Audiobooks narrated by Alan Rickman

Robert Browning: The Ring and the Book, The Pied Piper of Hamelin & more: BBC Radio dramatic reimagi

"BBC Radio dramatisations and readings of Browning’s most famous poems, performed by stars including Anton Lesser, Roger Allam and David Tennant, plus two bonus plays Victorian poet Robert Browning was renowned for his evocative dramatic monologues peopled with vivid, morally ambiguous characters. In 1846, he eloped with fellow poet Elizabeth Barrett, and they rapidly became Britain’s most famous literary power couple. This collection brings together four of Browning’s poetic masterpieces, juxtaposed with a play inspired by his work and a drama about Robert and Elizabeth’s romance. The Ring and the Book – In the aftermath of a triple stabbing, Rome is rife with speculation. Accused of murdering his young wife and her parents, Count Guido Franceschini is put on trial, and finds himself desperately fighting for his life. Anton Lesser, Roger Allam and Andrew Sachs star in this thrilling tale of of sex, lies, murder and justice. The Pied Piper of Hamlin – When a town fails to pay the rat-catcher who has lured all the rats away with his magic pipe, the piper takes a terrible revenge. Playing his music once more, he leads all the children from the town. Only one boy remains behind… David Tennant stars as the Narrator, with Bertie Gilbert as the boy. My Last Duchess – Based on Browning’s chilling poem about an aristocrat whose wife died young in suspicious circumstances, this intriguing dramatisation attempts to solve the mystery of what happened to the duchess, and who did the deed. Starring Roger Allam, Emily Mortimer and Tim McInnerny. Andrea del Sarto – Richard Pasco reads Robert Browning's monologue about the 16th-century Florentine artist known as ‘the faultless painter’, whose marriage was the source of deep unhappiness. The Contemplative Life – Brother James's loathing of oafish Brother Lawrence has led him to petty acts of destruction. As a punishment, he is forced to share a cell with him… Alan Rickman and Michael Aldridge star in this comedy inspired by Browning’s poem ‘Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister’. The Barretts of Wimpole Street – Starring Dorothy Tutin and Jeremy Brett, this radio version of Rudolf Besier’s celebrated stage play explores the secret courtship of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning, which took place at No 50 Wimpole Street, her father’s forbidding household. First published 1842 (‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’, ‘My Last Duchess’), 1855 (‘Andrea del Sarto’), 1868 (‘The Ring and the Book’) Cast and credits Written by Robert Browning The Ring and the Book Cast: Anton Lesser, Roger Allam, Lou Brealey, Dominic Rowan, Andrew Sachs, Frances Jeater, Dan Starkey, Stephen Critchlow, Ben Crowe, Chris Pavlo, Joan Walker, John Rowe, Michael Maloney, Stephen Moore The Pied Piper of Hamelin Cast: David Tennant, Bertie Gilbert With music and songs written and performed by John Harle, lyrics by Joyce Harle, sung by Thomas Platts, head chorister at Canterbury Cathedral with the choir of Wingham School, Kent My Last Duchess Cast: Roger Allam, Emily Mortimer, Tim McInnerny, Robert Hands, John Hartley, Jacob Heringman Andrea del Sarto Read by Richard Pasco The Contemplative Life Cast: Alan Rickman, Michael Aldridge, David Garth, Brian Smith, Colin Starkey, David Sinclair, Trevor Nichols, John Webb The Barretts of Wimpole Street Cast: Dorothy Tutin, Jeremy Brett, Paul Rogers, William Eedle, John Rowe, John Samson, Robin Browne, David Valla, Christopher Good, Kate Binchy, Jane Knowles, Kenneth Fortescue, Helen Worth, Michael Kilgarriff, Rolf Lefebvre, John Ruddock, Sheila Grant © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Robert Browning (Author), Alan Rickman, Andrew Sachs, Anton Lesser, Ben Crowe, Chris Pavlo, Dan Starkey, David Tennant, Emily Mortimer, Frances Jeater, Full Cast, Joan Walker, Louise Brealey, Roger Allam, Stephen Critchlow, Tim McInnerny (Narrator)

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Patrick Hamilton: Rope, Gaslight, Hangover Square and more: Seven BBC Radio Full-Cast Productions

