, but there is the stern and grim grandmother of both John and Reginald who stands in the way of happiness because of a long-standing family feud.
Elias Gotobed, the visiting senator of the book's title, has little impact on events - but he has an important part to play as an observer of events; a gauche but vigorous critic of the antiquated elements of English society and the establishment. Gotobed's conclusions are a supplement to those which can be drawn from Arabella's tale, where greed, class-consciousness and snobbery are mercilessly displayed.
'The American Senator' is, in part, a state of the nation novel - enhanced by the parallels between Trollope's world and ours. Arabella has her modern-day equivalents, and the Senator's remarks throughout the dramatisation about the working man's passive and subservient nature have not lost their relevance.
The Author:
Anthony Trollope produced a vast collection of work about credible people and their foibles. He gained recognition as a writer who portrayed English life is a wry and honest manner with a cast of humorous and delightful characters. His portrayal of female characters is particularly skilful and Arabella Trefoil is no exception.
The Dramatist:
Martyn Wade is a skilled and talented radio writer and dramatist. He has dramatised the 'Barsetshire' novels for radio and the 'Palliser' series too. His other Trollope dramatisations have included 'Orley Farm' and 'Miss Mackenzie'. He also dramatised Ada Leverson's 'The Little Ottleys' for Woman's Hour.
THU 11:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm73)
Episode 9
Sophia is in hiding and Jan is trying to plan their escape, but will fate intervene? Read by Emma Fielding and William Gaminara.
THU 11:15 Drama (b00770n6)
Catherine Shepherd - Cats and Monkeys
By Catherine Shepherd.
Eve has come to India following the recent death of her parents. While everyone around her is seeking enlightenment, she is only concerned with obtaining a legal document which will allow probate on her parents' estate to be granted.
Vivanti ...... Anna Carteret
Eve ...... Madelaine Brolly
Piturbaba ...... Jack Shepherd
Xavier ...... Ben Lewis
Mette ...... Catherine Shepherd
Daniel ...... Paddy Anderson
Directed by Lu Kemp.
THU 12:00 Dad's Army (b007jm2h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 12:30 Take It From Here (b01dtg79)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 13:00 Mark Tavener - High Table, Lower Orders (b00h91l0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 13:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j6bh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 13:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent: The Cabatolin Diamonds (b037bbfq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
THU 14:00 Ladies of Letters (b007k3vh)
Ladies of Letters Go Global
Episode 4
Irene’s kept on the move by her island-hopping employees so can’t prevent Lesley sending Christopher, Irene's treasured only son, out to Moscow to bring back Vera.
When Vera explains that she and Christopher are to go on a dangerous mission for MI6, Irene takes the desperate steps of appealing to Nellie Thoroughgood, Chris's adoptive mother, for help
Irene ...... Prunella Scales
Vera ...... Patricia Routledge
Nellie Thoroughgood ...... Susan Jameson
The up and down relationship of two mature ladies shared via their barbed correspondence.
Written by Lou Wakefield and Carole Havman.
Producer: Claudine Toutoungi
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2006.
THU 14:15 Ambridge Extra (b037bcvm)
Series 5
Episode 8
Matt has spent the night on the streets and is rudely awoken by a Russian policeman. Matt's aggressive response gets him arrested. Meanwhile, Brenda wakes with Dmitry and finally decides to turn on her phone. She's horrified to discover messages from a desperate Matt.
Matt claims there's been a big mistake, before a police officer punches him in the stomach and throws him into a dingy cell.
Brenda's desperate to find Matt. Dmitry secretly phones Tatyana before telling Brenda that 'a friend' has told him what's happened to Matt. Brenda's beside herself with worry for Matt but Dmitry assures her Matt's friends must be helping him get out. They just need to wait for news.
Tatyana arrives with papers for Matt's release. She gives him his belongings as he marvels that she's an angel. In Tatyana's car, Matt explains that business partner Vitaly has gone AWOL. When Matt reveals he deposited his money into a strong box, Tatyana decides to take Matt straight to someone who'll know exactly where Vitaly is.
Brenda's relieved to see Matt, who meets Dmitry and has a feeling they've met before. Soon after Dmitry leaves, Leonid Kedrov enters and reintroduces himself as the man who directed Brenda to Vitaly's office the other week. He's the managing director of Kedrov Holdings and Vitaly, his son, has unfortunately been arrested. Vitaly's in prison as they speak.
