"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

Thursday 23 December 2021

That's a wrap... !

Indeed it is a wrap; the year's work is now completed and the festivities - or the catch up on sleep - can finally begin. I know, for many, 2021 has been a difficult time and the global pandemic doesn't look as though it's coming to an end any time soon. Audiobooks and audio drama may turn out to be a welcome diversion and escape from the challenges of getting by during these very strange times - for all of us!

Here are details of my final two audio projects for this year, though I assure you, next year is, even now, looking incredibly busy; the audible.co.uk web site is already listing details of an audiobook I have not yet recorded and which isn't scheduled for release until June! It's the fifth M.W. Craven novel, 'The Botanist', and I'm really looking forward to starting work on it, though there's an awful lot to do between now and then.

As I was saying:

First to mention is Path of The Ranger Book 8:

  

The Turquoise Queen

A great danger has arisen in the north of the realm. Soldiers and Magi cannot defeat it. Will the Snow Panthers be able to?

While Lasgol and his comrades carry out their duties as Rangers, a shadowy danger gathers strength in the Frozen Territories and threatens the kingdom. Thoran sends his Ice Magi and his armies to fight against it.

The Snow Panthers are summoned to carry out a risky and complicated mission to obtain an object of power that will help destroy the evil that is on its way across the northern mountains to the capital. This is not the only danger our friends will have to face, since the Dark Rangers and the Zangrians continue to pose an ever-present threat, both to the realm and the Panthers.

Will they manage to secure the precious magical object they seek? Will the kingdom survive the evil that's on its way from the north, as well as the Dark Rangers and the Zangrians? Will Lasgol and his friends survive?

 
Written by Pedro Urvi, Produced by Emily Derr & Performed by John Banks
 
Audiobook: 12 hours - 51 minutes 
 
 
©2021 Pedro Urvi (P)2021 Podium Audio 
 
 
And the second release, also from Podium Audio, the first of a new series:
 

The Runewar Saga: The Throne of Ice & Ash

A throne in peril, a tragic betrayal, two heirs struggling to save their land, and a prophesied war threatening to engulf the world....


Bjorn, youngest heir to the Mad Jarl of Oakharrow, has always felt more at ease with a quill than a sword. Yet when calamity strikes his family, he must draw a blade and lead a company of warriors into the cold, deadly mountains in pursuit of a mysterious foe. Though he seeks vengeance, an ancient power stirs within him, and the whispers of prophecy beckon him toward an ominous destiny....

Aelthena, Bjorn’s sister, was born with the aptitude to lead, and she’s eager to prove it. But her society’s rules for women, and her love for her brother, restrain her efforts to command. As she walks the fine line between ambition and virtue, enemies of both mankind and myth rally against Oakharrow, and even her allies question her right to rule....

The Runewar is rising and it begins with the fall of a throne.

A harrowing tale of the struggle for power and the dawning heroes who rise above it, The Throne of Ice & Ash is book one of the Norse high fantasy series The Runewar Saga.

 

Written by J.D.L. Rosell, Produced by Hannah Grenfell & Performed by John Banks
 
Audiobook: 12 hours - 4 minutes 
 
 
©2021 J.D.L. Rosell (P)2021 Podium Audio 
 
* * * * *
 
And that really is 'a wrap' folks! Many thanks for visiting this website during 2021 and I sincerely hope you'll be checking in again in 2022.
 
In the meantime, may I wish you a very Happy Christmas, a relaxing and peaceful holiday season and a fabulous New Year! 
 
with my very best wishes, that's...
 

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

 

Sunday 28 November 2021

Audio plethora!

Good afternoon from a chilly and perhaps, soon to be snowy UK! Once again, apologies for a bit of a gap between postings here. It seems so lame to claim 'being busy' as a reason for not posting, but it's boringly true I'm afraid; last audiobook completed on Thursday and prep for the next and final audiobook of 2021, starts tomorrow.

