Audiobooks narrated by Patricia Routledge

The School for Scandal, The Rivals & The Duenna: Three Full-Cast Vintage BBC Radio Productions

"Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the Anglo-Irish playwright and Whig politician, left an indelible mark on English literature and theatre. This collection of Sheridan’s classic comedies showcases his sharp wit and keen eye for social pretensions, making it a must-have for lovers of timeless, satirical theatre. His witty, satirical dramas continue to captivate audiences, as evidenced by the Royal Shakespeare Company's recent 2024 production of The School for Scandal. Sheridan's enduring appeal makes his works a treasure trove for BBC listeners who cherish classic, witty dramas. Set in 1770s London, Sheridan’s The School for Scandal is a brilliantly biting comedy of manners. Lady Sneerwell takes pleasure in ruining reputations, targeting bachelor Charles Surface. Together with Charles’ conniving brother Joseph, Sneerwell orchestrates schemes of intrigue and infidelity. Cast includes Barbara Mitchell, Rolf Lefebvre and Maurice Denham. The Rivals is a delightful comedy where Captain Jack Absolute assumes the persona of a poor army officer to woo Lydia Languish, under the nose of her guardian, Mrs Malaprop. Set in 18th-century Bath, the play explores Lydia's reaction upon learning the truth. Cast includes Flora Robson, Denys Hawthorne, Peter Pratt, Rosalind Shanks In The Duenna, Don Jerome arranges for his daughter, Louisa, to marry a wealthy merchant, but she loves Don Antonio. Louisa seeks help from a duenna to outwit her father’s plans. Casts include: Denis Quilley, Jane Wenham, Patricia Routledge, Barrie Ingham."

Richard Brinsley Sheridan (Author), Alan Dudley, Alexander John, Barbara Mitchell, Christopher Bidmead, David March, Denis Quilley, Denys Hawthorne, Dorothy Tutin, Flora Robson, Haydn Jones, Maurice Denham, Patricia Routledge, Peter Pratt, Ronald Herdman, William Ingram (Narrator)

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Beachcomber …..By the Way: A BBC Radio 4 Comedy

"All 18 episodes of the BBC radio series based on J. B. Morton's surreally comic 'Beachcomber' column 'As schoolboys, my brother and I worshipped Beachcomber... and that led to the birth of The Goon Show' Spike Milligan J.B. Morton took over the 'By The Way' column in the Daily Express in 1924 - succeeding his friend D.B. Wyndham-Lewis as Beachcomber - and continued writing it for over 50 years. Anarchic, absurdist and profoundly influential, it had a huge cult following, and paved the way for a great deal of modern humour. These three series bring Beachcomber's irreverent jottings to hilarious life, with Richard Ingrams as the eponymous author: 'Greetings, my public', interruptions from John Wells as Prodnose: 'What is all this?', 'Begone, you oaf!' (door slams after Prodnose), and Patricia Routledge, John Sessions and Joan Sims as the notorious Twelve Red-Bearded Dwarves, among others. Also participating in the nonsense are silken-voiced announcer Brian Perkins and guest stars June Whitfield, Brian Bowles, Simon Greenall and Henrietta Gooden. Featuring Morton's familiar colourful characters, in all their larger-than life glory - including Dr Strabismus (whom God preserve) of Utrecht, Colonel Wretch, Mr Justice Cocklecarrot, Captain Foulenough, Lady Cabstanleigh, Lord Shortcake, Dingipoos, Carstairs and Big White - these 18 rib-tickling adventures perfectly recreate his wonderful, whimsical world. Production credits Adapted by Michael Barfield with Richard Ingrams Starring Richard Ingrams, John Wells, John Sessions, Patricia Routledge and Joan Sims With June Whitfield, Brian Bowles, Simon Greenall and Henrietta Gooden Announcer: Brian Perkins Producer: Harry Thompson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4: 18 March-22 April 1989 (Series 1), 13 July-17 August 1991 (Series 2), 9 November-14 December 1994 (Series 3) © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

J.B. Morton (Author), Full Cast, Joan Sims, John L. Sessions, John Wells, June Whitfield, Patricia Routledge, Richard Ingrams (Narrator)

