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C.S. Lewis's acclaimed and universally loved novels spring to life
in these spellbinding full-cast BBC dramatisations. Anyone who's
visited Narnia wants to go back again, and these radio dramas make
for a hugely entertaining first-time or return journey, with a cast
including Bernard Cribbins, Maurice Denham, Richard Griffiths,
Martin Jarvis, Sylvester McCoy, John Sessions, Fiona Shaw and
Timothy Spall. The Magician's Nephew: When Polly and Digory
discover some magic rings, they begin the most exciting and
dangerous journey of their lives - and encounter the mighty lion
Aslan... The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Lucy, Peter, Edmund
and Susan enter a magical world of talking fauns and flying horses,
where the evil White Witch has cast Narnia in perpetual winter. 14
CDs. 15 hrs 8 mins. The Horse and His Boy: Shasta and his talking
horse Bree flee from a life of slavery and head for the freedom of
Narnia, facing many perils along the way. Prince Caspian: Peter,
Susan, Lucy and Edmund are called upon to help Caspian free Narnia
of his evil uncle's regime and reclaim freedom and happiness. The
Voyage of the Dawn Treader: Edmund, Lucy and Eustace join King
Caspian on a perilous mission to find his friends, the seven lost
Lords of Narnia. The Silver Chair: Jill and Eustace set out to find
King Caspian's lost son, and in the grim land of the Earthmen they
encounter the wicked Green Lady. The Last Battle: The King is in
danger, and Narnia faces its darkest hour. Eustace and Jill must
help its people fight for the future of the once-glorious kingdom.
Four charming tales starring the marmalade-loving bear from darkest
Peru. The stories are: 'Please Look After This Bear', 'A Bear in
Hot Water', 'A Disappearing Trick' and 'Paddington and the Amateur
Dramatics.' 'Please look after this bear' said the label around
Paddington's neck, so the Brown family take him home and do just
that. Life with Paddington, however, is full of surprises -as
you'll find out in these four great dramatised stories! 1 CD. 50
mins.
'To begin at the beginning: it is spring, moonless night in the
small town, starless and bible-black...' When Richard Burton
breathed the opening words of Under Milk Wood into a microphone,
broadcasting history was made. For this 'play for voices' conjures
up the intimate dreams and waking lives of the inhabitants of a
Welsh seaside village in a remarkable way. It is bawdy and
beautiful; its colourful characters lust and love, gossip and
fantasise. Through the magic of language, Under Milk Wood creates a
rich modern pastoral which, once heard, touches the listener with
its poetry and haunts the imagination for ever. This radio drama is
the completed version broadcast in 1963 which includes several
passages that were omitted from the first recording in 1954. 2 CDs.
1 hr 41 mins.
The Birling family are spending a happy evening celebrating the
engagement of Sheila Birling to Gerald Croft - a marriage that will
result in the merging of two successful local businesses. Yet just
when everything seems to be going so well, they receive a surprise
visit from an Inspector Goole who is investigating the suicide of a
young girl. As the Inspector reveals more about the circumstances
that led to the death of Eva Smith, each member of the family comes
under the spotlight, and questions of guilt and responsibility are
raised... Toby Jones, David Calder, Frances Barber and Morven
Christie are amongst the cast in this BBC Radio 4 production from
2010. The Classic Radio Theatre range presents notable radio
productions of much-loved plays by some of the most renowned
playwrights, and starring some of our finest actors. 2 CDs. 1 hr 30
mins.
Don't panic! This brand new collector's edition box set contains
the only audiobooks you'll ever need on your galactic travels - the
complete BBC radio productions of Douglas Adams's legendary saga.
Included are: The two original series, the Primary and Secondary
Phases, remastered by Dirk Maggs with vibrant sound and music and
including a 55-minute feature programme, Douglas Adams's Guide
tothe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and a fascinating 50-minute
interview with Douglas Adams Extended editions of the Tertiary,
Quandary and Quintessential Phases, directed by Dirk Maggs and
featuring over 11/2 hours of material not heard on BBC Radio 4 The
concluding Hexagonal Phase, with a further 50 minutes of extra
unbroadcast content A special bonus disc featuring Douglas Adams's
appearance on BBC Radio 4's Bookclub, in which he talks to James
Naughtie and a group of readers about comedy, sci-fi, the creation
of his characters and his influences Grab your towel, pour yourself
a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster and get set for over 20 hours of
unmissable radio adventure! Audio updated in 2020.
