Audiobooks narrated by Samuel West

A Midsummer Night's Dream: A BBC Radio 3 Full-Cast Production

Sylvestra le Touzel, Samuel West and David Threlfall star in Shakespeare's delightful comic fantasy. Puck is played by Becky Simpson, star of the award-winning play 'Spoonface Steinberg'. 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 the 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 new millennium.

William Shakespeare (Author), Becky Simpson, David Threlfall, Full Cast, Samuel West, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Various (Narrator)

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A Poet for Every Day of the Year

Allie Esiri’s anthology, A Poet for Every Day of the Year, is the perfect introduction to 366 of the world’s greatest ever verse writers. Perfect for listening and sharing with all the family, it is bursting at the seams with familiar favourites and exciting new discoveries. Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, Christina Rossetti and Emily Bronte sit alongside Roger McGough, Wendy Cope, Imtiaz Dharker, Leonard Cohen, Sylvia Plath and Ocean Vuong. Each of the 366 poems features a small introduction that gives a sense of who the writer was, and not just the greatness of their work. Some offer insightful biographical details or key historical context, while others may provide quirky, humorous anecdotes. The day-to-day format of the anthology invites listeners to make poetry a part of their daily routine, and makes sure that they discover something inspirational, life affirming, provocative, moving or entertaining each and every day.

Allie Esiri (Author), Allie Esiri, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Samuel West (Narrator)

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A Possible Life

Terrified, a young prisoner in the Second World War closes his eyes and pictures himself going out to bat on a sunlit cricket ground in Hampshire. Across the courtyard in a Victorian workhouse, a father too ashamed to acknowledge his son. A skinny girl steps out of a Chevy with a guitar; her voice sends shivers through the skull. Soldiers and lovers, parents and children, scientists and musicians risk their bodies and hearts in search of connection - some key to understanding what makes us the people we become. Provocative and profound, Sebastian Faulks's dazzling novel journeys across continents and time to explore the chaos created by love, separation and missed opportunities. From the pain and drama of these highly particular lives emerges a mysterious consolation: the chance to feel your heart beat in someone else's life.

Sebastian Faulks (Author), Christian Rodska, Lucy Briers, Rupert Degas, Samuel West, Sian Thomas (Narrator)

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A Shropshire Lad

In A Shropshire Lad, A.E. Housman recreates a nostalgic world of lost love, lost youth, thwarted friendships, unfaithful girls, male bonding, untimely death and the uncertain glories of being a soldier. The poems deal with the exuberance of youth 'its aspirations and disappointments, its na've certainties and tragic mistakes. Though written in 1895, it struck a chord with the generation of young men who fought in World War I. It was said that every 'Tommy' had a copy in his knapsack. It has never been out of print. **Please contact member services for additional documents**

A. E. Housman (Author), Samuel West (Narrator)

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Ambrose Follows His Nose

Brought to you by Puffin. An exciting new publication in celebration of the centenary of his birth, a recently discovered funny and poignant animal story by Dick King-Smith, completed by his great granddaughter, Josie Rogers. Ambrose may seem like an ordinary rabbit but he has the most extraordinary sense of smell. He can detect any aroma from sweets to kittens - and even niffy foxes! He lives with his family in a hutch and is visited every day by Biddy, who is desperate to take him home to be her pet - if only her mum and dad would let her. Biddy trains Ambrose to become a tracker rabbit - which comes in very handy when Ambrose's little sister Roly goes missing. But when Biddy's family find themselves in real danger, can Ambrose's sensitive nose save the day? 'Sparkling humour and wonderful characters are Dick King-Smith's trademarks' - Books for Your Children © Dick-King Smith & Josie Rogers 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Dick King-Smith, Josie Rogers (Author), Samuel West (Narrator)

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Armstrong And Miller The Complete Radio Series

Welcome to the strange world of Armstrong and Miller, which includes some comedy sketches with tough-guy cops in 'Parsons and Lampkin' (and Lampkin's mate Steve), and there's an insider's view of National Trousers Day - 'because involvement should be as easy as a walk to the wardrobe'. More highlights include some really macho rock climbers, and the corrupt world of mountaineering: is Everest the tallest mountain, or are there others they keep quiet about so they don't have to climb them? There's a track from rock legends Strijka, and you can also hear how Logarythm - the world's most successful school band - got together. Aided and abetted by Samuel West and Tony Gardner, this is the complete radio series, which contains all four episodes.

