SATURDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2014

SAT 00:00 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole (b007js86)
The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole
Episode 8
Adrian's parents try and patch things up, but in the meantime, he finds himself drawn to new school friends. Read by Nicholas Barnes.
SAT 00:15 A History of the Brain (b017551t)
Einstein's Brain
Dr Geoff Bunn's ten-part History of the Brain is a journey through 5000 years of our understanding of this complex organ in our heads. From Neolithic times to the present day, he reveals the contemporary beliefs about what the brain is for and how it fulfils its functions.
While referencing the core physiology and neuroscience, this is a cultural, not a scientific history. What soon becomes obvious is that our understanding of this most inscrutable organ has in all periods been coloured by the social and political expedients of the day no less than by the contemporary scope of scientific or biological exploration.
Episode 10: Einstein's Brain focuses on how advances in neurology have influenced our understanding of human's as 'neurochemical selves'. Examining the recent trend to explain every aspect of personality by underlying brain processes, Geoff Bunn highlights how disciplines from aesthetics to sociology have felt the impact of neuroscience. He acknowledges the benefits supplied by MRI scanning but points out the flaws in promoting an understanding of humanity based entirely on analysis of the brain. If the dissection of Einstein's brain were all we had to go on, we wouldn't know much about the famous physicist's life and character.
The series is entirely written and presented by Dr Geoff Bunn of Manchester Metropolitan University, with actors Paul Bhattacharjee and Jonathan Forbes providing the voices of those who have written about the brain from Ancient Egypt to the present day. The original, atmospheric score is supplied by composer, Barney Quinton.
Producer: Marya Burgess.
SAT 00:30 George Eliot - Adam Bede (b007jns8)
Episode 5
As Hetty receives a gift from the captain, Adam waits in the wings hoping she will marry him. Stars Thomas Arnold.
SAT 00:45 Margaret Atwood - Curious Pursuits (b0076rsr)
Mortification; Edinburgh Festival
Two short essays look at some author mishaps and Scotland's fair city through the decades. Read by Liza Ross.
SAT 01:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b00s92p7)
Series 3
Episode 1
Prepare to have your synapses twisted into a string theorist's nightmare, as Professor Lloyd and his new curator, the startlingly insightful comedian Jon Richardson, hurriedly throw the dust covers off the Museum's clump of empty plinths for a brand new series of the BBC's most improving comedy panel show.
This week, fantasy novelist Sir Terry Pratchett offers them a Secret And Personal Extra Day Of The Week; cosmologist and author Marcus Chown donates a bizarre but plausible scientific theory of the afterlife known as the Enigma Point; and Shappi Khorsandi has somehow finds herself in a position to offer none other than Charlie Chaplin.
SAT 01:30 My Life in Five Books (b00tq0ws)
Series 1
Sue Lawrence
3/8
Sue Lawrence's passion for food is well known. A prolific writer of cookery books Sue first came to prominence after winning BBC Master Chef in 1991. Her passion for other books is less well known and in conversation with Stuart Cosgrove she reveals the five titles she'd never be without.
SAT 02:00 Paul Temple (b007rwp2)
Paul Temple and the Margo Mystery
The Visitor
With time running out, can the suave sleuth finally confront who murdered Julia Kelburn?
Francis Durbridge's thriller stars Peter Coke as Paul Temple and Marjorie Westbury as Steve in another intriguing case for BBC radio's smoothest investigator and his glamorous wife.
With James Thomason as Sir Graham Forbes, Simon Lack as Superintendent Raine, Tommy Duggan as Mike Langdon, Julian Somers as George Kelburn, June Tobin as Linda Kelburn, Joan Matheson as Mrs Fletcher, Mary Wimbush as Dr Benkaray, James Beattie as Charlie and Hugh Manning as Larry Cross.
From 1938 to 1969 the fictional crime novelist and detective Paul Temple, together with his Fleet Street journalist Steve, solved case after case in one of BBC radio's most popular series. They inhabited a sophisticated world of chilled cocktails and fast cars, where the women were chic and the men wore cravats - a world where Sir Graham Forbes, of Scotland Yard, usually needed Paul's help with his latest tricky case.
Producer: Martin C Webster
First heard on the BBC Light Programme in 1961.
SAT 02:30 Please Look After This Bear (b0091tm8)
Author Michael Bond's wellington-clad bear was found at Paddington Station and was thus named by the Brown family after the busy London terminus.
To celebrate Paddington's 50th birthday in 2008 - BBC Radio 4 left 50 bears wearing the label "Please Look After This Bear" hidden in train stations all over Britain for people to find and to take home.
Children's author Michael Morpurgo talks to these "finders" to hear what Paddington Bear has meant to them. He hears from creator Michael Bond about the bear's enduring appeal and also unravels the story of the first soft toy Paddington Bear, made by Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson's mother Shirley.
Produced by Laura Parfitt.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
SAT 03:00 Home Front - Omnibus (b04jmd8g)
29 September - 3 October 1914
Last omnibus of Season 1 of Home Front which is set in Great War Britain. The end of the beginning, perhaps, but a long long way from the end.

Written by Katie Hims
Consultant Historian: Professor Maggie Andrews
Music: Matthew Strachan
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.
SAT 04:00 William Trevor Short Stories (b007jtxy)
The Forty-Seventh Saturday
Mavie and McCarthy have a weekly assignation, but is he as trapped by marriage as she thinks he is? Read by Denys Hawthorne.
SAT 04:15 Alan Plater - Time Added On for Injuries (b007qw0x)
Passengers on a train uncover the story that linked their families 150 years ago. Stars James Bolam and Alan David.
SAT 05:00 After Henry (b007k47s)
Series 3
Guilty Secrets
'She does have her sensitivities. And this.... for a woman ... any woman ... even my mother - I'd have thought it would strike at the whole image she has of her entire marriage.'
Sarah tidies up husband Henry's study four years after his death.
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.
Sarah ...... Prunella Scales
Eleanor ...... Joan Sanderson
Russell ...... Benjamin Whitrow
Clare ...... Gerry Cowper
Rod ...... Paul Sirr
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 September 1987.
SAT 05:30 Spangles 'n' Tights (b04phhxy)
Medieval Banquet
The Dublin theatrical costumiers dress a medieval banquet in a ghostly castle.
Christopher Fitz-Simon's five-part comedy.
Dessie Doyle ...... David Kelly
Violet Doyle ...... Pauline McLynn
Antony Gogan ...... Eugene O'Brien
Mr McNamara ...... Frank Kelly
Fidelma Fitzpatrick ...... Roma Tomelty
High King ...... Birdy Sweeney
Cliona O'Sloothrahaun ...... Anna Byrne
Cardinal Poggibonsi ...... John Keyes
Court Jester ...... Paddy Scully
Music played by John Trotter.
Directed at BBC Belfast by Roland Jaquarello.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1998.
SAT 06:00 Franz Kafka - The Trial (b04k6p4c)
Joseph K. is an unexceptional man. He lives a quiet life and works in a bank. But one ordinary morning he is woken by two men and finds himself under arrest. What is his crime? From that moment on, Joseph K. enters a strange, bewildering world of nightmare. Mike Gwilym stars as Joseph K. with Miriam Margolyes as Leni, a nurse who becomes his lover.
Dramatised for radio by the award-winning writer and dramatist Hanif Kureishi.
The story of The Trial epitomises something that is 'Kafkaesque', a world of little hope, much despair and small men pitted against the power of a state. Written in German, Kafka always called the book Der Process, but it was changed to The Trial in translation. It was written in 1914 but not published until a year after his death in 1925. Kafka used his own exhausting experiences of a legal case to inform the novel.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1982.
SAT 07:30 The House I Grew Up In (b00d45nh)
Series 2
Joanna Briscoe
Wendy Robbins takes the novelist back to her isolated childhood home in Dartmoor, and an unconventional upbringing. From August 2008.
SAT 08:00 Archive on 4 (b00vr62g)
Our Obsession With Weather
The author Iain Sinclair presents a timely illustrated essay on that uniquely British obsession - the weather. Why has the seemingly-mundane weather forecast been an obsession for listeners and viewers since the early days of broadcasting? What does it tell us about our national character and the role of broadcasting in our lives?
The first weather forecasts lasted five minutes and resembled a military briefing. Today they last a couple of minutes but viewers barely pay any attention, they recall little of what the forecasters said. Weather forecasters call for more time but does anyone place too much faith in the BBC's weather forecast anymore?
We'll hear from the forecasters - Michael Fish, Bill Giles and Sian Lloyd - what does it mean to be at the forefront of the British public's interaction with their favourite subject?
Along the way we'll hear evocative archive of extreme weather events like: floods of '53, hard winter of 63, red rain in '68, summer of '76 and the gales of '87.
Messing with the weather is a tricky business. The latest style of TV graphics, the infamous tilting map called the fly over, caused disapproval up and down the country. Why was our Pleasant Land coloured brown not green? Proud Scots protested that their country appeared diminished- surely another example of bias from the South East of England?
Iain will ask what role the weather plays in our culture - any writer purposefully tuned to the language of the moment will be obliged to employ the weather as a moral sub-text, a framing device, a ceiling of depression - weather as prediction. Weather as a liquid mirror in which the writer, reads our future. A curious link develops between the great winds of 16 October 1987 and the collapsing financial markets on "Black Monday."
Producer: Barney Rowntree
A Somethin Else production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 09:00 Comedy Greats (b01kjsg3)
Overseas
Captain Barry Cryer welcomes you aboard a special edition of Comedy Greats showcasing a selection of the BBC's hit comedy shows that were adapted for listeners overseas.
During the 1950s to 1970s, a surprising number of series were either edited, rescripted or remade.
Barry reveals bits that never made it out of Blighty to enable shows to be better understood abroad.
* The Clitheroe Kid - Another Mother for Ossie. From November 1965
* The Navy Lark - Going Dutch. From November 1959
* The Men From the Ministry - Birds of a Feather. Re-recording from 1980.
* Hancock's Half Hour - The New Secretary. Re-recorded in November 1958.
* Round the Horne - The Man With the Golden Thunderball. Re-recorded July 1966 with an edited version of the original script.
* I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again - series 3 (10/13). Re-recording from 1966.
Producer: Kerry Reece
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in July 2012. .
SAT 12:00 Tina Pepler - Syria: Bread and Bombs Omnibus (b04t0fxk)
Black comedy set among aid workers in Syria. Jamil likes to do things by the book while Hassan is a maverick, and then there is Samara with her puppets. Stars Paul Chahidi.
