SATURDAY 13 APRIL 2019
SAT 00:00 Time Hops (b007k1sp)
Time's Up
The children are convinced that the man from the BBC will help them. But is he really what he seems?Conclusion of the comedy sci-fi by Alan Gilbey and David Richard-Fox.Stars Sara Crowe as EK6, David Harewood as RV101, Nicola Stapleton as Steph, Paul Reynolds as Baz, Dax O'Callaghan as Max, Ian Masters as Norton, Joshua Towb as Horatio, Neville Jason as Tailor and Margaret John as Mrs Miller.Music by Richard Attree.Producer: Nandita GhoseFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b0076g49)
Superstition
Matthew Parris talks to journalists George Dobell Lilian Pizzichini and singer Tony Cassidy about absurd beliefs.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.Produced by Peter Everett.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
SAT 01:00 Stand By For West (m00045r5)
Battle for Inspector West
Honeymoon Spells Danger
Scotland Yard’s youngest chief inspector has an old score to settle with a notorious blackmailer.Chief Inspector Roger West is of the creation of noted crime writer, John Creasey, who authored over 600 novels, using over 20 pseudonyms. More than 40 Roger West novels were written between 1942 and 1973 with the basis for this first series, first published in 1948.Much like Paul Temple, West - “Scotland Yard’s youngest, smartest chief inspector” - has a long-suffering wife who also gets involved with the action. A total of six novels were adapted for radio by Maurice Travers.Patrick Allen … Chief Inspector Roger WestSarah Lawson … Janet WestHumphrey Morton … Sir Mortimer GrantPhilip Bond ... Michael GrantDenise Buckley ... Christine GrantHamilton Dyce ... Sir Guy ChatworthJohn Cazabon ... PrendergastProducer: John Fawcett WilsonFirst broadcast on the Light Programme in 1967.
SAT 01:30 I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down (b038c0f4)
Every comedian, however famous or successful, has memories of stand-up shows which didn't go to plan.Many comics will agree that 'dying' on stage is a rite of passage from which a lot can be learned - and swapping stories of on-stage humiliation can bind comedians together. Rich Morton has performed with most of Britain's best loved stand-ups down the years, and in this programme he gets some of them to confess their memories of the nightmare gigs they'd rather forget.Realising too late that your material is completely inappropriate for the audience, finding the crowd was expecting someone else, having to deal with the heckler from hell - whatever the situation, most comics have been there, and have emerged from the experience with some hilarious stories to tell.Jo Brand, Tim Clark, Jack Dee, Mike Gunn, Milton Jones, Lucy Porter and Ian Stone share their recollections.Producer: Paul BajoriaFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2013.
SAT 02:00 Joanna Trollope - Other People's Children (b007jn8y)
Episode 10
Relationships falter under the strains of living as a step-family when decisions need to be made.Joanna Trollope's novel about the traumas and delights of adjusting to a step-family.Concluded by Penelope Wilton.Abridged in ten parts by Pat McLoughlin.Producer: Di SpeirsFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1998.
SAT 02:15 The Generation Gap (b00qzrjg)
Series 2: Sex
Prostitution
Series in which two people from different generations discuss a topic that reveals the changing nature of Britain.The theme of the second series of five programmes is Sex.Helen worked as a bar hostess and prostitute in the 1970s. She talks to Maria, who is currently funding her way through university by being a sex worker. How do their experiences differ?A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 02:30 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (b00767g1)
Episode 5
Can Andrea and married Philip manage to keep their affair secret?Stan Barstow’s gritty double love story set in Yorkshire in the 1960s, dramatised by his partner Diana Griffiths.Agnes.........Naomi RadcliffeAndrea...............Deborah McandrewPhilip..................Robert GlenisterLandlord.............Geoff HinsliffDirector: Pauline HarrisFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
SAT 02:45 Charles Chaplin - My Autobiography (b08n42g0)
Decision
Taking stock - and a fateful decision. How Charlie Chaplin became a legend of silent cinema. Concluded by Nigel Hawthorne.
SAT 03:00 Choderlos de Laclos - Les Liaisons Dangereuses (b007jptt)
Episode 2
Can Vicomte Valmont and the Marquise de Marteuil win their game of seduction and revenge?Choderlos de Laclos's 1782 epistolary novel dramatised in two-parts by Christopher Hampton. Stars Ciaran Hinds as Le Vicomte de Valmont, Lindsay Duncan as La Marquise de Merteuil, Emma Fielding as Mme de Tourvel, John Moffatt as the Narrator, Adam Godley as Chevalier Danceny, Joanna David as Mme de Volanges, Alison Pettitt as Cecile Volanges, Elizabeth Spriggs as Mme de Rosemonde, Charles Simpson as Azolan and Sarah-Jane Holm as Emilie.Narrator: John MoffattMusic composed by Ilona Sekacz.Director: Gordon House:First broadcast on the BBC World Service in 1998.
SAT 04:00 Hidden Treasures (b0075xyh)
Petworth House
Check out your chattels and hang on to your heirlooms! Lars Tharp chairs the light-hearted Antiques Quiz from some of England's finest country houses.Starting at Petworth House in West Sussex – there are mystery objects, several hidden treasures from the house itself and valuations.With Eric Knowles and Bunny Campione.Producer: Annie BristowFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1998.
SAT 04:30 Safety Catch (b00vkyz1)
Series 3
Better the Devil You Know
Simon McGrath is a generally nice chap who just happens to be an arms dealer. It's not something he planned, he just fell into it, and despite all his best intentions he just doesn't seem to be able to leave because he has to pay his mortgage like everyone else.Of course his real love is electronic music and this is just a stop gap until he finds the perfect outlet for his music - okay so the gap has lasted five years but that's not the point. Once he can get himself motivated he'll be out of there and, as his ever supportive mum says, people will always want to kill each other. So that's alright then.This series sees Simon going to some bizarre lengths to excuse his profession: his attempt at gaining redundancy when an American firm puts in a takeover bid somehow winds up with his promotion; he desperately attempts to give himself compassion fatigue so he won't have to feel guilty about all the bloodshed in the world; he unsuccessfully tries to seek forgiveness and he finally tries to self-motivate himself to sit down in front of a keyboard to compose his electronic masterpiece.His personal life is as unsatisfactory as his work life and not only do he and Anna have to try and find reasons why they love each other but they have to survive a visit from her parents and his mum's new job at Heathcote Sanders and, as Judith eloquently puts it, to have one member of the family working in the arms trade may be regarded as misfortune, to have two looks like genetic wickedness.Simon McGrath ...... Darren BoydAnna Grieg ...... Joanna PageBoris Kemal ...... Lewis MacleodJudith McGrath ...... Sarah SmartAngela McGrath ...... Brigit ForsythMadeleine Turnbull ...... Rachel AtkinsCharles ...... John SchwabWritten by Laurence HowarthProduced By Dawn Ellis.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
SAT 05:00 The Elephant Man (b04v8qcq)
Labour Pains
Terry's bank balance is redder than a baboon's bottom, so he decides to take on a paper round as well.Debbie Barham's eight-part sitcom about the life of an elephant zoo keeper.Starring Peter Serafinowicz as Terry Lyon, Chris Emmet as Leonard, Richard Pearce as Adam, Joanna Monro as Stephanie, Wayne Forester as Vem and Debra Stephenson as the Waitress.Producer: Richard Wilson.First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 1996.
SAT 05:30 Rumblings from the Rafters (b07h65c6)
Death Watch Beetle and Queen Wasp
A Death Watch Beetle, played by Bill Paterson, and a bossy Queen wasp played, by Alison Steadman, reveal the truth about life in a draughty old attic in a house in Amersham in the first of three very funny tales, written and introduced by Lynne Truss, with additional sound recordings by Chris Watson.The Death Watch Beetle is a wood-boring beetle. Having spent twelve years as a larva boring through a single rafter in the house with no one to talk to, our beetle is now an adult with about 5 weeks left to live. He has just three aims in life. Firstly, to find a mate, which he does by banging his head on the timber "Oh Come on girls, .. I know you're out there ... Don't tell me this attic has ever seen such a specimen before. This lovely compact dark brown capsule of hard cuticle covered with yellowish scale-like hair and just under a centimetre long - it could all be yours! Secondly, to make as much noise as he can and finally to live long enough to see the roof cave in.The Queen Wasp is very, very bossy, and very, very stressed. She carries the entire responsibility for the wasp colony and its thousands of inhabitants, all of whom are her own progeny. There is an enormous amount of work to be done. "They call themselves workers, these girls, but quite frankly, none of them knows what real work actually is." It is lonely at the top too," I did consider leaving all this, at one point. None of them knows this; they'd be heartbroken to think I might have left them" and she is just beginning to lose her grip. "Bring me my list" she constantly yells. Life doesn't get much more stressful than this.Death Watch Beetle: Bill PatersonDragonfly: Alison SteadmanWritten and introduced by Lynne TrussWildlife sound recordings Chris WatsonProducer Sarah Blunt.
SAT 06:00 Alan Ayckbourn - Things We Do For Love (b007xrnq)
When two best friends are reunited, the ensuing farce surprises them both. Stars Joanna Van Gyseghem and Cameron Stewart.Alan Ayckbourn's play, adapted for radio by Martyn ReadStarring Joanna van Gyseghem as Barbara, Cameron Stewart as Hamish, Gavin Muir as Gilbert and Teresa Gallagher as Nikki.This comic masterpiece is an hilarious and cruel view of love - avoiding it, yearning for it and falling head over heels in it. Barbara has chosen to live alone. Her immaculate flat is a male-free and child-free zone. As lady of the house, she rents out the bottom flat to Gilbert, a postman with a passion for painting. Her role in life is to remain single and to look after her boss. When her old school friend, Nikki, moves into the upstairs flat with her fiancé, Hamish, Barbara is there to keep an eye on her. However, her orderly life quickly takes a very different direction.Things We Do For Love has been deemed one of the best plays of the 1990s.Producer: Gordon House.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2000.
SAT 07:30 The Gambaccini Years (b038hj7d)
Episode 3
Paul Gambaccini is the only broadcaster who has presented regular programmes on BBC Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4.2013 marked his 40th anniversary in British broadcasting, since his arrival at Radio 1 in 1973 from American college radio and Rolling Stone magazine.In the third part of his look back, Paul recalls the 1980s campaign to make the public aware of the threat posed by AIDS. Chief Executive of the Terence Higgins Trust, Sir Nick Partridge helps recalls the work they did together to raise funds for AIDS related causes.Paul also reminisces about his favourite moments from Radio 4’s Kaleidoscope, with fellow presenter Tim Marlow; and about his time as a broadcaster at Classic FM, with former colleague Nick Bailey.Producer: Paul BajoriaFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2013.
SAT 08:00 Archive on 4 (b046j2jr)
No Destination
In 1964, at the height of the Cold War and at the time of increasing tensions between East and West, Satish Kumar hit headlines around the world when he walked 8,000-miles from New Delhi to Moscow, Paris, London and Washington D.C. delivering packets of 'peace tea' to the leaders of the world's four nuclear powers.Satish Kumar relives his extraordinary journey - made without any money - that took him from the grave of Mahatma Gandhi to the grave of John. F. Kennedy. Along the way, he was thrown into jail and facved a loaded gun - as well as meeting some of the most remarkable people of the twentieth century.In 1973 he settled in England, taking on the editorship of Resurgence magazine, and becoming the guiding light behind a number of ecological spiritual and educational ventures.Poet Lemn Sissay reads extract from Kumar's autobography - described as "One of the few life-changing books I have ever read".Presented by Satish KumarBook Extracts read by Lemn SissayProduced by Shelley WilliamsA Reel Soul Movies Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2014.
SAT 09:00 The Real Comedy Controllers: The Things That Made Us Laugh (b08lpx38)
Alternative Comedy...and Beyond
Instead of guest Comedy Controllers, choosing their comedy favourites, it is now the turn of those who, in their own ways, have to take the blame for many of the shows often featured on Radio 4 Extra. Between them, Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd & Jimmy Mulville have well over a 150 years of gut-busting, side-aching woofers, gags and - let's be honest - the occasional horrific mistimed silence.In front of an audience in the iconic Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House - the home of British Radio comedy - they reveal why they do it and what it was (and is) that made them laugh.Programme 3. Alternative Comedy... and Beyond - in which the Real Comedy Controllers return to the 80s to consider how alternative the new wave of comedy was... and to explore how their humour developed as the century drew to a close. Episodes featured include:Lenin of the RoversMidfield football maestro Ricky Lenin's battle for Britain's first all-communist football team. Ricky introduces his radical thinking to Felchester Rovers. Starring Alexei Sayle, Keith Allen, Andrew McClean and Maurice Colbourne. First broadcast in February 1988.The Mary Whitehouse ExperienceDavid Baddiel, Rob Newman, Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis tackle buskers and January sales. With Mark Thomas. From January 1990.Goodness Gracious MeThe Marriage Emporium is running low on Indian brides, plus a version of the classic song 'Fifty Ways to Leave Your Mother'. British-Asian sitcom with Nina Wadia. From July 1997.On The HourPre-natal beauty therapy hits the headlines. Chris Morris hosts the incisive news satire. With Steve Coogan. From April 1992.Series Producers: Paul Kobrak and Dixi Stewart.Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra.
