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The Diver | An Uncanny Tale by A. J. Alan | A Bitesized Audiobook
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ส.ค. 2024
- Alan has been told by the BBC that he must relate a true ghost story... and he obliges with an eerie and strange tale of second sight in a most unlikely setting: the swimming bath at his club.
Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me:
* Occasional/one-off support via Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesize...
* Monthly support on Patreon: / bitesizedaudio
* Visit my Bandcamp page to hear more of my performances of classic stories, and you can purchase and download high quality audio files to listen offline: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com/
* Become a Bitesized Audio Classics member on TH-cam, from $1 per month with various benefits:
/ bitesizedaudioclassics
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:13 The Story begins
00:20:21 Credits, thanks and further listening
A. J. Alan was the pseudonym of the multi-talented Leslie Harrison Lambert (1883-1941), an English civil servant and intelligence officer whose readings of his own short stories on the fledgling BBC radio service in the early 1920s were incredibly popular with contemporary audiences. He was born in Nottingham, he went to school at Rugby, and initially trained as a surveyor. After working for a few years as a surveyor, he made quite a radical career change: in about 1906 he became a professional magician and was accepted into the Magic Circle.
He also developed an interest in amateur radio in the years before the First World War which proved pivotal to his life and career: on the outbreak of war in August 1914 he volunteered to work at a coastguard station intercepting German wireless communications, and by the end of that year was working for the British Admiralty in Naval Intelligence Room 40, which was later to become part of what is now known as GCHQ. Lambert remained in the Intelligence service for the rest of his career. He still held a senior role at the outbreak of the Second World War, and transferred to Bletchley Park where he worked in Hut 8 (alongside Alan Turing amongst many others). However by this stage his health was declining, and he died in December 1941 at the age of 58.
Shortly after the foundation of the BBC in 1922, Lambert contacted the Corporation offering to read his own short stories as radio broadcasts, and he began doing so in January 1924. He performed those readings under the pseudonym A. J. Alan, and his real identity was kept a closely-guarded secret, although apparently his voice was once recognised by an old school friend.
There are various popular legends about Alan’s broadcasts: that he had his scripts pasted onto cardboard so that the paper wouldn’t make a noise on the microphone, and that he turned up in full evening dress to do the broadcasts, with his own candle in case the lights in the studio went out.
Lambert, or Alan's, stories were distinctive in tone, with a highly conversational, off-the-cuff style which belied the intense preparation which went into every episode. The broadcasts were hugely popular with contemporary audiences and made "A. J. Alan" into a household name. The stories themselves are typically a blend of humour and suspense, often with a twist. The majority of them were subsequently published in contemporary newspaper or periodicals, as well as published in book form ('Good Evening, Everyone!' in 1928 and 'A. J. Alan's Second Book' in 1933).
If you'd like to hear the voice of the man himself, a couple of his stories are available on the 'Stars of the Wireless' website, from gramophone recordings produced in the 1930s:
rfwilmut.net/wireless/alan.html
This recording © Bitesized Audio 2022
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:13 The Story begins
00:20:21 Credits, thanks and further listening
Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me:
* Occasional/one-off support via Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio
* Monthly support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bitesizedaudio
* Visit my Bandcamp page to hear more of my performances of classic stories, and you can purchase and download high quality audio files to listen offline: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com/
* Become a Bitesized Audio Classics member on TH-cam, from $1 per month with various benefits:
th-cam.com/users/BitesizedAudioClassicsjoin
Thanks for listening!
Moral: don't have a mouthful of tea when listening to Mr S read this story or you may laugh it out your nose.
Oh dear... apologies for any discomfort caused! 😁
Simon, I imagine that was a tricky read, getting the jokes timed perfectly (and you did!) More from this author would be awesome!
Thanks Scout Rifle. There are certainly at least a couple more from AJA that I'd like to do; I've put together a playlist of the ones I've recorded so far and will add to it as and when I get round to the others: th-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZJ8mCEh4VIBxXgEg7IfAxU-.html
"Dra...take."
