TODAY’S RADIO

AUSTENTATIOUS

11.30AM, RADIO 4 ★★★

The world premiere of an incredible lost Jane Austen novel, full of wit, flirtation and dastardly behaviour – and of course, not a word of it written by the author herself. Instead it’s been completely cooked up on-the-spot by the UK’S finest improv troupe, who will perform a story in the style of Austen, based on a title suggested by the studio audience.

FRIDAY NIGHT IS MUSIC NIGHT

8PM, RADIO 2 ★★★★

The brilliant BBC sound technicians battled – to good effect – with the acoustics of the vast cavern that is Alexandra Palace for this recorded concert. Alfie Boe summoned up the party spirit with Stomping

At The Savoy and It’s The Most

Jeremy Paxman (11pm, Radio 4) Wonderful Time Of The Year, while Tom Fletcher and the BBC Concert Orchestra perform songs from Tom’s The Christmasaurus.

THE VERB

10PM, RADIO 3 ★★★★

Michael Rosen, whose books have brought fun to generations of children, has a new one out called the Book Of Play; it’s a celebration of silliness and nonsense. Michael joins Ian Mcmillan tonight to talk about the book, and to explain why he thinks there should be fewer tests in schools and more play. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo, are also on the show.

GREAT LIVES

11PM, RADIO 4 ★★★★

The statue incorrectly known as Eros at Piccadilly Circus is a memorial to the great campaigner Lord Shaftesbury. Shaftesbury was born into wealth, but his loveless childhood gave him an insight into the miserable lives of the children of the Victorian poor, and he made it his life’s work to improve their lot. Jeremy Paxman tells the story of Shaftesbury’s unstinting charitable work. SJ