Hear rare recordings from some of the world's most-respected poets reading their own works: J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hoard; ee cummings, Prose Jottings; Archibald Macleish, The Old Man To The Lizard; Ted Hughes, Six Young Men; May Swenson, Naked In Borneo; Marilyn Hacker, The Dark Twin; Kenneth Patchen, 23rd Street Runs Into Heaven; Edith Sitwell, An Ol...

A full-cast dramatisation starring Maurice Denham as Inspector Maigret and Michael Gough as his creator Georges Simenon The world's best-known French detective, Jules Maigret, talks to his creator Georges Simenon about one of his most intriguing cases in this full-cast dramatisation that has been specially adapted for radio from the original novel....

A full-cast dramatisation starring Maurice Denham as Inspector Maigret and Michael Gough as his creator Georges Simenon The world's best-known French detective, Jules Maigret, talks to his creator Georges Simenon about one of his most intriguing cases in this full-cast dramatisation that has been specially adapted for radio from the original novel....

A full-cast dramatisation starring Nicholas Le Prevost as Inspector Maigret In 'Maigret's Little Joke', Maigret and his wife take a secret holiday in Paris. When a murder occurs, Maigret must get his information from the press and radio. How can he leave Janvier to solve the crime alone?

The first series of the BBC Radio 4 comedy, Mark Thomas: The Manifesto, recorded with participation from a studio audience. This series was originally broadcast on 25 June and 2 July 2009. Comedian and activist Mark Thomas creates a People's Manifesto, taking suggestions from his studio audience and then getting them to vote for the best. Some of...

Nicholas Le Prevost stars as the French detective in four new BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatizations These new adaptations of classic stories find Maigret recreating four memorable cases for his creator Georges Simenon. In 'Maigret: A Man's Head', a convicted man is allowed to escape, then followed by police investigating a double murder. Maigret fin...

Joseph Millson reads Alfred Lord Tennyson's 1855 dark and lyrical poem Maud in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the poet's birth in 2009. Originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in the 'Classic Serial' slot on 26 July 2009 and repeated on 1 August 2009. A disturbed young man roams the windswept hills, haunted by his father's suicide and his moth...

Nicholas Le Prevost stars as the French detective in this BBC Radio full-cast dramatisation. In 'My Friend Maigret', Maigret investigates the murder of a tramp on the French island of Porquerolles - but he is hampered by the attentions of Inspector Pyke of Scotland Yard.

Spoof theatre company The National Theatre of Brent take on the story of the Suffragette Movement in this hilarious Radio 4 series, first heard on the Woman's Hour Drama slot The award-winning National Theatre of Brent aka Desmond Olivier Dingle and Raymond Box present the entire epic struggle of the Suffragettes or the Giant Ladies as they was als...

The BBC Radio 4 play, 'Notes to Self' by Deborah Wain is a drama about Alzheimer's disease based on real experiences, and is interwoven with recordings of music sessions carried out in care homes and day centres in the UK. Doreen has been in a care home for two years. Her son Robert visits but finds it hard to have a meaningful relationship with hi...

Series 2 of the satirical BBC Radio 4 comedy written by Tom Basden Simon, Jared, Duncan, Mel and Phoebe are idealistic students who want to change the world - so they decide to set up their own political party, meeting in their leader's garden shed. In this second series, they try to get recognition and publicity, get to grips with technology, use...

Fifteen year old Kambili's world is circumscribed by the high walls of her family compound and the frangipani trees she can see from her bedroom window. Her wealthy Catholic father, although generous and well-respected in the community, is repressive and fanatically religious at home. Her life is lived under his shadow and regulated by schedules: p...

Series 2 of the satirical BBC Radio 4 comedy written by Tom Basden In this first episode, 'All Publicity is Good Publicity', the young aspiring politicians of the new political party attempt to step up a gear and get the recognition and publicity they deserve. All they need to do is sort out the diversity of their group first... Starring Tom Basden...

Series 2 of the satirical BBC Radio 4 comedy written by Tom Basden In this second episode, 'It's Technology, Stupid', the aspiring politicians get to grips with technology and whether it is making people stupid. Meanwhile, they launch a recruiting campaign on the internet. Starring Tom Basden, Tim Key, Jonny Sweet, Ann Crilly and Katy Wix. Produced...

Series 2 of the satirical BBC Radio 4 comedy written by Tom Basden In this third episode, 'Prison Ain't All That Bad', the student politicians use prison-based TV shows as inspiration for forming their policy on crime and punishment. Starring Tom Basden, Tim Key, Jonny Sweet, Ann Crilly and Katy Wix. Produced by Julia McKenzie.

Series 2 of the satirical BBC Radio 4 comedy written by Tom Basden In this fourth and final episode of the second series, 'Is the Party Over?' the aspiring politicians move on to tackle drugs and housing and come up with a convenient catch-all solution. But is there any point if Jared's all set to move to the Isle of Wight? Starring Tom Basden, Tim...

A full-cast dramatisation starring Maurice Denham as Inspector Maigret and Michael Gough as his creator Georges Simenon The world's best-known French detective, Jules Maigret, talks to his creator Georges Simenon about one of his most intriguing cases in this full-cast dramatisation that has been specially adapted for radio from the original novel....

The French Revolution was one of the most far-reaching social and political upheavals in modern history spanning 10 years and involving the execution of the King, collapse of monarchy and slaughter of thousands at the guillotine. Starring Richard E Grant and Sally Hawkins, comedy trio The Penny Dreadfuls will attempt to tell the epic story of the R...

A brand new BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of a classic Raymond Chandler mystery featuring private eye, Philip Marlowe. Marlowe is now married, living in the resort town of Poodle Springs. Once again, he sets himself up as an investigator and soon finds himself in the middle of blackmail and murder.

William Wordsworth's autobiographical poem The Prelude is arguably the most important piece of poetic writing in our language. Recorded in Wordsworth's home in Grasmere, Cumbria, Wordsworth looks back over events in his early life. Wordsworth believed that poetry should be written in the natural language of common speech, and in that way it was re...

William Wordsworth's autobiographical poem The Prelude is arguably the most important piece of poetic writing in our language. Recorded in Wordsworth's home in Grasmere, Cumbria, Wordsworth looks back over events in his early life. Wordsworth believed that poetry should be written in the natural language of common speech, and in that way it was re...