Audiobooks narrated by Alison Pettitt

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Black Hearts in Battersea & The Story of Is: Three BBC Radio Childre

BBC Radio full-cast dramatisations of three of the classic novels from Joan Aiken's 'Wolves Chronicles' One of the finest storytellers of her time, Joan Aiken wrote over 100 books for both adults and children. Among her best-known works are the 'Wolves Chronicles', a sequence of novels set in an alternate 19th century England ruled by Stuart kings. Included here are three tales from that magical, wolf-infested world - The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Black Hearts in Battersea and The Story of Is. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase - Winter, 1832. The great manor of Willoughby Chase lies blanketed by snow, and predators lurk in the darkness. With the opening of the Channel Tunnel, ravenous wolves have overrun the country, and young Bonnie Green can hear their hideous howling. But she and her cousin Sylvia soon find themselves facing an even greater danger, in the shape of their devious governess, Miss Slighcarp. Aided by their friend Simon, can they foil her evil plan? Black Hearts in Battersea - Determined to become a painter, Simon sets off to London - but no sooner has he arrived than he becomes caught up in a fiendish Hanoverian plot to overthrow the King. Kidnapped and sent away to sea, he faces shipwreck, assassination plots, attacks by wolves and a hair-raising hot air balloon escape. With the help of fellow orphan Sophie, and the resourceful Dido Twite, will he save the day? The Story of Is - Sent by King Richard IV to search for his missing son, Dido Twite's sister Isabett takes the Playland Express to the north of a divided England. There, she finds an underground city where children work as slaves in vast coal mines. This is the domain of Gold Kingy, a man who will stop at nothing in his pursuit of power - but he has reckoned without Is and her newfound friends... These spellbinding adventures feature a star cast, including Gosford Park's Emily Watson, Game of Thrones' Joe Dempsie and legendary actor and comedian Rik Mayall. Text copyright © Joan Aiken 1962 (The Wolves of Willoughby Chase), 1964 (Black Hearts in Battersea), 1992 (Is) Production credits Written by Joan Aiken The Wolves of Willoughby Chase Cast: Jane Lapotaire, Emily Watson, Abigail Docherty, John Rowe, John Turner, Gavin Muir, Kristen Milward, Tom Bevan, Jilly Bond, Eva Stuart, David Antrobus, Ian Masters, Derek Waring, George Parsons, Elaine Claxton, Natasha Pyne, Becky Hindley Dramatised by Eric Pringle Directed by Cherry Cookson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 December 1994 Black Hearts in Battersea Cast: Joe Dempsie, Nicola Miles-Wildin, Emerald O'Hanrahan, John Rowe, Sheila Reid, Ben Crowe, Annabelle Dowler, Rhys Jennings, Tessa Nicholson, Sam Pamphilon, Nigel Hastings, Bruce Alexander, Joseph Cohen Cole, Piers Wehner, Kate Layden, John Biggins, Ewan Hooper Dramatised by Lin Coghlan. Directed by Marc Beeby First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23-24 December 1999 The Story of Is Cast: John Rowe, Alison Pettitt, Rik Mayall, Freddie Jones With John Hartley, Gordon Reid, Rachel Atkins, Alastair Danson, Robert Harper, Gerard McDermott, Anthony Ofoegbu, Leila Campbell, George Maguire, Jenny Lee, Stephen Thorne, Carolyn Jones, Iwan Thomas, Christopher Scott, Richard Pearce, Tom Bevan, Brian Parr and children from the Italia Conti School Dramatised by Eric Pringle. Directed by David Blount. Music by Neil Brand First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 March-5 April 1998 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Joan Aiken (Author), Alison Pettitt, Emily Watson, Full Cast, Joe Dempsie, John Rowe, Rik Mayall, Sheila Reid (Narrator)

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Mary Elizabeth Braddon: Lady Audley’s Secret & more: A BBC Radio 4 Gothic Drama Collection

