Audiobooks Narrated by John Rye

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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Frank Wedekind: Spring Awakening & more: Four Full-Cast BBC Radio Productions

"A brand new production of Spring Awakening, alongside three classic plays from the BBC archive Frank Wedekind is widely acknowledged as one of the pioneers of modern drama, whose works influenced later writers such as Brecht and Dürrenmatt. His best-known plays were Spring Awakening and Lulu, both of which transgressed the social norms of his time and still have the power to shock and provoke us today. They are included here, alongside his lesser-known tragicomedy The Marquis of Keith. Spring Awakening – Frank Wedekind’s groundbreaking 1891 play deals with teenagers Wendla, Melchoir and Moritz, who navigate the awakening of desire and their relationships with their parents in a sexually repressive society. This fast, punchy, two-part version is adapted by Theo Toksvig-Stewart Lulu – The inspiration for numerous reimaginings, including the acclaimed silent film Pandora’s Box, Wedekind’s classic 1890s epic scandalised nineteenth-century audiences. It tells the story of Lulu, an alluring siren who is both innocent victim and amoral seducer. As she uses men, and is used in turn by them, she finds herself set on a path that can only lead to destruction… Starring Anna Calder-Marshall as Lulu, with a full cast including Derek Godfrey, Joe Melia and John Rye. The Singer – This fin-de-siècle farce satirizes the world of the 19th-century cultural elite, where artistic integrity was often subsumed by the demands of crude materialism. Centring on a revered Wagnerian tenor, his insatiable fans, and the tyrannical composer who is set on bending him to his will, it is adapted here by Peter Barnes and stars Alec McCowen, Kathryn Hurlbutt, Peter Woodthorpe and Dilys Laye. The Marquis of Keith – Written in 1899, The Marquis of Keith is one of Wedekind’s most significant plays. A tragicomedy, it revolves around the eponymous hero, a deeply flawed Don Quixote-like figure who is determined to follow his dream of creating a palace for the arts, no matter what the cost. This BBC Radio adaptation stars Alan Howard, Robert Eddison, Rosalind Shanks and Margaret Wolfit. First published 1891 (Spring Awakening), 1895 & 1904 (Lulu), 1899 (The Singer), 1901 (The Marquis of Keith) Cast and credits Written by Frank Wedekind Spring Awakening Lulu The Singer The Marquis of Keith © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Frank Wedekind (Author), Alan Howard, Alec McCowen, Derek Godfrey, Dilys Laye, Francis de Wolff, Full Cast, Hugh Burden, Joe Melia, John Rye, Kathryn Hurlbutt, Peter Woodthorpe, Robert Eddison (Narrator)

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The Sand Leopard & Other Vintage Thrillers: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Collection

"Ten full-cast BBC Radio thrillers by Berkely Mather Berkely Mather (real name John Evan Weston-Davies) was a British author who wrote sixteen novels ranging from historical adventures to espionage fiction. A prolific writer for television and radio, he contributed scripts to TV series including Z Cars and The Avengers, and his film credits include Dr. No. Included here are some of his best radio thrillers, beginning with The Sand Leopard, charting the exploits of Geth Straker, captain of the Peregrine. The trouble-hunting mariner is commissioned to sail to the Red Sea in search of sunken Second World War bullion – but are his two new crew members what they seem? Neil McCallum stars as Straker in this action-packed drama. In The Hard Buy, it is the late 1960s, and wealthy young British playboy Brett Beaumont (John Rye) suddenly finds himself discredited and framed. Aboard his luxury yacht, he embarks on a dramatic journey to clear his name. The Meisterspringer, starring Cyril Shaps and Graham Blockey, sees ‘Meisterspringer’ Paul Mettold blackmailed by British agents into arranging the escape from prison of Russian spy James Carter. But the breakout does not go according to plan… The Bounce Back features six plays themed around retribution – Returned Without Thanks, Honesty’s The Best Fiddle, The Stake-Out, Just a Detail, Never Let Your Left Hand Know…, and Quick Returns. Among the casts are Hector Ross, Hilda Schroder, Henry Stamper, Humphrey Morton, Douglas Hankin, Sheila Grant, Alan Dudley and Ronald Herdman. Finally, the 30-minute drama Bird’s Eye View, starring Geoffrey Matthews and Cecile Chevreau, tells the story of an English convict on a French prison island who attempts to escape by boat – but on board, a surprise awaits him… NB: Due to the age of these recordings, the sound quality may vary. Some episodes contain dated attitudes and language First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 31 July-18 September 1961 (The Sand Leopard), 15 October 1962 (Bird’s Eye View), 23 January-13 March 1967 (The Bounce Back), 27 June-22 July 1968 (The Hard Buy), 21 April-26 May 1985 (The Meisterspringer) © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Berkely Mather (Author), Alan Dudley, Cecile Chevreau, Cyril Shaps, Full Cast, Geoffrey Matthews, Graham Blockey, Hector Ross, Hilda Schroder, John Rye, Neil Mccallum (Narrator)

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