Audiobooks narrated by Kenneth Williams

The Private World Of Kenneth Williams Audiobook

In this documentary portrait of Kenneth Williams, who died in 1988, the much-loved comedy actor's diaries are drawn upon to illustrate his life and career. David Benson, who won acclaim for his one-man show in which he portrayed Kenneth Williams, reads extracts from the diaries, whilst archive clips from such programmes as Round the Horne and Beyond Out Ken show the madcap versatility of Williams the performer. This Radio Collection version features material additional to the original Radio 4 broadcast.

BBC Audiobooks, BBC Audiobooks, Kenneth Williams (Author), , BBC Radio, David Benson, Full Cast, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Beyond Our Ken: The Collected Series 5-7: The BBC Radio classic comedy series

The complete Series 5-7 of the legendary BBC radio comedy One of the funniest and most popular series on radio between 1958 and 1964, Beyond Our Ken delighted audiences nationwide throughout its seven series and 123 episodes. Packed with sketches, songs, catchphrases and innuendo, it mixes silliness, satire and sophistication to superb effect, and continues to make us laugh today. Kenneth Horne - 'who prefers to remain anonymous' - is our unflappable host in these 46 episodes, presiding over an array of fabulous characters such as camp duo Charles and Rodney, celebrity chef Fanny Haddock and countryman Arthur Fallowfield (for whom the answer always lies in the soil, regardless of the question). Regular documentary spoof 'Hornerama' returns, with a look at topics including the arts, the countryside, travel and television; and Kenneth Horne's weeks become increasingly extraordinary and eventful. Plus, the team tackle the Siege of Troy, present a new interpretation of 'Horne In Wonderland' (or 'Beyond Our Looking Glass'), offer their take on Caesar and Cleopatra's story and revel in a Regency romp through Beau Brummel's Brighton. Accompanying them for some musical interludes are Jill Day, Edwin Braden, the Fraser Hayes Four, Eileen Gourlay and the BBC Variety Orchestra. Written by Eric Merriman, these wonderful, whimsical shows star Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee. Episode guide First broadcast on BBC Light Programme on the following dates: Series 5 - 12 October 1961-22 February 1962 Series 6 - 27 December 1962-21 March 1963 Series 7 - 24 November 1963-16 February 1964 These episodes have been restored to their fullest versions using both Home (BBC Light Programme) and Overseas (BBC Transcription Service) recordings. Whilst every attempt has been made to clean up and remaster these recordings using the latest technology, the sound quality may at times reflect the age and off-air nature of certain source material. Episodes restored and remastered by Ted Kendall and Keith Wickham. (p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Eric Merriman (Author), Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee, Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Remembering Kenneth Williams

This compilation brings together wonderful highlights of Kenneth Williams' career. For more than 30 years, Kenneth Williams kept the nation in stitches with his outrageous gallery of comic creations and an effortlessly brilliant barrage of repartee and innuendo on radio and television. In 'Beyond Our Ken' and 'Round the Horne', Kenneth Williams brought us the popular characters of Rambling Syd Rumpo, J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock and Sandy (of Julian & Sandy). 'Remembering... Kenneth Williams' wouldn't be complete without his legendary contributions to 'Hancock's Half Hour' and 'Just A Minute'. And there's more: songs, sketches, clips from 'Parkinson', 'Just Williams', and Williams himself reading from his witty autobiography. Also featured are Clement Freud, John Betjeman and Simon Hoggart. It's a lifetime's-worth of laughter-making in one recording. It's Kenneth at his campest. This recording was previously released as 'Kenneth Williams at the Beeb'.

Kenneth Williams (Author), Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Monkey

Considered one of China’s great classical novels, Wu Ch’êng-ên's Journey to the West was translated by Arthur Waley in abridged form as Monkey in 1942 and has delighted English readers ever since. It is a riveting adventure story about a priest's quest to obtain holy Buddhist scriptures for the Tang emperor; joining him on this rollicking journey: Sandy, Pigsy and the mischievous Monkey King, Sun Wukong, whose flying cloud and magic cudgel are never far from his infamous deeds. Waley's accessible rendition of Wu Ch’êng-ên's novel has become a classic in its own right: Gods, demons and disobedient monkey spirits all come alive in this entertaining work.

