Audiobooks narrated by Elizabeth Proud

The August Strindberg BBC Radio Collection: 13 Full-Cast Productions including Miss Julie, The Fathe

"A comprehensive selection of August Strindberg’s finest works, featuring an all-star cast and original music Hailed by Arthur Miller as ‘the mad inventor of modern theatre’, Johan August Strindberg was a Swedish playwright, poet and novelist whose groundbreaking works mingled naturalism and psychology and paved the way for Expressionist drama. A prolific writer – penning over 60 plays, 19 novels and nine autobiographies – his turbulent life was marked by emotional conflict. This wide-ranging collection brings together 13 of his most important dramas and a semi-autobiographical ‘occult diary’, enhanced through stunning soundscapes and music composed by Strindberg himself. First up is his debut play, the 1872 historical drama Master Olof. Influenced by Ibsen’s Brand, it centres around a revolutionary 16th-century priest’s defiance of the Catholic Church and the monarchy. It is followed by The Father, whose focus is paternity and the battle for power between a husband and wife. Sexuality and social class are scrutinised in a retelling of Strindberg’s classic play Miss Julie, placed in a Scottish context, while in Creditors, a Swedish seaside resort is the setting for marriage-wrecking revenge. Also set by the sea, Strindberg’s black comedy of manners Playing with Fire explores a love triangle between a young couple and their close friend. Begun in 1898 while Strindberg was recovering from a breakdown, To Damascus is a symbolic synthesis of his marital, religious and existential struggles. Erik XIV portrays the last years of the titular King of Sweden’s reign, as the increasingly unstable ruler becomes embroiled in a bitter feud with the nobility. Next is Ingmar Bergman’s version of A Dream Play, Strindberg’s oneiric fantasy exploring human suffering and life’s illusions. Easter tells the redemptive tale of a family fearing ruin who instead find hope, forgiveness and mercy. Performed for the first time in English, The Virgin Bride centres on a wedding that could reconcile two rival families – but can the bride prove her chastity by wearing a bridal crown? Following their father’s death, a brother and sister discover disturbing truths about their mother in The Pelican, and in The Ghost Sonata, adultery, murder and deceit are laid bare in the house of the living dead… Our final piece, Strindberg’s dark prose poem Inferno, recounts his experiments in alchemy and black magic, his sojourn in hell and his quest for faith and love. It is narrated by Alan Badel. These outstanding dramas feature star casts including Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Andrew Garfield, Rory Kinnear, Maurice Denham, Martin Jarvis, Trevor Howard, Peggy Ashcroft, Stephen Murray, Judy Bennett, Frank Finlay, Ian Richardson, Janet McTeer and Dorothy Tutin. First published 1872 (Master Olof), 1887 (The Father), 1888 (Miss Julie), 1889 (Creditors), 1892 (Playing with Fire), 1898-1904 (To Damascus), 1899 (Erik XIV), 1901 (A Dream Play, Easter, The Virgin Bride), 1907 (The Pelican), 1908 (The Ghost Sonata), 1912 (Inferno) First broadcast on BBC Radio, 1968-2005 © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

August Strindberg (Author), Andrew Garfield, Brian Cox, Elizabeth Proud, Fiona Shaw, Full Cast, Jonathan Coy, Martin Jarvis, Maurice Denham, Pauline Letts, Peggy Ashcroft, Rory Kinnear, Sarah Badel (Narrator)

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Journey into Space: The World in Peril & The Return from Mars: The Classic BBC Radio Sci-Fi Drama

