SATURDAY 05 DECEMBER 2020

SAT 00:00 Methuselah's Children by Robert A Heinlein (b007s5dq)
6. The Secret
Heartbroken Lazarus Long's thoughts begin to turn to home on Earth.
Paul Birchard concludes Robert Heinlein's sci-fi novel.
Set up in the late 19th century, the aim of the Howard Foundation is to prolong human life via selective breeding and financial encouragement.
Abridged by Bert Coules.
Produced at BBC Scotland by Bruce Young.
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in July 2007.
SAT 00:30 Off the Page (b008kj7x)
Fatherhood
Dominic Arkwright chairs the lively discussion series.
Fatherhood
BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson became a father for the third time at the age of 61. He joins writer Will Cohu, a self-confessed middle-class would-be super dad, and charity worker Shaun Bailey, determined to defy the negative stereotype of a black father, to discuss the challenges of modern fatherhood.
SAT 01:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl4z)
Bitter Medicine
1. Friendship
Private eye V.I. Warshawski suspects all is not well at a hospital after the death of a young girl who was pregnant.
Sara Paretsky's thriller stars Sharon Gless.
V.I. Warshawski is Sara Paretsky’s tough, smart and likeable female private investigator.
Dramatised in six parts by Michelene Wandor.
V.I. Warshawski …. Sharon Gless
Fabiano …. Robert Harper
Bobby Mallory …. Bill Hootkins
Alan Humphries …. Chris Scott
Malcolm Tregiere …. Colin McFarlane
Lottie Herschel …. Eleanor Bron
Carol …. Joanna Monro
Mrs Alvarado …. Shirley Dixon
Consuela …. Teresa Gallagher
Peter Burgoyne …. William Dufris
Producer: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1996.
SAT 01:30 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000q2bl)
5. Domino
The action hots up in Tangier with deals to be done - but Patrick Cadwall is running out of time...
Stars Christopher Scoular, Richard Pasco and Annette Crosbie.
Gripping conclusion of the spy thriller serial featuring its author Ted Willis.
Patrick Cadwall …. Richard Pasco
Mark Ritchie …. Christopher Scoular
Christine Ritchie …. Annette Crosbie
Sweeney …. Alex Jennings
Bedayev …. Andrew Sachs
Svanidze …. Barry Dennen
Det Chief Supt Dell …. David Daker
David Hume …. Eric Lander
Shirley Graham …. Frances Jeater
Ronald Mills …. Nigel Graham
Mrs Dunning …. Teresa Collard
Marian Brown …. Thelma Whiteley
Narrator …. Ted Willis
Director: Christopher Venning
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1982.
SAT 02:00 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9wl)
5. 50 Years
Nicholas Hytner concludes his inside story of 12 years at the helm of Britain's greatest theatre.
Recollections of the birth of NT Live and The National's 50th Anniversary commemorations.
Intimate, candid and insightful, Balancing Acts is a passionate exploration of the art and alchemy of making theatre.
Written and read by Nicholas Hytner
Producer: Simon Richardson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2017.
SAT 02:15 Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte (b08h0c9f)
5. Seaside
Agnes's father is seriously ill so she returns home with a heavy heart.
Conclusion of Anne Bronte's compelling debut novel starring Ellie Kendrick.
Adapted by Rachel Joyce
Agnes Grey ..... Ellie Kendrick
Mrs Grey ..... Juliet Aubrey
Edward Weston ..... George Watkins
Rosalie ..... Keziah Joseph
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.
SAT 02:30 State of Grace (b045y41s)
The girls' name Grace fell out of fashion in the 1930s but has recently become very popular again.
Journalist Grace Dent sets out to discover what makes her name – and the notion - so captivating, by exploring the modern state of grace.
Grace's Nan once told her she was related to real-life Victorian heroine, Grace Darling. It was the first time Grace sensed her name had enviable properties, after years of wanting to be called Joanne.
The word 'grace' is associated with more than 20 different meanings and phrases.
From Greek mythology to Grace Jones, via philosophical reasoning and a morning at The Royal Ballet, Grace reflects on the modern merits of charm, poise and elegance as she searches for inner calm and acceptance in a more secular age.
With contributions from Olivia 'damegrace' Cowley, a soloist with The Royal Ballet; names expert, Carole Hough; Grace Kelly fan and film studies academic, Stella Bruzzi; philosophy professor Miranda Fricker; and Grace Maxwell, whose memoir Falling and Laughing documents the recovery of her husband from a near-fatal brain haemorrhage.
Producer: Nick Baker
A Testbed production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2014.
SAT 03:00 Twenty Thousand Streets under the Sky (b07gcj61)
3. The Plains of Cement
London, 1927. Bob gives Jenny an ultimatum and Ella confronts Mr Eccles.
Starring Steven Pacey, Annette Badland, Emily Morgan and John Moffatt.
Conclusion of Patrick Hamilton’s semi-autobiographical trilogy.
Ella's mother ..... Anna Cropper
Prosser.....Geoffrey Whitehead
Prunella ..... Elizabeth Mansfield
Sammy.... Tina Marian
Andy ... David Goudge
Guvnor .... David King
Mrs Guvnor .... Jo Kendall
Other parts ..... Donald Gee, Michael Kilgarriff & Marcia King
Dramatised ny Frederic Bradnum.
Producer: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1989.
SAT 04:00 Wordaholics (b04jlpn3)
Series 3
Episode 5
Stand up comedians Lloyd Langford, Holly Walsh and Paul Sinha and novelist and classicist Natalie Haynes vie for word supremacy.
Gyles Brandreth is in the chair.
The letter of the week is the sinuous letter 'S'.
The panellists play a round about portmanteau words – and get to guess the meaning of some foreign words which have no direct equivalent in English.
And they also try to ban the words which drive them most mad.
Writers: Jon Hunter and James Kettle.
Producer: Claire Jones.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2014.
SAT 04:30 Bookcases (b00sxt6h)
Series 1
The Man in White
London 1858: A little bored by Gerald, Cordelia is having fun with the novelist Wilkie Collins, who’s having a spell of writer's block with The Woman in White.
Primus has the answer...or does he?
Martyn Wade's Victorian era comedy stars Michael Cochrane and Maggie Steed.
Primus …. Michael Cochrane
Cordelia …. Maggie Steed
Edith …. Elizabeth Spriggs
Gerald …. David Horovitch
Wilkie Collins …. David Timson
Simeon …. Charles Simpson
George Eliot …. David Antrobus
Director: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.
SAT 05:00 Clare in the Community (b062n4nb)
Series 10
Sisters
Clare and her estranged sister are forced to co-operate with one another, in between some Sparrowhawk team lead self-defence training.
Sally Phillips is Clare Barker the social worker who has all the right jargon but never a practical solution.
A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis. Clare is in her thirties, white, middle class and heterosexual, all of which are occasional causes of discomfort to her.
Clare continually struggles to control both her professional and private life In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden.
Clare ...... Sally Phillips
Brian ...... Alex Lowe
Nali/ Megan ...... Nina Conti
Ray ...... Richard Lumsden
Helen ...... Pippa Haywood
Simon ...... Andrew Wincott
Libby ...... Sarah Kendall
Joan/ Sarah Barker ...... Sarah Thom
Scarlett ...... Eleanor Curry
Stine Wetzel ...... Amelia Lowdell
Hunter ...... Neet Mohan
Dylan ...... Elliot Steel
Producer Alexandra Smith.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2015.
SAT 05:30 Dot (b0bf56gh)
Series 3
Dial M for Myrtle
Dark doings in the War Rooms as a suspicious death leaves the gals from personnel with no options other than to investigate.
Retro comic adventures with Dot and the gals from personnel in the rollicking Cabinet War Rooms comedy by Ed Harris.
Dot ...... Fenella Woolgar
Myrtle ...... Kate O'Flynn
Peg ...... Freya Parker
Peabody ...... David Actonn
Millicent ...... Jane Slavin
Grimribbling ...... Stephen Hogan
Director: Sasha Yevtushenko
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2018.
SAT 06:00 Mrs Bradley - Speedy Death (b0093zq1)
It's the 1920s: A rather ripping murder occurs in the bathroom of an elegant country house...
Gladys Mitchell's 1929 whodunit stars Mary Wimbush as the sleuth extraordinaire, Mrs Lestrange Bradley.
With Leslie Phillips and Michael Cochrane
Dramatised by Elizabeth Proud
Mrs Bradley ..... Mary Wimbush
Carstairs ..... Leslie Phillips
Bertie Phillipson ..... Michael Cochrane
Garde Bing ..... Philip Sully
Alistair Bing .... Garard Green
Eleanor Bing ..... Rowan Suart
Dorothy Clark ..... Teresa Gallagher
Mabel Cobbn ..... Lois Burgess
Sir Joseph .... David King
Inspector Boring ..... Christopher Scott
Ferdinand Lestrange/Doctor .... Simon Treves
Parsons ..... Fraser Kerr
Director Sue Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1990.
SAT 07:30 Great Lives (b0076v1v)
Series 8
Mae West
Writer Kathy Lette chooses Hollywood's 'queen of the quip', Mae West. With Simon Louvish and Francine Stock. From 2005.
SAT 08:00 The Motion Show (b0075s3q)
Series 1
Episode 6
Should the beautiful people should inherit the Earth? – and should the police all be like TV copper, Dixon of Dock Green?
Dr Phil Hammond watches over proceedings in the quirky debating game.
With Pete Sinclair, Steve Punt, Michael White and Simon Fanshawe.
Producer: Helen Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1998.
SAT 08:30 Life in London (b011kpfk)
Mr Lushington
If Pierce can't meet his deadline, how will the audience hear about a visit to the slums, George IV's interior decorating, and a dog fighting a monkey?
Starring Greg Wise, Mark Gatiss and James Bachman.
Pierce Egan’s 19th-century comic novel adapted by Dan Tetsell.
Pierce Egan .... Geoffrey McGivern
Hustle .... Alex Macqueen
Corinthian Tom .... Greg Wise
Pickpocket .... Neil Edmond
Jerry Hawthorn .... Mark Gatiss
Jarvey .... Ben Graves
Bob Logic .... James Bachman
Fishwife .... Laura Shavin
Mrs Egan .... Alys Torrence
Corinthian Kate .... Amanda Abbington
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2006.
SAT 09:00 Comedy Controller (b007qz59)
Bill Oddie
"Professor" Bill Oddie delivers his thesis on The Development of Radio Comedy in the 20th Century.
Expect the Prof to challenge some received wisdoms. Questions will be asked afterwards, so do pay close attention please.
Oddie's lavishly illustrated lecture includes these "Goodies":
* Up the Pole:
Love-struck Jimmy is desperate to buy his girl a ring. Starring Jimmy Jewel, Ben Warriss and Jon Pertwee. From 01/11/1948
* ITMA - It's That Man Again:
The last episode, first aired just days before Tommy Handley's death. With Hattie Jacques and Jack Train. From 06/01/1949
* Archie's the Boy:
Chaos ensues as 'Mr Hill' loses his briefcase. Radio ventriloquism starring Archie Andrews and Peter Brough. With Mr Benny Hill. From 11/11/1954
* Beyond Our Ken
Series 3 (7/14):
Kenneth Horne's busy week - and check out the latest film releases in 'Picture Go Round'. With Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick and Betty Marsden. From 27/05/1960
* On the Hour
Series 2 (4/6):
Reports of a right royal shocker, plus Alan Partridge with all the sport. Chris Morris fronts the news satire. With Steve Coogan. From 14/05/1992
* On the Town with the League of Gentlemen
(2/6) Death by Mau Mau:
There's a bug going round Spent. Pre-TV dark-com with Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith and Mark Gatiss. From 13/11/1997
Producer: Nick St George
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in June 2006.
SAT 12:00 Relativity (m000222b)
Series 2
Episode 3
Ian and Chloe’s wedding day is a typically chaotic, argumentative, loving affair. Ken eats the lip balm and Chloe’s estranged parents test Ken and Margaret’s patience.
Drawing on his own family, Richard Herring’s comedy drama, builds on the warm, lively characters and family dynamics of the first series.
His affectionate observation of inter-generational misunderstanding, sibling sparring and the ties that bind will resonate with anyone who has ever argued with their dad about who the current Pope is.
Amid the comedy, Richard broaches some more serious highs and lows of family life.
