Audiobooks Narrated by Christopher Bidmead

Empty World & more: A BBC Radio Sci-Fi Collection: Four Post-Apocalyptic Adventures

"Four speculative stories of disasters, dystopias and destroyed civilisations John Christopher is probably best known for his seminal science ficion novel The Death of Grass and his ‘Tripods’ trilogy for young adults, which was adapted for BBC TV and became a cult classic. Alongside John Wyndham, he was one of the foremost exponents of ‘disaster fiction’, and these four fantastic productions all centre around post-apocalyptic themes – from deadly diseases and parasitic aliens to environmental catastrophe and ruined earths... Empty World – When teenager Neil is orphaned in a car crash, he is left reeling. But worse is to come, for shortly after, humanity is devastated by a worlwide pandemic. Initially, the ‘Calcutta Plague’ kills only the elderly, but as a more virulent strain emerges, it starts to claim younger victims – including children. Soon, Neil finds himself navigating a deserted, dangerous world, where the few remaining survivors will do anything to stay alive. John Hollis is the narrator, with Richard Drabble as Neil, in this gripping tale set in 1970s England. The Possessors – Following an avalanche, the inhabitants of a Swiss chalet find themselves cut off from the nearby village. They have no electricity and no phone – but they have oil lamps, a solid fuel cooker and plenty of provisions, so the situation doesn’t seem too dire. Yet deep beneath the snow, an alien spore is stirring. Hywel Bennett reads this chilling story of extraterrestrial possession. The World in Winter – A dramatic fall in the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's atmosphere leads to a new Ice Age. Joining a flood of European refugees, journalist Jack Leedon seeks sanctuary in Nigeria: but is soon desperate to return to the frozen wasteland of his former home... Starring Jack Watling, Dennis Alaba Peters, Glyn Houston, Rosalind Shanks and Margaret Robertson. The New Wine – Autumn 2029, and lovers Ellen and Harl are meeting for the last time. Harl is about to embark on an interstellar voyage that to him will last eight years, but which will span a century back on Earth. Ellen, meanwhile, is poised to launch ‘Project X’, which will transform the next generation of humans into telepaths. One hundred years later, Harl’s crew step out of the ship to find a world irrevocably changed… Christopher Bidmead reads John Christopher’s unsettling short story exploring the perils of scientific hubris. Cast and credits Empty World Cast: John Hollis, Richard Drabble, Philip Davis, Tanya Ronder, Elizabeth Lindsay, Sandra Clark, Lee Galpin, Denys Hawthorne, Vicky Ireland, John Talbot and Henry Stamper Adapted by Kara May Produced by Peter Fozzard First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 Jan-6 Feb 1986 The Possessors Read by Hywel Bennett Adapted by Brian Gear Produced by Pamela Howe First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 Apr-20 Jun 1987 The World in Winter Cast: Haydn Jones, Jack Watling, Dennis Alaba Peters, Glyn Houston, Margaret Robertson, Rosalind Shanks, Ian Thompson, Christopher Bidmead, Lionel Ngkane, Lockwood West, Peter Williams, Jumoke Debayo, Alexander John and Frank Cousins Adapted by Jon Rollason from the novel by John Christopher Produced by Keith Williams First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 Mar 1968 The New Wine Read by Christopher Bidmead Abridged by Ronald Russell First broadcast BBC Home Service, 19 May 1967 (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

John Christopher (Author), Christopher Bidmead, Darrell Brockis, David Mitchell, Dennis Alara Peters, Glyn Houston, Gus Brown, Hywel Bennett, Jack Watling, John Hollis, Margaret Robertson, Rebecca Egan, Richard Drabble, Rosalind Shanks (Narrator)

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The School for Scandal, The Rivals & The Duenna: Three Full-Cast Vintage BBC Radio Productions

