Audiobooks Narrated by Michael Bilton

Sybil, or The Two Nations: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation

"Benjamin Disraeli’s powerful, polemical story of love across the class divide Chosen by The Guardian as one of the best 100 novels of all time, Disraeli’s classic 1845 ‘condition-of-England’ novel exposes the inequality and exploitation endemic in 19th century Britain, and the vast gulf between the haves and the have-nots. It centres on Charles Egremont, a member of the landed gentry and newly elected MP. With a glittering future ahead of him, he is in need of a suitable wife, and his brother, the Earl of Marney, is keen that he should marry Lady Joan Fitz-Warene. The heiress to Mowbray Castle, she brings with her a considerable fortune: but from the moment Charles sets eyes on Sybil Gerard in the ruins of Marney Abbey, he can think of no-one else. Sybil is beautiful, graceful and ethereal – and the daughter of a Yorkshire millworker. When her father, a militant Chartist, shares with Charles his theory of the ‘two nations’ of rich and poor, Charles’ eyes are opened, and he disguises himself as a reporter to investigate the plight of the working classes. As he falls deeper in love with Sybil, and discovers what life is really like for the less fortunate, he determines to use his position to effect change. But those in power are not easily swayed, nor is Sybil’s heart easily won... Starring Richard Derrington as Charles, with Sorcha Cusack as Sybil, this absorbing historical drama vividly evokes both the luxurious life of the aristocracy and the grinding poverty of the farm labourers, miners and factory workers struggling for existence on the other side of the social divide. Production credits Written by Benjamin Disraeli Dramatised by Frederick Bradnum Directed by Vanessa Whitburn Episode List: 1: Marney Town and Marney Abbey 2: Mowbray Town and Mowbray Castle 3: Mowedale and Hellhouse 4: The Chartists and the Aristocracy 5: Love and Conspiracy 6: Of Destruction and Reconciliation Cast Charles Egremont – Richard Derrington Walter Gerard – Alan Doble Lord Marney – Michael N Harbour Stephen Morley – Terry Molloy Benjamin Disraeli – Richard Pasco Lady Marney/Lady Deloraine – Patricia Gallimore Arabella Marney – Kathryn Hurlbutt Sir Vavasour Firebrace – Robert Dorning Mother Superior – Penelope Lee Taper/Bingley/Sinister man – David Vann Tadpole – David Peart Mr Pugh – Bill Bellamy Lord Milford/Brewer – Kim Durham Captain Grouse/Lawyer – Scott Cherry Mountchesney/Constable/Tanner/Field – Peter Harlowe Berneers/Peer/Youth – Jonathan Owen Lord Mowbray/Juggins – Stephen Hancock Lady Joan/Caroline – Elizabeth Proud Lady Maud/Harriet – Hedli Niklaus Lady Mowbray – Eileen Barry Aubrey St Lys – Clive Marlowe Dandy Mick/Youth – Paul Copley Devilsdust – Alan Devereux Chaffing Jack/Police Inspector – William Eedle Widow Carey – Mary Wimbush Mrs Warner – Pauline Siddle Maria/Dame – Carole Boyd Bishop Hatton – Roger Hume Mrs Hatton – Joyce Latham Nixon/Jermyn/Diggs – James Kerry Mr Trafford/Waghorne/Sergeant – Michael Bilton Mrs Trafford – Shirley Stelfox Scrubbynose – David Conner Baptist Hatton – Peter Tuddenham Julia – Anna Lindup Girls and boys of Mowedale and Hellhouse – Members of the Forest Youth Theatre, Walsall First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 November-18 December 1983 © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Benjamin Disraeli (Author), David Vann, Full Cast, Mary Wimbush, Michael Bilton, Patricia Gallimore, Paul Copley, Richard Derrington, Richard Pasco, Robert Dorning, Sorcha Cusack, Terry Molloy (Narrator)

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Amateur Detective Roger Sheringham: The Poisoned Chocolates Case and Jumping Jenny

"Two BBC Radio full-cast dramas from the master of classic crime Anthony Berkeley was a journalist, novelist, and founding member of the Detection Club - whose members included Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers - and was one of crime fiction's greatest innovators, developing the idea of the psychological crime novel in the 1920s and 30s. One of his recurring and most-beloved characters was Roger Sheringham, a novelist and amateur detective. In these two classic tales, Roger Sheringham must investigate two terrible murders: The Poisoned Chocolates Case, from 1929, sees him taking up the challenge when Scotland Yard admits defeat after months of investigations. How was a woman poisoned by a box of chocolates that weren't even intended for her? Who was the intended victim? And who was the terrible mind behind it? Roger and his amateur detective friends will each have a turn to put forward their own personal theories about the dreadful crime... In Jumping Jenny, written in 1933, Roger attends a party with the questionable theme 'famous murderers and their victims', only to discover that one difficult guest has been deliberately killed on one of the party's props. When Roger suspects one of his close friends may be involved, he decides to meddle in the evidence - but is he putting his own life at risk with this mischievous intervention? Witty, subversive, and fiercely clever, these wonderful crime mysteries by the renowned writer are just the thing for fans of The Lady Detectives, Maigret's Collected Cases, and Dashiell Hammett: The Maltese Falcon and other Adventures. Cast and credits The Poisoned Chocolates Case Roger Sheringham - Neil Stacy Mrs Fielder-Flamming - Hilda Schroder Sir Charles Wildman - Conrad Phillips Moresby - Victor Winding Chitterwick - Michael Bilton Bradley / Smithson - Geoffrey Collins Alicia - Jane Wenham Lockwood - William Eedle Bendix - Mark Straker Sir Eustace - Clive Panto Mrs Bendix - Eileen Tully Marguerite - Deborah Cranston Novel by Anthony Berkeley Dramatised by Neville Teller Directed by Brian Miller First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 14 January 1984 Jumping Jenny Ronald Stratton - Trevor Martin Roger Sheringham - Hugh Burden Colin Nicolson - Simon Lack Dr Philip Chalmers - Hamilton Dyce Laura Chalmers - Judy Bailey Ena Stratton - Joan Newell David Stratton - John Scott Osbert Williams - Philip Cunningham Agatha Lefroy - Monica Kirton Dr Frank Mitchell - David Bird Margot - Sheila Manahan Mrs Williams - Molly Rankin Inspector Crane - Keith Williams Coroner - Richard Williams Novel by Anthony Berkeley Adapted by H. Oldfield Box Produced by David H. Godfrey First broadcast on BBC Home Service, 14 November 1959 NB: Due to the age of this recording, the sound quality may vary. ©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Cast and credits"

Anthony Berkeley (Author), Conrad Phillips, Full Cast, Hamilton Dyce, Hugh Burden, Jane Wenham, Joan Newell, John Scott, Michael Bilton, Neil Stacy, Sheila Manahan, Simon Lack, Trevor Martin (Narrator)

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