"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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Sunday 21 June 2020

Fabius Bile: Manflayer

Good afternoon and welcome! Following fairly hot on the heels of the earlier June release of MW Craven's 'The Curator', is the latest audio book from The Black Library, which I had the pleasure of recording with producer Tara Rawson, a couple of weeks before lockdown. I had previously worked with Tara on the short audio drama, The Revelation of The Word, a sample of which appears above, and we had great fun together in the studio, recording a third Fabius Bile story, whom I have to admit, is one of my very favourite Balck Library characters.

So without further prevarication, here are some details of the third of my Fabius Bile projects:


Fabius Bile Manflayer


As his Homo Novus project comes to fruition, Fabius Bile faces a new threat - the dreaded haemonculi of the Thirteen Scars. Can he marshal his forces to protect his creations, or are the New Men doomed to death? 

In the centuries since his return from Commorragh, Fabius Bile has distanced himself from the affairs of friend and foe, content only to oversee the cruel evolution of his New Men. But when his creations are threatened by the monstrous haemonculi of the Thirteen Scars, the Manflayer is forced to seek out new allies and old enemies alike in an effort to preserve all that he has built. Homo Novus must survive...even if Fabius Bile must die to ensure it.

 

Written by Josh Reynolds, Produced by Tara Rawson & Narrated by John Banks

Audio book length: 13 hours - 40 minutes


©2020 Games Workshop Limited (P)2020 Games Workshop Limited

* * * * *

I'm very pleased to see that both Manflayer and Emperor's Legion currently appear in the Audible Top 100 Sci-Fi & Fantasy audio book chart at #30 and #75 respectively. If you'd like to hear audio samples from these books and a number of other projects I've been involved with, here's a link to my audible web pages: John Banks at Audible

Many thanks for stopping by; there's much more to come in the next few weeks and months, especially as the audio industry gradually eases out of full lockdown - I'll keep you posted! Otherwise, that's...


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


Friday 19 June 2020

The Curator

Good afternoon dear, patient reader and welcome to the first posting since the beginning of May! Apologies once again for such a gap, though you may be pleased to know that not a moment of the interim has been wasted. Let me explain a little.

The Covid-19 lockdown has been in force here in the UK since March and as a consequence, many industries and organisations, including my own, have closed down. I've mentioned here previously, that I've been thinking of how I could possibly work from home and to cut a long story short, after much thought and a fair chunk of my financial reserves, I now have a professionally built and equipped recording studio from which I can work. Making this happen and bringing together all the necessary resources during lockdown, has not been especially easy, though once the decision had been made, I tried to move as quickly as possible. Just in the nick of time, the studio was ready; there are still a few additions and alterations to make in order to be more comfortable for long recording sessions - I certainly need a more forgiving chair than I currently have - but I'm delighted to say, that construction was completed last Thursday and on Friday morning, I started to record an audio book, details to follow. This week, I continued to record the book, which wrapped up yesterday and on Wednesday, managed to squeeze in an audio drama, again, details to follow. So I think it can reasonably be said, that the new home studio is off to a flying start!

In all the activity of building a studio and prepping a book, a drama and some Games Workshop voice over narration (see animation above), I haven't yet been able to post news of this month's audio book release, which is 'The Curator' by MW Craven, the third of his 'Washington Poe' series, which I am delighted to have been asked to narrate. Here are some details:


The Curator

"It's Christmas, and a serial killer is leaving displayed body parts all over Cumbria.

A strange message is left at each scene: #BSC6.




Called in to investigate, the National Crime Agency's Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are faced with a case that makes no sense. Why were some victims anaesthetised, while others died in appalling agony? Why is their only suspect denying what they can irrefutably prove but admitting to things they weren't even aware of? And why did the victims all take the same two weeks off work three years earlier?

And when a disgraced FBI Agent gets in touch, things take an even darker turn. Because she doesn't think Poe is dealing with a serial killer at all; she thinks he's dealing with someone far, far worse - a man who calls himself the Curator.

And nothing will ever be the same again...."


Produced by Neil Gardner & Narrated by John Banks

Length: 9 hours - 23 minutes


©2020 M. W. Craven (P)2020 Hachette Audio UK


As the audiobook was released a couple of weeks ago, on 4th June, there are reviews available, something I'm never usually in a position to include. So here are a few that say very complimentary things (!):


Excellent as always

I normally like to go short and to the point with reviews. But honestly how can I make you understand how insanely good the Poe and Tilly saga is. It could be if well done one of the best series on tv ever in my opinion. Why no one isn't snapping this up, it blows my mind. The characters are thought of so well, the stories are just amazing. I will need to stop raving on, no surprise that Mr Craven gets another 5 shiny stars from me. He again had me on all hook and tenders, I applaud you sir 👏👏
ps the narration is as always the best !

Absolutely brilliant

John Banks' narration is excellent, he really brings the book to life.

Poe & Tilly are back, and the wait has definitely been worth it. Tilly’s character is maturing whilst her adorable traits still remain, along with Poe’s dogged determination they make a brilliant team. Craven takes you on a twist and turn journey to find The Curator. It is fast paced, enthralling and unlike most crime novels the ending is completely unpredictable.

A definite must listen.

Fantastic!

It is a must to have experienced in the earlier stories to be able to fully appreciate this one. Great storyline and characterisation. A job exceptionally well done!


Absolutely bloody brilliant

I was not sure what to expect from a third Washington Poe entry, often third books can be lacklustre but OH BOY, this one is quite the opposite. I was sucked in and full on glued to my earbuds the entire time.

I don't know where to begin with an attempt to describe this story, it's too bizarre to describe rationally, up, down sideways, whichever ways, this is a roller coaster way beyond any I've ridden before.

Buy it, listen now, you will love it (unless you have a delicate sensibilities as this is far from cozy) .

Johns Banks is absolutely the perfect narrator for this book, in fact I wish he could record new versions of all the books I've ever listened to. 


Amazing

wonderful twist and turns, on the edge of your seat plot and the funniest humour!


* * * * *

Cover art for MW Craven's previous 'Washington Poe' books, which I also had the pleasure of narrating, has been revised, in order to be consistent with the new artwork on 'The Curator', which I think looks very smart indeed.





...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