SUNDAY
The Magic Mountain (Radio 4, 3pm)
Thomas Mann’s novel, dramatised by Robin Brooks in ways that makes it newly pertinent, stars Luke Thallon as young Hugh Casthorpe, sent to a posh sanitorium in the pre-First World War years. Lucy Robinson’s narration makes it sharp, relevant and timely. The guest on Private Passions (Radio 3, 12 noon) is the comedian, parodist and passionate classical music fan Kieran Hodgson.
MONDAY
Drama: Marcovaldo (Radio 4, 10.45am)
Toby Jones narrates this week’s daily series, about a man who sees wonders in the city’s dust, such as sudden mushrooms. The Untold (Radio 4, 11am) meets Bristol folk band the Longest Johns, whose shanty Wellerman was a lockdown hit. In The Essay: Folk At Home (Radio 3, 10.45pm), Verity Sharp reviews the effects lockdown has had on folk performers. Tonight’s focus is on Sam Lee.
TUESDAY
One To One (Radio 4, 9.30am)
The actress Tuppence Middleton discusses her OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) with clinical psychologist Gazal Jones, why the condition is widespread but little understood and how it can dominate but be managed.King Street Junior (Radio 4Extra, 12.30pm/7.30pm) is Jim Eldridge’s comedy that ran for ten series, 1985–98. This one is from 1988, with Karl Howman.
WEDNESDAY
Athena’s Cancel Culture (Radio 4, 11pm)
Theme music murmuring “shut up, shut up” sets the scene as the comedian Athena Kugblenu discusses offence, the taking of it and why its boundaries have changed. Mystified by why so many subjects are now deemed not just offensive but unspeakable? This may help. Be aware, though, it’s ironic. Heavily ironic. James McNicholas and Jamie-Rose Monk assist.
THURSDAY
Peter Brook (Radio 4, 11.30am)
My Pick of the week: the great director Peter Brook in conversation with Glenda Jackson. Open Country (Radio 4, 3pm) visits Stonehenge with the folk singer Sam Lee. It must be Lee’s week; he is cropping up everywhere. David Attenborough’s Life Stories (R4 Extra, 11.45am/9.45pm) meets Joy and George Adamson, hearing the story of Elsa, the lion cub they raised in 1956.
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FRIDAY
The Wordsmiths At Gorsemere (Radio 4 Extra, 8.30am/12.30pm/7.30pm)
Sue Limb’s sublime parody of the Lakeland poets (“An everyday story of towering genius”) from its first series in 1985, starring Simon Callow, pictured, Denise Coffey, Geoffrey Whitehead, Miriam Margolyes and Tim Curry. This was revolutionary in its time, being affectionate and apt yet sharp as an arrow and wholly on target.
SATURDAY
Dance Divas (World Service, 12.06pm)
“Are you dancing? You soon will be.” That’s the promise made by New York singer and producer Martha Wash, narrator of this stunningly good documentary tracing the hitherto unsung part women played in the 1970s music revolution that began in New York clubs and discos, then spread to the airwaves and everywhere. The great equaliser, says one contributor, music to crash down all barriers.
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