Coming June 6th…

Coming June 6th…
The Mercy Chair
"John Banks is one of the UK's most prolific audiobook narrators, working for the likes of Big Finish, Audible, Random House and Games Workshop.

He is a true multi-voice, creating everything from monsters to marauding aliens.

He is also an accomplished stage and TV actor."

audible.co.uk 2018

Hello...

...I'm John Banks - welcome to my website.

The majority of my working life has been spent in the theatre with companies including
York Theatre Royal, Cheltenham Everyman, Sheffield Crucible, Bristol Old Vic, Manchester Royal Exchange and the National Theatre in London.

Television work includes Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and 'Allo, Allo!'. I have also worked on a number of radio drama and comedy productions with the BBC.

Since March 2009, I have enjoyed playing a huge variety of characters in more than 270* audio-drama stories with Big Finish Productions, together with The Black Library/Games Workshop, details of which can be found in the postings below.


There are also details listed here of the 214* audio books & stories I've recorded since March 2013,
including the unabridged New Revised Standard Version of The Bible, for companies including audible.co.uk, Hachette, Audible Studios, Podium Audio Publishing, HarperCollins, RNIB, W.F. Howes, Little Brown Group, Penguin Random House, Games Workshop, Orion, Fantom Films & Ladbroke Audio.

(*figures at April 2021)

I hope you find something of interest here and come back soon for further updates.


For all posts, reviews and audio samples, please scroll down...

The Runewar Saga: Book 2

The Runewar Saga: Book 2
The Crown of Fire & Fury

The Botanist

The Botanist
Washington Poe Series: Book 5

Skaven Deathmaster

The Babel Books

The Babel Books
The Fall of Babel - click image above for link to audible

Doctor Who: Back To Earth

Throne of Light: Dawn of Fire Book 4

Throne of Light: Dawn of Fire Book 4
Release Date: 13th November 2021

Soul Wars

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Wednesday 29 April 2015

Doctor Who: Damaged Goods & The Well-Mannered War

Good evening. I mentioned these releases only a few postings ago and details appear below. My Standard and Limited Edition copies arrived at the weekend and I'm listing keenly to both stories at the moment and enjoying them thoroughly. Big Finish have published a fascinating trailer for Damaged Goods and The Well-Mannered War, I'm guessing created by Tom Saunders, and here it is:



And now, as it's almost 8 o'clock, I'm going to quickly wrap up here so that I can watch some classic Emma Peel era Avengers action on TV! Adieu for now...

Thursday 23 April 2015

The Third Doctor Adventures Volume 1

Well, it's St. George's Day here in merry England and it's also Shakespeare's 451st birthday - huzzah! I wonder if there's anyone in the world called 'George Shakespeare' who was born on this day...?

Before you become convinced that this welcome, yet uncharacteristically sunny weather has fried my brain, time to move on to the actual purpose of this little gem of an update.

Big Finish have announced the September release of the Third Doctor (originally performed on television by Jon Pertwee) 'double bill' of Prisoners of The Lake by Justin Richards and The Havoc of Empires by Andy Lane. Third Doctor adventures are a new direction for Big Finish and Tim Treloar has stepped up to the plate to portray the character in an evocation of Jon Pertwee's original style.

There's much more to come on this box set nearer the time of release; in the meantime, here's some cover artwork from Tom Webster and details of the story I was involved in, Prisoners of The Lake.


Captain Mike Yates is investigating the disappearance of artefacts from an archaeological site deep below Dunstanton Lake. It’s hardly a job for UNIT. But when the team discover a mysterious ancient structure buried deep underwater, all that changes.
When chief archaeologist Freda Mattingly ventures inside, she soon realises that her skills do not begin to equip her to deal with what she finds. As an ancient menace begins to stir the Doctor, Jo Grant and Mike Yates must dive down to the lake bed and discover the secrets hidden there. Secrets that could mean the end of all life on Earth…

 Tim Treloar Narrator/The Doctor   Katy Manning Jo Grant   Richard Franklin Mike Yates

  Carolyn Seymour Freda Mattingly  
Robbie Stevens Johnny Repford/Director Pennard/Statue/The Prosecutor
 John Banks Chief Dastron/Lieutenant Macintyre/UNIT Operative/Archaeologist

Written by Justin Richards
 Directed by Nicholas Briggs


...all for now, more just as soon as it happens!