Featuring an exclusive interview between the author, Philip
Pullman, and His Dark Materials star, Ruth Wilson. Now a major BBC
series 'Without this child, we shall all die.' Lyra Belacqua lives
half-wild and carefree among the scholars of Jordan College, with
her daemon, Pantalaimon, always by her side. But the arrival of her
fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, draws her to the heart of a terrible
struggle - a struggle born of stolen children, witch clans and
armoured bears. As she hurtles towards danger in the cold far
North, Lyra never suspects the shocking truth: she alone is
destined to win, or to lose, the biggest battle imaginable. Read by
Philip Pullman and a full cast of narrators.
From the world of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials - now a major
critically acclaimed BBC series. She had asked: What is he? A
friend or an enemy? The alethiometer answered: He is a murderer.
When she saw the answer, she relaxed at once. Lyra finds herself in
a shimmering, haunted otherworld - Cittagazze, where soul-eating
Spectres stalk the streets and wingbeats of distant angels sound
against the sky. But she is not without allies: twelve-year-old
Will Parry, fleeing for his life after taking another's, has also
stumbled into this strange new realm. On a perilous journey from
world to world, Lyra and Will uncover a deadly secret: an object of
extraordinary and devastating power. And with every step, they move
closer to an even greater threat - and the shattering truth of
their own destiny. Read by Philip Pullman and a full cast of
narrators.
From the world of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials - now a major
critically acclaimed BBC series. 'We're going to the land of the
dead and we're going to come back.' Will and Lyra, whose fates are
bound together by powers beyond their own worlds, have been
violently separated. But they must find each other, for ahead of
them lies the greatest war that has ever been - and a journey to a
dark place from which no one has ever returned . . . Read by Philip
Pullman and a full cast of narrators.
Twelve classic Christie short stories are given a modern spin in
these BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations. Agatha Christie is the
acknowledged 'Queen of Crime', and these twelve short stories
showcase her skilful plotting and talent for producing compelling
mysteries. First broadcast in the early 2000s, the stories were
adapted and brought up-to-date for a contemporary audience. Among
the star cast are Tom Hollander, Emilia Fox, Patricia Routledge,
Julia McKenzie, Neil Dudgeon, Richard Griffiths, Rebecca Front and
Andrew Sachs. Unconventional detective Parker Pyne features in two
of the stories, all twelve of which are infused with Agatha
Christie's trademark tension and suspense. These tantalising tales
of revenge, jealousy, love and death will thrill her many fans. The
stories are: Philomel Cottage Swan Song Magnolia Blossom Witness
for the Prosecution The Gates of Baghdad The Hound of Death In a
Glass Darkly The Dressmaker's Doll The Case of the Perfect Carer
The GBP199 Adventure The Gypsy The Last Seance Duration: 5 hours 30
mins approx.
All three BBC radio dramatisations of the bestselling fantasy
trilogy - plus bonus material A breathtaking epic spanning multiple
worlds, His Dark Materials follows the adventures of Lyra Belacqua
and Will Parry, two children catapulted into a life-or-death
struggle to save the future of the Cosmos. In Northern Lights,
11-year-old Lyra discovers dark forces at work involving kidnapped
children and a mysterious substance called 'Dust'. With her
shape-shifting daemon, Pantalaimon, she leaves her Oxford college
home and embarks on a dangerous journey to the frozen North, aided
by armoured bears, Gyptians and a witch-queen... The Subtle Knife
sees 12-year-old Will finding an opening into the haunted world of
Cittagazze, where daemon-destroying Spectres roam. There he meets
Lyra, and together they acquire the most powerful weapon in all the
universes - an object many would kill to possess. In The Amber
Spyglass, a colossal war is brewing in Heaven, and Lyra and Will
have been separated. They must find each other and journey onward -
even into the World of the Dead... These thrilling dramatisations
feature an all-star cast, including Lulu Popplewell, Terence Stamp,
Bill Paterson, Kenneth Cranham and Adrian Scarborough. Also
included is a bonus documentary, World Book Club, in which Philip
Pullman answers readers' questions about Northern Lights.
This production - adapted by John Tams and Sally Ward at the behest
of the author - is a moving tale of a boy's extraordinary bond with
his horse during World War One. The story of a farm horse sold from
Devon into the mire, wire and machine guns of the Great War of
1914-1918 brings together a stellar cast, including Timothy Spall,
Brenda Blethyn and Bob Hoskins, with music and songs from some of
the UK's finest folk musicians. This drama was directed by John
Tams, who was nominated for an Olivier Award for his work on the
phenomenally successful War Horse stage epic at the National
Theatre ('the theatrical event of the decade' - Times) and which
also inspired the Steven Spielberg film. 'Sublime' - Michael
Morpurgo, on hearing this completed drama. 1 CD. 59 mins.
