Radio Drama preview/11

Radio 3 steals the thunder this week with a 155-minute broadcast of Shakespeare’s Othello, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Ewan McGregor, which very nicely takes care of Sunday evening. Saturday afternoon will be spent listening to a broadcast of an old Anthony Minghella radio play on Radio 4, repeated in tribute to the great man, who died recently. Of the Afternoon Plays on Radio 4, pride of place will probably go to Thursday, when we have two short pieces by Harold Pinter. The man himself acts in one of them, along with Penelope Wilton, while Michael Gambon stars in the other one. Having said that, don’t miss the heart-warming adaptation (by Shaun McKenna) of To Serve Them All My Days, currently being serialised in the Afternoon Play on Wednesdays.

BBC 7 finish off Nick McCarty’s faithful adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel, Dracula and then provide a three-part dramatisation of John Wyndham’s classic science-fiction novel, The Midwich Cuckoos. Gwen Danbury, as played by Annette Badland, continues to trip over the odd bodies in the Crime and Thrillers Hour from Monday to Wednesday, while for the rest of the week that slot is occupied by Uncle Silas, an adaptation of the novel by Sheridan le Fanu. The sixty-minute drama on Monday sees the start of a six-part adaptation of Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd.

SATURDAY 3rd May

12:00/BBC 7/90 mins – Chocky, by John Wyndham, dramatised by John Constable, featuring Owen Teale, Kathy Tyson, Holly Grainger and Steven Perry, directed by Melanie Harris. This classic science fiction story starts off when young Matthew starts talking to an ‘imaginary friend’. First broadcast in 1998.

14:30/BBC Radio 4/60 mins – Cigarettes and Chocolate, by Anthony Minghella, starring Juliet Stevenson and Bill Nighy. This Giles Cooper Award winning radio play, first broadcast nearly twenty years ago, is repeated as a tribute to the author, who died recently. "Gemma's unexplained silence is the catalyst for a reaction amongst her friends and lovers both unfaithful and unrequited, which starts as mild irritation but becomes increasingly uncontrolled as her passive but forceful refusal to speak drives them to distraction." – BBC 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 – Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett., dramatised by Robin Brooks, directed by Gordon House and featuring Gerard McDermott, Philip Fox, Nick Sayce, Michael Kilgariff, John Cummins, Carl Prekopp, Patrick Barlow, Sean Barrett, Geoffrey Beevers, Alex Jennings and Anton Lessor. In this second episode of four, novice priest Brutha has been selected by Deacon Vorbis to go on a secret mission to the infidel city of Ephebe. The Great God Om, who is stuck in the body of a small tortoise, is going with him in a little wicker basket. Repeated early tomorrow morning at 00:30 on BBC 7. First broadcast in 2006.

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 6 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 "When Nick Jenkins joins his regiment in Wales, old acquaintances reappear in unexpected roles." Part 4 of 6, with part 5 tomorrow at 15:00 on Radio 4.

SUNDAY 4th May

10:00/BBC 7/90 mins – Regency Buck, by Georgette Heyer, adapted by Neville Teller, featuring Elizabeth Proud, Steve Hodson, Edward de Souza and Simon Shepherd. Judith Taverner gallops in from the provinces and daringly defies the brawling world of Regency London to claim her fortune. 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 "Nick Jenkins is drawn into the unpredictable universe of the formidable Pamela Flitton." Part 5 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 3 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 3/155 mins – Othello, by William Shakespeare. "A production from London's Donmar Warehouse, featuring an award-winning performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor in the title role as the jealous Moor Othello, alongside Ewan McGregor as the scheming Iago. When the esteemed general Othello promotes Cassio to be his personal lieutenant, Iago, Cassio's bitter rival and friend of Othello, is envious and plots revenge. Iago manipulates and enrages Othello, making him suspicious of his wife Desdemona, ultimately bringing events to a tragic conclusion." – BBC Radio 3 Website. This production also features Tom Hiddleston as Cassio and Kelly Reilly as Desdemona with James Laurenson playing both Brabantio and Gratiano. Definitely not to be missed!

MONDAY 5th May

09:00/BBC 7/45 mins – An Odd Body – Talking Poison, by Sue Rodwell, starring Anette Badland and John Duttine. Gwen Danbury's mother provides some unexpected help when an American preacher is threatened. Episode 1 of 3. This second series was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002. Repeated tonight on BBC 7 at 20:00.

10:00/BBC 7/15 mins – The Reef, by Edith Wharton, dramatised by Penny Leicester, featuring Sian Thomas, Teresa Gallagher and Ben Miles. Owen's engagement to Sophie is finally approved, but Sophie has a shock in store for him. Episode 6 of 10. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:00.

10:15/BBC 7/45 mins – The Drought, by Stephen Dunstone, featuring Kathleen Helme, Angela Wynter and Susan Cookson. Jean's former home, submerged in a reservoir, has been uncovered by a drought. Her visit there does not bring back the happy memories her nurses expect. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1999. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:15.

11:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Far From the Madding Crowd, by Thomas Hardy, dramatised by Nick McCarty. Episode 1 of 6. Bathsheba Everdene rejects the proposal of Gabriel Oak, but their paths cross again. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.

14:15/BBC Radio 4/45 mins – Far North, by Louis Nowra, featuring Susie Porter, Asher de Grey, Linda Cropper, Bill Young, Tina Bursill, Jason Klarwein, Steve Le Marquand, Josef Ber, William Doughty, Leon Ewing and Sashka Koloff. "A boy and his young mother take to the road across Australia in search of the freedom and love she craves." – BBC Radio 4 Website.

18:00/BBC 7/30 mins – Dracula, by Bram Stoker, dramatised by Nick McCarty, featuring Frederick Jaeger, Bernard Holley, Phyllis Logan and Sharon Muharaj. Episode 6 of 7. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at midnight.

TUESDAY 6th May

09:00/BBC 7/45 mins – An Odd Body – Old Dog, by Sue Rodwell, starring Anette Badland and John Duttine. A vulnerable old man is attacked and burgled. He seems lonely, so Gwen introduces him to her mother. Episode 2 of 3. This second series was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002. Repeated tonight on BBC 7 at 20:00.

10:00/BBC 7/15 mins – The Reef, by Edith Wharton, dramatised by Penny Leicester, featuring Sian Thomas, Teresa Gallagher and Ben Miles. Turmoil and tension at Givre as more of the truth is laid bare for all four of the lovers. Episode 7 of 10. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:00.

10:15/BBC 7/45 mins – Mrs Shakespeare, by Robert Nye, featuring Maggie Steed and Kenneth Cranham. Robert Nye's play suggests the reason why Shakespeare left his wife his 'second best bed'. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1998. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:15.

11:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Far From the Madding Crowd, by Thomas Hardy, dramatised by Nick McCarty. Episode 2 of 6. Bathsheba receives a marriage proposal - will she accept? First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.

14:15/BBC Radio 4/45 mins – Eve Blinked, by Margaret Heffernan, featuring Laurel Lefkow, Suzanne Bertish, Lorelie King, Madelaine Potter, Ben Onwukwe and Chris Pavlo. "Four American businesswomen get caught in New York when their flight to Boston is cancelled. Deciding to share a cab, they set off on the journey home. Mira has reasons to dread arriving, and as the evening unfolds they share their stories." – BBC Radio 4 Website.

18:00/BBC 7/30 mins – Dracula, by Bram Stoker, dramatised by Nick McCarty, featuring Frederick Jaeger, Bernard Holley, Phyllis Logan and Sharon Muharaj. Episode 6 of 7. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1994. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at midnight.

WEDNESDAY 7th May

09:00/BBC 7/45 mins – An Odd Body – Dead Heads and Chutney, by Sue Rodwell, starring Anette Badland and John Duttine. A respectable elderly lady is found dead from natural causes - or was it murder? Episode 3 of 3. This second series was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002. Repeated tonight on BBC 7 at 20:00.

10:00/BBC 7/15 mins – The Reef, by Edith Wharton, dramatised by Penny Leicester, featuring Sian Thomas, Teresa Gallagher and Ben Miles. The swirling waters threaten to engulf Anna as she tries to understand the truth about Darrow and Sophie. Episode 8 of 10. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:00.

10:15/BBC 7/45 mins – Showing Up, by Georgia Pritchett, featuring Edna Dore, Polly James and Iwan Thomas. When Sheila Martin welcomes back into the family the son she gave up for adoption, she does not guess the home truths his reappearance will uncover. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1998. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:15.

11:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Far From the Madding Crowd, by Thomas Hardy, dramatised by Nick McCarty. Episode 3 of 6. Miss Bathsheba Everdene has an offer many women of her rank and station would be eager to accept. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.

14:15/BBC Radio 4/45 mins – To Serve Them All My Days/3 - 1926, by R F Delderfield, dramatised by Shaun McKenna, featuring Oliver Milburn, John Wood, John Rowe, Anthony Calf, Juliet Aubrey, Gerard McDermott, John Cummins, Delroy Brown, Harry Francis and Josh Freeborn. "Davy has immersed himself in school life to try to forget the death of his wife Beth and their eldest daughter Joan. What spare time he has is spent working on the book Beth urged him to write." - BBC Radio 4 Website. First broadcast in 2006.

18:00/BBC 7/30 mins – The Midwich Cuckoos, by John Wyndham, featuring Charles Kay, Pauline Yates and William Gaunt. Episode 1 of 3. A strange force holds the village of Midwich in its grasp, with the most unlikely consequences. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at midnight.

