Prepare to be moved by one of the most unusual short stories ever written, which tells a chilling tale of the simple life and complex death of a slave-owning planter in Union-occupied Alabama during the Civil War. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This classic Mark Twain tale is a witty commentary on poverty and wealth. There is much of Twain’s personal circumstance reflected in the story, as Twain had himself recently gone from riches to bankruptcy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Falling in love is one of humanities most common events and biggest mysteries. What is it that ignites one person's passion for another. This poignant tale of surprisingly falling for someone was penned by the first woman playwright to win a Pulitzer Prize.A brilliant author author of novels, short stories and plays, Zona Gale was the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prie for Drama for the stage adaptation of her novel, Miss Lulu Bett. She sold her first story at age 16 for $3. Learn more about your ad

A long-running feud leads two men to face each other and the ravages of nature in this powerful classic story by one the best short story authors of all time.One of listeners most requested authors is Saki, the pen name of British write H.H. Munro.His incredible short stories run the gamut from biting satire to shockingly macabre.At age 43, Munro insisted on enlisting as a mere trooper to fight for the British in World War One and was killed by a German sniper in 1916. Learn more about your ad

I am a big fan of dogs and am fascinated with their non-verbal communication skills. I also enjoy dog stories and the writing of O. Henry, so what could be better to end season two of Litreading than a dog story written by O. Henry. Each season of Litreading stretches from fall until mid-summer, giving me time for a family hiatus. In this one, I’m going to be moving to a new home in western Virginia, where I am also building a new studio. I have some big plans for season three of Litreading, do come

We all have our particular foibles and phobias. Today’s humorous short story focuses on one whose greatest fear is of banks. Would that be ripiaphobia? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Life can deal any of us some terrible blows. In this semi-auto biographical tale we explore the life of a once wealthy merchant, Jimmy Rose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is a wonderfully nostalgic tale of a time when boys could enjoy a taste of freedom, share ideas, and let’s their imaginations run wild, before the responsibilities of life overrode such fancies. You're invited to get lost at the foot of "The Enchanted Bluff."Willa Cather published "The Enchanted Bluff" in "Harper's Magazine" in 1909 during a period when her writing skills were blossoming in stories about her experiences living on the Nebraska prairie. Her efforts culminated in a Pulitzer Prize

In the 19th century, the United States was as diverse from region to region as were the country’s of Europe, except for the fact that we spoke some semblance of the same language. However, the language divide between proper Easern American English and that of the the inhabitants of the West could, at times be vast.Samuel Clemens was born in Florida in 1835, but it wasn’t until 27 years later that his alter ego, Mark Twain, came into being in Carson City, Nevada. He credited the many extreme

In the early 19th century country a farmer is murdered in his home. While investigated, local authorities task a local women with gathering a few things for the wife who was arrested for the crime. Susan Glaspell wrote a one-act play which she adapted into "A Jury of Her Peers” It is loosely based on a murder covered while working as a reporter for the Des Moines Daily News. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During these stressful times, forced into close quarters with those we love. we may find ourselves growing angry when a softer approach tends to me far more effective as is illustrated in this story.Mary Roberts Rinehart is yet another fine example of a talented early 20th Century authors. Known as The American Agatha Christie, she is best known for her mystery stories. A character in her 1920 play “The Bat” was the inspiration for Bob Kane’s comic book character “Batman.” Learn more about your ad

Charles Dickens was a constant observer of the plight of his fellows and critical of the divisions between humanity’s strata. In this deep and poignant parable of mankind’s need to be recognized by others he arrives at the conclusion that in the end, despite our apparent differences, we are all same.Dickens wrote "Nobody’s Story" to honor those who toil in anonymity and suffer quietly. It was originally published in 1853 as part of a Volume of Christmas stories, but felt more appropriate for

What began as a street brawl on a winter evening in Boston, became one the biggest sparks to help ignite the American revolution. 250 years ago, on March 5th 1770, anger over the British housing troops among civilians in Massachusetts boiled over into what the British called the Incident on King Street but was referred to my early Americans as "The Boston Massacre."To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the seminal event in early American history, we present Nathaniel Hawthorne's unique narrative

A special Father's Day episode of Litreading Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Kerry Ellis and Jamie Crick take a look back over the first series of Acting Up and play some of their favourite interviews, including John Owen Jones, Rachel Tucker, Oli Tompsett, Olivier award winner Sharon D. Clarke and many more!

This week the gorgeous Natalie McQueen joins us in the studio to chat all things 9-5, Wicked and Kinky Boots. The Olivier awards take centre stage in this weeks podcast too as we celebrate the success of the winners, including Come From Away, Company and Sharon D Clarke in Caroline, Or Change. Plus, we finish up with a coffee around that famous piano at Joe Allen. Your theatre week starts here.

This week the brilliant Oliver Tompsett joins is in the studio to discuss everything from his upcoming role in new musical And Juliet… to how his falsetto managed to make Kerry Ellis corpse on stage. Jonny Bunyan goes behind the scenes with Paul Hicks and we hear YOUR views from Liza Pullman Sings Streisand. Your Theatre Week Starts Here.

This week we chat to the LOVELY John Owen-Jones about his favourite role playing John Valjean in Les Miserables. We go backstage to find out what a company Stage Manager does, hear your take on the hit new musical 9-5, plus all the latest news and gossip for your theatre week.

This week the team bring you all the fun from the Collabro UK Tour with Kerry Ellis. Jonny Bunyan goes behind the scenes with Tour & Production Manager Chris Haylett and we hear from the Collabro fans. PLUS all this weeks news and views. Your theatre week starts here.

This week the lovely Joe McElderry joins us to discuss all of the gossip from the club Tropicana Musical Tour. We go behind the scenes with Oli Matthews from The Savoy Theatre and we hear YOUR views on the musicals you miss having in the West End. Your theatre week starts here.