Audiobooks narrated by Jonathan Firth

Rosamond Lehmann: A BBC Radio Collection: Four Full-Cast Dramatisations including The Weather in the

"BBC adaptations of four of Rosamond Lehmann’s best-known novels, plus short stories and a bonus documentary Rosamond Lehmann’s first novel, Dusty Answer, was published in 1927 when she was just 26. It was a scandalous success, and was followed by six more acclaimed novels exploring human relationships and the emotional lives of girls and women. Four of the finest are dramatised here, alongside readings of two of her short stories and a fascinating profile of Lehmann herself. Dusty Answer – Growing up, Judith Earle’s only friends are the Fyfe family cousins, who live next door. As Judith moves from childhood to adulthood, Charlie, Roddy, Julian and Martin drift in and out of her life, bringing with them romance, heartbreak and disillusionment. Starring Julia Hills, Rosina Carbone, Jack Farthing, Brodie Ross, Oliver Gomm and Tom Ferguson. Invitation to the Waltz – Waking on her 17th birthday, Olivia senses her rite of passage has begun. Anticipating her very first dance, she is both anxious and excited – will it live up to her hopeful expectations? Mary Nighy stars in this adaptation of Lehmann’s 1932 classic. The Weather in the Streets – Now living a bohemian life in London, Olivia embarks on a passionate affair with the handsome and unhappily married Rollo. Eve Best and Jonathan Firth star in this sequel to Invitation to the Waltz. The Echoing Grove – After 15 years apart, two sisters meet to seek reconciliation. Between them lay various ghosts – not least that of Rickie, husband of Madeleine and lover of Dinah… Starring Janet Suzman, Susan Engel and Christopher Cazenove. ‘When the Waters Came’ – Ensconced in an English village during wartime, a mother and her two children experience a sudden sharp freeze and a violent, torrential thaw. Read by Lin Sagovsky. ‘A Dream of Winter’ – In the midst of a great frost, a woman in bed with flu is visited by the bee man, who has come to remove the swarm living in the walls of her country house. Read by Maureen O’Brien. Kaleidoscope: An Inner Life – Presented by Richard Mayne, this absorbing profile from 1985 features interviews with Rosamond Lehmann, in which she discusses her debut novel, the impact of World War Two on her work, the death of her beloved daughter and her subsequent spiritual visions. With contributions from Sybille Bedford, Anita Brookner, Valentine Cunningham, Marghanita Laski, John Lehmann and Gillian Tindall. First published 1927 (Dusty Answer), 1932 (Invitation to the Waltz), 1936 (The Weather in the Streets), 1946 (‘When the Waters Came’, ‘A Dream of Winter’) 1953 (The Echoing Grove) © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Rosamond Lehmann (Author), Annabel Scholey, David Lloyd, Diana Quick, Eve Best, Full Cast, Janet Suzman, Jonathan Firth, Julia Hills, Lin Sagovsky, Maureen O'Brien, Rachel Lewis, Rosina Carbone, Susan Engel, Tom Ferguson (Narrator)

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Daphne du Maurier: The BBC Radio Collection: Including Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, Frenchman’s Creek & mor

