Audiobooks narrated by John Moffatt

Yukio Mishima: A BBC Radio Collection: The Damask Drum & more

"Enter the haunting, beautiful and provocative world of Yukio Mishima, one of Japan's greatest writers, whose extraordinary life ended as dramatically as his fiction Considered one of the greatest Japanese writers of the twentieth century, Mishima fused traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern ideas in works that explored sexuality, death, and political change and broke cultural boundaries. His extraordinary life was as provocative as his fiction, culminating in his ritual suicide by seppuku following a failed coup attempt in 1970. This BBC Radio collection offers a rare opportunity to experience both Mishima's unforgettable storytelling and the remarkable life behind it. In The Damask Drum, Mishima reimagines a classical Noh play as a haunting tale of unrequited love and longing, using ancient traditions to reflect on modern Japan. The Peacocks follows a lonely young boy whose fascination with the magnificent birds in his uncle's garden becomes an awakening to beauty, desire and the constraints of family life. In The Swaddling Clothes, a young wife and mother is haunted by the image of a newborn baby wrapped in newspaper, in a powerful exploration of guilt, motherhood and social inequality. The Pearl is an elegant tale in which the disappearance of a single pearl exposes hidden tensions, deception and the chaos of human interaction. In Thermos Flasks, a chance reunion between a businessman and his former geisha lover leads to a night that has unexpected consequences… Together, these haunting stories explore love, obsession, honour, identity and mortality - themes that defined both Mishima's writing and his remarkable life. Also included are two exclusive programmes examining the man behind the legend. Death at Midday explores Mishima's place in Japanese literature and the events surrounding his extraordinary death on 25 November 1970, the day he completed his final novel. Witness History: The Death of Yukio Mishima features the recollections of his friend and biographer Henry Scott Stokes, who was living in Japan at the time and reflects on Mishima's enduring fascination with ritual suicide. Combining unforgettable drama with illuminating documentary, this unique collection is an introduction to one of the twentieth century's most brilliant, enigmatic and influential literary voices. ©2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Yukio Mishima (Author), Elizabeth Bell, Garry Cooper, Geoffrey Beevers, John Church, John Moffatt, John Shrapnel, Meg Davies, Nigel Stock (Narrator)

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The Churchill Years: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Drama

"An immersive drama series exploring six turning-points in the career of the legendary statesman Winston Churchill has gone down in history as the man who led Britain to victory in the Second World War. But his legacy was not always guaranteed, and his path to greatness was a rocky one. This fascinating series charts six watershed moments that shaped his destiny – from his youth, growing up in the shadow of his famous father, to his finest hour, when he returned from the wilderness to galvanise the nation at a time of crisis. We begin in the 1880s, when the rapid rise and sudden end of the brilliant, audacious Lord Randolph Churchill make an enduring impact on his young son. Thirty years later, Winston has forged a successful political career and become Home Secretary – but the Agadir crisis sees him stepping into a new role and preparing for war. As First Lord of the Admiralty, he presides over the disastrous 1915 Dardanelles campaign and is forced to resign; but by 1926 he is back in the Cabinet, fighting the General Strike with troops and his own newspaper, the British Gazette. In the 1930s, Churchill almost meets Hitler for dinner at a Munich hotel. History, however, has other plans, and it is not until 1940 that the fates of the two men become intertwined, when Chamberlain steps down as Prime Minister and the King sends for Churchill... Daniel Massey stars as the elderly Winston, recalling the pivotal events of his life, with Fiona Walker as his wife Clementine, Ioan Meredith as Lloyd George, John Rowe as Herbert Asquith, and John Moffatt as Neville Chamberlain. Episode list 1. A Shooting Star 2. Crisis at Agadir 3. Gallipoli 4. Class Wars 5. The Aristocrat and the Guttersnipe 6. One Day in May Cast Winston Churchill/Lord Randolph Churchill – Daniel Massey Sir Henry Wolff/'Jacky' Fisher, the First Sea Lord/Stanley Baldwin – Nigel Davenport Queen Victoria/Lady Randolph – Diana Olsson Mrs Jeune/Clementine Churchill – Fiona Walker Lord George Hamilton/Desmond Morton/Harold Nicholson – Benjamin Whitrow W H Smith/Herbert Asquith/Ernest Bevin/Sefton Delmer/Chips Channon – John Rowe Lord Salisbury/First Sea Lord/Admiral de Robeck/Sir Clive Wigram/Churchill’s secretary/Anthony Eden – Hugh Dickson David Lloyd George – Ioan Meredith Alfred von Kiderlen-Waechter/General Liman von Sanders/Josef Goebbels – Michael Wolf Kaiser Wilhelm/Putzi Hanfstaengel – Wolf Kahler Sir Edward Grey – John Franklyn-Robbins Count Metternich/German reporter – Andreas Klatt C.P. Scott/Andrew Bonar Law/Ramsey MacDonald – Hugh Fraser Commissioner of Police/Lord Kitchener – David de Keyser Admiral von Tirpitz/Hitler – Michael Mellinger George V/George VI – David King John Reith – Graham Crowden Herbert Smith – Donald Gee Neville Chamberlain – John Moffatt Edward Marsh – Hugh Walters Radio announcer/Leo Amery – Godfrey Kenton Cab driver – Alan Polonsky Directed by Louise Purslow Technical presentation by Roy Fraser, Hilary Carruthers and Charlotte Hulme Bugler: Sergeant Alan Sessions, Royal Marines School of Music, Deal First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 March-11 April 1990 © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

