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Coming up in the week ahead on TV and on Radio

by
28 March 2024

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HIGHLIGHT: Gareth Malone’s Easter Passion The choirmaster prepares a performance of Bach’s St John Passion, including eight untrained performers alongside the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the BBC Singers, and soloists (1-3/3).

Good Friday 11.15am, BBC1, Easter Day 11.30am, BBC1 and 6pm, BBC2

 

TELEVISION: Good Friday 9.20am (BBC2) The Robe A 1953 Hollywood epic about Marcellus, a Roman officer present at the crucifixion, who wins Jesus’s robe.

9pm (BBC2) Pilgrimage Seven well-known figures with differing beliefs walk the Pilgrim’s Way in north Wales (1/3).

Saturday 9pm (Nat Geographic) A Small Light A two-part drama inspired by the true story of a couple in Amsterdam who risked their lives to hide Jews during the Second World War (1-2/2).

Easter Day 10am (BBC1) Easter Sunday Service The Archbishop of Canterbury gives his Easter sermon at the sung eucharist in his cathedral, at which the Dean, the Rt Revd Dr David Monteith, presides.

11am (BBC1) Urbi et Orbi The Pope gives his Easter message and blessing, live from St Peter’s Square, Rome.

12.05pm (C5) Ben-Hur The Oscar-winning epic film starring Charlton Heston

1.30pm (BBC1) Songs of Praise Aled Jones joins a dawn Easter service from St Martin’s, Canterbury, described as the English-speaking world’s oldest existing parish church, where Easter has been celebrated for 1500 years.

Monday 12.15pm (5 Action) The Greatest Story Ever Told A drama of the life of Christ starring Max von Sydow.

 

RADIO: Good Friday 9.45am (R4 LW) Daily Service The Archbishop of York leads worship on the theme “When I survey the wondrous Cross — When the curtain is torn”.

11.30am (World Service) Heart and Soul A look at the Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour: a Catholic order of nuns made up of women in their fifties and sixties, who minister to the incarcerated in La Mesa prison, in Tijuana, Mexico.

2pm (R3) Afternoon Concert For the last edition of the programme, a live performance of Bach’s St John Passion, to mark its upcoming tercen­tenary, from the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.

3pm (R4) Good Friday Meditation The Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, incorporates the medieval poem The Dream of the Rood with a visit to the Sycamore Gap, with reflections on the significance of the iconic Northumberland tree that was cut down last year.

7pm (R2) At the Foot of the Cross Guests joining the Archbishop of York and Canon Kate Bottley include a former sub-postmaster caught up in the Horizon scandal, and a cast member from the BBC drama Call the Midwife, who discuss themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, and hope.

7.30pm (R3) Radio 3 in Concert Live from King’s College, Cambridge, a performance of of Charles Villiers Stanford’s Stabat Mater, on the 100th anniversary of the death of the composer.

Saturday 2.45pm (R4) Drama: For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on My Little Pain An adaptation of Victoria MacKenzie’s novel about Margery Kempe and Julian of Norwich.

10.15pm (R4) Screenshot Ellen E. Jones and Mark Kermode explore Christianity on screen.

Easter Day 6.35am (R4) Sunrise Service The poet and churchwarden Jay Hulme leads a “poetic pilgrimage” to Durham Cathedral and the Holy Island.

8.10am (R4) Easter Sunday Worship The Archbishop of Canterbury preaches at a communion service live from Canterbury Cathedral.

3pm (R3) Choral Evensong Live from Canterbury Cathedral, with music to mark the centenary of the death of composer Charles Villers Stanford.

Monday 9am (R4) Start the Week Tom Sutcliffe leads a discussion on conflict between science and religion.

Monday to Friday 11.45am (R4) Book of the Week: Cloistered Catherine Coldstream’s account of life as a nun in the 1990s (1-5/5).

Tuesday 3.30pm (R4) Beyond Belief Canon Giles Fraser asks whether interfaith practice is in crisis, and whether it is worth saving (1/7).

Wednesday 3pm (R3) Choral Vespers for Easter Wednesday from Our Lady of Victories, Kensington, in west London.

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