"A comprehensive collection of dramatisations of Daphne du Maurier’s works 'Containing performances from well-known actors from past and present, Daphne du Maurier: The BBC Radio Collection is a rich feast for all fans of the writer's work.' - Entertainment Focus Daphne du Maurier was one of the 20th century’s most popular writers. Extraordinarily prolific, she produced a string of bestsellers, many of which were adapted as award-winning films. From romance and adventure yarns to psychological thrillers and supernatural tales, the breadth and imaginative variety of her storytelling continues to thrill us today. This bumper collection features her most famous works and some lesser-known gems, beginning with full-cast adaptations of seven of her much-loved novels – Jamaica Inn, Rebecca, Frenchman’s Creek, The King’s General, My Cousin Rachel, The Scapegoat and The House on the Strand. With settings ranging from the 19th century to the English Civil War and the Black Death of 1349, these thrilling tales take us from the wilds of Cornwall to Monte Carlo, Italy and northwestern France. Among the star casts are Susannah Corbett, Christopher Cazenove, Lorna Heilbron, Cathryn Harrison, Adam Godley, Hugh Burden and Ian Richardson. Next up are two of her acclaimed plays, The Years Between, set in the 1940s and telling the story of a woman whose MP husband is reported killed in action, and September Tide, a bittersweet love story centred around a mother, her newly-married daughter and her artist son-in-law. Diana Quick, Roger Allam, Paula Wilcox, Jonathan Firth and Alice Hart star in these twisty, subversive dramas. We conclude with a selection of Daphne du Maurier’s short fiction. Dramatised by Melissa Murray, ‘The Birds’ stars Neil Dudgeon and Nicola Walker. It is followed by ‘The Blue Lenses’ and ‘The Little Photographer’, starring Bethany Muir and Lucy Boynton respectively; and ‘The Apple Tree’, starring Charles Gray. Also included are full-cast adaptations of ‘Panic’ (starring Dinsdale Landen and Maureen O’Brien), ‘The Chamois’ (starring Christopher Cazenove and Anna Cropper), ‘The Alibi’ (starring Tony Britton and Sarah Badel), ‘Ganymede’ (starring John Le Mesurier and Anthony Daniels) and ‘Don’t Look Now’ (starring Jamie Parker and Aisling Loftus). Please note that the pieces in this collection range from vintage 1970s productions to modern adaptations, and the sound quality reflects the age of the recordings. Contents Jamaica Inn Rebecca Frenchman’s Creek The King’s General My Cousin Rachel The Scapegoat The House on the Strand The Years Between September Tide ‘The Birds’ ‘The Blue Lenses’ ‘The Little Photographer’ ‘The Apple Tree’ ‘Panic’ ‘The Chamois’ ‘The Alibi’ ‘Ganymede’ ‘Don’t Look Now’ Text copyright © 1936 (Jamaica Inn), 1938 (Rebecca), 1941 (Frenchman’s Creek), 1943 (The Years Between), 1946 (The King’s General), 1949 (September Tide), 1951 (My Cousin Rachel), 1952 (‘The Birds’, ‘The Little Photographer’, ‘Blue Lenses’, ‘The Apple Tree’), 1954 (‘Panic’), 1957 (The Scapegoat), 1959 (‘The Chamois’, ‘The Alibi’, ‘Ganymede’), 1969 (The House on the Strand), 1971 (‘Don’t Look Now’). © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Daphne du Maurier (Author), Adam Godley, Aisling Loftus, Alice Hart, Bethany Muir, Cathryn Harrison, Christopher Cazenove, Diana Quick, Full Cast, Hugh Burden, Ian Richardson, Jamie Parker, Jonathan Firth, Lorna Heilbron, Lucy Boynton, Nicola Walker, Paula Wilcox, Roger Allam, Susannah Corbett (Narrator)

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Mary Elizabeth Braddon: Lady Audley’s Secret & more: A BBC Radio 4 Gothic Drama Collection

"Three classic stories from the 'Queen of Sensation Fiction' - plus bonus documentary Mary Elizabeth Braddon was one of the most important and influential female novelists of the 19th Century, and the founder (alongside Wilkie Collins) of the popular 'sensation fiction' genre. This collection features her best-known novel, Lady Audley's Secret, a thrilling tale of bigamy, murder and arson that outraged Victorian society on its first release - and was an instant bestseller. Also included are two atmospheric short stories and an edition of Sensational Women exploring her life and work. Lady Audley's Secret - Lucy Graham gains all the wealth she desires through her marriage to the devoted Sir Michael Audley. But her newfound security is threatened when young lawyer Robert Audley sets out to uncover the truth about her hidden past. Hattie Morahan, Charlotte Emmerson, Alex Wyndham and Sam Dale star in this electrifying dramatisation. The Cold Embrace - When Josef, a handsome young German artist, betrays his delicate fiancée, her vengeance is eerily appropriate... This chilling adaptation of Mary Elizabeth Braddon's ghostly story stars Stephanie Turner, Jonathan Firth and Alison Pettitt. Samuel Lowgood's Revenge - An impoverished clerk discovers that his rival in love has defrauded their employer. But what should he do with this knowledge? Barbara Flynn reads Braddon's 1861 tale of jealousy and retribution. Sensational Women: Mary Braddon - Sarah Dunant takes a look at the notorious sensation author, who was condemned for rotting the moral fibre of a whole generation of young women. First published 1860 ('The Cold Embrace'), 1861 ('Samuel Lowgood's Revenge'), 1862 (Lady Audley's Secret) Cast and credits Written by Mary Elizabeth Braddon Lady Audley's Secret Mary Braddon - Hattie Morahan Lucy, Lady Audley - Charlotte Emmerson Sir Michael Audley - Sam Dale Phoebe Marks - Lizzy Watts Luke Marks - Benjamin Askew Robert Audley - Alex Wyndham George Talboys - Joseph Kloska Alicia Audley - Perdita Weeks Lieutenant Maldon - Jonathan Tafler Mr Dawson/Landlord - Paul Rider Mrs Vincent - Charlotte West-Oram Tonks - Deborah McAndrew Dramatised by Theresa Heskins Directed by Julie Beckett and Fiona Kelcher First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 April-1 May 2009 The Cold Embrace Mary Braddon - Stephanie Turner Josef - Jonathan Firth Gertrude - Alison Pettitt Father - John Hartley Postmaster - Ioan Meredith Passenger - Hugh Dickson Woman - Carolyn Jones Fisherman - Chris Pavlo Parisienne - Tracy-Ann Oberman Dramatised by Christopher Hawes Produced by Marion Nancarrow First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 June 1997 Samuel Lowgood's Revenge Read by Barbara Flynn Produced by Rebecca Nicholson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18 November 1998 Sensational Women: Mary Braddon Presented by Sarah Dunant Extracts read by Sally Beauman Produced by Lore Windemuth First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 October 1996 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Mary Elizabeth Braddon (Author), Alison Pettitt, Charlotte Emmerson, Full Cast, Hattie Morahan, Jonathan Firth, Perdita Weeks, Sam Dale, Stephanie Turner, Tracy-Ann Oberman (Narrator)

