Audiobooks narrated by Sarah Badel

Nathaniel Hawthorne: A BBC Radio Collection: Four Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations including The S

"Full-cast adaptations of four works by Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. A descendant of judge John Hathorne, who oversaw the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, he wrote several works inspired by Puritan New England, with themes of guilt, sin and retribution. This collection contains his classic novel, The Scarlet Letter, as well as Wakefield, Rappaccini's Daughter and The Blithedale Romance. The Scarlet Letter – Hester Prynne, a scarlet letter on her breast and her baby in her arms, stands on the scaffold as the crowd around her cries out for her execution. Her sin of adultery is marked by the 'A' she wears, but who should stand by her side? Deborah Findlay stars in this tale of passion and repression, set in Puritan Boston in the 1640s. Wakefield – A middle-aged man, steeped in routine, decides one day to leave home temporarily. and observe the effect on his wife from a flat opposite. But the longer he stays away, the harder it is to return… David Haig stars in this tale of indecision and isolation. Rappaccini’s Daughter – Student Giovanni rents a room overlooking an exotic garden belonging to botanist and poisons expert Dr Rappaccini. But when he glimpses the doctor’s daughter in the garden, Giovanni becomes dangerously obsessed. Part mystery, part love story and part haunting allegory, this dark romance stars Joseph Cohen Cole and Emerald O’Hanrahan. The Blithedale Romance – A society based on brotherhood, not competition – such are the ideals of the commune Miles Coverdale joins. But as he befriends fellow inhabitants Hollingsworth, Zenobia and Priscilla, his dreams of a rural idyll are soured by rivalry and unrequited love. Jonathan Newth stars in this adaptation of Hawthorne’s 1852 novel, loosely based on his time at the utopian community of Brook Farm. First published 1835 (‘Wakefield’), 1844 (‘Rappaccini’s Daughter’), 1850 (The Scarlet Letter), 1852 (The Blithedale Romance) © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Nathaniel Hawthorne (Author), David Haig, Deborah Findlay, Deborah Makepeace, Emerald O’Hanrahan, Full Cast, James Laurenson, John Rowe, Jonathan Newth, Joseph Cohen-Cole, Michael Maloney, Nigel Anthony, Peter Marinker, Sarah Badel (Narrator)

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The August Strindberg BBC Radio Collection: 13 Full-Cast Productions including Miss Julie, The Fathe

"A comprehensive selection of August Strindberg’s finest works, featuring an all-star cast and original music Hailed by Arthur Miller as ‘the mad inventor of modern theatre’, Johan August Strindberg was a Swedish playwright, poet and novelist whose groundbreaking works mingled naturalism and psychology and paved the way for Expressionist drama. A prolific writer – penning over 60 plays, 19 novels and nine autobiographies – his turbulent life was marked by emotional conflict. This wide-ranging collection brings together 13 of his most important dramas and a semi-autobiographical ‘occult diary’, enhanced through stunning soundscapes and music composed by Strindberg himself. First up is his debut play, the 1872 historical drama Master Olof. Influenced by Ibsen’s Brand, it centres around a revolutionary 16th-century priest’s defiance of the Catholic Church and the monarchy. It is followed by The Father, whose focus is paternity and the battle for power between a husband and wife. Sexuality and social class are scrutinised in a retelling of Strindberg’s classic play Miss Julie, placed in a Scottish context, while in Creditors, a Swedish seaside resort is the setting for marriage-wrecking revenge. Also set by the sea, Strindberg’s black comedy of manners Playing with Fire explores a love triangle between a young couple and their close friend. Begun in 1898 while Strindberg was recovering from a breakdown, To Damascus is a symbolic synthesis of his marital, religious and existential struggles. Erik XIV portrays the last years of the titular King of Sweden’s reign, as the increasingly unstable ruler becomes embroiled in a bitter feud with the nobility. Next is Ingmar Bergman’s version of A Dream Play, Strindberg’s oneiric fantasy exploring human suffering and life’s illusions. Easter tells the redemptive tale of a family fearing ruin who instead find hope, forgiveness and mercy. Performed for the first time in English, The Virgin Bride centres on a wedding that could reconcile two rival families – but can the bride prove her chastity by wearing a bridal crown? Following their father’s death, a brother and sister discover disturbing truths about their mother in The Pelican, and in The Ghost Sonata, adultery, murder and deceit are laid bare in the house of the living dead… Our final piece, Strindberg’s dark prose poem Inferno, recounts his experiments in alchemy and black magic, his sojourn in hell and his quest for faith and love. It is narrated by Alan Badel. These outstanding dramas feature star casts including Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Andrew Garfield, Rory Kinnear, Maurice Denham, Martin Jarvis, Trevor Howard, Peggy Ashcroft, Stephen Murray, Judy Bennett, Frank Finlay, Ian Richardson, Janet McTeer and Dorothy Tutin. First published 1872 (Master Olof), 1887 (The Father), 1888 (Miss Julie), 1889 (Creditors), 1892 (Playing with Fire), 1898-1904 (To Damascus), 1899 (Erik XIV), 1901 (A Dream Play, Easter, The Virgin Bride), 1907 (The Pelican), 1908 (The Ghost Sonata), 1912 (Inferno) First broadcast on BBC Radio, 1968-2005 © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

