Audiobooks narrated by Katy Brand

Where would we be without the humble toothbrush? What about a wine glass, a pair of high heels or the toilet? Comedian Katy Brand explores the extraordinary stories behind ordinary objects to help us appreciate the little things that make life so much more liveable. Did you know the first electric toothbrush was made in 1880? Or that the fork shaped British table manners and, to this day, influences the taste of the food? Or that our beds are a reflection of our attitudes to sleep, sex, and status? With the help of Horrible Histories' Greg Jenner, The Origin of Stuff takes us on a delightful whizz around the surprising history of our often used, and mostly overlooked, everyday items.

Katy Brand (Author), Full Cast, Katy Brand (Narrator)

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Practically Perfect: Life Lessons from Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins is a story of taking practical steps towards happiness. It’s looking at the bright side of life. It’s setting boundaries, deciding what you want and making it happen. That’s the path to being Practically Perfect For comedian Katy Brand, part of the joy of watching Mary Poppins as a child was the thrill of the film’s iconic, no-nonsense heroine. Her unshakeable confidence, her staunch independence, and that touch of magic. Now she’s all grown up, Katy takes another look beyond the talking umbrellas, bottomless bags and dubious cockney accents to show that Mary’s still got something to teach us. She explores how the beloved nanny was brought to life from the page to the big screen, delves into her most striking memories to uncover themes that are still as important now as they were at the time, from women’s rights and poverty, to toxic masculinity and work-life balance. With interviews and insights from famous fans and friends, Practically Perfect is the common-sense manual for life that we never knew we needed, and sprinkles some supercalifragilistic magic along the way.

Katy Brand (Author), Katy Brand, To Be Announced (Narrator)

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Mastering the Universe: A BBC Radio 4 comedy

The complete Series 1 and 2 of the BBC Radio comedy starring Dawn French as Professor Joy Klamp Spoiling someone else's fun can be the most satisfying of all the controlling arts, and Professor Joy Klamp - the queen of migraines - has got passive aggression down to a fine art. And now, she's decided to share her knowledge with the world in this revelatory 10-part course in nonjoyment techniques. So join Joy and her Sourpussy Posse and get in touch with your inner spoilsport; experience the fulfilling empowerment of sulkiness; and learn how you, too, can master the universe! In Series 1, we take a tour through the miserable worlds of the workplace, relationships, parties, holidays, food and drink: and Christmas. And in Series 2, we investigate the fun that can be had - at other people's expense - with DIY, travel, children and ruining other people's weekends... Written by Christopher Douglas (Ed Reardon's Week) and Nick Newman, this clever comedy stars Dawn French as Professor Joy Klamp, with a familiar cast including Sally Grace, Lucy Montgomery, Dan Tetsell, Alice Lowe, Joanna Scanlan, Geoffrey McGivern and Katy Brand. Production credits Written by Christopher Douglas and Nick Newman Produced by Simon Nicholls Cast Starring Dawn French as Professor Joy Klamp With Christopher Douglas, Sally Grace, Lucy Montgomery, Dan Tetsell, Alice Lowe, Joanna Scanlan, Brian Perkins, Nicola Sanderson, Adam Shipway, Ewan Bailey, Geoffrey McGivern, Geoffrey Whitehead and Katy Brand First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2 November-7 December 2005 (Series 1), 24 February-17 March 2009 (Series 2) ©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Christopher Douglas And Nick Newman (Author), Christopher Douglas, Dawn French, Full Cast, Joanna Scanlan, Katy Brand, Lucy Montgomery (Narrator)

Audiobook

I Carried a Watermelon

'Massively enjoyable' Dawn French I Carried a Watermelon is a love story to Dirty Dancing. A warm, witty and accessible look at how Katy Brand's life-long obsession with the film has influenced her own attitudes to sex, love, romance, rights and responsibilities. It explores the legacy of the film, from pushing women's stories to the forefront of commercial cinema, to its 'Gold Standard' depiction of abortion according to leading pro-choice campaigners, and its fresh and powerful take on the classic 'coming of age' story told from a naïve but idealistic 17-year-old girl's point of view. Part memoir based on a personal obsession, part homage to a monster hit and a work of genius, Katy will explore her own memories and experiences, and talk to other fans of the film, to examine its legacy as a piece of filmmaking with a social agenda that many miss on first viewing. One of the most celebrated and viewed films ever made is about to have the time of its life.

Katy Brand (Author), Katy Brand (Narrator)

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HER Story: Women’s Untold Histories: 10 BBC Radio full-cast dramas

