Audiobooks narrated by John Rowe

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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The Image of God: A BBC Radio Adaptation of the Medieval Mystery Plays

"A full-cast three-part adaptation of the Medieval Mystery Plays, introduced by David Buck During medieval religious holidays in certain English towns and cities, members of the various guilds would gather in the streets to re-enact Bible stories, from the Creation to the Last Judgment. Often staged from dawn to dusk on a single day, they were performed on a procession of pageant wagons, and the actors created all the music and effects themselves. In The Image of God, writer David Buck reworks these ‘mystery plays’ while preserving the stories, characters and attitudes of the original dramas. Told in verse that ranges from moralising to bawdy, this ambitious adaptation vividly recreates the immediacy and accessibility of a street performance in front of a holiday crowd – complete with audience reactions, sound effects and songs. Included here is an introduction by David Buck, in which he explains the background to his trilogy and reveals how the tradition of the Mystery Plays grew from question-and-answer sequences introduced into the Mass to become popular entertainment for the masses. Part 1: Creation – Told in chronological order, these thrilling Biblical narratives tell of the War in Heaven in which Lucifer is driven into Hell, the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, and Cain’s murder of Abel, as well as recounting how Noah survives the Flood, Abraham obeys God and Joseph disbelieves the Virgin birth. Part 2: The Image of Man – Beginning with a version of the Second Shepherd’s Play, in which Mak steals a lamb, here are stories relating the life of Christ, from Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents to Jesus’ temptation by Lucifer, the Miracles, the Last Supper and the Betrayal. Part 3: Redemption – Christ’s death and resurrection are the subject of these final plays, in which Jesus is tried, Procula distracts Pilate, Barabbas is freed, Jesus is crucified and rises from the dead, the damned are released from Hell and the Son of God returns to his Father’s right hand. Featuring a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of classic radio acting talent, the ensemble cast includes Timothy West as The Prologue, Denis Quilley as God, Peter Jeffrey as Lucifer, Hannah Gordon as Eve, Julian Glover as Cain, Richard Briers as Noah, John Rowe as Jesus, Annette Crosbie as Mary Magdalene, John Shrapnel as Judas, Nigel Anthony as John the Baptist and David Buck himself as Herod. NB: The attitudes in this production reflect the medieval era in which the plays were first staged. First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 18 March - 3 April 1980 © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

David Buck (Author), Annette Crosbie, David Buck, Denis Quilley, Full Cast, Hannah Gordon, John Rowe, John Shrapnel, Julian Glover, Nigel Anthony, Peter Jeffrey, Richard Briers, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Journey’s End, The White Carnation & more: Six Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations

"A diverse selection of dramas by award-winning writer RC Sherriff Playwright and screenwriter RC Sherriff was best known for his anti-war classic Journey’s End, based on his own experiences of serving on the Western Front. He was a co-writer on several successful screenplays, including The Invisible Man and The Dam Busters, and was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on Goodbye, Mr Chips. Beginning with Journey’s End, this varied collection features six of his acclaimed plays, ranging from a ghost story to a tale of the last days of Roman Britain. Journey’s End – March, 1918. Fresh from school, 18-year-old officer Raleigh is posted to the besieged company of his old schoolfriend and hero Captain Stanhope. Hunkered down in a dugout on the British front line, he must face the reality of war and the tension and strain of life in the trenches. Journey’s End was first staged in 1928, starring Laurence Olivier, and the 2007 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. Martin Jarvis stars in this vintage radio production from 1970. The White Carnation – It’s Christmas Eve, 1951, and stockbroker John Greenwood and his wife are hosting their annual party. But as midnight strikes and he bids farewell to his guests, the door slams, locking him out of the house. Breaking back in, he finds that all the furniture has disappeared, and his wife has gone – and things are about to get even stranger… Starring Philip Voss, this supernatural comedy-drama tells the moving tale of a man given a second chance to do things differently. St Helena – In December 1815, the British imprisoned Napoleon on St Helena. Tracing the long slow decline of the caged tiger until his death in May 1821, Sheriff’s 1936 play, co-written with actress Jeanne de Casalis, is based on the diaries and accounts of those on the island at the time of the exiled Emperor’s captivity. Lee Montague stars as Napoleon in this 1972 historical drama. A Shred of Evidence – Richard Medway drinks a little too much at a rugby club reunion dinner, but still drives home afterwards. The next morning, he hears that a cyclist has been killed by a hit-and-run driver. Could he be responsible for the man’s death? Set in 1950s Surrey, this tense tale of guilt, blackmail and suspense stars Denys Hawthorne. Home at Seven – Bank clerk David Preston returns home at his usual time, only to discover he is actually 24 hours late. With no recollection of his missing day, he is stunned to find himself implicated in robbery and murder... A thrilling mystery starring the legendary Sir Ralph Richardson. The Long Sunset – The Roman Empire is crumbling, the occupation of Britain is at an end, the Legions are leaving – and the surviving Romans are alone and unprotected. This moving drama, starring Stephen Murray and Pauline Letts, follows the fate of one such Roman family, from their attempts to fight off the invading Saxons, to their final conversion to Christianity. Production credits Written by RC Sheriff Contents Journey’s End The White Carnation St Helena A Shred of Evidence Home at Seven The Long Sunset © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