SAT 13:15 John Mortimer - Rumpole of the Bailey (b007wq20)
Rumpole and the Vanishing Juror
At a murder trial, the barrister encounters a jury member with a mystifying agenda. John Mortimer's drama stars Timothy West.
SAT 14:00 The Sunday Format (b009x20g)
Series 1
Episode 2
Your radio version of the quality newspapers, plus lifestyle pull-out sections. With Simon Greenall. From February 1999.
SAT 14:30 Masala FM (b007jz5q)
Episode 5
When the Asian radio station's boss gets religion, the on-air result is far from heavenly.
Six-part sitcom written by Meera Syal
Starring Sanjeev Bhaskar, Nitin Sawheny, Meera Syal and Nina Wadia.
Music by Nitin Sawhney.
Producer: Liz Anstee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1996.
SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b00vr62g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Franz Kafka - The Trial (b04k6p4c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Hal (b04pr6sy)
Series 1
Death
Hal Cruttenden stars as a 40-something husband and father who, years ago, decided to give up his job and become a stay at home father. His wife, Sam, has a successful business career which makes her travel more and more. His children, Lilly and Molly, are growing up fast, and his role as their father and mentor is diminishing by the day.
Written by Hal Cruttenden and Dominic Holland.
With Dominic Holland, Ed Byrne, Anna Crilly, Gavin Webster, Dominic Frisby and Samuel Caseley.
In this episode, Hal faces a horrifying thought - he might have testicular cancer. So he tries to look mortality in the face - not easy for an overly sensitive and emotional man. He tries to bond with his entrepreneurial stepson Jack, but a visit to a football match doesn't work out as Hal planned.
An unlikely form of salvation arrives when it's suggested that Hal takes part in a charity run. Things take an unexpected turn and Hal actually surprises himself - but not in the way he planned.
Producer: Paul Russell
An Open Mike production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2014.
SAT 18:00 Charles Chilton - Space Force (b007jn5r)
Series 2
Living With Death
Elevated to the priesthood of God-King Ra - the captive crew of Space Force seize a chance to escape.
Charles Chilton's second intergalactic adventure series starring Barry Foster.
Captain Saxon Berry ...... Barry Foster
Chipper Barnett ...... Nicky Henson
Magnus Carter ...... Nigel Stock
Lodderick Sincere ...... Tony Osoba
With Wendy Murray, Willoughby Goddard and Bernard Brown.
Charles Chilton wrote and produced many popular and successful radio programmes for the BBC - including the classic 1950s serial 'Journey into Space' - charting the adventures of Captain Jet Morgan. This fired the imagination of millions, years before the first moon landing. It was the last radio drama to record higher ratings than the new young upstart television!
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1985.
SAT 18:30 Planet B (b00yhwsx)
Series 3
Doing Time
Held in the world's toughest jail, can Kip escape prison brutality? Virtual reality saga by Nick Perry. Stars Lloyd Thomas.
SAT 19:00 Raw Meat Radio (b04sp5pq)
Chris Morris is known by most for his ground-breaking film and television work but, like most good things he 'started on the radio'. Described by the man who suspended him from Radio 1 (Matthew Bannister) as 'one of the greatest talents working in British broadcasting', Morris developed his anarchic and surreal style in local radio. It was at BBC Bristol and GLR in the late 80s and early 90s that he honed his trademark technical skills and first adopted some of the sketches and personas that would later help make his name.
He went on to be responsible for some of the most exciting, innovative radio comedy ever made including On The Hour (Radio 4), Why Bother (Radio 3)and Blue Jam (Radio 1). BBC Radio 4 Extra airs a three hour retrospective of his work including material that hasn't been aired since it was first broadcast.
From his local radio days to On the Hour, Why Bother and Blue Jam, Raw Meat Radio is presented by Mary Anne Hobbs (Morris' last radio outing was a guest DJ slot on her Radio 1 show: The Breezeblock) and features original interviews with Armando Iannucci, Matthew Bannister, Peter Baynham, David Quantick, Paul Garner, Adrian Sutton and Lucian Randall.
Produced by Sophie Black.
SAT 22:00 Mark Watson's Live Address to the Nation (b017chqv)
Passion
Mark Watson continues his quest to improve the world, nimbly assisted by Tim Key and Tom Basden.
As broadcast live in November 2011 - Mark will be asking the big questions that are crucial to our understanding of ourselves and society - in a dynamic and thought provoking new format he opens the floor to the live audience and asks them to jump into the conversation via tweets and messages to work out how we can all make the world a better place.
This time Mark looks at "Passion" - Passion encompasses some of our most human qualities: emotion, energy desire. But is it a dangerous thing? In their hit Desire, U2 sang: 'Desire!/Desire!' But that isn't hugely helpful, that's just repeating the word over and over again. So we'll go into a bit more detail.
We are all passionate about something, whether it's sex, personal satisfaction, or sexy personal satisfaction. Without passion we're inert. But with passion, we can sometimes be all too ert. Where do we draw the line between normal passions, and being one of these guys like Othello who let themselves down and kill a girl over a hanky?
Producer: Lianne Coop.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.
SAT 22:30 Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive (b007zd04)
Series 1
Episode 5
The funny man's radio drop-in centre tackles Live 8 and white-collar boxing matches. With David Mitchell. From June 2005.
SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (b04vhtq1)
From 10pm - midnight, 7 days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Arthur Smith chats to Marlon Davis.
SAT 23:00 The Mark Steel Revolution (b00fz849)
The American Civil War
Radical comic Mark Steele asks if the battling was part of a revolution.
A series of lectures on the theme of revolution, Mark examines some of the major historical forces at work during revolutions as well as holding up a mirror to our own age.
With Martin Hyder and Carla Mendonca.
Producer: Phil Clarke
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1998.
SAT 23:30 Ivor Cutler - A Stuggy Pren (b00cqd9l)
Episode 3
Ivor Cutler and his friends present dark tales, offbeat songs and some tips for aspiring poets. From June 1994.
SAT 23:45 No Tomatoes (b0081snn)
Doctor Doom
A moody fridge speaks out to Paul Copley and Helen Moon. Sketch show mixing up language and sounds. From October 2007.


SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2014

SUN 00:00 Charles Chilton - Space Force (b007jn5r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Saturday]
SUN 00:30 Planet B (b00yhwsx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 Archive on 4 (b00vr62g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:00 Tina Pepler - Syria: Bread and Bombs Omnibus (b04t0fxk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:00 on Saturday]
SUN 03:15 John Mortimer - Rumpole of the Bailey (b007wq20)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:15 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 Franz Kafka - The Trial (b04k6p4c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 05:30 Hal (b04pr6sy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 17:30 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 George Eliot - Adam Bede Omnibus (b00c90f0)
Episode 1
Staffordshire, 1799. One of Lisbeth Bede's sons has marriage on his mind, but there is trouble ahead. Stars Ann Scott-Jones.
SUN 07:10 Inheritance Tracks (b04tt83j)
Margaret Atwood
Writer Margaret Atwood chooses Beethoven's Symphony No 6, and Joan Sutherland singing Norma by Bellini.
SUN 07:15 Roger Deakin - Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees (b00j2j7f)
Heartwood
Nature writer Roger Deakin visits a library full of apples and returns home to lay a tree hedge by hand. Read by Sean Baker.
SUN 07:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b00yj2g9)
Series 7
Summer of '76
Episode 6:
"Summer of '76"
Radio 4's most curmudgeonly author is back, complete with his trusty companion Elgar, his pipe and his never ending capacity for scrimping and scraping at whatever scraps his agent, Ping, can offer him to keep body, mind and cat together.
Ed has embraced the online age and subscribed to Facebook but finds he has opened up a Pandora's box of so-called friends that he's never actually met. That is until one Fiona Templeton pops up and he's reminded of the events of 1976 when he was a hot new writer and she a hot young model. Should an old acquaintance be renewed or should Ed leave well enough alone?
Cast list:
Ed Reardon ..... Christopher Douglas
Recycling Man ..... Paul Sharma
Pearl ..... Rita May
Olive ..... Stephanie Cole
Stan ..... Geoffrey Whitehead
Fiona ..... Jenny Agutter
Jaz Milvane ..... Philip Jackson
Ping ..... Barunka O'Shaughnessy
Cliff ..... Geoff McGivern
Ray ..... Simon Greenall
Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas
Produced by Dawn Ellis.
SUN 08:00 Funny You Should Ask (b04st6lb)
From 19/05/1981
Peter Jones tests the knowledge of three comedy experts: Carry on film star Charles Hawtrey, the comedian famed for his catchphase 'You lucky people' Tommy Trinder and composer/conductor Ron Goodwin.
Featuring questions about the classic British film comedies, Charles Hawtrey reveals his favourite out of the 24 Carry on films which he appeared in. There are also rounds on music in comedy films and childhood.
Looking at all kinds of comedy, Funny You Should Ask ran for seven series from 1978 to 1982.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1981.
SUN 08:30 Stop Messing About! (b00qyrcf)
Series 2
Episode 2
Crackanory, Feeble Fables, and the television industry is exposed in The Smith Report.
Starring Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Joan Sims and announcer, Douglas Smith.
After the unexpected death of Kenneth Horne in 1969, plans for the next series of Round The Horne were axed. Instead - using an old catchphrase of Kenneth Williams as a series title - Kenneth joined Hugh Paddick to continue the comedy tradition and was also reunited with his "Carry On" film co-star Joan Sims.
Written by Myles Rudge, David Cumming and Derek Collyer.
With the Max Harris Group.
Producer: John Simmonds
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in April 1970.
SUN 09:00 Louisa May Alcott - Little Women (b007jqq0)
Fun Forever and No Grubbage!
Jealous Amy skates on thin ice, and Meg glimpses high society. Stars Buffy Davis, Jemma Redgrave and Gayle Hunnicutt.
SUN 09:30 Captain Kidd and the First Fifteen (b04st7ms)
Episode 3
As Harry begins his treatment, Captain Kidd reveals his devious plans. Stars Polly James and Tom Georgeson.
SUN 10:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b04st7mv)
Legal Eagles
Sir Sydney Kentridge
From Flanders and Swann to Mozart. Lawyer Sir Sydney Kentridge QC shares his castaway choices with Kirsty Young.
