Catherine Howard | Dramatic Reading
Running Time:01:59:21
Subtitled "The Throne, The Tomb, and The Scaffold - An Historical Play in 3 Acts From the Celebrated Play of that Name by Alexandre Dumas" - How can you resist a play about English history - the doomed fifth wife of Henry the 8th - by the celebrated French author of The Musketeers.
Cast list:
Henry VIII, King of England: Larry Wilson
Athelwold, Duke of Northumberland: Paul Simonin
Archbishop Cranmer: alanmapstone
Duke of Sussex: KHand
Duke of Norfolk: tovarisch
Grand Chamberlain: Tomas Peter
Lieutenant of the Tower: Sandra Schmit
Fleming, an Alchemist: Availle
Page: Lydia
Martin Krinkly, a Cordwainer: Tomas Peter
Simon Kreetnur, a Weaver: VivianWeaver
Captain of Guard: Bjorn V
Executioner: Kalynda
Princess Margaret, Sister to the King: Leanne Yau
Catherine Howard, his Fifth Wife: Beth Thomas
Dame Kennedy, her Nurse: Lydia
Winifred Krinkly, Wife to Martin: Sonia
Stage Directions: ToddHW
Edited By: ToddHW
Celebrated Crimes Series
Read by John Van Stan
Celebrated Crimes is a collection of 17 essays by Alexandre Dumas.
Dumas's 'Celebrated Crimes' was not written for children. The novelist has spared no language--has minced no words--to describe the violent scenes of a violent time. In some instances facts appear distorted out of their true perspective, and in others the author makes unwarranted charges. The careful, mature listener(reader), for whom the books are intended, will recognize, and allow for, this fact. (from publisher's note)
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 1: The Borgias and The Cenci
Running Time: 08:21:52
The first volume comprises the annals of the Borgias and the Cenci. The name of the noted and notorious Florentine family has become a synonym for intrigue and violence, and yet the Borgias have not been without stanch defenders in history. Another famous Italian story is that of the Cenci. The beautiful Beatrice Cenci--celebrated in the painting of Guido, the sixteenth century romance of Guerrazi, and the poetic tragedy of Shelley, not to mention numerous succeeding works inspired by her hapless fate—will always remain a shadowy figure and one of infinite pathos. ( From introduction)
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 2: The Massacres of the South
Running Time:09:02:10
It was first published as part of his eight-volume series “Celebrated Crimes” (1839 – 1840), and recounts the fascinating story of the brutal battles fought in the south of France and Spain over two and a half centuries in the name of religion. A bloody story of reaction and reaction, revenge and retaliation, “Massacres of the South – 1551-1815” is highly recommended for those with an interest in European history, and is not to be missed by fans of Dumas’s seminal work.
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 3: Mary Stuart
Running Time:06:24:18
The third volume is devoted to the story of Mary Queen of Scots, another woman who suffered a violent death, and around whose name an endless controversy has waged. Dumas goes carefully into the dubious episodes of her stormy career, but does not allow these to blind his sympathy for her fate. Mary, it should be remembered, was closely allied to France by education and marriage, and the French never forgave Elizabeth the part she played in the tragedy. ( From the introduction)
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 4: Karl-Ludwig Sand
Running Time:01:59:27
This is the fourth volume of Alexandre Dumas' studies of celebrated crimes and their perpetrators. This volume is concerned with the story of Karl Ludwig Sand, who stabbed August von Kotzebue to death in 1819. August von Kotzebue had been a prominent dramatist, a student of Musäus, whose royalist and conservative writings ultimately led to his assassination by a member of a revolutionary liberal Burschenschaft.
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 4: Part 2: Urbain Grandier
Running Time:03:22:32
This is the dramatic story of Urbain Grandier, a catholic priest, who had a reputation to rival that of Casanova, which ultimately led to his destruction. He was accused of witchcraft after a series of accusations from nuns of a nearby convent, who claimed that Grandier has sent several demons upon them. The case is very well documented, and the original documents of the alleged pact, written in backwards Latin and signed by all participating demons, are still preserved. The case continues to inspire art and sciences, leading to assessments of the events in light of modern sociology, psychology, and legal sciences. Alexandre Dumas' version of the events is presented here.
