Audiobooks narrated by Denys Hawthorne

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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The Jury: A BBC Radio Full-Cast Drama

"Twelve jurors. One verdict. Can the jury decide? When high-profile company director Virginia Hart fights a libel case against journalist Pat Carver, twelve ordinary people find themselves navigating the complex and unfamiliar world of the civil court. A woman’s reputation is on the line, and they alone must decide whether the allegations made against her in the satirical magazine Shady Tales count as freedom of speech, or scurrilous defamation. But it soon becomes clear to the jury members that the trial will have an impact on their own lives. From big-shot banker Tyrone to shy, illiterate Shane; chatty, overly helpful Carol; feisty fashion model Samantha and aspiring businesswoman Folosade, they are each dealing with their own issues – and they all bring their own flaws, fears, values and prejudices to the case. The prosecution has barely made its opening statements before two of the jurors are at loggerheads, and tensions quickly begin to rise within the group. The lies, scandal and intrigue unfolding in the courtroom are mirrored in the jury room, and as the trial moves towards its climax, can the jurors work together to ensure justice prevails? Written by acclaimed actor and dramatist Matthew Solon, whose radio credits include Takeover, The Bid and Five Days in May, this thrilling drama features a star cast including Bill Nighy, Maggie Steed, Patrick Robinson, Gary Olsen, Tracy-Ann Oberman and Bhasker Patel. Production credits Written by Matthew Solon Directed by Andy Jordan and Jocelyn Boxall Cast Virginia Hart – Suzanne Bertish Tyrone Spencer – Patrick Robinson Gilly Baxter – Maggie Steed Megan Evans – Rachel Atkins Pat Carver – Bill Nighy Michael Whitely – Gary Olsen Dermot O'Connor – Denys Hawthorne With Joseph Bennett, Philip Bretherton, Colin Bruce, Harry Ditson, Abi Eniola, Robert Hands, Jenny Howe, Kelly Hunter, Frances Jeater, Jonathan Keeble, Don McCorkindale, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Bhasker Patel, Dominic Power, Christopher Scott, Irene Sutcliffe, Badi Uzzaman, Geoffrey Whitehead First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 September-16 October 1998 © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Matthew Solon (Author), Bill Nighy, Denys Hawthorne, Frances Jeater, Full Cast, Gary Olsen, Maggie Steed, Philip Bretherton, Tracy-Ann Oberman (Narrator)

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Honoré De Balzac: Pere Goriot, The Black Sheep & more: Four BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatisations

"Stunning all-star adaptations of Balzac’s finest works This brilliant collection of France’s foremost nineteenth-century novelist and playwright delivers four of his most fascinating works - stories of love, rivalry, horror and adventure - all brought to life by a stellar cast including Stephen Fry and Alex Kingston. A huge influence on many of the most famous writers from Proust to Kerouac to Dickens, Balzac delivers beautifully observed and complex characters with an unsurpassed attention to the details of society at the time, making him an exemplary of realism in European literature. Pere Goriot - Dramatised in four parts, this is the story of Eugene, who has discovered that the mysterious Pere Goriot has two daughters who could provide the key to his entry into Parisian society… Starring Stephen Fry as the author Balzac and Alex Kingston as Delphine. Ursule Mirouet (The Inheritance) - 74 year old Dr Minoret has returned to live out his final days in his home town. His grasping nephews and nieces eagerly await his demise but the good doctor seems to favour his charming young ward, Ursule. What lengths are his family prepared to go to secure their inheritance? Starring Elizabeth Cassidy in the title role of this three-part production. The Mysterious Mansion - A grisly tale set in La Grande Breteche, the ruins of an abandoned house and neglected garden. Balzac is determined to uncover the story behind its tragic secrets… David Calder stars as the author. The Black Sheep - Balzac’s classic tale of family rivalry set in 19th-century France. Philippe Bridau returns from the battle of Waterloo and steals from his mother to finance his gambling habit. It's left to his brother Joseph to rescue the family from destitution, but at what cost? Can he betray his own sibling? Geoffrey Whitehead leads the cast in the role of narrator. A wonderful collection from a superb author, performed by a stunning cast, this is a must listen for any fan of classic literature. Cast and credits Written by Honoré De Balzac Pere Goriot Featuring: Stephen Fry, Douglas Hodge, David Ross, Geoffrey Banks, Alex Kingston, Noreen Kershaw, Ian Mercer, Romy Baskerville, John Griffin, Clare Dow, Barbara Marten, Paul Broughton, Robin Polley Dramatised by David Hopkins Directed by Kate Rowland First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 Sep 1992 Ursule Mirouet (The Inheritance) Featuring: Margot Boyd, Ronald Herdman, Alan Devereux, Patricia Gallimore, Haydn Jones, Sean Barrett, Stephen Thorne, Terry Molloy, Edward Kelsey, Patricia Gibson, Denys Hawthorne, Elizabeth Cassidy, Penelope Shaw, Geoffrey Matthews, Alexander John Dramatised by Joan O’Connor Directed by Roger Pine First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 Apr 1980 The Mysterious Mansion Featuring: David Calder, Dorien Thomas, Dillwyn Owen, Tessa Gearing, Christopher Grimes, Marilyn Le Conte, Nigel Carrington, Manon Edwards, Alan Towner Dramatised by Peter Mackie Directed by David Hunter First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 Oct 1993 The Black Sheep Featuring: Geoffrey Whitehead, Matthew Pidgeon, Briony McRoberts, Thomas Arnold, Alan Cox, Timothy Bateson, Lucy Paterson, Christian Rodska, Colette O'Neil, Jon Glover, Nyasha Hatendi, Chris Pavlo Dramatised by Chris Nolan Directed by Bruce Young First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 Aug 2008 ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Honoré De Balzac (Author), Alex Kingston, David Calder, David Ross, Denys Hawthorne, Dorien Thomas, Douglas Hodge, Elizabeth Cassidy, Full Cast, Geoffrey Banks, Geoffrey Whitehead, Matthew Pidgeon, Ronald Herdman, Stephen Fry, Thomas Arnold (Narrator)

