Audiobooks narrated by Stephen Rea

The Graham Greene BBC Radio Drama Collection: The Early Years: Eight full-cast productions including

"Alan Bennett, Claire Skinner, Charles Dance and Judi Dench are among the star casts of these superlative BBC Radio productions Graham Greene was the 20th century’s master of plot, an expert chronicler of Catholic guilt, Cold War intrigue, conflict and crime. A prolific polymath, his work incorporated serious novels, thrillers, short stories, screenplays, stage plays and more. This wide-ranging box set includes the finest examples of his early work, written between 1932 and 1948, and contains over 15 hours of unmissable drama. It includes captivating adaptations of his classic novels Stamboul Train, Brighton Rock, The Confidential Agent, The Power and the Glory, The Ministry of Fear and The Heart of the Matter, performed by an array of A-list actors including Joseph Millson, Claire Skinner, Kenneth Cranham, Stephen Rea, Charles Dance, Harriet Walter and Tom Hollander. Also featured are Greene’s only original radio play, The Great Jowett, starring Alan Bennett as the titular Oxford don, and an adaptation of his BAFTA-nominated screenplay The Fallen Idol, starring acclaimed classical actor Richard Pasco and a young Judi Dench. Concluding this definitive collection are two bonus pieces. Great Lives: Graham Greene sees war reporter Tim Butcher and presenter Matthew Parris exploring the strange world of Graham Greene, and in a fascinating 1971 interview from Radio 4’s Now Read On, the author himself discusses his novels with Magnus Magnusson – and reveals which book he considers to be his best... Contents Stamboul Train Brighton Rock The Great Jowett The Confidential Agent The Power and the Glory The Ministry of Fear The Heart of the Matter The Fallen Idol Great Lives: Graham Greene Now Read On Text copyright © 1932 (Stamboul Train), 1938 (Brighton Rock), 1939 (The Great Jowett, The Confidential Agent), 1940 (The Power and the Glory), 1943 (The Ministry of Fear), 1948 (The Heart of the Matter, The Fallen Idol) With thanks to Keith Wickham of the Radio Circle for supplying several of the audio recordings. © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Graham Greene (Author), Alan Bennett, Charles Dance, Claire Skinner, Full Cast, Harriet Walter, Joseph Millson, Judi Dench, Kenneth Cranham, Richard Pasco, Stephen Rea, Tom Hollander (Narrator)

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Banned Books: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Four Full-Cast Dramatisations of Modern Classics

