Audiobooks narrated by Hugh Burden

Hilda Tablet: The Complete Plays: Seven Full-Cast BBC Radio Comedy Dramas

"A series of vintage mockumentaries about fictional experimental composer Hilda Tablet Written by poet Henry Reed and first broadcast on the Third Programme between 1953 and 1959, these spoof radio plays follow his alter ego, fictional biographer Herbert Reeve, as he goes in search of the truth about his hero, the equally fictional novelist Richard Shewin. But he is led down the garden path by Shewin’s friends and relatives, who would much rather talk about themselves than the great man. And when Reeve’s scholarly research leads him to the gifted avant-garde composeress Hilda Tablet, he finds himself inescapably enmeshed in her world of wild eccentricity... A Very Great Man Indeed sees Reeve trying to extract information about the late Richard Shewin from a variety of oddball interviewees, including Shewin’s brother, Stephen; fellow author T. H. Powers and the formidable Miss Tablet. In The Private Life of Hilda Tablet, he is persuaded to write the biography of the ‘lady music writer’, renowned for her groundbreaking ‘musique concrète renforcée' (or ‘music for reinforced concrete’). Luckily, it need not be lengthy – ‘not more than twelve volumes’. Emily Butter recalls the Covent Garden premiere of Hilda Tablet’s opera, an all-female parody of Billy Budd set in a department store. A Hedge, Backwards centres around the posthumous production of Richard Shewin's only play. In The Primal Scene, as it were…, Hilda and her companions are transported (on a millionaire’s yacht) to the isles of Greece; and General Gland establishes himself as a major figure in her entourage. Not a Drum Was Heard finds the General recounting his war memoirs to the BBC – and inadvertently revealing his less-than-heroic record. Finally, Musique Discrète is a request programme of music by Dame Hilda Tablet, celebrating her appearance in the Honours List and revolving around her long and celebrated career. Starring Hugh Burden as Herbert Reeve, Mary O’Farrell as Hilda Tablet, Carleton Hobbs as Stephen Shewin and Deryck Guyler as General Gland, this sparkling seven-part saga features a host of well-known actors including Marjorie Westbury, Gwen Cherrell, Norman Shelley and Dennis Quilley, and music composed by Donald Swann. NB: Due to their age, these recordings contain some dated attitudes and language. Production credits Written by Henry Reed Produced by Douglas Cleverdon Music by Donald Swann © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Henry Reed (Author), Carleton Hobbs, Deryck Gyler, Full Cast, Hugh Burden, Mary O'Farrell (Narrator)

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Frank Wedekind: Spring Awakening & more: Four Full-Cast BBC Radio Productions

"A brand new production of Spring Awakening, alongside three classic plays from the BBC archive Frank Wedekind is widely acknowledged as one of the pioneers of modern drama, whose works influenced later writers such as Brecht and Dürrenmatt. His best-known plays were Spring Awakening and Lulu, both of which transgressed the social norms of his time and still have the power to shock and provoke us today. They are included here, alongside his lesser-known tragicomedy The Marquis of Keith. Spring Awakening – Frank Wedekind’s groundbreaking 1891 play deals with teenagers Wendla, Melchoir and Moritz, who navigate the awakening of desire and their relationships with their parents in a sexually repressive society. This fast, punchy, two-part version is adapted by Theo Toksvig-Stewart Lulu – The inspiration for numerous reimaginings, including the acclaimed silent film Pandora’s Box, Wedekind’s classic 1890s epic scandalised nineteenth-century audiences. It tells the story of Lulu, an alluring siren who is both innocent victim and amoral seducer. As she uses men, and is used in turn by them, she finds herself set on a path that can only lead to destruction… Starring Anna Calder-Marshall as Lulu, with a full cast including Derek Godfrey, Joe Melia and John Rye. The Singer – This fin-de-siècle farce satirizes the world of the 19th-century cultural elite, where artistic integrity was often subsumed by the demands of crude materialism. Centring on a revered Wagnerian tenor, his insatiable fans, and the tyrannical composer who is set on bending him to his will, it is adapted here by Peter Barnes and stars Alec McCowen, Kathryn Hurlbutt, Peter Woodthorpe and Dilys Laye. The Marquis of Keith – Written in 1899, The Marquis of Keith is one of Wedekind’s most significant plays. A tragicomedy, it revolves around the eponymous hero, a deeply flawed Don Quixote-like figure who is determined to follow his dream of creating a palace for the arts, no matter what the cost. This BBC Radio adaptation stars Alan Howard, Robert Eddison, Rosalind Shanks and Margaret Wolfit. First published 1891 (Spring Awakening), 1895 & 1904 (Lulu), 1899 (The Singer), 1901 (The Marquis of Keith) Cast and credits Written by Frank Wedekind Spring Awakening Lulu The Singer The Marquis of Keith © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Frank Wedekind (Author), Alan Howard, Alec McCowen, Derek Godfrey, Dilys Laye, Francis de Wolff, Full Cast, Hugh Burden, Joe Melia, John Rye, Kathryn Hurlbutt, Peter Woodthorpe, Robert Eddison (Narrator)

