Audiobooks Narrated by Dillwyn Owen

Precious Bane: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation

"Mary Webb’s award-winning novel adapted for radio with a full cast, plus a dramatised biography of the celebrated author Novelist and poet Mary Webb is as closely associated with Shropshire as Thomas Hardy with Dorset and the Brontës with Yorkshire. She wrote six books set against the timeless landscape of the county she knew and loved so well, but only achieved literary success after her death when the then Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin praised her work, describing her as a neglected genius. Her final novel, Precious Bane, was awarded the Prix Femina Vie Heureuse, and is featured here alongside a bonus programme exploring Webb’s life. Precious Bane – Born with a cleft lip, Pru Sarn is an outcast in her superstious rural community, who regard her as cursed and suspect her of being a witch. Yet her gentle heart longs for love and honest communication with her neighbours – in contrast with her brother Gideon’s all-consuming desire for wealth. As Pru works side-by-side with him on the family farm, she becomes increasingly disturbed by his single-mindedness – and ever more attracted to the handsome weaver, Kester Woodseaves. But when Gideon’s obsessive ambition results in tragedy, Prue finds herself accused of murder – and only Kester can save her… Miriam Margolyes stars as Pru, with Terry Molloy as Gideon and Peter Davidson as Kester. The Shropshire Lass – Based on Gladys Mary Cole’s biography of Mary Webb, The Flower of Light, this dramatised profile explores how Webb lived ‘betwixt and between’ – half in the world and half out of it. The heroine of a fairy story with a sad ending, she yearned for fame, riches and admiration, but spent her life struggling against illness and disillusion. Narrated by John Darran, with Dillwyn Jones as the reader, Sue Jones-Davies as Mary Webb and Gareth Armstrong as her husband Henry. Cast and credits Precious Bane Pru – Miriam Margolyes Gideon – Terry Molloy Kester – Peter Davidson Mrs Sarn – Penelope Lee Mr Sarn – Haydn Jones Mrs Beguildy – Jill Meers Wizard Beguildy – Robert Vahey Jancis Beguildy – Elspeth Charltok Gideon (aged 7) – Henry Milner Tiwy – Cecily Hobbs Sexton – Roger Snowdon Callard – John Rowe Dorabella – Patricia Gallimore Squire Camperdine – David Vann Felena – Kathryn Hurlbutt Sukey – Deirdre Lee Moll – Hedli Niklaus Mrs Sexton – Carol Snape Mrs Grimble/Mrs Callard – Ysanne Churchman Grimble/Grandfather Callard – Gordon Reid Huglet – Malcolm Gerard Miller’s Tim – Peter O’Dwyer Apothecary – Stephen Hancock Sexton’s Sammy – David Landberg Doctor – Denys Hawthorne Written by Mary Webb Dramatised by Michelene Wandor Directed by Vanessa Whitburn Traditional folk music sung and played by Sue Harris, John Kirkpatrick and Ann Weller First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 April-10 May 1981 The Shropshire Lass Narrator – John Darran Mary Webb/Susan Buchan – Sue Jones-Davies Henry Webb/Caradoc Evans – Gareth Armstrong Reader – Dillwyn Owen Written by Herbert Williams Based on The Flower of Light by Gladys Mary Coles Produced by Robin C. Rollinson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 July 1986 © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Mary Webb (Author), Dillwyn Owen, Full Cast, Haydn Jones, John Darran, Michael Finch, Miriam Margolyes, Penelope Lee, Peter Davidson, Rosalind Shankl, Terry Molloy (Narrator)

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Gwyn Thomas: A BBC Radio Collection: Six Full-Cast Dramatisations including All Things Betray Thee

