Audiobooks narrated by Michael Hordern

Bertie Wooster looks pretty stylish in his new Tyrolean hat - or so he thinks: others, notably Jeeves, disagree. But when Bertie embarks on an errand of mercy to Totleigh Towers, things get quickly out of control and he's going to need all the help Jeeves can provide. There are good eggs present, such as Gussie Fink-Nottle and the Rev. 'Stinker' Pinker. But there also is Sir Watkyn Bassett J.P., enemy of all the Woosters hold dear, to say nothing of his daughter Madeline and Roderick Spode, now raised to the peerage. And Major Brabazon Plank, the peppery explorer, who wants to lay Bertie out cold.Thank goodness for the intervention of Chief Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard - but is this gentleman all he seems?

P.G. Wodehouse (Author), Michael Hordern (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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The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring

With its first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on March 8, 1981, this dramatised tale of Middle Earth became an instant global classic. It boasts a truly outstanding cast including Ian Holm (as Frodo), Sir Michael Hordern (as Gandalf), Robert Stephens (as Aragorn), Bill Nighy (as Sam Gamgee) and John Le Mesurier (as Bilbo). Brian Sibley's famous adaptation has been divided into three corresponding parts, with newly-recorded beginning and end narration by Ian Holm, who now stars as Bilbo in the feature films based on The Lord of the Rings. Part One, The Fellowship of the Ring, introduces us to Frodo Baggins. With his uncle Bilbo having mysteriously disappeared, Frodo finds himself in possession of a simple gold ring that has great and evil power. It is the Ruling Ring, taken long ago from the Dark Lord, Sauron, who now seeks to possess it again. Frodo must do everything he can to prevent this, and with the help of Gandalf the wizard and a band of loyal companions he begins a perilous journey across Middle-earth. Sauron's Black Riders are on their trail as they travel to Rivendell, attempt to cross the snow-swept Misty Mountains and, in desperation, enter the terrifying Mines of Moria.

J.R.R. Tolkien (Author), Full Cast, Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens (Narrator)

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The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers

The second instalment of Tolkien's epic tale, adapted from the original BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation. Having fled the Shire in their escape from Sauron's Dark Riders, Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring have journeyed to Rivendell and beyond. Their mission is to reach the Mountain of Fire in Mordor, where the Ruling Ring can be destroyed, but already their campaign is in jeopardy. Gandalf has fallen into an abyss, and Boromir has fatally succumbed to the power of the Ring. The others are besieged by an army of orcs - save for Frodo and Sam, whose journey down the River Anduin is being watched by a dark and shadowy figure... Widely regarded as a broadcasting classic, the BBC Radio dramatisation of 'The Lord of the Rings' stars Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens, John Le Mesurier and Peter Woodthorpe.

J.R.R. Tolkien (Author), Full Cast, Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens (Narrator)

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The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King

The evil Saruman has been defeated by Gandalf, but in Mordor the battle for the Ruling Ring continues. Wounded by the giant spider, Shelob, Frodo has been captured by the dreaded orcs. Sam, alone and in possession of the Ring, must rescue his master if their mission - to find the Cracks of Doom, and there destroy the Ring - is to continue. Meanwhile, the other Fellowship members are preparing for war against the armies of the Dark Lord, Sauron... Widely regarded as a broadcasting classic, the BBC Radio dramatisation of 'The Lord of the Rings' stars Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens, John Le Mesurier and Peter Woodthorpe.

J.R.R. Tolkien (Author), Full Cast, Ian Holm, John Le Mesurier, Michael Hordern (Narrator)

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Jeeves & Wooster: The Collected Radio Dramas: The Collected Radio Dramas

A rollicking collection of s ix acclaimed dramatisations of P.G Wodehoue's Jeeves & Wooster novels, starring Michael Hordern and Richard Briers as Jeeves and Wooster. Also featuring Maurice Denham, Paul Eddington, David Jason, John Le Mesurier, Miriam Margolyes, Jonathan Cecil, Liza Goddard and Patrick Cargill. In The Inimitable Jeeves, Aunt Agatha is forcing Bertie to get engaged to the formidable Honoria Glossop. Can Jeeves save the day? Right Ho, Jeeves sees mayhem breaking out at Brinkley Court, but there are more brains in the Wooster household than just Jeeves... Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit finds Jeeves in for a few surprises when returns from his annual shrimping holiday in Bognor Regis. In The Code of the Woosters, who would think that a silver cow-creamer could cause so much trouble? Uncle Tom wants it and Aunt Dahlia is blackmailing Bertie to steal it. In Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves, Madeline Bassett and Gussie Fink-Nottle's engagement is on the rocks, and poor Bertie's next in line for the fair maiden's hand. In Jeeves: Joy in the Morning, Steeple Bumphleigh is a village to be avoided for Bertie, as it contains the appalling Aunt Agatha. Still, there are good deeds to be done.

P.G. Wodehouse (Author), Michael Hordern, Richard Briers (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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Jeeves Joy In The Morning

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation starring Michael Hordern as Jeeves and Richard Briers as Wooster. Steeple Bumphleigh is the sort of picturesque place where you can't throw a brick without hitting a honeysuckled cottage or beaning an apple-cheeked villager. But for Bertie Wooster, it is a place to be avoided, containing not only the appalling Aunt Agatha but also her husband, the terrifying Lord Worplesdon. So when a certain amount of familial arm-twisting is applied, Bertie heads for the sticks in fear and trepidation despite the support of the irreplaceable Jeeves. Still, there are good deeds to be done, like extricating 'Stilton' Cheesewright from the clutches of Florence Craye, a girl from whom Bertie himself only escaped by the slimmest of cat's whiskers. But even Bertie is hideously unaware of the perils which lie in wait before the (accidentally) happiest of endings.

P.G. Wodehouse (Author), Full Cast, Michael Hordern, Richard Briers (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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Beatrix Potter Complete Tales

The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter are now available as a downloadable, digital audiobook, complete and unabridged! The twenty-three tales in this set have never lost their popularity, and sell in their millions all over the world. Meet again the famous characters that children love and adore... PETER RABBIT, SQUIRREL NUTKIN, THE FLOPSY BUNNIES, MRS TIGGY-WINKLE, TOM KITTEN, JEREMY FISHER, JEMIMA PUDDLE-DUCK and many more. These stories are beautifully brought to life by a talented cast of readers, including Gary Bond, Michael Hordern, Rosemary Leach, Janet Maw, Patricia Routledge and Timothy West.

Beatrix Potter (Author), Gary Bond, Janet Maw, Michael Hordern, Patricia Routledge, Rosemary Leach, Timothy West (Narrator)

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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. Horror, mystery and suspense abound in this collection of stories from the king of ghostly tales, M. R. James. Featuring stories that have haunted listeners for over one hundred years, such as The Haunted Doll’s House and The Ash Tree, this collection is read by critically acclaimed star of screen and stage, Sir Michael Hordern.

M.R. James (Author), Michael Hordern (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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Audiobooks Narrated by Michael Hordern