Audiobooks narrated by John Bowler

Tales of Terror: A BBC Radio Gothic Drama Collection: The Castle of Otranto, The Monk, The Mysteries

"Four full-cast dramatisations of classic Gothic novels, plus documentaries exploring the genre’s rise and enduring appeal Dark deeds, dastardly villains, innocent victims and supernatural happenings – these are the terrifying tropes that make up Gothic fiction, a genre that has captured our imagination for over 250 years. Blending both classic and modern dramatisations, this specially curated anthology couples thrilling masterpieces with insightful documentaries… We begin with A Gothic Quest, in which Louise Welsh examines what ‘gothic’ really means, and takes a look at its many appearances in poetry, fiction, art, architecture and film. In A Guided Tour of the Castle of Otranto, Rory McGrath explores the origins of gothic horror, first manifested in Horace Walpole’s 1764 novel. It is followed by a dramatisation of The Castle of Otranto itself, a dark supernatural tale of duplicity and dynastic rivalry. Treading warily into the book’s strange world in Kaleidoscope Feature: A Little Gothic Castle, Peggy Reynolds draws parallels between Walpole’s vision for his London villa, Strawberry Hill, and the haunted mansion in the novel. Next, we unveil the male gothic in a gripping drama featuring disguise, abduction, incest and murder. The Monk, based on the 1796 classic by Matthew Lewis, tells the story of Ambrosio (Michael Pennington), who is tempted into breaking his vows of chastity by a beautiful young nun. The dawn of the female gothic is revealed in The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe, centred on a powerless young heroine trapped in an isolated castle and pitted against an evil Italian Count. Showcasing the Gothic satire is Jane Austen’s 1817 novel Northanger Abbey, poking fun at the popular sensation fiction of her day. In this witty drama, Catherine Morland is taken to Bath for the season, and finds that in her fertile imagination, danger and hair-raising horrors lurk around every corner. Georgia Groome, Miriam Margolyes and Bridgerton’s Luke Thompson star in this full-cast dramatisation. Wrapping up our collection is In Our Time: Gothic, which sees Melvyn Bragg and guest experts considering the origins and significance of the 18th century Gothic movement. First published 1764 (The Castle of Otranto), 1794 (The Mysteries of Udolpho), 1796 (The Monk), 1817 (Northanger Abbey) Content List Part 1. Gothic Imagination A Gothic Quest Presented by Louise Welsh Part 2. The First Gothic Novel: The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole A Guided Tour of the Castle of Otranto Presented by Rory McGrath The Castle of Otranto cast and credits to be announced Kaleidoscope Feature: A Little Gothic Castle Presented by Peggy Reynolds Part 3. Unveiling A Male Gothic: The Monk by Matthew Lewis The Monk Starring Michael Pennington, Sorcha Cusack, Emily Morgan, Christopher Douglas, Brian Smith, Jenny Funnell, Tessa Worsley, Mary Wimbush, Simon Hewitt, Anne Jameson, Alan Thompson, Melinda Walker, Mia Soteriou, Allan McClelland, Garard Green, Graham Blockey, Peter Acre, David Learner and Bernard Brown Part 4. The Dawn of a Female Gothic: The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe The Mysteries of Udolpho Starring Georgia Groome, Tracy Wiles, John Dougall, Finlay Robertson, Luke Thompson, Natasha Cowley, Stephen Wight, John Bowler, Karen Bartke and Alison Belbin Part 5. Gothic Satire: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Northanger Abbey Starring Georgia Groome, Luke Thompson, Tracy Wiles, Kim Wall, Ainsley Howard, Alison Belbin, John Bowler, Karen Bartke, Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Wight, Finlay Robertson, Natasha Cowley, John Dougall, Nick Murchie, Keziah Joseph and Luke MacGregor Part 6. Gothic Legacies In Our Time: Gothic Presented by Melvyn Bragg With Chris Baldick, A N Wilson and Emma Clery © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Ann Radcliffe, Horace Walpole, Jane Austen, Matthew Lewis (Author), Full cast, Garard Green, Georgia Groome, John Bowler, Karen Bartke, Louise Welsh, Luke Thompson, Melvyn Bragg, Miriam Margolyes, Rory McGrath, Tracy Wiles (Narrator)