Three classic stories from the 'Queen of Sensation Fiction' - plus bonus documentary Mary Elizabeth Braddon was one of the most important and influential female novelists of the 19th Century, and the founder (alongside Wilkie Collins) of the popular 'sensation fiction' genre. This collection features her best-known novel, Lady Audley's Secret, a thrilling tale of bigamy, murder and arson that outraged Victorian society on its first release - and was an instant bestseller. Also included are two atmospheric short stories and an edition of Sensational Women exploring her life and work. Lady Audley's Secret - Lucy Graham gains all the wealth she desires through her marriage to the devoted Sir Michael Audley. But her newfound security is threatened when young lawyer Robert Audley sets out to uncover the truth about her hidden past. Hattie Morahan, Charlotte Emmerson, Alex Wyndham and Sam Dale star in this electrifying dramatisation. The Cold Embrace - When Josef, a handsome young German artist, betrays his delicate fiancée, her vengeance is eerily appropriate... This chilling adaptation of Mary Elizabeth Braddon's ghostly story stars Stephanie Turner, Jonathan Firth and Alison Pettitt. Samuel Lowgood's Revenge - An impoverished clerk discovers that his rival in love has defrauded their employer. But what should he do with this knowledge? Barbara Flynn reads Braddon's 1861 tale of jealousy and retribution. Sensational Women: Mary Braddon - Sarah Dunant takes a look at the notorious sensation author, who was condemned for rotting the moral fibre of a whole generation of young women. First published 1860 ('The Cold Embrace'), 1861 ('Samuel Lowgood's Revenge'), 1862 (Lady Audley's Secret) Cast and credits Written by Mary Elizabeth Braddon Lady Audley's Secret Mary Braddon - Hattie Morahan Lucy, Lady Audley - Charlotte Emmerson Sir Michael Audley - Sam Dale Phoebe Marks - Lizzy Watts Luke Marks - Benjamin Askew Robert Audley - Alex Wyndham George Talboys - Joseph Kloska Alicia Audley - Perdita Weeks Lieutenant Maldon - Jonathan Tafler Mr Dawson/Landlord - Paul Rider Mrs Vincent - Charlotte West-Oram Tonks - Deborah McAndrew Dramatised by Theresa Heskins Directed by Julie Beckett and Fiona Kelcher First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 April-1 May 2009 The Cold Embrace Mary Braddon - Stephanie Turner Josef - Jonathan Firth Gertrude - Alison Pettitt Father - John Hartley Postmaster - Ioan Meredith Passenger - Hugh Dickson Woman - Carolyn Jones Fisherman - Chris Pavlo Parisienne - Tracy-Ann Oberman Dramatised by Christopher Hawes Produced by Marion Nancarrow First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 June 1997 Samuel Lowgood's Revenge Read by Barbara Flynn Produced by Rebecca Nicholson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18 November 1998 Sensational Women: Mary Braddon Presented by Sarah Dunant Extracts read by Sally Beauman Produced by Lore Windemuth First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 October 1996 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Mary Elizabeth Braddon (Author), Alison Pettitt, Charlotte Emmerson, Full Cast, Hattie Morahan, Jonathan Firth, Perdita Weeks, Sam Dale, Stephanie Turner, Tracy-Ann Oberman (Narrator)

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DS Manson: Three BBC Radio 4 crime thrillers

Three detective thrillers set in the Met's Missing Persons Bureau After shooting a teenage boy in an undercover operation, DS Sue Manson is taken off the front line and transferred to a desk job in Missing Persons. But no sooner has she arrived than she's in the thick of the action once more, tasked with tracking down a trio of twisted criminals... Fractions of Zero - When a desperate father begs DS Manson to find his daughter, the sole clue is a cryptogram on the back of a missing persons notice. Once unravelled, the code turns out to be a riddle that leads them to the location of a dead girl. More ciphers follow, and more victims - all seemingly selected at random - and Sue realises that she's dealing with a serial killer obsessed with numbers. Can she work out his system before he strikes again? Final Sacrament - After three people disappear for no apparent reason, DS Manson finds herself on the hunt for another serial killer. Her only leads are the cardboard triangles left at the victims' homes along with traces of a deadly toxin, and a series of macabre snaps sent to a South London priest. Father Raphoe believes the photographs are mimicking a series of religious paintings by Renaissance artist Nicolas Poussin. But who is targeting Raphoe's parishioners, and why? Fragments of Amy - Back from maternity leave, Sue Manson tackles the case of a missing heiress, Amy Muggeridge, abducted on her way back from a party. When a CD arrives containing a ransom message and a riddle, Manson seeks help from Amy's twin, Angela, who seems to have a psychic connection with her sister. Under hypnosis, she provides a vital clue to the kidnapper's identity - but is it too late to save Amy? Created by novelist Bill Murphy, one of the writers of Radio 4's Baldi, these gripping detective dramas star Susan Lynch and Annie Farr as Sue Manson. Fractions of Zero Sue Manson - Susan Lynch James Ellstrom - Philip Glenister Dr Fred Johnson - Clive Merrison Insp. Phillips - David Bannerman Mags Langan - Alison Pettitt Lee Horsley - David Holt Supt. - Nigel Anthony Directed by Tanya Nash First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5-9 August 2002 Final Sacrament Sue Manson - Annie Farr DS Brian Torrey - Patrick Robinson Insp. Phillips - David Thome Mags Langan - Alison Pettit Raymond/Andrew - Tom George Elizabeth/Receptionist - Jennifer Hill Fr. Raphoe - Des McAleer Directed by Tanya Nash First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19-23 April 2004 Fragments of Amy Sue Manson - Susan Lynch Insp. Phillips - Ron Cook Mags Langan - Gillian Kearney Plummer - Eddie Marsan Leila Muggeridge - Alexander Mathie Researcher/Telfor/Priest - Roger May DS Brian Torrey - Rhashan Stone Amy/Angela - Fuschia Sumner Noreen Manson - Frances Tomelty Dr Fred Johnson - David Warner Produced by Lawrence Jackson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23-27 October 2006 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Bill Murphy (Author), Alison Pettitt, David Warner, Eddie Marsan, Frances Tomelty, Philip Glenister, Roger May, Ron Cook, Susan Lynch (Narrator)

