Episodes
| Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20070106 | Barry Norman presents his favourite pieces of writing, read by Andrew Sachs and others. | ||
| 20231225 | 20231226 (R4) | Ruth Jones shares the poems and stories that have meant the most in her life as a writer and actress, for our festive delight. The co-creator of the hugely-loved sit-com Gavin and Stacey shares some of her early comic inspirations as well as memories of growing up in Wales. Recorded in the BBC Radio Theatre, her readers are Steve Speirs and Yasmine Akram, with music from English folk musicians Kate Rusby and Damien O'Kane. Readings include A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas Oh I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth by Pam Ayres David Copperfield by Charles Dickens At Seventeen by Janis Ian Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy Ernie the Fastest Milkman in the West by Benny Hill A Prayer for the Hesitant by Henry Normal Oh What a Piece of Work is a Man, from Hamlet by William Shakespeare Sosban Fach by Talog Williams The Reverend Eli Jenkins prayer/Sunset Poem from Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas Music includes Porthcawl by Chartered Hurricane The Rocking Carol by Kate Rusby & Damien O'Kane A Yorkshire Merry Christmas by Kate Rusby & Damien O'Kane Caledonia by Dougie MacLean Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery Ruth Jones chooses readings for our festive delight. With music from Kate Rusby. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Ruth Jones shares the poems and stories that have meant the most in her life for our festive delight. With Steve Speirs and Yasmine Akram, Kate Rusby and Damien O'Kane. Ruth Jones shares the poems and stories that have meant the most in her life as a writer and actress, for our festive delight. The co-creator of the hugely-loved sit-com Gavin and Stacey shares some of her early comic inspirations as well as memories of growing up in Wales. Recorded in the BBC Radio Theatre, her readers are Steve Speirs and Yasmine Akram, with music from English folk musicians Kate Rusby and Damien O'Kane. Readings include A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas Oh I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth by Pam Ayres David Copperfield by Charles Dickens At Seventeen by Janis Ian Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy Ernie the Fastest Milkman in the West by Benny Hill A Prayer for the Hesitant by Henry Normal Oh What a Piece of Work is a Man, from Hamlet by William Shakespeare Sosban Fach by Talog Williams The Reverend Eli Jenkins prayer/Sunset Poem from Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas Music includes Porthcawl by Chartered Hurricane The Rocking Carol by Kate Rusby & Damien O'Kane A Yorkshire Merry Christmas by Kate Rusby & Damien O'Kane Caledonia by Dougie MacLean Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery Ruth Jones chooses readings for our festive delight. With music from Kate Rusby. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Ruth Jones shares the poems and stories that have meant the most in her life for our festive delight. With Steve Speirs and Yasmine Akram, Kate Rusby and Damien O'Kane. " Ruth Jones shares the poems and stories that have meant the most in her life as a writer and actress, for our festive delight. The co-creator of the hugely-loved sit-com Gavin and Stacey shares some of her early comic inspirations as well as memories of growing up in Wales. Recorded in the BBC Radio Theatre, her readers are Steve Speirs and Yasmine Akram, with music from English folk musicians Kate Rusby and Damien O'Kane. Readings include A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas Oh I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth by Pam Ayres David Copperfield by Charles Dickens At Seventeen by Janis Ian Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy Ernie the Fastest Milkman in the West by Benny Hill A Prayer for the Hesitant by Henry Normal Oh What a Piece of Work is a Man, from Hamlet by William Shakespeare Sosban Fach by Talog Williams The Reverend Eli Jenkins prayer/Sunset Poem from Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas Music includes Porthcawl by Chartered Hurricane The Rocking Carol by Kate Rusby & Damien O'Kane A Yorkshire Merry Christmas by Kate Rusby & Damien O'Kane Caledonia by Dougie MacLean Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery Ruth Jones chooses readings for our festive delight. With music from Kate Rusby. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Ruth Jones shares the poems and stories that have meant the most in her life for our festive delight. With Steve Speirs and Yasmine Akram, Kate Rusby and Damien O'Kane. " | |
| At Christmas | 20071225 | Alan Titchmarsh revels in some of his favourite pieces of prose and poetry. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| At Christmas | 20081225 | 20081226 (R4) | A special festive edition in which Terry Pratchett revels in some of his favourite pieces of writing with the help of Helen Atkinson Wood, Michael Fenton Stevens and Michael Maloney. Featuring readings from: The Specialist by Charles Sale Published by Souvenir Press Household Noises by Paul Jennings From The Penguin Jennings Published by Penguin The Maze Maker by Michael Ayrton Published by Longmans Lamb-Thoughts by JB Morton (writing as Beachcomber) From By the Way Published by Sheed and Ward Her Majesty's Mails: a history of the Post-office and an industrial account of its present condition, by William Lewins Published by Samson and Low, 1865 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Published by Pan MacMillan Roughing It by Mark Twain Published by Routledge The Poison Principle by Gail Bell Published by Picador The Junkman Smiles by GRG Worcester Published by Chatto and Windus Food in England by Dorothy Hartley Published by Little, Brown Sir George Caley by J Laurence Pritchard Published by Max Parrish Republican Party Reptile by PJ O'Rourke Published by Pan Books Once Upon an Ice Age by Roy Lewis Published by Terra Nova Editions Job 9, vv1-11 King James Bible The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin Published by Oxford World's Classics. Terry Pratchett revels in some of his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters A special festive edition in which Terry Pratchett revels in some of his favourite pieces of writing with the help of Helen Atkinson Wood, Michael Fenton Stevens and Michael Maloney. Featuring readings from: The Specialist by Charles Sale Published by Souvenir Press Household Noises by Paul Jennings From The Penguin Jennings Published by Penguin The Maze Maker by Michael Ayrton Published by Longmans Lamb-Thoughts by JB Morton (writing as Beachcomber) From By the Way Published by Sheed and Ward Her Majesty's Mails: a history of the Post-office and an industrial account of its present condition, by William Lewins Published by Samson and Low, 1865 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Published by Pan MacMillan Roughing It by Mark Twain Published by Routledge The Poison Principle by Gail Bell Published by Picador The Junkman Smiles by GRG Worcester Published by Chatto and Windus Food in England by Dorothy Hartley Published by Little, Brown Sir George Caley by J Laurence Pritchard Published by Max Parrish Republican Party Reptile by PJ O'Rourke Published by Pan Books Once Upon an Ice Age by Roy Lewis Published by Terra Nova Editions Job 9, vv1-11 King James Bible The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin Published by Oxford World's Classics. Terry Pratchett revels in some of his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| At Christmas | 20091225 | Political journalist and Today programme presenter James Naughtie shares some of the pieces of prose and verse which have entertained and inspired him over the years. The readers are Alison Steadman, Bill Paterson and David Haig. Extracts read in this programme: from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by Simon Armitage (poem) Published by Faber & Faber from Pig Ho-oo-oey (prose) From: Blandings Castle, by PG Wodehouse opening line from Brighton Rock, by Graham Greene Published by Vintage opening line from Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Published by Penguin opening line from Scaramouche, by Giuseppe Sabbatini Published by Hutchinson Library Services from Moby Dick, by Herman Melville Published by Penguin Classics from Venice, by Jan Morris from Greenmantle, by John Buchan Published by Wordsworth Classics from Scoop, by Evelyn Waugh Published by Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics from Abducting a General From: Words of Mercury, by Patrick Leigh Fermor, ed. Artemis Cooper Published by John Murray from Highways and Byways in the Western Highlands, by Seton Gordon Published by Macmillan The Little White Rose, by Hugh MacDiarmid (poem) From: Hugh MacDiarmid, Selected Poetry Published by Carcanet Midnight, Lochinver, by Norman MacCaig (poem) from: Norman MacCaig, Collected Poems Published by Chatto Poetry from The Testament of Cresseid, by Robert Henryson, trans. Seamus Heaney Letter from John Kipling to his family 1915 From: O Beloved Kids: Rudyard Kipling's letters to his children, ed. Eliot L. Gilbert Published by Little Books Last Post, by Carol Ann Duffy (poem) Commissioned by the Today programme from Point of Departure, by James Cameron Published by Arthur Barker from Echoes of the Jazz Age (prose) From: The Crack-Up with Other Pieces and Stories, by F Scott Fitzgerald from Bleak House, by Charles Dickens Published by Oxford World's Classics Sonnet 30, by William Shakespeare (poem) From: Shakespeare's Sonnets Published by Gerald Duckworth from Paradise Lost, by John Milton (poem) From: John Milton, Complete English Poems Published by Everyman from Right Ho, Jeeves, by PG Wodehouse Published by Penguin. James Naughtie shares some of his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| At Christmas | 20171225 | 20180101 (R4) | Will Young takes us on a tour of his favourite bits of writing, songs, entertainment and art including Lord of the Rings, Joni Mitchell, Magritte, Cabaret and King Lear. Along the way he'll talk about his life and his career. And there'll be live music and performance from Will himself plus a range of special guests. Will Young presents his favourite bits of writing, music and art from Cabaret to King Lear Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Will Young takes us on a tour of his favourite bits of writing, songs, entertainment and art including Lord of the Rings, Joni Mitchell, Magritte, Cabaret and King Lear. Along the way he'll talk about his life and his career. And there'll be live music and performance from Will himself plus a range of special guests. Will Young presents his favourite bits of writing, music and art from Cabaret to King Lear Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| At Christmas | 20201225 | 20210101 (R4) | Expect snow on the hills of Borsetshire and a hot toddy in the Bull in this festive celebration marking seventy years of The Archers. Just as Ambridge hosts its own Christmas show, 'With Great Pleasure' brings you readings, music and anecdotes from the cast, one for each decade of existence of Radio 4's most popular drama. Charles Collingwood (Brian Aldridge) kicks off with a comic poem on the hazards of being an actor on a long-running show. Specially written for Charles and his wife Judy (Shula) by their old friend Sir Richard Stilgoe, it asks: will this be the episode in which my character meets a surprising end in order to bump up the ratings? The nations' beloved Gran and ace lemon-drizzle baker Jill Archer, or Patricia Greene in real life, reads from Stella Gibbons' Cold Comfort Farm. She is followed by Ben Norris, who plays grandson Ben. He reveals that Paddy is much more mischievous than Jill and says he has found particular joy in spending time with his on-air Gran after the loss of his own. Katie Redford (Lily Pargetter) remembers inviting all the neighbours round to see her Spice Girls 'show' as a child, without warning her mum, who was surprised when they all turned up. Trevor Harrison (Eddie Grundy) remembers his much-loved radio dad, Joe, played by Edward Kelsey, and admits there's solidarity among the 'Grundy' actors and a tiny bit of rivalry with those who play Archers or Aldridges. Ryan Kelly (Jazzer) sings an acapella version of Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns that'll make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and Susie Riddell (Tracy Horrobin) admits she wishes she was as fearless as the character she plays. Festive delight; hilarious, revealing and moving stories from behind the scenes in Ambridge. A festive celebration of The Archers, with readings, music and anecdotes from the cast. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Expect snow on the hills of Borsetshire and a hot toddy in the Bull in this festive celebration marking seventy years of The Archers. Just as Ambridge hosts its own Christmas show, 'With Great Pleasure' brings you readings, music and anecdotes from the cast, one for each decade of existence of Radio 4's most popular drama. Charles Collingwood (Brian Aldridge) kicks off with a comic poem on the hazards of being an actor on a long-running show. Specially written for Charles and his wife Judy (Shula) by their old friend Sir Richard Stilgoe, it asks: will this be the episode in which my character meets a surprising end in order to bump up the ratings? The nations' beloved Gran and ace lemon-drizzle baker Jill Archer, or Patricia Greene in real life, reads from Stella Gibbons' Cold Comfort Farm. She is followed by Ben Norris, who plays grandson Ben. He reveals that Paddy is much more mischievous than Jill and says he has found particular joy in spending time with his on-air Gran after the loss of his own. Katie Redford (Lily Pargetter) remembers inviting all the neighbours round to see her Spice Girls 'show' as a child, without warning her mum, who was surprised when they all turned up. Trevor Harrison (Eddie Grundy) remembers his much-loved radio dad, Joe, played by Edward Kelsey, and admits there's solidarity among the 'Grundy' actors and a tiny bit of rivalry with those who play Archers or Aldridges. Ryan Kelly (Jazzer) sings an acapella version of Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns that'll make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and Susie Riddell (Tracy Horrobin) admits she wishes she was as fearless as the character she plays. Festive delight; hilarious, revealing and moving stories from behind the scenes in Ambridge. A festive celebration of The Archers, with readings, music and anecdotes from the cast. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| At Christmas | 20211224 | 20211225 (R4) | It's not often a library is filled with laughter but this is no ordinary library as we discover when we visit Barry Humphries in his favourite room at home. He's joined by two very good friends, Miriam Margolyes and Rob Brydon who also share Barry's love of poetry and prose. From childhood favourites to more recent discoveries, the threesome reminisce, recall encounters with writers and poets and read extracts from amongst others Charles Dickens, Edith Nesbit and Stephen Spender. A surprise guest joins them on the telephone adding their very own splash of Christmas magic. There's also a tale about a dahlia, a word or two from Jeeves and Wooster and a festive burst of carol singing. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sarah Blunt Barry Humphries exchanges poetry and prose with Miriam Margolyes and Rob Brydon. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters It's not often a library is filled with laughter but this is no ordinary library as we discover when we visit Barry Humphries in his favourite room at home. He's joined by two very good friends, Miriam Margolyes and Rob Brydon who also share Barry's love of poetry and prose. From childhood favourites to more recent discoveries, the threesome reminisce, recall encounters with writers and poets and read extracts from amongst others Charles Dickens, Edith Nesbit and Stephen Spender. A surprise guest joins them on the telephone adding their very own splash of Christmas magic. There's also a tale about a dahlia, a word or two from Jeeves and Wooster and a festive burst of carol singing. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sarah Blunt Barry Humphries exchanges poetry and prose with Miriam Margolyes and Rob Brydon. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| At Christmas 2014 | 20141225 | Ian Hislop, star of Have I Got News for You and editor of Private Eye, chooses the pieces of writing that mean the most to him, with the help of readers Jim Broadbent and Tamsin Greig. It's a special Christmas edition of With Great Pleasure recorded in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. Robyn Stapleton joins them to sing My Love is like a Red Red Rose by Robert Burns. She's BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year. Ian's choices range from poems that form part of his own family's Christmas tradition, such as The Oxen by Thomas Hardy, to newer works by Carol Ann Duffy, and extracts from plays he loves such as Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth. There are satirical pieces by Craig Brown and Spike Milligan, and sound archive recordings of comedy from Peter Cook, Alan Bennett, Danny Kaye, Mitchell & Webb and Flanders and Swann. Producer Beth O'Dea. Ian Hislop's favourite writing is read by Jim Broadbent and Tamsin Greig, for an audience. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| At Christmas, Melvyn Bragg | 20111225 | 20111230 (R4) | A special Christmas edition of the programme in which Melvyn Bragg looks back at the writing which inspired him when he was a young man. His choices include Dickens, Shakespeare and Wordsworth but also Wodehouse, Evelyn Waugh and a story from the December 1946 edition of The Wizard comic, in which the hero helps choose likely athletes for the forthcoming London Olympics. Melvyn's readers are Eleanor Bron, Bill Paterson and David Bamber, and choristers from Carlisle Cathedral open the programme with a favourite carol. Producer Christine Hall. Melvyn Bragg with a special programme of his favourite poetry and prose. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters A special Christmas edition of the programme in which Melvyn Bragg looks back at the writing which inspired him when he was a young man. His choices include Dickens, Shakespeare and Wordsworth but also Wodehouse, Evelyn Waugh and a story from the December 1946 edition of The Wizard comic, in which the hero helps choose likely athletes for the forthcoming London Olympics. Melvyn's readers are Eleanor Bron, Bill Paterson and David Bamber, and choristers from Carlisle Cathedral open the programme with a favourite carol. Producer Christine Hall. Melvyn Bragg with a special programme of his favourite poetry and prose. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| At Christmas: Armstrong And Miller | 20161225 | 20161226 (R4) | It's been several years since Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller last performed together. Here they are reunited for a special programme choosing their favourite poems, books and songs for an hour long festive edition of With Great Pleasure. Expect laughter and maybe the odd tear as they present readings from their favourite works of fiction and poetry, many with a Christmas feel, and a song or two. They're helped by one of their favourite female collaborators Sarah Alexander. Producer: Maggie Ayre. Armstrong and Miller reunite to present their favourite bits of writing, music and song. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters It's been several years since Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller last performed together. Here they are reunited for a special programme choosing their favourite poems, books and songs for an hour long festive edition of With Great Pleasure. Expect laughter and maybe the odd tear as they present readings from their favourite works of fiction and poetry, many with a Christmas feel, and a song or two. They're helped by one of their favourite female collaborators Sarah Alexander. Producer: Maggie Ayre. Armstrong and Miller reunite to present their favourite bits of writing, music and song. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| At Christmas: Neil Gaiman | 20181225 | Neil Gaiman shares the writing that he loves. With actors Peter Capaldi, Nina Sosanya and John Finnemore and music from Mitch Benn and members of Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Recorded in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. Extracts from Neil's favourites: Mary Poppins Comes Back by P.L. Travers; a delightfully funny short play, Fair Mistress Dorothy by A.A. Milne, performed by the whole cast; Charles Dickens' gruesome 'Captain Murderer' story from The Uncommercial Traveller and the poem Differences of Opinion by Wendy Cope. Alan Moore's song Me & Dorothy Parker performed by Mitch Benn, a clip of BBC radio series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams and two ukulele songs round off the show. Producer Beth O'Dea Writer Neil Gaiman shares the writing and songs he loves, with readings by Peter Capaldi. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| At Christmas: Penelope Keith | 20151225 | Penelope Keith, star of The Good Life and To The Manor Born, presents her favourite and funniest writing to the audience at the Radio Theatre, with readings by Tamsin Greig and Michael Cochrane, and carols sung by The Bach Choir Voices. Penelope plays scenes from The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde and from Star Quality by Noel Coward: her audition piece for the RSC. Her other picks reflect her life and her passions. They include a Christmas parody by Keith Waterhouse, an extract from Emma by Jane Austen, Swifts by Ted Hughes, The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico, Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, The Donkey by GK Chesterton and A Countrywoman's Notes by Rosemary Verey. Also featuring an unforgettable moment from Brian Johnston on Test Match Special.. Producer Beth O'Dea. Penelope Keith presents her favourite funniest readings to the Radio Theatre audience. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Adrian Mitchell | 20070208 | Poet and playwright, Adrian Mitchell, shares some of his favourite poetry and prose. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Adrian Mitchell | 20070212 | Poet and playwright, Adrian Mitchell, shares some of his favourite poetry and prose. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Alexander Mccall Smith | 20140203 | 20140415 (R4) | The popular writer of the Number One Ladies Detective Agency and 44 Scotland Street novels, Alexander McCall Smith chooses his favourite prose, poetry and music. With extracts from Jane Austen, WH Auden and Robert Burns, the pieces are read by actors Bill Paterson and Claire Corbett. Producer: Maggie Ayre. The popular writer Alexander McCall Smith chooses his favourite prose, poetry and music. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters The popular writer of the Number One Ladies Detective Agency and 44 Scotland Street novels, Alexander McCall Smith chooses his favourite prose, poetry and music. With extracts from Jane Austen, WH Auden and Robert Burns, the pieces are read by actors Bill Paterson and Claire Corbett. Producer: Maggie Ayre. The popular writer Alexander McCall Smith chooses his favourite prose, poetry and music. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Alexandra Shulman | 20130211 | Editor of British Vogue, Alexandra Shulman, chooses favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Anna Raeburn | 20070802 | 20071125 (R4) | Anna Raeburn selects some of the writings which have delighted and touched her. From 2007. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Anna Raeburn selects some of the writings which have delighted and touched her. From 2007. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Anthony Howard | 20090804 | 20110222 (R4) | Journalist and commentator Anthony Howard chooses some of his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Journalist and commentator Anthony Howard chooses some of his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Anthony Minghella | 20080503 | Another chance to hear Anthony Minghella discuss his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| As Byatt | 20140217 | 20140417 (R4) | Booker Prize-winning novelist AS Byatt presents a selection of her favourite pieces of poetry and prose, at her home in London, with the help of her chosen actor Peter Eyre. Her choices include Beatrix Potter, Coleridge, Shakespeare, John Donne, Emily Dickinson, Alice Oswald and Terry Pratchett. She talks about her life among books and how reading has been a passion from early childhood. Producer Beth O'Dea. Novelist AS Byatt presents favourite pieces of writing with the help of actor Peter Eyre. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Booker Prize-winning novelist AS Byatt presents a selection of her favourite pieces of poetry and prose, at her home in London, with the help of her chosen actor Peter Eyre. Her choices include Beatrix Potter, Coleridge, Shakespeare, John Donne, Emily Dickinson, Alice Oswald and Terry Pratchett. She talks about her life among books and how reading has been a passion from early childhood. Producer Beth O'Dea. Novelist AS Byatt presents favourite pieces of writing with the help of actor Peter Eyre. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| At Christmas | 20121225 | 20121228 (R4) | A festive edition of the programme which invites a celebrity to raid their memories in search of the pieces of writing and music which best sum up their lives. Fi Glover, one of the BBC's most cherished radio presenters, steps up with a wonderfully varied selection of readings, from a nursery rhyme to Aristotle by way of Alan Bennett and John Mortimer. She even includes a fully-practical recipe for a very special dessert. The readers are Rosie Cavaliero and Mark Meadows, who are joined by poet Kate Fox, and the Exultate Singers provide the finishing celebratory touch. Producer Christine Hall. A celebration of favourite readings with Fi Glover and guests. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| At Christmas | 20221224 | 20221226 (R4) | Michael Rosen chooses poems and stories that have meant the most to him in his life, with guest readers Henry Goodman and Yasemin րzdemir and a special appearance by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, all recorded in the BBC Radio Theatre. Michael chooses extracts from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Catch 22 by Joseph Heller and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Simon Armitage. With poems by Warsan Shire, Raymond Carver and James Berry. Many of Michael's choices touch on ideas of home and heritage, or they remind him of stories handed down by family members, like When Schlemiel came to Warsaw` by Isaac Bashevis Singer. Amazing live music from Shovel Dance Collective, a nine piece traditional folk band, who explore folk songs from a perspective that isn't imperial, white and male'. They include a new setting for Full Fathom Five' from Shakespeare's Tempest. Prepare for some unusual instruments and sounds and great stories by a master storyteller. Intensely festive with a tinge of melancholy, hilarious, sublime. The perfect way to start the festive season. Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery Michael Rosen's favourite poems and stories. Readers Henry Goodman and Yasemin \u00d6zdemir. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| At Christmas 2013 | 20131225 | 20131227 (R4) | John Lloyd is joined by Hugh Laurie, Miriam Margolyes, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Howard Goodall to perform his favourite pieces of writing, comedy and music. A special Christmas edition of With Great Pleasure recorded in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. John Lloyd is a comedy guru, the brains behind QI and the producer of Blackadder - and Hugh Laurie revisits his sublime portrayal of the Prince Regent from Blackadder the Third in a couple of previously unperformed pieces written by John. His other choices include a performance by all the cast of a scene from Hay Fever by Noel Coward, in which John made his stage debut while at school. Taking us through John's life in comedy are sound archive extracts from Julian and Sandy from Round The Horne and Peter Cook from Beyond the Fringe. Books that have been important in John's life include The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff, How The Mind Works by Steven Pinker and poetry collections ranging from Auden to ee cummings. Words of wisdom from Douglas Adams and Viz Top Tips are also quoted. Howard Goodall plays the song he composed for John's wedding, which is sung by John's daughter. Producer Beth O'Dea. Hugh Laurie, Miriam Margolyes, Julian Rhind-Tutt perform John Lloyd's favourite readings. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Barry Cryer | 20130805 | 20131002 (R4) | Comedy guru Barry Cryer, star of I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, chooses some of his favourite pieces of writing to present to an audience, with the help of readers Bernard Cribbins and Sheila Steafel. It's a funny and personal mix, from books that have both given him pleasure and marked significant events over the years, including works by JB Priestley, John Betjeman, Alan Bennett, Ogden Nash and Phyllis Diller. Producer Beth O'Dea. Barry Cryer chooses some of his favourite pieces of writing to present to an audience. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Comedy guru Barry Cryer, star of I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, chooses some of his favourite pieces of writing to present to an audience, with the help of readers Bernard Cribbins and Sheila Steafel. It's a funny and personal mix, from books that have both given him pleasure and marked significant events over the years, including works by JB Priestley, John Betjeman, Alan Bennett, Ogden Nash and Phyllis Diller. Producer Beth O'Dea. Barry Cryer chooses some of his favourite pieces of writing to present to an audience. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Ben Fogle | 20100713 | Writer and adventurer Ben Fogle chooses some of the writing which has influenced him. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Brian Patten | 20080207 | 20091012 (R4) | Poet Brian Patten chooses pieces of writing which have been inspirational to him. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Poet Brian Patten chooses pieces of writing which have been inspirational to him. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Carmen Callil | 20070809 | 20071202 (R4) | Publisher and writer, Carmen Callil draws on a working lifetime's experience of writers and writing to present some of her own favourite pieces to an audience at the Hay Festival. Including works by John McGahern and Angela Carter. Readers: Diana Quick and Richard Mitchley. Producer: Christine Hall First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2007. Carmen Calill with some favourite extracts. Readers Richard Mitchley and Diana Quick. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Publisher and writer, Carmen Callil draws on a working lifetime's experience of writers and writing to present some of her own favourite pieces to an audience at the Hay Festival. Including works by John McGahern and Angela Carter. Readers: Diana Quick and Richard Mitchley. Producer: Christine Hall First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2007. Carmen Calill with some favourite extracts. Readers Richard Mitchley and Diana Quick. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Carol Klein | 20150202 | 20150331 (R4) | Writer and gardener Carol Klein shares her favourite pieces of writing, from Graham Greene's 'Our Man in Havana' to Clare Leighton's 'Four Hedges', as well as poetry by Roque Dalton and Seamus Heaney. With inspiration from environmentalist Wangari Maathai and a taste of Carol's beatnik roots from Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road'. Funny, touching, lyrical and down-to-earth readings to reflect Carol's taste and personality. With special guest readers Jo Brand and Phil Davis, and music composed and performed by Alastair Caplin. Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery. Writer and gardener Carol Klein shares her favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Writer and gardener Carol Klein shares her favourite pieces of writing, from Graham Greene's 'Our Man in Havana' to Clare Leighton's 'Four Hedges', as well as poetry by Roque Dalton and Seamus Heaney. With inspiration from environmentalist Wangari Maathai and a taste of Carol's beatnik roots from Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road'. Funny, touching, lyrical and down-to-earth readings to reflect Carol's taste and personality. With special guest readers Jo Brand and Phil Davis, and music composed and performed by Alastair Caplin. Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery. Writer and gardener Carol Klein shares her favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Catherine Bott | 20080731 | 20090216 (R4) | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Classical singer and broadcaster Catherine Bott shows how writers as diverse as JM Coetzee and Joyce Grenfell have attempted to convey what music means in words. Sharing her deep love of the Archers, the readers are Patricia Greene and Tim Bentinck (Jill and David Archer). Classical singer and broadcaster Catherine Bott shows how writers depict music in words. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Classical singer and broadcaster Catherine Bott shows how writers as diverse as JM Coetzee and Joyce Grenfell have attempted to convey what music means in words. Sharing her deep love of the Archers, the readers are Patricia Greene and Tim Bentinck (Jill and David Archer). Classical singer and broadcaster Catherine Bott shows how writers depict music in words. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Cerys Matthews | 20120716 | 20130408 (R4) | Cerys Matthews, singer and broadcaster, shares some of the poetry and music which she finds inspirational - and it's a very eclectic and exhilarating selection, woven together by Cerys in her own inimitable style. With her on stage at the More than Words Festival at Bristol are the poet John Siddique and the cellist Julia Kent. Producer Christine Hall. Singer Cerys Matthews shares some of her favourite pieces of poetry and music. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Charlotte Church | 20170424 | 20200804 (R4) | Charlotte Church presents a selection of the writing that means the most to her, from the books of Roald Dahl, Mark Twain and Carl Sagan to the lyrics of Jill Scott and Sam Beam (Iron and Wine). She talks about being in the spotlight from a young age, about her love of physics, about testifying at the Leveson Inquiry and becoming a feminist. She's joined on stage by her friends - the singer and actress Carys Eleri and musician Jonathan Powell - to read and sing her choices. This episode of With Great Pleasure was recorded in front of an audience at The Norwegian Church in Charlotte's home town of Cardiff. Producer: Mair Bosworth Readers/Musicians: Carys Eleri and Jonathan Powell. Charlotte Church talks about the books and song lyrics that mean the most to her. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Charlotte Church presents a selection of the writing that means the most to her, from the books of Roald Dahl, Mark Twain and Carl Sagan to the lyrics of Jill Scott and Sam Beam (Iron and Wine). She talks about being in the spotlight from a young age, about her love of physics, about testifying at the Leveson Inquiry and becoming a feminist. She's joined on stage by her friends - the singer and actress Carys Eleri and musician Jonathan Powell - to read and sing her choices. This episode of With Great Pleasure was recorded in front of an audience at The Norwegian Church in Charlotte's home town of Cardiff. Producer: Mair Bosworth Readers/Musicians: Carys Eleri and Jonathan Powell. Charlotte Church talks about the books and song lyrics that mean the most to her. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Claire Tomalin | 20110802 | An anthology of favourite writing from biographer Claire Tomalin. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Clare Balding | 20191225 | Clare Balding shares her life told through books she loves with her readers Hugh Bonneville and Alice Arnold, and songs from the musicals Wicked and The Greatest Showman sung by West End star Kerry Ellis. A wonderfully funny piece by Bill Bryson, visionary landscape writing by Robert Macfarlane, a moving extract from War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, poems by Yeats and Emily Dickinson - all wrapped up in a gorgeous reading by Hugh of Village Christmas by Laurie Lee. Clare herself reads the epilogue from Roz Savage's Stop Drifting, Start Rowing, an account of one woman rowing across the Pacific alone. For Clare, it's been particularly influential in terms of decisions she's made in her life. A stirring new version of If performed by Deanna Rodger honours the wider achievements of women in sport. Kerry Ellis also sings In the Bleak Midwinter for Clare, and that bleakness is reflected in a deeply moving piece by Caitlin Moran, acknowledging that Christmas can be a time of loss and remembered happiness as well as a time of joy. Producer Beth O'Dea Clare Balding shares her life through reading with Hugh Bonneville and Alice Arnold. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Clive Stafford Smith | 20090825 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Lawyer and human rights activist Clive Stafford Smith chooses a selection of the writing which has inspired, amused or uplifted him. In 1999 Clive founded the pressure group Reprieve, which fights for the human rights of prisoners. Clive's readers for the programme, which was recorded in front of an audience in Dorset, are Pippa Haywood and Peter Marinker. Lawyer and human rights activist Clive Stafford Smith chooses a selection of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Craig Brown | 20160125 | 20160408 (R4) | Satirist Craig Brown takes us through his life in reading, with humorous and touching extracts read by Simon Russell Beale and Eleanor Bron. Craig, who's best known for the parodies he writes for Private Eye, chooses an extract from The Story-teller by Saki; Evelyn Waugh's description of sunset from Labels: A Mediterranean Journey; The Mermaid by WB Yeats; extracts from The Education of Hyman Kaplan by Leo Rosten and Mr Palomar by Italo Calvino, translated by William Weaver, a short poem from The Rattle Bag collection called And the days are not full enough by Ezra Pound; Our Frank from Letters of Note and an extract from Enjoy by Alan Bennett. Producer Beth O'Dea. Satirist Craig Brown's favourite readings, read by Simon Russell Beale and Eleanor Bron. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Satirist Craig Brown takes us through his life in reading, with humorous and touching extracts read by Simon Russell Beale and Eleanor Bron. Craig, who's best known for the parodies he writes for Private Eye, chooses an extract from The Story-teller by Saki; Evelyn Waugh's description of sunset from Labels: A Mediterranean Journey; The Mermaid by WB Yeats; extracts from The Education of Hyman Kaplan by Leo Rosten and Mr Palomar by Italo Calvino, translated by William Weaver, a short poem from The Rattle Bag collection called And the days are not full enough by Ezra Pound; Our Frank from Letters of Note and an extract from Enjoy by Alan Bennett. Producer Beth O'Dea. Satirist Craig Brown's favourite readings, read by Simon Russell Beale and Eleanor Bron. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Daljit Nagra | 20160718 | 20160926 (R4) | Radio 4's first Poet in Residence, Daljit Nagra, introduces his favourite music, poetry and prose. Kicking things off with childhood memories of The Jam's That's Entertainment and a classic track from the Bollywood musical Sholay, Daljit continues with works by Shelley, Shakespeare, Salman Rushdie and Liz Berry. Writer Sunjeev Sahota reads from his own novel The Year of the Runaways and Daljit explains why an eccentric Anglo-Indian dictionary holds so much fascination for him. Recorded before an audience at the Radio Theatre, with readings performed by actress Siobhan Redmond and novelist Sunjeev Sahota. Producer: Alice Lloyd. Poet Daljit Nagra presents readings of his favourite pieces of poetry and prose. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Radio 4's first Poet in Residence, Daljit Nagra, introduces his favourite music, poetry and prose. Kicking things off with childhood memories of The Jam's That's Entertainment and a classic track from the Bollywood musical Sholay, Daljit continues with works by Shelley, Shakespeare, Salman Rushdie and Liz Berry. Writer Sunjeev Sahota reads from his own novel The Year of the Runaways and Daljit explains why an eccentric Anglo-Indian dictionary holds so much fascination for him. Recorded before an audience at the Radio Theatre, with readings performed by actress Siobhan Redmond and novelist Sunjeev Sahota. Producer: Alice Lloyd. Poet Daljit Nagra presents readings of his favourite pieces of poetry and prose. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Dame Jacqueline Wilson | 20090326 | Multi-award winning children's author Dame Jacqueline Wilson shares her love of literature with a selection of favourite readings and anecdotes. Including Shakespeare, Dickens, Dodie Smith and Virginia Woolf. Readers: Tracy-Ann Oberman and Michael Fenton Stevens. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2009. Children's author Dame Jacqueline Wilson shares literary favourites. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Dame Joan Bakewell | 20110215 | 20131004 (R4) | The incomparable Joan Bakewell with some favourite pieces of prose and poetry. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Dame Katherine Grainger | 20180514 | 20200811 (R4) | Britain's most decorated female Olympian, rower Katherine Grainger, now Chair of UK Sport, is also a huge book lover. She shares the pieces of writing that have been important to her throughout her life with the audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. To Kill a Mockingbird, Mary Stuart, Shane, speeches by Nora Ephron and Theodore Roosevelt and a classic story by Julia Donaldson add up to an eclectic mix, read by Henry Goodman and Hattie Morahan. Producer Beth O'Dea. The UK's most decorated female Olympian, rower Katherine Grainger, shares her readings. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Britain's most decorated female Olympian, rower Katherine Grainger, now Chair of UK Sport, is also a huge book lover. She shares the pieces of writing that have been important to her throughout her life with the audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. To Kill a Mockingbird, Mary Stuart, Shane, speeches by Nora Ephron and Theodore Roosevelt and a classic story by Julia Donaldson add up to an eclectic mix, read by Henry Goodman and Hattie Morahan. Producer Beth O'Dea. The UK's most decorated female Olympian, rower Katherine Grainger, shares her readings. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Diana Athill | 20081016 | 20090202 (R4) | Literary editor and memoirist Diana Athill, shares the rich pickings of a life spent among books. Her favourites include: Coleridge's Kubla Khan, PG Wodehouse's inimitable Jeeves, and Jane Austen's unfinished novel The Watsons. From the 2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival. Readers: Pauline Munro and William Hope. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2008. Diana Athill shares favourite writing at the 2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Literary editor and memoirist Diana Athill, shares the rich pickings of a life spent among books. Her favourites include: Coleridge's Kubla Khan, PG Wodehouse's inimitable Jeeves, and Jane Austen's unfinished novel The Watsons. From the 2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival. Readers: Pauline Munro and William Hope. