G. K. Chesterton: Three BBC Radio Mysteries

Three BBC Radio performances of works by the great G. K. Chesterton Best known as the creator of clerical detective Father Brown, G. K. Chesterton was a prolific and talented writer in virtually every area of literature: from novels, poetry and short stories to plays, biographies and essays. A noted thinker, controversialist, raconteur and wit, he has influenced authors from Neil Gaiman to Jorge Luis Borges. This collection comprises his two most famous novels, The Man Who Was Thursday and The Napoleon of Notting Hill, as well as half a dozen tales from his short story collection, The Club of Queer Trades. The Man Who Was Thursday - Poet turned Scotland Yard detective Gabriel Syme goes undercover in Edwardian London to investigate a secret society of anarchists - all of whom are named after days of the week... Read by Geoffrey Palmer. The Club of Queer Trades - In these six full-cast comedy crime dramas, retired KC Basil Grant, his brother Rupert and friend Charlie Swinburne explore the extraordinary stories of people who earn their living by some novel and unusual means. Starring David Warner as Basil, Martin Freeman as Rupert and Geoffrey McGivern as Charlie. The Napoleon of Notting Hill- Written in 1904, Chesterton's comic political satire is set in London 80 years on. The city is still full of horse-buses and hansom cabs, but democracy is dead, and the King is chosen by lottery. No one cares, because none of it matters - until the choice falls on Auberon Quin... This full-cast drama stars Roger Hammond as G. K. Chesterton and David Collings as Auberon Quin, with Kim Wall, Stuart Organ and Paul McGann. First published 1904 (The Napoleon of Notting Hill),1905 (The Club of Queer Trades),1908 (The Man Who Was Thursday) The Man Who Was Thursday Read by Geoffrey Palmer Directed by Lawrence Jackson First broadcast BBC Radio 7, 10-28 March 2005 The Club of Queer Trades Basil Grant - David Warner Rupert Grant - Martin Freeman Charlie Swinburne - Geoffrey McGivern Major Brown/Lord Beaumont - Geoffrey Whitehead Lady - Vicki Pepperdine PG Northover/Gardener/Old Man/Constable/Dr Colman - Martin Hyder Drummond - Nicholas Farrell Wimpole/Burrows - Justin Edwards Sir Walter Chumley/Rev Shorter - Richard Griffiths Muriel - Alice Lowe James - Alexei Sayle Mowbray - Nell Edmond Brett - Matthew Holness Lieutenant Keith - Jeff Harding Montmorency - Simon Jones Christina - Amelia Bullmore Bingham - Chris Douglas Adeleide - Felicity Montagu Prof Chadd - John Nettleton Greenwood - James Rawlings Old Lady - Angela Thorne Dramatised by Simon Littlefield Produced by Simon Nicholls First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 April-9 May 2005 The Napoleon of Notting Hill G. K. Chesterton - Roger Hammond Auberon Quin - David Collings Wilfred Lambert - Kim Wall James Barker - Stephen Hattersley President del Fuego - Manning Wilson Policeman/Mr Wilson - Stuart Organ Boy Adam Wayne - Alexander Goodman Adam Wayne - Paul McGann Mr Buck - Aubrey Woods Mr Mead - Paul Gregory Mr Bowles - Brian Hewlett Mr Turnbull - Gordon Reid Dramatised by Peter Buckman Produced by Eric Stovell Directed by Richard Imison First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 December 1986