Audiobooks narrated by David Threlfall

A Better World: Stories of Democracy and Consumerism Retold: Four full-cast BBC Radio Dramas inspire

"Four full-cast BBC Radio dramas inspired by classic texts about democracy, consumerism and our future Sarah Woods has developed a reputation for taking seemingly un-dramatisable non-fiction classics and turning them into gripping and immersive audio drama. Four seminal political books are here brought to life and into the twenty-first century, and ideas that have been fascinating and shaping society for hundreds of years are developed into brilliant, insightful dramas. How does humanity's success also mean its potential destruction? And what do we need to turn from this danger, and instead develop a global system that's positive, sustainable, and better for the masses rather than the few? In Das Kapital, Karl Marx's iconic work is reinterpreted as we imagine what Marx would make of our current global economy and its key commodity: the smartphone. From the cobalt mines of Africa to the tech firms of the UK, the story carries us from political concept to everyday object, forming our behaviours, economies, and our planet in a way perhaps only Marx foresaw. This captivating adaptation was nominated for both an Audio Drama Award and the Prix Europa 2018. Starring David Threlfall and Kimberley Nixon. The Limits to Growth is based on the work of Donella Meadows, lead author of the seminal 1972 report on Earth's capacity to support human unchecked economic expansion. Still incredibly relevant today, the drama it inspired follows the experiences of Donella and Dennis Meadows as they write their ground-breaking report and come to fundamentally reassess the way they live, steering towards a hopeful, sustainable future. Starring Samantha Dakin and Ben Cura. News from Nowhere was originally published in 1890 by artist, designer and socialist William Morris, and is movingly updated here for the 21st century. Using Morris's central idea that society needs to re-discover the value of work and thrive on beauty over consumerism, the story is given a new perspective when modern-day man Will Guest travels into a future utopia and discovers love for both a woman and society at large. Starring Ron Cook. Democracy is one of the most influential political texts ever written, asking whether democracy can offer us the world, and the leaders, that we need. In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville travelled to the USA on a nine-month trip that led him to conclude that democracy was unstoppable and would spread across Europe. His concerns about democracy - the dangers of self-interest and materialism; the tendencies towards mediocrity; the risk of populist, despotic leaders and the silencing of minorities - echo clearly into the present day. In this drama, set in the present day UK, an elderly man turns up at a Preston hospital who doesn’t seem to be registered with a GP and won’t give his address. He says his name’s Alexis de Tocqueville and that he needs to find out what has happened to democracy. Starring Philippe Spall and Catherine Ayers. Sarah Woods is an award-winning playwright and systems thinker who communicates current issues through innovative drama. She has written over 30 plays, series, adaptations and drama-documentaries for BBC Radio, including Borderland, which won the Tinniswood Award for Best Audio Drama at the 2018 BBC Audio Drama Awards. ©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Sarah Woods (Author), Ben Cura, Catherine Ayers, David Threlfall, Full Cast, Kimberley Nixon, Philippe Spall, Ron Cook, Samantha Dakin (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Fosdyke Saga: A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama

"Miriam Margolyes leads a comedy spoof version of John Galsworthy's classic 'The Forsyte Saga' novels Follow the uproarious antics of the Edwardian Fosdyke family as they work their way out of the mining pits of Lancashire to become rulers of a global tripe empire. An empire that the villainous Roger Ditchely will stop at nothing to try and bring down... A classic tale of struggle, power, personalities, and offal. Based on Bill Tidy's hugely popular Daily Mirror cartoon strip, this full-cast production is a laugh-out-loud parody of John Galsworthy's classic, 'The Forsyte Saga'. Cast and credits Written by Bill Tidy and John Junkin Produced by Alan Nixon Josiah Fosdyke - Philip Lowrie Victoria Fosdyke - Miriam Margolyes Roger Ditchely - Christian Rodska Rebecca Fosdyke - Stephanie Turner Ben Ditchley - Colin Douglas Tom Fosdyke - David Threlfall The King - John Westerbrook The Warder - John Junkin Albert Fosdyke - Enn Reitel Von Richtofen and Colonel Boodle - Larry Lamb The Sergeant - Trevor Cooper Schmidt - David Timson Fifi - Sally Grace The Strangler - Nick Maloney The Judge - David Ross Other parts played by - Douglas Blackwell, Christopher Barr, David English, Nick Revell, Arthur Smith and John Dougall First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, October 1983 ©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Bill Tidy, John Junkin (Author), Christian Rodska, Colin Douglas, David Threlfall, Full Cast, John Junkin, Larry Lamb, Miriam Margolyes, Philip Lowrie, Stephanie Turner, Trevor Cooper (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Elizabeth Gaskell Collection: A BBC Drama collection including North and South, Wives and Daught