Cast:
Matt Crawford ..... Kim Durham
Brenda Tucker ..... Amy Shindler
Dmitry ..... Basher Savage
Tatyana ..... Larissa Kouznetzova
Leonid ..... Boris Isarov
Grigory/ Stephan..... Laurentiu Possa
Vera ..... Alexandra Everitt
Writer ..... Sarah Bradshaw
Producer/ Director ..... Julie Beckett
Editor ..... Vanessa Whitburn.
THU 14:30 John Buchan - Sick Heart River (b00lh3hl)
Episode 4
Sir Edward Leithen picks up the missing New Yorker's suspicious trail in the Canadian wilderness. Read by Paul Young.
THU 14:45 Byron Rogers - The Last Human Cannonball (b00fwqb3)
Episode 4
Byron Rogers tells the extraordinary tale of Hitler's nephew William, born in Liverpool. Read by Crawford Logan.
THU 15:00 Classic Serial (b013rj8z)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
THU 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b037bdrf)
Mel explores the secret life of movie trailer voice-over artists, and Stephen Mangan reads the fourth part of The Dream Travellers by Sherry Ashworth.
THU 17:00 Ring Around the Bath (b00tnp6t)
Series 2
New Ways to Comb Old Gravel
Alison returns from Spain to find that Egg's taken her room and Xanthe has shrunk her favourite jeans in the wash.
Dad Patrick disappears off to work, leaving mum Stella to sort out the chaos - as she continues dreaming of a life in the country - without her grown-up children.
Series 2 of Lucy Clare and Ian Davidson's sitcom about topsy-turvy family life.
Stars Duncan Preston as Patrick, Penny Downie as Stella, Claudie Blakley as Alison, Bruce MacKinnon as Rick, Catherine Shepherd as Xanthe and Daniela Denby-Ashe as Egg.
Producer: Elizabeth Freestone
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
THU 17:30 Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me (b0076sqs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
THU 18:00 The Price of Fear (b01s4f4p)
Guy Fawkes Night
Unaware at first that a crime had been committed, Vincent Price remembers a bonfire party when a bullying father disappeared...
Vincent Price introduces another chilling tale starring Adrienne Corri, Alexander John, Derek Lamden and Peter Craze.
Dramatised by Richard Davis from his own story.
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in 1974.
THU 18:30 Douglas Hill - The Blade of the Poisoner (b007jrtt)
Last Chance
Unless the tainted blade and Prince Mephtik are destroyed within two days, Jarral will die...
Conclusion of Douglas Hill's sci-fi fantasy dramatised in four parts by Wally K Daly.
Starring Eric Allen as Jarral the man, James Holland as Jarral the boy, Elizabeth Bell as Archer, Ben Onwukwe as Carver, Hugh Dixon as Prince Mephtik, Susan Sheridan as Mandra, David Bannerman as Yorrold, James Thomason as Cryltor Tabatang, Bret Usher as Flammarock, Richard Pierce as Whiney, Anne Windsor as Innkeeper, with Nigel Carrington and Charles Millom as Soldiers.
Special effects by Dick Mills.
Music by Peter Howells of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
Producer: Peter Fozzard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in 1991.
THU 19:00 Dad's Army (b007jm2h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Take It From Here (b01dtg79)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 20:00 Mark Tavener - High Table, Lower Orders (b00h91l0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 20:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j6bh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 20:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent: The Cabatolin Diamonds (b037bbfq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
THU 21:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm73)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
THU 21:15 Drama (b00770n6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
THU 22:00 My First Planet (b01gvqnq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 22:30 Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes Off (b01h78b6)
Series 3
Japan
Giles is working in Tokyo, grappling with stocks and shares (and the boss's wife). Stars Marcus Brigstocke. From February 2005.
THU 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b037zlbd)
For two hours, six nights a week, the Comedy Club offers the best laughs around. Plus more from Tom Wrigglesworth's chat with stand-up comedian Tiernan Douieb.
THU 23:00 Everyone Quite Likes Justin (b012fqnb)
Series 1
Episode 3
An untimely death causes a lifestyle rethink for the Manchester DJ.
Starring Justin Moorhouse, Anne Reid and Paul Copley.
Sitcom written by Justin Moorhouse and Jim Poyser.
Despite his messy life, Justin always remains positive. Every new day is a new opportunity, "When life throws you lemons, make lemonade".
Recorded in front of an audience in Manchester.