Audiobook

Cooking in a Bedsitter: The Complete Series 1 and 2: A BBC Radio 4 Sitcom

"Both series of the engaging romantic comedy set in a 1960s bedsit, inspired by Katharine Whitehorn's cookery classic It’s 1964, and 22-year-old Trisha moves into a West Hampstead bedsitter to escape her controlling suburban parents and her boring fiancé, Keith. She’s determined to make it as a swinging, get-ahead girl-about-town, but finds herself struggling with homesickness, loneliness and the challenges of cooking a decent meal on a single gas ring. Then she rescues a grotty wardrobe from her landlady’s attic, and it yields a surprising treasure – a copy of Cooking in a Bedsitter, which becomes her bible. Soon, she’s rustling up tasty treats for dinner parties and double dates – aided by Deepak, the dishy young medical student from across the landing. He introduces her to the delights of aloo pakora, she surprises him with a picnic at the seaside – but when their burgeoning relationship is snuffed out by Trisha’s parents, she moves on, to a different bedsit and a new man. She’s definitely over Deepak: or is she? If she wants him back, she’ll have to move fast – before he heads out of her life forever... Written by Sue Teddern (soloparentpals.com), and interspersed with recipes and extracts from Katharine Whitehorn’s original book, this appetising romcom stars Beattie Edmondson and Nikesh Patel. Production credits Written by Sue Teddern Inspired by Cooking in a Bedsitter by Katharine Whitehorn Extracts from Cooking in a Bedsitter read by Karen Bartke and Eleanor Bron Directed by Emma Harding Cast Trisha – Beattie Edmondson Deepak – Nikesh Patel June – Alison Belbin/Ellie Darvill Len – John Bowler/Rupert Holliday-Evans Tony – John Dougall Katharine Whitehorn – Karen Bartke/Eleanor Bron Jill – Natasha Cowley Keith/Mike – Finlay Robertson The Hunk/Stuart – Luke MacGregor Male Guest/Big Nev – Gavi Singh Chera Female Guest/Sal – Catriona McFarlane Moira – Isabella Inchbald Robert – Clive Hayward Karl – Adam Fitzgerald Julie/Clare/Susie – Abbie Andrews Policeman – Neil McCaul Malcolm – Gary Duncan Errol – Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 28 Nov-19 Dec 2016 (series 1) and 4 Dec-25 Dec 2017 (series 2). © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Katharine Whitehorn, Sue Teddern (Author), Alison Belbin, Beattie Edmondson, Eleanor Bron, Full Cast, John Bowler, John Dougall, Karen Bartke, Nikesh Patel (Narrator)

Audiobook

Inappropriate Relationships: A BBC Radio 4 Crime Drama

"A gripping psychological BBC drama series about a probation officer who uncovers an abuse scandal When the body of 17-year-old Jackie Shaw is found in a shallow grave, it sends shockwaves through her small West Yorkshire community. Rumours of murder and systematic sexual abuse are rife, and the town's MP, Samuel Stokes, is adding fuel to the fire with his campaign against a so-called 'Asian grooming gang'. Probation officer Rachel Collier deals with paedophiles on a daily basis: so when she hears that her teenage daughter, Chloe, has become friendly with 24-year-old Tariq, she's concerned where it might lead. But that's not her only worry: she's also struggling to deal with her husband's adultery, her feelings for her Catholic priest, Father Fitzgerald, and her new client, Peter, a sex offender whose victim was Jackie's best friend. Then three local men, the Jamali brothers, are arrested for murder. The police are confident that the gang's ringleaders are behind bars - but Peter insists that the trio are innocent, and the real perpetrators are being protected. As Rachel investigates what seems to be an establishment cover-up, she places herself and her family in danger - and discovers that nothing, and no-one, is what they seem... Written by award-winning dramatist Christopher Reason, this intriguing thriller stars Rosie Cavaliero as Rachel, with a star cast including Shaun Dooley, Shannon Flynn and Sacha Dhawan. Production credits Written by Christopher Reason Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko Cast Rachel - Rosie Cavaliero Paul - Shaun Dooley Chloe - Shannon Flynn Peter - Nicholas Murchie Father Fitzgerald - Finlay Robertson Leo - Martin Savage Stokes - John Dougall Mrs Monroe/Samantha - Karen Bartke DJ - Catriona McFarlane Reporters - John Bowler & Alison Belbin Tariq - Sacha Dhawan Lydia - Elizabeth Berrington Bishop - John Bowler Moz - Jayson Benovichi-Dicken Nikki - Katherine Rose Morley Newsreaders - Alison Belbin, Catriona McFarlane, John Bowler & Karen Bartke Waiter - Gavi Singh Chera First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 23 February-23 March 2017 ©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Christopher Reason (Author), Elizabeth Berrington, Finlay Robertson, Full Cast, John Bowler, John Dougall, Karen Bartke, Katherine Rose Morley, Martin Savage, Nicholas Murchie, Rosie Cavaliero, Sacha Dhawan, Shannon Flynn, Shaun Dooley (Narrator)

Audiobook

Little Women: BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

"A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of the evergreen classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. With their father away fighting in the American Civil War, the four March girls are facing a lean Christmas with their mother. But the sisters’ close bond and determination to make the best of things enables them to find happiness despite their poverty. As the years go by we follow their fortunes as they journey into womanhood. Meg the beauty, Jo the tomboy, shy Beth and precocious Amy will encounter adventure, hardship, joys and disappointments, and learn to meet the challenges of life as they become independent and make their way in the world. While marriage and motherhood may beckon for the sisters, their most enduring love is always for each other. First published in 1868 and never out of print since, this iconic coming-of-age tale is a perennial favourite that has touched the hearts of generations of readers. This moving BBC Radio 4 dramatisation stars Natasha J Barnes, Julianna Jennings, Bryony Hannah and Samantha Dakin as Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, with Tara Ward as Mrs March and Alex Lanipekun as Laurie."

Louisa May Alcott (Author), Bryony Hannah, Full Cast, John Bowler, Julianna Jennings, Natasha J Barnes, Samantha Dakin, Tara Ward (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by John Bowler