Wu Ch'êng-ên (Author), Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Just a Minute: The Golden Collection: Classic episodes of the much-loved BBC Radio comedy game

To celebrate 50 years of Just a Minute, 12 previously unpublished archive episodes of the much-loved BBC Radio 4 panel game, presented by Nicholas Parsons What better way to mark a glorious half century of Just a Minute than with a collection of episodes from each of the programme's six decades, ranging from 1968 to the very special Christmas 2016 edition, Just a Minute Does Panto! As has been the case for each of those 50 years, Nicholas Parsons chairs every edition with impeccable manners and good humour. The plethora of seasoned players includes Kenneth Williams, Derek Nimmo, Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Tony Hawks, Gyles Brandreth and Sheila Hancock, and competing alongside them is an array of celebrated guests including Peter Cook, Barry Took, Brian Johnston, Ian Hislop, Betty Marsden, Sue Perkins, Liza Tarbuck, Jeremy Hardy, Stephen Fry and many others. Who can talk for one minute on a given subject without hesitation, repetition or deviating from the subject? Who will leap in at the last second to trounce the competition and secure the lead? Find out as we play Just a Minute!

Kenneth Williams, Nicholas Parsons (Author), , Full Cast, Kenneth Williams, Nicholas Parsons, Paul Merton (Narrator)

Audiobook

Just a Minute: A Classic Quartet: 4 classic episodes of the Radio 4 comedy panel game

Four classic episodes of the popular BBC Radio 4 panel game. 5 January 1977/8 January 1980/11 March 1980/23 June 1988 Nicholas Parsons chairs four archive episodes of the evergreen BBC Radio 4 comedy panel game, featuring the four original regular players of the game: Clement Freud, Peter Jones, Derek Nimmo and Kenneth Williams. These specially selected episodes, all published for the first time, see the formidable foursome squaring up to eachother in a battle of wits – and wit. As they endeavour to prevent each other from talking for the full minute, topics introduced – and swiftly dismissed – include Bath Night, Donald Duck, Getting in a Frenzy, Gooey Buns, My Accolade, The MostPleasing City I Have Visited, Getting Uptight and Poppadoms. Camaraderie, competition and brilliant banter are the order of the day, as these sparkling raconteurs come out with some of their best andfunniest lines and demonstrate their quick thinking and wonderful way with words. Full of comic gems and irreverent fun, these four classic shows are a delight to listen to.Duration: 2 hours approx.

Kenneth Williams (Author), , Full Cast, Kenneth Williams, Nicholas Parsons (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: Complete Series 4: 17 episodes of the groundbreaking BBC radio comedy

Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden and Hugh Paddick star in 17 episodes of the anarchic 1960s radio comedy, including the 1967 Christmas special.Round the Horne arrived on BBC radio in 1965, bringing laughter to Sunday lunchtimes throughout the land. Over the course of sixteen weekly episodes it carved a niche in the history of broadcast comedy, a sketch show which prodded the boundaries of propriety and innuendo. At its heart was the suave and upstanding Kenneth Horne, around which revolved the multiple naughty personas of Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick and Bill Pertwee. Among the parade of regular characters were Julian and Sandy, the camp couple of resting thespians happy to turn their hands to anything, Rambling Syd Rumbo the musical cordwangler, Fiona and Charles the passionate duo, and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock - the world’s dirtiest man. Meanwhile regular film parodies, spoof sagas and musical interludes peppered the mix. In addition to the 16 episodes of Series Four, this edition also includes the 1967 Christmas special episode Cinderfella and The Bona History of Julian and Sandy, in which Maureen Lipman takes a vada at Round the Horne’s most flamboyant omipalonies. Duration: 9 hours approx

