Audiobooks narrated by Michael Hordern

The Forsyte Saga: 4 Full Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations

An epic BBC radio adaptation of John Galsworthy's complete Forsyte Chronicles, narrated by Dirk Bogarde and with an all-star cast 'Hallmarked with elegance and craftsmanship' The Evening Standard First broadcast in 1990, this monumental adaptation of John Galsworthy's Nobel Prize-winning novel series was a radio event. It was the most expensive drama serial ever produced, featured one of the biggest, most star-studded casts and dominated the Radio 4 schedules for over 5 months, attracting over a million listeners each week.Comprising all nine books in Galsworthy's Forsyte Chronicles, it spans 50 years - from 1886 to 1936 - and tells the irresistible story of an upper-class dynasty torn apart by a terrible feud. Wealthy, privileged and successful, the Forsytes seem to have it all. But the disastrous marriage of Irene and Soames Forsyte, and the dire consequences of one night and the next foggy day, are to split the family for generations. As the sins of the father are visited upon the children, the younger Forsytes - from Soames' daughter Fleur to her cousin Dinny Cherrell - find themselves doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past as they experience both the pain and the promise of love. Beset by emotional disasters, domestic dramas and society scandals, can the various members of this sprawling family ever find lasting happiness? This sweeping tale of passion, power and money stars a host of outstanding actors, including Dirk Bogarde, Alan Howard, Michael Hordern, Diana Quick, Michael Williams, Maurice Denham, Amanda Redman and Sophie Thompson. Cast and credits Written by John Galsworthy The Forsyte Chronicles Galsworthy - Dirk Bogarde Old Jolyon - Michael Hordern Soames Forsyte - Alan Howard Irene - Diana Quick Young Jolyon - Michael Williams James - Maurice Denham Aunt Ann - Fabia Drake Aunt Hester - Rachel Kempson Aunt Juley - Renee Asherson June - Angela Pleasence Philip Bosinney - Michael Cochrane Swithin - David March Roger/Justice Bentham/Sir Luke Sharman/Adrian Cherrell - John Moffatt George/Monsieur Profond - Christopher Good Nicholas - John Gabriel Emily - Maxine Audley Winifred - Fiona Walker Montague Dartie/Elderson - Donald Gee Francie - Susan Sheridan Mrs Macander/Mme Lamotte/Smither/American woman - Jo Kendall Young Chankery - Charles Simpson Waterbuck, QC/Timothy/Mr Settlewhite/Hilary Cherrell - David King Annette - Shelley Thompson Holly - Elizabeth Mansfield Val - Dale Rapley Jolly - Paul Downing Dreamer/Francis/Francis Wilmot/Hubert Cherrell - Simon Treves Polteed/Gradman/Cuthbert Mothergil/Editor/Foskisson/Blore - Brian Miller Doctor/Lord Charles Ferrar/Lionel Cherrell/Neil Wintney/Mr Instone - James Greene Fleur - Amanda Redman Other Cast: Gary Cady, Gary Bond,Tara Dominick, Vincent Brimble, Nicholas Gilbrook, Sue Broomfield, Paul Daneman, Philip Sully, Stephen Garlick, John Bull, Danny Schiller, Belinda Lang, Jack May, Ben Onwukwe, David Bannerman, Ian Lindsay, Stuart McGuigan, Michael Kilgarriff, Catherine Furshpan, Christopher Scott, Garard Green, Mary Allen, Sophie Thompson, Dorothy Tutin, Peter Marinker, Moir Leslie, Danielle Allan, Paul Rattigan, Jack Klaff, Lois Burgess, Miranda Foster, Peter Howell, Aubrey Woods, Jody McDonald, James Warwick, David Yelland, Matthew Solon, Elizabeth Kelly, William Wortley, Henry Power, Leonard Fenton, Jenny Howe and Nigel Carrington Dramatised by David Spenser, Shirley Gee and Elspeth Sandys Directed by Janet Whitaker, Anthony Cornish and Sue Wilson Series producer: Janet Whitaker Pianist: Mary Nash First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 September 1990-2 March 1991 ©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

