Audiobooks narrated by Angela Pleasence

Margaret Forster: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Three Full-Cast Dramatisations including Georgy Girl

"A trio of novels by the award-winning author, dramatised with full casts for BBC Radio Carlisle-born author Margaret Forster wrote over 25 acclaimed novels, as well as numerous memoirs and biographies. She was best known for her classic Georgy Girl, a zeitgeist tale of Swinging Sixties London which was adapted as a hit film and inspired a chart-topping single by The Seekers. Featured here is a 2013 radio dramatisation, together with two compelling stories of family dynamics and female friendship. Georgy Girl – 1965. Twenty-seven-year-old Londoner Georgina ‘Georgy’ Parkin is sparky, funny and financially independent, but has never been asked out on a date, let alone kissed. She longs to meet someone, but when she falls in love with the charming, directionless Jos, complications arise… Starring Lucy Speed, Paul Ready, Stephen Critchlow and Philippa Stanton. Private Papers – When Rosemary finds her mother’s secret account of their family history hidden at the back of a drawer, she is outraged by what she reads – so she decides to add her own version of events… Spanning four decades, from the Second World War to the Falklands War, this insightful tale of mother/daughter relationships and differing perspectives stars Angela Pleasance and Nichola McAuliffe. Lady’s Maid – Arriving in London in 1844, shy Lily Wilson takes up a position as maid to the poet Elizabeth Barrett, and soon becomes her companion and confidante. Across the social barrier, both women learn much about friendship and the vicissitudes of love: and as their bond grows closer, Lily finds herself playing a vital role in Elizabeth’s elopement with Robert Browning…Starring Jane Whittenshaw and Kate Buffery. Cast and credits Written by Margaret Forster Georgy Girl Georgy – Lucy Speed Jos – Paul Ready James – Stephen Critchlow Meredith – Philippa Stanton Peg – Ella Smith Ted – Ben Crowe Doris – Joanna Brookes Dramatised by Rhiannon Tise Directed by Tracey Neale First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2-6 Sep 2013 Private Papers Penelope (mother) – Angela Pleasence Rosemary – Nichola McAuliffe Oliver – Simon Armstrong Grandmother Butler – June Barrie Mike – Oliver Ryan Celia – Jenny Funnell Jess – Gemma Kelly Emily – Jessica Lloyd Andrew Baylis – Brendan Charleson Daniel – Ben Sullivan Dramatised by Juliet Ace Directed by Tanya Nash First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 Jan-4 Feb 2000 Lady’s Maid Lily Wilson – Jane Whittenshaw Elizabeth Barrett Browning – Kate Buffery Robert Browning – Julian Wadham Timothy – David Thorpe Ferdinando – Andrew Wincott Lizzie Crow – Linda Regan Mrs Robinson – Zulema Dene Sarah/Henrietta – Patience Tomlinson Tilly – Sandra James Young Landor – Geoffrey Whitehead Dramatised by Ed Thomason Directed by Cherry Cookson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 Sep 1995 © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

E.M. Forster (Author), Angela Pleasence, Carolyn Bonnyman, Clare Corbett, Emma Rydal, Full Cast, Jane Whittenshaw, Jayne McKenna, Jenny Funnell, Kate Buffery, Lucy Speed, Paul Ready, Stephen Critchlow (Narrator)

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Elizabeth Taylor: A BBC Radio Collection: 20 dramas and short stories from the acclaimed 20th Century novelist

