This is a review of an audiobook available to stream via Audible.
In 2012, Audible Studios recorded a number of public domain stories for their audiobook service. Stars such as Tamsin Grieg and Stephen Mangan lent their voices to classic and familiar tales. These were readings which stuck to the source material, and differ from the dramatisations which Audible would later be known.
I was scrolling through the list of titles available to stream via the Audible Plus subscription; Searching for a suitable story for my under 5. Many of the stories were extremely known to me as they have been adapted into many media forms. This one, however, stuck out to me. Dick Whittington is a story which many will associate with the pantomime tradition. Until writing this review, I wasn’t aware of its real-life origins or the various other ways this story has been told.
The Story
The lowly Dick Whittington adventures to London to seek opportunity and fortune. While there he meets several characters, some of whom help him and some hinder him.
The Performance
Stephen Mangan’s narration is engaging, offering a calm delivery that sounds monotone at first. Then as characters are revealed, his range begins to widen. Some of the voices verge on pantomime (perhaps appropriately), but they add a quirky edge. The short runtime of 14 minutes means the mixture of these two qualities doesn’t grate too much.
Conclusion
The vibe of this audio book is tranquil overall. Mangan’s narration is calming, yet inviting with enough added characterisation to lift a story many may already know. It is entertaining as well as comfortable to listen to.
