Audiobooks narrated by Niamh Cusack

This compiliation brings together some of the best poetry that Ireland can lay claim to. Full or energy, emotion; at times raw at others sensuous and evocative. From Thomas Moore to Louis MacNeice through Katherine Tynan, John Millington Synge and Oscar Wilde and many others to the immortal WB Yeats.

Katherine Tynan, Louis MacNeice, WB Yeats (Author), Dervla Kirwan, Niamh Cusack, TP McKenna (Narrator)

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The Oresteia: Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers and The Furies

The classic trilogy about murder, revenge and justice, as heard on BBC Radio 3 – plus a bonus documentary exploring Aeschylus's seminal Greek tragedy A chilling tale of homecoming, violent death and bloody vengeance, The Oresteia dates back to the 5th Century BC, but its themes still resonate today. At once a family saga, morality tale and courtroom drama, it recounts how two generations of the cursed House of Atreus become locked into a deadly cycle of atrocities. To break the chain, their private vendetta must become public, as questions of guilt and justification are decided in the first ever homicide trial… Agamemnon The Trojan War is over, and conquering hero Agamemnon arrives home to Argos. But victory came at an appalling price – the sacrifice of his eldest daughter, Iphigenia. Now, his wife Clytemnestra is determined to take a grisly revenge … The Libation Bearers Returning from exile, Agamemnon's son Orestes vows to avenge his father’s death by murdering his killer, his own mother Clytemnestra. But where can he find the strength to carry out such a horrific deed? The Furies Having committed matricide, Orestes flees to Delphi. But the remorseless Furies, ancient deities of vengeance, are on his trail and baying for blood. Can the young gods Apollo and Athena save him from a terrible fate? Adapted by three of Britain’s most imaginative writers, Simon Scardifield, Ed Hime and Rebecca Lenkiewicz, these contemporary versions of Aeschylus’s trilogy are atmospheric, fast-moving and superbly accessible. The star casts include Lesley Sharp as Clytemnestra, Hugo Speer as Agamemnon and Will Howard as Orestes. Each of the plays is introduced by Edith Hall, Professor of Classics at Kings College London. Also featured is an episode of In Our Time, in which Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how The Oresteia has fired the modern imagination, inspiring artists ranging from Richard Wagner to T. S. Eliot. Written by Aeschylus Agamemnon The Chorus – Arthur Hughes, Philip Jackson and Carolyn Pickles Clytemnestra – Lesley Sharp Agamemnon – Hugo Speer Cassandra – Anamaria Marinca Calchas – Karl Johnson Aegisthus – Sean Murray Iphigenia – Georgie Fuller Herald – John Norton Guards – Steve Toussaint and Harry Jardine Adapted by Simon Scardifield Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko BBC Concert Orchestra Percussionists: Alasdair Malloy, Stephen Webberley and Stephen Whibley Singer: Adriana Festeu Sound design by Colin Guthrie First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 12 January 2014 The Libation Bearers Orestes – Will Howard Electra – Joanne Froggatt Clytemnestra – Lesley Sharp The Chorus – Sheila Reid, Amanda Lawrence and Carys Eleri Aegisthus – Sean Murray Cilissa – Carolyn Pickles Pylades – Joel MacCormack Servants – David Seddon and John Norton Iphigenia – Georgie Fuller Adapted by Ed Hime Directed by Marc Beeby BBC Concert Orchestra Percussionists: Alasdair Malloy, Stephen Webberley and Stephen Whibley Singer: Adriana Festeu Sound design by Cal Knightley and Colin Guthrie First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 19 January 2014 The Furies Narrator – Niamh Cusack Alecto – Polly Hemingway Megaera – Maureen Beattie Tisiphone – Carolyn Pickles Orestes – Will Howard Athena – Chipo Chung Apollo – Joel MacCormack Clytemnestra – Lesley Sharp The Pythia – Priyanga Burford Girl – Carys Eleri Judge – Sean Murray Adapted by Rebecca Lenkiewicz Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko BBC Concert Orchestra Percussionists: Alasdair Malloy, Stephen Webberley and Stephen Whibley Sound design by Colin Guthrie First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 26 January 2014 In Our Time Presented by Melyvn Bragg With Edith Hall, then Professor of Greek Cultural History at Durham University; Simon Goldhill, Professor of Greek at the University of Cambridge; Tom Healy, Professor of Renaissance Studies at Birkbeck College, University of London Produced by Charlie Taylor First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 December 2005

