Siân Phillips has narrated 17 audiobooks on Listento.it by 15 authors, with an average listener rating of 4.5★ across 123 ratings. The most-rated is P. D. James BBC Radio Drama Collection.
P. D. James BBC Radio Drama Collection
Summary
Seven BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations of P. D. James' acclaimed mysteries, plus P. D. James in Her Own Words. This collection includes: Cover Her Face P. D. James' debut novel, introducing her famous detective Adam Dalgliesh. Starring Robin Ellis as Dalgliesh. A Taste for Death Dalgliesh investigates when two bodies are found murdered a London church. Starring Richard Derrington as Dalgliesh. Devices and Desires Dalgliesh hunts a serial killer in desolate Norfolk. Starring Robin Ellis as Dalgliesh. A Certain Justice Dalgliesh probes the murder of a brilliant criminal lawyer. Starring Philip Franks as Dalgliesh. The Private Patient Dalgliesh investigates a high-profile murder at an exclusive cosmetic surgery clinic. Starring Richard Derrington as Dalgliesh. An Unsuitable Job for a Woman An eminent scientist hires Detective Cordelia Gray to discover why his son committed suicide. Starring Judi Bowker as Cordelia Gray. The Skull Beneath the Skin With her life in danger, actress Clarissa Lisle turns to private detective Cordelia Gray. Starring Greta Scacchi as Cordelia Gray. Among the supporting cast in these classic dramas are Siân Phillips, Hugh Grant, Anna Massey and Geraldine James. Also included is a bonus audio documentary, P. D. James in Her Own Words, in which the author discusses her professional career and private life.
©2018 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2018 BBC Worldwide Ltd
Whose Boat Is This Boat?
Summary
100 percent of The Late Show’s proceeds from this book go to hurricane relief.
Whose Boat Is This Boat? Comments That Don’t Help in the Aftermath of a Hurricane is made entirely of quotations from President Donald Trump in the wake of Hurricane Florence. It is the first children's book that demonstrates what not to say after a natural disaster.
On September 19, 2018, Donald Trump paid a visit to New Bern, North Carolina, one of the towns ravaged by Hurricane Florence. It was there he showed deep concern for a boat that washed ashore. "At least you got a nice boat out of the deal," said President Trump to hurricane victims. "Have a good time!" he told them. The only way his comments would be appropriate is in the context of a children's book - and now you can experience them that way, thanks to the staff of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Whose Boat Is This Boat? is an excellent teaching tool for listeners of all ages who enjoy learning about empathy by process of elimination. Have a good time!
©2018 The Staff of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (P)2018 Simon & Schuster Audio
Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk
Summary
Featuring David Sedaris's unique blend of hilarity and heart, this new collection of keen-eyed animal-themed tales is an utter delight. Though the characters may not be human, the situations in these stories bear an uncanny resemblance to the insanity of everyday life. In "The Toad, the Turtle, and the Duck", three strangers commiserate about animal bureaucracy while waiting in a complaint line. In "Hello Kitty", a cynical feline struggles to sit through his prison-mandated AA meetings. In "The Squirrel and the Chipmunk", a pair of star-crossed lovers is separated by prejudiced family members. Once again David Sedaris shows us the most outrageous, tender, absurd sides of ourselves in his "profoundly funny, well-crafted stories that somehow, magically, bring home a major point about fidelity or guilt or love...." (Christian Science Monitor).
©2010 David Sedaris (P)2010 Hachette Audio
Passenger 23
Summary
A gripping psychological thriller set on high seas. A transatlantic crossing that becomes a nightmare. With no police to investigate and no escape, could it be the perfect setting for a crime? Martin Schwartz (Beesley) is an undercover detective who is recovering from his wife and sons' bizarre disappearance from a cruise ship 5 years ago. He is a desperate man willing to take big risks. Martin never wanted to step onto a cruise ship again until he receives a call which can't be ignored. On average, 23 people per year disappear without a trace from cruise ships. Never before has someone come back... until now. Please note: This title contains explicit language.
©2014 Sebastian Fitzek (P)2015 Audible Ltd.
