Audiobooks narrated by Indira Varma

Italo Calvino: A BBC Radio Collection: If On A Winter’s Night a Traveller, Marcovaldo & Invisible Ci

"Dramatisations of Calvino’s most famous works, starring Toby Jones and Mackenzie Crook, plus bonus programmes Italo Calvino was one of the 20th Century's great experimenters, who consistently pushed the boundaries of literature. His works ranged from fantasy and science fiction to folktales and neo-realism, but he is best known for If on a winter’s night a traveller, Marcovaldo and Invisible Cities. Radio adaptations of all three are collected here, alongside a comic short story by Calvino and two illuminating programmes about his ideas and writing. If on a winter’s night a traveller – Relax. Concentrate. Turn off your phone. You are about to listen to a radio adaptation of If on a winter’s night a traveller… Enter a labyrinth of ingeniously inventive audio worlds as you, the listener, turn detective in your attempts to get to the heart of the story. Prepare to become embroiled in a trans-global conspiracy of rogue translators, lost languages and disintegrating publishing houses, and be plunged into an epic caper of disappearance, double crosses and beautiful, authentic romance… Toby Jones, Indira Varma and Tim Crouch star in this reimagining of Calvino’s iconic, metafictional masterpiece. Marcovaldo – These five tales, adapted by Toby Jones from Calvino's enchanting short story collection, centre around Marcovaldo, a poor rural man living with his family in a big city in northern Italy. Included are Mushrooms in the City, Moon and Gnac, The Rain and the Leaves, The Wrong Stop and Smoke, Wind and Soap Bubbles, starring Toby Jones as the Narrator and Mackenzie Crook as Marcovaldo. Invisible Cities – Cecilia, Eusapia, Zobeide, Maurilia … Are these exotic, faraway places or just different names for the great Metropolis we all inhabit? Perhaps they are reflections of our own state of mind? In Claire Benedict’s readings from Calvino’s playful, profound novel, we voyage through the avenues and alleyways of his invisible cities – hidden cities, dead cities and cities which never end... Desire in November – Elderly porter Barbagallo’s search for winter clothes takes him into the salons of the rich – but what can Fabrizia’s furriers offer him? Tim Piggott-Smith reads this whimsical short story. Open Book: Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities – Lauren Elkin and Darran Anderson take us on a tour of the imagined cities in Calvino’s seminal work, a majestic prose-poem in which a fictional Marco Polo recalls his own intrepid travels. Three Italian Writers: Italo Calvino – Paul Bailey looks at the life and career of the prolific writer described by a contemporary as 'the squirrel with the pen’, and reflects on his inexhaustible supply of ideas, allusions and visions. With readings by Benjamin Whitrow. © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Italo Calvino (Author), Claire Benedict, Full Cast, Indira Varma, Mackenzie Crook, Tim Crouch, Tim Pigott-Smith, Toby Jones (Narrator)

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Letters from Klara

"FINALIST FOR THE 2025 AUDIO PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION AUDIE AWARD FOR BEST SHORT STORY COLLECTION. In this collection comprising of thirteen short stories, Jansson masterfully crafts unsettling narratives that delve into unexpected connections, awkward encounters, and solitary moments From reconnecting with childhood friends in 'Party Games' to exploring the theme of ageing in 'Trip to the Riviera', Jansson's short story collection 'Letters from Klara' beautifully and intimately depicts the human condition in all its pain and joy. © 2024 Tove Jansson, Moomin Characters™ Published in the English language by arrangement with Rights & Brands Finnish-Swedish writer and artist Tove Jansson (1914-2001) is globally cherished for creating the Moomin universe. Born in Helsinki, her tales of the Moomins captivated readers worldwide. Beyond Moominvalley, she penned profound adult novels, most notably 'The Summer Book'."