And so, 'without further ado', as they say, here are details of my recent audio book and audio drama releases, beginning with The Fall of Babel, the final instalment of Josiah Bancroft's incredible Books of Babel series:

 

The Fall of Babel

The secrets of the tower will finally be revealed in the remarkable conclusion to the highly acclaimed Books of Babel series.


As Marat's siege engine bores through the Tower, Senlin can do nothing but observe the mayhem from inside the belly of the beast. Edith and her crew are forced to face Marat on unequal footing, with Senlin caught in the crossfire, while Adam attempts to unravel the mystery of his fame inside the crowning ringdom. And when the Brick Layer's true ambition is revealed, neither the Tower nor its inhabitants will ever be the same again.


 

 

"Josiah Bancroft is a magician. His books are that rare alchemy: gracefully written, deliriously imaginative, action-packed, warm, witty and thought-provoking." 

Madeline Miller, author of Circe

 

 

 

 

 

"The Books of Babel are something you hope to see perhaps once a decade - future classics, which may be remembered long after the series concludes." 

LA Times




      

     Written by Josiah Bancroft, Produced by Morrison Ellis & Performed by John Banks  

                              Unabridged audiobook: Length: 24 hrs and 53 mins

 

The Books of Babel 

                                ©2021 Josiah Bancroft (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK


I must say that of all the many stories I've recorded over the past several years, these Books of Babel have been amongst my absolute favourites; they are unique and so finely crafted, that 'performing' them has been a delight and a real privilege. I would unreservedly urge you to listen to these audiobooks or read them for yourself, or both - they are amazing!

* * * * *

Released in mid November, just a couple of days after The Fall of Babel, is the third story in the epic new Dawn of Fire series from The Black Library, The Wolftime and here are some details:
 
The Wolftime 
 

A Dawn of Fire audio

Book three spins the saga of the Space Wolves as they stand against rampaging xenos hordes. Logan Grimnar faces a momentous decision that will impact the future of the chapter itself. 

The Indomitus Crusade has brought the Emperor's vengeance to thousands of star systems. The fleets and armies under the leadership of Roboute Guilliman fight for the survival of humanity against the forces of the Chaos Gods. But the traitors and heretics are not the only foe looking to destroy the rule of Terra. 

Xenos prey on human worlds in numbers not seen for millennia. Worst amongst them are the rampaging orks, whose migration conquests threaten to reverse the many gains of Fleet Primus. And their throaty bellows carry a name not heard in years, of destruction made flesh, a bestial warlord without peer: Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka. 

In the midst of this brutal tide is Fenris, the world of the Space Wolves. Depleted by ever-greater demands on their warriors, called upon by the Legion-breaker Guilliman, the Wolves of Fenris face a momentous decision. Grimnar and his counsellors must choose whether their fate is to ally themselves with an ancient rival and risk all that makes them the Vlka Fenryka or to accept their demise and wait for the return of their own primarch and the coming of the Wolftime.

 
Written by Gav Thorpe, Produced by Kylia Whitehead & Performed by John Banks
 
Audiobook length: 15 hours - 3 minutes 

©2021 Games Workshop Limited (P)2021 Games Workshop Limited
 
* * * * *
 
So, we've just had Black Friday, and it looks as though we also had a 'Black Library Friday'! I was surprised, if not shocked to read of my involvement in seven (yes &7) audio releases, all of which became available on Friday. Take a deep breath - here are some details:
 
Treachery and Betrayal

A Horus Heresy audiobook collection. Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins

Narrated by: Sean Barrett, Chris Fairbank, David Timson, Jonathan Keeble, Richard Reed, John Banks, Penelope Rawlins.



The Horus Heresy was the darkest moment in the history of mankind, as brother turned upon brother and threatened to tear the galaxy apart. This bundle of audiobooks delivers an action-packed, yet intimate look at the heroes and villains of the era.

