Audiobooks Narrated by Desmond Barrit

A Whole New Ball Game: The Complete Series 1 and 2: A BBC Radio 4 Dark Comedy

A hilarious dark comedy about a football-crazy priest, starring BAFTA winner Brenda Blethyn The late Gregory Patterson was a stalwart of the Roman Catholic Parishioners. With his passing, how will Mrs Patterson cope with her headstrong daughter, Barbara? And can young Robert step into his father’s shoes and face up to new responsibilities? The man with the answers would appear to be football-crazy priest Father Benedict who tries to help the grief stricken family as best he can… The priest decides that holding a Golden Oldie night in honour of the late faithful parishioner would be a good first step. But is it really the right occasion for a eulogy from his only son, Robert? Not when Barbara is determined to ruin the evening… As the Patterson family spiral out of control, with Barbara succumbing to temptation in the shape of biker Andy, Robert attending a rival school and a bereft Mrs Patterson hoping a small dog will fill the hole in her heart left by her husband’s death, Father Benedict has more pressing concerns - the Frewitt Cup final is weeks away and the team must win at all cost. This charming and darkly funny comedy about faith, families and football will have you cheering in delight from the pews to the terraces. Starring Desmond Barrit as Father Benedict and BAFTA winner Brenda Blethyn (best known for her starring role in Vera) as Mrs Patterson. Cast and credits Written by Martin Davies Produced by Lissa Evans (series 1) & Richard Wilson (series 2) Father Benedict - Desmond Barrit Mrs Patterson - Brenda Blethyn Robert Patterson – Paul Parris / Richard Pearce Barbara Patterson - Charlotte Coleman / Melanie Hudson Guy Entwhistle - Martino Lazzeri / Henry Woolley Andy - Mark Straker Janet - Claire Skinner / Nicola Buckingham Mr Plant/Father Hugh - Gordon Reid / Geoff McGivern Mrs Plant - Jane Dolamore Manageress/Lady at Counter - Jill Meers First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 Feb - 10 Mar 1993 (series 1), 26 May - 30 Jun 1994 (series 2) ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Martin Davies (Author), Brenda Blethyn, Charlotte Coleman, Claire Skinner, Desmond Barrit, Full Cast, Mark Straker, Martino Lazzeri, Paul Parris, Richard Pearce (Narrator)

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Rumpole and the Old Familiar Faces: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

Desmond Barrit stars as Horace Rumpole in this full-cast, feature-length radio drama Rumpole has no special objection to Christmas - except that with the Old Bailey closed, he has no opportunity to exercise his skills in court. But over the course of one unusual holiday, he nonetheless manages to triumph in two very different cases... Dragooned into spending Christmas in Norfolk, at the home of one of Hilda's old schoolfriends, Rumpole is feeling less than festive. Chilly Coldsands Rectory does not offer much in the way of enjoyment - but a trip to the local church and a surprise encounter with an old acquaintance leads to a God-given opportunity to indulge in a little seasonal, charitable blackmail. A New Year outing to see Aladdin also provides more excitement than expected. The traditional British pantomime is one of Rumpole's favourite institutions, but he has a vague feeling that there's something odd about this particular production. A post-panto drink, some overheard remarks and a glance at the programme confirm his suspicions - and put him on the path to solving an audacious crime... Starring Desmond Barrit as Rumpole and Joanna David as Hilda, with Tim McInnerny as Donald Compton and Nigel Anthony as Fred Timson. Cast Horace Rumpole - Desmond Barrit Hilda Rumpole - Joanna David Rev Eric Longstaff - Oliver Ford Davies Donald Compton - Tim McInnerny Fred Timson - Nigel Anthony Phillida Erskine-Brown - Patience Tomlinson Judge Bullingham - Philip Voss Skimpy Simpson - Ioan Meredith Bonny Bernard - Bruce Alexander Detective Inspector Grimble - John Hartley Aladdin - Rebecca Lacey Denis Timson - Tom George Widow Twanky - Tilly Vosburgh Tristan - Lewis Reece Isolde - Lauren Bird Production credits Written by John Mortimer Directed by Marilyn Imrie Produced by Catherine Bailey Pantomime music written by Neil Brand A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4

John Clifford Mortimer (Author), Desmond Barrit, Tim Mcinnerny (Narrator)

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