Audiobooks narrated by Freddie Jones

Ben Travers: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Six Full-Cast Comedy Productions including A Cuckoo in the Nest, Rookery Nook & other farces

"Six classic farces from the renowned comedy writer, with casts including Judi Dench, Michael Williams, Joan Hickson, Alex Jennings and Penelope Wilton In the 1920s and ’30s, Ben Travers proved himself a master of comic confusion with his hugely successful Aldwych farces. Featuring battle-axe mothers-in-law, beleaguered wives, henpecked husbands and a host of humorous misunderstandings, they wowed West End audiences and were frequently adapted for film and TV. Four of the funniest are included here – A Cuckoo in the Nest, Rookery Nook, Plunder and Turkey Time – along with the award-winning radio productions of The Dippers and Mischief. The Dippers – How does a meek, middle-aged solicitor end up demonstrating a new dance at a prestigious ball? And what will his wife do when she catches him in the bedroom of a lovely young dancer? Michael Williams and Judi Dench star in this sparkling drama, winner of the 1989 Sony Award for Best Dramatisation. A Cuckoo in the Nest – Mrs Stokes, landlady of the Stag and Hunt, will brook no hanky-panky with unmarrieds – but with only one room available, she unknowingly forces an innocent couple into a bed of shameful sin. Starring Joan Hickson, Ian Lavender and Phoebe Nicholls. Rookery Nook – Newlywed Gerald Popkiss motors to Chumpton for his honeymoon – but with his wife called away to nurse her mother, he finds himself alone in Rookery Nook. That is, until a pretty, pyjama-clad girl suddenly turns up in the middle of the night… Ian Lavender, Brett Usher and Anne Jameson star in Travers’ most famous farce. Mischief – When stodgy middle-aged banker Reggy marries Elly, a bright young thing half his age, the scene is set for mischief, misadventures, mistaken identities and marital mayhem. Starring Freddie Jones, Melinda Walker and Penelope Wilton, this effervescent comedy won the 1987 Sony Award for Best Drama. Plunder – Gentleman burglar Freddy Malone boasts that he lives by plunder. But blunder is more to the point, as his old schoolfriend D’Arcy Tuck discovers after he collaborates in a jewel theft that goes horribly wrong. Starring Gillian Lewis, Henry McGee, Alan Curtis and Richard Scott. Turkey Time – It’s Christmas Eve, and the Stoatts have invited family and friends to stay at Cobblers for the holidays. But the festivities turn farcical with the arrival of a stranded showgirl and her furious landlady… Alex Jennings, Elizabeth Spriggs and Teresa Gallagher star in this cheery, Christmassy romp. NB: Please note that Plunder is a vintage production from 1965, which is reflected in the sound quality. © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Ben Travers (Author), Alan Curtis, Alex Jennings, Brett Usher, Desmond Barrit, Elizabeth Spriggs, Freddie Jones, Full Cast, Gillian Lewis, Henry McGee, Ian Lavender, Joan Hickson, Judi Dench, Melinda Walker, Michael Williams, Penelope Wilton (Narrator)

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Maxim Gorky: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Five Full-Cast Productions

