Audiobooks by David Stafford

Birkett: Five full-cast BBC Radio 4 crime dramas

Five tales of murder, mayhem and political intrigue from the casebook of Norman Birkett Norman Birkett KC (1883-1962) was a real-life Rumpole - a distinguished and highly skilled lawyer who had numerous successes in the courtroom during his long career. This collection covers some of his most famous cases of the inter-war years, including the dramatic trial of Buck Ruxton; the notorious Dennistoun affair; and the peculiar events surrounding the mysterious cyclist Ronald Light. Norman Birkett and the Case of the Coleford Poisoner - The celebrated advocate defends a woman accused of murdering her husband with arsenic. Birkett and the Blind Soldier - When a blind First World War veteran is charged with killing his wife, Birkett takes on his defence. Birkett and the Green Bicycle - Appearing for the prosecution, the brilliant barrister deals with a case involving death by gunshot, pacifism and chocolate... Birkett and the Red Stains on the Carpet - The renowned KC defends a doctor accused of murdering and dismembering his wife and maid. Birkett and the Naked Toreador - Norman Birkett takes on the case that made his name in this extraordinary saga of blackmail, snobbery, society scandal and bullfighting... David Haig and Neil Dudgeon star as Birkett, with Alison Pettitt and Bonnie Engstrom as his wife, Billie, and Alun Raglan as his clerk, Edgar. Written by Caroline and David Stafford Directed by Marc Beeby Norman Birkett and the Case of the Coleford Poisoner Birkett - David Haig Edgar Bowker - Trystan Gravelle Billie - Alison Pettitt Elton Pace - Michael Shelford Annie Pace/Leslie Pace - Clare Corbett Dr du Pre - Sam Dale Judge Horridge/Vicar - Bruce Alexander Mrs Elizabeth Porter - Joanna Monro Other parts were played by John Biggins and Nigel Hastings First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 June 2010 Birkett and the Blind Soldier Norman Birkett - Neil Dudgeon Billie - Bonnie Engstrom Edgar - Alun Raglan Lady Pearson - Adjoa Andoh Arthur - Carl Prekopp MacCormac - Paul Moriarty Frazer/Warder - Adam Billington Humphreys - James Lailey Sgt Waller - Gerard McDermott Randall/Clerk - Rikki Lawton Grace/Margaret - Alex Rivers Woman - Victoria Inez Hardy First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 January 2012 Birkett and the Green Bicycle Norman Birkett - Neil Dudgeon Billie - Bonnie Engstrom Edgar - Alun Raglan Sir Edward - Nicholas Jones Cadbury - James Lailey Cox/Enoch - Adam Billington Judge - Gerard McDermott Lily/Muriel - Francine Chamberlain Ronald - Christopher Webster Graham - Simon Bubb First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 10 January 2012 Birkett and the Red Stains on the Carpet Norman Birkett - Neil Dudgeon Billie - Bonnie Engstrom Edgar - Alun Raglan Jackson - Adam Billington Buck Ruxton - Sagar Arya Shaw - Gerard McDermott Glaister - James Lailey Bennett - Rikki Lawton Alfred - Christopher Webster Susan/Gracie - Victoria Inez Hardy Mary - Alex Rivers First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 January 2012 Birkett and the Naked Toreador Norman Birkett - Neil Dudgeon Billie - Bonnie Engstrom Edgar - Alun Raglan Lady Caernarvon - Joanna Monro Sir Edward - Nicholas Jones Dennistoun - Carl Prekopp Mlle Cina - Victoria Inez Hardy Dorothy - Adjoa Andoh First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 January 2012 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Caroline Stafford, David Stafford (Author), Alison Pettitt, Alun Raglan, Bonnie Engstrom, David Haig, Neil Dudgeon (Narrator)

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Skelton's Guide to Suitcase Murders

A woman's dismembered corpse is discovered in a quarry, and police quickly link the victim back to their chief suspect: her husband, Doctor Ibraham Aziz. His wife had been planning to leave him, so his guilt isn't in doubt as far as local law enforcement is concerned. Barrister Arthur Skelton is asked to represent the accused, and though all believe the case to be hopeless, Skelton suspects there may be more to the victim's death. Aided by his loyal clerk Edgar and his roaming cousins, Alan and Norah, Skelton soon finds himself embroiled in an investigation not only concerning this world but the one beyond. Can he convince a jury of Aziz's innocence before the judge dons his black cap?

