Abridgd... Too Far!

World-renowned and very clever Professor of Short Books, Douglas Ullard...along with his Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Literature Audio Armchair Theatre Company (or TTMASSCLAATC for short) brings you Herman Melville's "Great American Novel" in just...well...1,337 seconds.  So if you're interested in whales, wails or Wales...or need a study guide for any exam about fish, fishing or boats..then sit back and listen and impress all your friends with your new-found knowledge of a literary classic. Because we can guarantee that your friends haven't read it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

World-renowned and very clever Professor of Short Books, Douglas Ullard...along with his Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Literature Audio Armchair Theatre Company (or TTMASSCLAATC for short) brings you Bram Stoker's gothic "masterpiece" in just...well...1,337 seconds.  So if you're studying for any exam about goths, gothic, gotham or any other word that starts with "goth"...then sit back and listen and impress all your friends with your new-found knowledge of a literary classic. Because we can guarantee that your friends haven't read it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

World-renowned and very clever Professor of Short Books, Douglas Ullard...along with his Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Literature Audio Armchair Theatre Company (or TTMASSCLAATC for short) brings you Jane Austen's beloved classic "masterpiece" in just...well...1,337 seconds.  So, this Christmas, if you're trying to impress your English Literature graduate friends with knowledge of one of the world's most filmed classics ever...then we. have your back. Way back! So sit back and listen to this romantic tale of class and love in a way you've never read it...or heard it...before! Cast: Jane Arden as Mrs Bennett and others Julien Ball as Mr Bennett and others Eliza Horn as Elizabeth and others Samuel James as Darcy and others Genevieve Lorenzo Martin as Jane and others Charlotte McBurney as Lydia and others Christopher Ragland as Bingley and others With a special introduction by the Professor himself, Douglas Ullard. Written by David Spicer Directed by John Schwab and David Spicer Audio Production by John Schwab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

World-renowned and very clever Professor of Short Books, Douglas Ullard...along with his Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Literature Audio Armchair Theatre Company (or TTMASSCLAATC for short) brings you Charles Dickens' classic "masterpiece" in just...well...1,337 seconds.  So, if you're trying to impress your English Literature graduate friends with knowledge of one of the most adapted classics ever...then we. have your back. Way back! So sit back and listen to this dark tale of Dickensian child torture (mild) and class issues (extreme) in a way you've never read it...or heard it...before! Cast: Julien Ball as Magwitch and others Joanna Brookes as Miss Haversham and others Charlotte McBurney as Young Pip and others David Menkin as Herbert and others Caroline Rodgers as Estella and others Ben Starr as Pip and others With a special introduction by the Professor himself, Douglas Ullard. Written by David Spicer Directed by John Schwab and David Spicer Audio Production by John Schwab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A little teaser for what's coming in Abridgd...Too Far! Our first, but surely not our last, Dickens classic! We promise not to bore you and just concentrate on child neglect and corporal punishment with delving into a good healthy dose of English class politics. This trailer will get the juices flowing in expectation. And if you haven't heard our first five episodes - "The Great Gatsby", "Jane Eyre" and "The War of the Worlds", "Frankenstein", "Lady Chatterley's Lover" or "The Scarlet Letter"...then now is your chance to catch up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