Tove Jansson (Author), Indira Varma (Narrator)

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Rabindranath Tagore: A BBC Radio Collection: Including The Home and the World & The Red Oleander

"A comprehensive anthology of dramatisations and readings of Tagore's finest works, plus bonus documentaries Bengali polymath Rabindranath Tagore was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. A novelist, poet, playwright, composer, artist and philosopher, he wrote both the Indian and Bangladeshi national anthems; exchanged ideas with Yeats, Einstein and Gandhi, and was hugely influential in promoting Indian culture to the West. This collection includes some of Tagore's key novels, plays and short stories, as well as his best-known poem and four fascinating biographical programmes. We begin with two adaptations by award-winning dramatist Tanika Gupta. The Home and the World, starring Indira Varma and Sacha Dhawan, relocates Tagore's classic 1916 novel of love, power and political awakening to a contemporary British Muslim setting. Often acclaimed as Tagore's best play, The Red Oleander stars Saeed Jaffrey and Aileen Gonsalves, and tells the story of a beautiful girl who comes to a gold mining community and foments a revolution against its tyrannical king. Next up is a dramatisation of the novelette Farewell, My Friend, a romantic, delightful tale of two young lovers starring Sam Dastor and Shireen Shah. It is followed by three short stories: 'The Postmaster' and 'The Kabuliwalah', read by Ronny Jhutti, and 'Wealth Surrendered', read by Renu Setna. Tagore bared his musical soul in the poem 'Broken Song', read here by Peter Barker, and in Centurions: Rabindranath Tagore, poet William Radice and theatre director Jatinder Verma explain why it ranks as one of the 100 greatest art works of the 20th Century. Tanika Gupta joins presenter Matthew Parris and translator Ketaki Kushari Dyson to share her love of Tagore's writing in Great Lives: Tanika Gupta on Rabindranath Tagore, and Zia Mohyeddin reads a selection of his epistolary observations on English society and customs in Letters from Europe. Concluding the collection, Rabindranath Tagore: The Bard of Bengal explores the life and legacy of South Asia's Shakespeare. First published 1891 ('The Postmaster'), 1891-2 ('Wealth Surrendered'), 1892 ('The Kabuliwalah'), 1910 ('Broken Song'), 1916 (The Home and the World), 1925 (The Red Oleander), 1929 (Farewell, My Friend) Contents The Home and the World The Red Oleander Farewell, My Friend 'The Postmaster' 'The Kabuliwalah' 'Wealth Surrendered' 'Broken Song' Centurions: Rabindranath Tagore Great Lives: Tanika Gupta on Rabindranath Tagore Letters from Europe Rabindranath Tagore: The Bard of Bengal © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Rabindranath Tagore (Author), Aileen Gonsalves, Full Cast, Indira Varma, Peter Barker, Renu Setna, Ronny Jhutti, Sacha Dhawan, Saeed Jaffrey, Sam Dastor, Shireen Shah, Zia Mohyeddin (Narrator)

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Tiffany Aching's Guide to Being A Witch

"Brought to you by Penguin. 'They say you don't find witchcraft, it finds you . . .' Covering the whole of witching, casting spells to setting cheese, from dealing with elves to making deals with demons, from tending flocks to fending off forces from other worlds, this colourful, funny and insightful guide is a must-have for all Terry Pratchett fans An illustrated and practical guide to being a witch in Discworld, covering everything you've ever wanted to know from casting spells to setting cheese, from dealing with elves to making deals with demons, from tending flocks to fending off forces from other worlds. This beautiful and practical guide has been compiled by Tiffany Aching herself including snippets of remembered wisdom from Granny Aching and Granny Weatherwax alongside notes from Nanny Ogg, Miss Tick, and Rob Anybody. With colourful illustrations from Paul Kidby throughout this brilliant in-world guide is the perfect addition to any Discworld collection. ©2023 Gabrielle Kent (P)2023 Penguin Audio"

Gabrielle Kent, Rhianna Pratchett (Author), Indira Varma, Rhianna Pratchett, Steven Cree (Narrator)

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Rumer Godden: Black Narcissus, The Greengage Summer & The Dark Horse: Three Full-Cast BBC Radio Dram

