today’s radio

DRAMA: TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND

3PM, RADIO 4 HHHH It’s the 1840s, and three mismatched people escape the American Civil War by stealing a balloon — only for it to crash near a deserted island. But perhaps it is not quite as deserted as they think. Sagar Arya is Captain Nemo in Gregory Evans’s dramatisation of Jules Verne’s sequel to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

JTOZ

5PM, RADIO 3 HHHH

Kenny Barron is a highly acclaimed mainstream jazz pianist, an international star and a real gent. He plays an exclusive session on Julian Joseph’s regular jazz show, and talks to Julian about working with Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz.

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

5PM, CLASSIC HHH Michael Giacchino worked for Disney by day, studied music at night school, then went on to become a highly successful film composer. On today’s show, Andrew Collins looks at his career, and features Giacchino’s scores for The Incredibles and Ratatouille, and his music for the Jurassic Park franchise.

JOCK

9PM, RADIO 2 HHHH

The stadium fills with cheering as Jock (Gary Lewis), one of football’s great managers, bids farewell to the fans and retires. Jock’s first day as a pensioner includes a trip to the garden centre and a tai chi class; by nightfall, Jock is drunk as a skunk and ready for a fight. This one-off show, co-written by Greg Hemphill and part of Radio 2’s Funny Fortnight, is tough, full of bad language and fiercely good dialogue. It works as both a serious drama about age, identity and obsession, as well as being a sharply funny sitcom. The lack of an intrusive studio audience is an added bonus. SUSAN JEFFREYS

Kenny Barron (5pm, Radio 3)