Average Romp

Another glowing review for The Cricket on the Hearth/The Haunted Man from Audio Theatre Central:

www.audiotheatrecentral.com/2025/12/revi...

A screenshot of the review.

The Haunted Man: "Another excellent adaptation of a lesser known work. 9/10".

scifibulletin.com/books/audiob...

A screenshot of the review.

The Cricket on the Hearth: "A thoroughly enjoyable hour... 9/10."

scifibulletin.com/books/audiob...

Glad you enjoyed it - we may quote your review!

Well, that was time well spent. Listening to The Cricket on the Hearth / The Haunted Man from @averageromp.bsky.social is like sitting by the fire with eggnog and your favourite seasonal music. With impeccable sound design, music, and acting, and stories by Charles Dickens, what's not to like?

The Cricket on the Hearth I’ve adapted one of Charles Dickens’ other Christmas books for audio. Here’s how I went about it. The Cricket on the Hearth is the third of Charles Dickens’ five Christmas books, …

I've written a blog about my audio adaptation of Dickens' The Cricket On The Hearth, available now from @averageromp.bsky.social: eddierobson.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/t...

The Cricket on the Hearth: Interview: Jonathan Morris Jonathan Morris’ production company Average Romp has followed up its successful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ The Chimes with two more of his Victorian tales: The Cricket on the Hearth and The Hau…

Check out this interview with producer Jonathan Morris about our latest release. scifibulletin.com/books/audiob...

Marley was dead, to begin with...

The Cricket on the Hearth/The Haunted Man available now from www.averageromp.com

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The Haunted Man. Audio Drama Review. Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10 Cast: Rosie Baker, Paterson Joseph, Jeff Rawle, Tim Speyer, Dan Starkey, Matthew Steer, Tilly Vosburgh. The final novella from one of Britain’s finest ever wr…

The Haunted Man "an hour of audio heaven framed for all time."

www.liverpoolsoundandvision.co.uk/2025/11/14/t...

The Cricket On The Hearth. Audio Drama Review. Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10 Cast: Tony Marshall, Bronté Barbé, Graham Fellows, Geoff Leesley, Jason Forbes, Katie Moore. The Cricket On The Hearth may not be considered by many in today’…

Our first review!

"The Cricket On The Hearth is a tale of unpretentious brilliance."

www.liverpoolsoundandvision.co.uk/2025/11/12/t...

Full cast and recording details can be found on the press release here:

averageromp.com/the-cricket-...

Please support this release - and please repost this thread!

YouTube video by Average Romp The Haunted Man by Charles Dickens, 15-minute preview

And you can stream a free 15-minute preview of The Haunted Man here:

youtu.be/xJrRpJpLZng?...

Be like Selim, my new best friend. ⬇️

The Haunted Man being haunted by his own shadow.

Following the critically-acclaimed release of The Chimes in 2022, Average Romp presents two more full-cast adaptations of Charles Dickens’ Christmas stories; THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH & THE HAUNTED MAN.

It will make your Christmas 100% more Christmassy!

Order here: averageromp.com

Proud of these two gems...The Haunted Man & The Cricket of the Hearth. If you enjoyed The Chimes, try these two out for some good seasonal fireside listening. Fine casts, great adaptations and wonderful sound design. Enjoy. #Dickens #Christmas #averagerompproductions #audiodrama averageromp.com

I've written a new audio adaptation of one of Dickens' other Christmas books, The Cricket On The Hearth, and it's available now to buy as a bundle with The Haunted Man scripted by @jonnymorris.bsky.social. Mine stars Graham Fellows, his stars Paterson Joseph! averageromp.com/the-cricket-...

YouTube video by Average Romp The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens, 13-minute preview

You can stream a free 13-minute preview of The Cricket on the Hearth here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCXN...

The productions reunite the talent behind The Chimes; director Lisa Bowerman and sound designer/composer Howard Carter.

Both productions are 55 minutes in duration and can be purchased together for £12 from averageromp.com or £20 with The Chimes.

(L to R) Rosie Baker, Dan Starkey, Matthew Steer, Paterson Joseph, Jeff Rawle, Tim Speyer, Tilly Vosburgh

It is adapted by Jonathan Morris (The Chimes, V:UK, Doctor Who etc) and the cast stars Paterson Joseph (The Sandman, Wonka) as Redlaw, along with Jeff Rawle (Drop the Dead Donkey) as Philip, Tim Speyer, Dan Starkey, Matthew Steer, Rosie Baker and Tilly Vosburgh.

Originally published in 1848, The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain: A Fancy for Christmas-Time, to give it its full title, is a darker tale about a scientist called Redlaw who is consumed by regret. Visited by a spirit in the form of his own shadow, he is given the chance to forget his troubles.

(L to R) Tony Marshall, Rosa Escoda, Bronté Barbé, Graham Fellows, Geoff Leesley, Jason Forbes and Katie Moore

It is adapted by Eddie Robson (writer of Welcome To Our Village, Please Invade Carefully) and the cast includes comedy legend Graham Fellows (“John Shuttleworth”) as John Peerybingle, along with Jason Forbes, Tony Marshall, Bronté Barbé, Rosa Escoda and Katie Moore.

The Cricket on the Hearth (originally published in 1845) concerns a carrier called John Peerybingle who fears his wife Dot may be unfaithful to him due to their age difference. The story also features an ill-matched wedding between the imperious factory owner Tackleton and the free-spirited May.

The artwork showing The Haunted Man with a sinister shadow.

NEW RELEASE - OUT TODAY

THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH & THE HAUNTED MAN

Following the critically-acclaimed release of The Chimes in 2022, Average Romp presents two more full-cast adaptations of Charles Dickens’ Christmas stories; THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH & THE HAUNTED MAN.

averageromp.com

A Dickens of a good Christmas on the way It’s time for another Dickensian Christmas courtesy of Average Romp. Following the critically-acclaimed release of The Chimes in 2022, Average Romp presents two more full-cast adaptations of Charle…

Following The Chimes, two more Dickensian Christmas tales from @averageromp.bsky.social @jonnyauping.bsky.social @lisabowerman.bsky.social @eddierobson.bsky.social
scifibulletin.com/2025/11/06/a...

A sinister shadow.

Coming soon...

YouTube video by Average Romp The Chimes by Charles Dickens starring Toby Jones, 14-minute preview. An Average Romp production.

As a prelude to our next two releases, a free preview of the first 14-minutes of our critically acclaimed production of The Chimes by Charles Dickens is now available on YouTube (as well as being available on streaming services). Time to start getting in the Christmas mood...

youtu.be/RR6xUpVzu08

Our highly-praised Dickens adaptation, available from www.averageromp.com and www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/t...

Our next two productions have now been recorded. Fantastic casts, absolute magic in the studio. Please follow this account - details to follow in due course!

The week in audio: The Chimes; Uncanny Christmas Special; The Today Podcast – review Toby Jones stars in a pitch-perfect Dickens adaptation; it’s all round to Daisy May Cooper’s haunted house; and Esther Rantzen’s frank revelations are an inspiration

"Trotty is played by Toby Jones, brilliant as ever; indeed, every character is portrayed with verve and warmth. The pacing is great: not hurried, not slow; the filmic music works well... A lovely Christmas treat, easy listening at its best."

www.theguardian.com/culture/2023...

What's your favourite 1960s album, Jonny?