R.C. Sherriff (Author), Derek Seaton, Douglas Blackwell, Full Cast, Garard Green, John Rowe, Kate Binchy, Kevin Brennan, Martin Jarvis, Peter Egan, Sam Dastor, Sheila Grant (Narrator)

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E.R. Braithwaite: A BBC Radio Collection: Three Full-Cast Dramatisations including To Sir, With Love

"A trio of novels by the renowned author, dramatised for BBC Radio Guyanese writer E. R. Braithwaite is probably best known for his semi-autobiograpical, internationally bestselling novel To Sir with Love, which was adapted as an award-winning film starring Sidney Poitier. Collected here are dramatisations of three of his acclaimed novels, with casts including Kwame Kei-Armah and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. To Sir with Love – Having been rejected from various roles due to the colour of his skin, ex-RAF pilot Rick Braithwaite gets a job as a teacher in a progressive inner-city school in postwar London. The students are tough, foul-mouthed and angry, but he inspires them as they inspire him. Kwame Kwei-Armah stars in this tale of a black teacher’s struggles to connect with his students. Paid Servant – Seconded to London County Council as a child welfare officer, former teacher Rick Braithwaite faces further prejudice. There, he finds himself taking over the case of Roddy Williams, a vulnerable mixed-race boy in need of a family. Kwame Kwei Armah reprises his role as Rick in this moving sequel to Braithwaite’s 1959 novel To Sir With Love. Choice of Straws – Rootless Teddy boys Jack and Dave go looking for trouble, but the night ends in tragedy when a man is fatally stabbed. Shocked and remorseful, Jack must deal with anguish and loss, and learn how to live again. Set in the racially intolerant London of the 1950s, this powerful drama stars Harry Hepple and Luke Norris as Jack and Dave, with Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Michelle and Annabelle Dowler as Ruth. NB: Please note that the stories in this collection deal with themes of racism, and include some offensive language that reflects racist attitudes Production credits To Sir with Love Rick – Kwame Kwei-Armah Gillian – Sasha Behar Weston – Simon Treves Clinty – Liza Sadovy Florian – Sam Dale Denham – Steven Webb Pam – Clare Corbett Seales – Ashley Chin Potter – Freddy White Babs – Leanne Rowe Dramatised by Roy Williams Produced and directed by Claire Grove First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 August 2007-2 September 2007 Paid Servant Rick – Kwame Kwei-Armah Mr Bentham – Jimmy Aklngbola Mrs Bentham – Clare Perkins Jim – John Rowe Mrs Larkin – Lisa Stevenson Mr Larkin – Chris Pavlo Ellesworth – Nyasha Hatendi Ella – Liz Sutherland Matron – Joan Walker Roddy – Cara Halls Abridged by Anne Edyvean Directed by Jessica Drumgoole First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9-13 June 2008 Choice of Straws Jack – Harry Hepple Dave – Luke Norris Michelle – Gugu Mbatha-Raw Mum – Ellie Haddington Dad – David Hargreaves Ruth – Annabelle Dowler Mr Spencer – Alex Lanipekun Police officer – Stephen Hogan Dramatised by Roy Williams Produced and directed by Claire Grove First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 September 2009 © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

E.R. Braithwaite (Author), Chris Pavlo, Clare Perkins, Full Cast, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Harry Hepple, Jimmy Akingbola, John Rowe, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Liza Sadovy, Nyasha Hatendi, Sam Dale, Sasha Behar (Narrator)

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Chimera & other thrillers: Eight Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramas

"A collection of suspense-filled thrillers from master of the genre Stephen Gallagher A listening treat for fans of gripping drama: eight thrillers, plus a bonus story, from ‘the finest British writer of bestselling popular fiction since Le Carré’. Full of suspense and utterly immersive with full-cast production values, this collection is not to be missed. In sci-fi thriller Chimera, there are unexplained killings at a secret research establishment. Within hours, government officials are on the scene and the investigation is hushed up. But why? What was the real purpose of the Jenner Clinic…? Starring Brian Glover. In The Kingston File, Gary Kingston is just a name on a file until he suddenly appears to be involved in a series of frightening murders. Things take a terrifying turn when a social worker tries to sort him out. Starring Shaun Prendergast and Mick Ford. In A Resistance to Pressure, Dr Lewis is a rising star, not only in the medical profession but also on the social scene. Then a telephone call on New Year's Eve changes everything… Starring Gareth Armstrong and John Rowe. An Alternative to Suicide is a gripping futuristic sci-fi thriller. Maverick Lesterman is a highly developed computerised human 'meat machine'. When he is involved in an unpleasant accident on board a spaceship, he is returned to earth to be 'comforted' by Esther Anderson, a 17-year-old clone. Maverick rediscovers areas of his submerged personality, with frightening consequences… Starring Michael Jayston and Catherine Kessler. Life Line explores what would happen if modern technology could open the way to communication beyond the grave. And if so, to what end? Please hold… Starring Nicholas Murchie and Julian Rhind-Tutt. The Humane Solution is a stunning thriller involving a journalist and his photographer, fog-bound at an airport in Holland. When a hijacking story breaks around them it seems unlikely the truth will ever be revealed. Can silence be bought and if so, at what price? Starring Patrick Mower. By the River, Fontainebleau is a tale of horror, set in France at the end of the nineteenth century. A young painter's obsession with a potential model leads him into a world of degradation and self-disgust. Starring Kim Wall and Stephen Rashbrook. In horror tale The Horn, three strangers are trapped in a snowstorm on a remote stretch of motorway. They find themselves listening for the sound of a horn, which they believe will lead them to safety. They are very much mistaken… Starring Edward de Souza. In bonus story ‘The Visitor’s Book’, a happy couple rent a holiday home but they soon start to feel that something happened there the year before... Read by Terence Edmond. Stephen Gallagher’s screen writing credits include Doctor Who, Bugs, Chimera, Chillers, Murder Rooms and more. He was the writer-director of Oktober, creator of Eleventh Hour and lead writer on Crusoe. He is a member of the Writers’ Guild of America and former Norther Chair of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. ©2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Stephen Gallagher (Author), Brian Glover, Catherine Kessler, Edward de Souza, Full Cast, Gareth Armstrong, John Rowe, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Kim Wall, Michael Jayston, Mick Ford, Nicholas Murchie, Patrick Mower, Shaun Prendergast, Stephen Rashbrook, Terence Edmond (Narrator)

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R.D Wingfield: Post-Mortem Shock and other thrillers: 14 Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramas

"A collection of RD Wingfield’s finest thrillers from the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties Best known for his ‘Inspector Jack Frost’ series of novels, RD Wingfield also penned a string of gripping thrillers for BBC Radio. Initially thought lost, many of the 14 dramas in this collection were recovered and restored by Keith Wickham and the Radio Circle, and thanks to their careful preservation, are now available to enjoy once more. Credit Risk is a robbery comedy caper about a man with a cunning plan to defraud a credit card company of a quarter of a million pounds. Cleft Stick sees the police investigating an attack on a woman, and the dramatic way she chose to defend herself. In The Last Escape, a mugging ends in murder, and Superintendent Dawson must find the perpetrator – a patient who has escaped from a private nursing home after 35 years. And in The Alternative Plan, a frightened ex-Army captain and a dying ex-Nazi hold the key to preventing a political assassination. In A Second Class Risk, when a man dies in a car crash the same week he insures his life for £50,000, the widow’s claim must be investigated. A Test for Destruction finds a Security Supervisor at the Department of Scientific Warfare facing an agonising crisis when his son’s safety is at stake. Our West Ladyton Branch centres around a bank manager recovering from a nervous breakdown, whose new assignment in a sleepy Devon town is not at all what he expected. In Letter of the Law, Detective Inspector Nash wants nothing to do with his newly arrved (and newly demoted) Sergeant, but with seven unsolved robberies on his plate, Nash needs all the help he can get…Cover Up features another demoted ex-Inspector, kicked out of the Division but brought back to investigate a bank raid. Post Mortem Shock concerns a man who appears to have been shot dead by an intruder – but the post mortem reveals he died of a heart attack. Who, or what, really killed him? In Sins of Commission, made redundant after 19 years’ faithful service with a firm?of?diamond merchants, Mr Fletcher is willing to take on almost any job – as long as it’s legal. It’s double or quits when £15,000 goes missing from a safe in Double Entry, and in Adequate Reasons, when a child is abducted, there’s a complex interplay between police, parents and kidnapper. Finally, in Moveable Assets, a crafty crook comes up with an ingenious scheme to rob a supposedly burglar-proof bank – but will it work, and will he get away with it? With ensemble casts including John Rowe, Diana Olsson, Roger Delgado, Robert Lang, Frederick Treves, Jill Bennett and Patricia Gallimore, these clever, artfully plotted dramas are full of twists, turns and surprises. With warm thanks to Keith Wickham and the Radio Circle Cast and credits Written by RD Wingfield Contents Credit Risk Cleft Stick The Last Escape The Alternative Plan A Second-Class Risk A Test to Destruction Our West Ladyton Branch Letter of the Law Cover Up Post Mortem Shock Sins of Commission Double Entry Adequate Reasons Moveable Assets © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

R.D Wingfield (Author), Alan Tilvern, Anthony Hall, Antony Viccars, Christopher Scoular, Christopher Venning, Diana Olsson, Douglas Blackwell, Full Cast, Irene Sutcliffe, John Rowe, Lockwood West, Patrick Tull, Penelope Lee, Sam Dastor (Narrator)

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Thrush Green: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation

"Wonderful comedy drama adapted from the beloved novels featuring an all-star cast Welcome to Thrush Green, a small and peaceful village in the Cotswolds, where everything and nothing happens. This wonderful, gentle comedy features and all-star cast including Adam Godley (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Anna Massey (Rebecca), Geoffrey Whitehead (Poirot) and Trevor Peacock (The Vicar of Dibley). Over two series we follow the highs and lows of village life in this 60s village. In series one, a young doctor comes to Thrush Green on the day of the spring fair and causes a stir. A host of unforgettable characters, from the school mistress to the church sexton, show that village life is far from quiet and challenges, secret love affairs, and even trials can make the seemingly most peaceful of villages teem with intrigue and delight. In the second series, we return to Thrush Green our familiar cast of characters is mixed with some new faces. When a young woman arrives in a red mini with her son in tow, confirmed bachelor Harold is smitten. The vicar is battling with not only a crumbling rectory but also an unexpected crisis and who will take care of Dotty Harmer’s animals when she is taken ill? Written in the 1960s by Dora Saint, under the pen name Miss Read, these charming stories are laced with gentle humour and subtle social commentary. If you are fan of Barbara Pym or E.M. Delafield, then this is the perfect listen for you. A treat from the archive not to be missed. Cast and credits Series 1 Written by Miss Read Dramatised by Lesley Bruce Directed by Clare Grove and Marylin Imrie Doctor Lovell - Adam Godley Dotty Harmer - Anna Massey Ella Bembridge - Maggie McCarthy Dimity Dean - Janet Maw Dr Bailey - Terence Edmond Mrs Bailey - Marlene Sidaway Miss Fogerty - Marcia Warren Miss Watson - Linda Basset Charles Henstock - Ian Masters Harold Shoosmith - John Rowe Albert Piggott - Trevor Peacock Nelly Tiling - Annette Badland Mrs Butler - Ann Beach Mrs Cooke - Colleen Prendergast Willie/Mulloy - Paul Ritter PC - Ben Crowe Witness - Harry Myers Miss Potter - Tilly Gaunt Ray - Christopher Scott Mrs White/Kathleen - Jillie Meers Robert/Edward - Andrew Harrison First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24th May - 28th Jun 1999 Series 2 Written by Miss Read Dramatised by Nick Warburton Directed by Mary Peate and Marylin Imrie Charles Henstock - Ian Masters Ella Bembridge - Salina Cadwell Dimity Dean - Janet Maw Harold - Geoffrey Whitehead Phil - Teresa Gallagher Betty - June Barrie Frank - Andrew Harrison Anthony - Duncan Bell Isobel - Dinah Stabb Winnie - Marlene Sidaway Dr Lovell - Adam Godley Dotty Harmer - Anna Massey Albert Piggott - Trevor Peacock Nelly Tiling - Annette Badland Molly - Alison Pettit Ben - Tom George Willie - Paul Ritter Miss Potter - Tilly Gaunt Ray - Christopher Scott Mrs White/Kathleen - Jillie Meers Jenny - Rachel Atkins Percy - Geoffrey Greenhill First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3rd Apr - 8th May 2000 ©2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Miss Read (Author), Adam Godley, Anna Massey, Annette Badland, Anny Tobin, Full Cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, Ian Masters, Janet Maw, John Rowe, June Barrie, Linda Bassett, Lynne Verrall, Maggie McCarthy, Marcia Warren, Teresa Gallagher, Trevor Peacock (Narrator)

