Audiobooks narrated by Timothy West

Racine’s Tragedies: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Four Classic Full-Cast Productions including Phaedra & Berenice

"Four neo-classical tragedies from the renowned French dramatist, with star-studded casts including Timothy West, Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan Jean-Baptiste Racine stands with Molière and Corneille as one of the three premier dramatists of 17th-century France. A foundational figure in both Western and world literature, he is chiefly known for his tragic masterpieces. Mingling Ancient Greek myth with French classical flair, the four works in this collection are among his finest. Phaedra – First performed in 1677 and based on Euripides’ Hippolytus, this gripping drama tells the tale of the eponymous queen, married to Theseus, who is consumed by an obsessive passion for her stepson Hippolytus. When her illicit love is revealed, the consequences are catastrophic. Barbara Jefford, Christopher Guinee and Paul Daneman star alongside Prunella Scales and Timothy West in Racine’s tragic tale of desire, madness, guilt and remorse. Andromache – Set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, this fatalistic tale revolves around unrequited love. Pyrrhus, Achilles’ son, is in love with Andromache, whom he has brought as a captive to his court in Epirus. But Pyrrhus is betrothed to Hermione, who adores him, while she is likewise idolised by Orestes, who has been sent by the Greeks to demand the killing of Andromache’s son, Astyanax. The devastating force of their emotional conflict leads to murder, suicide and madness… Starring Suzanne Bertish, Sarah Collier, Alec Heggie and David Rintoul. Mithridates – Nymphaeum, 70 BC. When King Mithridates returns unexpectedly after being reported dead in battle, he finds his two sons, Pharnaces and Xiphares, vying for his throne and the heart of his betrothed Queen, Monima. Suspecting treachery, he devises a trap to test their loyalties – only to find his worst fears confirmed… Geraldine McEwan, Marius Goring, Clifford Norgate and Martin Jarvis star in this masterful portrait of forbidden passion, sibling rivalry and betrayal. Berenice – Famously described by Racine himself as possessing a ‘majestic sadness’, this heartbreaking drama focuses on a love triangle between Titus, the Roman Emperor, Berenice, Queen of Palestine and Antiochus, King of Commagene. Titus longs to marry Berenice, but knows the people of Rome would never accept a foreign consort. Antiochus, meanwhile, hopes against hope that Berenice will one day return his devotion. Torn between duty and happiness, all three must decide whether to follow their hearts, or accept their fates. Starring Peter Egan, Rachel Gurney and John Rye. Phaedra Phaedra – Barbara Jefford Hippolytus – Christopher Guinee Theseus – Paul Daneman Oenone – Sheila Allen Aricia – Prunella Scales Theramenes – Timothy West Panope – Madi Hedd Ismène – Alexa Romanis Andromache Andromache – Suzanne Bertish Hermione – Sarah Collier Orestes – Alec Heggie Pyrrhus – David Rintoul Pylades – Paul Young Cleone – Beth Robens Cephisa – Diana Olsson Phoenix – James Cairncross Mithridates Mithridates, King of Pontus – Marius Goring Monima. affianced to Mithridates and already proclaimed Queen – Geraldine McEwan Arbates Governor of Nymphaeum fort – William Fox Phaedima– Joan Haythorne Arcas– John Forrest Sons of Mithridates Pharnaces – Clifford Norgate Xiphares – Martin Jarvis Berenice Antiochus, King of Commagene – John Rye Arsaces - Michael Kilgarriff Berenice, Queen of Palestine – Rachel Gurney Phoenissa, confidante of Berenice – Margaret Wolfit Titus, Emperor of Rome – Peter Egan Paulinus, confidant of Titus – William Eedle Rutilus, a Roman – Nigel Lambert © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. ? 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Jean Racine (Author), Alec Heggie, Barbara Jefford, David Rintoul, Diana Olsson, Full Cast, Paul Young, Prunella Scales, Sheila Allen, Timothy West, William Fox (Narrator)

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The Image of God: A BBC Radio Adaptation of the Medieval Mystery Plays

