Audiobooks narrated by Clive Swift

Zorba the Greek & The Last Temptation: Two BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatisations

"Nikos Kazantzakis’ two most popular novels, adapted for BBC Radio Nikos Kazantzakis is widely regarded as the greatest Greek writer and philosopher of the 20th century. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature 14 times, and his works have been translated into over 50 languages. Included here are dramatisations of his two most famous and influential novels, both of which were adapted as hit films and became cultural phenomena. Zorba the Greek – When writer Nikos meets the irrepressible Zorba, his life is transformed. A grizzled, gregarious Greek hero, Zorba embraces every experience and adventure that life has to offer. As he befriends the young, intellectual Nikos, he introduces him to the real meaning of a life well lived… A moving coming-of-age tale and a classic story of heart vs head, this atmospheric adaptation stars Robert Stephens, Michael Maloney and Mary Wimbush. The Last Temptation – Starring John Hurt and Dame Judi Dench, this 1973 archive drama is based on Kazantzakis' controversial 1955 novel, banned by the Vatican but hailed by critics as a masterpiece. A powerful, passionate account of the days preceding Christ’s death, it explores his humanity, his divinity and the roles of Mary Magdalene and Judas Iscariot in fulfilling his destiny. Zorba the Greek © Nikos Kazantzakis 1952, © Helen Kazantzakis 1958 The Last Temptation © 1961 Helen N Kazantzakis Production credits Written by Nikos Kazantzakis Zorba the Greek Zorba – Robert Stephens Nikos – Michael Maloney Hortense – Mary Wimbush Mavrondoni – Terry Molloy Mimiko – Dominic Taylor Anagnosti/Zacharias – Roger Hume Andonis – Peter Meakin Mad Woman/Mourner – Hedli Niklaus Villa Girl/Girl – Judy Bennett Zacharias – Roger Hume Father Demetrios – Paul Webster Widow – Marian Kemmer Dramatised by Nick McCarty Produced by Phillip Martin First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12-19 December 1993 The Last Temptation Narrator – Gabriel Woolf Rabbi Simeon – John Ruddock Jesus – John Hurt Mary – Diana Bishop Centurion – Vernon Joyner Judas – David Buck Peter – Walter Hall Mary Magdalene – Judi Dench Barabbas – John Rowe Guestmaster – Timothy Bateson Saul – Peter Williams Melchizadek – Rolf Lefebvre Simon of Cyrene/Monk – William Sleigh Abbot – Clive Swift Andrew – Peter Craze Zebedee/Man in the crowd – Brian Haines The Baptist/Man in the crowd – Haydn Jones The Tempter – Heron Carvic Women in the crowd – Julie Hallam & Betty Huntley-Wright Man in the crowd – David Timson Translated and adapted by Andreas Stavrou and Hallam Tennyson Music specially composed by Elizabeth Poston and conducted by Peter Marchbank Additional singers: Veronica Lucas, Colin Appleton, Richard Bourne, Sandra Clark, Hilda Schroder, William Eedle, Fraser Kerr, David Sinclair Produced by Richard Wortley First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16-23 September 1973 © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Nikos Kazanthzakis (Author), Clive Swift, David Buck, Full Cast, John Hurt, Judi Dench, Mary Wimbush, Michael Maloney, Robert Stephens (Narrator)

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L.P Hartley: The Go- Between, & More: Four BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatisations & Readings

"Four of L. P. Hartley's finest novels adapted for BBC radio, plus bonus short stories An acclaimed novelist, short story writer and critic, Leslie Poles Hartley is best known for his 1953 novel The Go-Between, which won the W. H. Heinemann Award and was adapted as a BAFTA-winning film starring Julie Christie and Alan Bates. Included here is a radio dramatisation of that classic tale, alongside adaptations of three further novels and five short stories. The Go-Between - 1901, Norfolk. Twelve-year-old Leo Colston is spending the long, hot summer with his school friend Marcus at his family estate, Brandham Hall. Drawn into an adult world of deception and forbidden desire, he sets in motion a tragedy that will haunt him forever. This moving tale of lost innocence stars Clive Swift, Joe Brothwell, Lisa Kay and Robert Glenister. The Collections - Ambrose and Edwina possess exquisite collections of objets d'art, but need to dispose of them; Barbara owns a stately home, but has had to sell off the contents. Joining forces seems like the ideal solution - until a thief comes along... Starring Richard Pearson, Siân Phillips and Eva Stuart. The Brickfield - Dictating his memoir to his secretary, elderly novelist Richard Mardick finds himself confiding a long-held secret from his youth: his adolescent romance with the beautiful Lucy, and its tragic conclusion... Martin Jarvis and Denys Blakelock star in this tender love story from the past, told against the bright awareness of the present. The Betrayal - In this sequel to The Brickfield, Richard Mardick is forced once more to recall the long-ago days of his boyhood, as he reveals to his biographer-to-be how Lucy's death has blighted his life and disrupted his peace of mind. Starring Martin Jarvis and Denys Blakelock, with Irene Sutcliffe and Gudrun Ure. Short Stories by LP Hartley - Robert Lang reads five creepy tales by the celebrated author: 'Night Fears', 'The Waits', 'W.S.', 'Someone in the Lift' and 'The Price of the Absolute'. Text copyright © The Trustees of the Estate of Annie Norah Hartley, 1953 (The Go-Between), 1954 ('W.S.', 'The Price of the Absolute'), 1961 ('The Waits', 'Someone in the Lift'), 1964 (The Brickfield), 1966 (The Betrayal), 1972 (The Collections) 'Night Fears' first published 1924 Cast and credits Written by L. P. Hartley The Go-Between Cast: Clive Swift, Joe Brothwell, George Greenbury, Eleanor Bron, Lisa Kay, Robert Glenister, Ed Sinclair, Jenny Coverack, Mark Hesketh, Brian Gear, Guy Shotton The Collections Cast: Richard Pearson, Martin Friend, Siân Phillips, Christopher Good, Elizabeth Rider, Eva Stuart, John Bull, Peter Baldwin, Sonia Fraser The Brickfield Cast: Martin Jarvis, Denys Blakelock, Barbara Mitchell, Nigel Anthony, Ann Murray, Noel Hood, Lockwood West, Humphrey Morton, Beth Boyd, Bernard Brown, David Brierley, Sian Davies, Michael Harbour, Leroy Lingwood The Betrayal Cast: Martin Jarvis, Denys Blakelock, Irene Sutcliffe, Alexa Romanes, Shelagh Willcocks, Sian Davies, Bernard Brown, Douglas Hankin, Gudrun Ure, David Brierley, Alexander John, Beth Boyd Short Stories by LP Hartley Read by Robert Lang First broadcast BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: Night Fears 7 November 1988 The Waits 8 November 1988 W.S. 9 November 1988 Someone in the Lift 10 November 1988 The Price of the Absolute 11 November 1988 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

L. P. Hartley (Author), Clive Swift, Denys Blakelock, Eleanor Bron, Full Cast, Lockwood West, Martin Jarvis, Richard Pearson, Robert Glenister, Robert Lang, Sian Phillips (Narrator)

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Molesworth: A BBC Radio Collection: Down with Skool!, How to be Topp & more

"A collection of BBC readings and dramas celebrating the much-loved schoolboy terror First featured in five books by Geoffrey Willans, with cartoon illustrations by Ronald Searle, Nigel Molesworth is one of the funniest comic creations in literature. A superbly satirical chronicler of 1950s England, he influenced a generation with his anarchic take on life. These wonderfully entertaining recordings show the self-proclaimed 'curse of St Custard's' at his very best. In Down with Skool! & How to Be Topp, based on the first two Molesworth books and read by Griff Rhys Jones, he gives us the lowdown on the Head Beak, masters, bullies and lessons - and offers his inimitable advice for tiny pupils on how to survive the first term. Simon Brett's sequel, Molesworth, finds the onetime 'goriller of 3B' now all grown up. Middle- aged and still surrounded by many of the characters from his youth, he's as keen as ever to share his wisdom. Across four episodes, he presents a guide to the home, the office, the arts and leisure. Willie Rushton stars in this full-cast drama, with a cast including Clive Swift and Penelope Nice. Topping off our collection is The Molesworth Report: How to Be Topp, a celebration and philosophical assessment - ahem! - of Nigel Molesworth by some of his fondest fans. 'I couldn't live with someone who didn't enjoy the Molesworth books', says the poet Wendy Cope. John Walsh, Sir Tim Rice and Russell Davies also pay tribute to the world-weary, ink-spattered schoolboy, whose comic misspellings, mangling of English and Latin and detestation of swots, snekes and oiks gave the world a cache of unforgettable images and catchphrases. Credits Down with Skool! & How to Be Topp Read by Griff Rhys Jones Abridged by Wendy Cope Based on the books by Geoffrey Willans Produced by Susan Roberts First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13-21 August 1991 Molesworth Molesworth - Willie Rushton Grimes - Clive Swift Louise - Penelope Nice Gillibrand/Darryl - Robert Harley Peason/Grabber - Bob Sinfield Fotherington-Thomas - Phil Nice Arabella/Carole/Lucinda/Lady Eiderdown - Chrissy Roberts Written by Simon Brett and based on characters created by Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle Music by Oonagh Bernon Produced by Mark Robson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 March-13 April 1987 The Molesworth Report: How to Be Topp With Wendy Cope, John Walsh, Sir Tim Rice and Russell Davies Produced by Penny Arnold First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 May 2004 Cover illustration by permission of the Ronald Searle Estate © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Geoffrey Willans, Simon Brett (Author), Clive Swift, Full Cast, Griff Rhys Jones, Penelope Nice, Willie Rushton (Narrator)

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All’s Well That Ends Well

"ACT IScene 1. Bertram, the young Count of Rossillion, is leaving home to take his place at the court of the King of France, who is gravely ill. Bertram bids farewell to his mother the widowed Countess, her friend the old lord Lafew and the young and virtuous Helena, daugther of a famous doctor now deceased, who lives as a dependent in the old Countess’ household. Helena is passionately in love with Bertram, though without hope because he is so far above her in birth. Parolles, a blustering soldier who has attached himself to Bertram, is also going to the French court and Helena determines to follow. She has learned the mysteries of medicine from her father; if she can cure the King, she may win Bertram’s heart.Scene 2. The ailing King tells of war between the Florentines and Sienese; he will give permission to any young gentleman of France who wishes to go to Italy in search of glory. Bertram arrives and the King greets him warmly. Scene 3. The Countess gently forces Helena to admit her love for Bertram and reveal her plan to attempt the King’s cure. The old lady kindly offers her support. ACT IIScene 1. Lafew announces the arrival at court of a young woman who claims to be able to heal the King. The King is deeply skeptical, but Helena persuades him to allow her to make the attempt. Should she succeed, the King is to grant her the husband of her choice.Scene 2. The Countess’ fool Lavatch is to be sent to the court. He claims that he has a response that will serve him in all social situations, but the Countess exposes his folly.Scene 3. Helena has restored the King to joyful health. He offers her the hand in marriage of any of the young lords at court, but when she chooses Bertram he recoils in horror. Angrily, the King commands Bertram to wed Helena instantly. The marriage takes place, but Bertram vows that he will never sleep with his bride and determines to steal away to the Italian wars at once.Scene 4. Helena receives a letter from Bertram telling her that he has been called away and ordering her to take leave of the King.Scene 5. Lafew warns Bertram that Parolles is a hollow sham. Helena enters and Bertram dismisses her curtly, instructing her to return to the Countess. ACT IIIScene 1. The Duke of Florence prepares to welcome the young Frenchmen who come to fight on his behalf.Scene 2. Helena has received a letter from Bertram: until she can get the ring from his finger, which he has vowed never to remove, and produce a child that she has conceived by him, she will never be able to call him husband.Scene 3. The Duke of Florence, impressed by Bertram’s military promise, has given him an important command. Scene 4. The Countess has received a letter from Helena telling her that she has gone on a pilgrimage to atone for her sin in aspiring to Bertram’s love and freeing him from his responsibility for her. The Countess bitterly deplores her son’s arrogance and blindness.Scene 5. Helena has come to Florence where she meets a kindly widow and her beautiful daughter, Diana. The widow tells her that Bertram has fought heroically in the war but also that he has been attempting to seduce Diana. Scene 6. The French soldiers hatch a plot to convince Bertram of Parolles’ cowardliness; pretending to be enemy soldiers, they will capture him, then see if he is prepared to betray his friends.Scene 7. Helena, too, is setting a plot. Diana is to pretend to yield to Bertram’s suit on condition that he give her his ring. She is then to agree to an assignation in the dark, at which Helena will take her place. ACT IVScene 1. Parolles is “captured” according to plan. He immediately offers to betray the Florentines and is blindfolded and taken off for interrogation.Scene 2. Bertram woos Diana, who will yield only if he will giver her his ring. Bertram is reluctant but such is his passion for the girl that he agrees. Diana tells him to come to her chamber at midnight. Scene 3. News has reached Bertram that Helena is dead; his friends condemn his hard-heartedness. The plotters interrogate Parolles. He begs them to spare his life and gives up the secrets of the army, slandering various Frenchmen, including Bertram, as he does so. At length his blindfold is removed and the plot revealed: Parolles’ true character has been exposed. Scene 4. Helena’s subterfuge has succeeded and she is now pregnant with Bertram’s child, though he believes it was Diana whose bed he shared. She resolves to return to France, and Diana and the widow agree to accompany her. Scene 5. In Rossillion, Lafew tells the old Countess of the exposure of Parolles. Bertram is expected home at any moment and news arrives that the King of France is also on his way to the Countess’ house. ACT VScene 1. Meeting a French gentleman on the road, Helena gives him a letter to be delivered to the King of France.Scene 2. Parolles humbles himself before Lafew, confessing that the old Lord was the first to see through him.Scene 3. The King forgives Bertram for his cruel treatment of Helena, which the young Count seems to repent. The King recognizes a ring on Bertram’s finger as one which he hemself had previously given to Helena; Bertram denies this, saying that he had it from a woman in Florence. The french gentleman delivers Helena’s letter: this relates that Bertram has seduced Diana, then abandoned her—Diana herself is present and wishes to appeal to the King. Diana is summoned and Bertram dismisses her as a common prostitute, though admitting he has slept with her and that it was she who gave him the ring the King has recognized; Diana meanwhile, insists that she is still a virgin. The King does not know what to believe until, to the astonishment of all, Helena appears. She has the ring from Bertram’s finger and is pregnant with his child; the “impossible” conditions have been met and Bertram vows to love his wife “ever, ever dearly.” CAST The King of France: Clive Swift / Helena: Emily Woof / Bertram: Sam West / Countess: Maggie Steed / Parolles: Edward De Souza / Lafew: Denys Hawthorne / Lavatch: Aden Gillett / Interpreter: Nicholas Murchie / First French Lord: John Warnaby / Second French Lord: Michael Higgs / Widow: Jenny Howe / Diana: Rebecca Saire / Duke of Florence: Gavin Muir / Mariana: Charlotte Harvey / Messenger: Scott Cherry Director: Clive Brill / Composer: Dominique Le Gendre / Production coordinators: Polly Coles and Charlotte Harvey / Sound engineer: Wilfredo Acosta / Producers: Bill Shepherd and Tom Treadwell TRACK LISTDisc 1Track 1: Act I, Scene iTrack 2: Act I, Scene iiTrack 3: Act I, Scene iiiTrack 4: Act II, Scene iTrack 5: Act II Scene iiTrack 6: Act II, Scene iiiTrack 7: Act II, Scene iv Disc 2Track 1: Act II, Scene vTrack 2: Act III, Scene iTrack 3: Act III, Scene iiTrack 4: Act III, Scene iiiTrack 5: Act III, Scene ivTrack 6: Act III, Scene vTrack 7: Act III, Scene viTrack 8: Act III, Scene viiTrack 9: Act IV, Scene iTrack 10: Act IV, Scene iiTrack 11: Act IV, Scene iii Disc 3Track 1: Act IV, Scene ivTrack 2: Act IV, Scene vTrack 3: Act V, Scene iTrack 4: Act V, Scene iiTrack 5: Act V, Scene iii"

