Episodes

SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
0201The Milly Ming20080426Jane Gardam's beguiling account of a parish home for unmarried mothers.

Short stories by well-known authors

0202Snapshot20080503Clare George's story of a photo-journalist, wounded in Iraq, trying to regain her skills.

Short stories by well-known authors

0203Rainbow Warrior20080510Adam Thorpe's story takes an ironic look at an earnest conservationist dad.

Short stories by well-known authors

0204Eggs and Salt Water20080517Claire Rayner's moving account of a child who learns a lesson in Jewish philosophy.

Short stories by well-known authors

0205Only in Front of the Children20080524Christopher Matthew's witty tale of one-upmanship amongst well-heeled parents.

Short stories by well-known authors

0301Dad's Chair20080121Rob Green's compelling tale of an eccentric family bereavement.

Short stories by well-known authors

0301Dad's Chair2008012120091108 (R4)Rob Green's compelling tale of an eccentric family bereavement.

Short stories by well-known authors

0302Blue Afternoon20080122Julia Stoneham's tale of an uneasy sibling relationship which comes to an odd conclusion.

Short stories by well-known authors

0302Blue Afternoon2008012220091115 (R4)Julia Stoneham's tale of an uneasy sibling relationship which comes to an odd conclusion.

Short stories by well-known authors

0303Sarah20080123Gemma Jones' story of an impoverished 1880s farm girl who lives a surprising fantasy life.

Short stories by well-known authors

0303Sarah2008012320091122 (R4)Gemma Jones' story of an impoverished 1880s farm girl who lives a surprising fantasy life.

Short stories by well-known authors

0304Love among the Lobelias20080124Robert Shearman's persuasive fantasy depicts the devil in the guise of a romantic novelist

Short stories by well-known authors

0304Love among the Lobelias2008012420091129 (R4)Robert Shearman's persuasive fantasy depicts the devil in the guise of a romantic novelist

Short stories by well-known authors

0305Not in Front of Jack Hawkins20080125Christopher Matthew's perceptive tale in which memory plays tricks at a memorial service.

Short stories by well-known authors

0305Not in Front of Jack Hawkins2008012520091206 (R4)Christopher Matthew's perceptive tale in which memory plays tricks at a memorial service.

Short stories by well-known authors

0401Angels20101026Adam Thorpe's intriguing story, specially written for Original Shorts, is set within a monastery in the French Alps. Brother Dominique wakes from a powerful dream - almost certain he has had a vision of an angel.

Those wings seemed very persuasive as they descended, beating in a golden blur. But when the local blacksmith and his son come up the mountain to repair the great oak cross that stands at the top of the pasture, the monk begins to have doubts.

What was the real meaning of his dream? Did it represent something more worrying? The answer is surprising and, in Adam Godley's heartfelt reading, strangely moving.

Director: Martin Jarvis

A Jarvis & Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.

By Adam Thorpe. Dominique dreams of an angel. Is it a vision, or merely indigestion?

Short stories by well-known authors

0402Keeping Mum20101027

Jill Gascoine gives a funny and touching performance as Brenda, in Rob Green's specially written short story.

Brenda is a kind, careworn woman of uncertain years who has been caring for her demanding old Mother for most of her life. But Brenda's a romantic and she's still hoping that her own life might begin sometime, somehow.

She'd love to find her 'Rock'. Perhaps Tom, a porter from the local hospital, could fit the bill? Not if Mum has anything to do with it. Hang on, though, does Mum have a hidden agenda?

Director: Martin Jarvis
A Jarvis & Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.

By Rob Green. In spite of her mother, kindly Brenda is still hoping to find her Rock.

Short stories by well-known authors

0403Middle Swine20101028

Martin Jarvis reads Christopher Matthew's specially written story of old school rivalry. Why should John Small pretend he was at school with Tim Slingsby? And why are Slingsby and Tony Fobbing so keen that Small should attend the Old Melburian's Dinner? Are there old scores to settle? And who, actually, will be settling them?

Christopher Matthew's witty take on what could happen when so-called old school friends meet in later life. Can we ever leave our schooldays totally behind? There's a possible answer in the story's surprising climax.

Producer: : Rosalind Ayres
A Jarvis and Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.

By Christopher Matthew. John Small was at school with Tim Slingsby. Or was he?

Short stories by well-known authors

0403Middle Swine2010102820120812 (R4)

Martin Jarvis reads Christopher Matthew's specially written story of old school rivalry. Why should John Small pretend he was at school with Tim Slingsby? And why are Slingsby and Tony Fobbing so keen that Small should attend the Old Melburian's Dinner? Are there old scores to settle? And who, actually, will be settling them?

Christopher Matthew's witty take on what could happen when so-called old school friends meet in later life. Can we ever leave our schooldays totally behind? There's a possible answer in the story's surprising climax.

Producer: : Rosalind Ayres
A Jarvis and Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.

By Christopher Matthew. John Small was at school with Tim Slingsby. Or was he?

Short stories by well-known authors

0501Under My Skin2012031620150620 (R4)Martin Jarvis directs award-winning American star Calista Flockhart in Christine Conrad's devastating new tale of friendship gone awry. Two creative women in New York find they have much in common. But when gregarious, entrepreneurial Julie commandeers her less outgoing friend's new novel and announces it as her own film project, the relationship is inevitably dislocated. Julie is quoted as saying: 'A wonderful treatment has been written and my brilliant team and I are moving forward with great excitement and (Julie's favourite word) passion.