Contents:
Butcher's Nails by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
Kharn: The Eightfold Path by Anthony Reynolds
Honour to the Dead by Gav Thorpe
Stratagem by Nick Kyme
Censure by Nick Kyme
Red-Marked by Nick Kyme
Nightfane by Nick Kyme
Hubris of Monarchia by Andy Smillie
Heart of the Pharos by L J Goulding
Children of Sicarus by Anthony Reynolds
Illyrium by Darius Hinks
The Revelation of the Word by David Annandale
Raven's Flight by Gav Thorpe
Strike and Fade by Guy Haley
Veritas Ferrum by David Annandale
Grey Talon by Chris Wraight
The Either by Graham McNeill
Perpetual by Dan Abnett
Raptor by Gav Thorpe
The Shadowmasters by Gav Thorpe


©2021 Games Workshop Limited (P)2021 Games Workshop Limited 
 
 
 Angels of Darkness and Blood

A Warhammer 40,000 Audio Drama Collection: Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins.

Performed by: Toby Longworth, Sean Barrett, David Timson, Jonathan Keeble, 
John Banks, Gareth Armstrong, Steve Conlin, Ian Brooker


The Dark Angels and Blood Angels are two of the most influential Chapters of the first founding, and their successors have carried on the traditions - and flaws - that make them interesting.

This collection of audio dramas shines a light on the Angels of Death.
 
Contents:
Heart of Rage by James Swallow
Bloodspire by C Z Dunn 
Bloodquest: Prisoners of the Eye of Terror by Ben Counter
Hunger by Andy Smillie
The Assassination of Gabriel Seth by Andy Smillie 
Blood in the Machine by Andy Smillie
At Slaughter's End by Andy Smillie
The Stromark Massacre by Andy Smillie and C Z Dunn
The Trials of Azrael by C Z Dunn
Malediction by C Z Dunn
Accept No Failure by Gav Thorpe
Holder of the Keys by Gav Thorpe
The Rage of Asmodai by C Z Dunn

©2021 Games Workshop Limited (P)2021 Games Workshop Limited
 
 
Heroes of the Astra Militarium

An Astra Militarum Audio Drama Collection: Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins

Performed by: Toby Longworth, Gareth Armstrong, 
John Banks, Penelope Rawlins, Matthew Hunt 


The Imperial Guard are the backbone of the Imperium’s military strength. While the Space Marines get all the glory, it’s the guard that holds back the tide of threats that would soon drown the Imperium by sheer weight of numbers. These audio dramas bring you into their tanks, platoons and trenches to see how ordinary men and women face the horrors of the 41st Millennium.

Contents:
Dead in the Water by Sandy Mitchell
The Devil You Know by Sandy Mitchell
Waiting Death by Steve Lyons
Iron Devil by C L Werner
Scions of Elysia by Chris Dows
Renegades of Elysia by Chris Dows
Martyrs of Elysia by Chris Dows
Titan's Bane by Chris Dows
Judge of the Wastes by David Annandale

©2021 Games Workshop Limited (P)2021 Games Workshop Limited 
 
 
Saga of the Mortal Realms

A Warhammer Age of Sigmar audio drama collection: Length: 16 hrs and 19 mins

Performed by: Gareth Armstrong, Tom Alexander,
 John Banks, Jonathan Keeble, Beth Chalmers, Steve Conlin, Emma Gregory, 
Andrew Wincott, Toby Longworth


The Mortal Realms come to life in this audio drama collection. Some of your favourite authors bring you tales of war and eternal struggle for control of the realms in full-cast recordings.

Contents:
The Prisoner of the Black Sun by Josh Reynolds
Sands of Blood by Josh Reynolds
The Lords of Helstone by Josh Reynolds
The Bridge of Seven Sorrows by Josh Reynolds
Great Red by David Guymer
The Beasts of Cartha by David Guymer
Fist of Mork, Fist of Gork by David Guymer
Only the Faithful by David Guymer
Eight Lamentations: War-Claw by Josh Reynolds
The Autumn Prince by Guy Haley
A Place of Reflection by David Guymer
Doombound by David Annandale
The Imprecations of Daemons by Nick Kyme
Guns of the Black Eagle by C L Werner
Black Atonement by David Annandale 
Hungerfiend by Guy Haley
The Palace of Memory by David Guymer
The Denied by Josh Reynolds
Sons of Behemat by Graeme Lyon

