Radio Drama preview/10

The Saturday Play on Radio 4 at 14:30 would appear to have great potential. It’s written by David Ashton, stars Timothy West and is about Dr Johnson and Boswell. A mouth-watering combination! Also on Radio 4 and well worth a listen, even though this one is a repeat, is the Afternoon Play on Wednesday (14:15), which is the start of a five-part adaptation of To Serve Them all My Days by R F Delderfield.

BBC7 is going to have a good week. In the 45-minute drama slot, at 10:15, repeated at 21:15, Monday to Friday, they have five plays by Nick Warburton. I’ve heard all of them before and every single one of them is memorable. If you haven’t heard them before, do give them a try. They are also going to repeat the Big Finish production of The Phantom of the Opera, starting on Sunday evening at 18:30. Big Finish are showing that it is not just Doctor Who that they do well! For those who like their drama less humorous, then BBC 7 appear to be starting a Thomas Hardy season in the 11:00 60-minute slot, Monday to Friday. The first story, in 4 episodes, is the decidedly unfunny Tess of the D’Urbervilles, while on Friday we have part one of Jude the Obscure.

SATURDAY 19th April

12:00/BBC 7/90 mins – Death in the Clouds, by Agatha Christie, dramatised by Michael Bakewell, directed by Enyd Williams. Hercule Poirot’s horror of flying is compounded when a fellow passenger on a cross-channel aeroplane is found murdered. John Moffatt plays Poirot, supported by a cast of Philip Jackson, Geoffrey Whitehead, Teresa Gallagher, Ben Crowe, Murray Melvin, Bruce Purchase, Liza Sadovy and Stephen Critchlow. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2003.

14:30/BBC Radio 4/60 mins – Dr Johnson’s Dictionary of Crime, by David Ashton, starring Timothy West and Stuart McQuarrie. "Samuel Johnson and James Boswell tackle the teeming London underworld of 1781. How can a man who has shot another at point blank range be saved from the gallows, and how can the power and vested interest of a man highly placed in His Majesty's Government be defeated?"- says the Radio 4 website.

17:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Garrison Keillor’s Radio Show. This import from the USA is more a light entertainment show in the old BBC tradition than audio drama, but may well be worth listening to if you like that kind of thing. Garrison has a light (and sometimes not so light) line in satire that many find appealing. Listen out especially for his weekly monologue about ‘Lake Wobegone, My Home Town’. There are no real adverts broadcast during this program! Repeated this evening at 23:00 on BBC 7.

18:30/BBC 7/30 mins – Ralph, by Martin Jameson, Directed by Janet Hampson. This is a ghostly tale of an old lady and two children who become involved with terrifying occurrences from the past. Jean Alexander heads the cast, which includes Julia Rounthwaite, Andonis Anthony, Rosie Fleeshman and Ashley Margolis. First broadcast in 2006. Repeated very early tomorrow morning at 00:30 on BBC 7.

19:30/BBC 7/30 mins – Frenchman’s Creek, by Daphne du Maurier, adapted by Michelene Wandor, starring Michael Barnes, Michael Cochrane, Susan Sheridan and Elizabeth Mansfield. Part 4 of 6.

21:00/BBC Radio 4/60 mins – A Dance to the Music of Time, by Anthony Powell, dramatised by Michael Butt. This is narrated by Corin Redgrave and features Mark Heap (as central character Widmerpool), and Alex Jennings as Nick. Radio Times introduces this with the words "Nick’s attempts to maintain the closeness of his school friendships begin to founder in the unpredictable whirlpool of real life." Part 2 of 6, with part 3 tomorrow at 15:00 on Radio 4.

SUNDAY 20th April

10:00/BBC 7/90 mins – The Norman Conquest/3 – Round and Round the Garden. This is the third of a trilogy of plays by Alan Ayckbourn (adapted by Neville Teller) and it’s about a weekend of tangled relationships in a country house. Repeated tonight at 20:00 on BBC 7.