Widely regarded as a leading advocate of the 20th century, he continues to make his mark in the 21st; he recently appeared for the first time in the European Court of Justice and at the end of last year he spent the actual day of his 90th birthday working in the English Supreme Court.
Born in South Africa, he was first called to the bar there at the end of the 1940s and played a leading role in some of the most significant political trials of the apartheid era. 'Understated, controlled, relentlessly rational' - and with devastating cross-examination skills - the verdict of one of his clients - Nelson Mandela.
He himself says "I hope there's only one thing about my professional life of which I've boasted and which I think, as a lawyer, is unique on my part - I have acted as an advocate for three winners of The Nobel Peace Prize. I don't think anyone else has done that."
Producer: Isabel Sargent.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2013.
SUN 10:45 William Trevor Short Stories (b007jvyb)
The Distant Past
Two Irish Protestants live contentedly in the past, until the present catches up with them. Read by Denys Hawthorne.
SUN 11:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b01d2l32)
Series 7
Episode 21
From the Town Hall, New York City, the American funny man welcomes singers Justin Townes Earle and Jearlyn Steele. From 2011.
SUN 12:00 George Eliot - Adam Bede Omnibus (b00c90f0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 13:10 Inheritance Tracks (b04tt83j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:10 today]
SUN 13:15 Roger Deakin - Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees (b00j2j7f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]
SUN 13:30 Wally K Daly Trilogy (b007jqx8)
Burglar's Bargains
Trouble abounds when two elderly members of a Prisoners' Aid Society decide to use their unique knowledge to pull off 'the robbery of the century'!
They rapidly find themselves involved with rival gangs, the Mafia and nude shop assistants at a posh London department store...
Starring Peter Jones, Charles Hawtrey, Donald Hewlett and Bernard Bresslaw.
The first of Wally K Daly's trilogy of criminal gang capers produced in the style of old British comedy films.
Charles Forbes .... Peter Jones
Governor Smith ... Donald Hewlett
George Evans .... Lockwood West
Fingers ..... Charles Hawtrey
Bullet Head ..... Bernard Bresslaw
Brian Thompson .... John Pullen
Perkins .... Adrian Egan
Delia ..... Elizabeth Rider
Simpson .... John Rye
Lift man/Tommy .... Gordon Dulieu
Adams .... Philip Voss
Bella Thompson .... Diana Bishop
Angelo Callont .... Gordon Reid
Sanjo Patel .... Danny Schiller
Doreen/Dolly .... Josie Kidd
Eric .... Brian Haines
First/Second twin ..... David Timson
Barry .... Trevor Cooper
Nick the Greek .... Roger Hammond
Billy .... John Bull
Ex-Lance Corporal .... Fraser Kerr
Listen out for Wally K Daly's A Right Royal Rip-Off and The Bigger They Are.
Director: Martin Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1979
SUN 15:00 Funny You Should Ask (b04st6lb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SUN 15:30 Stop Messing About! (b00qyrcf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Mel's Mix: The Best of The 4 O'Clock Show (b04stft1)
War animals, Randy Newman and Cleopatra's Palace
Mel Giedroyc hears about brave animals who served in wartime, Oscar-winning composer Randy Newman plays some of his best-known songs, and we go in search of Cleopatra's Palace.
SUN 17:00 Louisa May Alcott - Little Women (b007jqq0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SUN 17:30 Captain Kidd and the First Fifteen (b04st7ms)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SUN 18:00 Ray Bradbury's Tales of the Bizarre (b007jpvj)
Series 1
The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl
Murder is the ultimate crime. Acton realises it's important - vitally so when committing the murder - to pay attention to detail.
Ray Bradbury introduces his own tingling tale dramatised by Brian Sibley.
Starring Nigel Anthony as Acton, John Hartley as Huxley and Roger May as the Police Officer.
Director: Martin Jenkins.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.
SUN 18:30 Robert Holmes - Aliens in the Mind (b007jlv8)
4. Official Intercessions
Having brought the apparently simple-minded Flora Keiry to London, Professor Lark and John Cornelius uncover the sinister nature of her true identity - and realise the authorities must be alerted...
Starring Peter Cushing and Vincent Price.
John Cornelius .... Peter Cushing
Curtis Lark .... Vincent Price
Flora Kiery .... Sandra Clarke
Kalman Baromek .... Steve Playtus
Ian Sanderson .... Frazer Carr
Gulliver .... William Eadle
Brigadier Sherman .... Clifford Norgates
Gwynt .... Michael Harbour
Written by Rene Basilico from an idea by Robert Holmes.
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1977.
SUN 19:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b01d2l32)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
SUN 20:00 Funny You Should Ask (b04st6lb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SUN 20:30 Stop Messing About! (b00qyrcf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
SUN 21:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b04st7mv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:45 William Trevor Short Stories (b007jvyb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 today]
SUN 22:00 Ed Reardon's Week (b00yj2g9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 22:30 Clare in the Community (b00g9mgx)
Series 2
Mean Streets
The meddling social worker takes a homeless survey, and Brian arranges a stag night. Stars Sally Phillips. From September 2005.
SUN 23:00 The Maltby Collection (b00xj161)
Series 2
Episode 4
At the museum's first children's day, the dog counting competition is not going well. Stars Geoffrey Palmer. From June 2008.
SUN 23:30 The Masterson Inheritance (b007jqqh)
Series 3
The Masterson's Magical Marquee, pt 1
The improvised historical family saga's two-part romp about a Victorian travelling circus. Stars Paul Merton. From July 1995.


MONDAY 01 DECEMBER 2014

MON 00:00 Ray Bradbury's Tales of the Bizarre (b007jpvj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Robert Holmes - Aliens in the Mind (b007jlv8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b04st7mv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 William Trevor Short Stories (b007jvyb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Funny You Should Ask (b04st6lb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 Stop Messing About! (b00qyrcf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:00 Ed Reardon's Week (b00yj2g9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:30 Wally K Daly Trilogy (b007jqx8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:30 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Louisa May Alcott - Little Women (b007jqq0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Captain Kidd and the First Fifteen (b04st7ms)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Cadfael (b007k2mr)
Monk's Hood
1. Troubled Times
The year is 1138, and Brother Cadfael, herbalist of Shrewsbury Abbey, is asked to supply a healing potion for a sick monk.
But monk's hood oil can kill as well as cure....
Ellis Peters' medieval thriller stars Philip Madoc as Brother Cadfael.
Sir Michael Hordern is the narrator.
From the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael dramatised in five-parts by Bert Coules.
Narrator ...... Sir Michael Hordern
Brother Cadfael ...... Phillip Madoc
Brother Mark ...... Ian Targett
Prior Robert ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Brother Rees ...... Norman Jones
Rishildis Burnel ...... Pat Heywood
Father Heribert ...... Timothy Bateson
Elfrick ...... Mark Straker
Maerreg ...... Kenneth Price
Aldith ...... Jane Whittenshaw
Brother Edmund ...... Timothy Carlton
Brother Petrus ...... Fraser Kerr
Producer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1991.
MON 06:30 Byzantium Unearthed (b00dxdcs)
Episode 1
Historian Bettany Hughes begins a series that uses the latest archaeological evidence to learn more about the empire of Byzantium and the people who ruled it.
Bettany learns how treasures found in the empire's capital, modern-day Istanbul, reveal much about the life and importance of a civilisation that, whilst being devoutly Christian and the inheritors of the Romans, was also exotic and eastern.
MON 07:00 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b00756vl)
Series 4
Episode 3
Sofa-bound TV presenters Mike and Sue turn their attention to 'ageing' and 'alcohol'.
Starring Robert Duncan and Jan Ravens.
With Roger Blake, Alistair McGowan and Ronnie Ancona.
Written by George Jeffrie and Bert Tyler-Moore from a format by Bill Dare.
Music by Mark Burton.
Producer: Aled Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1999.
MON 07:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b04ps15r)
Series 62
Episode 2
The 62nd series of Radio 4's multi award-winning antidote to panel games promises more homespun wireless entertainment for the young at heart. This week the programme pays a return visit to the Richmond Theatre. Regulars Graeme Garden, Barry Cryer and Tim Brooke-Taylor are once again joined on the panel by Jo Brand with Jack Dee in the chair. At the piano - Colin Sell.
Producer - Jon Naismith.
MON 08:00 Marriage Lines (b04stqbt)
Series 1
The Move
Pastures new for Kate and George, but what about their new neighbours?
Starring Richard Briers as George Starling and Prunella Scales as Kate Starling.
Richard Waring’s sitcom based on the mutual love and mistrust of two newlyweds. Originating on BBC TV, it ran between 1963 and 1965 and was adapted in two series for BBC radio due to its popularity.
George ...... Richard Briers
Kate ...... Prunella Scales
Miles ...... Derek Waring
Mr Renfrew Smith ...... Felix Felton
Other parts played by John Graham, Leon Thau and Jo Kendall.
Producer: Charles Maxwell
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in July 1965.
MON 08:30 The Navy Lark (b007k1gj)
Series 1
The Whittlesea Carnival
While the crew are running tours of HMS Troutbridge for the public, scheming Pertwee tries to recover some dumped rum!
Starring Leslie Phillips as the Sub-Lieutenant, Jon Pertwee as the Chief Petty Officer, Dennis Price as Number One, Richard Caldicot as Commander Povey, Ronnie Barker as AS Johnson, Heather Chasen as Heather, Michael Bates as the Mayor and Tenniel Evans as the Admiral.
The Navy Lark ran for an impressive thirteen series on BBC Radio between 1959 and 1976.
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman.
Producer: Alastair Scott Johnston.
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in July 1959.
MON 09:00 The Personality Test (b00n02yq)
Series 2
Claire Rayner
Agony aunt Claire Rayner quizzes a panel about herself.
With Sue Perkins, Lucy Porter, Will Smith and Robin Ince.
Series with changing hosts who quiz the panel.
Script by Richard Turner and Simon LIttlefield
Devised and produced by Aled Evans.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2007.
MON 09:30 The Castle (b01jrt6b)
Series 4
Give Me the Flaming Torch
Hie ye to The Castle, a rollicking sitcom set way back then, starring James Fleet ("The Vicar Of Dibley"), Neil Dudgeon ("Life Of Riley"), Martha Howe-Douglas ("Horrible Histories") & Ingrid Oliver
The Olympics are coming to Woodstock, so what better time for Sir William to go on a go-slow & for Henry to hunt for dragons? Meanwhile, Sir John tries to get fit and Charlotte tries to get into her beach volleyball costume.
