BBC Radio Shakespeare: A Collection of Four History Plays

Summary

Four full-cast BBC Radio productions of Shakespeare's finest history plays. Introduced by Sir Richard Eyre, these four iconic productions, featuring star casts, bring Shakespeare's gripping histories to life in all their rich complexity. Henry IV, Part One Young Prince Hal struggles with his responsibilities as heir to the throne, preferring the company of the dissolute Falstaff. But when England is threatened with rebellion, will he do his duty? Father and son Julian Glover and Jamie Glover star as King Henry and Prince Hal, with Timothy West as Falstaff. Henry IV, Part Two The realm is still in danger, and the king is dying. It is time for Prince Hal to fulfil his royal destiny - but what will become of his old friend Falstaff? Starring Julian Glover, Jamie Glover and Timothy West. Richard II This lyrically tragic history encompasses themes of nobility and kingship, as King Richard is brought to his own destruction - but was he justly punished for his excesses or a misunderstood victim? Samuel West stars as Richard II, with Joss Ackland as John of Gaunt and Damian Lewis as Bolingbroke. Pericles Featuring world music and a multicultural cast, this timeless tale with a contemporary twist features tyrants, incest, murder, young love and a great hero cruelly separated from his wife and daughter. Will he ever see them again? Benjamin Zephaniah stars as the narrator, Gower.

©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

A Family Christmas

Summary

This is the audio program to play at home over Christmas or during the car journey to see relatives. Dylan Thomas, "The Little Match Girl," and "The Nutcracker" are read by Jenny Agutter with accompanying Tchaikovsky's music - this is a must for Christmas. It contains new recordings as well as some of the finest tracks from the Naxos AudioBooks catalogue.PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2007 Naxos Rights International (P)2007 Naxos Rights International

The Lost Words

Summary

Finalist, Wainwright Prize In 2007, when a new edition of the Oxford Junior Dictionary - widely used in schools around the world - was published, a sharp-eyed reader soon noticed that around 40 common words concerning nature had been dropped. Apparently they were no longer being used enough by children to merit their place in the dictionary. The list of these “lost words” included acorn, adder, bluebell, dandelion, fern, heron, kingfisher, newt, otter, and willow. Among the words taking their place were attachment, blog, broadband, bullet-point, cut-and-paste, and voice-mail. The news of these substitutions - the outdoor and natural being displaced by the indoor and virtual - became seen by many as a powerful sign of the growing gulf between childhood and the natural world. Ten years later, Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris set out to make a “spell book” that will conjure back 20 of these lost words and the beings they name, from acorn to wren. By the magic of word, they sought to summon these words again into the voices, stories, and dreams of children and adults alike, and to celebrate the wonder and importance of everyday nature. The Lost Words is that book - a work that has already cast its extraordinary spell on hundreds of thousands of people and begun a grass-roots movement to re-wild childhood across Britain, Europe, and North America.

©2018 Robert Macfarlane, Jackie Morris (P)2018 Anansi Audio

Benjamin Zephaniah

Summary

In this interview we are joined by writer, poet and musician Benjamin Zephaniah to discuss his long anticipated autobiography, The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah.   Zephaniah transformed performance poetry when he came onto the scene in the 1980s and has gone on to convey political and societal messages through his work. He’s also written numerous novels, children’s books and plays as well as releasing multiple albums. A multitalented man with an uneasy childhood and mixed up teen years, he has plenty to say in his autobiography.   When he came to the studio, he spoke about overcoming his shyness, writing about his mum and what the West can learn from the rest of the world about peace. 

©2018 Audible Ltd (P)2018 Audible Ltd