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Daphne du Maurier: The BBC Radio Collection: Including Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, Frenchman’s Creek & mor

"A comprehensive collection of dramatisations of Daphne du Maurier’s works 'Containing performances from well-known actors from past and present, Daphne du Maurier: The BBC Radio Collection is a rich feast for all fans of the writer's work.' - Entertainment Focus Daphne du Maurier was one of the 20th century’s most popular writers. Extraordinarily prolific, she produced a string of bestsellers, many of which were adapted as award-winning films. From romance and adventure yarns to psychological thrillers and supernatural tales, the breadth and imaginative variety of her storytelling continues to thrill us today. This bumper collection features her most famous works and some lesser-known gems, beginning with full-cast adaptations of seven of her much-loved novels – Jamaica Inn, Rebecca, Frenchman’s Creek, The King’s General, My Cousin Rachel, The Scapegoat and The House on the Strand. With settings ranging from the 19th century to the English Civil War and the Black Death of 1349, these thrilling tales take us from the wilds of Cornwall to Monte Carlo, Italy and northwestern France. Among the star casts are Susannah Corbett, Christopher Cazenove, Lorna Heilbron, Cathryn Harrison, Adam Godley, Hugh Burden and Ian Richardson. Next up are two of her acclaimed plays, The Years Between, set in the 1940s and telling the story of a woman whose MP husband is reported killed in action, and September Tide, a bittersweet love story centred around a mother, her newly-married daughter and her artist son-in-law. Diana Quick, Roger Allam, Paula Wilcox, Jonathan Firth and Alice Hart star in these twisty, subversive dramas. We conclude with a selection of Daphne du Maurier’s short fiction. Dramatised by Melissa Murray, ‘The Birds’ stars Neil Dudgeon and Nicola Walker. It is followed by ‘The Blue Lenses’ and ‘The Little Photographer’, starring Bethany Muir and Lucy Boynton respectively; and ‘The Apple Tree’, starring Charles Gray. Also included are full-cast adaptations of ‘Panic’ (starring Dinsdale Landen and Maureen O’Brien), ‘The Chamois’ (starring Christopher Cazenove and Anna Cropper), ‘The Alibi’ (starring Tony Britton and Sarah Badel), ‘Ganymede’ (starring John Le Mesurier and Anthony Daniels) and ‘Don’t Look Now’ (starring Jamie Parker and Aisling Loftus). Please note that the pieces in this collection range from vintage 1970s productions to modern adaptations, and the sound quality reflects the age of the recordings. Contents Jamaica Inn Rebecca Frenchman’s Creek The King’s General My Cousin Rachel The Scapegoat The House on the Strand The Years Between September Tide ‘The Birds’ ‘The Blue Lenses’ ‘The Little Photographer’ ‘The Apple Tree’ ‘Panic’ ‘The Chamois’ ‘The Alibi’ ‘Ganymede’ ‘Don’t Look Now’ Text copyright © 1936 (Jamaica Inn), 1938 (Rebecca), 1941 (Frenchman’s Creek), 1943 (The Years Between), 1946 (The King’s General), 1949 (September Tide), 1951 (My Cousin Rachel), 1952 (‘The Birds’, ‘The Little Photographer’, ‘Blue Lenses’, ‘The Apple Tree’), 1954 (‘Panic’), 1957 (The Scapegoat), 1959 (‘The Chamois’, ‘The Alibi’, ‘Ganymede’), 1969 (The House on the Strand), 1971 (‘Don’t Look Now’). © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Daphne du Maurier (Author), Adam Godley, Aisling Loftus, Alice Hart, Bethany Muir, Cathryn Harrison, Christopher Cazenove, Diana Quick, Full Cast, Hugh Burden, Ian Richardson, Jamie Parker, Jonathan Firth, Lorna Heilbron, Lucy Boynton, Nicola Walker, Paula Wilcox, Roger Allam, Susannah Corbett (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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Amateur Detective Roger Sheringham: The Poisoned Chocolates Case and Jumping Jenny

