Ballet Stories (Short Story)

Ballet Stories

The magic of ballet is evoked in these enchanting stories presented with many musical excerpts from the works themselves. The stories of two French ballets - Giselle and Coppelia - and the three great ballets by Tchaikovsky are presented in engaging style by Jenny Agutter, who was herself a dancer before turning to acting.

These are tales of princes and princesses, of good fairies and bad witches, and, in Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, the brave soldier and Clara - but does it happen, or is it a dream?

And there is the music - the lovely melody from Swan Lake, the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the waltzes and the richly atmospheric passages painting, in sound, castles, forests, mists and lakes.

Publisher: NAXOS
Author: David Angus
Narrator: Jenny Agutter
ISBN: 9 62634 231 5

Alan and Thora

Until the time of her death in 2003, much-loved actress Thora Hird worked regularly with the playwright Alan Bennett. Now, in a specially written introduction and postscript, Bennett recalls his work and friendship with Thora, and introduces three examples of their collaboration.

The Last of the Sun
Dolly's remaining days in an old people's home are enlivened by a seemingly respectable man. Recorded in 2002, Thora Hird's last ever performance, in a part written especially for her, is moving and memorable.

A Cream Cracker Under the Settee
Doris has taken a fall at home, and until someone comes to rescue her she's left immobile and in reflective mood. This monologue, from the first series of Talking Heads, features one of Thora's best-remembered performances.

Waiting for the Telegram
Remembering how she lost her first young man, Violet does not see how close she is to losing her second. Thora Hird won a BAFTA for Best Actress for her performance in this monologue from the second Talking Heads series.

Written By
Alan Bennett
Music composed by George Fenton
Introductions produced by Colin Smith

THE LAST OF THE SUN
Dolly.................Thora Hird
Originally broadcast on BBC7 in 2004
Produced by Colin Smith
Recorded at Broadcasting House in 2002

A CREAM CRACKER UNDER THE SETTEE
Doris ................Thora Hird
Policeman ..........Steven Beard
Originally broadcast on BBC1 in 1988
Re-recorded for audio and broadcast on BBC Radio 4
Produced by Innes Lloyd
Directed by Stuart Burge

WAITING FOR THE TELEGRAM
Violet ................Thora Hird
Originally broadcast on BBC2 in 1998
Produced by Mark Shivas
Directed by Stuart Burge

Publisher: BBC Audiobooks Ltd
Author: Alan Bennett
Narrator: Various
ISBN: 0563 52347 6

Dubliners - Part One
James Joyce's Dubliners is a collection of short stories about the lives of the people of Dublin around the turn of the century. Each story describes a small but significant moment of crisis or revelation in the life of a particular Dubliner, sympathetically but always with stark honesty. Many of the characters are desperate to escape the confines of their humdrum lives, though those that have the opportunity to do so seem unable to take it. This book holds none of the difficulties of Joyce's later novels, such as Ulysses, yet in its way it is just as radical. These stories introduce us to the city which fed Joyce's entire creative output, and to many of the characters who made it such a well of Iiterary inspiration.
Publisher: NAXOS
Author: James Joyce
Narrator: Jim Norton
ISBN: 9 62634 173 4

Witty Weird and Outrageous

Thirteen stories in all including the best stories of Clovis, 'The Open Window', and 'The Lumber Room' and other favorites.

Publisher: In Audio
Author: Saki
Narrator: Tom Sellwood
ISBN: 1 58472 347 5