"A collection of thrilling radio dramas from the celebrated novelist and playwright Patrick Hamilton is renowned for his gritty, slice-of-life tales chronicling the hopes, dreams and obsessions of London's working class in the inter-war years. This collection brings together his key pieces, together with some lesser-known classics and a bonus 2004 documentary exploring his achievements and legacy. Hangover Square - Earl's Court, 1939. With war looming, everyone is frantically pursuing a good time. But when composer George Bone becomes obsessed with beautiful, fast-living actress Netta, murder and madness ensue... This brooding adaptation of Patrick Hamilton's masterpiece stars Nicholas Farrell and Amanda Redman. Rope - Believing they have committed the perfect murder, two students throw a macabre dinner party, where the guests include the victim's father. Will anyone see through their terrible vanity? Alan Rickman and Adam Baring star in this electrifying drama, famously adapted as an Alfred Hitchcock film. Gaslight - A husband commits to driving his wealthy young wife insane in order to steal from her in this psychological drama which originated the term 'gaslighting'. Starring Barbara Jefford and Michael Kilgarriff. Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky - Patrick Hamilton's semi-autobiographical trilogy tells a story of unrequited love amid the hardship of 1920s London, and comprises The Midnight Bell, The Siege of Pleasure and The Plains of Cement. Steven Pacey, Annette Badland, John Moffatt and Emily Morgan star. The Governess - Ethel Fry takes a position as a governess in the Drew household, but when the family discovers their baby son has been abducted, the entire house is thrown under suspicion. Starring Margaret Wolfit and Helen Worth To The Public Danger - A young couple fall into the company of two reckless motorists, whose drunk-driving has fatal consequences. Ivan Samson and Arthur Young star. The Duke in Darkness - Set in the Chateau Lamorre during the 16th-century French Civil Wars, this stirring tale of imprisonment and escape stars Alec Clunes and John Moffatt. A Portrait in Black - Biographer Nigel Jones celebrates the centenary of Hamilton's birth and his skill at conjuring up a lost world of seedy boarding-houses, third-class railway compartments, dance halls and fleapit cinemas. Text copyright © Patrick Hamilton 1929 (Rope), 1935 (Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky), 1938 (Gas Light), 1939 (To the Public Danger), 1941 (Hangover Square), 1943 (The Duke in Darkness), 1946 (The Governess) Cast and credits Written by Patrick Hamilton Hangover Square Rope Gaslight Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky The Governess To The Public Danger The Duke in Darkness Extra Content: A Portrait in Black 'If you were looking to fly from Dickens to Martin Amis with just one overnight stop, then Hamilton is your man' Nick Hornby © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Patrick Hamilton (Author), Adam Bareham, Alan Rickman, Amanda Redman, Annette Badland, Barbara Jefford, David Thorpe, Full Cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, John Moffatt, Michael Kilgarriff, Nicholas Farrell, Steven Pacey (Narrator)

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William Boyd: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: A Good Man in Africa, An Ice Cream War, Restless and mor

"A collection of BBC dramatisations and readings of William Boyd's award-winning novels and short stories One of Britain's foremost contemporary writers, William Boyd is renowned worldwide for his bestselling novels, which have been translated into over 30 languages. He has won numerous awards, including the Somerset Maugham Award (for A Good Man in Africa), the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize (for An Ice-Cream War) and the Costa Book Award (for Restless). Collected here are the BBC radio productions of all three acclaimed books. Starring Alan Rickman Alison Steadman and Bill Paterson, A Good Man in Africa tells the satirical story of a buffoonish diplomat's struggles in a fictional West African country. In the espionage thriller Restless, it is 1976, and Ruth discovers that her very English mother, Sally, is in fact a Russian emigré and former British spy. Eileen Atkins stars as Sally, with Fenella Woolgar as Ruth. And in An Ice-Cream War, as millions face slaughter on the Western Front, British and German colonists in East Africa try to emulate their European counterparts. Nickolas Grace and William Hootkins star in this darkly comic drama. Also included are dramatisations of three of Boyd's superb short stories. 'On the Yankee Station' is a gripping tale of revenge on an American aircraft carrier; 'The Destiny of Nathalie X' features an African filmmaker's encounter with Hollywood and its grotesque inhabitants; and in the eerie 'A Haunting', a landscape architect finds himself taken over by an unseen presence. Peter Whitman, Keith Edwards, John Sessions and Maynard Eziashi are among the star casts. We conclude with five further stories, read by Ben Miles, Jonathan Firth, Bill Nighy, Niamh Cusack and Tom Goodman-Hill. 'Adult Video' features an Oxford post-graduate who 'rewinds', 'fast forwards' and 'plays' through his life; 'Varengeville' sees a young boy go exploring and meet a painter - as his mother entertains her 'friend'; 'Lunch' reveals a diner's eventful days through his restaurant receipts and pithy comments; 'Fantasia on a Favourite Waltz' centres around a prostitute's encounter with a talented young pianist; and 'The Pigeon' takes us into the world of a sickly author facing romantic betrayal and family fissures. Cast and credits Written by William Boyd Text copyright © William Boyd 1981 (A Good Man in Africa, 'On the Yankee Station'), 1982 (An Ice Cream War), 1995 ('The Destiny of Nathalie X'), 1998 ('Varengeville'), 2000 ('A Haunting'), 2004 ('Adult Video', 'Lunch', 'Fantasia on a Favourite Waltz', 'The Pigeon'), 2006 (Restless) A Good Man in Africa Dramatised by Stephen Davis Directed by Richard Wortley First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18 March 1985 Restless Dramatised by Melissa Murray Directed by Marc Beeby First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6-17 April 2009 An Ice Cream War Dramatised by John Peacock Directed by Eoin O'Callaghan First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 May-16 June 1994 'On the Yankee Station' Adapted by William Boyd Directed by Richard Wortley First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9 May 1985 'The Destiny of Nathalie X' Directed by Dave Batchelor First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 November 1998 'A Haunting' Directed by Dave Batchelor First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28 December 2001 William Boyd - Fascination Abridged by Neville Teller Produced by Duncan Minshull First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15-19 November 2004 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

