Audiobooks narrated by James Bolam

The Murder of the Maharajah & The Governess: Two Full-Cast BBC Radio Crime Dramatisations

"BBC Radio adaptations of two historical crime novels by H. R. F. Keating, plus bonus extract from Bookshelf British detective writer H. R. F. Keating was best known as the creator of Inspector Ghote of the Mumbai CID. He won two Crime Writers’ Association Gold Daggers, and in 1996 was awarded the Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement. Included here are dramatisations of two of his most popular murder mysteries, set in 1930s India and Victorian London, plus a short clip from Radio 4’s Bookshelf featuring the award-winning author. The Murder of the Maharajah – His Highness the Maharajah of Bhopore delights in playing April Fool’s Day tricks on his guests – but the joke turns sour when one of his pranks inadvertently leads to his own murder. Five people apparently had the means and motive to kill him, but as District Superintendent of Police Howard investigates, he realises that the circle of suspects is wider than it seems. Zia Mohyeddin, Renu Setna and Sam Dastor star in this entertaining, Christie-esque drama, adapted from H. R. F. Keating’s Gold Dagger Award-winning novel. The Governess – When Harriet Unwin is hired as a governess in a wealthy London household, it seems that luck is on her side. That is, until the master of the house, William Thackerton, is found stabbed to death – and all the evidence points to her. Desperate to prove her innocence, she turns detective, uncovering the dark secrets hidden behind the family’s respectable Victorian facade.... Based on H. R. F. Keating’s novel written under the pseudonym Evelyn Hervey, this atmospheric adaptation stars Angela Pleasance and James Bolam. Bookshelf – Talking to fellow thriller writer Susan Hill, H. R. F. Keating holds up a magnifying glass to the art of crime fiction as he discusses his work and ideas. Please note: this collection contains language that reflects the attitudes of the era The Murder of the Maharajah text copyright © H. R. F. Keating 1980 The Governess text copyright © Evelyn Hervey 1983 Production credits Written by H. R. F. Keating The Murder of the Maharajah Maharajah – Zia Mohyeddin Dewan – Renu Setna Porgy – Lyndam Gregory D S P Howard – Sam Dastor Ram Singh – Amerjit Deu Sir Arthur – Philip Anthony Michael – Luke Beeson Schoolmaster – Bhasker Dolly – Rachel Atkins Judy – Oona Beeson Elaine – Sheila Mitchell Frere – Dominic Letts Joe – Steve Hodson Morton – Barry Gordon The Governess Harriet Unwin – Angela Pleasance Sergeant Drewd – James Bolam Pelham – James Holland Mrs Arthur Thackerton – Susan Jameson William Thackerton – Jack May Arthur Thackerton – Tony Mathews Joseph – Steve Hodson Vilkins – Emily Richard Grandmother Thackerton – Joan Matheson Hopkinson – David Sinclair Hannah – Victoria Carling Mrs Breakspear – Eva Stuart Newspaper voice – John Rye Miss Bond – Marian Diamond John – Stephen Tompkinson PC Wilson – Anthony Jackson Surgeon – Alan Dudley Mr Brattle – Kim Wall PC Smithers – Michael Troughton Superintendent – Stephen Thorne © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

H. R. F. Keating (Author), Angela Pleasence, Full Cast, James Bolam, Sam Dastor, Stephen Thorne, Stephen Tompkinson, Susan Hill, Zia Mohyeddin (Narrator)