©2021 Games Workshop Limited (P)2021 Games Workshop Limited
 
 
 
The Emperor's Sword

A Space Marines Audio Drama Collection: Length: 17 hrs and 57 mins

Performed by: Toby Longworth, Jonathan Keeble, Sean Barrett, Luke Thompson,
 Gareth Armstrong, John Banks


Space Marines can be found fighting hundreds of wars across every sector of the Imperium - they are the will of the emperor made manifest. These audio dramas will bring you into their battles as never before, as bolt shells and chainswords lay waste to any who would stand against them. 

Contents:
Fireborn by Nick Kyme
Vulkan's Shield by Nick Kyme
Helion Rain by George Mann
Labyrinth of Sorrows by George Mann
The Geld by George Mann
Soulbound by George Mann
Loss by Joe Parrino
Alone by Joe Parrino
The Calculus of Battle by David Guymer
Eye of Vengeance by Graham McNeill
Veil of Darkness by Nick Kyme
Brethren by Phil Kelly
Scythes of the Emperor: Daedalus by L J Goulding
Taker of Heads by Ian St Martin
The Madness Within by Steve Lyons
Master of the Hunt by Josh Reynolds
The Shape of the Hunt by Joe Parrino
The Tranzia Rebellion by various authors

©2021 Games Workshop Limited (P)2021 Games Workshop Limited
 
 
Lords of Fenris

A Space Wolves audio drama collection: Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Performed by: Jonathan Keeble, Toby Longworth, Ramon Tikaram, Sean Barrett, Gareth Armstrong, John Banks 

 
The Space Wolves are Space Marines quite unlike any other. These audio dramas bring them to life with full-cast readings, as you thrill to tales of their heroism and unorthodox methods.

Contents:
Saga of the Beast by David Annandale
Thunder From Fenris by Nick Kyme
Doomseeker by Nick Kyme
Deathwolf by Andy Smillie 
Iceclaw by Ben Counter
Parting of the Ways by Chris Wraight
Vox Tenebris by Robbie MacNiven
The Art of Provocation by Josh Reynolds

©2021 Games Workshop Limited (P)2021 Games Workshop Limited
 
 
 
The Traitor and the Alien

A Warhammer 40,000 Audio Drama Collection: Length: 14 hrs and 5 mins

Performed by: John Banks, Gareth Armstrong, Sean Barrett, Robin Bowerman, 
Jonathan Keeble, Toby Longworth, Annemarie Gaillard, David Seddon


Traitor Space Marines and xenos races with their own hopes for galactic conquest pose endless threats to humanity, and this collection of audio dramas takes you deep into their territory with full-cast recordings. 

Contents:
Throne of Lies by Aaron-Dembski Bowden
Perfection by Nick Kyme
Chosen of Khorne by Anthony Reynolds
Ahriman: The First Prince by John French
Fabius Bile: Repairer of Ruin by Josh Reynolds
Key of Infinity by John French
Heart of Decay by Ben Counter
The Embrace of Pain by Ian St Martin
Asurmen: The Darker Road by Gav Thorpe
Howl of the Banshee by Gav Thorpe
The Path Forsaken by Rob Sanders
Heirs of the Laughing God: A Deadly Wit by Gav Thorpe
Heirs of the Laughing God: Death's Mercy by Gav Thorpe
Hand of Darkness by Gav Thorpe
The Kauyon by Andy Smillie
Klaw of Mork by Guy Haley
Prophets of Waaagh! by Guy Haley

©2021 Games Workshop Limited (P)2021 Games Workshop Limited
 
 
* * * * *
 
Some incredible 'bundles' there, should you wish to treat yourself to a bit of audio catch-up.
 
As I mentioned above, the year's final audiobook kicks off tomorrow, so I'll wrap up here now and enjoy the rest of what's meant to be a 'day off' - yeah, right!
 
So, that's...
 
 
...all for now; more just as soon as it happens! 
 