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 4: Part 3: Nisida
Running Time:01:29:14
This story details the many crimes (attempted rape, assault, filicide, etc.) surrounding a significant historical confrontation between a fisherman from the island of Nisida, named Gabriel, and the Italian Prince of Brancaleone. Dumas notes that "the details of this case are recorded in the archives of the Criminal Court at Naples."
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 5: Part 1: Desrues
Running Time:04:24:17
This story chronicles the crimes of Antoine-Francois Desrues (also called "Derues") from his childhood to his execution. Desrues constructed the veneer of a virtuous reputation that hid his ever-increasing deviancy from society. Eventually, his lust for fame and fortune (especially the latter) crumbled his virtuous veneer, revealing the startling extent of his crimes, and condemning him to justice by the executioner's hand.
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 5: Part 2: La Constantin
Running Time:02:32:51
Dumas chronicles the court intrigues that led to the execution of Marie La Roux Constantin. La dame Constantin was known by French nobility in the 17th century as the “midwife to the Queen’s daughters.” This title was, in reality, a dark jest as her business was providing dangerous (often maternally fatal) abortions to women ensnared in the machinations of powerful noblemen. This case also highlights how strongly gender inequalities permeated the justice system of this time as reviews by historians, like Dr. Leigh Whaley, found La Constantin was condemned “without any tangible evidence against her.”
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 6: Part 1: Joan of Naples
Running Time:03:43:35
The celebrated crimes committed during the life of Joan (Joanna I) of Naples span from personal misdeeds (adulteries and mariticide) to regional warfare (like the 1345 War in the Piedmont), and ultimately unraveled her father’s legacy (King Robert the Wise). Dumas projects her story through a deathly lens: beginning with the passing of King Robert the Wise, winding through the untimely demise of nobles, soldiers, and children, then ending at Joan’s own assassination.
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 6: Part 2: The Man in the Iron Mask
Running Time:01:42:10
In the late 1600s a man was doubly-imprisoned: his body in an iron cell and his face in an iron mask. Who the “man in the iron mask” was, why he was imprisoned, and how he was treated during imprisonment, remains a mystery that has captivated historians for centuries. Before Dumas penned the final volume of his D’Artagnan Romances, “The Man in the Iron Mask,” he wrote that “everything connected with the masked prisoner arouses the most vivid curiosity.” This essay is a comprehensive summary of theories regarding the masked prisoner’s identity and history from the 1770s to Dumas’ time (1840s).
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 6: Part 3: Martin Guerre
Running Time:01:46:17
Martin Guerre was a French peasant that, during a long absence, was famously impersonated in the 16th century. Although the real Martin Guerre is suspected of no serious crimes, his imposter, Arnaud du Tilh, engaged in fraud and adultery while pursuing false claims to the Guerre inheritance. Dumas later incorporates this celebrated crime into his novel “The Two Dianas.”
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 7: Part 1: Ali Pacha
Running Time:04:27:16
Ali Tepeleni, Pacha of Janina, rose to power during the early 1800s in one of the Ottoman Empire’s most unruly territories (Albania). His ferocious imposition of will was limitless, earning him the sobriquet of “the Lion of Janina.” As the mauling and murder of innocents sustains the lion, so did it sustain Ali Pacha’s rule. Thus, the range of celebrated crimes that Dumas describes in this essay are as vast as Ali Pacha’s ambition – an ambition rooted in his mother’s callous advice that “success justified everything, and everything is permissible to him who has the power to do it.”
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 7: Part 2: Countess de Saint-Geran
Running Time:01:47:34
This story details the crimes and trial surrounding the unexpected pregnancy and subsequent childbirth of the Countess de Saint-Geran in 1640s France. Familial jealousies harbored by her sister-in-law, the Marchioness de Bouille, intertwine with the greedy schemes of a fugitive relative, the Marquis de Saint-Maixent, to produce a scandalous series of events.
