Apprentice: Scarlet City Part 1

No, nothing to do with Lord Sugar or Donald Trump (President of the USA...). Instead, 'Apprentice' is an epic audio drama, directed by Barnaby Edwards, which I am delighted to have been involved with.

I've done quite a number of audio productions for audible.co.uk, which, as I'm sure you know, is part of Amazon; however, this is the first time I've worked with them 'in-house'. In addition to producing audio versions of thousands of books annually, audible also produce a much smaller number of dramas and books recorded at their own studios in London, which appear under the title 'Audible Original'. Apprentice is one such production and here are some details:

"This Original multicast drama blends history with fiction to tell the story of Jonah, a young apprentice from London who raises himself from poverty by wit and luck to become one of the most powerful merchants of the age.

A rags-to-riches tale, Jonah's journey spans the breadth of human experience, from the intricacies of Edward III's political intrigues to the cutthroat world of international trade, from the triumphs of war to the agonies of personal loss - love, friendship, joy, heartbreak and glory.

Set largely in London, the Scarlet City, the centre of medieval England, the Scarlet City trilogy is a thrilling portrait of the age and the people who made it so rich, colourful and extraordinary.

London, 1330. Jonah Durham grows up in the household of his tyrannical cousin Rupert, and only his grandmother, the calculating Cecilia Hillock, recognizes his talent and intelligence. After her death he inherits a handsome fortune, bestowing him with both wealth and independence but also the wrath of his increasingly dangerous cousin. However, a fateful encounter with the young King Edward III is set to radically change Jonah's life and the future of English cloth production."

Now, I did use the word 'epic' in describing this production and I think that quite apt. There are three parts to the story in all and I'm in two of them as an 'also featuring'. Scarlet City (Part 1) runs at just over 10 hours and here's the cast list:

"Told in three parts, hear Medieval London come to life in this historical epic, Audible Original's most ambitious production to date."

Narrated by Miriam Margolyes, OBE (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Romeo + Juliet, Mulan) 

 starring Douglas Booth (Riot Club, Loving Vincent, Shelley) as Jonah, 

and Alison Steadman, OBE (Gavin and Stacey, Orphan Black, Shirley Valentine) as Cecilia Hillock. 

Also featuring: Daniel Anthony, Josephine Arden, John Banks, Timothy Bentinck, Clare Buckfield, Beth Chalmers, Elliot Chapman, Trevor Cooper, Oliver Coopersmith, Raymond Coulthard, Gareth David-Lloyd, Richard Earl, Andrew French, Helen Goldwyn, James Joyce, Olly McCauley, Tony Millan, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Katarina Olsson, Steven Pacey, Nicholas Pegg, Nigel Planer, Siobhán Redmond, Christopher Ryan, David Schofield, Dan Starkey, Sarah Sutton, Alexander Vlahos, Niky Wardley, Finty Williams, Claire Wyatt.

Perhaps I should quickly mention the three roles I'm playing:

William Montagu, Earl of Salisbury. Personal friend to Edward III and chief influence behind the throne.

Brother Albert. Benedictine Monk, expert in medical matters and part of Edward III's entourage.

...and a Highwayman!

If you're a subscriber to audible.co.uk, I understand the story is now availlable to download and is also available via Amazon. I look forward to listening to this at some time and if you get hold of a copy, I hope you enjoy it.

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

The Assassination of Gabriel Seth

Day 8 of Advent from The Black Library and the third audio drama release with a bit of input from me; hope you enjoy. Here are some details:

A Flesh Tearers audio drama

Gabriel Seth, Chapter Master of the Flesh Tearers, has made many enemies in his long years defending the Imperium – and now they plot against him, planning his death. But Seth will not be taken down so easily…

For many long years, Gabriel Seth has led the Flesh Tearers to war. Master of a dwindling Chapter, he has made many enemies in his unceasing battle to keep his warriors alive – and now those enemies conspire against him, luring him to a remote world in order to end his leadership and life in the most violent and bloody way possible; Gabriel Seth is to be assassinated.

But can even an Eversor Assassin kill one of the deadliest warriors in the entire Imperium?

  Performed by John Banks, Tim Bruce, Steve Conlin and Andrew Wincott

Written by Andy Smillie & Produced by Matt Renshaw 

* * * * *

A bit of a surprise release now from Big Finish; well, a surprise to me at least! The first episode of the first series of Counter Measures is now available as an individual story. Here are some details:

Threshold

After the mysterious events at Coal Hill School, the British government has created the Counter-Measures group, a specialist team that investigates strange phenomena and dangerous technology. Their first missions will involve a haunted warehouse, a ground-breaking artificial intelligence, a mysterious new town and a threat to the future of the country...

