Audiobooks narrated by David March

The Prince and The Mandrake: Two Full Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations

"The renowned masterpiece from one of the most influential writers in history, Machiavelli The Prince, written during the Italian Renaissance by author Niccolò Machiavelli, is an internationally renowned masterpiece about power, greed and strategy in government. Regarded by some as a manual for would-be tyrants on how they should seize and maintain power and by others as a simple reflection of political reality, listen now to this full-cast dramatisation and make up your own mind. In addition to this stunning, modern dramatisation of the classic novel, this download includes The Mandrake, Machiavelli’s comedy packed with intrigue, infidelity and fools and the documentary Machiavelli – Devil or Democrat from Jonathan Freedland, which re-assesses Machiavelli and explores whether his maligned reputation has overshadowed his other achievements… The Prince is the classic 16th-century treatise on the nature of power and statecraft. In this modern rendition, the author Machiavelli (Ciaran Hinds), often identified as Satan, uses his brilliance and cunning to explain how power can be created and sustained. This brilliant adaptation is performed for the first time as a monologue with dramatised illustrations from a full-cast, including Philip Voss, Stephen Critchlow and Christopher Godwin. The Mandrake is Machiavelli’s best-known comedy, taking place in a square in Florence in 1504. Callimaco, desires to sleep with Lucrezia, the young and beautiful wife of an elderly fool, Nicia. Nicia above all else desires a son and heir. Conspiring with a rascally marriage broker, and a corrupt priest, Callimaco masquerades as a doctor and tricks Nicia into letting his wife become his lover using the power of the mandrake plant. This double edition download comes with the added exclusive content, Machiavelli – Devil or Democrat. A fascinating documentary that explores the life and work of one of the most maligned authors in history. The impact of this writer has been felt across the centuries from the execution of King Charles I to the ‘Founding Fathers’ of the United States and journalist and writer Jonathan Freedland re-assesses the legacy of this incredible thinker and writer. This is a download not to missed, perfect for any fans of classical literature with a twist, packed with compelling intrigue, wit and fascinating revelations. Cast and credits Written by Niccolò Machiavelli The Prince Niccolo - Ciaran Hinds The Prince - Christopher Godwin Louis - Philip Voss Severus - Stephen Critchlow Oliverotti - Scott Handy Giovanni - John Rowe Other parts played by Chris Kelham, Tom George and Gavin Muir Dramatised by Peter Wolf Directed by Cherry Cookson First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 21st January 2000 The Mandrake Callimaco - John Rye Siro - Anthony Jackson Messer Nicia - Douglas Wilmer Ligurio - David March Sostrata - Beity Hardy Fra Timoteo - Willoughby Goddard A young widow - Hilda Schroder Lucrezia - Hilary Hardiman Singers Robert Tear, Douglas Wilmer, Willoughby Goddard, John Rye and David March Translated from the Italian by J. R. Hale Produced by Charles Lefeaux Songs by Elizabeth Poston First Broadcast BBC Radio 3, 27th October 1967 Machiavelli – Devil or Democrat Presented by Jonathan Freedland Produced by Rob Shepherd First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18th November 2013 ©2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Niccoli Machiavelli (Author), Anthony Jackson, Christopher Godwin, Ciarán Hinds, David March, Douglas Wilmer, Full Cast, Hilda Schroder, John Rowe, John Rye, Philip Voss, Scott Handy, Stephen Critchlow (Narrator)

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

"Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the Anglo-Irish playwright and Whig politician, left an indelible mark on English literature and theatre. This collection of Sheridan’s classic comedies showcases his sharp wit and keen eye for social pretensions, making it a must-have for lovers of timeless, satirical theatre. His witty, satirical dramas continue to captivate audiences, as evidenced by the Royal Shakespeare Company's recent 2024 production of The School for Scandal. Sheridan's enduring appeal makes his works a treasure trove for BBC listeners who cherish classic, witty dramas. Set in 1770s London, Sheridan’s The School for Scandal is a brilliantly biting comedy of manners. Lady Sneerwell takes pleasure in ruining reputations, targeting bachelor Charles Surface. Together with Charles’ conniving brother Joseph, Sneerwell orchestrates schemes of intrigue and infidelity. Cast includes Barbara Mitchell, Rolf Lefebvre and Maurice Denham. The Rivals is a delightful comedy where Captain Jack Absolute assumes the persona of a poor army officer to woo Lydia Languish, under the nose of her guardian, Mrs Malaprop. Set in 18th-century Bath, the play explores Lydia's reaction upon learning the truth. Cast includes Flora Robson, Denys Hawthorne, Peter Pratt, Rosalind Shanks In The Duenna, Don Jerome arranges for his daughter, Louisa, to marry a wealthy merchant, but she loves Don Antonio. Louisa seeks help from a duenna to outwit her father’s plans. Casts include: Denis Quilley, Jane Wenham, Patricia Routledge, Barrie Ingham."