David Wheeler (Author), Daniel Massey, Fiona Walker, Full Cast, Ioan Meredith, John Moffatt, John Rowe (Narrator)

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Thackeray: Four Full-Cast BBC Radio Crime Dramas

"Michael Cochrane stars as a green-fingered private sleuth in a series of murder mysteries A perfect listen for any fans of cosy crime, this series is packed with four brilliant stories to enjoy. Meet Jim Thackeray, a renowned landscape gardener who also happens to be a first-class private detective. As you will discover, this is very handy when murders happen to take place in gardens… In Green Fingered Thackeray’s Shakespearean-themed gardens are the scene of a murder. The victim is the ex-wife of a Turkish multi-millionaire and it’s not long before fingers start being pointed and both elements of Jim’s life are brought together with dramatic consequences. Can he solve the crime and save his reputation? In Battle Cry, someone is 'accidentally' killed re-enacting a medieval battle. Jim is pulled in to investigate and finds his horticultural expertise can once again help the police solve the seemingly unsolvable. Thackeray's opportunity to redesign an Italian garden in This Blessed Plot is thwarted by the disappearance of his employer. Luckily for the local residents, Jim’s on hand to investigate the mystery. In Death and the Ice Maiden Thackeray's daughter Gail asks her dad to look into the strange deathbed confession of a friend's grandmother. Secrets are revealed and questions asked… Performed by a full-cast, this vintage bundle of cosy crime is a treat not-to-be-missed. Michael Cochrane is a star of TV, stage and screen but is perhaps best-known as the voice of Oliver Sterling in the long-running BBC Radio 4 drama series, The Archers. Note: This is a collection of a single story ('Green Fingered') plus a 3-part series. Cast and credits Written by Olwen Wymark and Barbara Clegg Produced by Glyn Dearman and Alison Hindell Jim Thackeray - Michael Cochrane George Field - John Moffatt / John Hartley Shirley Field - Rosemary Leach / Doreen Mantle Miss Birch - Irene Sutcliffe / Margaret John Dave - Todd Boyce / Richard Lomas Gail - Charlotte Bird Bryony - Melanie Walters Further parts played by Mary Wimbush, Nigel Anthony, David March, Giselle Wolf, Sean Barrett, Michael Tudor-Barnes, John Rye, Richard Pearce, Jane Whittenshaw, Simon Eastwood, James Greene, Howell Evans, Terry Dauncey, Gwyn Vaughan Jones, Carl Forgione, Vanessa Roper-Evans, Robert Rietti, Frank Rozelaar-Green, Rachel Atkins, Tonya Smith, Ruth Lloyd, and Simon Ludders First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14th Dec 1995, 27th Aug – 10th Sep 1997 ©2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Barbara Clegg, Olwen Wymark (Author), Charlotte Bird, Doreen Mantle, Full Cast, Giselle Wolf, John Hartley, John Moffatt, Margaret John, Mary Wimbush, Melanie Walters, Michael Cochrane, Nigel Anthony, Richard Lomas, Rosemary Leach (Narrator)

