Audiobooks narrated by Keeley Hawes

The Egoist & The Adventures of Harry Richmond: Two Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations

"BBC Radio 4 adaptations of George Meredith’s classic tragicomic novel and his picaresque romantic comedy Novelist and poet George Meredith is widely regarded as the last great Victorian author. He influenced writers including Thomas Hardy, Robert Louis Stevenson and Henry James, and was nominated for the Nobel Prize seven times. This BBC collection features dramatisations of his most famous novel, The Egoist, and his witty bildungsroman The Adventures of Harry Richmond. The Egoist – Self-absorbed aristocrat Sir Willoughby Patterne wants a wife – and naturally assumes that whoever he chooses will want him. But when his chosen fiancée, Constantia, elopes, he is forced to look for another potential bride. Torn between the sentimental Laetitia and the strong-willed Clara, he finally pins one down to an engagement – only to find that she, too, has doubts… James Wilby stars as Sir Willoughby, with Keeley Hawes as Clara, in this satirical look at the Victorian marriage market. The Adventures of Harry Richmond – On a cold morning in February 1846, Richmond Roy arrives at Riversley Grange to claim his infant son, Harry, from the child’s grandfather, Squire Beltham. It is the beginning of a journey of self-discovery for the young boy, as he is rescued and abandoned by his charismatic father, escapes from a London boarding school, embarks on a Grand Tour of Europe and succumbs to the charms of a German princess… This lively coming-of-age tale stars James Aubrey, Anthony Newlands, Sebastian Shaw, Gina Bellman, Joanna David and Maev Alexander. First published 1871 (The Adventures of Harry Richmond), 1879 (The Egoist) Production credits Written by George Meredith The Egoist Sir Willoughby – James Wilby Clara Middleton – Keeley Hawes Mrs Mountstuart-Jenkinson – Hannah Gordon Laetitia Dale – Nickie Rainsford Vernon Witford – Simon Ludders Horace de Craye – Robert Patterson Dr Middleton – Bill Wallis Crossjay – Leo Brightmore Lady Busshe – Lawmary Champion Lady Culmer – Christine Pritchard Constantia – Anna North Dr Corney – Giles Thomas Lady Patterne – June Barrie Mr Dale – Paul Nicholson Crossjay – Leo Brightmore Dramatised by Jane Dauncey Directed by Alison Hindell First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 April-3 May 1998 The Adventures of Harry Richmond Harry Richmond – James Aubrey Sewis – Brian Carroll Richmond Roy – Anthony Newlands Squire Beltham – Sebastian Shaw Harry, as a boy – Howard Taylor Aunt Dorothy – Gwen Watford Janet, as a girl – Katherines Hughes Temple, as a boy – David Wilson Flo – Jacqui Burin Amy – Jo Manning Wilson Joe Double – Ronald Baddiley Capt Welsh – Haydn Jones Clara Goodwin – Roberta Symes Colonel Goodwin – Garard Green Ottilia, as a girl – Gina Bellman The Margravine von Rippau – Brenda Bruce Burgomeister – Milo Sperber Miss Sibley/Frau von Dittmarsch – Elaine Mitchell Princess Ottilia – Joanna David Mrs Waddy – Margot Boyd Captain de Witt – Michael Deacon Lady Wilts – Petra Davies Anna Penrhys – Liza Flanagan Janet Ilchester – Maev Alexander Mr Burgin – James Thomason Mr Peterborough – Jonathan Scott Baroness Turckems – Hilda Kriseman Prince Ernest – George Pravda Professor von Karsteg – Steve Plytas Prince Otto – Philip Sully Lieschen – Tammy Ustinov Countess Czezedy – Eva Stuart Kiomi/Lady Sampleman – Josie Kidd Augustus Temple – John Bull Marquis of Edbury – David McAlister Yachtsman – Gregory de Polnay Adapted by D.G. Bridson Directed by John Cardy First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 June-15 July 1979 © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

George Meredith (Author), Anthony Newlands, Bill Wallis, Brenda Bruce, Full Cast, George Meredith, Gwen Watford, Hannah Gordon, Howard Taylor, James Aubrey, James Wilby, June Barrie, Keeley Hawes, Paul Nicholson, Sebastian Shaw (Narrator)

