The Verb - 1st April

To celebrate the centenary of Samuel Beckett's birth, Hollywood director Anthony Minghella joins Ian MacMillan to present a specially commissioned play he has written for The Verb . And leading lady and long time Beckett muse, Billie Whitelaw, shares her unique and intimate insight into the mind of the playwright and his work, reminiscing on her 25 years as his close artistic collaborator.

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Night Waves: Landmarks - 6th April

"Remarkable twaddle" was the verdict of one critic when Sir Peter Hall, then a 24 year old director, brought Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot' to the stage for the first time.
Sir Peter joins Paul Allen to explore why a play in which, famously, nothing happens twice, changed the face of theatre.

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The Verb - 8th April

The spotlight is on award winning playwright Kay Adshead's 'Of the End', her new radio play inspired by Samuel Beckett.

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Beckett Night - 9th April

A celebration of Samuel Beckett, marking the centenary of his birth. Including newly recorded versions of three of his greatest works, and a documentary investigating Beckett's unique way of directing and inspiring actors. Presented by Robbie Meredith.

8:00pm: Opening discussion
8:08pm: Drama on 3 - 'Embers' by Samuel Beckett
Henry (Michael Gambon) sits on the strand haunted by the sound of the sea. He conjures up voices, evocations, stories and sounds from his past as he tries to drown out the inescapable presence of the sea.

8:45pm: Sunday Feature - 'Beckett and his Actors' - with Stephen Rea
Famously reticent about explaining the meaning of his plays, Beckett found other ways to inspire actors, and was one of the most unusual and particular directors of his time. Stephen Rea, who himself worked with Beckett, takes us close to the mind of the playwright, into the theatre with him as he directs, and Beckett's most celebrated interpreters, including Billie Whitelaw and Sir Peter Hall, share their memories of working with one of the greatest figures in 20th century theatre.

9:25pm: Drama on 3: 'Krapp's Last Tape' by Samuel Beckett - with Corin Redgrave
On his sixty ninth birthday Krapp sits down to record a tape as he has done every year.

10:00pm: 'Not I' performed by Juliet Stephenson
Beckett's short monologue for a woman's voice, simply called Mouth.

The Verb - 15th April

The Verb commissions a third drama inspired by Beckett, this time from Richard Bean.

Drama on 3: Waiting For Godot - 16th April

A new production for radio, adapted and directed by John Tydeman. With Sean Barrett as Vladimir, David Burke as Estragon, Nigel Anthony as Lucky/Narrator, Terence Rigby as Pozzo and Zachary Fox as Boy.