Four BBC radio dramatisations starring Michael Hordern as Tolkien – plus a particular archive compilation exploring Tolkien’s lifestyle and work

The tales in this collection all reflect an element of what Tolkien himself called ‘the perilous realm of Faerie’. Adapted for radio by Brian Sibley, co-writer from the acclaimed BBC radio creation of The Lord of the Rings, they are abundant with myth, magic and adventure. Among the helping ensemble are Brian Blessed, Nigel Planer, Sorcha Cusack, Paul Copley and Wayne about Tales in the Perilous Realm: Four BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations Grout.

In Farmer Giles of Ham, having accidentally shot a giant, Farmer Giles’ fearless reputation is tested by Chrysophylax the dragon. In Smith of Wootton Main, a young guy eats simple containing

a silver star, and is granted usage of the magical land of Fäerie. Leaf by Niggle is definitely a thought-provoking allegory of the creative process, and The Adventures of Tom Bombadil features Tom as well as the Hobbits in scenes from GOD, THE FATHER of the Bands which were not included in the BBC Radio 4 dramatisation.

Also included is J R R Tolkien: An Audio Portrait, in which Brian Sibley draws jointly interviews from radio and television programmes featuring the writer himself, his original publisher Rayner Unwin, his biographer Humphrey Carpenter and many more torelate the story of both Tolkien the person and the worlds he created.

Length of time: 5 hours 50 mins