Audiobooks narrated by Phil Daniels

Joe Orton: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Three Full-Cast Productions & Joe Orton’s Diaries

"Selected plays by the great playwright Joe Orton, plus bonus material Joe Orton was among the towering geniuses of 1960s theatre. His life was tragically cut short in 1967, but he left behind him a handful of shocking and scabrous black comedies that will live on in the public imagination for years to come. Orton’s career was kickstarted by the BBC. John Tydeman who is widely considered to have found him when working at the BBC as an trainee. He came across an early version of The Ruffian on the Stair called The Boy Hairdresser and persuaded his seniors to let him meet him and discuss the play, there began a friendship that shaped Orton’s life. Tydeman recommended a top literary agent and the rest is history. Featured here are two of his lesser-known works, The Erpingham Camp and The Ruffian on the Stair, collected together as a double bill. The former, loosely based on Euripides’ tragedy The Bacchae, is an anarchic, subversive farce set in a holiday camp, where a group of campers decide to revolt against the dictatorial owner. It stars an ensemble cast, including Robert Daws and Jonjo O’Neill. In the latter, Orton’s breakthrough hit, an ex-boxer (Gerard Horan) and an ex-prostitute (Sophie Thompson) have their lives disrupted by a stranger (Jack Rowan). Recorded live at the BBC’s radio theatre in 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of Orton's death, the plays are accompanied by an interview with Orton's friend, Kenneth Cranham, who discusses the Joe Orton he knew. Also featured are the darkly comic Funeral Games, starring Phil Daniels, Martin Jarvis, Tony Rohr and Liza Sadovy, which takes a sideswipe at religious hypocrisy and is considered the linking work between his two key plays, Loot and What the Butler Saw. Plus, John Sessions reads extracts from Joe Orton’s posthumously published journals in The Orton Diaries; Ned Sherrin hears from Kenneth Williams about his experiences directing Loot in Kenneth Williams on Joe Orton, and Samira Akhmed talks to guests including Orton’s sister Leonie and Sheila Hancock about the playwright’s life and legacy in Front Row: Joe Orton. Production credits Text copyright © Joe Orton 1964 (The Ruffian on the Stair), 1966 (The Erpingham Camp), 1968 (Funeral Games), 1986 (The Orton Diaries) All rights reserved The Erpingham Camp Erpingham – Robert Daws Riley – Jonjo O'Neill Lou – Kerry Gooderson Ted – Samuel James Kenny – Charlie Clements Eileen – Sarah Ridgeway W.E. Harrison – Tom Forrister Jessie Mason – Sanchia McCormack Padre – Simon Ludders Accordion Player – Colin Guthrie The Ruffian on the Stair Mike – Gerard Horan Joyce – Sophie Thompson Wilson – Jack Rowan Produced by Mary Peate Kenneth Cranham interview by Matthew Sweet First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 2 July 2017 Funeral Games Caulfield – Phil Daniels Pringle – Martin Jarvis McCorquodale – Tony Rohr Tessa – Liza Sadovy Policeman – Ben Crowe Produced and directed by Peter Kavanagh First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 11 July 2008 Joe Orton: The Orton Diaries Diary selections read by John Sessions Produced by Ned Chaillet First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 March 1994 Kenneth Williams on Joe Orton With Kenneth Williams and Ned Sherrin Produced by Ian Gardhouse First broadcast BBC Radio 4, September 1980 Front Row: Joe Orton Presented by Samira Ahmed Produced by Ekene Akalawu With Leonie Orton, Emma Parker, Sally Norman, Jenna Forbes, John Lahr, Sheila Hancock, Nikolai Foster First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 11 August 2017 © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Joe Orton (Author), Ben Crowe, Clive Francis, Full Cast, Gerard Horan, Jack Rowan, Kenneth Cranham, Kenneth Williams, Liza Sadovy, Martin Jarvis, Phil Daniels, Robert Daws, Sophie Thompson (Narrator)

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Brian Friel: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Translations, Faith Healer & More

