The Audio Drama Show

Major Jackman's many virtues extolled, he and Mrs Lirriper welcome to the lodging house newly-marrieds Mr and Mrs Edson to stay on the second floor of 81 Norfolk Street, the Strand. What follows is a classic Charles Dickens story of abandonment, heartbreak and ultimate tragedy that leaves our two protagonists much changed by the experience. Episode 2 of 3

Emma Lirriper is a minor masterpiece of Charles Dickens characterisation. We are introduced to the world of London lodging houses in the 1860s seen through her eyes, and learn how she entered the business; her views on guests, business rivals like Miss Wozenham ("lower down and over the way"), the girls she employs, Wandering Christians, and stories of amusement and mayhem. This culminates in the...

Drunken hymn-singing from Mason and Scott after Lillian's funeral kicks off this final revelatory episode. Scott has gatecrashed the event performing an impromptu eulogy to his mother. What follows is a succession of discoveries. Why is Scott really back from America? Why did he never return before? Events proceed to a, perhaps, surprising conclusion. Episode 3 of 3

After a bristling initial conversation, stepbrothers Scott and Andrew catch up on their previous 40 years apart - and beyond. Childhood relationships and the interesting background around Scott's departure to the USA keep the pot boiling. Andrew learns some home truths about his father and stepmother, the recently-deceased Lillian, with blackmail and betrayal to the fore. Episode 2 of 3

Scott is a wanderer returning. After many decades he is back in England from the USA, having heard of his mother Lillian's death and on the eve of her funeral. He meets Mason, a friend of Lillian. But there is still a closer, less genial family member to encounter. Episode 1 of 3

Having seen off the first ghost, Scrooge's education in the current lives of others during the festive season proceeds to the houses of the Cratchit family and his nephew, courtesy of a jolly Ghost of Christmas Present. With a grim parting from him, the final, mysterious spectre appears to show Scrooge a series of visions for life after death, in which his focus on money and gain "leave not a wrac...

Edward is back from Scotland with good news from eldest daughter Greta. For Lia, it is decision time for them regarding her pregnancy. As she leaves, Edward's youngest daughter Megan arrives in a fractious mood. More family strife ensues as the "archaeological dig" on their past relationship begins again. After a few stiff drinks, new revelations on the depths of her bitterness, the teenage affair...

The showdown happens. Angry daughter Megan meets with Lia, her dad's new and much younger partner. The discussion ranges far and wide - fatherhood and loss, bringing up children, mothers and teenagers. It all gets personal about motives and attitudes. Then the issue of Lia's new-found pregnancy rears its contentious head and major conflict ensues. Will they be "good" by the end? Episode 3 of 4.

The up-and-down relationship of a father with his grown-up daughters. In this first of four episodes, recently-bereaved Edward brings home some "interesting" news to Megan about a new romantic attachment...and quite a lot more. Cue conflict and the revisiting of sins from the past. What will Megan and her sister do?

On holiday in Spain with his brother, Geordie Chris encounters a strange,feral dog. They call him "Fella" as he follows them to a restaurant. It is then that the situation turns nasty...and deadly. But will this be the end of "Fella" for Chris?

Memories of people and places in his past life are revisited by a man recovering from serious illness. Ashcombe Hall and a summer holiday spent there with his school friend Roddy are recalled as he approaches the now-derelict country house. In the dilapidated gardens, memories of flowers and an "act of stupidity" trigger powerful emotions about past and future loss.

Mr Hobson is on a train journey back to Liverpool for the funeral of Jim Sweeney, an ex-work colleague. He is accompanied by memories of teaching at Quarry Bank - the teenage John Lennon's alma mater - cheeky "doppelganger" school photography, and paradoxical visions of atheist Jim Sweeney in heaven. Teachers' nicknames, tragically unfortunate pupils, and "why me?" thoughts also flood Hobson's min...

In this final episode, in limbo with Molly, Keith survives his heart attack and begins to see the light of past misdemeanours and the fragility of the life he has left to live. Meanwhile, philosophical disagreements about healthcare continue to occupy the doctor and nurse caring for him. His conscience rises in time for Molly's fate to be played out. But the consequences of past sins cannot be ent...

Keith, the driving instructor, wakes up in hospital next to a critically injured woman, having had a "cardiac event" in his car. He is tended to by a doctor and nurse with markedly different views on the philosophy and practice of health care. In his still-confused state, our hero cannot understand why his wife is not there. He hears an ominous tune and enters a strange white room...is this "the e...

Based on true accounts, the tragic story of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 is told from a new perspective - that of a young, female Pomeranian dog called Lady. Accompanying her mistress Margaret Hays, she hobnobs with the pets of the rich and famous - including other dogs, a canary, and a pet pig. Excitement at the prospect of an onboard dog show is interrupted by the unfolding disaster of the...

As Geoff enters Cambridge University, two major themes are pursued in this penultimate episode of his memoirs. First, the life of his mother as a working class woman of the mid-20th century – her ailments (bunions to be precise), work ethic (“work must not only be done, but be back-breakingly done”), quaint views of his passion for acting, and ultimately her sad death from Alzheimer’s. The world o...