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John Fowles: The Collector, The Magus & The French Lieutenant’s Woman: Three BBC Radio 4 full-cast d

"Full-cast dramatisations of John Fowles' three best-known novels, with star casts John Fowles won international acclaim for his innovative, allusive novels The Collector, The Magus and The French Lieutenant's Woman. All were critical and commercial successes, translated into several languages and adapted as feature films. This collection brings together the BBC Radio adaptations of these three modern classics, with stellar casts including Judi Dench, Charles Dance and John Hurt. The Collector - When a lonely, obsessional office clerk wins a fortune on the football pools, he turns from collecting butterflies to 'collecting' a beautiful art student... This dark, disturbing dramatisation stars Judi Dench and Nigel Anthony. The Magus - Disillusioned young graduate Nick Urfe accepts a teaching post on an idyllic Greek island. There, he meets the mysterious Maurice Conchis, and becomes embroiled in a world of bizarre encounters and psychological tricks. As reality and illusion intertwine, what strange game is Conchis playing with Nick? Tom Burke, Charles Dance and Hayley Atwell star in this eerie, Lynchian drama. The French Lieutenant's Woman - Lyme Regis, 1867. Gentleman naturalist Charles Smithson is engaged to be married to the respectable Ernestina - but when he falls in love with notorious social outcast Sarah Woodruff, his complacent snobbery is shattered. Narrated by John Hurt, this multi-layered tale of forbidden passions in Victorian Dorset stars Jonathan Firth and Emily Bruni. Text copyright © John Fowles 1963 (The Collector), 1966, 1977 (The Magus), 1969 (The French Lieutenant's Woman) The Collector Miranda - Judi Dench Clegg - Nigel Anthony Other parts played by Douglas Blackwell, Martin Friend, Jane Knowles and John Rowe Adapted by David Parker Produced by Richard Wortley First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 July 1972 The Magus Nick - Tom Burke Conchis - Charles Dance Lily - Hayley Atwell Alison - Anna Skellern Margaret - Josie Taylor Mitford - David Seddon Meli - Chris Pavlo Rowena - Lynsey-Anne Moffat Anton - Maarten Dannenberg German Colonel - Bodo Friesecke Greek resistance fighter/Ticket seller - Andreas Karras Lily de Seitas - Beth Goddard Kemp - Rachel Atkins Briggs - Michael Shelford Mrs Marks - Elaine Claxton Benji - Rudi Goodman Adapted by Adrian Hodges Produced and directed by Heather Larmour Harpsichordist: Maggie Cole Recorder player: Martin Feinstein First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 March-3 April 2016 The French Lieutenant's Woman Narrator - John Hurt Charles - Jonathan Firth Sarah - Emily Bruni Ernestina - Kelly Reilly Mrs Tranter - Elizabeth Spriggs Dr Grogan - TP McKenna Mrs Poulteney/Mrs Endicott - Susan Jameson Sam - Nick Sayce Mary - Ella Smith Dairyman/Mr Freeman - Gerard McDermott Mrs Fairley/Mrs Rogers - Colleen Prendergast Ostler/Montague - Wayne Foskett Prostitute - Sophie Roberts Curate - John Cummins Dramatised by Graham White Produced by Peter Kavanagh First broadcast BBC World Service, 23-30 September 2006 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

John Fowles (Author), Charles Dance, Emily Bruni, Full Cast, Hayley Atwell, John Hurt, Jonathan Firth, Judi Dench, Nigel Anthony, Tom Burke (Narrator)