"The final series of Charles Chilton’s classic 1950s sci-fi trilogy and the gripping 1981 sequel Written by veteran radio producer Charles Chilton, Journey into Space kept Light Programme listeners enraptured between 1953 and 1958. Almost eight million people tuned in to the interstellar adventures of Jet Morgan and his intrepid crew, making it the last UK radio drama serial to beat television in the ratings. This audio collection contains the complete Series 3 of the groundbreaking trilogy, as well as the special 90-minute sequel The Return from Mars. The World in Peril – Continuing the suspenseful story begun in The Red Planet, this 20-part serial, set in 1972, follows Jet and his comrades as they return to Mars with orders to discover all they can about the impending Martian invasion of Britain. Stretched to their limits, they take on the awesome Martian power – and when they discover the astounding secret of the invasion plan, they must race against time to warn a defenceless Earth… Starring Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley-Poynter, Don Sharp and Alfie Bass. The Return from Mars – It’s an ordinary afternoon at London Landing Control. Suddenly, a voice breaks across another aircraft’s frequency: ‘This is the spaceship Discovery’… To the controller’s astonishment, Jet Morgan and his crew are re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere – more than 30 years after they went missing, presumed dead. What happened to Jet and friends during those years? Consulting his diary, Jet begins to tell their astonishing story… Starring John Pullen, Ed Bishop, Nigel Graham and Anthony Hall. Production credits Written and produced by Charles Chilton Music composed and orchestra conducted by Van Phillips The World in Peril Jet Morgan – Andrew Faulds Lemmy Barnett – Alfie Bass Doc – Guy Kingsley-Poynter Mitch – Don Sharp Other parts played by David Jacobs, Alan Tilvern, John Cazabon, Fred Yule and Pat Campbell First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 26 September 1955-6 February 1956 The Return from Mars Jet Morgan – John Pullen Lemmy – Anthony Hall Doc – Ed Bishop Mitch – Nigel Graham Cassia – Elizabeth Proud Nichols – Patrick Barr Wrist radio/Countdown voice – David Bradshawe Pilot/Talian – Graham Faulkner Controller/Radio voice – Stephen Garlick Videophone/Junior officer – John McAndrew Control/Sotteer 2 – Sion Probert Sotteer 1/Harry – Christopher Scott Supervisor/Radio – John Webb Script by Charles Chilton Directed by Glyn Dearman First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme, 7 March 1981 © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Charles Chilton (Author), Alfie Bass, Andrew Faulds, Anthony Hall, Don Sharp, Ed Bishop, Elizabeth Proud, Full Cast, Guy Kingsley-Poynter, John Pullen, Nigel Graham (Narrator)

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Thornton Wilder: Our Town, The Bridge of San Luis Rey & More: A BBC Radio full-cast drama collection

"Four of Thornton Wilder's most acclaimed works, adapted for BBC Radio - plus bonus material exploring his life and career Thornton Wilder is one of America's most important literary figures. He won the Pulitzer Prize three times - for his novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey and the plays Our Town and The Skin of Our Teeth - and is the only person to be awarded the Pulitzer for both fiction and drama. Included here are four of his key works, set in different times and places, but sharing the same fundamental motifs - the universality of human experience and our search for life's meaning. Our Town, his timeless tale of love, marriage, birth and death in a small American community, stars Ed Bishop, William Roberts and Liza Ross. It is preceded by a 10-minute introductory extract from Free Thinking, in which presenter Anne McElvoy and actor/director David Cromer discuss the play's themes and techniques. Wilder's masterpiece, The Bridge of San Luis Rey, tells the story of the five victims of a bridge collapse, and the eyewitness who sets out to understand why they were fated to die. A poignant philosophical fable, it features a stellar cast including Annette Badland, Robert Glenister, Tom Goodman-Hill and Helen McCrory. Adapted from the play by Jerome Kilty, The Ides of March is based on Wilder's epistolary novel centred around the last days of the Roman republic, and stars Robert Hardy as Julius Caesar. Next, Ed Bishop reads from Heaven's My Destination, the comic tale of an amateur philosopher who leaves a trail of chaos wherever he goes. Finally, in a fascinating episode of Front Row, Mark Lawson, theatre director David Lan and New York Times theatre critic Mel Gussow discuss how Wilder became a literary icon, and launched a quiet revolution in American theatre. Cast and credits Written by Thornton Wilder Copyright © by The Wilder Family LLC 1927 (The Bridge of San Luis Rey), 1935 (Heaven's My Destination), 1938 (Our Town), 1948 (The Ides of March) Free Thinking Presented by Anne McElvoy With David Cromer Produced by Zahid Warley First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 16 October 2014 Our Town Stage Manager - Ed Bishop Dr Gibbs - William Roberts Mrs Gibbs - Liza Ross George Gibbs - Ben Fairman Rebecca Gibbs - Teresa Gallagher Mr Webb - Garrick Hagon Mrs Webb/Dead Woman - Shelley Thompson Emily Webb - Barbara Barnes Joe Crowell/Si Crowell - Tom Bevan With Vincent Marzello, Peter Whitman, John Evitts and Frances Jeater Directed by David Hitchinson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 July 1995 The Bridge of San Luis Rey Madre Maria del Pilar - Annette Badland Uncle Pio - Michael Feast Jaime/Boy - Frederick Forge Brother Juniper/Captain Alvarado - Robert Glenister Esteban/Manuel - Tom Goodman-Hill Pepita/Dona Clara - Jasmine Hyde Camila, la Perichole - Helen McCrory Marquesa de Montemayor - Sian Phillips Dramatised by Judith Adams Directed by Gaynor MacFarlane First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 May 2002 The Ides of March Narrator - Patrick Tull Caesar - Robert Hardy Brutus - Sean Barrett Clodia - Margaret Robertson Cleopatra - Elizabeth Proud Pompeia, Caesar's wife - Patricia Gallimore Julia, Caesar's aunt - Betty Hardy Clodius - Nigel Lambert Catullus - David Spenser Adapted for radio by Nesta Pain from the play by Jerome Kilty Produced by Nesta Pain First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 August 1970 Heaven's My Destination Read by Ed Bishop First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 17 April 1997 Front Row Presented by Mark Lawson With David Lan and Mel Gussow Produced by Nicki Paxman First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 March 2004 Copyright © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Thornton Wilder (Author), Annette Badland, Barbara Barnes, Elizabeth Proud, Full Cast, Helen Mccrory, Robert Glenister, Robert Hardy, Sean Barrett, Tom Goodman-Hill (Narrator)

