R4 Drama 2019

I'm typing these entries out, summarising them from RT, removing spoilers and editing / adding notes where necessary. Typos are gradually being removed. This week's drama is at the bottom of the page.

To locate a play, use Control-F which will bring up a search box. The page lists afternoon dramas including Sat-Sun. (Saturday Drama and Classic Serial). .........ND

Note that the 'Classic Serial' slot on Sunday afternoons is no longer described as such in the Radio Times. However I am still using the term so people can navigate the page more easily.

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THE PLAYS:

1 Jan: The Leopard
By Giuseppe di Lampedusa, read in 5 chunks (not a play) by Anton Lesser over the course of the day.: 9.30, 11.00, 12.30, 2.15 and 4.00. Anton relaxes at 9.45am by reading Book of the Week: Brief Answers to the Big Questions, by Stephen Hawking.

2 Jan: Me, Mum and Meena Kumari
By Samantha Baig, based on a true story by Akbar Kurtha, who is in the cast. A young actor struggles to deal with various challenges: caring for his bipolar mother, running his career, and the truth about his sexuality. Akbar: Akbar Kurtha, Zubeida: Shelley King, Uncle: Nish Nathwani, Lia: Emma Handy, Simon: Cameron Percival. Producer: Emma Harding.

3 Jan: The Receiver of Wreck
By Ben Cottam. A rusting ship is washed up on the shore in Fleetwood. What sort of vessel is it? Jen Green is the receiver of Wreck; it is the strangest case of her career. Jen: Alice Lowe, Prudence Peacock, Denisa and The Voice: Jane Horrocks, Malcolm: Pearce Quigley, Kelly: Lucy Gaskell, Adam: Tom Meeten, Jeanicia and Hannah: Hayley Doherty, Tanicia: Hannah Livingston, Ben: Ben Cottam. Producer: Alison Crawford.

4 Jan: Deceit, Desire and the Viking Helmet
By John Hegley, comedian and poet. A surreal and tragi-comic love story, with songs and poems. "John Shuttleworth" (Graham Fellows) is in the cast. The story is inspired by an Anthony Thwaite poem. Background action is provided by the football-playing children and members of the audience. From the Lowry Centre, Manchester. John: John Hegley, Mr. Cooper: Graham Fellows, Mrs. Cooper: Alison Belbin. Producer: Anne Edyvean. Rpt.

5 Jan: Saturday Play - The Canterbury Tales, 2
By the cast of The Archers, dram. Nick Warburton. The tales are set within the frame of the performance in David Archer's barn. Tellers of the Tales: Felicity Finch, Timothy Bentinck, Carole Boyd, Charlotte Martin, John Rowe, Simon Williams. THE PARDONER'S TALE: James Cartwright, Ian Pepperell, Barry Farrimond, John Rowe and Charlotte Martin. THE FRIAR'S TALE: Simon Williams, Timothy Bentinck, Ian Pepperell, Felicity Finch. THE FRANKLIN'S TALE: Barry Farrimond, James Cartwright, Annabelle Dowler and Charlotte Martin, THE BAILIFF'S TALE: Timothy Bentinck, Barry Farrimond, Ian Pepperell, Felicity Finch and Annabelle Dowler. Producer: Alison Hindell. Director: Kim Greengrass. 60m.

6 Jan: Classic Serial - Graeae's Amy Dorrit, 2
Dickens, moved to the modern day. By April de Angelis and Nicola Werenowska. Amy goes to university but has to return to the council estate when her father needs her help. She gets involved in the campaign to stop the sell-off. Amy: Audrey Brisson, Maggie: Kalijoy Perkins, Mrs. Chaudry: Liz Carr, with Ania Sowinski, Anna Elijasz, Tracey Anderson, Matti Houghton, John Kelly, Wayne Norman and Narinder Samra. Producer: Eloise Whitmore. Directors: Polly Thomas and Jenny Sealey.

7 Jan: Stone, 1
New series, using characters devised by Danny Brocklehurst. This episode written by Martin Jameson. Crime drama; a body is found at a hotel and DCI Stone is forced to navigate the world of catering. Stone: Hugo Speer, DS Sue Kelly: Deborah McAndrew, DI Mike Tanner: Craig Cheetham, with Lizzie Stavrou, Jason Done, Millie Gibson, Angela Lonsdale, George Bukhari, Peter Singh, William Ash, Sacha Parkinson, Emma Cunliffe, William Fox, Nadia Emam, Simon Trinder. Producers: Nadia Molinari and Gary Brown. Director: NM.

8 Jan: Stone, 2
By Martin Jameson. Stone investigates the background of the murder victim. Details- as yesterday.

9 Jan: Stone, 3
Episode written by Richard Monks. After a surprising discovery about his key witness, Stone's investigation into the murder of Maxwell Foley becomes increasingly difficult.

10 Jan: Stone, 4
By Richard Monks. Stone follows some important leads as the past haunts one of the main suspects.

11 Jan: Stone, 5
By Richard Monks. As Stone gets closer to the truth, forces conspire to prevent past crimes from being revealed.

12 Jan: Saturday Play - Riot Days, 1
By Maria Alyokhina; her account of her activism, trial and imprisonment as part of the Russian feminist punk protest group Pussy Riot. Part 1 of 2; conclusion tomorrow. Maria: Katie West,Nadya: Kerry Gooderson, Katya: Kathryn Drysdale, Petya: Cameron Percival, Lena: Alexandra Meyrick, Olga: Roslyn Hill, Violetta: Clare Corbett, Investigator and Judge: Ronny Jhutti, Oksana: Lucy Doyle, Bass Player and Beautician: Saffron Coomber, Prosecutor: Tony Turner, Major: Michael Bertenshaw, Prisoner: Alexandra Constantinidi, Guards: Carolyn Pickles and Jeanette Percival. Producer: Emma Harding.

13 Jan: Classic Serial slot: Riot Days, 2
By Maria Alokhina; conclusion. Production team: see above.

14 Jan: Into the Maze, 1
By Ayeesha Menon. Thriller set in London, Riyadh and Mumbai, exploring problems faced by women when it comes to sexual assault and personal freedom. Hotel worker Saira is raped by a rich Saudi guest. It throws her life, and that of her sister, into chaos. Jamila: Maya Sondhi, Saira: Aysha Kala, Najma: Fatima Adoum, Majid: Silas Carson, Zafar: Amir El-Masry, Purab: Ronny Jhutti, Clare: Clare Corbett, Sharon: Jeanette Percival, Andy: Lewis Bray, Ms. Morgan: Carolyn Pickles, John McKinley: Tony Turner, DC Price: Alexandra Constantinidi, Officer Megan: Lucy Doyle, Barfly: Christopher Harper, Fisher: Waleed Elgadi, Wheeler: Sam Dale, Jamila's boss: Waleed Elgadi, Guide: Ronny Jhutti, Judge: Sam Dale, Colleague: Christopher Harper. Producer: Emma Harding. Research consultant: David Rhodes, Doughty Street Chambers.

15 Jan: Into the Maze, 2
Jamila decides to use her vlog to bring her sister's rapist to justice, but someone wants to silence her.

16 Jan: Into the Maze, 3
Conclusion. Clare confronts Najma about the true identity of Saira's rapist. Production details: see 14 Jan.

17 Jan: Torch no. 1
By David Pownall. Broadcast to mark the 50th anniversary of the year when Russian tanks invaded Czechoslovakia. Rpt from Jan 2009. Jan Palach set himself on fire in the centre of Prague 50 years ago. He was not a fanatic or a terrorist. The play explores Palach's state of mind and asks why he did it. Indie production (Pier). Karl Davies stars as Palach; produced by Martin Jenkins.

18 Jan: The Ethical Hacking Bureau
By David Leddy. Barbara recently thought that her Tory grandee husband was having an affair. With the help of her Zumba teacher she hacks his phone, only to discover he wasn't. But it doesn't end there; next she starts to investigate her son-in-law, an MP. She encounters something more serious. Barbara: Patricia Hodge, Lucinda: Anita Vettesse, Nicky: Sarah Niles, Tom: Robin Laing, Celine/Kapoor/Miss Simmonds: Maryam Hamidi, Mr. Hooper: Finlay Welsh. Producer: Kirsty Williams.

19 Jan: Saturday Play - The Double
By Dostoyevsky, dram. Jonathan Holloway. A lonely civil servant is driven to madness when his life is stolen by a doppelganger.. The scene is changed in this adaptation; we're in a steampunk version of St. Petersburg, and there are intrusions from the 21st century along with a cyber-weapon. Golyakin and his doppelganger: Joseph Millson, Andrei: Sean Murray, Dr. Rutenspitz: Elizabeth Counsell, Klara / Needles: Kerry Gooderson,. Marmeladov: Lauren Cornelius, Raskolnikov: Joseph Ayre, Fatboy: Ryan Whittle, Maitre d': Ryan Early. Producer: Gemma Jenkins.

20 Jan: Classic Serial: Roderick Hudson, 1
By Henry James, adapted by Lavinia Murray in 2 55m episodes, from the novel (1975). Rowland Mallet becomes patron to a young sculptor and takes him to Rome to study. They don't get on as well as they both expected. Henry James: John Lynch, Roderick: Luke Newberry, Rowland: Derek Riddell, Christina: Emily Beecham, Mary: Caitlin Thorburn, Mrs. Hudson and Mme. Grandoni: Susan Twist, Cecilia: Kate Hudson, Mrs. Light: Lorelei King, Calaliere: Stephen Marzella. Producer: Pauline Harris.

21 Jan: 19 Weeks
By Emily Steel. The story of a woman whose life is in utter turmoil; she is pregnant but there is a suspicion that the child may have Down's Syndrome. Gradually the odds get shorter. Eva Myles as Emily, with: The Doctor:Vanessa Hehir, social worker: Mufrida Hayes, sonographer: Kali Hughes, Frank: Milo Robinson. Producer: Helen Perry. Eva Myles received the Audio Drama Award for Best Actress for her outstanding performance in this play.

22 Jan: County Lines
By Amelia Bullmore, rpt. from June last year. A young black woman sits opposite a middle-aged white woman on a train. Neither of them is what she seems. Joy: Brid Brennan, Umi: Tamara Lawrance, with Sean Murray as the steward, Ryan Early, Nahel Tzegai, Ryan Whittle and Lauren Cornelius. Producer: Mary Peate.

23 Jan: Spike and the Elfin Oak
By Ian Billings, rpt. First-class comic fantasy inspired by Spike Milligan's attempts to preserve the Elfin Oak in Kensington Gardens fifty years ago. Spike: David Threlfall, young Spike: Charlie Brand, Norma Farnes: Kerry Gooderson, Laura: Rosie Boore, Sile: Charlotte Emmett, Mother Superior: Georgie Glen, park keeper: Luke Bailey, Mrs. Grumples: Lauren Cornelius, Groodles: Ryan Early, Huckleberry: Clive Hayward, George: Neil McCaul, council boss: Philip Bretherton, vandal: Rupert Holliday Evans, man with dog: Ghazanfar Hyder. Producer: Gemma Jenkins. David Threlfall won the Best Actor in a Radio Drama award for his performance as Spike, and the play reached the finals (down to the last 3) for the Imison Award 2019.

24 Jan: The Thickness
By Daniel Lawrence Taylor, rpt. Described in RT as a satire about gender and power. Marcus is intelligent, cool, creative and spontaneous. His daughter is 14 years old and pregnant and his 17-year-old son is trying to get off with Marcus's girlfriend. Meanwhile his ex-partner refuses to talk to him. Marcus: Jason Barnett, Grace: Clare Perkins, Eli: McKell David (sp?), Nathan: Simon Mayo, Lyeasha: Keziah Joseph, Clifford: Alex Lanipekun, Andre: Percelle Ascott, Nadine: Yasmin Monet Prince. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

25 Jan: Hello Caller
By Jonathan Holloway. A good example of a play which works best on radio. Decommissioned telephone boxes reveal their secrets; a myriad of voices in trapped phone calls. Annette Badland, Luke MacGregor, Sean Murray, David Reakes and Alex Tregear supply the voices. Producer: Alison Crawford.

26 Jan: Saturday Play - The Bottle Factory Outing
By Beryl Bainbridge (novel), adapted by Abigail Youngman, recorded in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre at Broadcasting House. The performance is by Diane Morgan and Maxine Peake. During the performance they break off and discuss their love of the book. Sue Johnston narrates, and Jonathan Keeble plays all of the male characters. Producer: Beth O'Dea. 45m.

27 Jan: Classic Serial: Roderick Hudson, 2
By Henry James, dram. Lavinia Murray. A number of relationships are tested... Henry James: John Lynch (narrator), Roderick: Luke Newberry, Rowland: Derek Riddell, Christina: Emily Beecham, Mary: Caitlin Thorburn, Mrs. Hudson and Mme. Grandoni: Susan Twist, Cecilia: Kate Hudson, Mrs. Light: Lorelei King, Calaliere: Stephen Marzella. Producer: Pauline Harris.

28 Jan: A Border Fantasy
By Hugh Costello; another play about Brexit. This one imagines what other possible Brexit outcomes might mean for Ireland. Tania is a business guru and boss of a global tech giant company who flies to the company's HQ in Dublin on the eve of Theresa May's crucial vote on Brexit. The under-achieving Fintan Cooke is delegated to show her the invisible border at the heart of the controversial 'backstop' issue. [Surely they should say wicket-keeper, not backstop - Ed]. Fintan: Colin Morgan, Sinead: Simone Kirby, Tania: Jeany Spark, Ross: Fergal McElherron, Douglas: Frank Laverty. Producer: Eoin O'Callaghan.

29 Jan: Chopsticks
By Jason Barker and Ellie Kendrick. Transgender play. Joanne and Pauline were teenage bridesmaids when they fell in love. Now it is 20 years later; Joanne has undergone trans-operative surgery to become a man, Joel; Pauline considered doing the same thing. One might think their reunion would be easy, considering their shared experiences, but as they say, it's complicated. The play takes a close look at gender identity. Joel: Jason Barker, Blaise: Tigger Blaize, Linda: Christine Cox. Producer: Charlotte Riches.

30 Jan: The Ferryhill Philosophers, 1
By Michael Chaplin, rpt. A Good Thing for a Good Reason. An unemployed ex-miner and a philosophy lecturer become unlikely friends in a small village by the river Wear. They become concerned with moral issues in the community. Joe, the miner: Alun Armstrong, Hermione, the philosopher: Deborah Findlay, Derek: Joe Caffrey, Gloria: Tracy Whitwell, Lucy: Lauren Kellegher, Barry: Jonathan Keeble. Indie: Catherine Bailey Productions; CB produced and Marilyn Imrie directed.

31 Jan: Pieces
By Sian Owen. A modern-day fairy tale. Ellie is suffering from a broken heart. Her sister, Jess, is the only one with a chance of putting the pieces back together. little Jessica: Eva-Marie Thomas, adult Jessica: Carys Eleri, little Ellie: Catrin Jordan, adult Ellie: Sara Gregory, Archie: Rhodri Meilir, Amy: Claire Cage. Producer: Gilly Adams.

1 Feb: Suspicious Minds
By Tom Fowler. A time-travelling fantasy, with the settings ranging from the Titanic to Ancient Rome. Mark is trying to repair a troubled relationship with his unfaithful partner so he books the trip of a lifetime involving visits to different periods of history, but without the ability to change known events. Will it work? Fran: Susannah Fielding, Mark: Tom Motherdale, Simon: Christopher Harper, Duchess: Lucy Doyle, Duke: Tony Turner, Ada: Carolyn Pickles, Greg: Ronny Jhutti. Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko.

2 Feb: Saturday Play - By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept
By Elizabeth Smart. The writer's fictional account of her love affair with the poet George Barker, written as prose poetry and published in 1945. Adapted for radio by Honor Berwick from an unmade screenplay by Laura Lamson. Elizabeth: Nancy Carroll, George: Mark Bazeley, Jessica and Amy: Claudie Blakley, Russel Smart: Garrick Hagon, Louie Smart and Mrs.Erikson: Barbara Barnes, Russel Smart, Jr: Jamie Thomas King. Producer: Catherine Bailey, director: Tristram Powell. Indie (Catherine Bailey Productions).

3 Feb: Classic Serial: Mueller
By Jonathan Myerson. Robert Mueller is the attorney leading the investigation into the possible links between Donald Trump and Russia during the 2016 presidential election campaign. Jonathan Myerson has previously written plays about the Republicans and the Clintons. Hunter: Christy Meyer, Najib: Robert Gilbert, Saloman: Ako Mitchell, Felix Slater: Nathan Osgood, George: Pandora Colin, Stormy Daniels: Nancy Crane, Michael Cohen: Kerry Shale. Producer: Boz Temple Morris.

4 Feb: Tumanbay, 1
Series 3 of John Dryden's historical saga, co-written with Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamlukslave rulers of Egypt. The city is recovering from a brutal occupation of the city by the followers of Maya, with Manel now ruling. Gregor: Rufus Wright, Manel: Aiysha Hart, Cadali: Matthew Marsh, Bavand: Peter Polycarpou, Alkin: Nathalie Armin, Herod: Amir El-Masry, Heaven: Olivia Popica, General Qulan: Christopher Fulford, Frog: Finn Elliot, Matilda: Humera Syed, Akiba: Akin Gazi, Selim: Farshid Rokey, Spider: Yusuf Hofri, Librarian: Antony Bunsee, Cafe owner: Muzz Khan, Deiner: Vivek Madan, swords trader: Nadir Khan. Producers: Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Dryden. Director: JD.

5 Feb: Blind School
By Mandy Redvers-Rowe and Sarah McDonald-Hughes. Nina joins Charlesworthy School for the Blind. Despite help from her new friend Laura, Nina struggles. Cameo parts by former MP David Blunkett, broadcaster Peter White and journalist Lee Kumutat. Other roles played by staff and students from New College, Worcester. Nina: Ellie Wallwork, Laura: Robin Kinnersley, Ms. Monroe: Gillian Dean, Nina's mum: Ellie Darvill, Ruby: Carys White, Milly: Amber Rogers, Jazz: Sarah McDonald-Hughes, Librarian: Mandy Redvers-Rowe, teacher: David Blunkett, rail announcers: Peter White and Lee Kumutat. Producer: Sharon Sephton.

6 Feb: The Ferryhill Philosophers, 2
By Michael Chaplin, rpt. Joe and Hermione continue to tackle moral issues in the community. This week - should a jobless teenage girl be able to sell her body for sex, and should the truth always be told, regardless of the consequences? Joe: Alun Armstrong, Hermione: Deborah Findlay, Vera: Jackie Lye, Kerry: Laura Elphinstone, Gaz: Chris Grahamson, Rollo Ironside: John Rowe. Producer: Catherine Bailey (Indie), Director: Marilyn Imrie.

7 Feb: Boy Fly
By Daniel Lawrence Taylor. Comedy. At a Peckham coffee shop, a street artist, Sommore, is painting a community art work on the wall. But she has moved out of Peckham to a more upper-class area. Sommore: Nadine Marshall, Michael: Michael Ajao, Ashley: Don Gilet, Tom: Christopher Harper, Luke: Ronny Jhutti, Mrs. Thomas: Clare Corbett, Pearl: Carolyn Pickles. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

8 Feb: Control
By Adrian Penketh, rpt. A play about dramatic events in the world of air traffic control. Rob: Robert Emms, Megan: Michelle Terry, with Priyanga Burford, John Bowler, John Dougall, Karen Bartke, Gavi Singh Chera, Nick Murchie, Luke MacGregor. Producer: Emma Harding.

9 Feb: Saturday Play - Pandora's Box
By Katie Hims. The drama goes in search of Wedekind's 'Lulu' - older readers may remember the famous radio production by Martin Esslin in 1975. Lulu is every man's erotic fantasy, and therefore, worst nightmare as well. Wedekind and Lulu: Kate O'Flynn, Justin/Aiwa: Joseph Ayre, Simone/Geschwitz: Ayesha Antoine, Kerry: Kerry Gooderson, Dr. Schoen: Tony Turner, Schigolch: Michael Bertenshaw, Piani: Ronny Jhutti, the kind-faced man: Christopher Harper, Rodrigo: Don Gilet, Dr. van Zarnikov: Sam Dale, Charlotte: Franchi Webb. Producer: Toby Swift.

10 Feb: Classic Serial: The Door in the Pillow
By F.C.Boyce; a play about dementia. He weaves its impact into a ghost story. Annie's fractured sense of the world is held together by stories. Her daughter Terri starts to wonder where the tales are coming from. Annie: Anne Mitchell, Terri: Samantha Spiro, Bernie: Carolyn Pickles,Eric: Tony Turner, Father Burns: Don Gilet, soldier: Chris Harper, children: Grace Doherty, Eviee Lavery,and other roles performed by Saffron Coomber, Jeanette Percival and Alexandra Constantinidi. Producer-Director: Allegra McIlroy.

11 Feb: Tumanbay, 2
Episode 2 of 8. By Mike Walker, which was co-created with John Dryden. The city prepares for a royal wedding, and a prominent palace official returns. Gregor: Rufus Wright, Manel: Aiysha Hart, Cadali: Matthew Marsh, Grand Master Amalric: Anton Lesser, Bavand: Peter Polycarpou, Alkin: Nathalie Armin, Herod: Amir El-Masry, Heaven: Olivia Popica, General Qulan: Christopher Fulford, Frog: Finn Elliot, Matilda: Humera Syed, Akiba: Akin Gazi, Selim: Farshid Rokey, Spider: Yusuf Hofri, prisoner: Nadir Khan, Martha: Marlene Madenge, slave captain: George Georgiou, the Hafiz: Antony Bunsee, Courtier: Vivek Madan. Producers: Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Dryden. Director: JD.

12 Feb: Northern Lights
By Paul Fraser. Set in a caravan park in Northern England; the story revolves around a handyman named Tom. Tom: Michael Socha, Abby: Rachel Deering, with Mark Addy, Susan Brown, Gordon Kennedy, Sam Rix, Glennn Hirst, Kirsty Oswald. Producer: Gemma McMullen.

13 Feb: The Ferryhill Philosophers, 1
By Michael Chaplin, rpt. Episode title: Filial duties and special goods. An unemployed ex-miner and a college lecturer try to sort out moral dilemnas. Joe's elderly ailing mother wants to die, and asks her son for help. Rpt. from Feb 2016. Joe: Alun Armstrong, Hermione: Deborah Findlay, George: Geoffrey Palmer, Bella: Anne Reid, Dr. Dainty: Jonathan Keeble, Mrs. Cornish: Tracy Gillman. Producer: Catherine Bailey; indie- Catherine Bailey Productions, director: Marilyn Imrie.

14 Feb: The Love Test
By Brian Coyle. Valentine's Day comedy about meeting the perfect partner. Kate, a journalist, is writing an article about a pshchological test capable of saying when you've met the perfect partner. She tries it herself. Kate: Kate O'Flynn, Sam: Carl Prekopp, Mark: Stephen Hogan, Sarah: Deborah Findlay, Gerri: Samara MacLaren. Producer: Bruce Young.

15 Feb: Martians
By Lucy Caldwell. A young midwife prepares to begin life on another planet. She is one of the very few chosen to go to Mars. Laura: Tia Bannon, Michael: Toheeb Jimoh, Margo: Angel Coulby, Lorraine: Michelle Greenidge, Eoin: Lloyd Hutchinson, Joan: Joy Richardson, with Tallulah Bond, Ronny Jhutti and Beth Goddard supplying the other voices. Producer: Celia de Wolff.

16 Feb: Saturday Play: China Towns,1
New series of 11 episodes. A reinterpretation of the "Five Town" novels by Arnold Bennett, set in the Stafforshire Potteries, dram. Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan. It is the middle of the Industrial Revolution. Edwin Clayhanger leaves school with dreams of becoming a painter, but his father refuses to tolerate such an idea. Ephraim: Neil Dudgeon, Darius: Tim McInnerney, Edwin: Cameron Percival, Auntie Hamps: Carolyn Pickles, Big James: Ian Conningham, Constance: Bryony Hannah, Sophia: Alexandra Constantinidi, Mrs. Baines: Clare Corbett, Mr. Povey: Lewis Bray, with Michael Bertenshaw, Tony Turner, Christopher Harper, Don Gilet, Saffron Coomber, Jeanette Percival and Evie Killip. Producers: Marion Nancarrow and Gemma Jenkins. Director: MN.

17 Feb: Classic Serial slot: China Towns, 2
More from the inhabitants of Bursley and the Five Towns (of Stoke-on-Trent) between 1865 and 1903. Continues next Saturday. Production details- as yesterday, with Marion Nancarrow as producer and director.

