Audiobooks narrated by Tom Basden

Franz Kafka: The Trial, Metamorphosis, Amerika & more: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast drama collection

"Kafka’s finest works adapted for BBC radio – plus a biographical play, three discussion pieces and the award-winning Kafka The Musical A lawyer by day, Franz Kafka spent his nights writing visionary stories and novels exploring bureaucracy, power and alienation – iconic fiction that gave the world the adjective ‘Kafkaesque’. This BBC anthology showcases his most famous works. Metamorphosis tells the tale of Gregor Samsa, who wakes one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect. Starring Tom Basden, this Radio 4 production gives Kafka’s classic a modern twist with a darkly comic edge. In The Trial, a protagonist known only as ‘K’ is plunged into a nightmare world when he is accused of an unknown crime. Iwan Rheon leads an all-star cast including Phil Davis and Mark Heap. Set in 1911, Kafka’s debut novel The Man Who Disappeared (Amerika) features a young man from Prague, sent away to the New World after an indiscretion with a girl. Read by Carl Prekopp, Tiny Tales offers an exquisite study in restlessness, while Dermot Crowley narrates the short story ‘A Country Doctor’. Also included is Franz and Felice, a biographical play, and the Kafkaesque drama Kafka: The Musical, in which the author finds he has been cast to play himself in a show about his own life. David Tennant stars in this award-winning Radio 3 production. Three fascinating documentary programmes round off our collection, with discussions pieces on the man and the work. First published 1915 (Metamorphosis), 1916 (‘A Country Doctor’), 1925 (The Trial), 1927 (Amerika) © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Franz Kafka (Author), Carl Prekopp, David Tennant, Dermot Crowley, Full Cast, Iwan Rheon, Mark Heap, Mike Gwilym, Miriam Margolyes, Nina Wadia, Tim Key, Tom Basden (Narrator)

Audiobook

Death and the Penguin: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation

"A penguin is all that stands between one man and murder by the mafia Sit back and enjoy this darkly comic full-cast adaptation of Andrey Kurkov’s bestselling novel set in mid-90s Ukraine, plus a bonus interview with the author. Viktor Alekseyevich Zolotaryov is an aspiring writer in Ukraine, with only his pet king penguin, Misha, for company. After Viktor gets a job writing obituaries for a local newspaper, he soon finds that his articles are being used as a hit list by some unknown organisation. Feeling as lost and unhappy as his penguin, Viktor’s life takes a complicated turn when he takes in Sonya, the young daughter of an old friend, and hires Nina to be her nanny. Can Viktor protect everyone and keep himself (and his penguin) alive, or is he destined to become the subject of the paper’s latest obituary? A blend of Gogol’s absurdist humour and Kafka’s alienation, this tragi-comedy is set in the wild west atmosphere of a newly independent Ukraine following the collapse of the Soviet Union. At its heart, this is a story about surviving and enduring in perilous times. Starring Tom Basden (After Life) as aspiring writer Viktor, and BAFTA winner Jason Watkins (The Crown) as the mysterious Lyosha. This release also includes an episode of BBC Radio’s World Book Club, in which Kurkov discusses his darkly funny tale with Harriett Gilbert. Recorded live in his native Ukraine, at the historic Mikhail Bulgakov Museum in Kiev, he responds to listeners' questions from around the world. Andrey Kurkov is a Ukrainian author who writes in Russian. He has written 19 novels and is a respected commentator on Ukraine, regularly appearing on Radio 4 with his ‘Letters from Ukraine’ series. Death and the Penguin is Kurkov's most famous work, translated into more than 30 languages. ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Death and the Penguin Written by Andrey Kurkov Translated by George Bird Adapted by Hattie Naylor Directed by Gemma Jenkins Viktor - Tom Basden Lyosha - Jason Watkins Igor - David Hounslow Sonya - Blythe Arbery Nina - Chloë Sommer Misha-non-Penguin - Roger Ringrose Sergey - Tom Kiteley Natasha - Fiona Skinner Dr Pidpaly - Joanna Monro First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 January 2023 World Book Club: Andrey Kurkov - Death and the Penguin Presented by Harriett Gilbert First Broadcast BBC World Service, 5 September 2015"

Andrey Kurkov (Author), Blythe Arbery, Chloë Sommer, David Hounslow, Full Cast, Jason Watkins, Tom Basden (Narrator)

Audiobook

Cowards: The Complete Series 1-2

"The complete series 1 and 2 of the smart and surreal sketch comedy from Tom Basden, Stefan Golaszewski, Tim Key and Lloyd Woolf. In this complete collection of BBC Radio 4 series of 'Cowards', a batch of hapless and hopeful nearly-men battle with the challenge of everyday life, doing their very best to meet the demands of the modern world. Bikes start talking, genies appear that force you to guess what your three wishes are, bridges across the channel are built out of Lego, Parky loses it and a young man tries to audition for Barbara Windsor’s part in 'EastEnders'. There are also new creatures made from splicing a cow with an apple, social experiments into squatting while on the pull, wedding proposals in PC World, a sightseeing tour around Guantanamo Bay and a Garden of Eden where it rains chocolate and cows sing. Wry, left-field observations and detailed characterisation make this, their BBC Radio 4 series, a joyous and memorable sketch show experience. ‘Re-inventing the tired art of sketch comedy... these four are brilliant’ - Observer."

