Audiobooks narrated by Stephen Thorne

Life and Intrigue in Tudor Britain: A Collection of BBC Radio Historical Docu Dramas

Six gripping dramatised documentaries detailing the history of the turbulent Tudor period. Passion, power, sex and suspicious deaths – the Tudor story is one of drama and dysfunction, and it has kept us enthralled for over 400 years. In these six dramatised documentaries, we take a behind-the-scenes look at Tudor England and get to know the key characters we have grown to love and hate, such as Mary Tudor, Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. Compiled from contemporary sources by Alison Plowman and featuring first-hand accounts and letters, these thrilling, historically accurate retellings bring this tumultuous era to vivid life. The Most Unhappy Lady spans three critical years in the life of Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, and later Queen of England. It begins in 1533, when her father divorces her mother and marries Anne Boleyn. Refusing to accept the validity of Henry’s actions, Mary finds herself facing danger and disgrace… In Elizabeth's Admiral, we follow the events which took place in the immediate aftermath of Henry VIII’s death in 1547 – events which led to the execution of the Lord High Admiral Thomas Seymour and came near to seriously compromising the future of the 15-year-old Princess Elizabeth. The Killing at Kirk O’Field, set between March 1566 and June 1567, tells the tragic tale of the murder of Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, second husband of Mary Queen of Scots: a crime that remains one of the most controversial 'whodunnits' of all time. Chance or Villainy? explores the mysterious death of Amy Robsart in 1560. Her husband, Lord Robert Dudley, was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I and was rumoured to be having an affair with her – so when Amy was found dead at the foot of a staircase, it seemed that a serious crisis might ensue… In A Knot of Secret Might, we hear the ill-fated love story of Lady Katherine Grey, sister of the doomed ‘Nine-Day Queen’ Lady Jane Grey. And in The Great Enterprise, 1588, we are transported back to sixteenth-century Spain, as Philip II prepares to launch his ‘Invincible Armada’... Among the ensemble casts of these superb docu-dramas are Beryl Calder, Haydn Jones, Marjorie Westbury, Kathleen Helme, Patricia Leventon, Nerys Hughes and Roger Delgado. Credits Compiled from contemporary sources by Alison Plowden Special thanks to Keith Wickham for Archive material. The Most Unhappy Lady Produced by Joe Burroughs First broadcast BBC Home Service, 22 Dec 1964 Elizabeth’s Admiral (A Pattern of Tudors) Produced by Joe Burroughs First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 Apr 1968 The Killing at Kirk O’Field Produced by Alison Plowden First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18 Sep 1969 Chance or Villainy? (A Pattern of Tudors) Produced by Joe Burroughs First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 Feb 1966 A Knot of Secret Might Produced by Richard Wortley First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 Oct 1970 The Great Enterprise, 1588 (A Pattern of Tudors) Produced by Joe Burroughs First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 11 Aug 1968 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Alison Plowden (Author), Beryl Calder, Frank Duncan, Full Cast, Haydn Jones, Jane Wenham, Kathleen Helme, Madi Hedd, Marjorie Westbury, Nerys Hughes, Nigel Lambert, Patricia Leventon, Pauline Letts, Richard Hurndall, Roger Delgado, Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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Unwritten Law: A BBC Radio True Crime Series

Eight dramatised documentaries of landmark trials that changed the law What do you do when a judge sentences your child to be beaten? If someone who has been stabbed dies after refusing a blood transfusion, is it a straight case of murder? How did a murder case end up changing the law for battered women who kill? In this gripping series, Helena Kennedy, celebrated human rights lawyer, broadcaster and civil liberties expert and playwright Rib Davis bring to life eight groundbreaking twentieth century trials. With the help of a full cast they reveal how the British legal system has been influenced by powerful, human stories that redefined the law to better reflect our modern society. A Case of Blasphemous Obscenity - Mary Whitehouse brings a libel case against the editor of Gay News, for publishing an allegedly obscene poem. A Bunch of Twigs - The parents of four 15-year-old boys, sentenced to be birched, launch an appeal against corporal punishment. The Case of The Ladies' Directory - What is moral? Publishing information on how to contact sex workers brings Fredrick Shaw to court on moral grounds. 85 Burglaries and a Phone Tap - Who's listening? The trial of eight people in 1978 leads to a much more important investigation into State secrecy. I've Only Just Learnt To Cry - The tragic story of Emma Humphries, who in 1985 was tried for the murder of her boyfriend. Only a Phase - A group of young men in 1970s Belfast appeal to the British Government for gay rights. Breaking the Chain - A young Jehovah's Witness is stabbed and dies. The court must decide if it was murder or if she contributed to her own death by refusing a blood transfusion. On Self Deliverance - Murder or 'mercy'? An organisation finds itself in court after offering practical help to those wishing to commit suicide. First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 10-31 July 1998 (Series 1) and 1-22 December 1999 (Series 2) © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Helena Kennedy, Rib Davis (Author), Full Cast, Gareth Armstrong, Gavin Muir, Geoffrey Whitehead, Helena Kennedy, Irene Sutcliffe, Jane Wittenshaw, Jonathan Keeble, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Stephen Hogan, Stephen Thorne, Susan Sheridan, Tim Treloar, Tracy Wiles (Narrator)

