Audiobooks narrated by Margaret Courtenay

Paupers and Pig Killers from the diaries of William Holland: A BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

A BBC Radio dramatisation of the real-life diaries of a West Country village parson, writing at the turn of the 19th Century 'A good diary can provide an unsurpassed entry into society, and the diary of William Holland is a very good diary indeed' The Spectator On October 25th, 1799 - his 18th wedding anniversary - cantankerous Somerset parson William Holland begins his diary, chronicling events at the vicarage and in the small farming community of Over Stowey. He would keep it for the next 19 years, candidly recording the small trials of day-to-day life - from chaotic church services and unruly locals to lazy servants and irksome in-laws. As the new century dawns, he finds himself dealing with parish problems and domestic dramas: including a madman in the poorhouse, a drunkard in the pulpit, and his wife's prattling cousin in the house. At harvest time, he has his work cut out collecting tithes from the local farmers, and his troubles are further compounded by an escaped cow, some curious medical complaints, and an audacious plum-plunderer... Paying a social visit to Bath with his family, the hectic pace has him longing for the relative peace and quiet of home. And back at the parsonage, his life is transformed when his manservant Robert resolves to give up drinking and womanizing. But will it last? Full of humorous observations and comic incident, this delightful journal paints a unique picture of a wonderful collection of characters, and the entertaining and often hilarious things that happen to them. Dramatised by Eric Pringle, it is brought to life by a full cast of well-known actors, and stars Ronald Pickup as William Holland, Rosemary Martin and Rowena Cooper as his wife, Mary, and Gavin Muir as Robert. Production credits Written by William Holland Dramatised by Eric Pringle Directed by Cherry Cookson Cast William Holland - Ronald Pickup Mary - Rosemary Martin/Rowena Cooper Robert - Gavin Muir Miss Dodwell - Tessa Worsley Mr Amen - Gordon Gostelow Farmer Morle - David Collings William Frost/Farmer Landsey - David Timson Rector Reekes/Ben Hunt - John Hartley Thomas Poole/Farmer Trant/Porter - Stephen Critchlow Mrs Southcomb - Margaret Courtenay Farmer CottleMr Lewis - Andrew Branch Margaret/Hannah/Betty/Little Will - Jane Whittenshaw Sally Hill/Grace - Caroline Strong With Tilly Gaunt, Giles Fagan and Ben Crowe First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 7-21 February 1996 (Series 1), 29 October-12 November 1999 (Series 2) © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Eric Pringle, William Holland (Author), Andrew Branch, David Collings, Full Cast, Gavin Muir, Gordon Gostelow, Margaret Courtenay, Ronald Pickup, Rosemary Martin, Rowena Cooper, Tessa Worsley (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Secret Life of Rosewood Avenue: A BBC Radio 4 comedy

James Grout stars as a hapless vicar who discovers that life behind suburbia's net curtains is more exciting than he'd expected After being mugged by a pair of pensioners outside the Darby & Joan Club, the Reverend Timothy Carswell has had enough of his rough, tough inner-city parish. Convinced that someone so meek would be better suited somewhere quieter, the Bishop packs him off to a nice, sedate, residential neighbourhood where nothing ever seems to happen. However, unbeknownst to the vicar, his apparently respectable new parish is a hotbed of passion, paranormal experimentation and geriatric prostitution. Under the thumb of his dour Scottish housekeeper, Mrs Muir, who keeps him busy writing long, tedious sermons, he fails to notice the many crimes being committed under his very nose - including burglary, arson and even murder. But when his congregation is stolen by the charismatic American preacher, Elijah Hornblower, he finally realises that something is afoot - and he'll have to fight fire with fire if he wants to keep his flock... Written by acclaimed dramatist Stephen Sheridan, this dry, darkly funny sitcom stars James Grout as Rev Carswell, with Sarah Thomas and Elizabeth Mansfield as Mrs Muir. Production credits Written by Stephen Sheridan Produced by Lissa Evans Cast Rev Timothy Carswell - James Grout Miss Tilling - Margaret Courtenay Miss Tapp/Emily Ford - Jean Heywood Dr Warlock/Bishop - Christopher Good Mrs Muir - Sarah Thomas/Elizabeth Mansfield Mrs Knatchbull - Maxine Audley Cudlipp/Mugger/Critchley - Fraser Kerr Mugger's accomplice/Miss Shaw - Auriol Smith Edwin - Robert Lang Jeremy - Christian Robinson David - Tobias Best Mr Rainbird - David Bannerman Constable/Eric - Ian Lindsay Mrs Garland - Rosemary Martin Arnold - Cyril Shaps Captain Van Thal - Donald Pickering Hilary - Jacqueline Tong Miss Willow - Patricia Hayes Keith - Brian Bowles Maria - Sarah Souster Guy/Jehovah's Witness - Angus Wright Simon Garland - Daniel Strauss Mr Vaughan - Michael Turner Mr Shaw - Ronald Herdman Rev Hornblower - Garrick Hagon Mr Widlake - Brian Miller Mrs Widlake - Bernadine Corrigan First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 26 February-2 April 1991 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Stephen Sheridan (Author), Christopher Good, Elizabeth Mansfield, Full Cast, James Grout, Jen Heywood, Margaret Courtenay, Sarah Thomas (Narrator)

Audiobook

Getting On: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast drama

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast production of one of the earliest plays by Alan Bennett The 1970s are a time of change, but Labour MP George Oliver feels stuck in one place: distrusting the 'mawkish mentality' of the young and fearing the encroaching life of the middle-aged, with little to look forward to but the imminent end of a not-very-interesting road. Ten years into his second marriage, he is world-weary and dissatisfied with his social position and the public he deals with on a regular basis ('He's a socialist, but he doesn't like people' observes his wife Polly). In his self-absorption, he cannot see that his wife is having an affair, his mother-in-law is dying and his friends and neighbours regard him as a joke. With his trademark wry observational humour, Alan Bennett renders his plight at once poignant and comic. This bittersweet drama won the Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy of 1971, and was described by the Sunday Times as 'a small jewel of bewilderment and regret'. Keith Barron stars as George in this radio adaptation, with a supporting cast including David Rintoul, Emily Richard and Margaret Courtenay

Alan Bennett (Author), Charles Simpson, David Rintoul, Emily Richard, Ian Targett, Keith Barron, Margaret Courtenay, Pauline Letts, Susan Sheridan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Margaret Courtenay