18 Feb: Tumanbay, 3
By Mike Walker. The Blind Man. The priest warriors offer protection, but it will cost... Gregor: Rufus Wright, Manel: Aiysha Hart, Cadali: Matthew Marsh, Grand Master Amalric: Anton Lesser, Bavand: Peter Polycarpou, Alkin: Nathalie Armin, Herod: Amir El-Masry, Heaven: Olivia Popica, General Qulan: Christopher Fulford, Frog: Finn Elliot, Matilla: Humera Syed, Akiba: Akin Gazi, Selim: Farshid Rokey, Heaven: Olivia Popica, Courtier: Nadir Khan, Martha: Marlene Madenge, slave captain: George Georgiou, Balarac sergeant: Alexander Arnold, Merick: Carl Prekopp, prostitute: Marlene Madenge, Barli: Vivek Madan, Courtier: Vivek Madan. Producers: Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Dryden. Director: JD. Indie - Goldhawk.

19 Feb: Daphne and Apollo
By Joey Christie, told as a fictional documentary. Actors are interviewed in character and respond with semi-improvised performances. Daphne falls in love and in six months loses everything. Then she tries to fight for justice.Will the others listen? Daphne: Hannah Boyde, Annie: Hannah Ringham, Joe: Philip Jackson, Laura: Grainne Byre, Gavin: Adam Deacon. Producer: James Robinson, director: Rebecca Lloyd-Evans.

20 Feb: The Ferryhill Philosophers
By Michael Chaplin, rpt. from 2016. Another moral dilemma. Joe and Herminione see the wife of Joe's friend with another man. Joe: Alun Armstrong, Hermione: Deborah Findlay, Polly: Gina McKee, Andy: Christopher Connel, Sadie: Jackie Lye. Producer: Catherine Bailey [CB Productions], director: Marilyn Imrie.

21 Feb: A World Elsewhere: The Return
By Clara Glynn, about a radicalised teenager who travelled to Syria. Now she has returned and has been arrested at Glasgow Airport. A very topical drama, bearing in mind the dangers such individuals may pose to the UK authorities. The military have made their views on this clear. Rida: Shabana Bakhsh, Samera: Nalini Chetty, Amir: Susheel Kumar, Tariq: Atta Yaqub, with Emma Hartley-Miller and Paul Kozinski. Producer: David Ian Neville.

22 Feb: Sick
By Annalise D'Innella. A play about extreme morning sickness in pregnancy. Kate: Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Dr. Manning and the Smart Phone: Teresa Gallagher, Naomi: Cariad Lloyd, Dan and Nurse Craig: Alex Lowe, Evelyn: Alison Steadman, John: Sean Baker, Young Kate: Kathleen Keaney, Young Naomi: Lola Page, Sophie: Xu. Producer: Karen Rose. Indie (Sweet Talk).

23 Feb: Saturday Play - China Towns, 3
Reinterpretation of Arnold Bennett, dram. Shaum McKenna and Lin Coghlan. Ephraim plots to get rid of unwanted elements from the Five Towns, and Sophia isn't as happy as she thought she'd be on escaping from her home town. Ephraim Tellwright: Neil Dudgeon, Darius Clayhanger: Tim McInnerney, Edwin: Cameron Percival, Sophia: Alexandra Constantinidi, Gerald Scales: Chris Harper, Chirac: Charlie Anson, Janet: Saffron Coomber, Mme. Foucault: Caroline Loncq, Hilda Lessways: Lucy Doyle, Sarah Gailey: Clare Corbett, George Cannon: Gunnar Cauthary, Dayton: Don Gilet, Big James: Ian Conningham, Florrie: Helen Monks, Cassie: Jeanette Percival, Mr. Orgreave: Tony Turner, Charlie Orgreave: Joseph Ayre, Elliott: Paul Bown, Shushions: Michael Bertenshaw, David: Tony Turner. Producers: Gemma Jenkins and Marion Nancarrow; director: MN.

24 Feb: Classic Serial slot - China Towns, 4
Sophia is stranded in Paris. Hilda Lessways, meanwhile, is causing trouble back home. Cast and production - see yesterday.

25 Feb: Tumanbay, 4
By Mike Walker and John Dryden. Cadali begins a plot to take over the empire. Frog stows away on the Balarac's ships on a mission to kill Grand Master Amalric. He believes the Grand Master is destined to harm the girl he loves. Gregor: Rufus Wright, Manel: Aiysha Hart, Cadali: Matthew Marsh, Grand Master Amalric: Anton Lesser, Bavand: Peter Polycarpou, Alkin: Nathalie Armin, Herod: Amir El-Masry, Heaven: Olivia Popica, Frog: Finn Elliott, General Qulan: Christopher Fulford, Akiba: Akin Gazi, Balarac captain: Antony Bunsee, Balarac sergeant: Alexander Arnold, Madam: Annabelle Dowler, Courtier: Nadir Khan, Guard: Vivek Madan, prophet woman: Doyla Gavanski. Producers: JD, Emma Hearn and Nadir Khan. Director: JD. Goldhawk, Indie.

26 Feb: Debbie Purdy
Medical play by Joy Williamson, dramatised from Debbie's book about her struggle with MS. Debbie Purdy was a journalist whose diagnosis of MS led her to a legal challenge in the House of Lords regarding her husband's rights should he assist in her death. Debbie: Christine Bottomley, Omar Puente: Stefan Adegbola, Saimo Chahal: Saffron Coomber, Belinda: Lucy Doyle, Keir Starmer: Don Gilet, helpline lady: Carolyn Pickles, Neurologist: Tony Turner. Producer: Jonquuil Panting.

27 Feb: The Ferryhill Philosophers
By Michael Chaplin. The mother of a boy on a life-support machine asks for Joe's help with a difficult decision. Joe: Alun Armstrong, Hermione: Deborah Findlay, Isabel: Gina McKee, Gordon: Deka Walmesley. Indie: Catherine Bailey Productions; producer CB, director: Marilyn Imrie.

28 Feb: The Third Consecutive Event in Talbot Leigh
By Peter Strickland. Jen and Tim have booked a short break at a hi-tech luxury home equipped with a voice-operated smart speaker system. As exhausted new parents, they are looking forward to a rest, but the weekend doesn't go to plan. Jen: Maimie McCoy, Tim: Paul Ready, Jo: Stephanie Racine, Rod: Leo Bill, Brian: Carl Prekopp, Mark: Jon Millington. Producer: Peter Strivkland.

1 Mar: The Old Man In The Moon.
By Leila Soyah. A British-Iranian academic goes to Iran, recalling memories of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Darius: Paul Chahidi, Majid: Bamshad Abedi-Amin, Sara: Betsabeh Emran, Omid and Morteza: Sharif Dorani, young Darius: Gabriel Ramiah, young Majid: Zac Dowlatshahi, young Omid: Jason Nicolaou. Producer: Boz Temple-Morris.

2 Mar: Saturday Play slot - China Towns, 5
By Arnold Bennett, adap. by Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan. 11-hour marathon. Tellwright and Hilda Lessways take centre stage. Ephraim Tellwright: Neil Dudgeon, Darius Clayhanger: Tim McInnerney, Edwin: Cameron Percival, Sophia: Alexandra Constantinidi, Chirac: Charlie Anson, Janet: Saffron Coomber, Mme. Foucault: Caroline Loncq, Hilda Lessways: Lucy Doyle, Sarah Gailey: Clare Corbett, George Cannon: Gunnar Cauthary, Ingpen: Don Gilet, Big James: Ian Conningham, Florrie: Helen Monks, Cassie: Jeanette Percival, Mr. Orgreave: Tony Turner, Charlie Orgreave: Joseph Ayre, Elliott: Paul Bown, Ruth Tellwright: Rebekah Staton, Titus Price: Michael Bertenshaw, Mr. Boutwood and Dr. Heve: Tony Turner, with Sam Dale and Chris Harper.. Producers: Gemma Jenkins and Marion Nancarrow; director: MN.

3 Mar: Classic Serial slot: China Towns, 6.
Industrial action at Bursley, and Edwin tells Hilda he loves her, but true love never runs smooth. Cast and production - as yesterday.

4 Mar: Tumanbay, 5
Episode 5 of 8. By Mike Walker and John Dryden. General Qulan travels to the provinces in the hope of raising an army to defend Tumanbay. He meets Fatima, a provincial governor's wife. Fatima: Tara Fitzgerald, Gregor: Rufus Wright, Manel: Aiysha Hart, Grand Master Amalric: Anton Lesser, Cadali: Matthew Marsh, Bavand: Peter Polycarpou, Alkin: Nathalie Armin, Herod: Amir El-Masry, Heaven: Popica, the General: Christopher Fulford, Frog: Finn Elliot, Akiba: Akin Gazi, Balarac Sergeant: Alexander Arnold. Producers: JD, Emma Hearn and Nadir Khan. Director: JD. Goldhawk, Indie.

5 Mar: Bathwater
By Vicky Foster. Vicky is a poet; the drama is about her experiences involving violence in family life. With Vicky Foster and Finlay McGuigan. Producer: Susan Roberts.

6 Mar: The Ferryhill Philosophers
By Michael Chaplin, rpt. 2/2 Political Obligations and the Occasional Toke. Joe has to uncover his neighbours' illicit activities and confront old betrayals from the 1984 miners' stike. Joe: Alun Armstrong, Hermione: Deborah Findlay, Brian: Christopher Connel, Lucy: Lauren Kellegher, with Dean Logan and Dean Bone. Producer Catherine Bailey, dir. Marilyn Imrie. CB Productions (Indie).

7 Mar: First Do No Harm - Elaine
By Al Smith. Drama about the NHS. I think fictional but the RT doesn't make it entirely clear whether this is a drama-documentary. Elaine Newton's husband died whilst under NHS supervision, but attempting to find exactly what led to the tragedy is like stirring a hornet's nest. Elaine: Rosie Cavaliero, Greg: Michael Bertenshaw, Rhys: Joel McCormack, Caz: Jade Croot, Niall: Joseph Ayre, Joy: Kelly Williams, Maggie: Clare Corbett, DJ: Don Gilet, Lenny: Sam Dale, Keith: Christopher Harper, Jane: Sarah Ovens, Dave: Ronny Jhutti, Martha: Franchi Webb. Producers: Jessica Dromgoole and Sally Avens. Director: JG.

8 Mar: First Do No Harm - Rhys
By Al Smith. Second medical drama about those challenging the workings of the NHS. [Unfortunately RT's writeup is identical to that of 7 Mar]. Rhys is a doctor who tries to help Elaine. Cast - as yesterday, plus Annabel Facer and Sharita Oomeer.

9 Mar: Saturday Play slot - China Towns, 7
Arnold Bennett, dram. Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan. Darius Clayhanger faces a day of reckoning, and love thrives during the Paris Siege. Ephraim Tellwright: Neil Dudgeon, Darius Clayhanger: Tim McInnerney, Edwin: Cameron Percival, Auntie Hamps: Carolyn Pickles, Sophia: Alexandra Constantinidi, Chirac: Charlie Anson, Janet: Saffron Coomber, Agnes: Amy-Jayne Leigh, Mme. Foucault: Caroline Loncq, Hilda Lessways: Lucy Doyle, Sarah Gailey: Clare Corbett, George Cannon: Gunnar Cauthary, Ingpen: Don Gilet, Big James: Ian Conningham, Florrie: Helen Monks, Cassie: Jeanette Percival, Mr. Orgreave: Tony Turner, Charlie Orgreave: Joseph Ayre, Elliott: Paul Bown, Ruth Tellwright: Rebekah Staton, Titus Price: Michael Bertenshaw, Dr. Heve: Tony Turner, with Chris Harper. Producers: Gemma Jenkins and Marion Nancarrow; director: MN.

10 Mar: Classic Serial slot: China Towns, 8
Anna Tellwright, daughter of the most feared man in the Five Towns, receives life-changing news on her 21st birthday. Cast and production team - see yesterday's entry.

11 Mar: Tumanbay, 6
Fatima, by Mike Walker; series co-created by Mike Walker and John Dryden. The return of the General with an army from the rpovinces gives a hope of stabiliity to the city recovering from a recent coup. But with it has come Herod's ambitious mother Fatima. Fatima: Tara Fitzgerald, Gregor: Rufus Wright, Manel: Aiysha Hart, Cadali: Matthew Marsh, Grand Master Amalric: Anton Lesser, Bavand: Peter Polycarpou, Herod: Amir El-Masry, Selim: Farshid Rokey, Heaven: Olivia Poopica, General Qulan: Christopher Fulford, Frog: Finn Elliot, Matilla: Humera Syed, Nurse: Annabelle Dowler, Sisco: Raad Rawi, Undertakers: Vivek Madan and Nadir Khan, Cafe owner: Muzz Khan, Cafe boy: Yusuf Hofri. Producers: JD, Emma Hearn and Nadir Khan. Director: JD. Goldhawk, Indie.

12 Mar: Seven Five Zero Zero
By Adrian Penketh. A desperate pilot hijacks his own plane. Set in and around an airport. Steve: Don Gilet, Neil and Tanner: Shaun Mason, Megan: Katherine Press, Chris: Christopher Harper, Tim: Ronny Jhutti, Giles: Tony Turner, GG: Chetna Pandya, Prime Minister: Susan Jameson, Helen: Sarah Owens. Producer: Emma Harding.

13 Mar: The Ferryhill Philosophers
By Michael Chaplin, rpt. Thought Experiments and a Little Scrap of a Thing. Lucy, Joe's daughter, is pregnant and about to go to university. Everyone else seems to have an opinion, but Hermione, unusually, is remaining silent. Hermione: Deborah Findlay, Joe: Alun Armstrong, Lucy, Joe's daughter: Lauren Kellegher, Peter Smith: Dean Bone, Gloria: Phillippa Wilson, Gillian Smith: Tracy Gillman. Producer Catherine Bailey, dir. Marilyn Imrie. Catherine Bailey Productions (Indie).

14 Mar: An Angel in Miami
By Sebastian Backiewicz, recorded on location in Miami. Amir is a well-off businessman with a beautiful business partner and enjoys VIP club privileges. But when his celebrity guest fails to show up, he's in a bit of a hole. A distinguished guest unexpectedly offers his assistance. Angel: Joseph Marcell, Amir: Abraham Popoola, Mila: Samantha Dakin, Toshi: Akie Kotabe. Producer: Joby Waldman.

15 Mar: Five Rachels
By Katie Hims. A play about the nature of memory. Rachel seems to have discovered memories she didn't used to have. She thinks the memories are from her past, but the doctor doesn't agree. She tries to work out what is happening to her. Rachel Ridley: Rachel Davies, Rachel2: Kika Markham, Dr. Jones: Michael Bertenshaw, girl in the newsagent's: Sarah Ovens, library customer: Christopher Harper. Producer: Allegra McIlroy.

16 Mar: Saturday Play slot - China Towns, 9
Adapted by Sean McKenna and Lin Coughlan. Ephraim's single-minded pursuit of business affects those who get in his way. Ephraim: Neil Dudgeon, Anna Tellwright, his wife: Kate O'Flynn, Henry Mynors: Joseph Kloska, Beatrice Sutton: Isabella Inchbald, Agnes: Amy-Jayne Leigh, Edwin: Cameron Percival, Hilda Lessways: Lucy Doyle, George: Oliver Zetterstrom, Aunty Hamps: Carolyn Pickles, Dr. Heve: Tony Turner, Rev. Banks: Michael Bertenshaw, bank teller: Sam Dale. Producer: Gemma Jenkins.

17 Mar: Classic Serial slot: China Towns, 10
Hilda is bored with being a councillors wife. She decides to take action. Cast, etc: as yesterday

18 Mar: Tumanbay, 7
By Mike Walker and John Dryden. Tumanbay is recovering from the ill-fated coup by Cadali. He tries to escape across the desert with his son Selim, who has murdered Herod. Tara Fitzgerald, Rufus Wright, Aiyesha Hart, Matthew Marsh, Anton Lesser, Peter Polycarpou, Amir El-Masry, Farshid Rokey, Olivia Popica, Christopher Fulford, Finn Elliot, Humera Syed, Raad Rawi, Annabelle Dowler, Vivek Madan and Nadir Khan. Producers: JD, Emma Hearn and Nadir Khan. Director: JD. Goldhawk, Indie.

19 Mar: The Wells Way
By Martyn Wade. Authors Herbert Wells (H.G.) and George Gissing are at a crisis point in their lives. Each would like to be more like the other. Wells is tired of space and time travel and Gissing has no money. They meet up. Herbert Wells: Julian Rhind-Tutt, George Gissing: Joseph Millson, Jane Wells: Jade Matthew, Gabrielle Fleury: Louiza Patikas. Producer: Tracey Neale. Rpt.

20 Mar: The Ferryhill Philosophers
By Michael Chaplin, rpt. Minority Rights and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Joe's friend Jemal fights to stay in Ferryhill after his family's secret is revealed. Joe: Alun Armstrong, Hermione: Deborah Findlay, Jemal: Danny Sapani, Jimmy Kelly: Christopher Connel, Gloria: Phillipa Wilson, Sesuna and Salma: Gbemisolam Ikumelo. Producer: Catherine Bailey; director: Marilyn Imrie. Indie; CB Productions.

21 Mar: Give Dotty a Chance
By Martin Hesford, rpt. A light-hearted look at the life of the singer Dorothy Squires. Her dates are 1915-98; she was Welsh, she married Roger Moore, and was well-known in Hollywood. Her career faded but there was a revival in the 60s and another one much later on. She was a colourful personality; her Wikipedia page is well worth a look. Dorothy Squires: Ruth Madoc, Alan: Arthur Bostrom, Warren: Graeme Hawley, Margaret: Sue Jenkins, radio interviewer: Leah Marks, other parts: Jake Norton. Producer: Gary Brown.

22 Mar: Our Liam of Lourdes
By Alex Oates. Liam is atheistic and gay. What interest can the waters of Lourdes have for him? Liam: Joseph Ayre, Toby: Paul Ready, Noah: Ross K Foad, Maureen: Susan Jameson, Dan: Christopher Harper, Redcap: Franchi Webb, Waiter: Pierre Elliott, Worker: Sarah Ovens. Producers: Jessica Dromgoole and Sally Avens; dir: JD.

23 Mar: Saturday Play slot - China Towns, 11 (final)
Conclusion of this 11-episode epic. It is 1903 and change is coming to the area. Ephraim: Neil Dudgeon, Anna Tellwright, his wife: Kate O'Flynn, Henry Mynors: Joseph Kloska, Constance: Emma Cunliffe, Edwin: Nick Underwood, Mr. Boldero: Tony Turner, Dr. Stirling: Sam Dale. Grace: Kate Donnachie, waiter: Lewis Bray, clerk: Joseph Ayre. Producer: Gemma Jenkins.

24 Mar: Classic Serial slot - Memento Mori
By Muriel Spark, ad. Robin Brooks in a single episode, from the novel. Rpt. from Jan 2018. Strange play about a group of elderly people targeted by a troublesome person on the telephone. A detective investigates, and everyone becomes a suspect. Dame Lettie Colston: Patricia Hodge, Geoffrey Colston: Jim Norton, Charmian Colston: Colette O'Neill, Mabel pettigrew: Monica Dolan, Alec Warner: William Gaminara, with Keth Weare, Ellie Darvill, Neil McCaul, Isabella Inchbald and Georgie Glen. Producer: Gaynor MacFarlane.

25 Mar: Tumanbay, 8
Final episode; title: The Coming. Historical saga; this episode by Mac Rogers, according to RT. Matilla returns with Frog to her family home to try to rescue her brother. Fatima: Tara Fitzgerald, Gregor: Rufus Wright, Alamric: Anton Lesser, Manel: Aiyesha Hart, Cadali: Matthew Marsh, Bavand: Peter Polycarpou, Heaven: Olivia Popica, General Qulan: Christopher Fulford, Frog: Finn Elliot, Matilla: Humera Syed, Alkin: Nathalie Armin. Producers: JD, Emma Hearn and Nadir Khan. Director: JD. Goldhawk, Indie.

26 Mar: The Cairn
By Donna Franceschild. Set on the Kintyre peninsula. Two sisters are reunited when their ailing father approaches his death. They decide to construct a cairn for him, to the annoyance of the local Forestry Commission. Agim: Nebil Basani, Eilidh: Fiona MacNeil, Arlene: Olivia Morgan, Isla: Rosie Smith, Wilma: Gerda Stevenson, Alex: Paul Young. Producer: Kirsty Williams.

27 Mar: The Listening Room
By National Prison Radio. (note that NPR reached the final of the Imison Award for one of its dramas this year)... The true stories of five people whose lives have been affected drastically by being perpetrators or victims of violent crimes. The production was broadcast into the cells of 80,000 prisoners across England and Wales vis NPR. Ray: Mark Knightley, Vi: Cathy Tyson, Jacob: Ryan Gerald, Khamran: Neran Persaud, Tim: Leo Wan. Producers: Andrew Wilkie ans Mel Harris.

28 Mar: News From Nowhere
By Sarah Woods; an adaptation of a work by William Morris; rpt. from 2016. The story was first published in 1890. Will wakes up and finds he has travelled a century into the future; a world where poverty no longer exists and work is a pleasure. Woven into the tale is a romance. Will: Ron Cook, Ellen: Catrin Stewart, with Keiron Self, Claire Cage, Richard Nichols, Roger Evans, Kristy Phillips and Crystal Yu. Producer: Polly Thomas.

29 Mar: Pandora
By Caroline Horton, rpt. Drama about a man trying to understand why his girlfriend attempted to commit suicide, whilst she takes temporary refuge in drink with her best friend. Pandora: Caroline Horton, Tom: Martin Bonger, Bert: Troels Hagen Findsen. Producer: James Robinson. BBC Wales.

30 Mar: Saturday Play slot - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,1
By Tom Stoppard. Part 1 of 2. A new production. R and G are two minor characters from Shakespeare's Hamlet who are condemned to an existence in the wings, with no control over their destinies. Rosencrantz: Mathew Baynton, Guildenstern: Andrew Buchan, the Player: Toby Jones, Tragedian: Sam Dale, Alfred: Ronny Jhutti, Ophelia: Sarah Ovens, Polonius: Michael Bertenshaw, Hamlet: Parth Thakerar, Claudius: Don Gilet, Gertrude: Clare Corbett. Producer: Emma Harding.

31 Mar: Classic Serial slot - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,2
Conclusion. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern puzzle over the roles they are meant to play.

1 Apr: The Ferryhill Philosophers, new series, 1
By Michael Chaplin. Another five episodes of this excellent series. Joe is an ex-miner; Hermione is a University philosopher. The pair confront some hard times and a hard decision as Hermione's father begins to lose his grip on reality. Joe: Alun Armstrong, Hermione: Deborah Findlay, Gillian Smith: Tracy Gillman, Rachel: Geoffrey Palmer (sic - that's what it says in RT: GP playing Rachel), Archie: David Holt. Indie: Catherine Bailey Productions; CB produced and Marilyn Imrie directed.

2 Apr: The Interrogation,1
Repeat from almost exactly two years ago: three crime dramas by Roy Williams. 1: Beverley. Max Matthews and Sean Armitage interrogate a woman who has reported her father as missing. Max:Kenneth Cranham, Sean: Alex Lanipekan, Beverley: Adjoa Andoh. Producer: Mary Peate.

3 Apr: The Interrogation, 2
By Roy Williams, rpt. Episode title: Micky. A youth with a track record of objectionable behaviour comes to report cruelty to his dog. DCI Max Matthews: Kenneth Cranham, DS Sean Armitage: Alex Lanipekun, Micky: Danny Webb, Marcel: Jason Maza. Producer: Mary Peate.

4 Apr: The Interrogation, 3
By Roy Williams, rpt. Episode title: Neil. A person comes to make a victim statement. DCI Max Matthews: Kenneth Cranham, DS Sean Armitage: Alex Lanipekun, Neil: Joseph Millson, Sally: Catriona MacFarlane, Sarge: Karen Bartke, football fans: Nicholas Murchie and Finlay Robertson. Producer: Mary Peate.

5 Apr: Baller
By Nathaniel Price, rpt. Meshach, a promising young footballer, wants to play professionally. Then it happens. It's not quite like he thought it would be. The footballer: Jolvan Wade, Cyril: Cornell S John, Aaron: Sope Dirisu, with Leonie Elliott, John Dougall, Sam Rix, Nicole Abraham and Nicholas Murchie. Producer: Sally Avens. (not 'Evans', as in RT, for both the original Mar 2017 broadcast and today's repeat. It was correct on the BBC website).

6 Apr: Saturday Play: Ferguson
By Bonnie Greer. Psychological drama inspired by Strindberg's "The Father"; rpt. from 2016. Black rights and police shootings. Hugh Quarshie, Clare Perkins, Tamara Lawrence, Eric Kofi Abrefa, Nabil Elouahabi, Cecilia Noble, Jason Barnett. Producer: Emma Harding. 55m.