Audiobook

WONDERFUL WINTER STORIES

"Ten wonderful winter stories to entertain young listeners in the run up to Christmas. Snuggle up together and listen to this entertaining audio collection of wonderful winter stories! Packed full with snowy adventures and surprises, this fun-filled collection is ideal for listening to in the run up to Christmas, whether on the move or cosy at home! •Each story stands alone •Perfect for children aged 3+ to enjoy with friends and family •Favourite children's authors, including Oliver Jeffers, Nick Butterworth and Rob Biddulph •Including much-loved children’s characters, Percy the Park Keeper, Mog and the mice of Brambly Hedge Playlist: Mog on Fox Night by Judith Kerr, read by Tacy Kneale Green by Louise Greig, read by Alan Irving Albert le Blanc to the Rescue by Nick Butterworth, read by David Jason Hello Winter by Jo Lindley, read by Clementine Medforth I Follow the Fox by Rob Biddulph, read by Rob Biddulph A Flower in the Snow by Tracey Corderoy, read by Clementine Medforth Brambly Hedge – The Secret Staircase by Jill Barklem, read by John Moffatt I Did See a Mammoth by Alex Willmore, read by Clementine Medforth Cross Rabbit by Nick Butterworth, read by Nick Butterworth Where to Hide a Star by Oliver Jeffers, read by Oliver Jeffers Copyright: Mog on Fox Night text © Kerr-Kneale Productions Ltd 1993; Green text © Louise Greig 2021; Albert le Blanc to the Rescue text © Nick Butterworth 2007; Hello Winter text © Jo Lindley 2023; I Follow the Fox text © Rob Biddulph 2024; A Flower in the Snow text © Tracey Corderoy 2012; Brambly Hedge: The Secret Staircase text © Jill Barklem 1983; I Did See a Mammoth text © Alex Willmore 2022; Cross Rabbit text © Nick Butterworth 1995; Where to Hide a Star text © Oliver Jeffers 2024"

Alex Willmore, Jill Barklem, Jo Lindley, Judith Kerr, Louise Greig, Nick Butterworth, Oliver Jeffers, Rob Biddulph (Author), Alan Irving, Clementine Medforth, David Jason, John Moffatt, Tacy Kneale, et al (Narrator)

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Patrick Hamilton: Rope, Gaslight, Hangover Square and more: Seven BBC Radio Full-Cast Productions

"A collection of thrilling radio dramas from the celebrated novelist and playwright Patrick Hamilton is renowned for his gritty, slice-of-life tales chronicling the hopes, dreams and obsessions of London's working class in the inter-war years. This collection brings together his key pieces, together with some lesser-known classics and a bonus 2004 documentary exploring his achievements and legacy. Hangover Square - Earl's Court, 1939. With war looming, everyone is frantically pursuing a good time. But when composer George Bone becomes obsessed with beautiful, fast-living actress Netta, murder and madness ensue... This brooding adaptation of Patrick Hamilton's masterpiece stars Nicholas Farrell and Amanda Redman. Rope - Believing they have committed the perfect murder, two students throw a macabre dinner party, where the guests include the victim's father. Will anyone see through their terrible vanity? Alan Rickman and Adam Baring star in this electrifying drama, famously adapted as an Alfred Hitchcock film. Gaslight - A husband commits to driving his wealthy young wife insane in order to steal from her in this psychological drama which originated the term 'gaslighting'. Starring Barbara Jefford and Michael Kilgarriff. Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky - Patrick Hamilton's semi-autobiographical trilogy tells a story of unrequited love amid the hardship of 1920s London, and comprises The Midnight Bell, The Siege of Pleasure and The Plains of Cement. Steven Pacey, Annette Badland, John Moffatt and Emily Morgan star. The Governess - Ethel Fry takes a position as a governess in the Drew household, but when the family discovers their baby son has been abducted, the entire house is thrown under suspicion. Starring Margaret Wolfit and Helen Worth To The Public Danger - A young couple fall into the company of two reckless motorists, whose drunk-driving has fatal consequences. Ivan Samson and Arthur Young star. The Duke in Darkness - Set in the Chateau Lamorre during the 16th-century French Civil Wars, this stirring tale of imprisonment and escape stars Alec Clunes and John Moffatt. A Portrait in Black - Biographer Nigel Jones celebrates the centenary of Hamilton's birth and his skill at conjuring up a lost world of seedy boarding-houses, third-class railway compartments, dance halls and fleapit cinemas. Text copyright © Patrick Hamilton 1929 (Rope), 1935 (Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky), 1938 (Gas Light), 1939 (To the Public Danger), 1941 (Hangover Square), 1943 (The Duke in Darkness), 1946 (The Governess) Cast and credits Written by Patrick Hamilton Hangover Square Rope Gaslight Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky The Governess To The Public Danger The Duke in Darkness Extra Content: A Portrait in Black 'If you were looking to fly from Dickens to Martin Amis with just one overnight stop, then Hamilton is your man' Nick Hornby © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Patrick Hamilton (Author), Adam Bareham, Alan Rickman, Amanda Redman, Annette Badland, Barbara Jefford, David Thorpe, Full Cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, John Moffatt, Michael Kilgarriff, Nicholas Farrell, Steven Pacey (Narrator)

