Audiobooks narrated by Samantha Dakin

Microserfs & Girlfriend in a Coma: Two Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations

Coupland's iconic novels brought to life in two full-cast adaptations Bursting onto the literary scene in 1991 with his debut Generation X, Douglas Coupland's novels swiftly established themselves as modern classics and brought the term 'Gen X' into the mainstream. His work still has resonance in today's world, with his vivid explorations of identity and creativity in the post-Baby Boomer generations. These pitch perfect adaptions probe our modern popular culture, with the author's signature wry twists and unsettling revelations. In this brand new adaptation by Theo Toksvig-Stewart, Douglas Coupland's brilliantly funny novel Microserfs takes a microscope to working culture in the early days of the tech boom. Dan is a Microsoft employee in desperate need of 'a life'. His world can be summed up as eat, sleep, code, repeat, and he's not quite feeling himself. So when the chance comes along for him and his friends to leave Microsoft to form a Silicon Valley start-up called OOP!, will they take the risk and leap into the unknown? In an unflinching and hilarious story, Dan and the other Microserfs try to find purpose, love and identity in the real world. Perhaps one of Coupland's most iconic novels, Girlfriend in a Coma begins in December 1979 when 17-year-old Karen unexpectedly falls into a deep coma after a teen house party. Frighteningly, she'd predicted the end of the world in a letter sent to her boyfriend before she collapsed. Fifteen years later, Karen wakes up. The world in 1997 is a very different and confusing place. Her friends have grown up and their reality bears little resemblance to the hopes and dreams they shared in their youth. There are questions that need to be answered, time is running out and Karen must act. Available as a double bill for the first time, these stunning adaptations are a fantastic listen. Performed by a full cast with production by Sony award-winning producer Dan Rebellato, these stories make for a stellar audio experience not to be missed. Cast and credits Microserfs Written by Douglas Coupland Dramatised by Theo Toksvig-Stewart Directed by Anne Isger Production Co-ordination by Luke MacGregor Sound by Cal Knightley, Pete Ringrose, David Gregory, Billy Godfrey Dan - Will Merrick Karla - Samantha Dakin Bug - Matthew Needham Michael - Freddie Meredith Todd - Chris Lew Kum Hoi Susan - Chloë Sommer Abe - Hughie O'Donnell Ethan - Tom Kiteley Dan's Mum - Joanna Monro Dan's Dad - Roger Ringrose Dusty - Fiona Skinner Amy - Grace Saif First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27 November 2022 Girlfriend in a Coma Written by Douglas Coupland Dramatised by Dan Rebellato Produced by Polly Thomas Music by Alice Trueman Sound Design by Steve Brooke Jared - Florian Hutter Karen - Rayisa Kondracki Wendy - Maggie Blake Richard - Jason Durran Hamilton - Simon Lee Phillips Pamela - Heather Dann Doctor - Peter Marinker Megan - Julia Summer Gloria - Buffy Davis First Broadcast BBC Radio 3, 24 February 2008 ©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Douglas Coupland (Author), Florian Hutter, Full Cast, Jason Durran, Matthew Needham, Rayisa Kondracki, Samantha Dakin, Will Merrick (Narrator)

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Body Horror: A BBC Radio dystopian thriller

London, 2049. Full body transplants on sale here: the more you pay, the better the body. But can an expensive upgrade really fulfil the life-changing expectations of demoralised mortician Caroline McAleese? Caroline is desperate to be promoted to the sales team - but she's overweight and over 40, and in a world where attractiveness is prioritised ahead of intelligence, her prospects are slim. Then she hits the jackpot in the Citizens' Lottery, and gets the chance to trade up to the perfect new body: one that's young, lithe and beautiful. It's a dream come true for Caroline - until she starts to experience teething problems. Her behaviours begin to change, and she is haunted by violent dreams. She's not alone in her new body, and no longer in control. What shadows have been left by her body's former inhabitant? And whose voice is it she hears in her head? Developed through the Wellcome Trust Experimental Stories scheme, this dark, futuristic series was written by award-winning dramatist Lucy Catherine, whose credits include Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology, Gudrun and The Master and Margarita. It stars Jill Halfpenny as Caroline, with Shelley Conn, Samantha Dakin and Chetna Pandya. Cast Caroline - Jill Halfpenny Gloria - Shelley Conn Rowan/Benefits Office Computer - Adam Courting Anastasia - Samantha Dakin Tom/Car Salesman - Ian Conningham Waiter/Security Guard - Greg Jones Bar Guy/Che - Ikky Elyas Virtual James - Will Kirk Government Computer/Stan - Neil McCaul Work Computer/Library Computer - Sinead MacInnes Lift Voice/Young Mum - Lucy Reynolds Paulina - Chetna Pandya Mel - Liza Sadovy Trevor - Clive Hayward Karina - Heather Craney BodyEx Computer - Scarlett Courtney Hotel Computer - Laura Christy Directed by Toby Swift Developed through the Wellcome Trust Experimental Stories scheme First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 11-13 March 2020

Lucy Catherine (Author), Chetna Pandya, Full Cast, Jill Halfpenny, Samantha Dakin, Shelley Conn (Narrator)

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Little Women: BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of the evergreen classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. With their father away fighting in the American Civil War, the four March girls are facing a lean Christmas with their mother. But the sisters’ close bond and determination to make the best of things enables them to find happiness despite their poverty.As the years go by we follow their fortunes as they journey into womanhood. Meg the beauty, Jo the tomboy, shy Beth and precocious Amy will encounter adventure, hardship, joys and disappointments, and learn to meet the challenges of life as they become independent and make their way in the world. While marriage and motherhood may beckon for the sisters, their most enduring love is always for each other. First published in 1868 and never out of print since, this iconic coming-of-age tale is a perennial favourite that has touched the hearts of generations of readers. This moving BBC Radio 4 dramatisation stars Natasha J Barnes, Julianna Jennings, Bryony Hannah and Samantha Dakin as Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, with Tara Ward as Mrs March and Alex Lanipekun as Laurie. Duration: 2 hours 20 mins approx.

Louisa May Alcott (Author), , Bryony Hannah, John Bowler, Julianna Jennings, Natasha J Barnes, Samantha Dakin, Tara Ward (Narrator)

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Iced

Finnish teen eco-blogger, Ulli Earthgirl, wins a competition to join a low-carbon expedition to the North Pole by foot, to measure the melting ice. Blogging her way across the Arctic, she has to navigate deadly cracks in the ice, as well as the treacherous currents of environmental controversy in the blogosphere. Soon she's afloat in both worlds, as all her certainties begin to dissolve. Starring Samantha Dakin, Felicity Montagu, Colin Stinton and Adam Billington, with Adjoa Andoh, Victoria Inez Hardy, Gerard McDermott, Carl Prekopp, Alex Rivers, Christopher Webster, and Tracy Wiles. Written by Kate Clanchy. Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting. Guitar played by Carl Prekopp.

Kate Clanchy (Author), Samantha Dakin (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Samantha Dakin