Great Speaking Voices

[Nick Armstrong]

I sat behind Alvar Lidell at a G&S performance in the Savoy Theatre years ago. He was quietly explaining the story of Mikado to his children and I thought someone had a radio on.

Slightly surreal and Churchill wasin the audience, so 'I've got a little list' was directed at him.

Can't believe I didn't see that earlier! Magic stuff, saly !!!

[Nick Armstrong]

For fans of Roger Allam - I know there's a number of us out there - there's an opportunity to hear the mellifluous tones doing 'spooky' for the next 4 Saturdays at 18:30 on Radio 4extra:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jvd3

No idea about Algernon B but it's going to be recorded on the DAB in the bedroom for listening at an appropriate time

[aeolium]

Not sure if these names have been mentioned but a word for Peter Barkworth and Robert Hardy, the latter so memorable in the dramatisation of M R James' The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral.

[Cornet IV]

I was prompted to start this thread by a comment of shb's in the Bill Wallis obit thread. I'd like to hear about those who have appeared on radio, stage or screen (or all three) who stand out above all by the distinctive quality of their voices - preferably mentioning memorable productions that they appeared in.

From this it seems that suggestions should be drawn from the professional ranks, certainly later nominations follow this but for my money, I would propose someone unknown to younger generations and largely forgotten by mine; I shall always remember the Third Programme broadcasts of Walter de la Mare reading his own works.

Wonderful!

[gurnemanz]

Alan Bennett reading Alice in Wonderland on audio cassette was a favourite of our daughter (also Alice).

[Stillhomewardbound]

From this it seems that suggestions should be drawn from the professional ranks, certainly later nominations follow this but for my money, I would propose someone unknown to younger generations and largely forgotten by mine; I shall always remember the Third Programme broadcasts of Walter de la Mare reading his own works.

Wonderful!

"Above all, I was taught to love and respect words. Each word had to be the right word; and each had to be spoken in a way that its weight and importance demanded."

There's a quote which could be the mission statement for this thread and from a man who had such a marvellous voice, but alas, also an appalling smoking habit, Jack Hawkins.

A memory from my childhood (say 7 or 8) was seeing him live on television at the BAFTA awards, I think he was receiving an honour but I can't find any mention of it. Anyhow, we're talking 1970/71. The thing is, his entire larynx had been removed about 1966 and replaced with a mechanical device of sorts. Now, film wise, he remained very much in demand and his voice was dubbed mostly by Charles Gray, but on this rare occasion he was on live television and speaking for himself through a shocking, Dalek like voice. Really, it was a nightmare of my childhood, but looking back on it I can't help but admire the wonderful and inspiring courage evident in that moment.

[Stillhomewardbound]

Not sure if these names have been mentioned but a word for Peter Barkworth ...

... and thank you so much for that reminder, aeolium. Peter Barkworth was THE television actor of the late 60s and 70s ... The Wednesday Play, Professional Foul, Telford's Change. He was just utterly believable, almost an Everyman actor, but his drama's were essentially based around middle-age and middle-class crisis. So, come the 80s and the age of discontent, anything of that hue went out of favour, rather.

He was simply impeccable and my father admired him enormously.



He was certainly one of my favourite actors

[salymap]

Yes, shb, I liked Peter Barkworth a lot. His slightly hesitant, natural voice had no actorish overtones at all.

I wish I could hear some of those performances again.

[gradus]

Richard Burton; David Davis (Childrens Hour); Donald Macleod and a female R3 announcer who left a few years ago and who I cannot for the life of me remember, but had the most beautiful speaking voice.

[Stanley Stewart]

Richard Burton; David Davis (Childrens Hour); Donald Macleod and a female R3 announcer who left a few years ago and who I cannot for the life of me remember, but had the most beautiful speaking voice.

Patricia Hughes? During the 80s, I did lots of worldwide tours in my job. The greatest thrill on being back in the the UK was switching on R3 and hearing her dulcet tones. I knew I was home again!

[gurnemanz]

I will second Alvar Lidell, whom I also saw in Tavener's The Whale at a rather memorable Prom in 1969.
I'm not sure if he has been mentioned but another classic news voice from my early youth is Frank Phillips. I remember with fondness his resonant tones in an LP recording + picture book of Wilde's The Happy Prince. Just found it on Youtube with authentic surface hiss.

[salymap]

The voice I can't quite recall is Stuart Hibberd [sp?] I think he was the senior announcer for serious war news or that is how I remember him when I was a child.

Also John Snagge.

[Anna]

For fans of Roger Allam - I know there's a number of us out there - there's an opportunity to hear the mellifluous tones doing 'spooky' for the next 4 Saturdays at 18:30 on Radio 4extra:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jvd3

No idea about Algernon B but it's going to be recorded on the DAB in the bedroom for listening at an appropriate time

Just caught up with the Roger Allam - wonderful - but, doesn't he sound rather Welsh?
As to Algernon B, well, Starlight Express (music by Elgar) was based on his novel A Prisoner in Fairyland, he wrote some really good ghost stories. Bit of a weirdo, in a nice way.
Back on topic, we've had Richard Burton (my No. 1) and also, Philip Madoc had a lovely voice.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Philip Madoc had a lovely voice.

[gurnemanz]

Just caught up with the Roger Allam - wonderful - but, doesn't he sound rather Welsh?

I second Roger Allam. A versatile actor who we've seen few times on stage. He has an appealing voice with a slight drawl not unlike Michael Gambon.