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2008. Diana Athill shares favourite writing at the 2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Diana Quick | 20100803 | Diana Quick, the classical actress known also for her widely varied television work, notably as Julia Flyte in "Brideshead Revisited" and lately as one of the actresses portraying the Queen, chooses some of the writing which means a lot to her. Her readers are her long-time partner Bill Nighy and their daughter Mary. Producer: Christine Hall. Actress Diana Quick chooses some favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Dominic Dromgoole | 20080807 | 20090914 (R4) | From London's Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, its Artistic Director from 2006-2016 Dominic Dromgoole shares his passion for poetry and prose. But - is this an act of disloyalty? - without the whiff of a word by the Bard. Featuring the works of Jack Kerouac, George Eliot and WH Auden. Readers: Michelle Terry and John Light. First broadcast on Radio 4 in August 2008. Theatre director Dominic Dromgoole selects favourite writings. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters From London's Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, its Artistic Director from 2006-2016 Dominic Dromgoole shares his passion for poetry and prose. But - is this an act of disloyalty? - without the whiff of a word by the Bard. Featuring the works of Jack Kerouac, George Eliot and WH Auden. Readers: Michelle Terry and John Light. First broadcast on Radio 4 in August 2008. Theatre director Dominic Dromgoole selects favourite writings. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Dr Oliver James | 20110321 | This week's presenter is psychologist Dr Oliver James, whose first choice is one of the best-known examples in literature of very strong language, 'This Be the Verse' by Philip Larkin. The programme includes extracts from Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding, The Importance of Being Ernest, by Oscar Wilde, some TS Eliot and RD Laing. Producer: Christine Hall. Psychologist Oliver James presents his favourite prose and poetry. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Dr Phil Hammond | 20120813 | 20130412 (R4) | Dr Phil Hammond's interests in comedy, journalism and the world of medicine are reflected in his choice of literature in this edition of With Great Pleasure. We hear from the man who was his mentor in the world of comedy, Miles Kington; there are extracts from the journalistic writings of Clive James and Martha Gellhorn; and from the preface of The Doctor's Dilemma by Bernard Shaw comes a salutary lesson for contemporary medicine that was written over one hundred years ago. Producer Paul Dodgson. Comedian, journalist and GP, Dr Phil Hammond selects his favourite books and poems. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Fay Weldon | 20100126 | Novelist Fay Weldon introduces some of her favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Frank Cottrell-boyce | 20180528 | 20200818 (R4) | Children's author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce shares a selection of his favourite pieces of writing, including Tove Jansson, Jackanory, E. Nesbit and Dylan Thomas. Frank Cottrell-Boyce's screenwriting credits include Welcome to Sarajevo, Hilary and Jackie and 24 Hour Party People. Millions, his debut children's novel, won the 2004 Carnegie Medal and was shortlisted for the Guardian Children?s Fiction Award. His second novel, Framed, was shortlisted for the 2005 Whitbread Children's Fiction Award and has also been shortlisted for the 2005 Carnegie Medal. His third novel, Cosmic, was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. He has collaborated closely with the filmmaker Danny Boyle, including scripting the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony Producer: Mair Bosworth Readers: Samuel West and Indira Varma. Novelist and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce shares his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Children's author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce shares a selection of his favourite pieces of writing, including Tove Jansson, Jackanory, E. Nesbit and Dylan Thomas. Frank Cottrell-Boyce's screenwriting credits include Welcome to Sarajevo, Hilary and Jackie and 24 Hour Party People. Millions, his debut children's novel, won the 2004 Carnegie Medal and was shortlisted for the Guardian Children?s Fiction Award. His second novel, Framed, was shortlisted for the 2005 Whitbread Children's Fiction Award and has also been shortlisted for the 2005 Carnegie Medal. His third novel, Cosmic, was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. He has collaborated closely with the filmmaker Danny Boyle, including scripting the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony Producer: Mair Bosworth Readers: Samuel West and Indira Varma. Novelist and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce shares his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Gerry Anderson | 20110809 | The broadcaster Gerry Anderson entertains a home crowd with extracts from some of his favourite readings in Londonderry. Recorded at Magee College, University of Ulster, and with the help of readers Stella McCusker and Stuart Graham, he reflects on the inspiration he encountered in Dublin in his early years as a rock'n'roll musician, before heading to the States, long before he found his natural home up close to a presenter's microphone. Among the richly varied and idiosyncratic readings he's chosen are an account of a young and supremely arrogant Orson Welles auditioning for Dublin's Gate Theatre, Hunter S Thompson's savage indignation directed towards Richard Nixon, the moving opening section of Oscar Wilde's 'Ballad of Reading Gaol', and the full explanation of Catch 22, when not only is sanity madness, but precisely the opposite is also true. Broadcaster Gerry Anderson presents his favourite readings to a home crowd in Londonderry. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Gerry Robinson | 20110816 | The businessman and broadcaster Sir Gerry Robinson introduces some of his favourite readings, recorded in front of an audience at Magee College, Londonderry. He's helped by two readers, Stella McCusker and Stuart Graham. Gerry explains that making a recent BBC1 documentary on Alzheimer's was one of the hardest things he's done, not least because his own father died of the illness. He chooses a powerful, moving poem by the Irish poet Paul Durcan, 'Golden Mothers Driving West'. It's like a three minute road movie, in which three Alzheimer's sufferers do a bunk from their care home. Gerry reflects on his Donegal childhood, before his family moved to east London, and how he pursued a vocation for the priesthood until his faith became less important to him than earning a living in business. He shows a deep fondness for his family, and the readings reflect an indebtedness to them. We hear how Gerry's older brother drowned at 14, and he chooses a moving tribute to his father, linking it to Sebastian Barry's powerful play about early twentieth century Ireland, 'The Steward of Christendom' in which a father fully forgives his son for a transgression. Businessman and broadcaster Sir Gerry Robinson presents some of his favourite readings. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Gervase Phinn | 20120130 | The popular writer and educationalist Gervase Phinn presents his selection of favourite literary extracts to a home crowd in Yorkshire, with Oscar Wilde, Seamus Heaney and Trollope among his chosen pieces. Recorded at The Red Shed, Wakefield's Labour Club, he shares his indebtedness to his parents for encouraging a love of reading from an early age - whilst also acknowledging their sense of humour. There they were, living in a red brick semi in Rotherham, his father a steelworker - and they saw fit to name him Gervase. Gervase Phinn is a tremendous anecdotalist, with a profound love of children and their unique experience of an unfolding world. This is very much reflected in his choice of extracts - from Jim Hawkins in 'Treasure Island' to a telling evocation of an Edwardian schooling by Robert Roberts. Gervase warmly recalls key teachers and figures from his own childhood, honouring the importance of the work that teachers do today, many of them being - in his own words - 'fair rigwelted' by the constant changes. The readers are Jane Godber and Jonathan Keeble. The writer Gervase Phinn presents favourite readings, with Wilde, Heaney and Trollope. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Glyn Maxwell | 20160704 | 20160920 (R4) | The poet and playwright, Glyn Maxwell, introduces his favourite poetry and prose. Beginning with some Edward Lear first heard on tape in the back of the family car, his choices include Auden, Robert Frost and Katherine Mansfield. And Glyn reads and discusses the work of his friend and mentor, Derek Walcott. With readers Sophie Scott and Alex Bartram. Producer: Chris Ledgard. Poet and playwright Glyn Maxwell introduces his favourite poetry and prose. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters The poet and playwright, Glyn Maxwell, introduces his favourite poetry and prose. Beginning with some Edward Lear first heard on tape in the back of the family car, his choices include Auden, Robert Frost and Katherine Mansfield. And Glyn reads and discusses the work of his friend and mentor, Derek Walcott. With readers Sophie Scott and Alex Bartram. Producer: Chris Ledgard. Poet and playwright Glyn Maxwell introduces his favourite poetry and prose. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Grayson Perry | 20100720 | The Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry presents a selection of the written influences on his life and work. His readers are Michael Simkins and Eleanor David. In a range of choices reflecting themes which appear in his work as an artist, from children's books to stories of psychotherapy, this open and engaging man gives us an insight into his art and his personal life. Producer: Christine Hall. The artist Grayson Perry shares with an audience some favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Hannah Gordon | 20130722 | 20131001 (R4) | Actress Hannah Gordon chooses her favourite readings, including poems by Joyce Grenfell, Noel Coward and Wendy Cope. There's Hannah's party piece, Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 'Shall I compare the to a summer's day?' and a sparkling extract from 'Shirley Valentine'. Recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre with readers Michael Pennington and Eleanor Bron. Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery. Actress Hannah Gordon chooses her favourite readings, including Grenfell, Coward and Cope. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Actress Hannah Gordon chooses her favourite readings, including poems by Joyce Grenfell, Noel Coward and Wendy Cope. There's Hannah's party piece, Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 'Shall I compare the to a summer's day?' and a sparkling extract from 'Shirley Valentine'. Recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre with readers Michael Pennington and Eleanor Bron. Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery. Actress Hannah Gordon chooses her favourite readings, including Grenfell, Coward and Cope. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Hardeep Singh Kohli | 20130729 | Hardeep Singh Kohli, broadcaster and comedian, shares the pieces of writing, music and comedy that he loves with an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. His choices include a specially-recorded version of his favourite song by Elbow, performed by Guy Garvey and Craig Potter, and Billy Connolly's memorable first appearance on TV. Bill Paterson reads a passionate and provocative Burns poem and also helps Hardeep to fulfil his lifelong dream of playing Gregory in Gregory's Girl... And Rebecca Johnson reads from The Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl and A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. The programme closes with Hardeep talking about his love of Scotland, and reading the lyrics to Caledonia by Dougie MacLean. Producer Beth O'Dea. Hardeep Singh Kohli shares the literature and music he loves, including a song by Elbow. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Heidi Thomas At The Hay Festival | 20140717 | 20140805 (R4) | "Do you think because I am poor, obscure, plain and little I am soulless and heartless?" cries Jane Eyre to Mr Rochester in one of Heidi Thomas's favourite books, and Heidi uses this rallying cry for the oppressed and under-estimated as a motif for her choice of readings in With Great Pleasure. She is joined onstage at the Hay Festival by Nicholas Farrell and Sylvestra Le Touzel, who read a wide selection including poetry, Bills of Mortality, novels and social history. Heidi's interest in the small, the uncelebrated life has informed much of her work, from her television adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford to her current work, the massively successful Call the Midwife. Producer Christine Hall. Call the Midwife screenwriter Heidi Thomas chooses some favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters "Do you think because I am poor, obscure, plain and little I am soulless and heartless?" cries Jane Eyre to Mr Rochester in one of Heidi Thomas's favourite books, and Heidi uses this rallying cry for the oppressed and under-estimated as a motif for her choice of readings in With Great Pleasure. She is joined onstage at the Hay Festival by Nicholas Farrell and Sylvestra Le Touzel, who read a wide selection including poetry, Bills of Mortality, novels and social history. Heidi's interest in the small, the uncelebrated life has informed much of her work, from her television adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford to her current work, the massively successful Call the Midwife. Producer Christine Hall. Call the Midwife screenwriter Heidi Thomas chooses some favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Helen Baxendale | 20160111 | 20160406 (R4) | Actress Helen Baxendale chooses favourite pieces of writing, including poems by WB Yeats, Seamus Heaney and Edward Lear. Readers are fellow-'Cuckoo' stars, Esther Wilson and the comedian Greg Davies. Star of 'Cold Feet', 'Friends' and 'An Unsuitable Job for a Woman', Helen reveals how she experienced love at first sight when she was introduced to fellow actor, David L Williams, at a rehearsal for one of her choices, 'La Ronde', by Arthur Schnitzler. On the preview night for the play, the director asked Helen and David to appear naked in one of the scenes together. This was Helen's parents' first introduction to the father of their grandchildren, naked on stage. Helen's other book choices include 'The Poisonwood Bible' by Barbara Kingsolver, 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' by John Irving, and the lyrics to 'The Whole of the Moon' by The Waterboys. Funny, touching and revealing about one of Britain's great comic actresses, Helen's 'With Great Pleasure' was recorded in her home and reflects a more intimate atmosphere. Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery. Helen Baxendale chooses favourite pieces of writing, read by Greg Davies and Esther Smith. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Actress Helen Baxendale chooses favourite pieces of writing, including poems by WB Yeats, Seamus Heaney and Edward Lear. Readers are fellow-'Cuckoo' stars, Esther Wilson and the comedian Greg Davies. Star of 'Cold Feet', 'Friends' and 'An Unsuitable Job for a Woman', Helen reveals how she experienced love at first sight when she was introduced to fellow actor, David L Williams, at a rehearsal for one of her choices, 'La Ronde', by Arthur Schnitzler. On the preview night for the play, the director asked Helen and David to appear naked in one of the scenes together. This was Helen's parents' first introduction to the father of their grandchildren, naked on stage. Helen's other book choices include 'The Poisonwood Bible' by Barbara Kingsolver, 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' by John Irving, and the lyrics to 'The Whole of the Moon' by The Waterboys. Funny, touching and revealing about one of Britain's great comic actresses, Helen's 'With Great Pleasure' was recorded in her home and reflects a more intimate atmosphere. Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery. Helen Baxendale chooses favourite pieces of writing, read by Greg Davies and Esther Smith. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Henry Marsh | 20150720 | 20150923 (R4) | Neurosurgeon and author of Do No Harm Henry Marsh chooses writing that is important to him Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Neurosurgeon and author of Do No Harm Henry Marsh chooses writing that is important to him Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Honor Blackman | 20090728 | 20091116 (R4) | Honor Blackman introduces a selection of the poetry and prose which has inspired her. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| James Lovelock | 20070215 | Respected environmentalist and architect of the Gaia theory, James Lovelock reveals the poetry and prose that have influenced his life. He's joined at his Launceston home by actors Jenny Coverack and Bill Wallis, who read entertaining snippets of his selections with gusto and gravitas. Lovelock - a warm and engaging narrator - explains how works such as Gray's Elegy and The Purist by Ogden Nash have affected his outlook. Producer: Viv Beeby First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007. Environmental scientist James Lovelock reveals some of his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| James Lovelock | 20070219 | Respected environmentalist and architect of the Gaia theory, James Lovelock reveals the poetry and prose that have influenced his life. He's joined at his Launceston home by actors Jenny Coverack and Bill Wallis, who read entertaining snippets of his selections with gusto and gravitas. Lovelock - a warm and engaging narrator - explains how works such as Gray's Elegy and The Purist by Ogden Nash have affected his outlook. Producer: Viv Beeby First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007. Environmental scientist James Lovelock reveals some of his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| James Naughtie | 20101224 | 20101225 (R4) | James Naughtie presents a gala selection of his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters James Naughtie presents a gala selection of his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Jessica Hynes | 20150706 | 20150921 (R4) | Jessica Hynes, who won a Bafta for her role as PR consultant Siobhan Sharpe in W1A, and also co-wrote and starred in the sitcom Spaced, presents the pieces of writing that have meant the most to her throughout her life, in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. They include The Queen's Speech by Lemn Sissay, The Wind In The Willows, The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem, Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain, Pimp: The Story Of My Life by Iceberg Slim, Coming Up For Air by George Orwell, and poems by Betjeman and ee cummings. Her readers are Cyril Nri, fresh from playing Lance in Russell T Davies' drama Cucumber, and Angela Thorne, who played Marjory Frobisher in To the Manor Born. Producer Beth O'Dea. Jessica Hynes presents to live audience the writing that means the most to her. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Jessica Hynes, who won a Bafta for her role as PR consultant Siobhan Sharpe in W1A, and also co-wrote and starred in the sitcom Spaced, presents the pieces of writing that have meant the most to her throughout her life, in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. They include The Queen's Speech by Lemn Sissay, The Wind In The Willows, The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem, Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain, Pimp: The Story Of My Life by Iceberg Slim, Coming Up For Air by George Orwell, and poems by Betjeman and ee cummings. Her readers are Cyril Nri, fresh from playing Lance in Russell T Davies' drama Cucumber, and Angela Thorne, who played Marjory Frobisher in To the Manor Born. Producer Beth O'Dea. Jessica Hynes presents to live audience the writing that means the most to her. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Joanne Harris | 20090319 | 20091026 (R4) | Chocolat author Joanne Harris shares her love of great writing from Molesworth to sci-fi. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Chocolat author Joanne Harris shares her love of great writing from Molesworth to sci-fi. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| John Finnemore | 20150803 | 20150925 (R4) | Comedy writer and star of R4's Cabin Pressure John Finnemore presents his favourite funniest readings, with the help of his readers Stephanie Cole & Geoffrey Whitehead. Recorded in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. Great words from Julian Barnes, Kurt Vonnegut, Dorothy Parker, Philip Larkin, Jack Handey, Shakespeare and PG Wodehouse, and comedy archive from Chris Morris and Peter Cook contribute to a hilarious and warm-hearted show. Producer Beth O'Dea. John Finnemore presents his favourite readings, with Stephanie Cole and Geoffrey Whitehead Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Comedy writer and star of R4's Cabin Pressure John Finnemore presents his favourite funniest readings, with the help of his readers Stephanie Cole & Geoffrey Whitehead. Recorded in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. Great words from Julian Barnes, Kurt Vonnegut, Dorothy Parker, Philip Larkin, Jack Handey, Shakespeare and PG Wodehouse, and comedy archive from Chris Morris and Peter Cook contribute to a hilarious and warm-hearted show. Producer Beth O'Dea. John Finnemore presents his favourite readings, with Stephanie Cole and Geoffrey Whitehead Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| John Harris | 20170116 | 20170726 (R4) | Journalist and author John Harris welcomes you into his home as he rummages through his shelves and digs in his record collection for music by The Jam and poetry from The Mersey Sound. Settle down with John and reader Pippa Haywood as they present writing on Fleet Street from Michael Frayn and take you on a Rural Ride to the Country with the writing of William Cobbett and Philip Larkin via a stop-off in suburbia and a tour of Orwellian socialism. Music journalist and writer John Harris selects music and writing that has shaped his life Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Journalist and author John Harris welcomes you into his home as he rummages through his shelves and digs in his record collection for music by The Jam and poetry from The Mersey Sound. Settle down with John and reader Pippa Haywood as they present writing on Fleet Street from Michael Frayn and take you on a Rural Ride to the Country with the writing of William Cobbett and Philip Larkin via a stop-off in suburbia and a tour of Orwellian socialism. Music journalist and writer John Harris selects music and writing that has shaped his life Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| John Hegley | 20120723 | 20130409 (R4) | Poet and mandolin player, advocate of everyday joys such as pets and NHS glasses, John Hegley exuberantly shares his most loved poems and novels with an appreciative audience at Bristol's Arnolfini. He is helped by the folk singer June Tabor and actors Noni Lewis and Alun Raglan. John Hegley exuberantly shares his most-loved poems and novels. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| John Major | 20080131 | 20091102 (R4) | Sir John Major chooses extracts from the books which have inspired and entertained him. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Sir John Major chooses extracts from the books which have inspired and entertained him. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| John Sessions | 20120806 | 20130411 (R4) | John Sessions selects favourite pieces of literature, read by Roger Allam and Amanda Root. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Jonathan Coe | 20150209 | 20150401 (R4) | The novelist Jonathan Coe, author of The Rotters' Club and What a Carve Up!, chooses the pieces of writing that have meant the most to him and inspired his own work. His choices - including Lydia Davis, ee cummings, Henry Fielding and Thomas Hardy - are read by Eleanor Tremain and Peter Marinker for an audience at the Birmingham Literature Festival. Producer: Mair Bosworth. Writer Jonathan Coe chooses his favourite pieces of poetry, prose and comedy. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters The novelist Jonathan Coe, author of The Rotters' Club and What a Carve Up!, chooses the pieces of writing that have meant the most to him and inspired his own work. His choices - including Lydia Davis, ee cummings, Henry Fielding and Thomas Hardy - are read by Eleanor Tremain and Peter Marinker for an audience at the Birmingham Literature Festival. Producer: Mair Bosworth. Writer Jonathan Coe chooses his favourite pieces of poetry, prose and comedy. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Jude Kelly | 20080821 | 20090928 (R4) | Jude Kelly selects works by Shakespeare, Wole Soyinka, David Nobbs and Edward Said, as well as speeches by John F Kennedy and Leonard Bernstein. Readers: Diana Quick and John Shrapnel From London's Southbank Centre, when Jude Kelly was Artistic Director First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2008 Director Jude Kelly selects Shakespeare, Wole Soyinka, JFK and Leonard Bernstein. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Jude Kelly selects works by Shakespeare, Wole Soyinka, David Nobbs and Edward Said, as well as speeches by John F Kennedy and Leonard Bernstein. Readers: Diana Quick and John Shrapnel From London's Southbank Centre, when Jude Kelly was Artistic Director First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2008 Director Jude Kelly selects Shakespeare, Wole Soyinka, JFK and Leonard Bernstein. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Julia Donaldson | 20120206 | The children's author Julia Donaldson, best known for her creation The Gruffalo and her appointment as Children's Laureate. She chooses some of the texts and poems which have been most influential on her work as a writer for children and brings some of that work to life in song, including her famous A Squash and A Squeeze. She is accompanied by her partner Malcolm and by Samuel West, who reads some of her choices. Producer Christine Hall. Julia Donaldson, the children's author, shares some favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Julie Welch | 20100727 | In 1969, on The Observer, Julie Welch became the first woman to report on a football match in a national paper. This created some controversy but she has made an art of turning challenge into success and has gone on to build an enviable reputation as a sports writer, novelist and scriptwriter for film and television. In this programme she chooses a selection of writing which illustrates one of the main themes of her life so far - feet. The readers are Dominic Jephcott and Stella Gonet. Producer: Christine Hall. Sports writer and journalist Julie Welch chooses some favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| June Tabor | 20120730 | 20130503 (R4) | Eminent folk singer June Tabor presents extracts from her favourite books and poems. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Kate Humble | 20100216 | Wildlife presenter Kate Humble shares some favourite pieces of writing with an audience. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Kwame Kwei-armah | 20130812 | 20131003 (R4) | Kwame Kwei-Armah, playwright and theatre director, chooses the pieces of writing that he loves and that have inspired him in his own writing life. He presents them to the audience at the BBC Radio Theatre, with the help of readers Don Warrington and Jaye Griffiths. As the writer of plays such as Elmina's Kitchen, Kwame's own passions range from novels by Toni Morrison and Ben Okri to Redemption Song by Bob Marley - which the audience joins him in singing. Producer Beth O'Dea. Kwame Kwei-Armah presents his favourite pieces of writing and song lyrics to an audience. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Kwame Kwei-Armah, playwright and theatre director, chooses the pieces of writing that he loves and that have inspired him in his own writing life. He presents them to the audience at the BBC Radio Theatre, with the help of readers Don Warrington and Jaye Griffiths. As the writer of plays such as Elmina's Kitchen, Kwame's own passions range from novels by Toni Morrison and Ben Okri to Redemption Song by Bob Marley - which the audience joins him in singing. Producer Beth O'Dea. Kwame Kwei-Armah presents his favourite pieces of writing and song lyrics to an audience. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Laurence Llewelyn-bowen | 20140210 | 20140416 (R4) | Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, interior designer, fine artist and broadcaster, chooses some of his best-loved pieces of writing to present to the audience at the BBC Radio Theatre, with the help of actors Geoffrey Whitehead and Sian Thomas. Readings are from The Lady of Shalott by Tennyson, The Golden Ass by Apuleius, The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi Di Lampedusa, Hints on Household Taste by Charles L Eastlake and My Week with Marilyn by Colin Clark. Producer Beth O'Dea. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen presents his favourite pieces of writing to a theatre audience. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, interior designer, fine artist and broadcaster, chooses some of his best-loved pieces of writing to present to the audience at the BBC Radio Theatre, with the help of actors Geoffrey Whitehead and Sian Thomas. Readings are from The Lady of Shalott by Tennyson, The Golden Ass by Apuleius, The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi Di Lampedusa, Hints on Household Taste by Charles L Eastlake and My Week with Marilyn by Colin Clark. Producer Beth O'Dea. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen presents his favourite pieces of writing to a theatre audience. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Lenny Henry | 20130715 | 20130930 (R4) | Actor and comedian Lenny Henry chooses his favourite readings, from Othello to 'Small Island'. Each piece triggers thoughts about his life and the words that have mattered to him, from plays he's performed to writers he loves. Including extracts from Chinua Achebe's classic 'Things Fall Apart', Neil Gaiman's 'Anansi Boys' and his current show 'Fences'. Recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre, with reader Nadine Marshall and Jude Akuwudike. Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery. Actor and comedian Lenny Henry chooses favourite readings, from Othello to Small Island. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Actor and comedian Lenny Henry chooses his favourite readings, from Othello to 'Small Island'. Each piece triggers thoughts about his life and the words that have mattered to him, from plays he's performed to writers he loves. Including extracts from Chinua Achebe's classic 'Things Fall Apart', Neil Gaiman's 'Anansi Boys' and his current show 'Fences'. Recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre, with reader Nadine Marshall and Jude Akuwudike. Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery. Actor and comedian Lenny Henry chooses favourite readings, from Othello to Small Island. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Les Dennis | 20090312 | Les Dennis's literary favourites include Pygmalion, Wuthering Heights and Winnie the Pooh. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Levi Roots | 20150713 | 20150922 (R4) | Levi Roots picks his favourite readings. Read by Adrian Lester and Claire Benedict. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Liz Carr | 20170508 | 20170613 (R4) | The comedian and actor Liz Carr, who plays Clarissa in Silent Witness, chooses the words and poetry that inspire her one way or another. Expect the unexpected in her choices which range from Laura Hershey's poem You Get Proud by Practicing to Peter Falk's memoir on playing Detective Columbo as well as an extract from her Dad's PHD in Chemistry and her own childhood poems on being 7 by Elizabeth Anne Carr. She's joined on stage at the Radio Theatre by her friends Penny Pepper and Daniel Weyman who plays her on screen husband. Producer: Maggie Ayre. Comedian and actor Liz Carr chooses the words and poetry that inspire her. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters The comedian and actor Liz Carr, who plays Clarissa in Silent Witness, chooses the words and poetry that inspire her one way or another. Expect the unexpected in her choices which range from Laura Hershey's poem You Get Proud by Practicing to Peter Falk's memoir on playing Detective Columbo as well as an extract from her Dad's PHD in Chemistry and her own childhood poems on being 7 by Elizabeth Anne Carr. She's joined on stage at the Radio Theatre by her friends Penny Pepper and Daniel Weyman who plays her on screen husband. Producer: Maggie Ayre. Comedian and actor Liz Carr chooses the words and poetry that inspire her. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Lynne Truss | 20070201 | Lynne Truss harks back to 1974, a time when she worked in a library, lived for literature, and proudly wrote "irony" in the margins of her books. The writer's nostalgic selection ranges from Dickens and H G Wells, to less familiar names like Betty MacDonald and poet Vernon Scannell, with some heartfelt lyrics from Joni Mitchell's Blue. Actors Helen Atkinson Wood, Philip Franks and Peter Marinker join Lynne at the Drill Hall, in London, to perform the extracts. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007. Lynne Truss harks back to 1974, with favourite literature including Dickens and H G Wells. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Lynne Truss | 20070205 | Lynne Truss harks back to 1974, a time when she worked in a library, lived for literature, and proudly wrote "irony" in the margins of her books. The writer's nostalgic selection ranges from Dickens and H G Wells, to less familiar names like Betty MacDonald and poet Vernon Scannell, with some heartfelt lyrics from Joni Mitchell's Blue. Actors Helen Atkinson Wood, Philip Franks and Peter Marinker join Lynne at the Drill Hall, in London, to perform the extracts. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007. Lynne Truss harks back to 1974, with favourite literature including Dickens and H G Wells. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Mark Kermode | 20080724 | 20090126 (R4) | Film critic Mark Kermode draws upon some of his favourite haunting fiction, including extracts from William Peter Blatty's novel The Exorcist, plus F Scott Fitzgerald's American classic The Great Gatsby. Other writers include - Shirley Jackson, William Peter Blatty and Pat Barker. And Mark's grandfather recites TE Brown's poem Betsy Lee in his Manx accent. Readers: Amelia Bullmore and Demetri Goritsas First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2008. Horror fan Mark Kermode selects favourite readings, including The Exorcist. From 2008. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Film critic Mark Kermode draws upon some of his favourite haunting fiction, including extracts from William Peter Blatty's novel The Exorcist, plus F Scott Fitzgerald's American classic The Great Gatsby. Other writers include - Shirley Jackson, William Peter Blatty and Pat Barker. And Mark's grandfather recites TE Brown's poem Betsy Lee in his Manx accent. Readers: Amelia Bullmore and Demetri Goritsas First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2008. Horror fan Mark Kermode selects favourite readings, including The Exorcist. From 2008. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Mark Thomas | 20120123 | The comedian, campaigner and satirist Mark Thomas presents his best loved literary extracts - with Orwell and AA Milne among them - to an audience at the Red Shed, Wakefield's Labour Club. This long, narrow wooden hut was where he performed his first satirical sketches during the Miners' Strike of the 1980s, when studying drama at nearby Bretton Hall. He's warmly greeted by the home crowd. Mark shares a deep love of poetry and the written word - owing, he tellingly reflects - to being descended from a long line of Methodist lay preachers for whom the Word was key. He's joined in Wakefield by one of his favourite poets, John Hegley, who also reads Spike Milligan's brilliant account of the declaration of war in 1939. Mark Thomas also revisits his very first performance piece - a poem about a mischievous mouse by AA Milne - which he proclaimed aged 4, from the pulpit of a church in Clapham, South London. The other extracts reveal Mark Thomas' passionately engaged journey through life and literature, building towards Brian Clough's tragi-comic epiphany in David Peace's 'The Damned United'. The readers are Jane Godber and Jonathan Keeble Comedian Mark Thomas presents his favourite readings, including Orwell and AA Milne. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Martha Kearney | 20080214 | 20091019 (R4) | Martha Kearney chooses pieces of writing which have a special meaning for her. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Martha Kearney chooses pieces of writing which have a special meaning for her. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Maureen Lipman | 20130128 | 20170724 (R4) | The much-loved actress and writer Maureen Lipman shares some of her most treasured poems and literary extracts with an audience at Arnolfini on Bristol's waterfront. She shares key moments from her performing career, pays homage to Joyce Grenfell, and includes a work by her late husband, the screenwriter Jack Rosenthal. She is joined on stage by Oliver Cotton. Actress and writer Maureen Lipman shares her best loved writings, poems and plays. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters The much-loved actress and writer Maureen Lipman shares some of her most treasured poems and literary extracts with an audience at Arnolfini on Bristol's waterfront. She shares key moments from her performing career, pays homage to Joyce Grenfell, and includes a work by her late husband, the screenwriter Jack Rosenthal. She is joined on stage by Oliver Cotton. Actress and writer Maureen Lipman shares her best loved writings, poems and plays. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Maxine Peake | 20160711 | 20160919 (R4) | Actress Maxine Peake, star of Shameless, Silk and Dinnerladies, shares the pieces of writing that have meant the most to her in life. Including inspiration from Joan Littlewood and Marti Caine, Hovis Presley and Beryl Bainbridge. Recorded before an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre, with readers Diane Morgan (aka TV's Philomena Cunk) and John Shrapnel. Producer Beth O'Dea Pieces: Joan's Book: the Autobiography of Joan Littlewood Nico, Songs They Never Play on the Radio by James Young The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge Lucy in The Sky with Hummus by Hovis Presley A Coward's Chronicles by Marti Caine Music: Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul and Mary. Maxine Peake, star of Shameless and Silk, presents favourite readings at the Radio Theatre Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Actress Maxine Peake, star of Shameless, Silk and Dinnerladies, shares the pieces of writing that have meant the most to her in life. Including inspiration from Joan Littlewood and Marti Caine, Hovis Presley and Beryl Bainbridge. Recorded before an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre, with readers Diane Morgan (aka TV's Philomena Cunk) and John Shrapnel. Producer Beth O'Dea Pieces: Joan's Book: the Autobiography of Joan Littlewood Nico, Songs They Never Play on the Radio by James Young The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge Lucy in The Sky with Hummus by Hovis Presley A Coward's Chronicles by Marti Caine Music: Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul and Mary. Maxine Peake, star of Shameless and Silk, presents favourite readings at the Radio Theatre Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Mel Giedroyc At The Cheltenham Literature Festival | 20130121 | 20170615 (R4) | Mel Giedroyc, presenter of The Great British Bake Off and R4 Extra's The 4 O'Clock Show, introduces her favourite pieces of writing to the audience at The Cheltenham Literature Festival. From things that make her laugh - like Ronnie Barker's wordplay and choice extracts from Jackie magazine, to those with a special meaning for her, such as a poem about a mouth-watering Lithuanian stew... Readers Dave Mounfield and Susie Donkin Producer Beth O'Dea Pieces featured in the programme: Dr Spooner in the Bookshop by Ronnie Barker From All I Ever Wrote: The Complete Works by Ronnie Barker, Sidgwick & Jackson First Term at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton, Dragon Books Can You Face Yourself from The Best of Jackie, Prion Books Pan Tadeusz by Adam Mickiewicz Translation by Kenneth Mackenzie, Everyman's Library Dent Cooking in a Bedsitter by Katharine Whitehorn, Virago I, an Actor by Nicholas Craig (Nigel Planer and Christopher Douglas), Methuen. Mel Giedroyc chooses her favourite writing at the Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Mel Giedroyc, presenter of The Great British Bake Off and R4 Extra's The 4 O'Clock Show, introduces her favourite pieces of writing to the audience at The Cheltenham Literature Festival. From things that make her laugh - like Ronnie Barker's wordplay and choice extracts from Jackie magazine, to those with a special meaning for her, such as a poem about a mouth-watering Lithuanian stew... Readers Dave Mounfield and Susie Donkin Producer Beth O'Dea Pieces featured in the programme: Dr Spooner in the Bookshop by Ronnie Barker From All I Ever Wrote: The Complete Works by Ronnie Barker, Sidgwick & Jackson First Term at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton, Dragon Books Can You Face Yourself from The Best of Jackie, Prion Books Pan Tadeusz by Adam Mickiewicz Translation by Kenneth Mackenzie, Everyman's Library Dent Cooking in a Bedsitter by Katharine Whitehorn, Virago I, an Actor by Nicholas Craig (Nigel Planer and Christopher Douglas), Methuen. Mel Giedroyc chooses her favourite writing at the Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Michael Morpurgo | 20080221 | 20091005 (R4) | Children's writer Michael Morpurgo takes a literary journey through his life, with pieces of prose and poetry. Favourite writers chosen include: Rudyard Kipling, Kenneth Grahame, Robert Louis Stevenson, Charles Dickens, Ted Hughes, Sean Rafferty and Edward Thomas. Readers: Alison Reid and Christian Rodska Producer: Christine Hall First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2008. Michael Morpurgo selects favourite writings including Kenneth Grahame and Ted Hughes. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Children's writer Michael Morpurgo takes a literary journey through his life, with pieces of prose and poetry. Favourite writers chosen include: Rudyard Kipling, Kenneth Grahame, Robert Louis Stevenson, Charles Dickens, Ted Hughes, Sean Rafferty and Edward Thomas. Readers: Alison Reid and Christian Rodska Producer: Christine Hall First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2008. Michael Morpurgo selects favourite writings including Kenneth Grahame and Ted Hughes. