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Afternoon Reading

Weekdays 3.30pm-3.45pm

A short story or an abridged book, often by writers who are new to radio.

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Description
01	A Georgian Trilogy, A Peacock In Sulphur	20100202		Series of specially-commissioned stories by James Hopkin, inspired by his travels in Georgia in autumn 2008. Niko Pirosmani was one of Georgia's greatest artists, but was it his art that killed him? Read by Allan Corduner Produced by Rosalynd Ward A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
01	Alan Sillitoe Short Stories		20100221	By Alan Sillitoe. A young boy undertakes his most ambitious pyrotechnic project. Philip Jackson reads a story by best-selling author Alan Sillitoe. A young boy's obsession with fire engines develops into an addiction to lighting small fires. However, a few short-lived flames and a cloud of smoke in the street doesn't seem enough. He goes to the local wood for his most ambitious pyrotechnic project to date. A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
01	Bath Festival Stories By Candlelight, Stowmont	20100302		By Sadie Jones. The owner of a house is overtaken by forces he doesn't understand.
01	City Of Two Continents, The Byzantine Passage	20100119		Series of short stories marking Istanbul's tenure as European Capital of Culture in 2010. A young girl's life changes forever when she glimpses the man to whom she is betrothed. By Jenny White, read by Melody Grove. By Jenny White. A young girl glimpses the man to whom she is betrothed.
01	Jennings' Little Hut, The Squatters		20100131	Mark Williams reads one of Anthony Buckeridge's classic school stories, abridged in five parts by Roy Apps. 'Until Darbishire had finished making his famous ventilating-shaft out of that disused drain-pipe, it was just as well they had got air-conditioned walls.' It was only a little hut, but Jennings was very proud of it. And the other boys at Linbury Court were proud of their huts too. A Pier production for BBC Radio 4. It was only a little hut, but Jennings was very proud of it.
01	Once Seen, The Lodger	20100126		Series of three stories inspired by a very modern small-ads phenomenon. By Anna Maxted, read by Sandra Duncan. Victoria is widowed, middle-aged and living in cold, wet London rather than her hot, sunny adopted homeland, Portugal. She has a lodger she is singularly ill-equipped to cater for; nonetheless he is grateful to her. This is a surprise for Victoria, which then leads to another. A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4. By Anna Maxted. Widowed Victoria has a lodger whom she is ill-equipped to cater for.
01	Singles	20060717		Five stories being aired as a tribute to writer Clare Boylan, who died earlier this year. Read by Lynda Bellingham. When Connie goes on a singles holiday, she strikes up an unexpectedly meaningful relationship with her room-mate. Producer Heather Brennon
01	Squirrels	20060619		Series highlighting the best work from over 250 Creative Writing Groups in the North of England. By Karen Whitchurch, read by Barbara Marten. Squirrels are an ageing woman's only contact with reality in the psychiatric ward she has long inhabited. It's quite idyllic at first, but neither the staff nor the squirrels are quite what they seem.
01	The Cherry Orchard With Rugs	20050822		Matt Lucas reads Rose Tremain's short story about a brief encounter on a Eurostar journey to Paris.
01	The Rhapsody Blues	20060410		By Candace Allen, read by Ricky Fearon. An ambitious young Black pianist from the Midwest is witness to the premiere of the Rhapsody.
02	Bath Festival Stories By Candlelight, The Ghost Writer	20100303		By Amanda Craig. Chance throws together two novelists with very different backgrounds.
02	Benny Gets The Blame	20060718		Read by Stephen Hogan. A look back to those days of childhood when the backstreets were full of youngsters playing out their imaginary games. Producer Heather Brennon
02	Jennings' Little Hut, The Kettle Of Fish		20100207	Mark Williams reads one of Anthony Buckeridge's classic school stories, abridged in five parts by Roy Apps. Mr Wilkins blows his top when he finds Jennings and Darbishire looking for a fish - up a tree. A Pier production for BBC Radio 4. Mr Wilkins blows his top when he finds Jennings looking for a fish - up a tree.
02	Mad Girls In The Attic	20050823		Deborah Mcandrew reads Michele Roberts's tale inspired by Charlotte Bronte. Adele's French maid at Thornfield Hall tells of their life there as she travels back to France.
02	Old Blood	20060620		By Christiane Algar, read by Carol McGuigan. Charting the relationship between an aristocratic lady and her philandering husband, told through the eyes of a young servant girl.
03	Jennings' Little Hut, General Sir Melville Merridew		20100214	Mark Williams reads one of Anthony Buckeridge's classic school stories, abridged in five parts by Roy Apps. A distinguished former pupil is to pay the school a visit. A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
03	The Mission To Brazil	20060719		Read by Dermot Crowley. The hard-living, hard-bitten priest is surprised to learn an inheritance comes his way. Or does it? Producer Duncan Minshull
