Audiobooks narrated by Philip Madoc

Lord of Misrule: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation

"Full-cast dramatisation of the hot-blooded historical romance set in 18th century Wales ‘Jones has a talent for writing natural witty dialogue…’ Best Sellers Sworn allegiances, cruel punishments, broken hearts, shattered dreams and ancient magic make for an utterly spellbinding listen in this full-cast adaptation of Gareth Jones’s masterful novel. 1745. 18th century Wales is a land that time forgot. The burden of squalid poverty and the power of medieval superstition is writ large on the landscape as the adventurer, womaniser and dreamer Gruffydd comes to reclaim his birthright after the Jacobite Rebellion drives out George II. Hoping to deliver his people from the brutal control of a dissolute overlord, the local Squire Sir John Ffowlke, Gruffydd settles in the village of Cwmystwyth. Unrecognised, he becomes the local conjurer on whose magical powers the desperate villagers soon come to depend. Boldly, he fights for a vision of the future where they are free from the feudal chains that bind them. But Gruffydd is surrounded by enemies. Charisma may not be enough to keep him alive and if his people see through him, he may be faced with a bloody reckoning. The conflicting forces within the village of Cwmystwyth must be overcome if Gruffydd is to be able to unite the downtrodden community and guide its inhabitants towards freedom and a new life. Can any good come of a lie, however inspired? This powerful dramatisation of the novel by Gareth Jones is brought to life by Philip Madoc and Peter Halliday. Immerse yourself in the mystery, superstition, power and lust of a world long gone. Cast and credits Written by Gareth Jones Directed by Adrian Mourby Produced by BBC Wales Gruffydd - Philip Madoc Iolo - Loan Meredith Sir John Ffowlke - Peter Halliday Madlen - Meg Wynn Owen Mari - Beth Morris Rhiannon Bevan - Lisabeth Miles Hywel Bevan - Robert Blythe Mihangel - Gareth Snook Rachel - Donna Edwards Hannah - Adrian T Furse Talbot - Graham Blockey Col Johnes - James Benson Gwilym Brewer/Horseman - Dorien Thomas Old Thomas/Barnabas - Dillwyn Owen Thomas Jenkins - Gareth Armstrong Jailer/Tollgate Keeper - David Charles Thomas Powell - Gerald James Morgan Brewer - Maurice Elliott Landlords daughter/Lissi Gillian - Gillian Elisa Thomas Amaranth - Helen Roberts Ringmaster - Dorian Thomas Buddug - Di Botcher Sian - Rhian Morgan First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 Feb – 6 Apr 1986 ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Gareth Jones (Author), David Charles, Dillwyn Owen, Dorien Thomas, Full Cast, Gareth Snook, Graham Blockey, Ioan Meredith, Lisabeth Miles, Meg Wynn Owen, Peter Halliday, Philip Madoc, Robert Blythe (Narrator)

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The Dylan Thomas BBC Radio Collection: Under Milk Wood, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Rebecca’s Daug

