Audiobooks narrated by Mark Steel

The Mark Steel Lectures: The BBC Radio Comedy Series

Radical comedian Mark Steel profiles sixteen historical figures who shaped their era Sony Award-winning satirist and stand-up comedian Mark Steel takes us through the life stories of some of his favourite historical characters in this acclaimed radio series, which ran for three series on BBC Radio 4 before transferring to TV in 2003. From Oliver Cromwell to Ludvig van Beethoven, Mark’s chosen personalities are all passionate, driven – and more than a little eccentric... Among the inspirational people he profiles are W. G. Grace, one of cricket’s greatest players and the first modern celebrity; Mary Shelley, a radical’s daughter who married a poet and invented science fiction; Che Guevara, who became a left-wing hero despite chronic asthma; and Aristotle, who deserves to be remembered for much more than a line in a Monty Python song. In addition, he delves into the lives of Renaissance genius (and absent-minded buffoon) Leonardo da Vinci; Carthaginian elephant-wrangler and scourge of the Romans, Hannibal; jazz singer Billie Holiday, whose trademark song ‘Strange Fruit’ was so inflammatory that Columbia refused to record it; and gravity-defining mathematician Isaac Newton, who was obsessed with alchemy and tried to turn lead into gold. Illustrated with idiosyncratic sketches featuring Melanie Hudson, Martin Hyder, Kim Wall, Carla Mendonça, Femi Elufowoju Junior and Debbie Isitt, these informative, accessible and hugely entertaining lectures celebrate the remarkable men and women whose ideas and enthusiasm changed the world. Written and performed by Mark Steel With Melanie Hudson, Martin Hyder, Kim Wall, Carla Mendonça, Femi Elufowoju Junior and Debbie Isitt Produced by Phil Clarke (Series 1) and Lucy Armitage (Series 2 & 3) Executive producer: Paul Schlesinger Contents: Series 1 Oliver Cromwell W. G. Grace Charlie Chaplin Thomas Paine Series 2 Lord Byron Aristotle Leonardo da Vinci Che Guevara Billie Holiday Karl Marx Series 3 Ludwig van Beethoven Hannibal Isaac Newton Mary Shelley Muhammad Ali Napoleon Bonaparte First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9-30 August 1999 (Series 1), 13 March – 17 April 2001 (Series 2), 18 September – 23 October 2002 (Series 3) © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

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The Mark Steel Revolution: The BBC Radio Comedy Series

Radical comedian Mark Steel takes a sideways look at some of the most tumultuous moments in history Mark Steel turns his analytical mind to the theme of revolutions in these six entertaining lectures, examining some of the major historical forces at work and holding up a mirror to our own age. In these entertaining lectures, he reinterprets the French Revolution, examining everything from the storming of the Bastille to the guillotine; looks at the politics of the sexual revolution (taking in the pill, the women’s movement and the Stonewall riots); and assesses the motivating factors and key players in the Russian Revolution – including the Romanovs, Rasputin and the Red Guard. He also explores how the Industrial Revolution transformed our perception of time, work and money; argues that the American Civil War was not just a rebellion but a full-blown revolution; and shows how Darwin’s revolutionary theory of natural selection was so shocking, he kept it quiet for 20 years for fear of a backlash... With readings by Martin Hyder and Carla Mendonça and witty comic sketches, this amusing, informative series is packed with fantastic stories, extraordinary characters and fascinating historical facts. Written and presented by Mark Steel With Martin Hyder and Carla Mendonça Produced by Phil Clarke Contents: The French Revolution The Sexual Revolution The Russian Revolution The Industrial Revolution The American Civil War The Theory of Evolution First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 June – 4 August 1998 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

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The Mark Steel Solution: The BBC Radio Comedy Series

