Audiobooks Narrated by Alec Heggie

Racine’s Tragedies: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Four Classic Full-Cast Productions including Phaedra & Berenice

"Four neo-classical tragedies from the renowned French dramatist, with star-studded casts including Timothy West, Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan Jean-Baptiste Racine stands with Molière and Corneille as one of the three premier dramatists of 17th-century France. A foundational figure in both Western and world literature, he is chiefly known for his tragic masterpieces. Mingling Ancient Greek myth with French classical flair, the four works in this collection are among his finest. Phaedra – First performed in 1677 and based on Euripides’ Hippolytus, this gripping drama tells the tale of the eponymous queen, married to Theseus, who is consumed by an obsessive passion for her stepson Hippolytus. When her illicit love is revealed, the consequences are catastrophic. Barbara Jefford, Christopher Guinee and Paul Daneman star alongside Prunella Scales and Timothy West in Racine’s tragic tale of desire, madness, guilt and remorse. Andromache – Set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, this fatalistic tale revolves around unrequited love. Pyrrhus, Achilles’ son, is in love with Andromache, whom he has brought as a captive to his court in Epirus. But Pyrrhus is betrothed to Hermione, who adores him, while she is likewise idolised by Orestes, who has been sent by the Greeks to demand the killing of Andromache’s son, Astyanax. The devastating force of their emotional conflict leads to murder, suicide and madness… Starring Suzanne Bertish, Sarah Collier, Alec Heggie and David Rintoul. Mithridates – Nymphaeum, 70 BC. When King Mithridates returns unexpectedly after being reported dead in battle, he finds his two sons, Pharnaces and Xiphares, vying for his throne and the heart of his betrothed Queen, Monima. Suspecting treachery, he devises a trap to test their loyalties – only to find his worst fears confirmed… Geraldine McEwan, Marius Goring, Clifford Norgate and Martin Jarvis star in this masterful portrait of forbidden passion, sibling rivalry and betrayal. Berenice – Famously described by Racine himself as possessing a ‘majestic sadness’, this heartbreaking drama focuses on a love triangle between Titus, the Roman Emperor, Berenice, Queen of Palestine and Antiochus, King of Commagene. Titus longs to marry Berenice, but knows the people of Rome would never accept a foreign consort. Antiochus, meanwhile, hopes against hope that Berenice will one day return his devotion. Torn between duty and happiness, all three must decide whether to follow their hearts, or accept their fates. Starring Peter Egan, Rachel Gurney and John Rye. Phaedra Phaedra – Barbara Jefford Hippolytus – Christopher Guinee Theseus – Paul Daneman Oenone – Sheila Allen Aricia – Prunella Scales Theramenes – Timothy West Panope – Madi Hedd Ismène – Alexa Romanis Andromache Andromache – Suzanne Bertish Hermione – Sarah Collier Orestes – Alec Heggie Pyrrhus – David Rintoul Pylades – Paul Young Cleone – Beth Robens Cephisa – Diana Olsson Phoenix – James Cairncross Mithridates Mithridates, King of Pontus – Marius Goring Monima. affianced to Mithridates and already proclaimed Queen – Geraldine McEwan Arbates Governor of Nymphaeum fort – William Fox Phaedima– Joan Haythorne Arcas– John Forrest Sons of Mithridates Pharnaces – Clifford Norgate Xiphares – Martin Jarvis Berenice Antiochus, King of Commagene – John Rye Arsaces - Michael Kilgarriff Berenice, Queen of Palestine – Rachel Gurney Phoenissa, confidante of Berenice – Margaret Wolfit Titus, Emperor of Rome – Peter Egan Paulinus, confidant of Titus – William Eedle Rutilus, a Roman – Nigel Lambert © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. ? 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Jean Racine (Author), Alec Heggie, Barbara Jefford, David Rintoul, Diana Olsson, Full Cast, Paul Young, Prunella Scales, Sheila Allen, Timothy West, William Fox (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Sample Listen For Free