"Full-cast radio adaptations of three of Rumer Godden's bestselling novels, plus a bonus interview with the author Rumer Godden is well known for her acclaimed novels for adults and children. She wrote over 60 works in her lifetime, nine of which were made into films. Included here are dramatisations of three of her classic tales, as well as a fascinating interview with the renowned author. Black Narcissus - A group of nuns establishing a remote mission in an old palace in the Himalayas is warned that it is no place for a nunnery. And as the Sisters' tragic destiny unfolds, those prophetic words are soon proved right. Sinead Cusack and Lesley Sharp star in this atmospheric dramatisation of Godden's 1939 novel, famously adapted as an Oscar-winning film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. The Greengage Summer - When their mother falls ill during a holiday to France, the Grey children are left to entertain themselves. Over the course of the long, hot summer, they are caught up in an adult world of deception and lies... Starring Ellie Beaven, Abigail Docherty and Michael Maloney. The Dark Horse - Set in Calcutta in 1933, this is the story of a thoroughbred racehorse, a jockey seeking a second chance, a shrewd Mother Superior and a miracle - all based on true events. Geoffrey Whitehead, Indira Varma, Dearbhla Molloy and Ioan Meredith star in this heartwarming drama. Third Ear - Recorded in 1992, this illuminating Radio 3 interview sees the octogenarian Rumer Godden talking to Geoffrey Baskerville about how her life and beliefs are reflected in her writing. Text copyright © The Rumer Godden Literary Trust 1939 (Black Narcissus), 1958 (The Greengage Summer), 1981 (The Dark Horse) Black Narcissus Sister Clodagh - Sinead Cusack Sister Ruth - Lesley Sharp Mr Dean - David Rintoul Dilip Rai - Ronny Jhutti Sister Briony - Susan Engel Sister Philippa - Jenny Lee Sister Honey - Rachel Atkins The General/Father Roberts - Sam Dastor Ayah - Indira Joshi Mother Dorothea/Sister Adela - Carolyn Jones Con - Alastair Danson Kanchi - Sumitra Bhagat Joseph Anthony - Dhiraj Prasai Dramatised by April de Angelis Music by Elizabeth Parker Directed by Sally Avens First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 December 1997 The Greengage Summer Cecile - Ellie Beaven Joss - Abigail Docherty Hester - Ciara Janson Eliot - Michael Maloney With Luke Newbury, Claire Marchionne, Rachel Atkins, Theo Fraser Steele, Sean Baker, Jenny Lee, Brian Parr and Chris Wright Dramatised by Dawn Lowe Watson Directed by Sally Avens First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 May 1988 The Dark Horse Sister Morag - Dearbhla Molloy Levantine - Nickolas Grace Ted - Ioan Meredith John Quillan - Gareth Armstrong With Geoffrey Whitehead, Indira Varma, Siobhan Stamp, Frances Jeater, Nitin Chandra Ganatra, Richard Rees and David Antrobus Dramatised by Liane Aukin Directed by David Hunter First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5 September 1988 Third Ear Presented by Geoffrey Baskerville With Rumer Godden Produced by Vivien Devlin First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 12 May 1992 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Rumer Godden (Author), Abigail Docherty, David Rintoul, Dearbhla Molloy, Ellie Beaven, Full Cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, Indira Varma, Lesley Sharp, Michael Maloney, Nickolas Grace, Ronny Jhutti, Sinead Cusack (Narrator)

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Intrigue and Satire: Later Restoration Comedies: 11 BBC Radio Full Cast Productions including The R