7 Apr: Classic Serial slot: Shafted!
By John Godber. One-off comedy drama, starring a bad-tempered former miner and his wife, whom we follow in the 30 years after Scargill's miners' strike of 1984-5. Harry: John Godber, Dot: Jane Godber, Producer: Toby Swift. 60m.

8 Apr: The Ferryhill Philosophers, 2
By Michael Chaplin; new series. More moral dilemmas examined by an ex-miner and a philosophy lecturer. A man burdened with terrible guilt returns to Ferryhill to find forgiveness for his part in the death of a child. Joe: Alun Armstrong, Hermione: Deborah Findlay, Mark Comforth: John Bowler, Barry Hardwick: Trevor Fox, Kathy/Kylie: Jackie Lye, bus driver: Dean Logan, barmaid: Tracy Gillman. Indie: Catherine Bailey Productions; producer CB, director Marilyn Imrie. [This series is excellent and very thought-proking - Ed.]

9 Apr: Lights, Camera, Kidnap!, 1
Fascinating drama by Lucy Catherine, rpt. In 1978 a South Korean movie star and her ex-husband were kidnapped by Kim Jong-Il; a story stranger than fiction. The purpose was for them to revive the North Korean film industry. The play is based on true events and is in two episodes. Continued on 26 Sep. Choi Eun-hee: Liz Sutherland; Shin Sang-Ok: Paul Courtney, Kim Jong-Il: Leo Wan, with Sarah Lam, Wendy Kweh, Sam James, Isabella Inchbald, Charlie Clements, Gary Duncan, David Reakes, Adam Fitzgerald, Abbie Andrews, Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong, David Yip and Ellie Darvill. Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko.

10 Apr: Lights, Camera, Kidnap!, 2
By Lucy Catherine, rpt. Conclusion of yesterday's drama.

11 Apr: Your Perfect Summer, On Sale Here
By Ed Harris. A romance which speculates about what might happen if virtual-reality games could ever deliver real love. A person plays a game which simulates a first love affair. Rpt. from 2016. Ben Tavassoli, Claudie Blakley, Oliver Chris, Scarlett Brookes, Adie Allen, Nicola Ferguson, Nick Underwood. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

12 Apr: Read the Room
By Viv Groskop. Sally seems to have obtained a key role in an important movie trilogy. The producer insists on meeting her in his hotel before confirming the deal. This does not go smoothly. Sally Hall: Melody Grove, Richard Donovan: Tim McInnerny, Kate: Dona Croll, Jack: Owen Findlay, Anna Kane: Rebecca Saire, Maddie: Katy Ellis. Producer: Eoin O'Callaghan.

13 Apr: Saturday Play - Luke, Acts, 1
By M.S.Roberts. A dramatization of Luke's Gospel and Acts, based on the King James Bible. Luke has come to Rome with Paul to support him in his forthcoming trial, writing down as accurate an account as he can of the events leading from the birth of Jesus. Continued 14 Apr. Luke: David Schofield, Theophila: Verity Henry, Jesus: David Seddon, Peter: Shaun Mason, Miriam and mourning mother: Angela Lonsdale, Paul: Jason Done, Ananias: Hamish Rush, Chief Priest: Jonathan Keeble, Prodigal Son: Ashlet Margolis, nephew: Stephen Hoyle. Producer: Sue Roberts; director: Sharon Sephton.

14 Apr: Classic Serial slot - Luke, Acts, 2
By M.S.Roberts, continued. A dramatization of Luke's Gospel and Acts, based on the King James Bible. Conclusion.

15 Apr: The Ferryhill Philosophers, 3
The toddler in the Pond and a bottle of pop. By Michael Chaplin. There is evidence of real poverty close to home. Joe: Alun Armstrong, Hermione: Deborah Findlay, Louise: Laura Elphinstone, Rob: Dean Bone, Bayissa: Okorie Chukwu, PC Chase: Tracy Gillman. Indie: Catherine Bailey Productions; producer CB, director Marilyn Imrie.

16 Apr: Longline
By Henry Darke. Set on a deep-sea trawler off Southy America. A young man is on his first posting as an on-board observer. Jay: Matthew Aubrey, Kim-Long: Chike Chan, Kate: Sarah Ovens, Esther: Franchi Webb, Carlitos: Joseph Balderrama, Juan and the radio operator: Simon Scardifield, Dad: Kenny Nlyth, Lecturer: Michael Bertenshaw, Sisco and Lazrus: Richie Campbell. Producer: Gemma Jenkins.

17 Apr: Death at the Airport - The Plot Against King Jong-nam
More from North Korea. By Nick Perry, rpt: A docudrama looking at the power struggle between the leader of North Korea, the dictator Kim Jong-un, and his half-brother Kim Jong-nam. Jong-nam: Daniel York, Ko Young-hui: Liz Sutherland, Jong-un: Chris Lew Kum Hoi, Jong-chul: Paul Chan, Uncle Jang: Neil McCaul, Song Hye-rang: Isabella Inchbald, Soo-nae: Abbie Andrews, journalist: Adam Fitzgerald, Sushi chef: Clive Hayward, Prosecutor: Philip Bretherton, passport official: Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong, narrator: Paul French. Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko.

18 Apr: Tightrope
By Colin Bytheway, rpt. A play about Charles Blondin, the tightrope walker. He walked over Niagara Falls on a high-wire barefoot, on stilts, and with a man on his back. At the end of his life he searched for a person who could copy his tightrope walks and eventually found a young man who might do it. The play is based on true events. Charles Blondin: Philip Jackson, Vida: Charlie Brooks, Katherine: Paula Lane, Harry: Carl Prekopp, Billy Stoker: Jed O'Hagan, Dorcas: Caroline Gruber, Minnie: Jane Whittenshaw. Producer: Celia de Wolff. Indie (Pier Productions).

19 Apr: First World Problems, 1 - Making Other Plans
New series, rpt: By Martin Jameson. As the UK heads for civil war, David and Ruth Fletcher are minding their own business and concentrating on family matters, but as their daughter's wedding approaches, organizing it becomes almost impossible. Large cast of 22 actors for the week: Jeremy Swift, Maureen Beattie, Elizabeth Counsell, Sam Barnard, Elinor Coleman, Lauren Cornelius, Ryan Whittle, John Lightbody, Paul Cunningham, Ryan Early, Emma Handy, Kerry Gooderson, Sean Murray, Joseph Ayre, Stephen Hogan, Kai Owen, Cara Chase, Ifan Meredith, Lisa Palfrey, Gruffudd Glyn, Antonio Aakeel and Vineeta Rishi. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

20 Apr: Saturday Play - Death of a Cosmonaut
By James Fritz, 45m. A monolgue which imagines the final moments of Russian cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov, who has to come to terms with the prospect of the mission ending in his death. Rpt. from April 2007. Julian Rhind-Tutt; produced by Rebecca Ripley.

21 Apr: Classic Serial - Vive la Republique
One- off drama by Mike Walker, rpt. Based on facts around the May Uprising in 1968. Charles de Gaulle, the French president, fled from the Elysee Palace and disappeared for 6 hours during the Uprising, expecting armed attack and the fall of the government. He left Prime Minister Georges Pompidou in control. De Gaulle: Ronald Pickup, Yvonne de Gaulle: Barbara Flynn, Pompidou: Philip Jackson, Joxe and Massu: Nicholas Boulton, Daniel Cohn-Bendit: Rory Fleck Byrne, Michel: Steven Hartley, Fouchet and De Boissieu: Daniel Weyman. Producer: David Morley.

22 Apr: The Ferryhill Philosophers, 4
Episode title: Google Grief and All the Gold of Darius. Hermione and Joe confront their friendship and what it means to them. Joe: Alun Armstrong, Hermione: Deborah Findlay, Peter: Dean Bone, Gloria: Tracy Whitwell, Lucy: Lauren Kellegher. Indie: Catherine Bailey Productions; producer CB, director Marilyn Imrie.

23 Apr: The Progress of the Soul of Lizzie Calvin
By John Donne; this is Michael Symmons Roberts' contemporary version of the poem 'The Progress of the Soul' in which the soul journeys through different forms of life: a mandrake, a bird, a fish, a flea ... The Soul: Glenda Jackson, Lizzie: Deborah McAndrew, Flea & Chef: Mark Heap, Dog & Seagull: Louis Labovitch, Songbird/rat/girl: Angela Lonsdale, Mandrake and Whale: Russell Dixon. Producer: Susan Roberts.

24 Apr: Where This Service Will Continue
By Katherine Jakeways. Romantic comedy, rpt from 2017. A year after they met on a train, David tries to find Suzie. Sequel to "Where this Service Will Terminate". Suzie: Rosie Cavaliero, David: Justin Edwards, Lucy: Ashna Rabheru, Cashier: Sarah Ridgeway. Producer: as for play 1 (James Robinson), BBC Wales.

25 Apr: My Friend, Marie Antoinette
By Carine Adler. Rosalie Lamoriere, a kitchen maid in the medieval prison La Concergerie, meets the last queen of France in the course of her work. The play is based on accounts written 50 years after the death of Marie Antoinette by historian Lafont d'Aussonne, who is thought to have interviewed Rosalie. Rosalie: Lily Loveless, Marie: Laure Stockley, Madame Harel: Becci Gemmell, Madame Richard: Clare Corbett, Inspector Michonis and Fouquier-Tinville: Ewan Bailey, Chauvau Lagarde: Peter Hamilton Dyer, Herbert and the doctor: Antony Bunsee. Producer: Emma Hearn; director: John Dryden. Indie (Goldhawk).

26 Apr: First World Problems, 2: Things Fall Apart
By Martin Jameson, rpt. The Fletchers find themselves in danger. Production details: Dave Fletcher: Jeremy Swift, Ruth, his wife: Maureen Beattie. Rest of the cast for the 5 episodes (22 actors in total): Elizabeth Counsell, Sam Barnard, Elinor Coleman, Lauren Cornelius, Ryan Whittle, John Lightbody, Paul Cunningham, Ryan Early, Emma Handy, Kerry Gooderson, Sean Murray, Joseph Ayre, Stephen Hogan, Kai Owen, Cara Chase, Ifan Meredith, Lisa Palfrey, Gruffudd Glyn, Antonio Aakeel and Vineeta Rishi. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

27 Apr: Saturday Play - The Battle of San Pietro
By Nick Perry. Fact-based biographical drama about the pairing of Eric Ambler (writer of spy thrillers) and John Huston (film director) to make a documentary to support the Allied effort in WW2. Ambler was conscripted to work with JH on a US Army propaganda film about the Italian campaign. This is an odd coupling - the reserved, cautious British novelist and the gregarious film director. This glimpse of their relationship helps to sketch out Ambler's own story and personality. This is a good introduction to Ambler's world of suspense, thrills and intrigue. Acknowledgements to David Crawford's review in RT; I have used parts of it in compiling this summary.

28 Apr: Classic Serial slot: Journey into Fear, 1
By Eric Ambler, adapted for radio by Nick Perry. This is taken from a WW2 thriller about an engineer who is marked for death whilst working for the Turkish government. Alec: Daniel Rigby, Berlinks and Jose: Simon Scardifield, Dr. Haller: Matthew Marsh, Josette: Olivia Ross, Mr. Kuvetli: Atilla Akinci, Colonel Haki: Raad Rawi, Mathis: Sam Dale, Mme, Mathis: Carolyn Pickles, steward: Ronny Jhutti. Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko.

29 Apr: The Ferryhill Philosophers, 5
By Michael Chaplin. Joe welcomes his first grandchild and faces a family dilemna. Hermione says goodbye to her father. Joe: Alun Armstrong, Hermione: Deborah Findlay, George: Geoffrey Palmer, Gloria: Tracy Whitwell, Lucy: Lauren Kellegher, Peter: Dean Bone, Rose: Linda Broughton.Indie: Catherine Bailey Productions; producer CB, director Marilyn Imrie.

30 Apr: What's He Building in There?
By Rachel Smith. Kate is a busy teacher who is also trying to sell the family home. Her younger brother Ryan refuses to leave his bedroom as the sale approaches. He has created an online gaming channel on his computer which has attracted thousands of subscribers, but he still doesn't have a job. Kate: Christine Bottomley, Ryan: Mike Noble, with Wyllie Longmore as John and Angela Lonsdale as Maeve. Producer: Nadia Molinari.

1 May: Where This Service Will Connect
By Katherine Jakeways; third episode of this occasional romantic comedy, rpt. from Aug 2018. Suzie arrives at the office to see David; she is the worse for wear after a party the night before. It's months since they sat next to each other on a train journey; now she needs his help. Suzie: Rosie Cavaliero, David: Justin Edwards, Joe: Richard Nicholls, Receptionist: Katherine Jakeways. Producer: James Robinson. For other episodes - see 27-28 Apr 2017.

2 May: Keeping The Wolf Out
By Philip Palmer. Rpt. from Jul 2017. Crime series set during the Cold War in Hungary. Special investigator Bertalan investigates a very difficult case. Bertalan: Leo Bill, Franciska: Clare Corbett, Tibor Farkas: Andy Linden, Milton Szilard: Philip Fox, Kristof Szep: Samuel James, Mr. Kiraly: Robert Blythe, Rihard Miklos: Shaun Mason, with Tom Forrister, Simon Ludders and Kerry Gooderson. Producer: Toby Swift.

3 May: First World Problems, 3 - What Country, Friends, is This?
By Martin Jameson, rpt. What would happen if the UK broke apart? Production details, as listed above: Dave Fletcher: Jeremy Swift, Ruth, his wife: Maureen Beattie. Rest of the cast for the 5 episodes (22 actors in total): Elizabeth Counsell, Sam Barnard, Elinor Coleman, Lauren Cornelius, Ryan Whittle, John Lightbody, Paul Cunningham, Ryan Early, Emma Handy, Kerry Gooderson, Sean Murray, Joseph Ayre, Stephen Hogan, Kai Owen, Cara Chase, Ifan Meredith, Lisa Palfrey, Gruffudd Glyn, Antonio Aakeel and Vineeta Rishi. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

4 May: Saturday Play: James Bond - Live and Let Die
90m. By Ian Fleming, dramatised by Archie Scotney. Bond is sent to New York to investigate an underworld leader called Mr. Big, who is importing gold coins to finance Russian spy operations. Mr. Big: Kevin Daniels, Solitaire: Rutina Wesley, "M": John Standing, Leiter: Josh Stamberg, Tee-Hee: Michael A Sheppard, with Lovensky Jean-Baptiste, Ron Cephas Jones, John Cothran, Jonathan Cake, J.D.Cullum, Jake Green, Gilbert Brown, Anna-Louise Plowman, Janine Barris, Larry Powell, Anna Mathias, Martin Jarvis as narrator Ian Fleming, James Morrison, Darren Richardson, Alan Shearman, Andre Sogliuzzo and Matthew Wolf.Producer: Rosalind Ayres. 90m. Jarvis & Ayres Indie production.

5 May: Classic Serial - Journey into Fear, 2
By Eric Ambler, adapted by Nick Perry. From EA's spy thriller from 1940. Graham boards a boat for Genoa, but does not know which of his fellow passengers can be trusted. Excellent dramatisation and production. Alec Graham: Daniel Rigby, Dr. Haller: Matthew Marsh, with Simon Scardifield, Olivia Ross, Atilla Akinci, Carolyn Pickles, Sam Dale, Ronny Jhutti and Christopher Harper. Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko.

6 May: Road to Oxford
By Douglas Livingstone, rpt. from Nov 2016. The latest in a long line of 'Road' plays by this writer and producer Jane Morgan. This one centres on young David as he goes up to Oxford: the first member of his family to go to university. The drama is set at the celebration of the dawn on 1 May, when choristers sing from the top of Magdalen tower and after a night of partying the students shiver in their evening clothes at the base. The production team went to Oxford to record the overnight festivities, and a number of the actors are making their radio debuts as graduates of the Oxford School of Drama or from the University itself. Bernard: John McAndrew, David: Michael Gilbert, Shirley: Annabel Smith, Mary: Jane Whittenshaw, Julian: Jordan Metcalfe, Christopher: Charlie Bateman, the porter: Christopher Benjamin, The senior tutor: Frank Stirling, The guide: Ella Road, The policeman: Christopher Royle. Producer: Frank Stirling, director: Jane Morgan.

7 May: My Cambodian Twin
By Annie Caulfield and Martin McNamara. When diagnosed with lung cancer, Annie was determined to complete her book about Cambodia and her friendship with a young dancer named Sophea in that country; her 'Cambodian twin'. The radio adaptation was done by Annie's partner Martin, who introduces the play. Annie: Pippa Haywood, Martin: Paul Ritter, Sophea: Uma Jackson, Dr. Tom: Christopher Harper, Guru: Chike Chan, other parts played by Kenny Blythe and Sarah Ovens. Producer: Emma Harding.

8 May: Off Grid
By Ben Lewis. A woman joins a green community in the middle of nowhere; no internet, no phones, no mains power. When she arrives, she finds that the man who's supposed to be running everything has disappeared. There are three other people there still there; fuel and food supplies are diminishing but they are determined to deal with it. Kirsten, the woman: Shauna Macdonald, Moira: Anita Vettesse, Ava: Tori Burgess, Oak: Benny Young. Producer: Kirsty Williams.

9 May: Keeping the Wolf Out, 2
By Philip Palmer. Rpt. from Jul 2017. Crime series set during the Cold War in Hungary. Special investigator Bertalan continues his investigation. Bertalan: Leo Bill, Franciska: Clare Corbett, Tibor Farkas: Andy Linden, Milton Szilard: Philip Fox, Kristof Szep: Samuel James, Mr. Kiraly: Robert Blythe, Rihard Miklos: Shaun Mason, with Tom Forrister, Simon Ludders and Kerry Gooderson. Producer: Toby Swift.

10 May: First World Problems, 4: The Price
By Martin Jameson, rpt. The Fletcher family tries to stay together among the large number of refugees being forced to walk out of Wales. Dave Fletcher: Jeremy Swift, Ruth, his wife: Maureen Beattie. Rest of the cast for the 5 episodes (22 actors in total): Elizabeth Counsell, Sam Barnard, Elinor Coleman, Lauren Cornelius, Ryan Whittle, John Lightbody, Paul Cunningham, Ryan Early, Emma Handy, Kerry Gooderson, Sean Murray, Joseph Ayre, Stephen Hogan, Kai Owen, Cara Chase, Ifan Meredith, Lisa Palfrey, Gruffudd Glyn, Antonio Aakeel and Vineeta Rishi. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

11 May: Saturday Play - Rage, 1
By Zygmunt Miloszewski, dramatised from the novel (trans. Antonia Lloyd Jones) by Mark Lawson in 2 parts. Teodor is a presecutor, alerted to the discovery of a skeleton. The bones are chemically stripped and are from several bodies. The investigation looks unusual and promises to be difficult. Teodor: Bryan Dick, Olga: Alexandra Mathie, Klara: Rachel Austin, Sister Kristina and Maria: Claire Benedict, Leon Rudzki: Jonathan Keeble, Joanna and the newsreader: Mina Anwar, Hela: Caitlin Ward, Agnieszka and Teresa: Olwen May, schoolgirls: Isabel Thompson, Georgia Devain, Tamsin Wickremeratne and Ryley Nixon, Viktoria Sendrowska: Beatrice Webb. Producer: Polly Thomas.

12 May:Classic Serial - Epitaph for a Spy, 1
By Eric Ambler, dram. Nick Perry. Thriller set on the French Riviera, where a Hungarian refugee and language teacher is accused of being a Nazi agent when his holiday snaps include pictures of the local military facility. Joseph Vadassy: Edward Hogg, Frau Koche: Clare Corbett, Duval: Tony Turner, Schimler: Mark Edel-Hunt, Rempenault: Don Gilet, Skelton: Joseph Ayre, Mary: Franchi Webb, Roux: Christopher Harper, Vogel: Sam Dale. Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko.

11 May: Saturday Play - Rage, 1 - Daughters and Lovers
By Zygmunt Miloszewski, dramatised from the novel (trans. Antonia Lloyd Jones) by Mark Lawson in 2 parts. Teodor is a presecutor, alerted to the discovery of a skeleton. The bones are chemically stripped and are from several bodies. The investigation looks unusual and promises to be difficult. Teodor: Bryan Dick, Olga: Alexandra Mathie, Klara: Rachel Austin, Sister Kristina and Maria: Claire Benedict, Leon Rudzki: Jonathan Keeble, Joanna and the newsreader: Mina Anwar, Hela: Caitlin Ward, Agnieszka and Teresa: Olwen May, schoolgirls: Isabel Thompson, Georgia Devain, Tamsin Wickremeratne and Ryley Nixon, Viktoria Sendrowska: Beatrice Webb. Producer: Polly Thomas.

12 May:Classic Serial - Epitaph for a Spy, 1
By Eric Ambler, dram. Nick Perry. Thriller set on the French Riviera, where a Hungarian refugee and language teacher is accused of being a Nazi agent when his holiday snaps include pictures of the local military facility. Joseph Vadassy: Edward Hogg, Frau Koche: Clare Corbett, Duval: Tony Turner, Schimler: Mark Edel-Hunt, Rempenault: Don Gilet, Skelton: Joseph Ayre, Mary: Franchi Webb, Roux: Christopher Harper, Vogel: Sam Dale. Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko.

13 May: Madame Tempy
By Winsome Pinnock. Fact-based play about the American pianist Tempy Smith, who in the 1920s set up music schools and became wealthy. Madame Tempy: Adjoa Andoh, Sylvia: Lisa Davina Phillip, Warren Stuart: Edson Burton, Mrs. Dupont: Zara Ramm, Geri: Debbie Korley, Mr. Williams: David Houslow, Herself: Sylvia Smith Lewis. Producer: Maggie Ayre.

14 May: The Macefield Plot
By Daniel Thurman. Edith Macefield was a householder who received worldwide attention in 2006 when she turned down an offer of about $1 million to sell her home to make way for a commercial development in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Instead, the five-story project was built around her 108-year-old farmhouse, where she died at age 86 in 2008. In the process, she became something of a folk hero. After she died, Macefield willed her house to the new building's construction superintendent, Barry Martin, in gratitude for his friendship and caretaker role. Edith:Sian Phillips, Barry: Stanley Townsend, Joe: Joseph Balderrama, Cops: Helen Clapp and Christopher Harper. Producer: David Hunter.

15 May: Where This Service Will Separate
Episode 4 of the occasional romantic comedy about a couple who met a while back on a train and who, after that, have encountered each other in two other dramas. This time they're at a funeral. Suzie's husband, from whom she was separated, has just died, and her erstwhile partner, David, has arrived to give her some support. Unfortunately he's not known to any of her family. Suzie: Rosie Cavaliero, David: Justin Edwards, Josh: Luke Nunn, Gareth: Michael Bertenshaw, Pam: Katherine Jakeways. Producer: James Robinson.

16 May: Keeping the Wolf Out, 3: Heroes
By Philip Palmer; rpt from 2017. Cold war drama set in communist Hungary; ep. 3 of 3. Six young men are now dead. Bertalan: Leo Bill, Franciska: Clare Corbett, Tibor Farkas: Andy Linden, Milton Szilard: Philip Fox, Kristof Szep: Samuel James, Mr. Kiraly: Robert Blythe, Rihard Miklos: Shaun Mason, with Tom Forrister, Simon Ludders and Kerry Gooderson. Producer: Toby Swift.

17 May: First World Problems, 5: Home
By Martin Jameson, rpt. Conclusion. A leak from a nuclear plant leads to a resettlement plan for the refugees. The Fletchers head for an unknown destination. Dave Fletcher: Jeremy Swift, Ruth, his wife: Maureen Beattie. Rest of the cast for the 5 episodes: Elizabeth Counsell, Sam Barnard, Elinor Coleman, Lauren Cornelius, Ryan Whittle, John Lightbody, Paul Cunningham, Ryan Early, Emma Handy, Kerry Gooderson, Sean Murray, Joseph Ayre, Stephen Hogan, Kai Owen, Cara Chase, Ifan Meredith, Lisa Palfrey, Gruffudd Glyn, Antonio Aakeel and Vineeta Rishi. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

18 May: Saturday Play - Rage, 2 - Punishment and Crime
By Zygmunt Miloszewski, dramatised from the novel (trans. Antonia Lloyd Jones) by Mark Lawson in 2 parts. Teodor is a presecutor, alerted to the discovery of a skeleton. The bones are chemically stripped and are from several bodies. The investigation becomes linked increasingly to domoestic violence. The personal pressure on Teodor builds up when his daughter becomes involved in the case. Teodor: Bryan Dick, Olga: Alexandra Mathie, Klara: Rachel Austin, Sister Kristina and Maria: Claire Benedict, Leon Rudzki: Jonathan Keeble, Joanna and the newsreader: Mina Anwar, Hela: Caitlin Ward, Agnieszka and Teresa: Olwen May, Wojciech Zimmerman, Leon Rudzki and Witold Kitit: Jonathan Keeble, schoolgirls: Isabel Thompson, Georgia Devain, Tamsin Wickremeratne and Ryley Nixon, Viktoria Sendrowska: Beatrice Webb. Producer: Polly Thomas.

