Audiobooks narrated by Rosemary Leach

Noel Streatfeild: Ballet Shoes & more: A BBC Radio 4 Children’s Drama Collection

Full-cast dramatisations of three of Noel Streatfeild's classic children's books Rising to fame with her 1936 novel Ballet Shoes, Noel Streatfeild soon became one of the most popular authors of her day. She was one of the first winners of the Carnegie Medal and was awarded an OBE in 1983. She died in 1986, but her stories continue to captivate children today. Included here are three of her very best - Ballet Shoes, The Growing Summer and When the Siren Wailed. Ballet Shoes - Adopted by Great Uncle Matthew on his archaeological expeditions, Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil grow up as sisters, and vow to make their name famous. When they enrol at the Children's Academy of Dancing, the Fossil girls share a future of a dazzling life onstage, where their dreams and fears will soon come true.... Rosemary Leach, Alexandra Mathie, Victoria Shalet and Lucy Curtis star in this delightful dramatisation. The Growing Summer - It is 1965, and the young Gareth children's lives are about to change for ever. When their father falls dangerously ill, they are sent to Ireland to stay with their eccentric Great-Aunt Dymphna for the summer. There, in her crumbling mansion on the west coast, they face dangers and adventures they could never have imagined... Starring Ann Rye, Holly Grainger, Will Haigh, Emily Fleeshman and Paul Herriott. When the Siren Wailed - When World War Two breaks out, Laura, Andy and Tim Clark are evacuated to the countryside. Brought up in poverty, they find a happy, comfortable home with the Colonel - but then tragedy occurs, and the children decide to run away back to London. Caught up in an air raid, can they make their way through the blackouts and bombed-out streets to find their mother? Narrated by Wendy Richard, this gripping, moving adventure story stars Norman Bird, John Church, Nicholas Courtney and Keeley Hawes. Text copyright © Noel Streatfield 1936 (Ballet Shoes), 1966 (The Growing Summer), 1974 (When the Siren Wailed) Copyright © Beneficiaries of Noel Streatfeild 1986 Cast and credits Written by Noel Streatfeild Ballet Shoes With Rosemary Leach, John Ringham, Alexandra Mathie, Victoria Shalet, Lucy Curtis, Lia Williams, Charles Edwards, Abigail Thaw, Alison Skilbeck, Olivia Breeze, Max Digby, Jonathan Dryden Taylor and Miriam Berry Adapted by Ellen Dryden Directed by Don Taylor First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27-31 Dec 1999 The Growing Summer With Ann Rye, Holly Grainger, Will Haigh, Emily Fleeshman, Paul Herriott, James Caplin, Catherine Keane, Vincent Patrick Dramatised by Julie Wilkinson Directed by Sue Sutton Mayo First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9 Aug 2000 When the Siren Wailed Narrated by Wendy Richard With Norman Bird, John Church, Nicholas Gatt, David Goudge, Keeley Hawes, Joan Matheson, Marc Murphy, Judy Parkin, Christopher Scott, Joan Walker, Melinda Walker, Howard Ward, Nicholas Courtney, Malcolm Hebden and Eva Stuart Dramatised by Richard Pinner Produced by Mary Kalemkarian Researcher: Lis Roberts First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 Jan-19 Mar 1989 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Noel Streatfeild (Author), Abigail Thaw, Ann Rye, Charles Edwards, Emily Fleeshman, Full Cast, Holliday Grainger, Joan Matheson, Keeley Hawes, Lia Williams, Malcolm Hebden, Nicholas Courtney, Norman Bird, Rosemary Leach, Victoria Shalet, Wendy Richard (Narrator)

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Spine Chillers: A BBC Radio 4 Horror Collection