"Full-cast productions of five plays by the celebrated Russian author, plus a reading of one of his most famous short stories 'stellar performances from some of the best actors of their generation' - Entertainment Focus Alexei Maximovich Peshkov, known under his pseudonym Maxim Gorky, was one of Russia's greatest Soviet writers and the founder of the ‘socialist realism’ literary movement. Nominated for the Nobel Prize five times, his best-known works include the short story ‘Twenty-Six Men and a Girl’ and his seminal play The Lower Depths. Both are included in this collection, as well as four more acclaimed dramas. The Lower Depths – The arrival of the vagrant Luka has unexpected consequences for the down and out denizens of a Moscow dosshouse... First performed in 1902, Gorky’s pioneering play was the first to introduce Russian audiences to characters who were on the fringes of society, and was an instant success. This 1997 production, adapted by Alan Plater, stars Glyn Houston, with John Woodvine, Malcolm Storry, Laurence Allan and Joe Caffrey. Summerfolk – Spending the summer at their forest dachas, a group of middle-class holidaymakers embark on affairs, intrigues and amateur dramatics, but cannot escape the hollowness of their lives. Written as a response to Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, Gorky’s 1904 play depicts the Russian bourgeoisie on the brink of tremendous social change. Initially performed at the National Theatre, this adaptation stars Christine Pritchard, Simon Armstrong, Kelly Hunter and Ruth Jones. Enemies – Summer 1905, and as Russia stands on the edge of revolution, landowner and textile factory owner Zakhar Bardin and his intransigent managing director are at odds over the sacking of a foreman. The situation quickly spins out of control – with tragic consequences… Allan McClelland and Timothy Bateson star in this powerful dramatisation of Gorky’s 1906 play, which was censored by both Russia’s Tsarist regime and by Stalin. Vassa Zhelyeznova – Iron-willed Vassa has always done whatever it takes to build up the family business. Now, as her husband lies dying, she is engaged in a life-and-death struggle over its future. This 1986 radio production stars Billie Whitelaw, who won a Sony Radio Award for Best Actress for her performance as Vassa. The Old Man – Set in provincial Russia at the turn of the century, Maxim Gorky’s philosophical drama centres around a successful building contractor whose life is shattered by the intrusion of an old man he knew in the past. This classic radio production from 1974 stars Freddie Jones, Maxine Audley and Alan Webb. Twenty-Six Men and a Girl – Working day and night making pretzels in an airless basement, a group of bakers have only one solace: Tanya, the young seamstress who visits every day to enjoy their wares. But then the soldier arrives, determined to seduce her… Read by Joe Melia. First published 1899 (‘Twenty-Six Men and a Girl’), 1902 (The Lower Depths), 1902 (Summerfolk), 1906 (Enemies), 1910, revised 1935 (Vassa Zhelyeznova), 1915, revised 1922 and 1924 (The Old Man). All rights reserved © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Maxim Gorky (Author), Alan Webb, Allan McClelland, Billie Whitelaw, Christine Pritchard, Freddie Jones, Full Cast, Glyn Houston, Joe Caffrey, Joe Melia, John Woodvine, Kelly Hunter, Laurence Allan, Malcolm Storry, Maxine Audley, Ruth Jones, Simon Armstrong, Timothy Bateson (Narrator)

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Emlyn Williams: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Seven Full Cast Productions including The Corn Is Green