Anne Reid ..... Gran
Bernard Wrigley ..... Sven
Christine Bottomley ..... Lisa
Jim Poyser ..... Vicar
Justin Moorhouse ..... Justin
Lloyd Langford ..... Bryn
Paul Copley ..... Ray
Rachel Austin ..... Receptionist
Susan Cookson ..... Tanya
Producer ..... Steven Canny
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2011.
THU 23:30 The Skivers (b007zn0j)
Series 2
Henry Cooper
Peter Sissons and Alan Hansen's secrets are revealed.
Nick Golson and Tim de Jongh's skilful sketch show with special guest Henry Cooper who's on fighting form as he reveals the ways of the fist.
Written and performed by Nick Golson and Tim de Jongh.
With Peter Bradshaw and Mel Giedroyc
Producer: Jon Naismith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1995.
FRIDAY 26 JULY 2013
FRI 00:00 The Price of Fear (b01s4f4p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Douglas Hill - The Blade of the Poisoner (b007jrtt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Mark Tavener - High Table, Lower Orders (b00h91l0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j6bh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent: The Cabatolin Diamonds (b037bbfq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Big Jim and the Figaro Club (b008g6v4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 Life in London (b01167w4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Classic Serial (b013rj8z)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm73)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:15 Drama (b00770n6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Ring Around the Bath (b00tnp6t)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me (b0076sqs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Mark Tavener - High Table, Lower Orders (b00h9t26)
Series 2
Episode 4
Simon is not convinced of a student's murder confession, but he soon gets sidetracked. Mark Tavener's comedy thriller stars Geoffrey Palmer and Samuel West.
FRI 06:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j7p9h)
Episode 10
The detective duo fight to nail who murdered Gail Swain, and the other victims. Reginald Hill's story read by Philip Jackson.
FRI 06:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent: The Cabatolin Diamonds (b037bh90)
Episode 10
Going to Jean's aid, Dick and Freddie find the distinction between friends and enemies is becoming blurred.
The stirring 'Devil's Galop' heralds the arrival of Douglas Kelly as 'Dick Barton - Special Agent' in another thrilling tale of criminal masterminds, espionage and daring adventure.
Originally starring Noel Johnson, Duncan Carse and Gordon Davies, Dick Barton ran on the BBC Light Programme between 1946 and 1951, but sadly, very few original recordings survive.
With the original lost, this is a very authentic sounding re-recording of 'The Cabatolin Diamonds' using the original scripts and music, which was made for international distribution. Happily the audio was rediscovered in 2009, lurking in the vaults of the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra, Australia.
Script by Geoffrey Webb.
Producer: Morris West
First broadcast in Australia in April 1949.
FRI 07:00 The Right Time (b00c693m)
Series 3
Episode 2
Facelift fracas - and a new TV quiz show for the hard of memory.
The sketch comedy for people growing older disgracefully.
Stars Eleanor Bron, Graeme Garden, Neil Innes, Clive Swift, Roger Blake and Paula Wilcox.
Written by Julie Balloo, Janet Ellis, Graeme Garden Mike Haskins, Jan Etherington, Alan Stafford, Colin Bostock Smith, Mike Pilman, Mark Brisenden and Robert Mills.
Script Editor: Jed Parsons.
Music by Ronnie & The Rex and Neil Innes.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.
FRI 07:30 Richard Tyrone Jones's Big Heart (b037525c)
Of Coke Dealers and Cardioverters
Series Title: Richard Tyrone Jones's Big Heart
Programme/episode title: Of Coke Dealers and Cardioverters
Richard Tyrone Jones, healthy, gym-going poet, man about town and aspirant womaniser, finds himself, on his thirtieth birthday, stricken by an unexpected present: heart failure. Confined to hospital with a a dilated, literally-big heart, surrounded by old men, stuck on drugs and drips and forced to cope with curious medical procedures and even curiouser fellow patients, will he die, or worse, be doomed to life in a mobility scooter at home with his parents in Dudley?
Based on Richard's Wellcome Trust supported solo show each episode illuminates a different aspect of the experience of illness and facing your own mortality. Half-way between a sitcom and real-life storytelling, Richard will explain some of his illness's progression through direct address and his own poems.
Richard Tyrone Jones is a poet and writer and director of spoken word at the Edinburgh Festival Free Fringe.
It was written by Richard Tyrone Jones
With additional material by Michael Mixy Riccardi
Studio engineer and editor - Matt Katz
Produced by Nick Walker
A Top Dog production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 08:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jl5j)
Series 1
The Offer
After a row with his father Albert, Harold decides to leave their rag and bone business and take up another offer of employment.