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 7: Part 3: Murat
Running Time:01:33:27
Amidst the political winds from Napoleon’s downfall, this tale turns our attention to the flight of a former French marshal and King of Naples, Joachim Murat. Murat, unhappy with the deal he made to obtain pardon from the Austrian Emperor, takes a life-ending resolution to retake his crown rather than live in peaceful obscurity.
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 8: Part 1: The Marquise de Brinvilliers
Running Time:02:52:10
The crimes of the Marquise of Brinvilliers, a French aristocrat during the reign of Louis XIV, included some of the most famous murders, scandals (Affair of the Poisons) and mysteries (the Man in the Iron Mask) in French history. This story recounts her major crimes, torture, conviction and execution.
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 8: Part 2: Vaninka
Running Time:02:12:24
The story of Vaninka, generally regarded as the most fictionalized of Dumas’ Celebrated Crimes series, occurs during the short and eccentric rule of Emperor Paul I of Russia. Vaninka is a general’s daughter whose love for one of her father’s officers leads to tragic death, savage crimes and perversions of justice.
Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 8: Part 3: The Marquise de Ganges
Running Time:02:14:16
The assassination of Diane de Joannis de Chateaublanc (the Marquise de Ganges) is a fitting tale to conclude Dumas’ celebrated crimes series. This event was as gruesome as it was brazen and, before the final dagger strokes, both the assassins and the assassinated had become embroiled in high-profile intrigues. As a result, it sent reverberations through common and court societies across Europe for decades.
Chicot the Jester
Read by John Van Stan
Running Time:15:29:28
This sequel to Dumas' “Marguerite de Valois” begins four years after the sudden death of King Charles IX and succession of his brother Henry III. The reign of King Henry III was plagued with rebellion and political intrigue due to the War of the Three Henries, where his regency was challenged by King Henry of Navarre (leader of the Huguenots) and Henry I, Duke of Guise (leader of the Catholic League). Dumas weaves two main storylines through this turbulent backdrop: one of the love ignited between le Comte de Bussy and la Dame de Monsoreau, and another of the friendship between King Henry III and his truly unique jester, Chicot (Jean-Antoine d'Anglerais).
Mademoiselle De Belle Isle | Dramatic Reading
Running Time:02:30:32
"The refined and fashionable audiences who... used to applaud the play of Mademoiselle de Belle Isle… would, in all probability, have objected to an English version of Dumas' clever play, upon the score of its immorality. It is not for me to determine whether the aristocratic audiences at the St James Theater did not understand what they heard, or whether the French language has a special charm for rendering inoffensive what plain English fails to recommend."
Cast list:
The Duke de Richelieu: Tomas Peter
The Duke D'Aumont: Craig Franklin
The Chevalier D'Auvray: Kurt
The Chevalier D'Aubigny: Jason in Panama
Chamillac: alanmapstone
The Abbe de Rosanne: ToddHW
The Marchioness de Valcour: Sonia
Mademoiselle Gabriella de Belle Isle: Devorah Allen
Mariette: Leanne Yau
Footman: Roger Melin
Servant: Owen Cook
Stage Directions: Sandra Schmit
Editor: ToddHW
Marguerite de Valois
Read by John Van Stan
Running Time:20:34:12
A historical fiction novel set in Paris (1572) during Charles IX's reign and the French Wars of Religion. Marguerite de Valois, daughter of deceased Henry II, is the novel's protagonist set against the infamous schemes of the Catholic power player, Catherine de Medici.
Paul Jones | Dramatic Reading
Running Time:02:28:13
Dumas's play talks of American Naval Hero John Paul Jones's romantic entanglements and affairs of honor ashore in France. He later converted it to a novel.
