Noon & 8pm & 4am

PLAYS/DRAMA

A KINGDOM FOR A STAGE PART II BY TONY DIGGLE

We are delighted to be broadcasting the radio premiere of A Kingdom for a Stage, originally performed at the Chelsea Theatre.  It celebrates and commemorates the anniversary of Shakespeare’s birthday and death on 23rd April.  Part II can be heard at the same times tomorrow

1pm & 9pm & 5am                 

IN CONVERSATION with ROXANE GAY

Roxane Gay is an author and cultural critic whose works include the story collection Difficult Women and Ayiti, a blend of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry interwoven into a tale of the Haitian diaspora. In her essay collection Bad Feminist, she writes, “I never want to be placed on a Feminist Pedestal. People who are placed on pedestals are expected to pose, perfectly. Then they get knocked off. . . . consider me already knocked off.”  Gay is the author of the comic series World of Wakanda and is the first African American woman to write for Marvel Comics. She is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times and in this programme reads from her book Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body and from other works followed by an interview with writer and sociologist, Tressie McMillan Cottom.

2pm & 10pm & 6am

POETRY featuring KWAME DAWES

Kwame Dawes is a writer of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and plays. Born in Ghana in 1962, Dawes spent most of his childhood and early adult life in Jamaica. As a poet, he is profoundly influenced by the rhythms and textures of that lush place, citing in a recent interview his “spiritual, intellectual, and emotional engagement with reggae music.” His book Bob Marley: Lyrical Genius remains the most authoritative study of the lyrics of Bob Marley. Dawes has also published 15 collections of poetry. His most recent titles include Back of Mount Peace and Hope’s Hospice. His book, Requiem is a suite of poems inspired by the illustrations of African American artist Tom Feelings in his landmark book The Middle Passage: White Ships/Black Cargo. He has also published two novels: Bivouac and She’s Gone, winner of the 2008 Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for Debut Fiction. In 2007 he released a memoir, A Far Cry From Plymouth Rock: A Personal Narrative, called “a poet’s eloquent meditation on the complexities of history, race and the oft-broken promise of America,” by Geoff Dyer.

3pm & 11pm & 7am

ALTERNATIVE RADIO with MICHAEL ERIC DYSON on Malcolm X

Here at Audiobook Radio we are keen to provide a range of voices – very literally as well as in terms of opinions and views of the world. This strand created by Alternative Radio does just that. We will hear from some of the most informed minds and greatest social activists of our time whose take on justice and power does not chime with those that hold the power and don’t provide justice for all so we rarely get to hear from them in mainstream media. Different opinions always help inform our own and we are always eager to hear from listeners about this or any other strand. Contact us on the tab at www.audiobookradio.net

Today’s talk is given by Michael Eric Dyson, a globally renowned scholar of race, religion and contemporary culture who lectures widely and has published many books.  He talks on White Privilege, what it is and the choices and advantages that white people have, simply because of the colour of their skin.

We top the hour with an appeal for reviews and our own review of Charlotte Smith’s poetry

4pm & Midnight & 8am

SHERLOCK HOLMES CLASSICS

ABR is proud to present two classic episodes, once again starring Tom Conway. ‘The Solitary Cyclist’ is followed by ‘The Singular Affair of the Babbling Butler’

We close the hour with an author interview from KOBO and today’s guest is C.C. CHAPMAN.

5pm & 1am & 9am

TAKE FIVE with DEE LESTARI with Audiobook extract from Paper Boats

Dee Lestari was originally a singer-songwriter and is currently one of the front runners in the Indonesian book scene with 17 books under he belt including the Supernova series.  After answering our 5 questions, we get to hear an extract from her book Paper Boats – she’s a free-spirited dreamer. He’s a brilliant painter. But now their shared passion for art has turned into something deeper….12TAKE FIVE with SHEENA KAMAL

Canadian author and essayist Sheena Kamal whose bestselling debut The Lost Ones won her a Kobo Emerging Writer Prize, a Strand Critics Award, and Macavity Award for Best First Novel. The sequel It All Falls Down has been called “a stunning, emotionally resonant thriller.”

6pm & 2am & 10am

HOLLYWOOD STAGE with The Sidewalks of London

Hollywood is indelibly printed in our minds as a go to place for entertainment and has been for decades. We take you back in time as The Hollywood ringmaster himself, CECIL B DE MILLE unveils…The Sidewalks of London featuring CHARLES LAUGHTON

7pm & 3am & 11am               

SHORT STORIES – HAGGARD & LE GALLIENNE

This comes to you courtesy of Deadtree Publishing who have an excellent range of quality short stories from the masters of the craft.  Do search for Miniature Masterpieces at any digital store for further information or at https://www.deadtreepublishing.com/   This hour opens with Long Odds by H Rider Haggard read by Jake Urry followed by The Haunted Orchard by Richard Le Gallienne read by Richard Mitchley. Vol 14

THURSDAY 12th June

Noon & 8pm & 4am

PLAYS/DRAMA

THE PRIME MINISTER’S DAUGHTER and THE LOTTERY BY LARRY WEINER

A Double-Bill in the bewildering company of hapless Private Eye Garson Krebbs.