Starring Wilfrid Brambell as Albert and Harry H Corbett as Harold.
Following the conclusion of their hugely successful association with Tony Hancock, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson wrote 10 pilots for 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 BBC radio from Galton and Simpson's TV script by Gale Pedrick.
Produced by Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in July 1966.
FRI 08:30 The Michael Bentine Show (b00kn7yv)
From 13/05/1984
From tackling Britain's recession to Film Extra of the Century.
Michael Bentine stars in the ultimate one man show written and performed by the host.
Producer: Jamie Rix
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in May 1984.
FRI 09:00 Alison and Maud (b007k449)
Series 2
Men Misbehaving But Only Slightly
The sisters plan a celebration for Father's 85th birthday.
Second of two series of Sue Limb's Bed and Breakfast sitcom about sisters Alison and Maud and their guests at the Abbeyfield Guest House in Norwich.
Starring Denise Coffey as Alison, Miriam Margolyes as Maud, Joss Ackland as Father, Geoffrey Whitehead as Bernard, Chris Emmett as Mr Mullet and Nicholas Grace as Leslie.
Producer: Jonathan James-Moore.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2004.
FRI 09:30 Spending My Inheritance (b00fz0wd)
Saga Louts
Sitcom by Clive Coleman, starring Kris Marshall as cash-strapped forty-something Harry, who has to watch from the sidelines as his newly retired parents start spending their hard-earned cash on themselves.
Harry's parents offer to take him and his family on holiday.
Harry ...... Kris Marshall
Jo ...... Raquel Cassidy
Brian ...... Kenneth Cranham
Liz ...... Judy Parfitt
Jess ...... Antonia Thomas
Ron ...... Stephen Critchlow
Linda ...... Janice Acquah
Aristos ...... Chris Pavlo
Directed by Sam Hoyle.
FRI 10:00 Classic Serial (b0144ybg)
Anthony Trollope - The American Senator
Episode 3
The American Senator
By Anthony Trollope
Dramatised by Martyn Wade
Part Three
Lord Rufford has run away from Arabella but she hasn't given up hope. She is determined that he will marry her but then she receives some distressing news ..
Anthony Trollope...........Robert Glenister
Arabella Trefoil..............Anna Maxwell Martin
Lady Augustus..............Barbara Flynn
Lord Augustus...............Gerard McDermott
Lord Rufford...................Henry Devas
Lady Ushant..................Joanna David
John Morton..................Blake Ritson
Reginald Morton............Daniel Rabin
Mary Masters................Penelope Rawlins
Mrs Morton...................Richenda Carey
Senator Gotobed...........Stuart Milligan
Mounser Green............Joanathan Forbes
Directed by Tracey Neale
The Story:
In this little known tale, Anthony Trollope never allows The American Senator's attitude to get in the way of plot -and his ability to weave story strands which arise out of credible motivation, psychology and emotion is as sure as ever. The characters are as finely drawn as we have come to expect from the pen of Trollope. There's the extraordinary Arabella but also the comic, kind natured and the tragic characters too.
Arabella finds herself in the ignoble occupation of husband/fortune-hunting. She's aware that the years are passing and the strain of numerous failed relationships have made her prospects increasingly poor. She is unofficially engaged to John Morton, a diplomat, and owner of a large estate, but now the wealthy and more exciting Lord Rufford has come into view. His estate being larger and more grand. Surely he is worth fighting for?
Arabella, encouraged by her monstrous mother, Lady Augustus, decides to try and keep Morton on the back-burner (but deny her engagement in public) while engineering a series of compromising situations in an outrageous attempt to win Rufford.
But Arabella is playing a dangerous game and although her behaviour is both conniving and ruthless, she is extraordinary and powerfully-drawn and so does not become an out-and-out anti-heroine. She is, to some degree, the victim of her situation - and of her mother. She is courageous as well as devious, and she has her pride. As the tale concludes and she seeks some degree of redemption she achieves tragic status.
A parallel but secondary plot concerns Reginald Morton, an elder cousin of John, and Mary Masters, who is the complete antithesis to Miss Trefoil. Mary's absurd, domineering stepmother thinks that Mary should marry a besotted local farmer, Lawrence Twentyman but Mary is in love with Reginald Morton. Is he in love with her though? She finds support in the shape of Reginald's kind and gentle aunt, Lady Ushant, but there is the stern and grim grandmother of both John and Reginald who stands in the way of happiness because of a long-standing family feud.