Mark Steel uses his unique logic to propose subversive solutions to society's problems What if the Royal Family was chosen by weekly lottery? Why should giving to charity be illegal? Could government economic policy be decided by sport? Award-winning writer and comedian Mark Steel aims to put the world to rights in these 15 episodes, as he comes up with radical proposals to improve our lives and sort out our social ills. From the economy to transport, housing, crime and our current age of pessimism, Mark’s got a brilliant idea that’s sure to fix the problem. Each show sees him using witty, persuasive arguments and short, sharp sketches to present his case, as he contends that having a job should be illegal, everyone should have to be gay for two years, and nobody should have to go to school until they’re 36. Whatever the issue, Mark’s got the answer – whether it’s dealing with immigration by deporting everyone born in England, or healing religious divisions by making everyone change their faith every Monday. Lend him your ears and he’ll convince you of anything, as he sets about proving that the ridiculous is really very sensible indeed – and that changing the world is easy, if you’re willing to listen to his advice... Written and performed by Mark Steel and Spitting Image writer Pete Sinclair, this funny, thought-provoking series also features Maria McErlane and Kim Wall. Written by Mark Steel and Pete Sinclair Starring Mark Steel, Pete Sinclair, Maria McErlane and Kim Wall Produced by Turan Ali (Series 1) and Phil Clarke (Series 2-4) Contents: Series 1 The Family: ‘No-one should live in the same family for more than one year’ Judges: ‘Ex-convicts should be recruited as High Court judges’ The Economy: ‘Government economic policy should be decided by sport’ Series 2 Unemployment: ‘Having a job should be illegal’ Transport: ‘Transport should only be paid for by people who don’t use it’ Housing: ‘Everyone in Britain should be re-housed at random’ The Royal Family: ‘The Royal Family should be chosen by weekly lottery’ Series 3 Sexual Politics: ‘Everyone should have to be gay for two years’ Charity : ‘Anybody who gives to charity should be jailed’ Crime: ‘Criminals should decide their own punishment’ Immigration: ‘Anyone born in England should be deported’ Series 4 Religion: ‘People should have to change their religion every Monday’ The Media: ‘Anyone in charge of the media should be sacked after thirty minutes’ Education: ‘Nobody should go to school until they are 36’ Pessimism: ‘Pessimists should be persecuted by law’ First broadcast BBC Radio 5 from 16 Oct-13 Nov 1992 (Series 1), 15 July-5 Aug 1994 (Series 2), 4 Aug-25 Aug 1995 (Series 3), 16 Aug-6 Sept 1996 (Series 4) © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

Audiobook

The News Quiz 2009: Series 67, 68 and 69 of the topical BBC Radio 4 comedy panel show

Three series of the satirical radio panel show chaired by Sandi Toksvig Ever since 1977, The News Quiz has been finding the hilarity in the headlines and providing witty commentary on stories big and small. In these 25 episodes from 2009, the inimitable Sandi Toksvig is in the hot seat, presiding over an all-star panel of journalists and comedians. Bringing their A-game to the show are regulars including Jeremy Hardy, Andy Hamilton, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen, Sue Perkins and Carrie Quinlan, as well as relative newcomers such as Chris Addison, Phill Jupitus, Rory Bremner, Robin Ince and David Mitchell. Each episode brings a fresh crop of news for the team to get their teeth into, and among the topics under discussion are Barack Obama's first 100 days, MP's expenses, Twitter's shakedown of super-injunctions, North Korea's nuclear ambitions, the Iraq inquiry and the perils of drunken trampolining. Rounding off the proceedings are newsreaders Harriet Cass, Peter Donaldson, Charlotte Green, Corrie Corfield, Neil Sleat, Carolyn Brown and Rory Morrison, with a selection of classic comic cuttings sent in by listeners. Production credits Chaired by Sandi Toksvig Chair's script written by Stephen Carlin, Lucy Clarke, Rhodri Crooks, Jon Hunter, Simon Littlefield, Suk Pannu, James Sherwood and Danielle Ward With additional material by Nathon Caton, Matt Charlton, Steve Day, Gary Delaney, Miriam Elia, Gareth Gwynn, Elliot Howe, James Kettle, Benjamin Partridge, Dale Phillips, Dominic Philpott, Rory Stamp, John-Luke Roberts and Holly Walsh Produced by Victoria Llloyd, Katie Tyrrell and Ed Morrish A BBC Studios Production Series 67 featuring: Chris Addison, Clive Anderson, Dave Gorman, Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy, Laurence Howarth, Shappi Khorsandi, Phill Jupitus, Fred MacAulay, David Mitchell, Sue Perkins, Carrie Quinlan, Mark Steel, Danielle Ward, Francis Wheen Series 68 featuring: Rory Bremner, Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy, Robin Ince, Phill Jupitus, Josie Long, Fred MacAulay, Sue Perkins, Steve Punt, Carrie Quinlan, Hugo Rifkind, Mark Steel, Danielle Ward, Francis Wheen, Andy Zaltzman Series 69 featuring: Rory Bremner, Simon Evans, Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy, Robin Ince, Miles Jupp, Fred MacAulay, David Mitchell, Andy Parsons, Sue Perkins, Carrie Quinlan, Hugo Rifkind, Paul Sinha, Mark Steel, Holly Walsh, Danielle Ward, Francis Wheen News items read by Harriet Cass, Peter Donaldson, Charlotte Green, Corrie Corfield, Neil Sleat, Carolyn Brown and Rory Morrison First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 9 January-27 February 2009 (Series 67), 1 May-19 June 2009 (Series 68), 25 September-20 November 2009 (Series 69) © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Tbd (Author), Andy Hamilton, Carrie Quinlan, David Mitchell, Jeremy Hardy, Mark Steel, Rory Bremner, Sandi Toksvig, Sue Perkins, Various (Narrator)