As far as her erstwhile friend, the actual author of the book, is concerned 'The train had left the station and nobody had bothered to mention it to me!' The gradual realisation that they really aren't 'sisters under the skin', is movingly told. 'Under My Skin' is specially written for Original Shorts by American novelist and screen writer Christine Conrad (Junior, Mademoiselle Benoit, Ties That Bind.) And perceptively performed by Calista Flockhart - star of TV series Ally McBeal and Kitty McCallister in Brothers and Sisters.

Director: Martin Jarvis

A Jarvis & Ayres production for BBC Radio 4.

Calista Flockhart reads Christine Conrad's devastating new tale of friendship gone awry.

Short stories by well-known authors

Martin Jarvis directs award-winning American star Calista Flockhart in Christine Conrad's devastating new tale of friendship gone awry. Two creative women in New York find they have much in common. But when gregarious, entrepreneurial Julie commandeers her less outgoing friend's new novel and announces it as her own film project, the relationship is inevitably dislocated. Julie is quoted as saying: 'A wonderful treatment has been written and my brilliant team and I are moving forward with great excitement and (Julie's favourite word) passion.

As far as her erstwhile friend, the actual author of the book, is concerned 'The train had left the station and nobody had bothered to mention it to me!' The gradual realisation that they really aren't 'sisters under the skin', is movingly told. 'Under My Skin' is specially written for Original Shorts by American novelist and screen writer Christine Conrad (Junior, Mademoiselle Benoit, Ties That Bind.) And perceptively performed by Calista Flockhart - star of TV series Ally McBeal and Kitty McCallister in Brothers and Sisters.

Director: Martin Jarvis

A Jarvis & Ayres production for BBC Radio 4.

Calista Flockhart reads Christine Conrad's devastating new tale of friendship gone awry.

Short stories by well-known authors

0502Judgement2012032320150627 (R4)The jurors in this case plainly disapprove of aging defence barrister Harry Fox as he shambles into court in his torn gown. He believes 'better a hundred guilty men go free, than one innocent man be convicted.' But this case may be different.

As Fox defends his client, he can see the jurors' hearts going out to the fragile-looking victim in the case. They stare at Fox as if to say - how can you defend a rapist? Have you no conscience? But then, something curious come to light in the courtroom. Will old Harry have to exercise his own 'judgement'? The denouement is unexpected and rather shocking. Successful barrister and novelist Olly Jarvis has written this brand-new story especially for Original Shorts. It's given a masterly performance by Tim Pigott-Smith.

Director: Martin Jarvis

A Jarvis & Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.

A case of conscience for ageing defence barrister Harry Fox.

Short stories by well-known authors

The jurors in this case plainly disapprove of aging defence barrister Harry Fox as he shambles into court in his torn gown. He believes 'better a hundred guilty men go free, than one innocent man be convicted.' But this case may be different.

As Fox defends his client, he can see the jurors' hearts going out to the fragile-looking victim in the case. They stare at Fox as if to say - how can you defend a rapist? Have you no conscience? But then, something curious come to light in the courtroom. Will old Harry have to exercise his own 'judgement'? The denouement is unexpected and rather shocking. Successful barrister and novelist Olly Jarvis has written this brand-new story especially for Original Shorts. It's given a masterly performance by Tim Pigott-Smith.

Director: Martin Jarvis

A Jarvis & Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.

A case of conscience for ageing defence barrister Harry Fox.

Short stories by well-known authors

0503Elevated Thoughts2012033020150704 (R4)Edward is fond of the little oak tree that stands near the 15th tee of his local golf course. But there are club-members who view the tree with less friendly eyes. Chief among them is the club captain. There have been complaints, he says: some branches hang far too low over the tee - the oak should be cut down. So how can the situation be resolved happily for the club and its members?

Over the months, Edward wonders whether Nature herself is becoming involved. And, he recalls, didn't Wordsworth have something to say about all nature being alive, and possessed with a presence that disturbs him with the joy of elevated thoughts? He continues to observe, and witnesses a surprising conclusion.

Broadcaster, novelist and humorist Christopher Matthew has written this story especially for Original Shorts.

Martin Jarvis reads this wry tale of Nature versus petty bureaucracy.

Director: Rosalind Ayres

A Jarvis & Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.

Edward is fond of the little oak tree on his golf course. But some members are not so keen

Short stories by well-known authors

Edward is fond of the little oak tree that stands near the 15th tee of his local golf course. But there are club-members who view the tree with less friendly eyes. Chief among them is the club captain. There have been complaints, he says: some branches hang far too low over the tee - the oak should be cut down. So how can the situation be resolved happily for the club and its members?

Over the months, Edward wonders whether Nature herself is becoming involved. And, he recalls, didn't Wordsworth have something to say about all nature being alive, and possessed with a presence that disturbs him with the joy of elevated thoughts? He continues to observe, and witnesses a surprising conclusion.

Broadcaster, novelist and humorist Christopher Matthew has written this story especially for Original Shorts.

Martin Jarvis reads this wry tale of Nature versus petty bureaucracy.

Director: Rosalind Ayres

A Jarvis & Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.

Edward is fond of the little oak tree on his golf course. But some members are not so keen

Short stories by well-known authors