A missing scientist and ghostly phenomena bring Gilmore and Allison to a factory in Bermondsey, and the discovery of a science that should not exist. As Rachel Jensen returns to help them, a new future for Counter-Measures is set in motion...

Simon Williams (Group Captain Gilmore), Pamela Salem (Rachel Jensen), Karen Gledhill (Allison Williams), Hugh Ross (Sir Toby Kinsella), Vernon Dobtcheff (Professor Heinrich Schumann), Andrew Fettes (Lieutenant Tom Carver), Alison Thea-Skot (Jenny Haveloc/Nurse), Adrian Lukis (Professor Jeffrey Broderick), Lizzie Roper (Dr Nadia Cervenka), Alastair MacKenzie (Julian St Stephen), John Banks (Billy McGuinness), Stephen Grief (Ken Temple), Helen Goldwyn (PA Voice/Control), Duncan Wisbey (Harold Wilson), Shaun Scott (General Peters)

Written by Paul Finch & Directed by Ken Bentley

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

Ahriman: Key of Infinity

...yo-ho-ho! The second audio drama release during Advent from The Black Library, Ahriman: Key of Infinity. Here are some details:

An Ahriman audio drama

Thousand Sons sorcerer Ahzek Ahriman studies an ancient construct of the necrontyr race – but the necron is studying him right back, and has plans of its own…

On the warship Messenger of Hermes, Ahzek Ahriman and his servant Ignis study a most unusual prisoner – a metal construct containing the consciousness of a member of a long extinct race – the necrontyr.

As they interrogate the necron Setekh, he is also learning about them – over and over again as he uses ancient techonology to relive the moment and plot his escape. Will he succeed, or will Ahriman prevail?

Performed by John Banks, Steve Conlin Jonathan Keeble and Saul Reichlin.

Written by John French & Produced by Matt Renshaw

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

 

...'tis the season to be... Doombound

Advent, Black Library style!

The Black Library are releasing a new story, in print or audio, every day of Advent, which is quite a thing to pull off I reckon. Anyway, the first of the stories I'm involved with is available from today and here are some details:

A Warhammer Age of Sigmar audio drama

Seeking a return to their comrades, a pair of Stormcast Eternals are lost in the twisting maze of Shadespire. Hunted by the Khorne Bloodbound and facing visions of another time and place, can the Liberators survive, or will they be claimed by the city of the dead?

In the cursed city of Shadespire, two Stormcast Eternals Liberators, Darras Sunblade and Erak Grimwatch, seek a way to rejoin their comrades in Severin Steelheart's company.

However, the twisting and ever-changing maze of the dead city thwarts them at every turn – and Grimwatch has his own troubles as flashes of another life take him.

Mortal danger stalks them, as a warrior of the Khorne Bloodbound, also suffering visions of an impossible past, seeks to take their skulls for his bloodthirsty god…

Performed by John Banks, Ken Bradshaw, Tim Bruce, Jonathan Keeble and Luis Soto.

Written by David Annandale & Produced by Matt Renshaw

 Running time: 23 minutes

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

Survivors: Series Seven

A dedicated fan of the Survivors audio series, might remember that at the end of Series Three, my character, Daniel Connor, was shot, immolated and blown up. But was that the end for him; of him? Surely, 'yes'. But actually, 'no'. By the magic of audio drama and a script from Matt Fitton, Daniel Connor returns! Not quite a 'Bobby Ewing in the shower' moment, but not far off...

Survivors has always been popular amongst fans of the original TV series as well as regular Big Finish devotees and I feel proud of the work. I thoroughly enjoyed playing Daniel in the first three series and I'm glad that he made it back to sentience, albeit, briefly. I hope you enjoy hearing him again.

The reviews for this series have been good and I'm grateful to those who have expressed their support. This box set was actually released at the end of November, but hey, it got here eventually!

"...it is terrific to hear John Banks return as Daniel, giving Jackie (and us) a chance to bid him a proper farewell.
                                                                                    
                                                                                         Ian McArdell at Indie Mac User

 Four new battles for survival, from the world of Terry Nation's cult-classic series.

Journey’s End by Roland Moore
Alone and resolute, a mother has spent the years since the Death searching for her son. She is closing in on her final lead. One last hope to find Peter.
But for Abby Grant, the worst possible thing might be to find what she is looking for…

Legacy by Simon Clark
Greg Preston is dead. But the work he did in forging his foundation, in bringing communities together, lives on.
When she and Ruth encounter those whose lives he touched, Jenny Richards is forced to remember how the man she loved abandoned her. But when she meets a common enemy, can she find the strength to make a stand?

