Audiobooks narrated by Conrad Nelson

Sir Lenny Henry’s Journey to Othello: A BBC Radio Collection

"Three BBC Radio programmes charting Sir Lenny Henry’s transformation from comic actor to tragic hero – including the complete full-cast production of Shakespeare’s Othello Lenny Henry used to hate Shakespeare. For over 35 years he avoided anything to do with the Bard – until, in 2006, he decided to find out just what the rest of the world saw in him. In this enthralling collection, we hear how Lenny’s late-flowering passion for the legendary playwright’s works set him on the path that led to his sell-out stage debut as Othello. Bringing together this behind-the-scenes journey with the final result, this collection culminates in Lenny’s standout performance in a dynamic full-cast radio production of Othello. Lenny and Will sees him going ‘in search of the magic of Shakespeare in performance’, starting at the recreated Globe Theatre. Talking to leading actors and directors including Adrian Lester, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Peter Hall, Trevor Nunn, Dominic Dromgoole and Patsy Rodenburg, he wonders why we put Shakespeare on a pedestal, and confesses to a newfound enthusiasm for his classic dramas. And, after reciting Othello’s last speech to Northern Broadside’s Barrie Rutter, he begins to wonder if he could take on the role for real... Lenny Henry Plays Othello takes up the story where Lenny and Will left off, continuing Lenny’s personal odyssey. Having been offered the chance of a lifetime by Barrie Rutter, he sets out on a long road of preparation. Listening to his audio diary, we hear his hopes and fears – and eavesdrop on everything from coaching sessions to boot fittings. From first rehearsals to curtain up, we follow his remarkable metamorphosis into Shakespeare’s betrayed Moorish general. Finally, in Lenny Henry in Othello, we hear Lenny’s acclaimed performance as the noble African commander whose mind is poisoned by the hate-filled Iago: a stunning achievement that won him the Evening Standard’s Outstanding Newcomer Award. Featuring the cast of the acclaimed West End production and with original music from Conrad Nelson, who also plays Iago, this mesmerising tale of love, jealousy, racism and desire will grip you from start to tragic finish. Cast and credits Lenny and Will Presented by Lenny Henry Produced by Simon Elmes With Adrian Lester, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Peter Hall, Trevor Nunn, Barrie Rutter, Dominic Dromgoole and Patsy Rodenburg First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 Mar 2006 and 23 Dec 2006 Lenny Henry Plays Othello Produced by Simon Elmes First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 Feb 2009 Lenny Henry in Othello Iago – Conrad Nelson Roderigo – Matt Connor Brabantio – Geoff Leesley Othello – Lenny Henry Cassio – Richard Standing Duke/Gratiano – David Beckford Senator/Lodovico – Simon Holland Roberts Desdemona – Jessica Harris Montano – Andy Cryer Emilia – Sara Poyzer Herald/Gentleman – Chris Pearse Bianca – Victoria Gee Written by William Shakespeare Directed by Barrie Rutter Produced by David Hunter Music arranged by Conrad Nelson and performed by the cast Original stage production created by Northern Broadsides and West Yorkshire Playhouse and staged in London by Sonia Friedman Productions First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27 Feb 2010 © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Lenny Henry, William Shakespeare (Author), Adrian Lester, Barry Rutter, Conrad Nelson, Dominic Dromgoole, Full Cast, Judi Dench, Lenny Henry, Lolita Chakrabarti, Patsy Rodenburg, Peter Hall, Trevor Nunn (Narrator)

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Immorality Unmasked: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Five Full-Cast Dramatisations Including Othello, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde & The Picture of Dorian Gray

"BBC radio dramatisations of classic novels featuring some of literature’s most devious and compelling villains Cunning. Corrupt. Charismatic. The degenerate characters in this collection shun conventional morality, and will stop at nothing to get what they want... These five sensational dramas, set in locations ranging from 16th century Venice to Victorian England, revolve around their unscrupulous actions – and the devastating consequences of the choices they make. Othello – Lenny Henry stars in this acclaimed production of Shakespeare's great tragedy of love turned sour by unfounded jealousy. Othello is a brave general and a noble man – but the evil manipulations of his lieutenant, Iago (Conrad Nelson) provoke his descent into deluded rage. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Introduced by David Tennant, this fast-moving dramatisation tells the disturbing tale of a scientist who experiments on himself to release his uncontrollable dark side, and of the lawyer’s daughter determined to bring him to book. Starring Stuart MacQuarrie, John Dougall and Madeleine Worrell. The Picture of Dorian Gray – Vain, hedonistic aristocrat Dorian Gray makes a Faustian pact to preserve his youthful beauty. But after years of decadence and selfish pleasure, is retribution on the horizon? Jamie Glover and Ian McDiarmid star in this adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s famous novel. Lady Audley’s Secret– Newly married to rich widower Lord Audley, former governess Lucy Graham glories in the delights of her new life. When her scandalous past is discovered, she will dare anything to preserve the security and wealth she has gained… Starring Hattie Morahan, Charlotte Emerson and Alex Wyndham, this thrilling serial retains all the mystery and suspense of Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s Gothic ‘sensation novel’. Confessions of a Justified Sinner – Robert Colwan believes he is destined for salvation no matter what crimes he commits. If you can kill without paying the price, how murderous can you become? And what, if anything, does that do to your psyche? Lorn Macdonald stars in this tense, eerie reimagining of James Hogg’s seminal novel about a young man radicalised by religious fanaticism. Content list Othello Written by William Shakespeare First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27 Feb 2010 The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Written by Robert Louis Stevenson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 Nov 2016 The Picture of Dorian Gray Written by Oscar Wilde First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 Jan-6 Feb 2000 Lady Audley’s Secret Written by Mary Elizabeth Braddon First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 Apr-1 May 2009 Confessions of a Justified Sinner Written by James Hogg First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 Mar 2023 © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

James Hogg, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Oscar Wilde, Robert Louis Stevenson, William Shakespeare (Author), Charlotte Emmerson, Conrad Nelson, David Tennant, Full Cast, Hattie Morahan, Jamie Glover, John Dougall, Lenny Henry, Lorn Macdonald, Stuart Mcquarrie (Narrator)

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Lorca’s Rural Trilogy: Blood Wedding, Yerma & The House of Bernarda Alba

"Three of Federico García Lorca's best-known plays, as heard on BBC Radio 3 Poet and playwright Federico García Lorca is one of the most famous figures in 20th-century Spanish literature. A member of the 'Generation of '27' avant-garde movement that included Dalí and Buñuel, he became well known for his lyrical, symbolic works mixing modernism and the folkloric traditions of his native Andalusia. He was executed by Nationalist forces at the start of the Spanish Civil War, aged only 38. Over 80 years later, his poetry is revered worldwide, and the plays in his 'Rural Trilogy' are widely regarded as masterpieces. Blood Wedding - Based on the true story of a tragic feud between two families in rural Almeria, Lorca's atmospheric meditation on fate, war, tradition, passion and repression is adapted for radio by former Poet Laureate Ted Hughes. The winner of the 2008 Sony Award for Best Drama, it stars Barbara Flynn, Carl Prekopp, Sarah Smart and Andrea Riseborough. Yerma - Infused with poetic imagery and song, this evocative drama tells the tragic tale of a woman's desperate desire for a child. Her maternal yearnings escalate to the point of obsession, ultimately driving her to commit a terrible crime... Emma Cuniffe stars as Yerma, with a full cast including Conrad Nelson, Declan Wilson, Rebecca Callard and Annette Badland. The House of Bernarda Alba - Written in 1936 and completed just a few months before his assassination, Lorca's final play explores the familial passions and tensions that arise following the death of Bernarda Alba's second husband. After the funeral, the tyrannical matriarch imposes an eight-year period of mourning on her daughters - but the ensuing power struggle will have tragic consequences. Starring Siân Thomas, Brigit Forsyth and Elaine Cassidy. First published 1932 (Blood Wedding), 1934 (Yerma), 1936 (The House of Bernarda Alba) Cast and credits Written by Federico Garcia Lorca Produced and directed by Pauline Harris Blood Wedding Mother of Bridegroom - Barbara Flynn Bridegroom/Woodcutter - Carl Prekopp Bride - Sarah Smart Leonardo - William Ash Leonardo's Wife/Girl - Andrea Riseborough Father of Bride - David Fleeshman Beggar Woman/Neighbour - Mary Cunningham Servant/Mother-in-Law - Ellie Haddington Moon - Claire Benedict Girl - Liz Carter Woodcutters - Sam Curtis & Chris Hannon Little Girl - Daisy Jones Adapted by Ted Hughes Music composed by Matthew Wood First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 25 November 2007 Yerma Yerma - Emma Cunniffe Juan - Conrad Nelson Victor - Declan Wilson Maria - Rebecca Callard Pagan Old Woman - Annette Badland Dolores - Claire Benedict Dolores' Neighbour - Kate Layden Washerwomen - Deborah McAndrew & Fionnuala Dorrity Washerwoman/Girl 1 - Liz Carter Washerwoman/Female at the Pilgrimage - Helen Longworth Male at the Pilgrimage - Kevin Harvey Spanish Voice - Anna Castineiras Translation by Michael Dewell and Carmen Zapata Music composed by Tayo Akinbode Musicians: Tayo Akinbode, Richard Arthurs and Chris Cruiks Singers: Members of the cast and Leslie Pratt First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 26 Sep 2010 The House of Bernarda Alba Bernarda Alba - Sian Thomas La Poncia - Brigit Forsyth Maria Josefa - Pauline Jefferson Angustias - Kate Coogan Magdalena - Victoria Brazier Martirio - Christine Bottomley Adela - Elaine Cassidy Prudencia - Christine Cox Girl - Daisy Jones Adapted by Pauline Harris Translation by Michael Dewell and Carmen Zapata Musical direction and original music composition by Conrad Nelson Male chorus singers: Les Pratt, Martin Medina, Nathan Jenkins, Andrew Johnston, David Cane, Peter Edge and George Leeming First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 2 March 2014 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Federico Garcia Lorca (Author), Andrea Riseborough, Barbara Flynn, Carl Prekopp, Conrad Nelson, Elaine Cassidy, Emma Cunniffe, Full Cast, Sarah Smart, Sian Thomas (Narrator)

