Audiobooks Narrated by Benjamin Whitrow

Dear Mr Spectator: A BBC Radio full-cast drama inspired by the anonymous writings of the famous soci

"The complete Series 1 and 2 of the drama based on the publications of the real-life Lady Whistledown - the anonymous 18th Century columnist, 'Mr Spectator' 'Wonderfully droll' The Spectator London, 1710. Enigmatic man of letters Mr Spectator moves like a shadow through the city's streets and coffee-houses, observing the manners, morals and misdemeanours of his fellow men. He has his finger on the pulse of all the latest news and fashions, and shares his wit and wisdom in his daily news-sheet - which is avidly perused by readers from all stations of society, from the humble to the highest in the land. In these two radio series, we meet his greatest fans, who look to him to solve their problems and determine their futures... Series 1 centres around Gilbert Mowbray, a clockmaker who is fast approaching his 40th birthday - and is not handling it well. Neglecting his workshop and his customers, he spends his time glued to Mr Spectator's musings - much to his wife Kitty's exasperation. As his midlife crisis deepens, can the nation's favourite agony uncle help Gilbert reassess his life? In Series 2, Britain is nine million pounds in debt - but Chancellor of the Exchequer Robert Harley has a plan to generate the necessary income: a little idea called the South Sea Company. However, to get his Bill through Parliament, he needs someone the public trusts to speak out in favour of the scheme. Enlisting the aid of Palace paper-boy Ned Dempsey, Harley determines to track down Mr Spectator - but can Ned unmask the elusive scribbler before time, and Harley's patience, run out? Adapted by Elizabeth Kuti from Joseph Addison and Richard Steele's Spectator essays, this wry, whimsical drama stars Benjamin Whitrow (Pride and Prejudice) as Mr Spectator, the anonymous oracle who, like his fictional counterpart Lady Whistledown, hid behind a nom de plume to stoke controversy. Among the supporting cast are Richard Lumsden, Sam Troughton, Bryan Dick, David Schofield, Jemma Redgrave and Claire Rushbrook. Production credits Inspired by and dramatised from Joseph Addison and Richard Steele's 18th-century Spectator essays by Elizabeth Kuti Produced and directed by Heather Larmour Violin played by Paddy O'Flaherty Cast Mr Spectator - Benjamin Whitrow Gilbert - Richard Lumsden Kitty - Amy Marston Jonathan - Sam Troughton Coffee-boy - Samuel Barnett Lady - Fo Cullen Gentlemen- Miche Doherty/Richard Dormer/Chris McHallem/Mark Lambert Stockjobbers - Miche Doherty/Mark Lambert Disgruntled man/Freddie/Lion - Richard Dormer Wife/Leticia - Sarah Kants Spectacle inventor/Gravedigger - Chris McHallem Signor Niccolini - Miche Docherty Isabel - Emma Bolger Jacob - Daniel Walsh Aggie - Laura Conway Ned Dempsey - Bryan Dick Harley - David Schofield Abigail - Christina Cole Queen Anne - Jemma Redgrave Anne Baldwin - Claire Rushbrook Defoe - Sam Dale Aunt Maude - Stella McCusker Opera Singer - David Revels With Seainin Brennan, Niall Cusack, Paul Kennedy, Marty Maguire and Charlie Niblock-Hamill First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 12-16 January 2009 (Series 1), 16-20 August 2010 (Series 2) © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Joseph Addison, Richard Steele (Author), Benjamin Whitrow, Bryan Dick, Claire Rushbrook, David Schofield, Full Cast, Jemma Redgrave, Richard Lumsden, Sam Troughton (Narrator)

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Terence Rattigan: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: 13 full-cast productions: The Winslow Boy, The Brown