Cully & more: A BBC Radio Collection

"Ian Rankin introduces a gripping collection of his radio writing, featuring Alexander Morton as the roguish detective Mr Cullender in two original radio dramas, and as Inspector Rebus in Let it Bleed Best known for his Inspector Rebus novels, Sir Ian Rankin is one of Britain’s most successful and acclaimed crime writers. He has won numerous awards, including the CWA Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement, and in 2023 he received a knighthood for services to literature and charity. He has also written extensively for BBC Radio, and in this collection he guides us through a selection of those pieces as they were first heard on the airwaves. The collection opens with two feature-length, full-cast period dramas set in Edinburgh in the 1790s, introducing the resourceful if low-born Mr Cullender (‘Cully’) – caddie, manservant and general dogsbody. The enterprising detective, played by Alexander Morton, goes in search of a double murderer (The Serpent’s Back) and investigates a series of ritualistic wine-cellar killings (The Third Gentleman). Next, Let it Bleed sees Morton starring as Detective Inspector John Rebus in the very first BBC Radio Rebus adaptation, in which the maverick cop probes political corruption and insider dealing – and uncovers the dark underbelly of 1990s Scotland. Among the supporting cast are James Bryce as DI Flower, Sarah Collier as DCI Gill Templer and Crawford Logan as Chief Superintendent Watson. Specially written for Radio 4, the gripping crime serial The Deathwatch Journal, read by Jimmy Chisholm, takes place inside an Edinburgh prison in 1962, where jailer Thomas Scott is watching over a condemned man sentenced to hang for the murder of his wife. But as they wait out the days until his execution, Scott begins to suspect that Telfer is innocent… Also included are eight of Ian Rankin’s short stories – some original tales commissioned for radio, others recorded from his collection Beggars Banquet: ‘The Only True Comedian’ (read by Steven McNicoll), ‘The Confession’ (read by Alec Heggie), ‘Unlucky in Love, Unlucky at Cards’ (read by Billy Riddoch), ‘A Deep Hole’ (read by Steven McNicoll), ‘Step Right Up’ (read by Dominic Cooper), ‘Facing the Music’ (read by James MacPherson), ‘Herbert in Motion’ (read by James Bryce) and ‘The Hanged Man’ (read by Steven McNicoll). Ranging from the comic to the macabre, they feature hit men, con men, comedians, a private eye, a road digger, an art curator, a serial killer – and Edinburgh’s very own John Rebus. Contents The Serpent’s Back The Third Gentleman Let it Bleed The Deathwatch Journal ‘The Only True Comedian’ ‘The Confession’ ‘Unlucky at Love, Unlucky at Cards’ ‘A Deep Hole’ ‘Step Right Up’ ‘Facing the Music’ ‘Herbert in Motion’ ‘The Hanged Man’ Copyright © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Ian Rankin (Author), Alec Heggie, Alexander Morton, Billy Riddoch, Crawford Logan, Dominic Cooper, Full Cast, James Bryce, James MacPherson, Jimmy Chisholm, Sarah Collier, Steven McNicoll (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Sample Listen For Free