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Humour and Madness: Early Restoration Comedies: Nine BBC Radio Full Cast Productions including The R

"A sparkling collection of nine witty full-cast comedies from the early Restoration era Raunchy, risqué and rebellious, early Restoration comedies were a breath of fresh air for 17th century theatregoers. With Charles II restored to the throne in 1660, Oliver Cromwell's ban on stage performances was rescinded, and for the first time, women were invited to tread the boards as actresses. Playwrights developed a new style of social comedy, packed with amorous escapades, bawdy humour, wicked wit and sexual innuendo. This scintillating anthology showcases six leading lights of early Restoration drama, beginning with George Etherege, the creator of the 'comedy of manners': The Man of Mode, an irreverent portrait of the fops and libertines that populated London's beau monde; and She Wou'd If She Cou'd, a racy, fast-paced romp mocking society's double standards for men and women. Among the casts are Derek Jacobi, Anna Massey, Ian Richardson, Prunella Scales and Hattie Jacques. Also poking fun at hypocrisy and immorality was William Wycherley. However, his comedies were considered far more daring - especially The Country Wife, which was judged too obscene to be staged in its original form for over 200 years. Centred around a notorious rake who resorts to deception to pursue a naïve married woman, this effervescent BBC radio dramatisation stars Jonathan Pryce and Maggie Smith. Male playwrights were not the only ones penning scandalous dramas during this period. Aphra Behn, Britain's first professional female writer, was a poet, spy and the most prolific playwright of the 1670s and '80s. Her sex comedy The Rover, featured here, revolves around love, lust, intrigue and mistaken identity, and stars Julia Ford, Suzan Sylvester and Juliet Aubrey. England's first Poet Laureate, John Dryden, dominated Restoration literature to such an extent that it came to be known as the Age of Dryden. His 1677 play All For Love, a powerful reworking of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, is regarded as his finest work. John Turner and Barbara Jefford star in this heroic tragedy. A rival of Dryden, Edward Ravenscroft was the first British playwright to introduce characters from the 'commedia dell' arte' into his farces. His seminal comedy The London Cuckolds, featuring three ridiculous husbands, three beautiful wives, and one dissolute young cad, was hugely popular, and this BBC adaptation retains all the original's ribald wit. It stars Carleton Hobbs, Norman Shelley and Madi Hedd. Thomas Otway achieved his greatest success in the last five years of his life. Three of his acclaimed works appear here: his 1683 comedy The Soldier's Fortune and its sequel The Atheist, focussing on disbanded army officers looking for sex and money, and his masterpiece Venice Preserved, a dark political thriller about power, revolution, love and betrayal. The ensemble casts feature Dennis Quilley, John Rowe, Michael Turner and Donald Wolfit. Content list The Man of Mode First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 27 Jun 1986 She Wou'd If She Cou'd First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 6 Sep 1968 The Country Wife First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 22 Dec 1985 The Rover First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 22 Jan 1995 All For Love First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 7 Jul 1983 The London Cuckolds First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 30 Dec 1974 The Soldier's Fortune First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 24 May 1981 The Atheist First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 31 May 1981 Venice Preserved First broadcast BBC Third Programme, 10 Aug 1960 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Aphra Behn, Edward Ravenscroft, George Etherege, John Dryden, Thomas Otway, William Wycherley (Author), Anna Massey, Carleton Hobbs, Denys Hawthorne, Derek Jacobi, Frances Jeater, Full Cast, Harriet Walters, Jonathan Pryce, Maggie Smith, Prunella Scales (Narrator)

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This Sceptred Isle: Collection 1: 55BC - 1702: The Classic BBC Radio History