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Mark Steel’s In Town: Series 11 & 12: A BBC Radio 4 comedy series

The complete Series 11 and 12 of Mark Steel's comedy travel show 'Consistently the funniest programme on the radio' The Independent Mark Steel is back with two more series of his award-winning show, in which he explores nine weird and wonderful places around the UK and beyond. After thoroughly researching each town's history, people and idiosyncrasies, he goes on to write and perform a tailor-made evening of stand-up for the residents. Series 11 takes him to the former mining town of Blyth, Northumberland, where he finds a fascinating industrial legacy, a posh pub, and a very nice beach; Walthamstow, where he's joined by local MP Stella Creasey for a discussion about the controversial 'mini-Holland' cycling scheme; and Whitby; where he dodges the seagulls to present his findings on the Dracula origin story, chip shops and the resort's whaling history. In Series 12, Mark tours the contrarian city of Nottingham to learn about local legends Robin Hood and Frank the xylophone player; and travels to Tring's Natural History Museum to take in the exhibit of fleas dressed as Mexicans. He also sets out to the Isles of Scilly, Salisbury and Newport, and pops over to Paris, where he performs two versions of his show: one in English and one in French... With just the right blend of affection and rudeness, he celebrates the curious stories, quirky characters and regional eccentricities that make these areas unique. Whether you're a local or an out-of-towner, his hilarious observations will have you roaring with laughter. Written by and starring Mark Steel Additional material by Pete Sinclair Produced by Julia McKenzie and Carl Cooper Production co-ordinators: Beverly Tagg, Sarah Sharpe and Katie Baum Sound Manager: Jerry Peal First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 1-15 December 2021 (Series 11), 22 August-26 September 2022 (Series 12)

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

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Mark Steel’s in Town: Series 9 & 10: The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series