Elias Gotobed, the visiting senator of the book's title, has little impact on events - but he has an important part to play as an observer of events; a gauche but vigorous critic of the antiquated elements of English society and the establishment. Gotobed's conclusions are a supplement to those which can be drawn from Arabella's tale, where greed, class-consciousness and snobbery are mercilessly displayed.
'The American Senator' is, in part, a state of the nation novel - enhanced by the parallels between Trollope's world and ours. Arabella has her modern-day equivalents, and the Senator's remarks throughout the dramatisation about the working man's passive and subservient nature have not lost their relevance.
The Author:
Anthony Trollope produced a vast collection of work about credible people and their foibles. He gained recognition as a writer who portrayed English life is a wry and honest manner with a cast of humorous and delightful characters. His portrayal of female characters is particularly skilful and Arabella Trefoil is no exception.
The Dramatist:
Martyn Wade is a skilled and talented radio writer and dramatist. He has dramatised the 'Barsetshire' novels for radio and the 'Palliser' series too. His other Trollope dramatisations have included 'Orley Farm' and 'Miss Mackenzie'. He also dramatised Ada Leverson's 'The Little Ottleys' for Woman's Hour.
FRI 11:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm7m)
Episode 10
Sophia feels she has committed a terrible sin and must pay for it, but how? Read by Emma Fielding and William Gaminara.
FRI 11:15 Peter Wolf - Ghost on the Moor (b00sr5qc)
Haunted by a painful break-up, moors recluse Graham begins an unexpected relationship. Romantic drama starring Robert Glenister.
FRI 12:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jl5j)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 The Michael Bentine Show (b00kn7yv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Mark Tavener - High Table, Lower Orders (b00h9t26)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j7p9h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 13:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent: The Cabatolin Diamonds (b037bh90)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
FRI 14:00 Ladies of Letters (b007k3wb)
Ladies of Letters Go Global
Episode 5
Vera and Christopher undertake a life-threatening undercover operation for MI6.
With no-one else to turn to, Irene combines forces with the ex-pat couple employing her to get Vera and Christopher air-lifted out of the diamond mine in which they have been billeted.
Irene ...... Prunella Scales
Vera ...... Patricia Routledge
Brian ...... Ewan Bailey
The up and down relationship of two mature ladies shared via their barbed correspondence.
Written by Lou Wakefield and Carole Havman.
Producer: Claudine Toutoungi
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2006.
FRI 14:15 Foreign Bodies (b01nkxl1)
Series 1
UK - Commander Dalgliesh and Chief Inspector Wexford
PD James's Adam Dalgliesh and Ruth Rendell's Reginald Wexford first appeared in novels written in 1962 and 1964.
Mark Lawson continues his series about the way crime fiction has depicted modern European history by looking at the shifts in UK society they have encountered from rural racism and road rage to fears about changes in the Church of England and the rise of an environmental movement.
Producer: Robyn Read
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2012.
Catch an extended interview with PD James on the Front Row Crime Writers' Archive.
FRI 14:30 John Buchan - Sick Heart River (b00lh5tt)
Episode 5
Sir Edward Leithen worries that missing Francis Galliard has been abandoned in the freezing Canadian Wilds. Read by Paul Young.
FRI 14:45 Byron Rogers - The Last Human Cannonball (b00fwdvz)
Episode 5
Byron Rogers on two unlikely heroes, a witchcraft trial judge and a man who gets shot out of a cannon. Read by Crawford Logan.
FRI 15:00 Classic Serial (b0144ybg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
FRI 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b037bv6z)
Mel pops on her apron and explores the growing trend of baking clubs, and Stephen Mangan reads the final part of The Dream Travellers by Sherry Ashworth.
FRI 17:00 Beachcomber... By the Way (b0082ckc)
Series 1
Episode 4
Lord Shortcake takes up amateur dramatics, Captain Foulenough takes us back to his unsavoury childhood, Cricket is taken too seriously, and Prodnose is escorted to the graveyard in the hope he’ll take the hint...
Richard Ingrams, John Wells, John Sessions and Patricia Routledge recreate the world of the JB Morton.
Running in the Daily Express from 1924 to 1975 – JB Morton’s surreally comic ‘Beachcomber’ column paved the way for a great deal of modern humour.
Adapted by Michael Barfield with Richard Ingrams.