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Adventures in Brambly Hedge

"Enduringly popular since its publication over forty years ago, celebrate the enchanting miniature world of the hedgerow with these four charming stories read by John Moffatt and Harriet Carmichael. The mice of Brambly Hedge have many adventures but they always have time for fun too. All through the year, they mark the seasons with feasts and festivities and, of course, the mice never miss an opportunity to meet and celebrate. These four classic stories, read by John Moffatt and Harriet Carmichael, follow the mice’s adventures throughout the year. In THE HIGH HILLS, Wilfred goes on an exciting expedition. There is a wonderful surprise for a growing family of mice in POPPY’S BABIES. The mice celebrate Midwinter’s Eve in style in THE SECRET STAIRCASE, and in SEA STORY, the mice set sail for Sandy Bay on an important mission."

Jill Barklem (Author), Harriet Carmichael, John Moffatt (Narrator)

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Born to be Wilde: Plays, stories and the making of a modern celebrity

"A BBC radio celebration of the works of Oscar Wilde, including energetic adaptations of his best-known plays, short stories, and original dramas about the man himself Long before he'd produced any of his great works, Oscar Wilde was already famous for being famous. Armed only with some witty epigrams, a carefully crafted persona and his genius for self-promotion, he had conquered America and transformed himself from nobody to star. This radio collection opens with four plays from Radio 4's Born to be Wilde season, offering a 21st Century perspective on the making of one of the first true celebrities. First up are two sparkling and surprising productions of his two most popular comedies, marking the peak of his theatrical career. The Importance of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband feature stellar casts including Mathew Baynton, Jeany Spark, John Heffernan and Miranda Raison, with the latter also featuring music by Steppenwolf, Taylor Swift and Amy Winehouse. Next, two plays by Marcy Kahan and Lavinia Murray explore aspects of Wilde's life. The Warhol Years charts his astonishing rise, as he embarks on his US tour determined to be famous for 15 minutes - and then some. Oscar and Constancy portrays a celebrity marriage in crisis, as Wilde's domestic and creative lives vie for supremacy. Both dramas star Max Bennett as the young Wilde, with Dervla Kirwan as his mother, Speranza. Also included in this collection are nine of Wilde's classic short stories. The deliciously satirical 'Lord Arthur Savile's Crime' is dramatised with a full cast including Rupert Penry-Jones and Gillian Kearney. His humorous supernatural story 'The Canterville Ghost' is read by Alistair McGowan, and Joseph Ayre narrates two delightful stories with a twist: 'The Sphinx Without a Secret' and 'The Model Millionaire'. Wilde's dazzling fairytales - 'The Happy Prince', 'The Nightingale and the Rose', 'The Selfish Giant', 'The Remarkable Rocket' and 'The Birthday of the Infanta' - are read by Joseph Fiennes, Joseph Ayre, Sam Dale, John Moffatt and Paul McGann. Track listing: An Ideal Husband The Importance of Being Earnest The Warhol Years Oscar and Constancy Lord Arthur Savile's Crime 'The Canterville Ghost' 'The Sphinx Without a Secret' 'The Model Millionaire' 'The Happy Prince' 'The Nightingale and the Rose' 'The Selfish Giant' 'The Remarkable Rocket' 'The Birthday of the Infanta'"

Oscar Wilde (Author), Alistair Mcgowan, Dervla Kirwan, Full Cast, John Heffernan, John Moffatt, Joseph Ayre, Joseph Fiennes, Mathew Baynton, Max Bennett, Miranda Raison, Paul Mcgann, Rupert Penry-Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Year in Brambly Hedge

