Audiobooks Narrated by Alun Armstrong

The Price of Oil: 7 BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas

"A collection of factual dramas exploring the history of oil - and the price we pay for it Ever since it was first drilled over 150 years ago, oil has been both a blessing and a curse. It has enabled economic growth; provided an efficient energy source; fuelled our entire infrastructure - and caused wars, pollution and global warming. These seven dramas, set between 1951 and 2045, and taking us from postwar Iran to futuristic Lancashire, examine the role oil has played in shaping our world: recounting incredible stories of wealth, power, politics and corruption. Stand Firm, You Cads! By Jonathan Myerson tells the colourful tale of how Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh took back the nation's oil from the British, and the chaos and conflict that followed. In Looking for Billy by Nigel Williams, a private detective investigates protests against an Alaskan pipeline - and finds out what oil did to the indigenous Inupiat people. The Weapon, by Jonathan Myerson, is a tense, thrilling dramatisation of the 1973 OPEC siege, while Baby Oil, also written by Myerson, is based on real events in the propaganda campaign at the outbreak of the First Gulf War. In Someone's Making a Killing in Nigeria by Rex Obano, a local businesswoman is caught up in the violent consequences of the Ogoni people's campaign against the oil industry. No Two Days by Joy Wilkinson is a mesmerising maze of stories about risk, passion and deep-sea oil, centred around an ambitious journalist's attempts to investigate the 2010 Deepwater Horizon rig explosion. And in Tamsin Ogleby's future oil comedy Blood from Stone, a father-and-son energy company struggles with the new economics of the oil market. Is Ralph right about getting out for good? Is his dad Charlie more addict than businessman? And will we ever be able to give up oil? Anna Maxwell Martin, Raad Rawi, Jemma Redgrave, Paul Ritter, Nicholas Le Prevost , James McArdle, Nadine Marshall, Faye Marsay, Obi Abili, David Ajala, Jude Akuwudike, and Alun Armstrong are among the casts in these enthralling dramas. Also included are two short clips in which Nicolas Kent discusses the difference between directing for radio and stage, and explains his inspiration for The Price of Oil. Production credits Devised by Nicolas Kent, with Jack Bradley and Jonathan Myerson Produced by Jonquil Panting Listening Order Stand Firm, You Cads! Written by Jonathan Myerson. Directed by Nicolas Kent. Pianist: Laurie O'Brien First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 September 2015 Looking for Billy Written by Nigel Williams. Directed by Nicolas Kent. Inupiat translations provided by Chelsey Zibell First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28 September 2015 The Weapon Written by Jonathan Myerson. Directed by Jonquil Panting First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 September 2015 Baby Oil Written by Jonathan Myerson. Directed by Nicolas Kent First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 September 2015 Someone's Making a Killing in Nigeria Written by Rex Obano. Directed by Jonquil Panting First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 October 2015 No Two Days Written by Joy Wilkinson. Directed by Nicolas Kent First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2 October 2015 Blood from Stone Written by Tamsin Oglesby. Directed by Jonquil Panting First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 October 2015 ©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Jonathan Meyerson, Joy Wilkinson, Nigel Williams, Rex Obano, Tamsin Oglesby (Author), Alun Armstrong, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Faye Marsay, Full Cast, Jemma Redgrave, Nadine Marshall, Nicholas Le Provost, Raad Rawi (Narrator)

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The Sit Crom: The complete BBC Radio 4 comedy series

"Autumn, 1646. The English Civil War is raging, and there’s trouble ahead for Sir John and Lady Anne Firebasket. There’s a Roundhead platoon camping out in the barn, a perplexed priest hiding behind the panelling and, unbeknown to the Firebaskets, their scullery maid Mercy is actually a disguised aristocrat (and Royalist spy) named Melissa Fortescue-Bottomley. While Mercy steels herself to carry out a deadly mission, pious steward Tobias Thynne rails against the Devil’s vegetables and Father Francis takes to the rooftops in a borrowed nightgown for a rendition of ‘Ave Maria’. With the whole household suffering from severe domestic derangement, it’s a bad time for General Cromwell to show up – and then news arrives that the fugitive King Charles has also decided to pay a visit... As confusion reigns, Sir John takes to drink, Lady Anne takes to her bed and the New Model Army take up their muskets. Will Firebasket Hall survive the hostilities? Scripted by Sue Limb (Gloomsbury, The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere), The Sit Crom features a wealth of comedy acting talent including Joss Ackland as Sir John Firebasket, Miriam Margolyes as Mercy and Alun Armstrong as Captain Arise Higgs. Produced by Jonathan James-Moore Music by Colin Sell Cast Sir John Firebasket – Joss Ackland Lady Anne Firebasket – Denise Coffey Tobias Thynne – Clive Merrison Mercy, alias Melissa – Miriam Margoyles Father Francis/Old Thomas – Nickolas Grace Slow Ned/King Charles – Chris Emmett Gazebo Fogg – Jack Klaff Captain Arise Higgs – Alun Armstrong Posthumous – Nicky Henson Lettice – Jane Whittenshaw Counter Tenor – Peter Hayward General Cromwell – Bert Parnaby Colonel Thundery – Peter Howell The New Model Army – The cast First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 6 October-10 November 1990"

Sue Limb (Author), Alun Armstrong, Clive Merrison, Denise Coffey, Full Cast, Joss Ackland, Miriam Margolyes (Narrator)

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The Madness Of George III

"Oscar-winning actor Jim Broadbent stars as ‘mad’ King George III in the title role of this adaptation of Alan Bennett’s award-winning play, which co-stars Cheryl Campbell, Nicholas Farrell and Alun Armstrong. The King is losing his mind. Doctors are brought in as his eccentric behaviour becomes more bizarre and erratic, while his son, the Prince Regent, waits – and plots. Combining Jim Broadbent’s ‘heartbreaking portrayal of the batty old monarch’ (Observer) with Alan Bennett’s trademark dark humour this full-cast drama was first heard on the BBC’s World Service. The Madness of George III was filmed as the Oscar-winning The Madness of King George, starring Nigel Hawthorne and Helen Mirren."

Alan Bennett (Author), Alun Armstrong, Cheryl Campbell, Full Cast, Jim Broadbent (Narrator)

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