Audiobook

Noel Streatfeild: Ballet Shoes & more: A BBC Radio 4 Children’s Drama Collection

"Full-cast dramatisations of three of Noel Streatfeild's classic children's books Rising to fame with her 1936 novel Ballet Shoes, Noel Streatfeild soon became one of the most popular authors of her day. She was one of the first winners of the Carnegie Medal and was awarded an OBE in 1983. She died in 1986, but her stories continue to captivate children today. Included here are three of her very best - Ballet Shoes, The Growing Summer and When the Siren Wailed. Ballet Shoes - Adopted by Great Uncle Matthew on his archaeological expeditions, Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil grow up as sisters, and vow to make their name famous. When they enrol at the Children's Academy of Dancing, the Fossil girls share a future of a dazzling life onstage, where their dreams and fears will soon come true.... Rosemary Leach, Alexandra Mathie, Victoria Shalet and Lucy Curtis star in this delightful dramatisation. The Growing Summer - It is 1965, and the young Gareth children's lives are about to change for ever. When their father falls dangerously ill, they are sent to Ireland to stay with their eccentric Great-Aunt Dymphna for the summer. There, in her crumbling mansion on the west coast, they face dangers and adventures they could never have imagined... Starring Ann Rye, Holly Grainger, Will Haigh, Emily Fleeshman and Paul Herriott. When the Siren Wailed - When World War Two breaks out, Laura, Andy and Tim Clark are evacuated to the countryside. Brought up in poverty, they find a happy, comfortable home with the Colonel - but then tragedy occurs, and the children decide to run away back to London. Caught up in an air raid, can they make their way through the blackouts and bombed-out streets to find their mother? Narrated by Wendy Richard, this gripping, moving adventure story stars Norman Bird, John Church, Nicholas Courtney and Keeley Hawes. Text copyright © Noel Streatfield 1936 (Ballet Shoes), 1966 (The Growing Summer), 1974 (When the Siren Wailed) Copyright © Beneficiaries of Noel Streatfeild 1986 Cast and credits Written by Noel Streatfeild Ballet Shoes With Rosemary Leach, John Ringham, Alexandra Mathie, Victoria Shalet, Lucy Curtis, Lia Williams, Charles Edwards, Abigail Thaw, Alison Skilbeck, Olivia Breeze, Max Digby, Jonathan Dryden Taylor and Miriam Berry Adapted by Ellen Dryden Directed by Don Taylor First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27-31 Dec 1999 The Growing Summer With Ann Rye, Holly Grainger, Will Haigh, Emily Fleeshman, Paul Herriott, James Caplin, Catherine Keane, Vincent Patrick Dramatised by Julie Wilkinson Directed by Sue Sutton Mayo First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9 Aug 2000 When the Siren Wailed Narrated by Wendy Richard With Norman Bird, John Church, Nicholas Gatt, David Goudge, Keeley Hawes, Joan Matheson, Marc Murphy, Judy Parkin, Christopher Scott, Joan Walker, Melinda Walker, Howard Ward, Nicholas Courtney, Malcolm Hebden and Eva Stuart Dramatised by Richard Pinner Produced by Mary Kalemkarian Researcher: Lis Roberts First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 Jan-19 Mar 1989 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Noel Streatfeild (Author), Abigail Thaw, Ann Rye, Charles Edwards, Emily Fleeshman, Full Cast, Holliday Grainger, Joan Matheson, Keeley Hawes, Lia Williams, Malcolm Hebden, Nicholas Courtney, Norman Bird, Rosemary Leach, Victoria Shalet, Wendy Richard (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Royal British Legion: 90 Years of Heroes

"The Royal British Legion was founded in 1921. It is now the country’s leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to those who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces and their dependants. The RBL is behind the annual Poppy Appeal, the highest profile charity appeal in Britain. This superbly illustrated book has the full support of the Royal British Legion and will tell the complete story of its history through exclusive access to its archives, thus providing a celebratory, as well informative, tribute to their work over the past 90 years. It will be the definitive history of this much-loved organisation, charting its work with soldiers and ex-servicemen through the stories of its heroes, famous as well as unknown, during the highest-profile military campaigns of the past 90 years. The book will be divided into nine chapters, each representing one decade in the RBL’s existence. Each chapter will celebrate one hero per year; 1921, 1922, 1923, etc. giving an account of that particular person, and what they achieved. Within each chapter will be special spreads that emphasise also the social history of the evolution of the RBL as a charity, supported with iconic imagery and text. Each one of the heroes, from 1921 right through to 2011, has been personally chosen by decorated royal marine, and RBL ambassador, Lance Corporal Matt Croucher GC. Men such as Major Robert Henry Cain VC (1909-1974), who destroyed six tanks during Operation ‘Market Garden’ at Arnhem in 1944 and was one of the only officers from his battalion to escape the German encirclement of the British 1st Airborne Division. The book will be published in late autumn to coincide with the 2011 Poppy Appeal, which will be the biggest in the Legion’s history, with events running nationwide, TV advertising, celebrity involvement and a high-profile marketing campaign. Matt Croucher will be involved in the campaign as an ambassador for the RBL. For any serving member of the armed forces, or those retired from service, or members of the public who are keen to know about this beloved organisation; this will be a fascinating and valued purchase, knowing that royalties will be going to the charity themselves."

Matt Croucher, The Royal British Legion (Author), Bernard Cribbins, Keeley Hawes, Nicky Henson, Philip Franks, Sean Barrett (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Keeley Hawes