Whilst sightseeing in Paris, 1979, the Doctor and Romana notice a
series of unexplained temporal disturbances. When a visit to the
Louvre lands them in hot water, they realise that a certain Count
Scarlioni knows more about advanced technology than a 20th Century
Parisian should. With British detective Duggan in tow, the time
travellers become embroiled in an audacious plot to steal the Mona
Lisa and sell it on the open market. Not only that, but Count
Scarlioni appears to have more da Vinci masterpieces at his
disposal - each one apparently genuine. What time experiment is
Scarlioni forcing a genius professor to undertake? What is behind
his suave persona, and what are his plans for not only Paris but
the whole world? The Doctor and his friends must discover the
answers before time itself runs out. Lalla Ward narrates this
classic TV adventure, and in an exclusive bonus interview she
recalls her time as Romana in the BBC TV series. 2 CDs. 1 hr 58
mins.
On Skaro, the home world of the Daleks, the Doctor encounters the
militaristic Movellans - who have come to Skaro on a secret mission
- whilst his companion Romana falls into the hands of the Daleks
themselves. It soon becomes apparent that the Daleks have returned
to their abandoned home city with a crucial objective, one which
they hope will give them the advantage in a strategic war. When the
Doctor realises what the Daleks are up to, he is compelled to
intervene. But he has not bargained for the Movellans having a few
secrets of their own, and soon he, Romana and the human refugee
Tyssan are wondering who exactly they can trust. Moreover, will
they be able to avert the Daleks from their self-proclaimed
destiny? Lalla Ward narrates this classic full-cast TV adventure,
written by Terry Nation, and in a special bonus interview she
recalls her time as Romana in the BBC TV series. 2 CDs. 1 hr 58
mins.
The TARDIS materialises on a planet where the age of prosperity
comes often, and precious jewels line the streets like litter.
Overseeing the citizens is the bombastic Captain, half human and
half machine. Lurking in shadows are the Mentiads, mysterious
cowled figures who set their sights on certain individuals and
claim them for their own. As the Doctor, Romana and K9 become
entangled in local events they are caught between the apparently
insane Captain and apparently sinister Mentiads. But then the
Doctor makes a terrible discovery beneath the surface of the
planet, and realises the true nature of the Captain's operations.
Soon yet another planet comes under threat from the Captain, one
which the Doctor knows well: Earth. Can he manage to save it from a
terrible fate? John Leeson narrates this classic full-cast TV
adventure, written by Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the
Galaxy), and in a special bonus interview he recalls his time as
the Voice of K9 in the BBC TV series. Also included are colour PDF
files of the original TV camera scripts. 2 CDs. 2 hrs 4 mins.
A triple bill of archive BBC radio dramas, believed lost for over
half a century and only recently rediscovered. Butter in a Lordly
Dish, written specially for radio in 1948, features Richard
Williams as Sir Luke Enderby KC, whose infidelities lead him into
trouble when he goes to meet his latest flame. Williams also stars
as Hercule Poirot in Murder in the Mews, a 1955 adaptation of a
short story. A young woman is found dead in her flat, the day after
Guy Fawkes night. Did she die by her own hand, or someone else's?
In Personal Call, also written specially for radio by Agatha
Christie, a disturbing telephone call from a woman named Fay has
consequences for both Richard Brent and his wife Pam. This 1960
production stars Ivan Brandt and Barbara Lott.
Richard Briers, Adrian Scarborough and Terence Rigby star in this
full-cast dramatisation, narrated by Alan Bennett.When Mole
abandons his spring cleaning one morning, he surfaces into the
sunlight and encounters the Water Rat. Mole stays with Ratty in his
snug waterside home, and soon he meets Ratty's friends: Badger, who
lives in the Wild Wood, and the incorrigible Toad of Toad Hall.
This timeless tale of waterside Britain has been loved by
generations of children and acclaimed as a classic. The story of
Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad and their escapades never fails to
enchant. Many of the original cast from Alan Bennett's acclaimed
National Theatre production appear in this Radio 4 dramatisation,
including Richard Briers as Rat, Adrian Scarborough as Mole and
Terence Rigby as Albert - with Alan Bennett as the narrator.