John Galsworthy (Author), Alan Howard, Amanda Redman, Diana Quick, Dirk Bogarde, Full Cast, Maurice Denham, Michael Hordern, Michael Williams, Sophie Thompson (Narrator)

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Brother Cadfael: A BBC Radio Collection of three full-cast dramatisations

Three BBC radio dramatisations of Ellis Peters' much-loved medieval murder mysteries featuring monk-cum-sleuth Brother Cadfael A onetime Crusader turned Benedictine monk, Brother Cadfael is a most unusual detective. Living a quiet life as a monastery herbalist, he spends his days ministering to his brothers using the medical skills he acquired in the Holy Lands - but his worldly knowledge and wide experience of human nature are frequently called upon when there is a murder to solve... Monk's Hood Brother Cadfael is asked to supply a healing potion for a sick monk - but monk's hood oil can kill as well as cure... The Virgin in the Ice In the winter of 1139, Cadfael sets out through snowbound Shropshire to find a missing boy and his sister. Dead Man's Ransom 1141. Beyond the walls of the abbey, civil war rages. When news arrives that Sheriff Gilbert Prestcote has been taken prisoner, a hostage exchange is arranged - but love and murder intervene... Starring Philip Madoc as Cadfael, with supporting casts including Michael Hordern, Michael Kitchen and Susannah York, these thrilling tales of murder, mystery and intrigue bring the turbulent world of 12th Century Shrewsbury superbly to life. Monk's Hood Brother Cadfael - Philip Madoc Narrator - Michael Hordern Brother Mark - Ian Targett Fr Heribert - Timothy Bateson Prior Robert - Geoffrey Whitehead Meurig - Kenneth Price Richildis Bonel - Pat Heywood Brother Rhys/Judge - Norman Jones Aelfric - Mark Straker Brother Edmund - Timothy Carlton Brother Petrus - Fraser Kerr Brother Jerome - Andrew Wincott Sergeant - Ian Hogg Aldith - Jane Whittenshaw Sibil Bellecote - Petra Markham Edwy Bellecote - Stephen Garlick Edwin Gurney - Richard Pearce Hugh Beringar - Alan Barker Ifor ap Morgan - Michael Turner Brother Barnabas - Terence Edmond Groom - Nigel Carrington Dramatised by Bert Coules Produced by Lissa Evans First broadcast in 1991. The Virgin in the Ice Brother Cadfael - Philip Madoc Narrator - Michael Hordern Hugh Beringar - Douglas Hodge Olivier - Raad Rawi Ermina - Moira Buffini Ives - Dean Magri Abbot Radulfus - John Church Leonard - Leonard Fenton Elyas - Crispin Letts Boterel - Andrew Wincott Button - Eric Allan Porter - Steve Hodson Le Gaucher - Peter Laird Axeman/Sergeant - Peter Gunn Outlaw - Jonathan Adams Sergeant - Jonathan Tafler With David Holt, Ann Windsor, Julian Rhind-Tutt, John Fleming and Kate Binchy Dramatised by Bert Coules Produced by Phil Clarke Music by Peter Salem First broadcast in 1992. Dead Man's Ransom Brother Cadfael - Philip Madoc Sister Magdalen - Susannah York Hugh Beringar - Jonathan Tafler Elis - Jason Hughes Radulfus - Trevor Peacock Herbard/Edmund/Ithel - Shaun Prendergast Aline - Lorien Haynes Lad/Villager - David Holt Narrator - Michael Kitchen Melicent - Katy Odey Prince Owain - Sion Probert Cristina - Siobhan Flynn Eliud - Mark Lewis Jones Maurice/Rhys/Griffri - Douglas Blackwell Anion - Matthew Morgan Dramatised by Bert Coules Produced by Neil Cargill Music by Peter Salem First broadcast in 1995.