"A collection of BBC Radio dramatisations of Elizabeth Gaskell's well loved novels - plus bonus material Elizabeth Gaskell was one of Victorian England's pre-eminent female novelists. Admired by Charles Dickens, who described her as his 'dear Scheherazade', she mingled storytelling and social realism to superb effect in her highly acclaimed fiction. This comprehensive collection comprises dramas and readings of her finest works and some lesser-known pieces. Among the adaptations are her final, unfinished novel Wives and Daughters, her debut novel Mary Barton and her only historical novel, Sylvia's Lovers; as well as the 1851 novella Mr Harrison's Confession (a prequel to Cranford), and her great novel of industrialisation, female independence and identity, North and South. All feature star casts including Emerald O'Hanrahan, Sue Johnston, Jodie Comer, Emily Mortimer, Rod Hudd, David Threlfall, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Also included are readings of Mrs Gaskell's chilling supernatural tale 'The Old Nurse's Story', her much-loved novel of life in a small town and its female inhabitants, Cranford, and her festive short story 'Christmas Storms and Sunshine'. Based on true events, Stephen Wakelam's detective drama Death at the Bed End, starring Kenneth Cranham, explores the controversy surrounding Elizabeth Gaskell's biography of Charlotte Brontë and the libel threat that followed its publication also included is Mrs Gaskell: Portrait of a Victorian Novelist by Barry Campbell, which is inspired by the author's letters. And in Great Lives: Elizabeth Gaskell, historian Amanda Vickery and biographer Jenny Uglow discuss Mrs Gaskell's life, work and achievements with presenter Francine Stock. Credits Written by Elizabeth Gaskell Written by Stephen Wakelam Mary Barton Dramatised by Lavinia Murray. Produced and directed by Claire Grove and Tracey Neale First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 September-9 November 2001 Mr Harrison's Confessions Adapted for radio by Jeremy Front. Produced and directed by Sally Avens. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27 June 1988 The Old Nurse's Story Produced by Kay Patrick. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24-25 May 1984 North and South Dramatised by Charlotte Keatley. Directed by Michael Fox. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 June 1997 Sylvia's Lovers Dramatised by Ellen Dryden. Produced and directed by Pauline Harris. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6-13 March 2016 Wives and Daughters Dramatised by Theresa Heskins. Produced and directed by Peter Leslie Wild First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 November-10 December 2010 Cranford Produced by Julian Wilkinson. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 November 2019 Christmas Storms and Sunshine Produced by Simon Richardson. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 21 December 2018 Death at the Bed End Written by Stephen Wakelam. Directed by Janet Whitaker. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 December 2004 Mrs Gaskell: Portrait of a Victorian Novelist Written by Barry Campbell based on 'Elizabeth Gaskell: A Biography' by Winifred Gérin. Permission granted by Oxford Publishing Ltd (Academic), Oxford University Press (via PLSclear).Produced by James Runcie. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 21 August 1983 Great Lives: Mrs Gaskell Presented by Francine Stock, Amanda Vickery and Jenny Uglow. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 May 2005 ©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Amanda Vickery, Barry Campbell, Elizabeth Gaskell, Jenny Uglow, Steve Wakelam (Author), David Threlfall, Emily Mortimer, Full Cast, Jodie Comer, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Kenneth Cranham, Paul Copley, Rebecca Front, Sue Johnston (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Henrik Ibsen: Nine full-cast BBC radio dramatisations

"Often described as 'the father of realism', Henrik Ibsen was a pioneer of modernist drama. He influenced playwrights as diverse as George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde, and is the most frequently performed dramatist in the world after Shakespeare. Included in this collection are adaptations of his tragicomic masterpiece The Wild Duck, his complex and compelling play Rosmersholm, the epic drama Brand and the tragedy John Gabriel Borkman. Ibsen's A Doll's House is relocated to 1879 India in Tanika Gupta's Audio Drama Award-winning dramatisation, while the provocative and scandalous Ghosts is adapted by Richard Eyre, with the cast of his Olivier Award-winning Almeida Theatre production. Also featured are vibrant dramatisations of Hedda Gabler, whose desperate heroine is trapped in a suffocating marriage; The Lady from the Sea, about a woman torn between security and passion; and An Enemy of the People, in which a whistleblower reveals an inconvenient truth and is vilified for it. The casts of these stunning dramas include David Threlfall, Nicholas Farrell, Helen Baxendale, Indira Varma, Lesley Manville and Harriet Walter. Track listing: The Wild Duck Rosmersholm Brand John Gabriel Borkman A Doll's House Ghosts Hedda Gabler The Lady from the Sea An Enemy of the People"