Running Before the Wind: A BBC Radio Full-Cast Drama

"A stunning family saga set on the banks of the River Clyde Immerse yourself in this beautiful family story set in the heart of Scotland as stories old and new emerge from the banks of the river. Featuring a full-cast, this is a stunning drama from the BBC archives and a treat for any audio fan with a love of rich stories, beautifully told. On a trip home, young Alison Lynn discovers an old wooden boat lying out of the water in the marina, named Isabella. Curious as to the origins of the boat’s name, she sets about finding the story of the elusive Isabella. Discovering that the boat’s namesake is still alive, an elderly lady of eighty-eight, Alison decides to track her down. The journey transports Alison back to the 1880s and she is immersed in her own family history, where the Lynns were a powerful force, building exquisite yachts with great craftsmanship. As a yachting fan herself, Alison is determined to bring Isabella back to her former glory with the help of her new found relative. This is a story full of love and passion, sorrow and death. It weaves a tale of family history against a backdrop of turbulent times that echo down the generations. Will Alison and Isabella be able to find peace and will they be able to save this relic of the past and embrace a new future? This listening treat is perfect for fans of immersive family stories from authors such as Anne Tyler and Joanna Trollope and is available as a complete download for the first time. Cast and credits Written by Catherine Czerkawska Directed by Hamish Wilson Isabella - Sybil Wintrope Alison - Louise Beattie Adam/Stirling - Allan Sharpe David - Alec Heggie Paolo - John Buick Hetty - Monica Gibb Ian - Liam Brennan Maclehose/Luke - Gibert Martin Annie - Sheila Donald Sadie - Anne Downie Malcolm - Alec Monteath David - Mark McDonnell Foreman/ Alexander - Tom Smith Emily - Irene MacDougall Jessie/Receptionist - Astrid Wilson Archivist/Archie - William Armour Matron/Young James - Mary Riggans Nurse/Midwife - Susie Maguire Cook - Ceit Kearney Kitchen maid - Wendy Ronald Young Hetty - Isabel Wright James Lynn - James MacPherson Bosun/Gardener - Stuart Davids OldMan/Paolo’s Papa - Douglas Stiven Episode titles 1. Casting Off 2. Hoisting the Sail 3. Still Waters 4. Weathering the Storm First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16th March - 6th April 1994 ©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Catherine Czerkawska (Author), Alec Heggie, Anne Downie, Full Cast, John Buick, Liam Brennan, Louise Beattie, Monica Gibb, Sybil Wintrope (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Sample Listen For Free

Arthur Conan Doyle: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: More stories from the author of Sherlock Holmes

"BBC Radio dramatisations and readings of some of Arthur Conan Doyle's other works - plus extracts from his letters and a bonus drama by Bert Coules Arthur Conan Doyle is well known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes, but he also wrote numerous works in which the great detective played no part. Included here is a selection of the best, ranging from science fiction to tales of supernatural terror and rip-roaring adventures set in Jacobean and Regency England. Our collection opens with the first of three dramas featuring the hot-tempered, larger-than-life scientist and explorer Professor Challenger. 'The Lost World' stars David Robb as Challenger, he heads on an expedition to a plateau in the Amazon Basin. Following this drama we have two further dramatisations starring Bill Paterson as Challenger this time. In 'When the World Screamed', he sets out on a bold mission to be recognised by Mother Earth, while 'The Disintegration Machine' sees him investigating dastardly Latvian inventor Theodore Nemor. 'The Captain of the Polestar' drama tells the chilling story of a ship trapped in the Arctic, and stars Alec Heggie as Craigie, a man haunted by a strange apparition. Also included are the short stories 'Playing With Fire', 'How It Happened', 'One Crowded Hour', 'The Fall of Lord Barrymore', 'The Sealed Room' and 'The Lost Special' (read by Edward de Souza, Sam Dale, Christopher Harper and David Schofield), and the fascinating series Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters, in which Forbes Masson and John Dougal read extracts from his correspondence to his mother about marriage, fatherhood, killing off Holmes and going into politics. Finally, how the author ran for Parliament in 1900 and lost is explored in Bert Coules' biographical drama Vote For Conan Doyle!, starring John Sessions. First published 1883 ('The Captain of the Polestar'), 1898 ('The Sealed Room', 'The Lost Special'), 1900 ('Playing With Fire'), 1911 ('One Crowded Hour'), 1912 ('The Lost World'), 1912 ('The Fall of Lord Barrymore'), 1913 ('How It Happened'), 1928 ('When The World Screamed'), 1929 ('The Disintegration Machine'), Cast and credits Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Track list Dramatisations 1. Professor Challenger: The Lost World - Episode 1 - A Bridge to the Unknown 2. Professor Challenger: The Lost World - Episode 2 - Our Eyes Have Seen Great Wonders 3. Professor Challenger: When The World Screamed 4. Professor Challenger: The Disintegration Machine 5. The Captain of the Polestar Short Stories 6. Playing With Fire 7. How It Happened 8. One Crowded Hour 9. The Fall of Lord Barrymore 10. The Sealed Room 11. The Lost Special Bonus content 12. Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters 13. Vote for Conan Doyle! ©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author), Alec Heggie, Bill Paterson, David Robb, David Schofield, Full Cast, Jamie Glover, John L. Sessions, Sam Dale (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Sample Listen For Free