Cast list:
The Marquis D'Auray: Amy Gramour
The Marchioness, his wife: Sonia
Count Emanuel, their child: Tomas Peter
Margaret, their child: Leanne Yau
Baron De Lectoure: Nemo
Paul Jones: ToddHW
Louis Achard: Thomas A. Copeland
Mr. De La Jarry: Roger Melin
Mr. De Nozay: RecordingPerson
Notary: Zames Curran
Laffeuille, valet to the Marchioness: Son of the Exiles
Jasmin, valet to Emanuel: Eva Davis
The Black Tulip
Read by Gail Timmerman Vaughan
Running Time:7:34:20
The Black Tulip, written by Alexandre Dumas père and published in 1850, is a historical novel placed in the time of Tulipmania in the Netherlands. The novel begins with the 1672 politically motivated mob lynching of the de Witt brothers and then follows the story of Cornelius van Baerle, godson of Cornelius de Wit. Cornelius Van Baerle has joined the race to breed a truly black tulip – and to win the prize of 100,000 guilders, as well as fame and honour. As he nears his goal he is jailed and then of course rescued – by the beautiful Rosa, daughter of the jailer.
The Corsican Brothers
Read by K. Hand; Sarah H. and John Van Stan
Running Time:03:10:36
Alexandre Dumas weaves the compelling story of Siamese twins who are separated physically but never in spirit. When one of the brothers is murdered, the other leaves Corsica for Paris to avenge the killing. Dumas brings this thrilling tale to life with his fascinating descriptions of Italy and France and his powerful portrayal of the undying love of brother for brother.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Read by David Clarke
Running Time:54:16:11
Le Comte de Monte-Cristo is an adventure novel and one of the author's most popular works. He completed the work in 1844. The story takes place in France, Italy, islands in the Mediterranean and in the Levant during the historical events of 1815-1838 (from just before the Hundred Days to the reign of Louis-Philippe of France). It deals with themes of hope, justice, vengeance, mercy and forgiveness. The book is considered a literary classic today.
The Forty-Five Guardsmen
Read by John Van Stan
Running Time:15:47:08
The sequel to "Chicot the Jester" and final book of the "Valois Romances." This story begins six years after the famed "Duel of the Mignons" between the favorites of the courts of King Henry III and Henry the Duke of Guise (somewhat allied with the King's brother, Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alencon). Dumas concludes his historical fiction on the War of the Three Henries while (1) detailing the formation of the Forty-Five Guardsmen (who were to become the Musketeers), (2) following Chicot the Jester as he stays loyal to the failing regency of King Henry III, and (3) continuing the story of Diana (a principal character in the previous book).
The d'Artagnan Romances, Vol 1: The Three Musketeers
Read by John Van Stan
Running Time:26:34:53
Volume 1 introduces d’Artagnan as a young man, seeking to earn the glory of serving in the King’s Musketeers. While in pursuit of this aim, d’Artagnan befriends three musketeers – Athos, Porthos, and Aramis – who aid him in adventures against their King’s adversary, the cunning Cardinal Richelieu. "One for all, and all for one!"
The d'Artagnan Romances, Vol 2: Twenty Years After
Read by John Van Stan
Running Time:24:10:40
Volume 2 of The d'Artagnan Romances begins twenty years after "The Three Musketeers." Since then, d'Artagnan's career has stagnated, he’s lost touch with his friends, and the high favor earned with Queen Anne has been forgotten. His misfortune mirrors that of France, now ruled by an ineffective miser, Cardinal Mazarin, who’s avarice (among other vices) fuels a rebellion. Moreover, England is mired in civil war! Can d’Artagnan do the seemingly impossible: reunite “The Inseparables,” save the Queen and young Louis XIV from an uprising, and aid the English monarchy, all while avoiding the evil Mordaunt, son of a personal enemy long-believed to be neutralized? Well, according to d'Artagnan, "Great people only thank you for doing the impossible; what’s possible, they say, they can effect themselves."
The d'Artagnan Romances, Vol 3, Part 1: The Vicomte de Bragelonne: Ten Years Later
Read by John Van Stan
Running Time:31:29:59
Volume 3 of The d'Artagnan Romances is divided into three parts. The first begins in 1660, ten years after Volume 2, with d’Artagnan as Lieutenant of the King’s Musketeers. In this post, he is very near to achieving his dream (becoming Captain) and even nearer to his King, being young Louis XIV’s personal guard. Seeing first-hand how powerless the child King was, d’Artagnan resigns his illustrious, but dull, post to turn his sharp wit and sword toward another ambitious aim: restoration of the English monarchy. To the joy of France, Cardinal Mazarin dies, leaving a power vacuum that pulls at the ill-fated ambitions of the rich and powerful, Nicolas Fouquet. To combat Fouquet’s ambitions and wrench the nation back from the brink of bankruptcy, young Louis XIV takes the Cardinal’s dying advice and leagues with the economic and sociopolitical reformist, Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Unfortunately, “The Inseparables” again find each other on different sides of the power struggle: Aramis and Porthos with Fouquet, but d’Artagnan and Athos with the King and Colbert. As d’Artagnan advises King Louis XIV, “The reign of Mazarin is over, but that of the financiers is begun. They have the money; your majesty will not often see much of it. To live under the paw of these hungry wolves is hard.”