Ellis Peters (Author), Douglas Hodge, Michael Hordern, Michael Kitchen, Philip Madoc, Susannah York (Narrator)

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Shakespeare: The Problem Plays: All’s Well That Ends Well, Measure For Measure, The Merchant of Veni

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time. All 6 of Shakespeare’s ‘Problem Plays’ are collected here, performed by the celebrated Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players. Mystery, power, and malevolence are present in these plays, all of which subvert the happy endings that one would expect in a comedy, and the tragic effect one would expect in a tragedy, to pose deeper, moral questions that echo modern society. Performed by an incredible array of the 20th century’s greatest actors, Marlowe alumni including Roy Dotrice, Prunella Scales, Ian McKellen, Michael Hordern, and Derek Jacobi can be heard in these recordings. All of the Shakespeare plays within the ARGO Classics catalogue are performed by the Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players. The Marlowe was founded in 1907 with a mission to focus on effective delivery of verse, respect the integrity of texts, and rescue neglected plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and the less performed plays of Shakespeare himself. The Marlowe has performed annually at Cambridge Arts Theatre since its opening in 1936 and continues to produce some of the finest actors of their generations. Thurston Dart, Professor of Music at London University and a Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge, directed the music for this production. This collection includes all 6 plays considered as Shakespeare’s Problem Plays: • All’s Well That Ends Well • Measure For Measure • The Merchant of Venice • Timon of Athens • Troilus and Cressida • The Winter’s Tale The full casts for each production in this collection can be found in the description of the individual play’s product page.

William Shakespeare (Author), Derek Jacobi, Full Cast, Ian Mckellen, Michael Hordern, Prunella Scales, Roy Dotrice (Narrator)

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Shakespeare: The Masque Quartet: Henry VIII, A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, The Temp

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time. All 4 of Shakespeare’s plays that are considered to make up The Masque Quartet, performed by the celebrated Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players. Comedy, tragedy, and folklore are played out in this quartet, all of which utilise the masque in unique and revelatory ways. Performed by an incredible array of the 20th century’s greatest actors, Marlowe alumni including Ian McKellen, Prunella Scales, Michael Hordern, and Patrick Wymark can be heard in these recordings. All of the Shakespeare plays within the ARGO Classics catalogue are performed by the Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players. The Marlowe was founded in 1907 with a mission to focus on effective delivery of verse, respect the integrity of texts, and rescue neglected plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and the less performed plays of Shakespeare himself. The Marlowe has performed annually at Cambridge Arts Theatre since its opening in 1936 and continues to produce some of the finest actors of their generations. Thurston Dart, Professor of Music at London University and a Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge, directed the music for this production. This collection includes all 4 plays considered to form Shakespeare’s Masque Quartet: • Henry VIII • A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream • Romeo and Juliet • The Tempest The full casts for each production in this collection can be found in the description of the individual play’s product page.

William Shakespeare (Author), Full Cast, Ian Mckellen, Michael Hordern, Patrick Wymark, Prunella Scales, Terrence Hardiman (Narrator)

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The M. R. James Collection: No. 13 and Other Ghost Stories, Ghost Stories, More Ghost Stories

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic fiction read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly abridged and remastered stories are now available to download for the first time. This curated collection of M. R. James’ supernatural stories is read by critically acclaimed star of stage and screen, Sir Michael Hordern. This collection includes M. R. James’ most beloved stories, including The Haunted Doll’s House; The Ash Tree; Lost Hearts; Casting the Runes; The Haunted Doll’s House; The Ash Tree; Lost Hearts; Casting the Runes; Number 13; Count Magnus; Canon Alberic's Scrap-Book; The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral; and Lost Hearts; alongside other spine-tingling tales.

M.R. James (Author), Michael Hordern (Narrator)

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No. 13 and Other Ghost Stories

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic fiction read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly abridged and remastered stories are now available to download for the first time. This collection of M. R. James’ supernatural stories is read by critically acclaimed star of stage and screen, Sir Michael Hordern. Included here are some of M. R. James’ most beloved stories, including Number 13; Count Magnus; Canon Alberic's Scrap-Book; The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral; Lost Hearts; alongside many more spine-tingling tales.