SAT 12:00 Just a Minute (b01c7ncx)
Series 62
Episode 3
Chairman Nicholas Parsons endeavours to find out who has the greatest gift of the gab.Panellists Paul Merton, Sue Perkins, Julian Clary and Charles Collingwood have to speak on a variety of subjects given to them by Nicholas. They must speak for 60 seconds on that subject without hesitation, repetition or deviation - a task much more difficult than it sounds.This week Sue Perkins reveals what she's got in her attic, Paul Merton talks about his Olympic Dreams, Julian Clary explains why he likes singing in the shower and Charles Collingwood lets us in on his fear of spiders and rats when he's asked to talk on the subject of Sydney.The game Just A Minute was devised by the late Ian Messiter atop a London bus on his way to work as a BBC Radio producer more than 45 years ago. It was inspired by his memory of a teacher making him and his classmates speak on a subject for 60 seconds as a punishment for bad behaviour.Producer: Claire Jones.
SAT 12:30 Mad Man Blue (b0113060)
Unassuming but irrepressible Bloomer gets involved in a feud with his neighbour.Will he escape his suburban nightmare unscathed?Roy Hudd stars in Tracy Aston's comic monologue.Producer: Jocelyn BoxallFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1998.
SAT 13:00 Ship of Lies (Omnibus) (m00046fv)
This year's buzz word is 'Infocalypse' - which is to say that information and news is now so easily manipulated, that facts are becoming impossible to verify and reality is losing its gravitational pull.In Ship of Lies, Ron Hutchinson focuses on the beginning of the modern era when the telegraph had just been invented, to see how even then, corporations were quick to manipulate data and even the news to influence markets and expectations to their advantage. An examination of the sequence of 'reported' events in the 36 hours after the Titanic sank indicate that the use of 'distraction tactics' and cries of 'Fake news' were already in evidence more than a hundred years ago.Omnibus cast: EMMA ……………….....Jasmine HydeDANNY …………….... Colin StintonHAVERMAYER …….. Matt RippyDOCTOR ....…………...Patrick BaileyNURSE ………………….Laurel Lefkow Director: Eoin O'CallaghanA Big Fish Radio production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in five parts in 2019.
SAT 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (m00046fx)
Nicole Farhi
Former fashion designer Nicole Farhi chooses Kol Nidrei sung by Cantor Yitz Meir Helfgot and Casta Diva sung by Maria Callas.
SAT 14:15 With Great Pleasure (b007wjc9)
Richard Briers
Much-loved screen, stage and radio actor, Richard Briers chooses some of his favourite performance pieces in the company of his daughter Lucy Briers and his old friend Peter Egan.Includes extracts from PG Wodehouse, William Shakespeare and Dorothy Parker.Producer: Christine HallFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
SAT 14:45 The (Almost) Accidental Adventures of Bell and Todd (m00046g0)
Stowaways
Fed up narrating the lives of two men bickering on an allotment, mischievous Diana decides to shake their lives up...June Whitfield stars as Diana in John Eggleston's six-part comedy adventure series.With Matthew Bell as Bell and Toby Longworth as ToddProducer: Liz AnsteeFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1997.
SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b046j2jr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Alan Ayckbourn - Things We Do For Love (b007xrnq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 The Gambaccini Years (b038hj7d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 Ray Bradbury - The Illustrated Man (b092kztd)
Iain Glen is the Illustrated Man in a dramatisation by Brian Sibley of Ray Bradbury's iconic short story collection.A young traveller encounters a vagrant on the road who claims his tattoos come to life after dark and have the powers of prophecy.The vagrant offers his young travelling companion tantalising glimpses into the future with tales of restless androids, children caught up in a sinister game and astronauts stranded in outer space which all hint at dark and troubling times ahead.The Illustrated Man.....Iain GlenThe Youth.....Jamie ParkerThe Tattoo Witch.....Elaine ClaxtonThe Driver.....Wilf ScoldingBrayling/Brayling 2.....Patrick KennedySmith.....Stephen HoganMink....Nell HerrinMother....Heather CraneyFather....Clive HaywardAnna....Lucy HutchinsonHollis....Alec NewmanApplegate....John P. ArnoldStone....Jaimi BarbakoffStimson....Craige ElsDirected by Gemma JenkinsProduction Co-ordinator: Philippa TilburyStudio Managers: Anne Bunting, Peter Ringrose, Alison Craig.First published in the UK in 1952, it's the startling framing device of a man whose tattoos predict the future of humankind which signals Bradbury's collection out as one of the defining works of 20th century Science Fiction.The award-winning radio dramatist, Brian Sibley's other credits include dramatisations of TH White's The Once and Future King, Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast novels and The Lord of The Rings trilogy.
SAT 19:00 The Real Comedy Controllers: The Things That Made Us Laugh (b08lpx38)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Chain Reaction (b01m19nz)
Series 8
Tim Minchin talks to Caitlin Moran
Comedian and musician Tim Minchin is not well but still has a great time putting the world to rights in his attempt to interview journalist and author, Caitlin Moran, despite having no questions and no voice.The talk tag show where the guest is the next interviewer.Producer: Carl CooperFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2012.
SAT 22:30 Revolting People (b007lrv1)
Series 2
Trying Times
A wife returns, a daughter gives birth and Sergeant McGurk reveals the real reason the English won the Battle of Culloden.The return of the comedy set just before the American Revolution.Written by Andy Hamilton and Jay Tarses.Stars Jay Tarses as Samuel Oliphant, Andy Hamilton as Sergeant McGurk, James Fleet as Captain Brimshaw, Jan Ravens as Mary, Hugh Dennis as Ezekiel Spriggs, Penelope Nice as Cora Oliphant, Tony Maudsley as Joshua Oliphant, Susie Blake as Elizabeth Oliphant and Selina Griffiths as Agnes.Producer: Paul Mayhew-ArcherFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2001.
SAT 23:00 Beauty of Britain (b010mryx)
Series 2
The Delegate
No professional care-worker can afford to miss Beauty Olonga's survival guide to Britain - its overheated houses, its disappointing church services and its world-class charity shops. Series 2 of this Radio 4 comedy follows Beauty's continuing adventures as the Featherdown Agency sends her to provide care for the elderly.Beauty sees herself as an inspiration to other African girls hoping to live the dream in Britain. The series breaks the embarrassed silence about what happens to us when we get old and start to lose our faculties. It shows the process in all its chaotic, tragi-comedy but it does so from the point of view of Beauty, whose Zimbabwean Shona background has taught her to respect age. Beauty sees Britain at its best, its worst and also sometimes without its clothes on running the wrong way down the M6 with a toy dog shouting 'Come on!'Episode 4 'The Delegate'Karen of the featherdown agency sends Beauty to the 'End of Life' care conference on her behalf. Beauty struggles to understand the peculiar behaviour of the British at a conference and their obsessions with name tags and lanyards, as well as why she is the only carer in attendance. This must be why the keynote speaker, Professor Smythe takes a shine to her?Beauty ..... Jocelyn Jee EsienJenny ..... Pippa HaywoodRob ..... Tony GardnerMrs Grace ..... Phyllida LawSally ..... Felicity MontaguKaren/Keely ..... Nicola SandersonThe music for the series was performed by The West End Gospel Choir.Written by Christopher Douglas and Nicola SandersonThe producer is Tilusha Ghelani.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
SAT 23:30 The Big Booth (b007k2ph)
Series 1
Episode 6
Tasty monologues and sketches starring Boothby Graffoe. With Stephen Frost and guitarist Antonio Forcione. From February 2000.
SUNDAY 14 APRIL 2019
SUN 00:00 Ray Bradbury - The Illustrated Man (b092kztd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 Ship of Lies (Omnibus) (m00046fv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
13:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:10 Inheritance Tracks (m00046fx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:10 on Saturday]
SUN 02:15 With Great Pleasure (b007wjc9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Saturday]
SUN 02:45 The (Almost) Accidental Adventures of Bell and Todd (m00046g0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Saturday]
SUN 03:00 Archive on 4 (b046j2jr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 Alan Ayckbourn - Things We Do For Love (b007xrnq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 05:30 The Gambaccini Years (b038hj7d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (Omnibus) (b06z87jb)
Episode 1
Andrea meets Philip, a married man. The warnings are all about lust but tenderness is the real enemy.Stan Barstow’s gritty double love story set in Yorkshire in the 1960's - dramatised by his partner Diana Griffiths.Andrea...............Deborah McAndrewPhilip..................Robert GlenisterTom......................David CalderGeorge.................John GriffinJulie............Naomi RadcliffeMrs Warner............Daryl FishwickOmnibus of the first five of ten partsDirector: Pauline HarrisFirst broadcast in on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
SUN 07:15 Celia Bryce - Hughie's Picnic (m00047rp)
4 Extra Debut. The hospital has never been brighter since Hughie came. But things are about to change. Poignant short story read by Eve Karpf.
SUN 07:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (b06wd7dt)
Series 2
The Employment Agency
When Milton launches a job agency, it turns out that getting people into work actually is rocket science. Which is why his best client suddenly goes ballistic.Mention Milton Jones to most people and the first thing they think is 'Help!'. Because each week, Milton and his trusty assistant Anton (played by Milton regular Tom Goodman-Hill) set out to help people and soon find they're embroiled in a new adventure. Because when you're close to the edge, then Milton can give you a push."Milton Jones is one of Britain's best gagsmiths with a flair for creating daft yet perfect one-liners" - The Guardian."King of the surreal one-liners" - The Times"If you haven't caught up with Jones yet - do so!" - The Daily MailWritten by Milton with James Cary (Bluestone 42, Miranda) and Dan Evans (who co-wrote Milton's Channel 4 show House Of Rooms), the man they call "Britain's funniest Milton returns to the radio with a fully-working cast and a shipload of new jokes.The cast includes regulars Tom Goodman-Hill ( Spamalot, Mr. Selfridge) as the ever-faithful Anton, Josie Lawrence and Ben Willbond.With music by Guy Jackson.Produced and directed by David TylerA Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4.
SUN 08:00 The Will Hay Programme - The Diary of a Schoolmaster (m00047rr)
The legendary comic film actor Will Hay stars as jocular headmaster Dr Muffin who shares digs with Mrs Potts.With Charles Hawtrey, Clarence Wright, Beryl Riggs, Dick Francis, Billy Nicholls and John Clark.Music from the Dance Orchestra conducted and incidental music composed by Stanley Black.Scripted by Will Hay, Max Kester and Alick Hayes.Producer: Alick HayesFirst broadcast on the BBC Home Service in December 1944.
SUN 08:30 We're in Business (b07pwyhm)
The Parrot
Dudley and Harry's rent is overdue. Can a new visitor help them out?Stars Peter Jones as Dudley, Harry Worth as Harry, Irene Handl as Miss Emily, Dick Emery as Sid and Peter Hawkins as the Parrot.Peter Jones is small-time businessman, Dudley Grosvenor who's always out to make a fast buck - usually at the expense of his side-kick, Harry Worth.Written by Marty Feldman, Barry Took and Peter Jones.A selection of surviving episodes from two series broadcast between 1959-1960.Producer: Charles Maxwell.First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in March 1960.
SUN 09:00 The Nature of Spring (Omnibus) (m00047rt)
In a series of poetic vignettes, nature writer Jim Crumley paints a captivating picture of Scotland’s wilderness in spring and the joys of observing its abundant wildlife.Omnibus read by Simon Tait.Producer: Bruce YoungFirst broadcast in five parts on BBC Radio 4 in 2019.
SUN 10:10 The Listening Project (b0639wx2)
Duncan and Paul – The Band Plays On
Fi Glover with band members who have played together for decades in different bands. Even though they have still not known success, their commitment to music remains just as strong. Another in the series that proves it's surprising what you hear when you listen.The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation with someone close to them about a subject they've never discussed intimately before. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation - they're not BBC interviews, and that's an important difference - lasts up to an hour, and is then edited to extract the key moment of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in the second decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningprojectProducer: Marya Burgess
SUN 10:15 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m00047rw)
Chefs and Cooks
Heston Blumenthal
From Bobby Womack to Verdi. Chef and restaurateur Heston Blumenthal shares his castaway choices with Kirsty Young. From October 2006.