Margaret…………….Alison Steadman
Ken…………………...Phil Davis
Jane/Lorelei…………….Fenella Woolgar
Clive………………Tony Gardner
Ian……………….Richard Herring
Chloe…………..Emily Berrington
Pete………………..Gordon Kennedy
Holly………………...Tia Bannon
Mark………………Fred Haig
Nick………………..Harrison Knights
Registrar………………..Danny Kirrane
Writer Richard Herring is a comedian, writer, blogger and podcaster and the world's premier semi-professional self-playing snooker player.
Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore
Produced by Polly Thomas
Executive Producers: Jon Thoday and Richard Allen Turner
An Avalon Television production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2019.
SAT 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jpl8)
Series 6
The Elopement
With Bill suffering heartache, can Sid and The Lad Himself smooth the path to true love?
Starring Tony Hancock.
With Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Lillian Grasson, Wilfred Babbage, Fraser Kerr and Lee Crutchley.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.
Producer: Tom Ronald
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959.
SAT 13:00 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000pw5w)
1. Who Goes Home?
Lord Willis discovers that neighbours of his are in great trouble. involved in an extraordinary drama that makes headlines in the world's press.
MP Mark Ritchie is on the run - tailed by MI5, but who else is chasing him?
Stars Richard Pasco and Annette Crosbie.
Spy thriller serial adapted in five parts by Ted Willis from his novel.
Christine Ritchie …. Annette Crosbie
Radio Announcer / Doorkeeper …. Astley Jones
Mark Ritchie …. Christopher Scoular
Det Chief Superintendent …. David Daker
Coombes …. Hugh Dickson
Irvine …. James Kerry
Patrick Cadwall …. Richard Pasco
Telephone Operator / Stewardess …. Rosalind Adams
Detective Constable Green …. Simon Hewitt
Marian Brown …. Thelma Whiteley
Narrator …. Ted Willis
Producer: Christopher Venning
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1982.
SAT 13:30 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000pxmc)
2. Death in West Hampstead
British Intelligence inform Christine Ritchie that they have been following her husband, MP Mark Ritchie, because they suspect him of being a Soviet spy.
Ritchie's loyal secretary Marian Brown shares a flat in London and feels Mark has let her down.
Stars Richard Pasco and Annette Crosbie.
Spy thriller serial featuring its author Ted Willis.
Curly …. Alex Jennings
Bedayev …. Andrew Sachs
Christine Ritchie …. Annette Crosbie
Det Chief Supt Dell …. David Daker
Willie …. Jim Reid
Patrick Cadwall …. Richard Pasco
Marian Brown …. Thelma Whiteley
Nurse …. Theresa Streatfield
Letitis …. Wendy Murray
Narrator …. Ted Willis
Director: Christopher Venning
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1982.
SAT 14:00 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000py8h)
3. The Executioner
MP Mark Ritchie has fled to Tangier with both MI5 and the KGB on his tail. His secretary has been killed by his exploding suitcase.
His wife, Christine, is in a 'safe house'. But there's mystery over the whereabouts of his secretary's flatmate.
Stars Richard Pasco and Annette Crosbie.
Spy thriller serial featuring its author Ted Willis.
Joseph Gaul …. Allan Cuthbertson
Badayev …. Andrew Sachs
Christine Ritchie …. Annette Crosbie
Newscaster / Driver …. Astley Jones
Set Chief Supt Dell …. David Daker
Coombes …. Hugh Dickson
Irvine …. James Kerry
Operator / Secretary …. Madi Hedd
Willie …. Jim Reid
Patrick Cadwall …. Richard Pasco
Ray Markham / Det Sergeant Gunn …. Simon Hewitt
Marian Brown …. Thelma Whiteley
Letitia …. Wendy Murray
Narrator …. Ted Willis
Director: Christopher Venning
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1982.
SAT 14:30 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000q13v)
4. Reunion in Tangier
The disgraced MP Mark Ritchie has fled to a hotel in Tangier. Back in England, friends and foes are making plans to follow him there.
Stars Christopher Scoular, Richard Pasco and Annette Crosbie.
Spy thriller serial featuring its author Ted Willis.
Hotel Clerk / Sweeney …. Alex Jennings
Badayev …. Andrew Sachs
Christine Ritchie …. Annette Crosbie
David Hume …. Barry Dennen
Mark Ritchie …. Christopher Scoular
David Hume …. Eric Lander
Shirley Graham …. Frances Jeater
Coombes …. Hugh Dickson
Patrick Cadwall …. Richard Pasco
Jules …. Simon Hewitt
Narrator …. Ted Willis
Director: Christopher Venning
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1982.
SAT 15:00 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000q2bl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 01:30 today]
SAT 15:30 A Good Read (b00zlkng)
Andi Osho and Toby Young
Sian Williams and her guests - comedian, Andi Osho and journalist, Toby Young - discuss their favourite books by Stewart Lee, Kingsley Amis and Kathryn Stockett.
How I Escaped My Certain Fate by Stewart Lee
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis
Publisher: Penguin
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Publisher: Penguin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2011.
SAT 16:00 Mrs Bradley - Speedy Death (b0093zq1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 Great Lives (b0076v1v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 18:00 James Follett - The Doppelganger Machine (m000q4mm)
Christmas, 1933: a plane is due to fly mail from France to England
The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy takes off from Paris Orly Airport en route to Croydon aerodrome.
But their unexpected actual destination – and time-zone - astounds both the aircraft’s occupants and the authorities on the ground.
James Follett’s mystery stars Peter Pratt and Hector Ross.
Travers …. Peter Pratt
Skip …. Hector Ross
Gerry …. Nigel Lambert
Mac …. Hugh Ross
Esther …. Eva Haddon
Muller …. William Eedle
Sergeant …. John Samson
Anton Barrett …. Manning Wilson
Post Office Official …. Denis McCarthy
Officer …. Julian Fox
Radar Operator …. John Foley
PO Cash …. John Bull
Director: Roger Pine
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1974.
SAT 19:00 Comedy Controller (b007qz59)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Saturday Night Fry (b0091t5j)
Episode 4
Stephen Fry gets nostalgic as he serves up more witty banter and sketches.
With Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent and Alison Steadman.
Written by Stephen Fry with additional material by Ian Brown and James Hendrie.
Producer: Dan Patterson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1988.
SAT 22:30 The Maltby Collection (b00mg0wp)
Series 3
Episode 3
Warring curators, wedding cleaners and a dodgy alarm system all add to the unwanted pressure on Walter.
Geoffrey Palmer and Julian Rhind-Tutt star in series 3 of David Nobbs’ sitcom about a small museum of paintings and sculpture.
Rod Millet ...... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Walter Brindle ...... Geoffrey Palmer
Prunella Edgecumbe ...... Rachel Atkins
Susie Maltby ...... Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Julian Crumb-Loosely ...... Ben Willbond
Wilf Arbuthnot ...... Geoff McGivern
Eva Tattle ...... Juklia Deakin
Des Wainwright ...... Michael Smiley
Stelios Constantinopoulis ...... Chris Pavlo
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2009.
SAT 23:00 Elis James's Pantheon of Heroes (b01pbxz2)
Series 2
Myths
The Red Dragon, Merlin, and Fireman Sam.
Comedian Elis James compares key figures in Welsh history to determine the ultimate heroes of Wales.
With Ben Partridge and Nadia Kamil.
Written by Elis James, Gareth Gwyn and Benjamin Partridge.
Producer: Sharif Shahwan
First broadcast on BBC Radio Wales in December 2012.
SAT 23:30 The Ape That Got Lucky (b0080nk7)
Social Development
The real story of the human brain.
According to scientists, it’s developed to help us cope with our unpleasantly complicated social lives.
Chris Addison’s continues his spoof exploration of the fascinating subject of human evolution.
Starring Chris Addison.
With Professor Austin Herring (aka Geoffrey McGivern), Jo Enright and Dan Tetsell.
Written by Chris Addison and Carl Cooper.
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.


SUNDAY 06 DECEMBER 2020

SUN 00:00 James Follett - The Doppelganger Machine (m000q4mm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000pw5w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:30 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000pxmc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:30 on Saturday]
SUN 02:00 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000py8h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000q13v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:00 Ted Willis - The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000q2bl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 01:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:30 A Good Read (b00zlkng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:30 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 Mrs Bradley - Speedy Death (b0093zq1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 05:30 Great Lives (b0076v1v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (Omnibus) (b08ps6qw)
Nicholas Hytner tells the inside story of 12 years at the helm of Britain's greatest theatre.
It’s a tale of lunatic failures and spectacular successes like The History Boys, War Horse and One Man, Two Guvnors. And opening the National Theatre's doors in London to a broader audience than ever before - and changing the public's perception of what theatre is for.
It’s about probing Shakespeare from every angle and reinventing the classics. About fostering new talent and directing some of the most celebrated actors of our times – from Alan Bennett and Maggie Smith to Michael Gambon and Helen Mirren.
Intimate, candid and insightful, Balancing Acts is a passionate exploration of the art and alchemy of making theatre.
This omnibus of five episodes begins with Nicholas Hynter describing his typical day as Director of the National Theatre.
Producer: Simon Richardson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2017.
SUN 07:10 Inheritance Tracks (b04pqyx3)
Sue Townsend
The author and creator of Adrian Mole inherits Billie Holliday's version of 'All of Me' and passes on Ben E King's 'Stand By Me'.
SUN 07:20 Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte (Omnibus) (b08hr6sn)
Game of Thrones star Ellie Kendrick stars in Rachel Joyce's adaptation of Anne Bronte's debut novel.
This is the story of Agnes, aged 19 and determined to take care of herself and help the family finances. But what can a young girl with no money, no connections and no prospects do?
How does a young woman find her way in the world..? She has to become a governess.
So begins Agnes’s journey of self-discovery and a search for love...
Omnibus of five episodes.
Agnes Grey ..... Ellie Kendrick
Mrs Grey ..... Juliet Aubrey
Mr Grey ..... John Bowler
Mrs Bloomfield ..... Catriona McFarlane
Mr Bloomfield ..... David Sterne
Tom ..... Felix Lailey
Mary Ann ..... Amy Jayne Leigh
Edward Weston ..... George Watkins
Mr Hatfield ..... Luke MacGregor
Rosalie ..... Keziah Joseph
Matilda ..... Natasha Cowley
Mrs Murray ..... Karen Bartke
Nancy ..... Alison Belbin
Rachel Joyce had adapted all of Charlotte and now Anne's novels. An award-winning writer for radio, she is now a successful novelist. Books include The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Perfect, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy and a collection of short stories, The Snow Garden & Other Stories.
Director: Tracey Neale.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.
SUN 08:30 All Gas and Gaiters (m000q4sy)
Series 1
The Bishop Gives a Shove
The Bishop sees a way to rid himself of the Dean.
The ecclesiastical sitcom started life as a TV pilot in Comedy Playhouse, ahead of a run on BBC1 from 1966 to 1971.
Adapted from their TV script by husband-and-wife team, Pauline Devaney and Edwin Apps.
The Archdeacon …. Robertson Hare
The Bishop …. William Mervyn
The Bishop's Chaplain …. Derek Nimmo
The Dean …. John Barron
Dobson …. Richard Caldicot
Butler …. David Jason
Workman …. Richard Griffiths
Producer: David Hatch.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1971.
SUN 09:00 Mr Willow's Wife (m000q4t0)
6. The Cost of Living
Times are tough, but can Felicity and Paul Willow do without their Nanny..?
Staring Moira Lister and Terence Alexander.
Written by Ray Cooney and John Chapman.
Felicity Willow .... Moira Lister
Paul Willow ....Terence Alexander
Nanny .... Doris Hare
Marigold Foskett .... Jo Kendall
the Boutique Owner .... Ray Cooney
Mr Foskett ... John Chapman
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1971.
SUN 09:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b007k3lp)
Series 2
Rogue Mail
After his cash windfall, ever curmudgeonly Ed is writing about royalty in a remote cottage.
Welcome back to the comical world of Ed Reardon, author, pipe smoker, consummate fare-dodger and master of the abusive e-mail.
Christopher Douglas stars as Ed Reardon.
Written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds.
Featuring:
Stephanie Cole
John Fortune
Matthew Holness
Martin Hyder
Philip Jackson
Rita May
Geoffrey McGivern
Barunka O'Shaughnessy
Sally Grace
Geoffrey Whitehead
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2005.
SUN 10:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b08jlvmf)
Absent Friends
Dame Vera Lynn
From Andrew Lloyd Webber to her own songs.
Wartime forces' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn shares her castaway choices with Sue Lawley.