"A full-cast three-part adaptation of the Medieval Mystery Plays, introduced by David Buck During medieval religious holidays in certain English towns and cities, members of the various guilds would gather in the streets to re-enact Bible stories, from the Creation to the Last Judgment. Often staged from dawn to dusk on a single day, they were performed on a procession of pageant wagons, and the actors created all the music and effects themselves. In The Image of God, writer David Buck reworks these ‘mystery plays’ while preserving the stories, characters and attitudes of the original dramas. Told in verse that ranges from moralising to bawdy, this ambitious adaptation vividly recreates the immediacy and accessibility of a street performance in front of a holiday crowd – complete with audience reactions, sound effects and songs. Included here is an introduction by David Buck, in which he explains the background to his trilogy and reveals how the tradition of the Mystery Plays grew from question-and-answer sequences introduced into the Mass to become popular entertainment for the masses. Part 1: Creation – Told in chronological order, these thrilling Biblical narratives tell of the War in Heaven in which Lucifer is driven into Hell, the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, and Cain’s murder of Abel, as well as recounting how Noah survives the Flood, Abraham obeys God and Joseph disbelieves the Virgin birth. Part 2: The Image of Man – Beginning with a version of the Second Shepherd’s Play, in which Mak steals a lamb, here are stories relating the life of Christ, from Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents to Jesus’ temptation by Lucifer, the Miracles, the Last Supper and the Betrayal. Part 3: Redemption – Christ’s death and resurrection are the subject of these final plays, in which Jesus is tried, Procula distracts Pilate, Barabbas is freed, Jesus is crucified and rises from the dead, the damned are released from Hell and the Son of God returns to his Father’s right hand. Featuring a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of classic radio acting talent, the ensemble cast includes Timothy West as The Prologue, Denis Quilley as God, Peter Jeffrey as Lucifer, Hannah Gordon as Eve, Julian Glover as Cain, Richard Briers as Noah, John Rowe as Jesus, Annette Crosbie as Mary Magdalene, John Shrapnel as Judas, Nigel Anthony as John the Baptist and David Buck himself as Herod. NB: The attitudes in this production reflect the medieval era in which the plays were first staged. First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 18 March - 3 April 1980 © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

David Buck (Author), Annette Crosbie, David Buck, Denis Quilley, Full Cast, Hannah Gordon, John Rowe, John Shrapnel, Julian Glover, Nigel Anthony, Peter Jeffrey, Richard Briers, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Euripides’ Greek Tragedies: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: The Women of Troy, Medea, Alcestis and more

"A selection of Euripides’ renowned Greek tragedies, adapted for BBC Radio Acclaimed by Aristotle as ‘the most tragic of the poets’, Euripides was one of the pre-eminent playwrights of 5th century Athens. Included here are seven of his masterpieces: powerful, shocking tales of passion, suffering and revenge that still resonate with us today. Among the star casts are Maxine Peake, Richard Dormer, Roger Allam, Olympia Dukakis, Christine Bottomley, Timothy West, Siân Phillips, Emma Fielding and Anton Lesser. The Women of Troy – Troy has fallen. The great city is destroyed, its men slaughtered and its women held captive: among them, Hecuba and her daughters... In Linda Marshall Griffith’s contemporary reimagining of Euripides’ compelling anti-war play, journalist Sappho leads a chorus of women as they record and broadcast their testimonies on social media for the world to witness. Iph... – Colin Teevan’s forceful, vigorous version of Iphigeneia at Aulis sees the Greek leader Agamemnon facing a horrifying choice. With the Greek fleet becalmed at Aulis, should he sacrifice Iphigeneia to the gods for a fair wind to Troy, or save his beloved daughter at the cost of his honour? Alcestis – When the gods insist that King Admetos must die, his devoted wife Alcestis offers herself in his place and goes to the grave in his stead. Can the hero Heracles rescue her from Death’s clutches? Hecuba – Having watched the rape and pillage of Troy, the widowed, enslaved Trojan queen learns that her daughter is to be sacrificed to the spirit of Achilles, and her youngest son has been murdered by the man who was meant to protect him. Grief-stricken, she vows to take vengeance… An elegant, fierce rendering by Timberlake Wertenbaker of Euripides’ controversial classic. Hippolytus – Angered that Theseus’ illegitimate son refuses to worship her, the goddess Aphrodite swears revenge. Using her divine power, she causes Theseus’ wife Phaedra to fall desperately in love with Hippolytus – and condemns them both to death… The ‘Ion’ of Euripides – Young temple slave Ion has grown up believing himself an orphan. When he meets Queen Kreousa, who was raped by Apollo and forced to give up the resulting child, he discovers his true parentage – but is he destined to die at the hands of his mother? The Medea of Euripides – Abandoned by her faithless husband, Jason, the vengeful sorceress Medea determines to punish him. Driven by ruthless, cold-blooded rage, she plots to kill his new bride – and murder her own children... NB: Contains strong language The Women of Troy Iph... Alcestis Hecuba Hippolytus The ‘Ion’ of Euripides The Medea of Euripides © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Euripides (Author), Anton Lesser, Christine Bottomley, Emma Fielding, Full Cast, Maxine Peake, Richard Dormer, Roger Allam, Sian Philips, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Bernard Kops: A BBC Radio Collection: 19 Full-Cast Productions including Ezra, Soho Nights & more

