Radio choice Charlotte Runcie

Civilisation: A Sceptic’s Guide

RADIO 4, 11.00AM

This is one of those fascinating documentaries that asks “is everything we know about history wrong?”, and might change the way we think about the past. Professor David Cannadine argues that we’re wrong to separate historical peoples into discrete civilisations, when in fact throughout history, humanity has survived through interdependence, and boundaries between cultures are blurred. Thinking of the world in terms of different groups of people can, he argues, only lead to social division.

Drama: Twenty Four Hours from Tulse Hill

RADIO 4, 2.15PM

John Heffernan and Catrin Stewart star in this charming romantic comedy set in an estate agent’s, where two employees – aspiring writer Mark and artist Lisa – are trying to exchange their life of selling houses for a more rewarding one, and spot an opportunity to make enough money to escape through one particular sale. Naturally, of course, the pair start to fall for one another along the way. The play is written by seasoned radio dramatist Guy Meredith and Zalie Burrow.