SUN 11:00 The Moth Radio Hour (b090wh2h)
Series 5
More Women in the World
True stories told live in in the USA: Sarah Austin Jenness introduces tales from Ireland, Kenya, Germany, France and the USA.The Moth is an acclaimed not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling based in the USA. Since 1997, it has celebrated both the raconteur and the storytelling novice, who has lived through something extraordinary and yearns to share it. Originally formed by the writer George Dawes Green as an intimate gathering of friends on a porch in Georgia (where moths would flutter in through a hole in the screen), and then recreated in a New York City living room, The Moth quickly grew to produce immensely popular events at theatres and clubs around New York City and later around the USA, the UK and other parts of the world.The Moth has presented more than 15,000 stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. The Moth podcast is downloaded over 27 million times a year.Featuring true stories told live on stage without scripts, from the humorous to the heart-breaking.The Moth Radio Hour is produced by Jay Allison and Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and is distributed by the Public Radio Exchange.
SUN 11:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b0120790)
Series 2
Fireflies
The chemistry that allows the combustion of natural chemicals to generate light without heat is wonderfully harnessed by the firefly.Fireflies are insects with several species in the group; each with its own species specific code and signalling regime.In this life story David Attenborough tells of his personal experience filming the antics of fireflies and the insight this gave him into this secret world of messaging.Written and presented by David AttenboroughProducer: Julian Hector.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
SUN 12:00 The Will Hay Programme - The Diary of a Schoolmaster (m00047rr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
SUN 12:30 We're in Business (b07pwyhm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
SUN 13:00 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (Omnibus) (b06z87jb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
SUN 14:15 Celia Bryce - Hughie's Picnic (m00047rp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:15 today]
SUN 14:30 Home Fire (Omnibus) (m00047rz)
Episode 2
Parvaiz is discontented about having to leave the family home. He wants to know more about his father.This breathtakingly topical, powerful thriller by Kamila Shamsie won the 2018 Women's Prize for Fiction and was Book of the Year for all the major UK Newspapers.Home Fire is about identity, conflicting loyalties, love and politics: a book for our times.Isma and Aneeka must keep a secret about their younger brother for their own protection and his.Omnibus of the last five of ten episodes read by Lisa Zahra and Sanjeev Bhaskar.Abridged by Sara Davies.Producer: Mary Ward-LoweryFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2019.
SUN 15:45 The Animals' VC (b0076m24)
Brave Beginnings
Considered the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross - Dylan Winter traces the history of the PDSA Dickin Medal.Producer: Sheena DuncanFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2004.
SUN 16:00 Saturday Drama (b047w553)
Nick Stafford - The Real Trial of Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde's courtroom battle with the Marquess of Queensbury. Wilde naturally assumes that he can take on the man who invented the rules of boxing and win. Based on the book "Irish Peacock and Scarlet Marquess" by Merlin Holland (Oscar's grandson).Director: David HunterProduced in association with Mike Mansfield Television and Paul Knight Productions.
SUN 17:00 Poetry Extra (m00047s3)
Betjeman's Banana Blush
Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's radio poetry archive and selects Betjeman's Banana Blush - an album made by Sir John Betjeman in 1974.Jarvis Cocker uncovers the hidden treasure Betjeman's Banana Blush. The 1974 LP featured the then Poet Laureate reading twelve poems while accompanied by music composed by Jim Parker.Betjeman's Banana Blush was released on the progressive rock label Charisma - the home of Genesis, Lindisfarne and Van Der Graf Generator - and tracks from it were regularly featured on John Peel's Radio 1 programme. A Shropshire Lad was named single of the week by New Musical Express and the paper featured an interview with the poet.For those reasons, the album reached an audience beyond Sir John's usual readers. Suggs from Madness fell in love with the LP: 'I first heard the album in 1979. We'd be listening to Syd Barrett, The Clash...and then Banana Blush would go on. It seemed equally psychedelic in its own strange way. I fell in love with it straight away.' Suggs chose 'On A Portrait Of A Deaf Man' from the album as one of his Desert Island Discs.Before working on the album, Jim Parker had been a member of Doggerel Bank, writing music to accompany the poems of William Bealby-Wright. Following Betjeman's Banana Blush, he wrote award-winning scores for TV series and films, including Miss Marple, Moll Flanders, Midsomer Murders and Foyle's War.His compositions provide perfect settings for Sir John's poems, which range in subject matter from the charming innocence of Indoor Games Near Newbury to the deeply moving 'A Child Ill'. In the programme, Jim plays piano and explains how the album was made.Producer: Kevin HowlettA Howlett Media production for BBC Radio 4First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
SUN 17:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (b06wd7dt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
SUN 18:00 Sheila Hodgson - Turn, Turn, Turn (b01pglt9)
In which MR James - in an effort to heal a breach between a young man and his father - tells a cautionary and chilling tale of evil and witchcraft.One of a number of dramas written by Sheila Hodgson inspired by MR James and portraying him as the diarist of a series of fictional ghost stories.Starring David March as James, Michael Cochrane as Charles Fenton, Gerald Cross as Sir John Cheke, Alan Lawrance as the Rev Nicholas Fenton and Colin Etherington as Mark Palgrave.Director: David JohnstonFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1977.
SUN 18:45 Mark Twain Stories (b007jqx3)
Experiences of the MacWilliamses
As illness sweeps their neighbourhood, one couple takes desperate measures to protect their child. Read by Kelsey Grammar.
SUN 19:00 The Moth Radio Hour (b090wh2h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
SUN 19:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b0120790)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:50 today]
SUN 20:00 The Nature of Spring (Omnibus) (m00047rt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
SUN 21:10 The Listening Project (b0639wx2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:10 today]
SUN 21:15 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m00047rw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:15 today]
SUN 22:00 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (b06wd7dt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
SUN 22:30 Rob Newman (b06gwnx2)
Robert Newman's Entirely Accurate Encyclopaedia of Evolution
Episode 1
One of Britain's finest comedians, Rob Newman, with a witty, fact-packed series mixing stand-up and sketches, challenging notions of Survival of the Fittest and The Selfish Gene with a new theory that's equal parts enlightening and hilarious.Rob is our guide on a journey through a unique audio A-Z of nature that takes in everything from altruistic amoebae and dancing squid to Richard Dawkins wrestling naked with a postal worker.Piecing these fragments together allows Rob to correct some major distortions of Darwinism, as well as rejig the theory of natural selection in the light of what we now know about epigenetics, mirror neurons and the Flintstones.Written by Rob NewmanStarring Claire Price, with Jenni Murray as the voice of the Encyclopaedia.Producer: Jon HarveyExecutive Producer: Richard WilsonA Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4.
SUN 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m0004cn6)
Anna Morris 2/2
The best in contemporary comedy. Arthur Smith chats to Anna Morris.
SUN 23:00 Cabin Pressure (b00lxh3r)
Series 2
Johannesburg
When Carolyn makes a daring bet with her pilots, what better place for a race against time than a sleepy Spanish airfield...?Starring Stephanie Cole as Carolyn Knapp-Shappey, Roger Allam as 1st Officer Douglas Richardson, Benedict Cumberbatch as Captain Martin Crieff, John Finnmore as Arthur Shappey, Michael Fenton-Stevens as Senor Quintanilla and Javier Marzan as Diego.Producer: David TylerMade for BBC Radio 4 by Pozzitive productions.First broadcast in August 2009.
SUN 23:30 The Penny Dreadfuls Present (b00gpbcs)
More Brothers Faversham
Titus Faversham
The story of Victorian Britain's greatest sporting hero.The comedy trio's swashbuckling family romp.Written by and starring Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck.With Miles Jupp and Ingrid Oliver.Script edited by Richard Turner.Producer: Julia McKenzieMade for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2008.
MONDAY 15 APRIL 2019
MON 00:00 Sheila Hodgson - Turn, Turn, Turn (b01pglt9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:45 Mark Twain Stories (b007jqx3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:45 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (Omnibus) (b06z87jb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:15 Celia Bryce - Hughie's Picnic (m00047rp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:15 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 Home Fire (Omnibus) (m00047rz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:45 The Animals' VC (b0076m24)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:45 on Sunday]
MON 04:00 Saturday Drama (b047w553)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Poetry Extra (m00047s3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
17:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (b06wd7dt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Stand By For West (m00046rb)
Battle for Inspector West
Terror for a Bride
In a mysterious case of blackmail, Chief Inspector West hunts a missing honeymooning bride.Chief Inspector Roger West is of the creation of noted crime writer, John Creasey, who authored over 600 novels, using over 20 pseudonyms. More than 40 Roger West novels were written between 1942 and 1973 with the basis for this first series, first published in 1948.Much like Paul Temple, West - “Scotland Yard’s youngest, smartest chief inspector” - has a long-suffering wife who also gets involved with the action. A total of six novels were adapted for radio by Maurice Travers.Patrick Allen … Chief Inspector Roger WestSarah Lawson … Janet WestPhilip Bond … Michael GrantDenise Buckley … Christine GrantHamilton Dyce … Sir Guy ChatworthJohn Cazabon … PrendergastFrancis de Wolff … CarosianPreston Lockwood … Arthur MorleyCharles Haggith … VariousProducer: John Fawcett WilsonFirst broadcast on the Light Programme in 1967.
MON 06:30 Fu Manchu in Edinburgh (b00rt91z)
"Yellow Peril," "Celestial One" and "Devil Doctor": Sax Rohmer's evil genius, Dr Fu Manchu, traded under many aliases, but where was his doctorate from?"I am a doctor of philosophy from Edinburgh, a doctor of law from Christ College, a doctor of medicine from Harvard. My friends, out of courtesy, call me 'Doctor'." - The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932)Miles Jupp (also an Edinburgh University alumn) investigates the hidden Edinburgh years of the criminal mastermind who fought a war against Western imperialism after learning his trade in one of the West's most esteemed Universities.From the novels we can work out Fu Manchu must have studied in Edinburgh in the early 1870s. So what do historical records teach us about his time there?Back then, Conan Doyle was registered at the University Medical School, studying at the feet of Joseph Bell, the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes. Thomas De Quincey, the English Opium Eater, had died in the city a few years before but the network by which he sourced his laudanum was still intact, brought by Chinese Coolies from the Port of Leith to the drawing-rooms of the New Town. There were Chinese students registered on the matriculation rolls of the University, some of them refugees from the Boxer rebellion, and the seamen's missions and city police reports make it clear that there was a thriving Chinese criminal network in Scotland's capital.Could Fu Manchu have learned his criminal trade as an undergraduate at the city's university? Could his later dominance of Limehouse in London have been based on the contacts he made with Chinese gangs in Edinburgh? What factual evidence exists to flesh out the experience of the fictional enemy of the West?Producer: David StenhouseFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
MON 07:00 Bad Salsa (b06ts66c)
Series 2
What Happens at Salsa...
A second series of the sitcom about three women who embrace the world of salsa while adjusting to life after cancer.Jill has left her husband and son to live at her new boyfriends' parent's house, Camille is planning a huge life change and Chippy has a new live-in wannabe step-father in the shape of Gordon from their salsa class.In the first episode Camille is still with Marco and reveals their plan to start a new life together, Jill is struggling with jealousy and living with Tim's parents, Chippy discovers what Tinder can bring and Gordon takes advantage of the opportunities his new salsa role offers.The series is not about cancer, but about life after cancer, how you cope the changes in your outlook, your desires and your expectations. It's also about how other people cope with the change in you.Written by Kay StonhamProducer: Alison Vernon-Smith.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016.
MON 07:30 The Unbelievable Truth (m00040mh)
Series 22
Episode 2
David Mitchell hosts the panel game in which four comedians are encouraged to tell lies and compete against one another to see how many items of truth they're able to smuggle past their opponents.Sindhu Vee, Susan Calman, Graeme Garden and Tony Hawks are the panellists obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as swimming, mothers, magazines and clowns.Produced by Jon NaismithA Random Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4
MON 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jph6)
Series 6
The Gourmet
The lad thinks he's a connoisseur of food, so Sid enters him in an eating competition.Starring Tony Hancock. With Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Warren Mitchell and Hugh Morton.Guest star: BBC sports commentator, Ray Glendenning.Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.Producer: Tom RonaldFirst broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1959.
MON 08:30 Dad's Army (b007jll5)
Series 1
Sergeant Wilson's Little Secret
Confusion reigns for Sergeant Wilson when Mrs Pike reveals news of a "new arrival".Six years after legendary sitcom Dad's Army started on BBC TV, these specially adapted radio versions began recording with the original cast.Starring Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring, John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Wilson, Clive Dunn as Corporal Jones, James Beck as Private Walker, Arnold Ridley as Private Godfrey, Ian Lavender as Private Pike, John Laurie as Private Frazer, Bill Pertwee as Warden Hodges, Pearl Hackney as Mrs Pike and John Snagge as the announcer.Adapted from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's original BBC TV scripts by Michael Knowles and Harold Snoad.Producer: John DyasFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1974.