"An anthology of plays and original radio dramas from the prolific playwright Born and brought up in the East End of London, Bernard Kops came to fame in the late 1950s as part of British drama’s ‘New Wave’. A lyrical chronicler of Jewish family life, he is often compared to Arnold Wesker and Harold Pinter, though his work is more sentimental and surreal. In a 50-year career, he wrote 10 novels, numerous poetry collections, two autobiographies and over 40 stage, TV and radio plays. Included here are some of his most popular pieces, beginning with two East End tales of love, loss, friendship and community, Whitechapel Dreams and Harry and the Angels, both featuring Kops himself as the narrator. An adaptation of his famous stage play, Ezra, about the treacherous, anti-Semitic poet Ezra Pound, is followed by a selection of original radio dramas including Falling in Love Again, the five-part serial Soho Nights and a two-parter featuring the trials and tribulations of a Yiddish theatrical troupe, The Jericho Players and The Jericho Players: Rogues and Vagabonds. Next up are more plays specially written for radio: The Lost Loves of Phoebe Myers (commissioned to mark Kops’ 80th birthday), Kafe Kropotkin, Trotsky Was My Father, Over the Rainbow, Bournemouth Nights, and The Anarchist Bed and Breakfast. Also featured are Congress in Manchester, centring around an ageing publisher’s attempts to seduce a young poetess; and Simon at Midnight, his 1982 radio drama about an East End factory owner facing bankruptcy which was later adapted for the theatre. Concluding this collection are a quartet of vintage plays from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s that have not been broadcast since they first aired: The Street Game; I Grow Old, I Grow Old; The Lemmings and The Dark Ages. Showcasing the range and prodigious output of an extraordinary talent, these 19 dramas star a wealth of leading actors, among them Miriam Margolyes, Ian Holm, Anne-Marie Duff, Maureen Lipman, Timothy West, Amanda Root, Stephanie Cole, Mark Bonnar, Louise Brealey, Alfred Molina, Warren Mitchell, Lesley Joseph, Leo McKern, Derek Fowlds,Tracy-Ann Oberman, Jane Asher, Andrew Sachs and Denis Quilley With thanks to Keith Wickham and the Radio Circle Content Warning: The themes present in some of these dramas could be distressing for some listeners Production credits Written by Bernard Kops Text copyright © 1959 (The Street Game), 1963 (The Lemmings), 1964 (The Dark Ages), 1979 (Bournemouth Nights; I Grow Old, I Grow Old), 1980 (Over the Rainbow), 1981 (Ezra), 1982 (Simon at Midnight), 1984 (Trotsky Was My Father), 1988 (Kafe Kropotkin), 1990 (Congress in Manchester), 1993 (Soho Nights), 1996 (The Jericho Players), 1998 (The Jericho Players: Rogues and Vagabonds), 2000 (Falling in Love Again, The Anarchist Bed and Breakfast), 2006 (The Lost Love of Phoebe Miles), 2008 (Whitechapel Dreams), 2010 (Harry and the Angels) All rights reserved Content List - Whitechapel Dreams - Harry and the Angels - Ezra - Falling in Love Again - Soho Nights - The Jericho Players - The Jericho Players: Rogues and Vagabonds - The Lost Love of Phoebe Miles - Kafe Kropotkin - Trotsky Was My Father - Over the Rainbow - Bournemouth Nights - The Anarchist Bed and Breakfast - Congress in Manchester - Simon at Midnight - The Street Game - I Grow Old, I Grow Old - The Lemmings - The Dark Ages © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Bernard Kops (Author), Alison Pettitt, Anne-Marie Duff, Bernard Kops, Frederick Treves, Full Cast, Ian Holm, Jane Asher, Louise Brealey, Mark Bonnar, Maureen Lipman, Ronan Vibert, Timothy West, Tracy-Ann Oberman (Narrator)

