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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Monday 24 December 2018

Advent 2018

Welcome and Merry Christmas Eve! As Advent is almost over for this year, I thought I'd better quickly mention the last two releases that I have an involvement with - and here they are. A couple of days ago, Hungerfiend became available to download:

Hungerfiend

Advent Calendar 2018: Day Twenty-One

In a desolate corner of Ghur, a dread Mourngul haunts a graveyard – but there is more to the spirit than meets the eye, and the mystery could spell doom for Prince Maesa.


Drawn to a haunted graveyard in the Realm of Beasts by rumours of a fearsome creature, the aelven Prince Maesa seeks to cleanse the area of its taint. Along with his allies Stonbrak the duardin and Shattercap, the malevolent spite who serves him, Maesa sets out to defeat the beast – a terrifying and monstrous spirit known as a Mourngul.

But there is more to this horror than meets the eye, and unless they can solve the mystery surrounding it, the Mourngul may spell the heroes' fate.
 

Performed by John Banks, Matthew Hunt, Melvyn Rawlinson, Richard Reed & David Seddon

Written by Guy Haley & Produced by Matt Renshaw


I'm delighted to be playing Prince Maesa once again, along with Melvyn Rawlinson as Shattercap. We originally played the characters last year in The Autumn Prince and more recently, both characters appeared in The Sands of Grief; a short story I narrated for the Sacrosanct audio book anthology.

And finally, my last release for Advent and indeed, for this year, another 'commuter length' audio drama:

Half-horn

Advent Calendar 2018: Day Twenty-Three

Three underhive fugitives shelter around a fire in the midst of a storm. They must be safe here, for the only one who could track them is Gor Half-horn. And he's a myth, isn't he? 




Kaya, Gull and Vaughn are on the run. After a job gone wrong, the trio of hive-scum have a price on their head and aren't welcome in any reputable settlement. As they shelter from a hive-storm in an abandoned hab-unit in the deep sump, they're sure they're safe from any who might be seeking them. 

They are wrong. Gor Half-horn is coming for them, and none escape the abhuman bounty hunter once he has their scent…


Performed by John Banks, Toby Longworth, Gesella Ohaka & Andrew Wincott

Written by Josh Reynolds & Produced by Matt Renshaw 

* * * * *

And that's pretty much a wrap for now. As always, many thanks for stopping by the web site, both today and throughout 2018 - it's much appreciated. January is already looking busy for me, though unlike this time last year, I do have a little time off during the holidays, which I'm thoroughly enjoying.

May I wish you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a peaceful & Happy New Year!

                                                                                                                                            


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

Thursday 13 December 2018

A Victorian Gentleman’s Ghostly Anthology

And finally for today, here are details of last week's recording of twelve traditional spooky stories from the Victorians - who really knew how to do this sort of thing!

A Victorian Gentleman’s Ghostly Anthology

Read by John Banks

Twelve of the very best Victorian short ghost stories, all written by incredibly talented, but oft-times overlooked or forgotten, authors.




"The Victorian era is remembered for many things, but one of the fondest is the wide and varied array of short, ghostly, suspenseful tales…often enjoyed around the fireside at Christmas time.

In this new anthology, John Banks performs twelve of the very best, all written by incredibly talented, but oft-times overlooked or forgotten, authors. Once you tire of Dickens and James, these are the true masters of short-form suspense":


The Steel Mirror by W.W. Fenn 
A Real Country Ghost Story by Albert Smith 
The Weird Violinist by Anonymous 
Walsham Grange: A Real Ghost Story by E. Morant Cox 
Haunted by Coulson Kernahan 
Nicodemus by Alfred Crowquill 
The Veiled Portrait by James Grant 
The Ghost Chamber by Anonymous 
The Doll’s Ghost by F. Marion Crawford 
How Peter Parley Laid A Ghost: A Story of Owl’s Abbey by Anonymous 
The Ghost’s Summons by Ada Buisson 
A Terrible Retribution; or, Squire Orton’s Ghost by Anonymous

Produced by Neil Gardner


I recorded these stories with producer Neil Gardner, who has made them available free to download via this web site:

Should you choose to have a listen to these stories, I very much hope that you will enjoy them.


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

The Deserter

And welcome indeed to the second of today's postings; this one features a short audio drama, which is part of The Black Library's 2018 Advent Calendar. I'm not actually credited in this story as I'm playing quite a small role; nevertheless, here it is and maybe you could take the Christmas challenge (no prizes alas!) of identifying which part I'm actually playing - that sounds like fun huh?

Ok, enough; here are the details:

The Deserter

Advent Calendar 2018: Day Eleven

A chance encounter with a stranger known only as "The Deserter" might be just what Corenne needs as she struggles to survive in Necromunda's underhive.