Old Friends by Matt Fitton
Ruth Anderson and Evelyn Piper unite on a mission of mercy. An old friend is in trouble and in the path of dangerous forces. Jackie Burchell could reveal secrets that change lives. But first, she must find her own way back. When things are at their worst, it’s old friends who keep you going.

Reconnection by Christopher Hatherall
As Jenny continues her plan to restore electricity across the country, she meets someone she never thought she’d see again – but it’s a very different Abby Grant to the one who left the Grange.
Not everyone is in favour of Jenny’s project, and the women find danger in a remote power station. It may be too late for them to reconnect…

 Carolyn Seymour (Abby Grant) Ian McCulloch (Greg Preston) Lucy Fleming (Jenny) 

Louise Jameson (Jackie Burchall) Helen Goldwyn (Ruth Anderson) Zoë Tapper (Evelyn Piper) Katherine Rose Morley (Sonia Meadows) Brian Protheroe (Abraham / Gruff)  

Ewan Bailey (Garth Warren / PA Announcer) Harry Myers (Neville Trent)  

Susie Emmett (Sylvia Jeffries) Graham Seed (Barstow/ Soldier)  

Justin Avoth (Clock-Winder / Blair) John Banks (Daniel Connor) Alistair Mackenzie (Nick) Jamie Laird (Ewan)

Directed by Ken Bentley 

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

The Bible: New Revised Standard Version

Following on from my last posting here earlier today (two posts in a single day shock???), 2015 certainly was busy! In August 2015, after almost a year of various deliberations, producer Neil Gardner and me, started to record the New Revised Standard Version of The Bible, in all it's unabridged glory. After a further two years of transforming our recorded text into a downloadable 'app', complete with optional commentaries, publisher SPCK has just released the finished 'product'.

Here are some details:

The NRSV: The Bible for Everyone app contains a superb new audio version by John Banks, specially commissioned by SPCK from Ladbroke Audio, bringing the NRSV to life as never before.



The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible is one of the most widely loved English versions of the Bible. Descended from the King James Version, it combines academic rigour with a flowing style.


The NRSV: The Bible for Everyone app features:

- Complete NRSV Bible text
- Add your own notes to Bible verses
- Bookmark your favourite verses
- Powerful search and browse functionality
- Share verses as images on social media

This new app, offering fantastic value, seamlessly integrates the audio with the text, and includes the option to add access to the For Everyone series of commentaries and Bible studies written by Tom Wright and John Goldingay, via in-app subscription.

New #android and #ios #app: NRSV Audio Bible for Everyone. Complete #NRSV text and audio:

iTunes: http://ow.ly/g4kk30gMT3y             Google Play: http://ow.ly/UKrx30gMT4v 

* * * * *

The notion of sitting down in front of a microphone and recording the Bible from beginning to end, was both daunting and slightly surreal. I'd never read The Bible in it's entirety before, although I did know particular sections quite well. Some of it came as a surprise, some of it made me think about things in quite a new light and some of it taught me how to build a temple!

As a school-child, we would listen to radio broadcasts of David Kossoff, a wonderful actor, (right), reading Bible stories; he was so good at being able to bring the Bible and it's huge cast of characters to life and of course, to my young ears, he was the definitive voice of God!

I certainly haven't aimed to 'compete' with anyone for similar 'deification'; instead, I wanted to articulate the text in a clear and direct manner, with a little verve perhaps and a desire to allow the stories to tell themselves, without too much of a 'helping hand' from me. Maybe I got it right, maybe not - or maybe I got it right in part. Whatever the outcome, I feel truly honoured to have been entrusted with such a challenging narration and should you decide to give this recording a try, I do hope you will forgive my errors and enjoy listening to The Bible.

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

Deadhouse Landing

Two years ago, in December 2015, I recorded Dancer's Lament: Path to Ascendancy Book 1 by Ian C. Esslemont, a prequel to his epic series of novels set in the Malazan Empire, which I also subsequently recorded. A couple of months ago, I was delighted to record the second book of the Path to Ascendancy, Deadhouse Landing. The audio book is now available from audible.co.uk and various other outlets and here are some details:

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Deadhouse Landing by Ian C. Esslemont, read by John Banks.

"Returning fans to the turbulent early history of what would become the Malazan Empire, the second chapter in Ian C. Esslemont's thrilling new epic fantasy sequence....

After the disappointments of Li Heng, Dancer and Kellanved wash up on a small insignificant island named Malaz. Immediately, of course, Kellanved plans to take it over. To do so they join forces with a small band of Napans who have fled a civil war on their own home island. The plan, however, soon goes awry as Kellanved develops a strange and dangerous fascination for a mysterious ancient structure found on the island.