Written by Kim Fuller & Paul Alexander
Music by Guy Jackson
Produced and directed by David Tyler.
MON 10:00 Classic Serial (b00r907w)
Samuel Richardson - Clarissa: The History of a Young Lady
The Pursuit
Dramatisation by Hattie Naylor of the 1748 novel by Samuel Richardson.
The beautiful young heiress Clarissa Harlowe is dangerously attracted by the wiles of the notorious libertine Robert Lovelace. Threatened by an imminent marriage arranged with the odious suitor her family have found for her, Lovelace persuades Clarissa to flee with him.
Clarissa Harlowe ...... Zoe Waites
Robert Lovelace ...... Richard Armitage
James Harlowe ...... Oliver Milburn
Solmes ...... Stephen Critchlow
Bella Harlowe ...... Sophie Thompson
Lady Harlowe ...... Alison Steadman
Lord Harlowe ...... John Rowe
Mrs Norton ...... Deborah Findlay
Anna Howe ...... Cathy Sara
Directed by Marilyn Imrie
A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.
MON 11:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h12)
The Letter Writers
Emily and Edmund know more about each other than anyone in the world.
But after writing to each other for ten years, they face the crisis of their first face-to-face meeting...
Read by Joanna David.
Elizabeth Taylor's collection of short stories abridged by Richard Hamilton
Producer: Emma Harding
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
MON 11:15 Loose Ends (b04stc67)
Emma Freud, Ronan Keating, Rafe Spall, Jack Thorne, Sara Pascoe, Andreya Triana, Asgeir
RONAN KEATING talks to Clive about playing the lead in 'Once'; the musical about a chance encounter between a girl and guy from different worlds but with a shared love of music. RAFE SPALL explains how he relates to his role as ex-con Steve, in Christmas feel-good movie 'Get Santa'. Emma Freud chats to theatre and screenwriter JACK THORNE about his latest play 'Hope', a scathing fable which attacks the squeeze on local government, examines our disillusionment with the current political parties and asks where we go from here. And comedian SARA PASCOE, star of Live at the Apollo, QI, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Mock The Week, W1A and Twenty Twelve tells Clive why her first nationwide tour is called Sara Pascoe V History. With music from Asgeir who performs 'King and Cross' from his album 'In The Silence - Deluxe Edition' and from Andreya Triani who performs 'Everything You Never Had Pt. II'
Producer: Sukey Firth.
MON 12:00 Marriage Lines (b04stqbt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 12:30 The Navy Lark (b007k1gj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:00 Cadfael (b007k2mr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 13:30 Byzantium Unearthed (b00dxdcs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 14:00 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole (b007js8l)
The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole
Episode 9
Fifth-former Adrian tries to walk on the wild side. But gang life proves to be rather boring. Read by Nicholas Barnes.
MON 14:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009j657)
Voysey
Laurence Llewelyn Bowen's history of our homes from the 1920s to the present day, beginning with a profile of the 'father of the English suburb', Charles Voysey. From March 2008.
MON 14:30 George Eliot - Adam Bede (b007jntf)
Episode 6
Staffordshire, 1799: When Hetty meets with the Captain in Donnithorne Woods, Adam takes action.
George Eliot's haunting story of love betrayed and love rewarded dramatised in 15 episodes by Robert Forrest.
An immediate bestseller in 1859, Eliot's second novel established her reputation and paved the way for masterpieces such as The Mill on the Floss and Middlemarch.
Starring Thomas Arnold as Adam, Katherine Igoe as Hetty, Ann Scott-Jones as Lisbeth, Richard Greenwood as Arthur, John Kielty as Seth, Crawford Logan as Mr Irwine and Victoria Liddelle as Dinah.
Director: Patrick Rayner.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
MON 14:45 Simon Gray - Coda (b00t170l)
Episode 1
The playwright and diarist's frank, moving and often painfully funny account of coming to terms with his terminal cancer. Read by Toby Stephens.
MON 15:00 Classic Serial (b00r907w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b04svdkc)
Slimy Slugs, Slippery Snails and Shipwrecks
Mel Giedroyc follows the trail of some slimy slugs and snails in nature feature In Pursuit of the Ridiculous. And we hear the first part of Daniel Defoe's classic Robinson Crusoe.
MON 17:00 Second Thoughts (b00l1tt4)
Series 3
Occupational Hazard
Bill and Faith’s plans for a proper getaway hit some holiday hiccups...
Sitcom about the battles of divorcees Bill and Faith beginning married life, whilst balancing the demands of his ex-wife, Liza and Faith's teenage children.
Stars James Bolam as Bill, Lynda Bellingham as Faith, Celia Imrie as Hilary, Belinda Lang as Liza, Emma Gregory as Hannah, Mark Denham as Joe and Mark Straker as Alex.
Series three of four inspired by the real lives of its writers, husband and wife 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 'Faith in the Future'.
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1991.
MON 17:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b00756vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:00 The Personality Test (b00n02yq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 18:30 A Good Read (b04svdyh)
UA Fanthorpe and Bernard Knight
Sarah LeFanu, UA Fanthorpe and Bernard Knight discuss books by Gerald of Wales, Ursula LeGuin and Robert Holdstock. From November 1998.
The Journey Through Wales, by Gerald of Wales
Publisher: Penguin Books
The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula LeGuin
Publisher: Orbit
Mythago Wood, by Robert Holdstock
Publisher: HarperCollins.
MON 19:00 Marriage Lines (b04stqbt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 The Navy Lark (b007k1gj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 20:00 Cadfael (b007k2mr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 20:30 Byzantium Unearthed (b00dxdcs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 21:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h12)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
MON 21:15 Loose Ends (b04stc67)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]
MON 22:00 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (b04ps15r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 22:30 The Castle (b01jrt6b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
MON 23:00 The News Quiz Extra (b04svdyz)
Series 12
Episode 6
Made for 4 Extra. Satirical review of the week's news, chaired by Sandi Toksvig with regular guest Jeremy Hardy, plus Rebecca Front and Hugo Rifkind.
MON 23:45 Quando, Quando, Quando (b0082bz0)
The Christmas Rush
When the Christmas snipping gets out of hand and the salon clients get too crazy, Carlo decides he's had enough. It's time to do something about it...
Brothers Rene, Carlo and Charlie Quando chop, snip and crimp their lucky clients into shape at London's finest hair salon.
Six-part comedy written and performed by Rainer Hersch and Mark Maie. With Stephen Greif and Catherine Tate.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1999.


TUESDAY 02 DECEMBER 2014

TUE 00:00 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole (b007js8l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009j657)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 George Eliot - Adam Bede (b007jntf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 00:45 Simon Gray - Coda (b00t170l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 The Personality Test (b00n02yq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 A Good Read (b04svdyh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Cadfael (b007k2mr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Byzantium Unearthed (b00dxdcs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Classic Serial (b00r907w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h12)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:15 Loose Ends (b04stc67)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Second Thoughts (b00l1tt4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 17:00 on Monday]
TUE 05:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b00756vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Cadfael (b007jl9z)
Monk's Hood
2. The Inheritance
Brother Cadfael fears the worst over the sickness of Shrewsbury Abbey's benefactor.
Ellis Peters's medieval thriller stars Philip Madoc as Brother Cadfael.
Sir Michael Hordern is the narrator.
From the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, dramatised by Bert Coules.
Narrator ...... Sir Michael Hordern
Brother Cadfael ...... Phillip Madoc
Sergeant William Warden ...... Ian Hogg
Brother Mark ...... Ian Targett
Prior Robert ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Brother Rees ...... Norman Jones
Rishildis Burnel ...... Pat Heywood
Elfrick ...... Mark Straker
Maerreg ...... Kenneth Price
Aldith ...... Jane Whittenshaw
Brother Edmund ...... Timothy Carlton
Edwin Gurney ...... Richard Pearce
Sybil Bellecott ...... Petra Markham
Edwy Bellecott ...... Stephen Garlick
Producer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1991.
TUE 06:30 Byzantium Unearthed (b00dxdd3)
Episode 2
Historian Bettany Hughes presents a series that uses the latest archaeological evidence to learn more about the empire of Byzantium and the people who ruled it.
Bettany examines the public and private life of the Byzantines. Women had unprecedented power in the Empire, as did the mysterious 'third sex' of eunuchs. But in this part-Roman, part-fundamentalist Christian state, dangerous political factions would keep the blood of political dynasties flowing.
TUE 07:00 Two Doors Down (b008gbvs)
Series 2
Mythical Kings and Iguanas
Saffron is a typical mother, multi-tasking her aromatherapy business with trying to feng shui her bathroom and coping with a four year old desperately missing their ex-pet iguana.
So no surprise she needs Sally's help when things go wrong...
Starring Stella McCusker.
Annie McCartney's sitcom about the bohemian Belfast residents of Marlborough Road, saved from chaos by their cleaning lady, Sally.
Sally ...... Stella McCusker
Clare ...... Marcella Riordan
Evie ...... Katy Gleadhill
Trevor ...... Des McAleer
Simon ...... Patrick Gleadhill
Anna ...... Hannah R Gordon
Saffron ...... Ali White
Victor ...... Alan Mckee
Director: Tanya Nash
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2002.
TUE 07:30 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b04ps720)
Series 2
Running on Empty
Tom Wrigglesworth is worried for his health with his invite to an adventure-packed stag weekend of "coasteering" – where you hurl yourself off tall rocks into the sea!
But that's nothing compared with what his dad’s preparing himself for: the Sheffield marathon. An event he's decided to enter to get one over on the next door neighbour...
With Kate Anthony, Paul Copley and Judy Parfitt.
Written by Tom Wrigglesworth and James Kettle. With Miles Jupp.
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.
TUE 08:00 The Goon Show (b00fl188)
The Evils of Bushey Spon
Neddie Seagoon is called in to oversee the decoration of a council lamppost.
Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
Special guest star AE Matthews
First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.
With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.
Announcer: Wallace Greenslade
Producer: Charles Chilton
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in March 1958.
TUE 08:30 Doctor at Large (b009s9n7)
Mozambique
A trip ashore for ship's medic Simon Sparrow leads to some local linguistic mishaps
The misadventures of newly qualified doctor, Simon Sparrow - adapted for radio by Ray Cooney from Richard Gordon's 'Doctor at Large' published in 1955.