August Strindberg (Author), Andrew Garfield, Brian Cox, Elizabeth Proud, Fiona Shaw, Full Cast, Jonathan Coy, Martin Jarvis, Maurice Denham, Pauline Letts, Peggy Ashcroft, Rory Kinnear, Sarah Badel (Narrator)

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Eugene O’Neill: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: 9 Full-Cast Productions including Long Day’s Journey i

"Nine classic plays from the award-winning American dramatist, plus a selection of his poetry Eugene O'Neill’s revolutionary 20th century dramas changed the direction of American theatre, introducing European realism and experimental techniques to the US stage. He wrote more than 50 plays, portraying characters on the margins of society and tackling controversial issues, winning a Nobel Prize, and four Pulitzer Prizes. We open our collection with his magnificent autobiographical magnum opus, Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Described by the playwright as having been ‘written in tears and blood’, it recounts one tragic day in the lives of the Tyrone family, as they struggle with addiction, disease and despair. Next is The Hairy Ape, based on O’Neill’s experiences as a labourer on a transatlantic liner. A Moon for the Misbegotten, the sequel to Long Day’s Journey Into Night, follows grief-stricken alcoholic Jamie Tyrone as he grasps at love under the Connecticut moonlight. Meanwhile, Desire Under the Elms plays out the themes of Greek tragedy in 1850s New England. Widely considered as O’Neill’s finest work, The Iceman Cometh is an epic tale chronicling the pipe dreams and shattered illusions of a group of no-hopers in a seedy New York bar. It is followed by another Manhattan-based drama, Hughie. Divided into three parts Mourning Becomes Electra retells the story of The Oresteia, Aeschylus’ tragedy of passion, murder, suicide, revenge and a family destroyed by Fate. In contrast, the comedy Ah, Wilderness! is a sentimental portrait of young love and small-town domesticity. And in Anna Christie, a prostitute finds a chance for redemption when she is reunited with her estranged sea-captain father and falls in love with a sailor. Also included is a bonus programme, The Quest for the Golden Girl, featuring some of O’Neill’s comic and romantic poems, read by John Fellows and Denis Lawson. NB: Some of these pieces contain language and attitudes that reflect the age in which they are set. First published 1920 (Anna Christie), 1922 (The Hairy Ape), 1925 (Desire Under the Elms), 1931 (Mourning Becomes Electra), 1933 (Ah, Wilderness!), 1940 (The Iceman Cometh), 1941 (Hughie), 1941-43 (A Moon for the Misbegotten), 1956 (Long Day’s Journey Into Night) Content List - Long Day’s Journey Into Night - The Hairy Ape - A Moon for the Misbegotten - Desire Under the Elms - The Iceman Cometh - Hughie - Mourning Becomes Electra - Ah, Wilderness! - Anna Christie - The Quest of the Golden Girl 'If you like the plays of Eugene O'Neill, then there's a lot to enjoy in this comprehensive collection, which provides listeners with almost nineteen hours' worth of material ... His ear for dialogue, brought to life by different generations of excellent actors, ensures that his words are a pleasure to listen to' - Greg Jameson. © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Eugene O'Neill (Author), Anthony Jackson, Brian Hewlett, Dominic West, Full Cast, Nigel Stock, Ray Mcanally, Robert Beatty, Sarah Badel, Shaun Dingwall (Narrator)

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Aldous Huxley: A BBC Radio Collection: Including Brave New World, Antic Hay, The Devils & more

