Audiobooks narrated by Ronald Baddiley

Barry Hines: Kes, Billy’s Last Stand & more: A BBC Radio Drama Collection

"Three dramas by Barry Hines and an abridged reading of his classic Kes (A Kestrel for a Knave) Yorkshire-born author Barry Hines is renowned for his 1968 novel A Kestrel for a Knave (later turned into Ken Loach’s award-winning film Kes) and for scripting the BAFTA-winning BBC TV film Threads. The titles in this collection explore his signature theme – working-class life in Northern England – and include a trio of radio dramas alongside an abridged version of Kes, read by Stephen Tompkinson. Billy’s Last Stand – Casual labourer Billy makes his living shovelling coal into people’s sheds and cellars. It’s a one-man job: until the parasitic Darkly turns up, offering him a business partnership. Arthur Lowe and Ronald Baddiley star in Barry Hines’ darkly comic debut play. Two Men from Derby – Elbow-deep in domestic chores, miner’s wife Freda is visited by Joe and George, two scouts from Derby County FC who want to sign her husband as a professional footballer. But Dick is nowhere to be found… Regarded by Hines as the best thing he ever wrote, this slow-burn drama stars Sharon Duce, Colin Edwynn and Bernard Gallagher. Looking at the Sun – When redundant miner Stewart lands a job at a nuclear power station, he has high hopes for a new beginning. But his wife Lisa’s concerns about the plant put their marriage under increasing strain. Starring Chris Brailsford as Stewart and Gillian Waugh as Lisa. Kes – Neglected at home and bullied at school, Billy’s sole comfort is the wild bird of prey he has trained from a fledgling. But his newfound happiness is short-lived... Stephen Tompkinson reads this adaptation of Hines’ heartbreaking coming-of-age tale of a boy and his kestrel. Text copyright © Barry Hines 1965 (Billy’s Last Stand), 1968 (A Kestrel for a Knave), 1976 (Two Men from Derby), 1992 (Looking at the Sun) Production credits Written by Barry Hines Billy’s Last Stand Billy – Arthur Lowe Darkly – Ronald Baddiley Two Men from Derby Freda – Sharon Duce Joe – Colin Edwynn George – Bernard Gallagher Winnie – Juliet Cooke Stanley – Charles Booth Looking at the Sun Stewart – Chris Brailsford Lisa – Gillian Waugh Mr Ellis – Gerry Kersey Clayton – Robin Polley Janice – Belinda Chapman Melanie Lee – Barbara Dryhurst Japanese photographer – Fenella Norman Sharland – Christopher Kent Martyn – Peter Bell Colin – Nick Spurr Kevin – Colln Meredith Alison – Caitlin Smith Kes Read by Stephen Tompkinson © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Barry Hines (Author), Arthur Lowe, Bernard Gallagher, Charles Booth, Chris Brailsford, Colin Edwynn, Full Cast, Gerry Kersey, Gillian Waugh, Juliet Cooke, Peter Bell, Robin Polley, Ronald Baddiley, Sharon Duce, Stephen Tompkinson (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Men from the Ministry: The Early Years: Selected Episodes from Series 1-3 of the Classic BBC Radio Comedy

