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Little Lifetimes: Series 1-6
- A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Where Women Share Their Secrets
- Narrated by: Doon Mackichan, Frances Barber, Full Cast, Imelda Staunton, Jenny Éclair, Josie Lawrence, Samantha Bond
- Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
- Radio/TV Program
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Publisher's Summary
A sparkling collection of comic monologues by Jenny Eclair about women facing pivotal moments in their lives.
In these funny, poignant short stories, voiced by some of Britain’s finest actresses, we are introduced to 29 very different women as they open their hearts and share their secrets.
Here are tales of love, grief, revenge and adventure, told by a wealth of fascinating characters. There’s Bea, a top cook who’s about to prepare a very special birthday cake for her husband; Christine, who takes up watercolours and discovers inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places; Patsy, a rock star’s wife with a past; and Penny, who takes looking after her boss a bit too far.
From a grandmother visiting a posh supermarket to buy her grandchildren a meal they won't forget, to a cleaner who discovers some secrets behind the Farrow and Ball doors of the middle-class homes she visits, every one of the women we meet has a memorable, moving and surprising tale to tell....
Among the star narrators are Lesley Sharp, Anita Dobson, Imelda Staunton, Josie Lawrence, Frances Barber, Samantha Bond, Doon Mackichan and Anne Reid.
Produced by Sally Avens.
Series 1:
"Fifteen Minutes to Landing"
Woman - Lesley Manville
Captain James Barrington - Clive Hayward
Air Hostess - Jane Slavin
"Carol Goes Swimming"
Carol - Lorraine Ashbourne
Manager - Jane Slavin
"A Trolley for a Change"
Pat - Ruth Sheen
Checkout woman - Elaine Claxton
Security guard - Clive Hayward
Lauren - Jane Slavin
"George’s Cake"
Bea - Susie Blake
"The Viewing"
Reader - Annette Badland
"Doing the Best for Daniel"
Reader - Jenny Eclair
Series 2:
"Lorna’s Holiday"
Lorna - Lesley Sharp
"Christine Paints"
Christine - Rosie Cavaliero
"Beverley in Shoes"
Beverley - Samantha Spiro
"Points"
Gail - Sarah Hadland
"A Slight Alteration"
Reader - Tessa Peake-Jones
"Waiting for Billy"
Patsy - Anita Dobson
Series 3:
"Leo’s Passport"
Penny - Imelda Staunton
Caroline - Karen Bartke
"Hannah’s Gone"
Hannah’s Mum - Josie Lawrence
"Mothers and Daughters"
Coral - Frances Barber
Girl - Karen Bartke
Boy - Luke MacGregor
"Anthea’s Round Robin"
Anthea - Samantha Bond
Series 4:
"The Last Day"
Miss Cavendish - Vicki Pepperdine
"The Visit"
Reader - Doon Mackichan
The Nannas
Dawn - Tilly Vosburgh
"A Nice Time with All the Family"
Julie - Beverley Callard
Series 5:
"A Long Weekend"
Cathy - Anne Reid
"The Kitchen Table"
Reader - Monica Dolan
"The Book Club"
Belle - Lucy Robinson
"Greta Doesn’t Want to Wait for Godot"
Greta - Amelia Bullmore
Critic Reviews
"Exquisitely crafted." (Radio Times)
More from the same
What listeners say about Little Lifetimes: Series 1-6
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 10-23-20
Absolutely Brilliant!
Each and every episode is beautifully written, and so well cast. Totally absorbing, and superbly acted. If I could give more than 5 stars I would!
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Saffy
- 10-09-20
Highly recommended
I absolutely loved Little Lifetimes and hope Jenny Eclair writes more of these for Radio 4. They are beautifully written, observed and acted short monologues which made me laugh and cry. Jenny Eclair is so gifted at really capturing the inner lives of women and I would highly recommend.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Book Lover
- 05-10-22
Superb collection
Jenny Eclair should be a national treasure - her range of characters is incredible, and very much in the league of Alan Bennett. I’ve listened to this series several times, and one of my very favourite Audible purchases.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dulake
- 02-08-22
Absolutely fantastic
Just loved all these short stories, the nice and nasty sides of human nature of class and thoughts and actions of women of a certain age group completely spot on. You can spot friends and family amongst them. So many laugh out loud bits people must have thought I was a loon, laughing as I walked my dog listening on my ear pods. Wanted to find out what happened to these characters next! Can't wait for the next series. Fantastic!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Thistlegirl
- 11-28-21
Simply brilliant story telling.
If you don’t love this audiobook them frankly you need to check your pulse!
I adore this collection of deliciously amusing stories about women, all performed brilliantly by well known actresses, and written by the very talented genius storyteller Jenny Eclair. I could not recommend this highly enough.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jen
- 09-25-20
Talking Heads for the modern woman
No dud episodes here, women relating their sometimes witty stories, sometimes with a sting in the tale. I don’t like Jenny Eclair’s stand up but here she has excelled in creating likeable characters for radio 4 who aren’t as weak as they first seem... More please!