@@PippaAT And never light three matches with one cigarette! I love this writer, and Simon's performance of these stories are an absolute delight!
@@BitesizedAudio¹½¹111111111¹¹1111¹¹11111¹1111111111¹
This story is so perfect for Simon's voice. Love it.
It’s just real gift
I agree. It's so natural I had to keep reminding myself it wasn't Simon's story!
Em not great ....sorry 😕
Oh, spot on, sir! I can’t be the only one who cheered when I saw you’d done a new A J Alan story. 😀♥️
I literally said "WooHoo!" when I saw this notification! A.J. Alan is my favorite of this genre because I love the humor.
Had never heard of AJ Allen have to admit, yet another author I’ve found through bitesize, Mr Stanthorpe is a well of fabulous stories/authors✊♥️
I definitely cheered too!! I love AJA's style and Stanhope is the perfect person to express it.
I am so happy that I came across your channel.
Good story, with lots of dry humour. Beautifully read as usual!
I love this story! I love the way the author sneaks in a joke here and there. And Simon, I'm very much impressed by your American accent. Very well done!
Perfect interpretation as always. I like these funny ghost stories.
"Ponking"! Loved it. :D Thank you Simon.
Indeed! I've added a new word to my vocabulary! 😃
I love A. J. Alan's work, thank you! I've heard this done by another reader, but your rendering is perfection and really does the work justice. Thanks again so much for all your hard work on our behalf. With kind regards.
Thank you, appreciated!
Your narration is beyond perfect. The subtlety of it for a bit of humor or a bit of disapproval is wonderful. As for humor, I try to imagine you reading Stephen Potter's One-Upsmanship. there are so many emotions expressed by way of the example situations that you could certainly capture. Then again, you'd have to refrain from laughing because that book is almost lethally funny! but at least now I can imagine it in your voice.
This narrator along with Mr Wagland are by far the very best narrators I’ve ever heard,so of course y tube has pestered the both of them!
Whatever y tube appears to have a problem with is a guarantee that it’s particularly good!😉
Simon, You and A.J.Alan, the perfect match! And such a comfort. Thank you
Great reading Simon. The authors work is quite entertaining. I checked the url in the description. He seriously sounds like he is just having a casual conversation. Nice touch putting that in there.
Thank you Simon. Excellent narration, as always.
What an eccentric character and you portrayed him perfectly! All the mixed metaphors would have left my tongue twisting in the wind! Excellent performance Simon! Bravo! 👏👏👏 ❤ BTW, the intro was beautiful! I was so focused on the story I almost forgot to mention it.
Simon, apart from reading these stories so perfectly, I love the music that you choose for each story, setting the stage in our minds to go back in time. You have a great knack for these what may seem small but definitely impactful details that really make these stories just that much better. Beautifully presented like a delicious dessert on beautiful china with tea, cream and sugar just waiting to be enjoyed! Well done!
What a lovely comment, thank you @sugarfalls1!
@@BitesizedAudio ☕🍰☕🍰☕🍰☕🍰🎂🍰🍪🍪🍪🍪🍹🍹🍹🍹🍹some drinks and biscuits for you! take care of that warm baritone voice :) I was dancing at the end of the story! I have no idea what the moral of the story is either! lol Just keep dancing! By the light of the silvery moon....la la la la la la!!! Look what I found! 1910!! th-cam.com/video/afLwb_WAQCo/w-d-xo.html
Thank you, Simon. A gem, no surprise.
Echoing some of the other comments that (as usual!) it's incredibly impressive how you keep the flow while nailing the conversational prose, the jokes, the stumbles and cut-off-then-recovered sentences.. I get the sense that acting is one of those things where "the better you are, the less people notice" - a perfect performance is when something is just so natural that people forget to appreciate it AS acting. Thanks as always for your amazing readings.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment John, I really appreciate it
Oh well done Simon, great story!