"The original ‘Yes Minister’- 32 episodes of the beloved Civil Service sitcom Featuring the hilarious exploits of the bumbling bureaucrats of the General Assistance Department, the show starred Wilfrid Hyde-White and later Deryck Guyler as the hapless ‘Number One’, with Richard Murdoch as his hare-brained sidekick ‘Number Two’. Together, they muddled their way through Whitehall, creating chaos with their mix-ups, misunderstandings and mismanagement – to the consternation of their boss, the self-serving Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Gregory Pitkin (Roy Dotrice and Ronald Baddiley). The fantastically funny radio forerunner to 'Yes Minister', The Men from the Ministry ran for 15 years and 13 series between 1962 and 1977, with a final fourteenth series made in 1980 for transmission abroad. This volume contains 32 specially selected episodes from Series 1-3, in which – among many other misadventures – the panic-stricken pen pushers bungle in Britain’s space race; get bogged down in a building project; tackle traffic trouble and town planning and come face to face with some little green men… Co-starring as their loyal (but incompetent) secretary Mildred Murfin is Norma Ronald, and taking notes for Wilfrid Hyde-White’s ‘Number One’ is April Adams, played by Diana Olsson. Guest stars include John Laurie, Betty Marsden, Joan Sanderson, June Whitfield, Warren Mitchell, Hugh Paddick and Roger Delgado. NB: Some of the language and humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary. Please note, the final minute of Series 3, Episode 10 (‘Getting the Bird’) is missing. Cast and credits Written and produced by Edward Taylor, with contributions from John Graham, Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke Theme music: Top Dog by Ivor Slaney With thanks to Keith Wickham ‘Number One’ (Roland Hamilton Jones) – Wilfrid Hyde-White (Series 1-2) ‘Number One’ (Deryck Lennox-Brown) – Deryck Guyler (Series 3) ‘Number Two’ (Richard Lamb) – Richard Murdoch Mildred Murfin – Norma Ronald Sir Gregory Pitkin – Roy Dotrice (Series 1-2), Ronald Baddiley (Series 3) April Adams – Diana Olsson Mr Dougal – John Laurie Other parts played by John Graham With guest stars including: June Whitfield, Patricia Hayes, Edwin Apps, David Graham, Percy Edwards, Betty Marsden, Julian Somers, Joan Sanderson, Rowena Gregory, Frederick Treves, Brian Oulton, Pat Coombs, Fred Yule, Austin Trevor, John Cazabon, Warren Mitchell, David Nettheim, Charlotte Mitchell, Graham Stark, Hugh Paddick, Jack Watson, Brandon Hawkins, Felix Felton, Bruce Beeby, Peter Bartlett, Ronnie Stevens, Gordon Clyde, Clive Dunn, Roger Delgado, Carol Allen, Hugh McDermott, David Healy and David Fallon First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme 30 Oct 1962 – 8 Jan 1963 (series 1), 1 Aug – 17 Oct 1965 (series 2), 25 Dec 1966 – 12 Mar 1967 (series 3). © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Edward Taylor (Author), Deryck Guyler, Diana Olsson, Norma Ronald, Richard Murdoch, Ronald Baddiley, Roy Dotrice, Wilfrid Hyde-White (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Men from the Ministry: More Episodes from the Early Years: Selected Episodes from Series 4-7 of the Classic BBC Radio Comedy

"35 episodes from Series 4-7 of the hugely popular Civil Service sitcom The original ‘Yes Minister’, The Men from the Ministry was a radio comedy phenomenon, running for 15 years and 13 series between 1962 and 1977, with a final fourteenth series broadcast internationally in 1980. In this second volume, featuring 35 specially chosen episodes from Series 4-7, bumbling bowler-hatted bureaucrats Deryck Lennox-Brown and Richard Lamb (aka ‘Number One’ and ‘Number Two’) cause confusion in the corridors of power as they attempt to tackle the many and varied challenges of the General Assistance Department. Whether they’re hitting the buffers over a London tube station, getting inconvenienced by public toilets, baring it all for the sake of a new motorway route or scaling new heights for Sir Gregory’s poster campaign, they’re sure to get into hot water... Deryck Guyler stars as Number One and Richard Murdoch as Number Two, with Norma Ronald as Mildred Murfin, Ronald Baddiley as Sir Gregory Pitkin and John Laurie as Mr Dougal. Guest stars include Kenneth Horne, Sam Costa, Patricia Hayes, Clive Dunn, Jo Manning Wilson and Bill Pertwee. NB: Some of the language and humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary. Please note, the Series 4 episodes ‘Out of this World’ and ‘Muddlers in Law’ are missing a couple of seconds at 19:51 and 06:38 respectively. Cast and credits Written and produced by Edward Taylor, with contributions from John Graham, Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke Theme music: Top Dog by Ivor Slaney Pianist: Dennis Gomm (Series 4, Episode 4) The Legend of The Men From The Ministry sung by Graeme Garden (Series 4, Episode 8) With thanks to Keith Wickham ‘Number One’ (Deryck Lennox-Brown) – Deryck Guyler ‘Number Two’ (Richard Lamb) – Richard Murdoch Mildred Murfin – Norma Ronald Sir Gregory Pitkin – Ronald Baddiley Mr Dougal – John Laurie Other parts played by John Graham With guest stars including: David Nettheim, Clive Dunn, Jack Watson, Ronnie Stevens, Kenneth Horne, Sam Costa, Antony Viccars, Douglas Hankin, David Healy, Joan Sanderson, Carol Allen, Graham Stark, Colin Gordon, Gordon Clyde, Jo Manning Wilson, Patricia Hayes, John Curle, John Cole and Bill Pertwee First broadcast on BBC Radio 2, 18 Feb – 5 May 1968 (series 4), on BBC World Service, 15 Feb – 22 Mar 1969 (series 5), 1 Feb – 29 Mar 1970 (series 6) and on BBC Radio 4, 1 Sep – 29 Sep 1970 (series 6), 29 Jul – 23 Sep 1971 (series 7). © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Edward Taylor (Author), Deryck Guyler, Full Cast, John Graham, Norma Ronald, Richard Murdoch, Ronald Baddiley (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Men from the Ministry: The Later Years: Selected Episodes from Series 8-10 of the Classic BBC Radio Comedy