Lloyd Woolf, Stefan Golaszewski, Tim Key, Tom Basden (Author), Lloyd Woolf, Stefan Golaszewski, Tim Key, Tom Basden (Narrator)

Audiobook

Party: The Complete Series 1-3

"All three series of the critically-acclaimed BBC Radio 4 sitcom about a group of young idealists who set up a new political party – plus special Christmas episode Disillusioned with the capitalist system, five ambitious students set out to make waves and change the face of democracy. Holding their meetings in a garden shed, budding politician Jared, ideas engine Simon, socialist firebrand Mel, image conscious materialist Phoebe and Communications Tsar Duncan wrangle with the modern political machine and attempt to lay the foundations of a new movement. Or they would, if only they had a pen. From the perils of choosing a party name, leader and constitution to the finer points of foreign policy and climate change, the team contend with the highs and lows of political life while trying to keep their ideals intact. They soon find that changing the world is harder than they thought – especially when dealing with undercooked BBQ sausages, rained-out protest marches, the possible relocation of a key party member and a crucial radio interview. Also included is a 2018 Christmas special where the wannabe political agitators reunite after a six-year break and once again apply their small minds to big problems. This time, they’re taking on Donald Trump… Written by Tom Basden (who stars as Simon), Party is based on his 2009 play which won a Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival. Also starring are Anna Crilly as Mel, Tim Key as Duncan, Johnny Sweet as Jared and Katy Wix as Phoebe. Produced by Julia McKenzie Audio has been updated as of October 2019"

Tom Basden (Author), Anna Crilly, Johnny Sweet, Katy Wix, Tim Key, Tom Basden (Narrator)

Audiobook

Tim Key's Late Night Poetry Programme: The Complete Series 1-4: The BBC Radio 4 comedy

"Ever wondered just how much of life you can understand through poetry? Tim Key is never far from stage and screen - from Peep Show to Alpha Papa to Taskmaster. But now he's back doing what he does best - attempting to recite poetry whilst tormenting his friend and musician, the equally brilliant, and long suffering, Tom Basden. From ruminating on the meaning of family via his narrative poem The Godfather, attempting to get to the bottom of death via his poem The Boy Who Faked His Own Death, and also organising an impromptu stag party, Tim Key uses poetry to help him understand every situation. 'In any other sphere apart from comedy, we'd probably class this way of looking at the world as certifiable. Here it feels like genius.' The Telegraph 'The show... has a kind of artistry and strange beauty that makes it unlike any other hour of stand-up you are likely to see.' The Observer '...You never know when Key will suddenly toss you a fantastic joke or startlingly well-constructed line.' Radio Times Audio updated April 2019"

Tim Key (Author), Tim Key, Tom Basden (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better: The Complete Series 1 and 2: The BBC Radio 4 stand

"As a starting point in making the world a better place, Mark will free you from sin. It's a big task, but he thinks it's going to go really well. Mark Watson is not only a fantastic stand-up comedian, but he may also be the best chance we have to overcome sin. He's got a plan to teach us everything we need to know about the Six Deadly Sins (he knows it's usually seven, but he's doing Greed and Gluttony together as a special offer). In the second series, Mark turns his attention to the Six Virtues, guiding us through Courage, Patience, Generosity, Honesty, Diligence, and Humility. Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better is a mixture of stand-up, sketches and songs. There'll be life-changing advice too, and even if this turns out to be bad advice, it'll still have good jokes in it. Over the course of these series the world should become a substantially better place, making this above all a public-spirited gesture. Starring Mark Watson, supported by his sometimes unwilling assistants Tim Key, Tim Minchin and Tom Basden. ‘a fiercely intelligent, articulate comic whose mixture of brilliant observational comedy and, as he puts it, 'thought', is unmatched.’ – The Stage ‘a blissfully madcap journey’ – The Times Produced by Katie Marsden."

Mark Watson (Author), Mark Watson, Tim Key, Tim Minchin, Tom Basden (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mark Watson's Live Address To The Nation (Complete)

"Following on from his hugely successful show Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better, Mark Watson's new series reignites his quest to improve the world, nimbly assisted by Tim Key and Tom Basden and with the additional help of the listening audience. Mark asks the big questions that are crucial to our understanding of ourselves and society, and in a dynamic and thought-provoking new format he opens the floor to the live audience and asks them to jump into the conversation via tweets and messages to work out how we can all make the world a better place. In these six episodes, he looks at Strength, Faith, Intelligence, Passion, Tolerance and Goodwill. Produced by Lianne Coop."

Mark Watson (Author), Mark Watson, Tim Key, Tom Basden (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Tom Basden