Time Is On Our Side — The Rolling Stones Story — This series is crammed with interviews, unique session performances and their music from the past three decades. Parts 2-3-4. ABC Radio National, Wednesday, December 14/21/28, 2.05pm.
International Playhouse — The Girl Who lost Her Glove — By Penelope Shuttle. Based on Greek legend, this fairy story is about a witch who binds a young girl to her by giving her gifts which she is not allowed to break or give away. But the girl's downfall is assured when she gives a red glove to her lover. ABC Radio National, Friday, December 16, 8.05pm.
The Coming Out Show — Women Being Funny — Find out what makes women performers and their audiences split their sides. This week the program features the highlights of a week-long festival of women's comedy — Girls Night Out — staged at Sydney's Belvoir Street Theatre. ABC Radio National, Saturday, December 17, 5.10pm.
Soundstage — The Life and Death of Sandy Stone — Written and performed by the inimitable Barry Humphries. Over the next two weeks, this program will trace the life and death of Sandy Stone, "that decent old man of the suburbs", shuffling about in his fawn checked dressing gown, with a hot water bottle in one hand and a cup of Milo in the other. Less strident than Dame Edna or Sir Les Patterson, Sandy is one of Humphries' gentler satirical creations. ABC Classic FM, Tuesday, December 20 and 27, 8pm.
Indian Pacific — Bali: The Last Outrage — A documentary feature on the controversy surrounding a major resort development next to the sacred and picturesque temple of Tanah Lot in Bali. Peter Mares presents an updated report on opposition to a project that has stretched Balinese tolerance of tourism development to the limit. ABC Radio National, Saturday, December 24, 7.30am.
The Beatles at Christmas — In 1963 the first issue of the subsequently famous and much sought after Beatles Xmas records was released. For seven years these discs containing a personal "festive" message from the group were distributed free to all members of the band's fan club. They have become collector's items. This program features those messages. ABC Radio National, Saturday, December 24, 6.10pm.
The Europeans — Maria Zijlstra presents a sobering portrait of Ireland's past and future; featuring interviews with Tim Pat Coogan, one of Ireland's leading journalists and author of the definitive history of the IRA. Two members of the Maguire 7, Anne Maguire and her son Patrick, who were falsely imprisoned for many years by the corrupt British legal system, also feature. ABC Radio National, Sunday, December 25, 12.30pm.
International Playhouse — The Chimes — By Charles Dickens with dramatisation by Mollie Hardwick. Like Scrooge, old Trotty Veck, the ticket porter, plies his trade. As the bells ring the old year out and the new year in, Trotty has a vision from which he emerges a wiser and merrier man. A BBC production. ABC Radio National, Thursday, December 29, 2.05pm.
Sunday Stereo Season — Spartacus — The scene is Rome, 1st century BC. Spartacus becomes a gladiator and his wife a slave. They both escape, and Spartacus becomes the leader of a band of rebels against Rome. From the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, with Irek Mukhamedow as Spartacus. Simulcast with ABC TV. ABC Classic FM, Sunday, January 8, 8.30pm.