Four hair-raising tales of terror, as heard on BBC Radio 4 In these four supernatural dramas, first broadcast on radio in 1984, a house hides more than meets the eye; a B & B landlady helps her guests forget their troubles; a Japanese man inadvertently awakens a vengeful spirit; and a mother and baby become unsettled in remote mill. Written by Colin Haydn Evans, David Campton, Jill Hyem and Don Webb, and starring Anna Massey, Rosemary Leach, Sean Barrett, and Pam Ferris, these eerie, atmospheric stories are guaranteed to give you goosebumps. Just don't listen with the lights off... Figures - Stuck in a marriage of convenience, unhappy Ann is searching for a refuge. So as soon as she sees the house, she knows it has to be hers. Its past is part of her future - all she has to do is sit in the upstairs room, kept locked for so long, and wait... Mrs M - Mrs Meadowsweet offers visitors to her country guesthouse a truly carefree holiday. Everybody is so happy. A little abstracted, perhaps, but certainly happy. New arrivals Madge and Arthur are suspicious, but can Mrs M win them over? Origami - When mild-mannered Mr Shimojo takes a room in Mrs Bestall's house, he becomes an instant hit with her young daughter, teaching her the Japanese art of paper folding. But no one is prepared for the sequence of horrifying events which his presence seems to generate... Witch Water Green - Barbara Tate and her baby girl are all alone in their new home - a converted mill deep in the countryside. The move has been stressful; Barbara is lonely and the baby is fretful. But there's another, deeper reason for her uneasiness... Cast and credits Figures Ann - Anna Massey Ralph Symons - Blain Fairman Rebecca Symons - Jill Lidstone Peter Fuller - Jon Strickland Alex Slade - Michael Bilton Written by Colin Haydn Evans Directed by Ian Cotterell First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 February 1984 Mrs M Mrs Meadowsweet - Rosemary Leach Madge - Anne Jameson Arthur - Roger Hume Simon - Terry Molloy Miss Brazenose - Joyce Gibbs Inga - Patricia Gallimore Written by David Campton Directed by Peter Windows First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 February 1984 Origami Mr Shimojo - Sean Barrett Helen Bestall - Carole Boyd Peter Trent - Christopher Scoular Lucy Bestall - Helen Worth Written by Jill Hyem Directed by Kay Patrick Pronunciation adviser: Masatoshi Tobia First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 February 1982 Witch Water Green Barbara Tate - Pam Ferris Dr Jane Rayner - Jenny Lee The Rev Roy Brown - Nigel Anthony Johnny Goad - Brian Southwood Wendy Williams - Kate Lee Written by Don Webb Directed by Tony Cliff First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 March 1984 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Colin Haydn Evans, David Campton, Don Webb, Jill Hyem (Author), Anna Massey, Carole Boyd, Full Cast, Pam Ferris, Rosemary Leach, Sean Barrett (Narrator)

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No Commitments: Series 10-13: The BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

The final four series of this BBC Radio comedy drama about sisterhood and sibling rivalry In these final four series, Anna is trying to remain calm and centred in the midst of the familial chaos that surrounds her. Her sisters Victoria and Charlotte are more combative than ever, and when a row blows up between them, Anna is stuck in the middle. Having graduated from university, her niece Emily is preparing for marriage and motherhood. But her wedding plans cause ructions, as Victoria and Charlotte make her celebrations all about them. The baby's birth sends Victoria into competitive granny mode - while Anna receives a heart-warming surprise. Having dallied with a string of lovers, Charlotte finally gets engaged - but there are more twists to come in her complicated love life. Her professional life is in turmoil too: with daughter Gisele starring in a TV series, will Charlotte keep chasing her own big break as an actress, or try and make it as a model instead? As the sisters look forward to new beginnings, one thing is certain - they'll always have each other... Scripted by Simon Brett, this hugely popular comedy stars Rosemary Leach as Anna, with Angela Thorne as Victoria, Celia Imrie and Felicity Montagu as Charlotte and Lisa Coleman as Emily. Written and produced by Simon Brett Music composed by Elizabeth Parker, BBC Radiophonic Workshop Cast Anna - Rosemary Leach Victoria - Angela Thorne Charlotte - Celia Imrie/Felicity Montagu Roger - Bill Nighy/Jonathan Coy Eddie - James Greene Emily - Lisa Coleman Nick - Kieran Hill George - Bruce Alexander With Sheila Mitchell, Richard Syms, James Vaughan, Bridget McConnell, Rowland Davies, Richenda Carey, Bruce Alexander, Judy Flynn, Marianne Borgo, Stephen Thorne, Bill Wallis, Colin Starkey, Susan Jameson, Jon Glover, Chris Emmett, Joanna Monro, Michael Simkins First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28 January-3 March 2004 (Series 10), 19 January-23 February 2005 (Series 11), 26 April-31 May 2006 (Series 12), 11 April-16 May 2007 (Series 13)

