Showing results by narrator "Tim Pigott-Smith" in All Categories

In traditional fairytales the handsome prince rescues the beautiful princess from her wicked stepmother, and the couple live happily ever after. But in Ruth Rendell's dark and damaged contemporary universe, innocent dreams can turn into the most terrible nightmares.

Miracles of Life opens and closes in Shanghai, the city where J. G.Ballard was born, and where he spent the most of the Second World War interned with his family in a Japanese concentration camp.

Bernard Cornwell's new novel, following the outstanding success of his Arthurian trilogy, is the story of three brothers and of their rivalry that creates the great temple we know as Stonehenge.

From the rumblings of provincial England in Silas Marner and Cranford to a wild and dangerous journey across the Holy Lands in Ivanhoe, these classic novels of the Georgian and Victorian period are as relevant and important today as they ever have been.

Abandoned as a baby, Stephen had nearly given up hope of ever finding his family. This epic adventure follows his change in fortunes as he receives an unexpected letter from a strange source and sets off on an unforgettable journey.

Sir Ernest Shackleton was one of the greatest explorers and leaders of men in the 20th Century. From 1914 to 1916, following the wreck of his ship Endurance and despite finding himself stranded 1200 miles from any form of communication and with no hope of rescue, he led all 27 of his men to safety. After spending several months on the pack-ice living on seals, dogs, and penguins, they embarked on an heroic 800 mile trip across the frigid South Atlantic - in little more than a rowboat.

Mix Cellini (which he pronounces with an 'S' rather than a 'C') is superstitious about the number 13. In the musty old house where he is the lodger, there are thirteen steps down to the landing below his rooms, which he keeps spick and span. His elderly landlady, Gwendolen Chawcer, was born in St Blaise House, and lives her life almost exclusively through her library of books, so cannot see the decay and neglect around her.

Songwriter, broadcaster and award-winning entertainer Sir Richard Stilgoe goes out, about and around Britain in this amusing musical revue, which finds him taking a wry look at the pastimes and professions of our wayward island. In the company of a troupe of star guests including Sandi Toksvig, Emma Thompson, Kathryn Tickell, Pam Ayres and John Hegley, he visits locations ranging from the Boat Show to the City of London to perform a unique themed comedy show full of fun and laughter.

Imagine a nation banishing the outside world for two centuries, crushing all vestiges of Christianity, forbidding its subjects to leave its shores on pain of death, and harbouring a deep mistrust of European ideas. The narrow window onto this nation-fortress is a walled, artificial island attached to the mainland port and manned by a handful of traders. Locked as the land-gate may be, however, it cannot prevent the meeting of minds – or hearts.