"Four modern masterpieces that dared to push boundaries and disrupt the status quo Deviant. Depraved. Dangerous. Denounced for their transgressive themes and inflammatory ideas, these 20th-century classics have all been considered so seditious that they had to be suppressed. Find out what made these iconic works so threatening to governments worldwide in these superlative dramatisations, featuring stellar casts and specially composed music. Ulysses – Prosecuted for obscenity in the UK and US, James Joyce’s seminal novel tells the combined stories of Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom, as they wander through Dublin on one ordinary day: 16th June 1904. The Well of Loneliness – Radclyffe Hall’s groundbreaking tale of lesbian love was judged as obscene soon after its publication in 1928, and banned in the UK for over 20 years. It centres around Stephen, a baby girl born to well-to-do parents who grows up feeling ‘different’ and knows she will never be attracted to a man. But will she always be an outcast? Brave New World – Aldous Huxley's visionary dystopian fable, banned in Ireland and Australia when it first appeared in 1932, portrays a corrupt future society where promiscuity is the norm, eugenics a respectable science and the drug soma is the opiate of the people. Token dissidents Bernard Marx and Helmholtz Watson long to be free – but it is an outsider, John ‘the Savage’, who shows them the true meaning of rebellion. Nineteen Eighty-Four – London, chief city of Airstrip One. Big Brother stares out from every poster, the Thought Police uncover every act of betrayal. When Ministry of Truth employee Winston Smith finds love with Julia, the duo begin to question the Party – but for enemies of the state, Room 101 awaits… George Orwell’s classic tale, banned in the Soviet Union until 1988 and still one of the most-challenged books in the USA today. The star-studded casts of these dramatisations include Andrew Scott, Henry Goodman, Niamh Cusack, Stephen Rea, Valerie Edmond, Amanda Root, Justin Salinger, John Coy, Milton Lopes, Christopher Eccleston, Pippa Nixon and Tim Pigott-Smith. First published 1918 (Ulysses), 1928 (The Well of Loneliness), 1932 (Brave New World), 1949 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) Cast and credits Ulysses Cast: Stephen Rea, Andrew Scott, Kevin Trainor, Harry Livingstone, Janet Moran, Ronan Raftery, Jim Norton, Joshua Ellershaw, Aidan Dunlop, Henry Goodman, Niamh Cusack, Grainne Keenan, Stephen Hogan, Des McAleer, Christine Absalom, Jonathan Forbes, Bronagh Taggart, Sean Campion, John Rogan, Peter Hamilton Dyer, Joshua Ellershaw, Lorcan Cranitch, Gerard McDermott, Denise Gough, Pip Donaghy, Frances Barber, Susie Riddell Written by James Joyce Dramatised by Robin Brooks Directed by Jeremy Mortimer and Jonquil Panting Produced by Jeremy Mortimer Executive producer: Claire Grove Singer: Daire Halpin Pianist: Colin Guthrie The Well of Loneliness Cast: Valerie Edmond, Alexandra Bateman, Roberta Kerr, Rob Pickvance, Amanda Root, Sarah Parks, Paul Warriner, Russell Dixon, Katy Cavanagh, Sara Kaplan, Thomas Hudson, Martin Reeve, Paul Warriner, Katy Cavanagh, Malcolm Hebden Written by Radclyffe Hall Dramatised by Sarah Woods Directed by Melanie Harris Music composed and performed by Odaline de la Martinez Celloist: Andy Wardale Violinist: Janet Fuste Brave New World Cast: Justin Salinger, Jonathan Coy, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Anton Lesser, Milton Lopes, Karina Fernandez, Nicola Ferguson, Sam Rix, James Lailey, Sean Baker, Scarlett Brookes, Brian Protheroe, Nick Underwood Written by Aldous Huxley Dramatised by Jonathan Holloway Directed by David Hunter Nineteen Eighty-Four Cast: Christopher Eccleston, Pippa Nixon, Tim Pigott-Smith, Kim Wall, Robert Blythe, Sam Alexander, Susie Riddell, Christine Absalom, Don Gilet, Joe Sims and Joshua Swinney Written by George Orwell Dramatised by Jonathan Holloway Directed by Jeremy Mortimer (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, James Joyce, Radclyffe Hall (Author), Andrew Scott, Anton Lesser, Christopher Eccleston, Full Cast, Henry Goodman, Jonathan Coy, Justin Salinger, Niamh Cusack, Pippa Nixon, Stephen Rea, Tim Pigott-Smith, Valerie Edmond (Narrator)

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A Conspiracy of Lies: A Political Thriller - The Dublin Bombings, 1974.

"'A propulsive and gripping political thriller hewn from one of The Trouble's darkest days, Connolly skilfully blends fact and fiction to arrive at something that feels blazingly true. A blistering read.' —Noel O'Regan 'An essential and disturbing novel that describes the bombing of Dublin 50 years ago with insights into the ensuing cover-up' —Christy Moore 'This is a vivid and absorbing fictional account of one of the darkest days ever visited on Ireland's capital city' —Justine McCarthy 'A tender love story of two young Dubliners trying to survive the danger of the terrible political truths they uncover' —Theo Dorgan Three bombs shook Dublin in May 1974. Angie and Joe meet in the wake of the single worst atrocity of the Troubles. Brought together by the effect of the bombings on their lives, these two young people set out to discover who is responsible, facing confrontation with dark forces in Irish and British society. As Angie and Joe navigate the aftermath of the bombings, their journey leads them deep into the underbelly of 1970s Dublin, a time and place rife with cultural and political turmoil. Together, they vow to uncover the culprits behind the city's worst atrocity. Their investigation draws them into the shocking political and criminal landscape surrounding those in high places with the blood of innocents on their hands. The more they discover, the deeper they become involved in a world they don't understand—and the consequences could be devastating."

Frank Connolly (Author), Stephen Rea (Narrator)

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Sophocles’ Greek Tragedies: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Oedipus, Antigone, Electra and more