Recalling her own Second World War experiences – from performing in front of servicemen as far away as Burma, and as close to home as London's Regent's Park.
Ever since then, Dame Vera was constantly in demand all over the world for her singing and her songs, reviving as they do wartime memories both happy and sad.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1989
SUN 10:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lj1nf)
Series 1
Bowerbirds
One of the most extraordinary structures in the animal world is constructed by a Bower Bird.
Sir David tells the life story of the Vogelkopf Bower Bird, the one that raises the bar higher than the rest.
Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.
Producer: Julian Hector
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2009.
SUN 11:00 Radiolab (m0002lz1)
Series 5
Elements
Radiolab messes up what it took 300 years to lay out: the Periodic Table of the Elements. With Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich.
Radiolab is a Peabody-award winning show about curiosity. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and the human experience.
Hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich investigate a strange world.
First broadcast on public radio in the USA.
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m000q4t2)
Four Seasons - Poems for the Winter Solstice
Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's radio poetry archive and selects Four Seasons: Poems for the Winter Solstice to mark the year’s turning point.
A collection of seasonal poems for the winter solstice by Margaret Atwood, D H Lawrence, James Fenton, Bertolt Brecht, WH Auden, Edna St Vincent Millay and Thom Gunn.
Readers are Juliet Stevenson, Anton Lesser, Harriet Walter, Bill Paterson, Siobhan Redmond, Stephen Fry, Noma Dumezweni and Simon Russell Beale.
Joining them are more recent pieces read by the poets Sinead Morrissey, Aonghas MacNeacail, Gerda Stevenson and Jacob Polley as well as former Radio 4 poet-in-residence, Alice Oswald.
And a new poem specially commissioned for the day by Imtiaz Dharker.
Producer: Sarah Addezio.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2017.
SUN 12:30 Paul Sinha's History Revision (b04sxr8s)
Series 1
Food
Paul Sinha looks through all of human history and examines how we came to be where we are.
He starts with something every day, something we all know to be true; he then reveals the quirks of history and the fascinating stories that led up to this point.
This time it's food. Paul’s starting point is his own high street in south London. What historical events gave his hometown its name? But more than that - how did it end up being culinarily dominated by Chinese and Indian restaurants?
The story starts in 1600 and takes in trade, invasion, opium, a bloody civil war that left 30,000,000 people dead, giant greenhouses and the cultivation of saffron.
Paul Sinha is an acclaimed stand-up who was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy award for his show Saint or Sinha? He frequently appears on The News Quiz, The Now Show, and Fighting Talk. He is a resident 'chaser' on the ITV quiz show The Chase with several of his own series on BBC Radio 4.
Written and performed by Paul Sinha.
Producer: Ed Morrish.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2014.
SUN 13:00 A Girl Called Jack by Jack Monroe (Omnibus) (b0790hpb)
Jack Monroe is an unusual food writer, gaining celebrity from her unique blog about existing on the breadline. During that time, she hit rock bottom but kept fighting to eat well and give her son proper food, rather than live on processed, cheap products. Now successful and no longer on the breadline, she continues to campaign passionately for decent food and standards of living.
This drama revisits her past and her relationship with her beloved Grandma.
Starring Jaime Winstone and June Whitfield.
Jack's blog started in 2012 after a local councillor in Southend-on-Sea attacked single mothers. Jack lived in a small flat with her young son. Having been made redundant from a well-paid job, she found herself struggling to get by on benefits while applying unsuccessfully for jobs. Her blog documented the difficulties of living on welfare and, particularly, how to feed her son a nutritious and enjoyable diet on just £10 a week. It became a huge hit. Jack became a journalist, published food writer and social campaigner.
Omnibus of five episodes: Why isn't Grandma talking to Jack? And discover why soda bread is her favourite recipe.
Jack Monroe ...... Jaime Winstone
Grandma ...... June Whitfield
Gary ...... Sam Troughton
Dramatised by Sarah Daniels.
Guitar playing by Dan Cocker
Producer: Polly Thomas
Executive Producer: Joby Waldman
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2016
SUN 14:10 Inheritance Tracks (m0002mnp)
Rick Wakeman
Renowned keyboard player Rick Wakeman chooses ‘Woodman, Spare That Tree’ by Phil Harris and Prokofiev's ‘Peter and the Wolf’.
SUN 14:20 The Other Paris by Luc Sante (Omnibus) (b0722xtj)
Paris, City of Light, the city of fine dining and seductive couture and intellectual hauteur, was until fairly recently always accompanied by its shadow - the city of the poor, the outcast, the criminal, the eccentric, the wilfully nonconforming.
Luc Sante gives us a panoramic view of that alternative metropolis, which has all but vanished but whose traces are in the bricks and stones of the contemporary city, in the culture of France itself and, by extension, throughout the world.
He draws on testimony from a great range of witnesses - from Balzac and Hugo to assorted boulevardiers, rabble-rousers, and flaneurs - whose research is matched only by the vividness of Sante's narration.
"Paris, a city so beautiful that people would rather be poor there than rich somewhere else." Guy Debord.
"This brilliant, beautifully written essay is the finest I've ever read about Paris. Ever. " Paul Auster.
Luc Sante was born in Verviers Belgium and emigrated to the USA in the early 1960s. Since 1984, he has been a teacher and writer, and frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books. His publications include Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York, The Factory of Facts and Folk Photography. He currently teaches creative writing and the history of photography at Bard College in New York State.
Omnibus of five episodes read by Simon Russell Beale.
Abridger: Pete Nichols
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in February 2016.
SUN 15:30 Ay Mariachi! (b00xmv28)
It's night-time in the Plaza Garibaldi, Mexico City.
Neil Mcarthy descends into the meaning, madness and music of mariachi - hustling troubadours in sequined suits whose songs of love and pain are inseparable from Mexican life.
Producer: Mark Burman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2004.
SUN 16:00 Keith Waterhouse - Mr and Mrs Nobody (b055knqf)
A delightful diary account which reveals the day-to-day activities of one Charles Pooter, a London clerk, and his long-suffering wife Carrie.
Starring Dame Judi Dench and Michael Williams.
Written by Keith Waterhouse. Based on George and Weedon Grossmith's 19th Century comic masterpiece 'The Diary of a Nobody'.
Carrie Pooter .... Judi Dench
Charles Pooter ....Michael Williams
Incidental music composed by Colin Sell. Played by Colin Sell and Peter Ripper.
Director: Gordon House
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in May 1990.
SUN 17:00 Poetry Extra (m000q4t2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:00 today]
SUN 17:30 Paul Sinha's History Revision (b04sxr8s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:30 today]
SUN 18:00 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving (b007wvk4)
2. Rivals
Ichabod Crane has set his heart on marrying wealthy heiress, Katrina Van Tassel.
But local buck, Brom Bones is determined that he'll walk her up the aisle...
Washington Irving's supernatural 17th-century classic about two love rivals and a headless horseman:
Continued by Martin Jarvis
Musical score and sound design by award-winning composer, David Pickvance.
Producer: Gemma Jenkins
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in December 2005.
SUN 18:30 Edgar Allan Poe (b007jsry)
The Fall of the House of Usher
Episode 2
As his behaviour starts to change, Roderick Usher reveals his terrible secret...
A man's descent into madness seems bound to the house of his ancestors.
Edgar Allan Poe's classic gothic horror story, first published in 1839.
Concluded by Sean Barrett.
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in September 2003.
SUN 19:00 Radiolab (m0002lz1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
SUN 20:00 Keith Waterhouse - Mr and Mrs Nobody (b055knqf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 today]
SUN 21:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b08jlvmf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lj1nf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 today]
SUN 22:00 Paul Sinha's History Revision (b04sxr8s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:30 today]
SUN 22:30 All the World's a Globe (b007k4cp)
3. The Fall of Troy. The Rise of Greece
The Fall of Troy and the Rise of Greece
The history of mankind from the first amoeba to the Second World War.
Presented by the entire cast of the National Theatre of Brent - Desmond Olivier Dingle and Wallace, aided by Mr Barker.
With guest star Juliet Stevenson.
Written by Patrick Barlow, with additional material by Jim Broadbent and Martin Duncan.
With thanks to
Patrick Barlow
Jim Broadbent
Martin Duncan
Producer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1990.
SUN 22:45 Hearing With Hegley (b0075s38)
Series 2
Episode 3
Poet John Hegley doing what he does best - entertaining an audience with verse. With Nigel Piper. From September 1998.
SUN 23:00 The Museum of Everything (b00gknj8)
Series 3
The Museum Reopens
A temp with a scary clown face aids the tour guide.
Written and performed by Marcus Brigstocke, Danny Robins and Dan Tetsell.
With Lucy Montgomery.
Music by Dominic Haslam and Ben Walker.
Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2006.
SUN 23:30 We Are Klang: Amazing Lives (b007k3vt)
Musical
On its 25th anniversary, writers and performers reflect on Gummy Monkey: The Musical. Stars Greg Davies. From April 2007.


MONDAY 07 DECEMBER 2020

MON 00:00 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving (b007wvk4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Edgar Allan Poe (b007jsry)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 A Girl Called Jack by Jack Monroe (Omnibus) (b0790hpb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:10 Inheritance Tracks (m0002mnp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:10 on Sunday]
MON 02:20 The Other Paris by Luc Sante (Omnibus) (b0722xtj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:20 on Sunday]
MON 03:30 Ay Mariachi! (b00xmv28)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:30 on Sunday]
MON 04:00 Keith Waterhouse - Mr and Mrs Nobody (b055knqf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Poetry Extra (m000q4t2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Paul Sinha's History Revision (b04sxr8s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl5g)
Bitter Medicine
2. The Lion's Den
Probing the mysterious death of a girl, V.I. Warshawski must venture into gangland.
Sharon Gless stars in Sara Paretsky's thriller as private investigator V.I. Warshawski
Dramatised by Michelene Wandor.
V.I. Warshawski …. Sharon Gless
Lottie Herschel …. Eleanor Bron
Bobby Mallory …. Bill Hootkins
Mr Contreras …. Kerry Shale
Mrs Rodriguez/Nurse …. Ann Beach
Sergio …. Chris Pavlo
Bartender …. Ioan Meredith
Carol …. Joanna Monro
Fabiano …. Robert Harper
Peter Burgoyne …. William Dufris
Producer: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in n December 1996.
MON 06:30 Hercule Poirot (b007yn6z)
Murder on the Orient Express
Episode 1
A train departs, but one person aboard the Orient Express is destined never to arrive.
Speeding through the snowy European landscape, a bizarre and terrible murder brings the train to an abrupt halt.
The high-class carriages are packed with passengers and one of them - Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot - soon realises the challenge that awaits him...
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
From the book published in 1934 and dramatised in five parts by Michael Bakewell
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Princess Dragmiroff ...... Sian Phillips
Miss Debenham ...... Francesca Annis
Mr Ratchett ...... Joss Ackland
Pierre Michel ...... Frank Windsor
Mrs Hubbard ...... Sylvia Syms
Masterman ...... Desmond Llewelyn
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
Colonel Arbuthnot ...... Stephen Hodson
MacQueen ...... James Telfer
Miss Ohlsson ...... Kate Binchy
Foscarelli ...... Frank Coda
Hardman ...... John Church
Count Andrenyi ...... David Thorpe
Countess Andrenyi ...... Siriol Jenkins
Dr Constantine ...... Peter Polycarpou
The Taurus Express Guard ...... Vic Tablian
The Hotel Clerk ...... Kevork Malikyan
Pianist: Michael Haslam
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.
MON 07:00 Way Out East (b07nppl7)
We'll Meet Again
Chinese New Year and the flatmates and their friends are ready to party, if only they can get the float going.
Then there's the unresolved sexual tension...
Comedy by Guy Meredith about a group of expats sharing a flat in Hong Kong. Into the lives of unsuccessful architect James and failed-everything Malcolm comes Zoe on a one-way ticket from England to start a new life.
Zoe ….. Katherine Kingsley
Malcolm ….. John Gordon Sinclair
James ….. Tony Gardner
Wanda ….. Samantha Bond
Ampersand ….. Nicky Henson
Sam ….. Lobo Chan
Series Music Composer: David Chilton
Writer: Guy Meredith
Producer: Cherry Cookson
A Goldhawk Essential production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2016.