In the underhive of Necromunda, the only law that really matters is that might is right and unless you can defend what's yours, someone else will claim it. That's what happened to Corenne. When the Thunder Knuckle Posse came, they took control of the Sweet Drop Still, sending her family packing.

Now, she wants it back, and a chance encounter with a ragged old man known only as "The Deserter" who claims to have fought in the armies of the vaunted Lord Solar might just be her salvation – or at least revenge.

Steve Conlin, Toby Longworth, Carla Medonca & Jo Woodcock (&me)

Written by Justin D Hill & Produced by Matthew Renshaw


©2018 Games Workshop Limited (P)2018 Games Workshop Limited


...still not all for now, more next!

Hubris of Monarchia

Hello, good evening and welcome! As the festive season is now well under way, I feel fortunate to have had such a busy, challenging and rewarding year and fortunate too, that it's now come to a temporary halt over the holiday season!

My last recording was of an anthology of traditional Victorian ghostly tales, which I did last week and which, astonishingly, is already available! But more of that later. Even though new recording has come to brief cessation, new audio releases certainly have not! And so, to the first of this week's offerings; an audio drama written by Andy Smillie and here are some details:

The Horus Heresy: Hubris of Monarchia

A Horus Heresy audio drama

The Ultramarines muster at Calth to join their Word Bearers brothers in battle – but in the remnants of the Ghaslakh Empire, Captain Alcaeus would see his mission complete and the greenskin warlord dead before he joins his brethren.




Before the Warmaster's betrayal, the primarchs and their Legions were a warrior brotherhood without equal. At Calth, a planetary jewel in Ultramar's crown, a great mustering is taking place. Two proud Legions gather in hopes of healing the discord after the notorious shaming of the Word Bearers at Monarchia.

Captain Alcaeus of the Ultramarines plans on joining the muster, but will not rest until the remnants of the Ghaslakh Empire are purged utterly from the galaxy, For honour and glory, he has sworn an oath to succeed. His obsession in hunting down the greenskin overlord drives him to greater and greater feats, but in his zeal has Alcaeus not realised the true enemy in his Legion's midst?


John Banks, Steve Conlin, Andrew Fettes, Matthew Hunt, Richard Reed & David Seddon 

Written by Andy Smillie & Produced by Matthew Renshaw


©2018 Games Workshop Limited (P)2018 Games Workshop Limited



...not all for now, more next!

 

Saturday 8 December 2018

The Horus Heresy Audio Collection Volume 1

 
Good afternoon and welcome the first update in a while; once again due to busy times in the recording studio. I mentioned some time ago, that towards the end of the year, the general trend of audio releases would vere away from regular Games Workshop content, to other stuff. Due to a re-sheduling by the particular publishing house in question, the releases I was referring to will instead, now become available in March 2019; which isn't too far away!

In the meantime, here are details of the first of this month's audio dramas:


The Horus Heresy Audio Collection: Volume 1

An audio drama boxed set

For the first time, get seven classic audio dramas from the Horus Heresy in one fantastic boxed set – including a brand new audio drama edition of Dan Abnett's short story 'Little Horus'.



"For more than two hundred years, the armies of the Emperor of Mankind fought to reconquer the galaxy – led by the superhuman primarchs, the Space Marine Legions brought countless worlds back under the rule of ancient Terra. Now Horus, once honoured Warmaster and favoured son of the Emperor, has been corrupted by the whispered promises of Chaos. At his command the Imperium is torn apart by a terrible and bloody civil war, the likes of which the galaxy has never seen…





This audio drama anthology contains seven stories across six CDs, detailing brutal wars – from the aftermath of the Isstvan V massacre to the horrors of the Shadow Crusade and even the doorstep of Terra itself – and bringing new insights into the heroes and villains of the Horus Heresy. It also includes a brand new audio drama version of Dan Abnett's classic short story 'Little Horus', specially converted into a script and recorded for this collection."

Raven's Flight by Gav Thorpe
Butcher's Nails by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
Templar by John French
Thief of Revelations by Graham McNeill
Hunter's Moon by Guy Haley
The Sigillite by Chris Wraight
Little Horus by Dan Abnett

Performed by Gareth Armstrong, John Banks, Tim Bentinck, Steve Conlin, Rupert Degas, Martyn Eliis, Chris Fairbank, Andrew Fettes, Jonathan Keeble, Angus King, Toby Longworth, Charlotte Paige, Jamie Parker, Richard Reed, Tania Rodrigues, David Seddon, Ramon Tikaram, David Timson & Tim Treloar. 

...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