Henrik Ibsen (Author), David Threlfall, Full Cast, Harriet Walters, Helen Baxendale, Indira Varma, Lesley Manville, Nicholas Farrell, Samuel West (Narrator)

Audiobook

Nineteen Ninety Four & Nineteen Ninety-Eight: The complete series 1 and 2 of the Orwellian BBC Radio

"The complete first and second series of the Orwellian sitcom starring Robert Lindsay and David Threlfall In this parody of George Orwell’s dystopian classic, everyman Edward Wilson finds his life taking a sinister turn when he becomes embroiled in mysterious government machinations. Nineteen Ninety-Four sees our hero hired by the Ministry of the Environment. Probing a strange incident in Cumbria, he learns more about Sellingfield – a new town watched over by the guardians of consumerism. As his knack for blunt honesty gets him noticed (though not in a good way), he is put up for promotion (without really knowing why), and before long Edward is in charge of the Environment – but for how long? Nineteen Ninety-Eight finds Edward trying to hang on to his girlfriend and dodging explosions. Forced to go on the run, he meets the Leopard, and soon his quest for truth becomes the Movement. But as Edwards’s allies are absorbed by Am Jap, he and Tabitha must finally face their foe, Colonel Brad. Is this the end of the line for the daring duo? This funny, futuristic sitcom stars Robert Lindsay and David Threlfall as Edward, with a cast including Pam Ferris, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson and Mike Myers. Written by Richard Turner and William Osborne Produced by Nick Symons Archive BA: Kevin Gordon Starring Robert Lindsay (Nineteen Ninety-Four) and David Threlfall (Nineteen Ninety-Eight)as Edward With Christopher Barr, Pam Ferris, Stephen Fry, David Goodland, Mark Knox, Hugh Laurie, Jenny Luckraft, Mike Myers, Siobhan Redmond, Paul Shearer, Steve Steen, Rebecca Stevens, Emma Thompson and Richard Turner First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 23 March-27 April 1985 (Nineteen Ninety-Four), 28 March-9 May 1987 (Nineteen Ninety-Eight)"

Richard Turner, William Osborne (Author), David Threlfall, Emma Thompson, Full Cast, Hugh Laurie, Mike Myers, Pam Ferris, Robert Lindsay, Stephen Fry (Narrator)

Audiobook

Father Paolo Baldi Mysteries: The Complete BBC Radio Crime series

"The complete series 1-5 of the thrilling mystery series. On sabbatical from the Franciscan order, Father Paolo Baldi is working as a philosophy lecturer in Dublin when his life takes an unexpected turn and he finds himself helping the police to solve crimes. Along with Tina, Paolo uncovers the truth behind the killings of several rockabilly band members, a high-profile case of a police officer’s murder, as well as delving into the highly competitive world of celebrity chefs. He also exposes a rift in a community of environmental activists, enters the world of romantic poetry to solve a suspected suicide, investigates the killing of a politically-incorrect figurehead, and finds that the death of a homeless man is not as simple as it appears. Follow the priest-cum-sleuth’s thrilling adventures as he solves mysteries throughout Ireland. David Threlfall, Tina Kellegher and T.P. McKenna star in this exciting series written by Simon Brett, Bill Murphy, Andrew Martin, Martin Meenan, John Murphy and Francis Turnly in the series created by Barry Devlin."

Andrew Martin, Bill Murphy, Francis Turnly, John Murphy, Martin Meehan, Simon Brett (Author), Adrian Dunbar, Bill Nighy, David Threlfall, Full Cast, Geraldine James, Martin Clunes, Tina Kellegher (Narrator)