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Madame Bovary: A full-cast BBC Radio dramatisation

"John Hurt stars in this BBC radio dramatisation of Gustave Flaubert’s infamous tale of adultery and tragedy Beautiful Emma meets and marries Doctor Charles Bovary. He's happy for the first time in his life – but Emma is distraught that her marriage lacks the passion and romance of her fantasies. Dazzled by the splendour of a Marquis’ ball, she longs for excitement and soon becomes infatuated with a young solicitor, Léon Dupuis. But when Dupuis moves away, her memories of him lead her to despair – and into the arms of wealthy landowner, Rodolphe Boulanger. As she moves from one illicit liaison to another, Emma’s complicated life begins to unravel. Exhausted from her debts and her affairs, she feels she is left with only one course of action… A French masterpiece of betrayal and wantonness, Flaubert’s notorious novel features Sarah Smart as Emma Bovary, Conrad Nelson as Charles, Jude Akuwudike as Rodolphe and James D’Arcy as Léon. Cast and credits Narrator – John Hurt Charles – Conrad Nelson Emma – Sarah Smart Madame Bovary Snr – Brigit Forsyth Monsieur Rouault/Maître Guillaumin – Russell Dixon Viscomte/Dr Lariviere – Martin Reeve Nastasie/Mère Rollet – Julie McCabe Madame Lefrancois – Siobahn Finneran Monsieur Homais/Priest – David Fleeshman Léon Dupuis – James D’Arcy Monsieur Lheureux – Seamus O’Neill Félicité – Sarah Jayne Hallworth Rodolphe Boulanger – Jude Akuwudike Justin – Sam Curtis Berthe Bovary – Daisy Jones Written by Gustave Flaubert Dramatised by Diana Griffiths from a translation by Margaret Mauldon Pianist: Stephen Reynolds Produced by Pauline Harris First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4-15 September 2006"

Gustave Flaubert (Author), Conrad Nelson, Full Cast, John Hurt, Sarah Smart (Narrator)

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Paradise Lost: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

"Sir Ian McKellen stars as Milton in this dramatised retelling of John Milton’s epic poem about the fall of Man 'devilishly good... I urge you to give it a listen' The Telegraph Milton’s biblical masterpiece, first published in 1667, is one of English literature’s most seminal works. Straddling three worlds – Heaven, Hell and Earth – it tells the gripping story of fallen angel Satan’s rebellion against God, his temptation of Adam and Eve and their subsequent expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Written to ‘justify the ways of God to men’, it aimed to show what caused Mankind's fall and the consequences for the world, both bad and good. By reaching back to the beginning of time, Milton hoped to discover the events that had led to the political and societal upheaval of his own era – as well as using allegory to ask powerful questions about authority, government, tyranny and disobedience. In this brand new dramatisation, Milton himself (Sir Ian McKellen) is the blind narrator grieving the loss of his wife, played by Frances Barber. Also starring Simon Russell Beale as Satan, and adapted by award-winning poet and broadcaster Michael Symmons Roberts, this enthralling drama is a vital piece of storytelling with striking parallels to contemporary events. Cast and credits Milton……………………Sir Ian McKellen Elizabeth……………………Frances Barber Satan……………………Simon Russell Beale Beelzebub……………………Jonathan Keeble Adam……………………Ashley Margolis Eve……………………Emily Pithon Christ……………………David Seddon Raphael……………………Conrad Nelson God……………………Russell Dixon All other parts were played by members of the company Written by John Milton Dramatised by Michael Symmons Roberts Produced and directed by Susan Roberts"

John Milton (Author), Ashley Margolis, Conrad Nelson, David Seddon, Emily Pithon, Frances Barber, Ian Mckellen, Jonathan Keeble, Russell Dixon, Simon Russell Beale (Narrator)

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The Last Free Hours of Charlie Radcliffe: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

"To the outside world Charlie Radcliffe was an esteemed businessman and philanthropist. But Charlie knew that he had swindled billions over decades from his wealthy clients and he knew that one day the game would be up. Now in prison, Charlie tells the story of his last hours of freedom to new inmate Sam. Drew Pautz's drama inspired by the crisis in the financial world examines the gaps between facts, finance, conscience and confidence. Starring Henry Goodman, Ashley Kumar, Conrad Nelson, Graeme Hawley, Kevin Harvey and Chris Jack. Produced by Nadia Molinari."

Drew Pautz (Author), Ashley Kumar, Chris Jack, Conrad Nelson, Graeme Hawley, Henry Goodman, Kevin Harvey (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Conrad Nelson

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