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The Buckingham Palace Connection and more: Five Full-Cast BBC Radio Vintage Thrillers

"A collection of full-cast dramatisations from the renowned screenwriter and novelist Ted Willis 'There are great actors and intriguing premises in every one of the stories ... If you’d forgotten what an ingenious mind Ted Willis had, and what a gifted writer he was for espionage plots, then this collection is a timely reminder.' Entertainment Focus Ted Willis began his creative life in amateur theatre and journalism before moving into writing for films, TV and radio, and was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most prolific writer for television. His best-known creation was the hit police procedural Dixon of Dock Green which he based on the stories told to him by a policeman friend. This radio anthology includes five of his best-loved crime tales from the 1960s, '70s and '80s. The Buckingham Palace Connection - Summer, 1976. A question in the House of Lords leads Ted Willis to uncover the extraordinary true story of a 1918 mission to rescue the Romanovs... Maurice Denham, Jeremy Clyde and Miriam Margolyes star in this exciting drama, based on real events and adapted by Ted Willis from his own novel. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3-31 May 1981 The Left-Handed Sleeper - Ted Willis' neighbours have become embroiled in scandal. MP Mark Ritchie has gone on the run, suspected of being a spy, and MI5 are on his trail. Can his wife Christine prove his innocence? Dramatised by the author from his 1975 novel, this gripping espionage thriller stars Ted Willis as the narrator, with Annette Crosbie as Christine. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 November-12 December 1982 Death May Surprise Us - Attending a country fair, the Prime Minister and his wife are kidnapped in broad daylight, within yards of a huge crowd. With the country reeling, the hunt is on to find them and bring them home safely... Leslie Sands and Mary Wimbush star in this suspenseful tale, adapted by Ted Willis from his 1974 novel. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 August-30 September 1984 The Blue Lamp - This vintage drama by Ted Willis and Jan Read was based on their original treatment for the 1950 Ealing Studios film that introduced the character of PC George Dixon, who went on to appear in TV's Dixon of Dock Green. Deryck Guyler stars as the veteran London copper who faces up to an armed robber. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 December 1962 And No Birds Sing - Philip Brooks is quietly reading at home, but a knock on his front door may change his life forever... This intriguing play stars Hugh Burden as Philip Brooks, Mary Miller as Ann Brooks and Adrian Egan as Detective Sergeant Syms. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 May 1979 Credits Written and dramatised by Ted Willis The Buckingham Palace Connection: Directed by Glyn Dearman The Left-Handed Sleeper: Produced by Christopher Venning Death May Surprise Us: Directed by Graham Gauld The Blue Lamp: Produced by David H. Godfrey; Written by Ted Willis and Jan Read; Adapted for radio by Jan Read And No Birds Sing: Directed by David Johnston With special thanks to Keith Wickham © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Ted Willis (Author), Adrian Egan, Alex Jennings, Annette Crosbie, Christopher Scoular, Deryck Guyler, Elizabeth Proud, Frances Jeater, Full Cast, Hugh Burden, Jeremy Clyde, Leslie Sands, Mary Miller, Mary Wimbush, Maurice Denham, Miriam Margolyes, Trevor Martin (Narrator)