In the first episode Krebbs receives a call from the British Ambassador to inform him that the Prime Ministers daughter has gone missing on her visit to New York; while in The Lottery, two old ladies appear and share their news and concern of a brother who has scooped a jackpot and subsequently vanished.

1pm & 9pm & 5am

IN CONVERSATION with HOWARD ZINN

Howard Zinn (August 24, 1922 – January 27, 2010) was a historian, playwright, and activist. His classic book, A People’s History of the United States, has been called “a brilliant and moving history of the American people from the point of view of those who have been exploited politically and economically and whose plight has been largely omitted from most histories.”

Zinn grew up in Brooklyn in a working-class, immigrant household. At 18 he became a shipyard worker and then flew bomber missions during World War II. These experiences helped shape his opposition to war and his passion for history. After attending college under the GI Bill and earning a PhD in history from Columbia, he taught at Spelman College, where he became active in the civil rights movement. After being fired by the college for his support for student protesters, Zinn became a professor of Political Science at Boston University, where he taught until his retirement in 1988.

2pm & 10pm & 6am

POETRY featuring BEAT Poets & Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Today we have Classic Beat Poetry followed by LAWRENCE FERLINGHETTI, the prominent poet whose voice still resounds and remains relevant. At 101, he was  still resident at City Lights bookstore and died at 102 in 2021.

3pm & 11pm & 7am

ALTERNATIVE RADIO with BRUCE COCKBURN

Here at Audiobook Radio we are keen to provide a range of voices – very literally as well as in terms of opinions and views of the world. This strand created by Alternative Radio does just that. We will hear from some of the most informed minds and greatest social activists of our time whose take on justice and power does not chime with those that hold the power and don’t provide justice for all so we rarely get to hear from them in mainstream media. Different opinions always help inform our own and we are always eager to hear from listeners about this or any other strand. Contact us on the tab at www.audiobookradio.net

Today’s talk is given by Bruce Cockburn, one of Canada’s greatest singer/songwriters whose work has profoundly influenced more than one generation. His political and environmental consciousness together with his respect for human rights and world cultures makes his talk entitled Lovers in a Dangerous Time not to be missed.

4pm & Midnight & 8am

BLACK MUSEUM

Director, Actor, Genius. ORSON WELLES was all these things and more.  But talent can sometimes make people afraid., And Hollywood was very afraid of Orson Welles. 

So Welles went Indie, making his own works on the proceeds of various jobs that required a big name and that very distinguished voice; perfect for radio.  Here, in the Black Museum he sets the scene as true life crime is retold.  Mr Welles we’re ready……this week THE DOOR KEY & THE GLASS SHARDS

5pm & 1am & 9am

TAKE FIVE  – IT’S A WOMAN’S WORLD Catton, Syal, Buchholz & Mphene

Today we have a Take Five Special of women writers from 4 different corners of the globe.  One of my favourite people in the UK & a true talent across many performing and writing disciplines, MEERA SYAL followed by crime writer SIMONE BUCHOLZ who although she writes in her native German her books have been translated in many languages.  We end with MAGOGODI MPHENE who is from Soweto in S. Africa and expertly reads an extract from her gripping book Virus.  First off, is New Zealander ELEANOR CATTON, winner of the Man Booker for the Luminaries which has been adapted to screen by the BBC.

6pm & 2am & 10am

HOLLYWOOD STAGE with This Land is Mine

Hollywood is indelibly printed in our minds as a go to place for entertainment and has been for decades. We take you back in time as The Hollywood ringmaster himself, CECIL B DE MILLE unveils THIS LAND IS MINE featuring CHARLES LAUGHTON

7pm & 3am & 11am

SHORT STORIES – DOYLE & AUMONIER

These comes to you courtesy of Deadtree Publishing who have an excellent range of quality short stories from the masters of the craft.  Do search for Miniature Masterpieces at any digital store for further information or at https://www.deadtreepublishing.com/  This hour opens with – The Cabman’s Story. The Mysteries of a London Growler by Arthur Conan Doyle followed by A Source of Irritation by Stacy Amounier. read by Jake Urry  Vol 17