"33 episodes from Series 8-10 of the much-loved Civil Service sitcom, plus the 1971 Special For fifteen years between 1962 and 1977, The Men from the Ministry kept audiences laughing over the course of 13 series, plus a fourteenth series recorded for overseas in 1980. This third volume features the complete Series 8 and 9, eleven episodes from Series 10 and the 1971 special ‘Gone to Pot’. We pay another visit to the General Assistance Department, where eager executives Deryck Lennox-Brown and Richard Lamb (‘Number One’ and ‘Number Two’) are flummoxed once more by the challenges that come their way. From getting embroiled in dodgy doings in the West Country to botching a trade agreement with the Italians, battling unwelcome furry visitors and causing confusion in a moral crusade, the disorganised duo can’t help but throw a spanner in the works of Government... Deryck Guyler and Richard Murdoch star as Lennox-Brown and Lamb, with Norma Ronald as Mildred Murfin, Ronald Baddiley as Sir Gregory Pitkin, and guest stars including Garard Green, Joan Sanderson, Clive Dunn, Patricia Hayes and Dilys Laye. NB: Some of the language and humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary. Cast and credits Written and produced by Edward Taylor, with contributions from John Graham, Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke Theme music: Top Dog by Ivor Slaney With thanks to Keith Wickham ‘Number One’ (Deryck Lennox-Brown) – Deryck Guyler ‘Number Two’ (Richard Lamb) – Richard Murdoch Mildred Murfin – Norma Ronald Sir Gregory Pitkin – Ronald Baddiley Other parts played by the cast and John Graham With guest stars including: Garard Green, Sheila Wilcox, John Cole, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes, Alexandra Dane, Clive Dunn, Hilary Pritchard, Patricia Hayes, Dilys Laye, Mandy Cuthbert and Gillie Graham First broadcast on Radio 4 29 Nov 1971 (Special), 11 Jul–29 Aug 1972 (series 8), 6 Mar–29 May 1973 (series 9), 17 Jun-9 Sep 1974 (series 10). © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Edward Taylor (Author), Deryck Guyler, Full Cast, John Graham, Norma Ronald, Richard Murdoch, Ronald Baddiley (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Men from the Ministry: The Final Episodes: The Complete Series 11-14 of the Classic BBC Radio Comedy

"The complete Series 11-14 of the long-running Civil Service sitcom The hugely popular precursor to ‘Yes Minister’, The Men from the Ministry had the nation in stitches for 13 series between 1962 and 1977. In 1980, a fourteenth series, comprising remakes of episodes from Series 1-4, was made by the BBC Transcription Service and aired abroad. Some of these remakes are the only surviving versions of their stories, as recordings of series 1-4 have been lost to time. In this fourth and final volume, comprising all 43 episodes from Series 11-14 of the classic comedy, we take one last ride on the Ministry merry-go-round in the company of bird-brained bureaucrats ‘Number One’ and ‘Number Two’ of the General Assistance Department. As they spread chaos and confusion in the corridors of Whitehall, their manifold misadventures include trying to play Cupid for secretary Mildred, suspecting each other of espionage, plumbing new depths with a naval survey, bungling a British food promotion in New York and blundering through Anglo-Chinese Friendship month... Deryck Guyler stars as ‘Number One’ and Richard Murdoch as ‘Number Two’, with Norma Ronald as Mildred Murfin and Ronald Baddiley as Sir Gregory Pitkin. Among the guest stars are Pat Coombs, Cass Allen, John Cole, Corinna Marlowe, Hilary Pritchard and Nicolette McKenzie. NB: Some of the language and humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary. Cast and credits Written and produced by Edward Taylor, with contributions from John Graham, Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke Theme music: Top Dog by Ivor Slaney With thanks to Keith Wickham ‘Number One’ (Deryck Lennox-Brown) – Deryck Guyler ‘Number Two’ (Richard Lamb) – Richard Murdoch Mildred Murfin – Norma Ronald Sir Gregory Pitkin – Ronald Baddiley Other parts played by John Graham With guest stars including: Pat Coombs, Cass Allen, John Cole, Corinna Marlowe, Hilary Pritchard and Nicolette McKenzie First broadcast on Radio 4 26 May-18 Aug 1975 (series 11), 6 Jul-24 Aug 1976 (series 12), 4 Jul-22 Aug 1977 (series 13). Series 14 first recorded 13 Apr-6 May 1980. © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Edward Taylor (Author), Deryck Guyler, Full Cast, John Graham, Norma Ronald, Richard Murdoch, Ronald Baddiley (Narrator)