Starring Richard Briers as Simon Sparrow, Geoffrey Sumner as Captain Spratt, Ray Cooney as First Mate Jock Hornbeam, Marjorie Westbury as Maria, Miriam Margolyes as Matilde, Ann Murray as Mrs Hawkins, Madi Hedd as Rosa and Peter Jones as Easter.
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1969.
TUE 09:00 The News Quiz Extra (b04svdyz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 23:00 on Monday]
TUE 09:45 Quando, Quando, Quando (b0082bz0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 23:45 on Monday]
TUE 10:00 Classic Serial (b00rd4p1)
Samuel Richardson - Clarissa: The History of a Young Lady
The Flight
Dramatisation by Hattie Naylor of the 1748 novel by Samuel Richardson.
Clarissa has been persuaded to flee with the notorious libertine Lovelace, escaping an arranged marriage. In London she begins to learn of the darker side of Lovelace's character as he secures her lodgings in a house of ill repute and begins to use lies, trickery and cruel delusions in an attempt to seduce her.
Clarissa Harlowe ...... Zoe Waites
Robert Lovelace ...... Richard Armitage
Anna Howe ...... Cathy Sara
Mrs Sinclair ...... Miriam Margolyes
Dorcas ...... Lisa Hammond
Sally ...... Sophie Thompson
Belford ...... Adrian Scarborough
Tourville ...... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Captain Tomlinson ...... Stephen Critchlow
Directed by Marilyn Imrie
A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 11:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h1k)
Spry Old Character
Elderly blind man Harry finds a modicum of independence, but a trip to the fair gives pause for thought.
Read by David Troughton.
Elizabeth Taylor's collection of short stories abridged by Richard Hamilton
Producer: Emma Harding
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
TUE 11:15 Drama (b00w236w)
Moeran's Last Symphony
Written by Martyn Wade.
A dramatic portrait of the last weeks in the life of the English composer E.J. Moeran [1894-1950]. After the triumphant reception of his First Symphony, a second was commissioned by the prestigious Halle Orchestra. Tortured by the end of his marriage to the cellist Peers Coetmore and by residual pain from injuries received in the Great War, he hoped that Kenmare in Ireland - a place of previous inspiration - would provide the right setting for creativity. But this was to prove the biggest battle of his life.
E.J. Moeran, acclaimed as one of the greatest unsung heroes of English composition, wrote works of exceptional, beautiful lyricism including a stunning Cello Concerto. But his personal life was a disaster. An early dependence on alcohol, partly to relieve the pain from a bad shrapnel wound to the head, led to his wife leaving him as he was struggling to fulfil this exciting new commission. In Kenmare he is befriended by a new pupil, Patrick, who is touchingly encouraging and their relationship becomes important to them both, but ultimately it cannot save him from his dramatic and extraordinary death.
Tim McInnerny, who plays Moeran, is well known from his numerous TV appearances including Blackadder and his role in the film Notting Hill. Author Martyn Wade has written many critically acclaimed radio plays, including an award-winning portrait of the life of composer Percy Grainger, and Classic Serial dramatisations of the Trollope novels.
Directed and Produced by Cherry Cookson
Goldhawk Essential production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 12:00 The Goon Show (b00fl188)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 12:30 Doctor at Large (b009s9n7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Cadfael (b007jl9z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Byzantium Unearthed (b00dxdd3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 14:00 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole (b007js8x)
The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole
Episode 10
Adrian is suffering with depression. Maybe his old flame Pandora can lift his mood? Concluded by Nicholas Barnes.
TUE 14:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009j65c)
Modernism
The modernist social experiment came close to being realised with the blocks of flats built in the early 1930s. From March 2008.
TUE 14:30 George Eliot - Adam Bede (b007jntx)
Episode 7
Shocked Captain Arthur is forced to face the facts over Adam's feelings for Hetty. Stars Thomas Arnold and Richard Greenwood.
TUE 14:45 Simon Gray - Coda (b00t1bcp)
Episode 2
The doctor reveals the bad news about the playwright's cancer in his 'last written words on the subject of myself'. Read by Toby Stephens.
TUE 15:00 Classic Serial (b00rd4p1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b04sxvfl)
Rollercoasters, Clog Dancing and Extreme Eating
Mel Giedroyc revels in the rush of the rollercoaster ride and gets her clogs on for a Lancashire clog dance. Plus we hear the second part of Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe.
TUE 17:00 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (b04stsfk)
Series 1
The Gymkhana
Can the dear ladies manage to find an appropriate guest of honour for the local Gymkhana?
Starring Dame Hilda Bracket and her lifelong companion Dr Evadne Hinge.
The dear ladies reside in the Suffolk village of Stackton Tressel. This was the genteel setting for three Radio 4 series between 1977 and 1979, with further spin-off seasons on Radio 2 until 1990. In the early 1980s, they expanded over to BBC TV with the series Dear Ladies.
Dame Hilda Bracket ...... George Logan
Dr Evadne Hinge ...... Patrick Fyffe
Roland ...... Michael Bates
Roger ...... Donald Hewlett
Scripted by Mike Craig, Lawrie Kinsley and Ron McDonnell.
Produced at BBC Manchester by James Casey.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1977.
TUE 17:30 Two Doors Down (b008gbvs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:00 We've Been Here Before (b00fy1g5)
Series 2
Episode 2
Clive Anderson hosts the panel show that pokes fun at events of the past.
The topical historical satirical panel show setting out to prove that there's nothing new under, or in, The Sun.
Gyles Brandreth and Natalie Haynes battle it out against John O'Farrell and Richard Herring.
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2004.
TUE 18:30 The Tingle Factor (b04sxvfn)
Roy Strong
Sir Roy Strong shares those musical moments which stir strong emotions with Robin Ray.
From Ivor Novello to Tchaikovsky, the historian also looks back over his life and career.
Producer: Caroline Adams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1991.
TUE 19:00 The Goon Show (b00fl188)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Doctor at Large (b009s9n7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 20:00 Cadfael (b007jl9z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Byzantium Unearthed (b00dxdd3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h1k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
TUE 21:15 Drama (b00w236w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]
TUE 22:00 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b04ps720)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 22:30 The Headset Set (b01292x3)
Series 1
Episode 3
Everyone is falling ill in the open-plan offices of Smile5, the catalogue company that sells anything and everything.
Eavesdrop on both sides of the bizarre, horrific and ludicrous phone calls when customers call in as events unfold with company staff.
Aleesha and other characters ..... Chizzy Akudolu
Bernie and other characters ..... Margaret-Cabourn Smith
Big Tony, Ralph and other characters ..... Colin Hoult
Sailesh, Bradley and other characters ..... Paul Sharma
Various ..... Philip Fox
Writers: James Kettle, Stephen Carlin, Celia Pacquola, Andy Wolton, Benjamin Partridge, Colin Hoult, Kevin Core, Madeliene Brettingham, Rebecca Hobbs and Dan Tetsell.
Script editor: James Kettle
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
TUE 23:00 Delve Special (b00sz32f)
Series 1
The Shifton Scandal
Undercover investigative reporter David Lander begins a four-part expose into irregularities over plans to site a new London airport near Birmingham.
With serious allegations aimed at a multi-national giant - what exactly has the government's role been in the plans to demolish the town?
And exactly who is the shifty Mr Browncoat?
Studio production by Stephen Fry, Brenda Blethyn and Tony Robinson.
With Jack Klaff, James Griffiths, Stephen Frost, Peter Wear and Mark Arden.
Dramatic reconstruction by Hilda Schroder, Monica Grey, Jon Strickland and Scott Cherry.
Researched and compiled by Tony Sarchet.
Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer.
Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1984.
TUE 23:30 Vent (b00szjy0)
Series 1
Wouldn't You Like to Get Away
Mary and Mum have a break when Ben's unconscious body gets driven to a medical conference in Birmingham. But they can't quite bring themselves to leave the hospital.
Meanwhile, Ben's mind also takes a trip. Unfortunately, it's a trip back to the hotel in Paris, where he had the most miserable night of his life.
Dark sitcom written by Nigel Smith.
CAST:
Ben …. Neil Pearson
Jean/Mum …. Josie Lawrence
Mary …. Fiona Allen
Blitzkrieg …. Leslie Ash
with Dave Lamb, Mark Perry, Jo Martin, Hils Barker, Giles New, Lucy Montgomery, Scarlett Milburn-Smith and Elizabeth Bell.
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2006.


WEDNESDAY 03 DECEMBER 2014

WED 00:00 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole (b007js8x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009j65c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 George Eliot - Adam Bede (b007jntx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 00:45 Simon Gray - Coda (b00t1bcp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 We've Been Here Before (b00fy1g5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 The Tingle Factor (b04sxvfn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Cadfael (b007jl9z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 Byzantium Unearthed (b00dxdd3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Classic Serial (b00rd4p1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h1k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:15 Drama (b00w236w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (b04stsfk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 17:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:30 Two Doors Down (b008gbvs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Cadfael (b007jlbb)
Monk's Hood
3. Hunted
Medieval monk Brother Cadfael’s suspicions grow over who committed the murder.
Ellis Peters's medieval thriller stars Philip Madoc as Brother Cadfael.
Sir Michael Hordern is the narrator.
From the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, dramatised by Bert Coules
Narrator ...... Sir Michael Hordern
Brother Cadfael ...... Phillip Madoc
Sergeant William Warden ...... Ian Hogg
Brother Mark ...... Ian Targett
Prior Robert ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Brother Rees ...... Norman Jones
Rishildis Burnel ...... Pat Heywood
Elfrick ...... Mark Straker
Maerreg ...... Kenneth Price
Aldith ...... Jane Whittenshaw
Brother Edmund ...... Timothy Carlton
Edwin Gurney ...... Richard Pearce
Sybil Bellecott ...... Petra Markham
Edwy Bellecott ...... Stephen Garlick
Brother Petrus ...... Fraser Kerr
Brother Jerome ...... Andrew Wincott
Groom ...... Nigel Carrington
Producer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1991.
WED 06:30 Byzantium Unearthed (b00dzlc7)
Episode 3
Historian Bettany Hughes presents a series that uses the latest archaeological evidence to learn more about the empire of Byzantium and the people who ruled it.
Bettany ventures to the eastern edge of the empire, where the new religion of Islam first gained a foothold.
For nearly a thousand years the empire made war and peace with the Muslim countries to its south and east. However, the fatal blow to Byzantium came not, as is widely thought from the Ottoman Turks in 1453, but from the Christian West 250 years earlier.