"13 of the finest works by the world-renowned playwright, as heard on BBC radio Sir Terence Rattigan was one of Britain's greatest playwrights, renowned for his well-crafted dramas of upper-class manners and repressed sexuality. He was hugely popular throughout the 1940s and early 50s, and had the rare distinction of having plays running in three West End theatres simultaneously. Having fallen out of fashion in the Sixties, his work is now enjoying a huge revival. Included here are some of his most esteemed plays, adapted for radio and brought together in chronological order in one statement collection. We begin with the sparkling comedy French Without Tears, introduced by the author himself. Next is one of his most famous plays, The Winslow Boy, the moving story of an innocent boy accused of theft. The Browning Version features a teacher overwhelmed by a schoolboy's unexpected gift, Adventure Story tells the dramatic tale of Alexander the Great, and The Final Test, adapted from Rattigan's 1951 television play, tells the comic story of a veteran cricketer's son who prefers music and poetry to cricket. The Deep Blue Sea centres around the troubled relationship of Hester and Freddie, who need each other, but are worlds apart. In Separate Tables, a radio version of the classic stage play set in the 1950s, a small group of residents at a Bournemouth hotel discover one of them harbours a devastating secret. Variation on a Theme is a reworking of Alexander Dumas' classic 19th-century novel La Dame aux Camélias, Ross explores the enigmatic life of T.E. Lawrence and Man and Boy focuses on a fraudulent financier who, with his worldwide empire facing collapse, flees to the New York apartment of his estranged son. Also featured are A Bequest to the Nation, a dramatised account of the Battle of Trafalgar and Lord Nelson's affair with Emma Hamilton, and In Praise of Love, inspired by the relationship between Rattigan's friend, the actor Rex Harrison, and his wife Kay Kendall. Last up is Rattigan's final play, Cause Célèbre, based on the story of Alma Rattenbury, who went on trial with her teenage lover for the murder of her husband. And in two bonus documentaries, Kaleidoscope: Terence Rattigan and Conversations with Terence Rattigan, the great author discusses his life, work and influence. Among the array of stars in these enthralling dramas are John Gielgud, Alan Bates, Diana Dors, Siân Phillips, Anna Massey, Amanda Root, Peter Sallis, Michael Williams, Saeed Jaffrey and Carleton Hobbs. NB: This collection contains language that reflects the attitudes of the era in which the plays were written Production credits Written by Terence Rattigan First published in 1936 (French without Tears), 1942 (While the Sun Shines),1946 (The Winslow Boy), 1948 (The Browning Version), 1949 (Adventure Story), 1951 (The Final Test), 1952 (The Deep Blue Sea), 1954 (Separate Tables), 1958 (Variation on a Theme), 1960 (Ross), 1963 (Man and Boy), 1970 (A Bequest to the Nation), 1973 (In Praise of Love), 1977 (Cause Célèbre) Contents List · French Without Tears Introduction by Terence Rattigan · The Winslow Boy · The Browning Version · Adventure Story · The Final Test · Deep Blue Sea · Separate Tables · Variation on a Theme · Ross · Man and Boy · A Bequest to the Nation · In Praise of Love · Cause Célèbre · Kaleidoscope: Terence Rattigan Presented by Christopher Matthew with Terence Rattigan · Conversations with Terence Rattigan ©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Terence Rattigan (Author), Alan Bates, Angela Baddeley, Anthony Quayle, Benjamin Whitrow, Carleton Hobbs, Full Cast, John Sir Gielgud, Michael Aldridge, Michael Bryant, Siân Phillips (Narrator)

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After Henry: The Complete BBC Radio Series 1-4

"All four series of the hugely popular BBC radio sitcom – plus two Christmas specials After the death of her GP husband, widow Sarah is battling to bring up her strong-willed 18-year-old daughter Clare, hindered by her meddling mother Eleanor. Living on the middle floor of the family home, with Clare downstairs and Eleanor upstairs, Sarah finds herself besieged from above and below as she tries to cope with the demands of both her mum and her daughter. Luckily, she finds solace at work, where her best friend and boss at Bygone Books, Russell, provides a sympathetic ear. In these four series, Sarah dips a tentative toe into the dating scene, daughter Clare has boyfriend troubles, and Eleanor takes a keen interest in both their love lives – sharing all the gossip with her pensioner friends, the ‘geriatric Mafia’. Holidays, house tidiness and hospital visits all cause problems for Sarah, and there are disagreements over everything from hiring a builder to the correct way to prepare Sunday lunch... Also included are two special seasonal episodes, in which the three women bicker over the festive planning and Eleanor’s strict Christmas Day timetable. Created by award-winning detective novelist and sitcom writer Simon Brett, this much-loved generation gap comedy ran for four years on radio between 1985 and 1989. It was adapted for ITV by Thames Television and was extremely successful, attracting 14 million viewers. Prunella Scales stars as Sarah, with Joan Sanderson as Eleanor and Gerry Cowper as Clare. Cast Sarah – Prunella Scales Eleanor – Joan Sanderson Clare – Gerry Cowper Russell – Benjamin Whitrow Nick – James Griffiths Janie – Marion Bailey Terry – Leo Dolan Clifford – Richard Davies Gwen – Ellen McIntosh Vicar – John Nettleton David – Nigel Williams Chris – Mark Kingston Alison – Mary Maddox Miles – David Quilter Quizmaster – Graham Blockey Customer – Alan Thompson Aubrey – Lockwood West Delivery boy – David Learner Doctor – Peter Howell Sister – Deborah Findlay Policeman – Michael Hadley Percy Bradshaw/The television – Simon Brett James – Edward de Souza Valuer – Nicholas Le Provost Neville – Ian Thompson Julian – Jasper Jacob The doctor – Julie Berry Tom Wilkinson – Peter Rod – Paul Sirr Lady Newby – Fabia Drake Vernon – Frederick Treves Gary – Ian Michie Auntie Lilian – Jean Anderson Production credits Written by Simon Brett Produced by Pete Atkin"

Simon Brett (Author), Benjamin Whitrow, Full Cast, Gerry Cowper, Joan Sanderson, Prunella Scales (Narrator)

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