The chaos in the region extends to the metaphysical planes also as a young priest of D'rek starts to question the rot at the heart of the worship of the god of decay. And back in Li Heng, Dassem, now the proclaimed Sword of Hood, finds himself being blamed for a plague which leads him to a crisis of faith - and searching for answers.

During all this, war with the neighbouring island of Nap threatens, recruited allies wonder at Kellanved's sanity, and powerful entities take more of an interest in the little mage from Dal Hon. Dancer faces a hard choice: should he give up on his partnership? Especially when the fellow's obsession with shadows and ancient artefacts brings the both of them alarmingly close to death and destruction.

After all, who in his right mind would actually wish to enter an Elder mystery known to everyone as the 'Deadhouse'?"

Unabridged Audiobook

Length: 16hrs 49 mins

©2017 Ian C. Esslemont (P)2017 Random House Audiobooks

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

Assassin's Creed: Desert Oath

"Before Assassin's Creed Origins, there was an Oath."

So, apparently, there's a new Assassin's Creed game, 'Origins' and some amazing artwork and CGI to go with it. I haven't played the game, but I have read the book and here are some details:

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Desert Oath by Oliver Bowden, read by John Banks.

"Travel further back in time than ever before . . . Discover an ancient Egypt on the brink of collapse, and meet the characters in the official prequel to the latest instalment of the bestselling Assassin's Creed video game series."

Egypt, 70BC, a merciless killer stalks the land. His mission: to find and destroy the last members of an ancient order, the Medjay - to eradicate the bloodline.


In peaceful Siwa, the town's protector abruptly departs, leaving his teenage son, Bayek, with questions about his own future and a sense of purpose he knows he must fulfill. Bayek sets off in search of answers, his journey taking him along the Nile and through an Egypt in turmoil, facing the dangers and the mysteries of the Medjay's path.

Written by Oliver Bowden

Narrated by John Banks

Produced by Neil Gardner

Unabridged audio book: 9hrs 11 mins

©2017 Oliver Bowden (P)2017 Penguin Audiobooks

I'm actually quite delighted to have narrated this audio book; it's a great story and I had a lot of fun voicing such a broad range of characters, from 10 year old Tuta to some much older and grizzlier men - and women! Voicing the lead character, Bayek, was also an interesting challenge, as he ages through the story from adolescence to manhood. I'm listening to it at the moment and fingers crossed, so far, it all seems to be hanging together - phew!

It's an honour to have been asked to record this second Assassin's Creed book after last year's film tie-in adaptation and hopefully, there'll be more to come - they are great fun!

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

 

The Geld

Good afternoon! A quick update on the latest release for November, an audio drama from The Black Library by George Man: The Geld. Here are some details:

The Geld: A Raven Guard audio drama

Tasked with an important and treacherous mission by Chapter Master Shrike, Shadow Captain Qeld must use every bit of his cunning – as well as his unique skills – if he is to survive and claim victory.

Long ago the Mor Deythan were the most feared of all Raven Guard – elite warriors who could cloud the minds of the unwary, dubbed the ‘Shadowmasters’.

When Shadow Captain Qeld is summoned to the Ravenspire for an audience with Chapter Master Shrike, little does he anticipate the treacherous mission he's about to undertake. Thrown together with others who share his innate abilities – including Mordren, of the Knights of the Raven Chapter – he must journey into an insane labyrinth inhabited by a traitorous warlord Mazik the Unfixed, and help to break a brutal siege.

But what does Mazik know of Qeld and his brothers? And can Qeld and Mordren overcome their differences long enough to survive?

Toby Longworth as Qeld, Matthew Hunt as Illith, John Banks as Mordren,

 Steve Conlin as Shrike & Mazik, Adrian Wheeler as Koryn and Jonathan Keeble as Cordae & Corson.

Written By George Mann & Produced by Matt Renshaw

Running Time: 1 hour 13 minutes

* * * * *

  

Since the last posting here, I've been back in the studio and there are several further releases to come before the end of the year, (some not yet recorded!) and there's lots for me to look forward to over the next few weeks and months and hopefully, a few things that might be of interest to anyone who actually listens to any of the stuff I do - otherwise, I suppose it's all just shouting into the void!

Details of these new releases to come just as soon as they become available, but in the meantime that's...

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

The Hunt for 'Read' October...

Dear patient reader, many thanks for keeping the faith and coming back to check out the blog after such a long period of posting inactivity; you are most welcome.

As ever, posting activity is usually a good indicator of how busy, or otherwise, I am. Since the last posting on 18th September, which is an absurdly long time to wait for an update, I've been busy indeed; so busy in fact, that I've had to look at my diary and note book to remind myself of what's been going on. So, here's what's been going on...