Audiobook

Occupation: Spy: Eight Full-Cast BBC Radio Spy Thrillers

"A collection of full-cast dramatisations and original radio plays from master storyteller Ted Allbeury – plus bonus programmes Described by Len Deighton as ‘a classic writer of espionage fiction’, Ted Allbeury based his many acclaimed spy novels on his own real-life experiences. In World War II, he served as an intelligence officer with Special Operations Executive, and subsequently ran agents across the border between East and West Germany during the Cold War. He began writing in his fifties, and went on to pen over 40 bestselling books, five of which are dramatised here alongside three plays specially written for BBC Radio and two bonus documentaries. The Lonely Margins tells the story of James Harmer, parachuted into France in 1944 on a secret mission. Christian Rodska and Kim Thomson star in this tense tale of danger and deceit. Inspired by actual events, The Other Side of Silence sees MI6 agent John Powell tasked with finding out why notorious traitor Kim Philby wants to return to England from Russia. James Bolam stars as Powell, with Nigel Hawthorne as Philby. In Long Ago and Far Away, starring David McAlister and Kate Binchy, two ex-SOE operatives find the past returning to haunt them when a voice on the radio brings back memories best left dormant. In Pay Any Price, a Presidential assassination sparks trouble for the CIA and SIS, as they deal with the consequences of a sinister programme known as MKUltra… Starring Barry Foster, Robert Beatty, Susannah Fellows and Michael J. Shannon. The Way We Live finds Andrew Collins discovering the unexpected repercussions of being ‘positively vetted’ by the Security Service, starring John Forbes-Robertson. Time Spent in Reconnaissance sees Peter Harvey finding out how an old military adage applies to his professional and private lives. This thrilling radio play stars Michael Cochrane. No Place to Hide centres around John Rennie (James Kerry), a secret agent whose loyalty is tested when he is ordered to do something he considers abhorrent. Meanwhile, in Deep Purple, starring Michael Melia, Louise Germain and Steve Hodson, the fates of a Secret Intelligence Service officer, a Russian defector and a prostitute are inextricably linked. We conclude with the fascinating two-parter Occupation: Spy, in which Ted Allbeury gives us his unique perspective on the shadowy world of spies and spying. NB: The language in these programmes reflects the era in which they were first broadcast Due to the age of these archive recordings, the sound quality may vary Text copyright © Ted Allbeury 1981 (The Lonely Margins, The Other Side of Silence), 1982 (Long Ago and Far Away), 1983 (Pay Any Price, The Way We Live, Time Spent in Reconnaissance), 1984 (No Place to Hide), 1989 (Deep Purple) 'If you like spy stories rooted in the Second World War madness and Cold War paranoia, and appreciate quality radio drama, then ‘Occupation: Spy' will continue to delight for almost eighteen hours' - Greg Jameson © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Ted Allbeury (Author), Barry Foster, Christian Rodska, David Mcalister, Full Cast, James Bolam, James Kerry, John Forbes-Robertson, Kate Binchy, Kim Thomson, Louise Germain, Margaret Robertson, Michael Cochrane, Michael J. Shannon, Michael Melia, Nigel Hawthorne, Robert Beatty, Steve Hodson, Susannah Fellows (Narrator)

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First Men in the Moon: A four-part dramatisation of H.G. Wells' classic. A Full-Cast BBC Radio Drama

"In this exciting adaptation of the novel by H.G.Wells set in 1900 we join the eccentric professor Cavor (Sir Donald Sinden) and the rakish free loading Charles Bedford (James Bolam) on their extraordinary journey to the moon in a huge metal sphere resplendent with drape curtains, gentleman’s arm chairs and brass fittings. Once upon the moon’s surface they discover more than they bargained for - within the centre of the moon there is life! Taken prisoner by the calculating Selenites, our heroes and their crew are soon subjected to mind experiments and terror. Responding as they only know how, with violence, only one of our space travellers will return to earth! Cast Sir Donald Sinden as Cavor James Bolam as Bedford Gary Olson as Manson Tom Georgeson as Spike Jilly Bond as Elise Kerry Shale as the Selenites with Chris Pavlos, Anthony Jackson, Ali Hames, Robert Whelan, Nick Mercer & full supporting cast Dramatisation: Joe Dunlop Music: Robert Rigby Director: Martin Jameson Producer: Michael Cameron & Stewart Richards © & ℗ 2022 Mr Punch Audiobooks Ltd"

Mr Punch (Author), & Full Supporting Cast, Ali Hames, Anthony Jackson, Chris Pavlos, Gary Olson, James Bolam, Jilly Bond, Kerry Shale, Sir Donald Sinden, Tom Georgeson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Second Thoughts: Series 1-4 of the BBC Radio 4 sitcom