15:00/BBC Radio 4/60 mins - A Dance to the Music of Time, by Anthony Powell, dramatised by Michael Butt. This is narrated by Corin Redgrave and features Mark Heap (as central character Widmerpool) and Alex Jennings as Nick. Radio Times introduces this with the words "Jenkins and a few of his friends embark on the voyage of married life – with varying levels of disaster." Part 3 of 6. Repeated next Saturday at 21:00.

18:30/BBC 7/30 mins – The Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston Leroux, translated and dramatised by Barnaby Edwards. This Big Finish production features Anna Massey, Peter Guiness and James D’Arcy. In the cosmopolitan Paris of the 1880s, the new proprietors of the Opera House are amused to discover that their costly acquisition is said to be haunted. The death of a stagehand is blamed on the fabled Opera Ghost. Part 1 of 4. First broadcast on BBC 7 in 2007-2008. Repeated very early tomorrow morning at 00:30 on BBC 7.

20:00/BBC Radio 3/55 mins – Yesterday an Incident Occurred, by Mark Ravenhill, directed by Kate Rowland, featuring Ian Puleston-Davies, Kathryn Hunt, Sam Kelly, Gerard Kearns and Carla Henry. Says the Radio 3 website – "Originally performed as part of the Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat cycle of plays at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2007 and then re-imagined for a special commission for BBC Radio 3's Free Thinking Festival 2007. After an unprovoked attack takes place in a shopping centre, no one comes forward as a witness. How can justice be done? Performed and recorded with an audience at the Victorian Civil Court of St George's Hall, Liverpool."

MONDAY 21st April

09:00/BBC 7/30 mins – The Doomed Oasis, by Hammond Innes, adapted by Rene Basilico, featuring Tim Munro, Jill Lidstone and Robert James. Episode 2 of 6. Listen out for the Brigadier from Doctor Who - Nicholas Courtney - who is in the cast, though I don’t know what part he plays. First broadcast in 1984 on Radio 4. Repeated tonight on BBC 7 at 20:00.

09:30/BBC 7/30 mins – Charity Ends at Home, by Colin Watson, dramatised by Christopher Denys, starring John Rowe. Inspector Purbright investigates dark deeds and anonymous letters in the world of small-time animal charities in the quiet and respectable market town of Flaxborough. Part 1 of 6. First broadcast in 1992. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 20:30.

10:00/BBC 7/15 mins – The Crowded Street, by Winifred Holtby, dramatised by Diana Griffiths. A tale about Muriel Hammond's journey to womanhood and independence, with Clare Goose as Muriel. Part 6 of 10. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:00. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2007.

10:15/BBC 7/45 mins – Beast, by Nick Warburton, featuring James Fleet, David Goodfellow, Struan Rodger, Peter Kavanagh, Gerard McDermott and Eve Best. Somewhere near a small fishing village a creature is pulled out of the sea. No one knows whether it belongs to the sea, or the land. Or whether it's harmless or represents some kind of threat. Two of the villagers, Clay and Rowena, must decide what to do about it. Whatever they do, it seems certain to change their lives. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2005, this play won the Tinniswood Award for Best Original Radio Play 05-06. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:15.

11:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Tess of the D’Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy, adapted by Alan Sharp, featuring Claire Rushbrook, Adam Godley, James D’Arcy and Keith Barron. This is Hardy's most fatalistic novel. When Tess is wronged by two men the results are tragic. Part 1 of 4. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2001.

14:15/BBC Radio 4/45 mins – Grace, by Mick Gordon and A C Grayling, featuring Paola Dionisotti, Will Keen, Trevor Peacock, Piyanga Burford and Nathan Osgood. "Grace, a scientist and champion of atheism, is faced with the decision of her son Tom to become a priest." – BBC Radio 4 website.

TUESDAY 22nd April

09:00/BBC 7/30 mins – The Doomed Oasis, by Hammond Innes, adapted by Rene Basilico, featuring Tim Munro, Jill Lidstone and Robert James. Episode 3 of 6. Listen out for the Brigadier from Doctor Who - Nicholas Courtney - who is in the cast, though I don’t know what part he plays. First broadcast in 1984 on Radio 4. Repeated tonight on BBC 7 at 20:00.