"Two BBC Radio full-cast dramas from the master of classic crime Anthony Berkeley was a journalist, novelist, and founding member of the Detection Club - whose members included Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers - and was one of crime fiction's greatest innovators, developing the idea of the psychological crime novel in the 1920s and 30s. One of his recurring and most-beloved characters was Roger Sheringham, a novelist and amateur detective. In these two classic tales, Roger Sheringham must investigate two terrible murders: The Poisoned Chocolates Case, from 1929, sees him taking up the challenge when Scotland Yard admits defeat after months of investigations. How was a woman poisoned by a box of chocolates that weren't even intended for her? Who was the intended victim? And who was the terrible mind behind it? Roger and his amateur detective friends will each have a turn to put forward their own personal theories about the dreadful crime... In Jumping Jenny, written in 1933, Roger attends a party with the questionable theme 'famous murderers and their victims', only to discover that one difficult guest has been deliberately killed on one of the party's props. When Roger suspects one of his close friends may be involved, he decides to meddle in the evidence - but is he putting his own life at risk with this mischievous intervention? Witty, subversive, and fiercely clever, these wonderful crime mysteries by the renowned writer are just the thing for fans of The Lady Detectives, Maigret's Collected Cases, and Dashiell Hammett: The Maltese Falcon and other Adventures. Cast and credits The Poisoned Chocolates Case Roger Sheringham - Neil Stacy Mrs Fielder-Flamming - Hilda Schroder Sir Charles Wildman - Conrad Phillips Moresby - Victor Winding Chitterwick - Michael Bilton Bradley / Smithson - Geoffrey Collins Alicia - Jane Wenham Lockwood - William Eedle Bendix - Mark Straker Sir Eustace - Clive Panto Mrs Bendix - Eileen Tully Marguerite - Deborah Cranston Novel by Anthony Berkeley Dramatised by Neville Teller Directed by Brian Miller First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 14 January 1984 Jumping Jenny Ronald Stratton - Trevor Martin Roger Sheringham - Hugh Burden Colin Nicolson - Simon Lack Dr Philip Chalmers - Hamilton Dyce Laura Chalmers - Judy Bailey Ena Stratton - Joan Newell David Stratton - John Scott Osbert Williams - Philip Cunningham Agatha Lefroy - Monica Kirton Dr Frank Mitchell - David Bird Margot - Sheila Manahan Mrs Williams - Molly Rankin Inspector Crane - Keith Williams Coroner - Richard Williams Novel by Anthony Berkeley Adapted by H. Oldfield Box Produced by David H. Godfrey First broadcast on BBC Home Service, 14 November 1959 NB: Due to the age of this recording, the sound quality may vary. ©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Cast and credits"

Anthony Berkeley (Author), Conrad Phillips, Full Cast, Hamilton Dyce, Hugh Burden, Jane Wenham, Joan Newell, John Scott, Michael Bilton, Neil Stacy, Sheila Manahan, Simon Lack, Trevor Martin (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Hugh Burden