MON 09:00 Just a Minute (b01cvkc7)
Series 62
Episode 5
Nicholas Parsons challenges Paul Merton, Sue Perkins, Julian Clary and Charles Collingwood to talk without hesitation, repetition or deviation for 60 seconds. From March 2012.
MON 09:30 Snap (b012s2gf)
Series 3
Episode 3
Divorced Doug and Molly come to blows over his mum Annie, who seems to be going senile.Continuing Paul Mendelson's sitcom about a couple trying to rebuild their relationship after divorce.Starring Rebecca Lacey as Molly, Paul Venables as Doug, Soumaya Keynes as Kaz, Jessie Sullivan as Ryan, Marlene Sidaway as Annie, Robin Weaver as Dawn and Jonathan Tafler as Raymond.Producer: David Ian NevilleFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.
MON 10:00 Drama (b008h01r)
Witness: Five Plays from the Gospel of Luke
The Lake
The Lake means everything to Peter and Andrew. How could they leave it behind?In the week leading up to Easter, Nick Warburton's five plays reimagine Jesus's story through the eyes of those who witnessed it.Jesus.......................Tom Goodman-HillPeter.......................Peter FirthAndrew.......................Paul CopleyThe Baptist.......................Stephen GreifThe Elder.......................Sam Dalethe Possessed Man.......................John Lloyd FillinghamJohn .......................Simon TrevesWoman.......................Laura MolyneuxTempter.......................Peter MarinkerMusic by David Pickvance.Director: Jonquil PantingFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
MON 10:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01c)
Episode 1
In the first of five programmes about Luke's gospel, Ernie Rea explores the social and political context for Jesus's radical teaching on the Kingdom of God.Producer: Rosemary DawsonFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
MON 11:00 TED Radio Hour (m00046rg)
Series 5
Haves and Have Nots
A journey through fascinating ideas based on talks by riveting speakers on the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) stage.Guy Raz explores the reasons behind global wealth inequality and how they might be addressed.First broadcast in the USA on National Public Radio in 2013.
MON 11:50 Inheritance Tracks (b078569w)
Emilia Clarke
Actress Emilia Clarke chooses 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' by The Beatles and 'Check Yo Self' by Ice Cube.
MON 12:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jph6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jll5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
MON 13:00 Stand By For West (m00046rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
MON 13:30 Fu Manchu in Edinburgh (b00rt91z)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
MON 14:00 Anne Tyler - Back When We Were Grownups (m00046rj)
Episode 1
Aged 53, Rebecca has a strange dream and begins to wonder who she really is.Anne Tyler's novel abridged in five-parts by Doreen Estall.Read by Liza Ross.Producer: Di SpeirsFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
MON 14:15 The Test of Time (b00mfhr7)
The Sushruta
Five scientists look back to their ancient forebears and examine how much of that early knowledge still stands the test of time.Iain Hutchison, Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, discovers that the nasal reconstructive techniques he uses today date back to third century BC in South Asia. A school of surgery - The Sushruta - grew up on the banks of the river Ganges to help victims of punishment who'd had their noses sliced off.Producer: Erika WrightFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009
MON 14:30 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (b00767h8)
Episode 6
Andrea meets Philip, a married man. The warnings are all about lust but tenderness is the real enemy.A gritty double love story set in Yorkshire in the 1960s, dramatised by Stan Barstow's partner Diana Griffiths.Andrea...............Deborah McandrewPhilip..................Robert GlenisterDavid Calder..................TomJo-Anne Knowles.........KateSharon Duce...............NormaRuth Herbert..............ShirleyBen Crompton...........NickDirector: Pauline HarrisFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
MON 14:45 Book of the Week (b042j8y1)
Eleanor Marx: A Life
Childhood
Rachel Holmes's new book is the lively, engaging and informative life story of the daughter of Karl Marx. Beginning with Eleanor's upbringing in a happy and creative household - where she enjoyed the company of her parent's friends including Engels - and moving on to tell of her achievements as a feminist, and activist and also her troubled love life.Her achievements are remarkable, she was instrumental in preserving her father's memory by sorting through his letters and laying the foundations for his biography. She was a pioneering feminist who made as profound a contribution to British political thought as Mary Wollstonecraft.Her personal life was turned upside down by a family secret and a lover. She adored the socialist campaigner and would be playwright Edward Aveling, but he was a cheat and and broke her heart in a series of humiliations.Rachel Holmes is the author of The Secret Life of Dr James Barry and The Hottentot Venus: The Life and Death of Saartjie Baartman. She is the co-editor, with Lisa Appignanesi and Susie Orbach, of Fifty Shades of Feminism.Read by Tracy-Ann Oberman who is perhaps best known for playing Chrissie Watts in Eastenders for two years. Radio 4 audiences have regularly enjoyed her performances in comedy and drama, and more recently she has written dramas for the network.Abridged by Julian Wilkinson.Produced by Elizabeth Allard
MON 15:00 Drama (b008h01r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
MON 15:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
MON 16:00 Just a Minute (b01cvkc7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
MON 16:30 Snap (b012s2gf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
MON 17:00 Bad Salsa (b06ts66c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
MON 17:30 The Unbelievable Truth (m00040mh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
MON 18:00 Terry Pratchett (b007jl80)
Wyrd Sisters
Episode 1
Three witches meet on a blasted heath while murder is in the air.Terry Pratchett 's popular tale dramatised in four parts by Vince Foxall.Starring Sheila Hancock as Granny Weatherwax, Lynda Baron as Nanny Ogg, Deborah Berlin as Magrat Garlick, Ian Masters as Duke Felmet, Kristin Milward as Lady Felmet, John Hartley as King Verence and Natasha Pyne as Mrs Vitoller.Director: Claire GroveFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.
MON 18:30 A Good Read (b008vzdx)
Carol Klein and Shami Chakrabarti
Kate Mosse and her guests - gardener, Carol Klein and ex-Director of human rights group Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti - discuss their favourite books by Catherine O’Flynn, JK Rowling and Graham Greene..What Was Lost by Catherine O'FlynnPubl: Tindal Street PressHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J K RowlingPubl: BloomsburyThe Comedians by Graham GreenePubl: VintageFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
MON 19:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jph6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Dad's Army (b007jll5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
MON 20:00 Stand By For West (m00046rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
MON 20:30 Fu Manchu in Edinburgh (b00rt91z)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
MON 21:00 TED Radio Hour (m00046rg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
MON 21:50 Inheritance Tracks (b078569w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:50 today]
MON 22:00 The Unbelievable Truth (m00040mh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
MON 22:30 Gloomsbury (b05y16mx)
Series 3
Women in Love and Men in Disgrace
Ginny Fox has planned a trip with Vera Sackcloth-Vest to see her sister, Nesta Bell, at Charlatan House in Sussex, so that Nesta can paint Vera's portrait.Lionel disapproves of the Bohemian lifestyle of Nesta and her husband Cliff and goes off to spend the weekend with Henry at Sizzlinghurst. Cliff is a rogue who spends half of his time away from the house living with his lover, Mrs Hutchinson. Nesta only tolerates Cliff's dalliance because there's another man living at Charlatan with whom she's really in love - Duncan Grunt. Unfortunately for Nesta, Duncan only has eyes for his homosexual lover, who also lives in the house, and whose name is Flopsy. And to top it all, Nesta's two children run up and down the garden without any clothes on.When Ginny and Vera turn up at Charlatan House, Nesta makes an improper suggestion when she asks if she can paint Vera in the nude. Vera is shocked and wants to leave. Unable to share Vera with her sister, Ginny storms out too, and she and Vera return to Sizzlinghurst, where their mood is not lightened by the discovery of Henry and Lionel wrestling naked in front of the library fire as research for DH Lollipop's new book.Produced by Jamie RixA Little Brother production for BBC Radio 4
MON 23:00 The News Quiz Extra (m00046kn)
Series 26
Episode 1
A satirical review of the week's news, chaired by Miles Jupp.
MON 23:45 Hearing With Hegley (b0075rsh)
Series 3
Episode 1
The poet visits Southampton to unravel the mystery of King Canute, plus poems on egg cosies and flannels. From February 2000.
TUESDAY 16 APRIL 2019
TUE 00:00 Terry Pratchett (b007jl80)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 A Good Read (b008vzdx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Stand By For West (m00046rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Fu Manchu in Edinburgh (b00rt91z)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Anne Tyler - Back When We Were Grownups (m00046rj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:15 The Test of Time (b00mfhr7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (b00767h8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:45 Book of the Week (b042j8y1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Drama (b008h01r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Just a Minute (b01cvkc7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Snap (b012s2gf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Bad Salsa (b06ts66c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Monday]
TUE 05:30 The Unbelievable Truth (m00040mh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Stand By For West (m00046kl)
Battle for Inspector West
Shadow on a Millionaire
Michael Grant is taken for a ride, and Inspector West finds a door slammed in his face. Chief Inspector Roger West is of the creation of noted crime writer, John Creasey, who authored over 600 novels, using over 20 pseudonyms. More than 40 Roger West novels were written between 1942 and 1973 with the basis for this first series, first published in 1948.Much like Paul Temple, West - “Scotland Yard’s youngest, smartest chief inspector” - has a long-suffering wife who also gets involved with the action. A total of six novels were adapted for radio by Maurice Travers.Patrick Allen … Chief Inspector Roger WestSarah Lawson … Janet WestPhilip Bond … Michael GrantDenise Buckley … Christine GrantHamilton Dyce … Sir Guy ChatworthPreston Lockwood … Arthur MorleyEva Stuart … JulietaHumphrey Morton … Sir Mortimer GrantFrancis de Wolff … CarosianProducer: John Fawcett WilsonFirst broadcast on the Light Programme in 1967.
TUE 06:30 The Paris Bouquinistes (b00srktl)
Paris has many grand monuments dominating its skyline, but for regular visitors to the 'city of light' there’s a sight every bit as ingrained into its terroir as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and Sacre Coeur - that of the riverside booksellers.Having plied their trade for centuries on the banks of the River Seine, Les Bouquinistes can count Presidents (including Mitterand and Thomas Jefferson) as regular customers, and boast a proud history of providing a source of literatures thought subversive to the prevailing authorities of the day.More recently, many have branched out from books to supplement their income, offering plastic souvenirs instead of Balzac, plastic tat in place of Monserrat - a practice the city council, worried about tarnishing the image of playground Paris, has fought against.Kirsty Lang takes a long stroll along the Seine to meet some of the latest crop and discover how confident they feel about the future prosperity of their time-honoured trade.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
TUE 07:00 Second Thoughts (b00lh0tj)
Series 4
Sobering Thoughts
Dennis vigorously renews his pursuit of Liza, while the demon drink throws up a problem for Bill and Faith.Sitcom about the battles of married life for ex-divorcees Bill and Faith, whilst balancing the demands of his ex-wife, Liza and Faith's teenage children.Stars James Bolam as Bill, Lynda Bellingham as Faith, Belinda Lang as Liza, Julia Sawalha as Hannah, Mark Denham as Joe, Geoffrey Whitehead as Richard and Brian Bowles as Dennis.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 SchlesingerFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1992.
TUE 07:30 My Teenage Diary (b07ffxtj)
Series 7
Michael Rosen
Poet and broadcaster Michael Rosen reads from his teenage diaries which focus on growing up as a naughty schoolboy in the 1960s, his early enthusiasm for politics and his warm, loving and unusual family life.Presenter: Rufus HoundProducer: Harriet JaineExecutive Producer: Aled EvansA Talkback production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 08:00 Play It Cool (b05tbp4r)
Episode 6
Revealing tales of Hollywood and the life of William Shakespeare.Fast-moving sketches starring Ian Carmichael, Joan Sims and Hugh Paddick.Films like Private's Progress and I'm All Right Jack helped make Ian Carmichael a major star of both British stage and screen. Play it Cool was his first radio comedy series promising a variety of potty and pompous situations.Written by Eric Merriman - best known for his work on Beyond Our Ken.With music from Rosemary Squires, The Mike Sammes Singers and The Ken Thorne OrchestraProducer: John SimmondsFirst broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in August 1964.
TUE 08:30 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (b007k47r)
No Hiding Place
Bob takes Terry to be restyled at the hairdressers.Starring James Bolam as Terry Collier and Rodney Bewes as Bob Ferris.With Sheila Fearn, George Layton, Jo Beadle, Brian Godfrey and Donald Gee.Created and scripted for BBC TV by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. Adapted for radio by Patrick Tilley.Producer: John BrowellOriginally lost from the archive, the audio was recovered in a BBC Treasure Hunt.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1975.