"A superb selection of Emlyn Williams’ finest plays Emlyn Williams was one of the brightest stars of Welsh stage and screen. An acclaimed playwright, actor and director, he made over 40 film and TV appearances, re-invented the one-man show with his virtuoso portrayals of Charles Dickens and Dylan Thomas, and wrote numerous plays and screenplays. Featured here are seven of his most popular works, ranging from his classic semi-autobiographical tale The Corn is Green to a psychological thriller, a ghost story and a drama about Tolstoy. The Corn is Green – It is 1895 in a remote mining village in Wales, a place where children are routinely sent down the pit once they turn 12. But iron-willed English teacher Miss Moffat is determined that her prize pupil, Morgan Evans, should realise his potential, and sets out to bully and inspire him to follow the path of learning. Starring Anna Massey, George Winter and Imelda Staunton. The Light of Heart – Once an actor of genius, Maddoc Thomas is now reduced to playing Father Christmas in a London department store. But his daughter Catrin is determined to help him make a comeback. William Squire stars as Maddoc, with Sharon Morgan as Catrin. The Power of Dawn – An old Russian woman, Katya, recalls the winter night in 1910 when she talked to the great writer Leo Tolstoy as he lay dying. Holed up in a small stationmaster’s hut, he tells the young peasant girl of his passions and his past… Starring Michael Redgrave as Tolstoy, with Felicity Hayes-McCoy as the young Katya and Gwen Ffrancon-Davies as Katya aged 82. The Wind of Heaven – 1856, and in the Welsh mountain village of Blestin, rumours abound of a teenage boy who may be the new Messiah. Drawn to the miracle child for very different reasons, Crimean War widow Dilys Parry and circus owner Ambrose Ellis both find new hope as the village rediscovers its lost faith. Siân Phillips and Freddie Jones star in this moving and absorbing play. Night Must Fall – When the elderly, demanding Mrs Bramson takes on a new odd-job man, her niece Olivia becomes infatuated with him – while also becoming convinced that the charming Dan is responsible for a recent murder. Richard Harrington, Anne Jameson and Melanie Walters star in this chilling study of a household under a psychopath's spell. Trespass – Grief-stricken after her husband’s death, former countess Christine summons a medium to her Welsh castle home to bring him back. The consequences spark a night of terror… Starring Glyn Owen, Patricia Mort and Ray Smith. Cuckoo – In 1935, in a small, shabby Thames bungalow, a Welsh emigré family's life revolves around Cuckoo, a middle-aged woman with the mind of an eight-year-old. But when Cuckoo’s devoted mother dies, what will become of them all? Judy Cornwell stars as Cuckoo in this poignant, captivating drama. Text copyright © Emlyn Williams 1935 (Night Must Fall), 1938 (The Corn is Green), 1940 (The Light of Heart), 1945 (The Wind of Heaven), 1947 (Trespass), 1975 (The Power of Dawn), 1986 (Cuckoo) Production credits Written by Emlyn Williams Contents The Corn Is Green The Light of Heart The Power of Dawn The Wind of Heaven Night Must Fall Trespass Cuckoo © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Emlyn Williams (Author), Anna Massey, Carole Boyd, Edward de Souza, Elizabeth Morgan, Freddie Jones, Full Cast, Imelda Staunton, Melanie Walters, Michael Redgrave, Peter Penry-Jones, Richard Harrington, Roger Hammond, Rosaline Ayres, Sharon Morgan, Sian Phillips, Siôn Probert, William Squire (Narrator)

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Kingsley Amis: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: I Spy Strangers, I Want It Now, All Free Now based on Girl 20 and more