"Full-cast dramatisations of three acclaimed novels by Elizabeth Taylor – including Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont – plus 17 readings of her short fiction Described by Antonia Fraser as ‘one of the most underrated novelists of the 20th century’, Elizabeth Taylor was much admired for her witty, acutely observed stories of middle-class life. She never achieved widespread recognition during her lifetime – perhaps due to the fame of her Hollywood namesake – but since her death in 1975, her work has been rediscovered. This collection showcases the very best of her oeuvre, as heard on BBC Radio. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont is the poignant tale of an elderly lady who moves into a genteel London hotel and strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young writer. Jean Anderson stars as Mrs Palfrey in this 1974 adaptation, with Tony Robinson as Ludo. In A Wreath of Roses, starring Angela Pleasence, a violent and disturbing incident at the start of her holiday proves to be a memory Camilla cannot escape, while In a Summer Season sees wealthy widow Kate marrying a younger man, provoking gossip among her conventional 1950s community. Kate Buffery stars in this moving drama about love and the transience of happiness. Taylor’s short stories, a number of which appeared in The New Yorker and Harper’s Bazaar, are regarded by many as her crowning achievement. Included here are 15 of them, beginning with three tales read by Joanna Tope – ‘The Idea of Age’, ‘Plenty Good Fiesta’ and ‘The Blush’. The rest of the stories are read by David Troughton, Joanna David, Sarah Badel, Sheila Mitchell, Fiona Walker, Ann Windsor, Rosemary Leach, Shireen Shah and Cécile Chevreau respectively. Two 13-part Woman’s Hour serials conclude our compilation. In The Wedding Group, read by June Barrie, two rebellious young people, each escaping their families, make an unhappy marriage. And in The Sleeping Beauty, read by Nigel Anthony, a 50-year-old bachelor becomes smitten with an enigmatic recluse – but both of them are nursing secrets... Contents Dramatisations: Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont A Wreath of Roses In a Summer Season Short Stories: The Idea of Age Plenty Good Fiesta The Blush The Letter Writers The Benefactress Hotel du Commerce Spry Old Character A Dedicated Man The Devastating Boys Sisters Swan Moving Simone Flesh Gravement Endommage In and Out the Houses The Wedding Group The Sleeping Beauty © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Elizabeth Taylor (Author), Angela Pleasence, Chris Garner, Full Cast, Helen Weaver, Jean Anderson, Kate Buffery, Marian Diamond, Michael Fenton Stevens, Peter Acre, Robert Lang, Rosalie Crutchley, Sir Tony Robinson (Narrator)

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Lucinda Brayford: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Drama

"The classic tale of an Australian girl who marries into the English aristocracy at a time of great change to the traditional order November 1910, and seventeen-year-old Lucinda is looking forward to being making her debut in Melbourne society. Beautiful and wealthy, she is set to make a brilliant match – and when she meets dashing army officer Hugo Brayford, the younger brother of an English viscount, it seems she has succeeded in landing her prize. Bowled over by his charm and aristocratic lineage, impressionable Lucinda quickly forgets her first love, Tony Duff, and accepts Hugo’s proposal of marriage. Leaving Australia, she prepares to start a new life in England – but all is not as she had anticipated. Hugo is frequently away, runs up debts that Lucinda must settle, and even the birth of his son, Stephen, cannot keep him by his wife’s side. And when he is injured fighting in the Great War, Lucinda finds herself faced with a terrible dilemma. Torn between society’s expectations and her heart’s desires, can she find the happiness she craves? Inspired by his own upper-class ancestors and his experiences during World War I, Martin Boyd’s seminal tale of family, class, marriage and money spans 30 years, from the last days of the Edwardian era to the Second World War. At once a romance and a chronicle of a world in flux, it charts one woman’s life and loves against the backdrop of societal transformation. Juliet Aubrey stars in this captivating adaptation, with a stellar cast including Eleanor Bron, James Laurenson, Penelope Wilton and Paul Rhys. Production credits Written by Martin Boyd Dramatised by Elspeth Sands Directed by Janet Whitaker Cast Lucinda – Juliet Aubrey Hugo – Jonathan Firth Julie – Angela Pleasence Fred – James Laurensen Lydia – Abigail McKern Lady Wendale – Eleanor Bron Marian – Penelope Wilton Tony Duff – Matt Day Paul Brayford – Paul Rhys Susannah Brayford – Pamela Wise Arthur – Michael Cochrane Pat Lanfranc – Mark Straker Watteau – Miranda Barber Canon Chapman – David Timson Bill Vane – Nicholas Boulton Mrs Greene-James – Joanna McCallum Mrs. Galway – Ndidi Del Fatti Driver – Jason Chan Lord Fitzauncell – Stephen Hogan Stephen – Robert Hastie Muriel – Helen Longworth Heather – Alex Tregear Bill as a child/Stephen as a child – Pax Baldwin Commanding Officer – Hugh Dickson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2-16 January 2005 © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Martin Boyd (Author), Alex Tregear, Angela Pleasence, Eleanor Bron, Full Cast, Helen Longworth, Jason Chan, Joanna McCallum, Jonathan Firth, Juliet Aubrey, Mark Straker, Michael Cochrane, Paul Rhys, Penelope Wilton (Narrator)

