Audiobooks Narrated by David Hounslow

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)

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The Gold Killing - BBC Afternoon Drama, Episode 1

Boxer turned businessman Joe Stein wouldn't normally get involved with Mafia money but he's on his uppers; when he hears of a Ghanaian gold mine with incredible deposits he wants a piece of the action. But the returns from the mine begin to pay dividends that Joe would rather be without. Episode 1 of 2

Paul Sellar (Author), Amelia Lowdell, David Hounslow, Pip Torrens, Robert Glenister (Narrator)

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The Gold Killing - BBC Afternoon Drama, Episode 2

Boxer turned businessman Joe Stein wouldn't normally get involved with mafia money but he's on his uppers; when he invests the money in a Ghanaian gold mine he sets off a macabre series of murders and Joe finds himself in the biggest fight of his life - a fight to stay alive. Episode 2 of 2

Paul Sellar (Author), Amelia Lowdell, David Hounslow, Pip Torrens, Robert Glenister (Narrator)

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Dinner: A full-cast production of the acclaimed black comedy

A deliciously black satirical comedy about the dinner party from hell. The fastidious host, Paige, decides to throw a dinner party in honour of her husband Lars, who is celebrating the success of his pop psychology book, Beyond Belief. She carefully plans a surprise menu that will mark the occasion, and anxiously checks with the waiter she has employed to make sure that everything is perfectly prepared. Her lucky guests include a post-feminist vegetarian artist, a distinguished microbiologist, a TV journalist and an uninvited guest who ends up staying for dinner. But it soon becomes apparent that the meal may contain some rather nasty surprises... Moira Buffini's outrageous comedy Dinner started life in the National Theatre's Loft in 2002, and became her first West End smash. In this production, adapted by the writer for BBC Drama on 3, Harriet Walter returns to the role she created: Paige, the hostess and architect of an evening which her guests will never forget. Two other original leads, Nicholas Farrell and Penny Downie, and four new cast members join her in this viciously black chamber piece about appetite, which will make you think twice about ever accepting another invitation to dinner.Moira Buffini was nominated for an Olivier Award for Dinner in 2003, and won the Olivier in 2014 for her play Handbagged.CastPaige........................Harriet WalterLars........................Nicholas FarrellWynne........................Penny DownieHal........................Paul BazelySian........................Pippa Bennett-WarnerMike........................Peter McDonaldWaiter........................David HounslowProduced and directed by Jonquil Panting

Moira Buffini (Author), David Hounslow, Harriet Walter, Harriet Walters, Nicholas Farrell, Paul Bazely, Penny Downie, Peter Mcdonald, Pippa Bennett-Warner (Narrator)

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