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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The Inter-City Contract & more: Seven Full-Cast BBC Radio Crime Dramas

"A collection of seven ingenious full-cast thrillers and crime dramas by Rod Beacham Actor, dramatist and founding member of Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre, Rod Beacham wrote over 15 plays for BBC Radio. This collection comprises seven crime dramas first broadcast on Radio 4’s ‘Saturday Night Theatre’ strand between 1980 and 1987, ranging in tone from tense whodunnits to light-hearted comedy thrillers. The Inter-City Contract – A chess-playing Hungarian, a concert harpist and a septuagenarian lady mountaineer are just some of the passengers on the overnight express to Edinburgh. Lurking amongst them is a hired assassin and his intended victim… Michael Maloney, Melinda Walker and Steve Hodson star in this gripping mystery set on a sleeper train. The Gortys Triangle – Crete is the setting for this suspenseful drama, which revolves around a young man’s death by drowning. Attempting to uncover the truth, his archaeologist cousin navigates the world of the super-rich and meets the mysterious Candy, who appears to be the key to it all. Starring Patrick Mower and David March. Thanks for Looking After Jeannie – When Dicky Doyle drops dead in Wormwood Scrubs, he takes the hiding place of some stolen jewels to his grave. Or does he? Criminal mastermind Jack Prince thinks otherwise – and this spells trouble... Peter Vaughan stars in this entertaining comedy thriller. Prince of Thieves – This sequel to the previous play finds arch-villain Jack Prince planning a gold bullion heist. But it’s not until he meets nutty computer expert Mad Doc Pargeter that he sees a way to break through the vault’s electronic doors… Starring Peter Vaughan, Bryan Pringle and June Tobin. Go Down in Darkness– Susan Penreith walked out of university in her second year, and has since vanished. She was always convinced that something terrible would happen to her when she was 25 – but what was she so afraid of, and why is her ex-boyfriend Matt suddenly having terrifying dreams about her? Steve Hodson, Frances Jeater and Glynis Brooks star in this eerie thriller. Disconnection – Peter Taylor has worked hard all his life for achievement and success, and now it finally seems within his grasp. Only then he makes a phone call – and the voice on the other end fills him with apprehension and terror… Starring David Daker. The Hubris File – Senior civil servant Pargeter is missing, and the only clues to the mystery lie in his diary. It reveals that he was under increasing strain – and that he was on the trail of a traitor within the ranks of the Intelligence Department. Could this double agent be responsible for his disappearance? Geoffrey Collins stars in this absorbing tale. © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Rod Beacham (Author), Alan Thompson, Bryan Pringle, David Daker, David March, Frances Jeater, Full cast, Geoffrey Collins, Glynis Brooks, Melinda Walker, Michael Maloney, Peter Vaughan, Robin Summers, Steve Hodson, Trevor Nichols (Narrator)

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M. R. James: Stories I Have Tried to Write: Seven Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramas

"A series of full-cast ghost stories based on plots by M. R. James In 1929, M. R. James penned an essay called 'Stories I Have Tried to Write', in which he detailed plots that had failed to blossom and fragments of tales that never materialised, recalling them 'for the benefit of someone else'. In this BBC Radio series, Sheila Hodgson takes advantage of his generosity, fleshing out these sketchy ideas into full-blown dramas. Some are narrated by M. R. James himself, while others feature the author as a character, caught up in strange, inexplicable events. The Whisper in the Ear - M. R. James recounts the curious affair of young undergraduate Robert Stafford and his mysterious train companion. Turn Turn Turn - The Cambridge provost tells a chilling cautionary tale of witchcraft in Cambridge, in an attempt to heal a rift between a vicar and his son. The Backward Glance - The unsettling story of a mysterious 18th-century mask made of black silk - and skin... Here Am I, Where Are You? - The tale of a cursed professor with a curious red book, a wayward nephew and a Georgian tankard. Echoes from the Abbey - An invitation to spend Christmas at Medborough Abbey leads to a ghostly encounter for distinguished academic Dr James. The Lodestone - A young illustrator becomes obsessed with drawing the gravestone of a 17th-century witch. The Boat Hook - Visiting Trondheim Cathedral, Dr James is unsettled by the appearance of a small model boat... David March and Michael Williams star in these haunting supernatural dramas, which will thrill all fans of M. R. James' original ghost stories. NB: Due to the age of some of the recordings, the sound quality may vary Written by Sheila Hodgson Based on ideas by M.R. James Directed by David Johnston © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Sheila Hodgson (Author), David March, Full Cast, Michael Williams (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by David March

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