Alexander Armstrong, Ben Miller (Author), Alexander Armstrong, Ben Miller, Samuel West, Tony Gardner (Narrator)

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BBC Radio Shakespeare: A Collection of Four History Plays

Four full-cast BBC Radio productions of Shakespeare's finest history plays Introduced by Sir Richard Eyre, these four iconic productions, featuring star casts, bring Shakespeare's gripping histories to life in all their rich complexity. Henry IV, Part One Young Prince Hal struggles with his responsibilities as heir to the throne, preferring the company of the dissolute Falstaff. But when England is threatened with rebellion, will he do his duty? Father and son Julian Glover and Jamie Glover star as King Henry and Prince Hal, with Timothy West as Falstaff. Henry IV, Part Two The realm is still in danger, and the King is dying. It is time for Prince Hal to fulfil his royal destiny - but what will become of his old friend, Falstaff? Starring Julian Glover, Jamie Glover and Timothy West. Richard II This lyrically tragic history encompasses themes of nobility and kingship, as King Richard is brought to his own destruction - but was he justly punished for his excesses, or a misunderstood victim? Samuel West stars as Richard II, with Joss Ackland as John of Gaunt and Damian Lewis as Bolingbroke. Pericles Featuring world music and a multicultural cast, this timeless tale with a contemporary twist features tyrants, incest, murder, young love, and a great hero cruelly separated from his wife and daughter. Will he ever see them again? Benjamin Zephaniah stars as the narrator, Gower.

William Shakespeare (Author), Benjamin Zephaniah, Full Cast, Jamie Glover, Julian Glover, Samuel West, Timothy West (Narrator)

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BBC Radio Shakespeare: A Collection of Three Roman Plays

Three full-cast BBC Radio productions of Shakespeare's most famous Roman plays Featuring all-star casts and introduced by Sir Richard Eyre, these three iconic productions of Shakespeare's dynamic Roman histories are full of political intrigue, passion and tragedy. Julius Caesar This updated version of Shakespeare's classic play is set in Italy in 1925. Julius Caesar, a new Roman dictator, has swept to power, and his way is clear to assume total control - unless a coup by Cassius and Brutus can alter the tide of history. Nicholas Farrell stars as Brutus and Gerard Murphy as Julius Caesar. Coriolanus When Rome's greatest hero, the warrior Coriolanus, divides the people and the patricians through his arrogance, he is driven into exile. Samuel West stars as Coriolanus, with Susannah York as Volumnia. Antony and Cleopatra Shakespeare's last great tragedy is an action epic set against the political backdrop of the Roman Empire and the centre of Egyptian culture, Alexandria. But at the heart of the play is the story of what happens when two people fall in love. Starring Frances Barber as Cleopatra and David Harewood as Mark Antony.

William Shakespeare (Author), David Harewood, Frances Barber, Full Cast, Gerard Murphy, Nicholas Farrell, Samuel West, Stella Gonet, Susannah York (Narrator)

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Ben Hur: A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation

A thrilling adaptation of Lew Wallace's epic biblical tale of betrayal, destiny and redemption. Judea, 26 AD. Two men's lives run almost in parallel. One is a prince of Jerusalem. The other is known as 'He that is born King of the Jews'... When Judah Ben Hur visits his childhood playmate Messala, now a Roman tribune, he hopes to rekindle an old friendship. But their meeting has devastating consequences. Betrayed and falsely accused of attempted murder, Judah's property is confiscated and his family arrested - and he himself is sent to the galleys. En route to the sea, he meets a carpenter's son, who gives him water - and looking into the man's eyes, he almost loses his desire for vengeance. Freed from slavery years later, Judah travels to Antioch, where he hears of a King who will lead the Jewish people, and vows to go and fight for him. He also encounters his former friend Messala once more, and seizes the opportunity to crush him in a high-stakes chariot race. Emerging victorious, he journeys back to Jerusalem to find his lost mother and sister, and raise a resistance force against Rome. But as his life intersects with that of the King he champions, he comes to realise that Jesus of Nazareth is not a warrior, but a saviour - and that the path to his kingdom lies through forgiveness. First published in 1880, Ben Hur was famously adapted as a 1959 blockbuster starring Charlton Heston, which won a record 11 Oscars. This spectacular, cinematic dramatisation boasts a stirring score by award-winning composer Wilfredo Acosta, and is brought to life by a stunning cast including Julian Glover, Samuel West and Michael Gambon. Production credits Written by Lew Wallace Dramatised by Catherine Czerkawska Directed by Glyn Dearman Music and sound design by Wilfredo Acosta Iras' song sung by Elizabeth Mansfield Cast Judah Ben Hur - Jamie Glover Messala - Samuel West Angel/Esther - Deborah Berlin Amrah - Phyllis Calvert Mother - Margaret John Arrius/Man 2 - Derek Waring Tirzah/Maid - Natasha Pyne Chief of Rowers/Man 1 - Don McCorkindale Man 1/Servant/Roman 1/Man at Inn - Joshua Towb Thord/Man 2/Passenger/Servant - Michael Tudor Barnes Man in Boat/Malluch - Gavin Muir Simonides - Bernard Hepton Sheik Ilderim - Freddie Jones Balthasar - Michael Hordern Drusus - Ian Masters Iras - Becky Hindley Jesus/Man 3 - Peter Yapp Pilate/Guide/John the Baptist - Neville Jason Assassin - Oliver Senton Man 4 - Peter Whitman Michael Gambon reads from the Bible First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 March - 9 April 1995 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Lew Wallace (Author), Full Cast, Jamie Glover, Michael Gambon, Samuel West (Narrator)