"A collection of full-cast dramatisations of Sophocles’ finest Greek tragedies One of the three great tragic playwrights of ancient Greece, Sophocles wrote over 120 plays during his 60-year career, though only seven survive today. The most famous of these are the Theban Plays, all three of which are included in this collection alongside adaptations of Electra and Philoctetes, brought to life by celebrated writers, poets, and playwrights. The Thebans – Translated and dramatised by acclaimed playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker, this epic cycle follows the fortunes of Oedipus and his daughter Antigone, in three thrilling dramas of bloody acts, family feuds, justice, power and fate. Oedipus Tyrannos sees the King of Thebes setting out to discover the murderer of the former King, Laius – but his investigations lead him to a devastating conclusion. In Oedipus at Kolonus, the blind, elderly Oedipus, exiled from Thebes, arrives at his journey’s end in Kolonus to face his fate. Will he finally be absolved by the gods and find redemption? And in Antigone, King Kreon, the new ruler of Thebes, threatens death to anyone who buries the body of Antigone’s traitorous brother. But for Antigone, her family’s honour means more than life itself... The Cure at Troy – Adapted by Nobel Prize–winning poet Seamus Heaney, this powerful version of Sophocles’ Philoctetes tells the story of the wounded hero, abandoned for ten years on an uninhabited island. Embittered and conflicted, Philoctetes is forced to choose between his need for vengeance and acceptance of his destiny. Electra – Grief-stricken after the murder of her father Agamemnon, Electra is consumed by a desire for revenge. When her brother, Orestes, returns, Electra's fury explodes without mercy, leading to a bloody and terrifying conclusion. This classic tale of power and revenge was adapted by award-winning playwright Frank McGuinness, and features music by PJ Harvey. With star casts including Fiona Shaw, Kenneth Cranham, Brendan Gleeson, Jude Akuwudike, Kristin Scott Thomas, Stephen Rea and Diana Quick, these gripping dramas share Sophocles’ complex tales of love, honour and betrayal for a modern-day audience, enabling us to see these ancient Greek tragedies through fresh eyes. Cast and Credits The Thebans John Lynch, Fiona Shaw, Michael Feast, Kenneth Cranham, Nadine Marshall, Vinette Robinson, Jude Akuwudike, William Ash, Adrian Bower, Russell Dixon, Brigit Forsyth, Deborah McAndrew, James Nickerson, Sarah Parks, Stuart Richman, and Declan Wilson Translated and adapted by Timberlake Wertenbaker Produced and directed by Nadia Molinari Singer/Oboist: Belinda Sykes Percussionist: Martin Allen First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 10 Dec 2006 The Cure at Troy Stephen Rea, Brendan Gleeson, Ian McElhinney, Anna Healy, Lalor Roddy, John Hewitt Adapted by Seamus Heaney Directed by Pam Brighton Music: Donal Lunny First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 1 Sep 1991 Electra Peter Wight, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Julia Dearden, Golda Rosheuvel, Thalissa Teixeia, Liz White, Diana Quick, Tyrone Huggins Adapted by Frank McGuinness Directed by Ian Rickson Produced by Nadia Molinari Co-produced by The Old Vic and Sonia Friedman Productions Music composed by PJ Harvey First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 8 Mar 2015 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Sophocles (Author), Brendan Gleeson, Diana Quick, Fiona Shaw, Full Cast, Jack Lowden, John Lynch, Jude Akuwudike, Kenneth Cranham, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Michael Feast, Nadine Marshall, Russell Dixon, Stephen Rea, Vinette Robinson, William Ash (Narrator)

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The Well of Saint Nobody

"William Barrow finds himself in lonely retirement in West Cork. Once an internationally renowned pianist, a terrible skin disease has attacked his hands and made it impossible for him to perform. Tara is a piano teacher with barely enough pupils to pay the month's rent. In the local café, the elegant writing of a job advertisement catches her eye: 'WANTED. HOUSEKEEPER.' She begins to work in William's house, keeping to herself the knowledge that they have met three times before, encounters that have changed her life. He is oblivious to this, while she spins tales of the well discovered in his back garden and of a mythical saint, of the healing powers of the water and the moss that surrounds it. But as the moss begins to heal William's troubled hands, the lines between legend and reality begin to blur, secrets resurface, and past and present collide in unexpected ways. Praise for the author: 'One of the most inventive artists of our day' John Banville. 'This strange relationship – of indenture, but also of mutual need – defines this thrillingly written, gripping tale that revisits many of Jordan's lifelong preoccupations with class, Irishness and sexuality to powerful moving effect' Observer. 'The historical research is evident [and] as with his previous novels, Jordan creates an evocative sense of time and place... Although the book is an odyssey, tracking thousands of miles across the globe, the pace is leisurely' The Times. 'Jordan is a writer of uncommon talent, particularly around pacing and visual description' Irish Times. 'An expertly spun ballad defined by themes of belonging, illusion and, fundamentally, fidelity' ? RTÉ Culture"

Neil Jordan (Author), Stephen Rea (Narrator)

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Book at Bedtime: A BBC Radio Collection: 10 Unmissable Classics

