Audiobooks narrated by Annette Badland

Thornton Wilder: Our Town, The Bridge of San Luis Rey & More: A BBC Radio full-cast drama collection

"Four of Thornton Wilder's most acclaimed works, adapted for BBC Radio - plus bonus material exploring his life and career Thornton Wilder is one of America's most important literary figures. He won the Pulitzer Prize three times - for his novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey and the plays Our Town and The Skin of Our Teeth - and is the only person to be awarded the Pulitzer for both fiction and drama. Included here are four of his key works, set in different times and places, but sharing the same fundamental motifs - the universality of human experience and our search for life's meaning. Our Town, his timeless tale of love, marriage, birth and death in a small American community, stars Ed Bishop, William Roberts and Liza Ross. It is preceded by a 10-minute introductory extract from Free Thinking, in which presenter Anne McElvoy and actor/director David Cromer discuss the play's themes and techniques. Wilder's masterpiece, The Bridge of San Luis Rey, tells the story of the five victims of a bridge collapse, and the eyewitness who sets out to understand why they were fated to die. A poignant philosophical fable, it features a stellar cast including Annette Badland, Robert Glenister, Tom Goodman-Hill and Helen McCrory. Adapted from the play by Jerome Kilty, The Ides of March is based on Wilder's epistolary novel centred around the last days of the Roman republic, and stars Robert Hardy as Julius Caesar. Next, Ed Bishop reads from Heaven's My Destination, the comic tale of an amateur philosopher who leaves a trail of chaos wherever he goes. Finally, in a fascinating episode of Front Row, Mark Lawson, theatre director David Lan and New York Times theatre critic Mel Gussow discuss how Wilder became a literary icon, and launched a quiet revolution in American theatre. Cast and credits Written by Thornton Wilder Copyright © by The Wilder Family LLC 1927 (The Bridge of San Luis Rey), 1935 (Heaven's My Destination), 1938 (Our Town), 1948 (The Ides of March) Free Thinking Presented by Anne McElvoy With David Cromer Produced by Zahid Warley First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 16 October 2014 Our Town Stage Manager - Ed Bishop Dr Gibbs - William Roberts Mrs Gibbs - Liza Ross George Gibbs - Ben Fairman Rebecca Gibbs - Teresa Gallagher Mr Webb - Garrick Hagon Mrs Webb/Dead Woman - Shelley Thompson Emily Webb - Barbara Barnes Joe Crowell/Si Crowell - Tom Bevan With Vincent Marzello, Peter Whitman, John Evitts and Frances Jeater Directed by David Hitchinson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 July 1995 The Bridge of San Luis Rey Madre Maria del Pilar - Annette Badland Uncle Pio - Michael Feast Jaime/Boy - Frederick Forge Brother Juniper/Captain Alvarado - Robert Glenister Esteban/Manuel - Tom Goodman-Hill Pepita/Dona Clara - Jasmine Hyde Camila, la Perichole - Helen McCrory Marquesa de Montemayor - Sian Phillips Dramatised by Judith Adams Directed by Gaynor MacFarlane First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 May 2002 The Ides of March Narrator - Patrick Tull Caesar - Robert Hardy Brutus - Sean Barrett Clodia - Margaret Robertson Cleopatra - Elizabeth Proud Pompeia, Caesar's wife - Patricia Gallimore Julia, Caesar's aunt - Betty Hardy Clodius - Nigel Lambert Catullus - David Spenser Adapted for radio by Nesta Pain from the play by Jerome Kilty Produced by Nesta Pain First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 August 1970 Heaven's My Destination Read by Ed Bishop First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 17 April 1997 Front Row Presented by Mark Lawson With David Lan and Mel Gussow Produced by Nicki Paxman First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 March 2004 Copyright © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Thornton Wilder (Author), Annette Badland, Barbara Barnes, Elizabeth Proud, Full Cast, Helen Mccrory, Robert Glenister, Robert Hardy, Sean Barrett, Tom Goodman-Hill (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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Sketches by Boz: A BBC Radio 4 comedy drama collection

"Slices of 19th-century London life from the pen of Charles Dickens Here are ten gloriously comic stories from Sketches by Boz, Charles Dickens' earliest collection of short pieces in which he honed his literary genius. Each tale is dramatised by Dr Stephen Wyatt with a full cast. ©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Cast and credits Written by Charles Dickens Dramatised by Dr Stephen Wyatt Directed by Sally Avens Starring Nicholas Farrell as Boz The Tuggses at Ramsgate The nouveau riche Tugg family discover that money cannot buy you love. Cast: Christopher Hancock, Frances Jeater, Colleen Prendergast, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Sean Baker, Tracy-Ann Oberman First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 September 1998 The Bloomsbury Christening The arrival of a bouncing baby boy is wonderful news - but not for miserable misanthrope Nicodemus Dumps. Cast: Alison Reid, Geoffrey Whitehead, Robert Harper, Charlie Simpson, Elaine Pyke First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 September 1998 The Great Winglebury Duel Alexander Trott finds it is possible to become betrothed in even the most trying circumstances. Cast: Peter Gunn, Julia Deakin, David Timson, Kim Wall and David Antrobus First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 September 1998 The Private Theatricals of Mrs Joseph Porter A household becomes obsessed with amateur dramatics - with farcical results. Cast: Geoffrey Whitehead, Frances Jeater, David Antrobus, Jane Holm, Shirley Dixon, Charles Simpson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 22 September 1998 Mr Watkins Tottle All Mr Tottle wants is to enter the blessed state of matrimony - but the course of true love never did run smooth. Cast: David Collings, John Hartley, Jenny Howe, Patience Tomlinson, Christopher Scott First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 29 September 1998 Love and Oysters Meeting an oyster seller sparks disruption for orderly John Dounce. Cast: David Calder, Samantha Spiro, Siriol Jenkins, Elizabeth Conboy, David Allister, loan Meredith First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5 July 1999 The Steam Excursion A boat trip on the Thames proves the undoing of 'paragon of perfection' Percy Noakes. Cast: Marston Bloom, Shirley Dixon, Joanna Monro, Jeremy Swift, Becky Hindley, Ben Crowe, Stephen Critchlow First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 July 1999 Sentiment The Crumpton sisters are delighted when an MP's daughter arrives at their finishing school - until a romantic attachment comes to light. Cast: Patience Tomlinson, Jane Booker, Gerard Murphy, Tilly Gaunt, Harry Myers, Elizabeth Conboy, Michael Mueller First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 July 1999 The Boarding House The respectability of Mrs Tibbs' residential establishment is threatened by a mysterious new lodger. Cast: Imelda Staunton, Annette Badland, Christopher Hancock, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Stephen Critchlow, Peter Gunn, Jason O'Mara First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 July 1999 Horatio Sparkins The snobbish Maldertons are thrilled when their unmarried daughter receives the attentions of the gentlemanly Mr Sparkins. But who exactly is he? Cast: David Haig, Tessa Worsley, Sarah-Jane Holm, Adrian Schiller, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Patrick Barlow First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2 August 1999"

