Audiobooks narrated by Frances Barber

The Hauntening: The Complete Series 1-4: A BBC Radio 4 Comedy

Modern technology is terrifying. The average smartphone carries out 3.36 billion instructions per second. The average person can carry out only one instruction in that time. Stop and think about that for a second. Sorry, that's two instructions; you won't be able to do that. But what if modern technology was... literally terrifying? What if there really was a ghost in the machine? Prepare to travel through the bad gateway as acclaimed actor, writer and comedian Tom Neenan (The Mash Report) finds out what horrors may be lurking in our apps and gadgets. From a dating app with paranormal parameters to a sinister smart fridge, a petrifying Peloton, a nightmarish NFT and a word game that turns n*sty, tech blogger Tom discovers the dark side of our beloved devices - with hair-raising results... This box set includes every series of the humorously horrifying anthology/sitcom - including Series 4, which has never previously been released on audio. Jenny Bede co-stars as Tom's friend Heidi, and special guests include Frances Barber, Nicola Walker, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Andy Nyman, Martin Jarvis, Lewis MacLeod, Joanna Lumley and Peter Davison. The show comes from Pozzitive, proud producers of Cabin Pressure, John Finnemore's Double Acts, Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones!, Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive and Kevin Eldon Will See You Now. Production credits Written by Tom Neenan Produced and directed by David Tyler A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4 Cast Tom - Tom Neenan Heidi - Jenny Bede The Cabbie/Reynolds - Roger Morlidge Jane - Kath Hunter Voice of the app - Frances Barber Debbi - Kath Hughes Asag/Dominic/Dean - Ewan Bailey William - Vincent Franklin Amar/The Waiter/'Rency - Naz Osmanoglu Taxi Controller - Georgie Fuller Camilla - Nicola Walker Felixxx - Ivan Gonzalez The Operators - Nina Sosanya, Alison Senior, Lucy Thackeray, Robert Wilfort Tony/The Waiter/Dennis - Dan Tetsell Dr Conroy - Julian Rhind-Tutt Elicia - Georgie Glen DI Gerry - Nicholas Woodeson DC Freck - Ethan Lawrence Olivia - Freya Parker Charlie - Andy Nyman The Advert - Rebecca Gethings Cam - Martin Jarvis June - Phoebe Horn Police Officer - Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong The Deepfakes - Lewis MacLeod Lance - Joseph May Ken - Steve Brody The Archivist - Geoffrey Whitehead The Barman - Morgan Jones With Joanna Lumley and Peter Davison as themselves First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 11-18 October 2017 (Series 1), 17-31 October 2018 (Series 2), 14 October-4 November 2020 (Series 3), 5-26 October 2022 (Series 4) © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Tom Neenan (Author), Andy Nyman, Dan Tetsell, Ewan Bailey, Frances Barber, Full Cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, Jenny Bede, Joanna Lumley, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Martin Jarvis, Nicola Walker, Nina Sosanya, Rebecca Gethings, Tom Neenan (Narrator)

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Posters of the Moulin Rouge: Eight BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas based on the characters of Toulouse-

Toulouse-Lautrec's iconic Parisian poster stars come to life in these full-cast dramas, set in 19th-century Montmartre 1889, Paris. When Charles Zidler's extravagant pleasure palace, the Moulin Rouge, opens in bohemian Montmartre, he commissions local artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec to create a series of posters to promote it. The striking lithographs Henri produces will make his name - and launch the careers of the performers he portrayed. This sparkling collection of plays introduces us to eight of those legendary artistes, whose lives were as vivid as Lautrec's paint. It opens with Yvette Guilbert, the story of a singer whose dreams of wealth and fame lead her to a brand new cabaret on Boulevard de Clichy.... In The Boneless Wonder, we meet can-can dancer Valentin Renaudin. Merely a silhouette in Toulouse-Lautrec's poster, what is he in real life? La Goulue tells the tale of his famous partner, Louise Weber, whose soubriquet reflects her love of food and life. And in Jane Avril, we hear about Henri's muse, whose nickname 'Crazy Jane' didn't simply refer to her exuberant dancing. May Belfort explores the Irish singer turned lady of the night, who relied more on her beauty than her voice. In Footitt and Chocolat, a circus double act is in danger of drifting apart; while in Casque d'Or, a group of passionate revolutionaries make a fatal last stand. Finally, Aristide Bruant sees the socialist club owner becoming a fashionable success - against all his intentions. He needs to find a new direction: as does Yvette Guilbert... Created by award-winning writer John Peacock, these dazzling dramas will transport you to Belle Époque Paris, in all its glamour and decadence. The star casts include Julie Covington as Yvette Guilbert, Frances Barber as La Goulue, Bonnie Langford as May Belfort, Bernard Hill as Aristide Bruant and Miranda Richardson as Marie Briand. Written by John Peacock Directed by Jane Morgan Music by Stephen Warbeck Technical presentation: David Greenwood, assisted by Anne Bunting and Colin Guthrie © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