Simon Brett (Author), Angela Thorne, Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie, Felicity Montagu, Full Cast, Lisa Coleman, Rosemary Leach (Narrator)

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No Commitments: Series 6-9: The BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

Series 6-9 of the BBC Radio comedy drama following the fortunes of three forty-something sisters Sisters Anna, Victoria and Charlotte are back for four more series, in which relationships are forged, hearts are broken and family ties are strained - but not severed. Older sister Anna continues to live her life on her own terms, despite her sisters' insistence on being there for her. But when she suffers a couple of knocks to her confidence and needs a shoulder to cry on, they are too self-absorbed to be any use. Fortunately, niece Emily provides moral support, and Anna reciprocates with some down-to-earth advice about Emily's love life. With their daughter away at university, Emily's parents find themselves reassessing their marriage. Roger is tempted to stray, while Victoria become even more insecure - and a death in the family sends shock waves rippling in unexpected directions. Meanwhile, Charlotte's star rises and falls, as she makes her soap opera debut and finally acquires celebrity status, only to have her bubble cruelly burst. With her acting career seemingly on the decline, she embarks on a quest to find herself - and makes some surprising discoveries... Written by Simon Brett, this much-loved sitcom stars Rosemary Leach as Anna, with Angela Thorne as Victoria, Celia Imrie and Felicity Montagu as Charlotte, Lisa Coleman as Emily and Bill Nighy as Roger. Produced by Maria Esposito (Series 6-8) and Simon Brett (Series 9) Music composed by Elizabeth Parker, BBC Radiophonic Workshop Cast Anna - Rosemary Leach Victoria - Angela Thorne Charlotte - Celia Imrie/Felicity Montagu Roger - Bill Nighy Eddie - James Greene Emily - Lisa Coleman With Edward de Souza, Christian Rodska, Joanna Monro, Will Ing, Jane Gibson, Alan Cowan, Alison Skilbeck, Simon Brett, Tracy-Ann Obermann, Bruce Alexander, James Vaughan, Colin Starkey, Kenny Blythe, Natalie Casey, Jason Done, Michael Jayston First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 July-18 August 1999 (Series 6), 31 January-7 March 2001 (Series 7), 2 January-6 February 2002 (Series 8), 1 January-5 February 2003 (Series 9)

Simon Brett (Author), Angela Thorne, Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie, Felicity Montagu, Full Cast, Lisa Coleman, Rosemary Leach (Narrator)

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No Commitments: Series 1-5: The BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