"The mice of Brambly Hedge have been delighting adults and children alike for more than forty years. This delightful collection contains the first four classic picture books. The mice of Brambly Hedge have many adventures but they always have time for fun too. All through the year, they mark the seasons with feasts and festivities and, of course, the mice never miss an opportunity to meet and celebrate. This collection contains four classic stories following their adventures throughout the year. In Winter Story a heavy snowfall means the mice can hold a Snow Ball for the first time in years. In Autumn Story Primrose makes friends with the harvest mice before losing her way in the chestnut woods. Wilfred gets a birthday surprise in Spring Story, when all the mice club together to organise a fantastic picnic for him; and in Summer Story, Poppy Eyebright and Dusty Dogwood get engaged and a wonderful wedding is planned by all the mice of Brambly Hedge. Contains: Spring Story, Summer Story, Autumn Story, Winter Story."

Jill Barklem (Author), John Moffatt (Narrator)

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More of Poirot's Finest Cases: Seven full-cast BBC radio dramatisations

"John Moffatt stars as the great Belgian detective Hercule Poirot in seven more BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations. Evil Under the Sun: On holiday in Devon, Poirot becomes embroiled in the murder of a glamorous American starlet. Sad Cypress: A poison pen letter begins a chain of events which is to end in tragedy. Murder in Mesopotamia: When death occurs at an archaeological site in the Iraqi desert, Poirot is on hand to dig for clues. Lord Edgware Dies: Lord Edgware is found brutally stabbed, his wife the prime suspect. But did she murder him? Hallowe’en Party: The sleuth investigates the death of a girl drowned in an apple-bobbing tub on All Hallows’ Eve. Murder on the Links: Summoned urgently to France, Poirot finds his wealthy client dead. Can he trace the killer? Five Little Pigs: A bride-to-be hires Poirot to solve a sixteen-year-old case and prove her mother innocent of murder. These BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations find Poirot pitting his ‘little grey cells’ against a variety of cunning criminals. Based on Agatha Christie’s original novels, these superb adaptations feature a host of distinguished actors including Iain Glen, Fiona Fullerton, Stephanie Cole and Stephen Tompkinson. © 2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. ? 2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Agatha Christie (Author), Full Cast, John Moffatt (Narrator)

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The Secret Staircase

"Step into the exquisite, miniature world of the mice of Brambly Hedge in this beautiful new edition of the classic picture book. It is Midwinter’s Eve and the mice of Brambly Hedge are very busy. This evening, after dark, they will all be gathering round a blazing fire for the traditional midwinter celebrations. A grand entertainment is planned and Primrose and Wilfred have chosen to recite a poem. They go up to the attics to rehearse in pace and quiet but there are so many things to look at and places to explore, it is hard to concentrate. And when they stumble upon a dusty staircase, all thoughts of practising are put aside…"

Jill Barklem (Author), John Moffatt (Narrator)

Audiobook

Spring Story

"Step into the exquisite, miniature world of the mice of Brambly Hedge in this beautiful new edition of the classic picture book. Wilfred woke early. It was his birthday. He had lots of lovely presents, but the best one was a surprise… Mr Apple had organised a secret celebration picnic and all the mice of Brambly Hedge were invited. There was so much to carry. Poor Wilfred got very tired as he lurched and bumped his way along the grassy track. What was it Mrs Apple had said was in his hamper? Knives? Sandwiches? They were certainly heavy! When they finally arrived, Wilfred was allowed to open up the hamper and there he found the best treat of all…"

Jill Barklem (Author), John Moffatt (Narrator)

Audiobook

Winter Story

"Step into the exquisite miniature world of the mice of Brambly Hedge in this beautiful new edition of the classic picture book. It was the middle of winter and very, very cold. The mice of Brambly Hedge forecasted snow. And they were right. In the morning they awoke to find their doors and windows hidden behind deep drifts. There hadn't been snow like this for years. 'There's enough for a Snow Ball!' cried the mice with glee, and set to work in the time-honoured way to make an Ice Hall for the festivities. The little mice watched wide-eyed as all the preparations were made. Then at last everything was ready, and the Ball could begin…"

Jill Barklem (Author), John Moffatt (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by John Moffatt

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