"Adaptations of Kingley Amis’s great novels and acclaimed short stories Novelist, poet and critic Kingsley Amis was one of Britain’s greatest post-war writers. A master of comic fiction, he came to fame in 1954, and won the 1986 Booker Prize for The Old Devils. Included in this collection are dramatisations of seven of his short stories and two novels, all imbued with his characteristic wit and social satire. We begin with ‘To See the Sun’, a tantalising tale of vampires, a mad Scots librarian, a handsome Englishman and a Countess, set in 1920s Dacia. In ‘Moral Fibre’, a Welsh librarian tangles with a social worker determined to save a young girl from sin, while in ‘All the Blood Within Me’, Alec attends the funeral of the only woman he has ever loved: and faces some uncomfortable truths. Tensions run high in ‘I Spy Strangers’ as a group of soldiers in 1945 hold a mock parliament; poet A E Potter questions the value of his art in ‘Dear Illusions’ and in ‘Affairs of Death’, the confessions of the Scottish King Macbeth trouble the conscience of Pope Leo X. Set in the late ’60s, I Want It Now centres around ambitious TV personality Ronnie Appleyard, who pursues wealthy Simona Quick for her money, only to fall in love. And recently recovered in the BBC’s Treasure Hunt, ‘Something Strange’ features four inhabitants of a space capsule, who have unusual experiences to report. Based on Amis’s classic novel Girl, 20 and written by Tony Bilbow, All Free Now is a hilarious observation of the Sixties’ permissive society. Please note: I Want It Now is an archive dramatisation from 1977, and the language used reflects some of the attitudes of that time. Due to the archive nature of some of the pieces, the sound quality may vary. Cast and credits Written by Kingsley Amis All Free Now written by Tony Bilbow, based on Kingsley Amis’s novel Girl, 20 To See the Sun Cast: Christopher Cazenove, Gayle Hunnicutt, Graham Crowden, Alan Dudley, Jennifer Piercey, Zelah Clarke Dramatised by John Scotney Directed by Jane Morgan Moral Fibre Cast: Sion Tudor Owen, Julie Berry, Thelma Whiteley, Victoria Carling, Steve Hodson, Jennifer Piercey, Simon Cuff, Susan Sheridan Dramatised by John Scotney Directed by Jane Morgan All the Blood Within Me Cast: Tom Watson, David Sinclair, Mia Soteriou, Jonathan Tafler, Caroline Gruber, Jill Lidstone, Alan Dudley, Brian Hewlitt, Kim Hughes Dramatised by John Scotney Directed by Jane Morgan Piano: Mary Nash I Spy Strangers Cast: Iain Cuthbertson, Steve Hodson, Anthony Jackson, Philip Fox, Kim Wall, Michael Deacon, Paul Sirr, John Samson Dramatised by John Scotney Directed by Jane Morgan Dear Illusion Cast: Freddie Jones, Carolyn Pickles, Shaun Prendergast, Brian Hewitt, Alan Dudley, Michael Deacon Dramatised by John Scotney Directed by Jane Morgan Affairs of Death Cast: Peter Jeffrey, Ken Stott, Olivier Pierre, Kim Wall Dramatised by John Scotney Directed by Jane Morgan I Want It Now Cast: Nigel Anthony, David March, Irene Sutcliffe, Bruce Beeby, Anna Calder-Marshall, Margaret Robertson, William Fox, Alaric Cotter, Jonathan Scott, Penelope Reynolds, William Eedle, Heather Bell, Harry Towb, Harold Kasket, Rod Beacham, Michael Harbour Adapted by Frederick Bradnum Directed by Betty Davies Something Strange Cast: Noel Johnson, Garard Green, Nerys Hughes, Olive Gregg, Charlotte Mitchell, Frank Duncan, David Garth, Tom Watson, Brian Wilde and members of the BBC Drama Repertory Company Produced by Christopher Holme All Free Now Cast: Robert Stephens, Christopher Timothy, Eva Stuart, Geoffrey Whitehead, Kim Thomson, Anna Mazzotti, Okon Jones, Michael Graham Cox, Adrian Egan, Richard Pearce, Joan Walker, Michael Dean Produced by Matthew Walters Text copyright © The Estate of Kingsley Amis 1958 (‘Moral Fibre’), 1960 (‘Something Strange’), 1962 (‘All the Blood Within Me’, ‘I Spy Strangers’), 1968 (I Want It Now),1972 (‘Dear Illusion’), 1980 (‘To See the Sun’), 1982 (‘Affairs of Death’) All Free Now copyright © Tony Bilbow 1989 © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Kingsley Amis (Author), Alan Bennett, Anna Calder-Marshall, Christopher Cazenove, Freddie Jones, Full Cast, Gayle Hunnicutt, Iain Cuthbertson, Ken Stott, Nigel Anthony, Peter Jeffrey, Robert Hardy, Tom Watson (Narrator)

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The Dylan Thomas BBC Radio Collection: Under Milk Wood, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Rebecca’s Daughters & more