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Ladies Of Letters: The complete BBC Radio collection

"First broadcast on Woman's Hour, Prunella Scales and Patricia Routledge star in this popular BBC Radio 4 comedy Ladies of Letters. This collection features all 11 series. When Irene Spencer meets Vera Small at her daughter Lesley's wedding reception they embark upon a correspondence that is quite unlike any other in the history of letter-writing. Both Irene and Vera are happily widowed and endowed with errant offspring. They live in a world of church fetes and amateur dramatics, but love nothing more than dipping their pens in the vitriol pot - while remaining the firmest of pen-pals. Feisty, naughty and endlessly funny, Ladies of Letters provides a hilarious insight into suburban friendships and modern family life as they really are! The series are: Ladies of Letters Ladies of More Letters Ladies of Letters.com Ladies of Letters Log On Ladies of Letters Make Mincemeat Ladies of Letters Spring Clean Ladies of Letters Go Global Ladies of Letters Say No Ladies of Letters Go Green Ladies of Letters Crunch Credit Ladies of Letters Go Crackers 'A hilarious double act by Prunella Scales and Patricia Routledge' - Northern Echo 'Beautifully scripted and perfectly acted' - Daily Express"

Carole Hayman, Lou Wakefield (Author), Full Cast, Patricia Routledge, Prunella Scales (Narrator)

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Alan Bennett: Plays: BBC Radio dramatisations

"A unique collection of twelve full-cast BBC Radio productions of plays by Alan Bennett. The titles are Forty Years On ; A Visit from Miss Prothero ; Say Something Happened ; Kafka’s Dick ; Two in Torquay ; The Madness of George III ; The History Boys ; An Englishman Abroad; A Question of Attribution; The Lady in the Van ; Cocktail Sticks and The Last of the Sun. The cast includes John Gielgud, Patricia Routledge, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, Judi Dench, Thora Hird, Alex Jennings and many more. Duration: 15 hours approx"

Alan Bennett (Author), Full Cast, John Sir Gielgud, Maggie Smith, Patricia Routledge (Narrator)

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Agatha Christie: Twelve Radio Mysteries: Twelve BBC Radio 4 dramatisations

"Twelve classic Christie short stories are given a modern spin in these BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations. Agatha Christie is the acknowledged 'Queen of Crime', and these twelve short stories showcase her skilful plotting and talent for producing compelling mysteries. First broadcast in the early 2000s, the stories were adapted and brought up-to-date for a contemporary audience. Among the star cast are Tom Hollander, Emilia Fox, Patricia Routledge, Julia McKenzie, Neil Dudgeon, Richard Griffiths, Rebecca Front and Andrew Sachs. Unconventional detective Parker Pyne features in two of the stories, all twelve of which are infused with Agatha Christie's trademark tension and suspense. These tantalising tales of revenge, jealousy, love and death will thrill her many fans. The stories are: Philomel Cottage Swan Song Magnolia Blossom Witness for the Prosecution The Gates of Baghdad The Hound of Death In a Glass Darkly The Dressmaker's Doll The Case of the Perfect Carer The £199 Adventure The Gypsy The Last Séance Duration: approx 5 hours 30 minutes"

Agatha Christie (Author), Andrew Sachs, Emilia Fox, Full Cast, Julia Mckenzie, Neil Dudgeon, Patricia Routledge, Rebecca Front, Richard Griffiths, Tom Hollander (Narrator)

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The Complete Talking Heads: The classic BBC Radio 4 monologues plus A Woman of No Importance

