Also, a prophecy promises the return of long missing Emperor Kellanved to the contended imperial throne. This night will determine the fate of the world.
A-HA! Thought I'd start this most cryptically titled update (knives? peel? - geddit?) with a synopsis; never done that before! "A synopsis?" I hear you ask, "but of what?". Of the third novel in Ian C. Esslemont's Malazan series of novels to be given the audio book treatment from producer extraordinaire, Neil Gardner and myself, that's "of what?". Released yesterday on an unsuspecting and entirely innocent public from Audible.co.uk. One further novel to record in this seven book series which we start next week, so lots of prep this weekend!
Below: ...recording Blood and Bone from The Malazan Empire series by Ian C. Esslemont
"Over 7 books recorded since December, John Banks has had to create unique voices for 583 characters. Quite amazing!"
Neil Gardner - producer
Neil Gardner - producer
Because I've been so busy over these last several, days, weeks etc, a couple of other audio book releases from Fantom Films have so far gone un-mentioned; so now is a perfect opportunity to set that to rights - and here they are:
Ignored by his dad, bullied by the teachers at his posh school, and picked on by the gang of kids who roam the stairways of his tower block home, Roland Wright thinks he has it pretty bad. Then, a broken lift hurls him into a strange kingdom where fantasy and reality meet, and Roland finds that his nightmare has only just begun.
“The
Juganet is a circle. The circle is a machine. The machine is a
cross-over point. The point is a paramagnetic intersection. That
is where I must be. Not here...”
Sky is a
mixture of ecological fable, science fantasy and good,
old-fashioned peril. An ethereal boy called Sky materialises on
an Earth that is as unprepared for him as he is for it. He soon
realises that he’s been brought to the wrong time and must seek
out the Juganet to return to his correct place in reality. With
the help of tearaway Arby Venner, his sister June and friend Roy
he must race against time as Nature rejects Sky and the Earth’s
immune system creates the evil Goodchild, who is out to stop him
at all costs...
Based on one
of the most memorable television series of the 1970s
* * * * *
...aaand finally for this posting; the release of a box set of adventures from Big Finish, featuring Steed and Mrs. Peel from my favourite era of, the one and only... The AVENGERS!!!
1. Return to Castle De'ath by Simon Barnard and Paul Morris
Steed is left hanging, Emma pays the piper.
Steed and Peel return to the scene of an earlier adventure to find it much changed. Now a ski-resort, Castle De'ath is playing host to many new visitors - including a wealthy Prince targeted by assassins.
Assigned as bodyguards, the Avengers have to keep the Prince alive and discover which of the Castle's guests are behind the murderous plot - before they succumb to it themselves.
2. The Miser by Simon Barnard and Paul Morris
Steed has a nasty scare, Emma has a pressing engagement
When the phrase 'sleeper train' takes on a very literal meaning, Steed and Peel witness the first action of The Miser, a terrifying extortionist. The race is on to stop his ambitious scheme - but in this case, appearances can be deceptive.
3. The Golden Dresses by Paul Magrs
Emma hits the heights of fashion, Steed plumbs the very depths.
The ladies of society can't get enough of Madame Zingara's Golden Dresses. Especially now their husbands have gone missing. Steed and Peel look into the world of haute couture to discover the dark secret of this latest craze. Can they pull it off with style?
4. The Norse Code by John Dorney
Steed has the horns of a dilemma, Emma milks her moment.
An agent has gone missing whilst holidaying in the Norfolk Broads. With an American nuclear bomb being stored in the region, Steed and Peel can't take any risks. But the last thing they expect to find on their boating trip is a Norse longboat. What are Vikings doing in East Anglia?
Julian Wadham John Steed Olivia Poulet Emma Peel
Sam Kordbacheh Prince Abdul Bey Shelia Reid Morag McIntosh/Matron
Allan Corduner James McTaggart/Murdoch/Crabtree Ruby Thomas Countess Beatrice of Burgundy
Simon Greenall Colonel Augustus-Smyth Jeremy Clyde The Miser Graham Seed Dick North
David Acton Montague Pratt/Air Marshall Cuthbert Fortescue
John Banks Dave/Squire Trevithick/Train Guard Phillip Pope Derek/Reg the Trainspotter/Newsreader
Jacqueline Pearce Madame Zingara Becky Wright Bunty/Nurse Christopher Naylor Emil/Sailor
Nick Underwood Anton/Rough Sailor/Announcer
Timothy Speyer Oswald English/Captain Jolleye/Radio Presenter
Ewan Bailey Ivan Stevenson/Venka/Newsreader Francesca Hunt Ingrid Thornton/Brunhilda
Jot Davies Wellington - other parts played by the cast
Directed by Ken Bentley
I love The Avengers and
particularly the stories with Steed and Emma Peel; I am of the
generation where the series was required viewing and I'm still watching all these years later
- albeit in much higher definition! Really can't wait to listen to this
collection and I'm deeply grateful to producer David Richardson and
director Ken Bentley, for inviting me to come and play...
...all for now, more just as soon as it happens!