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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Sunday 19 June 2022

Summertime... and the livin' is a bit easier!

Good afternoon and welcome to only the second update of 2022! "But how, why?" I hear you ask; "What good is a blog, if it's not updated regularly?" Well, where to start...?

The March update was so late in coming, because work had been quite full on and there simply wasn't time to write here, much to my chagrin.

From mid-March until this weekend, I've been even busier, working on a variety of projects and I've often wondered (panicked!), as to how everything would fit in to the amount of available time I had; it did all fit, but only just. 

To give you an idea of what I've been up to, since March 13th, I've prepped and recorded five audiobooks, a stand-alone short novel, ten short stories, (as part of an anthology), an audio drama, two animated trailers and a voice over - my brain is full - but who's complaining!

Some of the things I've been working on are now, or soon to be, available, so here, in reverse order, are the latest releases since March:

 

The Botanist: Washington Poe Book 5

         I swear I'm one bad mood away from calling it black magic and going home....


Detective Sergeant Washington Poe can count on one hand the number of friends he has. And he'd still have his thumb left. There's the insanely brilliant, guilelessly innocent civilian analyst Tilly Bradshaw, of course. He's known his beleaguered boss, Detective Inspector Stephanie Flynn, for years, as he has his nearest neighbour, full-time shepherd/part-time dog sitter Victoria.

And then there's Estelle Doyle. It's true the caustic pathologist has never walked down the sunny side of the street, but this time has she gone too far? Shot twice in the head, her father's murder appears to be an open-and-shut case. Estelle has firearms discharge residue on her hands, and, in a house surrounded by fresh snow, hers are the only footprints going in. Since her arrest she's only said three words: 'Tell Washington Poe.'

Meanwhile, a poisoner the press have dubbed the Botanist is sending high-profile celebrities poems and pressed flowers. The killer seems to be able to walk through walls and, despite the advance notice he gives his victims, and regardless of the security measures the police take, he seems to be able to kill with impunity.

For a man who hates locked room mysteries, this is going to be the longest week of Washington Poe's life....

 

          Written by M.W. Craven, Produced by Neil Gardner & Performed by John Banks 

                                                    Length: 11 hrs and 18 mins 


©2022 M. W. Craven (P)2022 Hachette Audio UK
 

Mr Craven in Manchester
 
 
I have thoroughly enjoyed recording this series of beautifully crafted stories from M.W. Craven and feel priveliged to have been given the opportunity to perform them. In yesterday's edition of The Times, I was pleased indeed, that The Botanist has been chosen as Audiobook of The Week and here's the review:
 
 
THE TIMES AUDIOBOOK OF THE WEEK

The Botanist by MW Craven audiobook review — a killer instalment in the Washington Poe series. This hunt for an ingenious serial killer is full of biting observations and makes excellent listening, writes Christina Hardyment.

Mike Craven’s Washington Poe series goes from strength to strength. His Cumbrian DS has an unconventional approach to suspects and superiors, and an irrepressible and unusual sidekick. Introduced in The Puppet Show, the first book in the series, Tilly Bradshaw is at the brilliant end of the spectrum, innocent of tact and insistent on fact. Once an agoraphobic mouse, in Poe’s fifth outing she is venturesome, quick to find oddities in the behaviour of a serial killer who specialises in poisoning thoroughly reprehensible people as he pursues notoriety.

Slowing Poe and Bradshaw’s hunt for the ingenious killer is the distraction of the star pathologist Estelle Doyle being arrested for the murder of her father in a house surrounded by snow, with only her footsteps leading to it, a locked room mystery. The firearm residue on her hands is an added complication. Meanwhile, the equally impossible serial murders continue . . .

Born in Carlisle, where he now lives, Craven left the army to take a degree in social work and was a probation officer for 17 years before becoming a full-time writer. His experience richly informs his books, which are satisfyingly full of biting observations on modern times, and are made excellent listening by John Banks’s urgent, involved delivery.

The Botanist by M.W. Craven, read by John Banks, Hachette, 11hr 18min
  
 
 
At The Botanist launch event
 
London May 26th
 
 
JB with M.W. Craven
 
...partners in crime? 

 

 

 

I rarely post reviews, though it's such a great thrill to have praise from The Times, I thought I'd make an exception. I'm about to make another, this time, a personal comment from Publishing Assistant Danielle Louis, via Twitter:

"I forgot that there was only one person narrating #TheBotanist, narrators like John make readers / listeners like me love and enjoy #Audiobooks!"

I have thanked Danielle for her very kind words and reading them again now, I'm still overwhelmed by such a generous comment; it's always reassuring to know that I'm not just mumbling into the void! So, 'thank you' again Danielle.

 


   * * * * *

Sherlock Holmes: The Fiends of New York City

 

Summer, 1901. For days, heat has been rising. London swelters; a long-expected storm promises to break.

In Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes is visited by a peculiar American who arrives with a warning about a strange new kind of murderer. In the West End, Dr John Watson is watching his wife, the actress, Genevieve, prepare for her greatest role to date - only for her to be confronted by a terrible ghost from the past.

There are surprising connections between these events, a web of apparent coincidence which soon draws in others: Colonel Sebastian Moran, Mycroft Holmes, a dangerously ambitious young politician and - waiting patiently for the moment to finally make her move - the mysterious organising power at the head of the underworld, the Seamstress of Peckham Rye.

 Written by Jonathan Barnes, Directed by Ken Bentley and Performed by:

Nicholas Briggs - Sherlock Holmes 

Richard Earl - Dr. John Watson

Juliet Aubrey - The Seamstress 

John Banks - Inspector Lestrade / Colonel Sebastian Moran

Timothy Bentinck - Mycroft Holmes

Lucy Briggs-Owen - Genevieve Dumont-Watson

Jemma Churchill - Molly Black

Tim Faulkner - Jacob Black

James Joyce - Inspector Silas Fisher

James MacCallum - Jasper Cranfield / Jackson

Glen McCready - Doorman / Actor-Manager / Speaker of The House 

 

Duration: 215 minutes

 

* * * * *

 The Bone Wolf King

The Doan Series: Book 1


Cam didn’t free the terrifying Bone Wolf King from its prison, but everyone blames him anyway.

 


Now, he’s on the run with the mysterious Elenna Whitewinter, a girl from a race of shapeshifting deceivers. Elenna knows how to defeat the monsters slaughtering the people of High Home, but no one trusts her…except Cam.

Hunted and alone, Cam and Elenna set out to kill a creature—that no one has seen in two hundred years—in order to save the people who want them dead. But for Cam, what Elenna tells him about his identity is the hardest truth to accept, a truth that will change his life forever...

 
Written by Brian K. Fuller, Produced by Mitch Raynes and Performed by John Banks
 
Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins  
 
©2022 Brian K. Fuller (P)2022 Podium Audio 
 
* * * * *
 

Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Back to Earth 

 


Time and again, the Doctor finds himself returning to his favourite planet. Dropping in on history or the present-day, whether it’s kings, commuters or ordinary people, he’s never met anyone who wasn't important...

1.1 Station to Station by Robert Valentine

A deserted railway platform can be the loneliest place on Earth. But when Saffron is stranded at Underbridge station, she meets echoes of the past - and a fellow lost traveller. And the Doctor knows that something is hunting them...

1.2 The False Dimitry by Sarah Grochala

Moscow, 1605: the old Tsar is dead - but some blame unnatural forces. Perhaps the mysterious Doctor in the palace can help?

A successor advances on the Kremlin with an army, preparing the country for war. But Tsarevich Dimitry is not what he seems...

1.3 Auld Lang Syne by Tim Foley

Every December, Mandy Litherland gathers the family at Foulds House to see in the New Year. Not everyone appreciates her efforts. At least the caretaker seems friendly - if a little weird.

Mandy hopes she’ll see him again next year - but perhaps she already has...

 

Directed by Helen Goldwyn and Performed by:

Christopher Eccleston (The Doctor) 
Alexander Arnold (Dimitry Ivanovich) 
Sean Baker (Witherow) 
John Banks (Tsar Boris Fyodorovich Godunov / Captain Mikhail Mikhailovich Zubov) 
Ian Bartholomew (The Grimminy-Grue / Gordon) 
Katy Brittain (Oksana Vladimirovna Kuznetsova / Robot) 
Leah Brotherhead (Mandy Litherland)
 Wendy Craig (Great Aunt Bette)
 Patricia England (Mrs Hodkin)
 Indigo Griffiths (Saffron Windrose) 
Greig Johnson (Frank) 
Jack Myers (Aleksander (Sasha) Petrovich Kuznetsov)
 Shazia Nicholls (Cate / Erin) 
Hayley Tamaddon (Auntie Sue)

 

Duration: 225 minutes

 

* * * * *


Throne of Light

Dawn of Fire: Warhammer 40,000 Book 4
 

Roboute Guilliman has broken the orkish advance that threatened Fenris, but an ancient foe has returned to threaten the very heart of humanity—the Segmentum Solar.

Guy Haley continues the riveting story of the Indomitus Crusade as it sweeps across the galaxy, still reeling from the opening of the Great Rift.

 

The Indomitus Crusade continues its war across the stars. The primarch Roboute Guilliman has finally broken through the orkish threat bedevilling the sectors near Fenris, and makes ready to push on his bid to stabilise the Imperium Sanctus—but old and bitter foes stand in his way.

Kor Phaeron, the Dark Cardinal, threatens the previously stable core of the Segmentum Solar. Waves of rebellion instigated by his infiltrating priests suggest an imminent, large-scale invasion by the Word Bearers Legion. Worse yet, the Dark Cardinal's warriors are targeting the Black Ships, threatening to starve Terra of the pyskers the Emperor needs to survive.