"BBC Radio adaptations of Aldous Huxley’s finest works – plus a bonus documentary programme ‘Over nine hours’ worth of quality drama… The stories presented in ‘A BBC Radio Collection’ combine to give the listener a taste of Huxley’s versatility as a writer. His vivid imagination always leaves the listener with philosophical ideas to ponder.’ Greg Jameson, Entertainment Focus Philosopher, pacifist, psychonaut and prophet, Aldous Huxley was one of the 20th century’s pre-eminent intellectuals and writers. The author of over 50 books, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize nine times, and elected Companion of Literature by the Royal Society of Literature in 1962, a year before his death. Known for his mordant satire and visionary ideas, Huxley spanned the period from post-First World War disillusionment to mid-century mysticism, and the works in this collection reflect his literary evolution. Antic Hay, his witty, ironic portrait of the glittering hedonism of 1920s London, is dramatised by award-winning playwright Mike Harris, and stars James Cooney and Emily Pithon. Originally a short story, Huxley’s dark comedy of manners The Gioconda Smile was adapted as a hit West End play in 1948. This BBC Radio dramatisation stars Peter Bowles as the womanizing Henry Hutton, about to marry his second wife but accused of killing his first. Brave New World is Huxley’s classic 1932 tale of a future totalitarian dystopia, where promiscuity is the norm, eugenics a respectable science and the drug Soma is freely available. Adapted for Radio 4, it stars Jonathan Coy, Justin Salinger, Milton Lopes and Anton Lesser. Aldous Huxley’s 1953 novel The Devils of Loudun, an imagined account of a real-life witch trial in 17th-century France, was revamped for the stage as The Devils in 1960. A gripping tale of mass hysteria, religious and sexual obsession and alleged demonic possession, this radio version stars Michael Bryant and Sarah Badel. The Dwarves, a full-cast drama based on Chapter 13 of Crome Yellow, tells the story of Sir Hercules and his wife Filomena, whose country-house haven for dwarves like themselves is unexpectedly threatened. David Learner, Claire Faulconbridge and Garard Green star. Concluding our collection are readings of five of his short stories set in the 1920s and a fascinating biographical documentary. Edward Petherbridge reads ‘Cynthia’, ‘The Bookshop’, ‘Eupompus Gave Splendour to Art by Numbers’, ‘Fard’ and ‘The Portrait’, while the documentary All Those Vile Bodies explores the contradictions of the satirist of the brittle 20s turned prescient critic of 20th-century progress. Valentine Cunningham presents, with contributions from Sybille Bedford, Lord Jenkins, Sir Stephen Spender, Gavin Ewart, Julian Symons and Lewis Wolpert, and archive recordings of Huxley, his brother Julian and contemporaries. First published 1920 (‘Cynthia’, ‘The Bookshop’, ‘Eupompus Gave Splendour to Art by Numbers’), 1921 (‘The Dwarves’), 1923 (Antic Hay), 1924 (‘Fard’, ‘The Portrait’), 1932 (Brave New World), 1948 (The Gioconda Smile), 1960 (The Devils) © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.(P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Aldous Huxley (Author), Anton Lesser, Claire Faulconbridge, David Learner, Edward Petherbridge, Emily Pithon, Full Cast, Garard Green, James Cooney, Jonathan Coy, Justin Salinger, Michael Bryant, Milton Lopes, Peter Bowles, Sarah Badel (Narrator)

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The House: A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Political Drama

"All six series of Christopher Lee's enthralling parliamentary drama - plus Christmas Special Suave, unflappable and ambitious, veteran politician Charles Bannister knows his way around the corridors of power. As Chief Whip, he's adept at keeping MPs in line and squashing potential scandals - aided by his brother-in-law, MI6 agent Henry Colvil, who whispers useful titbits of information in his ear. His position seems invincible - but nothing is forever, and when the tides of politics turn, Charles finds himself under threat... In these six series, we follow his fortunes and those of his close friend, Home Secretary Dougal Baxter. Together, the duo rise, fall and rise again, as they fight off plots, counter-plots and conspiracies while struggling to secure their political futures. Promoted to Party Chairman, Charles finds himself beset by domestic dramas, dogged by rumours of an affair with glamorous Opposition MP Juliet Cameron, and under increasing pressure at Westminster. Will he stick it out and run for the top job - or decide to spend more time with his family? Meanwhile, Dougal makes no secret of his desire to become PM - but will his potentially explosive relationship with his mistress, Kay, put an end to his dreams of advancement? Written by award-winning author and historian Christopher Lee, this captivating tale of ministerial manoeuvring and machinations was adapted as a bestselling novel and spawned the spin-off mystery series Colvil & Soames. Julian Glover stars as Charles Bannister, with Timothy West as Dougal Baxter and Christopher Benjamin as Henry Colvil. Production credits Written by Christopher Lee Produced by Pete Atkin and Neil Cargill Cast Charles Bannister - Julian Glover Dougal Baxter - Timothy West/Peter Kelly Mary Bannister - Sarah Badel/Isla Blair Henry Colvil - Christopher Benjamin Denis Wigton - David Ryall/Trevor Peacock Juliet Cameron - Siobhan Redmond Rose - Sheila Reid Arthur - James Garbutt Polly Bannister - Ruth Gemmell Gerald Mossman - David Neville Merffyn Edwards - Ray Smith/Douglas Blackwell Kay Bennett - Jane Booker Nick - Julian Dutton Eamon - Shaun Prendergast Alex - Caroline Bliss Sharp - Norman Bird With Brian Redhead, Laurie Macmillan, Stuart Organ, Graham Blockey, Rupert Baker, Joan Matheson, Ken Cumberlidge, Danny Schiller, John Fortune, Iain Cuthbertson, Dennis Ramsden, Charles Simpson, Christopher Scott, Michael Kilgarriff, Ian Targett, David Goudge, John Bull, David King, Brian Miller, David McAlister, Terence Edmonds, Brett Usher, John Grieve, Richard Caldicot, Bill Wallis, Stephen Greif First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 August-7 October 1989 (Series 1), 25 December 1989 (Christmas Special), 17 September-5 November 1991 (Series 2), 16 March-20 April 1992 (Series 3), 28 October-2 December 1992 (Series 4), 17 June-22 July 1993 (Series 5), 9 June-14 July 1994 (Series 6) © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Christopher Lee (Author), Christopher Benjamin, David Ryall, Full Cast, Isla Blair, Julian Glover, Peter Kelly, Sarah Badel, Sheila Reid, Timothy West, Trevor Peacock (Narrator)