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Murder is My Subject & other thrillers: 15 Full-Cast Vintage BBC Radio Dramas

"A collection of intriguing thrillers by Philip Levene Philip Levene was a prolific radio dramatist who also penned 19 episodes of ITV’s The Avengers, which won him a Writers’ Guild Award. While many of his works have unfortunately been lost, this collection of surviving recordings showcases his exceptional talent. Produced between 1957 and 1973 and arranged in chronological order, they range from murder mysteries to psychological dramas with unexpected twists and turns, and feature full casts including Rolf Levebvre, Timothy West, Joan Sanderson, Frederick Treves, Betty Huntley-Wright, Margot Boyd and Eileen Derbyshire. Suspicious Mind centres on a thriller-loving old lady with a vivid imagination; while in Torment, a troubled young student claims to have committed a murder. Did it really happen, or is he just fantasising? In False Witness, a chip-shop owner finds that a murder case hangs on his identification of the perpetrator, and in Trump Card, an unhappy husband becomes infatuated with the maid and decides to take action. Murder in Mind finds beekeeper Herbert determined to stop his wife from selling their house, The Nightwatchman revolves around a mystery man admitted to hospital following an accident at a frozen food company, and The Ears of Dr Jeremy features a sharp-eared doctor who becomes concerned about the strange sounds emanating from a patient. A sensitive composer is forced to commit a terrible act in The Invader, and in Cold Storage, a man is accidentally locked in a cold store – and finds his imagination running wild. Obsessed with his prize-winning lawn, a retired stockbroker’s pride turns to paranoia in The Velvet Carpet, and in The Birthday Present, an antique paperweight sparks disturbing thoughts in the mind of a psychologist. A lecturer is murdered at a police training college in Murder is My Subject. All the witnesses are professionals – but so are all the suspects… Question of Guilt finds Peter Harris in prison for killing his landlady, but he swears he’s innocent. If he didn’t do it, who did? Three people whose close relatives had met with accidental death attend a séance in Murder Beyond. When a murder occurs, suspicion falls on each of them. And in Guardian Angel, ex-prisoner Ernie applies for a job as a security guard. Will it be his lucky day? With thanks to Keith Wickham of the Radio Circle for supplying the audio recordings. © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Philip Levene (Author), Barry Foster, Betty Huntley-Wright, Eileen Derbyshire, Fraser Kerr, Frederick Treves, Full Cast, James Thomason, Joan Sanderson, Margot Boyd, Mary O’Farrell, Nigel Graham, Rolf Lefebvre, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Evelina & Dear Little Burney: Two BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatisations

"A BBC radio drama adaptation of Fanny Burney’s best-known novel, plus a dramatisation of her diaries Before Jane Austen, there was Fanny Burney. In the 1780s, she was England’s most celebrated female author, having achieved extraordinary success with two hit novels. She went on to become a royal servant, marry an exile from the French Revolution and undergo a gruelling mastectomy without the aid of anaesthetic – all events chronicled in her diaries, which were published posthumously to great acclaim. Contained here are dramatisations of her first and most famous novel, and her remarkable journals and letters. Evelina – Initially published anonymously, Fanny Burney’s witty epistolary account of a young woman’s introduction to the beau monde took Georgian London by storm. Brought up by her guardian since her mother died in childbirth and her father refused to acknowledge her, Evelina has spent her childhood in rural seclusion. But a letter from her grandmother and an invitation to London lead her into the dangerous and unfamiliar world of the Ton, where she meets a collection of fops, dandies and dastardly rakes – as well as the dashing Lord Orville. Can she navigate the traps and challenges of fashionable society to find true love? Laura Doddington stars as Evelina in this 10-part dramatisation of Burney’s satirical comedy of manners. Dear Little Burney – Beginning in 1778, when Evelina catapulted Fanny Burney to fame, this 15-part adaptation of her letters and diaries vividly portrays the most momentous events of her extraordinary life. From adjusting to her sudden celebrity to becoming wardrobe mistress to Queen Charlotte, witnessing George III’s madness, spending ten years in France during the Napoleonic Wars and enduring an agonising operation, we are swept up in her joys, anxieties and disappointments – and given an intimate glimpse into everyday life in 18th century London and Paris. Starring Juliet Aubrey as Fanny, with Timothy West, Eleanor Bron, Robert Whelan and June Barrie. Evelina first published in 1778 Diaries and letters first published 1842-1846 Production credits Written by Fanny Burney Adapted by Jennifer Howarth Produced and directed by Sara Davies Cast Evelina Evelina – Laura Doddington Mr Villars – Philip Manikum Caroline/Mrs Mirvan/Prostitute – Jacqueline Tong Lady Howard/Mrs Selwyn – Phyllida Nash Mr Lovel/Mr McCartney – John Mackay Lord Orville – Ian Kelly Sir Clement Willoughby – Andrew Collins Captain Mirvan/Sir John Belmont – Mark Buffery Madame Duval – Stephanie Cole Mr Branghton – Chris Harris Tom Branghton – Stuart Crossman Polly Esther – Ruth Elliott Monsieur du Bois/Officer/Coachman – James Anderson Dear Little Burney Fanny – Juliet Aubrey George III – Timothy West Queen Charlotte – Eleanor Bron Susan – Kate Seaward Dr Burney – Robert Whelan Charles/George – Chris Garner MrsThrale – Liz Morgan Mr Fairly/Mr Kemble – Andrew Hilton Prince of Wales – Andrew Collins Mrs De!any/Mrs Siddons – June Barrie Lowndes – David Collins Gent!eman – Paul Dodgson Miss Dewe – Caitlin Hobbs Dr Johnson – Bill Wallis Mrs Schwellenberg – Kim Hicks d'Arblay – Thierry Harcourt With Cornelius Garrett, Claire Marchionne, Angela Barlow, Ric Jerrom, Rob Hutchinson and Joshua Boyden © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Fanny Burney (Author), Eleanor Bron, Full Cast, Juliet Aubrey, Laura Doddington, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Ivan Turgenev: A BBC Radio Full-Cast Drama Collection: First Love, Father and Sons, A Month in the Country & More

