Audiobooks by Katie Hims

Behind the Author's Desk: Dramas of Famous Writers' Real Lives: A BBC Radio 4 drama collection

18 biographical dramas based on the lives and loves of celebrated writers These surprising, revealing dramas take a behind-the-scenes look at some of our best-loved authors, mingling fact and fantasy to explore their extraordinary hidden lives. From love affairs, friendships and family relationships to traumas, tragedies and journeys of self-discovery, we glimpse the unwritten worlds that shaped their unforgettable fiction. Among the star casts are Andrew Scott, Toby Jones, Richard Dormer, Glenda Jackson, Bella Ramsey, Julia Davis, Ian McDiarmid, Haydn Gwynne, David Threlfall, Alistair McGowan, Tom Goodman-Hill, Hattie Morahan, Rosie Cavaliero, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Paul Ritter and Lia Williams Jane and Tom - Writing to her sister, Jane Austen describes her love for Tom Lefroy - a love that would lead to Pride and Prejudice. When Fanny Met Germaine - A delightful romp through the passionate, scandalous friendship between two 18th Century writers: Fanny Burney and Mme de Stael. Comrade Ackland - Dorset, 1936. Newly returned from an illicit trip to Civil War Spain, Sylvia Townsend Warner and her lover Valentine Ackland have an unexpected visitor.... Tongues of Fire - 1913. When a Nobel laureate visits Dublin's Abbey Theatre, fireworks erupt between WB Yeats and Sean O'Casey. A Year at the Races - Approaching the end of his career, Groucho Marx meets a wisecracking fan determined to teach him new comedy tricks. Spike and the Elfin Oak - A comic fantasy inspired by Spike Milligan's madcap attempts in the mid-1960s to preserve a curious sculpture in Kensington Gardens. Everybody's Got Conditions - Casting Bette Davis in his play The Night of the Iguana proves the biggest mistake in Tennessee Williams' career... I Believe I Have Genius- Humble and obscure, young Charlotte Brontë travels to Brussels to study at a girls' school. Marian and George - Marian Evans (aka George Eliot) must choose between her adored brother and the love of her life... Lying Low - An intriguing drama imagining what happened to Samuel Beckett during his mysterious three weeks in Folkestone in 1961. A Terrible Beauty - WB Yeats travels to France to propose to beautiful Maud Gonne, soon after her husband's execution in the 1916 Easter Rising. The Watcher on the Wall - Dramatised from his letters, this is the story of Louis MacNeice's transatlantic love affair and the poetry it inspired. Edith Sitwell in Scarborough - Returning to her birthplace, Edith Sitwell sets out to wreak revenge. Mrs Tolstoy - A five-part drama charting the tempestuous marriage between Leo and Sofya Tolstoy. The 'B' Word - The opening night of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion causes a scandal and sparks a passionate love/hate triangle... The Rules of Palship - The young Noël Coward demanded fierce loyalty from his friends - but did he live up to his own high standards? The Lost Road - A playful tribute to the long friendship between CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien and how it influenced their respective masterpieces. Luxembourg Gardens - Re-imagined from Katherine Mansfield's stories, letters and journals, this Mansfieldesque play explores her last day in Paris, where she is dying of consumption aged 34. Copyright © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Alistair Mcgowan, Anna Linstrum, David Pownall, Elizabeth Lewis, Frances Bingham, Ian Billings, Jonathan Tafler, Judith Adam, Katie Hims, Lucy Caldwell, Mary Cooper, Robin Brooks, Sarah Wooley, Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre, Stephen Wakelam (Author), Alistair Mcgowan, Andrew Scott, Glenda Jackson, Hadyn Gwynne, Ian Mcdiarmid, Paul Ritter, Richard Dormer, Toby Jones, Tom Goodman-Hill (Narrator)

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24 Kildare Road: A BBC Radio mystery

Two boys out sledging in their local park find the body of an old woman in the snow. Who is she? How did she come to be there? Over ten episodes, this compelling series moves backwards and forwards in time to reveal the chain of events that led her to that point.We meet members of her family, her friends and the people she has encountered, all of whom provide clues to help us put the puzzle together. From the police and paramedics to the nurses and residents in an old people's home, each character has their own relationships and circumstances - and on our journey to understanding the old woman's story, we hear theirs too, combining to form a brilliant kaleidoscope of modern life and love. Christine Bottomley, Marcia Warren, Neil Dudgeon, Amelia Bullmore and John Rowe are among the stars in Katie Hims' funny, poignant drama. Directed by Mary Peate Cast Ryan - Harry Grasby Jackson - Aaron Gelkoff Mick - David Reed Hayley - Christine Bottomley Kadija - Nahel Tzegai Pat/Shirley - Heather Craney Rose - Jessica Turner Frank/Taxi driver - Neil McCaul Marion - Marcia Warren Zoe - Amanda Wilkin Eve - Sinead MacInnes Bloke/Phil - Ian Conningham Eli/Ben - Greg Jones Ozzy - Ikky Elyas Ned/Baxter - Will Kirk Call Handler/Girl - Scarlett Courtney Joe - John Rowe Lee - Neil Dudgeon Saskia - Amelia Bullmore First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 3-14 February 2020