"BBC Radio dramatisations and readings of the great Welsh writer's works A novelist, playwright, broadcaster and raconteur, Gwyn Thomas was celebrated as one of Wales’s finest writers in the English language. He wrote countless novels, short stories and plays for stage, radio, and television, and he frequently contributed to Punch magazine. This BBC collection features a selection of his finest works, showcasing his engaging storytelling, dark humour and ability to capture the essence of Welsh valley life and culture. All Things Betray Thee, set in the fictional South Wales town of Moonlea in 1835, explores the personal and societal impacts of industrialization through the eyes of a travelling harpist. Adapted by Alan Plater, of ‘The Beiderbecke Trilogy’ fame, this stirring drama stars Ian Hughes and Patrick Brennan. The Alderman, starring Donald Houston and Mary Wimbush, centres on small-town politics, as an influential councillor dreams of becoming a Westminster MP. A frustrated polymath drives his friends mad with his constant showing off in He Knows, He Knows, starring Philip Madoc, and in Gazooka, Gwyn Thomas himself recalls the long, hot summer of the General Strike, and the marching jazz bands that erupted into the Rhondda. Dewi Williams stars as a headmaster whose luck is about to turn in The Entrance; while in The Giving Time, Ronnie Williams plays a would-be choirmaster in search of a miracle. Also included are a quartet of stories about the eccentric characters in the little mining town of Meadow Prospect – ‘Scalping Party’, ‘They Came and They Took Him Away’, ‘Brotherly Love’ and ‘The Couch, My Friend, Is Cold’. Four more short tales round off the collection: ‘The Cavers’ (read by Ray Smith), ‘Arrayed Like One of These’ (read by Andy Rivers), ‘Hugo My Friend’ (read by Rhodri Hugh) and ‘Little Fury (read by Patrick Brennan). Production credits Written by Gwyn Thomas All rights reserved All Things Betray Thee The Alderman He Knows, He Knows Gazooka The Entrance The Giving Time Life in Meadow Prospect The Cavers Arrayed Like One of These Hugo My Friend Little Fury © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Gwyn Thomas (Author), Bryn Williams, Dillwyn Owen, Donald Houston, Full Cast, Ian Hughes, Keiron Self, Mali Harris, Manon Edwards, Mary Wimbush, Matthew Rhys, Melanie Walters, Philip Madoc, Ray Llewellyn, Ray Smith, Ric Jerrom, Ryan Davies, Siôn Probert (Narrator)

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Lord of Misrule: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation

"Full-cast dramatisation of the hot-blooded historical romance set in 18th century Wales ‘Jones has a talent for writing natural witty dialogue…’ Best Sellers Sworn allegiances, cruel punishments, broken hearts, shattered dreams and ancient magic make for an utterly spellbinding listen in this full-cast adaptation of Gareth Jones’s masterful novel. 1745. 18th century Wales is a land that time forgot. The burden of squalid poverty and the power of medieval superstition is writ large on the landscape as the adventurer, womaniser and dreamer Gruffydd comes to reclaim his birthright after the Jacobite Rebellion drives out George II. Hoping to deliver his people from the brutal control of a dissolute overlord, the local Squire Sir John Ffowlke, Gruffydd settles in the village of Cwmystwyth. Unrecognised, he becomes the local conjurer on whose magical powers the desperate villagers soon come to depend. Boldly, he fights for a vision of the future where they are free from the feudal chains that bind them. But Gruffydd is surrounded by enemies. Charisma may not be enough to keep him alive and if his people see through him, he may be faced with a bloody reckoning. The conflicting forces within the village of Cwmystwyth must be overcome if Gruffydd is to be able to unite the downtrodden community and guide its inhabitants towards freedom and a new life. Can any good come of a lie, however inspired? This powerful dramatisation of the novel by Gareth Jones is brought to life by Philip Madoc and Peter Halliday. Immerse yourself in the mystery, superstition, power and lust of a world long gone. Cast and credits Written by Gareth Jones Directed by Adrian Mourby Produced by BBC Wales Gruffydd - Philip Madoc Iolo - Loan Meredith Sir John Ffowlke - Peter Halliday Madlen - Meg Wynn Owen Mari - Beth Morris Rhiannon Bevan - Lisabeth Miles Hywel Bevan - Robert Blythe Mihangel - Gareth Snook Rachel - Donna Edwards Hannah - Adrian T Furse Talbot - Graham Blockey Col Johnes - James Benson Gwilym Brewer/Horseman - Dorien Thomas Old Thomas/Barnabas - Dillwyn Owen Thomas Jenkins - Gareth Armstrong Jailer/Tollgate Keeper - David Charles Thomas Powell - Gerald James Morgan Brewer - Maurice Elliott Landlords daughter/Lissi Gillian - Gillian Elisa Thomas Amaranth - Helen Roberts Ringmaster - Dorian Thomas Buddug - Di Botcher Sian - Rhian Morgan First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 Feb – 6 Apr 1986 ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Gareth Jones (Author), David Charles, Dillwyn Owen, Dorien Thomas, Full Cast, Gareth Snook, Graham Blockey, Ioan Meredith, Lisabeth Miles, Meg Wynn Owen, Peter Halliday, Philip Madoc, Robert Blythe (Narrator)

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