19 May: Classic Serial - Epitaph for a Spy, 2
By Eric Ambler, ad. Nick Perry. Thriller set on the French Riviera, where a Hungarian refugee is accused, falseley, of being a Nazi agent. Joseph Vadassy: Edward Hogg, Frau Koche: Clare Corbett, Duval: Tony Turner, Schimler: Mark Edel-Hunt, Rempenault: Don Gilet, Skelton: Joseph Ayre, Mary: Franchi Webb, Roux: Christopher Harper, Vogel: Sam Dale. Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko.

20 May: Keeping The Wolf Out, 1 - Gellert Hill
New series by Philip Palmer in 5 parts. Communist Hungary, 1963. A child's body has been discovered by a walker. Another job for Special Investigator Bertalan Lazar. Bertalan: Leo Bill, Franciska Lazar: Clare Corbett, Josef Szabados: Joseph Ayre, Dmitri: Simon Scardified, Mark: Michael Bertenshaw, Andras: David Hounslow, Panuk: Kenny Blyth, Priest: Christopher Harper, Gyuri Varga: Kenny Blyth, another priest: Michael Bertenshaw, Dorina Varga: Helen Clapp, ministry official: Chris Pavlo. Producer: Toby Swift.

21 May: Keeping The Wolf Out, 2 - Spider's Web
No further details. Cast - see 20 May.

22 May: Keeping The Wolf Out, 3 - Chasing the Dragon
No further details. Cast - see 20 May.

23 May: Keeping The Wolf Out, 4 - Gypsy Dancer
A store is robbed. The police are drawn into a world of mercenaries and drugs. An old enemy of Bertalan arrives. Bertalan: Leo Bill, Franciska Lazar: Clare Corbett, Tibor Farkas: Andy Linden, Josef Szabados: Joseph Ayre, Dmitri: Simon Scardified, Mark: Michael Bertenshaw, Pusomori Ziga: Debbie Korley, Andras: David Hounslow, Fabenyi, police officer and partygoer: Kenny Blyth, Priest and policeman: Christopher Harper, Gyuri Varga: Kenny Blyth, another priest: Michael Bertenshaw, Hanna: Franchi Webb, Dorina Varga: Helen Clapp, ministry official and other parts: Chris Pavlo, nurse and receptionist: Susan Jameson, Zofia and nurse: Sarah Ovens. Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko.

24 May: Keeping The Wolf Out, 5 - The Violent Century
Conclusion of this five-part drama. Bertalan and his daughter are now in the firing line. Cast - see yesterday's entry. Producer - Sasha Yevtushenko.

25 May: Saturday Play slot: Alexander McCall Smith & BBC Orchestra
Feature programme: Alexander at Saffron Hall in Saffron Walden, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Alex is a medical academic in Edinburgh and a keen amateur bassoonist. He helped establish Botswana's first opera house and co-founded Edinburgh's Really Terrible Orchestra. In this programme he reads from some of his own works and the orchestra plays some of his favourite music. 60m.

26 May: Classic Serial: Vanity Fair, 1
By W.M.Thackeray. A new dramatization by Jim Poyser, with material by Al Murray (the comedian) who also narrates. RT also reveals that Thackeray is Al Murray's great-great-great grandfather. As for the story - it's complicated, but Becky Sharp is determined to make it in Regency London High Society. Narrator: Al Murray, Becky Sharp: Ellie White, Amelia Sedley: Helen O'Hara, Rawdon Crawley: Blake Ritson, Jos Sedley: Thom Tuck, George Osborne: Rupert Hill, Dobbin: Graeme Hawley, Mrs. Sedley: Emma Gregory, Mr. Sedley: Jonathan Keeble, Mr. Osborne: Malcolm Raeburn. Producer: Gary Brown.

27 May: Comrade Ackland and I
By Frances Bingham; fact-based drama. In 1936, poet Valentine Ackland and writer Sylvia Townsend Warner have their rural idyll interrupted by the arrival of a young tourist who has had a car accident. Sylvia stays in the cottage; Valentine offers first aid and assistance for his car. Sylvia: Joanne Mitchell, Valtine: Helen O'Hara, Frank Mallory: Ashley Margolis, Major Frobisher: James Quinn, landlady: Joan Kempson, Arthur: Lloyd Peters. Producer: Sharon Sephton.

28 May: Foxes
By Padraic Walsh. Described by RT as a psychological drama set in an Irish pub. Neil is waiting for his ex-partner, hoping she will take him back; instead, a family friend arrives with a letter which will change their lives forever. Jim Norton and Eugene O'Hare; produced by Peter Kavanagh. Rpt.

29 May: The Not Knowing
By Daniel Maier. Harriet's four-year-old son goes missing. Her imagination takes over ... Harriet: Louise Brealey, Therapist: Pippa Haywood, Alex: Mark Bazeley, Tina: Rebecca Stanton, Sophie: Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Rosie: Kathryn Drysdale, Supermarket manager: David Holt, PC Hobbes: Ben Crowe, Rosie's date: Tom Glenister. Producer: Karen Rose.

30 May: Hard Stop
By Peter Bleksley. Rpt. from 2017. An armed officer is told to intercept a criminal who is believed to be on his way to kill a rival. The officer believes the man is reaching for a gun and has no option but to shoot him. Now a court has to decide whether he is guilty of a crime. Very topical. PC Sam Jenkins, the armed officer: Daniel Mays, Jane Tucker: Andrea Lowe, Baba Oyedije: Dennis Alam, Quigley: Ron Cook, Prof. Moore: Robert Blythe, Insp. Martin: Peter Bleksley, Court usher: Sanchia McCormack, Herol Jackson: Khali Best, Judge: Chetna Pandya. Producer: Eoin O'Callaghan.

31 May: One Hot Summer
By Juliet Gilkes-Romero. A play about the race riots which took place in Liverpool in 1919. Two West Indian ex-soldiers, Johnson and Charlie, and their mixed-race British friend Sam find their lives becoming very difficult. Sam: Lloyd Thomas, Johnson: Ben Bennett, Charlie: Richie Campbell, Ibrahim: Don Gilet, Rose: Susie Riddell, Ahmed: George Long, Liverpool courier and rioter: Patrick Brennan, Liverpool Echo and the drunk: Joe Sims, Evening Express and barman: Robert Blythe, another drunk and another rioter: Harry Livingstone. Producer: Mary Peate.

1 Jun: Saturday Play - Death of a Cosmonaut
By James Frtiz. Rpt. from Apr 2017. A monologue which looks at the plight of the doomed cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov, launched into space in a rocket which was not spaceworthy; launched before the checks were completed because it was Lenin's birthday. Julian Rhind-Tutt as Komarov. Produced by Becky Ripley.

2 Jun: Classic Serial: Vanity Fair, 2
By W.M.Thackeray. Dram. Jim Poyser, with material by Al Murray (the comedian) who also narrates. Becky has married Rawdon, but her plans to enrich them both haven't worked. Narrator: Al Murray, Becky Sharp: Ellie White, Amelia Sedley: Helen O'Hara, Rawdon Crawley: Blake Ritson, Jos Sedley: Thom Tuck, Dobbin: Graeme Hawley, Mrs. Sedley: Emma Gregory, Mr. Sedley: Jonathan Keeble, Mr. Osborne: Malcolm Raeburn, Pitt: Lloyd Peters, Lady Bareacres: Fiona Clarke. Producer: Gary Brown.

3 Jun: Almost Like Being in Love
By Catriona Knox. Romantic comedy. Grace is young and regards herself as sexually liberated. Then she falls in love with a female 40-year-old "LGBT" matchmaker. Grace: Gemma Whelan, the matchmaker: Rosie Cavaliero, Gabriel: Rasmus Hardiker, Hayden: Catriona Knox, Kazper/Grey: Sam Dale, Mrs Bale and Sasha: Karen Ascoe, Beth: Amy Sutton, Sooky: Jane Postlethwaite. Producer: Caroline Raphael. Indie (Pier Productions).

4 Jun: Body Tourists
By Jane Rogers. In the 'Dangerous visions" series. It is 2045 and scientists have found a way to store memory and personality digitally. A dead person can have his chip inserted into other living bodies. A consultant is the first to experience this technology. Octavia: Susan Brown, Luke, the consultant: Joseph Kloska, Paula: Lotte Rice, Ryan: Will Naylor, Gemma and the Bot: Alana Ramsey. Producer: Clive Brill. Indie (Brill Productions).

5 Jun: Martha
By Thomas Pickles. A young woman retreats to her family home. She finds herself in the eye of a storm and is forced to confront the problem from which she has been running away. Martha: Laura Elsworthy, Tabitha: Jessica Barden, Constantine: Jason Done, Kevin: Jacob Hession, Lizzy Crofter: Sally Carman. Producer: Nadia Molinari.

6 Jun: Me and Robin Hood
Comedy. By S Dale-Jones. A man makes a stand against modern society by channelling his childhood obsession with Robin Hood. Shon: Shon Dale-Jones, Therapist: Clare Cage. Producer: James Robinson.

7 Jun: Rita, Sue and Andrea Too
By Sean Grundy. A play about Andrea Dunbar, the schoolgirl playwright whose play "Rita, Sue and Bob" was briefly popular in 1982. It's told through the words of Jennie Howarth, a film director and friend of Andrea. The play follows how she struggled to make money and how she fought to protect the authenticity of her work as it transferred from stage to film. Andrera: Natalie Gavin, Jennie Howarth: Claudia Jessie, Maz and Alan: Duncan Wisbey, Oscar: James Quinn, Alma and Peggy: Anjella Macintosh. Other parts played by Cara Jennings, Sophie Trott and members of the cast. Producer: Sally Harrison; director: Sean Grundy.

8 Jun: Saturday Play: One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
By Alexander Solzhenitsyn, dram. Robin Brooks. A day inside a Soviet labour camp. Ivan has been sentenced to ten year's hard labour for being a spy. The fact that he was never a spy is irrelevant. Ivan: John Hollingworth, Buinovsky: Nigel Cooke, Tsezar: Joseph Kloska, Alyosha: Joshua Akehurst, Tiurin: Nick Murchie, Pavlo: Pat Marlowe, Kolya: Christopher Buckley, Volkovoi: David John, Fetuikov: San Donnelly, Narrator: Olivia Darnley. Producer: Clive Brill. Indie; Brill Productions.

9 Jun: Classic Serial: Vanity Fair, 3
By W.M.Thackeray. Dram. Jim Poyser, with material by Al Murray (the comedian) who also narrates. Conclusion. Narrator: Al Murray, Becky Sharp: Ellie White, Amelia Sedley: Helen O'Hara, Rawdon Crawley: Blake Ritson, Jos Sedley: Thom Tuck, Dobbin: Graeme Hawley, Mrs. Sedley: Emma Gregory, Mr. Sedley: Jonathan Keeble, Mr. Osborne: Malcolm Raeburn, Pitt: Lloyd Peters,Mrs Bute: Emma Gregory, Miss Briggs: Fiona Clarke. Producer: Gary Brown.

10 Jun: Torn
By Eve Steele. A woman with a troubled past who wants to put things right and rebuild her relationship with her estranged daughter. Sasha: Eve Steele, Marvin: Simon Trinder, Nicole: Sade Malone, Del: Will Ash, Tony: Jim English. Producer: Gary Brown.

11 Jun: Holding Back the Tide, 1: Democracy
By Nick Warburton; Comedy; rpt from 2017. RT: "Richard and Clare inherit a house with a sitting tenant who treats the place as his own and the town as his fiefdom". Cast for the three dramas: Richard: Paul Ritter, Clare: Kate Duchene,John Hector: Ronald Pickup, Lux: Michelle Asante, Mrs. Cardabbon: Susan Jameson, Penrith: Chris Pavlo, Hugh: Gerard McDermott, Tiffany: Louise Brealey, Mrs. Briggs of events: Sanchia McCormack, Headley: Philip Fox, ticket lady: Kerry Gooderson, guard: Bob Blythe, Librarian: Chetna Pandya, Norwegian herring enthusiast: Simon Ludders. Producer: Sally Avens.

12 Jun: Holding back the Tide, 2: I Want to Thank You All
By Nick Warburton; comedy, rpt. Clare and Richard visit a famous resident of the town. Paul Ritter, Kate Duchene, Ronald Pickup, Gerard McDermott, Louise Brealey and Chetna Pandya. Producer: Sally Avens.

13 Jun: Holding Back the Tide, 3: Herring Week
By Nick Warburton, rpt. It's decided that Clare will run 'Herring Week' but John doesn't want a southerner put in charge. Richard: Paul Ritter, Clare: Kate Duchene, John: Ronald Pickup, Lux: Michelle Asante,, Headley (sic): Philip Fox, Mrs. Briggs: Sanchia McCormack, herring enthusiast: Simon Ludders. Producer: Sally Avens.

14 Jun: Lighthouses
Not a drama ... a performance about looking for happiness again after the worst has happened. Composer Jennifer Bell's songs illustrate the true stories of two people who went through the worst but carried on to find better times. Singers: Ellie Showering, Andy Marshall, Harry Humberstone, Katy Tucker, Alice Kirby, Jack Adkins, Molly King and Jennifer Bell. Producer: Beth O'Dea.

15 Jun: Saturday Play - Vive la Republique
By Mike Walker. Rpt from 28 Apr18. Based on true events: how the French president de Gaulle fled the Elysee Palace in 1968 and disappeared for six hours during the May Uprising, fearing armed attack and the fall of the government. He left PM Georges Pompidou alone and in charge. de Gaulle: Ronald Pickup, Yvonne de Gaulle: Barbara Flynn, Georges Pompidou: Philip Jackson, Michel: Steven Hartley, David Cohn-Bendit: Rory Fleck Byrne, Joxe and Massu: Nicholas Boulton, Fouchet and De Boissieu: Daniel Weyman. Producer: David Morley. 60m.

16 Jun: Classic Serial - Savages, 1
By Sabri Louatah, dram. in two parts by Hugh Costello from the translation by Gavin Bowd. An actor connects a French-Algerian wedding and a presidential campaign. Krim: Mohammad Amiri, Fouad and Benbaraka: Khalid Laith, Rabia: Sirine Saba, Luna/Kenza/Jasmine: Shavani Cameron, Uncle Bouzid: Nabil Elouahabi, Granny Nerrouche and the bride's mother: Amira Ghazalla, with Raad Rawi, Hamza Jeetooa, Farshid Rokey, Waleed Elgadi, Emma Frankland, Ali Barouti, Catriona Stirling and Will Howard. Producers: Nicolas Jackson and Steve Bond.. Executive Producer: Sara Davies.

17 Jun: Now, Where Were We?
By Claire Miller.
By Claire Miller. Rpt. from 2017. Yasmine discovers that her hayfever is a super-power. Her sneezes send her back in time. She is determined, this time, to be the perfect girlfriend. Yasmine: Carlyss Peer, Becky: Alexandria Riley, Ross: Tom Berish, Euan: Sion Pritchard. Producer: Janine H. Jones.

18 Jun: Slipping Through Time
By Louise Monaghan. Rpt from 2 Jun 17. A play about the difficulty of living with epilepsy. A young mum has begun to experience fits, and is in denial about the condition until she rediscovers the diaries she made many years earlier. Izzie: Ellie Kendrick, Josh: Robert Lonsdale, with georgie Glen, Trixiebelle Harrowell (as Izzie's younger self), Chetna Panya and Sanchia McCormack. Produced by Tracey Neale.

19 Jun: The Cyprus Missing
By Mark Theodorou, set in London in 2014. Althea, a Greek Cypriot woman, looks into her past, especially what happened to her father during the 1974 Cyprus civil war. Her father disappeared. Althea meets Gizem, a Turkish Cypriot with whom she used to play as a child. Althea: Agni Scott, Gizem: Fisum Burgess, Eleni: Anna Savva, Constantine: Chris Pavlo, young Althea: Christina Kyriakos, young Gizem: Jeyda Mustafa, Mags: Catherine Cusack, missinig persons rep: Helen Clapp, wine seller: Shaun Mason, Soldier: Jonny Holden. Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko.

20 Jun: Floor 13
By Sam Burns. Rpt. from 29 May 17. Ms. Sherman searches for her tower block's missing floor 13. Ms. Sherman: Alexandra Roach, Gita: Taj Atwal, Mrs. Carvalho: Sudha Bhuchar, Shantyman: Stuart MacLoughlin. Producer: Helen Perry.

21 Jun: Base Lines
By Mark Lawson. A play about transgender individuals. Do men who have transitioned (been surgically altered) to become women have an unfair advantage if they take part in women's athletics? Secondly, are surgical and hormonal alternations sufficient for a person to become a member of the opposite sex? Peter / PJReaney: Rosie Sheehy, Sheila Reaney: Haydn Gwynne, David Harvey-Lane: Dermot Crowley, Rachel du Prez: Kerry Fox, Andy: Tom Glenister, with Adrian Decosta and Marieme Diouf. Producer: Eoin O'Callaghan.

22 Jun: Saturday Play - Ecco
By Chris Harrald. A neuroscientist thinks she may have brought a new intelligence into the world via the countless computers making up the internet. However her husband is concerned about her state of mind. The play was inspired by some conversations with a neuroscientist. Jo: Hayley Atwell, Ben: John Macmillan, Mr. Dickerson and the Prof: Joseph Marcell, Dr. Martha - Pauline McLynn, Anwar: Sid Sagar, Mariana and a second-year student: Mia Selway and Patrick Swain. Producer: Melanie Harris; directed by Sam Yates. 45m; rpt. from 2017.

23 Jun: Classic Serial - Savages, 2
By Sabri Louatah, dram. Hugh Costello from the translation by Gavin Bowd. An actor connects a French-Algerian wedding and a presidential campaign. Krim: Mohammad Amiri, Fouad and Benbaraka: Khalid Laith, Rabia: Sirine Saba, Luna/Kenza/Jasmine: Shavani Cameron, Uncle Bouzid: Nabil Elouahabi, Granny Nerrouche and the bride's mother: Amira Ghazalla, with Raad Rawi, Hamza Jeetooa, Farshid Rokey, Waleed Elgadi, Emma Frankland, Ali Barouti, Catriona Stirling and Will Howard. Producers: Nicolas Jackson and Steve Bond. Executive Producer: Sara Davies.

24 Jun: Our Trees
By Frances Byrnes; docu-drama, narrated by Robert Glenister. A play about the destruction of urban trees in Sheffield by seemingly deaf, blind and stupid people in positions of authority. Based on recent events, as reported in the press. Ordinary people living there were arrested for refusing to move away from healthy, threatened trees. Frances has turned the voices of Sheffield's urban tree campaigners into a melancholy fairy tale. Producer: Kate McAll. Sound design: David Thomas.

25 Jun: After Independence
Stage play from the Papatango Theatre Company, adapted for radio by May Sumbwanyambe. It's about the situation in Zimbabwe in 1998, when a black civil servant Charles tries to persuade white landowner Guy to sell his farm. He meets a family who have seen their neighbours attacked and bought out. Charles: Stefan Adegbola, Guy: Peter Guinness, Kathleen: Sandra Duncan, Chipo: Beatriz Romilly. Producer Bruce Young; director George Turvey.

26 Jun: Everybody's Got Conditions
By Sarah Wooley. A play about Tennessee Williams, playwright, set in 1961. His next play, The Night of the Iguana, has some good parts for women but Katharine Hepburn turned down his offer of a long run so he did some rewriting and offered the supporting role to Bette Davis, who (if the play is accurate) seems to have had a lot more ego than tact or diplomacy.. Tennessee: Justin Salinger, Bette Davis: Amelia Bullmore, Chuck Bowden: Simon Harrison, Paula Laurence: Teresa Gallagher, with David Sturzaker, Simon Ludders and Georgie Glen. Producer: Gaynor MacFarlane.

27 Jun: The Len Dimension
By Peter Strickland, rpt. from June 2017. Sequel to 'The Len Continuum', Peter's first radio play, also broadcast in 2017. Len's first big opportunity is a part in a public information film. Will he be up to the job? To paraphrase Jane Anderson in RT: this is actually a sitcom, but the psychological insights into a man who believes himself to be a failure, despite his outward bravado, puts it into the same league as 'Fawlty Towers or 'Reginald Perrin'. Jane also remarked on the very unusual sound effects. Len: Toby Jones, Alice/Trish: Belinda Stewart-Wilson, Josh: Steve Oram, Miles: Harry Mead, Richard: Ted Tomlin, Mandy: Claudia Duffy, Pericles: Pano Masti, Hamish and the radio presenter: Miranda Hinkley. Producer: Russell Finch, director: Peter Strickland.

28 Jun: Trying It On
By (and performed by) David Edgar. A political one-man show which has been performed theatres in Stratford and London. The two characters are David at age 20 (played by Paul Heath) and David at age 70, played by the writer. It's 1968 and David is at University. There is conflict everywhere: student protests, the Vietnam War, Enoch Powell's famous speech, Martin Luther King's assassination. These events help lauch David's career as a writer. Fifty years later, the older and younger David meet. Do they share the same beliefs? Producer: Jonquil Panting.

29 Jun: Saturday Play - Leila's Shame
By Alessana Hall, 45m. A Somali drug-dealing ex-convict. The play also touches on mental ill-health, which is apparently a taboo subject in the Somali community. Leila: Yusra Warsama, Kate: Jessica Baglow, with Julia Roundthwaite, Yousseff Kerkour, Sandra Cole and Elmi Ali. Producer: Melanie Harris; director Alessana Hall. Incidentally - I wonder why the Saturday Play slot has been 45m rather than 55min for the last fortnight.

30 Jun: Classic Serial - Fear,1
By Dirk Kurbjuweit, adap. Adrian Penketh in 2 parts from Imogen Taylor's translation from the German. Psychological thriller. An architect and his wife have a neighbour who is behaving strangely. Then the neighbour accuses them of abusing their own children. Randolph: John Light, Rebecca: Natasha Little, Dieter: Joseph Kloska, Bruno: Paul Hickey, Hermann: Sean Baker, Stefan: Chris Pavlo, the Sergeant: David Houslow, the lawyer: Susan Jameson, with Helen Clapp, Shaun Mason and debbie Korley playing other characters. Producer: Gemma Jenkins; director Marc Beeby.

1 Jul: The 'B' Word
By Alistair McGowan. Rpt. from 2017. A play about the opening night of Shaw's 'Pygmalion' in 1913; the first time that the word 'bloody' was used on stage. Shaw: Alistair McGowan, Herbert Beerbohm Tree: Richard McCabe, Mrs. Patrick Campbell: Charlotte Page, George Alexander: David Sturzaker, Charlotte Shaw: Georgie Glen, Merivale: Philip Fox, with Simon Ludders, Charlie Clements and Sarah Ridgeway. Producer: Emma Harding. This play was selected for the UK International Radio Drama Festival in Herne Bay in 2018.

2 Jul: Making Peace
By Tessa Gibbs. Set in Achiltibuie in the north-west highlands of Scotland. Abbie's father, David, has died and left an unusual request in his will. He wants Abbie, his widow, to meet his ex-wife at his old cottage, which has been his ex-wife's home since they divorced 30 years ago. Kate: Georgie Glen, Abbie: Melody Grove, Lulu: Rosie Cavaliero, Ailsa: Susan Jameson. Producer - Gaynor Macfarlane.

3 Jul: Dangerous Visions - Siege
By Adrian Penketh, rpt from 2017. Looking into the near future: in 2020, a popular French 'Front Nationale' candidate campaigns to become the next mayor of Grenoble,well-known as a left-wing city. Vincent: Joseph Millsom, Amelia: Mariah Gale, Latifa: Amira Ghazalia, Rashid: Nathan Clarke, Laurent: Charlie Clements, with Sarah Ridgeway, Emilio Doorgasingh, Sanchia McCormack, Philip Fox, Tom Forrister, Robert Blythe, Ashley Kumar, Chetna Pandya, Kerry Gooderson, Simon Ludders and Sam James. Producer: Marc Beeby.