The complete ninth and tenth series of Mark Steel's comedy travelogue In these two series of the award-winning BBC Radio 4 show, comedian Mark Steel is on the road again, visiting places that have nothing in common but their uniqueness. Along the way, he delves into the history, heritage and culture of each town, before going on to write and perform a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents. His first stop is Hastings, where he finds that a lot's happened since 1066 - including an annual Pirates' Day. Other destinations on his road trip include King's Lynn (where he's thrilled to find a traffic island full of rabbits), Carlisle (notable for its cursing stone and pervasive smell of biscuits) and Aberystwyth (the 'Athens of Wales' and home to the Holy Grail). Plus, he ventures into the Forest of Dean - but manages to make it out alive, and heads across the Med to Malta, where he samples some pastizzi and gets caught up in a parade. He also performs two COVID-friendly outdoor shows, on Brighton Beach and from a tree stump in The Dell Gardens, Stratford-upon-Avon, and finishes with a special online episode, in which he talks to a virtual audience about the many places he's visited over the course of 10 series of Mark Steel's In Town. Winner of numerous accolades including the 2010 Silver and 2012 Gold Awards for Best Comedy at the Sony Radio Academy Awards and the 2018 BBC Radio Awards Best Comedy Show, this quirky, engaging series is - in the words of the Sony judges - 'stand-up comedy at its very best'. Cast and credits Written and performed by Mark Steel Additional material by Pete Sinclair Produced by Carl Cooper Production co-ordinators: Hayley Sterling and Beverly Tagg Sound Manager: Jerry Peal First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 17 January-21 February 2019 (Series 9), 12-26 November 2020 (Series 10)

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

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Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive: Series 1-4: The Complete BBC Radio 4 Collection

Creator of 'The Thick Of It', 'I'm Alan Partridge' and 'Veep' and films 'In The Loop' and 'The Death Of Stalin', Armando Iannucci is probably the most famous writer/director/satirist of his generation. Here he hosts his own award-wining radio show.'The best comedy on radio' - The IndependentComedians who guested over the four series include David Mitchell, Michael McIntyre, Russell Howard, Miranda hart, Jo Brand, Phill Jupitus, Clive Anderson and a young John Oliver (before he was launched to stardom on 'The Daily Show')In the first series, Armando Iannucci and his guests pull apart the news with a heady mix of topical comedy, messed-about archive, chat and outrageous fibs, recorded in front of a live studio audience. Across the complete six episodes, they start a new religion and update some Cockney rhyming slang, and as the strike by BBC workers starts to bite and the army steps in, we hear a debate on breastfeeding from 'Woman's Hour' hosted by Gunner-Sergeant Harry Donaldson of the 5th Norfolk Fusiliers. In another show the team take a look at the new Star Wars epic and debate the right of the Sith to wear a hood in a public galaxy, whilst simultaneously fending off a bid by Malcolm Glazer to buy a 75 per cent stake in the programme as it goes out, and in yet another show they make a List of the 100 Best Lists Ever and end up ringing Jimmy Carr's answerphone to find out the winner... In series 2, Armando and his guests episodes, they worry about a new spate of Middle Class illnesses, including Repetitive Divorce Injury, Recyclists's Elbow & Having To Stay In All Day To Await Delivery of a Trampoline-itis. Meanwhile, as the cult of daredevil Book For Boys grows, Armando shows off his I've actually got a sawn-off knife, which is actually just a handle. In another episode, they we debate whether Chris Moyles should be punished for his use of the word 'gay' on his Radio 1 breakfast show or whether he should just be punished in general. Plus they give some Radio 4 programmes a bit of a makeover as Start the Week is remade as The Dawn of the Dead...In the third series, Armando Iannucci and his guests check that all the jokes have to be strictly in accordance with legal norms. For example - 'Knock knock', 'Who's there?' 'It's me - the person knocking at the door', 'Hang on, I'll open it then'. We also hear selected extracts from newsreader Vaughan Savidge's calming 'Little Book Of Vaughan' which includes such wonderful advice as - 'First thing in the morning, look in the mirror, wink at yourself and say "Hey, you tousled genius. See you on the toilet..." And Dara O'Briain, Simon Evans & David Quantick think of what statues they'd like to see until they finally all agree that they'd like to make a statue of Louis Walsh, literally by dropping him in concrete.Across the fourth and final series, with Britain looking forward to the 2012 Olympics they'll be considering possible new sporting events such as Single Mumming, 4 x 100 Teenage Pregnancies & Turkey Twizzling. Plus they study some interesting animal facts such as 'Plankton always drift anti-clockwise, and form giant funny faces when no-one's looking' and 'Young adult pigs have started to emulate human behaviour by eating rubbish, drinking a lot and getting slaughtered'. Another episode sees the collapse of the financial markets and the team ask who they'd like to see collapse next?. 'I'd like to see Hallmark collapse, like a house of cards' and 'I'd like to see Damien Hirst collapse. In front of me. So I could then sell his skull at auction' are just two of the answers... And further, in the week where Barack Obama said to Sarah Palin 'You can't put lipstick on a pig' our panel realize animal metaphors are this season's must have and are hotter than a peacock on a spacehopper. Other exciting new modern maxims include 'You can't put a wig on a goldfish" and "Too many cooks are on the telly'