World-renowned and very clever Professor of Short Books, Douglas Ullard...along with his Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Literature Audio Armchair Theatre Company (or TTMASSCLAATC for short) brings you Nathaniel Hawthorn's Puritanical classic "masterpiece" in just...well...1,337 seconds.  So, if you're trying to impress an American literature snob, then look no further than the book that all American students are forced to read sometime between kindergarten and their senior your in high school. So sit back and listen to this dark tale of how a villageful of puritans harass, bully and mentally torture a young woman and her child...all in the name of the Lord. Cast: Barbara Barnes as Hester Prynne and others Joanna Brookes as Hibbins and others Alan Marriot as Chillingworth and others David Menkin as Bellingham and others Shai Matheson as Rev Dimmesdale and others Charlotte McBurney as Pearl and others With a special introduction by the Professor himself, Douglas Ullard. Written by David Spicer Directed by John Schwab and David Spicer Audio Production by John Schwab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A little teaser for what's coming in Abridgd...Too Far! Next on our list is Nathaniel Hawthorne's obligatory high school read of love, puritanism and slut shaming - The Scarlet Letter. This trailer will get the juices flowing in expectation. And if you haven't heard our first five episodes - "The Great Gatsby", "Jane Eyre" and "The War of the Worlds", "Frankenstein" and "Lady Chatterley's Lover"...then now is your chance to catch up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

World-renowned and very clever Professor of Short Books, Douglas Ullard...along with his Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Literature Audio Armchair Theatre Company (or TTMASSCLAATC for short) brings you Mary Shelley's Gothic classic "masterpiece" in just...well...1,337 seconds.  So, if you're trying to look smart in front of your friends and family because they think they KNOW the story of Frankenstein... then, don't worry…we've done all the hard work for you. So sit back and listen to this dark tale of how a moody teenager decided to create a monster out of rotting body parts...and sausages! Cast: Julien Ball as Walton and others Rakesh Boury as Professor Krempe and others Alan Marriot as Victor Frankenstein and others Charlotte McBurney as Frankenstein's Monster and others Caroline Rodgers as Mrs Narrator and others With a special introduction by the Professor himself, Douglas Ullard. Written by David Spicer Directed by John Schwab and David Spicer Audio Production by John Schwab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Normally we'd be posting a trailer for next week's episode, which incidentally will be Mary Shelley's Frankenstien…in all its gothic glory, including some wonderfully bonkers German accents, but instead, we wanted to send out a message of thanks on New Years's Eve Eve to all of you who have downloaded, streamed, listened rated or reviewed…basically supported us over the last month and a half since our launch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

World-renowned and very clever Professor of Short Books, Douglas Ullard...along with his Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Literature Audio Armchair Theatre Company (or TTMASSCLAATC) brings you D. H. Lawrence's naughty literary "masterpiece" in just...well...twenty-two minutes and seventeen seconds.  So, if you're trying to look smart in front of your friends and family because they think they KNOW the story of The War of the Wolrds... then, don't worry…we've done all the hard work for you. So sit back and listen to the scandal unfold at Wragby, where Lady Constance is searching for more than just a good time! Cast: Julien Bell as Mellors and others Joanna Brookes as Bolton and others David Menkin as Michaelis and others Caroline Rodgers as Lady Chatterley and others Ben Starr as Clifford and others With a special introduction by the Professor himself, Douglas Ullard. Written by David Spicer Directed by John Schwab and David Spicer Audio Production by John Schwab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A little teaser for what's coming in Abridgd...Too Far! Next on our list is D H :Lawrence's lurid tale of sex, life, sex, culture, sex, politics, sex, social justice and SEX: Lady Chatterley's Lover This trailer will get the juices flowing in expectation. And if you haven't heard our first three episodes - "The Great Gatsby", "Jane Eyre" and "The War of the Worlds", then now is your time to catch up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

World-renowned and very clever Professor of Short Books, Douglas Ullard...along with his Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Literature Audio Armchair Theatre Company (or TTMASSCLAATC) brings you H. G. Wells' great classic, but short, literary "masterpiece" in just...well...twenty-two minutes and seventeen seconds.  So, if you're trying to look smart in front of your friends and family because they think they KNOW the story of The War of the Wolrds... then, don't worry…we've done all the hard work for you. So sit back and listen to all those globally recognised names like...Esher, Leatherhead, Cobham, Staines and Chipping Ongar. Cast: Rakesh Boury as Narrator and others Joanna Brookes as Martian Leader and others Charlotte McBurney as Paperboy and others David Menkin as The Curate and others Caroline Rodgers as Mrs Narrator and others Ben Starr as Artilleryman and others With a special introduction by the Professor himself, Douglas Ullard. Written by David Spicer Directed by John Schwab and David Spicer Audio Production by John Schwab

A little teaser for what's coming in Abridgd...Too Far! H G Wells' classic novel is taken right back to its origins in the 1890's! That's right. You thought it was a 1950's Sci Fi classic, right? No! This trailer will whet your whistle and have you shivering in anticipation for next week's Martian invasion.