"Matthew Rhys introduces this collection of plays, poems and prose by the great Welsh writer, featuring Dylan Thomas reading his own work plus bonus biographical plays based on his life 'A spellbinding homage' The Guardian 'Sure to satisfy every admirer of Dylan Thomas’ works from the most ardent aficionados to casual poetry lovers... Thomas demonstrates his gift for seeing the beauty in the ordinary and affectionately ribbing the frailties of the human condition.' Entertainment Focus Dylan Thomas was the 20th Century's first rock star author, famed for his dazzling imaginative poetry and chaotic personal life. Best known for Under Milk Wood, he also wrote numerous poems, short stories and screenplays, and made regular BBC broadcasts. A legend in his own lifetime, he remained hugely popular after his death at the age of 39, influencing cultural icons from Bob Dylan to The Beatles. This definitive collection is presented by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys (The Americans, Perry Mason), who played Dylan Thomas in the 2008 film The Edge of Love. It begins with sunny, summery recollections in ‘Holiday Memory’, which sees Dylan Thomas recalling an evocative August Bank Holiday, followed by A Child's Christmas in Wales, dramatised with a full cast including Philip Madoc and Freddie Jones. Two Thomas masterpieces follow: ‘Quite Early One Morning’, in which Dylan Thomas reads the story that later became Under Milk Wood, and then Under Milk Wood itself, a masterpiece and a lyrical 'play for voices' focusing on one day in the life of a Welsh fishing village and starring Richard Burton as the Narrator. Next, Dylan Thomas’s unfilmed screenplay The Beach of Falesá, adapted from a Robert Louis Stevenson short story. Narrated by Matthew Rhys and starring Matthew Gravelle and Nicky Henson, it tells the thrilling tale of the clash between good and evil on an unnamed Pacific Island. A less sinister seaside trip is recalled in ‘The Outing’, Thomas's story of a childhood excursion read by Matthew Rhys and interspersed with memories from Swansea residents and music from the 1920s and '30s. We hear from Thomas in his own words in ‘A Return Journey to Swansea’, followed by four readings of his short stories narrated by Siân Philips, Geraint Morgan, Iestyn Jones and William Thomas. Rebecca's Daughters, a romantic adventure set in 19th Century Wales, stars Patrick Mower. Dylan Thomas tells of a rollercoaster experience of a lecture tour across the US in ‘A Visit to America’, and in The Voice of Dylan Thomas, introduced by Douglas Cleverdon, we hear him reading a choice selection of his works. Our final programmes are three original plays based on moments in Dylan Thomas’s life: Badgers in My Vest by John Fletcher, Investigating Mr Thomas by Rob Gittins and Chelsea Dreaming by D J Britton. We join Thomas in a Newquay pub during World War II, follow private detective Jimmy as he tries to dig the dirt on Thomas, and see the poet through the eyes of the Chelsea Hotel. Contents Holiday Memory A Child's Christmas in Wales Quite Early One Morning Under Milk Wood The Beach of Falesá The Outing A Return Journey to Swansea Patricia, Edith and Arnold A Visit to Grandpa’s Extraordinary Little Cough The Followers Rebecca's Daughters A Visit to America The Voice of Dylan Thomas Badgers in My Vest Investigating Mr Thomas Chelsea Dreaming Text copyright © the estate of Dylan Thomas, 1940 (Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog), 1944 ('Quite Early One Morning'), 1945 ('A Child's Christmas in Wales'), 1946 ('Holiday Memory'), 1948 ('Rebecca's Daughters'), 1953 ('The Outing'), 1954 (Under Milk Wood), 1963 (The Beach of Falesá) Badgers in My Vest copyright © John Fletcher 2003 Investigating Mr Thomas copyright © Rob Gittens 2008 Chelsea Dreaming copyright © D J Britton 2003 ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Dylan Thomas (Author), Dylan Thomas, Freddie Jones, Full Cast, Matthew Gravelle, Matthew Rhys, Patrick Mower, Philip Madoc, Richard Burton, Roger Allam, Sian Philips (Narrator)

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The Algernon Blackwood BBC Radio Collection: 17 Dramas and Supernatural Ghost Stories