4 Jul: Siege, 2
Following his election as the mayor, Vincent faces escalating violence and protests. Details- see 3 Jul.

5 Jul: Siege, 3
The protests increase, but the mayor will not step down. Concluding episode. Details - as 3 Jul.

6 Jul: Saturday Play - Between the Lines
45m play by Rebecca Lloyd-Evans, rpt. A jobless divorcee attempts to put her life back together. She does it by writing and reading erotic fiction to a group of partially-sighted care home residents. They love her. Scarlett: Meera Syal, Soph: Sophia di Martino, Janey/Faith: Llewella Gideon, William/Ronnie: Paul Herzberg, Hettie: Fenella Fielding, Tom: William Gaunt. Producer: Melanie Harris, director: Rebecca Lloyd-Evans.

7 Jul: Classic Serial: Fear, 2 By Dirk Kurbjuweit, adap. Adrian Penketh in 2 parts from Imogen Taylor's translation from the German. The hunt is on for the guilty party when there is a killing. Randolph: John Light, Rebecca: Natasha Little, Dieter: Joseph Kloska, Bruno: Paul Hickey, Hermann: Sean Baker, Saif: Chris Pavlo, the Sergeant: David Houslow, the lawyer: Susan Jameson, Muller: Catherine Cusack, with Helen Clapp, Shaun Mason and Jonny Holden playing other characters. Producer: Gemma Jenkins; director Marc Beeby.

8 Jul: Moonlight on Water
By Edson Burton. Drifter Deacon returns. Sixteen-year-old Jas plans to run away with her one true love, but her ex finds out. Deacon: Don Warrington, Jas: Ashna Rabheru, Ray: Don Gilet, Legba: Marega Palser, Zain: Raj Bajaj. Producer: John Norton.

9 Jul: Nine Bob Notes
By Philip Meeks. A gentle comedy drama. Daniel, a gay man in a retirement home, has had to conceal his sexuality to fit in. Then an ex-policeman joins the community and realises he has met this man years ago. Daniel: Matthew Kelly, Kevin: Russell Dixon, Audrey: Sarah Parks, Olive: Susan Twist, Brenda: Judith Barker, Simon: Lloyd Peters. Producer: Gary Brown.

10 Jul: The Clintons, 1
By Jonathan Myserson; rpt from Aug 2016. The first of three plays about key moments in the lives and careers of Hillary and Bill Clinton. In this first play, Bill launches his campaign to get the Democratic nomination. A woman comes forward to say she had a 12-year affair with him, but Hillary responds. Hillary Rodham: Fenella Woolgar, Bill: Corey Johnson, Steve Kroft / Dick Morris: Kerry Shale, Betsey Wright: Laurel lefkow, James Carville: Jason Barnett, George Stephanopoulos: Tom Forrister, Secretary: Clare Perkins. Producer: Jonquil Panting. 45m.

11 Jul: Variations on a Theme
By Michael Symmons Roberts. Comedy looking at lies in the media. The moon landing was a fake. Belle: Lydia, Laura: Verity Henry, Luna: Laurel Lefkow, Mario: Louis Labovitch, Neil Armstrong: Andonis James Anthony, Billy: Graeme Hawley. Producer: Susan Roberts.

12 Jul: The Interrogation, 1: Dan
By Roy Williams; new series. Dan's wife is in hospital after a suicide attempt and her husband cannot understand what is wrong with her. Max: Kenneth Cranham, Sean: Alex Lanipekun, Dan: Navin Chowdhry. Producer: Mary Peate.

13 Jul: Saturday Play - The First Man on the Moon and how they Done It
By Patrick Barlow, John Ramm and Martin Duncan. 60m. National Theatre of Brent production. Desmond Olivier Dingle and Raymond Box describe those earth shattering moments in 1969 when the astronauts first stepped onto the lunar surface. Desmond: Patrick Barlow, Raymond: John Ramm. Producer Liz Anstee; director Martin Duncan.

14 Jul: Classic Serial: The Last Judgement of Giorgio Vasari, 1
By Eileen Home and Sarah Dunant. Story of the painter, artist and biographer, told using his own words. Florence, 1570: Vasari was commissioned by his patron to paint the city's cathedral dome. Vasari: Tom Conti, Piero: Will Taylor, Grand Duke Cosimo: David Troughton, Tommaso: Tristan Beint, Duke Francesco: John Hollingworth, Michelangelo: Nick Murchie, yound Vasari and Dante: Joshua Akehurst, Giotto as a teenager: Jay Mailer, as a child: Alexander Ryan. Papal envoy: Jamie Newall. Producer: Clive Brill. Indie (Brill Productions).

15 Jul: 4/4: Introduction & Allegro
By Robin Brooks and Sarah Wooley, rpt. from January last year. A comedy drama recording the exploits and life of the members of a fictional string quartet. Paul: Alasdair Hankinson, Fergus: Simon Donaldson, Archie: Robin Laing, Skye: Shauna Macdonald, Lucy/Claire: Karen Bartke, Philippe/Usher/Guard: Nick Underwood, Hans/journalist/fan: Kenny Blyth. Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane. Music supplied by the Edinburgh Quartet.

16 Jul: Making Plans with Nigel
By Stuart Houghton. A 45-year-old writer and IT man finds a lump in his left breast. Semi-autobiographical, set in the run-up to the EU referendum. Stuart: Mark Benton, Natalie: Sally Lindsay, Nigel Farage: Lewis Macleod, Ben: John Ramm, with Becky Wright, Paul Bazeley, Cherrelle Skeete, Emma Fielding and Ben Crowe. Producer: Karen Rose. Indie (Sweet Talk).

17 Jul: The Clintons, 2
By Jonathan Myerson, rpt. 45m. The play is set in 1995, when independent counsel Kenneth Starr tackles Bill Clinton over the failed Whitewater property scheme. Plans to derail Clinton's presidency are foiled when Susan McDougal, a partner in the scheme, refuses to implicate Bill in return for her own immunity. However, Monica Lewinsky enters the frame ... and there is now a real possibility of Clinton being removed from office. Bill Clinton: Corey Johnson, Hillary: Fenella Woolgar, Susan McDougal: Samantha Dakin, Bobby McDaniel / Rahim Emanuel: Rashan Stone, Jim McDougal: Brian Protheroe, OIC lawyer / Sidney Blumenthal: Joseph Balderrama, George Stephanopoulos: Tom Forrister, Claudia Riley: Clare Perkins, Waitress: Kirsty Oswald, Judge: Sean Baker. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

18 Jul: Perimeter
Byn Josie Long and Liam Williams; rpt. from 2017. Josie and Liam, sister and brother, live in a very odd city. There is a giant and an electric fence; the haves and have-nots live on opposite sides. One day they are all offered the chance of crossing over to see how the other half lives. Comedy. Josie and Liam play the siblings, with Pippa Haywood, Ashna Rabheru, Sam James, John Cording, Sion Pritchard and Simon Ludders. Producer: James Robinson; BBC Wales.

19 Jul: The Interrogation, 2: Nadine
Max and Sean have to interview a girl whom Sean has known since childhood. She is a police officer. Max: Kenneth Cranham, Sean: Alex Lanipekun, Nadine: Bianca Stephens. Producer: Mary Peate.

20 Jul: Saturday Play - Black Water
Novella by Joyce Oates, adapted by Sarah Wooley for radio. A young political writer, Kelly, meets a U.S. senator and the pair hit it off. They leave in the evening by car but there is an accident. The story is clearly based on the Kennedy / Chappaquiddick Island incident, in which Ted Kennedy drove off a bridge into swampy waters, got out of the car, left the scene and did not report the accident for several hours. His female companion drowned. Kennedy was found guilty of leaving the scene of an accident. Kelly: Lydia Wilson, the senator: Elliot Cowan, narrator and mother: Laurel Lefkow, Buffy: Kelly Burke, Ray: Chris Pavlo, Felicia / Operator: Emma Lau, Stacey / woman at party: Hannah Wood. Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane.

21 Jul: Classic Serial: The Last Judgement of Giorgio Vasari, 2
By Eileen Home and Sarah Dunant. Story of the painter, artist and biographer, told using his own words. Now he is diverted to Rome by a papal commission. He teaches Piero about the history of art whilst finishing his work before returning to Florence. Vasari: Tom Conti, Piero: Will Taylor, Grand Duke Cosimo: David Troughton, Cosina: Jasmine Hyde, Tommaso: Tristan Beint, Duke Francesco: John Hollingworth, Michelangelo: Nick Murchie, young Vasari and Dante: Joshua Akehurst, Giotto as a teenager: Jay Mailer, as a child: Alexander Ryan. Papal envoy: Jamie Newall. Producer: Clive Brill. Indie (Brill Productions).

22 Jul: 4/4: Scherzo
By Robin Brooks and Sarah Wooley, rpt. from Jan 2018. Ep. 2. The Benjamin Quartet, with its new member, has played to a tiny audience In Brussels. Fergus has been taken ill with a suspected heart attack. Paul, the new member: Alasdair Hankinson, Fergus: Simon Donaldson, Archie: Robin Laing, Skye: Shauna Macdonald, Claire/receptionist: Karen Bartke, ,taxi driver/doctor: Kenny Blyth. Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane. Music supplied by the Edinburgh Quartet.

23 Jul: The Crossing
By Tara Hegarty. The Wards live on a farm on the Irish border and are heavily in debt. A stranger arrives whom they have contacted online. They hope he has the answers to their problems. Kath Ward: Pauline McLynn, Matthew Ward: Owen O'Neill, David: Laurence Dobiesz, Gabriel: Michael Colgan. Producer: melanie Harris; director: J.P.McKeown.

24 Jul: The Clintons, 3
By Jonathan Myerson. Play 3: The Man Scale; rpt. from 2016. 45m. This is the story of Hillary Clinton's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, and the rise of Barack Obama. It is 2008, and Bill Clinton is helping her campaign. Cast: Hillary: Fenella Woolgar, Bill: Corey Johnson, Chelsea Clinton: Janine Harouni, Patti Solis Doyle: Nancy Crane, Mark Penn: Trevor White, Huma Abedin: Lisa Cafruccio, with Jason Barnett and Kirsty Oswald. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

25 Jul: Faded Glory
By Rebekah Harrison. Childhood sweethearts Dave and Sue meet again after 22 years. The find out how life has taken them in very different directions. Sue: Shobna Gulati, Dave: Roger Evans, Gemma: Annie-Rose Tate. Producers: Nadia Molinari and Rebekah Harrison.

26 Jul: The Interrogation, 3: Evie
By Roy Williams. Max and Sean are proud of their interviewing technique, but nothing has prepared them for Evie. Max: Kenneth Cranham, Sean: Alex Lanipekun, Evie: Marcia Warren, P.C.Jones: Helen Clapp. Producer: Mary Peate.

27 Jul: Saturday Play - Bad Faith: Vengeance is Mine
By Peter Jukes. Lenny Henry returns as the Birmingham police chaplain who has lost his faith. He gets involved in a restorative justice programme. These are highly controversial. Jake: Lenny Henry, Michael: Danny Sapani, Isaac: Oscar James, Suzanne: Tracy Ann Oberman, Barry: Edward Clayton, Estelle: Lolita Chakrabarti, Stacey: Kerri McLean, Tricia: Tessa Nicholson, other parts played by Kate Layden and Melissa Advani. Producer: Steven Canny.

28 Jul: Classic Serial: The Last Judgement of Giorgio Vasari, 3
By Eileen Home and Sarah Dunant. Story of the painter, artist and biographer, told using his own words, conclusion. He was renowned in his own lifetime and invented the term 'Renaissance' but is now virtually unknown. Vasari: Tom Conti, Piero: Will Taylor, Grand Duke Cosimo: David Troughton, Cosina: Jasmine Hyde, Tommaso: Tristan Beint, Duke Francesco: John Hollingworth, Michelangelo: Nick Murchie, young Vasari and Dante: Joshua Akehurst, Giotto as a teenager: Jay Mailer, as a child: Alexander Ryan. Producer: Clive Brill. Indie (Brill Productions).

29 Jul: 4/4 Rondo Mysterioso
By Robin Brooks and Sarah Wooley, rpt from 5 Feb 18. Ep. 3. After a difficult night in a casualty department in Brussels, the quartet is invited to play at a festival in Lucca. Paul: Alasdair Hankinson, Fergus: Simon Donaldson, Archie: Robin Laing, Skye: Shauna Macdonald, Kelly: Karen Bartke, with Kenny Blyth, Nick Underwood and Finlay Welsh. Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane. Music supplied by the Edinburgh Quartet.

30 Jul: The Music Lesson
By Hannah Silva, rpt. from 11 Jul last year. Mika is a music student of the recorder. A famous teacher offers to help her. Things don't work out as she planned. Fiona Shaw, Erin Doherty. Producer: Melanie Harris; director: Susannah Tresilian.

31 Jul: Metaphor Moses
By Gary Ogin. Comedy. Rpt from 1 Aug 2018. Matthew wakes up to find he has been turned into Moishe, a Hasidic Jew. This branch of Judaism is known for its exuberant worship and distinctive dress. His father is worried because he doesn't want the neighbours to know the family is Jewish. Jeremy: Elliot Levey, Matthew / Moishe: Ashley Margolis, Rabbi: David Fleeshman, Faith: Kate Anthony, Ellie: Verity Henry, Barry: Lloyd Peters, Doctor: Hamilton Berstock. Producer: Gary Brown.

1 Aug: The Unwelcome
By Hannah Khalil. A play based on the writer's interviews with former inmates of detention centres. It is a few days before Stella's 18th birthday. There is a knock on the door and her life changes. Stella: Nahel Tzegai, Mavis: Clare Perkins, Simone andClara: Debbie Corley, Seeta: Arinder Sadhra, Alia: Houda Echouafni, Grace: Liz Sutherland-Lim, Petra: Ell Potter, Janice: Katherine Press, Helen: Susan Jameson, Interpreter: Chris Pavlo, Solicitors: Paul Hickey and Catherine Cusack, Guards: Shaun Mason and David Hounslow. Producer: Mary Peate.

2 Aug: The Interrogation, 4: Billy
Max and Sean interview Billy, who is already well known to the police. This time is different; he has come of his own free will. Max: Kenneth Cranham, Sean: Alex Lanipekun, Billy: Daniel Kendrick, Officer: Joseph Ayre, Trevor: David Houslow. Producer: Mary Peate.

3 Aug: Saturday Play - Bad Faith, 3: The Fire This Time
Another repeated 45m play in the Saturday Play slot instead of a 60-minute original. By Peter Jukes. More from the police chaplain who's lost his faith. He has decided to behave appallingly towards those he should be helping, as a test for God. (work that one out if you can) He takes on his rival, Bishop Elias Wright, in a battle over the soul of a mentally unstable parishioner. Jake: Lenny Henry, Michael: Danny Sapani, Ruth: Jenny Jules, Vincent: Jimmy Akingbola, Bishopm Wright: Cyril Nri, the Super: Vincent Ebrahim, Firearms officer: Melissa Advani, radio voice: Rhys Jennings. Producer: Mary Peate (note - three plays in a row!); director: Simon Elmes.

4 Aug: Classic Serial: Ulverton
This is a twelve-episode epic by Adam Thorpe. A novel set in a fictional village in Berkshire. It traces family stories through the generations, from 1650 to the late 1980s, using diaries, letters and other formats to create the voices of each era. The novel is being broadcast as ten radio adaptations (by Sara Davies). There will be serialised readings from tomorrow (5 Aug) sandwiched between dramatizations of the first and last episodes, including a newly commissioned epilogue by Adam, set in 2019. This instalment covers 1650, 1689 and 1712. William: John Sackville, Anne: Emma S Hussey, Gabby: Tristan Sturrock, Thomas Walters: Rory Wilton, Rev. Brazier: David Threlfall, Farmer Plumm: Richard Goulding. Producer: Jill Waters. Note that the readings which follow are not in the usual drama slot; they are at noon and each lasts for fifteen minutes.

5 Aug: 4/4 Finale Con Porca
By Robin Brooks and Sarah Wooley. Final episode, rpt. After playing in a festival in Lucca, the quartet is on its way home. Then the musicians receive another booking. Paul: Alasdair Hankinson, Fergus: Simon Donaldson, Archie: Robin Laing, Skye: Shauna Macdonald, Kelly: Karen Bartke, with Laurie Brown and Kyle Gardiner. Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane. Music supplied by the Edinburgh Quartet.

6 Aug: In His Kiss
By Lucy Montague-Moffatt; romantic comedy rpt from 12 Jul 17. An aspiring stand-up comic, Anna, joins a dating site, looking for excitement but also for material for her comedy routine. George, an undertaker, has also joined the dating site, for more usual reasons. When he meets Anna, things develop in a way neither of them had foreseen. Anna: Niamh McGowan, George: harry McEntire, Tash / Daisy: Kimberly Hart-Simpson, Will: Ste Johnston. Producer: Melanie Harris, director: Julia Ford.

7 Aug: Rumpole and the Golden Thread
Another repeat. By John Mortimer, ad. Richard Stoneman. Whilst in Africa defending an old pupil in a murder trial, Rumppole is arrested. From May 2018. Rumpole: Julian Rhind-Tutt, Mrs. Rumpole: Jasmine Hyde, Sam: Michael Cochrane, Claude and Hugh: Nigel Anthony, Phillida and Tina: Cathy Sara, Sir Worthington and prison guard: Joseph Mydell, with Adrian Scarborough, Okorie Chukwu, Nadine Marshall, Ben Crowe, Deboran Findlay, Amy Morgan, Ewan Bailey, Timothy West, Hetty Russell and Jason Knopf. Producer Catherine Bailey, Director: Marilyn Imrie. Indie (Catherine Bailey Productions).

8 Aug: The Summer Snows
By Christopher Nicholson. Dramatised by the author and Jonathan Smith. A writer has a compulsion to seek snow - the last remnants of winter. He sets off from Dorset for the Scottish mountains. Christopher: Robert Bathurst, Hugh: Christopher Harper, Helen: Helen Clapp, young Christopher: Oliver Zetterstrom, mother: Catherine Cusack, Richard: David Hounslow, Ranger: Kenny Blyth, Mrs. Cameron: Mary Maclean. Producer: Bruce Young.

9 Aug: The Interrogation, 5: Carly
By Roy Williams. An interview with Carly, who bit (sic) a police officer. Max: Kenneth Cranham, Sean: Alex Lanipekun, Carly: Lizzy Watts, Nathan: Joseph Ayre. Producer: Jessica Dromgoole; director: Mary Peate.

10 Aug: Saturday Play - Bad Faith, 4: Nothing Sacred
By Peter Jukes, rpt. 45m. Jake counsels a policeman who has lost his memory of a fatal fire. Meanwhile Jake's father is struggling with dementia. Jake: Lenny Henry, Michael: Danny Sapani, Ruth Jenny Jules, Isaac: Oscar James, Juana:Sharon D Clarke, Eamonn: Lloyd Thomas, Sienna: Wunmi Mosaku, Photographer: John Biggins. Producer: Mary Peate.

11 Aug: Classic Serial slot - Inspector Chen: Hold Your Breath, China
One-off story by Qiu Xiaolong. Chen is out of favour but then he's needed when a serial murderer is active in Shanghai. Inspector Chen: Jamie Zubairi, Yu: Dan Li, Qin: Liz Sutherland-Lim, Lou and Huang: Andrew Leung, Shanshan: Rebecca Boey, Zhao: David Houslow, Qiang: Sean Baker, Bian: Chris Pavlo, Bei: Kenny Blyth, neighbour: Debbie Korley. Producer: David Hunter.

12 Aug: Father's Land in Mother Tongue
By Kamal Khan. Mya travels to Bradford to Bangladesh accompanied by her father. Secrets are revealed about the Liberation War of 1971. Mya: Bhavna Limbachia, Zain, her father: Richard Sumitro, Lovely and Nani: Ayesha Dharker, Zahid, railway guard and the police: Ikky Elyas. Producer: Pauline Harris.

13 Aug: I'm Dying to Help
By Jon Canter. A play in the "Dangerous Visions" series. A future female Prime Minister comes up with a plan to deal with growing life expectancy by putting a drain on the NHS. Sam: Tony Robinson, PM: Haydn Gwynne, Ella: Sophia di Martino, Gerry: Paul Hickey, Mr. King: David Houslow, Chrissy and Bianca: Debbie Korley, Sue: Helen Clapp, Mrs. Griffin: Susan Jameson. Producer: Sally Avens.

14 Aug: Rumpole and the Official Secret
By John Mortimer, dram. Richard Stoneman, rpt. Rumpole defends a civil servant accused of selling secrets; there's also a wine fraud. Rumpole: Julian Rhind-Tutt, Hilda: Jasmine Hyde, Sam: Michael Cochrane, Claude: Nigel Anthony, Phillida and Tina Bradbury: Cathy Sara, Oliver Bowling and Kenneth Eastham: Ben Crowe, Rosemary and Honoraria: Deborah Findlay, Liz: Amy Morgan, Judge Bullingham and Martyn: Ewan Bailey. Indie; producer Catherine Bailey, director Marilyn Imrie.

15 Aug: Fire in the Bookshop
By Tim Atack. A documentary-maker looks at how bullying has changed over the last 30 years. He finds a school where a bully is employed to keep pupils under control. Jeremy J Wylie: Tom Meeten, Juliet: Pippa Haywood, Hartcliffe: Tom Edward-Kane, Dulcie: Ayesha Antoine, Shawnessa: Evlyne Oyedokun. Producer: Alison Crawford.

16 Aug: The Tiny Problem
By Tamsin Oglesby; family comedy. A couple ignore their own problems and just concentrate on their 16-year-old daughter. They end up in therapy. Then they think of another solution. El: Tanya Franks, Jim: Paterson Joseph, Tiny: Pearl Chanda, officials: Smauel James, Emilio Doorgasingh, teen: Tom Forrister. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

17 Aug: Saturday Play: Ulverton, 12, conclusion.
By Adam Thorpe. (See 4 Aug for details of the set of 12 broadcasts). This final instalment contains a dramatization by the author and Jill Waters of the last stages of the book, covering 1953 and 1988, and a newly commissioned epilogue set in 2019. Readers: David Timson, Jack Flammige, Tristan Sturrock and Ewan Bailey. Producer: Jill Waters.

18 Aug: Classic Serial slot - Inspector Chen,1: Don't Cry, Tai Lake
Repeated from 2018. By Qiu Xiaolong. Series of three crime tales, dram. Joy Wilkinson. The poet-detective looks into the pollution released by a chemical company. Chen: Jamie Zubairi, Shanshan: Elizabeth Tan, Huang: Andrew Leung, Wang: Neil McCaul, Mi: Alice Hewkin, with Clive Hayward, Luke Bailey, Rupert Holliday Evans and Ryan Early. Producer - Toby Swift.

19 Aug: The Bulbul was Singing
By Judy Upton. A young British woman who has been fighting with the Kurds against ISIS finds herself charged with terrorism. Laura: Rebecca Humpries, Ariman: Shaniaz Hama Ali, Dad: Paul Hickey, Jonas: Jonny Holden, instructor: Saya Zahawi, Insp Kent: Catherine Cusack, PC Miller: Shaun Mason, Serena: Debbie Korley, custody assistant: Chris Pavlo. Producer: Emma Harding.

20 Aug: Found
By Katherine Chandler. A woman's husband comes home from the shops. Instead of a bottle of wine he is carrying a tiny baby. What should they do? RT says: "....forcing them to make a difficult decision in a drama about the power of parental instincts, social responsibility, sex, class, greed and good intentions. Annie: Nia Roberts, Mike: Oliver Ryan, Sam: Rebecca Hayes, Leah: Gabrielle Creevy. Producer: Helen Perry.

21 Aug: Rumpole and the Quality of Life
Rpt. from 2018. By John Mortimer, ad. Richard Stoneman. The final Rumpole drama. Rumpole faces a life-changing decision about his marriage. Hilda wants him in Cornwall but Phillida wants him too.Rumpole: Julian Rhind-Tutt, Mrs. Rumpole: Jasmine Hyde, Sam: Michael Cochrane, Claude and Hugh: Nigel Anthony, Phillida and Tina: Cathy Sara, Sir Worthington and prison guard: Joseph Mydell, with Adrian Scarborough, Okorie Chukwu, Nadine Marshall, Ben Crowe, Deboran Findlay, Amy Morgan, Ewan Bailey, Timothy West, Hetty Russell and Jason Knopf. Producer Catherine Bailey, Director: Marilyn Imrie. Indie (Catherine Bailey Productions).

22 Aug: Human Resources
Rpt from 17 Jul 2017. By Piers Black-Hawkins. A salesman receives a call from a girl calling for help. Dylan: Matthew Baynton, Gina: Katie West, with Ceallach Spellman, Krissi Bohn, Graeme Hawley, Russell Dixon, Ashley Margolis. Producer: Nadia Molinari.