William Shakespeare (Author), Clive Swift, Edward de Souza, Emily Woof, Maggie Steed, Sam West, a full cast (Narrator)

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The Merry Wives of Windsor

"It is said that Queen Elizabeth gave Shakespeare two weeks to write this play that showcases her favorite comedic character, Sir John Falstaff. The dissolute Falstaff plans to seduce Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, two 'Merry Wives of Windsor,' thereby gaining access to their husbands' wealth. The two women have the old rogue's measure, however, and Falstaff's plots lead only to his own humiliation. But the merry wives themselves fall prey to plotting as their plans to prevent Mistress Page's daughter Anne from marrying the young man she loves are frustrated in their turn. Dinsdale Landen is Falstaff. Sylvestra Le Touzel plays Mistress Ford and Penny Downie is Mistress Page. Nicholas Woodeson is Ford, Phillip Jackson is Page, and Clive Swift plays Justice Shallow."

William Shakespeare (Author), Clive Swift, Dinsdale Landen, Nicholas Woodeson, Penny Downie, Philip Jackson, Sylvestra Le Touzel, a full cast (Narrator)

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Othello

"This great tragedy confronts the mystery at the heart of evil and contains some of Shakespeare's most magnificent dramatic verse. Othello, a Moorish general in the service of Venice, has married Desdemona, beautiful daughter of a Venetian senator. But Iago, Othello's malignant ensign, is determined to destroy their happiness. Cunningly bending Othello to his own purposes, Iago persuades the Moor that Desdemona is unfaithful to him. Tormented in a hell of jealousy, Othello moves inexorably toward the destruction of his innocent wife and himself. Othello is played by Don Warrington, David Threlfall is Iago, Anne-Marie Duff is Desdemona, and Jasper Britton plays Cassio."

William Shakespeare (Author), Anne-Marie Duff, Clive Swift, David Threlfall, Don Warrington, Jasper Britton, Julian Glover, Stephen Mangan, Suzanne Bertish, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Will Keen, a full cast (Narrator)

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Romeo and Juliet

"In the world’s most celebrated and lyrical love story, the sublime devotion of two young lovers transcends their earthly fate. The noble Veronese houses of Montague and Capulet are locked in a bitter feud. When Romeo (a Montague) and Juliet (a Capulet) fall in love, they are swept up in a series of violent events and cruel twists of fortune. Despite the passion and innocence of their love, they fall victim to the enmity between their families, and their story ends in tragedy. In this production, Romeo is played by Joseph Fiennes and Juliet by Maria Miles. Elizabeth Spriggs is the Nurse."

William Shakespeare (Author), Andrew Wincott, Clive Swift, David Tennant, Geoffrey Beevers, Jonathan Tafler, Joseph Fiennes, Maria Miles, Trevor Peacock, a full cast (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Clive Swift

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