The first five series of the BBC Radio comedy drama about the lives and squabbles of three very different sisters After years of looking her after elderly parents, Anna finds herself able, for the first time, to live her own life. She's enjoying simply being herself, with no responsibilities and no obligations. But her two younger sisters, Victoria and Charlotte, are concerned about her. Surely poor, unfulfilled Anna can't be happy without a partner or a family around? Determined to make an effort, they decide to draw her into their lives - and Anna's peaceful, commitment-free lifestyle soon disappears. Throughout these five series, she becomes embroiled in their various dramas and crises, as actress Charlotte suffers a series of career and romantic disappointments and housewife Victoria grows increasingly discontented with her husband Roger. And as Victoria's daughter Emily grows from sulky teen to young woman, she, too, starts to confide in her aunt Anna. With all her relatives involving her in their affairs, will Anna still be able to forge her own path - and maybe even find romance? Created by award-winning author Simon Brett, whose radio sitcom credits include After Henry and Smelling of Roses, this classic comedy about sisterly dissension stars Rosemary Leach as Anna, with Nicola Pagett as Victoria and Celia Imrie and Josie Lawrence as Charlotte. Produced by Paul Schlesinger (Series 1 & 2), Ann Jobson (Series 3 & 4) and Maria Esposito (Series 5) Music composed by Elizabeth Parker, BBC Radiophonic Workshop Cast Anna - Rosemary Leach Victoria - Nicola Pagett Charlotte - Celia Imrie/Josie Lawrence Delia - Maxine Audley Roger - Stephen Moore/Roger Llloyd Pack/Jonathan Coy/Bill Nighy Eddie - James Greene Emily - Lisa Coleman/Natalie Walter With Andrew Wincott, Benjamin Whitrow, Ronald Herdman, Mark Straker, Theresa Streatfeild, Robert Bathurst, Peter Penry-Jones, Nicholas Murchie, David Swift, Neil Roberts, Teresa Gallagher, Dominic Letts, Jillie Meers, William Osborne, Philip Anthony, Simon Treves, David Thorpe, John Baddeley, David Antrobus, Michael Tudor-Barnes, Rachel Atkins, Jonathan Keeble, Derek Waring, Ian Masters, Kim Wall, Kelda Holmes, Geoffrey Whitehead, Joshua Towb, Jon Glover, Edward de Souza First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9 January-13 February 1992 (Series 1), 29 July-2 September 1993 (Series 2), 24 November-29 December 1994 (Series 3), 24 July-28 August 1996 (Series 4), 9 July-13 August 1998 (Series 5)

Simon Brett (Author), Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie, Full Cast, Josie Lawrence, Nicola Pagett, Rosemary Leach (Narrator)

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East Lynne: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

A seven-part BBC radio dramatisation of Mrs Henry Wood’s sensational Victorian bestseller, suffused with infidelity and double identities Lord Mount Severn's country seat, East Lynne, is magnificent – but its owner is penniless, and when the noble lord dies suddenly, his daughter is left destitute. To avoid misery and humiliation, Lady Isabel accepts a proposal of marriage from Mr Carlyle, the new owner of the estate. However, she soon finds herself battling with two strong emotions: her jealousy of her husband’s friend Barbara Hare, and her attraction to the handsome Captain Levison. Suspecting Carlyle of infidelity, she takes drastic action and leaves her husband and children to run away with Levison – only to realise he has no intention of marrying her. No sooner has Lady Isabel been betrayed by her wicked suitor than she is left unrecognisably disfigured by a terrible train crash. With her life in ruins, she adopts a new name and heads back to the place she once called home – East Lynne… Adapted by Michael Bakewell, this much-loved melodrama stars Rosemary Leach as Mrs Henry Wood, Moir Leslie as Lady Isabel, David Collings as Mr Carlyle and Anthony Edridge as Francis Levison. Written by Mrs Henry Wood Dramatised by Michael Bakewell Directed by Richard Johnson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 June-26 July 1987

Michael Bakewell (Author), David Collings, Moir Leslie, Rosemary Leach (Narrator)

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Beatrix Potter Complete Tales

The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter are now available as a downloadable, digital audiobook, complete and unabridged! The twenty-three tales in this set have never lost their popularity, and sell in their millions all over the world. Meet again the famous characters that children love and adore... PETER RABBIT, SQUIRREL NUTKIN, THE FLOPSY BUNNIES, MRS TIGGY-WINKLE, TOM KITTEN, JEREMY FISHER, JEMIMA PUDDLE-DUCK and many more. These stories are beautifully brought to life by a talented cast of readers, including Gary Bond, Michael Hordern, Rosemary Leach, Janet Maw, Patricia Routledge and Timothy West.

Beatrix Potter (Author), Gary Bond, Janet Maw, Michael Hordern, Patricia Routledge, Rosemary Leach, Timothy West (Narrator)

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This Happy Breed (Classic Radio Theatre)

This Happy Breed opens in 1919, when the Gibbons family have just moved to their smart new home in the suburbs of South London. Against a background of social change and national upheaval spanning twenty years, the family celebrate their own triumphs and deal with their personal traumas. Coward's moving and humourous production, showing what life was like for a typical suburban family between the wars, was a huge hit and was adapted into a famous 1944 film starring John Mills and Celia Johnson. Among the distinguished cast in this 1989 BBC Radio 4 production are John Moffatt, Rosemary Leach, Anna Cropper and Doris Hare.