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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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Doris Lessing: A collection of six BBC Radio readings and dramatisations

Dramatisations and readings of novels and short stories by Nobel laureate Doris Lessing - plus a bonus documentary, Open Book, examining her life and career One of the most celebrated and important authors of the 20th Century, Doris Lessing was awarded a Nobel Prize for the 'visionary power' of her fiction, which spans a variety of genres and explores themes such as racism, feminism and social and political upheaval. This collection includes the radio productions of three of her acclaimed novels and four short stories, as well as a fascinating discussion of her life and work. The Good Terrorist - Olivia Vinall stars in this adaptation of Doris Lessing's satire of incompetent revolutionaries in a London squat. Lucy Grange - Exiled from the sophistication of her homeland, stylish Lucy seeks solace and comfort, and learns 'to accept the second-rate'. Read by Estelle Kohler. The Grass is Singing - In this powerful exploration of racial politics in 1940s Rhodesia, adapted from Doris Lessing's first novel, a white woman's troubled relationship with her black houseboy comes to a violent end. Starring Alison Pettit and Tracy-Ann Oberman. Flight - A laughing, teasing granddaughter and a dovecote full of strutting birds are an old man's only escape from his cold family home. Read by Jack Klaff. The Golden Notebook - Susannah Harker stars in this dramatisation of Doris Lessing's ground-breaking novel about marriage, motherhood, mental breakdown and communism. The Death of a Chair - A lived-in chair is bought at auction, where it begins its final journey towards discovery and destruction. Read by Barbara Marten. Open Book: Doris Lessing Mariella Frostrup talks to Doris Lessing about her long and extraordinarily varied writing career.

Doris Lessing (Author), Alison Pettitt, Barbara Marten, Estelle Kohler, Jack Klaff, Olivia Vinall, Susannah Harker, Tracy-Ann Oberman (Narrator)

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The Decameron

The Decameron is one of the greatest literary works of the Middle Ages. Ten young people have fled the terrible effects of the Black Death in Florence and, in an idyllic setting, tell a series of brilliant stories, by turns humorous, bawdy, tragic and provocative. This celebration of physical and sexual vitality is Boccaccio's answer to the sublime other-worldliness of Dante's Divine Comedy.

Giovanni Boccaccio (Author), Alison Pettitt, Carly Bawden, Daisy Badge, David Sturzaker, Flora Spencer-Longhurst, Gunnar Cauthery, Katie Scarfe, Lucy Briggs-Owen, Natalie Simpson, Nigel Pilkington, Simon Russell Beale (Narrator)

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In a Glass Darkly

Demons, vengeful spirits, insanity, premature burials and lesbian vampires, In a Glass Darkly contains five diabolical tales of horror and mystery that will get the heart racing. Each story, including the famous 'Green Tea' and 'Carmilla', is presented as a case from the posthumous papers of Dr Martin Hesselius, a metaphysical physician who has no doubt as to the existence of supernatural phenomena - unlike our anxious protagonists... These traditional, yet unfamiliar tales were revered upon release, with Bram Stoker writing his own vampire story some twenty years later, and Henry James once suggesting that this is 'the ideal reading... for the hours after midnight'.

Sheridan Le Fanu (Author), Alison Pettitt, Daniel Philpott, David Horovitch, Jonathan Keeble, Nicholas Boulton, Sean Barrett (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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Ditched: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

Doug Lucie's satirical sequel to 'Hitched' revisits the bride and groom, Emma and Richard, two years after their big day. The honeymoon is well and truly over and wedded bliss hasn't turned out to be, well, blissful. With their relationship at crisis point, Emma returns from America with her young daughter to discover her life isn't the only one that has changed. But just what has happened between Emma and Richard, and why has she returned home without him? When Richard in turn flies back to the UK, the stage is set for another unforgettable family encounter. With sparks sure to fly at a family reunion no one wants to attend, Emma and Richard must finally decide what the future holds for their marriage. Will it be Hitched or Ditched? Starring Harry Lloyd and Lydia Leonard as Richard and Emma, with Stephen Moore, Frances Barber, David Schofield, Cheryl Campbell, Adrian Lukis, Brendan Patricks, Alison Pettit and Lynn Farleigh.