David Stafford (Author), David Stafford (Narrator)

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Skelton's Guide to Domestic Poisons

Mary Dutton is accused of killing her husband by poison. The police see it as an open-and-shut case, and even those protesting for her believe she committed the act, but is innocent of wrongdoing after suffering years of domestic abuse. Since his recent success in the high-profile Dryden case catapulted him to the front pages of the national press, Arthur Skelton is now one of the most recognisable barristers. Despite the odds, he agrees to represent Mary Dutton. With a general election on the horizon and both sides of the political divide keen to turn the Dutton case to their advantage, as well as long-held secrets within the Dutton family itself, can Skelton ever really expose the truth?

David Stafford (Author), David Stafford (Narrator)

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Hazelbeach: The Complete Series 1-3: A BBC Radio Comedy

Nerdy Nick's life takes an abrupt turn into surreal chaos when he returns to England to find the mysterious Ronnie Hazelbeach living in his late father's house. Ronnie has certainly lived an interesting life. He's been a wrestler, a sailor, a thief and a jailbird, a gambler, a husband, a conman, a salesman, a getaway driver, a cook, a priest and much more. James can learn a lot about life from him. Ronnie hatches a plan to help Nick get his ex-girlfriend back, while selling heart monitors to Monty Python fans and purchasing an extraordinary amount of sinks in a bid to shore up their finances. But just as the unlikely pair find domestic harmony, they are visited by an unwanted guest... The complete series 1-3 stars Jamie Foreman as Ronnie, Paul Bazely as Nick, Tracy Wiles/Claire Harry as Chloe and John Dougall/Neil Stuke as James. Written by Caroline and David Stafford Produced by Marc Beeby

Caroline Stafford, David Stafford (Author), Claire Harry, Jamie Foreman, John Dougall, Neil Stuke, Paul Bazely, Tracy Wiles (Narrator)

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Oblivion or Glory: 1921 and the Making of Winston Churchill

An engaging and original account of 1921, a pivotal year for Winston Churchill that had a lasting impact on his political and personal legacy After the tragic consequences of his involvement in the catastrophic Dardanelles Campaign of World War I, Churchill’s political career seemed over. He was widely regarded as little more than a bombastic and unpredictable buccaneer until, in 1921, an unexpected inheritance heralded a series of events that laid the foundations for his future success. Renowned Churchill scholar David Stafford delves into the statesman’s life in 1921, the year in which his political career revived. From his political negotiations in the Anglo-Irish treaty that created the Irish Free State, to his tumultuous relationship with his “wild cousin” Clare Sheridan, sculptor of Lenin and subject of an MI5 investigation, this broad account explores the nuances of both Churchill’s private and public lives. This is an engaging portrait of this overlooked yet pivotal year in the great man’s life.

David Stafford (Author), Gerard Doyle (Narrator)

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Roosevelt and Churchill: Men of Secrets

An intriguing look behind the congenial façade of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, this work reveals how each leader jealously guarded knowledge from the other in pursuit of separate national interests. David Stafford’s masterly study shows that at the heart of their complicated relationship—which was always dynamic—was an extraordinary fascination with clandestine operations. On this foundation, Roosevelt and Churchill constructed a fighting alliance unlike any other in history. “Explore[s] the intersections between the grand narrative of the Roosevelt and Churchill relationship and the activities of Allied spymasters and secret go-betweens…Worth reading.”--New York Times Book Review

David Stafford (Author), Richard McGonagle (Narrator)

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Birkett And The Blind Soldier: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

The casebook of Norman Birkett KC (1883-1962) covers pretty much every story that entertained the readers of News of the World between the wars. Birkett was a busy man who, in those days before legal specialisation, could at any one time be dealing simultaneously with a juicy murder, a society divorce or a livid libel action. In this episode, a blind WW1 veteran, accused of murdering his wife, is defended by the celebrated advocate. Starring Neil Dudgeon as Birkett, with Bonnie Engstrom, Alun Raglan, Adjoa Andoh, Carl Prekopp, Paul Moriarty, Adam Billington, James Lailey, Gerard McDermott, Rikki Lawton, Alex Rivers and Victoria Inez Hardy. Written by Caroline and David Stafford.