 

Sunday 31 October 2021

...and - pause


 ...pause indeed! Good afternoon dear, patient reader and welcome to the first update since August - August!

Hard to believe that so much time has passed and so much has happened. Regular visitors to this site, will know that a lack of updates is usually an indication of activity. For several months now, I've been either prepping or recording or both, on pretty much 'back to back' projects and the only 'news' outlet I've had time to use, is Twitter, so this weekend marks a significant 'pause'. I say 'pause' because it really is a momentary blip of time off; I completed a recording project on Friday evening and begin the next one tomorrow morning.

Again, regular readers here will know that I'm not allowed to talk about the work I've been doing, before titles become commercially available and many companies are now adopting a strict policy of not allowing contributors to mention anything in advance of publication. With no desire to go against the wishes and legal restrictions imposed by my employers, I'll stick to the policy of publicising only those projects that have been officially 'launched'.

What I can say, is that since the August posting, much has occurred and much has been recorded, in a variety of formats. What I can also say, is that there are happily a number of projects that I am allowed to mention and here are some details:


Cain's Last Stand

Book six of the Ciaphas Cain series

After a long and distinguished career defending the Imperium from its many enemies, Commissar Cain is enjoying a well-deserved retirement on Perlia, teaching in a schola progenium. But when a Black Crusade threatens the sector, all able-bodied citizens must rise to the defence, including Cain and his cadets. As the forces of Chaos overwhelm Perlia, can the wily commissar prove himself to be a real hero of the Imperium one last time?

 


The Imperium's most unlikely hero is back, reluctantly returning to the front line and hoping his luck will hold out!

 

Performed by: 

   Stephen Perring, Penelope Rawlins, Richard Reed, John Banks & Phillipe Bosher

 

                   Written by Sandy Mitchell & Produced by Matthew Renshaw

                                    Running time 10 hours and 31 minutes

 

©2021 Games Workshop Limited (P)2021 Games Workshop Limited
 
 
* * * * *
 

Path of The Specialist

Written by Pedro Urvi

 
Path of The Ranger Book 6
 

The moment has come to follow the Path of the Specialist. Will our friends attain the elite specialties for which they are aiming?

 


Training at the Shelter, led by the Mother Specialist and tutored by the four Elder Specialists, is turning out to be more intense than any of them had expected. The proficiency test will determine their future, and they will have to prepare and practice harder then ever if they want to graduate with the highly valued elite specialties.

But that is not their only concern. They will have to face new mysteries, strange characters, unusual situations, dangerous experiments, bewitched jewels, great predators, conspiracies, and murder attempts in a place that oozes arcane power that's thousands of years old.

Will they achieve all this? Will they solve the mysteries that surround them? Who will reach the elite specialization? Who will fail? Who will survive...and who will die?

 

                                 Produced by Emily Derr & Performed by John Banks

                                                  Length: 15 hours - 32 minutes


©2021 Pedro Urvi (P)2021 Podium Audio
 
* * * * *
 

Descendants of The Fall 

Written by Aaron Hodges 

Contains books three and four of Descendants of the Fall.

Age of Gods, book three

Pursued by the inhuman Tangata, Lukys flees on foot through the wilderness. He and his companions make for the ocean, a stolen ship their only hope - but even that may prove fleeting. For should they reach the island of Perfugia, a war is brewing between the kingdoms of humanity. Lukys fears he will find only more death on the shores of their homeland. But they have nowhere else left to go.

Meanwhile, the Queen’s Archivist might hold the key to peace. Standing before the City of the Gods, Erika has dreamed of this moment her entire life - so why does she feel such dread? The City is nothing like she imagined, plain stone buildings in place of soaring towers. And the Gods have sworn against interference in the struggles of lesser beings. She must make them see the truth, convince them to abandon their ancient laws, or humanity will fall. And the Tangata will rule, ascendant.

 


 

Dreams of Fury, book four

On the distant shores of Perfugia, Lukys and Sophia have finally found sanctuary - and an unexpected power left by their ancestors. But their refuge cannot last. The inhuman Tangata are marching upon humanity, and divided by war, the kingdoms cannot stand against them.