Barry Took (Author), Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: Complete Series 3: Classic Comedy from the BBC Archives

Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden and Hugh Paddick star in 20 episodes of the anarchic 1960s radio comedy.Round the Horne arrived on BBC radio in 1965, bringing laughter to Sunday lunchtimes throughout the land. It carved a niche in the history of broadcast comedy, a sketch show which prodded the boundaries of propriety and innuendo. At its heart was the suave and upstanding Kenneth Horne, around which revolved the multiple naughty personas of Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick and Bill Pertwee. Among the parade of regular characters were Julian and Sandy, the camp couple of resting thespians happy to turn their hands to anything, Rambling Syd Rumbo the musical cordwangler, Fiona and Charles the passionate duo, and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock the world’s dirtiest man. Meanwhile regular film parodies, spoof sagas and musical interludes peppered the mix.Round the Horne earned its place in the annals of comedy history, and is fondly remembered today as a groundbreaking series that influenced many more to come. Here the entire third series can be enjoyed once again, along with a PDF booklet featuring cast biographies and a full series history. Duration: 10 hours approx.

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Beyond Our Ken: Series One

Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Ron Moody star in the surviving 13 episodes from the very first series of the classic weekly show, the forerunner to Round the Horne. Between 1958 and 1964, Beyond Our Ken lit up the airwaves. A madcap mix of sketches and songs, it remains as funny today as when it was first broadcast. Full of witty wordplay, larger-than-life characters, comic catchphrases and sublimely silly humour, the show introduced regulars such as Rodney and Charles, countryman Arthur Fallowfield and roving reporter Cecil Snaith. Enjoy regular documentary feature 'Hornerama', plan a break with 'Kenneth Horne's Holiday Bureau', listen to Parisian caberet artist Maurice Chandelier, and meet Felicity and Ambrose - the happiest couple in Great Britain. With episodes written by Eric Merriman and Barry Took, and musical interludes from The Malcolm Mitchell Trio and The Fraser Hayes Four, join avuncular host Kenneth Horne and friends in this hilarious precursor to Round the Horne. Duration: 6 hours 30 mins approx.

Barry Took, Eric Merriman (Author), Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Ron Moody (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: Complete Series One: March 1965 - June 1965

Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden and Hugh Paddick star in 16 episodes of the anarchic 1960s radio comedy.Round the Horne arrived on BBC radio in 1965, bringing laughter to Sunday lunchtimes throughout the land. Over the course of sixteen weekly episodes it carved a niche in the history of broadcast comedy, a sketch show which prodded the boundaries of propriety and innuendo. At its heart was the suave and upstanding Kenneth Horne, around which revolved the multiple naughty personas of Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick and Bill Pertwee. Among the parade of regular characters were Julian and Sandy, the camp couple of resting thespians happy to turn their hands to anything, Rambling Syd Rumbo the musical cordwangler, Fiona and Charles the passionate duo, and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock the world’s dirtiest man. Meanwhile regular film parodies, spoof sagas and musical interludes peppered the mix.Round the Horne earned its place in the annals of comedy history, and is fondly remembered today as a groundbreaking series that influenced many more to come. Here the entire first series can be enjoyed once again.

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee, Douglas Smith, Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Just a Minute: Through the Years: 12 classic episodes of the much-loved BBC Radio comedy game