"A collection of strange and fantastical tales from Algernon Blackwood, plus bonus documentaries Described by H P Lovecraft as 'the one absolute and unquestioned master of weird atmosphere', Algernon Blackwood (CBE) was the acclaimed and prolific author of numerous ghost stories and horror tales. Throughout his lifetime, he wrote 14 novels, several children's books, a number of plays, and over 200 short stories. This anthology opens with a selection of stories featuring his most influential character, occult detective Dr John Silence. The inspiration for the famous horror movie Cat People, 'Ancient Sorceries' (read by Philip Madoc), sees a timid tourist becoming enchanted by a sleepy French town whose residents have an oddly feline manner. It is followed by four chilling dramatisations starring Malcolm Hayes as Silence. In The Nemesis of Fire, the psychic doctor investigates eldritch events at an English manor house; while Secret Worship is a chilling tale of haunting and evil in a Bavarian forest. A wilderness trip turns terrifying in The Camp of the Dog, and in The Empty Sleeve, a virtuoso violinist's desire for a rare instrument has dire consequences. Next up are three gripping standalone dramas: The Decoy (starring George Baker and Susan Jameson); Keeping His Promise (starring Eric Deacon and Christopher Neame) and The Human Chord (starring Philip Skale). Also included is Violet Pearn's captivating fantasy play The Starlight Express, adapted from Blackwood's imaginative children's novel A Prisoner in Fairyland and starring Denis Dowling, Patrick Barr and Cecile Chavreau. This is followed by The Willows, read by Roger Allam: a claustrophobic tale of suspense and terror, as two companions camp on a remote island and become convinced they see a body in the water. Three eerie supernatural stories are narrated by Blackwood himself in long-lost gems from the BBC Archive. They centre around mysterious encounters with a depressed Englishwoman ('The Occupant of the Room'), a man who was frightened to death ('The Woman's Ghost Story'), and the spectral presence of a town ('The Destruction of Smith'), and are followed by a quartet of strange stories ('Algernon Blackwood Tells a Strange Story'). To conclude, two bonus documentary programmes, presented by Blackwood, delve into his life and career. The Genesis of Ideas sees him revealing the sources of his material, while the reflective On Being Eighty finds him looking back on his many years of experience and experiment. Written by Algernon Blackwood. First published 1906 ('Keeping His Promise'), 1907 ('The Willows', 'The Woman's Ghost Story'), 1908 ('Ancient Sorceries', 'The Nemesis of Fire', 'Secret Worship', 'The Camp of the Dog'), 1910 ('The Human Chord'), 1911 ('The Empty Sleeve'), 1912 ('The Destruction of Smith'), 1916 ('The Starlight Express'), 1917 ('The Occupant of the Room'), 1921 ('The Decoy'), 1948 ('A Japanese Literary Cocktail') Special thanks to Keith Wickham for sourcing audio files. Contents List Ancient Sorceries The Nemesis of Fire Secret Worship The Camp of the Dog The Empty Sleeve The Decoy Keeping His Promise The Human Chord The Starlight Express The Willows The Occupant of the Room The Woman's Ghost Story The Destruction of Smith Algernon Blackwood Tells a Strange Story The Genesis of Ideas On Being Eighty Content Note: Contains some dated references that reflect the language and attitudes of the time. © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Algernon Blackwood (Author), Algernon Blackwood, Christopher Neame, Eric Deacon, Fraser Kerr, Full Cast, Malcolm Hayes, Philip Madoc, Philip Skale, Roger Allam (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. ©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

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

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Family Christmas

"The tree, the fireside, the candles, the presents and the festive food may be the main features of the traditional Christmas, but so were the stories, the poems, and the traditional tales. Here, is a delightful confection of Christmas texts: the story of The Nutcracker told with Tchaikovsky's immortal music, Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales, as well as nineteenth and twentieth century poems and the always affecting tale of The Little Match Girl. An enchanting collection for those family Christmas evenings."

Various Authors (Author), Benjamin Zephaniah, Jenny Agutter, Philip Madoc (Narrator)

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The Moon of Gomrath

Alan Garner (Author), Philip Madoc (Narrator)

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The Weirdstone of Brisingamen

"'The heart of the magic was sealed with Firefrost, the Weirdstone of Brisingamen … should Nastrond destroy the stone, then the magic will die away.' When Colin and Susan are pursued by eerie creatures across Alderley Edge, the Wizard – Cadellin Silverbrow – takes them to safety deep in the caves of Fundindelve. Here he watches over the enchanted sleep of one hundred and forty knights, awaiting the fated hour when they must rise and fight. But the Weirdstone of Brisingamen is lost and the forces of evil are closing in. The children realise that they are the key to its return, but how can they defeat the powerful magic of the Morrigan and her deadly brood? First published in 1960, four decades before Harry Potter, Alan Garner's novel of magic and wizards has endured and become a modern classic of children's literature."

