Dame Julie Andrews' Wonderful Take on Austen's Work: The Best Audio Shows of the Week
Pick of the Week
Pride & Prejudice
Who could be more perfect to retell Jane Austen’s cherished novel compared to her royal highness Julie Andrews? Although missing Colin Firth in a wet shirt, the iconic actress is a wonderful and faithful voice of this classic love story centered on Elizabeth Bennet together with Mr Darcy. The show, which is broken down into two dozen plus installments, not only celebrates the quarter-millennial of Austen’s birth – it coincides with Andrews’s ninetieth birthday this year, too!
Accessible on many platforms, new episodes each week
Grand Designs Deconstructed
So great is the pressure of building your own mega-home, this property series is among the handful of television home programs in which separation occurs regularly rather than a bug. Kevin McCloud collaborates with James on this amiable offshoot for dedicated followers – and confesses that he was near to dipping into his own chequebook for budget-challenged participants.
Available via Spotify, weekly episodes
Woman’s Hour Guide to Life
Every Sunday, Woman’s Hour host Nuala McGovern a focused segment that tackles a specific issue with familiar voices and professionals. She starts off with friendship – methods to find time for them and keep in touch – by interviewing author Dolly Alderton, Claire Cohen, therapist Samuel and Dr Marisa G Franco. It’s conversational, helpful and, most importantly, comforting.
BBC Sounds, new shows each week
Music, Money & Mayhem
Including Pink Floyd to Blur, EMI hosted a flood of huge British acts. This production led by Chris Atkins is bound to appeal to both music nerds and industry professionals, as it ably charts the company's downfall by means of conversations with the likes of Tennant and controversial former chairman Guy Hands.
Available broadly, episodes weekly
Coining It
Led by Goodall, this latest production seems like it might be an ordinary cryptocurrency narrative. Fortunately, this story concerning a person who found a bitcoin glitch offering endless money and launched this individual from the seaside town to Dubai turns out to be a vibrant and highly entertaining caper – while certainly an advisory narrative.
Accessible on many platforms, weekly releases