Charles Dickens, Stephen Wyatt (Author), Annette Badland, David Antrobus, David Haig, Full Cast, Imelda Staunton, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Nicholas Farrell, Samantha Spiro, Tracy-Ann Oberman (Narrator)

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Smelling of Roses: The Complete Series 1-4: A BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

"Prunella Scales stars in this BBC Radio comedy following the trials and tribulations of Rosie Burns and her Brighton-based events management company Events manager Rosie Burns is used to coping with the unexpected, at work and at home. When her daughter Kate accidentally became a teenage mum, Rosie stepped in, raising her granddaughter Jo so that Kate could pursue her career in international banking. Now Jo works in the family firm alongside accountant Bob (who's nursing an unrequited love for Rosie) and Tess (whose love life never ceases to amaze). Things are ticking along nicely, until Rosie gets a phone call out of the blue - after fifteen years working abroad, Kate's lost her job and is coming home... In these four series, Rosie's life is shaken up as her dysfunctional family and recalcitrant clients cause problems on both the personal and the professional front. Confusion reigns when the company tackles a fundraiser for the Afghans, organising a town twinning causes complications, and, attempting to organise a literary prize, Rosie finds that not everything goes by the book... Meanwhile, Kate's angling for a position at a major finance company, Jo's got man trouble - and there's a potential romantic interest on the cards for Rosie. Created by award-winning author Simon Brett, whose sitcom credits include After Henry and No Commitments, this hilarious cross-generational comedy stars Prunella Scales as Rosie, with Arabella Weir as Kate, Rebecca Callard as Jo, Duncan Preston as Bob and Annette Badland as Tess. Produced by Maria Esposito Cast Rosie - Prunella Scales Kate - Arabella Weir Jo - Rebecca Callard Bob - Duncan Preston Tess - Annette Badland With Michael Fenton Stevens, Stephen Thorne, Jon Glover, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Will Ing, Alison Skilbeck, Kerry Shale, Debbie Norman, Alan Cowan, Lee Simpson, Chris Pavlo, David Holt, Joanna Monro, Celia Imrie, Owen Brenman, Simon Greenall, Rachel Atkins, David Wood, James Vaughan, Jim North, Stefan Abingdon, Alice Connor, Edward de Souza, Gillian Hanna, Simon Trinder, Bill Wallis, Natalie Walter, Ben Aris, Felicity Goodson, Jeremy Clyde, Kenny Blyth, Lee Dolan, Timothy Alcock, Sheila Mitchell, Chris Emmett, Lorelei King, Gideon Turner, Rebecca Front, Colin Sell, Timothy West, Richenda Carey, Bruce Alexander, James Ellis, Victoria Donavan, Colin Stinton, Suzanne Jameson, George Leyton, Mary Wimbush, Benjamin Whitrow and Rowland Davies First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 May-7 June 2000 (Series 1), 27 June-1 August 2001 (Series 2), 31 July-4 September 2002 (Series 3), 4 August-8 September 2003 ©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Simon Brett (Author), Annette Badland, Arabella Weir, Duncan Preston, Full Cast, Prunella Scales, Rebecca Callard (Narrator)

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DI Gwen Danbury: An Odd Body: Series 1-3: A BBC Radio crime drama

"All twelve episodes of the BBC radio detective drama, starring Annette Badland as DI Gwen Danbury Detective Inspector Gwen Danbury comes from a family of investigators. Her father was a policeman, and her mother Joan often discussed cases with him – on one occasion helping him to solve a tricky murder. Gwen already has a capable, efficient sidekick in the form of DS Henry Jacobs – but nevertheless, her mum insists on helping Gwen with her inquiries. In these three series, her interfering assistance proves invaluable as DI Danbury investigates a skeleton found in the Sussex woods, tracks down the killer of a respectable elderly lady, probes the theft of a valuable painting and encounters more than she bargained for on a murder mystery weekend... Miss Marple meets Midsomer Murders in this cosy crime series created by Sue Rodwell, whose writing credits include the radio version of Dixon of Dock Green. Annette Badland stars as DI Gwen Danbury, with Gudrun Ure, Stephanie Cole and Margaret Tyzack as Joan and John Duttine as Henry. Written by Sue Rodwell Directed by Glyn Dearman (Series 1), Rosemary Watts (Series 2 and 3) First broadcast between 1994 and 2004"

Sue Rodwell (Author), Annette Badland, Full Cast, Gudrun Ure (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Annette Badland