All-star cast for Talking Books’ 90th
Adjoa Andoh MBE
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is celebrating 90 years of its Talking Books Service with a retelling of Jane Austen’s classic love story, Pride and Prejudice.
Twelve UK actors and seven RNIB narrators have come together to record this special edition, which will be available to all Talking Books users through RNIB’s Library, as well as the wider public, to mark the occasion.
They include Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh MBE, Ted Lasso’s Phil Dunster and the Night Manager’s Alistair Petrie. Actress Lucy Scott, one of the RNIB’s longest standing Talking Book narrators, and who played Charlotte Lucas in the 1995 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, also stepped back into the world of Austen’s characters for the recording.
James Bartlett, RNIB reading services manager at RNIB, said: “Our Talking Books Service has grown from strength to strength over the past 90 years, with over 50,000 titles now available for blind and partially sighted people to enjoy. This special recording of Pride and Prejudice, which has a long history and legacy since it was first published in 1813, is a fitting tribute to Talking Books’ own legacy and it was the perfect choice for this momentous milestone. Technology has evolved significantly over the last nine decades, in turn changing how we access stories, but the importance of everyone being able to lose themselves in a good book has remained the same.”
Alistair Petrie
Actress Adjoa Andoh said: “I’ve been involved with supporting RNIB for many years. A beloved family member of mine had a tumour resulting in them losing their sight. They were an avid reader before this, and discovering Talking Books was initially a surprise, as well as a revelation, and ultimately a huge boost that allowed them to continue their love of reading.”
Actress Lisa George, who starred in Coronation Street for 14 years and has sight condition non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, said: “From my own experience of being told I’m losing my sight, I know the importance of services like Talking Books and how they can make such a difference to everyday life, I jumped at the chance to be involved in RNIB’s recording of Pride and Prejudice. Talking Books is an iconic service, and Pride and Prejudice is an iconic love story, so having the chance to offer my voice to this recording has been an honour.”
RNIB’s Talking Books Service is free for blind and partially sighted listeners to enjoy, and as part of its 90th anniversary celebrations, Pride and Prejudice will be available for everyone to listen to through RNIB’s website.