23 Aug: Twelve Weeks
By Viv Groskop. Set in an Airbnb in Suffolk, June 2019. The friends from university days are away for a weekend break. They know each other well, but something happens which threatens to wreck the weekend and their friendship. Jen: Flor Montgomery, Anne: Barbara Fylnn, Carolinie: Jane Slavin, Sorcha: Nimmi March, Will: Oliver Le Sueur, Doctor: Viv Groskop. Producer: Eoin O'Callaghan.

24 Aug: Saturday Play slot: In Search of Lost Time
By Marcel Proust. 12-hour epic. First 2 parts of 10: 2 hours. Narrated by Derek Jacobi. I can't attempt to summarize it. RT says .... novel reflecting on time, memory, art and love. Young Marcel takes walks with his parents and sees for the first time Gilberte, daughter of family friend Swann and his courtesan wife Odette de Crecy. Cast list: too long to type - but I may be able to manage the names of some the actors: Derek Jacobi as narrator, Oliver Cotton, Susan Brown, Sylvestra la Touzel, Joanna David, Pamela Miles, Mary Glen, Bessie Carter, Paterson Joseph, Charlotte Blandford, Fenella Woolgar, Robert Glenister, Frances Barber, Robert Glenister ...etc, etc, etc...... it goes on and on; I'm only a third of the way through. 37 actors playing about 70 parts. Let's have a photograph.... Episode 3 at 9pm (60 min).

25 Aug: Classic Serial slot: In Search Of Lost Time, 4 & 5 followed by 6 & 7
2-hour session, starting at 3pm.
4: Marcel is rejected by Gilbert Swann in Paris and sometime later visits the seaside town of Balbec with his grandmother. He meets three people who will have a significant impact on his life. One of them is the Baron de Charlus, played by Simon Russell Beale. Then at 4pm: episode 5: Marcel and his grandmother return from Balbec and move to a new flat in Paris. Episode 6 follows at 8pm and 7 at 9pm.

26 Aug: In Search Of Lost Time, 8,9,10
12 noon (60min): Albertine and Marcel's relationship grows more impossible; 2.15pm (45min) War looms, 3pm (60min) Conclusion - the society and culture are changing.... The one time in my life it would've been useful to attend that Seaside Summarising Proust competition - Ed.

27 Aug: Glue
By Louise Wallwein, rpt. from Sep 2017. Louise tells her life story, which includes not knowing the identity of her birth mother for thirty years. Part of the CSL season. Louise: herself, Social Worker: Julie Hesmondhalgh, with Fiona Clarke and Eileen O'Brien. Producer: Susan Roberts.

28 Aug: Blend
By Archie Maddocks. On the night they had planned to conceive, the couple talk about their reasons for and against having a child and expose some relationship problems.Paris (the man): Jake Fairbrother, Layla (the woman): Rebekah Murrell, Guillermo: Mika Osei-Owusu. Producer: David Hunter.

29 Aug: The Man with the Hammer
Rpt. from 2017. Play about cycling, involving a widowed father and his daughter. In cycling, the man with the hammer is a mythical figure who waits for you around the next bend, or halfway up a steep hill. He will hit you hard; the effects of the blow hit you suddenly and can cause a total collapse of body and mind. Jodie: Harriet Slater, Tony: Jonathan McGuinness, Noah: Jonny Holden, Maxine: Chetna Pandya, with Philip Fox, Emilio Doorgasingh and Charlie Clements. Produced by David Hunter.

30 Aug: Tinsel Girl and the Pain Clinic
By Lou Ramsden. The life and encounters of a wheelchair user. Inspired by Cherrylea Houston. Maz: Cherrylee Houston, with Kathryn Pemberton, Krissi Bohn, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Kevin Davids and Toby Hadoke. Producer: Nadia Molinari.

31 Aug: Hadrian's Beard
By the Penny Dreadfuls. By David Reed, about the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who built a wall across the top of England to keep the barbarians at bay. Hadrian: Tony Gardner, Queen Bridget: Mina Anwar, with other roles taken by Thom Tuck, Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Margaret Cabourn-Smith. Producer: Julia McKenzie.

1 Sep: Classic Serial slot: Inspector Chen: Enigma of China, 2
By Qiu Xiaolong, continuing the short series beginning on 18th Aug which was interrupted by Proust. Chen investigates the death of a high-ranking administrator. Dramatised by John Harvey. Chen: Jamie Zubairi, Li: Daniel York, Peiqin: Sarah Lam, Yu: Chris Lew Kum Hoi, Lianping: Kerry Gooderson, Jiang: Rupert Holliday Evans, Wei: Paul C Hyu, Fang: Lauren Cornelius, Chang: Clive Hayward. Produced by David Hunter.

2 Sep: How To Build A Supertower,1
New serial in four parts, by Paul Sellar. A self-made tycoon is persuaded to build a new skyscraper in London. It's all about making the right deals ... continued on 3 Sep. Max Silver, the tycoon: Robert Glenister, Carol: Catherine Cusack, Teddy: Sean Baker, Zara: Katherine Press, Katalina: Daphne Alexander, Kolo: Buom Tihngang, with Paul Hickey, Shaun Mason, Susan Jameson, Vineeta Rishi, Andrew Byron, Nokukhanya Masango, Nick Murchie, Jonny Holden, Alexander Devrient, Ben Crowe, Tife Kusoro, Bhasker Patel, Sagar Radia and Chris Pavlo. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

3 Sep: How To Build A Supertower, 2
By Paul Sellar, contd. The proposed new building is still just a plan.

4 Sep: How To Build A Supertower, 3
By Paul Sellar: Building begins, but then there's a problem with the money flow.

5 Sep: How To Build A Supertower, 4
By Paul Sellar: Cut-throat moneylending continues, and incidents are raked up from the past. The survival of Max's company is in doubt.

6 Sep: Great North Run
By Tom Wells. RT describes this as "a play about the healing power of running". Will: Andrew Finnigan, Em: Amy Cameron, Sean: Joseph Ayre, Janet: Susan Jameson, Becky: Helen Clapp, The Night: Michael Bertenshaw. Producer: Jessica Dromgoole.

7 Sep: Saturday Play: A Kestrel For A Knave ("Kes")
By Barry Hines, adapted from the novel by Robert Rigsby. Readers will probably remember Ken Loach's film 'Kes', set in a pit village in the 1960s. Billy finds comfort in training a kestrel and learning about falconry, which helps him forget about his thick half-brother, the harsh realities of a sixties classroom and the probability that he will end up mining coal. Billy Casper: George Kent, Jud: Joe McArdle, Mrs. Casper: Kelly Harrison, Mr. Crossley: Craig Cheetham, Mr. Gryce: Adrain Hood, Mr. Farthing: Lee Rufford,MacDowell: Daniel Rainford, Armitage: Daniel Corey, Anderson: Corey Westwood, Ellis/Tibbut: Troy Tipple, Employment Officer: Olwen May, young boy: Isaac Bertram, with Ronan Braisby, Dominic Cooper, Ethan Godbold, Olivia Sephton,Ella McHugh, Grace McVeigh, Daniel King, Georgia Mahoney and Harvey Kitchen. Producer: Lucinda Mason Brown; director: Fiona McAlpine. 60m.

8 Sep: Classic Serial slot: The Canterbury Tales, Archers version, 1
By Geoffrey Chaucer, rpt. A while back, 'The Archers' included some performances of Chaucer's famous plays - played by the Archers' cast. Presented by Carole Boyd (Lynda Snell)' dramatised by Nick Warburton. Cast list too long to type, so here's a picture:

9 Sep: Girls
By Theresa Ikoko. The play looks at the true story of three teenage girls kidnapped by "Boko Haram", an Islamic terrorist group, from their school in Nigeria. They struggle to survive whilst wondering whether the world has forgotten them. Tisana: Amaka Okafor, Ruhab: Faith Alabi, Haleema: Joan Iyiola. Producer: Abigail Gonda.

10 Sep: Eastern Star
By Guy Slater, who plays the vet, Alistair, in 'The Archers'. The play is about the journalist Christopher Guinness, who was sent to Burma in 1988 disguised as a hiker to report on rumours of civil disturbance and the activities of the ruling military junta. He met Nay Min and became involved in his student revolution. 25 years after the revolution, which was put down brutally by the military, Christopher and Nay Min meet again. Chris: Michael Lumsden, Nay: David Yip, Nick: Nigel Pivaro, Morland: Ian Kelly, Ba Swe: Windson Liong, Jake: Matt Rippy, Receptiionist and Aung San Suu Kyi: Julie Cheung Inhin, Win Aung and the Colonel: Paul Chan. Indie (Brill Productions). Producer: Clive Brill.

11 Sep: Undercover Mumbai, 1
By Ayeesha Menon; new series. (series 3). Crime drama set and recorded on location in India. Indie (Goldhawk). A young woman is found dead; police inspector Alia Khan investigates. Alia: Prerna Chawla, Junaid: Tavish Bhattacharya, Ratna: Shivani Tanksale, Shahnaz: Shernaz Patel, Parvez: Rajit Kapur, Jaz: Sukant Goel, Roopkala: Lovleen Mishra, Popo: Rohit Malkani, Bhupinder: Aseem Hattangady, Patel: Jaimini Pathak, Mrs. Gomes: Radhika Mital, Dr. Rao: Sohrab Ardeshir,, with Anahita Uberoi, Vivek Madan, Nadir Khan, Abir Abrar, Kamakshi Rai, Ajitesh Gupta and Dhruv Hemdev. producer: Nadir Khan, dram. John Dryden.

12 Sep: Undercover Mumbai, 2
By Ayeesha Menon. Continued from yesterday.

13 Sep: Undercover Mumbai, 3
By Ayeesha Menon. Conclusion.

14 Sep: Saturday Play - Bad Faith
By Peter Jukes. Another Saturday repeat of a 45m drama from a couple of years ago. 1/3 Unoriginal Sin. With Lenny Henry. Producer: Mary Peate.

15 Sep: Classic Serial - Canterbury Tales
By Nich Warburton. Repeat of the Archers version of The Pardoner's Tale, The Friar's Tale, The Franklin's Tale and The Bailiff's Tale. Producer: Alison Hindell.

16 Sep: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
By Alexander McCall Smith. The House of the Unexpected Sisters. Mma Romotswe investigates local politics, whilst Mma Makutsi looks at a case of unfair dismissal. Mma Ramotswe: Janice Acquah, Mma Makutsi: Nadine Marshall, Mr. Maketoni: Ben Onwukwe, Mr. Polopetsi: Steve Toussaint, Mma Potokwani: Sarah Niles, Charity: Saffron Coomber, her mother: Lorna Gayle. Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.

17 Sep: Breaking Up with Bradford
By Kamal Kaan, repeat. A man returns to Bradford after three years away at University. He has changed; is the town ready for him? Kasim: Darren Kuppan, Richard: Luke Newberry, Sid: Abdullah Afzal, Zaynab: Mez Galaria. Producer: charlotte Riches.

18 Sep: Brief Lives, 1
New series of the drama by Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly. The legal advisers have another case - Frank and Sarah have split up and Sarah's friend Juliet is recruited to help run the agency. Then a local gangster's son is arrested. Frank: David Schofield, Sarah: Kathryn Hhunt, Juliet: Maria Major, Dean: Hamish Rush, Keith: Stephem marzella, Lois: Verity Henry, Helen: Krissi Bohn. Producer: Gary Brown.

19 Sep: Road to Ferrara
By Douglas Livingstone. A divorcee, Raymond, hopes for romance when his mother's carer invites him to the country's oldest palio. This is the latest in a long line of 'road' plays by Douglas Livingstone and Jane Morgan, in which location recordings taken during a festival are incorporated into a drama. Raymond: Peter Wight, Lucia: Rebecca Lee, Martha: Joanna McCallum, Marco: Sebastiano Kiniger, Maria: Flaminia Cinque, Maid: Emma Noakes, restaurant owner: Jane Bertish. Producer: Jane Morgan.

20 Sep: The Lesson
By Virginia Gilbert, rpt. James is bringing out a new novel; his wife, Alice, wants him to refrain from naming Cara, the woman upon which the main character is based. She is dangerous. Alice and Cara were friends once but their friendship cooled when Alice and James got together and Cara became jealous. James: Harry Lloyd, Alice: Fiona O'Shaughnessy, Cara, the woman: Phoebe Fox, Jane/nurse: Julie Teal, radio presenters: Philip Fox. Producer: David Ian Neville.

21 Sep: Saturday Play - Bad Faith, 2
By Peter Jukes. 45m repeat. Ep.2, Insha Allah, from 7 Oct 11. Jake is on secondment. He gets into deep water when he gives out more information than he should about a missing Muslim teenager. Jake Thorne ..... Lenny Henry, Edie Gosling ..... Nadine Marshall, Kevin Stanhope ..... Conrad Nelson, Alyssa Mayes ..... Seroca Davis, Tony Wingard ..... Clive Russell, Chief Supt Sufiq Khan ..... Vincent Ebrahim, Azad Hasan ..... Pushpinder Chani, Marianne Brown ..... Claire Benedict, Omar Mohammed ..... Peter Polycarpou, Traffic Police Officer ..... Carl Prekopp. Producer by Mary Peate.

22 Sep: Classic Serial slot - Master of the Mint
By David Ashton, rpt. Previously broadcast as a Saturday Play in July 2018. After 30 years as a don at Cambridge, Newton is offered a new job at the Royal Mint. He is asked to investigate and put a stop to the manufacture of false coin. The penalty for those caught doing it is death because it qualifies as treason. William Gaminara as Newton, with Gunnar Cauthary, Kerry Gooderson, Nicholas Tizzard, Michael Nardone, Jonathan Forbes, Ryan Early, Lauren Cornelius, Sean Murray and Gerard McDermott. Producer: Bruce Young.

23 Sep: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, 2
By Alexander McCall Smith. Episode title: The Colours of all the Cattle. The play: Election day, and an old family mystery. Mma Ramotswe: Janice Acquah, Mma Makutsi: Nadine Marshall, Mr. Maketoni and the chairman: Ben Onwukwe, Mr. Polopetsi: Steve Toussaint, Mma Potokwani: Sarah Niles, Stephen and Jojhn: Jason Barnett, Mingie Ramotswe: Debbie Korlay, Charlie: Maynard Eziashi, the neighbour: Saffron Coomber, Mma Gopalang: Lorna Gayle. Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.

24 Sep: Lamanby
By Jacob Polley. RT: 'An extraordinary account of a childhood house which becomes the site of an alternative personal history'. The day before the house is due to be sold sold, a former resident returns to spend a final night there, alone. Music and soundscapes put together by John Alder. Narrator: Jacob Polley, Mudder: Gillian Kearney, Mugginshere: Kevin Doyle, Jake: Sam Hattersley, Jeremy Wren: Ashley Margolis, old man: Alan Rothwell. Producer: Sue Roberts.

25 Sep: Brief Lives, 2
By Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly. This week the legal advisers are dealing with a teenager who has been beaten up. Frank: David Schofield, Sarah: Sally Dexter, Neil: Paul Barnhill, Roy: Chris Jack, PC Egan: Helen O'Hara, Chris: Ike Bennett, DC Bryant: Lloyd Peters, Doctor: Hamilton Berstock. Producer: Gary Brown.

26 Sep: The Slow Kapow
By Ed Harris, rpt. Comedy drama about how trauma affects us in our formative years. A single moment in Ed's childhood is revealed. The trouble with memories is that they're not always accurate, because of the way memory works. Ed: Ed Harris, Ricky: Carl Prekopp, JJ: Ewan Bailey, Expert: Clare Corbett, Actors: Fred Woodley Evans, Alexandra Parry and Aslam Ntumba. Producer: Jeremy Mortimer.

27 Sep: This Changeling Self
By Linda M Griffiths, recorded on location at the Edinburgh Fringe. A modern re-telling of the Scottish folk ballad of Tam Lin, who loses his heart to the Queen of the Fairies. In this version, Tam is a pianist on a show at the Edinburgh Fringe. She: Christine Bottomley, He: Sacha Dhawan, Brother: Rupert Hill, Girl: Kay McAllister. Producer: Nadia Molinari.

28 Sep: Saturday Play - Bad Faith, 3
By Peter Jukes, rpt, 45m. Opiate of the Masses, with Lenny Henry. Rpt. from 2011. Police chaplain Jake is still living in a shelter for the homeless six months into his secondment. Jake: Lenny Henry, Tony: Clive Russell, The Super: Vincent Ebrahim, Kevin: Conrad Nelson, Marianne: Claire benedict, Sakina: Vineeta Rishi, Jesse: Ray Fearon, Isaac: Oscar James, Amanda: Alex Tregear, Radiologist: Susie Riddell. Producer: Mary Peate.

29 Sep: Classic Serial slot:The Pillow Book
Self-contained episode by Robert Forrest; I think this is a compilation of 5 x 12m, perhaps from the 15m serial. The story is inspired by the writings of a poet and lady-in-waiting to an Empress in tenth-century Japan. This series (the 11th) concludes a run started in 2008. Lady Shonagon has another mystery to solve. Meanwhile the Empress is giving birth and insists that Lady Shonagon will attend her.Shonagon: Ruth Gemmell, Yukinari: Cal MacAninch, Takai and Ikiryo: Simon Donaldson, Saisho: Victoria Lidelle, Amaterasu: Joanna Tope, Uke: Meg Fraser, landlord and policeman: Anthony Strachan. Producer: Lu Kemp.

30 Sep: The Call of the Rewild
By Kieran Lynn. A businessman decides to reintroduce wolves onto his land. The nearby sheep farmers are not happy. Marcus: Robin Laing, Dorothy MacLennan: Anne Lacey, Anna MacLennan: Helen Mackay, Gillian: Julie Duncanson, PC/Presenter/journalist: Simon Donaldson. Producer: Bruce Young.

1 Oct: The Beatboxer
By 'Testament' (Andy Brooks), where a beatboxer (vocal artist) runs a training day at a call centre, unaware that the owners have another motive for bringing him in. Testament is a hip-hop MC, theatre-maker and record-breaking beatboxer. Subs: testament, Katherine: Susan Twist, Samiya: Purvi Parmar, Kristy: Verity Henry, Graham: John Branwell, Jaron: Dermot Daly, Caspero: Sholto. Producer: Gary Brown.

2 Oct: Brief Lives, 3
By Ton Fry and Sharon Kelly. Frank and Sarah encounter a tragedy whilst on holiday in the Yorkshire Dales. Frank: David Schofield, Sarah: Kathryn Hunt, Ann/Maggie/Kath: Emma Gr (sic), DS Nicholls: Jason Done, Janice: Kate Coogan, Karl: Martin Weaver. Producer: Gary Brown.

3 Oct: Song and Dance
By Barney Norris. Anne and Pete, two people on a birdwatching trip, witness the fatal heart attack of another of their group. They decide to pay the widow of the deceased, whom they've never met, a visit. Anne and Pete are unable to express what they really feel, whilst leaving the listener in no doubt. (summarised from Fiona Hughes' review in RT) Anne: Susan Brown, Pete: Robin Soans, Eleanor: Tessa Peake-Jones. Producer: Sally Avens.

4 Oct: Elsinore, 1
By Sebastian Baczkiewicz, rpt. from New Year's Day 2018. Prequel to 'Hamlet', set in an alternative Denmark (and Europe) in the 1930s. Claudius, Hamlet's brother: John Light, King Hamlet: John Heffernan, The Dauphin: Ed Gaughan, Captain True: Chetna Pandya, Polonius: Clive Hayward, Anders/Dr. Swiss: Neil McCaul, Olssnon: Rupert H Evans, Yorick/Guard: Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong, Katya: Isabella Inchbald, Beatrix: Abbie Andrews, Archimdes and the Prosecutor: David Reakes, Horatio and Schroeder: Philip Bretherton, Lascio: Adam Fitzgerald, Uncle: Ben Crowe, Helena: Clare Corbett, Gertrude: Lyndsey Marshal, Mrs. Helgeland: Sudha Bhuchar. Producers: Marc Beeby and Sasha Yevtushenko.

5 Oct: Saturday Drama - Passion Play
By Peter Nicholls, rpt, from 1981. It's broadcast in tribute to Peter, who died last month aged 92. The play is about marriage, infatuation and love. It follows the situation of a middle-aged married couple whose life is suddenly hit by an encounter with Kate, the widow of an old friend. James:Nicholas le Provost, Eleanor: Joanna David, Agnes: Gemma Jones, Kate: Emily Bruni. Producer: Colin Guthrie.

6 Oct: Classic Serial - Wild Honey, 1
By Checkhov, rpt from 2018, ad. Michael Frayn, from the play "Platonov". Platonov is the name of the central character; a self-loathing teacher and womaniser, and the story is set at a summer party. Platonov -David Tennant, with Elliot Levey, Sasha Behar, Christian Rodska, John Hollingworth, Rupert Vansittart, Eva Feiler, Prisca Bakare, Nigel Cooke, Olivia Darnley, Ben Onwukwe and Forbes Masson. Producer: Clive Brill. Indie (Brill Productions).

7 Oct: One Horizon
A play about the Marathon des Sables, a gruelling run of 150 miles across the Moroccan Sahara. The runners, Gwyn and Paul, are played by Mark Lewis Jones and Richard Harrington both of whom participated in the race in 2014. Jaco: Sam Rix, Ceri: Ri Richards, Sarah: Mali Harries. Producer: James Robinson.

8 Oct: A Question of Judgement
By Ryan Craig, rpt. from Sep 2017. A retired judge from a privileged background has to chair an inquiry into a gas explosion which resulted in the death of some children at a council estate school. The judge: Timothy West, Devereauz: Neil McCaul, Conserdine: Sam James, Annie Lopez: Charlie Clements, with David Reakes, Ellie Darvill, Tayla Kovacevich-Ebong, Abbie Andrewes and Deeivya Meir. Producer: Patrick Kavanagh.

9 Oct: Brief Lives, 4
Franks & Sarah's friend asks for their help on a case in Morecambe. Frank: David Schofield, Sarah: Sally Dexter, Isabel: Danielle Henry, Reece: David Judge, DC Evans: David Corden, Jasmine: Sade Malone, Caitlin: Anna Jobarteh. Producer: Gary Brown.

10 Oct: The Lambeth Waltz
Comedy by Daniel Thurman, rpt... can't quite see the relevance of the title to the subject of this interesting play: the musician and psychic Rosemary Brown, who was famous for a while in the 1970s. She said that a number of great composers were dictating music to her: Betthoven, Chopin, Schumann and others. She produced hundreds of pieces, many of which were very good. Only a few were published for general circulation. There are some recordings on Youtube. Rosemary: Marion Bailey, Liszt: Matthew Steer, Sandra: Chetna Pandya, Johnny Carson: Kerry Shale, John Lennon: Charlie Clements. Producer: David Hunter.

11 Oct: Elsinore, 2
By Sebastian Baczkiewicz, rpt from 2018; second part of this prequel to Hamlet, continued from a week ago. Producers: Marc Beeby and Sasha Yevtushenko.

12 Oct:Saturday Play - The Republicans, 1: Ronald Reagan
Play title: Hanging By Our Thumbs, by Jonathan Myerson. Set in 1987, during Reagan's second term. Congress investigates the Iran/Contra arms-selling deal. Reagan: Kerry Shale, Bud McFarlane: Mark Heenehan, Fawn Hall: Janine Harouni, Oliver North: Paul Hickey, Admiral Poindexter: Peter Polycarpou, Nancy Reagan: Madeleine Potter, Abshire: Chris Pavlo, Don Regan: David Hounslow, Shultz: Sean Baker, Ed: Jonny Holden, Staffer: Rupert Simonian. Producer: Jonquil Panting. 45m.

13 Oct: Classic Serial Slot: Wild Honey, 2
By Checkhov, rpt from 2018, ad. Michael Frayn from his 1984 stage production. Platonov - David Tennant, with Elliot Levey, Sasha Behar, Christian Rodska, John Hollingworth, Rupert Vansittart, Eva Feiler, Prisca Bakare, Nigel Cooke, Olivia Darnley, Ben Onwukwe and Forbes Masson. Producer: Clive Brill. Indie (Brill Productions).

14 Oct: The Last Missionary of Kanaipur
By Ben Musgrave, rpt. Rebecca has lived and worked in Bangladesh for many years. She loves the counjtry and her small Christian community but Islamist activity and a visit from an old friend make her question what she is doing there. Rebecca: Eve Matheson, Rupa: Sunetra Sarker, Philip: Vincent Ebrahim, Aminul: Richard Sumitro, Emmanuel: Saikat Ahamed, Mission Sec: Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong, Father Cornelius: Neil McCaul.Producer: Emma Harding.

