These BBC Radio multi-recording collections are a great way to get an audio “box set” of books for less. Each includes full-cast recordings that also feature sounds effects and mood music, and such noted voice talents as Ian McKellan, John Moffatt, Paul Scofield, Anna Massey and Timothy Spall.
Poirot’s Finest Cases: Eight Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations (4/5 stars, currently priced at $27.95 or one Audible credit, 15 hours 36 minutes)
John Moffatt stars as the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.
“The ABC Murders”: A chilling letter sets the sleuth on the trail of an enigmatic killer.
“After the Funeral”: A wealthy businessman is dead, and his sister thinks it was murder.
“Death on the Nile”: Poirot is in Egypt when a chilling murder takes place.
“Peril at End House”: Whilst on holiday, the sleuth encounters a young woman, a hat, and a bullet.
“The Murder of Roger Ackroyd”: Mrs Farrars is found dead, one year after the death of her husband.
“Murder on the Orient Express”: Poirot is aboard a snowbound train when a passenger is found murdered.
“Three Act Tragedy”: Poirot is one of the guests at a party when a clergyman dies whilst sipping a cocktail.
“The Mysterious Affair at Styles”: Poirot and Captain Hastings become re-acquainted in a quiet English village in 1916.
These BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations showcase eight of the finest cases in Hercule Poirot’s career. Based on the original novels by Agatha Christie, they feature a cast of outstanding actors playing an array of likely suspects…
Classic BBC Radio Shakespeare: Tragedies: Hamlet; Macbeth; Romeo and Juliet (no reviews yet, currently priced at $21.22 or one Audible credit, 7 hours 23 minutes)
Three powerful radio productions from the BBC archives starring Ian McKellen, Ronald Pickup and Paul Scofield and a host of celebrated acting talent. These three legendary plays, performed by some of the best-known theatrical actors of the 20th century, are the perfect way to commemorate England’s greatest dramatist.
Romeo and Juliet: the Montagues and the Capulets are sworn enemies, so when Romeo Montague falls in love with Juliet Capulet, tragedy ensues. This fateful tale of two young star-crossed lovers is one of Shakespeare’s most popular dramas. First broadcast in 1970, starring Ian McKellen as Romeo.
Hamlet: one of the most powerful, influential and thrilling tragedies in the English language, and the story of Prince Hamlet and his quest for vengeance never fails to enthral. First broadcast in 1971, starring Ronald Pickup as the Prince of Denmark.
Macbeth: the notorious ‘Scottish Play’ is a gripping tale of vaulting ambition, witchcraft, madness and murder that has kept generations of audiences spellbound. First broadcast in 1966, starring Paul Scofield as Macbeth and Peggy Ashcroft as Lady Macbeth.
Recorded at BBC Broadcasting House and featuring the BBC Drama Repertory company, with specially composed music including a score from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, this is classic radio drama at its finest.
Charles Dickens: The BBC Radio Drama Collection: Volume One: Classic Drama from the BBC Radio Archive (no reviews yet, currently priced at $27.95 or one Audible credit, 18 hours 8 minutes)
Powerful full-cast radio dramatisations of four of Charles Dickens’ most famous novels.
Charles Dickens is one of the most renowned novelists of all time, and this first volume of the dramatised canon of his work includes four of his best loved stories.
The Pickwick Papers. Mr Samuel Pickwick, founder of the Pickwick Club, forms a Corresponding Society for members to report back about their travels. So begins the chronicle of their hilariously comic journeys.
Oliver Twist. Born and brought up in the workhouse, orphan Oliver escapes to London – only to fall into the hands of the notorious Fagin and his gang of child pickpockets.
Nicholas Nickleby. Left penniless after his father’s death, 19-year-old Nicholas Nickleby takes a teaching position at Dotheboys Hall, where the brutal Wackford Squeers presides.
The Old Curiosity Shop. Pretty, innocent Little Nell’s childhood is shattered when evil moneylender Quilp discovers her grandfather is in debt. The duo are forced to leave their curiosity shop and go on the run….
With an all-star cast including Pam Ferris, Tim McInnerny, Alex Jennings, Anna Massey, Ken Campbell, Tom Baker, Julia McKenzie and Sandi Toksvig, these BBC radio adaptations bring out all the humour, romance, pathos and tragedy of Dickens’ four classic masterpieces.
Charles Dickens: The BBC Radio Drama Collection: Volume One: Classic Drama from the BBC Radio Archive (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $27.95 or one Audible credit, 15 hours 8 minutes)
C.S. Lewis’ acclaimed and universally loved novels spring to life in these spellbinding full-cast BBC dramatisations.
Anyone who’s visited Narnia wants to go back again, and these radio dramas make for a hugely entertaining first-time or return journey, with a cast including Bernard Cribbins, Maurice Denham, Richard Griffiths, Martin Jarvis, Sylvester McCoy, John Sessions, Fiona Shaw, and Timothy Spall.
“The Magician’s Nephew”: When Polly and Digory discover some magic rings, they begin the most exciting and dangerous journey of their lives – and encounter the mighty lion Aslan….
“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”: Lucy, Peter, Edmund and Susan enter a magical world of talking fauns and flying horses, where the evil White Witch has cast Narnia in perpetual winter.
“The Horse and His Boy”: Shasta and his talking horse Bree flee from a life of slavery and head for the freedom of Narnia, facing many perils along the way.
“Prince Caspian”: Peter, Susan, Lucy, and Edmund are called upon to help Caspian free Narnia of his evil uncle’s regime and reclaim freedom and happiness.
“The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”: Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace join King Caspian on a perilous mission to find his friends, the seven lost Lords of Narnia.
“The Silver Chair”: Jill and Eustace set out to find King Caspian’s lost son, and in the grim land of the Earthmen they encounter the wicked Green Lady.
“The Last Battle”: The King is in danger, and Narnia faces its darkest hour. Eustace and Jill must help its people.
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