Meanwhile, Erika flees the Mountains of the Gods, the weight of failure heavy on her shoulders. Far from coming to humanity’s aid, the Gods have sided with the enemy. Erika seeks to warn her friends of the coming threat, but she returns to find a world at war. The Flumeeren Queen has turned against her neighbors - and while she claims to want only unity, it matters not to her whether the kingdoms submit willingly, or by the sword.

In a world torn by war, can Lukys, Sophia, and Erika bring together the scattered forces of humanity in time to face the coming threats? Or will human civilization Fall again?

 

Produced by Troy Otte & Performed by John Banks 

Length: 16 hours - 39 minutes
 
 
©2021 Aaron Hodges (P)2021 Podium Audio
 
 
* * * * *
 

The King of The West

Written by Pedro Urvi

 
Path of The Ranger Book 7 
 

Can a handful of Rangers decide the fate of a kingdom?

Lasgol and his companions are immersed in their missions as Specialist Rangers. The situations and problems they will face are much greater than they imagined.

The civil war in Norghana intensifies. King Thoran, with the support of the eastern nobles and an army of mercenaries paid with the gold of the crown, wants to put an end to the rebellion. He wants to end the King of the West and his League by any means necessary.

Our friends will be involved in intrigues, betrayals, persecutions, murders, battles, sieges, and all kinds of situations that will test their loyalty not only to their kingdom, but to their friends and colleagues.

 
Produced by Emily Derr & Performed by John Banks 
 
Length: 15 hours - 17 minutes
 
©2021 Pedro Urvi (P)2021 Podium Audio
 
 
* * * * *
 
At the moment, that's just about as much as I'm allowed to mention in detail, though the wait for further releases, shouldn't be too long and I'll post more on those recordings as soon as I'm able.
 
In the meantime, thanks again for stopping by, happy listening! That's...
 
 

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

 

Saturday 17 July 2021

Dalek Universe 2

Good afternoon - and what a beautiful hot summer's day it is here in the UK; a weekend complete with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the final stage of this year's incredible Tour de France. I'm very much looking forward to some excellent racing on two wheels and four and maybe, just a bit of history will made on the Champs-Élysées, if Mark Cavendish takes his 35th Stage win; fingers crossed! The climax of the sporting action comes tomorrow afternoon and I shall miss it all, as I'll be driving to a hotel some distance away from home, in order to start work on an audiobook recording on Monday morning; but more of that later.

Checking my diary, I note that in June of last year, I recorded a Doctor Who audio drama from my brand new home studio; only the second time I'd used it and only a few weeks since it had all been set up. Remote recording can be tricky at the best of times and linking up multiple home studios to perform a drama, is an adventure into the unknown and continually offers the possibility of jumping head first into a technological abyss. Mercifully, I stayed hooked up to everyone else and didn't have any problems, although other cast members weren't so lucky and we did have a few enforced 'time-outs' to re-connect.

 


 

By the strangest of coincidences, at the beginning of our recording day, as we chatted amongst ourselves and went through a series of checks on the various bits of gadgetry we were all using, David T, asked why he recognised my voice. I reminded him that we'd worked together before and met a number of times. In fact, he knew all that of course and said that he'd just been listening to my audio version of H.G. Wells' The War of The Worlds and suddenly, there I was, in his ears again. It would have been awkward if he hadn't liked the recording, though he was kind enough to say that he had enjoyed it, which was lovely to hear and kicked things off in a very good way.

So the end result of all our fun and games is this latest box-set release of 10th Doctor stories called Dalek Universe 2 and here are some details:

 

These tales take the Tenth Doctor, Anya Kingdom and Mark Seven deeper into family histories, aboard the strangest of space stations and to a truth that might tear them apart...


2.1 Cycle of Destruction* by Roy Gill

After Mark starts behaving oddly, the Doctor and Anya find themselves on a strange planet with their friend missing. Searching for him they find their way to an isolated research base. The corridors show signs of animal incursions and the scientists are behaving strangely. But a big surprise is waiting for them.