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Beren and Lúthien

Painstakingly restored from Tolkien’s manuscripts and presented for the first time as a continuous and standalone story, the epic tale of Beren and Lúthien will reunite fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, Dwarves and Orcs and the rich landscape unique to Tolkien’s Middle-earth. The tale of Beren and Lúthien was, or became, an essential element in the evolution of The Silmarillion, the myths and legends of the First Age of the World conceived by J.R.R. Tolkien. Returning from France and the battle of the Somme at the end of 1916, he wrote the tale in the following year. Essential to the story, and never changed, is the fate that shadowed the love of Beren and Lúthien: for Beren was a mortal man, but Lúthien was an immortal Elf. Her father, a great Elvish lord, in deep opposition to Beren, imposed on him an impossible task that he must perform before he might wed Lúthien. This is the kernel of the legend; and it leads to the supremely heroic attempt of Beren and Lúthien together to rob the greatest of all evil beings, Melkor, called Morgoth, the Black Enemy, of a Silmaril. In this book Christopher Tolkien has attempted to extract the story of Beren and Lúthien from the comprehensive work in which it was embedded; but that story was itself changing as it developed new associations within the larger history. To show something of the process whereby this legend of Middle-earth evolved over the years, he has told the story in his father's own words by giving, first, its original form, and then passages in prose and verse from later texts that illustrate the narrative as it changed. Presented together for the first time on audio, they reveal aspects of the story, both in event and in narrative immediacy, that were afterwards lost.

J. R. R. Tolkien (Author), Samuel West, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Birdsong

Set before and during the Great War, Birdsong captures the drama of that era on both a national and a personal scale. It is the story of Stephen, a young Englishman, who arrives in Amiens in 1910. His life goes through a series of traumatic experiences, from the clandestine love affair that tears apart the family with whom he lives, to the unprecedented experience of the war itself.

Sebastian Faulks (Author), Samuel West (Narrator)

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Blood, Sex and Money: A BBC Radio 4 serialisation of Zola's epic saga

Glenda Jackson stars in this award-winning BBC Radio series, inspired by literature's greatest ever whistleblower, Émile Zola, and his epic saga of the Rougon-Macquart family 'Unmissable' Daily Telegraph First published between 1870 and 1893, Émile Zola's 20-book cycle chronicling four generations of the Rougon-Macquarts was a shocking exposé of the decadence, degradation and moral decay of 19th-century France. It included some of his greatest novels, among them his masterpiece, Germinal. These innovative, ambitious dramas, first broadcast on Radio 4 over 24 hours in 2015-16, is a radical reimagining of Zola's classic series, introducing us to 104-year-old matriarch, Dide, imprisoned in an asylum in southern France. Trapped, but omniscient, she broods over her 'family of wolves'. As a young woman, she gave birth to two dynasties that exemplified French society. One legitimate - rich, powerful, obsessive and corrupt. The other illegitimate - poor, vulnerable, weak and depraved. In these three seasons, themed around blood, sex and money, we come to know the members of her extended family intimately - the good, the bad and the misguided. As we follow their highs and lows, we are taken deep into the heart of France's 'Second Empire' and drawn into the tragic, farcical reign of Napoleon III as it marches forward towards a modern, industrialised society. This groundbreaking series won Best Drama at the BBC Radio and Music Awards 2016 and Best Adaptation at the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2017, and boasts a star cast including Robert Lindsay, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Holliday Grainger, Samuel West, Anna Maxwell Martin, Paul McGann, Georgina Campbell, Jack Lowden and Alison Steadman. Also included is a 30-minute bonus programme, The Life and Work of Émile Zola, in which Glenda Jackson travels to Paris to discover how Zola's experience and the physical and cultural landscape in which he lived influenced his great novels.

Emile Zola (Author), Alison Steadman, Angela Griffin, Anna Maxwell Martin, David Schofield, Emma Rigby, Fenella Woolgar, Georgina Campbell, Glenda Jackson, Holliday Grainger, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Paul Mcgann, Robert Lindsay, Samuel West (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Samuel West