09:30/BBC 7/30 mins – Charity Ends at Home, by Colin Watson, dramatised by Christopher Denys, starring John Rowe. Inspector Purbright investigates dark deeds and anonymous letters in the world of small-time animal charities in the quiet and respectable market town of Flaxborough. Part 2 of 6. First broadcast in 1992. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 20:30.

10:00/BBC 7/15 mins – The Crowded Street, by Winifred Holtby, dramatised by Diana Griffiths. A tale about Muriel Hammond's journey to womanhood and independence, with Clare Goose as Muriel. Part 7 of 10. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:00. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2007.

10:15/BBC 7/45 mins – Mustard Seed, by Nick Warburton, featuring Emma Fielding, Stephen Hogan and Jim Norton. A traveller passing through a remote village receives a desperate request from a mother to cure her son. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2004. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:15.

11:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Tess of the D’Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy, adapted by Alan Sharp, featuring Claire Rushbrook, Adam Godley, James D’Arcy and Keith Barron. This is Hardy's most fatalistic novel. When Tess is wronged by two men the results are tragic. Part 2 of 4. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2001.

14:15/BBC Radio 4/45 mins – Hudson and Pepperdine Save the Planet, featuring Mel Hudson, Vicki Pepperdine, Felix Dexter, Ben Crowe, Samantha Holland, Rupert Degas and Dave Lamb. "Comedy about climate change and how to combat it. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has set up a working party from within the broadcasting industries to brainstorm solutions to the current crisis. Hudson and Pepperdine are on the list." – BBC Radio 4 website.

WEDNESDAY 23rd April

09:00/BBC 7/30 mins – The Doomed Oasis, by Hammond Innes, adapted by Rene Basilico, featuring Tim Munro, Jill Lidstone and Robert James. Episode 4 of 6. Listen out for the Brigadier from Doctor Who - Nicholas Courtney - who is in the cast, though I don’t know what part he plays. First broadcast in 1984 on Radio 4. Repeated tonight on BBC 7 at 20:00.

09:30/BBC 7/30 mins – Charity Ends at Home, by Colin Watson, dramatised by Christopher Denys, starring John Rowe. Inspector Purbright investigates dark deeds and anonymous letters in the world of small-time animal charities in the quiet and respectable market town of Flaxborough. Part 3 of 6. First broadcast in 1992. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 20:30.

10:00/BBC 7/15 mins – The Crowded Street, by Winifred Holtby, dramatised by Diana Griffiths. A tale about Muriel Hammond's journey to womanhood and independence, with Clare Goose as Muriel. Part 8 of 10. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:00. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2007.

10:15/BBC 7/45 mins – A Soldier’s Debt, by Nick Warburton, featuring Amanda Root, Paul Rhys and Burt Ceasar. Why is Ben obsessed with an old vinyl record? What, or who, is Safia waiting for? First broadcast on Radio 4 in 1999. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:15.

11:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Tess of the D’Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy, adapted by Alan Sharp, featuring Claire Rushbrook, Adam Godley, James D’Arcy and Keith Barron. This is Hardy's most fatalistic novel. When Tess is wronged by two men the results are tragic. Part 3 of 4. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2001.

14:15/BBC Radio 4/45 mins – To Serve Them All My Days/1 - 1918, by R F Delderfield, dramatised by Shaun McKenna, with a cast of Oliver Milburn, John Wood, John Rowe, Anthony Calf, Alison Pettitt, Delroy Brown, Josh Freeborn, Steven Williams and Steven Roberts. Davy Powlett Jones, invalided out of the trenches, faces a new start in life. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2006.

THURSDAY 24th April

09:00/BBC 7/30 mins – The Doomed Oasis, by Hammond Innes, adapted by Rene Basilico, featuring Tim Munro, Jill Lidstone and Robert James. Episode 5 of 6. Listen out for the Brigadier from Doctor Who - Nicholas Courtney - who is in the cast, though I don’t know what part he plays. First broadcast in 1984 on Radio 4. Repeated tonight on BBC 7 at 20:00.

09:30/BBC 7/30 mins – Charity Ends at Home, by Colin Watson, dramatised by Christopher Denys, starring John Rowe. Inspector Purbright investigates dark deeds and anonymous letters in the world of small-time animal charities in the quiet and respectable market town of Flaxborough. Part 4 of 6. First broadcast in 1992. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 20:30.