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Letters from a Lost Generation: First World War letters of Vera Brittain and four friends

"A selection of the powerful and poignant wartime letters of Vera Brittain and her friends.‘If war spares me,’ wrote Vera Brittain to her brother Edward in 1916, ‘it will be my one aim to immortalise in a book the story of us four.’ Seventeen years later, Vera was to achieve her aim with the acclaimed Testament of Youth. This series of letters was the inspiration behind Testament. Written between Vera, her brother, her fiancé Roland Leighton and their two best friends Victor Richardson and Geoffrey Thurlow, they give a unique perspective on the most horrifying conflict the world has ever seen. They show the heartbreaking disillusionment of an idealistic public-school generation, raised on ideas of patriotism and duty, as the reality of war emerged. Yet they also give a fascinating insight into the era as a whole: their generation’s literary tastes and the place of women in society. Read by Amanda Root, Jonathan Firth, Rupert Graves, James Wallace and Robert Portal, and first heard on BBC Radio 4, these deeply moving letters let us hear for ourselves the voices of Vera Brittain’s lost generation."

Alan Bishop, Mark Bostridge (Author), Amanda Root, Full Cast, Jonathan Firth (Narrator)

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In Search Of Lost Time

"A BBC Radio six-part dramatisation of Marcel Proust’s groundbreaking series of novels, tracing the extraordinary story of the author’s own life. Starring James Wilby and Jonathan Firth, and with a distinguished cast including Harriet Walter, Imogen Stubbs and Corin Redgrave, this rich, multi-layered adaptation brings out all the variety and subtlety of Proust’s magnificent masterpiece. Featuring a fictional version of himself - ‘Marcel’ - and a host of friends, acquaintances and lovers, 'In Search of Lost Time' is Proust’s search for the key to the mysteries of memory, time and consciousness. As he recalls his childhood days, the sad affair of Charles Swann and Odette de Crecy, his transition to manhood, the tortures of love and the ravages of war, he realises that the simplest of discoveries can lead to astonishing possibilities. ‘Delectable and memorable’ - Guardian ‘The kind of radio you shoo people out of the room for’ - Independent on Sunday"

Marcel Proust (Author), Corin Redgrave, Harriet Walters, Imogen Stubbs, James Wilby, Jonathan Firth (Narrator)

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The Two Noble Kinsmen

"Palamon and Arcite, cousins and bosom friends, are taken prisoner by Duke Theseus of Athens. While in captivity, they spy the beautiful Emilia. Both fall instantly in love with her, and their attachment to each other turns to hate. This dark-edged tragicomedy is now widely regarded as having been written by Shakespeare in collaboration with John Fletcher. Composed sometime in 1613–14, The Two Noble Kinsmen is the final play in Shakespeare's dramatic career. Jonathan Firth plays Palamon, Nigel Cooke is Arcite, and Emilia is played by Helen Schlesinger."

William Shakespeare (Author), Helen Schlesinger, Jonathan Firth, Simon Russell Beale, a full cast (Narrator)

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Measure for Measure

"Telling his followers he is leaving the city on affairs of state, the Duke of Vienna appoints the puritanical Angelo to govern in his absence. Will Angelo prove as virtuous as he seems once power is in his hands? Roaming the city disguised as a friar, the duke looks on as Angelo’s lust for the virtuous Isabella sweeps him into the corruption he has so sternly condemned in others. The duke’s manipulation at last produces a happy ending for this dark comedy, with its brilliant exploration of the themes of justice and mercy. Roger Allam plays the duke and Simon Russell Beale is Angelo. Isabella is played by Stella Gonet."

William Shakespeare (Author), Jonathan Firth, Roger Allam, Simon Russell Beale, Stella Gonet, Stephen Mangan, a full cast (Narrator)

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Twelfth Night

"Shakespeare’s most sophisticated comedy is a riotous tale of hopelessly unrequited passions and mistaken identity. Duke Orsino is in love with the noblewoman Olivia. She, however, has fallen for his servant Cesario, who is actually Viola, a woman disguised as a man, who loves Orsino: confusion is rife. Meanwhile, Olivia’s arrogant steward Malvolio is cruelly tricked by her uncle Sir Toby Belch, his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and the maidservant Maria into believing his mistress loves him. Niamh Cusack is Viola, Jonathan Firth is Orsino, Amanda Root plays Olivia, Dinsdale Landen plays Sir Toby Belch, and Julian Glover is Malvolio."

William Shakespeare (Author), Amanda Root, Dinsdale Landen, Jonathan Firth, Julian Glover, Niamh Cusack, a full cast (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Jonathan Firth