03	Working From Home	20060621		By Iris Woodford, read by David Fleeshman. A travelling drover comes across an injured highwayman and decides to help, rather than turn him in.
03 LAST	Bath Festival Stories By Candlelight, The Whisper	20100304		By Diana Evans. Rachel is a burden to her neighbours, but she carries a burden of her own.
03 LAST	Casual Cruelty, The Villager	20100211		Series of short stories by the American author Shirley Jackson, who wrote in a style of 'creeping unease' from the 1940s until her death in 1965. Miss Clarence's visit to an apartment in Greenwich Village, New York, gives her an unexpected insight into other people's lives as well as her own. Read by Glenne Headly. A Jarvis and Ayres production for BBC Radio 4. Miss Clarence's visit to Greenwich Village gives her an insight into other people's lives.
03 LAST	Once Seen, The Up Escalator	20100128		Series of three stories inspired by a very modern small-ads phenomenon. By Matt Beaumont. As the narrator travels up towards daylight on the escalators at London's Holborn tube station, the second longest on the network, she gazes into the startling grey eyes of a man coming down. He looks at her for the entire length of the journey, even turning round once they've passed. But how will she ever gaze upon them again? Perhaps an ad is the answer. Read by Jane Collingwood. A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4. By Matt Beaumont. A woman gazes into the eyes of a man descending past her on an escalator
04	Cupid Strikes, Sparks	20100204	20100207	By Frances Tomelty. When Gracie's husband died, she decides it's time for personal growth. Stories exploring the reality behind St Valentine's Day. When Gracie's compost-obsessed husband dies, she decides it's time for some radical personal growth. Written and read by Frances Tomelty. Producer Eoin O'Callaghan.
04	Jennings' Little Hut, Shortage Of Glass		20100221	Mark Williams reads one of Anthony Buckeridge's classic school stories, abridged in five parts by Roy Apps. Jennings and Darbishire must think fast when the General wants to see an old school photograph. A Pier production for BBC Radio 4. Jennings and Darbishire must think fast. The General wants to see an old school photograph
04	Life On Mars	20060720		Read by Maggie Cronin. After Tom's death, Anna struggles to negotiate a maze of grief, loneliness, anger, and rediscovery. Producer Michael Quinn.
04	Whitby Pier	20060622		By Mary C Clarke of Airedale Writers Circle, read by Emma Lowndes.The meeting between a doctor and the mother who gave her up for adoption at birth - both women believe it will be their first meeting as adults, but not so.
05		20060602		Five enchanting short stories by American writer Gina Ochsner, about people who feel that their lives are loose skins they've not quite grown into and which perhaps won't ever fit. 5/5. A Blessing Superstition and tradition prevent Russian immigrants from living their American dream. Read by Zhivila Roche
05	Job's Skin	20050826		Written and read by Alasdair Gray, inspired by the Book of Job. A torrent of ill fortune afflicts Job. Though practically bankrupt by dot.com traders, and despite losing his two sons in an international disaster, he continues to count his blessings.
05 LAST	Cupid Strikes, Interview With A Cupid		20100214	By Polly Devlin. A revealing interview gives a rare insight into Cupid's world. Stories exploring the reality behind St Valentine's Day. A revealing interview gives a rare insight into Cupid's world. By Polly Devlin, read by Julian Clary.
05 LAST	It Didn't Mean A Thing	20060721		Read by Pat Laffan. When Hector has a fling at the office Christmas party, it has unforeseen consequences. Producer Roland Jacquarello.
05 LAST	Jennings' Little Hut, The Difficult Guest		20100228	Jennings tries to play the perfect host, but the General's grandson gives him the slip.
05 LAST	Water Mouse	20060623		By Maureen Fenton of Clitheroe Writing Group, read by Angela Mounsey.A rather shy woman's appearance and demeanour are transformed when her clothes disappear at the swimming baths and she has to wear someone else's.
	Hard Frosts In Florence	20061110		By David Pownall. In this play specially written for Paul Scofield, a deeply-troubled Michelangelo returns to Florence to view his statue of the boy David ? Flesh caught in stone - for the last time. Michelangelo....Paul Scofield Director Martin Jenkins. Gilbert Harding....Roger Allam Derek....Ben Crowe Roger....Keith Drinkel Philip....Carl Prekopp Nancy....Jenny Funnell Psychiatrist....Ian Masters Female fan....Jean Trend
	The Hair Of The Dog	20070527	20081222	Short story by Jane Gardam. Humour and tenderness colour Eleanor's reflections on her daughter Rosie's wedding 25 years before. Abridged by Jules Wilkinson
		20070528	20081223	By Michael Faber. A father is close to experiencing the happiest moment of his life. Richard Schiff reads a short story by Michael Faber, abridged by Richard Hamilton. A husband and father is close to experiencing the happiest moment of his life.
	Pillars Of The Community	20090108		By Anneliese Mackintosh. A young woman attends a dinner party hosted by her neighbours. Comedy by Anneliese Mackintosh. A young woman attends a dinner party hosted by her neighbours, who seem to be hiding something. Read by Natalie Bennett.