10:00/BBC 7/15 mins – The Crowded Street, by Winifred Holtby, dramatised by Diana Griffiths. A tale about Muriel Hammond's journey to womanhood and independence, with Clare Goose as Muriel. Part 9 of 10. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:00. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2007.

10:15/BBC 7/45 mins – Turning the Hut, by Nick Warburton, featuring Penelope Wilton and Jim Sturgess. When Jimmy asks Clara to teach him to read, an unlikely relationship develops. But it is a friendship forged through fear. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2003. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:15.

11:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Tess of the D’Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy, adapted by Alan Sharp, featuring Claire Rushbrook, Adam Godley, James D’Arcy and Keith Barron. This is Hardy's most fatalistic novel. When Tess is wronged by two men the results are tragic. Part 4 of 4. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2001.

14:15/BBC Radio 4/45 mins – Fifteen Ways to Leave Your Lover, by Carolyn Scott-Jeffs, featuring Alex Kelly, Tom Goodman-Hill, Lucy Jones and Jacob Lloyd. "Rob and Sam split up after their first date when they were teenagers and they have been getting together and splitting up ever since. Cricket obsessed Rob talks things over in his imagination with his mentor Henry Blofeld, while Sam tries to sort things out with a number of different agony aunts." – BBC Radio4 website.

18:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, dramatised by Nick Stafford, featuring Michael Maloney as Victor Frankenstein. Part 1 of 2.

FRIDAY 25th April

09:00/BBC 7/30 mins – The Doomed Oasis, by Hammond Innes, adapted by Rene Basilico, featuring Tim Munro, Jill Lidstone and Robert James. Episode 6 of 6. Listen out for the Brigadier from Doctor Who - Nicholas Courtney - who is in the cast, though I don’t know what part he plays. First broadcast in 1984 on Radio 4. Repeated tonight on BBC 7 at 20:00.

09:30/BBC 7/30 mins – Charity Ends at Home, by Colin Watson, dramatised by Christopher Denys, starring John Rowe. Inspector Purbright investigates dark deeds and anonymous letters in the world of small-time animal charities in the quiet and respectable market town of Flaxborough. Part 5 of 6. First broadcast in 1992. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 20:30.

10:00/BBC 7/15 mins – The Crowded Street, by Winifred Holtby, dramatised by Diana Griffiths. A tale about Muriel Hammond's journey to womanhood and independence, with Clare Goose as Muriel. Part 10 of 10. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:00. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2007.

10:15/BBC 7/45 mins – Purvis, by Nick Warburton, featuring Peter Sallis, James Fleet and Jasmine Hyde. A kindly vicar appoints a lonely widower as Safety Officer to his church, but he turns out to be rather accident-prone. First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2000. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:15.

11:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Jude the Obscure, by Thomas Hardy, featuring Constance Chapman and Michael Pennington Jude the stonemason aspires to the spires of Christminster. Part 1 of 6.

14:15/BBC Radio 4/45 mins – On Mardle Fen/4 – The Taste of Success, by Nick Warburton, featuring Trevor Peacock, Sam Dale, Chris Pavlo, Liza Sadovy, Kate Buffery, Helen Longworth and Liz Sutherland. To quote the Radio 4 website - "The restaurant is in financial trouble. Jack asks his nephew to take care of things so he can get away for a few weeks. Meanwhile, Warwick sings the praises of Mardle Pudding, a legendary local dish."

18:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, dramatised by Nick Stafford, featuring Michael Maloney as Victor Frankenstein. Part 2 of 2.

21:00/BBC Radio 4/60 mins – How Now TV, by Paul Watson, who also directs. Featuring Victoria Shalet, Nicholas Farrell, Frances Barber, Lizza McInnerny, Leo Bill, Joseph Marcell, Jonathan Firth, Mathew Baynton, Manjinder Virk, Keith Drinkel and Tom Watson. The Radio 4 website introduces this with the words - "TV presenter Daniela Cross is now legendary. The extraordinary idea for a programme which effectively started her career was so awful that it was bound to succeed."