October audio releases include the following:

Gold: My Autobiography by Nick Skelton 

 

"With a show-jumping career spanning over 40 years, Nick Skelton is a legend in the equestrian world. No other rider has won so many major competitions on so many different horses, and he is as popular at Olympia and Hickstead as he is at Aachen, Geneva, Paris and Spruce Meadows.

Skelton has competed in eight Olympic Games. He was part of the gold medal-winning Great Britain team at London 2012 and made history by winning the individual Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016, riding at the age of 58 his beloved horse Big Star.

He began riding at the age of 18 months on a Welsh pony called Oxo. At the age of 17 in 1975, Skelton took team silver and individual gold at the Junior European Championships. He has competed many times at the European Show Jumping Championships, winning numerous medals, both individually and with the British team.

In 1980 he competed in the Alternative Olympics, where he helped the British team to a silver medal. He still holds the British Show Jumping High Jump record that he set in 1978. In 2000 Skelton was forced into an early retirement after he broke his neck from a serious fall. But following an amazing recovery, he came out of retirement in 2002 to compete again.

Now he tells the full story of his eventful life and matchless achievements."

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins 

 ©2017 Nick Skelton (P)2017 Orion Publishing Group

* * * * *

Hammerhal & Other Stories

 

A hand-picked selection of stories and novel extracts designed to introduce you to both Warhammer Age of Sigmar and Black Library fiction.

 

 Hammerhal by Josh Reynolds *

Vengeance Eternal by Matt Westbrook *

The Prisoner of The Black Sun by Josh Reynolds *

Beneath The Black Thumb by David Guymer

Assault on the Mandrake Bastion by Josh Reynolds *

Skaven Pestilens - an excerpt by Josh Reynolds *

Great Red by David Guymer *

Heartwood by Robbie MacNiven *

Overlords of the Iron Dragon - an excerpt by C L Werner *

City of Secrets - an excerpt by Nick Horth *

  Narrated by John Banks* and Jonathan Keeble

From the desperate defence of a city of Order against rampaging hordes of Chaos-tainted foes, to tales of Sigmar's Stormcast Eternals, their trusted allies and their many hideous enemies, this anthology brings together a collection of stories perfect for learning about the various factions of the Mortal Realms, the setting of Warhammer Age of Sigmar – it's your ideal first step into the adrenaline-fulled fiction of Black Library's stories. 

Running time is 14 hours 47 minutes

 

Crusade & Other Stories 

 

A hand-picked selection of stories designed to introduce you to both Warhammer 40,000 and Black Library fiction.

Crusade by Andy Clark *

The Lost King by Robbie MacNiven *

Honour of the Third by Gav Thorpe *

The Word of the Silent King by L J Goulding *

Extinction by Aaron Dembski-Bowden *

Sarcophagus by David Annandale *

The Purity of Ignorance by John French *

Red & Black by James Swallow

The Zheng Cipher by Josh Reynolds *

A Sanctuary of Wyrms by Peter Fehervari

Howl of the Banshee by Gav Thorpe 

Culling the Horde by Steve Parker *

The Lightning Tower by Dan Abnett *

 Narrated by John Banks* and Penelope Rawlins.

From a battle between the valiant Ultramarines and their plague-ridden Death Guard foes, to tales of alien enemies and the Imperium's many brave defenders, this anthology brings together a collection of stories perfect for learning about the various factions of the Warhammer 40,000 universe – it's your ideal first step into the adrenaline-fulled fiction of the 41st Millennium.

Running time is 13 hours 1 minute

* * * * *

OK; so, those are the three releases for October and as we're now already into the first day of November, a whole new tranche of releases are scheduled for... well, 'release'. Quite a few of the Black Library audio books I've recorded are now to be found here, on the audible web site, (click the link to go to the page) along with a couple of 'coming soon' audio books, which I shall of course mention on these pages at the appropriate time.

Having then, checked my note book and diary, I'm reminded as to why I've had no time to post. Since September 18th, I've acted in 6 audio dramas, narrated 5 audio dramas, narrated 3 full length audio books and I'm currently recording a 4th - and here's a photo of me in studio, doing it!  

 

And as a final image for this posting, the 2017 APA Audie Finalist Medallion, which arrived from New York a few weeks ago - which was nice.

It actually goes quite well with most of the clothes I wear; the yellow silk ribbon looks particularly good with jeans, although I do sometimes feel a little self conscious wearing it in local shops etc - in London, no one really pays too much attention...

 

And so, on that note of fabricated whimsy, I have two more days in the recording studio this week, so I'd better get back to my homework and wrap up this update in the usual manner by saying...