Thursday 16 April 2015

Doctor Who: The Well Mannered War

As if time weren't zipping by quickly enough! Big Finish have released The Well Mannered War and Damaged Goods individually and as a double edition - a whole month early! I was under the impression that The Well Mannered War was scheduled for a May release, but hey - what do I know? Moving on from the obvious answer to my own rhetorical question, here are some details to go along with Tom Webster's brilliant cover artwork:



The edges of space, the far distant future, an era even the Time Lords are not supposed to visit.

Laid claim to by disputing factions of humans and Chelonians, the planet Barclow has become the catalyst for an unusual war. In two hundred years of hostilities not a shot has been fired, and the opposing combatants are the best of friends.

But when the Doctor, Romana and K9 arrive, they discover the peace is not going to last. Something dangerous is happening behind the scenes. An election looms. Bodies are piling up. Tensions are growing. Someone, somewhere is trying to make this well-mannered war very angry indeed.

Only the time-travellers can save the day. But that might be their biggest mistake.


Tom Baker The Doctor  Lalla Ward Romana  John Leeson K9  Tim McInnerny Admiral Dolne  
Jon Glover Jafrid Michael Troughton Menlove Stokes Gunnar Cauthery Viddeas Jane Slavin Cadinot 
 Russell Bentley Seskwa   Hamish Clark Fritchoff   John Banks Harmock   Elizabeth Rider Galatea  
Jessica Claire Liris/Newsreader  David Troughton The Black Guardian

Written by Gareth Roberts, adapted by John Dorney
Directed by Ken Bentley 

There's also a 'standard' version of Damaged Goods as detailed below, but if you fancy owning a rather beautiful Limited Special Edition containing both stories, there's this version, which I think, looks amazing...



The year is 1987 and there’s a deadly new narcotic on the streets of London. As part of their investigations the Doctor and his companions Chris and Roz move into the Quadrant, a rundown housing estate. An ancient alien menace has been unleashed, a menace somehow linked to a local gang leader known as The Capper, a charmed young boy called Gabriel and his mother Winnie, the enigmatic Frei Foundation, and Eva Jericho, a woman driven to the brink of madness.

As London descends into an apocalyptic nightmare, the Doctor must uncover the truth about the residents of the Quadrant and a desperate bargain made one dark Christmas Eve.



Sylvester McCoy The Doctor    Travis Oliver Chris Cwej    Yasmin Bannerman Roz Forrester  
Michelle Collins Winnie Tyler   Denise Black Eva Jericho   Georgie Fuller Bev Tyler  
Tayler Marshall Gabriel Tyler   Richard Hope Harry Harvey   Daniel Brocklebank David Daniels 
Peter Barrett The Capper   Robert Duncan Mr Thomas   Damian Lynch Scott Delaney


Written by Russell T Davies, adapted by Jonathan Morris
Directed by Ken Bentley


* * * * *

As a minor, but perhaps interesting footnote; in the mid '80's - early '90's, I spent about eight years working at The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, performing in numerous productions. Because I was there for so long, I had time to develop broader interests other than just appearing in plays. Under the leadership of  inspirational Youth Theatre and Main House Director, Sheila Mander, I  became involved in the activities of the senior Youth Theatre Group and assisted Sheila in directing a production of Howard Brenton's Epsom Downs.

It was a fabulous project to work on and I loved my time with the very talented young people Sheila had cast. The standard of performance was incredibly high and I promised the actors that I would rehearse and direct them as I would a professional company. Some of the members of that company did indeed go on to become professionally involved in the industry: Martin Julier appeared in the film version of The Madness of King George, Tom Kerridge is now a well known TV Chef, Cait Davis is currently appearing in Roald Dahl's The Twits at The Royal Court (we briefly toured together in another Everyman production), Kate Mander is a musical performer and Yasmin Bannerman, as I'm sure you know, has appeared in Doctor Who and Torchwood on television. Yasmin has of course also recorded a number of BF stories, including Damaged Goods. Small world; I wonder if she remembers Epsom Downs?

Back in the BF studio next week - can't wait :-)

...all for now, more just as soon as it happens!