"Nine classic works by the Russian literary giant, adapted for BBC Radio Ivan Turgenev stands alongside Tolstoy and Dostoevsky as one of the three great Russian novelists of the 19th century. He was also a consummate short story writer, poet and playwright, and the first Russian author to become popular in the West. This specially curated collection showcases his key works, from the most celebrated to the undeservedly underrated. Described as ‘one of the most perfect things ever written’, the lyrical novella First Love tells the story of 16-year-old Vladimir, whose longing for the capricious Zinaida informs his whole life. Dramatised for Radio 4, it stars Simon Cadell, Rosalind Ayres and Bill Nighy. Succeeding it is Turgenev’s masterpiece, Fathers and Sons, an exploration of the eternal conflict between the reactionary older generation and the revolutionary younger one. John Castle stars as youthful nihilist Bazarov, with Maurice Denham as his father Nikolai. First published in 1855 as Two Women, Turgenev’s best-known play A Month in the Country centres around a landowner’s wife who finds herself attracted to her son’s tutor. Translated by Isaiah Berlin, our Radio 3 version stars Maureen O’Brien and Gerard Murphy. Written a few years before A Month in the Country, the little-known play The Poor Gentleman is an emotional comedy about an elderly man’s devotion to a daughter he can never recognise publicly. It stars Frank Finlay, Morag Hood and Colin Baker. Next up is Smoke, Turgenev’s only novel not to be set in Russia. Baden Baden is the setting for a tale that blends poignant love story and searing political satire, starring Garard Green, Rachel Gurney and Patricia Leventon. Meanwhile, in the short story ‘The Dog’, a mild Hussar (Timothy West) is the subject of a bizarre haunting… Turgenev’s debut novel, Rudin, features that archetypal character in Russian literature, the ‘superfluous man’. Ian Holm stars as the eponymous hero, an idealistic intellectual who is incapable of taking action: and suffers for it. Set just before the Crimean War, the romantic novella On the Eve has passion and patriotism as its themes. Amanda Root stars as the upper-class Elena, who embarks on a doomed affair with Bulgarian revolutionary Insarov (Philip Franks). We conclude as we began, with a tale of first love – Spring Torrents, one of Turgenev’s greatest and most autobiographical novellas. Adapted for Radio 4’s ‘Book at Bedtime’, it is read by David Horovitch. First published 1848 (The Poor Gentleman), 1855/1872 (A Month in the Country), 1857 (Rudin), 1860 (First Love, On the Eve), 1862 (Fathers and Sons), 1866 (‘The Dog’), 1867 (Smoke), 1872 (Spring Torrents) Production credits Written by Ivan Turgenev With thanks to Keith Wickham Contents List First Love Fathers and Sons A Month in the Country The Poor Gentleman Smoke The Dog Rudin On the Eve Spring Torrents © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Ivan Turgenev (Author), Amanda Root, Bill Nighy, David Horovitch, Full Cast, Hugh Dickson, Ian Holm, Maureen O'brien, Norman Shelley, Patrick Troughton, Rosalind Ayres, Tim Pigott-Smith, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Pru and Me: The Amazing Marriage of Prunella Scales and Timothy West

"Brought to you by Penguin. The heartwarming, first-hand account of one of the most celebrated partnerships in the history of British entertainment, the 60-year marriage of TImothy West and Prunella Scales. This moving and memorable audiobook is read by Timothy West and also features Prunella Scales reading the letters she has written to Tim over the course of their marriage. Timothy West and Prunella Scales are – first and foremost – actors. Over seventy years they have delighted millions, portraying a host of larger-than-life characters that the nation has taken into their hearts. But their finest roles, it turns out, have always been as husband and wife – in the extraordinary and enduring double act that is Tim and Pru. In Pru & Me, Timothy West charts the course of their lives, from the years before they met – treading the boards in the 50s – to their secret courting, marriage and settling in Wandsworth. And then together as they established themselves at the heart of British theatre, television and film over the next seventy years, in some of the nation’s favourite shows, such as Fawlty Towers and Brass. Crammed full of stories, often funny, sometimes poignant and occasionally jaw-dropping, Pru & Me also vividly recounts the late blaze of glory that introduced the world to the real Tim and Pru via Great Canal Journeys. Here, the couple charmed the nation while at the same time charting Pru’s gentle struggle with dementia. An honest, charming and above all uplifting story of twin souls who, once they found one another, clung together through thick and thin. Pru & Me is a joyous portrait of a very, very special love story. 'A beautiful, witty, moving and joyful portrait of marriage' Red 'A memoir laden with laughter and love' Daily Mail 'Deeply moving, poignant and enthralling' Mail on Sunday ©2023 Timothy West (P)2023 Penguin Audio"