WED 07:00 North by Northamptonshire (b017mx3z)
Series 2
Episode 1
As is well-known: Yorkshiremen wear flat caps and Essex girls wear short skirts; Liverpudlians are scallies and Cockneys are wideboys. Northamptonians gaze wistfully at these stereotypes and wish for an identity of any kind and a label less ridiculous than Northamptonians.
Northamptonshire, let us be clear, is neither north, nor south nor in the Midlands. It floats somewhere between the three eyeing up the distinctiveness of each with envious eyes. Now Katherine Jakeways is giving Northamptonshire an identity. And she waits, benevolently, for her home-county to thank her. And possibly make her some kind of Mayor.
Joined by the same incredible cast which graced Series One - including Sheila Hancock as the Narrator, Penelope Wilton, Mackenzie Crook, Felicity Montagu and Kevin Eldon - and with the exciting addition of Geoffrey Palmer, North by Northamptonshire promises once again to delight audience and critics.
Wadenbrook is a small market town in a corner of Northamptonshire, and will be familiar to anyone who has ever lived anywhere. This year, its residents are building up to a Dickensian Festival weekend, so expect mob caps, cravats and shawls which are usually used as cat-blankets.
Written by and also starring Katherine Jakeways.
John Biggins............Keith
Mackenzie Crook.........Rod
Kevin Eldon.........Jonathan / Ken
Shelia Hancock........... Narrator
Jessica Henwick.............Helen
Katherine Jakeways.... Esther / Jacqui
Felicity Montagu..............Jan
Geoffrey Palmer..........Norman
Lizzie Roper............Angela
Penelope Wilton............Mary
Rufus Wright..............Frank
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011.
WED 07:30 Paul Sinha's History Revision (b04pss53)
Series 1
Football
Paul Sinha looks through all of human history and examines how we came to be where we are.
He starts with something every day, something we all know to be true; he then reveals the quirks of history and the fascinating stories that led up to this point.
Paul kicks off with Football, taking as his starting point the World Cup Final in June 2014.
It was the biggest sporting event on the planet, a billion people watching 25 or so Germans and Argentinians play football in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
How did we end up here? it's a story that takes in 15th-century explorers, the slave trade, mass immigration, industrialisation, and British Army medical tests. Because no-one and nothing exists in a vacuum.
Paul Sinha is an acclaimed stand-up who was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy award for his show Saint or Sinha?. He frequently appears on The News Quiz, The Now Show, and Fighting Talk. He is a resident 'chaser' on the ITV quiz show The Chase with several of his own series on BBC Radio 4.
Written and performed by Paul Sinha.
Producer: Ed Morrish.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.
WED 08:00 The Burkiss Way (b007js7b)
Series 4
Repeat Yourself the Burkiss Way - Part 2
Blankety Blank gets a new host and behind-the-scenes at the Dreary Lane Theatre.
Starring Fred Harris, Jo Kendall, Nigel Rees and Chris Emmett.
Cult sketch comedy series which originally ran from 1976 to 1980.
Written by Andrew Marshall and David Renwick.
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1979.
WED 08:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00s3htw)
Series 3
Episode 6
Your chance to take part in an experiment in stereo sound - and meet unsung soccer hero, Angus Prune!
More quick-fire sketches, terrible puns, humorous songs and parodies.
Stars Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Cleese, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie.
Written by Tim Brooke-Taylor, Eric Idle, Clive James, Bernard King and Bill Oddie.
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 Dave Lee and Bill Oddie.
Producer: Humphrey Barclay
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in April 1966.
WED 09:00 Whispers (b007k358)
Series 3
Episode 4
Gyles Brandreth chairs the scandals quiz with Lucy Moore, Anthony Holden, Penny Junor and Julian Fellowes. From October 2005.
WED 09:30 Safety Catch (b00fn9d1)
Series 1
Whatever Happened to the Unlikely Lad?
Arms dealer Simon dreads his school reunion, but could he be the coolest kid in class?
Starring Darren Boyd as Simon McGrath.
Laurence Howarth’s black comedy of modern morality. Simon is essentially a nice man who also happens to be an arms dealer.
With:
Joanna Page
Lewis MacLeod
Sarah Smart
Brigit Forsyth
Nicholas Boulton
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2007.
WED 10:00 Classic Serial (b00rl4zj)
Samuel Richardson - Clarissa: The History of a Young Lady
Imprisonment
3/4
Lovelace tricks Clarissa into returning to Mrs Sinclair's house of ill repute, and after she has been drugged, he has his way with her.
Robert Lovelace ..... Richard Armitage
Clarissa Harlowe ..... Zoe Waites
Mrs Moore ..... Deborah Findlay
Mrs Rawlings ..... Alison Steadman
Tourville ..... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Belford ..... Adrian Scarborough
Capt. Tomlinson ..... Stephen Critchlow
Boy ..... Cathy Sara
Lady Betty ..... Sophie Thompson
Charlotte ..... Ellie Beaven
Dorcas ..... Lisa Hammond
Mrs Sinclair ..... Miriam Margolyes
Dramatised by Hattie Naylor
Directed by Marilyn Imrie.
WED 11:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h23)
The Benefactress
A publican's wife tries to improve her reputation through acts of charity.
Read by Joanna David.
Elizabeth Taylor's collection of short stories abridged by Richard Hamilton
Producer: Emma Harding
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
WED 11:15 Nick Warburton - Beast (b007wvyn)
A mysterious creature is pulled from the sea near a fishing village. Is it harmless or a threat? Stars James Fleet and Eve Best.
WED 12:00 The Burkiss Way (b007js7b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 12:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00s3htw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:00 Cadfael (b007jlbb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 13:30 Byzantium Unearthed (b00dzlc7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 14:00 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years (b007jtg3)
Episode 1
Ten years on and deep in unrequited love with Pandora, Adrian grapples with newts in Newport Pagnell and an old rival's literary success. Read by Nicholas Barnes.
WED 14:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009j65h)
Utility
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen visits a pre-fab and considers ways in which the post-war government urged a reluctant public to embrace 'good design'. From March 2008.
WED 14:30 George Eliot - Adam Bede (b007jnvd)
Episode 8
Preacher Mr Irwine visits Mrs Bede, who is unimpressed at the prospect of her son's marriage to Hetty. Stars Thomas Arnold.
WED 14:45 Simon Gray - Coda (b00t1qst)
Episode 3
Facing terminal cancer, the playwright turns to newspaper obituaries and ends up wondering 'how many years did they manage?'. Read by Toby Stephens.
WED 15:00 Classic Serial (b00rl4zj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b04sxzyy)
Goat Kings, Puffin Pianos and Desert Islands
Mel Giedroyc encounters some piano-playing puffins and a town where the goat is literally king. Plus, the third part of Daniel Defoe's classic story Robinson Crusoe.
WED 17:00 Life in London (b011kpfk)
Mr Lushington
If Pierce can't meet his deadline, how will the audience hear about a visit to the slums, George IV's interior decorating, and a dog fighting a monkey?
Starring Greg Wise, Mark Gatiss and James Bachman.
Pierce Egan’s 19th-century comic novel adapted by Dan Tetsell.
Pierce Egan .... Geoffrey McGivern
Hustle .... Alex Macqueen
Corinthian Tom .... Greg Wise
Pickpocket .... Neil Edmond
Jerry Hawthorn .... Mark Gatiss
Jarvey .... Ben Graves
Bob Logic .... James Bachman
Fishwife .... Laura Shavin
Mrs Egan .... Alys Torrence
Corinthian Kate .... Amanda Abbington
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2006.
WED 17:30 North by Northamptonshire (b017mx3z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:00 Whispers (b007k358)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 18:30 Off the Page (b0076gbx)
Drugs
Matthew Parris joins writers Martin Booth, Zoe Lewis and Susie Boyt to ponder the pros and cons of highs and lows. From August 2003.
In each programme, Matthew Parris introduces a group of writers of fact and fiction: new talent and established names. In the context of a discussion of one of the ideas and pre-occupations of our times, each presents a piece on this week's topic.
The best new writing and the freshest conversation from 2003.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
WED 19:00 The Burkiss Way (b007js7b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00s3htw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 20:00 Cadfael (b007jlbb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 20:30 Byzantium Unearthed (b00dzlc7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 21:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h23)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
WED 21:15 Nick Warburton - Beast (b007wvyn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]
WED 22:00 Paul Sinha's History Revision (b04pss53)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 22:30 Danny Robins Music Therapy (b00fq2t4)
Episode 3
Danny Robins harnesses the power of music to improve the world and solve listeners' problems.
Danny helps the worst five-a-side football team in the country and boosts the confidence of a listener who, at under five feet tall, feels that the world is heightist.
With Isy Suttie.
Special musical guest Connie Fisher.
Written by Danny Robins with Isy Suttie, James Sherwood and Danielle Ward.
Producer: Ben Walker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2008.
WED 23:00 Concrete Cow (b04sttfx)
Series 2
Biodiversity
Aliens visit Earth to take its biodiversity- but it's too expensive; mums compete over exclusive holidays and a soup advert takes gritty realism too far.
Second series of the four-part sketch show in which anything is possible.
Starring:
Robert Webb
Beth Chalmers
Catherine Shepherd
Steven Kynman
Abigail Burdess
Chris Pavlo
Written by James Cary.
Producer: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2004.
WED 23:30 The Skivers (b007jwrv)
Series 1
Rodney Bewes
Fathers' Mastermind, and a new-style triathlon.
Nick Golson and Tim de Jongh's skilful sketch show with special guest Rodney Bewes who reveals his specialist subject.
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 April 1994.


THURSDAY 04 DECEMBER 2014

THU 00:00 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years (b007jtg3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009j65h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 George Eliot - Adam Bede (b007jnvd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 00:45 Simon Gray - Coda (b00t1qst)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Whispers (b007k358)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Off the Page (b0076gbx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Cadfael (b007jlbb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Byzantium Unearthed (b00dzlc7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Classic Serial (b00rl4zj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h23)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:15 Nick Warburton - Beast (b007wvyn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Life in London (b011kpfk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 17:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:30 North by Northamptonshire (b017mx3z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Cadfael (b007jlbp)
Monk's Hood
4. Mallilie
Confusion reigns in the hunt for the poisoner. Brother Cadfael has fresh suspicions.