TUE 09:00 The News Quiz Extra (m00046kn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:00 on Monday]
TUE 09:45 Hearing With Hegley (b0075rsh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:45 on Monday]
TUE 10:00 Drama (b008gzlj)
Witness: Five Plays from the Gospel of Luke
Outsiders
Jesus's revolutionary teaching is gathering more and more followers. But the more he embraces the outcasts, the more he challenges the authorities.In the week leading up to Easter, Nick Warburton's five plays reimagine Jesus's story through the eyes of those who witnessed it.Jesus.......................Tom Goodman-HillPeter.......................Peter FirthJudas.......................Paul HiltonAndrew.......................Paul CopleyThe Woman.......................Maxine PeakeMagdalene.......................Lorraine AshbourneJoanna....................... Rachel AtkinsSimon.......................Peter MarinkerFriend (of the Sick Man).......................Ben CroweChild....................... Poppy FriarMusic by David Pickvance. Director: Jonquil PantingFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
TUE 10:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01d)
Episode 2
Luke's gospel is often described as the gospel for women. Ernie Rea asks how revolutionary Jesus' attitude really was. From 2007.
TUE 11:00 Telling Tales (m00046ks)
Daniel Lawrence Taylor
One of BAFTA’S Breakthrough Brits of 2018, the writer, actor and comedian Daniel Lawrence Taylor, joins us to talk creativity and time travel.Daniel saw himself playing dramatic roles but after winning laughs in comic plays and sketch shows at university, he formed the double act Ginger and Black, with Eri Jackson.He writes and stars in the television comedy series Timewasters, which first transported a struggling jazz quartet back to 1920s London, via a South London lift. Series two brings the band mates into the 1950s, with the newly settled Windrush generation, and the dawn of rock ‘n’ roll.Race is an important issue in Daniel’s work. When Timewasters was commissioned, he commented that you didn’t see that many black people in period dramas, or in time machines, so he decided to write about both - with award-winning results!We also revisit a drama which Daniel wrote for Radio 4, and made its debut earlier this year. Titled Black Boy Fly, and set in London, the thoughtful and comic drama looks at community and gentrification.Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra.
TUE 12:00 Play It Cool (b05tbp4r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 12:30 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (b007k47r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Stand By For West (m00046kl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 13:30 The Paris Bouquinistes (b00srktl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 14:00 Anne Tyler - Back When We Were Grownups (m00046kv)
Episode 2
Realising she’d taken a wrong fork, Rebecca wonders how life would’ve been if she’d chosen a different path.Anne Tyler's novel abridged in five-parts by Doreen Estall.Read by Liza Ross.Producer: Di SpeirsFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
TUE 14:15 The Test of Time (b00mfhwt)
Episode 2
As you check the time rushing to work or boiling an egg, you are making a Babylonian calculation.Dr Anne Curtis of the National Physical Laboratory discovers the origins of 'base 60'.Five scientists look back to their ancient forebears and examine how much of that early knowledge still stands the test of time.Producer: Erika WrightFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009
TUE 14:30 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (b00767hs)
Episode 7
Andrea's in hospital and her mother’s discovered the truth.Across town, Norma's daughter, Shirley is shocked by her brother's news.A gritty double love story set in Yorkshire in the 1960s, dramatised by Stan Barstow's partner Diana Griffiths.Andrea...............Deborah McandrewPhilip..................Robert GlenisterDavid Calder..................TomJo-Anne Knowles...............KateSharon Duce...............NormaRuth Herbert...............ShirleyBen Crompton...............NickGuy Perry..............BedfordDaryl Fishwick...............Mrs WarnerDirector: Pauline HarrisFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
TUE 14:45 Book of the Week (b042jfw1)
Eleanor Marx: A Life
The Paris Commune
Rachel Holmes's new book is the lively, engaging and informative life story of the daughter of Karl Marx. Today, it is 1871 and the Paris Commune is underway. Eleanor and her sisters are caught up in the bloody events. Later, a bid for independent living is hampered by the strictures and social mores of the day.Read by Tracy-Ann ObermanAbridged by Julian WilkinsonProduced by Elizabeth Allard
TUE 15:00 Drama (b008gzlj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
TUE 15:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
TUE 16:00 Genius (b008gh91)
Series 2
Chris Addison
Buying socks in threes and happy chickens?Dave Gorman asks comedian Chris Addison to choose the public's best loopy idea.Award-winning comedian Dave Gorman and a celebrity guest chew over the ridiculous, unworkable but sometimes genius inventions, schemes and policies of the public.Producer: Simon NichollsFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2006.
TUE 16:30 Up the Garden Path (b008f3kh)
Series 3
Gooseberries and Fools
Can a relationship with her ex-pupil Razors be the best thing for teacher Izzy?Imelda Staunton stars as Isabelle 'Izzy' Comyn.With Mike Grady as Dick, Marty Cruickshank as Maria, Nicholas Le Prevost as Michael, Phyllida Nash as Louise, Rene Zagger as Razors, Sion Probert as Gwyn, Neil McCaul as Bill and Judith Jacob as Linda.Tumbling from one love entanglement to another, 30-something teacher Izzy has a predilection for inappropriate men.A six-part radio sequel first adapted from Sue Limb’s 1984 novel. The last of three series which ran from 1987 to 1993. Granada also adapted the series for ITV.Producer: Jonathan James-MooreFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1993.
TUE 17:00 Second Thoughts (b00lh0tj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
TUE 17:30 My Teenage Diary (b07ffxtj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Terry Pratchett (b007lzwx)
Wyrd Sisters
Episode 2
The new monarch has a troubled conscience and a wife like Lucrezia Borgia. The three witches have decisions to make...Terry Pratchett 's popular tale dramatised in four parts by Vince Foxall.Starring Sheila Hancock as Granny Weatherwax, Lynda Baron as Nanny Ogg, Deborah Berlin as Magrat Garlick, Ian Masters as Duke Felmet, Kristin Milward as Lady Felmet, John Hartley as King Verence, Natasha Pyne as Mrs Vitoller, Gavin Muir as Vitoller, Andrew Branch as the Fool and Brian Hibbard as Hwel.Director: Claire GroveFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.
TUE 18:30 The Radio Detectives (b007jpdm)
Series 3
The Innocence of Father Brown
Professor Jeffrey Richards investigates the guileless Catholic parish priest from East Anglia, created by GK Chesterton.
TUE 19:00 Play It Cool (b05tbp4r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (b007k47r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
TUE 20:00 Stand By For West (m00046kl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
TUE 20:30 The Paris Bouquinistes (b00srktl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Telling Tales (m00046ks)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
TUE 22:00 My Teenage Diary (b07ffxtj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
TUE 22:30 The Casebook of Max and Ivan (b05r3w3x)
Series 1
Different Class
Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small......Sorry, for whom no fee is too small. Jessica Hynes joins them as they investigate a spate of sporting injuries at a sink school.Driven by their love of truth, justice (and the need to pay off their terrifying landlord, Malcolm McMichaelmas), they take on crimes that no-one else would consider. In this case, they investigate a suspicious pattern of injuries affecting a school sports team, days before they are due to meet their bitterest rivals in sporting competition.Max and Ivan - comedians and actors Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez - are a critically acclaimed, award-winning double act who have quickly established themselves as one of the most exciting comedy duos on the circuit. Over the course of the series they are dropped into new worlds, and have to use their skills to penetrate deep into each community. If that means Ivan dressing up as a 14 year old German girl, so be it!Cast:Max....................Max OleskerIvan...................Ivan GonzalezMrs Sampson.....Jessica HynesMalcolm..............Lewis MacLeodJoculo................David ReedReceptionist......Jessica RansomProduced by Victoria LloydA John Stanley production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 23:00 Son of Cliche (b00p1jb9)
The Weird Dimension
Something weird is happening. Nothing is outside of the comedy team’s power!Winner of 1984 Sony Gold Award for Best Light Entertainment Programme.Sketch comedy with Chris Barrie, Nick Maloney and Nick Wilton.Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor.Producer: Alan NixonFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1983.
TUE 23:30 The Maltby Collection (b00mvr2w)
Series 3
Episode 6
Walter continues to be suspicious of his wife's attempts at reconciliation, and the Crumb-Looselys' long-distance relationship steers towards the rocks.Geoffrey Palmer and Julian Rhind-Tutt star in series 3 of David Nobbs’s sitcom about a small museum of paintings and sculpture.Rod Millet ...... Julian Rhind-TuttWalter Brindle ...... Geoffrey PalmerPrunella Edgecumbe ...... Rachel AtkinsSusie Maltby ...... Margaret Cabourn-SmithJulian Crumb-Loosely ...... Ben WillbondWilf Arbuthnot ...... Geoff McGivernEva Tattle ...... Juklia DeakinDes Wainwright ...... Michael SmileyStelios Constantinopoulis ...... Chris PavloGloria Brindle ...... Helen Atkinson-WoodVicar ...... Stephen K AmosProducer: Colin AndersonFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2009.
WEDNESDAY 17 APRIL 2019
WED 00:00 Terry Pratchett (b007lzwx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 The Radio Detectives (b007jpdm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Stand By For West (m00046kl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 The Paris Bouquinistes (b00srktl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Anne Tyler - Back When We Were Grownups (m00046kv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:15 The Test of Time (b00mfhwt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (b00767hs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:45 Book of the Week (b042jfw1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Drama (b008gzlj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Genius (b008gh91)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Up the Garden Path (b008f3kh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Second Thoughts (b00lh0tj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:30 My Teenage Diary (b07ffxtj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Stand By For West (m00046vl)
Battle for Inspector West
Bait for a Bogey
Roger West takes a trip to the seaside - and receives a dinner invitation from a lady.Chief Inspector Roger West is of the creation of noted crime writer, John Creasey, who authored over 600 novels, using over 20 pseudonyms. More than 40 Roger West novels were written between 1942 and 1973 with the basis for this first series, first published in 1948.Much like Paul Temple, West - “Scotland Yard’s youngest, smartest chief inspector” - has a long-suffering wife who also gets involved with the action. A total of six novels were adapted for radio by Maurice Travers.Patrick Allen … Chief Inspector Roger WestSarah Lawson … Janet WestPhilip Bond … Michael GrantDenise Buckley … Christine GrantHamilton Dyce … Sir Guy ChatworthPreston Lockwood … Arthur MorleyEva Stuart … JulietaHumphrey Morton … Sir Mortimer GrantFrancis de Wolff … CarosianTrevor Bannister … Detective Sergeant Hubert GillProducer: John Fawcett WilsonFirst broadcast on the Light Programme in 1967.
WED 06:30 Ayckbourn in Action (b014gdqz)
Alan Ayckbourn's talent as a director has often been obscured by his global success as a playwright.In this programme - amid rehearsals for his latest (75th!) stage play, Neighbourhood Watch - we analyse what makes him such a deft and consummate director of his own plays and those of others.With contributions from Julia McKenzie, Michael Gambon, Peter Bowles, Suzie Blake, Penelope Wilton and Martin Jarvis we find out about his skill in handling actors and in prompting performances that delicately balance the comedy and the pain of life.Producer: Susan MarlingA Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2011.
