August
2007

Available from 6 August 2007

Clare in the Community: Series One
The first series of this award-winning BBC Radio 4 comedy series based on the long running cartoon strip from the Guardian's Society section. Sally Phillips (from Smack the Pony etc.) plays Clare, a social worker enduring the endless trials of bombed out estates and Byzantine bureaucracy (in a job that would be a lot easier if not for the general public). A control freak, Clare Barker likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives in both a professional and personal capacity. Secretly regarding herself as a cross between Mother Theresa and Wonder Woman, Clare tends towards self-importance and considers most other professions trivial. Also stars Nina Conti, Gemma Craven, Alex Lowe, Richard Lumsden and Ellen Thomas.
3 CDs, 3hrs, ISBN 9781405677912 £15.99

Classic Radio Sci-Fi
Childhood's End
This full-cast dramatisation of Arthur C Clarke's novel of the same name stars Steven Pacey as Jan Rodricks. As mankind takes its first faltering steps into the vast darkness of space, huge ships appear over every city on Earth. They bring the Overlords, seemingly benign creatures but vastly superior in technology and intelligence. So begins their rule of our planet, bringing peace, prosperity, and a new world hope. But when mankind begins to question the purpose of the Overlords, it seems that a greater power may be at work.
2 CDs, 2hrs, ISBN 9781846071331 £13.99

Classic Radio Sci-Fi
The Kraken Wakes
John Wyndham’s famous tale of monsters from the deep, alien invasion and ecological disaster comes alive in this full-cast BBC radio dramatisation. The story begins with a dazzling display of lights in the sky that plunge into the deepest oceans and disappear without trace. But then ships start sinking inexplicably and the sea lanes become impassable. Mike and Phyllis Watson, both radio journalists, are caught up at the centre of events, well aware that it's not the Cold War or international conflicts that are causing the problems, but something infinitely more deadly – an alien invasion. This is a science-fiction story full of contemporary resonances, from the fear of global warming to the distrust of official information and propaganda. Also included is an additional sleeve note commentary by Andrew Pixley on the making of the radio serialisation.
2 CDs, 1hr 25mins, ISBN 9781405677875 £12.99

Classic Radio Sci-Fi
The Slide
Long absent from the BBC archives, this digitally remastered recording features Roger Delgado who went on to play The Master in Doctor Who. During an abnormally hot March, the air becomes thick and dull. At a crowded and restless town meeting, Janet Marshall faints due to the stifling atmosphere. She is helped by her friend Dr Ken Richards – just as a sudden earthquake tears the room apart. A long, deep crack in a road is discovered nearby, and powerful tremors are felt along the South Coast. When torrents of seething mud start emerging from the fissure, scientist Josef Gomez is called in. The mud contains a special organism that can control people's minds, and it can kill. Declared a disaster area, Redlow becomes a state of emergency. Then other fissures appear. Maurice Denham, Roger Delgado, David Spenser and Miriam Margolyes star in this atmospheric BBC full-cast drama from Doctor Who writer Victor Pemberton. This CD release also includes a detailed sleeve note recounting the making of the radio serialisation, written by Andrew Pixley.
3 CDs, 3hrs 30mins, ISBN 9781405677851 £15.99

Doctor Who: The War Machines
This remastered soundtrack of the original four-part BBC TV adventure is narrated by Anneke Wills, who plays Polly in the story. She also recalls her time in Doctor Who in a bonus interview. It’s 1966 and London's brand new Post Office Tower looms over the Doctor and Dodo as they step from the TARDIS. When the Doctor meets Professor Brett, creator of a new, super-intelligent computer called WOTAN, he is intrigued to hear of a plan to link all the major computers around the world. But the supercomputer has a will of its own: it secretly believes humans to be inferior to machines, and already has a number of Post Office Tower staff under hypnotic power. WOTAN is planning the widespread construction of War Machines. With the help of two new companions – sailor Ben Jackson and Professor Brett's secretary, Polly – the Doctor races against time to outwit the War Machines and break WOTAN’s power. If he can’t, then the end of humanity is in sight.
2 CDs, 2hrs, ISBN 9781405676922 £13.99

Mark Tully's India
The year 2007 marks India's 60th year of independence. Whether you've been to India or are just curious about this remarkable country, you'll enjoy listening to this fascinating account by the BBC’s India Correspondent from 1972 to 1994. Tulley looks back on a career which coincided with a tumultuous period in Indian history, during which he reported on the assassinations of two Indian Prime Ministers – Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv - the storming of the Sikh Golden Temple, the Bhopal gas disaster and the conflict between the Hindus and Muslims after the demolition of a mosque at Ayodhya.
2 CDs, 2hrs 30mins, ISBN 9781405687577 £12.99

Trevor's World of Sport
Trevor and Sammy are the movers and shakers at agency TS Sports Stars. They've been friends for 20 years and business partners for nine, yet they are chalk and cheese: Trevor (Neil Pearson) is a thoughtful, decent and sensitive 'new man', Sammy is a foul-mouthed, aggressive dealmaker. Trevor is the worrier, Sammy the warrior. Written by Andy Hamilton whose radio credits include Old Harry's Game.
3 CDs, 3hrs, ISBN 9781405678100 £15.99

Andy Stanton
You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum!
Mr Gum is a truly nasty old man who hates children, animals, fun and corn on the cob. But this book is not just about him. There is also a girl called Polly, an evil stinky butcher, heroes and sweets and stuff, and Jake the dog, who must be saved from terrible, terrible evil. Winner of the Red House Children's Book Award, You’re A Bad Man, Mr Gum is a zany, riotously funny book that will make you laugh till your sides ache.
1 CD, 1hr, ISBN 9781405687546 £5.99