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Nancy Mitford: Pursuit of Love, Love in a Cold Climate & More: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast drama collect

"BBC Radio adaptations of Nancy Mitford's most famous novels and acclaimed biography of Madame de Pompadour plus bonus programmes The eldest of the notorious Mitford sisters, Nancy Mitford was renowned for her comic novels of upper-class life. An aristocrat and socialite, she mingled with the 'Bright Young Things' in interwar London, and went on to satirise their foibles in razor-sharp, wickedly funny prose. Collected here are adaptations of her two bestsellers, the semi-autobiographical The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate; her delightful biography of Louis XV's chief mistress; and a pair of fascinating programmes exploring her own unconventional life. The Pursuit of Love This bittersweet tale follows the fortunes of Fanny Logan and her eccentric aristocratic cousins, the Radletts, as they embark on disastrous love affairs and misconceived marriages while searching for Mr Right. Cast Lord Radlett - Rolf Lefebvre Lady Radlett - Joan Matheson Fanny - Susan Maudslay Linda - Jane Knowles Matt - Brian Hewlett Captain Davey Warbeck - Godfrey Kenton Emily - Joan Hart Tony Kroesig - Michael Spice Lord Merlin - John Rye Bessie - Olwen Griffiths Mrs Fletcher - Barbara Mitchell The Bolter - Cecile Chevreau Other parts played by Sion Probert, George Raistrick, Alan Rowe and William Sleigh. Adapted by Alan Melville. Produced by Norman Wright. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 February 1974 Love in a Cold Climate A glamorous invitation to a grand party at Hampton - home of the fantastically rich Montdores and their beautiful daughter Polly - brings Fanny into the world of 1920s high society: and in and out of love when the temperature drops... Amanda Root stars in this sparkling sequel to The Pursuit of Love. Cast Fanny - Amanda Root Lady Montdore - Barbara Jefford Polly - Teresa Gallagher Veronica - Jenny Howe Uncle Davey - Jon Strickland Aunt Emily - Patience Tomlinson Aunt Sadie - Tessa Worsley Uncle Matthew - Ioan Meredith Boy Dougdale - Stephen Critchlow Jassy - Sarah-Jane Holm Victoria - Tilly Gaunt Cedric - William Hope Alfred - Tom Beard Dramatised by Claire Luckham. Directed by Marion Nancarrow. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 May 1999 The King's Favourite Based on Mitford's Madame de Pompadour, this three-part drama vividly evokes the colourful atmosphere of 18th Century Versailles, and Louis XV's tempestuous relationship with his adored mistress, Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour. Cast Narrator - Alan Melville Duc d'Orléans - Patrick Tull Madame de Ventadour - Katherine Parr Infanta Maria of Spain - Elizabeth Proud Louis XV (as a youth) - Nigel Anthony Duc de Bourbon - James Thomason The Queen - Pauline Letts Louis XV - Edward de Souza Lebel, concierge - Robin Browne Marquise de la Ferté - Margot Boyd Monsieur Poisson - Harold Kasket Madame d'Etioles - Moira Lister Monsieur d'Etioles - John Gabriel Lasmartre, a huntsman - David Timson Lady of the Court - Olwen Griffiths Produced by Norman Wright. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 10-24 December 1971 Dearest Evelyn, Darling Nancy Adapted from the witty correspondence of lifelong literary friends Evelyn Waugh and Nancy Mitford, this entertaining, gossipy 'conversation in letters' stars Timothy West and Prunella Scales. Cast Evelyn Waugh - Timothy West Nancy Mitford - Prunella Scales Adapted by Alan Bell. Produced by Pete Atkin. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 December 1993 Greatest Lives - Nancy Mitford Grace Dent loves Nancy Mitford for her wit, and for the way in which she showed women that it was possible to live your life fully and unconventionally. Matthew Parris asks what it is about Nancy that so inspires Grace, with the aid of Mitford biographer Lisa Hilton. Produced by Beth O'Dea. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 January 2013 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Nancy Mitford (Author), Amanda Root, Edward De Souza, Elizabeth Proud, Full Cast, Jane Knowles, Pauline Letts, Prunella Scales, Teresa Gallagher, Timothy West (Narrator)