15 Oct: Gut
By Frances Poet. A mother cannot stop thinking about what might have happened when her three year old son Joshy was alone with a stranger when she was on a romantic break with her partner. Lucy, the mother: Jeany Spark, Rory: Joseph Kloska, Morven: Jessica Hunter, Joshua: Elizabeth Poet, with Neil McCaul, Will Kirk and Greg Jones as strangers. Producer: David Hunter.

16 Oct: Brief Lives, 5
By Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly. Frank is called as a witness for the prosecution. Frank: David Schofield, Sarah: Sally Dexter, Maya: Rosie Fleeshman, Worthington: Adonis Anthony, Shelley: Jonathan Keeble, DS Rickards: Natalie Grady. Producer: Gary Brown.

17 Oct: Bayeux
By Abigail Youngman; comedy drama about the Bayeux tapestry. In the years after the Battle of Hastings, the deposed Queen Edith, under house arrest, persuades bishop Odo to keep her and the other women alive by promising to produce a large needlework telling the story of the conquest. They are allowed to decorate the battle scenes as they wish and one of the women has gone off-message, as becomes clear when bare-bottomed men and worse begin to appear. The plpay has some Pythonesque French accents and clopping horses; the comedian Katy Brand plays the ex-queen. Cast: Edith: Katy Brand, Odo: Charlie Anson, Gunnhilda: Kate Sobey, Edeva: Lisa Zahra, Wadard: Jonny Holden, Wulfgyth: Rosie Cavaliero, Mathilde: Tracy Wiles. Producer: Mary Ward-Lowery.

18 Oct: Elsinore, 3
By Sebastian Baczkiewicz, rpt from 2018; third part of this prequel to Hamlet, continued from a week ago. Doesn't sound remotely related to Shakespeare; an interesting play in its own right. Producers: Marc Beeby and Sasha Yevtushenko.

19 Oct: Saturday Play: The Republicans - George W Bush
By Jonathan Myerson. 45m. Play Title: A Higher Father. We are now in the year 2000. Bush is elected, narrowly, as President. He is not a carbon copy of his father. George W Bush: Joseph Balderrama, Sgt. Louella Harkrader: Melody Grove, Barbara Bush: Amanda Boxer, Laura Bush: Debbie Korley, Lee Atwater: Demetri Goritsas, Dick Cheney: Kerry Shale, Karl Rove: Chris Pavlo, Jeb Bush: Jonny Holden. Producer: Jonquuil Panting.

20 Oct: Classic Serial slot: Inspector Chen, 3 - When Red is Black
Rpt from 19 Dec 2015. By Q. Xiaolong, set in Shanghai in the 1990s, dramatised by John Harvey. When the inspector agrees to do a translation job for a property developer, he is given a laptop, a young lady to provide for his every need and medical care for his mother. It seems that there are no strings attached, but then a dissident writer is murdered. Chen: Jamie Zubairi, Yu: Dan Li, Peiqin: Sarah Lam, Gu: Ewan Bailey, Party Secretary: Daniel York, Old Liang: Gerard McDermott, Hunang: Richard Pepple, Lanlan: Tina Chiang, Qiao Ming: Chris Pavlo, Peng: Debra Baker, White Cloud: Elizabeth Chan, Jia: George Watkins, Boa Hung: Leo Wan. Producer: David Hunter.

21 Oct: I am Kanye West
By Darragh Mortell; comedy drama. Toby believes he is Kanye West, American rapper, singer and songwriter. In reality he is an ordinary guy who urgently needs some counselling. His lady doctor is trying to help him see the truth so he can put everything back together. Toby: Sule Rimi, Dr. Newman, his doctor: Tracy Wiles, Sadie: Georgia Henshaw, Olivia Daniels: Zoe Davies, Sergeant Williams: Paul Hickey, Constable Jones: Garet Pierce. Producer: John Norton.

22 Oct: A Badge
By Tony Pitts, rpt. Christine has an autistic son. After a screaming fit in a supermarket, she wishes people could understand that she isn't a bad mother; she just needs a badge, so people know what she is up against. Christine: Katherine Kelly, David: Warren Brown, Chloe: Corinne Bailey Rae, Anne: Kate Hardie, Michael: Isaac Whitmore, Narrator: Tony Pitts, Daniel: Caleb Potter Williams. Producer: Justine Potter; director: Tony Pitts.

23 Oct: The Tragic History of My Nose
By Alastair Jessiman; comedy. Rpt. from 22 Nov 17. Gogol, the novelist, nurses his long-suffering nose as he writes the sequel to 'Dead Souls'. He meets two men who will help determine his fate and that of his new manuscript. Gogol: Robert Jack, Josef: Daniel Boyd, Father Matthew: Crawford Logan, Countess: Joanna Tope, Count: John Buck, with Gavin Mitchell and Isabelle Joss. Producer: Bruce Young.

24 Oct: Red Earth, Red Sky
By Janice Okoh. Based on a true story; 70 year old Paul had a dream in London where his sister, Evelyn, asked him to take her back to Agbor, their town of birth. The next morning he received a call saying his sister had died in Lagos. Paul sets off for Lagos but something unforeseen happens. With 190 million people mostly at poverty level in Nigeria, kidnappings began as a protest against the rich oil workers. Now it has grown into a business. On average there are seven kidnappings a day. The play is based on events which happened to a relation of the writer who was kidnapped in 2017. Two people were killed and the case remains unsolved. Paul - Nonzo Anozie, Carol/Evelyn -Joan Iyiola, Chinedu/Sunny - Peter Bankole, Deborah - Susan Aderin, Ovo- Seun Shote, Franklyn - Adam Courting. Produced by Pauline Harris.

25 Oct: Elsinore, 4
By Sebastian Baczkiewicz, rpt from 2018; concluding part of this prequel to Hamlet, continued from a week ago. Producers: Marc Beeby and Sasha Yevtushenko.

26 Oct: Saturday Play:The Republicans - Donald Trump
By Jonathan Myerson, 45m. Episode title: Donald Trump: This isn't happening. The play is fact-based and records the political swings of the republican Party in the USA. Trump said at a rally that he wouldn't lose voters even if he shot someone in Fifth Avenue. This is contrasted with the consequences of the day when he lost his temper on his Scottish golf course. Donald Trump and a driver: Lewis MacLeod, Ivanka Trump: Christy Meyer, Abraham Lincoln: William Hope, Richard Nixon and a councillor: Ian Conningham, Ray Cohn: Corey Johnson, young Donald: Josh Berry, Fred Trump and a caddy: Neil McCaul, Melania Trump: Jessica Turner, secret service agent and a reporter: Clive Hayward, Till girl and reporter: Sinead MacInnes. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

27 Oct: Inspector Chen: A Case of Two Cities, 1
Repeat of a Saturday Play from 2017, 55m. By Qiu Xiaolong, dram. John Harvey. Series 2, new. Inspector Chen is now Special Envoy to the Emperor. His first task in the role is to investigate the death of the head of Shanghai's anti-corruption squad. Chen: Jamie Zubairi, Yu: Dan Li, Catherine Rohn: Pippa Beckett-Warner, Zhao: Louise Mal Newberry, Dong: Nicholas Murchie, Gu: John Dougall, Bao: John Bowler, Secretary: Kezia Joseph, reporter: Gavi Singh Chera. Producer: David Hunter.

28 Oct: Elsinore, 1, new series
By Sebastian Baczkiewicz. More drama imagining the Danish Royal Court of Hamlet, set in an alternative Europe in the 1950s. Claudius, Prince of Denmark, is reassessing his position in exile in Spain. Meanwhile unrest in Denmark is causing King Hamlet to become more authoritarian. Claudius: John Light, Hamlet: John Heffernan, Gertrude: Lyndsey Marshal, PoloniusL: Clive Hayward, Olsson: Rupert Holliday Evans, Kabanova: Jessica Turner, Horatio: Philip Bretherton, Schroeder: Neil McCaul, Catalina: Laura Christy, Lindstrom: Pip Torrens, Fortinbras and Marcellus: Will Kirk, Martin: Ikky Elyas, Lieutenant: Greg Jones. Producers: Marc Beeby and Sasha Yevtushenko.

29 Oct: Elsinore, 2
By Sebastian Baczkiewicz. Claudius, recently returned to Denmark, finds himself dispatched to negotiate with Norwegian freedom fighters who have taken hundreds of Danes hostage at the Royal Theatre in Oslo. Cast etc. - see above.

30 Oct: Elsinore, 3
King Hamlet's authoritarianism is having bad effects on Danish society and taking the country into war. His brother Claudius is unsure how to respond. Then he learns of a miltary plot to overthrow the king. Cast etc. - see 28 Oct.

31 Oct: Singles Going Steady
By Paul Farley, rpt. This is a love affair set in 1961 in Liverpool. It is conducted through the medium of singles (ie gramophone records) made in a record-your-own-voice booth. The title refers to a hits compilation released by the Buzzcocks in 1979. Clarry: Katherine R Morley, George: Robbie O'Neill, Frank: Charlie Clements, Big Pat: James Nelson-Joyce, Bernie: Sarah Ridgeway, Young Bridcutt: Sam James, Telephonists: Kerry Gooderson and Julie Teal. Producer: Emma Harding.

1 Nov: Prestige
By Hugh Costello. The play is a reaction to recent events in the news. Despite a ban on arms destined for the yemen, the manufacturers always seem to find a way. Monica: Jane Slavin, Samira: Jumaan Zizzari, Greg: Anton Lesser, Paul: Colin Stinton, Jamal: Khalid Laith. Producer: Eoin O'Callaghan.

2 Nov: Saturday Play: Arthur
By Kinks lead singer Ray Davies and Paul Sirett. 75m. This is a musical drama based on the Kinks' LP from 1969 entitled 'Arthur' (or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire. On pages 114 and 115 of RT is a two-page article about this production. A close-knit working familytrying to come to terms with postwar Britain is torn apart when Ray's brother-in-law, Arthur, decides to emigrate to Australia. Arthur: Lee Ross,. Rose: Rosie Cavaliero, Ray: Stephen Lloyd, Dave: Mark Newnham, Terry: Ben Norris, Bobby: Arthur Hughes, Julie and Sally: Emerald O'Hanrahan, Mr. Henderson: David Holt, Mum: Karen Spicer, Dad and Jones: Wayne Norman. Producers: Karen Rose and Ray Davies; director: Karen Rose.

3 Nov: Classic Serial: Inspector Chen, 2
Episode title: Red Mandarin Dress, rpt from 4 Feb 2017. By Qiu Xiaolong, dram. Joy Wilkinson. A serial killer is on the loose, but Inspector Chen is working on a corruption case, forcing the homicide division to look in some unwelcome high-up places for the perpetratror. Chen: Jamie Zubairi, Yu: Dan Li, Secretary Li: Daniel York, Hong: Vera Chok, Jia Ming: Nicholas Murchie, White Cloud: Elizabeth Chan, Xia: Natasha Cowley, Comrade Fan: John Bowler, Kong: Alison Belbin, Sergeant Qi: Gavi Singh Chera, Shen Wenchang: David Sterne, Director Zhong: John Dougall, hotel manager: Finlay Robertson, receptionist: Catriona McFarlane. Producer: Toby Swift. .

4 Nov: Velvet Blackout
By Vincent O'Connell, rpt. from 2017. In 1942 a young woman is pulled from a bombed building. She has amnesia, but perhaps locked away in her mind is something important to the British war effort. Some unorthodox methods are used to try to make her remember. Roxanne: Isabella Inchbald, Trounce: Ben Crowe, Edward: Joel MacCormack, Landlord: Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong, Nurse: Kath Weare. Producer: Marc Beeby.

5 Nov: Escape Kit
By William Thirsk Gaskill; a first radio play by a writer of short stories. Bradley finds himselfs trapped on a train with a middle-aged madman escaping from a WW2 prison camp. Bradley: Will Taylor, Arthur: Reginald Edwards, Celia: Verity Kirk, Edmund: Patrick Knowles, Davina: Tanya Loretta Dee, Grandpa and railway guard: David Shaw-Parker. Producer: Clive Brill. Indie (Brill Productions).

6 Nov: Shrapnel
By Isabel Wright. Nadine has escaped from a war-torn city. She is a war reporter; she returns home but her mind remains under siege. Nadine: Monica Dolan, Rafael: Javier Marzan, Donna: Nicola Ferguson, Sofia: Sinead MacInnes, John: Ikky Elyas, Girl: Asiyah Williams. Producer: Gaynor MacFarlane.

7 Nov: When Fanny met Germaine
By Sian Ejiwunmi-Le-Berre. This is the writer's first radio drama, looking at the friendship between Fanny Burney and Germaine de Stael. Fanny Burney was a novelist, diarist and playwright and the daughter of Charles Burney, the composer and music historian. Germaine de Stael was a French writer and historian , politically active, whose lifetime overlapped with the events of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era. Fanny B: Heather Craney, Germaine: Fiona Button, General D'Arblay: Alexander Devrient, Louis-Marie: Lorna Gayle, Count Narbonne-Lara: Philip Desmeules, Susannah: Jessica Turner. Producer: Jonquil Panting.

8 Nov: The Rules of Palship
Rpt from 16 Nov 2017. A first radio play by Jonathan Tafler (not counting his adaptation of the diaries of 'Private Wheeler') about the early life of Noel Coward. The writer imagines a testing moment when Noel is on tour in 'Charley's Aunt'. Noel: Joel McCormack, Esme Wynne: Isabella Inchbald, Graham Henshaw: Tom Forrister, Fraser Stanhope: Wilf Scolding, Barth: Neil McCaul, Rev. Henshaw: David Reakes, Mary Henshaw: Ellie Darvill. Producer: Peter Kavanagh.

9 Nov: Saturday Play - Nora Webster, 1
By Colm Toibin. Nora Webster is now a single parent, having recently lost her husband, a politically active schoolteacher who has died young. She has four children children. It's set in Enniscorthy, Ireland, in the late 1960s.Nora: Siobhan McSweeney, Aunt Josie: Brid Brennan, Una: Norma Sheahan, Catherine: Ruth Bradley, Jim Webster: Gary Lilburn, Mick Sinnott: Edward MacLiam, William Jr: Paul Reid, Fiiona: Sophie Robinson, Aine: Lauren Coe, Conor: Sinead McGee, Donal: Tommy Harris, Sister Thomas: Jessica Turner, Peggy Gibney: Heather Craney. Producer: Allegra McIlroy.

10 Nov: Classic Serial - The Pallisers, 1

This new 3-part dramatization is a reworking by Mike Harris of Anthony Trollope's series of novels about life and politics in Victorian England. 19-year-old Glencora Palliser is married to the considerable older Plantagenet Palliser, a conscientiious politician. Unfortunately she is in love with someone else. Glencora: Jessica Raine, Plantagenet: Tim McMullan, Phineas Finn: Edward MacLiam, Burgo Fitzgerald: Blake Ritson, Violet: Scarlett Courtney, Marie Goesler: Melody Grove, Kennedy and Slide: Neil McCaul, Bonce and Grimes: Greg Jones, Commons Speaker: Hamilton Berstock. Producer: Gary Brown.

11 Nov: Grimm and Co
Some tales by a group of nine-year-olds from Rotherham; the strands gathered together by Sharon Sephton. A magical shop where children meet to write stories and stock up on potiions is just about to close. Ned (Dr. Never-Ending Door) is having a moan, and Michael Stopper, the potion bottle, is sleeping. Ned: David Fleeshman, Michael Stopper and Humphrey Creaker: Christopher Ghung, Galaxy Portal and TT Whitey-Reddy and Terry: Verity Henry, Kevin and Colin: Luke Dale, Stumpy Sir Stumperson: Paul Clayton, Nicholas Moneygrabber: John Henshaw, Crunch Origami: Stephen Hoyle, Perryius Fidinkyly: Eric Potts, Cat Sniffles: Christine Cox. Producer: Sharon Sephton.

12 Nov: The Ferryman's Apprentice
By Beatrice Colin, rpt. from 1 Dec 2017. Charon ferries sinners across the river of woe and decides which circle of Hell is suitable for each one. Jane, a newly-deceased woman, who generally acted with the best of intentions, was a human rights lawyer, but Charon has a feeling that she might belong in the ninth circle (the worst). Charon's son Thomas has been dragged along and makes Jane open up about her past. Charon: Gary Lewis, Thomas: Chris O'Reilly, Jane: Rosalind Sydney, Anton: Tom Smith. Producer: Gaynor MacFarlane. (summarised from Sarah Carson's remarks on the 2017 broadcast in RT)

13 Nov: Mahler's Muse
By John Banville, rpt. from 5 Dec 2017. Alma Mahler was a Viennese composer, author, editor and socialite; she married Gustav Mahler at 22. The play looks at a crisis point in her marriage when her husband discovered she was having an affair. Gustav: Rupert Graves, Alma: Olivia Williams, Walter Gropius: David reakes, Anna Moll: Maggie Cronin, Gretel: Sophie Harkness, Freud: Adrian Schiller, Dr. Blumenthal: Patrick Fitzsymons, Anna: Clodagh Casey. producer: Gemma McMullen.

14 Nov: Isaac Newton - Nemesis, 1
By David Ashton. First half of a play set in the late 1600s, when England is facing a financial crisis because of coins being abused and forged. The Warden of the Royal Mint, Isaac Newton, decides to recoin all silver currency, which means melt down the old coins and mint new ones. However there are politicians and others who don't want this strategy. Note that there is another play about this by David Ashton (55m, with some overlap of cast and the same producer), broadcast 21 Jul 2018 (q.v.). Philip Palmer also wrote 'The King's Coiner' (R4, Apr 2002) which covers similar ground. Cast: Newton: William Gaminara, Hopton Haynes: Gunnar Cauthery, Catherine Barton: Laura Christy, Charles Montague: Rick Warden, Elliot Miller: Sean Murray, Thomas Carey: Clive Hayward, Belle Russell: Melody Grove, Jamie Wilde: Will Kirk, Richard Vernon: Neil McCaul. Producer: Bruce Young.

15 Nov: Nemesis, 2
By David Ashton. Newton thinks he has been betrayed when a wagon of silver is stolen by the counterfeiters and his right-hand man at the Royal Mint is murdered. Cast: Newton: William Gaminara, Hopton Haynes: Gunnar Cauthery, Catherine Barton: Laura Christy, Charles Montague: Rick Warden, Thomas Carey: Clive Hayward, Belle Russell: Melody Grove, Jamie Wilde: Will Kirk, Silas: Neil McCaul, Gilchrist: Greg Jones. Producer: Bruce Young.

16 Nov: Saturday Play - Nora Webster, 2
By Colm Toibin. 55m. Nora rediscovers her love of music, and warmed by small acts of kindness, she gradually finds hope and strength for the future. Nora: Siobhan McSweeney, Aunt Josie: Brid Brennan, Phyllis Langdon: Norma Sheahan, Catherine: Ruth Bradley, Seamus: Jonathan Forbes, Redmond: Paul Reid,Dr. Cudigan: Gary Lilburn, Maurice: Edward MacLiam, Elizabeth: Sophie Robinson, Aine: Lauren Coe, Laurie: Jessica Turner, Peggy Gibney: Heather Craney, Donal: Tommy Harris, Conoor: Sinead McGee. Producer: Allegra McIlroy.

17 Nov: Classic Serial - The Pallisers, 2
Plantagenet and Glencora Palliser go abroad to try to repair their marriage.Lady Violet goes with them, leaving behind a very angry husband. Glencora: Jessica Raine, Plantagenet: Tim McMullan, Mary Flood: Sinead MacInnes, Phineas Finn: Edward MacLiam, Violet: Scarlett Courtney, Marie Goesler: Melody Grove, Burgo Fitzgerald: Blake Ritson, Kennedy and Duke: Neil McCaul, Finn's mother: Heather Craney, Servant: Ikky Elyas. Producer: Gary Brown.

18 Nov: Billie Homeless Dies at the End
By Tom Kelly, rpt. from 6 Dec 2017. A teenage girl is driven from her home and into the freezing city streets on the last night of her life. Billie - Georgia Scholes, Barry - Nabil Eluahabi, Arham - Zaydun Khalaf, Gruffalo - Gordon Peaston, Blessed - Don Warrington, Politician - Becky Wright, Pisshead - Phil Wright, Producer - Boz Temple-Morris.

19 Nov: The National, 1
By Sarah Wooley; a new three-part series about the fight to establish the National Theatre, which opened in 1963. The project's success was largely due to the relationship between Laurence Olivier and Kenneth Tynan. Parts 2 and 3, broadcast tomorrow and Thursday, follow the story of the theatre through to the 1980s.Laurence olivier: Robert Glenister, Kenneth Tynan: John Heffernan, Lord Chandos: Michael Pennington, Cecil Tennant / John Goodwin / Doctor: Neil McCaul, Diana Boddington: Scarlett Courtney, Stephen Arlen and Gerald: Will Kirk, Neville/Jason/Contractor: greg Jones, Harry and strike leader: Rick Warden, Peter O'Toole: Jonny Holden, Sir Max Rayne/Reporter: Clive hayward, Peter hall: Sam Troughton, Harold Pinter: Paul Ritter, Simon Relph: Will Kirk, Jane/Rochelle: Laura Christy, Lord Goodman: Jon Glover, Kathleen Tynan: Sinead MacInnes, Taxi driver: Adam Courting. Producer: Marc Beeby.

20 Nov: The National, 2
By Sarah Wooley, cont'd. It is 1971, and Sir Laurence Olivier is due to end his tenure as Artistic Director of The National Theatre. The Board attempts to find a successor. Cast etc - see 19 Nov.

21 Nov: The National, 3
By Sarah Wooley, cont'd. More behind-the-scenes events at The National. Plans for the opening of the new National Theatre building are threatened by construction delays and industrial action. The new director, Peter Hall, faces criticism from inside the organization. Cast etc - see 19 Nov.

22 Nov: Do Not Go Gentle
By Mike Harris, rpt. from 11 Dec 2017. A play which touches on dementia. Josey may be approaching the end of her life, but she is determined to fight on with her characteristic wit and perspicacity. No-one will tell her what to do. There's a sound track by Leonard Cohen. Josey/The Woman: Susan Brown, Alice: Joan Walker, Ryan/Young Ted: John Hollingworth, Old Ted/Dave: Kieron Jecchinis, Jenny: Beverley Hills, Gloria: Carolyn Lister. Producer/director: Clive Brill. Indie. (Brill Productions).

23 Nov: Saturday Play - Middlemarch, 1
By George Eliot, ad. from the novel by Katie Hims in 12 episodes. The story is set in a fictitious Midlands town in 1829–1832. It follows distinct, intersecting stories with many characters. Topics include the status of women, the nature of marriage, idealism, self-interest, religion, hypocrisy, political reform, and education. Despite comic elements, Middlemarch uses realism to encompass historical events: the 1832 Reform Act, early railways, and the succession of King William IV. It views contemporary medicine and examines reactionary views in a settled community facing unwelcome change. A previous radio 4 version was broadcast in 2005. The total running time as described in RT is four and a half hours. Episodes are: today (60m), Mon-Fri (5x15m serial; usual times, eps 2-6), and presumably next Saturday and next week at similar times for episodes 7-12.

24 Nov: Classic Serial - The Pallisers, 3
By Trollope, ad. Mike Harris. A scandal surrounds the Palace of Westminster after an MP is murdered in a street attack. Lady Glencora Palliser: Jessica Raine, Plantagenet Palliser: Tim McMullan, Phineas Finn: Edward MacLiam, Bonteen and Sir Gregory: Eugene O'Hare, Mary Flood: Sinead Macinnes, Marie Goesler: Melody Grove, Lowe: Jonathan Keeble, Fawn: lloyd Peters, Policeman and Usher: Ikky Elyas, Judge: Hamilton Berstock. Producer: Gary Brown.

25 Nov:The B Towns - The Punjab
By Phil Davies. Bilal and his family face the closure of their restaurant as part of a mill development. Bilal: Shane Zaza, Troy and the DJ: Reuben johnson, Sarah: Jenny Platt, Khalid and Fleck: Sushil Chudusama, Anjam: Bhasker Patel, Zainab: Rani Moorthy, DC Carney: Leah Marks, friends: Molly Ehrenberg-Peters, Daniel Hand and Jake Talbot. Producer: Gary Brown.

26 Nov: The B Towns - All The Beauty In The World
By7 Eve Steele. Jenny, from yesterday's drama, has returned to her home town after graduating from University. Nevertheless her chances of finding a job are not good. Sarah: Jenny Platt, Adrian: Wilf Scolding, Dave: Andrew Westfield, Jacqui: Susan Twist, Lee: Greg Wood, Michelle: Siobhan Finneran. Producer: Gary Brown.