"All four series of the BBC radio comedy drama about a couple experiencing love for the second time – plus special festive episode The Fight Before Christmas Bill and Faith are both divorcees, late in love but new to each other. As they battle to forge a relationship together, they discover that the course of true love doesn’t always run smoothly. In these 31 episodes, they move in together, plan a wedding and deal with the challenges of married life – all the while trying to balance the demands of Gavin’s ex-wife, Liza, and her teenage children, Hannah and Joe. From bickering about the kids to worrying about money, trying to find time for romance and dealing with feelings of jealousy, the duo’s relationship comes under fire from all sides. Can they make love work the second time around? Inspired by the real lives of its writers, husband and wife Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie, this funny, bittersweet sitcom was adapted for ITV where it ran for five seasons and was followed by an equally successful sequel, Faith in the Future. It stars Lynda Bellingham as Faith and James Bolam as Bill. Written by Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie Produced by Pete Atkin (Series 1), Sioned Wiliam (Series 2) and Paul Schlesinger (Series 3 and 4 and The Fight Before Christmas) First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 3 November-22 December 1988 (Series 1), 31 October-19 December 1989 (Series 2), 9 April-28 May 1991 (Series 3), 18 June-23 July 1992 (Series 4), 25 December 1992 (The Fight Before Christmas) Cast Faith……………………Lynda Bellingham Bill……………………James Bolam Hilary……………………Celia Imrie/Geraldine Fitzgerald Liza……………………Belinda Lang Hannah……………………Kelda Holmes/Emma Gregory/Julia Sawalha Joe……………………Mark Denham Grace/Jill……………………Moir Leslie Alex……………………John Samson/Mark Straker Ray……………………Nicholas Courtney/Ian Lindsay Ted/Mr Burrows……………………Norman Bird Treadwell……………………Richard Tate Christian/Gideon/Waiter……………………Ian Targett Richard……………………John Moffatt/Christopher Good/Geoffrey Whitehead Steve……………………Guy Brougham Rachel……………………Rebecca Front Police Officer……………………Deborah Rowbottom Dennis……………………Brian Bowles Mr Roper……………………Danny Schiller Marjorie……………………Jo Kendall Registrar……………………John Baddeley Video Man……………………Richard Tate Cabbie……………………Ben Onwukwe Gina……………………Danielle Allen Kevin……………………Mark Straker/David Learner Karel Cerny……………………Nigel Carrington Clayton……………………David Learner Chris……………………Peter Gunn Louise……………………Melanie Hudson Course Leader/Duncan……………………Nick Murchie"

Gavin Petrie, Jan Etherington (Author), Belinda Lang, Celia Imrie, Full Cast, James Bolam, Lynda Bellingham (Narrator)

Audiobook

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?: Complete BBC Radio Series

"Thirteen classic BBC radio episodes, starring James Bolam and Rodney Bewes One of the most popular TV comedies of the Seventies, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? won a best sitcom BAFTA and attracted an audience of millions before being adapted for radio. In these 13 episodes, we catch up with Newcastle lads Bob and Terry as they meet by chance after years apart. Now engaged to Thelma, Bob is having pre-wedding nerves; while Terry, demobbed from the Army, is having trouble adjusting to life in civvy street. As they rekindle their friendship, Bob tries to find Terry a date, throws him a surprise party and takes him to the hairdressers to get a new look. In addition, Terry gets some shock news, and helps Bob get ready for his and Thelma’s big day… Originally lost from the BBC archive, the audio for many of these episodes was recovered by producer Stan Was, the BBC's Archive Treasure Hunt, and a listener to BBC7. The episodes included are Strangers on a Train, Home is the Hero, Cold Feet, Moving On, I’ll Never Forget Whatshername, Birthday Boy, No Hiding Place, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?, Storm in a Tea Chest, The Old Magic, Count Down, Boys’ Night In and End of an Era."

Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais (Author), Full Cast, James Bolam, Rodney Bewes (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by James Bolam