Ten archive editions of the the much-loved BBC Radio 4 panel game plus two very special programmes, chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Seasons come and go, and years fly by, but Just a Minute has been a constant ray of sunshine on Radio 4 for over 50 years. Now, in this new collection of programmes, ten previously unpublished editions - from the 1970s to the 2010s - are presented alongside two very special half hours: Just a Minute: 50 Years in 28 Minutes and 50 Years of Just a Minute: Paul Merton in Conversation with Nicholas Parsons. Among the many guest performers attempting to speak for 60 seconds without hesitation, repetition or deviation from the subject are Kenneth Williams, Clement Freud, Derek Nimmo, Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Andrée Melly, Patrick Moore, Kenny Everett, Tim Rice, Wendy Richard, Richard Murdoch, Jenny Eclair, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Stephen Frost, Gyles Brandreth, Sue Perkins and Frank Skinner. Who will win enough points to take a commanding lead, who will find themselves trailing a little, and who will finish in a strong fourth place? Find out as we play Just a Minute! 1. 12 October 1971: Featuring Clement Freud, Peter Jones, Andrée Melly, Kenneth Williams 2. 18 April 1978: Featuring Clement Freud, Patrick Moore, Derek Nimmo, Kenneth Williams 3. 5 February 1980: Featuring Kenny Everett, Clement Freud, Peter Jones, Kenneth Williams 4. 16 June 1984: Featuring Clement Freud, Peter Jones, Tim Rice, Kenneth Williams 5. 16 June 1988: Featuring Clement Freud, Derek Nimmo, Wendy Richard, Kenneth Williams 6. 28 April 1990: Featuring Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Richard Murdoch, Wendy Richard 7. 2 August 1999: Featuring Jenny Eclair, Stephen Frost, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Peter Jones 8. 19 January 2004: Featuring Clement Freud, Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Linda Smith 9. 9 January 2006: Featuring Clement Freud, Stephen Fry, Paul Merton, Tim Rice 10. 18 August 2014: Featuring Gyles Brandreth, Paul Merton, Sue Perkins, Frank Skinner 11. 25 December 2017: Just a Minute: 50 Years in 28 Minutes. Featuring panellists from across the years 12. 1 January 2018: 50 Years of Just a Minute - Paul Merton in conversation with Nicholas Parsons Devised by Ian Messiter Chaired by Nicholas Parsons Episode selection by Michael Stevens Music: The Minute Waltz (Waltz in D Flat Major, Op. 64) by Chopin Please note: The humour in these programmes sometimes reflects the era in which they were first broadcast. Contains strong language and mild innuendo. Due to the archive nature of some of the episodes, sound quality may vary.

BBC Radio Comedy, Bbc Radio Comedy (Author), , Derek Nimmo, Full Cast, Kenneth Williams, Kenny Everett, Nicholas Parsons, Paul Merton, Peter Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

Beyond Our Ken: Complete Series 4

All nineteen surviving episodes from the fourth series of Beyond Our Ken, plus bonus programme Forty Laughing Years A superb melange of sketches and songs, liberally sprinkled with puns and double entendres, Beyond Our Ken made millions of listeners laugh out loud between 1958 and 1964. These nineteen fantastic episodes, published for the first time on audio, were initially broadcast on the BBC Light Programme between 1960 and 1961. Featuring favourite characters including Charles and Rodney, Ambrose and Felicity and Cecil Snaith, not to mention Kenneth Horne himself, these classic shows are full of fun and laughter. Musical interludes are provided by Janet Waters, the Hornets and the BBC Variety Orchestra, conducted by Paul Fenoulhet. The episodes include Suddenly Last Summer, Spring in Park Lane, The Gentleman's Agreement, Three Coins in a Fountain, The Man with the Golden Arm, House of Wax, Desire Under the Elms, Brief Encounter, The Thirty-Nine Steps, Gale Warning (followed by Scrooge), Room at the Top, The Horse Soldiers, All Quiet on the Western Front, The Charge of the Light Brigade, A Hatful of Rain, Twelve O'Clock High, Tea and Sympathy, Some Come Running and Tunes of Glory. Also included is the 1962 tribute programme Forty Laughing Years, hosted by Kenneth Horne. (NB: This volume contains the nineteen surviving episodes from Series 4, plus bonus programme Forty Laughing Years. No recording of Episode 12, Thames Suicide Attempt, is now known to exist, and this episode cannot therefore be included.)

Eric Merriman (Author), Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee, Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Kenneth Williams