Apprentice: Scarlet City Part 1

No, nothing to do with Lord Sugar or Donald Trump (President of the USA...). Instead, 'Apprentice' is an epic audio drama, directed by Barnaby Edwards, which I am delighted to have been involved with.

I've done quite a number of audio productions for audible.co.uk, which, as I'm sure you know, is part of Amazon; however, this is the first time I've worked with them 'in-house'. In addition to producing audio versions of thousands of books annually, audible also produce a much smaller number of dramas and books recorded at their own studios in London, which appear under the title 'Audible Original'. Apprentice is one such production and here are some details:

"This Original multicast drama blends history with fiction to tell the story of Jonah, a young apprentice from London who raises himself from poverty by wit and luck to become one of the most powerful merchants of the age.

A rags-to-riches tale, Jonah's journey spans the breadth of human experience, from the intricacies of Edward III's political intrigues to the cutthroat world of international trade, from the triumphs of war to the agonies of personal loss - love, friendship, joy, heartbreak and glory.

Set largely in London, the Scarlet City, the centre of medieval England, the Scarlet City trilogy is a thrilling portrait of the age and the people who made it so rich, colourful and extraordinary.

London, 1330. Jonah Durham grows up in the household of his tyrannical cousin Rupert, and only his grandmother, the calculating Cecilia Hillock, recognizes his talent and intelligence. After her death he inherits a handsome fortune, bestowing him with both wealth and independence but also the wrath of his increasingly dangerous cousin. However, a fateful encounter with the young King Edward III is set to radically change Jonah's life and the future of English cloth production."

Now, I did use the word 'epic' in describing this production and I think that quite apt. There are three parts to the story in all and I'm in two of them as an 'also featuring'. Scarlet City (Part 1) runs at just over 10 hours and here's the cast list:

"Told in three parts, hear Medieval London come to life in this historical epic, Audible Original's most ambitious production to date."

Narrated by Miriam Margolyes, OBE (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Romeo + Juliet, Mulan) 

 starring Douglas Booth (Riot Club, Loving Vincent, Shelley) as Jonah, 

and Alison Steadman, OBE (Gavin and Stacey, Orphan Black, Shirley Valentine) as Cecilia Hillock. 

Also featuring: Daniel Anthony, Josephine Arden, John Banks, Timothy Bentinck, Clare Buckfield, Beth Chalmers, Elliot Chapman, Trevor Cooper, Oliver Coopersmith, Raymond Coulthard, Gareth David-Lloyd, Richard Earl, Andrew French, Helen Goldwyn, James Joyce, Olly McCauley, Tony Millan, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Katarina Olsson, Steven Pacey, Nicholas Pegg, Nigel Planer, Siobhán Redmond, Christopher Ryan, David Schofield, Dan Starkey, Sarah Sutton, Alexander Vlahos, Niky Wardley, Finty Williams, Claire Wyatt.

Perhaps I should quickly mention the three roles I'm playing:

William Montagu, Earl of Salisbury. Personal friend to Edward III and chief influence behind the throne.

Brother Albert. Benedictine Monk, expert in medical matters and part of Edward III's entourage.

...and a Highwayman!

If you're a subscriber to audible.co.uk, I understand the story is now availlable to download and is also available via Amazon. I look forward to listening to this at some time and if you get hold of a copy, I hope you enjoy it.

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

The Assassination of Gabriel Seth

Day 8 of Advent from The Black Library and the third audio drama release with a bit of input from me; hope you enjoy. Here are some details:

A Flesh Tearers audio drama

Gabriel Seth, Chapter Master of the Flesh Tearers, has made many enemies in his long years defending the Imperium – and now they plot against him, planning his death. But Seth will not be taken down so easily…

For many long years, Gabriel Seth has led the Flesh Tearers to war. Master of a dwindling Chapter, he has made many enemies in his unceasing battle to keep his warriors alive – and now those enemies conspire against him, luring him to a remote world in order to end his leadership and life in the most violent and bloody way possible; Gabriel Seth is to be assassinated.

But can even an Eversor Assassin kill one of the deadliest warriors in the entire Imperium?

  Performed by John Banks, Tim Bruce, Steve Conlin and Andrew Wincott

Written by Andy Smillie & Produced by Matt Renshaw 

* * * * *

A bit of a surprise release now from Big Finish; well, a surprise to me at least! The first episode of the first series of Counter Measures is now available as an individual story. Here are some details:

Threshold

After the mysterious events at Coal Hill School, the British government has created the Counter-Measures group, a specialist team that investigates strange phenomena and dangerous technology. Their first missions will involve a haunted warehouse, a ground-breaking artificial intelligence, a mysterious new town and a threat to the future of the country...

A missing scientist and ghostly phenomena bring Gilmore and Allison to a factory in Bermondsey, and the discovery of a science that should not exist. As Rachel Jensen returns to help them, a new future for Counter-Measures is set in motion...

Simon Williams (Group Captain Gilmore), Pamela Salem (Rachel Jensen), Karen Gledhill (Allison Williams), Hugh Ross (Sir Toby Kinsella), Vernon Dobtcheff (Professor Heinrich Schumann), Andrew Fettes (Lieutenant Tom Carver), Alison Thea-Skot (Jenny Haveloc/Nurse), Adrian Lukis (Professor Jeffrey Broderick), Lizzie Roper (Dr Nadia Cervenka), Alastair MacKenzie (Julian St Stephen), John Banks (Billy McGuinness), Stephen Grief (Ken Temple), Helen Goldwyn (PA Voice/Control), Duncan Wisbey (Harold Wilson), Shaun Scott (General Peters)

Written by Paul Finch & Directed by Ken Bentley

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

Ahriman: Key of Infinity

...yo-ho-ho! The second audio drama release during Advent from The Black Library, Ahriman: Key of Infinity. Here are some details:

An Ahriman audio drama

Thousand Sons sorcerer Ahzek Ahriman studies an ancient construct of the necrontyr race – but the necron is studying him right back, and has plans of its own…

On the warship Messenger of Hermes, Ahzek Ahriman and his servant Ignis study a most unusual prisoner – a metal construct containing the consciousness of a member of a long extinct race – the necrontyr.

As they interrogate the necron Setekh, he is also learning about them – over and over again as he uses ancient techonology to relive the moment and plot his escape. Will he succeed, or will Ahriman prevail?

Performed by John Banks, Steve Conlin Jonathan Keeble and Saul Reichlin.

Written by John French & Produced by Matt Renshaw

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