M.R. James (Author), Michael Hordern (Narrator)

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King John

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time. ‘Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man.’ Shakespeare's King John is a rarely performed history which tells the story of John's turbulent reign from 1199 to 1216.. King John goes to war against the French after claims that his nephew should be king instead. John has conflict with the church, orders his nephew's death, and turns the nobles against himself. In the end, John dies from poison, the French retreat, and his son becomes King. All of the Shakespeare plays within the ARGO Classics catalogue are performed by the Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players. The Marlowe was founded in 1907 with a mission to focus on effective delivery of verse, respect the integrity of texts, and rescue neglected plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and the less performed plays of Shakespeare himself. The Marlowe has performed annually at Cambridge Arts Theatre since its opening in 1936 and continues to produce some of the finest actors of their generations. Thurston Dart, Professor of Music at London University and a Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge, directed the music for this production. The full cast includes: Michael Hordern; Anthony Jacobs; David Jones; Tony Church; Roderick Cook; David Buck; John Kimber; George Rylands; Toby Robertson; Richard Marquand; Anthony Jacobs; Roger Prior; Gary Watson; Donald Beves; Olive Gregg; Margaretta Scott; Christine Baker; Freda Dowie.

William Shakespeare (Author), Anthony Jacobs, David Jones, Full Cast, George Rylands, Michael Hordern, Tony Church (Narrator)

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Much Ado About Nothing

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time. ‘Let me be that I am and seek not to alter me.’ Much Ado About Nothing is Shakespeare’s most frequently performed comedy. Count Claudio falls in love with Hero, the daughter of his host. Hero's cousin Beatrice (a confirmed spinster) and Benedict (an eternal bachelor) are each duped into believing the other is in love with them. Claudio is deceived by a malicious plot and denounces Hero as unchaste before they marry. She faints and is believed dead, but recovers to be proved innocent by a chance discovery. Benedict wins Beatrice’s love defending her cousin’s honour, and to his surprise, Claudio is reunited with Hero, who he believed dead. All of the Shakespeare plays within the ARGO Classics catalogue are performed by the Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players. The Marlowe was founded in 1907 with a mission to focus on effective delivery of verse, respect the integrity of texts, and rescue neglected plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and the less performed plays of Shakespeare himself. The Marlowe has performed annually at Cambridge Arts Theatre since its opening in 1936 and continues to produce some of the finest actors of their generations. Thurston Dart, Professor of Music at London University and a Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge, directed the music for this production. The full cast includes: William Squire; Patrick Creean; Gary Watson; John Gielgud; Michael Hordern; Donald Layne-Smith; Peter Pears; Peter Orr; Cyril Luckham; Clive Swift; Peter Woodthorpe; Ian Holm; Josephine Stuart; Peggy Ashcroft; Gillian Webb; Janette Richer.

William Shakespeare (Author), Full Cast, John Sir Gielgud, Michael Hordern, Peggy Ashcroft, Peter Orr, William Squire (Narrator)

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The Tempest

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time. ‘We are such stuff As dreams are made on; and our little life Is rounded with a sleep.’ Magical and dreamlike in its tone, Shakespeare’s The Tempest begins with a storm of epic proportions and a shipwreck. Banished from Italy, Prospero lives on a remote island with his daughter. Using his magic, he vows to seek revenge on the injustice dealt to him by his brother, but in doing so, Shakespeare questions the difficulty of distinguishing ‘men’ from ‘monsters’, and the realities of justice. All of the Shakespeare plays within the ARGO Classics catalogue are performed by the Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players. The Marlowe was founded in 1907 with a mission to focus on effective delivery of verse, respect the integrity of texts, and rescue neglected plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and the less performed plays of Shakespeare himself. The Marlowe has performed annually at Cambridge Arts Theatre since its opening in 1936 and continues to produce some of the finest actors of their generations. Thurston Dart, Professor of Music at London University and a Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge, directed the music for this production. The full cast includes: Terrence Hardiman; Ian Lang; Michael Hordern; Denis McCarthy; Ian Lang; Denys Robertson; Derek Jacobi; Patrick Wymark; Philip Strick; Clive Swift; Natasha Parry; Miles Malleson; Margaret Field-Hyde; Jill Daltry; Margaretta Scott; Ena Mitchell.

William Shakespeare (Author), Derek Jacobi, Full Cast, Ian Lang, Michael Hordern, Patrick Wymark, Terrence Hardiman (Narrator)

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All’s Well That Ends Well

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time. ‘Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.’ Set in France and Italy, All's Well That Ends Well is a story of one-sided romance, based on a tale from Boccaccio's The Decameron. Helen heals the King of France, and the King grants her permission to marry Bertram, the man she loves. Bertram rejects her and leaves a list of tasks that she must do to have him acknowledge their marriage. She follows him to Italy, completes all the tasks, and Bertram accepts her as his wife. All of the Shakespeare plays within the ARGO Classics catalogue are performed by the Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players. The Marlowe was founded in 1907 with a mission to focus on effective delivery of verse, respect the integrity of texts, and rescue neglected plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and the less performed plays of Shakespeare himself. The Marlowe has performed annually at Cambridge Arts Theatre since its opening in 1936 and continues to produce some of the finest actors of their generations. Thurston Dart, Professor of Music at London University and a Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge, directed the music for this production. The full cast includes: Michael Hordern; James Taylor Whitehead; Peter Orr; Max Adrian; Patrick Wymark; John Barton; Gordon Gardner; John Tracy-Phillips; Roy Dotrice; Philip Strick; Margaretta Scott; Prunella Scales; Esme Church; Janette Richer; Joan Hart.

William Shakespeare (Author), Full Cast, Michael Hordern, Patrick Wymark, Peter Orr, Prunella Scales, Roy Dotrice (Narrator)

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Pericles, Prince of Tyre

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time. ‘For death remembered should be like a mirror, Who tells us life’s but breath, to trust it error.’ The medieval poet John Gower returns from the grave to tell the story of Pericles, Prince of Tyre. Pericles, Prince of Tyre leaves home to escape death only to win a jousting contest and marry a princess. Once he can return home, his family sails with him, but a storm separates them, so Pericles returns alone. Years later, Pericles finds his daughter and reunites with the wife he had thought was dead. All of the Shakespeare plays within the ARGO Classics catalogue are performed by the Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players. The Marlowe was founded in 1907 with a mission to focus on effective delivery of verse, respect the integrity of texts, and rescue neglected plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and the less performed plays of Shakespeare himself. The Marlowe has performed annually at Cambridge Arts Theatre since its opening in 1936 and continues to produce some of the finest actors of their generations. Thurston Dart, Professor of Music at London University and a Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge, directed the music for this production. The full cast includes: Frank Duncan; William Squire; Tony Church; John Tydeman; Michael Bate; Philip Strick; Norman Mitchel; Yvonne Bonnamy; David King; Margaret Rawlings; Denis McCarthy; Michael Hordern; Peter Orr; Margaretta Scott; Peter Woodthorpe; Patrick Wymark; David Buck; Gary Watson; Janette Richer; Prunella Scales; Richard Marquand; David Jones; Patsy Byrne.

William Shakespeare (Author), Frank Duncan, Full Cast, Michael Hordern, Patrick Wymark, Prunella Scales, William Squire (Narrator)

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The Comedy of Errors

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time. ‘We came into the world like brother and brother, And now let's go hand in hand, not one before another.’ How do any of us really know who we are? A man arrives in a strange town only to find that everyone knows his name, but thinks he’s someone else. A woman wonders why her husband is not the man he was, but starts to rather like it. Confusion mounts as everyone uncouples from themselves. Will they ever find themselves again? And do they really want to? All of the Shakespeare plays within the ARGO Classics catalogue are performed by the Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players. The Marlowe was founded in 1907 with a mission to focus on effective delivery of verse, respect the integrity of texts, and rescue neglected plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and the less performed plays of Shakespeare himself. The Marlowe has performed annually at Cambridge Arts Theatre since its opening in 1936 and continues to produce some of the finest actors of their generations. Thurston Dart, Professor of Music at London University and a Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge, directed the music for this production. The full cast includes: Denis McCarthy; Michael Hordern; George Rylands; George Rylands; Michael Bates; Michael Bates; Peter Orr; Clive Swift; Terrence Hardiman; Dudley Jones; Lally Bowers; Joan Hart; Janette Richer; Janette Richer; Prunella Scales.

William Shakespeare (Author), Denis Mccarthy, Full Cast, George Rylands, Michael Hordern, Peter Orr, Prunella Scales (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Michael Hordern