"A dazzling collection of comedies from the later Restoration period England's 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688 and the reign of new monarchs William and Mary signified a turning point for Restoration comedy with laws being passed to restrict playwrights' freedoms. The latter years are marked by a shift towards more moral storylines, mixing humour with social and political issues, alongside the lighthearted 'comedy of manners'. The works in this collection bring together these complementary styles, full of humour while also focusing on hard hitting themes. We open with a 1688 piece by Aphra Behn, England's first professional female writer. Oroonoko is a powerful critique of the slave trade centring around a betrayed African prince. Adapted for BBC Radio, it stars Leo Wringer. A pre-eminent Restoration dramatist, William Congreve was renowned for his witty dialogue and brilliant characterisation, exemplified in the plays The Old Bachelor, The Double-Dealer and Love for Love. As heard on BBC Radio, these sparkling satirical portraits of romance, deception and the battle of the sexes star James Dale, Nicholas Parsons, Michael Spice and Maxine Audley. In her 1696 tragedy The Royal Mischief playwright and pamphleteer Delarivier Manley tackled gender politics rather than party politics. This BBC Radio adaptation stars Sian Thomas as the transgressive princess Homais, whose unrestrained sexual desire represents a threat to both the monarchy and the patriarchy. A loveless marriage is under the spotlight in The Provok'd Wife, John Vanburgh's outspoken 1697 comedy of sex, debauchery and revenge that is Restoration comedy at its finest. Saskia Reeves stars as Lady Brute, with Julian Rhind-Tutt as confirmed bachelor Heartfree. Irish playwright George Farquhar stormed the London stage with his 1699 comedy The Constant Couple, featuring a wealthy heiress seeking revenge, and the three rivals vying for her hand. Its popularity was mainly due to its rakish hero, Sir Harry Wildair, played in this BBC dramatisation by Alec Clunes. It is followed by William Congreve's The Way of the World, a comic masterpiece that exposes the grasping falsity of fashionable London society. Sheila Hancock stars, with Alex Jennings, Robert Glenister, Frances Barber and Indira Varma. Susanna Centilivre's 1705 comedy The Basset Table explores several hot topics of the time: the rise of science, gambling and female education. Featuring two strong, independent heroines determined to dodge unwanted marriages, this delightfully exuberant comedy stars Eleanor Bron and Danielle Allan. Concluding this collection are George Farquhar's two most popular plays. The Recruiting Officer, starring Paul Higgins and Lisa Dillon, is set in Shrewsbury during the War of the Spanish Succession, where wives are recruited while soldiers are wooed. Meanwhile, in The Beaux' Stratagem, starring Simon Treves and Dale Rapley, two rakes arrive in Lichfield from London in search of fortune... Content list Oroonoko First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 24 August 1990 The Old Bachelor First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 3 Jun 1966 The Double-Dealer First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 17 Jan 1969 Love for Love First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 18 Feb 1965 The Royal Mischief First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 28 Oct 1990 The Provok'd Wife First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 12 Dec 2004 The Constant Couple First broadcast BBC Network Three, 9 Jun 1967 The Way of the World First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 27 Apr 2003 The Basset Table First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 10 Aug 1990 The Recruiting Officer First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 18 Dec 2011 The Beaux' Stratagem First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 19 Feb 1990 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Aphra Behn, Delarivier Manley, George Farquhar, John Vanburgh, Susanna Centivre, William Congreve (Author), Adjoa Andoh, Alex Jennings, Celia Imrie, Frances Barber, Full Cast, Hugh Bonneville, Indira Varma, Josie Lawrence, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Kris Marshall, Nicholas Parsons, Peter Eyre, Sheila Hancock, Sian Thomas (Narrator)

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A Stroke of the Pen: The Lost Stories

"Brought to you by Penguin. Far away and long ago, when dragons still existed and the only arcade game was ping-pong in black and white, a wizard cautiously entered a smoky tavern in the evil, ancient, foggy city of Morpork... A truly unmissable set of unearthed stories from the pen of Sir Terry Pratchett: award-winning and bestselling author, and creator of the phenomenally successful Discworld series. Twenty early short stories by one of the world's best loved authors, narrated by David Tennant, Claire Foy, Steffan Rhodri, Jon Culshaw, Derek Jacobi, David Jason, Katherine Parkinson, Paterson Joseph, Hattie Morahan, Indira Varma, Tony Robinson, Nigel Planer, Maggie Service, Stephen Briggs, Rhianna Pratchett, Jason Watkins, Richard Coyle, Mathew Baynton and Rob Wilkins. With a foreword by Neil Gaiman, and an introduction by Colin Smythe. These are rediscovered tales that Pratchett wrote under a pseudonym for newspapers during the 1970s and 1980s. Whilst none are set in the Discworld, they hint towards the world he would go on to create, containing all of his trademark wit, satirical wisdom and fantastic imagination. Meet Og the inventor, the first caveman to cultivate fire, as he discovers the highs and lows of progress; haunt the Ministry of Nuisances with the defiant evicted ghosts of Pilgarlic Towers; visit Blackbury, a small market town with weird weather and an otherworldly visitor; and go on a dangerous quest through time and space with hero Kron, which begins in the ancient city of Morpork... A STROKE OF THE PEN is a must-have collection for fans of all ages. Praise for Terry Pratchett 'Pratchett is a master storyteller' - A. S. Byatt, Guardian 'The Discworld novels have always been among the most serious of comedies, the most relevant and real of fantasies' - Independent 'Compulsively readable, fantastically inventive, surprisingly serious exploration in story form of just about any aspect of our world . . . There's never been anything quite like it' - Evening Standard ©2023 Terry Pratchett (P)2023 Penguin Audio"

Terry Pratchett (Author), Claire Foy, Colin Morgan, David Jason, David Tennant, Derek Jacobi, Indira Varma, Jan Harkin, Pat Harkin, Paterson Joseph, Rhianna Pratchett, Stephen Briggs (Narrator)

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The Wee Free Men: (Discworld Novel 30)