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (Dramatised)
Summary
In this delightful tale, an Eastern Prince arrives in England with some family jewels, which he’s having reset as a gift for his fiancée. However, the Prince also has a mistress; she asks to wear one particularly enchanting piece that features a huge ruby, and then promptly disappears with it. Poirot discovers a connection with a house party at the home of Colonel and Mrs Lacey, and in order to pursue his investigation an invitation is procured for him to the Laceys’, ostensibly to enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas. With deft skill and the workings of his ‘little grey cells’, Poirot brings this case to a satisfying end. Starring John Moffat as Hercule Poirot, with Donald Sinden and Sian Phillips as Colonel and Mrs Lacey.
©1960 Agatha Christie Ltd (P)2010 BBC Audiobooks Ltd
Pygmalion
Summary
A star-studded BBC radio production of Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion - plus bonus drama The ‘B’ Word, telling the story of the play’s scandalous opening night.
Irascible phonetics professor Henry Higgins makes a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering that he can train Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle to talk ‘like a lady’ and pass as a duchess at the Ambassador’s Ball. As the day of reckoning approaches, can Eliza convince the assembled aristocrats that she’s one of them? And what will become of her afterwards?
This effervescent radio version of Shaw’s classic comedy features a stellar cast, including award-winning comedians Alistair McGowan as Henry Higgins, Morgana Robinson as Eliza Doolittle and Al Murray as Alfred Doolittle.
Also featured on this release is The ‘B’ Word, written by and starring Alistair McGowan as Bernard Shaw. Centring on the shocking opening night of Pygmalion - the first time that the word ‘bloody' was used on the British stage - it also explores the passionate love-hate relationship between Shaw; his leading man, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and his leading lady, Mrs Patrick Campbell, who played the 19-year-old Eliza Doolittle at the age of 49.
Cast and credits
'Pygmalion'
Henry Higgins……………………Alistair McGowan
Eliza Doolittle……………………Morgana Robinson
Alfred Doolittle……………………Al Murray
Colonel Pickering……………………Hugh Fraser
Mrs Higgins……………………Siân Phillips
Mrs Pearce/Maid……………………Charlotte Page
Mrs Eynsford-Hill……………………Georgie Glen
Clara Eynsford-Hill……………………Maeve Bluebell Wells
Freddy Eynsford-Hill.....……………………Tom Forrister
Nepommuck……………………David Sturzaker
Ambassador……………………John Dougall
Ambassador's wife……………………Sarah Ridgeway
Bystander……………………David Sterne
Written by Bernard Shaw
Produced and directed by Emma Harding
'The ‘B’ Word'
Bernard Shaw……………………Alistair McGowan
George Alexander……………………David Sturzaker
Mrs Patrick Campbell.....……………………Charlotte Page
Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree……………………Richard McCabe
Charlotte Shaw……………………Georgie Glen
Merivale……………………Philip Fox
Gurney/Fishman……………………Simon Ludders
Bell……………………Charlie Clements
Maid……………………Sarah Ridgeway
Written by Alistair McGowan
Produced and directed by Emma Harding
©2018 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2018 BBC Worldwide Ltd
Farewell to Fairacre
Summary
Having enjoyed robust health throughout her career, Miss Read, the village schoolmistress at Fairacre, is looking forward to an energetic retirement in a few years' time. But, to her dismay, she is suddenly taken ill. She has no wish to give up her post yet, but memories of her former colleague collapsing in front of the schoolchildren haunt her. Is it time to say farewell to Fairacre?
©1994 Mrs D J Saint (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
The Hearing Trumpet
Summary
Surreal and splendidly unconventional, The Hearing Trumpet is an apocalyptic fairy-tale quest about an occult old ladies' home and the spry nonagenarian who ends up there. After coming into possession of a hearing trumpet, 92-year-old Marian Leatherby discovers her son's plans to send her to a nursing home. But this is no ordinary place.... Here there are strange rituals, orgiastic nuns, levitating abbesses, animalistic humans, humanistic animals, a search for the Holy Grail, and a plan to escape to Lapland and knit a tent.... Surrealist painter Leonora Carrington's novel is an exhilarating journey brimming with laugh-out-loud humor and absurd lunacy.