Audiobook

Don Quixote: A BBC Radio full-cast dramatisation

"A captivating BBC Radio adaptation of Cervantes' masterpiece, chronicling the adventures of an intrepid knight errant and his faithful squire Locked up in jail, Miguel de Cervantes is attempting to start a novel when he is visited by a priest, who tells him about an old man driven insane by chivalric romances and a vision of glory. Inspired, Cervantes takes up his pen, and begins to write... His story begins in La Mancha, where an elderly country gentleman decides to emulate his knightly heroes, Sir Lancelot and El Cid, and embark on a quest to prove his valour. Renaming himself Don Quixote, he puts on his rusty armour, takes up his broadsword, saddles his broken-down horse, Rocinante, and rides out with his loyal squire Sancho Panza to put the world to rights. Spurred on by thoughts of his lady, the beautiful Dulcinea, he travels the Spanish countryside, charging at giants disguised as windmills, battling evil enchanters dressed as friars and bravely offering to fight a lion. But as his colourful fantasies come up against mundane reality, will the valiant knight be vanquished? Adapted by award-winning playwright John Arden and narrated by Ronald Baddiley as Cervantes, with Bob Grant as Don Quixote and Bernard Cribbins as Sancho Panza, this magical, metafictional tale, full of comic incidents and stories-within-stories, is at once farcical and heart-breaking. First published over 400 years ago, Cervantes' classic has been described as the first modern novel. One of the bestselling books of all time, it has been translated into over 100 languages and influenced countless authors including Flaubert, Dostoevsky, Kafka and Borges. Included here is a 2-part bonus programme, Masterpiece: Don Quixote, exploring its importance and enduring popularity. Among the contributors are Carlos Fuentes, Ben Okri and Doris Lessing, who voted the book 'the greatest literary work ever written' in a 2002 survey of 100 authors worldwide. Cast and credits Don Quixote Don Quixote - Bob Grant Sancho Panza - Bernard Cribbins Cervantes - Ronald Baddiley Father Perez - David Sumner Barber-Surgeon - Peter Wheeler Housekeeper - Kathleen Helme Antonia - Kate Lee Moor - Geoffrey Banks Innkeeper - Kenneth Alan Taylor Dorothea - Linda Gardner Market boy - Alan Parnaby Sergeant - Alan Meadows Don Fernando - Simon Molloy Aldonza - Meg Johnson Duke - Russell Dixon Samson - Stephen Boxer Teresa Panza - Paula Tilbrook Altisidora - Harriet Walter Scholar - Malcolm Hebden Puppet Master - Ken Campbell Duchess - Judith Arthy Veiled Lady - Anne Reid Steward - John McGregor Other parts played by members of the cast Written by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra Adapted by John Arden Directed by Alfred Bradley Music composed by Stephen Boxer and played by Ian Gammie, Bill Nixon, Jane Ryan, Roderick Skeaping, John Turner and Stephen Boxer First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5-6 October 1980 Masterpiece: Don Quixote With contributions from: Geoff West, Jeremy Lawrance, Julian Weiss, Francisco Rico, Andrew Sachs, Francisco Sesto, Adrienne Martin, Anne Cruz, Orson Welles, Edith Grossman, Carlos Fuentes, Ben Okri and Doris Lessing First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15-22 August 2005 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Miguel de Cervantes (Author), Bernard Cribbins, Bob Grant, Full Cast, Ronald Baddiley (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Ronald Baddiley

Join Our Community