Interest in George Orwell’s 1984 tends to spike anytime book bans, government overreach and other dystopian themes make the news. But when Audible released a thrilling new audio dramatisation of the classic novel, featuring an A-list cast, cutting-edge sound design and striking original music, something different happened. It went viral.
Clips of the sinister O’Brien (played by Andrew Scott) torturing poor Winston Smith (Andrew Garfield) made the rounds on BookTok as fans obsessed over hearing the two stars play the shocking scene to the hilt. Could it be that such a trusty old staple of school syllabuses was actually … NSFW?
Such is the power of the audio drama, a format that’s both innovative and nostalgic, bringing in today’s biggest stars and newest technology to push forward an art form that hearkens back to the radio era. Before we had television, not to mention streaming, radio plays leveraged the power of sound to broadcast immersive, compelling audio dramas live across the globe. Famously, Orson Welles’s 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast showcased the medium’s potential by convincing audiences what they were hearing was real. Fast-forward a century past the format's inception, and modern phenomena like spatial audio, scripted podcasting and online fandoms are driving audio dramas into thrilling new territory.
If you’ve yet to experience an audio drama, classic literature is the perfect place to start. Whether you’re curious about a beloved book’s dramatised interpretation, ready to cross an intimidating classic off your bucket list or just looking for your next great listen after 1984, these acclaimed audio dramatisations are an excellent way to wade in and discover a treasured work of literature in a whole new way.
Save this list to your Library collections.
One of the most acclaimed novels of all time, George Orwell's 1984 is newly reimagined as an immersive audio drama starring Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, Andrew Scott and Tom Hardy, with music composition by Matt Bellamy of Muse, all mixed in Dolby Atmos spatial audio.
This epic collection of Jane Austen’s best-loved work is every bit as charming as you’d expect. From Emma, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey to Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion and Mansfield Park, each one is narrated by an acclaimed performer (think Emma Thompson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Florence Pugh), supported by a full cast, music and sound design.
![Dracula [Audible Edition]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81iTqQPxj7L._SL800_.jpg?w=3840&q=70)
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is not just a horror classic but the origin of the vampire subgenre. This multi-award-winning dramatisation starring some of the all-time great voices – Alan Cumming! Tim Curry! Simon Vance! Katherine Kellgren! – is nothing short of a masterpiece. The actors are clearly inspired (or perhaps possessed) by Stoker’s spirit in this moody, atmospheric and deliciously unnerving performance.
Following the haphazard voyage of an everyday Earthling who is flung all around the galaxy, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy forever fused sci-fi and comedy. In this dynamic remastering of the original BBC Radio 4 adaptation, you can hear the tale’s legendary hilarity in all of its full, vibrant sound. The brilliant full cast and remastering by audio legend Dirk Maggs make this one of the most popular full-cast dramatisations of all time.
Boasting a remarkable cast of award-winning Canadian talent, including Sandra Oh, Catherine O’Hara and Victor Garber, this inspired dramatisation uses immersive sound design (enhanced in Dolby Atmos) to transport listeners to Prince Edward Island in a swirl of nostalgia and warmth.
Glenda Jackson stars in this award-winning BBC Radio series, inspired by Émile Zola’s epic saga of the Rougon-Macquart family, which doubles as a shocking exposé of the decadence and moral decay of 19th-century France. These ambitious dramas, first broadcast on Radio 4 over 24 hours in 2015-16, boast a star cast including Robert Lindsay, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Holliday Grainger and Samuel West.
With acclaimed Scottish storyteller Marty Ross at the helm of this full-cast dramatisation, Alexandre Dumas’s swashbuckling adventure has won legions of new fans. Young D'Artagnan arrives in Paris to join the King's elite guards but finds he is duelling with some of the very men he has come to swear allegiance to – Porthos, Athos and Aramis, the inseparable friends known as the Three Musketeers.
Hollywood icon Laura Dern and a full cast breathe new life into Louisa May Alcott’s classic coming-of-age tale that follows the lives of four sisters against a backdrop of the American Civil War. Veteran narrators Suzanne Toren, Lauren Fortgang, Allison Hiroto, Emily Bauer and Carly Robins invite listeners to experience this great American novel in an extraordinary new way.