Armando Iannucci (Author), , Alexei Sayle, Armando Iannucci, Clive Anderson, Full Cast, Jo Brand, Marcus Brigstocke, Mark Steel, Phill Jupitus (Narrator)

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Mark Steel's In Town: Series 7 & 8

In each episode of this award-winning BBC Radio 4 series, comedian Mark Steel visits a UK town and researches its history, heritage and culture, after which he performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents. Mark's destinations in series 7 and 8 are: Stockport, Colchester, Hebden Bridge, Kingston upon Thames, Lynton and Lynmouth, Gibraltar, Bedford, Matlock and Matlock Bath, Inverness, Portishead, Hull and Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. This collection includes bonus special extended episodes from Gibraltar and Ventnor. In 2010 Mark Steel's in Town won a Silver Award for "Best Comedy" in the Sony Radio Academy Awards, and in 2012 it won the Gold Award in the same category. Also in 2010 it won the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award for "Best Radio Comedy / Light Entertainment". The series was voted "Best Radio Entertainment Show" in the Comedy.co.uk Awards held by the British Comedy Guide in the 2012 and 2015 awards.

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

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Mark Steel's In Town: Series 5 & 6: The BBC Radio 4 comedy series

In each episode of this BBC Radio 4 series Mark Steel visits a UK town and researches its history, heritage and culture, after which he performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents. Mark's destinations in Series 5 & 6 are Glastonbury; Derry / Londonderry; St. Davids; Southall; Birkenhead; Huddersfield; Melton Mowbray; Fleetwood; Shrewsbury; Barnard Castle and Saint Anne. Duration: 6 hours approx.

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

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Mark Steel's In Town: Series 3 & 4 plus Edinburgh Special

In each episode of this BBC Radio 4 series Mark Steel visits a UK town and researches its history, heritage and culture, after which he performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents. Mark's destinations in Series 3 & 4 are Berwick-Upon-Tweed; Holyhead; Basingstoke; Douglas on the Isle Of Man; Bungay; Wigan; Whitehaven; Tobermory; Corby; Handsworth; Ottery St. Mary and Chipping Norton. There's also a special episode recorded at the Edinburgh Festival. Duration: 6 hours 30 mins approx.

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

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Mark Steel's In Town: Series 1 & 2: The BBC Radio 4 comedy series

In each episode of this BBC Radio 4 series Mark Steel visits a UK town and researches its history, heritage and culture, after which he performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents. Mark's destinations in Series 1 & 2 are Skipton; Boston; Lewes; Walsall; Merthyr Tydfil; Portland; Dartford; Wilmslow; Dumfries; Penzance; Gateshead and Kirkwall . Duration: 6 hours approx.

Mark Steel (Author), Mark Steel (Narrator)

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I've Never Seen Star Wars Series 1

I've Never Seen Star Wars is a Radio 4 entertainment series in which Marcus Brigstocke asks his guest of the week to embrace ordinary activities and experiences that they've perhaps always meant to try but haven't had the time, the courage or possibly the inclination. The challenges that the guests undertook in series one included drinking absinthe (Phill Jupitus), swimming (Paul Daniels), constructing some flat-packed furniture (Mark Steel), swigging a pint (Eve Pollard), buying a pornographic magazine from a shop (Tim Brooke-Taylor) and finally joining Facebook (Esther Rantzen), and that's but to name a few of the many activities involved...

Marcus Brigstocke (Author), Esther Rantzen, Eve Pollard, Marcus Brigstocke, Mark Steel, Paul Daniels, Phill Jupitus, Tim Brooke Taylor (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Mark Steel