WED 07:00 The Six Mothers-in-Law of Henry VIII (b0076j4t)
Episode 4
Venturing away from home for the first time, Anne of Cleves comes to England. Henry thinks he has a demure and compliant wife, but he reckons without Mrs Loew.An unreliable history, created and written in six parts by Barry Grossman.Starring Jonathan Coy as Henry VIII, Milton Jones as Thomas Cromwell, Alfred Burke as the Chronicler, Jasmin Hyde as Jane Seymour, Eve Matheson as Lady Margaret, John Webb as Sir John and Jonathan Kydd as Antonio.Music by Jim Parker.Producer: John Fawcett WilsonFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
WED 07:30 Fags, Mags and Bags (b0938c6y)
Series 7
Cumulus Nimbus
The hit series returns for a seventh series with more shop based shenanigans and over the counter philosophy, courtesy of Ramesh Mahju and his trusty sidekick Dave. Written by and starring Donald Mcleary and Sanjeev Kohli.Set in a Scots-Asian corner shop, the award winning Fags, Mags & Bags sees a return of all the shop regular characters, and some guest appearances along the way, from the likes of Sean Biggerstaff, Mina Anwar, Greg McHugh and Simon Greenall.In this episode, Alok's former best friend at school returns to Lenzie to host a film audition. Fraser Linlithgow (Sean Biggerstaff) is now a big hit in Hollywood, and Alok is keen to cash in on his fame.Join the staff of Fags, Mags and Bags in their tireless quest to bring nice-price custard creams and cans of coke with Arabic writing on them to an ungrateful nation. Ramesh Mahju has built it up over the course of over 30 years and is a firmly entrenched, friendly presence in the local area. He is joined by his shop sidekick, Dave.Then of course there are Ramesh's sons Sanjay and Alok, both surly and not particularly keen on the old school approach to shopkeeping, but natural successors to the business. Ramesh is keen to pass all his worldly wisdom onto them - whether they like it or not!Cast:Ramesh: Sanjeev KohliDave: Donald MclearySanjay: Omar RazaAlok: Susheel KumarFraser Linlithgow: Sean BiggerstaffBishop Briggs: Michael RedmondMr Hepworth: Tom UriePaella Fieldings: Kate Brailsford.Producer: Gus Beattie for Gusman ProductionsA Comedy Unit production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 08:00 The Navy Lark (b01s2xz4)
Series 8
Searching for Their Ship
The crewmates return from leave, but there's no sign of HMS Troutbridge...Stars Leslie Phillips as the Sub-Lieutenant, Jon Pertwee as the Chief Petty Officer, Stephen Murray as the Number One, Richard Caldicot as Captain Povey, Heather Chasen as Heather, Ronnie Barker as AS Johnson, Tenniel Evans as the Admiral and Michael Bates as the Train Guard.Laughs afloat aboard British Royal Navy frigate HMS Troutbridge. The Navy Lark ran for an impressive thirteen series between 1959 and 1976.Scripted by Lawrie WymanIncidental Music by Tommy Riley and James Moody.Producer: Alastair Scott Johnston.First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in September 1966.
WED 08:30 Not in Front of the Children (b08l6y6m)
Series 2
Domestic Help
Desperate to get a cleaner - how can Jennifer raise the cash?Starring Wendy Craig as Jennifer Corner, Francis Matthews as Henry Corner, Doris Rogers as Mrs Scraggs, Joan Sanderson as Mrs Foskett-Dyke, Roberta Tovey as Trudi, Jill Riddick as Amanda, Olwen Griffiths as Mrs Hobson, Nigel Lambert as Don Scraggs and Frederick Treves as PC Wilson.The second series of comedy mishaps of the Corner family: Jennifer and Henry and their three children Trudi, Amanda and Robin. Not in Front of the Children originally ran for four series from 1967 to 1970 on BBC TV. Richard Waring adapted his own scripts for this radio version, now fully restored from the original reel-to-reel tapes.Wendy Craig won a Best Actress BAFTA award for the TV version of Not in Front of the Children in 1969. This was the first of several housewife roles that Wendy Craig was to play on television. Later series included And Mother Makes Three/Five and Butterflies.Music by Ronnie HazlehurstProducer: Trafford Whitelock.First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in December 1970.
WED 09:00 Counterpoint (b00b71nb)
Series 22
Episode 8
Paul Gambaccini chairs the general knowledge music quiz, covering the whole musical spectrum from the classics to jazz, stage and film music, rock and pop.Three contestants battle it out – John Durbin from Cardiff, John Tattersall from Todmorden in West Yorkshire, and Peter Godfrey from Halifax.Fro the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.Producer: Paul BajoriaFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
WED 09:30 PG Wodehouse - Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves (b007jqnr)
Game, Set and Match to Jeeves
Bertie Wooster's in a mess - can his valet Jeeves save his bacon?PG Wodehouse romp adapted in six parts by Richard Usborne.Starring Michael Hordern as Jeeves, Richard Briers as Bertie Wooster, Paul Eddington as Lord Sidcup, John Le Mesurier as Sir Watkyn Bassett, Denise Coffey as Stiffy Bing, Ronald Fraser as Major Plank Aimi MacDonald as Madeline Bassett, Douglas Blackwell as the Reverend Harold Pinker and Graham Faulkner as the Constable.Producer: David HatchFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1980.
WED 10:00 Drama (b008gzlk)
Witness: Five Plays from the Gospel of Luke
Jerusalem
The Galileans make the long journey south to the heart of their nation. But their triumphant arrival is full of danger ? and betrayal.Over the Easter season, Nick Warburton's five plays reimagine Jesus's story through the eyes of those who witnessed it.Jesus.......................Tom Goodman-HillPeter.......................Peter FirthJudas.......................Paul HiltonCaiaphas.......................Robin SoansA Rich Man.......................Simon TrevesA Pharisee.......................Alex LanipekunMartha.......................Joannah TinceyZacchaeus.......................Sam DaleTempter.......................Peter MarinkerWoman.......................Anna BengoLawyer.......................Sam PamphilonChild.......................Skye BennettMusic by David Pickvance.Director: Jonquil PantingFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
WED 10:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01f)
Episode 3
Ernie Rea explores why Jesus fell foul of the Jewish leaders of his day. From 2007.
WED 11:00 Step Back In Time - with Rylan Clark-Neal (m00046vp)
1989 - Sonia
80s singer Sonia hops into Rylan Clark-Neal’s time machine to travel back to 1989 for a celebration of the year’s pop culture highlights.The episode is sprinkled with era-defining music and audio of classic tv shows, news and adverts, alongside offbeat recollections and mystery callers. It's 1989 as you've never heard it before!Executive Producer: Daniel Clark-NealProducer: Lucy DearloveAssistant Producer: Simona RataComposer: Pascal WyseProduction Manager: Sara Butler.A Harbar 8 production for BBC Sounds.
WED 11:30 Short Cuts (b07z414x)
Series 10
The Deep End
Josie Long hears short documentaries and true stories from people who have fallen in the deep end.From the man who sets out to scam the con artists trying to exploit him, to the hypnotist who finds himself face to face with Uday Hussein, we hear true tales of falling down the rabbit hole into unsettling situations - including the moment when the poet Ross Sutherland accidentally crossed the boundary between fiction and reality and found himself being dragged into a wrestling match.Wrestling With FictionFeaturing Heresy and Ross SutherlandScamming the ScammersFeaturing Don MullanProduced by Claire CroftonLarry and UdayFeaturing Larry GarrettProduced by Sarah GeisSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 12:00 The Navy Lark (b01s2xz4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 12:30 Not in Front of the Children (b08l6y6m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 13:00 Stand By For West (m00046vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 13:30 Ayckbourn in Action (b014gdqz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 14:00 Anne Tyler - Back When We Were Grownups (m00046vr)
Episode 3
Rebecca goes back to her home town and discovers that her mother has plenty to say to her.Anne Tyler's novel abridged in five-parts by Doreen Estall.Read by Liza Ross.Producer: Di SpeirsFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
WED 14:15 The Test of Time (b00mfhww)
Egyptian Cooling Methods
Professor Graeme Maidment explores the earliest methods of surviving a hot climate. Does ancient Egypt hold the key to an urgent modern need for sustainable cooling?He goes to an unlikely place to find out - the Bluewater shopping centre just off the M25 in Kent.Five scientists look back to their ancient forebears and examine how much of that early knowledge still stands the test of time.Producer: Erika WrightFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009
WED 14:30 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (b00767j6)
Episode 8
After finding out Tom is actually her father, Shirley has gone missing.A gritty double love story set in Yorkshire in the 1960's, dramatised by Stan Barstow's partner Diana Griffiths.Andrea...............Deborah McandrewDavid Calder..................TomSharon Duce...............NormaRuth Herbert...............ShirleyBen Crompton...............NickGeoff Hinsliff..........Inspector BradleyDirector: Pauline HarrisFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
WED 14:45 Book of the Week (b042jpjw)
Eleanor Marx: A Life
Free Love
Rachel Holmes's new book is the engaging and informative life story of the remarkable daughter of Karl Marx. Today, it is the 1880s and Eleanor falls in love and makes a difficult choice.Read by Tracy-Ann ObermanAbridged by Julian WilkinsonProduced by Elizabeth Allard
WED 15:00 Drama (b008gzlk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
WED 15:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01f)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
WED 16:00 Counterpoint (b00b71nb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
WED 16:30 PG Wodehouse - Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves (b007jqnr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
WED 17:00 The Six Mothers-in-Law of Henry VIII (b0076j4t)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
WED 17:30 Fags, Mags and Bags (b0938c6y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
WED 18:00 Terry Pratchett (b007m481)
Wyrd Sisters
Episode 3
The old King is dead. The new ruler has a troubled conscience and a wife on the warpath - in pursuit of the three witches...Terry Pratchett 's popular tale dramatised in four parts by Vince Foxall.Starring Sheila Hancock as Granny Weatherwax, Lynda Baron as Nanny Ogg, Deborah Berlin as Magrat Garlick, Ian Masters as Duke Felmet, Kristin Milward as Lady Felmet, John Hartley as King Verence, Andrew Branch as the Fool, Gavin Muir as Demon and Brian Hibbard as Shawn.Director: Claire GroveFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.
WED 18:30 That Reminds Me (b007jmr3)
Series 1
Barry Took
Comedian, writer and presenter Barry Took reminisces as he entertains an audience.Featuring tales of Round the Horne, The News Quiz and Monty Python.Producer: Claire JonesFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1999.
WED 19:00 The Navy Lark (b01s2xz4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
WED 19:30 Not in Front of the Children (b08l6y6m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
WED 20:00 Stand By For West (m00046vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
WED 20:30 Ayckbourn in Action (b014gdqz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
WED 21:00 Step Back In Time - with Rylan Clark-Neal (m00046vp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
WED 21:30 Short Cuts (b07z414x)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:30 today]
WED 22:00 Fags, Mags and Bags (b0938c6y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
WED 22:30 The Hudson and Pepperdine Show (b007jnz9)
Series 1
Episode 2
Mel and Vicki have an unexpected visit from their landlord. With more rent owing than they can possibly afford, it looks like Mel will have to pay in kind...Variety meets sitcom meets sketch show - written and performed by Mel Hudson and Vicki Pepperdine.With Martin Hyder, Keith Wickham and Jim North.Script editor: Graeme GardenProducers: Claire Jones and Helen WilliamsFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2000.
WED 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m0004cb2)
Adnan Ahmed 1/2
Comedy Producer Adnan Ahmed talks about this year’s BBC Introducing Radio 4 Comedy Award.
WED 23:00 And Now in Colour (b007w56x)
Series 1
Fairground
The sketch show team take their audience to the fair for Will's birthday – and England’s World Cup clichés...Precision comedy written and performed by Tim Firth, Tim de Jongh, Michael Rutger and William Vandyck.Producer: Lissa EvansFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1990
WED 23:30 Delve Special (b007jmzk)
Series 4
Not-So-Supergrasses
Supergrasses are criminals. Criminals are liars. Policeman believe supergrasses Why?Intrepid reporter David Lander probes the supergrass system and in particular the career of Billy ‘Stick’ AdamsWritten by Tony Sarchet.Starring Stephen Fry as David Lander.With Brenda Blethyn, Robert Bathurst, Janine Duvitski, Philip Pope, Julia Hills, Mark Arden and Clive Mantle.Producer: Paul Mayhew ArcherFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1987.
THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2019
THU 00:00 Terry Pratchett (b007m481)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 That Reminds Me (b007jmr3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Stand By For West (m00046vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Ayckbourn in Action (b014gdqz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Anne Tyler - Back When We Were Grownups (m00046vr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:15 The Test of Time (b00mfhww)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (b00767j6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:45 Book of the Week (b042jpjw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Drama (b008gzlk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01f)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 Counterpoint (b00b71nb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 PG Wodehouse - Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves (b007jqnr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 The Six Mothers-in-Law of Henry VIII (b0076j4t)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:30 Fags, Mags and Bags (b0938c6y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Stand By For West (m00048fd)
Battle for Inspector West
Trail from a Tip-Off
An unexpected phone call for Janet West - and Roger doesn't quite know where he is!Chief Inspector Roger West is of the creation of noted crime writer, John Creasey, who authored over 600 novels, using over 20 pseudonyms. More than 40 Roger West novels were written between 1942 and 1973 with the basis for this first series, first published in 1948.Much like Paul Temple, West - “Scotland Yard’s youngest, smartest chief inspector” - has a long-suffering wife who also gets involved with the action. A total of six novels were adapted for radio by Maurice Travers.Patrick Allen … Chief Inspector Roger WestSarah Lawson … Janet WestHamilton Dyce … Sir Guy ChatworthEva Stuart … JulietaFrancis de Wolff … CarosianTrevor Bannister … Detective Sergeant Hubert GillHenry Stamper … Pearly WillisHarry Webster … Superintendent MulloonProducer: John Fawcett WilsonFirst broadcast on the Light Programme in 1967.