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Coming Up Trumps: A Memoir

"In this witty, candid and utterly fascinating memoir, Baroness Trumpington looks back on her long and remarkable life. The daughter of an officer in the Bengal Lancers and an American heiress, she was born in 1922 into a world of privilege and luxury. But her mother lost most of her inheritance in the Wall Street Crash and the family retrenched from Mayfair to Sandwich, in Kent, where her mother became a succesful society interior decorator. Leaving school at fifteen, without ever taking an exam, the young Jean Campbell-Harris was sent to Paris to study art and both French and German, but two years later, with the outbreak of the Second World War, she became a land girl - on a farm owned by Lloyd George, a family friend. She loathed the outdoor life and soon changed direction, putting her German to good use by joining naval intelligence at Bletchley Park, where she stayed for the rest of the war. After the war was over, she went to New York and worked on Madison Avenue as an advertising copywriter. It was in New York that she met her husband, William Barker, a history teacher. They returned to England and married in 1954, where Barker became first a master and then headmaster at the Leys School in Cambridge. In this witty and winning memoir, Jean Trumpington recalls her early life, growing up in London and Kent in the 1920s and 30s, her wartime experiences, her life in the world of Madison Avenue's 'mad men' and - perhaps the happiest period of her life - her years as a headmaster's wife. The book ends with her embarking on what was to become a distinguished political career. It is vivid, forthright and funny, and will appeal to readers who enjoyed the Duchess of Devonshire's Wait for Me as well as to the many people who warmed to Lady Trumpington after her triumphant appearance on Have I Got News for You."

Jean Trumpington (Author), Sarah Badel (Narrator)

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Winslow Boy, The (Classic Radio Theatre)

"‘It is easy to do justice - very hard to do right.’ When he is accused of stealing a five-shilling postal order, fourteen-year-old Ronnie Winslow is expelled from naval college. But his father believes his claim of innocence and, determined to clear his name, engages the most famous barrister in England to fight his case. It is up to Sir Robert Morton to take on the Establishment in order to ‘let right be done’... Adapted as a famous British film starring Robert Donat, The Winslow Boy is a moving story about fairness and fighting for a principle. This gripping BBC Radio adaptation from 1981 features a distinguished cast including Michael Aldridge, Pauline Letts, Sarah Badel and Michael Maloney."

Terrence Rattigan (Author), Full Cast, Michael Aldridge, Michael Maloney, Pauline Letts, Sarah Badel (Narrator)

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Busman's Honeymoon

"Society’s eligible women are in mourning. Lord Peter Wimsey has married at last, having finally succeeded in his ardent pursuit of the lovely mystery novelist Harriet Vane. The two depart for a tranquil honeymoon in a country farmhouse but find, instead of a well-prepared love nest, the place left in a shambles by the previous owner. His sudden appearance, dead from a broken skull in the cellar, only prompts more questions. Why would anyone have wanted to kill old Mr Noakes? What dark secrets had he to hide? The honeymoon is over, as Lord Peter and Harriet Vane start their investigations. Suspicion is rife and everyone seems to have something to hide, from the local constable to the housekeeper. Wimsey and his wife can think of plenty of theories, but it’s not until they discover a vital fact that the identity of the murderer becomes clear."

Dorothy L. Sayers (Author), Full Cast, Ian Carmichael, Sarah Badel (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Sarah Badel