Aeschylus (Author), Hugo Speer, Joanne Froggatt, Lesley Sharp, Niamh Cusack, Will Howard (Narrator)

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The James Joyce BBC Radio Collection: Ulysses, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man & Dubliners

Three BBC radio productions of major works by James Joyce - plus Gordon Bowker's fascinating biographical account of his life Ulysses In this full-cast dramatisation of Joyce's epic modernist novel, the stories of Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom combine as they meander through Dublin in the course of one day, 16 June 1904. Andrew Scott stars as Stephen, with Henry Goodman as Bloom, Niamh Cusack as Molly Bloom and Stephen Rea as the Narrator. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man An abridged reading of James Joyce's autobiographical masterpiece portraying the adolescence of Stephen Dedalus, who must question the culture and religion of his native land before he can break free to become an artist. Read by Andrew Scott. Dubliners This abridged collection of fifteen naturalistic tales depicts an array of characters from childhood, through adolescence, to maturity. Stories of love, loss, friendship, marriage, politics and family combine to create a unified world and a celebration of a city. Read by Stephen Rea. James Joyce - A Biography Gordon Bowker's comprehensive study explores Joyce's years spent in exile in Europe, and examines how his life shaped his genius. Read by Jim Norton, with Andrew Scott as the voice of Joyce.

Gordon Bowker, James Joyce (Author), , Andrew Scott, Frances Barber, Henry Goodman, Jim Norton, Niamh Cusack, Stephen Rea (Narrator)

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The Daniel Defoe BBC Radio Drama Collection: Robinson Crusoe, Moll Flanders & A Journal of the Plagu

Three lively retellings of Daniel Defoe's classic novels, plus two bonus programmes about his extraordinary life and far-reaching influence. Robinson Crusoe and his Farther Adventures An imaginative blend of the famous castaway tale and its lesser-known sequel, this thrilling drama sees Crusoe setting sail for the far north. Facing danger in the Siberian wastes, he keeps terror at bay by telling his companions campfire tales of his many adventures on his beloved island. Starring Tim McInnerney as Crusoe. Moll Flanders When Daniel Defoe meets Elizabeth Atkins in Newgate jail, she recounts her stranger-than-fiction story of a rags-to-riches life that took her from prostitution to prosperity - but culminated in destitution. Inspired, Defoe mixes fact and fiction to re-invent her as one of his most engaging characters: Moll Flanders. Starring Ben Miles as Defoe and Jessica Hynes as Elizabeth Atkins. A Journal of the Plague Year Writing a fictional journal of the Great Plague of 1665, Defoe soon comes to be haunted by the characters he is conjuring. Starring Ben Miles as Defoe. This exciting new collection of reinvented tales will also include two bonus programmes about Daniel Defoe himself: Defoe: Merchant, Writer, Convict, Spy by Philip Palmer - A biographical drama about Defoe's life, starring Ben Miles as Defoe and Niamh Cusack as his wife Mary. Defoe: The Facts and Fictions - A documentary by Mark Lawson, exploring the far-reaching influence of the pioneering author.