THU 06:30 Open the Vaults (b00p6rr0)
Razia Iqbal examines the tradition of banks as patrons of art - a role which dates back to 14th-century Italy.She also asks what responsibility comes with owning great art, particularly in light of the 2007-2008 UK banking crisis.Producer: Henrietta HarrisonFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.
THU 07:00 Shush! (b06b36w6)
Series 1
Top Shelf
Alice and Snoo have to resort to some rather unconventional means to get people into the library. A very low shelf, a book about zombies, a hosepipe ban and some hummingbirds bring the public flocking in.Meet Alice, a former child prodigy who won a place at Oxford aged 9 but, because Daddy went too, she never needed to have any friends. She's scared of everything - everything that is, except libraries and Snoo, a slightly confused individual, with a have-a-go attitude to life, marriage, haircuts and reality. Snoo loves books, and fully intends to read one one day.And forever popping into the library is Dr. Cadogan, celebrity doctor to the stars and a man with his finger in every pie. Charming, indiscreet and quite possibly wanted by Interpol, if you want a discrete nip and tuck and then photos of it accidentally left on the photocopier, Dr Cadogan is your man.Their happy life is interrupted by the arrival of Simon Nielson, a man with a mission, a mission to close down inefficient libraries. Fortunately, he hates his mission. What he really wants to do is once, just once, get even with his inexhaustible supply of high-achieving brothers.Written by Morwenna Banks, Rebecca Front and Arthur MathewsBased on an idea developed with Armando IannucciProduced by David TylerA Pozzitive production for the BBC.
THU 07:30 Meet David Sedaris (m0003zcp)
Series 7
Episode 2
The globetrotting, trash-picking, aisle-rolling storyteller is back with more words of wit and wisdom.With his sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, David Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humour writers. The great skill with which he slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves him a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today. This week: "The Godfather", more extracts from his daily diary and some of his audience's questions get answers.David Sedaris's first book, Barrel Fever (1994) which included The SantaLand Diaries, was a critical and commercial success, as were his follow-up efforts, Naked (1997), Holidays on Ice (1997) and Me Talk Pretty One Day (2000). He became known for his bitingly funny recollections of his youth, family life and travels, making semi-celebrities out of his parents and siblings.David has been nominated for three Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word and Best Comedy Album. His latest international best-selling book is a collection of stories entitled Calypso. A feature film adaptation of his story C.O.G. was released after a premier at the Sundance Film Festival (2013). He is a regular contributor to The New Yorker and has been a appearing on BBC Radio 4 since 1996.Producer: Steve DohertyA Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4
THU 08:00 Something to Shout About (m00048fg)
Series 2
Episode 16
Maggie asks her friends to help fix-up a cottage she’s bought. What could go wrong?Confusion over a Russian guest means that Janet has to step into the limelight."A light-hearted exposé of the advertising world!". Set in a London ad agency called 'Apsley, Addis, Cohen, Barbican, Blythe, Giddy & Partners'.Starring Michael Medwin as Michael, Fenella Fielding as Janet, Joan Sims as Mavis, Eleanor Summerfield as Maggie and Nicholas Phipps as Adrian. Other parts by Warren Mitchell.Series two (of three) written by Myles Rudge with Ronnie Wolfe.Producer: Eric MillerFirst broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in April 1961.
THU 08:30 The Goon Show (b007jq5n)
I Was Monty's Treble
The British hatch a cunning plan to confuse the Germans. But who (or what) is Eccles? Stars Peter Sellers. From November 1958.
THU 09:00 Booked (b00753z7)
Series 1
Episode 4
Ian McMillan introduces the Cat in the Hat and sends Mellors to meet Captain Hornblower, in the maverick literary game.With Mark Thomas, Dillie Keane, Roger McGough and Miles Kington.Producer: Marc JobstFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1995.
THU 09:30 Bristow (b00ckd51)
Series 1
The Girl Next Door
When a new face appears in the office opposite Chester Perry's building - she causes quite a stir.With Rodney Bewes as Jones, Dora Bryan as Mrs Purdy and Jon Glover as Fudge/Station Master/Samson/Hawkins.Bristow works as a buying clerk for Reginald Chester-Perry's firm. He's but a small cog in a gigantic wheel...and he knows it.Michael Williams stars as Bristow, the buying clerk from Frank Dickens' famous newspaper cartoon strip. Syndicated internationally, it ran for 41 years in London's Evening Standard. Frank Dickens died in July 2016.RSC talent and popular stage and TV actor, Michael Williams died in 2001Producer: Neil CargillFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1999.
THU 10:00 Drama (b008gzll)
Witness: Five Plays from the Gospel of Luke
Tested
Jesus's arrest will test the faith, heart and courage of everyone who plays a part in what will follow.Over the Easter season, Nick Warburton's five plays reimagine Jesus? story through the eyes of those who witnessed it.Jesus.......................Tom Goodman-HillPeter.......................Peter FirthJudas.......................Paul HiltonPilate.......................Colin StintonCaiaphas.......................Robin SoansMary.......................Penelope WiltonBaker.......................Ben CroweCenturion .......................Peter MarinkerGirl.......................Anna BengoGuard.......................Lloyd ThomasMusic by David Pickvance.Director: Jonquil PantingFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
THU 10:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01g)
Episode 4
Ernie Rea analyses Luke's account of the death of Jesus. From 2007.
THU 11:00 Short stories by DH Lawrence (b007qpxb)
The Shades of Spring
Addy Syson returns to the home of his youth; the land waits for him unaltered, but what of the girl he used to love?Peter Meakin reads DH Lawrence’s short story first published in 1914. Producer: Rosemary WattsFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1995.
THU 11:15 Stephen Wakelam - Answered Prayers (m00048fl)
In the aftermath of the First World War, a former soldier walks out of the woods to help a priest trying to set up a small community, but who can't find redemption.Stephen Wakelam’s play about faith and doubt, starting at Advent and ending at Easter.Walter ... Kenneth CranhamFrancis ... Stuart McQuarrieRector ... John RoweOrdinand ... Ioan MeredithCarter ... Philip FoxProducer: Janet WhitakerFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2004.
THU 12:00 Something to Shout About (m00048fg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 12:30 The Goon Show (b007jq5n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 13:00 Stand By For West (m00048fd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 13:30 Open the Vaults (b00p6rr0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 14:00 Anne Tyler - Back When We Were Grownups (m00048fn)
Episode 4
Realising that she’d taken a wrong fork, Rebecca begins to live a might-have-been life.Anne Tyler's novel abridged in five parts by Doreen Estall.Read by Liza Ross.Producer: Di SpeirsFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
THU 14:15 The Test of Time (b00mfhwz)
Aristotle's Meteorology
Science writer Gabrielle Walker goes punting on the River Cam to discover whether Aristotle's treatise on meteorology stands up to modern scrutiny. He likens earthquakes to bodily ructions but remarkably knew that "where there is dry land there comes to be sea, and where there is now sea, there one day comes to be dry land".Five scientists look back to their ancient forebears and examine how much of that early knowledge still stands the test of time.Producer: Erika WrightFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009
THU 14:30 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (b00767jp)
Episode 9
Election Day draws closer with Philip and Tom as rivals.A gritty double love story set in Yorkshire in the 1960s, dramatised by Stan Barstow's partner Diana Griffiths.Tom...........David CalderNorma.............Sharon DuceAndrea..............Deborah McAndrewPhilip................Robert GlenisterCaroline............Naomi RadcliffeShirley...........Ruth HerbertNick........Ben CromptonDirector: Pauline HarrisFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
THU 14:45 Book of the Week (b042ldys)
Eleanor Marx: A Life
A Secret
Rachel Holmes's new book is the engaging and informative life story of the remarkable daughter of Karl Marx. Today, Eleanor's campaigns for equality are making inroads. Later, an unexpected revelation turns her world upside down and leaves her profoundly shaken.Read by Tracy-Ann ObermanAbridged by Julian WilkinsonProduced by Elizabeth Allard
THU 15:00 Drama (b008gzll)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
THU 15:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
THU 16:00 Booked (b00753z7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
THU 16:30 Bristow (b00ckd51)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
THU 17:00 Shush! (b06b36w6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
THU 17:30 Meet David Sedaris (m0003zcp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 18:00 Terry Pratchett (b007jmq9)
Wyrd Sisters
Episode 4
Lancre's new ruler teeters on the edge of madness. The old King will be revenged. The three witches set to work!The final part of Terry Pratchett 's popular tale dramatised by Vince Foxall.Starring Sheila Hancock as Granny Weatherwax, Lynda Baron as Nanny Ogg, Deborah Berlin as Magrat Garlick, Ian Masters as Duke Felmet, Kristin Milward as Lady Felmet, John Hartley as King Verence, Andrew Branch as the Fool, Gavin Muir as Vitoller, Brian Hibbard as Hwel and Roger May as TomjonDirector: Claire GroveFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.
THU 18:30 Great Lives (b01phgjs)
Series 29
Grigori Rasputin
What was so notable about Grigori Rasputin ? "The hypnotic power shining in his exceptional gaze," said one observer. The photos are indeed remarkable, and so are the myths. This programme begins with his death. The date is December 1916, and Rasputin, ice encrusted and with a mutilated face, is dragged out of a frozen river in St Petersburg. According to police reports at the time, people ran to the river with armed with jugs and buckets, hoping to scoop up any unfrozen water that had come into contact with this famous man.Comedian Richard Herring chooses Rasputin as much for the mythology as the fact. Was he really the lover of the Russian Queen ? No ... but it is said that his dead body sat up in the fire when it was being burnt. Filling in some of the gaps in this mysterious tale of pre-revolutionary Russia is Bob Service of Oxford University, and an endlessly entertained Matthew Parris presents.Producer: Miles Warde.
THU 19:00 Something to Shout About (m00048fg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
THU 19:30 The Goon Show (b007jq5n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
THU 20:00 Stand By For West (m00048fd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
THU 20:30 Open the Vaults (b00p6rr0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
THU 21:00 Short stories by DH Lawrence (b007qpxb)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
THU 21:15 Stephen Wakelam - Answered Prayers (m00048fl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 today]
THU 22:00 Meet David Sedaris (m0003zcp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
THU 22:30 Newsjack (m00048fq)
Newsjack Unplugged, Series 3
Episode 5
Short-form show from the same team behind the long-running Newsjack.
THU 22:45 The Pin (b06j5bjs)
Series 1
Episode 1
Join Alex and Ben in their weird twist on the double-act sketch show. Strap in for a 15 minute delve in to a world of oddness performed in front of a live studio audience.The Pin are an award-winning comedy duo, and legends of Edinburgh festival. They deconstruct the sketch form, in a show that exists somewhere between razor-sharp smartness and utterly joyous silliness.After a sold-out run in Edinburgh, and a string of hilarious performances across BBC Radio 4 Extra, BBC 3, Channel 4, and Comedy Central, this is The Pin's debut solo show for Radio 4. Join them as they celebrate, make, collapse and rebuild their jokes, each other, and probably the radio too.For fans of Adam and Joe, Vic and Bob, and Fist of Fun - a show of absurd offerings from two loveable idiots.'Reinventing sketch comedy before our very eyes.'***** The List'Eviscerating their chosen form completely.'**** The Sunday Times'A very classy, very funny show indeed.'**** The Telegraph'Adept at finding laughs in surprising places.'**** The Times'A genuine boundary pusher.'**** London is Funny.
THU 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m0004c8c)
Adnan Ahmed 2/2
Comedy Producer Adnan Ahmed talks about this year’s BBC Introducing Radio 4 Comedy Award.
THU 23:00 Alan Parker's 59 Minutes of Truth (b007jvkb)
Episode 1
The Urban Warrior clambers on to his soapbox to impart more undeniable truths to a nation crying out for direction and guidance.The comedy and music mix includes a cure for apathy, if he can be bothered.Written by and starring Simon Munnery.With Peter Serafinowicz.Producer: Aled EvansFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 1 in February 1995.
FRIDAY 19 APRIL 2019
FRI 00:00 Terry Pratchett (b007jmq9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Great Lives (b01phgjs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Stand By For West (m00048fd)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Open the Vaults (b00p6rr0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Anne Tyler - Back When We Were Grownups (m00048fn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:15 The Test of Time (b00mfhwz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:15 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (b00767jp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:45 Book of the Week (b042ldys)
[Repeat of broadcast at
14:45 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Drama (b008gzll)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Booked (b00753z7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 Bristow (b00ckd51)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Shush! (b06b36w6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 Meet David Sedaris (m0003zcp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Stand By For West (m000461y)
Battle for Inspector West
Explosion in Red
It’s a bad day for Scotland Yard, and Inspector Roger West. Just what is the arch-villain up to?Chief Inspector Roger West is of the creation of noted crime writer, John Creasey, who authored over 600 novels, using over 20 pseudonyms. More than 40 Roger West novels were written between 1942 and 1973 with the basis for this first series, first published in 1948.Much like Paul Temple, West - “Scotland Yard’s youngest, smartest chief inspector” - has a long-suffering wife who also gets involved with the action. A total of six novels were adapted for radio by Maurice Travers.Patrick Allen … Chief Inspector Roger WestSarah Lawson … Janet WestHamilton Dyce … Sir Guy ChatworthEva Stuart … JulietaFrancis de Wolff … CarosianTrevor Bannister … Detective Sergeant Hubert GillHarry Webster … Superintendent MulloonProducer: John Fawcett WilsonFirst broadcast on the Light Programme in 1967.