This Shakespeare tragedy can also be read as a sly satire highlighting the absurdity inherent in young love. This full-cast production of Shakespeare's classic love story is fully dramatised and stars Michael Sheen as Romeo and Kate Beckinsale as Juliet.
What do you get when you mix the wit of Oscar Wilde with the voice of Stephen Fry? Pure genius. Wilde's farcical play of deception, mischief and style is marvelously adapted as a full-cast scripted podcast in this beloved Audible Original.
A feat of writing and performance, Orson Welles’s supremely effective audio drama triggered a media frenzy upon its original 1938 release. Hear the original, uncut radio broadcast of this dramatic adaptation of H.G. Wells's 1898 novel, considered the granddaddy of modern science fiction. Martians have landed in turn-of-the-century England, an encounter that turns into a battle for survival as the aliens crush defence efforts and demonstrate their thirst for human blood. Close to a century after its release, the impact of this broadcast as both audio media and cultural phenomenon is indisputable.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is widely considered America's favorite homegrown fairy tale. While most people are familiar with the Judy Garland film, L. Frank Baum’s book contains a host of adventures and details left out of the movie. Starring Lydia West as Dorothy and Jim Broadbent as the Wizard, this full-cast production captures the tale’s original enchantment and heart.
One of the most popular children’s stories of all time comes to life in this magical audio theatre presentation featuring Golden Voice Barbara Rosenblat (from the original 1991 Tony Award-winning Broadway show) as Mrs. Medlock, Golden Voice Michael Crouch as Colin, ATC Seneca Award nominee Georgia Lee Schultz as Mary Lennox, and John Jarvis (Suits) as Ben Weatherstaff. Engaging sound effects and music enhance this full-cast dramatisation.
This show-stopping Audible Original dramatisation was executive produced by Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes, with an original score by The Feeling’s Dan Gillespie Sells and an all-star cast including Succession’s Brian Cox as Fagin, Get Out’s Daniel Kaluuya as Bill Sikes, Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan as Nancy, and introducing Emilio Villa Muhammad as Oliver Twist and Elijah Wolf as the Artful Dodger.
From the sumptuous private drawing rooms of 18th-century Paris to the decadent estates and chateaus of the French countryside, La Marquise de Merteuil and Le Vicomte de Valmont hatch a long-distance plan of vengeance and seduction, captivatingly brought to life in this gorgeous audio performance starring Adjoa Andoh as Mademe de Volanges, Dominic West as Vicomte de Valmont, and a full cast.
While the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his dear friend Dr. Watson have been dramatised countless times on radio, TV and film, this epic collection from BBC Radio 4 takes on all 60 stories in dramatised form. Beginning with A Study in Scarlet and concluding with The Hound of the Baskervilles, the project took more than eight years to complete – and you can listen to it all in just under 50 hours.
The radio dramatisation of The Hobbit became a classic when it was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1968 and continues to delight today. Tolkien's famous saga has all the ingredients of fantasy and adventure: dwarves, elves, goblins and trolls, a fearsome dragon, a great wizard, a perilous quest and a dramatic climax. At the centre is the unsuspecting hero Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving Hobbit who is suddenly thrust into the biggest adventure of his life.
Originally published in 1881, Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island tells the story of young innkeeper Jim Hawkins, who happens upon a treasure map where X marks the hiding spot of priceless pirate gold. But he'll be up against the sinister Long John Silver every step of the way! This Audible Original dramatic performance has been modernised for today's listeners and features an all-star cast, including Philip Glenister, Daniel Mays, Catherine Tate and Owen Teale.
One of the most celebrated tales of all time, Around the World in 80 Days is part high-octane thriller, part fascinating fantasy travelogue. Pragmatic gambler Phileas Fogg has made a gentlemanly wager to the members of his exclusive club: that he can circle the world in just 80 days, right down to the minute. And there's no better way to embark on this epic journey than via the amazing performances of this star-studded production.
What begins as a luxurious journey on a sumptuous train soon unfurls into Agatha Christie's most famous mystery, complete with an eclectic cast of suspects – brilliantly played by Tom Conti, Jane Asher, Ruta Gedmintas and more – complete with all the chugs and choos of the Orient Express itself.