23:00/BBC Radio 4/30 mins – Dead Man’s Folly, by Agatha Christie, dramatised by Michael Bakewell, featuring John Moffatt (as Hercule Poirot), Julia McKenzie, Simon Treves, Michael Cochrane, Liza Sadovy, Sam Dale and Joseph Kloska. "Ariadne Oliver's worst fears have been realised and her murder game has become a reality. Poirot is deeply shocked by such a mindless act of cruelty and enthusiastically joins the local police in their investigation." – BBC Radio 4 Website. Episode 2 of 4.

THURSDAY 8th May

09:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Uncle Silas – Knowl, 1864, by Sheridan le Fanu, starring Graham Crowden, George Cole, Dorothy Tutin and Joan Sims. A young girl discovers that she is an heiress. Episode 1 of 3. Repeated this evening at 20:00 on BBC 7.

10:00/BBC 7/15 mins – The Reef, by Edith Wharton, dramatised by Penny Leicester, featuring Sian Thomas, Teresa Gallagher and Ben Miles. Anna makes her decision, but can she find the resolve to hold to it? Episode 9 of 10. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:00.

10:15/BBC 7/45 mins – Painting Mrs Jones, by Rachel Joyce, featuring Lindsay Duncan, James Laurenson and David Antrobus. Mrs Jones sits for her portrait and wonders if the painting will reveal a new truth about her inner self. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1998. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:15.

11:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Far From the Madding Crowd, by Thomas Hardy, dramatised by Nick McCarty. Episode 4 of 6. A scarlet coat, fine words and a sword flourish breach Bathsheba's defences to devastating effect, upon meeting Sergeant Troy. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.

14:15/BBC Radio 4/45 mins – Two Short Plays, by Harold Pinter. The first, Landscape, features Penelope Wilton and Harold Pinter himself. "A man and a woman sit deep in recollection. While the man's thoughts are of his day in the park and a quarrel in the pub, the woman's are of an idyllic day spent many years ago on a beach with the man she loved." – BBC Radio 4 Website. The second, The Examination, features Michael Gambon and is described by [Radio Times] as "A man about to be questioned musters his mental resources to empower himself over his interrogator."

18:00/BBC 7/30 mins – The Midwich Cuckoos, by John Wyndham, featuring Charles Kay, Pauline Yates and William Gaunt. Episode 2 of 3. The 'cuckoo children' start to make their presence felt. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at midnight.

FRIDAY 9th May

09:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Uncle Silas – Bartram-Haugh, 1865, by Sheridan le Fanu, starring Graham Crowden, George Cole, Dorothy Tutin and Joan Sims. Maud cannot fathom her Uncle Silas, and she rejects her cousin Dudley's proposal. Episode 2 of 3. Repeated this evening at 20:00 on BBC 7.

10:00/BBC 7/15 mins – The Reef, by Edith Wharton, dramatised by Penny Leicester, featuring Sian Thomas, Teresa Gallagher and Ben Miles. Anna has succumbed to desire, but can she ever know happiness? Episode 10 of 10. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:00.

10:15/BBC 7/45 mins – Skeggy, by Chris Thompson, featuring Norman Bird, Susan Brooke and Alison Carney. A runaway teenager in Skegness brings three separate partnerships closer together. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1999. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at 21:15.

11:00/BBC 7/60 mins – Far From the Madding Crowd, by Thomas Hardy, dramatised by Nick McCarty. Episode 5 of 6. Sergeant Troy's cruel treatment of sweet Fanny comes back to haunt him. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.

14:15/BBC Radio 4/45 mins – Edward Alleyn’s Devil, by Nichola Baldwin, featuring Richard McCabe, Brian McCardle, Philip Jackson, Desmond McNamara, Christine Kavanagh, Sam Dale, Joe Prospero, Joseph Kloska, Bethan Walker, Paul Richard Biggin, Miranda Keeling and the boys of Dulwich College. "Nicola Baldwin's play is set in London in 1605. Edward Alleyn, the most famous actor of the day, believes that he has seen a devil on stage." – BBC Radio 4 Website. First broadcast in 2006.

18:00/BBC 7/30 mins – The Midwich Cuckoos, by John Wyndham, featuring Charles Kay, Pauline Yates and William Gaunt. Episode 3 of 3. It is eight years later and the children's powers are becoming destructive. Repeated this evening on BBC 7 at midnight.

21:00/BBC Radio 4/60 mins – Fragile!, by Tena Stivicic, featuring Catherine Cusack, Douglas Henshall, Rayisa Kondracki, Serge Soric, Luanne Gordon and Steve Hodson. "Croatian author Tena Stivicic's darkly witty play about the reality of the immigrant experience in London. A foreign correspondent, traumatised by the death of a girl he met in Bosnia, begins to pick up the threads of his life with a Croatian girl he has met back in London. Then he hears that a young refugee is looking for him, someone who didn't die in Bosnia after all." – BBC Radio 4 Website.