Timothy West (Author), Prunella Scales, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Old Harry’s Game: The Complete Series of the Award-Winning BBC Radio 4 Comedy

"All seven series of Andy Hamilton's fiendishly funny award-winning comedy set in Hell. 'Satirical, philosophical - and devilishly funny' Gillian Reynolds, Daily Telegraph Welcome to Hell - where nobody can ever quite catch the barman's eye. In this collection, which contains all seven series of Old Harry's Game, get ready for some wicked one-liners and scorching satire. Satan is fed up after a millennia in charge of Hell, especially given the prospect of an eternity still running the damned place. Although he does enjoy playing pranks on the world of the living and devising wry torments for the souls in his keeping, he often wistfully recalls his past as an archangel... Over the course of the series, we meet various famous figures now languishing in Hell, including a foul-mouthed Jane Austen, a mindless Helen of Troy and a less-than-heroic Samson. Satan takes Hell resident Thomas on a tour of his life, his assistant Scumspawn has trouble with a pushy computer, and love drives The Professor to extreme action. Satan and The Professor find a huge, empty space in Hell (when they enter Scumspawn's brain), a Health and Safety officer notes that the lighting is inadequate, and Satan punishes a feng shui expert. And then Edith arrives... Seven series of the Sony Award-winning comedy (plus the Christmas and Olympic specials) starring Andy Hamilton as Satan and a regular cast of acclaimed actors including Annette Crosbie as Edith, Timothy West as God, James Grout as The Professor, Jimmy Mulville as Thomas and Robert Duncan as Scumspawn. Production credits Written by Andy Hamilton Produced by Paul Mayhew-Archer First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 November - 28 December 1995 (Series 1), 7 April - 12 May 1998 (Series 2), 24 March - 28 April 1999 (Series 3), 29 March - 3 May 2001 (Series 4), 31 December 2002 - 1 January 2003 (2002 Christmas Special), 20 September - 11 October 2005 (Series 5), 27 September - 1 November 2007 (Series 6), 19 February - 26 March 2009 (Series 7), 23 December - 30 December 2010 (2010 Christmas Special), 12 July - 19 July 2012 (Olympic Special). ©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Andy Hamilton (Author), Andy Hamilton, Annette Crosbie, David Swift, Full Cast, James Grout, Jimmy Mulville, Robert Duncan, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Rumpole: A BBC Radio Collection: 32 BBC Radio full-cast dramas

"An irresistible collection of sparkling stories featuring John Mortimer's beloved comic creation Horace Rumpole is the most erudite, astute, and seldom defeated of barristers in the annals of the Old Bailey. In these 32 dramas, arranged in order of broadcast, four distinguished actors don the wig and white band to portray our hero as he recalls his long, eventful career. Timothy West stars as the older Rumpole in eight cases in which he proves, despite scurrilous rumours to the contrary, that he is alive, well and as adept as ever at getting to the heart of crimes ranging from sexual assault to terrorism. He also has hopes of becoming a QC at last - but his marriage to She Who Must Be Obeyed is under pressure... Joining Timothy West for another seven legal adventures, Benedict Cumberbatch plays the young, feisty, devastatingly acute Rumpole. We flash back to the 1950s, as he meets and marries Hilda, embarks on his first big murder case 'alone and without a leader', and defends clients including an aristocrat, a shoplifting clergyman and a gardener accused of blackmail. Returning as young Rumpole, Cumberbatch takes us through six more curious cases. It is 1964, and Horace takes on a new pupil - Phyllida Trant, the 'Portia of our Chambers' - only to find himself becoming smitten with her. Forced to consider the path his life has taken, he comes close to giving up the law... With the Sixties swinging, Julian Rhind-Tutt gives us a Rumpole in his prime, recounting ten tales which find the tireless defender swapping sides to appear for the prosecution; coming to the aid of a doctor accused of unprofessional conduct; and suffering the indignity of wrongful arrest. We leave him facing a life-changing decision: after many years of falling in and out of love with both women, will he finally leave Hilda to be with Phyllida? Also included is a special 90-minute Christmas episode starring Desmond Barrit, in which Rumpole indulges in a little seasonal, charitable blackmail and solves an audacious crime at the panto. Production credits Written by John Mortimer Adapted by Richard Stoneman Directed by Marilyn Imrie. A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4 Sax quartet version of Gershwin's 'They Can't Take That Away From Me' arranged by Julie Hodge and performed by 'Sax' (Luiza Beddoes, Kate Mylnar, Janine Ng and Julie Hodge) Pantomime music written by Neil Brand Cast Older Horace Rumpole - Timothy West/Desmond Barrit Young Horace Rumpole - Benedict Cumberbatch/Julian Rhind-Tutt Hilda - Prunella Scales/Joanna David Young Hilda - Jasmine Hyde/Cathy Sara Phyllida - Cathy Sara/Patience Tomlinson 'Soapy Sam' Ballard - Michael Cochrane Claude Erskine-Brown - Nigel Anthony Fig Newton - David Shaw-Parker/Geoffrey Whitehead Bonny Bernard - Bruce Alexander/Nicholas Le Provost/Matthew Morgan Judge Bullingham - Christopher Benjamin/David Shaw-Parker/Stephen Critchlow Liz Probert - Elaine Claxton First broadcast BBC Radio 4 between 25 December 2001 and 9 May 2018 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