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The Murder of the Maharajah & The Governess: Two Full-Cast BBC Radio Crime Dramatisations

"BBC Radio adaptations of two historical crime novels by H. R. F. Keating, plus bonus extract from Bookshelf British detective writer H. R. F. Keating was best known as the creator of Inspector Ghote of the Mumbai CID. He won two Crime Writers’ Association Gold Daggers, and in 1996 was awarded the Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement. Included here are dramatisations of two of his most popular murder mysteries, set in 1930s India and Victorian London, plus a short clip from Radio 4’s Bookshelf featuring the award-winning author. The Murder of the Maharajah – His Highness the Maharajah of Bhopore delights in playing April Fool’s Day tricks on his guests – but the joke turns sour when one of his pranks inadvertently leads to his own murder. Five people apparently had the means and motive to kill him, but as District Superintendent of Police Howard investigates, he realises that the circle of suspects is wider than it seems. Zia Mohyeddin, Renu Setna and Sam Dastor star in this entertaining, Christie-esque drama, adapted from H. R. F. Keating’s Gold Dagger Award-winning novel. The Governess – When Harriet Unwin is hired as a governess in a wealthy London household, it seems that luck is on her side. That is, until the master of the house, William Thackerton, is found stabbed to death – and all the evidence points to her. Desperate to prove her innocence, she turns detective, uncovering the dark secrets hidden behind the family’s respectable Victorian facade.... Based on H. R. F. Keating’s novel written under the pseudonym Evelyn Hervey, this atmospheric adaptation stars Angela Pleasance and James Bolam. Bookshelf – Talking to fellow thriller writer Susan Hill, H. R. F. Keating holds up a magnifying glass to the art of crime fiction as he discusses his work and ideas. Please note: this collection contains language that reflects the attitudes of the era The Murder of the Maharajah text copyright © H. R. F. Keating 1980 The Governess text copyright © Evelyn Hervey 1983 Production credits Written by H. R. F. Keating The Murder of the Maharajah Maharajah – Zia Mohyeddin Dewan – Renu Setna Porgy – Lyndam Gregory D S P Howard – Sam Dastor Ram Singh – Amerjit Deu Sir Arthur – Philip Anthony Michael – Luke Beeson Schoolmaster – Bhasker Dolly – Rachel Atkins Judy – Oona Beeson Elaine – Sheila Mitchell Frere – Dominic Letts Joe – Steve Hodson Morton – Barry Gordon The Governess Harriet Unwin – Angela Pleasance Sergeant Drewd – James Bolam Pelham – James Holland Mrs Arthur Thackerton – Susan Jameson William Thackerton – Jack May Arthur Thackerton – Tony Mathews Joseph – Steve Hodson Vilkins – Emily Richard Grandmother Thackerton – Joan Matheson Hopkinson – David Sinclair Hannah – Victoria Carling Mrs Breakspear – Eva Stuart Newspaper voice – John Rye Miss Bond – Marian Diamond John – Stephen Tompkinson PC Wilson – Anthony Jackson Surgeon – Alan Dudley Mr Brattle – Kim Wall PC Smithers – Michael Troughton Superintendent – Stephen Thorne © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