"Matthew Rhys introduces this collection of plays, poems and prose by the great Welsh writer, featuring Dylan Thomas reading his own work plus bonus biographical plays based on his life 'A spellbinding homage' The Guardian 'Sure to satisfy every admirer of Dylan Thomas’ works from the most ardent aficionados to casual poetry lovers... Thomas demonstrates his gift for seeing the beauty in the ordinary and affectionately ribbing the frailties of the human condition.' Entertainment Focus Dylan Thomas was the 20th Century's first rock star author, famed for his dazzling imaginative poetry and chaotic personal life. Best known for Under Milk Wood, he also wrote numerous poems, short stories and screenplays, and made regular BBC broadcasts. A legend in his own lifetime, he remained hugely popular after his death at the age of 39, influencing cultural icons from Bob Dylan to The Beatles. This definitive collection is presented by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys (The Americans, Perry Mason), who played Dylan Thomas in the 2008 film The Edge of Love. It begins with sunny, summery recollections in ‘Holiday Memory’, which sees Dylan Thomas recalling an evocative August Bank Holiday, followed by A Child's Christmas in Wales, dramatised with a full cast including Philip Madoc and Freddie Jones. Two Thomas masterpieces follow: ‘Quite Early One Morning’, in which Dylan Thomas reads the story that later became Under Milk Wood, and then Under Milk Wood itself, a masterpiece and a lyrical 'play for voices' focusing on one day in the life of a Welsh fishing village and starring Richard Burton as the Narrator. Next, Dylan Thomas’s unfilmed screenplay The Beach of Falesá, adapted from a Robert Louis Stevenson short story. Narrated by Matthew Rhys and starring Matthew Gravelle and Nicky Henson, it tells the thrilling tale of the clash between good and evil on an unnamed Pacific Island. A less sinister seaside trip is recalled in ‘The Outing’, Thomas's story of a childhood excursion read by Matthew Rhys and interspersed with memories from Swansea residents and music from the 1920s and '30s. We hear from Thomas in his own words in ‘A Return Journey to Swansea’, followed by four readings of his short stories narrated by Siân Philips, Geraint Morgan, Iestyn Jones and William Thomas. Rebecca's Daughters, a romantic adventure set in 19th Century Wales, stars Patrick Mower. Dylan Thomas tells of a rollercoaster experience of a lecture tour across the US in ‘A Visit to America’, and in The Voice of Dylan Thomas, introduced by Douglas Cleverdon, we hear him reading a choice selection of his works. Our final programmes are three original plays based on moments in Dylan Thomas’s life: Badgers in My Vest by John Fletcher, Investigating Mr Thomas by Rob Gittins and Chelsea Dreaming by D J Britton. We join Thomas in a Newquay pub during World War II, follow private detective Jimmy as he tries to dig the dirt on Thomas, and see the poet through the eyes of the Chelsea Hotel. Contents Holiday Memory A Child's Christmas in Wales Quite Early One Morning Under Milk Wood The Beach of Falesá The Outing A Return Journey to Swansea Patricia, Edith and Arnold A Visit to Grandpa’s Extraordinary Little Cough The Followers Rebecca's Daughters A Visit to America The Voice of Dylan Thomas Badgers in My Vest Investigating Mr Thomas Chelsea Dreaming Text copyright © the estate of Dylan Thomas, 1940 (Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog), 1944 ('Quite Early One Morning'), 1945 ('A Child's Christmas in Wales'), 1946 ('Holiday Memory'), 1948 ('Rebecca's Daughters'), 1953 ('The Outing'), 1954 (Under Milk Wood), 1963 (The Beach of Falesá) Badgers in My Vest copyright © John Fletcher 2003 Investigating Mr Thomas copyright © Rob Gittens 2008 Chelsea Dreaming copyright © D J Britton 2003 ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Dylan Thomas (Author), Dylan Thomas, Freddie Jones, Full Cast, Matthew Gravelle, Matthew Rhys, Patrick Mower, Philip Madoc, Richard Burton, Roger Allam, Sian Philips (Narrator)

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The Gibson: A BBC Radio 4 supernatural thriller