A reissue of the hit BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of Terry Pratchett
and Neil Gaiman's bestselling novel - plus a bonus afterword from
Dirk Maggs According to the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes
Nutter, witch, the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in
fact... As the armies of Good and Evil converge on the sleepy
English village of Lower Tadfield, the Four Horsepersons of the
Apocalypse - War, Famine, Pollution and Death - assemble. Atlantis
is rising; fish are falling from the sky; everything seems to be
going according to Divine Plan - except for unlikely angel and
demon duo Aziraphale and Crowley, who have been living on Earth for
millennia and become fond of the place. To prevent Armageddon, they
must find and kill the Antichrist - but someone seems to have
mislaid him... Adapted, sound designed and co-directed by Dirk
Maggs (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) this superb
dramatisation features an extensive cast including Peter
Serafinowicz, Mark Heap, Josie Lawrence and Paterson Joseph, and
extra unbroadcast material including extended episodes and
outtakes. Also included is a 40-minute afterword in which Dirk
Maggs talks about adapting Good Omens, working with Neil Gaiman and
Terry Pratchett, and gives us a fascinating look behind the scenes
of the award-winning series.
Worth his weight in marmalade sandwiches, here's Paddington in four
more favourite adventures. Whether he's playing in the sand, going
to the theatre, picnicking on the river or enjoying Christmas Day,
you can be sure life will be full of surprises! The stories are 'A
Day at the Seaside', 'Pantomime Time', 'A Picnic on the River' and
'Paddington's Christmas.' Introduced by Michael Hordern, who
narrated the original BBC TV series Paddington. 1 CD. 1 hr.
The Unexpected Guest begins on a foggy night at a lonely country
house, where a woman with a gun in her hand is quietly surveying
the dead body of her husband. It looks like a straightforward case
of murder. Or is it? As the ghosts of an old wrong begin to emerge
from the past, the case begins to look anything but
straightforward, and it is up to Sergeant Cadwallader and Inspector
Thomas to discover the unexpected truth... In The Pale Horse, a
dying woman gasps out her bizarre story to Catholic priest Father
Gorman - but no sooner has he written it down than he is violently
killed. The only clue he leaves is a twisted scrap of paper on
which are written nine names. On the trail of these names Inspector
Lejeune, together with academic Mark Easterbrooke and his crime
writer friend Ariadne Oliver, are led inexorably to The Pale Horse
Inn, in the village of Much Deeping. The three women who live there
- a psychic, a medium and a witch - all seem to have some link to
Father Gorman's death. And each of them has their own secrets...
These two Agatha Christie stories, each with a twist in the tale,
are dramatised with full casts including Sion Probert and Stephanie
Cole. 2 CDs. 2 hrs.
A gripping BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Neil Gaiman's
bestselling and much-loved novel When his father dies, Fat Charlie
Nancy discovers that not only was the late Mr Nancy actually the
god Anansi, but that he also has a long-lost brother, Spider, who
is everything Fat Charlie is not. When Spider begins to take over
Fat Charlie's life, flat and even his fiancee Rosie, Fat Charlie is
forced to make a pact that lands him in trouble with the gods
themselves... Anansi Boys is a story of love, laughter, music and
murder, old gods and new tricks that takes Fat Charlie from his
home in South London to Florida, the Caribbean, and the very
Beginning of the World itself. Or the End of the World. Depending
on which direction you're coming from. Jacob Anderson stars as
Charlie, and he has written and performed a specially commissioned
song - 'Charlie's Song' - which forms part of the magical fabric of
Anansi Boys. Dramatised for Radio 4 by the award-winning Dirk Maggs
(Neverwhere, Good Omens, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), the
stellar cast of this series also includes Joseph Marcell, Lenny
Henry, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Adjoa Andoh,Julie Hesmondhalgh and
Julian Rhind-Tutt, as well as a cameo appearance from Neil Gaiman
himself. Duration: 3 hours 15 mins
An international cast of suspects, all passengers on the crowded
train, are speeding through the snowy European landscape when a
bizarre and terrible murder brings them to an abrupt halt. One of
their glittering number lies dead in his cabin, stabbed a
mysterious twelve times. There is no lack of clues for Poirot - but
which clue is real and which is a clever plant? Poirot realises
that this time he is dealing with a murderer of enormous cunning
and that in a case frought with fear and inconstencies only one
thing is certain - the murderer is still aboard the train waiting
to strike again... John Moffatt stars as Hercule Poirot, with a
stellar cast including Joss Ackland, Sylvia Syms, Francesca Annis,
and Sian Phillips. Soon to be released as a film, directed by
Kenneth Branagh and starring Penelope Cruz, Olivia Coleman, Dame
Judi Dench, Daisy Ridley, Derek Jacobi, and Michele Pfeiffer, The
Murder on the Orient Express is a perennial classic.