John Peacock (Author), Angela Pleasence, Bernard Hill, Bonnie Langford, Clarence Smith, Dermot Crowley, Frances Barber, Julie Covington, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Thorne (Narrator)

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Little Lifetimes: Series 1-6: A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Where Women Share Their Secrets

A sparkling collection of comic monologues by Jenny Eclair, about women facing pivotal moments in their lives 'Exquisitely crafted' Radio Times In these funny, poignant short stories, voiced by some of Britain's finest actresses, we are introduced to 29 very different women as they open their hearts and share their secrets. Here are tales of love, grief, revenge and adventure, told by a wealth of fascinating characters. There's Bea, a top cook who's about to prepare a very special birthday cake for her husband; Christine, who takes up watercolours and discovers inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places; Patsy, a rock star's wife with a past and Penny, who takes looking after her boss a bit too far. From a grandmother visiting a posh supermarket to buy her grandchildren a meal they won't forget, to a cleaner who discovers some secrets behind the Farrow and Ball doors of the middle-class homes she visits, every one of the women we meet has a memorable, moving and surprising tale to tell... Among the star narrators are Lesley Sharp, Anita Dobson, Imelda Staunton, Josie Lawrence, Frances Barber, Samantha Bond, Doon Mackichan and Anne Reid. Produced by Sally Avens Series 1 Fifteen Minutes to Landing Woman - Lesley Manville Captain James Barrington - Clive Hayward Air Hostess - Jane Slavin Carol Goes Swimming Carol - Lorraine Ashbourne Manager - Jane Slavin A Trolley for a Change Pat - Ruth Sheen Checkout woman - Elaine Claxton Security guard - Clive Hayward Lauren - Jane Slavin George's Cake Bea - Susie Blake The Viewing Reader - Annette Badland Doing the Best for Daniel Reader - Jenny Eclair Series 2 Lorna's Holiday Lorna - Lesley Sharp Christine Paints Christine - Rosie Cavaliero Beverley in Shoes Beverley - Samantha Spiro Points Gail - Sarah Hadland A Slight Alteration Reader - Tessa Peake-Jones Waiting for Billy Patsy - Anita Dobson Series 3 Leo's Passport Penny - Imelda Staunton Caroline - Karen Bartke Hannah's Gone Hannah's Mum - Josie Lawrence Mothers and Daughters Coral - Frances Barber Girl - Karen Bartke Boy - Luke MacGregor Anthea's Round Robin Anthea - Samantha Bond Series 4 The Last Day Miss Cavendish - Vicki Pepperdine The Visit Reader - Doon Mackichan The Nannas Dawn - Tilly Vosburgh A Nice Time with All the Family Julie - Beverley Callard Series 5 A Long Weekend Cathy - Anne Reid The Kitchen Table Reader - Monica Dolan The Book Club Belle - Lucy Robinson Greta Doesn't Want to Wait for Godot Greta - Amelia Bullmore

Jenny éclair (Author), Anita Dobson, Anne Reid, Doon Mackichan, Frances Barber, Imelda Staunton, Jenny éclair, Josie Lawrence, Lesley Sharp, Samantha Bond (Narrator)

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BBC Radio Shakespeare: A Collection of Three Roman Plays

Three full-cast BBC Radio productions of Shakespeare's most famous Roman plays Featuring all-star casts and introduced by Sir Richard Eyre, these three iconic productions of Shakespeare's dynamic Roman histories are full of political intrigue, passion and tragedy. Julius Caesar This updated version of Shakespeare's classic play is set in Italy in 1925. Julius Caesar, a new Roman dictator, has swept to power, and his way is clear to assume total control - unless a coup by Cassius and Brutus can alter the tide of history. Nicholas Farrell stars as Brutus and Gerard Murphy as Julius Caesar. Coriolanus When Rome's greatest hero, the warrior Coriolanus, divides the people and the patricians through his arrogance, he is driven into exile. Samuel West stars as Coriolanus, with Susannah York as Volumnia. Antony and Cleopatra Shakespeare's last great tragedy is an action epic set against the political backdrop of the Roman Empire and the centre of Egyptian culture, Alexandria. But at the heart of the play is the story of what happens when two people fall in love. Starring Frances Barber as Cleopatra and David Harewood as Mark Antony.