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

Blackshields: The False War

A Horus Heresy audio drama

Infamous even among the mercenary "Blackshields", former World Eater Endryd Haar and his warband face trials that drive them to the brink of destruction as they try to survive the Horus Heresy.

Renouncing fealty to all masters or driven mad by the rigours of war, the Blackshields are a stain upon any Legion they once served. Regarded as little better than pirates, their loyalty is only to themselves.

Infamous among their mercenary ranks is Endryd Haar, a former World Eater, driven by hatred, his blade pledged to no banner but his own. But estranged from his Legion and surrounded by a battered warband of warriors, how long can Haar and his Blackshields hope to endure?

Gareth Armstrong, John Banks, Tim Bentinck, Steve Conlin, Matthew Hunt & Toby Longworth

                                  Written by Josh Reynolds 7 Produced by Matt Renshaw

Running time approximately 72 minutes

Good evening!

Sometimes, a story comes along that just seems to effortlessly 'sit right'; it feels good to say the words and reveal the narrative, the characters are well drawn and satisfying to play. The False War is such story in my opinion and I thoroughly enjoyed working on it and playing the rich and multi layered character, Endryd Haar. I must say, I'm pleased with the result and hope there'll be more to come - a series of Blackshields adventures would be fantastic I reckon. We shall see! 

In other news this week: as from yesterday, 27th September, Black Library audiobooks have started to become available via audible.co.uk and audible.com 

I'm delighted that a number of the audiobooks I've recorded with Games Workshop are included in this initial release: Fabius Bile Primogenitor, Warlord: Fury of The God Machine, Blades of Damocles, Vaults of Terra: The Carrion Throne and The Horusian Wars: Resurrection.

I'm naturally interested to see what else might become available in future.

I'm still just about working at capacity in terms of book preparation and recording; next week, I'm recording a fantasy novel with full details to follow quite soon I think, as publication isn't too far away and earlier this week, I recorded an audio drama with Big Finish, which represented a bit of a milestone for me, as it was the 100th audio drama I've recorded with director Ken Bentley. Hard to believe really, but there it is - and what fun I've had with Ken and the whole Big Finish crew. Great thanks go to Ken and all at BF. The next milestone is a close run thing at the moment, between Nick Briggs at BF and Matt Renshaw at BL, although, I think Matt might just have the edge...

All details of current and future recordings and whatever else might come up, will be revealed here asap, but in the time honoured way, I'll wrap up by saying...

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

Watchers of The Throne: The Emperor's Legion

 

A Warhammer 40,000 audiobook

The Adeptus Custodes are the Emperor's praetorian guard, the defenders of Terra and watchers over the Golden Throne. But when a threat arises, they and their Sisters of Silence allies may find themselves pressed almost beyond endurance…

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.

Narrated by Gareth Armstong, Emma Gregory and John Banks

Written by Chris Wraight & Produced by Matt Renshaw 

Running time: 10 hours and 31 minutes

So, this unabridged audiobook, released a few days ago, is a fascinating interweaving of stories told from different perspectives. I thoroughly enjoyed working on the project and can't wait to give it a proper listen... when I have time, which is in very short supply at the moment!

* * * * *

Twenty stories in all have been recorded over the last couple of weeks, along with another 'trailer' for The Black Library, which was released on the YouTube Warhammer TV Channel and which is playable below:

Despite the frenzied recording activity of the last few months, I'm nevertheless relishing the prospect of what's to come in the next couple of months. Such a variety of stuff and some very, very challenging recordings in the pipeline, but I'm feeling 'tuned up' and ready to go. 

I love this time of year, as we approach autumn; for me, it's always been a time of beginnings rather than endings and I've always been a big fan of John Keats, who wrote this on 19 September 1819:

Ode To Autumn 

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

   Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

   With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,

   And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

      To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

   With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

      For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

(first of three stanzas)

* * * * *
 

On a different tack; I'm astonished as to the number of people who have viewed the trailers I've been recording recently for Games Workshop. The Death Guard trailer has been viewed well over 230,000 times and the second Mortarion trailer, around 100,000 times; even the Adeptus Mechanicus clip above, which was only released on Saturday, has been seen almost 27,000 times so far. The power of the internet indeed!

Before I wrap up today's posting, I'll just mention the audiobook I'm recording this week. At the moment of course, I'm not allowed to give away any details, but I can say that it's a complete contrast to the material I've been recording for the past several months; it's the autoboigraphy of...

I know, I know, I'm sorry; but all will soon be revealed, promise!

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

The Dragon Lords

Good afternoon! Another snapshot posting I'm afraid; once again, I'm in the middle of a very busy phase of recording. It's already more than a week now, since publication and simultaneous release of the audiobook of Jon Hollins' latest novel in his Dragon Lords series: False Icons. (29th August).