"Three of the ever-popular Sheridan’s finest plays Born in Dublin in 1751, Richard Brinsley Sheridan was a theatre impresario, statesman and the most celebrated playwright of his time. His brilliantly witty comedies of manners have become part of the literary canon, and are frequently performed around the world. This collection comprises three classic radio productions of his best works, performed by star casts including Barbara Mitchell, Rolf Lefebvre, Dorothy Tutin, Flora Robson, Dennis Quilley and Patricia Routledge. The School For Scandal – Collated from two manuscripts corrected by Sheridan himself, this 1967 radio version of his most famous play introduces us to gossip-monger Lady Sneerwell, who loves nothing more than spreading slander and ruining reputations. When she sets her sights on the young, rakish Charles Surface, the stage is set for scandal... The Rivals – Set in 18th century Bath, where the wealthy and fashionable come to take the waters, Sheridan’s sparkling debut centres around young lovers Jack Absolute and Lydia Languish. Knowing his beloved is resolved never to marry a rich man, the aristocratic Jack pretends to be the poor soldier Ensign Beverley. Lydia is overjoyed at the thought of eloping with Beverley under the nose of her guardian, Mrs Malaprop – but how will she react when her romantic dreams are shattered? The Duenna – Spanish nobleman Don Jerome wishes his daughter to marry the wealthy merchant Isaac Mendoza. Louisa, however, has given her heart to the impoverished Don Antonio. With the help of her duenna, can she secure her true love? This comic operetta features an early performance from Dame Patricia Routledge, who talks at the end of the production about her time playing Donna Clara. First published 1775 (The Rivals, The Duenna), 1777 (The School for Scandal) Cast and credits Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan The School for Scandal Lady Sneerwell – Barbara Mitchell Snake – Rolf Lefebvre Joseph Surface – Alan Badel Maria – Hilda Schroder Mrs Candour – Barbara Couper Crabtree – Max Adrian Sir Benjamin Backbite – David March Sir Peter Teazle – Maurice Denham Rowley – Ronald Herdman Lady Teazle – Dorothy Tutin Sir Oliver Surface – Hamlyn Benson Moses – Haydn Jones Trip – Leroy Lingwood Charles Surface – John Quentin Careless – Alexander John Sir Toby Bumper – Alan Dudley Maid – Rosalind Shanks Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan with the Epilogue by George Colman Produced by Charles Lefeaux BBC Midland Light Orchestra Leader: James Hutcheon Conductor: Gilbert Vinter The Rivals Mrs Malaprop – Flora Robson Sir Anthony Absolute – Peter Pratt Lydia Languish – Christine Finn Captain Absolute – Bernard Brown Bob Acres – William Ingram Julia – Rosalind Shanks Faulkland – Peter Tuddenham Sir Lucius O’Trigger – Denys Hawthorne Lucy – Barbara Mitchell Fag – Christopher Bidmead David – Ronald Herdman Thomas – Alan Dudley Boy/Maid – Carol Marsh Servant – LeRoy Lingwood Directed by Betty Davies The Duenna Don Antonio – Denis Quilley Donna Louisa – Jane Wenham Don Jerome – Alan Dudley Don Carlos – Gordon Faith Don Ferdinand – Barrie Ingham Donna Clara – Patricia Routledge The Duenna – Betty Huntley-Wright Isaac Mendoza – Peter Pratt Pepita – Valerie Kirkbright Father Paul – Aubrey Woods Lopez – Andrew Sachs Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan and adapted by Lionel Harris Adapted for radio and produced by Peter Bryant Music composed by Julian Slade, played by the Sinfonia of London conducted by Marcus Dods © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Richard Brinsley Sheridan (Author), Alan Dudley, Alexander John, Barbara Mitchell, Christopher Bidmead, David March, Denis Quilley, Denys Hawthorne, Dorothy Tutin, Flora Robson, Haydn Jones, Maurice Denham, Patricia Routledge, Peter Pratt, Ronald Herdman, William Ingram (Narrator)

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Tower of London: A Vintage BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatisation

"An epic 13-part dramatisation of William Harrison Ainsworth’s historical romance, centring around the rise and fall of Lady Jane Grey William Harrison Ainsworth was lauded by his contemporaries as a successor to Sir Walter Scott, and was named in 1847 as one of the three most popular writers in England (alongside Edward Bulwer-Lytton and Charles Dickens). His first three historical novels were inspired by the lives of Dick Turpin, ‘Honest Jack’ Sheppard and ‘the Admirable Crichton’, but with The Tower of London, he decided to base his book around a place rather than a person. Depicting the ancient citadel ‘in its triple light of a palace, a prison and a fortress’, he went on to weave a thrilling tale of power struggles, romance and political intrigue – featuring two coronations, a wedding, several executions and a siege... It begins in July 1553, as the newly-crowned Queen Jane makes her way by barge to the Tower, where she will spend the first days of her reign. Following the death of Edward VI, she has been installed on the throne by her father-in-law, the Duke of Northumberland, who has married her to his son Lord Guildford Dudley with hopes of making him King. But danger lurks within the Tower’s high walls, for there are many who plot against Jane: not least Simon Renard, the Spanish Ambassador, who is determined to make Catherine of Aragon’s Catholic daughter, Mary, Queen in Jane’s place. Surrounded by enemies and betrayed by those she trusted most, Jane is led step by step to her tragic fate... Meanwhile, the beautiful Cicely, the ‘Rose of the Tower’, has fallen in love with Dudley’s squire, Cuthbert Cholmondeley, only for their budding romance to be thwarted by the villainous, jealous head jailer Nightgall. As history plays out around her, is she destined for happiness or heartbreak? Dramatised by actor and writer Tony Van den Bergh, this riveting 1968 drama dates from the glory days of the BBC Repertory Company, and features an ensemble cast including Gudrun Ure, Peter Baldwin, Francis de Wolff, Rosalind Shanks, Garard Green and Marjorie Westbury. With thanks to Keith Wickham and the Radio Circle NB: This recording contains dated language and attitudes Production credits Written by William Harrison Ainsworth First published 1840 Dramatised by Tony Van den Bergh Produced and directed by R D Smith Cast Jane, the Queen – Gudrun Ure Nightgall, head jailer – Peter Baldwin Magog, a giant warder – Francis de Wolff Ribald, his crony – Leigh Crutchley Archbishop Cranmer/Arundel – John Wyse Bishop Ridley – Ralph Truman de Noailles, French Ambassador – David March Simon Renard, Spanish Ambassador – Malcolm Hayes Suffolk – Peter Williams Lord Guilford Dudley – Michael Harbour Cuthbert, his squire – Christopher Bidmead Cicely – Beth Boyd Gunnora, an old nurse – Phyllis Montefiore Dame Potentia, a cook’s wife – Lynn Carson Xit, a dwarf – Nigel Anthony Northumberland, Lord Protector – Denis McCarthy Princess Elizabeth – Rosalind Shanks Queen Mary – Alexa Romanes Lord Gardiner – Duncan McIntyre Lord Courtenay – Douglas Hankin Alexia, a crazed prisoner – Margaret Ford Winchester – Rolf Lefebvre Dean Feckenham – Geoffrey Wincott Sir Thomas Wyatt – Garard Green Mistress Ellen – Marjorie Westbury Underhill – Haydn Jones Mauger – John Holus Other parts played by Diana Robson, Jan Edwards, Norma Griffin, Joyce Latham, Henry Webb, Norman Wynne and members of the BBC Drama Repertory Company First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 March-5 June 1968 © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

William Harrison Ainsworth (Author), Alexa Romanes, Christopher Bidmead, David March, Denis McCarthy, Duncan McIntyre, Francis de Wolff, Full Cast, Gudrun Ure, Malcolm Hayes, Nigel Anthony, Peter Williams, Ralph Truman (Narrator)

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