Ellis Peters's medieval thriller stars Philip Madoc as Brother Cadfael.
Sir Michael Hordern is the narrator.
From the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, dramatised by Bert Coules
Narrator ...... Sir Michael Hordern
Brother Cadfael ...... Phillip Madoc
Sergeant William Warden ...... Ian Hogg
Brother Mark ...... Ian Targett
Prior Robert ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Martin Bellecott ...... Timothy Carlton
Edwin Gurney ...... Richard Pearce
Edwy Bellecott ...... Stephen Garlick
Brother Petrus ...... Fraser Kerr
Brother Rees ...... Norman Jones
Hugh Beringar ...... Alan Barker
Brother Simon ...... Michael Turner
Brother Barnabas ...... Terrence Edmond
Producer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1991.
THU 06:30 Send in the Clones (b0076zm0)
Andrew Collins explores how and why tribute bands have developed into a huge industry and investigates the legal, artistic and cultural ramifications. From August 2006.
THU 07:00 The Elephant Man (b007k2c7)
Keeper vs Keeper
There's a new arrival at the zoo and keeper Terry must mark his territory.
Peter Serafinowicz stars in Debbie Barham's sitcom about the life of an elephant zoo keeper.
Terry ...... Peter Serafinowicz
Leonard ...... Chris Emmett
Maureen ...... Geraldine Fitzgerald
George ...... Geoff Fitzgerald
Stephanie ...... Joanna Munro
Adam ...... Richard Pearce
Morse ...... Wayne Forester
Producer: Richard Wilson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in September 1996.
THU 07:30 My Teenage Diary (b04pvf6l)
Series 6
Terry Wogan
Comedian Rufus Hound is joined by the broadcaster Terry Wogan, whose diary describes his life in Limerick when he was 15.
The young Terry serves his first Mass, spends hours in the cinema, loves playing Subbuteo with his friends and - when he's tired - simply eats his lunch in bed.
Produced by Harriet Jaine
A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 08:00 It Sticks Out Half A Mile (b007jpvy)
The First Meeting
Pike and Hodges campaign to save the pier, while Uncle Arthur upsets Mavis
A seaside saga of pier perpetuation starring John Le Mesurier, Ian Lavender and Bill Pertwee.
Arthur Wilson ...... John Le Mesurier
Frank Pike ...... Ian Lavender
Bert Hodges ...... Bill Pertwee
Miss Perkins ...... Vivienne Martin
Fred Guthrie ...... Glynn Edwards
Written by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles, based on the characters originally created by Jimmy Perry and David Croft.
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1984.
THU 08:30 Listen to Les (b007wvt9)
From 17/07/1983
Les Dawson welcomes Cissy and Ada, plus a condemned man's last request - plus another mighty piano sing-along.
With Roy Barraclough, Daphne Oxenford and Colin Edwynn.
Music by Brian Fitzgerald.
Scripted and produced by James Casey.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in July 1983.
THU 09:00 Heresy (b018xtrr)
Series 8
Episode 6
Victoria Coren presents the last in the current series of the show which dares to commit heresy.
Her guests this week are comedian Sue Perkins, singer Cerys Matthews and actress Maureen Lipman. Together they have fun exposing the wrong-headedness of received wisdom and challenging knee-jerk public reaction to events.
Both Sue Perkins and Maureen Lipman disagree with the view that the world would be a better place if it was run by women, arguing that women would make an equally fine mess of things.
Former lead singer with the rock group Catatonia, Cerys Matthews, doesn't believe it's more fun to be a pop star than a classical violinist. Confessing to a previous life as an oboe player, she claims that orchestral musicians definitely have more fun - particularly the horn players.
All three guests rather struggle to argue against the received opinion that there is still stigma attached to Internet dating but, when challenged by Victoria Coren, they all admit that they have never tried it themselves - and never would.
Producer: Brian King
An Avalon Television production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 09:30 Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends (b0076svc)
Series 4
Autumn Crocus
Sitcom by Kay Stonham.
1/4. Autumn Crocus
Wendy is pregnant and extremely excited at the prospect of becoming a mother at last. Robin is panicking and trying to cram in all those things he wished he'd done before having a baby, like buy a motorbike!
Their next door neighbours, manic depressive Derek, and his bored younger wife, Maureen, are as ever being supportive, in their own special way.
Robin ...... Brian Capron
Wendy ...... Kay Stonham
Derek ...... Martin Trenaman
Maureen ...... Amelia Bullmore.
THU 10:00 Classic Serial (b00rql6h)
Samuel Richardson - Clarissa: The History of a Young Lady
Freedom Regained
4/4 Freedom Regained
Clarissa has fled from the cruel, rapacious Lovelace and, befriended by his erstwhile friend Belford and the kindly Mrs Smith, and completely broken in body and spirit, she hopes only for reconciliation with her family; while an unrepentant Lovelace seeks once again to find her and conquer her soul.
Robert Lovelace ..... Richard Armitage
Clarissa Harlowe ..... Zoe Waites
Sally ..... Sophie Thompson
Dorcas ..... Lisa Hammond
Belford ..... Adrian Scarborough
Anna ..... Cathy Sara
Mrs Sinclair ..... Miriam Margolyes
Du Blanc ..... Stephen Critchlow
Mrs Smith ..... Linda Broughton
Colonel Morden ..... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Written by Samuel Richardson
Dramatised by Hattie Naylor
Directed by Marilyn Imrie
A Catherine Bailey Production.
THU 11:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h2m)
A Dedicated Man
A waiter finds his 'marriage' of convenience breeds its own dangerous fiction when a secret emerges.
Read by David Troughton.
Elizabeth Taylor's collection of short stories abridged by Richard Hamilton
Producer: Emma Harding
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
THU 11:15 Drama (b00r7l7b)
Nick Warburton - Not Bobby
by Nick Warburton
Frank brings a pet rabbit home. Mum gives Bobby's hutch pride of place in the sitting room. But who finished that last clue in yesterday's crossword? It wasn't mum...
Director: Peter Kavanagh
STEREO.
THU 12:00 It Sticks Out Half A Mile (b007jpvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 12:30 Listen to Les (b007wvt9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:00 Cadfael (b007jlbp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 13:30 Send in the Clones (b0076zm0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 14:00 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years (b007jtg9)
Episode 2
Adrian starts to see a psychotherapist, has to find new accommodation and begins to enjoy his visits to the newsagents. Read by Nicholas Barnes.
THU 14:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009j65q)
DIY
Laurence Llewelyn Bowen explores the history of our homes from the 1920s to the present day.
Skills were in short supply after World War II and DIY was presented as an essential and democratic component of every marriage.
THU 14:30 George Eliot - Adam Bede (b007jnvw)
Episode 9
Adam is distraught over Hetty standing accused and locked up behind prison bars. Stars Thomas Arnold and Katherine Igoe.
THU 14:45 Simon Gray - Coda (b00t1tkp)
Episode 4
As the playwright faces terminal cancer, an overcrowded airport provides the material for a darkly comic tableau. Read by Toby Stephens.
THU 15:00 Classic Serial (b00rql6h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b04sydnm)
Stag's Antlers, Morris Gleitzman and Chocolate Heaven
Mel treks through the forest in search of stag's antlers and chats to children's author Morris Gleitzman about his Inheritance Books. Plus the fourth part of Robinson Crusoe.
THU 17:00 No Commitments (b00sfby7)
Series 3
Talking Shop
Charlotte makes a momentous decision, and her sisters must suffer the aftermath. Stars Celia Imrie. From December 1994.
THU 17:30 The Elephant Man (b007k2c7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:00 Heresy (b018xtrr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 18:30 Great Lives (b0076bvl)
Series 2
Richard Crossman
Politician Tam Dalyell chooses cabinet minister and political diarist Richard Crossman. With Humphrey Carpenter and journalist Anthony Howard. From December 2002.
The biographical series in which a distinguished guest chooses someone who's inspired their life. Will their hero stand up to intensive scrutiny and merit the description of having led a great life?
THU 19:00 It Sticks Out Half A Mile (b007jpvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Listen to Les (b007wvt9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 20:00 Cadfael (b007jlbp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 20:30 Send in the Clones (b0076zm0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 21:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h2m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
THU 21:15 Drama (b00r7l7b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]
THU 22:00 My Teenage Diary (b04pvf6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 22:30 Laura Solon - Talking and Not Talking (b00nvwg8)
Series 3
Episode 1
Perrier Award-winning comedian Laura Solon presents her third series of sketches, monologues and one-liners.
With characters ranging from infuriating call-centre staff, drunk mothers intent on ruining everyone else's Christmas and recently deposed ex-soviet tyrants trying to settle in the British suburbs, Laura Solon continues to turn the things that most irritate us all into sharply observed and occasionally surreal comic gems.
Laura is joined once again by Rosie Cavaliero, Ben Moor and Ben Willbond.
Produced by Colin Anderson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2009.
THU 23:00 Continuity (b00tgf1c)
Episode 2
Alistair McGowan stars in this 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.
This week we welcome the return of 'Musical Notebook', cast our minds back to the controversial career of that terror of the music halls, the irrepressible comic Lennie Bloom, and we discuss the revamp of Desert Island Discs. It's all good.
Written by Hugh Rycroft. Also starring Lewis Macleod, Sally Grace, Charlotte Page and David Holt.
Producers: David Spicer and Frank Stirling
A Unique production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 23:15 Guy Browning's Small Talk (b0076mys)
Series 2
How to Go to a Party
The writer and humorist shares his tips on making merry and avoiding being 'de-mingled'. From August 2004.
THU 23:25 The Comedy Club Interviews (b04w3xnm)
The best in contemporary comedy. Plus, Ivan Brackenbury chats to Tom Binns.
THU 23:30 A Look Back at the Nineties (b007jqpw)
1997
A new breed of dog, the forgotten hostage, and 20 irritating noises of today.
Recorded in 1993 - Brian Perkins, Kate Robbins and Steve Coogan "look back" at 1997 - a year that was yet to happen.
A satirical review set on New Year's Eve 1999 - the Sony Gold award-winning comedy recalls the events from 1995 to 1999.
Predicted by 'Spitting Image' writers Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Pete Sinclair.
Producer: Caroline Leddy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1993.