Because this is where Mark Seven came from. They’re about to find out who he is. But is that information too dangerous to know?

 

*This is the cover art for Cycle of Destruction, which is the episode I'm performing in.

 



2.2 The Trojan Dalek by John Dorney

The Doctor, Mark and Anya head for an SSS space station searching for the missing temporal scientist, Arborecc. But the officer in charge denies all knowledge of his presence and demands their departure.

Unwilling to leave so easily, the group split up to investigate... and uncover a heinous plot involving the Doctor’s oldest foes. Or do they?

 

2.3 The Lost by Robert Valentine

When the Doctor’s latest scheme to get back to the future fails, the team’s ship crashes on a strange world, potentially trapping them for ever.

Searching for replacement parts, they find their way to a building where heart-breakingly familiar faces await them.

Lies are about to be exposed. Everyone will learn the truth. And nothing will be the same again.

This boxset release contains all three stories, plus additional behind the scenes interviews.

 

David Tennant (The Doctor) Jane Slavin (Anya Kingdom) Joe Sims (Mark Seven)
John Banks (Crispin Torr / Jason Four) Pippa Bennett-Warner (Fliss Keeley)
Nicholas Briggs (The Daleks) Barnaby Edwards (Arborecc)
Avita Jay (Moran Kez / Hera) Kevin McNally (Merrick Kingdom)
Leighton Pugh (The Lost ) Blake Ritson (Major McLinn) 
Nina Toussaint-White (Mariah Six)
 

 Directed by Ken Bentley & Produced by David Richardson

 4 discs - 240 minutes

* * * * *

 

Other than Dalek Universe 2, work continues apace and as I mentioned above, I'm about to spend a week in a professional studio, recording a densely written and extremely challenging audiobook. I confess to feeling a little nervous about launching in on it, as I often do with the trickier stuff; on the one hand, it offers huge opportunities to have fun as a narrator/performer and on the other hand, a terrific opportunity to screw it up spectacularly! Full details will be available in due course, probably quite soon I would have thought, so I'll go into the particular challenges of the book, once it's done and dusted and I have had the experience of wrestling it into submission...

 

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the new Who adventures, if that's your kind of thing and as usual, I'll wrap up by saying...

 

...that's all for now; more just as soon as it happens!

 

Wednesday 30 June 2021

Path of The Ranger 5

The Secret Refuge: fifth in the series of Path of The Ranger titles was released recently and here are some details:

Only the best have access to the Elite Specializations of the Rangers. Will the Snow Panthers make it? 

 


The war goes on in Norghana. The East supports the new King, while the West supports Arnold Olafstone, the legitimate heir to the crown. In the North the Wild of the Ice claim their lands. In the midst of the war, Lasgol and his teammates have graduated as Rangers. 

They must decide whether to take the Specialization Test. If they do, and pass it, they will have access to training as Specialist Rangers and be able to opt for one of the elite specializations. For this they will need to go to a hidden, secret place: The Shelter. It is rumored to be somewhere special, secret and arcane. 

Will Lasgol take the Specialization Test? Will he pass it? Will his friends? Who will make it and who will not? What new adventures are waiting for them at the Shelter?

 

Produced by Emily Derr & Performed by John Banks
 
audiobook length: 11 hours - 48 minutes 
 
 
 ©2021 Pedro Urvi (P)2021 Podium Audio
 
 
 
Fans of the Ranger series will probably be aware, there are further stories to come and I very much hope you will enjoy them.
 
For the first time in quite a while, there's a brief pause in recording, which is allowing me to catch up with 'life' and regular activities, such as updating this blog! Many thanks for coming back to view, even when the updates have been a bit thin on the ground, it's very much appreciated.
 
I must say, I'm enjoying a little 'time out', though the clock is always ticking and the next project is already filling my horizon. The next pause in action, should be sometime in October, though I'll do my very best to post here when the opportunity arises.
 
In the meantime, thanks again; 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