World-renowned and very clever Professor of Short Books, Douglas Ullard...along with his Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Literature Audio Armchair Theatre Company (or TTMASSCLAATC) brings you Charlotte Brontë's great classic, literary "masterpiece" Jane Eyre in just...well...twenty-two minutes and seventeen seconds.  If you are a massive fan of massive coincidences, then you've come to the right place. With anagrams aplenty, which are extremely important in how novels and names are chosen, you are sure to not want to miss this episode! Jane Eyre in just 1,337 seconds...or thereabouts! Cast Caroline Rodgers as Jane Eyre David Menkin as Rochester and others Ben Starr as Grace Poole and others Charlotte McBurney as Helen Burns and others Julien Ball as Brocklehurst and others Joanna Brookes as Ms Fairfax and others with a special introduction by the Professor himself, Douglas Ullard Written by David Spicer Directed by John Schwab and David Spicer Audio Production by John Schwab

World-renowned and very clever Professor of Short Books, Douglas Ullard...along with his Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Literature Audio Armchair Theatre Company (or TTMASSCLAATC) brings you F. Scott Fitzgerald's great classic, but short, literary "masterpiece" in just...well...twenty-two minutes and seventeen seconds.  So, if you're trying to look smart in front of your friends and family, but you just don't have the hours it takes to read a classic novel - even one as short as "The Great Gatsby"…then, don't worry…we've done all the hard work for you. In the first of seven episodes of Abridgd...Too Far's inaugural season, The Great Gatsby is brought to you in glorious clarity that the original novel seems to sometimes lack. So sit back and listen. Cast: Ben Starr as Tom Buchanan and others Caroline Rodgers as Daisy Buchanan and others David Menkin as Nick Carraway and others Julien Ball as Wilson and others Stacha Hicks as Myrtle and others Barbara Barnes as Jordan Baker and others With a special introduction by the Professor himself, Douglas Ullard. Written by David Spicer Directed by John Schwab and David Spicer Audio Production by John Schwab

Finally, a podcast for people you loves books, but can't be bothered to read them! In this trailer...a sneak peak at the books we will be bringing you this season! @abridgdtoofar @BroadwayPodcastNetwork

