AuthorNoel Coward
NarratorFull Cast
Duration11h 55m
CategoriesAdult Fiction, Music and the Arts
PublisherBBC Audio
VersionUnabridged
Seven BBC radio full-cast productions of Noël Coward's classic plays – plus bonus material including a profile of Coward and extracts from his diaries
Renowned for his wit, style and sophistication, Noël Coward was one of the greatest playwrights of the twentieth century. His plays, set in the glittering world of high society in which he lived, are much admired and have remained in the popular theatre repertoire to this day.
This collection brings together the very best radio adaptations of Coward's works, encompassing sparkling comedies of manners Private Lives and Hay Fever, farcical ghost story Blithe Spirit, and daring ménage à trois drama Design for Living. Here, too, is his controversial first hit The Vortex; the poignant Still Life (the inspiration for the film Brief Encounter); and the semi-autobiographical Present Laughter.
Among the star-studded cast are Helena Bonham-Carter, Bill Nighy, Judi Dench, Celia Imrie, Roger Allam, Harriet Walter, Paul Rhys, Stephanie Cole and Paul Scofield.
Also included is a BBC World Service profile of Noël Coward, comprising interviews, musical extracts and archive clips; and the BBC Radio 4 programme 'From His Diaries', featuring a selection of passages from Coward's journal read by Simon Cadell.
Author: Noel Coward
Author Noel Coward
Narrator Full Cast
Duration 57m
Jenny Seagrove and Nigel Havers star in this BBC Radio 2 production of Noel Coward's classic tale of forbidden love. Laura Jesson is a happily married woman until a chance encounter in a train station caf‚ draws her to Dr Alec Harvey. Literally bumping into each other brings temptation, danger and guilt into their lives, and a doomed love aff...
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Author: Books Listening
Author Books Listening
Narrator Amy Lloyd
Duration 28m
We chat to the author of popular thriller novels One More Lie and The Innocent Wife.
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Author: Blake Snyder
Author Blake Snyder
Narrator George Newbern
Duration 5h 25m
Here's what started the phenomenon: the bestseller, for over fifteen years, that's been used by screenwriters around the world! Blake Snyder tells all in this fast, funny, and candid look inside the movie business. Save the Cat is just one of many ironclad rules for making your ideas more marketable and your script more satisfying, others include t...
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Author: Noel Coward
Author Noel Coward
Narrator Full Cast
Duration 1h 27m
Peggy Ashcroft and Tony Britton star in this 1971 BBC Radio production of Noel Coward's classic comedy about a disastrous weekend house party. Judith Bliss is a famous actress who, after a string of successful roles, has retired to her country retreat. Missing the adulation of her public, she has has invited a fan over for a weekend of uninterrupte...
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An Interview With Angela Chadwick
Author: Books Listening
Author Books Listening
Narrator Angela Chadwick
Duration 18m
We speak to debut author Angela Chadwick about her award-winning novel, XX.
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An Interview With Sue Moorcroft
Author: Books Listening
Author Books Listening
Narrator Sue Moorcroft
Duration 50m
We chat to the best-selling fiction author whose novels include Just for the Holidays and A Christmas Gift. Photo credit Charlotte Barnes.
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Author: Debbie Harry
Author Debbie Harry
Narrator Clem Burke
Duration 8h 53m
Debbie Harry is a musician, actor, activist and the iconic face of New York City cool. As the front-woman of Blondie, she and the band forged a new sound that brought together the worlds of rock, punk, disco, reggae and hip-hop to create some of the most beloved pop songs of all time. With all the grit, grime, and glory recounted in intimate detail...
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Author: Noel Coward
Author Noel Coward
Narrator Various
Duration 1h 16m
The lights of a yacht on the French Riviera are reflected in the water and in the eyes of four hilariously mismatched lovers. PRIVATE LIVES shimmers with wit, romance, desire and bittersweet truth.
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Author: Books Listening
Author Books Listening
Narrator Simon Lelic
Duration 14m
We speak to the author of the popular thriller novels The House and The Liar's Room. Photo credit Justine Stoddart.
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Author: Noel Coward
Author Noel Coward
Narrator Full Cast
Duration 1h 28m
Paul Scofield and Patricia Routledge star in Noel Coward's classic comedy of manners. Private Lives was written in 1930 and has been a mainstay of British theatre ever since. This sharply funny play of reversals focuses on Elyot and Amanda, a passionate but feuding couple who divorced five years before. Now, on the first night of their honeymoons w...
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