Katie Hims (Author), Amelia Bullmore, Christine Bottomley, Full Cast, John Rowe, Marcia Warren, Neil Dudgeon (Narrator)

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Home Front: The Complete BBC Radio Collection Volume 1

Series 1-5 of the groundbreaking BBC Radio 4 drama charting life on the home front during World War One First heard on radio between 4 August 2014 and 9 November 2018, each episode of Home Front is set exactly one hundred years before the broadcast date, and each follows one character's day. Together they create a mosaic of experience from a wide cross-section of society, mixing historical fact with enthralling fiction to explore how ordinary people coped with daily life in wartime Britain. The story begins in Folkestone, as the first troops march off to the front lines. Soon, families such as the Grahams and the Wilsons begins to feel the impact of war, as the wounded return and first Belgian refugees, then Canadian troops, arrive in the seaside resort. In addition, the White Feather and suffragette movements grow in popularity, and a tide of grief increasingly leads people to thoughts of the hereafter. Industrial Tynemouth, meanwhile, is experiencing a quite different war. The factories and shipyards are at peak production, and more women are joining the workforce. At the munitions factory, owner Geoffrey Marshall and his family must adapt to the changing times - as must workers like Fraser and Edie Chadwick. Tackling themes including the outbreak of war, recruitment, industry, profiteering and spiritualism are some of radio's foremost dramatists including Katie Hims, Sebastian Baczkiewicz and Shaun McKenna. Among the extensive cast are Michael Bertenshaw, Keely Beresford, Freddie Fox, Ami Metcalf, Edmund Wiseman, Barbara Flynn, Mark Stobbart and Toby Jones, with Dame Harriet Walter making a cameo appearance as Emmeline Pankhurst.

Katie Hims, Lucy Catherine, Richard Monks, Sarah Daniels, Sebastian Baczkiewicz, Shaun Mckenna (Author), , Ami Metcalf, Freddie Fox, Harriet Walter, Keely Beresford, Mark Stobbart, Michael Bertenshaw, Toby Jones (Narrator)

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Home Front: The Complete BBC Radio Collection Volume 3

Series 11-15 of the major BBC Radio 4 drama charting life on the home front during the First World War - plus special extended episode Home Front: A Fragile Peace First heard on radio between 4 August 2014 and 9 November 2018, each episode of Home Front is set exactly one hundred years before the broadcast date, and each follows one character's day. Together they create a mosaic of experience from a wide cross-section of society, mixing historical fact with enthralling fiction to explore how ordinary people coped with daily life in wartime Britain. Back in Folkestone, the residents are dealing with the after-effects of a devastating air raid. Howard Argent is kept busy at the Bevan, while Ulysses Pilchard experiments with electro-shock therapy. Meanwhile, women's suffrage, prostitution and unmarried mothers are hot topics, and Kitty Lumley experiences the sharp end of intolerance. In Tyneside, ripples from the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution lead to a rise in union activity, and the factory faces the threat of strike action from the munitionettes. And in Devon, women, children and prisoners of war are being put to work on the land. With Britain on the brink of starvation, summer 1918's harvest is crucial - but conscientious objectors, unwilling or unable to help, arouse fury. As the Great War moves towards its end, can the wounded communities back home find some sort of peace, however fragile? Tackling themes including trauma and madness, industrial unrest, morality and sexuality, surrogate labour and the outbreak of peace are some of radio's foremost dramatists including Katie Hims, Shaun McKenna and Sarah Daniels. Among the extensive cast are Helen Schlesinger, Kathryn Beaumont, Roy Hudd and Billy Kennedy, with guest appearances from Geoffrey Palmer and Mark Heap. Also included is Home Front: A Fragile Peace, a special 75-minute episode which flashes forward to explore the lives of the characters on 10 November 1919.

Katie Hims, Lucy Catherine, Richard Monks, Sarah Daniels, Sebastian Baczkiewicz, Shaun Mckenna (Author), , Billy Kennedy, Geoffrey Palmer, Helen Schlesinger, Kathryn Beaumont, Mark Heap, Roy Hudd (Narrator)

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Home Front: The Complete BBC Radio Collection Volume 2