It's quite a long novel and the audiobook has a running time of 20 hours 5 minutes, so, as you can imagine, it was quite a task to record the whole thing over a very intensive four days in July. The team at Chatterbox Audio were as supportive and efficient as ever and I had legendary former BBC Radio producer, Mary Price, to keep me on track. I'm grateful to all involved and indeed to Jon Hollins, who has been most generous in his comments both about this recording and the first Dragon Lords audiobook, Fool's Gold, which I recorded about a year ago.

Here are some details:

The Dragon Lords: False Icons

A heist story with a difference: Guardians of the Galaxy meets The Hobbit in this rollicking fantasy adventure.

The dragons who once ruled over the land are dead. The motley crew that stole the dragons' gold and stumbled through a revolution are rich and praised as saviours. Everyone gets to live happily ever after, right?

Well, it might have worked out that way if the dragons in Kondorra had been the only ones. If they hadn't been just the tip of the spear about to fall upon the whole world....

The Dragon Lords: False Idols combines nonstop action, death-defying adventure and a never-before-assembled cast of wisecracking misfits. This series is a worthy addition to every fantasy lover's horde.

©2017 Jon Hollins (P)2017 Little, Brown Book Group

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I recently mentioned why I was being kept so busy at the moment, both in terms of preparation and actual recording. I'm currently recording two collections of audio books, twenty stories in all and I'm now at the half-way point. Additionally, I have three further audiobooks and two dramas to record, all before the end of October...

So before my head explodes at the prospect, I'll end this brief update with the inclusion of a 'Cinematic Trailer' I recorded recently for Games Workshop. Play it loud and I hope you 'enjoy'!

Mortarion: Primarch of The Death Guard

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

New Who; who knew?

August, height of the holiday season. Roads are less congested, seats are available on trains; a time of rest and relaxation, an opportunity to 'kick back', to 'chill'...

It wasn't so long ago that I was writing on this very blog, that my working life was a bit calmer this year, that somehow, I was approaching the mythical nirvana of the 'work/life balance'. I had an idea that maybe for a couple of weeks, I could happily throttle back and fire on impulse engines only.

Fat chance.

I'm now looking at a diary that has me recording two series of ten audiobooks, a further two unrelated audiobooks and two audio dramas - all before 19th October! How??? To make things slightly easier, I have in fact, already recorded three of the first series of ten, which reduces the task ahead to 19 books and two dramas and some of them aren't especially long books - even so, even so...

"So, why the post title Johnny...?" I hear you saying. Good question. Thanks for asking. There are two audio drama releases from Big Finish this month that I'm involved with and in one of them, despite playing the titular character, I'm uncredited. I know! Uncredited! Bit harsh.

Disappointment aside (!), here are details of the two new Who's:

The Third Doctor Adventures Volume 3

The Conquest of Far by Nicholas Briggs

Earth Alliance, the future… Fleet commanders receive their orders from the President of Earth.

Operation Far is ‘go’. As soon as the planets are suitably aligned, the attack will go ahead.

The Doctor and Jo arrive on the planet Far. The Doctor wants to attend the grand opening of one of the human race’s greatest achievements. A huge Hyper Gateway built to make travel around Earth’s great empire more convenient, bringing relief to many starving outer colonies.

But they land in the wrong time period, long after the Gateway has been in service, and the Daleks have conquered Far! It’s the middle of a war and a deadly game is underway. When everyone has an agenda, betrayal can happen at any time, from any side. The endgame is approaching and maybe this time no one will survive.

In Nick's story, The Conquest of Far, I'm playing Jickster. I'm not in Andrew's story, but here's a brief synopsis:


Storm of the Horofax by Andrew Smith

During a North Sea military exercise, the crew of the destroyer HMS Nemesis detect what they suspect is a submarine following them. But it’s actually a futuristic ship with an alien occupant, Arianda.

The Doctor and UNIT are called in, but things are already running out of control. The damaged craft is leaking particles and contaminating the Nemesis with time disruption.

But that’s not the biggest problem. For Arianda is being followed by the warships of the Horofax, who have picked precisely this moment to invade. Soon the destruction of humanity’s future will begin.

Tim Treloar The Doctor Katy Manning Jo Grant

George Watkins Delralis John Banks Jickster Amy Newton Elaquon

Robin Weaver Arianda Iain Batchelor Adam Rigg Robert Hands Major Hardy / Crewman

Richard Derrington Commander Burton Ian Cunningham Sinko / Ronson / Lieutenant

Jake Dudman UNIT Radio Operator and Nicholas Briggs The Daleks

Directed by Nicholas Briggs 

You may notice that in the following synposis and credits - I have added myself!!!