H. R. F. Keating (Author), Angela Pleasence, Full Cast, James Bolam, Sam Dastor, Stephen Thorne, Stephen Tompkinson, Susan Hill, Zia Mohyeddin (Narrator)

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Posters of the Moulin Rouge: Eight BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas based on the characters of Toulouse-Lautrec

"Toulouse-Lautrec's iconic Parisian poster stars come to life in these full-cast dramas, set in 19th-century Montmartre 1889, Paris. When Charles Zidler's extravagant pleasure palace, the Moulin Rouge, opens in bohemian Montmartre, he commissions local artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec to create a series of posters to promote it. The striking lithographs Henri produces will make his name - and launch the careers of the performers he portrayed. This sparkling collection of plays introduces us to eight of those legendary artistes, whose lives were as vivid as Lautrec's paint. It opens with Yvette Guilbert, the story of a singer whose dreams of wealth and fame lead her to a brand new cabaret on Boulevard de Clichy.... In The Boneless Wonder, we meet can-can dancer Valentin Renaudin. Merely a silhouette in Toulouse-Lautrec's poster, what is he in real life? La Goulue tells the tale of his famous partner, Louise Weber, whose soubriquet reflects her love of food and life. And in Jane Avril, we hear about Henri's muse, whose nickname 'Crazy Jane' didn't simply refer to her exuberant dancing. May Belfort explores the Irish singer turned lady of the night, who relied more on her beauty than her voice. In Footitt and Chocolat, a circus double act is in danger of drifting apart; while in Casque d'Or, a group of passionate revolutionaries make a fatal last stand. Finally, Aristide Bruant sees the socialist club owner becoming a fashionable success - against all his intentions. He needs to find a new direction: as does Yvette Guilbert... Created by award-winning writer John Peacock, these dazzling dramas will transport you to Belle Époque Paris, in all its glamour and decadence. The star casts include Julie Covington as Yvette Guilbert, Frances Barber as La Goulue, Bonnie Langford as May Belfort, Bernard Hill as Aristide Bruant and Miranda Richardson as Marie Briand. Written by John Peacock Directed by Jane Morgan Music by Stephen Warbeck Technical presentation: David Greenwood, assisted by Anne Bunting and Colin Guthrie © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

John Peacock (Author), Angela Pleasence, Bernard Hill, Bonnie Langford, Clarence Smith, Dermot Crowley, Frances Barber, Full Cast, Julie Covington, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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Hamlet (Classic Radio Theatre)

"Written over four hundred years ago, ‘Hamlet’ still remains one of the most powerful, influential and thrilling tragedies in the English language. The story of Prince Hamlet and his quest for vengeance has been interpreted countless times on stage, film and television. With its riveting plot featuring murder and supernatural horror; and presenting possibly the most fascinating character in the history of drama, it never fails to enthral. This BBC archive production from 1971 was produced by the renowned John Tydeman and features a cast of highly-regarded actors, with music from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop."

William Shakespeare (Author), Angela Pleasence, Full Cast, Maxine Audley, Ronald Pickup (Narrator)

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Foundation Trilogy

"The opening episode begins on Trantor, capital of the Galactic Empire, with the meeting of Seldon and Dornick, their trial, and their exile to Terminus. The action then jumps forward 50 years, to the first Seldon Crisis, where the repercussions of the recent independence of the Four Kingdoms of the Periphery are being felt on Terminus, and are handled by the first Mayor, Salvor Hardin. The scene then moves forward a further 20 years, as Mayor Hardin faces down the domination of the nearby and most powerful Kingdom, Anacreon."

Isaac Asimov, Maurice Denham, Prunella Scales (Author), Angela Pleasence, Dinsdale Landon, Geoffrey Beevers, Julian Glover, Lee Montague (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Angela Pleasence

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