The d'Artagnan Romances, Vol 3, Part 2:Louise de la Valliere
Read by Robert Snoza, Phil Griffiths, Lynne Thompson, Deon Gines,
Eden Rea-Hedrick, Wayne Donovan, ToddHW, Gail Timmerman Vaughan and Filippo Gioachin
Running Time:18:23:03
After The Three Muskateers and Twenty Years After the adventurous story of Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan continues!
The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later (French: Le Vicomte de Bragelonne ou Dix ans plus tard) is the last of the Musketeer novels. It is usually divided into four volumes and this third volume contains chapters 141-208.
The d'Artagnan Romances, Vol 3, Part 3: The Man in the Iron Mask
Read by John Van Stan
Running Time:30:06:01
In this, the last of the Three Musketeers novels, Dumas builds on the true story of a mysterious prisoner held incognito in the French penal system, forced to wear a mask when seen by any but his jailer or his valet. If you have skipped the novels between The Three Musketeers and this, a few notes will bring you into the story:
On one side – Aramis, now a bishop and secretly the Captain-General of the Jesuit Order, who believes he has found a path to a higher honor – the papacy. Monsieur Fouquet, the vastly rich minister of finance, Aramis’ ally. Philippe, the identical twin of King Louis XIV, who grew up in ignorance of his pedigree, and whose surrogate parents were murdered on the king’s order and himself sent into the notorious Paris prison, the Bastille, there held in solitary confinement.
On the other side – King Louis XIV, selected as the twin who would be king by his mother, and who intends that his brother will never challenge him. Monsieur Colbert, first minister, who is jealous of Fouquet and plots his downfall.
Unaligned and in danger of collateral damage – d’Artagnan, now captain of the King’s Musketeers and so the king’s chief defender, who suspects plots running beneath the surface and who is trying to unearth them. Athos, now the Comte (Count) de la Fer and one of the most respected noblemen of France. Raoul, Athos’ son and vicomte (viscount), desperately in love with Mademoiselle de la Valliere, who the king has taken as his mistress. Porthos, grown extremely stout and happy as the Baron du Vallon.
Aramis discovers the hidden Philippe and hatches a plot to substitute him for the sitting king, putting Louis in Philippe’s cell in the Bastille. This even succeeds… for a short while. But Aramis has not reckoned with a man whose loyalty to the throne exceeds his own welfare and who disastrously reverses the plot. Now it is time for the plotters to scurry to cover, there to figure some way to recover their lost ambitions.
The Marie Antoinette Romances
Read by John Van Stan
Alexandre Dumas, born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie, also known as Alexandre Dumas, père, was a French writer, best known for his historical novels of high adventure. Translated into nearly 100 languages, these have made him one of the most widely read French authors in history. Many of his novels, including The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, and The Vicomte de Bragelonne: Ten Years Later were originally published as serials. Prolific in several genres, Dumas began his career by writing plays, which were successfully produced from the first. He also wrote numerous magazine articles and travel books; his published works totaled 100,000 pages. In the 1840s, Dumas founded the Théâtre Historique in Paris.
The Marie Antoinette Romances, Vol 1: Balsamo, The Magician
Running Time:10:55:06
This is the first volume of Dumas' Marie Antoinette Romances (also called "The Memoirs of a Physician"). This historical fiction chronicles the strange events surrounding the fall of the French monarchy (starting ~1770) and rise of revolutionaries so terrifying that the period is still called "The Reign of Terrors" (1793-1794). In this volume, a renowned magician, Count Alessandro di Cagliostro (Balsamo), employs various occult tactics, like hypnotism and necromancy, to gain state secrets. Balsamo claims to be plotting against the Bourbons, but one must wonder whether this 3000 year old sorcerer has an ulterior motive...
