Audiobooks by Shaun Mckenna

Eleanor Rising: The Complete Series 1-3: A BBC Radio full-cast drama

"All 3 series of the thrilling dramatic account of one of Europe's most extraordinary women, Eleanor of Aquitaine, based on historical fact, legend - and rumour. Wife and mother to a dynasty of kings, crusader, prisoner and formidable political operator, Eleanor of Aquitaine is a thoroughly modern woman, despite living almost 900 years ago. Intelligent, witty and independent, she is tough enough to forge her own destiny - and subtle enough to shape the world to her will. At only 15 years old, she has one ambition: to become duchess and ruler of the Aquitaine, the richest province in France. But the men around her have other ideas. A young woman with so much power is too great a threat, so she is quickly married off to the heir to the throne. The wedding feast is barely over before she finds herself facing an imminent attack, a kidnap attempt and a midnight escape on horseback. Surviving to become queen of France, she moulds her young husband into a fit king - but in wielding her influence, she makes powerful enemies who are determined to bring her down. Yet somehow she manages to stay one step ahead, even as she embarks on a scandalous crusade and risks everything to try and secure her future.... Written by award-winning dramatist Shaun McKenna, this epic drama stars Rose Basista as Eleanor, Cecilia Appiah and Elinor Coleman as Petronilla, Joel McCormack as Louis and Tony Turner as Raymond of Antioch. Written by Shaun McKenna Directed and produced by Marc Beeby and Gemma Jenkins Cast Eleanor - Rose Basista Petronilla - Cecilia Appiah/Elinor Coleman Duke William - John Lightbody Archbishop Laroux/Theobald - Roger Ringrose Pierre - Luke Nunn The Dauphin, Louis - Joel McCormack Abbot Suger - Carl Prekopp/Nicholas Murchie Cardinal Yves - Carl Prekopp Geoffrey of Anjou - David Sturzaker Papal Legate - Tony Turner Geoffrey de Rançon - Stewart Campbell Empress Irene - Jane Slavin German soldier/Ralph de Vermandois - Nicholas Murchie Raymond of Antioch - Tony Turner ©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Shaun Mckenna (Author), Cecilia Appiah, Elinor Coleman, Full Cast, Joel Mccormack, Rose Basista, Tony Turner (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, Full Cast, Harriet Walters, 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, Full Cast, 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, Full Cast, Gunnar Cauthary, Maggie Steed, Martine Mccutcheon (Narrator)

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