Seven BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations of P.D. James' acclaimed
mysteries, plus P.D. James In Her Own Words This collection
includes: Cover Her Face P.D. James' debut novel, introducing her
famous detective Adam Dalgliesh. Starring Robin Ellis as Dalgliesh.
A Taste for Death Dalgliesh investigates when two bodies are found
murdered at a London church. Starring Richard Derrington as
Dalgliesh. Devices and Desires Dalgliesh hunts a serial killer in
desolate Norfolk. Starring Robin Ellis as Dalgliesh. A Certain
Justice Dalgliesh probes the murder of a brilliant criminal lawyer.
Starring Philip Franks as Dalgliesh. The Private Patient Dalgliesh
investigates a high-profile murder at an exclusive cosmetic surgery
clinic. Starring Richard Derrington as Dalgliesh. An Unsuitable Job
For A Woman An eminent scientist hires private detective Cordelia
Gray to discover why his son committed suicide. Starring Judi
Bowker as Cordelia Gray. The Skull Beneath the Skin With her life
in danger, actress Clarissa Lisle turns to private detective
Cordelia Gray. Starring Greta Scacchi as Cordelia Gray. Among the
supporting cast in these classic dramas are Sian Phillips, Hugh
Grant, Anna Massey and Geraldine James. Also included is a bonus
audio documentary, P.D. James In Her Own Words, in which the author
discusses her professional career and private life. Duration:
approx. 17 hours
Desmond Barrit stars as Horace Rumpole in this full-cast,
feature-length radio drama Rumpole has no special objection to
Christmas - except that with the Old Bailey closed, he has no
opportunity to exercise his skills in court. But over the course of
one unusual holiday, he nonetheless manages to triumph in two very
different cases... Dragooned into spending Christmas in Norfolk, at
the home of one of Hilda's old schoolfriends, Rumpole is feeling
less than festive. Chilly Coldsands Rectory does not offer much in
the way of enjoyment - but a trip to the local church and a
surprise encounter with an old acquaintance leads to a God-given
opportunity to indulge in a little seasonal, charitable blackmail.
A New Year outing to see Aladdin also provides more excitement than
expected. The traditional British pantomime is one of Rumpole's
favourite institutions, but he has a vague feeling that there's
something odd about this particular production. A post-panto drink,
some overheard remarks and a glance at the programme confirm his
suspicions - and put him on the path to solving an audacious
crime... Starring Desmond Barrit as Rumpole and Joanna David as
Hilda, with Tim McInnerny as Donald Compton and Nigel Anthony as
Fred Timson. Written by John Mortimer Directed by Marilyn Imrie
Produced by Catherine Bailey Pantomime music written and played by
Neil Brand A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4
John Moffatt stars as the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The ABC
Murders: A chilling letter sets the sleuth on the trail of an
enigmatic killer. After the Funeral: A wealthy businessman is dead,
and his sister thinks it was murder. Death on the Nile: Poirot is
in Egypt when a chilling murder takes place. Peril at End House:
Whilst on holiday, the sleuth encounters a young woman, a hat and a
bullet. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: Mrs Farrars is found dead, one
year after the death of her husband. Murder on the Orient Express:
Poirot is aboard a snowbound train when a passenger is found
murdered. Three Act Tragedy: Poirot is one of the guests at a party
when a clergyman dies whilst sipping a cocktail. The Mysterious
Affair at Styles: Poirot and Captain Hastings become re-acquainted
in a quiet English village in 1916. These BBC Radio 4 full-cast
dramatisations showcase eight of the finest cases in Hercule
Poirot's career. Based on the original novels by Agatha Christie,
they feature a cast of outstanding actors playing an array of
likely suspects... Starring: John Moffat, Simon Williams, Nichola
McAuliffe, Jill Balcon, Hugh Dickson, Sean Arnold, Susan Jameson,
Nichols Boulton, Philip Jackson, Annabelle Dowler, Hilda Schroder,
George Cole, Gemma Saunders, Andrew Wincott, Terence Edmond, Bryan
Pringle, David Thorpe, Elizabeth Conboy, Rosemary Leach, Donald
Sinden, Stratford Johns, Tom George, Sylvia Syms, Sian Phillips,
Francesca Annia, Frank Windsor, Peter Polycarpu, Desmond Llewelyn,
Andre Maranne, Siriol Jenkins, Kate Binchy, Joss Ackland
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