The Marie Antoinette Romances, Vol 2: The Mesmerist's Victim
Running Time:10:39:36
This 2nd volume of the Marie Antoinette Romances continues the intrigues of "Balsamo, The Magician" and adds to them the schemes of philosophers and the stirrings of revolution. Balsamo (based on the real Count Alessandro di Cagliostro) carries on his occult tactics to weaponize the state secrets that he gained in the previous volume. A serious romance and illness takes root in the court of King Louis XV, convincing one of the leading philosophic minds of the era, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, that “the breath of heaven will blast an age and a monarchy.”
The Marie Antoinette Romances, Vol 3: The Queen's Necklace
Running Time:16:40:31
This 3rd volume of the Marie Antoinette Romances begins a decade after the close of "The Mesmerist’s Victim” and is based on a real scandal in Louis XVI’s court, commonly called “The Diamond Necklace Affair.” In this volume, the plotting of a powerful occultist, Count Cogliostro (or “Balsamo”), collides with the long-festering resentments of a previous royal house, Jeanne de Valois (de la Motte), a growing popular movement for sociopolitical reform, and a shrinking supply of bread. It is easy to see how converging sociopolitical challenges can threaten the monarchy, but how can the court of Louis XVI overcome these challenges amidst a famine? After all, in the words of his economic advisor, Turgot de l'Aulnes, “Ne vous mêlez pas du pain”
Marie Antoinette Romances, Vol 4: Taking the Bastile
Running Time:08:29:59
This 4th volume of the Marie Antoinette Romances begins several years after the close of "The Queen’s Necklace.” It describes the events leading up to and including the storming of the Bastile. Past plots of Count Balsamo (aka, Cogliostro) to destroy the French monarchy are resurrected by the mysterious Dr. Gilbert – a student of Balsamo’s occult arts and the Enlightenment philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Considered by many critics to be a highlight of the Marie Antoinette Romances, Dumas tells this quintessential story of the French Revolution through the lens of the people. As Dumas writes, “The Bastile was the seal of feudalism on the brow of Paris … the monument which had for five centuries weighed like an incubus on the breast of France—a rock of Sisyphus. Less confident than the Titan in her power, France had never thought to throw it off.” Here, history shows us the Titanic power that a people can wield!
The Marie Antoinette Romances, Vol 5: The Countess of Charny
Running Time:07:52:03
This 5th volume of the Marie Antoinette Romances begins after the fall of the Bastille and the March on Versailles, which forced Louis XVI and his court to be escorted back to Paris. In Paris, political factions battle over the fate of the nation, the royal family, and anyone with royalist sympathies. Our heroes (like Ange Pitou) and our anti-heroes (like Gilbert) must navigate the blood-streaked landscape while keeping their necks out of the guillotine. All the while, the prophetic Balsamo urges on the revolution: "the quantity of blood which must be shed before the sun rises on the free world ... does not shake my conviction. I marched on, I march on, and on I shall march, overturning all that stands in my path, and saying to myself, in a calm voice, as I look around with a serene look: Woe to the obstacle, for this is the future which is coming!"
The Wolf-Leader
Read by John Van Stan
Running Time:08:22:09
Part local legend of a dark and dangerous Wolf-Leader, part childhood memories of his home near Villers-Cotterets, in Aisne, Dumas here penned a chilling supernatural encounter between man and the devil. Our hero, Thibault the shoemaker, is beaten on the orders of the Lord of Vez for hunting in the lord's forest. With Thibault's resentment at his treatment by the world at its height, the devil sees his chance and, in the guise of a wolf, proposes a deal which Thibault accepts; the ever available trade of one's soul for evil power. With a pack of demon possessed wolves at his command, Thibault begins to explore his new power tentatively, hesitant to do evil, but unable to help himself, the momentum of the tale grown in surprising and horrifying ways until the unexpected climax.