"Brought to you by Penguin. A nightmarish danger threatens from the other side of reality . . . Armed with only a frying pan and her common sense, young witch-to-be Tiffany Aching must defend her home against the monsters of Fairyland. Luckily she has some very unusual help: the local Nac Mac Feegle - aka the Wee Free Men - a clan of fierce, sheep-stealing, sword-wielding, six-inch-high blue men. Together they must face headless horsemen, ferocious grimhounds, terrifying dreams come true, and ultimately the sinister Queen of the Elves herself . . . The Discworld novels can be read in any order but The Wee Free Men is the first book in the Tiffany Aching series. © Terry Pratchett 2003 (P) Penguin Audio 2023"

Terry Pratchett (Author), Bill Nighy, Indira Varma, Steven Cree (Narrator)

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Wintersmith: (Discworld Novel 35)

"Brought to you by Penguin. Saying it with frozen roses and icebergs Tiffany Aching leaps into a dance - and suddenly the spirit of winter is in love with her. He's showering her with snowflakes and offering her a crown of ice. Which is creepy, but also just a little bit . . . cool. Now she's dancing to his tune. She can't change the steps. But unless Tiffany can work out how to deal with the Wintersmith, there will never be another springtime . . . The Discworld novels can be read in any order but Wintersmith is the third book in the Tiffany Aching series. 'In every sense fantastic' Independent © Terry and Lyn Pratchett 2006 (P) Penguin Audio 2023"

Terry Pratchett (Author), Bill Nighy, Indira Varma, Peter Serafinowicz, Steven Cree (Narrator)

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I Shall Wear Midnight: (Discworld Novel 38)

"Brought to you by Penguin. As the witch of the Chalk, Tiffany Aching performs the distinctly unglamorous work of caring for the needy. But someone - or something - is inciting fear, generating dark thoughts and angry murmurs against witches. Tiffany must find the source of unrest and defeat the evil at its root. Aided by the tiny-but-tough Wee Free Men, Tiffany faces a dire challenge, for if she falls, the whole Chalk falls with her . . . The Discworld novels can be read in any order but I Shall Wear Midnight is the fourth book in the Tiffany Aching series. 'Writing at the height of his powers . . . [Terry Pratchett] makes us laugh a lot.' The Sunday Times © Terry and Lyn Pratchett 2010 (P) Penguin Audio 2023"

Terry Pratchett (Author), Bill Nighy, Indira Varma, Peter Serafinowicz, Steven Cree (Narrator)

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The Shepherd's Crown

"Brought to you by Penguin. THE FINAL DISCWORLD NOVEL Deep in the Chalk, something is stirring. The owls and the foxes can sense it, and Tiffany Aching feels it in her boots. An old enemy is gathering strength. This is a time of endings and beginnings, old friends and new, a blurring of edges and a shifting of power. Now Tiffany stands between the light and the dark, the good and the bad. As the fairy horde prepares for invasion, Tiffany must summon all the witches to stand with her. To protect the land. Her land. There will be a reckoning . . . The Discworld novels can be read in any order but The Shepherd's Crown is the fifth book in the Tiffany Aching series. 'This isn't just a great Discworld book, it's extraordinary . . . A magnificent sign-off.' Daily Telegraph © Terry and Lyn Pratchett 2015 (P) Penguin Audio 2023"

Terry Pratchett (Author), Bill Nighy, Indira Varma, Peter Serafinowicz, Steven Cree (Narrator)

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A Hat Full of Sky: (Discworld Novel 32)

"Brought to you by Penguin. Something is coming after Tiffany. . . Tiffany Aching is ready to begin her apprenticeship in magic, but life isn't exactly what she thought it would be. She expects spells and magic - not chores and ill-tempered goats! Surely there must be more to witchcraft than this? And Tiffany will find that she needs her magic more than ever, to fight off the insidious, disembodied creature that is pursuing her. This time, neither Mistress Weatherwax (the greatest witch in the world) nor the fierce, six-inch-high Wee Free Men can protect her. In the end, it will take all of Tiffany's inner strength to save herself. Will she succeed? The Discworld novels can be read in any order but A Hat Full of Sky is the second book in the Tiffany Aching series. © Terry and Lyn Pratchett, 2004 (P) Penguin Audio 2023"

Terry Pratchett (Author), Bill Nighy, Indira Varma, Peter Serafinowicz, Steven Cree (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Indira Varma

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