"The first five volumes from the landmark BBC radio series This Sceptred Isle. Christopher Lee's epic history tells the story of Britain from the Romans to the death of Victoria. This collection includes the original first five volumes: 55BC-1087: Julius Caesar to William the Conqueror From Britannia under the Romans to the Dark Ages and the invasions of Angles, Saxons, Danes, and Norwegians. 1087-1327: The Making of the Nation The Crusades, Welsh and Scottish rebellions and the foundations of the modern state - including Magna Carta and the fledgling English Parliament. 1327-1547 The Black Prince to Henry VIII The Hundred Years' War, the Peasants' Revolt, the Wars of the Roses and the reign of Henry VIII. 1547-1660 Elizabeth I to Cromwell Elizabeth I's long reign; the Civil War, the execution of Charles I and the establishment of Cromwell as Lord Protector. 1660-1702 Restoration and Glorious Revolution The return of Charles II, the Great Plague and Great Fire of London, and a ruler from a different country on the throne: William of Orange. Narrated by Anna Massey, with extracts from Sir Winston Churchill's A History of the English-speaking Peoples read by Paul Eddington and Peter Jeffrey, this is the definitive radio account of the events and personalities that have shaped our nation. The audio files for this title have been updated and they are now in the correct order. Duration: 15 hours approx."

Christopher Lee (Author), Anna Massey, Denys Hawthorne, John Turner, Paul Eddington, Paul Jenkins, Peter Jeffrey, Roger May, Stephen Critchlow, Various (Narrator)

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This Sceptred Isle Collection 2: 1702 - 1901: The Classic BBC Radio History

"The final five volumes from the landmark BBC radio series This Sceptred Isle. Christopher Lee's epic history tells the story of Britain from the Romans to the death of Victoria. This collection includes the original volumes 6-10: 1702-1760: The First British EmpireThe reign of George I; Britain's first Prime Minister, Robert Walpole, and the first rendition of Rule Britannia. 1760-1792: The Age of Revolution The Industrial Revolution begins; America declares independence and France is rocked by social and politicalupheaval. 1792-1815: Nelson, Wellington and Napoleon War in Europe; the introduction of Income Tax; and England is victorious in the Battle of Trafalgar. 1815-1837: Regency and Reform The Prince of Wales becomes George IV; Sir Robert Peel creates the Metropolitan Police and slavery is abolished in the British Empire. 1837-1901: The Age of Victoria Victoria's 64-year reign encompasses huge social changes; Britain expands her empire and the Labour Party is founded. Narrated by Anna Massey, with extracts from Sir Winston Churchill's A History of the English-speaking Peoples read by Peter Jeffrey, this is the definitive radio account of the events and personalities that have shaped our nation. Duration: 14 hours approx."

Christopher Lee (Author), Anna Massey, Brett Usher, David Holt, Denys Hawthorne, Keith Drinkel, Patrick Reinhardt, Peter Jeffrey, Sean Baker, Various (Narrator)

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The Great Poets

"Naxos AudioBooks continues its new series of Great Poets - represented by a collection of their most popular poems on one CD - with W. B. Yeats, one of the most loved poets of the twentieth century. He left a large legacy of outstanding poems, and the finest are collected here: Down by the Salley Gardens, The Lake Isle of Inisfree, The Secret Rose and He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven. They are read by a strong cast led by Olivier award winner Jim Norton."

William Butler Yeats (Author), Denys Hawthorne, Jim Norton, Marcella Riordan, Nicholas Boulton (Narrator)

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Macbeth

"Sinister supernatural forces are at work in this fast-paced tragedy of guilt and retribution, in which the power of human beings to control their own destiny is called into question. The brave warrior Macbeth allows himself to be persuaded by Lady Macbeth, his wife, to slay good King Duncan and seize the throne of Scotland for himself. Macbeth achieves his ambition, but one murder proves not to be enough as he desperately attempts to eliminate all who might threaten his ill-gotten power. Descending into paranoia, Macbeth achieves his ambition but ravages his soul. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are played by Hugh Ross and Harriet Walter."

William Shakespeare (Author), David Tennant, Denys Hawthorne, Gary Bakewell, Gavin Muir, Harriet Walter, Margaret Robertson, Mark Bonnar, Maureen Beattie, Peter England, Sean Baker, Shirley Dixon, a full cast (Narrator)

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The Life & Works of W. B. Yeats

"The Life of William Butler Yeats is a remarkable one - poet, playwright, essayist, politician, occultist, astrologer, founder of a national theatre, voluminous correspondent, lover, husband and father. It was a life that extended to a packed, sometimes frantic seventy-three years and left us with what many consider to be one of the finest collections of poetry from one voice."

William Butler Yeats (Author), Denys Hawthorne, Jim Norton, Marcella Riordan, Nicholas Boulton (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Denys Hawthorne

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