"Dramatisations and short stories by the award-winning playwright - plus bonus programmes Known as the 'Irish Chekhov', Brian Friel was one of the most renowned dramatists of his generation, producing over 30 plays in a career spanning six decades. Included here are some of his best-known works, as well as mesmerising radio documentaries featuring the author himself, in his own words. Beginning with his modern classic about language and power, Translations, this collection goes on to showcase two further masterpieces: Faith Healer (voted one of the 100 most important plays of the 20th Century by the National Theatre) and the play that launched Friel to international acclaim, Philadelphia, Here I Come! With settings ranging from the 1830s to the present day, all are centred around the small fictional town of Ballybeg, and share key themes including the stories we tell ourselves, the nature of truth and the unreliability of memory. Among the stellar casts are Samuel Barnett, Mark Bazeley, Dermot Crowley, Lia Williams, Phil Daniels and Donal Donnelly. Also featured are five short stories: 'The Skelper', 'My True Kinsman', 'The Death of a Scientific Humanist', 'The Gold in the Sea' and 'Everything Neat and Tidy', read by Adrian Dunbar. We conclude with two talks by Brian Friel - the 'fragment of autobiography' Self Portrait and The Green Years, a lyrical account of his childhood in Derry - and the fascinating documentary Staging Ireland, telling the story of the radical Derry theatre company Field Day, founded by Friel and Stephen Rea with the aim of challenging their nation's view of itself. Production credits Written by Brian Friel Text copyright © Brian Friel 1959 ('The Skelper'), 1961 ('My True Kinsman'), 1964 (Philadelphia, Here I Come!, 'The Death of a Scientific Humanist'), 1965 ('Everything Nice and Tidy'), 1966 ('The Gold in the Sea'), 1979 (Faith Healer), 1980 (Translations) All rights reserved Translations Cast: Samuel Barnett, Mark Bazeley, John Paul Connolly, Dermot Crowley, Roisin Gallagher, David Ireland, Aoife McMahon, Gerard McSorley, Eugene O'Hare, Eileen Walsh Adapted by Michael Duke. Directed by Kirsty Williams First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 September 2010 Faith Healer Frank - Owen Roe Grace - Lia Williams Teddy - Phil Daniels Directed by Peter Kavanagh. First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 12 September 2010 Philadelphia, Here I Come! Cast: Donal Donnelly, Gertrude Russell, J G Devlin, Kate Binchy, Harold Goldblatt, Patrick Magee, Doreen Hepburn, Tommy Duggan, Ronald Wilson, Michael Stuart, Denys Hawthorne, Maurie Taylor, Patrick McAlinney Produced by Ronald Mason. First broadcast BBC Network Three, 25 February 1965 Brian Friel Stories: The Skelper, My True Kinsman, Everything Neat and Tidy, The Gold in the Sea, The Death of a Scientific Humanist Read by Adrian Dunbar. Produced by Heather Larmour First broadcast BBC Radio 4 Extra, 11 March 2013, 12 March 2013, 13 March 2013, 14 March 2013, 15 March 2013 Brian Friel: Self Portrait With Brian Friel First broadcast BBC Radio Ulster, 1971 The Green Years With Brian Friel First broadcast Northern Ireland Home Service, 30 April 1964 Staging Ireland Presented by Robbie Meredith With Seamus Heaney, Tom Paulin, Stephen Rea and Seamus Deane First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5 June 2007 ©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Brian Friel (Author), Adrian Dunbar, Aiofe Mcmahon, Dermot Crowley, Full Cast, Lia Williams, Mark Bazeley, Phil Daniels, Samuel Barnett (Narrator)

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The Charles Dickens BBC Radio Drama Collection: The Early Years: Seven BBC Radio full-cast dramatisa

"Captivating radio dramatisations of seven of Charles Dickens' most famous novels. Charles Dickens is one of the most renowned authors of all time, and this first digital volume of the dramatised canon of his work includes seven of his most popular novels. This collection includes the episodic adventure Nicholas Nickleby, comic tale The Pickwick Papers, poignant melodrama The Old Curiosity Shop and the much-loved Oliver Twist. Plus, there’s the gripping historical novel Barnaby Rudge, picaresque comedy Martin Chuzzlewit and bittersweet tale of family relationships Dombey and Son. With their compelling plots, larger-than-life characters and vivid descriptions of Victorian life, Dickens’ stories have captivated generations of readers. These radio adaptations bring out all the hope and happiness, pathos and tragedy, satire and social realism of his seven classic masterpieces. Among the star cast are Anna Massey, Alex Jennings, Phil Daniels, Julia McKenzie, Tim McInnerny and Robert Glenister. Track listing: 1-6: The Pickwick Papers 7-12: Oliver Twist 13-42: Nicholas Nickleby 43-67: The Old Curiosity Shop 68-70: Barnaby Rudge 71-80: Martin Chuzzlewit 81-100: Dombey and Son"

Charles Dickens (Author), Alex Jennings, Anna Massey, Full Cast, Julia Mckenzie, Phil Daniels, Robert Glenister, Tim Mcinnerny (Narrator)

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The Charles Dickens BBC Radio Drama Collection: 15 BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations

"Riveting radio dramatisations of Charles Dickens' fifteen full-length novels. Charles Dickens is one of the most renowned authors of all time, and this digital volume of the dramatised canon of his work includes fifteen of his most popular novels. This collection includes the episodic adventure Nicholas Nickleby, comic tale The Pickwick Papers, poignant melodrama The Old Curiosity Shop, the much-loved Oliver Twist. Plus, the gripping historical novel Barnaby Rudge, picaresque comedy Martin Chuzzlewit and bittersweet tale of family relationships Dombey and Son. Also included is the epic masterpiece David Copperfield, described by Dickens as his ‘favourite child’; suspenseful mystery Bleak House; Dickens’ most openly political novel, Hard Times and Little Dorrit, a sweeping tale of imprisonment, poverty and riches. Plus A Tale of Two Cities, set during the French Revolution; coming-of-age novel Great Expectations; sweeping satire of wealth and corruption Our Mutual Friend and Dickens’ final, unfinished story The Mystery of Edwin Drood. With their compelling plots, larger-than-life characters and vivid descriptions of Victorian life, Dickens’ stories have captivated generations of readers. These radio adaptations bring out all the hope and happiness, pathos and tragedy, satire and social realism of his seven classic masterpieces. Among the star cast are Anna Massey, Alex Jennings, Phil Daniels, Julia McKenzie, Tim McInnerny, Robert Glenister, Robert Lindsay, Honeysuckle Weeks, Kenneth Cranham, Sir Ian McKellen, Alison Steadman, Geraldine McEwan, Andrew Scott and Ian Holm, these radio adaptations bring Dickens’ imaginative world to colourful, captivating life. Track listing: 1-6: The Pickwick Papers 7-12: Oliver Twist 13-42: Nicholas Nickleby 43-67: The Old Curiosity Shop 68-70: Barnaby Rudge 71-80: Martin Chuzzlewit 81-100: Dombey and Son 101-120: David Copperfield 121-125: Bleak House 126-129: Hard Times 130-134: Little Dorrit 135-139: A Tale of Two Cities 140-145: Great Expectations 146-165: Our Mutual Friend 166-170: The Mystery of Edwin Drood"

Charles Dickens (Author), Alex Jennings, Alison Steadman, Andrew Scott, Anna Massey, Full Cast, Geraldine Mcewan, Ian Holm, Ian Mckellen, Indira Varma, Julia Mckenzie, Kenneth Cranham, Phil Daniels, Robert Glenister, Robert Lindsay, Tim Mcinnerny (Narrator)

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A Riot Of Our Own: Night And Day With The Clash

Garry Barker, Johnny Green (Author), Phil Daniels (Narrator)

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David Copperfield

"David Copperfield is the story of a boy growing to maturity in the affairs of the world and of the heart, surrounded by some of Dickens' most memorable characters: David's eccentric great-aunt; Miss Betsey Trotwood; the ever-optimistic Mr Micawber; jolly Peggotty and her willing husband Barkis; the charming Steerforth; the ever so 'umble Uriah Heep and the foolishly innocent Dora. But will David finally find happiness with the faithful Agnes Wickfield, whom he has known since childhood? And is her own future secure, threatened as it is by Uriah Heep, her father's clerk? Starring Miriam Margolyes, Timothy Spall, Phil Danielsl and Sheila Hancock."

Charles Dickens (Author), Full Cast, Miriam Margolyes, Phil Daniels, Sheila Hancock, Timothy Spall (Narrator)

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Season's Greetings

"Christmas is the season of good cheer and harmony among men, but things are not working out quite that way in the Bunker household. As a motley collection of friends and relatives fill the house with their own wishes, dreams and attitudes, the stage is set for seasonal disharmony and romantic intrigue. It’s Christmas Eve and while Belinda is rushing around decorating the tree and seeing to all the guests and their needs, Eddie and Pattie are having a serious bust-up. Added to all of this, Bernard is conducting a chaotic rehearsal of his annual gift for the children - a puppet show of The Three Little Pigs - as his wife, Phyllis gets quietly sloshed in the kitchen on the cooking wine. Then something disastrous occurs..."

Alan Ayckbourn (Author), Bill Nighy, Frances Barber, Full Cast, Geoffrey Palmer, John L. Sessions, Phil Daniels (Narrator)

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On The Ceiling (BBC Radio 4 Saturday Play)

"High up on the wooden scaffolding tower of the Sistine Chapel, two fresco plasterers get on with the day’s work preparing the ceiling for their boss Michelangelo who has not bothered to turn up for work again. As they do so, they bemoan the uselessness of the great master. Pope Julius and Cardinal Alidosi visit the chapel to inspect the progress of their commission. They are never very impressed, and the Pope is more concerned about getting Michelangelo to do his funeral monument at a knock-down price. ‘On the Ceiling’ is not about great artists; it is about those people whose names don’t go down in history: the ones who do the essential drudge work, their frustration at their lack of genius and their pride in their own technical expertise. In this version of events, low elements combine to make high art. Starring Phil Daniels as Lapo, Bryan Dick as Loti, Gary Waldhorn as Pope Julius and Roger Lloyd Pack as Cardinal Alidosi. Directed by Mary Peate. ‘On the Ceiling’ was originally broadcast as the ‘Afternoon Play’ on 7 February 2009 and repeated on 11 December 2010."

Nigel Planer (Author), Full Cast, Phil Daniels (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Phil Daniels