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The Georgette Heyer BBC Radio Drama Collection: Four full-cast dramatisations

"BBC Radio adaptations of three of Georgette Heyer's sparkling Regency romances and a classic comedy thriller The acknowledged 'queen of Regency romance', bestselling author Georgette Heyer, also penned a dozen delightful mystery novels. Included here are dramatisations of four of her finest stories from both genres, full of her characteristic wit, charm and period detail. Regency Buck Pretty but shrewd Judith Taverner gallops in from the provinces and daringly defies the gaming, drinking and brawling world of Regency London to claim her rights, her fortune - and who knows, perhaps her happiness? Starring Elizabeth Proud as Judith Taverner and Simon Shepherd as Peregrine Taverner. Friday's Child 'I'm going back to London! And I'm going to marry the first woman I see!' is the cry of young Lord Sheringham when his proposal of marriage is rejected by Isabella, the Incomparable. True to his word, he takes the even younger Hero Wantage as his bride... Starring James Frain as Viscount Anthony Sheringham and Elli Garnett as Hero Wantage, with Simon Russell Beale as Jasper Tarleton. Faro's Daughter Deborah Grantham's position in a gaming house makes her utterly unsuitable as a wife for a nobleman, so Max Ravenscar determines to rescue his cousin from her clutches. But the bribe he offers does not go down well, and a battle of wits commences... Starring Sylvestre Le Touzel as Deborah Grantham and Nathaniel Parker as Max Ravenscar, with Anna Massey as Lady Bellingham. Envious Casca An English country Christmas in the 1930s, a Tudor manor house decked with holly, a family gathered for seasonal cheer - and a murder. Inspector Hemingway is on the case, but can he shake off amateur sleuths Toby and Jane French? Starring Peter Kelly as Inspector Hemingway, James Fleet as Toby and Helen Baxendale as Jane. ©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Georgette Heyer (Author), Anna Massey, Elizabeth Proud, Elli Garnett, Full Cast, Helen Baxendale, James Fleet, James Frain, Nathaniel Parker, Simon Russell Beale, Simon Shepherd (Narrator)

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The Dictionary of Animal Languages

"Born into a wealthy family in northern England and sent to boarding school to be educated by nuns, Ivory Frame rebels. She escapes to inter-war Paris, where she finds herself through art, and falls in with the most brilliantly bohemian set: the surrealists Torn between an intoxicating love affair with a married Russian painter and her soaring ambition to create, Ivory’s life is violently interrupted by the Second World War. She flees from Europe, leaving behind her friends, her art, and her love. Now over ninety, Ivory labours defiantly in the frozen north on her last, greatest work ? a vast account of animal languages ? alone except for her sharp research assistant, Skeet. And then unexpected news from the past arrives: this magnificently fervent, complex woman is told that she has a grandchild, despite never having had a child of her own …"

Heidi Sopinka (Author), Elizabeth Proud (Narrator)

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Cold Comfort Farm: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

"Patricia Gallimore and Miriam Margolyes star in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of the classic comic novel. Strong of will and slender of ankle, 20-year-old orphan Flora Poste is blessed with every virtue save that of being able to earn her own living. Casting around for suitable relatives with whom she can make her home, Flora alights on the mysterious Starkadders and, ignoring the horrified shrieks of her friends, heads down to darkest Sussex. There she is confronted by an exceptionally odd cast of characters: grief-stricken Judith, fervently religious Amos, the lusty smouldering Seth, wild and mysterious Elfine and, of course, the invisible tyrant Great Aunt Ada Doom who saw something nasty in the woodshed. Many would be overcome by the simmering passions of the Starkadder family, but not Flora. All they need is a little organising. Stella Gibbons' deliciously witty parody has been delighting readers since 1932 and retains its original sunny charm in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation."

Stella Gibbons (Author), Elizabeth Proud, Full Cast, Miriam Margolyes, Patricia Gallimore (Narrator)

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Pamela (Unabridged)

"This novel is told in a series of letters from the heroine, Pamela Andrews, a young low-born maid whose mistress has just died when the story opens. The lady's son, Mr B, attempts to seduce Pamela. Although Pamela finds him loathsome and leaves the house, he pursues her relentlessly. This is a work of pioneering psychological complexity; it is also a study of power and its abuse."

Samuel Richardson (Author), Elizabeth Proud (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Elizabeth Proud