©1976 Leonora Carrington (P)2017 Naxos AudioBooks
A Peaceful Retirement
Summary
The village schoolmistress, Miss Read, greets retirement with excitement, and settles down to endless lazy days, but her idyll is interrupted by the daily cares of her friends and fellow villagers in this, the latest Miss Read novel.
©1996 Mrs D J Saint (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
The Year at Thrush Green
Summary
As spring begins at Thrush Green, a series of local dramas takes hold of the community. Plans for the fete are hotting up, the illness of Mrs Peters at the restaurant makes the future unsure for the staff, and there are problems at Rectory Cottages.
©1996 Mrs D J Saint (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
BBC Radio Shakespeare: A Collection of Six Tragedies
Summary
Six full-cast BBC Radio productions of Shakespeare's classic tragedies. Treachery, betrayal and fatal power struggles are among the themes of these six iconic productions of Shakespeare's timeless tragedies. Featuring all-star casts, they are introduced by Sir Richard Eyre. Hamlet Shakespeare's powerfully poetic tragedy of murder, madness and revenge stars Michael Sheen as the prince of Denmark, with Kenneth Cranham as Claudius and Juliet Stevenson as Gertrude. Macbeth In this notorious 'Scottish play', a lust for power and the prophecy of three witches transform a brave nobleman into a traitor and murderous tyrant. Ken Stott stars as Macbeth and Phyllis Logan as Lady Macbeth. King Lear The tragic consequences of evil triumphing over truth and of the vanity of old age, are set in motion when Lear banishes his favourite daughter, Cordelia, from court. Starring Corin Redgrave as King Lear, with David Troughton, Geraldine James and Robert Glenister. Othello Evil cunning perverts a once noble mind, as heroic General Othello is destroyed by both his own jealousy and the machinations of the devious Iago. Ray Fearon stars as Othello, with James Frain as Iago. Romeo and Juliet An updated version of Shakespeare's tragedy of feuding families and doomed love, set in modern Verona and starring Douglas Henshall as Romeo and Sophie Dahl as Juliet. Cymbeline When Cymbeline discovers his daughter Imogen's secret marriage to Posthumus, he banishes her husband. But Posthumus' boasts of his wife's chastity provoke lachimo to attempt her seduction. Bill Wallis stars as Cymbeline.
©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
The Chestnut Soldier
Summary
The night Evan Llyr phones, Gwyn, the boy magician, takes out the magic gift his grandmother warned him against: the mutilated figure of a horse. Gwyn feels pity and longs to do what he must never do – set the captured demon free and take away its pain. Gwyn feels a strange affinity with Evan, the chestnut-haired soldier, but soon the charming Evan shows the terrible dark side of his nature. Gwyn knows that he must do battle and one of them will perish.... The stunning conclusion to the Magician Trilogy from acclaimed author Jenny Nimmo.
©1989 Jenny Nimmo (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
Swan Sister
Summary
Ellen's mother dreams of making a perfect home for everyone in the heart of the Suffolk countryside. Her father is preoccupied with mysterious troubles of his own. So when the swans fly over the church during the christening, grieving for their swan child, only sharp-eyed Ellen understands the terrible thing that has happened to her baby sister. But can she put right the harm that has been done?
©1992 Annie Dalton (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
Farther Afield
Summary
The end of the school year often brings unmitigated rapture for schoolteachers, and so it should for Miss Read, schoolmistress in the charming English village of Fairacre. When Miss Read returns, refreshed, to her beloved village, she is ready to tackle the problems that await her. Read by Gwen Watford.