Series 6-10 of the epic BBC Radio 4 drama charting life on the home front during the First World War - plus special episode Home Front: A Lightening First heard on radio between 4 August 2014 and 9 November 2018, each episode of Home Front is set exactly one hundred years before the broadcast date, and each follows one character's day. Together they create a mosaic of experience from a wide cross-section of society, mixing historical fact with enthralling fiction to explore how ordinary people coped with daily life in wartime Britain. We resume the story in Folkestone, where hospital staff face pressure to return wounded men to duty as conscription is introduced. Zeppelin bombs leave residents jumpy, and 'spy fever' is at a pitch as the Secret Service comes to town. Food shortages begin to bite - and the town is rocked by Britain's first ever air raid, causing the greatest number of civilian casualties of the war to date. We also meet the residents of Ashburton, Devon, where the future of Isaac Cox's family hangs in the balance as old feuds are reignited at Halecot Farm. In Tynemouth, paranoia is rife and emotions run high for those at Marshall's factory. The repercussions of a devastating explosion ripple through people's lives, but they face the future with fortitude, taking small but courageous steps forward. Tackling themes including nursing and casualties, conscription and objection, espionage and propaganda, xenophobia and suspicion and the church and class are some of radio's foremost dramatists including Richard Monks, Mike Walker and Sarah Daniels. Among the extensive cast are Martine McCutcheon, Anton Lesser, Maggie Steed and Gunnar Cauthery. Also included is Home Front: A Lightening, a special 45-minute episode marking the centenary of Britain's first Gotha Air Raid, which devastated Folkestone on 25 May 1917.

Katie Hims, Lucy Catherine, Richard Monks, Sarah Daniels, Sebastian Baczkiewicz, Shaun Mckenna (Author), , Anton Lesser, Gunnar Cauthary, Maggie Steed, Martine Mccutcheon (Narrator)

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Home Front: Series Two: BBC Radio Drama

The entire second series of BBC Radio 4’s groundbreaking First World War drama serial. First broadcast from December 2014 to January 2015, the drama of Home Front Series Two is set exactly one hundred years before. Following characters from a wide cross-section of British society in 1914, the action is once again set in the Edwardian seaside town Folkestone. For the men and women of the town, recruitment and volunteering are the order of the day. The Graham household prepares for an arrival, but all is not well in the Winwood household. Meanwhile, good news is devastating for Kitty. This remarkable, groundbreaking drama charts the strategies that ordinary people found for managing life in wartime, and recalls how, together, they ensured that the Home Front didn’t break down. Through the characters’ lives, major and minor stories of wartime Britain are told. Among the cast are Claire Rushbrook, Michael Bertenshaw, Deborah Findlay, Ami Metcalf and Rachel Shelley. Duration: 6 hours approx.

Katie Hims, Sarah Daniels, Shaun Mckenna (Author), , Ami Metcalf, Deborah Findlay, Shaun McKenna (Narrator)

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Home Front: Series One: The powerful BBC Radio 4 First World War drama

The first series of a major BBC Radio 4 drama serial tracking the fortunes of a group of characters on the home front. Each episode was broadcast exactly one hundred years after the events it portrays, through which the characters struggle to maintain normality while Britain is involved in the First World War.

Katie Hims (Author), , Ami Metcalf, Deborah Findlay (Narrator)

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Dragonfly: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

Cal is expecting a baby with his girlfriend Sophie. As deaf parents, in amongst the excitement, they have a few concerns. But every time Sophie has a scan at the hospital Cal is sick. His behaviour becomes more and more uncharacteristic. Sophie begins to worry when Cal finds letters from an old girlfriend and decides he has to go and see her. Cal has to resolve the past before he can move forward as a father and fully enjoy Sophie's pregnancy. In order to get there he has to return to the place he grew up in - Rochdale - and re-examine his past. Specially written for David Bower and Sophie Woolley, who play Cal and Sophie. Also starring Sarah McDonald Hughes, Amerjit Deu, Eric Potts and Zoe Iqbal. Developed in partnership with Signdance Collective. Produced in Manchester by Susan Roberts. Written by Katie Hims.

Katie Hims (Author), Amerjit Deu, David Bower, Eric Potts, Sarah Mcdonald Hughes, Sophie Woolley, Zoe Iqbal (Narrator)

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Lost Property: The Complete Series: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

This history of relatives lost and found was originally broadcast on 3, 10 and 17 May 2011 in the 'Afternoon Play' slot. The first play, 'The Wrong Label', is set in London in 1941. Alice knows that to stop your children from being evacuated is tantamount to siding with Hitler. In 'The Year My Mother Went Missing', it's 1979, and not the first time that Ruthie's mother Queenie has gone missing - but usually she leaves a note. The final play, 'A Telegram from the Queen', is set in 2011 and, as Alice's 100th birthday present, Ruthie sets out to put her family back together again. The 'Lost Property' plays star Rosie Cavaliero as the narrator (and later as Ruthie), Shannon Flynn as the younger Ruthie; Alex Tregear, Jane Whittenshaw and Edna Doré as Alice; and Gary Beadle as Ted. 'The Year My Mother Went Missing' was the winner of the Best Audio Drama at the Radio Drama Awards 2012.

Katie Hims (Author), , Alex Tregear, Edna Dore, Full Cast, Gary Beadle, Jane Wittenshaw, Rosie Cavaliero, Shannon Flynn (Narrator)

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