Audiobook

Tsar: An epic chronicle of the Russian leaders: Eleven BBC Radio 4 dramas

"Eleven compelling BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas telling the stories of the Russian tsars Broadcast to mark the centenary of the Russian revolution, this extraordinary drama cycle by Mike Walker comprises eleven ambitious plays spanning over 400 years, exploring the lives of Russia’s key rulers from Ivan the Terrible to Vladimir Putin. Ivan the Terrible: Absolute Power - The rise and fearsome reign of the first Tsar of All Russia. Starring David Threlfall as Ivan IV. Boris Godunov: Ghosts - Did Boris Godunov have Ivan the Terrible's son killed? And what happened when the murdered boy came back from the dead - leading an army? Starring Shaun Dooley as Boris Godunov. Peter the Great: The Gamblers - Moscow, 1682 and two joint tsars rule: one, Ivan, is feeble-minded and the other is Peter, a child of ten years old. Starring Will Howard as Peter. Peter the Great: Queen of Spades - Distracted by his new capital, St Petersburg, and wife Catherine, Peter ignores his opponents: until his own son Alexei declares his colours. Starring Elliot Cowan as Peter. Catherine the Great: Husbands, Lovers and Sons - Did Catherine foresee the consequences of staging a coup d'état against her husband the Tsar? Or did she want him dead from the start? Starring Samantha Spiro as Catherine II. Alexander I: Into the Woods – The story of the reluctant Tsar who took on the greatest threat Russia had ever faced – Napoleon Bonaparte – and won. Starring Joel MacCormack as Alexander I. Alexander II: The People’s Will – Revolutionary terrorist cell The People’s Will is determined to assassinate the Tsar. But in the struggle between autocracy and socialism, there can be only one winner. Starring Joseph Millson as Alexander. Nikolai II: Three Hundred Years - In 1913, the Romanov dynasty celebrated three hundred years on the Russian throne. But a mere four years later, Tsar Nikolai II was forced to abdicate. Starring Raymond Coulthard as Nikolai II. Lenin: Tears – As the Soviet era begins, Lenin joins the provisional government, but soon becomes set on seizing complete power for his Bolsheviks. Starring Paul Ritter as Lenin. Joseph Stalin: The Last Bolshevik – In 1941, the Soviet Union was invaded by the Nazis – and Joseph Stalin retired to his dacha, seemingly defeated... Starring Brian McCardie as Stalin. The Shield and the Sword – Thirteen interconnected stories about the enigmatic Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Starring Nicholas Murchie as VV. Written by Mike Walker Produced and directed by Sasha Yevtushenko and Alison Hindell"

Mike Walker (Author), Amanda Root, Anton Lesser, David Threlfall, Full Cast, Hattie Morahan, Hugo Speer, Paul Ritter, Raymond Coulthard, Samantha Spiro (Narrator)

Audiobook

Look Who's Back (Audiodrama)

"Berlin, Summer 2011. Adolf Hitler wakes up on a patch of open ground, alive and well. Things have changed - no Eva Braun, no Nazi party, no war. Hitler barely recognises his beloved Fatherland, filled with immigrants and run by a woman. People certainly recognise him, albeit as a flawless impersonator who refuses to break character. The unthinkable, the inevitable happens, and the ranting Hitler goes viral, becomes a YouTube star, gets his own T.V. show, and people begin to listen. But the Führer has another programme with even greater ambition - to set the country he finds a shambles back to rights. Look Who's Back stunned and then thrilled 1.5 million German readers with its fearless approach to the most taboo of subjects. Naive yet insightful, repellent yet strangely sympathetic, the revived Hitler unquestionably has a spring in his step."

Timur Vermes (Author), David Threlfall (Narrator)

Audiobook

Enduring Love: AS FEAUTRED ON BBC2’S BETWEEN THE COVERS

"One windy spring day in the Chilterns Joe Rose's calm, organised life is shattered by a ballooning accident. The afternoon, Rose reflects, could have ended in mere tragedy, but for his brief meeting with Jed Parry. Unknown to Rose, something passes between them - something that gives birth in Parry to an obsession so powerful that it will test to the limits Rose's beloved scientific rationalism, threaten the love of his wife Clarissa and drive him to the brink of murder and madness."

Ian McEwan (Author), David Threlfall (Narrator)

Audiobook

Dunster

John Clifford Mortimer (Author), David Threlfall (Narrator)

Audiobook

Heart of Darkness

"Penguin Classics presents Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, adapted for audio and available as a digital download as part of the Penguin English Library series. Read by David Threlfall, the star of the hit Channel 4 series, Shameless. 'The mind of man is capable of anything - because everything is in it, all the past as well as all the future. What was there after all? Joy, fear, sorrow, devotion, rage - who can tell? - but truth - truth stripped of its cloak of time. Let the fool gape and shudder - the man knows, and can look on without a wink' Marlow, a seaman, tells of a journey up the Congo. His goal is the troubled European and ivory trader Kurtz. Worshipped and feared by invaders as well as natives, Kurtz has become a godlike figure, his presence pervading the jungle like a thick, obscuring mist. As his boat labours further upstream, closer and closer to Kurtz's extraordinary and terrible domain, so Marlow finds his faith in himself and civilization crumbling. Conrad's Heart of Darkness has been considered the most important indictment of the evils of imperialism written to date. Part of a series of vintage recordings taken from the Penguin Archives. Affordable, collectable, quality productions - perfect for on-the-go listening."

Joseph Conrad (Author), David Threlfall (Narrator)

Audiobook

Cal

"For Cal, some of the choices are devastatingly simple. . . He can work in an abattoir that nauseates him or join the dole queue; he can brood on his past or plan a future with Marcella. Springing out of the fear and violence of Ulster, CAL is a haunting love stroy in a land were tenderness and innocence can only flicker briefly in the dark."

Bernard MacLaverty (Author), David Threlfall (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by David Threlfall