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The Prince and The Mandrake: Two Full Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations

"The renowned masterpiece from one of the most influential writers in history, Machiavelli 'It's very, very good...an engaging exploration of one of the most influential political works ever written.' - Entertainment Focus The Prince, written during the Italian Renaissance by author Niccolò Machiavelli, is an internationally renowned masterpiece about power, greed and strategy in government. Regarded by some as a manual for would-be tyrants on how they should seize and maintain power and by others as a simple reflection of political reality, listen now to this full-cast dramatisation and make up your own mind. In addition to this stunning, modern dramatisation of the classic novel, this download includes The Mandrake, Machiavelli’s comedy packed with intrigue, infidelity and fools and the documentary Machiavelli – Devil or Democrat from Jonathan Freedland, which re-assesses Machiavelli and explores whether his maligned reputation has overshadowed his other achievements… The Prince is the classic 16th-century treatise on the nature of power and statecraft. In this modern rendition, the author Machiavelli (Ciaran Hinds), often identified as Satan, uses his brilliance and cunning to explain how power can be created and sustained. This brilliant adaptation is performed for the first time as a monologue with dramatised illustrations from a full-cast, including Philip Voss, Stephen Critchlow and Christopher Godwin. The Mandrake is Machiavelli’s best-known comedy, taking place in a square in Florence in 1504. Callimaco, desires to sleep with Lucrezia, the young and beautiful wife of an elderly fool, Nicia. Nicia above all else desires a son and heir. Conspiring with a rascally marriage broker, and a corrupt priest, Callimaco masquerades as a doctor and tricks Nicia into letting his wife become his lover using the power of the mandrake plant. This double edition download comes with the added exclusive content, Machiavelli – Devil or Democrat. A fascinating documentary that explores the life and work of one of the most maligned authors in history. The impact of this writer has been felt across the centuries from the execution of King Charles I to the ‘Founding Fathers’ of the United States and journalist and writer Jonathan Freedland re-assesses the legacy of this incredible thinker and writer. This is a download not to missed, perfect for any fans of classical literature with a twist, packed with compelling intrigue, wit and fascinating revelations. Cast and credits Written by Niccolò Machiavelli The Prince Niccolo - Ciaran Hinds The Prince - Christopher Godwin Louis - Philip Voss Severus - Stephen Critchlow Oliverotti - Scott Handy Giovanni - John Rowe Other parts played by Chris Kelham, Tom George and Gavin Muir Dramatised by Peter Wolf Directed by Cherry Cookson First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 21st January 2000 The Mandrake Callimaco - John Rye Siro - Anthony Jackson Messer Nicia - Douglas Wilmer Ligurio - David March Sostrata - Beity Hardy Fra Timoteo - Willoughby Goddard A young widow - Hilda Schroder Lucrezia - Hilary Hardiman Singers Robert Tear, Douglas Wilmer, Willoughby Goddard, John Rye and David March Translated from the Italian by J. R. Hale Produced by Charles Lefeaux Songs by Elizabeth Poston First Broadcast BBC Radio 3, 27th October 1967 Machiavelli – Devil or Democrat Presented by Jonathan Freedland Produced by Rob Shepherd First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18th November 2013 ©2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Niccoli Machiavelli (Author), Anthony Jackson, Christopher Godwin, Ciarán Hinds, David March, Douglas Wilmer, Full Cast, Hilda Schroder, John Rowe, John Rye, Philip Voss, Scott Handy, Stephen Critchlow (Narrator)

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Daughters and Sons: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation

"A dark domestic comedy by one of English literature’s most distinctive and idiosyncratic authors Life in the Ponsonby household is an emotional battleground, where tyrannical grandmother Sabine and her equally despotic daughter Hetta struggle to control the fate of the family. Caught in the crossfire are Sabine’s son John, a self-absorbed novelist; his five children, Clare, France, Chilton, Victor and Muriel; and Muriel’s beleagured governesses. When John’s daughter, France, completes her first novel, she is persuaded by her father to publish it under a pseudonym to spare him the embarrassment of being overshadowed by his own flesh and blood. This act of selflessness sparks a series of deceptions, misunderstandings and manipulations: culminating in a family crisis which plays out across the dining-room table over the course of one hair-raising and hilarious dinner party... First published in 1937, Ivy Compton-Burnett’s deft dissection of a dysfunctional Victorian family was acclaimed by contemporary critics and admired by Virginia Woolf for its ‘bitter truth and intense originality’. This sublime adaptation, featuring an ensemble cast including Patricia Lawrence and Ann Mitchell, breathes new life into her brilliant, blackly comic tale. Production credits Written by Ivy Compton-Burnett Adapted by John Spurling Directed by Liane Aukin Piano: Martin Goldstein Cast Sabine Ponsonby – Patricia Lawrence Hetta – Ann Mitchell John – John Rowe Clare – Tessa Worsley France – Kathryn Hunter Victor – Simon Hewitt Chilton – Graham Blockey Muriel: – Pamela Moiseiwitsch Miss Bunyan – Merelina Kendall Gertrude – Narissa Knights Charity Marcon – Anne Jameson Stephen – Bernard Brown Alfred – Christopher Good Sir Rowland Seymour – Arnold Diamond Jane – Ellen McIntosh Evelyn – Daniel Webb Edith Hallam – Vivian Pickles Dr Chaucer – Robert Lang Miss Blake – Fidelis Morgan Mr Russell – John Forbes-Robertson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 10 May-9 June 1985 © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Ivy Compton-Burnett (Author), Ann Mitchell, Christopher Good, Full Cast, John Rowe, Patricia Lawrence, Tessa Worsley (Narrator)

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To Serve Them All My Days: A BBC Radio Dramatisation

"A stunning full-cast dramatisation of R.F. Delderfield's classic novel of life between the wars Listen now to this epic story of tragedy, love and betrayal set during the inter-war period as soldier Davy Powlett-Jones, invalided out of the trenches, must face a new start in life… A coal miner's son, Davy has risen from the ranks of the South Wales Borderers and been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after serving three years in the front-line trenches in the First World War. The story begins in 1918, when injured and shell-shocked Davy leaves the war behind him to face new challenges and begin a new life teaching history at Bamfylde School in North Devon. Over the following decade Davy’s life reflects the turmoil, tragedy and hope of the men and women who fought in the Great War and how they come to terms with peaceful life in Britain which inexorably ruptures as the Second World War looms. In this beautiful full-cast BBC Radio adaptation, the General Strike, socialism, the development of the Labour Party and the formation of the National Government all play out through the story of a humble teacher. To Serve Them All My Days was first published in 1972 and swiftly became a modern classic. The book was adapted into a hugely popular TV show and continues to be loved by fans of J.L. Carr and L.P. Hartley. Listen now to this stunning adaptation that takes a microscope to the lives of ordinary people during extraordinary times and brings to life a bygone era of British existence facing the moral perplexities and harsh economic realities of emerging modern times. Cast and credits Written by R.F. Deldefield Adapted by Shaun McKenna Directed by Marc Beeby Davy Powlett-Jones - Oliver Milburn Algy Herries - John Wood Howarth - John Rowe Carter - Anthony Calf Beth/Grace - Alison Pettit The Guard/Stratton/Gage - Delroy Brown 'Nipper' Shawe/Skidmore/Featherstone - Josh Freeborn 'Chad' Boyer/Dobson/Stoker Monk - Steven Williams Briarley/Lowther - Steven Roberts Julia - Juliet Aubrey Keith/Alderman Blunt/McNaughton - John Cummins Spats/Hislop - Anthony Glennon Brigadier Cooper/Barnaby/Rigby - Gerard McDermott Bristow - Harry Francis Alcock - Clive Merrison Christine - Kate Buffery Ewart - Nick Sayce First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23rd - 27th Jan 2006 ©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