Absolutely hilarious story by the author. Perfect pauses by the narrator.
Lovely work as always Simon. Hope to hear more MR James from you sir
Funnily enough I've been working on another M. R. James... hoping to have it recorded later this month/early October, so do stay tuned!
Wooo thank ya sir. I love jumping between you and the older recordings by Michael Hordern
This was another really enjoyable story by yet another author I’d not heard of,can always depend on you for excellent content, perfectly narrated.
Many thanks✊♥️
A brilliant reading, Simon! I generally steer away from ghost stories but have found these A. J. Alan pieces quite amusing. Thank you for presenting us with your fabulous talent
I love that: didn't quite meet in the middle.
Perhaps the moral is: be true to finish your business with care, or it might finish you.
Simon, I know you usually read mystery/horror stories, but your voice would be so absolutely perfect for Charles Pooter, Diary of a Nobody. Please consider it. xx
I love that book! Simon, you would do a great job with it. Please!
Thanks for the suggestion Pippa, I have considered that one... it's a bit longer than my usual material, but if/when I have time and space to take on a bigger commitment I'll bear it in mind. Best wishes
Good story Mr. Simon, excellent narration.
Only three comments! Really.? People should really like stories.
My heart has been hurting a bit these last two years, ( along with so many others, I'm sure). Thank you, Simon. Your narrations are the most calming- effect that I know of.
Glad to know that Patricia, thank you
This is brilliant. In many I believe this is a moment where I realize my Apple phone knows more than me. But he won’t or she will never be the “interested”
If I could go back in time, the first thing I would do is lunch with A J Alan at his club, I would simply eat, drink and listen!
He would certainly make an entertaining companion!
Did enjoy the tale, definitely a spooky one, thank you
Delightful Simon. Bravo. I am hooked on the late Queen Elizabeth's II English, now the King's English that you speak so beautifully as you do with other accents and inflections. Your narration is captivating and the stories you choose are mysterious and fascinating. Thank you. Xxx
Another wonderful rendition and so masterfully read. You captured all of the subtleties of the jokes perfectly.
Thank you Simon, that was a lot of fun.
fabulous new story Simon, I always love getting the notification that a new reading has dropped from you and you never disappoint, excellent reading
Delightful! A.J. Alan is always hilarious, and your reading does it perfect justice.
Loved the matter of fact way of your rendering the story. Feel like you are a cosy storytelling night around the fire with us as attendees.
the moral of this tale is to save your Pringles.
(and I actually laughed aloud at some points here - very well done, that!)
I haven't heard that song in so long and I remember the words - especially the rhymes. the piano arrangement was wonderful - light and funny. By the Light of the Silvery Moon. :).and a great story, too. Thanks, Simon :) 🚂🌹🌱
I'm very fond of that song. Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Alexa
I enjoyed the wittiness of this one enormously.
I can tell you enjoyed narrating this story as A.J. Alan did writing it 😁 Thank you for your stellar work Simon 🎩
love your music with this one. and the story is great, too. thank you, Simon
Lol about thr ground hitting you in the face... 😂
Very entertaining 😂👍
If I have never said so before I really like the style / portraits you use for the stories. I like that they are easily recognizable as yours. Thanks again Simon 😁
Thanks Simon, very cool!
Kudos to our presenter for not being deterred by TH-cam bullies. He well knows, a propos this story, that Greggs provide four-inch sausage rolls without the inconvenience of attendant spectral sharks.
Please keep on keepin on”
There you go again, cher Simon - being awesome. ❤
You're very kind, thanks Bob!
Combining a ghostly tale with humor. I love it. And done so deftly, you chuckle, as you listen. Huzzah! Cheers from New Orleans.
Thank you for your comments Cynthia, delighted to know you enjoyed it
How funny! Thank you for introduce me to A.J. Alan. More please! Thank you!