Announcer: Brian Perkins
Producer: Harry Thompson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1989
FRI 17:30 The Right Time (b00c693m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
FRI 18:00 Harlan Ellison - I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream (b037bvq6)
It’s 109 years after the near annihilation of humanity.
Harlan Ellison’s famous sci-fi story comes to radio with the author taking the role of the psychotic computer which has won mankind's last war.
A final battle remains, between the computer and the five surviving humans led by David Soul as Ted.
Ted .... David Soul
AM .......Harlan Ellison
Ellen.... Abi Eniola
Nimdok.. Ewan Bailey
Gorrister ... David Timson
Benny ... Jason O'Mara
Producer: Ned Chaillet
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
FRI 18:30 Nathaniel Hawthorne - Rappaccini's Daughter (b00qxcff)
Student Giovanni becomes obsessed with a mysterious girl living next door. Dark sci-fi romance starring Joseph Cohen-Cole.
FRI 19:00 Steptoe and Son (b007jl5j)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 The Michael Bentine Show (b00kn7yv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 Mark Tavener - High Table, Lower Orders (b00h9t26)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Dalziel and Pascoe - Bones and Silence (b00j7p9h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 20:45 Dick Barton - Special Agent: The Cabatolin Diamonds (b037bh90)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:45 today]
FRI 21:00 Deborah Moggach - Tulip Fever (b007jm7m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
FRI 21:15 Peter Wolf - Ghost on the Moor (b00sr5qc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
FRI 22:00 Richard Tyrone Jones's Big Heart (b037525c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 22:30 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b00rbkyc)
Series 3
Jon Culshaw
Marcus Brigstocke invites his guest Jon Culshaw to try five things he's never done before, including visiting a casino.
Whether the experiences are banal or profound, the show is about embracing the new and getting out of our comfort zones.
The title comes from the fact that the show's producer and creator Bill Dare had never seen Star Wars.
Producer: Bill Dare
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2010.
FRI 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b037bw3p)
For two hours, six nights a week, the Comedy Club offers the best laughs around. Plus Arthur Smith talks to Carey Marx ahead of his run at the Edinburgh Fringe.
FRI 23:00 Ross Noble Goes Global (b01cjg35)
Series 2
Adelaide
Ross travels to Adelaide in Australia and finds out it is a city of weirdness, in which men dressed in leotards wander the streets, and the locals all seem to be hiding something sinister.
A series of travelogues from comedian Ross Noble.
Producer: Danny Wallace
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2003.
FRI 23:30 Continuity (b00tt684)
Episode 6
A Continuity Announcer's booth can be a lonely place - especially on the late shift, when you've barely seen your wife and children for a week. Still, this Radio 4 Continuity Announcer is nothing, if not a consummate professional and he's not going to let his own insignificant little problems get in the way of your listening pleasure. Especially when there are so many exciting programmes coming up in the next week, which he's got to tell you about. At least some of them are exciting. Some of them aren't quite his cup of tea, if he's honest, but that's not really the point, is it? They may be right up your street. It's not really his place to express an opinion. Even if it is tempting. This may be a come-down from heady days spent announcing on the Today programme, but he's got a job to do. Though sometimes it is rather difficult to concentrate .....
Alistair McGowan stars in a subversive sitcom about a Continuity Announcer brooding on the escalating disasters of his private and professional life; at the same time as attempting to give us a preview of the programmes on offer in the coming week on Radio 4. Or what might be Radio 4 in a parallel universe. Trails for 'The Ethical Enigma', 'Britain's Favourite Sound' and 'The History of Britain One Year at a Time' are just some of the strange delights on offer in the world of this 'radio professional', who harbours a slightly inappropriate relationship with his audience.
Written by Hugh Rycroft a stalwart of 'The News Quiz' and co-creator of 'Parliamentary Questions' and 'Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue', the series also features the voices of Lewis Macleod, Sally Grace, Charlotte Page and David Holt.
Produced by David Spicer and Frank Stirling.
A Unique Production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 23:45 Creme de la Crime (b0089jzj)
Carrion up the Jungle
Mutiny, murder, and a possible parking fine in a dastardly case of felony afloat.
David Pershore travels to the tropics of the Far East. That is, if he can bear to have the inoculations.
Recalled by Michael Feydeau -TV's much-loved Inspector Niblett - and crime expert David Pershore
Using a daring mixture of reconstructions, interviews, music and specially made noises, tales from the vaults of villainy.
Written by and starring Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis.
With:
Olivia Colman
Ewan Bailey
Director: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2003.