©1974 Miss Read (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
BBC Radio Shakespeare: A Collection of Eight Comedies
Summary
Eight full-cast BBC Radio productions of Shakespeare's best loved comedies. Full of merriment, mayhem, mischief and mistaken identity, here are eight iconic radio productions of Shakespeare's most magical comedies, featuring star casts and introduced by Sir Richard Eyre. Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare's delightful comedy sparkles with the verbal sparring of our two reluctant lovers in a world where nothing is quite what it seems. David Tennant and Samantha Spiro star as Benedick and Beatrice. As You Like It The Forest of Arden resonates with declarations of love in this joyous pastoral comedy, starring Helena Bonham Carter as Rosalind, David Morrissey as Orlando and Natasha Little as Celia. A Midsummer Night's Dream In this delightful comic fantasy, four young lovers and a troupe of actors have a bewitching encounter with Fairyland. Starring David Threlfall as Theseus/Oberon, Sylvestra Le Touzel as Titania/Hippolyta and Amanda Root as Hermia. The Merchant of Venice Shakespeare's thrilling courtroom drama explores the eternal themes of love and hate, mercy and justice. Starring Warren Mitchell as Shylock, with Martin Jarvis as Antonio, Juliet Aubrey as Portia and Samuel West as Bassanio. Twelfth Night On the night when all the world is turned on its head, girls become boys and women lust after women in this most optimistic of Shakespeare's comedies. Michael Maloney stars as Orsino and Anne-Marie Duff as Viola. The Tempest A ship at sea and an enchanted island are the settings for this allegorical tale of betrayal, sorcery, revenge and reconciliation. Starring Philip Madoc as Prospero and Nina Wadia as Ariel. The Taming of the Shrew Farce, disguise, elaborate role-playing and acerbic exchanges of wit combine to make up an extraordinary love story that still sparks controversy 400 years after it was written. Gerard McSorley stars as Petruchio and Ruth Mitchell as Katherina. All's Well That Ends Well This intriguing play tells of the questionable course of action a young woman takes to win the hand of the man she loves. Emma Fielding stars as Helena, with Siân Phillips, Miriam Margolyes, Richard Griffiths and Simon Russell Beale.
©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
The Henry James BBC Radio Drama Collection
Summary
The definitive collection of full-cast BBC radio dramatisations of Henry James’ classic novels - plus a bonus documentary about his life and work.
One of the greatest and most influential American novelists, Henry James is loved for his compelling storytelling, vividly realised characters and perceptive exploration of the shifting relationships between Europeans and Americans. But he also possessed extraordinary insights into the secrets of the human heart, as shown in the 10 dramas in this collection.
Roderick Hudson explores how love and obsession intermingle as old and new worlds collide; The American mixes humour and heartache in a tale of a self-made millionaire and an aristocratic young Frenchwoman; and desire and propriety clash in Daisy Miller when Frederick Winterbourne meets the beautiful, free-spirited Daisy. Pursued by two suitors, Isabel Archer longs for freedom in The Portrait of a Lady while a literary editor insinuates himself into the lives of an elderly spinster and her niece in The Aspern Papers.
What Maisie Knew is James’ classic tale of divorce seen through a child’s eyes while Gothic ghost story The Turn of the Screw tells the terrifying tale of a governess who tries to protect two young children from the forces of evil. The Wings of the Dove is a heartbreaking story of a doomed love triangle; dark comedy The Ambassadors features yearning and betrayal in aristocratic Paris; and The Golden Bowl explores two marriages and the secret that threatens to tear them apart.
The casts of these sweeping radio dramas include Kate Hudson, Kate Phillips, Emma Cunniffe, Jodie Comer, Henry Goodman and Toby Jones, with John Lynch as Henry James. Also featured is a bonus programme, The Master, in which Sarah Churchwell discusses James’ life and novels with author Colm Tóibin and biographer Hermione Lee.
©2019 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2019 BBC Worldwide Ltd
Dangerous Visions
Summary
One man risks everything in order to find the woman he loves - a woman he has only met in a virtual world.
In 2091, British citizens are living in 24-hour curfew, confined to solitary housing units and communicating entirely through virtual worlds. Students Lee and Iz have been dating each other virtually for three years, but when Lee fails an important exam, he is suddenly cut off from Iz and everything he knows. He sets out on a journey across a deserted England, determined to find the real Iz.
Sacha Dhawan, Sian Phillips and Jaimi Barbakoff star in Miranda Emmerson's disquieting thriller.
©2020 Lübbe Audio (P)2020 Lübbe Audio