MON 07:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m000pw82)
Series 73
Huddersfield Town Hall
The first of Tim Brooke-Taylor’s final two recordings of Radio 4's ‘antidote to panel games’ recorded in March this year comes from Huddersfield Town Hall where he and Rachel Parris are pitched against Tony Hawks and Marcus Brigstocke, with Jack Dee in the chair. Colin Sell provides piano accompaniment.
Producer - Jon Naismith.
It is a BBC Studios production.
MON 08:00 Steptoe and Son (b00rq30b)
Series 1
The Stepmother
Harold's not too happy to meet his dad Albert's new girlfriend.
Starring Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett.
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 featured the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and son Harold - and was the spark for a run of 8 series on TV.
Albert …. Wilfrid Brambell
Harold …. Harry H. Corbett
Emma …. Joan Lovell
Adapted for radio from Galton and Simpson's TV script by Gale Pedrick.
Produced by Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in July 1966.
MON 08:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b01n6yj7)
Series 2
Relationships
Sofa-bound TV presenters Mike and Sue ponder the future and grapple with relationships.
Series 2 of Bill Dare's sitcom stars Robert Duncan and Jan Ravens.
Mike ...... Robert Duncan
Sue ...... Jan Ravens
With Roger Blake, Bill Dare, Alistair McGowan and Sally Philips.
Music by Mark Burton.
Producer: Jo Clegg
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1997.
MON 09:00 The Unbelievable Truth (b081lddb)
Series 17
Episode 6
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.
John Finnemore, Frankie Boyle, Jeremy Hardy and Lucy Porter are the panellists obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy.
Subjects are as varied as spies, fire, Norfolk and The Beatles.
Devised by Graeme Garden and Jon Naismith, the team behind Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.
Producer: Jon Naismith
A Random Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2016.
MON 09:30 Gilbert Without Sullivan (m00016cf)
Series 2
A Colossal Idea
On holiday with his wife in Margate, Mr Yellowboy claims to be preparing the 123rd edition of an encyclopaedia but his activities are not that innocent.
Jonathan Coy stars as WS Gilbert in the second series of his short stories dramatised by Stephen Wyatt.
WS Gilbert …. Jonathan Coy
Mrs Badger …. Tina Gray
Wellington Yellowboy …. Tim Hudson
Amelia …. Bella Merlin
Arabella …. Sarah Hadland
Jack …. James Howard
Playwright and humourist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best known for his comic opera collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan, which first captivated audiences across the English-speaking world in the late 19th century.
Director: Jenny Stephens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004.
MON 10:00 Drama (b07gczrx)
Graham Greene - The Power and the Glory
1. On The Run
Tabasco, Mexico in the 1930s. The last priest is on the run from the anti-Catholic authorities, who put any priests they find before the firing squad.
Stephen Rea and Hugo Speer star in Graham Greene's masterpiece
Dramatised in two parts by Nick Warburton.
The Whisky Priest ..... Stephen Rea
The Lieutenant ..... Hugo Speer
The Narrator ..... Danny Sapani
Tench ..... James Lailey
The Chief of Police ..... Brian Protheroe
Luis ..... Milo Parker
Luis' mother ..... Nicola Ferguson
Padre José/ Beggar ..... Sean Baker
Maria/ José's Wife ..... Adie Allen
Grandmother ..... Elizabeth Bennett
Captain Fellows/ The Governor's Cousin ..... Nick Underwood
Coral ..... Kirsty Oswald
The Mestizo ..... Jason Barnett
Brigitta ..... Amy Jayne
Director: Emma Harding.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2016.
MON 11:00 TED Radio Hour (m000q5bd)
Series 7
Luck, Fortune and Chance
A journey through fascinating ideas based on talks by riveting speakers on the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) stage.
Guy Raz explores the world of good fortune. Can luck be controlled, is it random, or is it based on something else entirely?
First broadcast in the USA on National Public Radio in 2019.
MON 11:50 Inheritance Tracks (m000q5bg)
Tori Amos
Singer-songwriter Tori Amos inherits Ain't Misbehavin' by Fats Waller and Really Love by D'Angelo and the Vanguard.
MON 12:00 Steptoe and Son (b00rq30b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 12:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b01n6yj7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl5g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 13:30 Hercule Poirot (b007yn6z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 14:00 High Hopes by Ronnie Corbett (b0075y5x)
1. Early Years
One of Britain's best loved comedy stars relates his life and times. Written and read by Ronnie Corbett.
He was born in Simpson Memorial Hospital opposite the fire station, Ronnie tells us of his poetry loving mother and his energetic baker father devoting his time to self-improvement. His father also wasn’t tall but he was determined and fought in the Somme aged 16. He returned to Edinburgh tougher and bolder and in love with Ronnie’s Mum Anne May. Ronnie remembers preparing dough with his father on a Sunday night and other bakers’ wares in the house.
Ronnie wants to be an actor after he finishes school and National Service leads him to friends with similar aspirations.
Produced by Steve Doherty.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2000.
MON 14:15 EV Crowe - I Confess (b08n2dh6)
Miranda
Drama from award-winning writer E V Crowe about one man's investigation into himself. Police officers Henry and Anna are getting married, but their engagement party hasn't gone as planned...
Henry ...... Lee Ross
Anna ...... Kate O'Flynn
Miranda ...... Jill Halfpenny
Gemma ...... Karla Crome
Writer ...... E V Crowe
Director ..... Abigail le Fleming
THE WRITER
E V Crowe won the Imison Award for the best debut radio drama in 2015 with HOW TO SAY GOODBYE PROPERLY, about a girl growing up in an army family. Her first play KIN was nominated for the Most Promising Playwright at the Evening Standard Awards, her second Royal Court play, 'Hero' was part of the Olivier Award winning Season in the Theatre Upstairs. Her most recent outing at The Royal Court was with THE SEWING GROUP in 2016. Other theatre work includes plays for Cardboard Citizens, the RSC and The Unicorn. TV includes GLUE for E4 and COMING UP for Channel 4.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2017.
MON 14:30 The Art of Keynes (b042cq83)
It's March 1918. Sticking out from a hedge in rural Sussex is a brown-paper package containing a painting of 6 apples, Cézanne's famous 'Pommes'. It's been left there by the economist John Maynard Keynes, who's been dropped at the end of the lane leading to his friends, the artists Clive and Vanessa Bell's home, and can only manage to carry his suitcases.
Writer and broadcaster Nicholas Wapshott tells the extraordinary and largely unknown story of how Keynes persuaded the British government to take paintings in lieu of France's war debt. So as shells rained down on Paris, Keynes was buying priceless works by Manet, Delacroix, Degas, Gaugin and many more which now hang in the National Gallery and the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. The National Gallery didn't rate Cézanne so Keynes kept 'Pommes' for himself and later hung it over his bed.
Contributors include Nicholas Penny, Director of the National Gallery, Stephen Keynes (the economist's great nephew) and Keynes expert Victoria Chick.
Producer: Trevor Dann
A Trevor Dann production
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
MON 15:00 Drama (b07gczrx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:00 The Unbelievable Truth (b081lddb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 16:30 Gilbert Without Sullivan (m00016cf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
MON 17:00 Way Out East (b07nppl7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 17:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m000pw82)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 18:00 The Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss (b00tvk9s)
Episode 1
Opening in 1920s Manhattan, Edwardian dandy and secret agent, Lucifer Box is in hot pursuit of the dodgy dealer responsible for an influx of cheap cocaine to the city.
Mark Gatiss reads his novel abridged by David Jackson Young.
Dashing hero, Lucifer Box is an assassin, spy and sometime portrait painter.
Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by BBC Scotland and first broadcast in 2010.
MON 18:30 A Good Read (b00zshnn)
Rageh Omaar and Stephanie Calman
Journalist and writer Rageh Omaar, author and founder of the badmothersclub.com Stephanie Calman and presenter Sian Williams discuss three very different books producing an animated and engaging discussion.
Rageh Omaar's choice:
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Publ. Harper Collins Childrens
Stephanie Calman's choice:
The Blank Wall by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding
Publ. Persephone Books
Sian Williams' choice:
Room by Emma Donoghue
Publ. Picador
Producer Beatrice Fenton
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
MON 19:00 Steptoe and Son (b00rq30b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b01n6yj7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 20:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl5g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 20:30 Hercule Poirot (b007yn6z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 21:00 TED Radio Hour (m000q5bd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
MON 21:50 Inheritance Tracks (m000q5bg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:50 today]
MON 22:00 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m000pw82)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 22:30 2000 Years of Radio (b069npj8)
Series 2
Tempest FM
The shocking truth - who really wrote Shakespeare's plays? Recreation of the wireless archives with Al Holloway. From 2002.
MON 22:45 Little Lifetimes by Jenny Eclair (m000q5bl)
Series 3
Mothers and Daughters
Four of the country's leading actresses star in this comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives.
Coral is an ageing actress auditioning for a play about a mother and daughter; but her relationship with her own mother doesn't bear the scrutiny it's about to get.
by Jenny Eclair
Coral ..... Frances Barber
Girl ..... Karen Bartke
Boy ..... Luke MacGregor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016.
MON 23:00 The Now Show (m000q27s)
Series 57
Episode 6
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis get to grips (from a safe distance) with all things 2020 in the form of sketches and guest contributions.
This week Zoe Lyons is in the woods, Ivo Graham is at your leisure and Huge Davies is rooted to the sofa.
Additional voices provided by Luke Kempner and Emma Sidi
Written by the cast, with additional material from Gareth Gwynn, Josh Weller, Tania Edwards and Charlie Dinkin
Production Co-Ordinator: Caroline Barlow
Engineer and Editor: David Thomas
Producer: Adnan Ahmed
A BBC Studios Production
MON 23:30 Mitch Benn's Crimes Against Music (b00cgyp3)
Series 2
New Music Scene
The comedian sets out to discover how many people it takes to create a music scene. With Alfie Joey and Robin Ince.


TUESDAY 08 DECEMBER 2020

TUE 00:00 The Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss (b00tvk9s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 A Good Read (b00zshnn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl5g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Hercule Poirot (b007yn6z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 High Hopes by Ronnie Corbett (b0075y5x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:15 EV Crowe - I Confess (b08n2dh6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 The Art of Keynes (b042cq83)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Drama (b07gczrx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 The Unbelievable Truth (b081lddb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Gilbert Without Sullivan (m00016cf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Way Out East (b07nppl7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 05:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m000pw82)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl5y)
Bitter Medicine
3. The Monkfish Files
An anti-abortion riot breaks out as private eye V.I. Warshawski's murder probe continues.
Author Sara Paretsky’s character is comfortable packing heat and trailing violent suspects, without losing touch with her basic femininity. Dramatised for radio by Michelene Wandor.
CAST:
V.I. Warshawski …. Sharon Gless
Lottie Herschel …. Eleanor Bron
Bobby Mallory …. Bill Hootkins
Peter Burgoyne …. William Dufris
Rioter …. Alice Arnold
Diaz …. Chris Pavlo
Pedro/Judge …. Ioan Meredith
Carol/Rioter …. Joanna Monro
Dick …. John Sharian
Rioter …. Jonathan Adams
Mr Contreras …. Kerry Shale
Fabiano …. Robert Harper
Dieter Monkfish …. Sean Baker
Producer: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.
TUE 06:30 Hercule Poirot (b007yp1g)
Murder on the Orient Express
Episode 2
The Orient Express is trapped in a snowdrift and in one compartment, a man lies murdered. Fortunately Hercule Poirot is aboard the train.
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
MacQueen ...... James Telfer
Pierre Michel ...... Frank Windsor
Dr Constantine ...... Peter Polycarpou
Masterman ...... Desmond Llewelyn
Mrs Hubbard ...... Sylvia Syms
Pianist: Michael Haslam
From the book published in 1934 and dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.
TUE 07:00 Relativity (m00025f9)
Series 2
Episode 4
Drawing on his own family, the second series of Richard Herring’s comedy drama, Relativity, builds on the warm, lively characters and family dynamics of the first series. His affectionate observation of inter-generational misunderstanding, sibling sparring and the ties that bind will resonate with anyone who has ever argued with their dad about who the current Pope is.
Amid the comedy, Richard broaches some more serious highs and lows of family life.
Richard Herring is a comedian, writer, blogger and podcaster and the world's premier semi-professional self-playing snooker player.
Episode 4:
Ken turns to his grandchildren for help with his technological challenges, while Chloe goes into early labour as Ian frets about his bag for life going to waste.