William Shakespeare (Author), David Harewood, Frances Barber, Full Cast, Gerard Murphy, Nicholas Farrell, Samuel West, Stella Gonet, Susannah York (Narrator)

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Daunt & Dervish: The Complete BBC Radio crime series

All four series of the jaunty crime drama featuring two ex-spies who set up a private detective agency London,1953. Josephine Daunt and Susan Dervish both worked for the Ministry of Defence during the Second World War, doing top-secret, highly dangerous espionage work. But in peacetime, they find themselves without a job and feeling useless. Determined to put their talents to good use, they decide to set up a detective agency, with the help of former private eye Bill Mackie. From their Covent Garden office, they handle a steady flow of business. But the ladies’ lives really become exciting when they rescue a woman from drowning – only to discover that she’s not what she seems. Soon, the daring duo are caught up in all manner of challenging cases, including a sporting assignment involving a priest and an Olympic boxing hopeful; a request to bid on a Monet that takes them on a trail across the Channel; a commission to investigate film actress Belinda Lane; and a theft at a fashion designer’s workshop that leads them into a world of Teddy boys, political machinations and murder… Guy Meredith's light-hearted crime series stars Anna Massey as Josephine Daunt, while Imelda Staunton, Frances Barber and Sylvestra Le Touzel play Susan Dervish. Bill Paterson and Sean Scanlan co-star as Bill Mackie. Written by Guy Meredith Format by Imelda Staunton and Anna Massey Series 1 produced by Cherry Cookson and directed by Janet Whitaker Series 2-4 produced and directed by Colin Guthrie Clarinet played by Julian Stringle (Series 3, Episode 1)

Guy Meredith (Author), Anna Massey, Bill Paterson, Frances Barber, Imelda Staunton, Sean Scanlan, Sylvestra Le Touzel (Narrator)

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The James Joyce BBC Radio Collection: Ulysses, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man & Dubliners

Three BBC radio productions of major works by James Joyce - plus Gordon Bowker's fascinating biographical account of his life Ulysses In this full-cast dramatisation of Joyce's epic modernist novel, the stories of Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom combine as they meander through Dublin in the course of one day, 16 June 1904. Andrew Scott stars as Stephen, with Henry Goodman as Bloom, Niamh Cusack as Molly Bloom and Stephen Rea as the Narrator. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man An abridged reading of James Joyce's autobiographical masterpiece portraying the adolescence of Stephen Dedalus, who must question the culture and religion of his native land before he can break free to become an artist. Read by Andrew Scott. Dubliners This abridged collection of fifteen naturalistic tales depicts an array of characters from childhood, through adolescence, to maturity. Stories of love, loss, friendship, marriage, politics and family combine to create a unified world and a celebration of a city. Read by Stephen Rea. James Joyce - A Biography Gordon Bowker's comprehensive study explores Joyce's years spent in exile in Europe, and examines how his life shaped his genius. Read by Jim Norton, with Andrew Scott as the voice of Joyce.

Gordon Bowker, James Joyce (Author), , Andrew Scott, Frances Barber, Henry Goodman, Jim Norton, Niamh Cusack, Stephen Rea (Narrator)

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Paradise Lost: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

Sir Ian McKellen stars as Milton in this dramatised retelling of John Milton’s epic poem about the fall of Man "devilishly good... I urge you to give it a listen" The Telegraph Milton’s biblical masterpiece, first published in 1667, is one of English literature’s most seminal works. Straddling three worlds – Heaven, Hell and Earth – it tells the gripping story of fallen angel Satan’s rebellion against God, his temptation of Adam and Eve and their subsequent expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Written to ‘justify the ways of God to men’, it aimed to show what caused Mankind's fall and the consequences for the world, both bad and good. By reaching back to the beginning of time, Milton hoped to discover the events that had led to the political and societal upheaval of his own era – as well as using allegory to ask powerful questions about authority, government, tyranny and disobedience. In this brand new dramatisation, Milton himself (Sir Ian McKellen) is the blind narrator grieving the loss of his wife, played by Frances Barber. Also starring Simon Russell Beale as Satan, and adapted by award-winning poet and broadcaster Michael Symmons Roberts, this enthralling drama is a vital piece of storytelling with striking parallels to contemporary events.