John Clifford Mortimer (Author), Benedict Cumberbatch, Desmond Barrit, Full Cast, Jasmine Hyde, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Prunella Scales, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Henry Fielding: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Full-cast dramatisations of Tom Jones, Joseph Andrews, Jonathan Wild & The Female Husband

"A collection of contemporary adaptations of the best-known works of Henry Fielding - plus bonus documentary programme Dubbed 'the father of the English novel' by Sir Walter Scott, Henry Fielding is well known for his ribald humour and ironic, satirical fiction. Collected here are four of his most famous works, including his comic masterpiece Tom Jones, as well as a fascinating documentary exploring the foundling motif in fiction. Tom Jones - Fielding's bawdy picaresque tale follows the amorous adventures of foundling Tom, one of the most sparkling heroes in English literature. Starring Simon Russell Beale as Henry Fielding and Michael Legge as Tom. Joseph Andrews - Sitting down to write about the misadventures of a handsome young footman on the road, Henry Fielding finds himself unexpectedly collaborating with his smart, witty wife, Charlotte. As they laugh and bicker about the plot, the story of their writing partnership interweaves with that of Joseph Andrews... Max Bennett and Lyndsey Marshal star in this 18th Century romp with an up-to-date twist. The Life and Death of Jonathan Wild, The Great - Based on the real-life 'Thief-Taker General' and notorious underworld boss, Fielding's tongue-in-cheek tale draws sly parallels between the corrupt Jonathan Wild and Britain's first Prime Minister, Robert Walpole. Starring Timothy West, Christopher Fairbank and Crawford Logan. The Female Husband - Sandi Toksvig stars in this high-spirited dramatisation of the true story of Mary Hamilton, who was tried and flogged in 1746 for marrying as a man, and achieved notoriety in a sensational pamphlet published by Fielding. One of the Three Great Plots of All Literature - Why do foundlings appear so often in literature? Kate Adie discusses the theme underlying Henry Fielding's classic novel Tom Jones with Hugh Cunningham, Marina Warner, Jenny Uglow and contemporary foundling Andy McNab. First published 1742 (The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and of his Friend Mr Abraham Adams), 1743 (The Life and Death of the Late Mr Jonathan Wild, the Great), 1746 (The Female Husband), 1749 (The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling) © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Henry Fielding (Author), Christopher Fairbank, Crawford Logan, Full Cast, Lyndsey Marshal, Max Bennett, Michael Legge, Sandi Toksvig, Simon Russell Beale, Timothy West (Narrator)

Audiobook

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)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Timothy West

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