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Natalie Haynes | 20130204 | 20170616 (R4) | Inspirational prose and poetry chosen by comedian and critic Natalie Haynes, read by Tracy Wiles, Dan Mersh and special guest Julian Barnes and recorded in front of an audience. The pieces reflect Natalie's enthusiasms from childhood to her career as a classicist and include observations on life, death and why women don't need the men of their dreams. Producer Christine Hall. Inspirational writing chosen by comedian and critic Natalie Haynes. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Neil Stuke At Bristol Food Connections Festival | 20140724 | 20140806 (R4) | Neil Stuke, the actor who played Billy Lamb, the Clerk in BBC One's Silk, chooses his favourite and funniest pieces of writing about food for the audience at the Bristol Food Connections Festival. His readers are Miranda Raison and Jack Klaff. Pieces range from Laurie Lee and Chris Stewart on the delights of Spanish cuisine, to Keith Floyd on the joys of seafood - and Geoff Dyer on his loathing of the same. Provocative lines from PJ O'Rourke, Samuel Pepys on honest gluttony, words of wisdom from Clement Freud and DH Lawrence describing what he ate on his travels in Italy complete the bill of fare. Neil Stuke is a keen cook, who was runner-up in Celebrity MasterChef. His father was a chef, and Neil himself is a passionate food lover. Producer Beth O'Dea. Actor Neil Stuke chooses favourite food writing at the Bristol Food Connections Festival. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Neil Stuke, the actor who played Billy Lamb, the Clerk in BBC One's Silk, chooses his favourite and funniest pieces of writing about food for the audience at the Bristol Food Connections Festival. His readers are Miranda Raison and Jack Klaff. Pieces range from Laurie Lee and Chris Stewart on the delights of Spanish cuisine, to Keith Floyd on the joys of seafood - and Geoff Dyer on his loathing of the same. Provocative lines from PJ O'Rourke, Samuel Pepys on honest gluttony, words of wisdom from Clement Freud and DH Lawrence describing what he ate on his travels in Italy complete the bill of fare. Neil Stuke is a keen cook, who was runner-up in Celebrity MasterChef. His father was a chef, and Neil himself is a passionate food lover. Producer Beth O'Dea. Actor Neil Stuke chooses favourite food writing at the Bristol Food Connections Festival. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Nicholas Parsons | 20120213 | Nicholas Parsons chooses some of the pieces of writing which have moved and inspired him. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Paddy Ashdown | 20150727 | 20150924 (R4) | Paddy Ashdown reads from his favourite works of poetry and prose at home in Somerset, with readings by Simon Armstrong and Pippa Haywood, including Shakespeare, John Donne, Tagore and Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Music and verse provided by singer songwriter, Steve Knightley from Show of Hands Producer: Maggie Ayre. Paddy Ashdown chooses his favourite works of poetry and prose. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Paddy Ashdown reads from his favourite works of poetry and prose at home in Somerset, with readings by Simon Armstrong and Pippa Haywood, including Shakespeare, John Donne, Tagore and Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Music and verse provided by singer songwriter, Steve Knightley from Show of Hands Producer: Maggie Ayre. Paddy Ashdown chooses his favourite works of poetry and prose. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Pamela Stephenson | 20110719 | Pamela Stephenson, whom many people will remember fondly from her time on Not the Nine O'Clock News, has a wide range of references to draw on for her selection of favourite pieces of writing. After much agonising she chose some classic travel pieces, reflecting her year sailing around the South Pacific; a wickedly sexy piece from Ovid, reminding us that she is a qualified psychologist; some remarkable poetry about the Australian landscape, and two classic pieces of comedy. Her readers are Eleanor Bron, Michael Maloney and Dominic Jephcott. Producer Christine Hall. Readings from favourite books chosen by Pamela Stephenson. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Paul Farley | 20140127 | 20140414 (R4) | This edition of With Great Pleasure was recorded at the new Birmingham Library as part of the Birmingham Literature Festival. Poet Paul Farley talks about the words and sounds that have inspired his writing. He recalls growing up in Liverpool listening to the Radio Four Shipping Forecast as well as the football scores on Sports Report, and learning to appreciate poetry from the women in his family. Producer: Maggie Ayre. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters This edition of With Great Pleasure was recorded at the new Birmingham Library as part of the Birmingham Literature Festival. Poet Paul Farley talks about the words and sounds that have inspired his writing. He recalls growing up in Liverpool listening to the Radio Four Shipping Forecast as well as the football scores on Sports Report, and learning to appreciate poetry from the women in his family. Producer: Maggie Ayre. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Paul Gambaccini | 20100202 | Paul Gambaccini has broadcast on just about every BBC radio platform over his decades as a radio presenter, but this is an opportunity to hear something he doesn't normally share - his literary interests. They range from Shakespeare to a graphic novel, via Bob Dylan and Arthur Rubinstein. Paul's readers are John Guerrasio, Kathryn Akin and Philip Rosch. Paul Gambaccini celebrates some great writing which has influenced and moved him. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Pauline Black | 20140710 | 20140804 (R4) | Pauline Black, actor, writer and lead singer with ska band the Selecter chooses her favourite words of music, prose and poetry including works by Maya Angelou, Billie Holiday, Barack Obama and Joni Mitchell. These are the pieces that helped shape her identity as a young black woman growing up with adoptive parents in Essex in the 1950s, a place she describes as 'hardly a seething hotbed of multiculturalism'. Ray Shell reads The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Langston Hughes Claire Benedict reads from Passing by Nella Larsen Pauline Black sings Little Green by Joni Mitchell Claire Benedict reads Still I Rise by Maya Angelou and an excerpt from The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath Pauline Black sings Strange Fruit Ray Shell reads an extract from Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama Claire Benedict reads from The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Producer: Maggie Ayre. Singer Pauline Black chooses her favourite words of music, prose and poetry. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Phill Jupitus | 20160104 | 20160405 (R4) | Comedian Phill Jupitus takes us through his life in books, comedy, poetry and songs, from the Sex Pistols to Steve Martin and the speech that has changed his life. With readers Thom Tuck and Cariad Lloyd, and live music by Boo Hewerdine. Recorded in front of an audience at the BBC's Maida Vale studios. Phill's readings are from Clothes Music Boys by Viv Albertine, Born Standing Up by Steve Martin, Genesis by Billy Collins, Bossypants by Tina Fey and The House at Pooh Corner by AA Milne. Sound archive is of Professor Richard Demarco accepting his honorary degree as Doctor of Arts from Southampton Solent University. Live song is Bell Book and Candle by Boo Hewerdine. Producer Beth O'Dea. Phill Jupitus takes us through his life in books and songs - Sex Pistols and Steve Martin. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Comedian Phill Jupitus takes us through his life in books, comedy, poetry and songs, from the Sex Pistols to Steve Martin and the speech that has changed his life. With readers Thom Tuck and Cariad Lloyd, and live music by Boo Hewerdine. Recorded in front of an audience at the BBC's Maida Vale studios. Phill's readings are from Clothes Music Boys by Viv Albertine, Born Standing Up by Steve Martin, Genesis by Billy Collins, Bossypants by Tina Fey and The House at Pooh Corner by AA Milne. Sound archive is of Professor Richard Demarco accepting his honorary degree as Doctor of Arts from Southampton Solent University. Live song is Bell Book and Candle by Boo Hewerdine. Producer Beth O'Dea. Phill Jupitus takes us through his life in books and songs - Sex Pistols and Steve Martin. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Raymond Blanc | 20150216 | 20150402 (R4) | Chef Raymond Blanc chooses his favourite writing, with readers Sinead Cusack and Julian Rhind-Tutt. Recorded at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. Raymond's deep love of literature encompasses poetry by Rimbaud, and excerpts from Cooking in Ten Minutes by Edouard de Pomiane, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exup退ry, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, The Belly of Paris by Emile Zola and The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Also the words of a song, Ne Me Quitte Pas, by Jacques Brel. Producer Beth O'Dea. Chef Raymond Blanc chooses his favourite pieces of writing, with reader Sinead Cusack. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Chef Raymond Blanc chooses his favourite writing, with readers Sinead Cusack and Julian Rhind-Tutt. Recorded at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. Raymond's deep love of literature encompasses poetry by Rimbaud, and excerpts from Cooking in Ten Minutes by Edouard de Pomiane, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exup退ry, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, The Belly of Paris by Emile Zola and The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Also the words of a song, Ne Me Quitte Pas, by Jacques Brel. Producer Beth O'Dea. Chef Raymond Blanc chooses his favourite pieces of writing, with reader Sinead Cusack. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Rebecca Front | 20160118 | 20160407 (R4) | Comedy actress Rebecca Front, star of Alan Partridge and The Thick of It, takes the audience at the Radio Theatre through her life in reading and comedy. Her readers are Nicola Stephenson and Ben Willbond. The pieces she loves are from How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran, The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse, Rabbi Hugo Gryn and The Wind in the Willows. Rebecca also sings a song by the songwriter she most admires, Stephen Sondheim. It's Could I Leave You?, from the musical Follies, for which she's accompanied on piano by Benjamin Frost Producer Beth O'Dea. Rebecca Front takes the Radio Theatre audience through her life in reading and comedy. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Comedy actress Rebecca Front, star of Alan Partridge and The Thick of It, takes the audience at the Radio Theatre through her life in reading and comedy. Her readers are Nicola Stephenson and Ben Willbond. The pieces she loves are from How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran, The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse, Rabbi Hugo Gryn and The Wind in the Willows. Rebecca also sings a song by the songwriter she most admires, Stephen Sondheim. It's Could I Leave You?, from the musical Follies, for which she's accompanied on piano by Benjamin Frost Producer Beth O'Dea. Rebecca Front takes the Radio Theatre audience through her life in reading and comedy. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Richard Briers | 20070823 | 20090209 (R4) | Much-loved screen, stage and radio actor, Richard Briers chooses some of his favourite performance pieces in the company of his daughter Lucy Briers and his old friend Peter Egan. Includes extracts from PG Wodehouse, William Shakespeare and Dorothy Parker. Producer: Christine Hall First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007. Actor Richard Briers chooses some of his favourite performance pieces. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Much-loved screen, stage and radio actor, Richard Briers chooses some of his favourite performance pieces in the company of his daughter Lucy Briers and his old friend Peter Egan. Includes extracts from PG Wodehouse, William Shakespeare and Dorothy Parker. Producer: Christine Hall First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007. Actor Richard Briers chooses some of his favourite performance pieces. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Ricky Ross | 20160801 | 20160923 (R4) | The Scottish singer-songwriter Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue chooses his favourite prose and poetry at his home in Glasgow. His choices include a poem by Seamus Heaney, writing by William McIlvanney, Gerald Durrell, a monologue by musician Tom Waits and radio archive of Dundee United winning the cup. Producer: Maggie Ayre. Singer-songwriter Ricky Ross presents readings of his favourite pieces of poetry and prose Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters The Scottish singer-songwriter Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue chooses his favourite prose and poetry at his home in Glasgow. His choices include a poem by Seamus Heaney, writing by William McIlvanney, Gerald Durrell, a monologue by musician Tom Waits and radio archive of Dundee United winning the cup. Producer: Maggie Ayre. Singer-songwriter Ricky Ross presents readings of his favourite pieces of poetry and prose Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Robert Webb | 20091109 | Comedian Robert Webb presents a selection of his favourite prose and poetry in a special edition recorded at the University of Bedfordshire. It includes the first piece of writing to make him laugh out loud and a poem that best captures his feelings in his newly-acquired role as a father. The readers are Abigail Burdess and Jonathan Dryden Taylor. Comedian Robert Webb presents a selection of his favourite prose and poetry. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Robert Webb | 20100209 | Comedian Robert Webb plunders his bookshelves to present a selection of his favourite prose and poetry in a special edition recorded at the University of Bedfordshire. Including the first piece of writing to make him laugh out loud and a poem that best captures his feelings in his newly-acquired role as a father. The readers are Abigail Burdess and Jonathan Dryden Taylor. Comedian Robert Webb introduces a selection of his favourite prose and poetry. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Ruth Rogers | 20180604 | 20200825 (R4) | Ruth Rogers of The River Cafe shares some of her favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Ruth Rogers of The River Cafe shares some of her favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Sabrina Mahfouz | 20180521 | 20190330 (R4) | Sabrina Mahfouz, British Egyptian poet, playwright, performer and writer, has been called a modern Renaissance woman. She reveals more about her life through her favourite pieces of writing, by authors as diverse as Debbie Tucker Green, Jeffrey Boakye, Laura Dockrill, Allan Ahlberg, Anthony Anaxagorou and Euripides. Recorded in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre with reader Ntonga Mwanza. Producer Beth O'Dea. Sabrina Mahfouz, British Egyptian playwright, shares the readings that mean most to her. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Sabrina Mahfouz, British Egyptian poet, playwright, performer and writer, has been called a modern Renaissance woman. She reveals more about her life through her favourite pieces of writing, by authors as diverse as Debbie Tucker Green, Jeffrey Boakye, Laura Dockrill, Allan Ahlberg, Anthony Anaxagorou and Euripides. Recorded in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre with reader Ntonga Mwanza. Producer Beth O'Dea. Sabrina Mahfouz, British Egyptian playwright, shares the readings that mean most to her. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Sanjeev Bhaskar | 20150126 | 20150330 (R4) | Sanjeev Bhaskar, star of Goodness Gracious Me, presents his favourite pieces of writing and comedy to the audience at the Radio Theatre. His readers are Adrian Lester and Claire Benedict. Sanjeev's picks include Monty Python, Alan Alda, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and a stirring speech by Frederick Douglass, who after escaping from slavery became a leader of the abolitionist movement. Producer Beth O'Dea. Sanjeev Bhaskar presents his favourite pieces of writing to the Radio Theatre audience. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Sara Pascoe | 20170109 | 20170612 (R4) | Sara Pascoe presents her favourite and funniest readings - including some killer putdowns by Tina Fey - to the audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. Sara is a stand-up comedian, writer and actor. A regular panellist on TV quiz shows like QI and Mock the Week, she also appeared in In the Thick of It and Twenty Twelve. Her readers are Olivia Poulet and John Robins, and the extracts are from Bossypants by Tina Fey, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Henry and June by Anais Nin and My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout. Producer Beth O'Dea. Comedian Sara Pascoe presents her favourite funniest readings at the BBC Radio Theatre. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Sara Pascoe presents her favourite and funniest readings - including some killer putdowns by Tina Fey - to the audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. Sara is a stand-up comedian, writer and actor. A regular panellist on TV quiz shows like QI and Mock the Week, she also appeared in In the Thick of It and Twenty Twelve. Her readers are Olivia Poulet and John Robins, and the extracts are from Bossypants by Tina Fey, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Henry and June by Anais Nin and My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout. Producer Beth O'Dea. Comedian Sara Pascoe presents her favourite funniest readings at the BBC Radio Theatre. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Simon Callow | 20140731 | 20140807 (R4) | Actor Simon Callow presents and reads his favourite literary extracts, with the help of his chosen reader Patricia Hodge. His life in books ranges through Tynan, Logue and Isherwood to Dickens, Nashe and Shakespeare: in which Simon and Patricia perform together on stage for the first time. Recorded in front of an audience at St George's in Bristol. Producer Beth O'Dea. Actor Simon Callow presents his favourite readings, with the help of Patricia Hodge. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Actor Simon Callow presents and reads his favourite literary extracts, with the help of his chosen reader Patricia Hodge. His life in books ranges through Tynan, Logue and Isherwood to Dickens, Nashe and Shakespeare: in which Simon and Patricia perform together on stage for the first time. Recorded in front of an audience at St George's in Bristol. Producer Beth O'Dea. Actor Simon Callow presents his favourite readings, with the help of Patricia Hodge. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Simon King | 20110208 | Natural history film-maker Simon King shares some favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Simon Singh | 20110726 | Science journalist Simon Singh presents some of the pieces of writing which have captured his imagination, including a blog, an online hoax, a nursery rhyme and a well-loved contemporary novel. Simon's readers are his performance collaborator Robin Ince and writer and actress Meera Syal. Producer Christine Hall. Quirky and fascinating pieces of writing chosen by science journalist Simon Singh. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Sir Alan Ayckbourn | 20090402 | Playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn shares his favourite literature. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Sir Trevor Mcdonald | 20170102 | 20170614 (R4) | Sir Trevor McDonald chooses his favourite prose and poetry. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Sir Trevor McDonald chooses his favourite prose and poetry. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Stephanie Cole | 20160725 | 20160921 (R4) | The veteran stage, TV and radio actress Stephanie Cole known for Radio 4 comedy shows such as Cabin Pressure and Ed Reardon's Week chooses her favourite literary extracts. They include passages from Miles Kington's Albanian Book of Proverbs, and poems by Liz Lochhead, Louis MacNeice, Gillian Clarke and Carol Ann Duffy, read by Pandora Colin and David Hargreaves. The show was recorded at Bristol's Old Vic Theatre which is celebrating its 250th anniversary. Producer: Maggie Ayre. Actress Stephanie Cole chooses her favourite words at Bristol Old Vic Theatre. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters The veteran stage, TV and radio actress Stephanie Cole known for Radio 4 comedy shows such as Cabin Pressure and Ed Reardon's Week chooses her favourite literary extracts. They include passages from Miles Kington's Albanian Book of Proverbs, and poems by Liz Lochhead, Louis MacNeice, Gillian Clarke and Carol Ann Duffy, read by Pandora Colin and David Hargreaves. The show was recorded at Bristol's Old Vic Theatre which is celebrating its 250th anniversary. Producer: Maggie Ayre. Actress Stephanie Cole chooses her favourite words at Bristol Old Vic Theatre. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Stuart Maconie | 20090818 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Writer and DJ Stuart Maconie presents a selection of favourite verse and prose illustrating some personal memories, in front of an audience at the Latitude Festival. The readers are Michael Maloney and Lucy Briers. Stuart has a wide-ranging fan base thanks to his eclectic body of work; in addition to having written several books on music and travel, he is a frequent contributor to magazines including the Radio Times, a regular guest on television programmes and an established part of the radio schedules on Radio 2 and 6 Music. Writer and DJ Stuart Maconie presents a selection of favourite verse and prose. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Terry Christian | 20170501 | 20170725 (R4) | TV presenter Terry Christian presents his favourite and funniest writing - read by comedian Andew Maxwell and actress Sally Lindsay - to the audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. Confessions of an Irish Rebel by Brendan Behan brings his Dublin-born dad's voice back to him, and memories of growing up in Manchester with Irish parents. John Cooper Clarke's poetry, Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse and The Big Man by William McIlvanney also mean a lot to him. His lifelong love of reading was originally sparked by Just William by Richmal Crompton - against the odds.. Producer Beth O'Dea. Terry Christian's favourite pieces of writing, read by Andrew Maxwell and Sally Lindsay. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters TV presenter Terry Christian presents his favourite and funniest writing - read by comedian Andew Maxwell and actress Sally Lindsay - to the audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. Confessions of an Irish Rebel by Brendan Behan brings his Dublin-born dad's voice back to him, and memories of growing up in Manchester with Irish parents. John Cooper Clarke's poetry, Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse and The Big Man by William McIlvanney also mean a lot to him. His lifelong love of reading was originally sparked by Just William by Richmal Crompton - against the odds.. Producer Beth O'Dea. Terry Christian's favourite pieces of writing, read by Andrew Maxwell and Sally Lindsay. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Terry Wogan | 20140703 | 20150403 (R4) | Sir Terry Wogan chooses the prose and poetry that mean the most to him, with the help of special guests, David Jason and Frances Tomelty who read works by a variety of writers from Yeats to Robert Frost and PG Wodehouse. Finbar Furey provides live music. Producer: Maggie Ayre Sir David Jason reads Vitai Lampada by Sir Henry Newbolt Frances Tomelty reads When You Are Old by WB Yeats Finbar Furey sings Sweet Sixteen Sir David Jason reads an excerpt from Elegy In A Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray Sir David Jason reads Gussie's Prizegiving Speech from Right Ho Jeeves by PG Wodehouse Frances Tomelty reads Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening by Robert Frost and In Westminster Abbey by Sir John Betjeman Finbar Furey sings Raglan Road. Sir Terry Wogan chooses his favourite words and music, with readings by actor David Jason. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Sir Terry Wogan chooses the prose and poetry that mean the most to him, with the help of special guests, David Jason and Frances Tomelty who read works by a variety of writers from Yeats to Robert Frost and PG Wodehouse. Finbar Furey provides live music. Producer: Maggie Ayre Sir David Jason reads Vitai Lampada by Sir Henry Newbolt Frances Tomelty reads When You Are Old by WB Yeats Finbar Furey sings Sweet Sixteen Sir David Jason reads an excerpt from Elegy In A Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray Sir David Jason reads Gussie's Prizegiving Speech from Right Ho Jeeves by PG Wodehouse Frances Tomelty reads Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening by Robert Frost and In Westminster Abbey by Sir John Betjeman Finbar Furey sings Raglan Road. Sir Terry Wogan chooses his favourite words and music, with readings by actor David Jason. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Tim Smit | 20170515 | 20170727 (R4) | Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project chooses his favourite pieces of writing which include the moving letters between staff and gardeners from the Lost Gardens of Heligan during World War 1, poetry by Emily Dickinson and extracts of great speeches by Presidents Roosevelt and Kennedy read for him by actors Anna Chancellor and Toby Jones. Producer: Maggie Ayre. Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project, chooses his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project chooses his favourite pieces of writing which include the moving letters between staff and gardeners from the Lost Gardens of Heligan during World War 1, poetry by Emily Dickinson and extracts of great speeches by Presidents Roosevelt and Kennedy read for him by actors Anna Chancellor and Toby Jones. Producer: Maggie Ayre. Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project, chooses his favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Tom Morris | 20110201 | Creative director of the Bristol Old Vic Tom Morris chooses some favourite writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Tony Benn | 20070726 | 20140418 (R4) 20071118 (R4) | Veteran politician Tony Benn presents some of the pieces of prose and poetry that have helped shape his personal philosophy, including the words of Mahatma Ghandi, Dwight D Eisenhower, Oscar Wilde and John Bunyan. Readers: Saffron Burrows, Jim Findley and Carl Prekopp. Producer: Christine Hall First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007. The late Tony Benn selects a few of his most inspirational writings. From 2007. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Veteran politician Tony Benn presents some of the pieces of prose and poetry that have helped shape his personal philosophy, including the words of Mahatma Ghandi, Dwight D Eisenhower, Oscar Wilde and John Bunyan. Readers: Saffron Burrows, Jim Findley and Carl Prekopp. Producer: Christine Hall First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007. The late Tony Benn selects a few of his most inspirational writings. From 2007. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Veteran politician Tony Benn presents some of the pieces of prose and poetry that have helped shape his personal philosophy, including the words of Mahatma Ghandi, Dwight D Eisenhower, Oscar Wilde and John Bunyan. Readers: Saffron Burrows, Jim Findley and Carl Prekopp. Producer: Christine Hall First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007. The late Tony Benn selects a few of his most inspirational writings. From 2007. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Vivienne Westwood | 20090811 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood chooses some of the pieces of writing which inspire her, from Alice in Wonderland to Bertrand Russell. The readers are David Morrissey and Lucy Briers. Westwood exploded onto the fashion scene at the beginning of the 1970s, the decade whose look she would do so much to create. Since then she has been consistently and uncompromisingly original in her designs, moving from anarchy and pornography to a deep interest in classic British tailoring. In a programme recorded at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk, Vivienne presents an eclectic mixture of readings which have influenced her. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Will Hutton | 20080814 | 20090921 (R4) | Will Hutton, head of the Work Foundation, selects JM Keynes, Dickens and Umberto Eco. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters Will Hutton, head of the Work Foundation, selects JM Keynes, Dickens and Umberto Eco. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |
| Zeinab Badawi | 20070816 | Broadcaster Zeinab Badawi chooses some of her favourite performance pieces. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters | |
| Zoe Ball | 20110125 | DJ Zoe Ball showcases some of her favourite pieces of writing. Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters |