Audiobooks Narrated by Shelley Thompson

Houdini & The Witch of Beacon Hill: Two Full-Cast BBC Radio Historical Dramas

"What drove Harry Houdini - magician, escapologist, and one of the most famous men in the world? Whether it was escaping from handcuffs, a straitjacket or from a box filled with water, Houdini wowed audiences with his seemingly death-defying performance... This BBC Radio collection shares the story behind the trickery: in two fascinating full-cast dramas about the life of Harry Houdini, and in particular his public campaign to expose fraudulent spiritual mediums. In the stunning full-cast dramatisation Houdini, a man is naked against the world, bound in chains, deprived of all help. Performing a death defying escape from a galvanised iron can, filled with water and secured with massive locks. Failure means a drowning death! This is the gripping story of the master magician, escapologist, and at the time of his death in 1926, one of the most famous men in the world. Michael Maloney stars as Houdini, with Graham Crowden as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Lorelei King as Bess. Houdini, the showman, longed to believe that he might be able to communicate beyond the grave with his beloved mother, but knew far too much about the trickery and faking of the stage to be easily convinced. The Witch of Beacon Hill is the true story of how Harry Houdini tried to debunk psychics and mediums. Attending séances in disguise, accompanied by a reporter and a police officer he debunked the most famous and celebrated Boston medium Mina Crandon, also known as ‘Margery’. This radio drama tells Margery’s story, and the story of how Houdini set out to disprove her claims. Starring Shelly Thompson as Margery and Nigel Anthony as Houdini. This double edition collection comes with a bonus episode of Harry Houdini: Escape artist and showman with Rajan Datar. Through interviews, Datar charts the life and career of the legendary Houdini, with writer and biographer Adam Begley, Dr Matthew Solomon, and Dr Katharina Rein. Cast and credits Houdini Written by Bob Sinfield Produced by Graham Pass Harry Houdini - Michael Maloney Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Graham Crowden Bess - Lorelei King Lady Conan Doyle - Gwen Taylor Dash - Jack Klaff Whitehead - Dan Strauss Dr Steves - Dick Vosburgh First Broadcast BBC Radio 2, Oct 1996 The Witch of Beacon Hill Written by Paul M Levitt Directed by Martin Jenkins Leroi Crandon - John Woodvine 'Margery the Medium’ - Shelly Thompson Harry Houdini - Nigel Anthony James Bird - Kerry Shale Caldwell/Rand - Vincent Brimble Gray/Munn - Brian Miller Mrs Corbridge/Mrs Weiss - Helen Horton Collins/Rubin - Joe Dunlop George - Ian Targett Caroline Churchill/Mrs Stinson - Hilda Schroder Winifred Churchill - Barbara Atkinson Henry/Interviewer - Paul Downing Laura - Jane Slavin First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 Sep 1989 The Forum: Harry Houdini: Escape artist and showman Presented by Rajan Datar Produced by Fiona Clampin First Broadcast BBC World Service, 30 Dec 2021 ©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Bob Sinfield, Paul M. Levitt (Author), Full Cast, Graham Crowden, Lorelei King, Michael Maloney, Nigel Anthony, Rajan Datar, Shelley Thompson (Narrator)

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The Spoon Stealer

"?The main character is born in 1894. The book contains her memoir, so the action goes back and forth in time, including Emmeline's childhood, through World War One and World War Two and up to "present day," which is 1968-1969."

Lesley Crewe (Author), Shelley Thompson (Narrator)

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Crown Papers: The sequel to BBC Radio 4 Regal Drama Crown House

"The dramatic sequel to Crown House It's 1933 and we are back at Crown House where the Minster family are gathering to enjoy the Easter holiday. However, Crown House isn't the idyll it first appears, and a brutal murder disrupts the genial gathering. There's a secret that's been buried for years and the Honourable Mrs Jenny Gaunt is determined to uncover the truth but is she prepared to lose everything she holds dear in the process? Meanwhile, Lady Caroline, who has recently begun a new relationship, is ready to face the consequences of her past actions. Still close with the House of Windsor, Lord and Lady Minster and their family must embark on a new decade, one of change and upheaval. Set across the backdrop of the 1930s and encompassing everything from the silver jubilee of George V to the rise in popularity of Oswald Mosley, this compelling and dramatic sequel builds on the Crown House story. Tradition and continuities are brought into conflict with a changing world as the Minsters must find their place between a bygone era and a fast-paced future. Follow the highs and lows of the Minster family through changing times, scandal, and tragedy, where past and present collide in this thoughtful and compelling drama of a family like no other. Based on the popular Crown House novels by Peter Ling, this six-part drama is written by Juliet Ace (The Archers, Young Victoria) and Peter Ling (The Avengers, Doctor Who). Dinah Sheridan, best know for her roles in Genevieve and The Railway Children, reprises her role as Lady Minster and Geoffrey Whitehead stars as Lord Minster. ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Cast and credits Written by Juliet Ace and Peter Ling Directed by Tracey Neale Lady Minster - Dinah Sheridan William, Lord Minster - Geoffrey Whitehead Beatrice, Dowager Countess - Margaret Rawungs Richard, Viscount Ebony - Michael Cochrane Polly, Viscountess Ebony - Melinda Walker The Hon Nicholas Gaunt - Mark Straker The Hon Mrs Jenny Gaunt - Helena Breck Lady Caroline Gaunt - Deborah Makepeace The Hon Martin Gaunt - Richard Pearce Sir Charles Bowyer - Brett Usher Lady Gina Bowyer - Shelley Thompson Scott Hanson - Colin McFarlane Speaker in meeting - Alan Barker Paul Weyman - Philip Sully Muriel Beasley - Joanna Myers American Matron - Jan Whittenshaw American Nurse - Adjoa Andoh Mr Darrell - Nigel Carrington Lady Cloudesley/A stranger - Susan Sheridan First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, September 1991"

Juliet Ace, Peter Ling (Author), Brett Usher, Colin Mcfarlane, Deborah Makepeace, Dinah Sheridan, Full Cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, Helena Breck, Margaret Rawlings, Mark Straker, Melinda Walker, Phillip Sully, Shelley Thompson, Susan Sheridan (Narrator)

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Roar

"A novel inspired by the original screenplay for the award-winning feature film Dawn, Her Dad & the Tractor, about a young trans woman who returns to her family farm in the wake of her mother's death, written by celebrated actor and screenwriter Shelley Thompson. The MacInnes family is grieving. The loss of Miranda has devastated her husband, John Andrew, her eldest daughter, Tammy, and her youngest child, Dawn. Not Donnie anymore but Dawn, like sunrise, who transitioned while her mother received cancer treatment - without the rest of the family knowing. Now, when Dawn leaves Halifax for rural Nova Scotia to attend her mother's funeral, she knows she'll be meeting her sister and father for the first time as herself. With Dawn's revelation, John Andrew and Tammy find themselves grieving for the son and brother they once knew, while Tammy's fiancé, Byron, becomes an unexpected ally. Between the complicated reaction from her family, unwanted attention from local bigots, and whispers from curious neighbours, Dawn wonders if she can ever really come home. A work of fierce allyship, of enduring love, and of gentle hope, ROAR follows a family through grief and estrangement as they become catalysts for change in their rural community. Told from multiple points of view, with confidence and tenderness, actor and screenwriter Shelley Thompson's debut novel is profoundly authentic, drawing on her own experience as the mother of a trans child and a fierce activist for the trans community."

Shelley Thompson (Author), Shelley Thompson (Narrator)

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