Noel Coward (Author), Full Cast, John Moffatt, Rosemary Leach (Narrator)

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The Paul's Letters to Titus, Philemon & The Hebrews: The New Testament, Revised English Edition

'Paul’s Letters to Titus, Philemon & The Hebrews': Rosemary Leach reads 'Paul’s Letter to Titus', Frank Windsor reads 'Paul’s Letter to Philemon' and Virginia McKenna reads the 'Letter to The Hebrews'. Specially composed music is included. The readings were part of BBC Radio 4's series of 341 daily episodes of the Bible, broadcast in 1991 and 1992. Abridged by Dennis Nowlan. 'The New Testament': These abridged readings of the New Testament are taken from the 1989 Revised English Bible, which was translated directly from the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek into modern English to produce a Bible that was at once accessible and authoritative.

Various (Author), Rosemary Leach (Narrator)

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The Letters of James, Peter, John & Jude: The New Testament, Revised English Edition

'The Letters of James, Peter, John & Jude': Rosemary Leach reads the 'Letters from James', Dennis Quilley reads the 'Letter from Peter', Thora Hird reads the three short 'Letters from John' and Frank Windsor reads the one from Jude. Specially composed music is included. The readings were part of BBC Radio 4's series of 341 daily episodes of the Bible, broadcast in 1991 and 1992. Abridged by Hugo de Klee. 'The New Testament': These abridged readings of the New Testament are taken from the 1989 Revised English Bible, which was translated directly from the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek into modern English to produce a Bible that was at once accessible and authoritative.

Various (Author), Dennis Quilley, Rosemary Leach, Thora Hird (Narrator)

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The Barchester Chronicles: The Complete

One of the most respected, successful chroniclers of nineteenth-century life, Anthony Trollope is still widely-read and much-loved today, and The Barchester Chronicles - witty moral comedies with a wonderful range of characters - are among his most popular tales. The first in the series, The Warden, finds Rev. Harding forced to question the moral basis of the life he is leading; and in the sequel, Barchester Towers, the Reverend is now plain Mr Harding, bound up in a tale of intrigue, hypocrisy and ambition that will delight the listener. Dr Thorne is a gripping drama of wealth and wedlock; while Framley Parsonage tells the story of a naive, ambitious young clergyman whose unwise associations bring him to the brink of ruin. The Small House at Allington explores the power of devotion, in the form of Lily Dale’s love for self-seeking Adolphus Crosbie. Finally, The Last Chronicle of Barset sees the most popular characters from Trollope’s earlier novels, including the Proudies, Lily, Mr Harding and Archdeacon Grantly, reunited in a moving tale of honesty triumphing over hypocrisy. Nearly twenty hours of ironic, witty and wonderfully written drama is contained in this box set. With a star cast including Brenda Blethyn, Eleanor Bron, Kenneth Cranham, Anna Massey, Leo McKern, Simon Russell Beale and Amanda Root, it is guaranteed to appeal to all fans of Trollope’s comic masterpieces.

Anthony Trollope (Author), Alex Jennings, Amanda Root, Anna Massey, Brenda Blethyn, David Haig, Eleanor Bron, Emma Fielding, Full Cast, Kenneth Cranham, Leo Mckern, Rosemary Leach, Simon Russell Beale (Narrator)

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Ballet Shoes

When Sylvia and her old nurse Nana agree to keep house for Gum, they know they will be looking after his fossil collection while his away on his travels. But imagine their surprise when one day he brings them something else - three baby girls whose names all being with 'P'! Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil are not really sisters - even their surname is invented. The girls decide to 'put our name in the history books because it's our very own', and enrol at the Children's Academy of Dancing and Stage Training. Each Fossil uses her individual talents to achieve their joint aim in this captivating story, now a modern children's classic.

Noel Streatfeild (Author), Rosemary Leach (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Rosemary Leach