William Boyd (Author), Alan Rickman, Alison Steadman, Ben Miles, Bill Nighy, Bill Paterson, Eileen Atkins, Fenella Woolgar, Full Cast, Niamh Cusack, Tom Goodman-Hill (Narrator)

Audiobook

Thomas Middleton: The Changeling, Women Beware Women & More: 6 BBC Radio 4 full-cast productions

"A superlative collection of Jacobean comedies and tragedies from 'our other Shakespeare', Thomas Middleton One of the most prolific playwrights of the Jacobean era, Thomas Middleton achieved great success with his cynically satirical comedies and bloodthirsty tragedies. Considered the only true rival to Shakespeare, Middleton is widely believed to have collaborated with the Bard on several plays, including Timon of Athens. This dazzling collection comprises dramatisations of his most famous works, including his two masterpieces, The Changeling and Women Beware Women. The Changeling - Betrothed to the nobleman Alonzo de Piracquo, Beatrice-Joanna falls in love with Alsemero and seeks the help of her father's man, De Flores. Anna Madeley and Zubin Varla star in this updated retelling of Thomas Middleton and William Rowley's dark tale of lust, obsession and murder, set in Alicante in the 1920s. Women Beware Women - When Leantio's beautiful wife Bianca catches the eye of the duke, the worldly Livia arranges an assignation, plunging Bianca into the vice and corruption of the court. Penny Downie and Beth Chalmers star in Thomas Middleton's poetic tragedy where women are the worst betrayers. A Chaste Maid in Cheapside - Moll Yellowhammer's parents are determined to marry her to the arrogant Sir Walter Whorehound, but her love for the impoverished Touchwood Junior upends their plans... Set in 17th Century London, Middleton's bawdy black comedy depicts a world of sexual hypocrisy and deceit. Starring Sarah Badel, Dilys Laye, Hugh Paddick and Norman Rodway. A Trick to Catch the Old One - In debt to his greedy uncle Lucre, the spendthrift Witgood devises a cunning scheme to get back his estates and marry his love. Alan Rickman, Maurice Denham and Dilys Laye star in this city comedy about avarice and the power of money. A Mad World, My Masters - Follywit, kept penniless by his rich grandfather, Sir Bounteous Progress, devises an ingenious plot to get his hands on his inheritance - but will he get a taste of his own medicine? Starring Roy Marsden and James Villiers. The Honest Whore - In this two-part comedy by Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker, the prostitute Bellafront falls in love with the courtier Hippolito, but his heart belongs to another. Joss Ackland and Madi Hedd star in this irreverent satire of Jacobean society. First published 1604 (The Honest Whore Part 1), 1605 (A Trick to Catch the Old One; A Mad World, My Masters), 1613 (A Chaste Maid in Cheapside), 1621 (Women Beware Women), 1622 (The Changeling), 1630 (The Honest Whore Part 2) Cast and credits Written by Thomas Middleton The Changeling co-written with William Rowley The Honest Whore co-written with Thomas Dekker Contents List The Changeling Women Beware Women A Chaste Maid in Cheapside A Trick to Catch the Old One A Mad World, My Masters The Honest Whore © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Thomas Middleton (Author), Alan Rickman, Anna Madeley, Dilys Laye, Full Cast, John Rowe, Joss Ackland, Madi Hedd, Maurice Denham, Peter Bayliss, Roy Marsden (Narrator)

Audiobook

Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales

"Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales is an extraordinary audiobook featuring Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, CCH Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard with a special message from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Original Music by South African legends by Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela, Directed by Alfre Woodard. The audiobook was a truly international affair recorded in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, London, and Johannesburg. The stories were chosen by the Nobel Laureate himself, from every region of Africa. 'We hope this audiobook will be enjoyed by people of all ages across the globe, increasing awareness of Africa's rich cultures while creating a better future for South Africa's most vulnerable children,' said ANSA Executive Director Sharon Gelman.In his original foreword for the folktales, Nelson Mandela wrote, 'It is my wish that the voice of the storyteller may never die in Africa, that all the children of the world may experience the wonder of books.' The audiobook brings his vision full circle, as these timeless tales return to the oral tradition to be heard around the world."

Nelson Mandela (Author), Alan Rickman, Alfre Woodard, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Benjamin Bratt, Blair Underwood, Cch Pounder, Charlize Theron, Debra Messing, Don Cheadle, Forest Whitaker, Gillian Anderson, Helen Mirren, Hugh Jackman, Jurnee Smollett, Latanya Richardson Jackson, Levar Burton, Matt Damon, Parminder Nagra, Ricardo Chavira, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Sean Hayes, Sophie Okonedo, Whoopi Goldberg (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Alan Rickman