Daniel Defoe, Philip Palmer (Author), , Ben Miles, Jessica Hynes, Niamh Cusack, Tim Mcinnerny (Narrator)

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Past Secrets

The warm and moving new novel from the No. 1 Bestselling author of Always and Forever.Keep a secret too long and it will creep out when you least expect it...Behind the shining windows and rose-bedecked gardens of Summer Street, there are lots of secrets. There's the one that hard-working single mother, Faye, hides from her teenage daughter, Amber. And there's the one that thirty-year-old Maggie hides from herself.When fiery Amber decides to throw away her future for love, and when Maggie ends up back home looking after her sick mother, their secrets begin to bubble over.The only person on Summer Street who appears to know all the answers is their friend Christie. Wise and kind, she can see into other people's hearts to solve their problems. Except that this time, the secrets she's hidden from her beloved husband and grown up sons suddenly reappear. When the past comes alive for Maggie, Faye and Christie, they finally have to face it.

Cathy Kelly (Author), Niamh Cusack (Narrator)

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Maeve Binchy: Collected Stories: Collected BBC Radio adaptations

A collection of full-cast dramatisations and readings from the bestselling author ‘There’s nobody like Binchy for warming the cockles’ Times Maeve Binchy was one of Britain’s best-loved storytellers and this compilation of her finest fiction, as heard on BBC Radio, demonstrates all the warmth, wit and compassion that made her so popular. Firefly Summer is a moving, humorous novel about a sleepy Irish town facing monumental change, dramatised in six parts with a full cast including David Soul and Lorcan Cranitch. No Nightingales, No Snakes features full-cast dramatisations of five Maeve Binchy short stories, with a distinguished cast including Niamh Cusack, Sam Dale and Harry Towb. The Garden Party contains four short stories specially commissioned for BBC Radio 4, read by Niamh Cusack, Dervla Kirwan, Doreen Hepburn and Stella McCusker. The Homecoming comprises four more stories exclusively written for BBC Radio 4, read by Sean Campion, Joanna Myers, Patricia Hodge and Kate Binchy. Dealing with families, friendship, love, loss, sorrow and joy, these stories will delight all Maeve Binchy fans. Duration: 6 hours approx

, Maeve Binchy (Author), , David Soul, Niamh Cusack (Narrator)

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Ingo

A spellbinding magical adventure. Master storyteller Helen Dunmore writes the story of Sapphire and her brother Conor, and their discovery of INGO, a powerful and exciting world under the sea.You'll find the mermaid of Zennor inside Zennor church. She fell in love with a human, but she was a Mer creature and so she couldn't come to live with him up in the dry air. She swam up the stream to hear him sing, then one day he swam down it and was never seen again. He became one of the Mer people...Sapphire's father told her that story when she was little. When he is lost at sea she can't help but think of that old myth; she's convinced he's still alive.The following summer her brother Conor keeps disappearing for hours on end. She goes to the cove to find him, but instead meets Faro, an enigmatic and intriguing Merman. He takes her to Ingo and introduces her to a world she never knew existed. She must let go of all her Air thoughts and embrace the sea and all things Mer.After her first visit she is entranced - merely the sound of running water makes her yearn to be in Ingo once more. Ingo blood runs strongly in Sapphy and Conor fears she will leave the Air world for good. He pleads with her to ignore her craving for the sea and stay safely in their cottage up on the cliff.But not only is Sapphy intoxicated by the Mer world, she longs to see her father once more. And she's sure she can hear him singing across the water..."I wish I was away in IngoFar across the briny sea..."