"Robert Glenister stars in this time-hopping supernatural thriller set in (and under) Bath 1999, and aspiring poet Saul Judd is living quietly in Bath with his wife Elise and son Thomas. But when he wins a competition he never intended to enter, he is drawn into a web of dark forces and mysterious events. What is the link between leprous Prince Bladud, founder of Bath; a Dark Ages scribe's prophetic chronicle; a geriatric nursing home resident's warnings and a toddler's terror of 'the Gibson room'? Why is someone sending Saul threatening messages attached to assegais? And who are the Guardians - and what do they want? As Saul struggles to put the pieces together, he unwittingly puts himself and his family in great danger. For unbeknownst to him, an ancient power source is buried under a hill outside Bath, and two rival factions have been battling for millennia to control it. As the city gears up to celebrate the opening of the Bath Festival, Saul must prepare for the endgame - and for the fight of his life... Created by award-winning scriptwriter Bruce Bedford, this gripping science fiction series stars Robert Glenister as Saul, with Sharon Duce, Freddie Jones, John Telfer and Timothy West. Directed by Andy Jordan Original music composed by Thomas Johnson Music realised by Robin Lever Special effects: Dick Mills (BBC Radiophonic Workshop) Cast Saul Judd - Robert Glenister Elise Judd - Sharon Duce Scribe - Freddie Jones Scribe's Wife/Thomas - Kate Binchy Haensel Sethria - Constance Chapman Prince Bladud - John Telfer Rough Peasant - Trevor Cooper Karim el Hatel - Sam Dastor Chairwoman - June Barrie Northern Man - Geoff Serle Guardian/Optician/Narrator - Jonathan Adams Selwyn Fist - Timothy West Rita - Liz Goulding Priscus - Gordon Reid Roman Stranger - Michael Stroud Landlord/Alan- Jonathan Tafler Roman Officer - John Abineri Miss Dewhurst - Zoe Hicks Martin - Steve Woodward Tracey - Katy Carmichael Newsreader/Writer - Cornelius Garrett Leaflet Man/Guardian - Bill Bellamy Patricia Gwent/Brownie - Melanie Hudson Control/Link Man - Geoffrey Collins Punch/CBS Reporter - Philip Manikum John/Foil Leader - Paul Cresswell First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2 July-6 August 1992"

Bruce Bedford (Author), Freddie Jones, Full Cast, John Telfer, Robert Glenister, Sharon Duce, Timothy West (Narrator)

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The Hound of the Baskervilles

"Penguin Classics presents Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles, adapted for audio and available as a digital download as part of the Penguin English Library series. Read by Freddie Jones. 'Mr Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!' The terrible spectacle of the beast, the fog of the moor, the discovery of a body: this classic horror story pits detective against dog, rationalism against the supernatural, good against evil. When Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead on the wild Devon moorland with the footprints of a giant hound nearby, the blame is placed on a family curse. It is left to Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson to solve the mystery of the legend of the phantom hound before Sir Charles' heir comes to an equally gruesome end. The Hound of the Baskervilles gripped readers when it was first serialised and has continued to hold its place in the popular imagination. Part of a series of vintage recordings taken from the Penguin Archives. Affordable, collectable, quality productions - perfect for on-the-go listening."

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author), Freddie Jones (Narrator)

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The Jungle Book

"Rudyard Kipling's famous tale tells the story of Mowgli, the 'man-cub' rescued from the tiger, Shere Khan, and adopted by a wolf pack. As he grows up, Mowgli learns the ways of the jungle from Baloo the bear, Bagheera the black panther and Kaa the rock python. His life is full of adventure with the jungle creatures, but soon the time comes when he is forced to leave and take his place among his own people. A kind woman looks after Mowgli but she can't protect him from the superstitious villagers who believe his friendship with wolves is the result of sorcery. Mowgli's only escape is to return to the jungle. But even the jungle has become a dangerous place. This rich and entertaining dramatisation skilfully blends words with jungle sounds and music, and stars Eartha Kitt as Kaa, Freddie Jones as Baloo, Jonathan Hyde as Bagheera and Nisha Nayar as Mowgli."

Rudyard Kipling (Author), Eartha Kitt, Freddie Jones, Full Cast, Jonathan Hyde, Nisha Nayar (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Freddie Jones

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