Saturday Play: Little Platoons Radio 4, Saturday 2.30pm
A satire by Steve Waters, focussing on the coalition government’s “free schools” initiative, which allows groups of parents to set up their own school.
Take It From June Radio 4 Extra, Saturday 9am, 7pm
Celebrating 60 years in radio comedy and drama, June Whitfield talks about her career and shares some of her favourite performances, from Take It From Here to The News Huddlines and also including one of her Miss Marple outings. Whitfield also crops up
BBC New Comedy Awards Radio 2, Saturday 10pm
The BBC’s search for new stand-up talent has been through ten (unaired) regional heats, and now reaches the semi-final stage. The 12 finalists will present their acts over two weeks, with the best six going forward to the final on June 18.
Drama on 3: Flare Path Radio 3, Sunday 8pm
As part of the celebrations of Terrence Rattigan’s centenary, Radio 3 adapts his drama set in a hotel near a WW2 airbase. Be warned, though, this isn’t the same cast that’s currently on stage at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Instead, we get a (similarly top notch) cast of Rupert Penry-Jones, Ruth Wilson, Rory Kinnear, Una Stubbs and more.
The Rattigan Versions Radio 4, Monday-Friday 3.45pm
Continuing the Rattigan theme, Mark Lawson talks to five people who had a close connection with the playwright.
Afternoon Play: A Monstrous Vitality Radio 4, Tuesday 2.15pm
A chapter of Margaret Routherford’s life is explored in a drama by Andy Merriman, who has also written a biography of the actress. June Whitfield, who played Miss Marple (that character which secured Rutherford’s on-screen legacy) on radio, plays Rutherford as she falls for one man while still married to fellow actor Stringer Davis.
Afternoon Play: The 40-Year Twitch Radio 4, Wedneday 2.15pm
When Yvonne (Paula Wilcox) loses her job, she starts to see her husband’s (Philip Jackson) birdwatching hobby as a threat to their marriage. Daniel Thurman’s comedy also stars Anne Reid.
Friday Night is Music Night Radio 2, Friday 8pm
A special edition of the show sees the BBC Concert Orchestra, under the conducting baton of Roderick Dunk, celebrating 50 years of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Musically, the programme features music from ballets, film, operas and stage works that have adapted the Bard’s plays, while RSC members also perform some soliloquies.