Alan Garner (Author), Philip Madoc (Narrator)

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His Dark Materials Part 3: The Amber Spyglass

"The award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy is a breathtaking epic adventure spanning a multitude of worlds. In The Amber Spyglass, the third and final instalment, the war between good and evil reaches a shattering conclusion. Lyra and Will are helped by friends old and new as they continue their perilous journey. The great armoured bear Iorek Byrnison reappears, as does Dr Mary Malone, creator of the amber spyglass. Then there are the tiny, dragonfly-riding Gallivespians, and the wheel-borne Mulefa with their ability to see the mysterious substance Dust. As childhood slips away from them, Lyra and Will face new dangers – including the daemon-destroying Spectres and a journey into the world of the dead. The pair must play their part in the climax of a war for the future of all worlds. Winner of the Whitbread Book of the Year, The Amber Spyglass is an exciting full-cast drama starring Terence Stamp, Ray Fearon, Emma Fielding and Philip Madoc."

Philip Pullman (Author), Emma Fielding, Full Cast, Philip Madoc, Ray Fearon, Terence Stamp (Narrator)

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The Tempest: A BBC Radio Shakespeare production

"In this BBC full-cast production of The Tempest, a magical storm washes some sailors up on a peculiar island, changing the course of their lives forever... Raging storms and rich beautiful music combine to magical effect in this production of Shakespeare's allegorical last play, where mystical forces work to restore harmony and order to an estranged community. Staring Philip Madoc as Prospero and Nina Wadia as Ariel. BBC radio has a unique heritage when it comes to Shakespeare. Since 1923, when the newly-formed company broadcast its first full-length play, generations of actors and producers have honed and perfected the craft of making Shakespeare to be heard. In this acclaimed BBC Radio Shakespeare series, each play is introduced by Richard Eyre, former Director of the Royal National Theatre. Revitalised, original and comprehensive, this is Shakespeare for the modern day."

William Shakespeare (Author), Catrin Rhys, Full Cast, Jasmine Hyde, Nina Wadia, Philip Madoc (Narrator)

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Poems of the Orient

"The Rubá'iyát of Omar Khayyam, in the famous translation by Edward FitzGerald, remains one of the most popular poems. It expressed the fascination of Victorian England with the Orient. Here, it forms the main work in the first half, along with other shorter poems by other leading Persian and Indian figures, including Rumi, Sa'di and Rabindranath Tagore. The second half is devoted to works written by Western poets on the theme of the East with The Veiled Prophet of Khorassan, an excerpt from Thomas Moore's Lalla Rookh - one of the best-sellers of the early nineteenth century."

Hafiz, Khayyam, Rumi (Author), Daniel Philpott, David Timson, Madhav Sharma, Philip Madoc, Polly Hayes (Narrator)

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The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Part 2

"Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire occupies an immortal place in the pantheon of historical masterpieces. This six-disc recording covers the final three volumes of Gibbon's work, tracing ten centuries in the life of the eastern half of the empire, whose capital city was Constantinople. Among the many figures who stride across Gibbon's stage here are the emperor Justinian I, a noble statesman and successful warrior, brought low by his lascivious wife, the former prostitute Theodora; the murdering Basil I, a peasant who nonetheless proved himself a worthy figure upon which to drape the purple; and the final emperor of all, Constantine XI, who died on the battlements of Constantinople in 1453, valiantly fighting a losing battle to prevent the Turks from gaining a city they had craved for centuries. It is still the work that sets the standard for all histories of the period."

Edward Gibbon (Author), Neville Jason, Philip Madoc (Narrator)

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The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Part I

"Gibbon's The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is one of the greatest texts in the English language. In magisterial prose, Gibbon charts the gradual collapse of the Roman rule from Augustus (23 B.C. - A.D. 14) to the first of the Barbarian kings, Odoacer (A.D. 476 - A.D. 490). It is a remarkable account, with the extravagant corruption and depravity of emperors such as Commodus, Caracalla and Elagabalus contrasted by the towering work of Constantine, Julian and other remarkable men. It remains the standard work of scholarship on the subject two hundred years after it was written; yet equally important, in its sheer accessibility, it is an unforgettable story."

Edward Gibbon (Author), Neville Jason, Philip Madoc (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Philip Madoc