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Posters of the Moulin Rouge: Eight BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas based on the characters of Toulouse-

Toulouse-Lautrec's iconic Parisian poster stars come to life in these full-cast dramas, set in 19th-century Montmartre 1889, Paris. When Charles Zidler's extravagant pleasure palace, the Moulin Rouge, opens in bohemian Montmartre, he commissions local artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec to create a series of posters to promote it. The striking lithographs Henri produces will make his name - and launch the careers of the performers he portrayed. This sparkling collection of plays introduces us to eight of those legendary artistes, whose lives were as vivid as Lautrec's paint. It opens with Yvette Guilbert, the story of a singer whose dreams of wealth and fame lead her to a brand new cabaret on Boulevard de Clichy.... In The Boneless Wonder, we meet can-can dancer Valentin Renaudin. Merely a silhouette in Toulouse-Lautrec's poster, what is he in real life? La Goulue tells the tale of his famous partner, Louise Weber, whose soubriquet reflects her love of food and life. And in Jane Avril, we hear about Henri's muse, whose nickname 'Crazy Jane' didn't simply refer to her exuberant dancing. May Belfort explores the Irish singer turned lady of the night, who relied more on her beauty than her voice. In Footitt and Chocolat, a circus double act is in danger of drifting apart; while in Casque d'Or, a group of passionate revolutionaries make a fatal last stand. Finally, Aristide Bruant sees the socialist club owner becoming a fashionable success - against all his intentions. He needs to find a new direction: as does Yvette Guilbert... Created by award-winning writer John Peacock, these dazzling dramas will transport you to Belle Époque Paris, in all its glamour and decadence. The star casts include Julie Covington as Yvette Guilbert, Frances Barber as La Goulue, Bonnie Langford as May Belfort, Bernard Hill as Aristide Bruant and Miranda Richardson as Marie Briand. Written by John Peacock Directed by Jane Morgan Music by Stephen Warbeck Technical presentation: David Greenwood, assisted by Anne Bunting and Colin Guthrie © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

John Peacock (Author), Angela Pleasence, Bernard Hill, Bonnie Langford, Clarence Smith, Dermot Crowley, Frances Barber, Julie Covington, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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The Complete Uncle Mort Adventures: North Country, South Country & Celtic Fringe: A BBC Comedy

For the first time ever all three much-loved series featuring the legendary creations Uncle Mort and Carter Brandon are brought together in one collection. As the pair tour Britain, Uncle Mort's recollections make for some hilarious moments. Uncle Mort and his Yorkshire based family first appeared in Tinniswood's novel 'A Touch of Daniel' which earned them a run of four series of 'I Didn't Know You Cared' on BBC TV from 1975-1979. In Uncle Mort's North Country, having been granted a week's holiday, Carter Brandon, with his uncle Mort for company, takes a series of day trips around the north. From day one the week is quite eventful, from a burning barn and a death in a pub where they stop for a drink, to a trip to the seaside where events are equally interesting and amusing. In Uncle Mort's South Country, these famous sons of the north find a fruitful new patch of Tinniswood country in which to air their views. Soho and Hampton Court, southern hotels and southern pubs, southern beer and southern food, that caustic one-nation philosopher, Uncle Mort, has to stomach them all. In the Celtic Fringe the adventures continue west of the English border. Carter Brandon and his Uncle continue their epic journey through Wales, in his Beetle. They sample an eclectic mix of Welsh hospitality, from spending a night in a very eccentric hotel, spending time with famed sportsman Icky Williams and lodging with a sex mad Reverend. Uncle Mort has strange visions and the eccentric trip takes an unusual turn when they look up Mort's old flame. Uncle Mort... Stephen Thorne Carter Brandon ... Sam Kelly Narrator... Christian Rodska