Margaret…………….Alison Steadman
Ken……………..Phil Davis
Jane…………….Fenella Woolgar
Ian……………….Richard Herring
Chloe…………..Emily Berrington
Pete………………..Gordon Kennedy
Holly………………...Tia Bannon
Mark………………Fred Haig
Nick………………..Harrison Knights
Billy………………..Danny Kirrane
Written by Richard Herring
Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore
Produced by Polly Thomas
Executive Producers: Jon Thoday and Richard Allen Turner
An Avalon Television production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2019.
TUE 07:30 A Normal... (b0bfxl02)
Imagination
The fourth instalment in this acclaimed, occasional series in which acclaimed, occasional writer Henry Normal uses poetry, stories and comedy to tackle those subjects so big only radio can possibly contain them.
In this episode Henry looks at imagination, perception and how we express ourselves through art and creativity.
From the first cave paintings through to Henry's own experiences of creating, writing and producing some of Britain's best loved comedies over the years, Henry explores the wonders of the human imagination.
Henry Normal is a multi-award winning writer, producer and poet. Co-writer of award winning television programmes such as The Royle Family, The Mrs Merton Show, Coogan's Run and Paul Calf, and producer of, amongst many others, Oscar-nominated Philomena, Gavin and Stacey and Alan Partridge.
He has published several volumes of poetry, including Travelling Second Class Through Hope, Staring Directly at the Eclipse and his new volume, Raining Upwards. And his memoir, A Normal Family: Everyday adventures with our autistic son.
Praise for previous episodes - 'A Normal Family', 'A Normal Life' and 'A Normal Love':
"It's a rare and lovely thing: half an hour of radio that stops you short, gently demands your attention and then wipes your tears away while you have to have a little sit down."
"It's a real treat to hear a seasoned professional like Henry taking command of this evening comedy spot to deliver a show that's idiosyncratic and effortlessly funny."
"Not heard anything that jumps from hilarious to moving in such an intelligent, subtle way as Henry Normal's show.".
TUE 08:00 The Goon Show (b007jnth)
Series 7
Shifting Sands
Soldier Neddie Seagoon heads off to the fort at Waziri, which is drifting into peril. Stars Spike Milligan. From January 1957.
TUE 08:30 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b007jv61)
Series 3
Episode 1
Ad man Ken Handley snags a leggy model to spy on the work of a rival agency. Stars Martin Jarvis. From October 1986.
TUE 09:00 The Now Show (m000q27s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 23:00 on Monday]
TUE 09:30 Married (b007ys7j)
Series 2
Betrayal
Robin learns how his new-universe life can be sweet, even at someone else's expense. Stars Hugh Bonneville. From April 2000.
TUE 10:00 Drama (b07h65by)
Graham Greene - The Power and the Glory
2. The Last Priest
Tabasco, Mexico in the 1930s. The last priest is on the run from the anti-Catholic authorities, who put any priests they find before the firing squad.
The Lieutenant remains determined to track down the whisky priest...
Stephen Rea and Hugo Speer star in the conclusion of Graham Greene's masterpiece.
The Whisky Priest.....Stephen Rea
The Lieutenant.....Hugo Speer
The Narrator.....Danny Sapani
Tench.....James Lailey
The Chief of Police.....Brian Protheroe
Luis.....Milo Parker
Luis' mother.....Nicola Ferguson
Padre José/ Beggar.....Sean Baker
Maria/ José's Wife.....Adie Allen
Grandmother.....Elizabeth Bennett
Captain Fellows/ The Governor's Cousin.....Nick Underwood
Coral.....Kirsty Oswald
The Mestizo.....Jason Barnett
Brigitta.....Amy Jayne
Dramatised by Nick Warburton.
Director: Emma Harding.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2016.
TUE 11:00 Archive on 4 (b07kl9gk)
The League of Extraordinary Housewives
In 1945 thousands of angry housewives formed a group to fight austerity and a Welfare State that they believed was "not in the interests of a free and happy home life". This militant battle is the starting point for an analysis of the housewife; her politics, economics and shifting power down the decades. How did the focus on feminism and the working mother, change the way society viewed her? And, has the housewife now embarked on a fight back? "Having it all" in practice seems to mean being exhausted, on the wrong side of the gender pay gap, and spending most of your income paying someone else to look after your children. Jo Fidgen delves into the archive, from the post-war period right through to today's knicker-twisting discussions over how to talk to, and about, women in the home.
Producer: Rosamund Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2016.
TUE 12:00 The Goon Show (b007jnth)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 12:30 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b007jv61)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl5y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Hercule Poirot (b007yp1g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 14:00 High Hopes by Ronnie Corbett (b0075y6j)
2. London
One of Britain's best loved comedy stars relates his life and times. Written and read by Ronnie Corbett.
His first tentative steps in the business of show fail to set the world alight, embarking upon his showbiz career - it is not an immediate success...
He courts his wife Anne and they marry - and has many a showbiz part to help him on his ladder to comedy great.
Produced by Steve Doherty.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2000.
TUE 14:15 EV Crowe - I Confess (b08n2ltv)
Gemma
Drama from award-winning writer E V Crowe about one man's investigation into himself.
Four important people didn't turn up to Henry and Anna's engagement party, and Anna has sent Henry to find out why.
After a bruising encounter with his ex-wife, Miranda, Henry has reached his daughter Gemma's flat.
Henry ...... Lee Ross
Anna ...... Kate O'Flynn
Gemma ...... Karla Crome
Joe ...... Lloyd Hutchinson
Writer ...... E V Crowe
Director ..... Abigail le Fleming
THE WRITER
E V Crowe won the Imison Award for the best debut radio drama in 2015 with HOW TO SAY GOODBYE PROPERLY, about a girl growing up in an army family. Her first play 'Kin' was nominated for the Most Promising Playwright at the Evening Standard Awards, her second Royal Court play, 'Hero' was part of the Olivier Award winning Season in the Theatre Upstairs. Her most recent outing at The Royal Court was with THE SEWING GROUP in 2016. Other theatre work includes plays for Cardboard Citizens, the RSC and The Unicorn. TV includes GLUE for E4 and COMING UP for Channel 4.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2017.
TUE 14:30 In Search of the Real Searchers (b04mh75d)
In 1956 John Ford's film The Searchers offered a vivid and complex portrayal of frontier life in post Civil War Texas dominated by the presence of John Wayne's Ethan Edwards, a bitter, brooding war veteran searching for his kidnapped niece. Adapted from Alan LeMay's classic novel, dramatised later today on Radio 4, The Searchers has become an enduring classic. But what is the real history behind the 1954 novel and later film? Who were the real searchers?
Mark Burman takes an epic journey across the American West that begins in God's own movie set, Monument Valley, the backdrop for all Ford's Westerns from Stagecoach onwards. On screen this is Texas 1868, marauded by Comanches. In reality this is Arizona, the Indians are Navajo and their leader, Scar, is actually Heinrich von Kleinbach! This is a piece of casting that finds unlikely echoes in the real history behind The Searchers.
Three decades separate two raids that encapsulate the long war between the Comanches and the white settlers who found their way to Texas in ever growing numbers. In 1836 a brutal attack on Fort Parker saw the abduction of 9 year old Cynthia Ann Parker whilst in 1864 the Elm Creek Raid took the family of black slave Britt Johnson. These events and other bitter encounters between Comanches and Texans shaped both Texas history and the later mythology of the Wild West. The real searchers, Burman finds, are even more heroic than John Wayne and a challenge to the movie stereotypes of cowboys and Indians.
Producer: Mark Burman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
TUE 15:00 Drama (b07h65by)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:00 Dilemma (b03vf07z)
Series 3
Episode 3
Sue Perkins puts Tom Wrigglesworth, Lucy Beaumont, Anne McElvoy and Joel Morris through the moral and ethical wringer.
The panellists attempt to resolve dilemmas based around dictators and ugly children; using a phone booth to solve a super problem and helping out an audience member.
Devised by Danielle Ward.
Producer: Ed Morrish.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2014.
TUE 16:30 Married (b007ys7j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Relativity (m00025f9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 17:30 A Normal... (b0bfxl02)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 18:00 The Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss (b00tz24d)
Episode 2
Probing a Fascist cult in 1920s New York, Edwardian dandy and secret agent, Lucifer Box's plans to infiltrate nasty Fascist cult F.A.U.S.T. have gone awry.
Mark Gatiss reads his novel abridged by David Jackson Young.
Dashing hero, Lucifer Box is an assassin, spy and sometime portrait painter.
Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by BBC Scotland and first broadcast in 2010.
TUE 18:30 Soul Music (b00drrl5)
Series 7
Chopin's Ballade No 1 in G Minor
Chopin's Ballade clearly tells a story, and yet that story differs for each person who hears or plays it.
Pianist Peter Donohoe heads a cast of people whose lives have been shaped and changed by hearing and playing this technically demanding, emotionally turbulent piece of music.
Contributors:
Peter Donohoe
Pete Rosskamm
Edi Bilimoria
Richard Bielecki
Andrew Armstrong
Dr Jay B. Hess
Joshua Wright
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
TUE 19:00 The Goon Show (b007jnth)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b007jv61)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 20:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl5y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Hercule Poirot (b007yp1g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Archive on 4 (b07kl9gk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
TUE 22:00 A Normal... (b0bfxl02)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 22:30 The Secret World (b03kv277)
Series 4
Episode 3
The impression show with a difference. This week, Mary Berry from Bake Off has to deal with a baking-related dispute between Ray Winstone and Bob Hoskins. Olympic director Danny Boyle is tasked with rescuing a cat from a tree, and James Naughtie seeks counselling from poet Roger McGough.
With Jon Culshaw, Julian Dutton, Lewis MacLeod, Jess Robinson, Debra Stephenson and Duncan Wisbey.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2013.
TUE 23:00 Andrew Lawrence: How Did We End Up Like This? (b01p0sbk)
Violence
Sketches, stand-up and song in a comic exploration of violence. With Andrew Lawrence and Sara Pascoe. From November 2012.
TUE 23:30 Chain Reaction (b00mkbyl)
Series 5
Frank Skinner interviews Eddie Izzard
Chat show in which a previous week's interviewee becomes this week's interviewer.
Frank Skinner interviews Eddie Izzard, asking him about performing up lamp-posts, the secret to improvising and (literally) breaking in to Hollywood.


WEDNESDAY 09 DECEMBER 2020

WED 00:00 The Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss (b00tz24d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Soul Music (b00drrl5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl5y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Hercule Poirot (b007yp1g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 High Hopes by Ronnie Corbett (b0075y6j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:15 EV Crowe - I Confess (b08n2ltv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 In Search of the Real Searchers (b04mh75d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Drama (b07h65by)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Dilemma (b03vf07z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Married (b007ys7j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Relativity (m00025f9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:30 A Normal... (b0bfxl02)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl6c)
Bitter Medicine
4. Family Ties
Stepping up her murder hunt, private eye V.I. Warshawski 'borrows' files from the Monkfish charity.
Author Sara Paretsky’s character is comfortable packing heat and trailing violent suspects, without losing touch with her basic femininity. Dramatised for radio by Michelene Wandor.
CAST:
V.I. Warshawski …. Sharon Gless
Lottie Herschel …. Eleanor Bron
Mr Contreras/Murray Ryerson …. Kerry Shale
Peter Burgoyne …. William Dufris
Woman 1 and 2 …. Alice Arnold
Ann Beach …. Ann Beach
Bobby Mallory …. Bill Hootkins
Wino 1 …. Chris Pavlo
Wino 2 …. Ioan Meredith
Dick …. John Sharian
Producer: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.
WED 06:30 Hercule Poirot (b007yrng)
Murder on the Orient Express
Episode 3
Hercule Poirot has discovered the murder victim has a "past" - and is convinced that the murderer is still aboard the train.
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
Pierre Michel ...... Frank Windsor
Princess Dragmiroff ...... Sian Phillips
Miss Ohlsson ...... Kate Binchy
Count Andrenyi ...... David Thorpe
Countess Andrenyi ...... Siriol Jenkins
Colonel Arbuthnot ...... Stephen Hodson
Hardman ...... John Church
Pianist: Michael Haslam
From the book published in 1934 and dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.
WED 07:00 Start/Stop (b039dbjr)
Series 1
Episode 1
A new sitcom about three couples sailing off in to the sunset. And sinking. This week a trip to a classical concert poses difficulties for everyone.