FRIDAY 05 DECEMBER 2014

FRI 00:00 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years (b007jtg9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009j65q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 George Eliot - Adam Bede (b007jnvw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 00:45 Simon Gray - Coda (b00t1tkp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:45 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Heresy (b018xtrr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Great Lives (b0076bvl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Cadfael (b007jlbp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 Send in the Clones (b0076zm0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Classic Serial (b00rql6h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h2m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:15 Drama (b00r7l7b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 No Commitments (b00sfby7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 17:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 The Elephant Man (b007k2c7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Cadfael (b007jlbz)
Monk's Hood
5. Judgement
With a fresh arrest made for murder, Brother Cadfael is keen to see justice delivered.
Conclusion of Ellis Peters's medieval thriller starring Philip Madoc as Brother Cadfael.
Sir Michael Hordern is the narrator.
From the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, dramatised by Bert Coules.
Narrator ...... Sir Michael Hordern
Brother Cadfael ...... Phillip Madoc
Sergeant William Warden ...... Ian Hogg
Brother Mark ...... Ian Targett
Prior Robert ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Martin Bellecott ...... Timothy Carlton
Edwin Gurney ...... Richard Pearce
Edwy Bellecott ...... Stephen Garlick
Brother Petrus ...... Fraser Kerr
The Judge ...... Norman Jones
Hugh Beringar ...... Alan Barker
Maerreg ...... Kenneth Price
Brother Simon ...... Michael Turner
Brother Barnabas ...... Terrence Edmond
Father Heribert ...... Timothy Bateson
Producer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1991.
FRI 06:30 Shake It, Baby (b0076yxd)
Libby Purves meets leading figures in the UK's neo-burlesque revolution, combining titillation with saucy humour whilst divesting themselves of elaborate costumes. From June 2006.
FRI 07:00 Spangles 'n' Tights (b04stqd5)
The Movie
Great excitement when the Dublin Theatrical costumiers provide the uniforms for an American film company.
Christopher Fitz-Simon's five-part comedy.
Dessie Doyle …. David Kelly
Violet Doyle … Pauline McLynn
Atony Gogan …. Eugene O'Brien
Mr McNamara …. Frank Kelly
Mike …. Dan Gordon
Mouser Dolan …. Kevin Flood
Ron Berglas as Buddy Kowalski
Gwynne McElveen as Starlet.
Music played by John Trotter.
Directed at BBC Belfast by Roland Jaquarello.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1998.
FRI 07:30 Hal (b04stlcv)
Series 1
Crime
Hal Cruttenden stars as a 40-something husband and father who, years ago, decided to give up his job and become a stay at home father. His wife, Sam, has a successful business career, which makes her travel more and more. His children, Lilly and Molly, are growing up fast, and his role as their father and mentor is diminishing by the day.
So what can Hal to as he reaches a crossroads in his life? Help is (sort of) at hand in the form of his eager mates - Doug, Fergus and Barry - who regularly meet at their local curry house for mind expanding conversations that sadly never give Hal the core advice he so desperately needs.
Hal is confused even further as he regularly has visions of his long dead and highly macho father, who he's forced to engage in increasingly frustrating conversations.
In this episode, Hal becomes the latest victim to a series of car crimes that have happened near his home. Not only has his own personal car space been invaded, but his beloved CD collection has been stolen - including Abba, Dolly Parton and The Pet Shop Boys.
How can Hal survive this tragedy?
In the process of trying to cope with this crime, Hal also tries to find the real man in himself - but in attempting to do this, only scares his young daughters and reduces them to tears.
The cast includes co-writer Dominic Holland, Ed Byrne, Ronni Ancona, Anna Crilly, Gavin Webster, Dominic Frisby, Samuel Caseley and Emily and Lucy Robbins.
Produced by Paul Russell
An Open Mike production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2014.
FRI 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jyyw)
Cinderella Hancock
Bill bans the Lad from the National Film Ball, but then there's a knock at the door.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With Moira Lister, Bill Kerr, Sidney James, Dora Bryan, Paul Carpenter 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.
Producer: Dennis Main Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in January 1955.
FRI 08:30 The Men from the Ministry (b007jmck)
Bare Necessities
The bumbling bureaucrats hit obstacles galore when deciding a new route for a motorway...
A weekly tribute to all those who work in government departments.
Stars Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler.
With Norma Ronald, John Graham, Ronald Baddiley and Joan Sanderson.
Written by Edward Taylor and John Graham.
'The Men from the Ministry' ran for 14 series between 1962 and 1977. Deryck Guyler replaced Wilfrid Hyde-White from 1966. Sadly many episodes didn't survive in the archive, however the BBC's Transcription Service re-recorded 14 shows in 1980 - never broadcast in the UK, until the arrival of BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Producer: Edward Taylor,
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1970.
FRI 09:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b00schhg)
Series 3
Episode 2
While Jon Richardson is detained by the volcano Eyjafjallajokull, John Lloyd is joined by emergency guest curator Dave Gorman to welcome poet Ruth Padel, Madness frontman Suggs and Bo Selecta comedian Leigh Francis, who are offering us the Great Exhibition of 1851, a tiger reserve and some Spidermans, and all for public display.
FRI 09:30 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”.
Written by Ted Walker.
Narrated by Bernard Cribbins.
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
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1987.
FRI 10:00 Ivan Goncharov - Oblomov (b0076t2t)
Episode 1
Gentle, intelligent Oblomov completely fails to deal with life.
He lives in a flat in St Petersburg. He is always about to go and sort out his estate but he rarely gets out of bed. Never doing today what he can put off till tomorrow,
Toby Jones stars as Oblomov - a tragic-comic hero for a couch potato generation.
Russian writer, Ivan Goncharov's 1859 novel dramatised in two-parts by Stephen Wyatt.
Oblomov …. Toby Jones
Zahar …. Trevor Peacock
Tarantyev …. Gerard McDermott
Doctor …. Clive Swift
Stolz/Bailiff …. Nicholas Boulton
Olga …. Claire Skinner
Olga's Aunt …. Richenda Carey
Director: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.
FRI 11:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h31)
Hotel du Commerce
An overheard argument in a French hotel exposes the fragility of a honeymooning couple's own relationship.
Read by Joanna David.
Elizabeth Taylor's collection of short stories abridged by Richard Hamilton
Producer: Emma Harding
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
FRI 11:15 Drama (b00770hp)
RK Narayan - A Tiger for Malgudi
By R K Narayan, dramatised by Ronald Frame.
Now the companion of a Sadu, an ageing tiger looks back on his life. A rich evocation of Indian life in the 1970s, this comic narrative views human absurdities through the eyes of a wild animal.
Directed by Lu Kemp.
FRI 12:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jyyw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 The Men from the Ministry (b007jmck)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Cadfael (b007jlbz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Shake It, Baby (b0076yxd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 14:00 Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years (b007jtgh)
Episode 3
Adrian moves house again, becomes a cat and babysitter, and finally gets rid of his blazer. Read by Nicholas Barnes.
FRI 14:15 Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's History of Home (b009j65v)
David Hicks
Laurence looks at the career of a flamboyant and influential decorator, who became a superstar of the 1960s. From March 2008.
FRI 14:30 George Eliot - Adam Bede (b007jnwb)
Episode 10
Preacher Dinah visits her cousin Hetty, who languishes under sentence of death in jail. Stars Katherine Igoe and Vicki Liddelle.
FRI 14:45 Simon Gray - Coda (b00t2cn6)
Episode 5
Coming to terms with his terminal cancer, the playwright experiences the joys of a christening, then goes to collect the results of his scan. Read by Toby Stephens.
FRI 15:00 Ivan Goncharov - Oblomov (b0076t2t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:00 The 4 O'Clock Show (b04sylfh)
Mairi Hedderwick, the Big Apple and Brilliant Baking
Mel Giedroyc explores Scotland's islands with Katie Morag creator Mairi Hedderwick and we hear the final part of Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe.
FRI 17:00 After Henry (b007k4gw)
Series 3
Lines of Communication
'It's been wonderfully peaceful. Or it would have been if I hadn't felt so guilty all the time.'
Sarah and her mother Eleanor wage a war of attrition, until Russell steps in.
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.
Sarah ...... Prunella Scales
Eleanor ...... Joan Sanderson
Russell ...... Benjamin Whitrow
Clare ...... Gerry Cowper
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 October 1987.
FRI 17:30 Spangles 'n' Tights (b04stqd5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b00schhg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
FRI 18:30 My Life in Five Books (b00tt607)
Series 1
Anthony Horowitz
Anthony Horowitz is the creator of the best-selling Alex Rider novels and was identified by Labour's then Education Secretary Alan Johnson as the secret weapon to get boys reading. In conversation with Stuart Cosgrove, Anthony reveals the five most significant books in his life. From Tin Tin to War and Peace we hear what books have shaped the life of this acclaimed author.
FRI 19:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jyyw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 The Men from the Ministry (b007jmck)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 Cadfael (b007jlbz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Shake It, Baby (b0076yxd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Elizabeth Taylor - Dangerous Calm (b0076h31)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
FRI 21:15 Drama (b00770hp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 today]
FRI 22:00 Hal (b04stlcv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 22:30 Cowards (b00fbkz5)
Series 2
Episode 1
Step inside the strange and happy world of the Cowards.
Series 2 of sketch comedy with a comic slant on human frailties
Starring Tom Basden, Stefan Golaszewski, Tim Key and Lloyd Woolf.
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2008.
FRI 23:00 Blue Jam (b04symqh)
Series 2
Episode 1
The mind of Chris Morris leaks onto radio in this dreamlike combination of comedy and music. With Julia Davis, Kevin Eldon, Amelia Bullmore, David Cann and Peter Baynham.
Are you still lying curare-still, seeking relief in feigning death? Then welcome, oo-tazz welcome. Chris Morris is here to help you wallow in the melancholy, for the second series of this subversive radio classic.
Immediately prior to Blue Jam's initial burst on radio, Chris Morris had caused a furore with Channel 4's Brass Eye. Yet Blue Jam managed to be a total departure from his previous work. Originally airing in the early hours on BBC Radio 1, it's a blend of ambient music, deadpan (sometimes brutal) sketches and offbeat monologues. A whole audio landscape of the subconscious, the ad hoc low-fi sheen of production lending it a kind of verisimilitude.
In sharp contrast with the personality-led comedies of recent years, Blue Jam makes a virtue of anonymity. Borat scribe Pater Baynham is one of the writers, and Julia Davis and Amelia Bulmore are among the cast. Rightly winning a clutch of Sony Awards, it remains unique - nothing before or after was remotely like it.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 1 in March 1998.