"A bumper collection of accessible classics from the perennially popular BBC Radio 4 series This diverse, wide-ranging anthology features readings of 10 of the greatest books in the English language, taken from the BBC's Book at Bedtime and performed by a stellar cast of narrators. Here are nearly 27 hours of sensational stories, from iconic romances and humorous travelogues to pioneering Modernist masterpieces and compelling explorations of the human heart. Comprising much-loved favourites as well as neglected classics, this genre-spanning selection has something for everyone. This collection includes abridged readings of: Persuasion by Jane Austen: Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth get a second chance at love following their broken engagement seven years earlier. Read by Juliet Stevenson. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: An orphaned young woman discovers romance when she meets the charming Mr Rochester. Read by Anne-Marie Duff. Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy: Independent Bathsheba Everdene must contend with three very different suitors all vying for her affections. Read by Douglas Hodge. Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes by Robert Louis Stevenson: Stephenson's travelogue from his 12-day hike, taken to distance himself from his love affair with a married woman. Read by Alan Cumming. The Aspern Papers by Henry James: A nameless narrator goes to Venice to persuade American poet Jeffrey Aspern's lover to let him read Aspern's letters. Read by Samuel West. Three Men on the Bummel by Jerome K. Jerome: The Three Men in a Boat return for a bicycle tour through the German Black Forest. Read by Hugh Laurie. Dubliners by James Joyce: Form-defining stories about life in Dublin at the start of the 20th century. Read by Stephen Rea. The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford: Two couples, two marriages; both seemingly perfect. But beneath the surface lies deception and betrayal. Read by Toby Stephens. The Rector's Daughter by F.M. Mayor: Mary has spent thirty-five years taking care of others, but with the arrival Robert Herbert her quiet, ordered existence is changed forever. Read by Juliet Stevenson. Orlando by Virginia Woolf: A playful mock biography of a chameleonic historical figure, immortal and ageless, who changes sex and identity on a whim. Read by Amanda Hale. First published 1817 (Persuasion), 1847 (Jane Eyre), 1874 (Far from the Madding Crowd), 1879 (Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes), 1888 (The Aspern Papers), 1900 (Three Men on the Bummel), 1914 (Dubliners), 1915 (The Good Soldier), 1924 (The Rector's Daughter), 1928 (Orlando) © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Charlotte Brontë, F.M. Mayor, Ford Madox Ford, Henry James, James Joyce, Jane Austen, Jerome K. Jerome, Robert Louis Stevenson, Thomas Hardy, Virginia Woolf (Author), Alan Cumming, Amanda Hale, Anne-Marie Duff, Douglas Hodge, Hugh Laurie, Juliet Stevenson, Samuel West, Stephen Rea, Toby Stephens (Narrator)

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The James Joyce BBC Radio Collection: Ulysses, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man & Dubliners

"Three BBC radio productions of major works by James Joyce – plus Gordon Bowker’s fascinating biographical account of his life Ulysses In this full-cast dramatisation of Joyce’s epic modernist novel, the stories of Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom combine as they meander through Dublin in the course of one day, 16 June 1904. Andrew Scott stars as Stephen, with Henry Goodman as Bloom, Niamh Cusack as Molly Bloom and Stephen Rea as the Narrator. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man An abridged reading of James Joyce's autobiographical masterpiece portraying the adolescence of Stephen Dedalus, who must question the culture and religion of his native land before he can break free to become an artist. Read by Andrew Scott. Dubliners This abridged collection of fifteen naturalistic tales depicts an array of characters from childhood, through adolescence, to maturity. Stories of love, loss, friendship, marriage, politics and family combine to create a unified world and a celebration of a city. Read by Stephen Rea. James Joyce – A Biography Gordon Bowker’s comprehensive study explores Joyce’s years spent in exile in Europe, and examines how his life shaped his genius. Read by Jim Norton, with Andrew Scott as the voice of Joyce."

Gordon Bowker, James Joyce (Author), Andrew Scott, Frances Barber, Full Cast, Henry Goodman, Jim Norton, Niamh Cusack, Stephen Rea (Narrator)

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Ulysses

"The young poet Stephen has been recalled from Paris to Dublin to be at his mother’s deathbed. But he refuses her dying wishes: to kneel and pray for her. Now, holed up in his Martello tower outside the city walls, he has to suffer the taunts of Buck Mulligan by day and, by night, the vision of ‘her eyes, shaking out of death to shake and bend my soul.’ Timelessly evocative, Ulysses is far more than the story of Stephen Dedalus’ journey through Dublin. It is a huge, rich portrayal of human life. In this magnificent, highly accessible, part reading part dramatisation - which includes the famous Molly Bloom soliloquy - the power and truth of Joyce’s vision is as potent as ever. Ulysses stars Stephen Rea and Sinead Cusack, with an introduction by Seamus Heaney. ‘The best book at bedtime’ - Sunday Telegraph."

James Joyce (Author), Full Cast, Sinead Cusack, Stephen Rea (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Stephen Rea