Helen Dunmore (Author), Niamh Cusack (Narrator)

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HER Story: Women’s Untold Histories: 10 BBC Radio full-cast dramas

10 dramas focusing on women's untold stories from history. This diverse, eclectic collection of plays explores an array of social, political and historical events from a female point of view. In these captivating dramas, we see the world through their eyes, giving us a fresh perspective on a female history that is too often unrecorded, misrepresented or misunderstood. Featuring a multiplicity of styles and genres, and written by a wide variety of authors, they range from comedy dramas themed around the Bayeux Tapestry and the 1962 Cheltenham Literary Festival, to award-winning, thought-provoking tales of Nigerian teenagers kidnapped by Boko Haram. A contemporary version of the heroines from Greek mythology, Persephone and Demeter; Profumo affair from a female perspective, Britain's last witch (Helen Duncan); a legendary ballerina (Margot Fonteyn); a little sister (Dious, sibling of St Anthony) and a youngest daughter (Judith Shakespeare). Embroidering the Truth Queen Edith - Katy Brand Bishop Odo - Charlie Anson Other cast, Katy Sobey, Lisa Zahra, Jonny Holden, Rosie Cavaliero, Tracy Wiles. Written by Abigail Youngman. Produced by Mary Ward-Lowery. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 October 2019 Girls Tisana - Amaka Okafor Ruhab - Faith Alabi Haleema - Joan Iyiola Written by Theresa Ikoko. Directed by Abigail Gonda. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 July 2017 The Bulbul Was Singing Laura - Rebecca Humphries Ariman - Shaniaz Hama Ali Other Cast: Paul Hickey, Jonny Holden, Saya Zahawi, Catherine Cusack, Shaun Mason, Debbie Korley, Chris Pavlo Written by Judy Upton. Directed by Emma Harding. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 August 2019 Seven Pomegranate Seeds Performed by Niamh Cusack, Ruth Bradley and Leah McNamara Written by Colin Teevan. Produced and directed by Allegra McIlroy. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 January 2020 Festival Elizabeth Jane Howard - Melody Grove John Moore - Tony Gardner Kingsley Amis - Jonathan Forbes Other cast: Will Howard, Emma Handy, John Lightbody. Written by Sarah Wooley. Directed by Gaynor Macfarlane. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 July 2018 Well, He Would, Wouldn't He? Mandy (younger) - Aimee-Ffion Edwards Christine Keeler - Lyndsey Marshal 'Pops' Murray - Stephen Marzella Stephen Ward/Peter Rachman - Ewan Bailey Other cast: Adrian Schiller, Alex Dower, Anthony Courier. Written by Charlotte Williams. Directed by Kate McAll. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 February 2013 Tony's Little Sister and the Paradox of Monasticism Anthony - Duncan Preston Dious - Samantha Spiro Satan - Tim McMullan Other cast Ben Crowe, Rachel Bavidge. Written by David and Caroline Stafford. Produced by Marc Beeby. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 August 2007 Judith Shakespeare Judith Shakespeare - Amanda Root William Shakespeare - Michael Pennington Henry, Earl of Southampton - Anton Lesser Other Cast, Andrew Wincott, Melinda Walker, Thomas Connor, Stephen Critchlow, Ann Beach, Colleen Prendergast, Jillie Meers Written by Nan Woodhouse. Directed byTracey Neale. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 April 1996 An Unchoreographed World Margot Fonteyn - Sophie Jerrold Constant Lambert - Richard McCabe Other cast Oliver Millingham, Kate Littlewood Chorus - Anne-Marie Piazza, Maria Askew, Ffion Jolly, Ben Ashton & Coen de Groot Written by Frances Byrne. Produced and directed by Mark Smalley. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 May 2008 The Last Witch Trial Lucy - Indira Varma Margo - Lyndsey Marshal Other Cast: Joanna Monro, Vineeta Rishi Sam Dale, Michael Shelford, Keely Beresford Written by Melissa Murray. Directed by Marc Beeby. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 June 2010 ©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Various (Author), Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Amaka Okafor, Amanda Root, Anton Lesser, Full Cast, Indira Varma, Katy Brand, Niamh Cusack, Rebecca Humphries (Narrator)

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Cider With Rosie

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Laurie Lee's lyrical autobiography of his childhood in a secluded Cotswold valley. Recorded on location at Westley Farm and the Woolpack Inn in Gloucestershire, Cider with Rosie stars Tim McInnerny as the narrator and Niamh Cusack as Mother. Halcyon days of flower-filled meadows, home-made wines, enthralling stories, and church outings were the essence of his childhood. But there was a harsher side too, leaving the security of his mother's bed, a death close to home, and days at the village school marred by a sadistic teacher, were all part of growing up. As was Rosie. And after his encounter with her under the haywain, Laurie Lee was 'never the same again'.

Laurie Lee (Author), Full Cast, Niamh Cusack, Tim Mcinnerny (Narrator)

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Best of Friends

Four very different women are drawn together in the warm and engaging new novel by this bestselling author.Good times or bad, friends are always there...In the beautiful town of Dunmore, four women understand what friendship really means. Abby's TV career is taking off, but her marriage to Tom is rocky. Meanwhile, her teenage daughter Jess despairs of ever finding a boyfriend. Lizzie has time for everyone: her grown-up children, her friends, even her ex-husband Myles, but never for herself. And then there's Erin, married and back in Ireland after eight years in Chicago. But can she face up to her past?When tragedy strikes, it rocks the small town. Drawn together in their sadness, the four women realise that life is for living, and they need to grab it with both hands...

Cathy Kelly (Author), Niamh Cusack (Narrator)

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Angels in My Hair

Angels In My Hair is the autobiography of a modern day mystic, an Irish woman with powers of the saints of old. When she was a child, people thought Lorna was 'retarded' because she did not seem to be focussing on that was around her. Lorna remembers seeing not just the world around her but seeing, equally vividly, angels and spirits. For many years she assumed everyone saw the same. As Lorna tells the story of her life, growing up in a poor family, later working in Dublin, marrying and experiencing family tragedy, the reader meets, as she did, the creatures from the spirit worlds who also inhabit our own - mostly angels of an astonishing beauty and variety, including the prophet Elijah and an Archangel - but also the spirits of people who have died. Today, it is not only the sick and troubled who come to visit Lorna, looking for healing and consolation, but theologians of different faiths and the head of a religious order in Rome travel to see her for guidance and spriritual insight. This remarkable document is the testimony of a woman who sees things at the far end of the spectrum, beyond the range of our everyday experience.

Lorna Byrne (Author), Niamh Cusack (Narrator)

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An Unlikely Pilgrimage: The Radio Dramas of Rachel Joyce: A BBC Radio Collection of Fifteen Full-Cas

Collected radio plays and short stories by Rachel Joyce Rachel Joyce captured the hearts of millions with her bestselling debut novel, which told the moving tale of an ordinary man, Harold Fry, who embarks on an epic journey to deliver a message and save a life. But Harold's story began its life on radio, in the award-winning play which opens this collection: To Be A Pilgrim, starring Anton Lesser, Anna Massey and Niamh Cusack. Here, too, is an adaptation of the companion novel, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, with Sophie Thompson as Queenie; as well as a collection of linked Christmas tales, A Snow Garden and Other Stories, read by the author herself. Also featured here are eleven more superb radio productions, each showcasing Joyce's characteristic empathy, compassion and understanding of the human heart. Including a dark modern fairytale set in Baghdad, a Brief Encounter-style romance and the heartbreaking story of the Lindbergh baby, they are: Painting Mrs Jones, Feather, Kissing Shadows, Talking, Take One Night, The Porter and the Three Ladies, The Art of Balance, Little Lower than the Angels, The Wall, and The Memory Thief. Life-affirming, touching and redemptive, these magical dramas explore themes of friendship, connection, the role of memory in our lives and the true nature of happiness. Among the star casts are Lindsay Duncan, Sophie Thompson, Shaun Dooley, Kenneth Cranham, Stephen Tompkinson and Lia Williams. This special edition also features Rachel Joyce in conversation with Niamh Cusack.

Rachel Joyce (Author), Anna Massey, Anton Lesser, Niamh Cusack (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Niamh Cusack