Producer ..... Steven Canny
Jack Docherty
Jack has an exceptional record of making stand-out comedy. He first performed at the 1980 Edinburgh Festival Fringe with the comedy sketch group The Bodgers and went on to write for radio and television including: Spitting Image, Alas Smith and Jones, Vic Reeves Big Night Out, Absolutely, The Lenny Henry Show, Max Headroom, Weekending, The News Huddlines and a ton of other things.
He has also performed in a huge variety of comedy shows including in The Comic Strip Presents, The Morwenna Banks Show, Monarch of the Glen, Red Dwarf V, The Old Guys and Badults. He has also featured in the Radio 4 comedies Baggage and Mordrin MacDonald - 21st Century Wizard and has appeared on various comedy panel shows including Have I Got News For You and It's Only TV But I Like It. Jack presented his own show The Jack Docherty Show which ran for 2 years on Channel 5.
WED 07:30 Sandi Toksvig's Hygge (m000py9s)
Episode 1
‘Hygge’ (pronounced hoo-ga) along with ‘tak’ (the word for ‘thank you’ that we learnt from watching Borgen and other Scandi dramas) is one of the few Danish words to have become known to us in the UK.
It’s a word that means comfort, contentment and cherishing the simple pleasures in life. In lifestyle magazines it’s faux fur throws, cups of hot cocoa and scented candles; but to the Danish it has simpler and less commercial roots. As these cold Winter nights draw in after a difficult year of scant comfort, it feels like we all need some hygge and legendary Dane, Sandi Toksvig, will do her best to bring it to you.
Deep in the Danish countryside in her cosy wood cabin Sandi will explore the concept of hygge and the Danish way of life and welcomes celebrity guests who join her in front of the open fire to explore what brings them hygge. In this episode artist Grayson Perry talks about how identity might sometimes need an audience and how hobbies and learning new things can bring deep joy, while comedian Sindhu Vee talks about her children's part Indian and part Danish upbringing and how she has come to understand the Danish philosophy.
Guests for the series are Grayson Perry, Alan Davies, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Bridget Christie, Sindhu Vee, Clive Myrie, Professor Brian Cox, Zoe Lyons and presenters and podcasters Rose and Rosie . We look forward to you joining Sandi in her cabin (there will be mulled wine).
Host...Sandi Toksvig
Producer...Julia McKenzie
Material for Sandi's opening script... Simon Alcock and Charlie Dinkin
Production Coordinator...Carina Andrews
Sound Recordist and Editor...Rich Evans
A BBC Studios Production
WED 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b009h7l4)
Series 6
Fred's Pie Stall
The lad is out to save a Cheam institution threatened by council closure.
Starring Tony Hancock. With Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Wilfred Babbage, Hugh Morton and Harry Towb.
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.
Producer: Tom Ronald
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959.
WED 08:30 After Henry (b007s8gm)
Series 4
Family Album
"Look at this old dear - roses round her cottage door, a cosy smell of making cake wafting from her kitchen. I can imagine a lot of people buying that, putting it in a frame and claiming it as their own grandmother. Probably easier to cope with than the real thing".
Eleanor's family snaps spark arguments with daughter Sarah over the past...
CAST:
Sarah …. Prunella Scales
Eleanor …. Joan Sanderson
Russell …. Benjamin Whitrow
Clare …. Gerry Cowper
Auntie Lilian …. Jean Anderson
Written by Simon Brett
Producer: Pete Atkin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1989.
WED 09:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00m0mb4)
Series 2
Episode 1
James Walton tests and tickles the knowledge of industry pundits and people passionate about pop music.
Regulars Tracey MacLeod and Andrew Collins are joined by Mary Anne Hobbs and Dave Gorman, who also reveal their favourite most bizarre musical moment.
Reader: Beth Chalmers
Written and researched by James Walton
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2006.
WED 09:30 Life in London (b011q9fw)
High and Low Life
Pierce Egan is reduced to pawning himself.
He talks his way out of this bind by relating the adventures of Tom, Bob and Jerry as they drink with the lower orders in the East End, dance with high society up West and attend a masquerade, where Jerry is smitten by a serial seductress...
Pierce Egan’s 19th-century comic novel adapted in six-parts by Dan Tetsell.
Pierce Egan .... Geoffrey McGivern
Corinthian Tom .... Greg Wise
Pickpocket .... Neil Edmond
Jerry Hawthorn .... Mark Gatiss
With James Bachman, Neil Edmond, Morwenna Banks, Giles Taylor and Alys Torrance.
Original music by Ben Walker
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2006.
WED 10:00 DH Lawrence - Women in Love (b007jr8r)
Springtime
Gudrun returns to the Midlands mining town of Beldover, intending to join her sister, Ursula in teaching. At a society wedding, the sisters attract the attention of Gerald Critch and Rupert Birkin.
Both are very different gentlemen - with very different responses to love.
Ursula …. Clare Holman
Gudrun …. Stella Gonet
Gerald …. Douglas Hodge
Rupert …. Nicholas Farrell
Hermione …. Geraldine Fitzgerald
Pussum …. Sunny Ormonde
Halliday …. John Webb
Sir Joshua …. Simon Carter
Mrs Critch …. Ann Beech
With Tracy Wiles, Robert Harper, Peter Meakin, Richard Curnow, David Timson, Zoe Ganjavi, Bethan Ganjavi, Stephanie Luxton and Steven Blakeley
DH Lawrence's passionate novel was first published in 1920.
Dramatised in four parts by Elaine Feinstein.
Music composed by Anthea Gomez.
Director: Sue Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.
WED 11:00 Neil Innes: Dip My Brain In Joy (m000q963)
2. Ego Warrior
Diane Morgan celebrates the life and work of Neil Innes, the music and comedy legend of The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band & The Rutles. A towering talent, occasionally known as the 7th Python & regularly found with a duck on his head. His legacy of music and comedy is rich, inspiring and inspired.
Neil said of his work, “Shakespeare wrote comedies as well as dramas. I’m just like Shakespeare, except with better songs.” His influence permeates modern comedy and his back catalogue is diverse and prolific. Neil wrote and performed anarchic rock with The Bonzos, he penned and performed pitch-perfect pastiches of the Beatles for The Rutles, he appeared in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Monty Python’s Life of Brian and he is one of only two non-Pythons with a writing credit on Monty Python’s Flying Circus – the other being Douglas Adams. He released over 20 albums including How Sweet To Be An Idiot, Innes Book of Records, and Recycled Vinyl Blues. And on top of being comedically and musically gifted, he was also a really nice man. A beautiful, kind, gentle soul. Considered, absurd, and delightful.
We’re celebrating the life, work and absurdist tendencies of Neil Innes in this collage of archive interviews, performances and programmes, conversations with family, friends and fans. Including his wife Yvonne, Stephen Fry, Arthur Smith, bandmates Phil Jackson and Ken Thornton, John Halsey (better known to Rutles fans as Barry Wom), producer Ian Keill, and Michael Palin. In Part Two, Ego Warrior, we open up the Innes Book of Records, follow Neil on his foray into Children’s Television (after all, the Raggy Dolls are dolls like you and me), and we take a look at Neil’s approach to songwriting, and his craft of setting beautiful stories to music.
Neil died on Sunday 29th December 2019. He was 75. At the time of his death, he was working on a new album, and a project called Radio Noir, part-audio memoir, part-experimental work of art, part- exploration of the human brain and you will hear some extracts and some unreleased songs throughout the programme – that have never been broadcast.
Produced for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Laura Grimshaw.
WED 12:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b009h7l4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 12:30 After Henry (b007s8gm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl6c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 13:30 Hercule Poirot (b007yrng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 14:00 High Hopes by Ronnie Corbett (b0075y70)
3. The Two Ronnies
One of Britain's best loved comedy stars relates his life and times. Written and read by Ronnie Corbett.
A chance encounter leads a lifelong association
A technical breakdown at the BAFTA awards leads to Barker and Corbett pairing up for the first time - improvising for eight minutes.
Ronnie tells of the beginning of The Two Ronnies, his hit show Sorry up to the retirement of his comedy partner in crime.
Produced by Steve Doherty.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2000.
WED 14:15 EV Crowe - I Confess (b08n2y3g)
Joe
Drama from award-winning writer E V Crowe about one man's investigation into himself.
Four important people didn't turn up to Henry and Anna's engagement party, and Anna has sent Henry to find out why.
After difficult encounters with his ex-wife and his daughter, Henry is hoping for some comfort from his best friend, Joe.
Henry ...... Lee Ross
Anna ...... Kate O'Flynn
Joe ...... Lloyd Hutchinson
Karen ...... Lindsey Coulson
Writer ...... E V Crowe
Director ..... Abigail le Fleming
THE WRITER
E V Crowe won the Imison Award for the best debut radio drama in 2015 with HOW TO SAY GOODBYE PROPERLY, about a girl growing up in an army family. Her first play 'Kin' was nominated for the Most Promising Playwright at the Evening Standard Awards, her second Royal Court play, 'Hero' was part of the Olivier Award winning Season in the Theatre Upstairs. Her most recent outing at The Royal Court was with THE SEWING GROUP in 2016. Other theatre work includes plays for Cardboard Citizens, the RSC and The Unicorn. TV includes GLUE for E4 and COMING UP for Channel 4.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2017.
WED 14:30 This Are 2-Tone (b009pdfz)
Phill Jupitus investigates the social importance of 2 Tone music in Britain – a mix of ska and punk music.
Featuring:
Pauline Black
Neville Staple
Ranking Roger
Woody Barson
Mike Barson
Les Black
Jerry Dammers
Producer: Geoff Bird
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2008.
WED 15:00 DH Lawrence - Women in Love (b007jr8r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 16:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00m0mb4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 16:30 Life in London (b011q9fw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
WED 17:00 Start/Stop (b039dbjr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 17:30 Sandi Toksvig's Hygge (m000py9s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 18:00 The Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss (b00v7b52)
Episode 3
Falsely accused of murder, Lucifer Box has fled the USA aboard a leaky tub bound for England. He's spent the journey trying to discover what links a silken fragment of an ancient heathen prayer to the Convent of St Bede. A comely cabin girl provides welcome distraction.
Mark Gatiss reads his novel abridged by David Jackson Young.
Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by BBC Scotland and first broadcast in 2010.
WED 18:30 Short Cuts (b09v3fdp)
Series 15
Silent Night
A quiet walk through an abandoned prison camp in darkness, late night ambient sound in the Maasai Mara - Josie Long listens for sounds in the hush of the night.
Silent Night
Featuring Carl Cattermole
Produced by Thomas Glasser and based on his documentary for National Prison Radio, Sounds Inside
Crickets - Night - Maasai Mara
Produced by Jonathan Zenti
Ambient Sir
Featuring Jordan Scott
Jordan Scott's writing can be found at his website Lanterns at Guantánamo
Produced by Jess Shane
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in March 2018..
WED 19:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b009h7l4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 After Henry (b007s8gm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 20:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl6c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 20:30 Hercule Poirot (b007yrng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 21:00 Neil Innes: Dip My Brain In Joy (m000q963)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
WED 22:00 Sandi Toksvig's Hygge (m000py9s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 22:30 Arthur Smith's Balham Bash (b00lgj3p)
Series 1
Episode 1
Arthur Smith invites an audience into his home for music and comedy.
Paul Sinha in the lounge, Milton Jones in the bedroom and Glenn Tilbrook in the kitchen provide music and nourishment in the shape of Welsh rarebit, and Pippa Evans - as singer-songwriter Loretta Maine - lends a hand.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.
WED 23:00 Great Unanswered Questions (b00v1nq7)
Series 2
Episode 3
The comedy entertainment show which invites listeners to ask questions which other shows would probably be too embarrassed to answer but, Colin Murphy, Dr David Booth and Matthew Collins are only to happy to discuss with Adam Bloom. Questions such as; after cremation will a 20 stone person fit into a cremation jar? What age does the average couple cease to have sex? And, does each of us have the potential to be a bright sparkling diamond?
Produced by Jackie Hamilton.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2010.
WED 23:30 The Shuttleworths (b007n13d)
John Shuttleworth's Open Mind
Fairies
The Sheffield singer-songwriter investigates agent Ken's surprise discovery in his garden pond. With Kim Wilde. From April 2006.


THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2020

THU 00:00 The Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss (b00v7b52)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Wednesday]
THU 00:30 Short Cuts (b09v3fdp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl6c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Hercule Poirot (b007yrng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 High Hopes by Ronnie Corbett (b0075y70)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:15 EV Crowe - I Confess (b08n2y3g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 This Are 2-Tone (b009pdfz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 DH Lawrence - Women in Love (b007jr8r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 All the Way from Memphis (b00m0mb4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Life in London (b011q9fw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Start/Stop (b039dbjr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:30 Sandi Toksvig's Hygge (m000py9s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl6q)
Bitter Medicine
5. A Matter of Records
Private eye V.I. Warshawski suspects a case of hospital malpractice, as she probes a suspicious death.