Caroline Stafford, David Stafford (Author), , Adam Billington, Adjoa Andoh, Alun Raglan, Bonnie Egstrom, Carl Prekopp, James Lailey, Neil Dudgeon, Paul Moriarty (Narrator)

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Birkett And The Green Bicycle

The casebook of Norman Birkett KC (1883-1962) covers pretty much every story that entertained the readers of News of the World between the wars. Birkett was a busy man who, in those days before legal specialisation, could at any one time be dealing simultaneously with a juicy murder, a society divorce or a livid libel action. In this episode, the celebrated advocate deals with a case of murder, pacifism and chocolate. Starring Neil Dudgeon as Birkett, with Bonnie Engstrom, Alun Raglan, Nicholas Jones, James Lailey Cox, Adam Billington, Gerard McDermott, Francine Chamberlain, Christopher Webster and Simon Bubb. Written by Caroline and David Stafford.

Caroline Stafford, David Stafford (Author), Adam Billington, Alun Raglan, Bonnie Egstrom, Christopher Webster, Francine Chamberlain, Gerard Mcdermott, James Lailey, Neil Dudgeon, Simon Bubb (Narrator)

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Birkett And The Naked Toreador: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

The casebook of Norman Birkett KC (1883-1962) covers pretty much every story that entertained the readers of News of the World between the wars. Birkett was a busy man who, in those days before legal specialisation, could at any one time be dealing simultaneously with a juicy murder, a society divorce or a livid libel action. In this episode, Birkett takes on his most famous case, involving blackmail, snobbery, scandal and bullfighting. Starring Neil Dudgeon as Birkett, with Bonnie Engstrom, Alun Raglan, Joanna Monro, Nicholas Jones, Carl Prekopp, Victoria Inez Hardy and Adjoa Andoh. Written by Caroline and David Stafford.

Caroline Stafford, David Stafford (Author), Adjoa Andoh, Alun Raglan, Bonnie Egstrom, Carl Prekopp, Joanna Monro, Neil Dudgeon, Nicholas Jones (Narrator)

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Norman Birkett and the Case of the Coleford Poisoner: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

The casebook of Norman Birkett KC (1883-1962) covers pretty much every story that entertained the readers of News of the World between the wars. Birkett was a busy man who, in those days before legal specialisation, could at any one time be dealing simultaneously with a juicy murder, a society divorce or a livid libel action. In this thrilling drama, Birkett takes on a case of murder, mayhem and political intrigue. Starring Neil Dudgeon as Birkett, with David Haig, Trystan Gravelle, Alison Pettitt, Michael Shelford, Clare Corbett, Sam Dale, Bruce Alexander and Joanna Monro. Other parts were played by John Biggins and Nigel Hastings. Directed by Marc Beeby.Written by Caroline and David Stafford.

Caroline Stafford, David Stafford (Author), Alison Pettitt, Bruce Alexander, Clare Corbett, David Haig, Joanna Monro, John Biggins, Neil Dudgeon, Nigel Hastings, Sam Dale, Trystan Gravelle (Narrator)

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Birkett and The Red Stains On The Carpet: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

Norman Birkett, the most celebrated advocate of the inter-war years, defends a doctor accused of murdering and dismembering his wife and maid. Starring Neil Dudgeon as Birkett, with Bonnie Engstrom, Alun Raglan, Adam Billington, Sagar Arya, Gerard McDermott, James Lailey, Rikki Lawton, Christopher Webster, Victoria Inez Hardy and Alex Rivers. Written by Caroline and David Stafford.

Caroline Stafford, David Stafford (Author), Neil Dudgeon (Narrator)

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The Year They Invented Sex: (BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour Drama)

A BBC Radio 4 drama focusing on three very different women who find their lives transformed by taking part in the 1960 trials of the contraceptive pill. Originally broadcast as the 'Woman's Hour Drama' from 17 - 21 January 2011. It's 1960 in Birmingham and Lella Florence is looking for women to help with trials of the contraceptive pill. Married women in a certain age and weight bracket are required. Three very different women decide to take part. Ditsy June's fed up with being under the influence of her overbearing in-laws and would rather save up for a new bathroom than for another baby. Glamorous Jeanette wants to avoid another agonising labour and to keep her wealthy husband happy. And Isobel has her own secret reasons for signing up. All three women couldn't guess the ways their lives will be changed by taking part in the trial and meeting each other. Written with sharp observation and a great sense of the period, this warm witty drama by Caroline and David Stafford shines a light on how iconic and life changing an invention the Contraceptive Pill was. Starring Clare Corbett as Jeanette, Naomi Frederick as Isobel, Sarah Smart as June and Joanna Monro as Lella Florence. Also featured amongst the cast are Sean Baker, Lloyd Thomas, Henry Devas and Iain Batchelor.

Caroline Stafford, David Stafford (Author), Clare Corbett, Joanna Monro, Naomi Frederick, Sarah Smart (Narrator)

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