The Skin of the Sleek

On the planet Funderell you can walk on the ocean. The surface holds you when you move, but if you stand still, you sink. Lights shift in the fathoms and great shapes move beneath your feet - schools of giant electric eels known as Sleeks.

There is no solid land and the only locals are the Wavewalkers, hunters who live in floating villages. But recently some strangers have arrived, pursuing their own distinct agenda.

When the Doctor and Romana lose the TARDIS to the deep, they need help. Which makes finding a fellow Time Lord on the planet very useful. The fact that Time Lord is Sartia, an old friend of Romana's, is even better!

But this is a planet of secrets. Be careful when you explore its depths. You may just drown.

Tom Baker The Doctor Lalla Ward Romana Joannah Tincey Sartia  

Alan Cox Eamonn Orensky Kieran Hodgson Klick Chervain Des McAleer Blujaw Skaldson  

Alex Wyndham Linnis Skaldson Jamie Newall Greygul Jane Slavin Frithra            

Other parts played... by members of the cast. (!!!)

...but in fact: The Sleek and Wavewalker played by John Banks - ha!

Written by Marc Platt
Directed by Ken Bentley  

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If you should happen to listen to either of these stories, I hope you enjoy them and if I have been replaced by 'other members of the cast' in The Skin of The Sleek, I hope they've done a good job!

Here's a little something to round off this posting; a trailer for new Warhammer adventures that I recorded a couple of weeks ago. I did... I did. Honestly!!!

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

The Horusian Wars: Resurrection

Good morning! And so, July rolls along apace and some very interesting audio projects have been recorded, others are set to be recorded and yet others are being released. Which brings us neatly to today's posting.

The latest release comes from The Black Library and which is, in my opinion, a fascinating and thoroughly absorbing story from John French. Resurrection features a host of well drawn characters, quite a number of them female, which I had great fun creating voices for, together with an intriguing and fast paced plot. Here are some details:

Horusian Wars: Resurrection

A Warhammer 40,000 novel

Summoned to an inquisitorial conclave, Inquisitor Covenant believes he has uncovered an agent of Chaos and prepares to denounce the heretic Talicto before his fellows…

War rages in the Caradryad Sector. Worlds are falling to madness and rebellion, and the great war machine of the Imperium is moving to counter the threat. Amongst its agents is Inquisitor Covenant. Puritan, psyker, expert swordsman, he reserves an especial hatred for those of his order who would seek to harness the power of Ruin as a weapon.

Summoned to an inquisitorial conclave, Covenant believes he has uncovered such a misguided agent and prepares to denounce the heretic Talicto before his fellows. But when the gathering is attacked and many left dead in its wake, Covenant vows to hunt down Talicto and discover the truth behind the mysterious cult apparently at the heart of the massacre, the Unseen.

In the murky plot into which he is drawn, Covenant knows only one thing for certain: trust no one.

Written by John French

Produced by Matthew Renshaw and Narrated by John Banks

Audiobook running time: 10 hours 14 minutes.

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And just in case you missed it...

...as I did, here's a very interesting, challenging and thought provoking audio anthology which I co-narrated with Nicola Bryant. Thought X was produced by Neil Gardner and released by audible.co.uk in June:

Thought X: Fictions and Hypotheticals

Science is always telling stories. Whether in the creation myths of evolution or the Big Bang, or in the eureka moments of science history, narrative just as much as metaphor is a key tool in the scientist's surprisingly literary toolkit. 

 

Perhaps the most interesting use of story is the thought experiment, the intuition pump, that draws on the most instinctive parts of the imagination to crack otherwise perplexing problems. From Newton's Bucket to Maxwell's Demon, from Einstein's Lift to Schrodinger's Cat, all are examples of 'fiction' being used at the highest level, not just to explain, but to deduce, to prove.

In this unique anthology, authors have collaborated with leading scientists, to bounce literary, human narratives against purely theoretical ones, alloying together real stories with abstract ones, to produce truly extraordinary results.

Also featuring stories by Annie Clarkson, Marie Louise Cookson, Claire Dean, Andy Hedgecock, Sarah Schofield, Zoe Gilbert, Sandra Alland, Margaret Wilkinson, and Anneliese Mackintosh.

Unabridged Audiobook: Length: 9 hours 

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Amazingly and without quite knowing why, I somehow seem to have achieved a sort of 'balance' in terms of the volume of work I have to do with the amount of time in which I have to do it. Consequently, I can actively savour the prospect of the various projects I know are coming up over the next few months. There are still quite a number of 'scripts' to arrive for me to prepare - hot off the press stuff! - so, at the moment, I'm not feeling buried by the demands of work and can properly enjoy each project as it comes along - joy!

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