27 Nov: The B Towns - Connor's Song
By Michael Stewart. A Yorkshire-based single mumfinds her world colliding with that of Polish woman Halina when both mothers receive devastating news. Michelle: Siobhan Finneran, Amanda: Angela Lonsdale, Dad: Seamus O'Neill, Ruth: Millie Rose Kinsey, Halina: Aneta Piotrowska, Brandon: Nico Mirallegro, pianist: Simon Hoban. Producer: Pauline Harris.

28 Nov: Monique and Me
By Jill O'Halloran. A drama about care and abuse. Cara cares for her elderly mother, but she gets unpleasant flashbacks from her childhood. Monique: Sian Thomas, adult Cara: Christine Bottomley, child Cara: Millie Kinsey, Derek: James Quuinn, occupational therapist: Angela Lonsdale. Producer: Pauline Harris.

29 Nov: Trip The Light Fantastic
By Miriam Battye. Jack and Freddie are two men fifty years apart in age. Jack, the older, wants dancing lessons; Freddie can supply them. Jack: Paul Copley, Freddie: Lorn MacDonald. Producer: Becky Ripley.

30 Nov: Saturday Play - Stalingrad, 1: Viktor Shtrum
By Vasily Grossman, dram. Mike Walker. Viktor's account of the Battle of Stalingrad during WW2. It traces the lives of the Shaposhnikov family and their partners, including the atomic scientist Viktor Shtrum, a fictional character based on Grossman himself and his friend the atomic scientist Lev Shtrum, who was arrested and executed by Stalin's thugs. Grossman took a risk in writing this book because it was begun whilst Stalin was still in power. Novel (1960) translated by Robert and Elizabeth Chandler.

1 Dec: Classic Serial slot - Stalingrad, 2: Nikolai Krymov
Continued from yesterday; conclusion. Production team - see above.

2 Dec: Massachusetts Avenue, 1
By David Morley, in two episodes. Described in RT as an environmental thriller. The first secretary at the British Embassy in Washington DC meets a computer hacker whilst she is investigating a cyber attack on the british transport system. Louise, the first sec: Clare Corbett, Birdy: Doyla Gavanski, Marcus: Will Kirk, Melanie: Scarlett Courtney, the ambassador: David Durham, Malcolm King: Ian Conningham, Tom Walker: Joseph Balderrama, Colin Jeffery: Clive Hayward, Mark: Greg Jones, waitress: Laura Christy, IVF consultant: Jessica Turner. Producer: Marc Beeby.

3 Dec: Massachusetts Avenue, 2
Conclusion. Louise uncovers a conspiracy as the investigations into the cyber attacks continue.Cast - as yesterday, but with Jessica Turner as Carolyn Jeffery and Laura Christie as the news anchor. Producer: Marc Beeby.

4 Dec: Curious Under the Stars, 1
By Annamaria Murphy, rpt. from the latest series. Episode title: The Arrivals. Comedy drama about Gareth and Diane, pub landlords in remote Wales, on the coast. Gareth and Diane's baby arrives early. Gareth: Ellis James, Diane: Emma Sidi, Emlyn: Ifan Huw Dafydd, Charlie: Donal Gallery, Matty: Siw Hughes, Bethan: Eiry Hughes, Gwyneth and a customer: Kath Weare. Producer: James Robinson.

5 Dec: Curious Under the Stars, 2
By Alan Harris. 'One Bad Apple'. When lightning strikes the apple tree outside the pub, an ancient spirit is released. Meanwhile the new parents are suffering from a lack of sleep. Cast etc- see above.

6 Dec: Curious Under the Stars, 3
By Annamaria Murphy. Ep. title: 'Skin'. Gareth has broken his leg. Confined to bed, his imagination gets out of control. Cast etc - see 4 Dec.

7 Dec: Saturday Play slot, 14:45 Middlemarch, 12
Episode 12: The Convergence of Human Lots. By George Eliot, ad.Katie Hims. Concluding episode. George Eliot ..... Juliet Aubrey, Dorothea ..... Olivia Vinall, Will ..... Joseph Quinn, Mr Bulstrode ..... Adrian Scarborough, Mrs Bulstrode ..... Rose Cavaliero, Dr Lydgate ..... John Heffernan, Rosamond ..... Laura Christy, Rev Farebrother ..... Miles Jupp, Celia ..... Lucy Reynolds, Sir James ..... Hugh Skinner, Mr Brooke/Mr Garth ..... Neil McCaul, Mary Garth ..... Scarlett Courtney, Letty Garth ..... Grace Doherty, Fred Vincy ..... Will Kirk, Mr Vincy ..... Rick Warden, Mrs Vincy ..... Heather Craney, Mrs Plymdale ..... Jessica Turner, Dr Hawley/Clerk ..... Greg Jones, Mrs Abel ..... Sinead MacInnes, Mr Hopkins ..... Ikky Elyas. Producer: Tracey Neale.

8 Dec: Classic Serial slot: Gustav and Franziska
By Jonathan Myerson. This is the first of seven dramas in a series about the experience of child refugees. In the days after the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, a Jewish family was faced with a terrible dilemma - to save their two children, nine-year-old Gustav and his elder sister Franziska, but maybe never see them again. They heard of a scheme to get children to London on trains. The Kindertransport scheme, devised by Nicholas Winton, was in the hands of two teachers, Trevor Chadwick and Beatrice Wellington, his Canadian assistant.The story of Chadwick’s part in the saving of 700 Czechoslovakian children who otherwise would have suffered the fate of their parents. Trevor Chadwick ….. Damian Lewis, Mama ….. Susannah Wise, Papa ….. Allan Corduner, Gustav ….. Hector Bateman-Harden, Franziska ….. Sophia Pettit, Nicholas Winton ….. David Michaels, Beatrice Wellington ….. Christy Meyer, Bömelberg ….. Mark Edel-Hunt, Alfred Dubs ..... Tom Hibberd, Other parts played by the company. Series devised by Nicolas Kent with Jack Bradley. Original Music: Jack Newton Directors: Jonathan Myerson and Nicolas Kent, Producer: Nicholas Newton. Indie (Promenade production).

9 Dec: Mira
By Mira Hamermesh, dram. Claudine Toutoungi. Mira's real-life story of her escape at fourteen from Nazi-occupied Poland to Palestine.In 1939, when she was fourteen, Mira's country was wiped off the map. The Nazi-Soviet pact saw opposing armies invade Poland from West and East. Mira's home city of Lodz was soon occupied by the German army, and her Jewish family were placed under restrictions. In the play, Mira begins to dream of joining her sister Genia, who had left the previous year for Palestine. She risks her life to cross the Soviet border, with her brother Mietek for protection. Mira . . . . Pooky Quesnel, Young Mira . . . . Scarlett Courtney, Mietek . . . . Will Kirk, Genia . . . . Laura Christy, Mary . . . . Jessica Turner, Mother . . . . Heather Craney, Kostia . . . . Neil McCaul, Giora . . . . Sinead MacInnes, Mr Silverstein . . . . Clive Hayward, Interpreter . . . . Lucy Reynolds, Jakov . . . . Adam Courting, Pavel . . . . Ian Conningham, Rafael . . . . Greg Jones, Prisoner . . . . Ikky Elyas. Theme music by Jack Newton. With grateful thanks to Jeremy Coopman. Producer: Jonquil Panting. Indie (Promenade Production).

10 Dec: Chung-yun and So-ling
By Ben Ockrent. Story 3. Chung-yun and So-ling, two children from a village on the mainland, embark on a treacherous journey to escape the famine in Mao Tse Tung’s China by swimming across the South China sea to Hong Kong. Chung-yun … Chris Lew Kum Hoi, So-ling … Jade Chan, Fisherman and Foreman… Ozzie Yue, Fisherman’s wife and Carol … Siu-see Hung, Officer Tony Wong … Andrew Leung, Rita Wong … Michelle Yim, Superintendent Letts … Andrew Havill. Original Music / Musical Supervision: Jack Newton, Director: David Tse. Producer: Nicholas Newton. Indie (Promenade production).

11 Dec: Vijay
By Avin Shah, who wrote a number of the 'Tommies' episodes in the BBC's WW1 epic. Story 4. This is about the enterprise and grit of a generation of Asian citizens forced to re-start their lives in England in the 1960s. Vijay was born in Kenya, but his parents were denied work when Kenya ceased to be part of the British Empire in 1963 and he has lost his school place. He arrives at Heathrow Airport with his British passport, aged 15. Ramesh . . . . Tony Jayawardena, Vijay . . . . Sid Sagar, Mrs P . . . Chetna Pandya, Mr Singh . . . Amit Shah, Wendy . . . Safiyya Ingar, The Kenyan Official . . . Ivanno Jeremiah, The Tanzanian Official . . . Nahel Tzegai, The Coffee Seller . . . John Kamau, Young Ramesh . . . Nyla Levy, Mohammed . . . Avin Shah, Mr Filmore . . . Neil McCaul, Mr Henry . . . Clive Hayward, The Boy . . . JP Oppong, with thanks to Wazir Khamsin, Mariam Omar and Zuhura Yunus. Theme music by Jack Newton. Series idea by Nicolas Kent and Jack Bradley. Producer: Jonquil Panting. Indie (Promenade production).

12 Dec: Eve
Story 5: By Chinonyerem Odimba. In the divisive years of apartheid South Africa, a young girl, Eve, was smuggled out of the country after her mother was killed. The secret plan to get Eve out, with the help of sympathisers of the ANC cause, was arranged by a white South African couple, living in London. This is where Eve was headed, to join her father, Joseph. Eve Motsamayi … Nokukhanya Masango, Joseph Motsamayi … Danny Sapani, Anne-Marie Levering … Olivia Darnley, Sean Levering … Paul Herzberg, The Nightingale … Pamela Nomvete, Mr. Junies … Kevin Harvey, Jack Levering … Felix Gillingwater, Other parts played by the company. Series devised by Nicolas Kent and Jack Bradley. Original Music / Music Supervision: Jack Newton. Director: Femi Elufowoju Jr. Producer: Nicholas Newton. Indie (Promenade production).

13 Dec: Daughter
Story 6. By Yusra Warsama, actor and writer. Yusra's family fled the war in Somalia, and arrived in the UK when she was a baby. In this play she reflects on the final part of the refugee child's journey: growing up in a new country as a child of refugees, suspended between two cultures, and not fully part of either. This programme contains language which is now found offensive, reflecting the experiences of the writer. Daughter . . . . Yusra Warsama, Mother . . . . Tanya Moodie, Father . . . . Beru Tessema, Jean . . . . Alexander Devrient, Train Manager . . . . Ian Conningham, Employer . . . . Ikky Elias, Student . . . . Will Kirk, Student . . . . Greg Jones, Student . . . . Laura Christy. Theme music by Jack Newton. Series idea by Nicholas Kent and Jack Bradley. Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting. Indie (Promenade production).

14 Dec: Saturday Play slot: 14:45 Three Sisters Rewired
An unusual reworking of Chekhov's Three Sisters, moved to the present day, written by Polly Thomas and Jenny Sealey. It is set in Yorkshire. Moscow becomes London. On an isolated farm, three sisters - Olivia, Maisie and Iris – struggle to survive on a small farm, with intermittent internet and a sense of dislocation from the rest of the world. Jenny Sealey, artistic director of Graeae Theatre, has always wanted to tackle this story through the prism of Deafness. She was struck by Chekhov's characters being metaphorically deaf and how little the three sisters actually talk in the play. This new take actually makes them deaf. Three Sisters Rewired is about how we listen or don’t listen, and how we are deaf to the things we don't want to hear.

As in previous productions by Graeae Theatre, the cast is a mix of deaf, disabled and non-disabled actors. The flute is played by deaf flautist, Ruth Montgomery, who taught herself to play through the vibrations of the instrument.

In ep. 1 we meet Olivia, Maisie and Iris on Iris’ 20th birthday. Olivia, the eldest, is single and a teacher in an all-girls school. Maisie works the farm, and is unhappily married to local teacher, Kevin. Iris is a vlogger, hoping army boy Tyrone – or maybe Sean - will take her to the bright lights of London.
Olivia…Genevieve Barr, Maisie …..Lara Steward, Iris……Alexandra James, Angus.Jonathan Keeble, NatalieSteph Lacey, Anna…Kay Purcell, VictoriaAlexandra Mathie, Tyrone.Tachia Newall, Sean…Chris Jack. Original music by Alice Trueman. Flute played by Ruth Montgomery. Sign Language Interpreters: Jude Mahon, Beverly Roberts, Kate Labno, Jan Guest. Produced by Eloise Whitmore. Executive Producer: Jeremy Mortimer. Indie: Naked/Graeae Theatre production.

15 Dec: Sundays: Classic Serial slot - Tarek
Last (no. 7) of the refugee stories. By Jonathan Myerson. The family of 14 year-old Tarek’ is saying goodbye to him in a restaurant in Idlib, northwestern Syria. Amid the partings and advice from his mother, father and sister, and barrel bombs raining down, Tarek is sent off on a perilous journey across Europe. He can claim asylum once he's in Britain – the problem is getting there. He keeps ending up where he started. Tarek … Ronak Patani, Baba … Paul Chahidi, Hozan … Rachid Sabitri, Zahra … Sara Bahadori, Khaled … Waleed Elgadi, Mama … Nathalie Armin, Najib … Danny Rahim, Zilal … Farshid Rokey, Joanna … Ruby Benthall, Other parts played by the company. Series devised by Nicolas Kent and Jack Bradley. Original Music/Musical Supervision: Jack Newton. Sound Design: Mark Smith. Directors: Jonathan Myerson and Nicolas Kent. Producer: Nicholas Newton. Indie (Promenade production).

16 Dec: Fake Heiress, 1
Two-part drama-doc. Drama by Chloe Moss. Reporting by Vicky Baker. Anna Delvey was due to come into a trust fund of $67m on her 26th birthday. She was on her way to establishing the Anna Delvey Foundation, a multi-million dollar visual-arts centre in the heart of New York City. She filled her time with champagne brunches and stays in penthouse suites, as she wined and dined the New York elites to secure investment for her project. It all sounded wonderful. Except, it was all a lie. Journalist Vicky Baker and playwright Chloe Moss mix drama with documentary to tell the story of Anna Delvey's rise and fall. Anna: Bella Dayne. Other parts played by Chris Lew Kum Hoi, Heather Craney, Will Kirk, Scarlett Courtney, Neil McCaul, Clive Hayward, Ian Conningham, Lucy Reynolds, Adam Courting, Greg Jones, Laura Christy, Jessica Turner, Ikky Elyas, and Sinead MacInnes. producer: Sasha Yevtushenko. The programme will be available as an extended six part podcast on the BBC Sounds page of the BBC website.

17 Dec: Fake Heiress, 2
Anna Delvey blazed a trail through New York City, posing as multi-millionaire heiress. She was well on her way to establishing the Anna Delvey Foundation, a multi-million dollar visual-arts centre in the heart of the city. She'd scouted a location, got an architect on-board and created a glossy brochure. All she needed now was an actual fortune. Production details: see 16 Dec.

18 Dec: Their Humble Servants
By Jonathan Myerson. The play explores the workings of Buckingham Palace from the bottom up. An intruder has been detected in the palace grounds on the eve of a banquet being thrown by Lord Melbourne and in the week when the Abdication Bill is due to pass. How will the staff deal with it? The Royals do not take appear in this fictional drama - just their servants. Jeremy Stearn: Dominic Rowan, Michaela Arlington: Ayesha Antoine, Howard Patchett: Alec Newman, Gerard Derbyshire: Paul Chahidi, Pippa Wall: Harriett Hare, Rev Cecilia: Tanya Loretta Dee, Lord Melbourne and fisherman: Jack Staddon, Other parts played by members of the cast. Producer: Clive Brill. Indie (Brill Productions).

19 Dec: Sophie's Lights
By Adam Usden, rpt. A father is torn between his Jewish heritage and his love for his daughter, when she becomes convinced that Santa Claus is real. A festive drama. Alan: William Ash, Rachel: Ophelia Lovibond, Sophie: Freya Pollard, Jim: James Quinn, Mrs. Abrahams: Christine Cox, Priest: Stephen Marzella. Producer: Charlotte Riches.

20 Dec: Midnight at Christmas
By Elliott Kerrigan, rpt. Another festive drama, set late on Christmas Eve. Matt is caught in a snowstorm on the way to see his ex. He is taken on an unexpected journey by a series of strangers. Matt.... Luke Newberry, Grace.... Lizzie Roper, Joe ... Reece Noi, Gavin ... Chris Jack, Matthew .... Arthur Bostrom, Ezra .... Joe Wandera. Produced by Charlotte Riches.

21 Dec: Saturday Play slot: Three Sisters Rewired, 2
Reworking of Chekhov's Three Sisters, moved to the present day, written by Polly Thomas and Jenny Sealey. Concluding episode (2 of 2). A year later; there has been a flood in the townon New Year's Eve and the sisters are trying to offer shelter to those driven out by the water. Angus's gambling has continued, Natalie is ruling the house and attempting to get rid of Anna. Olivia: Genevieve Barr, Maisie: Lara Stewrad, Iris: Alexander james, Angus: Jonathan Keeble, Natalie: Stephen Lacey, Anna: Kay Purcell, Victoria: Alexandra Mathie, Tyrone: Tachia Newall, Sean: Chris Jack. Producer: Eloise Whitmore. Directors: Polly Thomas and Jenny Sealey.

22 Dec: Classic Serial: Mr. Pye, 1 By Glyn Maxwell, dramatized from Mervyn Peake's satire on the nature of good and evil. Harold Pye, a retired bank manager, arrives on the island of Sark and finds a society full of feuds and squabbles.Mr. Pye: Adrian Scarborough, Miss Dredger: Deborah Findlay, Thorpe and Major Overshot: Christopher harper, Tintagieu: Emily Bowker, Kiki and Mrs. Porter: Emma Noakes, Miss George and Dr. Moraine: Jane Whittenshaw, Pawqy: Alex Blake, Pepe, Cragg and Outcrop: Thomas Selacourt, Producer: Frank Stirling.

23 Dec: Happiness
By Ian Billings. A comedy drama about the brilliant comedian and singer Ken Dodd as he faces tax evasiion charges in 1988, tracking his year-long battle with the tax man, including the 1989 trial. Ken Dodd (and Dicky Mint): David Threlfall, George Carman Qc: Clive Hayward, Bennett: Will Kirk, Mr. Justice Waterhouse: Neil McCaul, Brian Leveson QC: Ian Conningham, Albert: Greg Jones, Eileen: Laura Christy, Croupier: Adam Courting, mother: heather Craney, Usher: Ikky Elyas. Producer: Gemma Jenkins.

24 Dec: The Christmas Present
By Ben Crompton. Everyone is excited about Christmas except Stephen. He tells Father Christmas that he would like his life to be different; like it was when he was a boy. Stephen: Ben Crompton, young Stephen: Albie Crompton (his real-life son), Holly: Christine Bottomley, Ivy: Poppy O'Brien, Father Christmas and Frank: Stephen Marzella, Phil and Gavin: Graeme Hawley, Rudy and Max: Chris Jack. Producer: Nadia Molinari.

25 Dec: A Time to Dance
By Lucy Gannon. 1415 hrs: A retelling of the traditional Christmas story, starring two helpless people and an elderly shepherd. Joseph: Nikesh Patel, Isaac: Karl Johnson, Mary: Scarlett Courtney, Heli: Clive Hayward, Ben: Will Kirk, Sam: Greg Jones, Narrator: Jessica Turner, Angel: Shaun Mason, Innkeeper's wife: Lucy Reynolds. Producer: Allegra McIlroy.

25 Dec: Chivalry
By Neil Gaiman. 1600 hrs: A Christmas story about Mrs. Whitaker, an elderly lady who finds the Holy Grail in a charity shop. Neil has based the old lady on his two grandmothers. Narrator and Mrs. Whitaker: Glenda Jackson, Sir Galaad: Kit Harington, Mrs. Greenberg: Jessica Turner, Marie: Lucy Reynolds. Producer: Allegra McIlroy. [Well done, Allegra; two in one day!!]

25 Dec: Conversations from a Long Marriage at Christmas
By Jan Etherington. 2330 hrs: A couple plan an indulgent Christmas, but a late-might call alters their plans. Him: Roger Allam, Her: Joanna Lumley. producer: Claire Jones.

26 Dec: Mr. Betjeman's Class, 1
By Jonathan Smith (father of Ed Smith, commentator on Test Match Special) The play is about the well-known poet; it's 1928, and Betjeman has left Magdalene College without a degree. He finds a job teaching cricket in a prep school. Older JB: Ben Whitrow, younger JB: Philippe Edwards, Ernest: Nicky Henson, Lady Elizabeth: Joanna David, Lady Penelope: Sarah Crowden, Bessie: Sophie Thompson, Headmaster: Gerard McDermott, boys: Adam Thomas Wright, Cornish woman: Sandra Duncan, voices: Isabella Inchbald, Neil McCaul, Kedar Williams-Stirling and Tom Cawte, Producer: Bruce Young. Rpt. from Christmas Day 2017.

27 Dec: Mr. Betjeman Regrets, 2
By Jonathan Smith; rpt from Boxing Day 2017. This play is set fifty-six years later (1984), when Betjeman was 79 and living in Cornwall. By this time he was very well-known. RT 27 Dec 19 said: Betjeman was by now a national treasure. He had become a popular TV and radio performer, selling two million coopies of his 'collected poems' in his lifetime, but continued to worry about his chequered career and complex personal life. Betjeman: Ben Whitrow and Robert Bathurst (see note below), Lady Elizabeth: Joanna David,Lady Penelope: Sarah Crowden, young Paul: Adam Thomas Wright, Cornish woman: Sandra Duncan, voices: Gerard McDermott, Isabella Inchbald, Neil McCaul. Producer: Bruce Young. ........
In September 2017 the production of this play was postponed by the death of Ben Whitrow. Sarah Crowden, cast member, said that they were in limbo, until Bruce Young decided to continue with Robert Bathurst, a friend of Ben's. She remarked that listeners would probably be unable to spot the join; they sounded very alike. She also said that the experience was very poignant; Ben and her own father, the late Graham Crowden, had worked trogether at the National Theatre. (...summarised from RT piece by David McGillivray, writing about the original broadcast)

28 Dec:Saturday Play - Puckoon
By Spike Milligan, adapted by Ian Billings. In 1924 the Boundary Commission was given the job of working out the new boundary between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Because of the usual cock-ups and the incompetence of the officials, the border ends up going through the middle of the small town of Puckoon. The Daily Mail said 'Pops with the erratic brilliance of a careless match in a box of fireworks'. In the foreword, Milligan said that writing it nearly drove him mad, and he signed off by thanking the human race for being the butt of all of his jokes. Dan Milligan: Ed Byrne, Spike Milligan: Barry Cryer, with Pauline McLynn, Kate harbour, Jane Milligan, Wilf Scolding, David Shaw-Parker, Colm Gleeson and Tom Alexander. Producer: David Morley, director: Dirk Maggs.

29 Dec: Classic Serial - Mr. Pye, 2
By Mervyn Peake, dram. Glyn Maxwell. Mr. Pye's well-meaning schemes start of unravel. Mr. Pye fights with his conscience whilst Miss George plots against him. Meanwhile Miss Dredger is in love. Mr. Pye: Adrian Scarborough, Miss Dredger: Deborah Findlay, Thorpe/Major overshot: Christopher Harper, Tintagieu: Emily Bowker, Miss George and Moraine: Jane Whittenshaw, Kiki and Mrs. Porter: Emma Noakes, Pawgy: Alex Blake, Pepe: Thomas Delacourt. Producer: Frank Stirling.

30 Dec:Road to Lautrec
By Douglas Livingstone,rpt. from 2017, produced by Jane Morgan; a 'road' play by this experienced duo. Recorded at the annual garlic festival in the french village of Lautrec. These plays use location recordings to create works of fiction. Three travellers leave Brexit-torn Britain to find gastronomic merriment and love in rural France. Mary: Cheryl Campbell, Colin: Robin Ellis, Harry: Nigel Anthony, Susanna: Emma Cunlifee, young Mary: Bronte Tadman, Philippe: Pierre Elliott.

31 Dec: North by Northamptonshire
By Katherine Jakeways; comedy, rpt. from 31 Dec 2015. It is New Year's Eve and the inhabitants of Wadenbrook, after having performed 'My Fair Lady' want to see how the professionals do it. Mary, an ex-school teacher has organized the trip. She has an unusual ulterior motive. Narrator: Sheila Hancock, Esther/DJ: Katherine Jakeways, Jan: Felicity Montague, Keith: John Biggins, Ken/Jonathan: Kevin Eldon, Mary: Penelope Wilton, Norman: Geoffrey Palmer, Orson: Simon Kane. Produced by Julia McKenzie.

Nigel Deacon / Diversity website

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