FRI 06:30 Crossing the Bay (b01qw8m5)
In a walk across the dangerous sands of Morecambe Bay, poet Paul Farley collapses time and journeys into the shifting geography of this most indeterminate of English places.Morecambe Bay is a vast coming together of five rivers and cuts into the coastline of NW England like a miniature, fractal Irish Sea. Seen from the Lancashire shoreline, however, it seems vast, a silvery sheet of mudflats and saltwater. But the Bay is famously treacherous - everybody knows how the incoming tide can travel 'faster than a horse can run', and the quicksands here have claimed many lives.It is possible to cross the Bay on foot, at low tide, if it allows you. Weather systems here are very volatile and Paul is thrown off course a number of times by the Bay's tempestuous nature. He finally strikes out with the indispensable help of the Sand Pilot Cedric Robinson. Cedric is a locally appointed Queen's Guide to the Sands, a role that has existed here for centuries. He has been guiding people across the sands - Moses-like with a staff - since 1963. Monks used to guide travellers across the bay at low water. Today Cedric leads groups of several hundred modern pilgrims, raising money for charity.Accompanied by an adventurer, a marine biologist and a literary geographer Paul ventures out and attempts to chart the history of this uncertain landscape: it's geology and ecology, its religious associations and its human tragedies. This modern day poet decyphers the same sands that struck fear into Romantic poet William Wordsworth who crossed them 200 years ago.Producer: Neil McCarthyFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2012.
FRI 07:00 The Elephant Man (b04vf6rt)
Age Concern
With the big three-o looming, zookeeper Terry is desperate to recapture his youth.Debbie Barham's eight-part sitcom about the life of an elephant zoo keeper.Starring Peter Serafinowicz as Terry Lyon, Chris Emmet as Leonard, Richard Pearce as Adam and Joanna Monro as Stephanie.Producer: Richard Wilson.First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 1996.
FRI 07:30 Rumblings from the Rafters (b07hwxbk)
House Fly and Soprano Pipistrelle Bat
An annoying House Fly played by Lee Mack and a warm-hearted Soprano Pipistrelle Bat played by Pam Ferris, reveal the truth about life in a draughty old attic in a house in Amersham in the second of three very funny tales, written and introduced by Lynne Truss, with additional sound recordings by Chris Watson.The House Fly loves life. "The best bit is the buzzing". He loves the aerobatics, dodging the flypapers in the attic and "... my favourite manoeuvre, settling on the ceiling. It is unbelievably brilliant" He loves to buzz. But he also loves, what to humans, is a disgusting way of life. He loves to walk around on filth and to poo everywhere and to spread disease "And listen, we don't mind! Not at all. It's the least we can do". He would love to spread more diseases and takes great joy in telling us just exactly how he does this ... perhaps best not to listen if you're eating!The Soprano Pipistrelle Bat is a very different creature; a tiny bat with a huge and loving heart. She is nine years old and has given birth to a single pup each year. Her newest pup, Jethro, is her darling; "... such a lovely little face. Chestnut fur. Perfect little ears. He smells like chicken flavour crisps. Ooh, I could eat him." He is six weeks old and weaning - proudly catching insects for himself; and this is always a poignant time for this mother-bat, where pride and sadness mingle. The main concern with Jethro, she finds, is that he can't seem to grasp the idea of torpor, "Oh don't mum. Don't go torpid. It's like you're dying", but as she knows "torpor is nothing to be scared of, .. torpor is your friend".House Fly: Lee MackSoprano Pipstrelle Bat: Pam FerrisWritten and introduced by Lynne TrussWildlife sound recordings Chris WatsonProducer Sarah Blunt.
FRI 08:00 The Michael Bentine Show (b00kkdkm)
From 06/05/1984
From Moscow to the mudflats of Muk Muk via a grand stately home.Michael Bentine stars in the ultimate one man show written and performed by the host.Producer: Jamie RixFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in May 1984.
FRI 08:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jlg5)
Series 2
Crossed Swords
After a major find out on his rag and bone round, excited Harold lets greed get the better of him.Starring Wilfrid Brambell as Albert and Harry H Corbett as Harold. With Derek Nimmo as The Shop Assistant and Michael MacLean as The Auctioneer.Following the conclusion of their hugely successful association with Tony Hancock, writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson wrote 10 pilots for the BBC TV's Comedy Playhouse in 1962. The Offer was set in a house with a yard full of junk, featuring the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and his son Harold and it was the spark for a run of 8 series for TV.Adapted for radio from Galton and Simpson's TV script by Gale Pedrick.Produced by Bobby JayeFirst broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in July 1967.
FRI 09:00 Hidden Treasures (b0546cwh)
Harewood House
Undiscovered treasures and porcelain posers. Enthusiasts and experts come together at Harewood House in West Yorkshire, which is crammed with a fine collection of Chippendale furnitureLars Tharp chairs the light-hearted Antiques Quiz with Philippa Glanville and Henry Sandon.Producer: Annie BristowFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1998.
FRI 09:30 Safety Catch (b00vryr6)
Series 3
What's My Motivation
Simon decides it's finally time to get self-motivated and starts composing his electronic music, self-motivation isn't as easy as he'd thought.Take life even more difficult his mother decides to get a job at Heathcote Sanders. As Judith eloquently puts it, to have one member of the family working in the arms trade may be regarded as misfortune, to have two looks like genetic wickedness.Laurence Howarth's black comedy of modern morality set in the world of arms dealing.Simon McGrath ..... Darren BoydAnna Grieg ..... Joanna PageBoris Kemal ..... Lewis MacleodJudith McGrath ..... Sarah SmartAngela McGrath ..... Brigit ForsythMadeleine Turnbull ..... Rachel AtkinsSimon McGrath is a generally nice chap who just happens to be an arms dealer. It's not something he planned, he just fell into it, and despite all his best intentions he just doesn't seem to be able to leave because he has to pay his mortgage like everyone else. Of course his real love is electronic music and this is just a stop gap until he finds the perfect outlet for his music - okay so the gap has lasted five years but that's not the point. Once he can get himself motivated he'll be out of there and, as his ever supportive mum says, people will always want to kill each other. So that's alright then.Producer ..... Dawn EllisFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
FRI 10:00 Drama (b008gzlm)
Witness: Five Plays from the Gospel of Luke
Beginnings
While the disciples are paralysed by Jesus? death, Mary ponders the mystery of his birth.Over the Easter season, Nick Warburton's five plays reimagine Jesus' story through the eyes of those who witnessed it.Jesus.......................Tom Goodman-HillPeter.......................Peter FirthMary.......................Penelope WiltonMagdalene.......................Lorraine AshbourneAngel.......................Julian BleachSimeon.......................David de KeyserJoanna.......................Rachel AtkinsJoseph of Arimathea.......................Ben OnwukweYoung Mary.......................Laura MolyneuxCleopas.......................Sam PamphilonMusic by David Pickvance.Director: Jonquil PantingFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
FRI 10:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01h)
Episode 5
Ernie Rea finds out how much of the Christmas story we owe to Luke's gospel. From 2007.
FRI 11:00 Podcast Radio Hour (m0004621)
Lynsey Hipgrave: That Peter Crouch Podcast and The Offside Rule
The sports broadcaster Lynsey Hipgrave joins presenter Stuart Ross to discuss their favourite football podcasts and talk to the people behind them.This week they chat to Tom Fordyce about ‘That Peter Crouch Podcast’, Kait Borsay and Hayley McQueen from ‘The Offside Rule’ and pay a visit to Bromley FC to hear about ‘Ravens Weekly’
FRI 12:00 The Michael Bentine Show (b00kkdkm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jlg5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Stand By For West (m000461y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Crossing the Bay (b01qw8m5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 14:00 Anne Tyler - Back When We Were Grownups (m0004623)
Episode 5
As Rebecca lives her might-have-been life, childhood sweethearts are reunited.Anne Tyler's novel abridged in five parts by Doreen Estall.Concluded by Liza Ross.Producer: Di SpeirsFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
FRI 14:15 The Test of Time (b00mfhx1)
Mesopotamian Wound Healing
Professor Gus McGrouther finds striking parallels between his wound healing research in Manchester and the earliest methods recorded on Mesopotamian clay tablets.Five scientists look back to their ancient forebears and examine how much of that early knowledge still stands the test of time.Producer: Erika WrightFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009
FRI 14:30 Stan Barstow - A Raging Calm (b00767k6)
Episode 10
It's the day of the election, and there's a showdown with Andrea and Philip's wife, Kate.Conclusion of Stan Barstow's gritty double love story set in Yorkshire in the 1960s, dramatised by his partner Diana Griffiths.Tom...........David CalderNorma.............Sharon DuceAndrea..............Deborah McAndrewPhilip................Robert GlenisterNick........Ben CromptonBess............Daryl FfishwickKate..............Jo-Anne KnowlesShirley...........Ruth HerbertInspector Bradley..........Geoff HinsliffDirector: Pauline HarrisFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
FRI 14:45 Book of the Week (b042lmss)
Eleanor Marx: A Life
Love and Betrayal
Rachel Holmes's new book is the engaging and informative life story of the remarkable daughter of Karl Marx. Today, the poignant conclusion finds Eleanor betrayed and humiliated by the man she loves.Read by Tracy-Ann ObermanAbridged by Julian WilkinsonProduced by Elizabeth Allard
FRI 15:00 Drama (b008gzlm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 today]
FRI 15:45 Witness: Behind Luke's Story (b008h01h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
FRI 16:00 Hidden Treasures (b0546cwh)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Safety Catch (b00vryr6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 today]
FRI 17:00 The Elephant Man (b04vf6rt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Rumblings from the Rafters (b07hwxbk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Alex Barr - Futures (b099b3x4)
Torn between his wife and mistress, Conrad seeks the help of a fortune-teller, who prophesies far more than he bargained for...Stars Mark Buffrey as Conrad, Jenny Funnell as Miriam, Mia Soteriou as Doreen, John Telfer as Singer, Brian Gear as Quack, Rex Holdsworth and Hubert Tucker as the Vendors and Laurence Payne as Stranger.Directed at BBC Bristol by Brian MillerFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4 on 1984.
FRI 18:30 Off the Page (b0076g7d)
America
Matthew Parris invites writers Toby Young, Emma Richler and Tamsin Oglesby to consider the oddness of the United States of America.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.
FRI 19:00 The Michael Bentine Show (b00kkdkm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jlg5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 Stand By For West (m000461y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Crossing the Bay (b01qw8m5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Podcast Radio Hour (m0004621)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 today]
FRI 22:00 It's a Fair Cop (b0499dlr)
Series 1
Episode 2
Policeman turned stand-up comedian Alfie Moore swears his audience in and takes them through a real life scenario to see what sort of officers they would have made.
FRI 22:30 Andrew Lawrence: How Did We End Up Like This? (b01nq7dj)
What We Wear
Sketches, stand-up and song in a comic exploration of clothing. With Andrew Lawrence and Sara Pascoe. From November 2012.
FRI 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m0004g4w)
Deborah Frances-White 1/2
From
10.00pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Angela Barnes chats to Deborah Frances-White about The Guilty Feminist Live.
FRI 23:00 John Finnemore's Double Acts (b06j6667)
Series 1
Wysinnwyg
It's Kerry's first day in the Sales Support Department of Willard & Son Bath Suppliers - where she meets Adele for the very first time.Alison Steadman and Isy Suttie star in the second of six two-handers written by Cabin Pressure's John Finnemore.Adele............Alison SteadmanKerry.............Isy SuttieWritten by John FinnemoreProduced by David TylerA Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 23:30 Tim FitzHigham: The Gambler (b05nvjm7)
Series 2
Episode 1
Adventuring comedian Tim FitzHigham recreates an 18th century bet.Can he walk from London's Royal Academy to the Royal Exchange building while blindfolded in under one hour?Written by and starring Tim FitzHigham.Additional material by Jon Hunter and Paul Byrne.Producer: Joe Nunnery.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.