Dame Julie Andrews' Delightful Version on Austen's Work: Top Audio Shows of the Week
Weekly Highlight
Pride & Prejudice
Who better to retell the author's best-loved story than the celebrated Julie Andrews? While it doesn't feature Colin Firth drenched, the Hollywood great serves as a delightful and accurate narrator of the timeless romantic comedy featuring Elizabeth Bennet together with Mr Darcy. The show, split across 25 episodes, not only marks the 250-year mark since Austen was born – it coincides with Andrews’s 90th birthday as well!
Accessible on many platforms, weekly releases
Grand Designs Deconstructed
So great is the pressure in constructing a personal dream house, Grand Designs is among the handful of television home programs in which separation is common instead of a flaw. Kevin McCloud collaborates with the presenter in this friendly spin-off for dedicated followers – and reveals that he was close to dipping into his own chequebook for cash-strapped participants.
Available via Spotify, new installments each week
Woman’s Hour Guide to Life
Every Sunday, Nuala McGovern hosts a focused segment that tackles an individual subject with familiar voices and specialists. She begins with friendship – methods to find time for friends and keep in touch – by interviewing Dolly Alderton, Claire Cohen, therapist Samuel and Dr Franco. It’s conversational, useful and above all, comforting.
On BBC Sounds, new shows each week
Music, Money & Mayhem
From Pink Floyd and Blur, the company hosted a deluge of major UK artists. This audio series hosted by Chris Atkins will surely satisfy music enthusiasts and industry professionals, as it ably charts EMI's failure by means of conversations with the likes of Neil Tennant and debated past leader Guy Hands.
Widely available, episodes weekly
Coining It
Hosted by the journalist, this latest production sounds like it might be another run-of-the-mill digital currency tale. Fortunately, this account of a man who uncovered a cryptocurrency error that suggested limitless funds and propelled this individual starting in Blackpool to the Middle East turns out to be a colourful and highly entertaining caper – though undoubtedly an advisory narrative.
Widely available, new episodes each week