Peter Tinniswood (Author), Christian Rodska, Full Cast, Liz Goulding, Sam Kelly, Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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The Ngaio Marsh BBC Radio Collection: Four full-cast Dramatisations

A collection of the BBC's dramatisations of Ngaio Marsh's most famous sleuth: Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn. This collection would include the following works by Ngaio Marsh: A Man Lay Dead - The gentleman detective tackles a country house party murder. A Surfeit of Lampreys - Gentleman sleuth Inspector Alleyn probes a grisly death of the head of a spendthrift aristocratic family. Opening Night - When a leading actor is found gassed in his dressing room, it looks like suicide. But it transpires he was so detested that everyone had a motive for his murder. When In Rome - 1970s Rome. Chief Detective Inspector Alleyn is incognito and on the trail of a vast drugs syndicate - and some exceptionally unsavoury blackmail. But he hasn't reckoned on murder.

Ngaio Marsh (Author), Jeremy Clyde, Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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The Adventure of the Empty House

Sherlock Holmes reappears in London after a three-year absence, shocking Dr. Watson who believed his good friend had been killed in a confrontation with Professor Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls. Holmes is compelled to outwit the "second most dangerous man in London" who has a good reason to hope for Holmes' demise. From the 1905 collection The Return of Sherlock Holmes.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author), Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

A young lawyer asks Holmes to clear him of the charge of murdering a rich man soon after preparing the man's will. Inspector Lestrade is convinced of the young attorney's guilt and believes he has finally bested Holmes, but by the use of forensic science and a bogus house fire, Holmes is able to exonerate the young lawyer while proving he was set-up.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author), Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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The Adventure of the Dancing Men

A Norfolk country squire from a reputable family hires Holmes to help him learn who has been sending him weird encoded messages, in the form of dancing stick figures, that are disturbing his wife. Upon collecting enough of the messages Holmes cracks the code. He returns to Norfolk to present his findings only to find that his client has been met with tragedy. Using forensic science and his inimitable powers of deduction, Holmes is able to assist the Norfolk authorities and identify the criminal.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author), Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

A young woman explains to Holmes that an unknown man has been following her by bicycle on her weekly trips from the house where she works to the railroad station. Having met two friends of her recently-deceased uncle, one of the men, Carruthers, hires her as a governess and later proposes to her. The young woman, being already engaged, declines. The other man, Woodley, disturbs her with rude behavior and romantic advances. Holmes connects the clues and arrives in time to solve the mystery of the unknown cyclist and to save Smith after she is kidnapped by Woodley.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author), Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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The Adventure of the Priory School

The distraught head of an elite boarding school hires Holmes and Watson to investigate the sensitive disappearance of the young heir of a local nobleman. Searching in the fields surrounding the school, they make a grisly discovery-the dead body of one of the boy's teachers. Sensing the growing danger to the young boy and suspecting the interference of the Duke's secretary, Holmes and Watson question the Duke himself, who reveals a shocking detail to them.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author), Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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The Adventure of Black Peter

A ship captain is found dead, stabbed through with a harpoon. Police inspector Stanley Hopkins, who is being mentored by Sherlock Holmes, brings the case to Holmes and Dr. Watson. An abusive man, the captain had many enemies, widening the suspect list. The investigation finds Holmes and company on a stakeout, on a case that involves a chance meetings on the high seas, and stolen securities.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author), Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

Sherlock Holmes is hired by a lady who is being harassed by Milverton, a notorious blackmailer who has ruined many people and caused many grief. Though he is determined to stop him, Milverton is very crafty and Holmes is unable to find the evidence necessary to put him away. Finally, Holmes and Watson decide on a daring plan to retrieve their client's incriminating letters. While there, they witness a crime that forces Holmes and Watson to make a momentous choice.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author), Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Stephen Thorne