"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

Media Content

This Windows 10 Googleblog is designed and best viewed on Firefox; unfortunately, some media content may not function properly with other browsers or operating systems.

Search This Blog

Monday 9 December 2019

Testaments Old & New...

December - already! Good afternoon and welcome to today's posting; it seems quite some time, even to me, since I updated here and as ever, it's as a result of being busy. Poor excuse, I know!

And so, to the 'business of the day', which includes the recent release of my narrated version of the New Revised Standard Version of The Bible, now available to download individually as the Old Testament, which runs at 56 hours & 12 minutes or the New Testamant, which runs at 17 hours & 34 minutes or the entire Holy Bible at an unabridged running length of 73 hours & 46 minutes. All versions are available via audible.co.uk or from Spokenworld Audio. Here's what they're saying about it:

"Acclaimed by both biblical scholars and general readers as the most reliable English Bible available, the New Revised Standard Version follows in the great tradition of the King James Version in being true to the original meaning of the text, while presenting it in a style that speaks powerfully to contemporary listeners of all religious backgrounds."  



"In this exclusive newly recorded audiobook edition, John Banks brings the words of the Bible to incredible life."  


©2019 SPCK (P)2019 SPCK, Spokenworld Audio & Ladbroke Audio Ltd
 


* * * * *

After the feast of twelve audio releases in September, it was a famine of no releases at all for the whole of October and November. I'm usually aware of things 'in the pipeline' and I had hoped that there might be something new to mention in November, though the reality is, I often have no idea when specific titles might actually see the light of day. Thankfully, December has a number of productions scheduled for release, The Bible, mentioned above, being the first, or first three of them. I shall no doubt, be back before the month is out, to have a look at what else is about to become available.

In the meantime, follow me, if you will, back to September 2017 and the Black Library audio book version of Chris Wraight's 'Watchers of the Throne: The Emperor's Legion' from the Warhammer 40,000 range. 
The audio recording took the form of three characters, Tieron, performed by Gareth Armstrong, Valerian, performed by myself and Aleya, performed by Emma Gregory, giving their individual perspective on a particular set of circumstances.

Watchers of the Throne: The Emperor's Legion:

 

"The Custodian Guard have stood watch over the Emperor's Palace on Terra since the foundation of the Imperium. Charged with protecting the Master of Mankind from all threats, within and without, their fearsome resolve is renowned throughout the galaxy, and their golden armour is the last thing that a would-be assassin or saboteur will ever see.

Alongside the Null-maidens of the Sisters of Silence, who are anathema to psykers and sorcerers alike, there is no threat to the Golden Throne that they alone cannot vanquish...until now."
 



Above: 

Valerian (right in full Adeptus Custodes armour) and Aleya, a Sister of Silence with scarlet hair plume.
 
Having had little time to listen properly to this story when it was first released and in any case, having forgotten much of what I had taken from it, I decided to set aside some time to listen to it all over again. I'm enjoying it very much, though when I looked for details of the recording on the audible web site, I couldn't find it listed under my name. A quick title search led me to it, though for some reason, neither Emma or me are credited as performers, which is a shame. Perhaps there are other titles that have been mis-credited?

Thrilled as I was to eventually find it on audible, I was pleased indeed to read the posted reviews, the majority of which seem to be very positive and so, with your indulgence, I'll put a few up here, just in case you might be interested in giving the story a listen:

"Enthralling"

I was hooked from start to end with everything being told. The inclusion of multiple points of view with different voice actors adding an even further depth to each characters views was a very nice touch.

"Deserving a movie!!!!!!"

Although i started listening this knowing most of the story the details and scenery, the performance of the readers and the 3 way character view made me cry....this is something truly deserving a movie, an excellent example of true 40k lore and the grim dark future.

"Utterly brilliant"

Fantastic performances all round. Well worth it! Believe me you will not regret this one.

"great story. The voice acting was stunning. Great"

The story was wonderful and keeps you gripped from the start and till the end

"Perfect"

This book is fantastic, well read and constantly interesting as well as action packed. Perfect for fans no matter their preferences of factions.


* * * * *
Okay, so that's enough 'trumpet blowing' from me, as I'm sure you'll agree! It's still available if you fancy checking it out.

In the meantime, that's...

...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