"The complete audio collection of Alan Bennett’s celebrated monologues, published together for the first time and performed by some of Britain’s best actors The Talking Heads monologues are widely regarded as one of Alan Bennett’s finest dramatic achievements. First broadcast on BBC TV and BBC Radio 4 in the 1980s and 1990s, they won a host of awards and huge popular acclaim, and remain among his most admired works today.This collection includes all twelve Talking Heads, plus the precursor of that series, A Woman of No Importance. Beautifully crafted and full of compassion and wry observation, each tale is ripe with the quirky, insightful detail that has become Bennett's trademark. The monologues are:A Woman of No Importance (Patricia Routledge); A Chip in the Sugar (Alan Bennett); A Lady of Letters (Patricia Routledge); Bed Among the Lentils (Anna Massey); Soldiering On (Stephanie Cole); Her Big Chance (Julie Walters); A Cream Cracker Under the Settee (ThoraHird); Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet (Patricia Routledge); The Hand of God (Eileen Atkins); Playing Sandwiches (David Haig); The Outside Dog (Julie Walters); Nights in the Gardens of Spain (Penelope Wilton) and Waiting for the Telegram (Thora Hird). Intensely moving, deeply engrossing and highly entertaining, these spellbinding soliloquies are essential listening."

Alan Bennett (Author), Alan Bennett, Patricia Routledge (Narrator)

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Beatrix Potter Artist, Storyteller and Countrywoman

"The downloadable audiobook edition of Judy Taylor's classic biography, Beatrix Potter: Artist, Storyteller and Countrywoman, read by the actress Patricia Routledge. Starting with the publication of The Tale of Peter Rabbit in 1902, Beatrix Potter went on to become one of the world's most successful children's authors. This illustrated biographical eBook takes the reader through the whole of her life, from her Victorian childhood in London to her final years farming in the Lake District. Regarded as a standard work on Beatrix Potter's life, this work has been updated regularly to include fresh material and previously unpublished photographs that have come to light as interest in Beatrix Potter continues to grow."

Judy Taylor (Author), Patricia Routledge (Narrator)

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Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales

"Brought to you by Penguin. Penguin presents The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter, beautifully brought to life by a talented cast of readers, including Gary Bond, Michael Hordern, Rosemary Leach, Janet Maw, Patricia Routledge and Timothy West. 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."

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

Audiobook

The Cherry Orchard

"Madame Ranyevskaya and her daughter Anya have returned home from Paris to discover that their family estate – which includes their beloved cherry orchard – has to be sold to cover the family’s debts. They believe a miracle can save their orchard. But will their stubborn pride and fond, childhood memories be enough? Chekhov’s tragic-comedy is about the passing of an era and is a timeless study of a Russian aristocratic family desperately clinging to the past. Among the star cast in this 1974 production are Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies, Sinéad Cusack, Anna Massey, Patricia Routledge and Andrew Sachs."

Anton Chekhov (Author), Andrew Sachs, Anna Massey, Full Cast, Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies, Patricia Routledge, Sinead Cusack (Narrator)

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Hetty Wainthropp – Woman of the Year

David Cook, John Bowen (Author), Patricia Routledge (Narrator)

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Hetty Wainthropp Investigates

"If you'd seen one Leaning Tower, you'd seen them all. Hetty had seen the leaning spire at Chesterfield: the tower of Pisa was nothing so special. She was in a picky mood and had been since the start of their trip in a made-over charabanc with time-expired tires, touring Tuscany with the Outhwaites and twenty-six Senior Citizen from the Blackburn/Darwen/Bolton area, all of whom already seemed to be confused by the persistent rain in sunny Italy. And what was happening to the Wainthropp Detective Agency with its founder gallivanting abroad? Could Geoffrey be trusted keep it ticking over? Thus Hetty fretted, not knowing that in a few short hours she would be plunged into mystery, excitement – and possible Mafia connection."

David Cook, John Bowen (Author), Patricia Routledge (Narrator)

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Christmas Book At Bedtime

"Everyone loves a bedtime story. And here are eight of the best, each with a Christmas theme, written by an array of literature's best-known names: Laurie Lee, Charles Dickens and Hans Christian Andersen are just some of the storytellers included in this collection. Amongst those giving voice to these stories are Patricia Routledge, Joss Ackland, Miriam Margolyes, Dame Judi Dench and Richard Briers. Intriguing, funny, poignant and above all entertaining, these eight Christmas stories are the best of BBC Radio 4's 'Book at Bedtime'."

Various (Author), Joss Ackland, Judi Dench, Miriam Margolyes, Patricia Routledge, Richard Briers, Various (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Patricia Routledge