TODAY’S RADIO

MAUREEN & FRIENDS 11.30AM, RADIO 4 ★★★★

Maureen Lipman did her best to keep her spirits up over the past two years, but it was no easy task. In this first of a two-part series of monologues, anecdotes and sketches, she delivers a poem about the lockdowns, abandoned plans and unwelcome changes that Covid brought.

PERSONAL SHOPPER 2.15PM, RADIO 4 ★★★★

This well-crafted drama came out in the very early days of lockdown. The cast had to record their parts separately, and everyone worked remotely. It was a triumph over adversity, and remains a fine example of how to make a radio drama. Monica Dolan plays Nina, who’s confined to her home as her husband is ill; Tom Glenister

co-stars as Max, a 15-year-old boy who volunteers to do Nina’s shopping. As this drama is by Hugh Costello, all cliches and obvious storylines are deftly avoided.

CONVERSATIONS FROM A LONG MARRIAGE 6.30PM, RADIO 4 ★★★★

preparing for a vigorous mountain trek. She seems, in her husband’s view, far too perky about the coming expedition, and Roger (Roger Allam) wonders if she has another motivation for heading for the hills. In this comedy two-hander, he’s got a dodgy knee, so she’ll be skipping up the mountains without him to keep a beady eye on her.

RADIO 3 IN CONCERT 7.30PM, RADIO 3

★★★★ Listening to Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 6 In B Minor is like a voyage on a storm of emotions. A mistranslation has meant that the work is nicknamed The Pathetic, but it should be thought of as The Passionate. The Philharmonia Orchestra steer through the euphoria and anguish tonight. SJ

Joanna (Joanna Lumley) is

Maureen Lipman (11.30am, R4)