Author Sara Paretsky’s character is comfortable packing heat and trailing violent suspects, without losing touch with her basic femininity. Dramatised for radio by Michelene Wandor.
CAST:
V.I. Warshawski …. Sharon Gless
Lottie Herschel …. Eleanor Bron
Bobby Mallory …. Bill Hootkins
Peter Burgoyne …. William Dufris
Sal/Nurse …. Alice Arnold
Woman …. Ann Beach
Dick …. John Sharian
Max …. Jonathan Adams
Mr Contreras/Murray Ryerson …. Kerry Shale
Producer: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.
THU 06:30 Hercule Poirot (b007ys7n)
Murder on the Orient Express
Episode 4
Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot discovers that someone aboard the train is lying to him.
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
Dr Constantine ...... Peter Polycarpou
Mrs Hubbard ...... Sylvia Syms
Miss Debenham ...... Francesca Annis
Foscarelli ...... Frank Coda
Fraulein Schmidt ...... Linda Polan
Count Andrenyi ...... David Thorpe
Countess Andrenyi ...... Siriol Jenkins
Miss Ohlsson ...... Kate Binchy
Pianist: Michael Haslam
From the book published in 1934 and dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.
THU 07:00 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 Boyd
Anna Grieg ..... Joanna Page
Boris Kemal ..... Lewis Macleod
Judith McGrath ..... Sarah Smart
Angela McGrath ..... Brigit Forsyth
Madeleine Turnbull ..... Rachel Atkins
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.
Producer ..... Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
THU 07:30 Sarah Kendall: Australian Trilogy (b0bfz5jy)
Series 2
Seventy-Three Seconds
Part 1: Seventy-Three Seconds
"Good luck, bad luck, who can tell..."
Multi-award winning storyteller Sarah Kendall returns with more hilarious, gripping and moving stories.
This second volume of Sarah Kendall's Australian Trilogy, is one show in three parts. A collection of seemingly unconnected stories and memories, which, together, combine to form a meditation on luck, survival and hindsight.
Scrolling backwards and forwards in time to different moments in her life, over the three parts, Sarah creates an intricate montage, demonstrating the interconnectedness of life.
In this first part Sarah tells us her childhood memories of her brother's 6th birthday party, of their first pet and of her family gathering on the lawn to catch a glimpse of Halley's Comet in 1986. And we get an insight into the process of how this show came together, as Sarah watches a video of the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster.
Written by Sarah Kendall & Carl Cooper
Performed by Sarah Kendall
Producer - Carl Cooper
Production Co-ordinator - Beverly Tagg
This is a BBC Studios production
Photo Credit - Rosalind Furlong
Series One of Sarah Kendall's Australian Trilogy-
Winner - Writers' Guild Award - Best Radio Comedy
Winner - BBC Audio Drama Award - Best Scripted Comedy (Longform)
Winner -Silver ARIA Award - Best Fictional Storytelling
Nominee - Chortle Comedy Awards - Best Radio Show
Nominee - Music and Radio Awards - Best Storytelling.
THU 08:00 Beyond Our Ken (m000qb6k)
Series 4
Episode 16
Kenneth Horne looks for a housekeeper – and Hornerama looks at Magic and Mystery.
With Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee and Announcer, Douglas Smith.
The precursor to ‘Round The Horne’, ‘Beyond Our Ken’ hit the airwaves in 1958 and ran to 1964 – featuring regulars like Cecil Snaith, Stanley Burkinshaw and Rodney and Charles.
Music from Janet Waters, The Hornets and the BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet.
Written by Eric Merriman
Producer: Jacques Brown
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in February 1961.
THU 08:30 Anything Legal (b0089hl7)
Episode 6
Charles and George's new business course sets tongues wagging.
A Tale of Two City Gents by Wally K Daly
Starring Donald Hewlett as Charles, Michael Knowles as George, Jennifer Croxton as Fiona Fenning, Henry Stamper as the Course Chairman, John Kane as the Advertising, Peter Cellier as the Finance Lecturer and Roland MacLeod as Mr Hunter.
Theme music by Jim Parker
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1984.
THU 09:00 Genius (b0076vc0)
Series 2
Johnny Vegas
From a robotic dog to friendly car horns.
Dave Gorman asks comedian and actor Johnny Vegas to select the public's best loopy idea
The second of three radio comedy series where 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 Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2006.
THU 09:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b0081rcb)
Series 2
The Speech
The curmudgeon is speech ghost-writing and tries to fund his daughter's wedding. Stars Christopher Douglas. From December 2005.
THU 10:00 DH Lawrence - Women in Love (b007jrcj)
Water Games
Gerald excites Gudrun with his physical brutality, but Ursula is infuriated by Rupert's prevarication.
Ursula …. Clare Holman
Gudrun …. Stella Gonet
Gerald …. Douglas Hodge
Rupert …. Nicholas Farrell
Hermione …. Geraldine Fitzgerald
Mr. Critch …. Norman Bird
Winnie …. Tracy Wiles
Mr Brangwen …. Christopher Scott
Mrs Brangwen …. Gillian Goodman
With Lennox Greaves and Shirley Dixon
DH Lawrence's passionate novel was first published in 1920.
Dramatised in four parts by Elaine Feinstein.
Music composed by Anthea Gomez.
Director: Sue Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.
THU 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b08jlvmf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
THU 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lj1nf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 on Sunday]
THU 12:00 Beyond Our Ken (m000qb6k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 12:30 Anything Legal (b0089hl7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl6q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 13:30 Hercule Poirot (b007ys7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 14:00 High Hopes by Ronnie Corbett (b0075y7r)
4. Golf
One of Britain's best loved comedy stars relates his life and times. Written and read by Ronnie Corbett.
A pantomime and a surprise guest for Ronnie Corbett.
Ronnie tells us of his pantomime and theatre career – his experience of Labyrinthitis and how that affects him for the next decade.
Produced by Steve Doherty.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2000.
THU 14:15 EV Crowe - I Confess (b08n3z6t)
Karen
Drama from award-winning writer E V Crowe about one man's investigation into himself.
Four important people didn't turn up to Henry and Anna's engagement party, and Anna has sent Henry to find out why.
Henry's come to see his colleague Karen, the final name on the list. But his party is the last thing on her mind: Vicky Cranshaw, the victim of a domestic violence case she and Henry worked on, has been murdered.
Henry ...... Lee Ross
Anna ...... Kate O'Flynn
Joe ...... Lloyd Hutchinson
Karen ...... Lindsey Coulson
Writer ...... E V Crowe
Director ..... Abigail le Fleming
THE WRITER
E V Crowe won the Imison Award for the best debut radio drama in 2015 with HOW TO SAY GOODBYE PROPERLY, about a girl growing up in an army family. Her first play 'Kin' was nominated for the Most Promising Playwright at the Evening Standard Awards, her second Royal Court play, 'Hero' was part of the Olivier Award winning Season in the Theatre Upstairs. Her most recent outing at The Royal Court was with THE SEWING GROUP in 2016. Other theatre work includes plays for Cardboard Citizens, the RSC and The Unicorn. TV includes GLUE for E4 and COMING UP for Channel 4.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2017.
THU 14:30 Hail Marys and Miniskirts (b046l696)
For every thousand Irish men who came to work on Britain's building sites in the 1950s and 60s, over a thousand women came too. They arrived to find an economic boom - and the swinging sixties just around the corner.
While the majority simply wanted jobs, others sought a personal freedom not possible at home. But there was also a dark underside to this surge in emigration - those who fled Ireland because they were pregnant outside of marriage or were refugees from religious institutions, including the notorious Magdalene laundries.
From their encounters with new fashions and the social and sexual freedoms of English cities, to the issues some face in old age, they tell their stories to Orla Barry with a verve that's unique to elderly Irish women.
And, as you would expect, there's singing and music along the way.
Producer: Sushma Puri
A Tigereye production
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
THU 15:00 DH Lawrence - Women in Love (b007jrcj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:00 Genius (b0076vc0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 16:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b0081rcb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
THU 17:00 Safety Catch (b00vryr6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 17:30 Sarah Kendall: Australian Trilogy (b0bfz5jy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 18:00 The Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss (b00vc8bl)
Episode 4
Dandy spy hero Lucifer Box must rescue the 'perfect victim' to foil Olympus Mons' dastardly plan to raise the devil.
Mark Gatiss reads his novel abridged by David Jackson Young.
Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by BBC Scotland and first broadcast in 2010.
THU 18:30 Great Lives (b06s9d1w)
Series 38
Alvin Hall chooses James Baldwin
Alvin Hall is the friendly face of financial reality, lecturing, writing and broadcasting on the subject of managing money. But he is also passionately interested in fine art, music and literature, and his nomination for a Great Life is that of writer and Civil Rights activist, James Baldwin.
Baldwin was born in 1924 in Harlem and his achievements in overcoming a difficult start in life were prodigious. For much of his life he lived outside the United States, returning in the late 1950s to support the nascent Civil Rights movement, though the Movement itself had some problems with his homosexuality. Throughout his life he continued to write about the experiences of being black in 20th century America and is now widely regarded as the pre-eminent African-American writer of the century.
Dr Douglas Field of the University of Manchester, who has written several books on James Baldwin, discusses Baldwin's life and achievements with Alvin and with Matthew Parris.
Producer Christine Hall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.
THU 19:00 Beyond Our Ken (m000qb6k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Anything Legal (b0089hl7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 20:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl6q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 20:30 Hercule Poirot (b007ys7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 21:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (b08jlvmf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
THU 21:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lj1nf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 on Sunday]
THU 22:00 Sarah Kendall: Australian Trilogy (b0bfz5jy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 22:30 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.
THU 23:00 The Kneebone Bonanza (b01rgjq4)
Episode 5
By Carl Grose. The Kneebone's house has collapsed into a mine shaft. Will they get out before the bulldozers flatten the site?
Maddy ..... Alex Tregear
Dwight/Duke ..... Ed Gaughan
Slick ..... Michael Shelford
Directed by Claire Grove.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2013.
THU 23:15 Sir Henry at Rawlinson End (b00scw61)
Diplodocus vs Concreton
Surreal saga of a dynasty delicately balanced on the edge of sanity. Written by and stars Viv Stanshall. From December 1996.
THU 23:30 Ria Lina: School of Riason (b07j7jkl)
Award-winning comic Ria Lina shares her surprising experience of the year she concluded her local school wasn't making the grade and decided to school her children at home.
Well, not all of them, just the two she can stand.
No one was going to screw up her children better than she was. But suddenly, the responsibility for everything they were learning was upon her shoulders. Ria's eclectic upbringing and education provides a unique perspective on what is and isn't important for her children to learn, but none of that means she's necessarily the best equipped to guide the youth of today into the future of tomorrow. She had to quickly dig into the issues of what we teach, and how - writing her own curriculum with comedic results.
A lightly political-topical exposition on the dumbing down of society that arrives at a couple of surprising if delicious conclusions, while offering the idea of home schooling as a serious alternative contender to the current schooling system. It's didactic comedy for anyone who ever went to school. Complete with songs.
Ria Lina is an award-winning stand-up and musical comedy act who has electrified audiences across the globe with her biting material. Half Filipino, half German, she was born in Britain but raised in the USA and Europe. She's a trained actor, singer and dancer, was a member of The National Youth Theatre, and had an extensive education (she studied the International Baccalaureate before going on to acquire a BSc in Experimental Pathology, an MSc in Forensic Science and a PhD in Viral Bio-informatics). All this, and she even found time to learn to play the ukulele.
Produced by Lianne Coop
An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4


FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER 2020

FRI 00:00 The Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss (b00vc8bl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Great Lives (b06s9d1w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl6q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Hercule Poirot (b007ys7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 High Hopes by Ronnie Corbett (b0075y7r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:15 EV Crowe - I Confess (b08n3z6t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:15 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 Hail Marys and Miniskirts (b046l696)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 DH Lawrence - Women in Love (b007jrcj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Genius (b0076vc0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b0081rcb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Safety Catch (b00vryr6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 Sarah Kendall: Australian Trilogy (b0bfz5jy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl7g)
Bitter Medicine
Public Health
With her murder probe expanding, private detective V.I. Warshawski opts to employ some unusual methods in an attempt to trap the perpetrators.