Friday 10 April 2015

Warhammer

It's often the case, and probably something I've previously mentioned, that a period of blogging inactivity usually corresponds to a period of busyness elsewhere. The last few weeks have been a case in point and indeed, a busy time has been had in various recording studios. What usually happens now is that I say what fun it's all been and then apologise for not being able to go into specific detail...

Well, it's been a fun time in the studio and that's about all I'm allowed to say for the time being... sorry.

What I can say, in this all too brief update, is that I've had a great time at The Games Workshop HQ this week, recording some very exciting Warhammer audio drama. I'd love to say more about this, but alas, it's all ultra top secret at the moment. When the time comes however, there'll be lots more posted here and I'm really looking forward to telling you all about it.

To round off then; Simon Guerrier's audio drama series Graceless II is currently being broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra if you fancy tuning in and here's a link to the BBC web page: Graceless Series 2


...all for now; more just as soon as it happens!

Dalek Universe 2

Kragnos Broken Realms

Age of Sigmar Dominion

The Moggotkin of Nurgle

Kragnos Broken Realms

Dawn of Fire Book 1: Avenging Son

The Lore of Direchasm

Direchasm

A C'tan Shard Rises 3

Indomitus: Necrons 2

A Lord Among the Stars 1

Angels of Death Preview

Ultramarines

Psychic Awakening

Warcry: Death or Glory

Warhammer 40,000

Flight. Redefined.

Reviews & comments:

The Malazan Empire

Over the course of this 8 book series, the amazing John Banks has had to create and voice 648 distinct characters!

Neil Gardner - producer

The Door In The Wall & War of The Worlds

Not often I buy another version of an audiobook I own, but after hearing John Banks' narration of The Door in the Wall by Ladbroke Audio, I had to buy their version of The War of the Worlds. Banks has a great reading voice.

Andy Frankham-Allen - writer

The Books of Babel: Senlin Ascends, Arm of The Sphinx & The Hod King

Mr. Banks does superb work, and I recommend the audiobooks wholeheartedly!

Josiah Bancroft - writer

Mervyn Stone: The Axeman Cometh

John Banks is a voice genius...

Nev Fountain - writer

Mervyn Stone... played by the note-perfect John Banks.

Matt Hills - Reviews in Time and Space

Dr. Who: The Sleeping City

I also must draw attention to John Banks who is an exceptional voice artist and in this one story performs more characters that I can count. ... it is listening to episodes like this one that really do let his talents shine through.

Tony Jones - Red Rocket Rising

Highlander:

...playing several parts, was the brilliant Big Finish regular John Banks - it was as if there were about 40 different actors in the other booth.

James Moran - writer

I went for the best of the best and brought in voice artiste extraordinaire John Banks.

Paul Spragg - producer

Vienna:

...also features the mind - bogglingly versatile and reliable John Banks

Jonathan Morris - writer

Dead Funny:

The acting is first rate… wonderfully played by John Banks as Richard – his impersonation of Eric Morecambe is worth the admission money alone.

Beverly Greenberg: Bolton Evening News

Mr. Happiness:

This early and unfamiliar play by David Mamet is a character study of a 1930s radio counsellor, dispensing suave advice to his devoted listeners. John Banks brings out the wry comedy of this – comedy quite unappreciated by the character – with a clever range of gesture and vocal tone.

Jeremy Kingston: The Times


All My Sons:

This is a beautifully crafted piece ...and it affords a wonderful opportunity for John Readman* to do his All-American Boy act as Chris Keller. This most polished and well observed performance as the blighted son of a blighted father must rank as one of his finest accomplishments yet. ( * see Profile)

The Stage

The Ordeals of Sherlock Holmes

Kudos should also go to John Banks. Lestrade can be a thankless part, but Banks rose to the challenge, playing a pivotal role in this decades long arc.

Raissa Devereux - SciFiPulse

The Judgement of Sherlock Holmes

John Banks is multi-tasking, both as the superb Lestrade and also the villainous and no doubt moustache twirling Sebastian Moran. They sound completely different and I bow to his talent.

Sue Davies - SFcrowsnest


Further reviews and comments are included with specific postings throughout the site.

The War Doctor

The War Doctor
December 2015