RF Delderfield (Author), Alison Pettitt, Full Cast, John Rowe, John Wood, Oliver Milburn (Narrator)

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Nathaniel Hawthorne: A BBC Radio Collection: Four Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations including The Scarlet Letter

"Full-cast adaptations of four works by Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. A descendant of judge John Hathorne, who oversaw the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, he wrote several works inspired by Puritan New England, with themes of guilt, sin and retribution. This collection contains his classic novel, The Scarlet Letter, as well as Wakefield, Rappaccini's Daughter and The Blithedale Romance. The Scarlet Letter – Hester Prynne, a scarlet letter on her breast and her baby in her arms, stands on the scaffold as the crowd around her cries out for her execution. Her sin of adultery is marked by the 'A' she wears, but who should stand by her side? Deborah Findlay stars in this tale of passion and repression, set in Puritan Boston in the 1640s. Wakefield – A middle-aged man, steeped in routine, decides one day to leave home temporarily. and observe the effect on his wife from a flat opposite. But the longer he stays away, the harder it is to return… David Haig stars in this tale of indecision and isolation. Rappaccini’s Daughter – Student Giovanni rents a room overlooking an exotic garden belonging to botanist and poisons expert Dr Rappaccini. But when he glimpses the doctor’s daughter in the garden, Giovanni becomes dangerously obsessed. Part mystery, part love story and part haunting allegory, this dark romance stars Joseph Cohen Cole and Emerald O’Hanrahan. The Blithedale Romance – A society based on brotherhood, not competition – such are the ideals of the commune Miles Coverdale joins. But as he befriends fellow inhabitants Hollingsworth, Zenobia and Priscilla, his dreams of a rural idyll are soured by rivalry and unrequited love. Jonathan Newth stars in this adaptation of Hawthorne’s 1852 novel, loosely based on his time at the utopian community of Brook Farm. First published 1835 (‘Wakefield’), 1844 (‘Rappaccini’s Daughter’), 1850 (The Scarlet Letter), 1852 (The Blithedale Romance) © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Nathaniel Hawthorne (Author), David Haig, Deborah Findlay, Deborah Makepeace, Emerald O’Hanrahan, Full Cast, James Laurenson, John Rowe, Jonathan Newth, Joseph Cohen-Cole, Michael Maloney, Nigel Anthony, Peter Marinker, Sarah Badel (Narrator)

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2025: A Full-Cast BBC Sci-Fi Thriller

"Mona Hammond and Alphonsia Emmanuel star in this futuristic sci-fi drama, set in a world where artificial intelligence has become a reality It’s 2025, and advances in gene therapy have led to the eradication of many once-common diseases. But the ability to engineer and re-engineer the brain has provoked fear – for it means that a truly artificial consciousness is within reach. The idea that humans may no longer be the only sentient species is so unthinkable that legislation is hastily passed, rigorously controlling genetic experiments. But there are certain people who seek to circumvent the law... People like Beth David, a doctor conducting research into incurable illnesses. Like elderly Olivia, who has lain dreaming in a clinic for seven years – but is now determined to wake up and live. And like her granddaughter, Irena, a TV production assistant, who desperately needs to gain access to the shady world of genetic engineering. Each relies on an AI: Voice Recognition Unit ‘Susie’, a response programme running on software produced by the giant conglomerate Fortunate Fragrance. She seems like the perfect servant – docile, helpful and cooperative. But unbeknown to all three women, she wants more than she has been created to have… Alphonsia Emmanuel, Mona Hammond, Daniela Nardini and Su-Lin Looi star in Mike Walker’s gripping two-part serial. Originally broadcast in 1998, this drama takes a fascinating look at a possible 2025. Production credits Written by Mike Walker Directed by Sally Avens Cast Irena – Alphonsia Emmanuel Olivia – Mona Hammond Dr Beth David – Daniela Nardini Henry Chu/Mr Li – David Yip Anno – Su-Lin Looi Praeger – John Rowe Dr Finzey – Alastair Danson Kate – Rachel Atkins Capstick – Gerard McDermott Terry Gupta/Market stall holder – Ravin J Ganatra First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5-12 January 1998 © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Mike Walker (Author), Alastair Danson, Alphonsia Emmanuel, Daniela Nardini, David Yip, Gerard McDermott, John Rowe, Mona Hammond, Rachel Atkins, Ravin J Ganatra, Su-Lin Looi (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by John Rowe

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