Read below for all you need to know about Abridgd Too Far! Fast, furious, funny and frequently infuriating to the aficionado, we present the literature's most renowned and best-loved books in just 1,337 seconds. Missing a hell of a lot out, making stark narrative choices, chucking in a fair amount of jokes and using audio to its maximum potential, this is a breakneck comic canter through the classics. The programme is introduced and narrated by Professor Ullard. They claim to be a professor of English Literature who has abridged these timeless works for the edification of a busy world that doesn't have the time to read. However, in reality they are a pompous, philistine fool with a low opinion of dead authors and classic writing, an obsession with inconsequential details like word counts and anagrams and who just wants to get the whole thing over with as swiftly as possible. Ullard's versions of these masterpieces are acted out for us by their Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Armchair Audio Theatre Company, which consists of a small (and madly versatile) regular cast of 6 actors, who play all the parts without stopping to take a breath. Because, in spite of the inherent comedy of the pace and haste, this absurd abridgement is a (more or less) faithful retelling of the book, in all its madly dramatic glory. ABRIDGED - TOO FAR So...like an Afternoon Play running to catch a train, The Great Gatsby, Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, Lady Chatterley's Lover, The War of the Worlds and The Scarlet Letter will be boiled down, stripped back and sped up for the enjoyment of those listeners who may know the book but will enjoy a speedy re- acquaintance with it – or (far more likely) it will be for those of us who don't know it because we've never had time in our busy lives to sit down and read it but sort of feel we should. David Spicer (Writer / Co-Director) is an award-winning comedy writer whose work for BBC Radio 4 includes the sitcoms Double Income No Kids Yet, Three Off the Tee and Hennikay and the plays Kind Hearts & Coronets (Like Father Like Daughter), Kempton and the Duke and Munchausen. He has written for countless British TV shows and his stage plays have been performed in London and all over the UK. During the pandemic he wrote an acclaimed series of live streamed comedies, performed by socially distanced actors during lockdown John Schwab (Producer / Co-Director) is an award-winning actor, director and producer. He has appeared on over 100 stages across the UK and half a dozen in the West End. He has directed numerous play readings and workshops including David Spicer's West End debut “Stop! - The Play”. John has recently appeared on the small screen in Jack Ryan, The Diplomat, The Queen's Gambit, Das Boot and many more. He's also a successful games voice over artist. You can hear him as Dandelion in The Witcher franchise, Starlord in Lego Marvel and is the voice of Dove Men+ Plant-based Care. His podcast “The Curtain Call Podcast” is a NY Times top theatre podcast on BPN. 

Read below for all you need to know about Abridgd Too Far! Fast, furious, funny and frequently infuriating to the aficionado, we present the literature's most renowned and best-loved books in just 1,337 seconds. Missing a hell of a lot out, making stark narrative choices, chucking in a fair amount of jokes and using audio to its maximum potential, this is a breakneck comic canter through the classics. The programme is introduced and narrated by Professor Ullard. They claim to be a professor of English Literature who has abridged these timeless works for the edification of a busy world that doesn't have the time to read. However, in reality they are a pompous, philistine fool with a low opinion of dead authors and classic writing, an obsession with inconsequential details like word counts and anagrams and who just wants to get the whole thing over with as swiftly as possible. Ullard's versions of these masterpieces are acted out for us by their Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Armchair Audio Theatre Company, which consists of a small (and madly versatile) regular cast of 6 actors, who play all the parts without stopping to take a breath. Because, in spite of the inherent comedy of the pace and haste, this absurd abridgement is a (more or less) faithful retelling of the book, in all its madly dramatic glory. ABRIDGED - TOO FAR So...like an Afternoon Play running to catch a train, The Great Gatsby, Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, Lady Chatterley's Lover, The War of the Worlds and The Scarlet Letter will be boiled down, stripped back and sped up for the enjoyment of those listeners who may know the book but will enjoy a speedy re- acquaintance with it – or (far more likely) it will be for those of us who don't know it because we've never had time in our busy lives to sit down and read it but sort of feel we should. David Spicer (Writer / Co-Director) is an award-winning comedy writer whose work for BBC Radio 4 includes the sitcoms Double Income No Kids Yet, Three Off the Tee and Hennikay and the plays Kind Hearts & Coronets (Like Father Like Daughter), Kempton and the Duke and Munchausen. He has written for countless British TV shows and his stage plays have been performed in London and all over the UK. During the pandemic he wrote an acclaimed series of live streamed comedies, performed by socially distanced actors during lockdown John Schwab (Producer / Co-Director) is an award-winning actor, director and producer. He has appeared on over 100 stages across the UK and half a dozen in the West End. He has directed numerous play readings and workshops including David Spicer's West End debut “Stop! - The Play”. John has recently appeared on the small screen in Jack Ryan, The Diplomat, The Queen's Gambit, Das Boot and many more. He's also a successful games voice over artist. You can hear him as Dandelion in The Witcher franchise, Starlord in Lego Marvel and is the voice of Dove Men+ Plant-based Care. His podcast “The Curtain Call Podcast” is a NY Times top theatre podcast on BPN.