Author Sara Paretsky’s character is comfortable packing heat and trailing violent suspects, without losing touch with her basic femininity. Dramatised for radio by Michelene Wandor.
CAST:
V.I. Warshawski …. Sharon Gless
Lottie Herschel …. Eleanor Bron
Bobby Mallory …. Bill Hootkins
Peter Burgoyne …. William Dufris
Murray Ryerson …. Kerry Shale
Sal/Nurse …. Alice Arnold
Mrs Rodriguez/Nurse/Woman …. Ann Beach
Alan Humphries …. Christopher Scott
Dick …. John Sharian
Max …. Jonathan Adams
Producer: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.
FRI 06:30 Hercule Poirot (b007ytww)
Murder on the Orient Express
Episode 5
Time is against Belgian sleuth, Hercule Poirot as he battles to unmask the murderer aboard the Orient Express.
Agatha Christie's whodunit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
Dr Constantine ...... Peter Polycarpou
Masterman ...... Desmond Llewelyn
Pierre Michel ...... Frank Windsor
Princess Dragmiroff ...... Sian Phillips
Mrs Hubbard ...... Sylvia Syms
Miss Debenham ...... Francesca Annis
Count Andrenyi ...... David Thorpe
Countess Andrenyi ...... Siriol Jenkins
Colonel Arbuthnot ...... Stephen Hodson
Foscarelli ...... Frank Coda
Miss Ohlsson ...... Kate Binchy
MacQueen ...... James Telfer
Fraulein Schmidt ...... Linda Polan
Music composed and played by Michael Haslam
From the book published in 1934 and dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1993.
FRI 07:00 Clare in the Community (b063dcgb)
Series 10
Things That Go Bump in the Day
The Sparrowhawk team are forced to work together to overcome a little problem they discover in the office. Lead by Clare, they're thinking outside the box...
Sally Phillips is Clare Barker the social worker who has all the right jargon but never a practical solution.
A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis. Clare is in her thirties, white, middle class and heterosexual, all of which are occasional causes of discomfort to her.
Each week we join Clare in her continued struggle to control both her professional and private life In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden
Producer Alexandra Smith.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.
FRI 07:30 Dot (b0bfxw6l)
Series 3
Dig for Victory!
By Ed Harris
The very idea of the 'countryside' fills Dot with horror, so when she finds herself recruited by the Women's Land Army to work the land, she sets about planning a great escape. Comic adventures in Ed Harris' witty and quirky wartime comedy.
Director . . . . . Sasha Yevtushenko.
FRI 08:00 The Navy Lark (b0195h23)
The Loch Ness Monster
Monstrous goings on when the crew of HMS Troutbridge hit Scotland.
Starring Leslie Phillips as the Sub-Lieutenant, Jon Pertwee as the Chief Petty Officer, Stephen Murray as the Commanding Officer, Richard Caldicot as Captain Povey, Heather Chasen as Heather, Michael Bates as Captain Aitchison and Tenniel Evans as the Landlord.
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 Wyman and George Evans.
Producer: Alastair Scott Johnston.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1971.
FRI 08:30 King Street Junior (b007rh35)
Series 2
Parents Evening
The arrival of supply teacher Mr West provokes strong reactions in the staffroom.
Jim Eldridge’s gentle drama about the staff and students of King Street Junior School.
Eric Brown …. Peter Davison
Mr Beeston …. James Grout
Mr Holiday …. Tom Watson
Mrs Stone …. Margaret John
Mrs Rudd …. Vivienne Martin
Mrs Patterson …. Deirdre Costello
Miss Lewis …. Marlene Sidaway
Mr West …. Peter Childs
Maria …. Samantha Cahill
Sundeep …. Robert Lynam
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1987.
FRI 09:00 Wordaholics (b04kf5zv)
Series 3
Episode 6
Irish comedian Ed Byrne, Tasmanian stand up and art expert Hannah Gadsby, punmaster general Milton Jones and classics boffin Natalie Haynes join chair Gyles Brandreth for the panel game for word fans.
The Letter of the week is 'Z'. Ed Byrne is asked what a 'Zigger-Zagger' is; Natalie 'a Zombie Title'; Hannah is asked about the German expression 'zugzwang', and Milton is as what he thinks a 'zafty' might be.
Also on the show the panellists are asked to coin their own topynyms. Tune in to find out what Natalie meant by Hackney and Alaska. And what did Milton imagine you'd find in Antandectwerp?
In a round called 'Eat It Or Not' the panel have to guess whether the foreign words hurled at them by Gyles are edible or not.
They then get a chance to add their own new word to the dictionary. Milton's is 'parashambles'; Hannah's is 'shelve'; Natalie's is 'fraudience' and Ed's is 'cheerbleeders'. But what are their definitions?
Finally the panellists are asked to delve into 'A Dictionary of Americanisms' from 1848. The phrases they are asked to muse on are: 'a hurra's nest'; a 'talking iron'; 'wamble-cropped' and 'shooting your grandmother'.
Writers: Jon Hunter and James Kettle.
Producer: Claire Jones.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2014.
FRI 09:30 Bookcases (b00szhvl)
Series 1
The Prosser Prize
London 1858: Primus is determined that Spavin and Spavin's entry should win this distinguished literary award, even if it means seducing the sponsors.
A four-part comedy written by Martyn Wade.
Primus …. Michael Cochrane
Cordelia …. Maggie Steed
Edith …. Elizabeth Spriggs
Gerald …. David Horovitch
Simeon …. Charles Simpson
Mrs Prosser …. Frances Jeater
Prosser …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Thackeray …. David Antrobus
Director: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.
FRI 10:00 DH Lawrence - Women in Love (b007k1yl)
Moonlight
Rupert proposes, but this decisive action leads to more questions rather than answers.
Ursula …. Clare Holman
Gudrun …. Stella Gonet
Gerald …. Douglas Hodge
Rupert …. Nicholas Farrell
Hermione …. Geraldine Fitzgerald
Mr. Brangwen …. Christopher Scott
Winnie …. Tracy Wiles
Mrs Critch …. Ann Beech
Mr Critch …. Norman Bird
With Shirley Dixon, Rebecca Wright, Robert Harper and Gillian Goodman
DH Lawrence's passionate novel was first published in 1920.
Dramatised in four parts by Elaine Feinstein.
Music composed by Anthea Gomez.
Director: Sue Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.
FRI 11:00 Podcast Radio Hour (m000qbc6)
Presenters recommend their favourite podcasts and speak to the people who make them.
FRI 12:00 The Navy Lark (b0195h23)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 12:30 King Street Junior (b007rh35)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl7g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Hercule Poirot (b007ytww)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 14:00 High Hopes by Ronnie Corbett (b0075y8c)
5. Corporate Hospitality
One of Britain's best loved comedy stars relates his life and times. Written and read by Ronnie Corbett.
Ronnie comes up from down under, and gets a second wind.
Ronnie tells us of life after the Two Ronnies, corporate gigs and OBEs.
Produced by Steve Doherty.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2000.
FRI 14:15 EV Crowe - I Confess (b08n4hmc)
Anna
Drama from award-winning writer E V Crowe about one man's investigation into himself.
Four important people didn't turn up to Henry and Anna's engagement party, and Henry's been to see them all, as Anna wanted him to. They've blamed the way he's treated them in the past, but he swears he's changed. However on his return home Anna, filled with misgivings and unnecessarily worried about an important exam, has told Henry that she doesn't want to marry him anymore.
It's time for Henry to choose who he wants to be...
Henry ...... Lee Ross
Anna ...... Kate O'Flynn
Miranda ...... Jill Halfpenny
Gemma ...... Karla Crome
Writer ...... E V Crowe
Director ..... Abigail le Fleming
THE WRITER
E V Crowe won the Imison Award for the best debut radio drama in 2015 with HOW TO SAY GOODBYE PROPERLY, about a girl growing up in an army family. Her first play 'Kin' was nominated for the Most Promising Playwright at the Evening Standard Awards, her second Royal Court play, 'Hero' was part of the Olivier Award winning Season in the Theatre Upstairs. Her most recent outing at The Royal Court was with THE SEWING GROUP in 2016. Other theatre work includes plays for Cardboard Citizens, the RSC and The Unicorn. TV includes GLUE for E4 and COMING UP for Channel 4.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2017.
FRI 14:30 Ladybird, Ladybird (b00765nt)
The story of a publishing phenomenon - and the last vestiges of a 1950s childhood. Ladybird books summons up ankle socks, sleeveless fair isle pullovers and days of innocence.
But as the Loughborough based company closes down its Midlands operation and is swallowed up by Penguin, it's the end of an era.
Produced at BBC Manchester by Lindsay Leonard.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2001.
FRI 15:00 DH Lawrence - Women in Love (b007k1yl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:00 Wordaholics (b04kf5zv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Bookcases (b00szhvl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Clare in the Community (b063dcgb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Dot (b0bfxw6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 18:00 The Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss (b00vfjsh)
Episode 5
Will spy hero Lucifer Box reach cult leader Olympus Mons' Satanic lair, deep beneath the Swiss Alps, in time to prevent the sacrifice of the "perfect victim"?
Mark Gatiss concludes his own fiendishly gripping adventure abridged by David Jackson Young.
Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by BBC Scotland and first broadcast in 2010.
FRI 18:30 Off the Page (b00cm9p8)
50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
Dominic Arkwright, Catherine Townsend, Neil McCormick and Kathy Lette discuss the tricky art of romantic bust-up. From 2008.
FRI 19:00 The Navy Lark (b0195h23)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 King Street Junior (b007rh35)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 20:00 VI Warshawski (b007jl7g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Hercule Poirot (b007ytww)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Podcast Radio Hour (m000qbc6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:00 today]
FRI 22:00 Dot (b0bfxw6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 22:30 What The Future? (b04svjbv)
Series 1
Living longer
As we all live longer, soon the elderly population outnumbers the young. The multiplexes are crammed full of sex romps starring Bill Nighy and soluble ham is a big seller. Soon, the Baby Boomers take over. While young people starve and suffer, the old blow billions on sending Danny Baker to the moon. But the population shrinks, and the elderly take drastic measures to solve the problem, creating something called a Sentient Organ Sac. It doesn't go well.
Kirsty Wark presents a documentary from the future... Starring Nadia Kamil, Geoffrey McGivern, Kieran Hogson, and Alistair McGowan. With Alice Scott-Gemmill, Ewan Bailey, Roslyn Hill, Hannah Genesius, Monty d'Inverno and Paul Heath.
Recorded 30 years from now, What the Future plunges into the world of tomorrow and investigates how decisions and actions concerning the current topics of today could have massive repercussions on our later lives. Dealing with issues ripped from the headlines, torn from the news agenda and hacked to shreds from Facebook feeds, WTF investigates how a single alteration now could create a chain reaction that permanently compromises the future for all.
Written by Madeleine Brettingham, Steve Burge and Dale Shaw.
Produced by Victoria Lloyd.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2014.
FRI 23:00 Tim Key's Late Night Poetry Programme (b03s9pjl)
Series 2
Survival
This week comedian Tim Key has travelled to 'the wilds' to recite poems which grapple with the concept of survival. Tom Basden plays the banjo.
Written and presented by Tim Key.
With Tom Basden.
Produced by James Robinson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2014.
FRI 23:15 Steven Appleby's Normal Life (b00sr30b)
Series 2
Normal Things
The cartoonist has a very removing experience when an expert de-clutters his house. Stars Paul McCrink. From March 2003.
FRI 23:30 Andrew Maxwell's Public Enemies (b007jtr3)
The Food Industry
Andrew Maxwell is one of the UK's most informed and fearless stand ups.
In this series of one-off stand up shows, he uses his trademark intelligence and political incisiveness to dig behind the clichés and assumptions about four possible threats to British society: food, the internet, drugs and Nationalism.
Andrew kicks off with a look at the food industry. From horseburgers right up to snail ice-cream, it seems like there's something wrong with every rung of the food ladder. But given that food is essential to survival, shouldn't we be clearer about what it is we want from the industry that provides it?
This series will showcase a comedian at the top of his abilities tackling difficult and important 'slow news' topics with a depth and perceptiveness that remains outside the remit of mainstream 'topical' comedy.
Written and performed by ..... Andrew Maxwell
Script edited by ..... Paul Byrne
Produced by ..... Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2013.