John Milton (Author), Ashley Margolis, Conrad Nelson, David Seddon, Emily Pithon, Frances Barber, Ian Mckellen, Jonathan Keeble, Russell Dixon, Simon Russell Beale, Sir Ian McKellen, Various (Narrator)

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Fanny Hill

Fanny Hill by John Cleland. In the world of erotica the story of Fanny Hill is well known and much admired. It was written whilst Cleland was in debtor's prison and was to become one of the most prosecuted and banned books in history. Our audio version is read for you by the acclaimed actress Frances Barber.

John Cleeland (Author), Frances Barber (Narrator)

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Stardust: BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

Matthew Beard and Sophie Rundle star in a brand new BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of the bestselling novel by Neil Gaiman, narrated by Eleanor Bron. Challenged to retrieve a fallen star, Tristran Thorn leaves the sleepy English village of Wall and crosses into the land of Faerie and the realm of Stormhold. Locating the star, he discovers it is no meteorite, but a young woman, Yvaine. When Yvaine evades him and escapes, Tristran discovers he is not the only one in pursuit of the star: there are dark forces in this magical land, and he must find Yvaine before she falls into their clutches. As he does so, Tristran will uncover the secret to his own identity and a fate beyond his wildest dreams. Directed by Dirk Maggs and Heather Larmour, and featuring over 20 minutes of unbroadcast material, this stunning new dramatisation boasts an extensive cast including Frances Barber, Maggie Steed, Nicholas Boulton, Blake Ritson, Bryan Dick, Charlotte Riley, Aisling Loftus, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Alex Macqueen. There are also cameo appearances by Tori Amos and Neil Gaiman. Duration: 2 hours 30 mins approx.

Neil Gaiman (Author), , Aisling Loftus, Alex Macqueen, Blake Ritson, Bryan Dick, Charlotte Riley, Frances Barber, Full Cast, Maggie Steed, Matthew Beard, Neil Gaiman, Nicholas Boulton, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Sophie Rundle, Tori Amos (Narrator)

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Working Girls

Fifteen years old…brutalised… dumped in a park… throat slashed…. Schoolgirl prostitute Michelle Lucas died in agony and terror, utterly alone. The sight breaks the heart of Sergeant Bev Morriss of West Midlands Police. She thought she was hardened, but gazing at Michelle’s pale, broken body she is consumed by a cold fury. She knows this case is different – this is the one that will push her to the edge. Plunging herself into the seedy heart of Birmingham’s vice-land she struggles to infiltrate the deadly jungle of hookers, evil pimps and violent johns. But no one will co-operate, no one will break the wall of silence. Is it fear or guilt? When a second victim dies, Bev knows time is running out. If she is to win the trust of the working girls - she has to take the biggest, most dangerous, gamble of her life … out on the streets.

Maureen Carter (Author), Frances Barber (Narrator)

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Doctor Who: Shroud Of Sorrow

23 November, 1963. It is the day after John F. Kennedy's assassination - and the faces of the dead are everywhere. PC Reg Cranfield sees his late father in the mists along Totter's Lane. Reporter Mae Callon sees her grandmother in a coffee stain on her desk. FBI Special Agent Warren Skeet finds his long-dead partner staring back at him from raindrops on a window pane. Then the faces begin to talk, and scream... and push through into our world. As the alien Shroud begins to feast on the grief of a world in mourning, can the Doctor dig deep enough into his own sorrow to save mankind? Shroud of Sorrow is read by Frances Barber, who played Madame Kovarian in the Doctor Who episodes A Good Man Goes to War and The Wedding of River Song.

Tommy Donbavand (Author), Frances Barber (Narrator)

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Doctor Who: Snake Bite

Doctor Elehri Mussurana has spent a lifetime on her work. She's guarded her pet project close to her chest, letting only one person share her secret - her husband and lab partner Ernst Wharner. As their experiment reaches its final, glorious fruition, they watch in awe as sparks fly in a sealed chamber and specks of sapphire light begin to join together into a shining haze. A wormhole in time and space is being created... But then something unexpected appears inside the swirling vortex: a tall blue box with the words 'POLICE PUBLIC CALL BOX' on the side. The TARDIS has arrived in the far future, in a scientific research facility - just as reality is ripped at the seams and the universe tears in two... Written specially for audio by Scott Handcock, Snake Bite features the Doctor, Amy and Rory as played by Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill in the acclaimed BBC TV series. It is read by Frances Barber, who played Madame Kovarian.

Scott Handcock (Author), Frances Barber (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Frances Barber