Through this turbulent warzone, Inquisitor Rostov continues his search for the Hand of Abaddon. Yet when strange, miraculous visions are traced back to the astropathic relay on Srinagar, his quest is diverted—for the visions foretell hope for the Imperium, a hope the fanatical worshippers of Chaos will do anything to snuff out....

 
Written by Guy Haley, Produced by Kylia Whitehead and Performed by John Banks
 
Length: 13 hrs and 54 mins
 
 
©2022 Games Workshop Limited (P)2022 Games Workshop Limited 
 
 
* * * * * 
 
Frozen Origins
 
Path of The Ranger: Book 11
 
A mystery. A great threat. A frozen continent.
 



 

The Panthers will have to face a mission they did not expect, one full of dangers and mysteries in a place they do not want to go. There they will discover a terrible threat and mysteries buried in the ice by the passage of time.

Will the Snow Panthers survive this mission? What mysteries will they discover buried in the ice? Will they learn anything about its origins?

Find out while you listen to fascinating adventures with a group of unique characters that you will love.

 
Written by Pedro Urvi, Produced by Emily Derr and Performed by John Banks
 
Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins  
 
 
©2022 Pedro Urvi (P)2022 Podium Audio 
 
* * * * *
 
The Cutting Season
 

Poe's just hanging around on a Saturday afternoon....

 

Dangling from a hook in a meat packing plant isn't how Detective  Sergeant Washington Poe wants to spend his weekend. 

He's been punched and kicked and threatened, and when a contract killer arrives, it seems things are about to go from bad to worse. He goes by the name of the Pale Man, and he and his straight-edged razor have been feared all over London for 20 years.

But Poe knows two things the Pale Man doesn't. 

Although it might seem like a hopeless situation, Poe has planned to be here all along. 

 

More importantly, a nerdy computer whizz-kid called Tilly Bradshaw is watching his back. And now things are about to get interesting....

 
Written by M.W. Craven, Produced by Neil Gardner and Performed by John Banks
 
Length: 2 hrs and 15 mins  
 
 
©2022 M. W. Craven (P)2022 Hachette Audio UK 
 
 
NB: This short story was written and recorded as part of the Quick Reads programme. For further details, follow this link: The Reading Agency
 
* * * * *
 
The Ashes of Prospero
 
Space Marine Conquests Warhammer 40,000 Book 2

A Space Marine Conquests audiobook:

Concerned by his Chapter’s diminishing numbers, Logan Grimnar entrusts Njal Stormcaller with finding a remedy for the Space Wolves' plight - a remedy that may lie in the least likely of places, on the damned world of Prospero.

Space Wolves and Thousand Sons are eternal foes, and this audiobook explores events from the Horus Heresy and the Space Wolves' circumstances in the 41st millennium in interesting and exciting ways.

The grand halls of Fenris grow ever quieter in the wake of the Space Wolves' arduous campaigns. Concerned by his Chapter’s diminishing numbers, the Great Wolf Logan Grimnar entrusts Njal Stormcaller with a task - to find a remedy for their plight.

 

When a 10,000-year-old enemy embeds itself in the Rune Priest’s mind, it claims that the salvation he seeks lies where an ancient enmity began - on Prospero, the ruined home world of the Thousand Sons Legion. 

Alongside an eclectic company of injured Space Wolves, thralls, and a trickster who is more hindrance than help, the Stormcaller sets forth. But it soon becomes apparent that greater mechanisms are at work.

It is no longer only the fate of the Sons of Russ that is at stake, but that of the entire Imperium.

 

 Written by Gav Thorpe Produced by Kylia Whitehead

 Performed by John Banks

Duration 9 hours 24 minutes

 

©2022 Games Workshop Limited (P)2022 Games Workshop Limited
 
* * * * *
 
The Great Council
 
  Path of The Ranger: Book 10
 

The Dark Rangers threaten the survival of Rangers and the kingdom. Will our friends be able to unmask their leader and stop them before the conspiracy is completed?


An appeal has been made to convene The Great Council. The Ranger leaders will meet to study the threat of the dark secret faction and find a way to end the threat. The Snow Panthers will be immersed in the conspiracy and will play a critical role in its resolution. They will also continue their investigations to discover who is trying to end the lives of Lasgol and Egil, and the relationship between the attempts.

Will they manage to catch the leader of the Dark Rangers? Will they stop the conspiracy that threatens them and the throne? Will they find out who is behind the attempts on their lives?

Find out while you live fascinating adventures with a group of unique characters that will make you fall in love with them.


Written by Pedro Urvi Produced by Emily Derr and Performed by John Banks
 
Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins  
 
 
©2022 Pedro Urvi (P)2022 Podium Audio 
 
* * * * *
 
And that I think, wraps things up for now. With any luck, my schedule should now be more manageable and I'll be able to return to these pages more regularly - fingers crossed. Thanks for stopping by!
 
Here's a little taster for one of next month's audiobook releases, The Crown of Fire and Fury, Book 2 of The Runewar Saga:
 
 

 
...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