Doug Lucie (Author), Adrian Lukis, Alison Pettitt, Brendan Patricks, Cheryl Campbell, David Schofield, Frances Barber, Harry Lloyd, Lydia Leonard, Lynn Farleigh, Stephen Moore (Narrator)

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Pouring Poison ( BBC Radio 4: Afternoon Play)

A BBC Radio 4 bittersweet romantic drama by award-winning writer Lou Ramsden, starring Kathryn Hunt and Nicholas Boulton, originally broadcast as the 'Afternoon Play' on 15 April 2011. Hazel (Kathryn Hunt) spends her life describing plays for visually impaired people. But when she starts to describe the real world to her new friend Davy (Nicholas Boulton), is she giving an accurate picture of the world around her? She's looking for an escape from the pressures of looking after her disabled mother, but is she looking in the right place? 'Pouring Poison' was written by Lou Ramsden after spending time with audio describers in London theatres, and also stars Jonathan Keeble, Alison Pettitt, Marian Kemmer and Dan Hagley amongst the cast.

Lou Ramsden (Author), A Full Cast, Alison Pettitt, Dan Hagley, Jonathan Keeble, Kathryn Hunt, Marian Kemmer, Nicholas Boulton (Narrator)

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Tiny: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

A quirky BBC Radio 4 comedy by Ben Lewis about a teenager who becomes an internet phenomenon. Originally broadcast as the 'Afternoon Play' on 17 September 2010. This is the story of a legend in the making. A nervous young man lives at the dead end of a dead-end town. On his eighteenth birthday he comes into his inheritance. With a little help from an old teacher, he finds it equips him to broadcast over the internet. Living in a house where rolling news is a constant presence, he does what comes naturally - he fires up his computer and presents the news. But his news is different. It puts a spring in its audience's step. That is, until his grandma starts to grow suspicious about what this boy is getting up to nightly in his bedroom and tries to put a stop to the broadcasts completely. Starring Joshua Jenkins as the boy and Julia McKenzie as his grandma. Also featuring amongst the cast are Mark Heap, Peter Marinker and Alison Pettitt. Directed by Kirsty Williams.

Ben Lewis (Author), Alison Pettitt, Joshua Jenkins, Julia Mckenzie, Mark Heap, Peter Marinker (Narrator)

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Prospero, Ariel, Reith and Gill: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

Gary Brown's BBC Radio 4 full-cast comedy dramatisation about artist Eric Gill's clash with the BBC over his famous sculpture of Prospero and Ariel, starring Anton Lesser as Eric Gill and Tim McInnerny as Sir John Reith, the first Director General of the Corporation. Originally broadcast in the 'Afternoon Play' slot on Wednesday 9 June 2010. Inspired by real events, the play charts a clash between the BBC's Governors and the artist over the propriety of the sculpture's appearance. Gill became quite a celebrity as he carved the statue in situ on scaffolding in front of Broadcasting House. In his trademark smock and beret, he drew the attention of the tabloid papers and became known as the 'Married Monk'. The play imagines conversations between Sir John and the artist as he passes him on his way into Broadcasting House each morning. Framed with a period newsreel-style commentary, the comedy playfully deals with the perennial tension between the Establishment and the Artist. The strange and mysterious Gill contrasts with the authoritarian but often troubled figure of Reith, but in the end the sculpture focuses their thoughts about the role of Art in the life of mankind. While this is a comedy, the play touches a little on the well-documented darker side of both men's nature, and offers an insight into one of the more celebrated events of early BBC history. Brown's play speculates on how Reith struggled with the Governors and with his own psyche in dealing with one of the trickier events in the early days of the BBC. It also looks at how Gill, the artist, struggled with reconciling his unusual beliefs and lifestyle with a major commission from the heart of the Establishment. The cast is completed by Jon Glover as the Newsreel Reporter, David Seddon as Charlie, Stephen Darcy as Father Sean, Tina Gray as Lady Snowden and Alison Pettitt as the Nanny. Written by Gary Brown and directed by Peter Leslie Wild.

Gary Brown (Author), Alison Pettitt, David Seddon, Jonathan Glover, Stephen Darcy, Tina Gray (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Alison Pettitt