10 dramas focusing on women's untold stories from history. This diverse, eclectic collection of plays explores an array of social, political and historical events from a female point of view. In these captivating dramas, we see the world through their eyes, giving us a fresh perspective on a female history that is too often unrecorded, misrepresented or misunderstood. Featuring a multiplicity of styles and genres, and written by a wide variety of authors, they range from comedy dramas themed around the Bayeux Tapestry and the 1962 Cheltenham Literary Festival, to award-winning, thought-provoking tales of Nigerian teenagers kidnapped by Boko Haram. A contemporary version of the heroines from Greek mythology, Persephone and Demeter; Profumo affair from a female perspective, Britain's last witch (Helen Duncan); a legendary ballerina (Margot Fonteyn); a little sister (Dious, sibling of St Anthony) and a youngest daughter (Judith Shakespeare). Embroidering the Truth Queen Edith - Katy Brand Bishop Odo - Charlie Anson Other cast, Katy Sobey, Lisa Zahra, Jonny Holden, Rosie Cavaliero, Tracy Wiles. Written by Abigail Youngman. Produced by Mary Ward-Lowery. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 October 2019 Girls Tisana - Amaka Okafor Ruhab - Faith Alabi Haleema - Joan Iyiola Written by Theresa Ikoko. Directed by Abigail Gonda. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 July 2017 The Bulbul Was Singing Laura - Rebecca Humphries Ariman - Shaniaz Hama Ali Other Cast: Paul Hickey, Jonny Holden, Saya Zahawi, Catherine Cusack, Shaun Mason, Debbie Korley, Chris Pavlo Written by Judy Upton. Directed by Emma Harding. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 August 2019 Seven Pomegranate Seeds Performed by Niamh Cusack, Ruth Bradley and Leah McNamara Written by Colin Teevan. Produced and directed by Allegra McIlroy. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 January 2020 Festival Elizabeth Jane Howard - Melody Grove John Moore - Tony Gardner Kingsley Amis - Jonathan Forbes Other cast: Will Howard, Emma Handy, John Lightbody. Written by Sarah Wooley. Directed by Gaynor Macfarlane. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 July 2018 Well, He Would, Wouldn't He? Mandy (younger) - Aimee-Ffion Edwards Christine Keeler - Lyndsey Marshal 'Pops' Murray - Stephen Marzella Stephen Ward/Peter Rachman - Ewan Bailey Other cast: Adrian Schiller, Alex Dower, Anthony Courier. Written by Charlotte Williams. Directed by Kate McAll. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 February 2013 Tony's Little Sister and the Paradox of Monasticism Anthony - Duncan Preston Dious - Samantha Spiro Satan - Tim McMullan Other cast Ben Crowe, Rachel Bavidge. Written by David and Caroline Stafford. Produced by Marc Beeby. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 August 2007 Judith Shakespeare Judith Shakespeare - Amanda Root William Shakespeare - Michael Pennington Henry, Earl of Southampton - Anton Lesser Other Cast, Andrew Wincott, Melinda Walker, Thomas Connor, Stephen Critchlow, Ann Beach, Colleen Prendergast, Jillie Meers Written by Nan Woodhouse. Directed byTracey Neale. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 April 1996 An Unchoreographed World Margot Fonteyn - Sophie Jerrold Constant Lambert - Richard McCabe Other cast Oliver Millingham, Kate Littlewood Chorus - Anne-Marie Piazza, Maria Askew, Ffion Jolly, Ben Ashton & Coen de Groot Written by Frances Byrne. Produced and directed by Mark Smalley. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 May 2008 The Last Witch Trial Lucy - Indira Varma Margo - Lyndsey Marshal Other Cast: Joanna Monro, Vineeta Rishi Sam Dale, Michael Shelford, Keely Beresford Written by Melissa Murray. Directed by Marc Beeby. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 June 2010 ©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Various (Author), Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Amaka Okafor, Amanda Root, Anton Lesser, Full Cast, Indira Varma, Katy Brand, Niamh Cusack, Rebecca Humphries (Narrator)

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Fabulous: The Complete Series 1-3: A BBC Radio full-cast comedy

Faye Walters knows that today's women are sorted and stylish. They have the job, the house, the colour co-ordinated capsule wardrobe. They cope with the pressures of singledom, marriage and having kids with peanut-allergies. And they all do it effortlessly, with nothing more than a women's mag and a poem by Pam Ayres to guide them. So why can't she pull it off? Everything would be fabulous if only she could wangle an invitation to her boss's wedding, buy a flat with her boyfriend and get her mum to loan her £10,000. But even with a new kitchen, an awards ceremony and her own engagement party to look forward to, she's still anxious. And life only gets more nerve-wracking as she prepares for a royal visit at work and her hen do - especially since she's having serious doubts about whether she wants to get married at all... Starring Daisy Haggard (Breeders, Back to Life) as ditsy, neurotic Faye, this quirky comedy features a stellar cast including Katy Brand as Denise, Olivia Colman and Melanie Hudson as Edith, Laura Solon as Kim and Justin Edwards as Mark. Among the guest stars are Adam Buxton, Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Mark Lamarr. Produced by Simon Nicholls Music by Osymyso First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16 May-20 June 2007 (Series 1), 14 October-11 November 2008 (Series 2), 9 February-2 March 2010 (Series 3) Cast Faye - Daisy Haggard Denise - Katy Brand Edith - Olivia Colman/Melanie Hudson Kim - Laura Solon Mark - Justin Edwards With Adam Buxton, Matthew Holness, Joanna Neary, Eve Dallas, John Dougall, Joanna Scanlan, Anne Reid, Jot Davies, Geoffrey McGivern, Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Stephen Critchlow, Mel Hudson, John Rowe, Dan Starkey, Bradley Ford, Renee Clark, Chelsea Jabbau, Alison Pettit, Martin Hyder, Joanna Monro, Sally Grace, David Armand, Nigel Hastings, Rufys Wright, John Biggins, Mark Lamarr

Lucy Clarke (Author), Adam Buxton, Daisy Haggard, Joanna Scanlan, Justin Edwards, Katy Brand, Laura Solon, Mark Lamarr, Melanie Hudson, Olivia Colman (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Katy Brand