Love the cover photos, too, nice to see the authors
Excellent work as usual, Mr. Stanhope. Your lovely, English, dry wit is perfect seasoning to the tale. Thanks a million 👌👏👏👏👏👌
Love your narration. Such a clear, soothing voice.
Thank you Simon, another great story and another fab narration.
Great story! I love the wry humour. The mixed metaphor was particularly hilarious!
I stepped away from the video for moment and missed the reason that Alan was later so hostile toward the "diver" ; and why he would sound so callously unsympathetic at news of his untimely death.
I had to go back and listen to their dinner together before I understood the antagonism.
Moral of the story: Don't interrupt people while talking - or they will cheer your earthly demise.
Always a pleasure to listen to your reading ! Many thanks again.
Appreciated, thank Mrs. C!
Thank you very much once more!
THANKS for this! Wonderfully read - or performed, if you prefer - such interesting vintage. The only "incident in the swimming-pool at the club" I had heard before had happened to a PG Wodehouse hero. This is a valuable addition!
Quite a specialist niche! Glad to know you enjoyed it, best wishes
Bravo! Great performance
Excellent story and thanks for posting!
I loved this one. It gave me some chuckles I really needed. Thanks Simon, plonk plonk☺️
Love this one! An unusual tale. Thank you.
Wonderful channel-stunning narration-top rate tales. Many real thanks! ☮
Actor, voice curator, and all around badass. My vibes say thank you
Great story,very eerie.Wonderful narration.
Great story well read
Excellent story and wonderful humor.
Totally unique story. Brilliant narration as always!✨
Laughed. Out Loud.
Not for long, Rome wasn't built in a day,
but Thank You.
Beautifully written and narrated. Thank you.😊
Thanks for listening
"Swim in familiar waters" lol
My lovely Simon so good as always thank you for telling the story .
For different reasons I have lost touch with your , to me precious channel and am now glad to be back "in your Theatre" . It is anyhow very heartlifting to see that I have so many performances to catch up with because as I've mentioned before,you are a substantial distance above your "competitors" in quality and the only channel I listen to the advertising in full to give you at least some form of recompensation !
I am also very happy to see that you are ataining 50k members soon and am glad to have been among the first 🎉3000 🎉to find you delightful in your talent !
I will stop boring everybody now and just thank you again for having offered your talent to this channel !
Best regards, Jens ( former PARISCRIBE )
Thank you so much for your message, Jens, and apologies for my delayed reply - I had a notification of your posting the other day, but then your comment seemed to disappear and I couldn't respond. Now it's back! Anyway, thanks for your support, I really appreciate it. Best wishes, Simon
Splendid! 😎
Too good a story and the reading too
Love... Thank You!
A super story made doubly interesting and effective by perfect reading . The subtle humor used so cleverly by the author in this ghost story along with the unexpected ending move fluidly and smoothly through effective nuances, voice changes.You have amazing talent, Sir.
Many thanks and regards.
Great voice and story telling skills
Excellent thanks 👏👏
Delicious! Thank you very much
Thanks for great story.
Loved both the story and the telling!
Glad to know that, thank you Paul
Missed this one,what a delight to come across a story of yours I’d missed thanks very much ✊♥️
I think this will be a favorite channel of mine.
these are fantastic thanx
Thanks Ron
Excellent narration Simon
Thank you kindly
Been away for a bit, still subscribed though, must do a little binging to catch up. Thanks Simon!
Welcome back. I hope you have a nice binge! Best wishes
Your mellifluous voice has caused a night of peaceful slumber...
Glad to help!
Love your voice!
Such a personable narrator. So intimate!
You look fantastic Simon. 🤩 I'm a long time listener and subscriber. Here's to ghost 👻 stories and the folks who love them. ❤ thank you for your wonderful story telling 🙏
Thank you! How lovely to hear from you, I hope you're keeping well
This story is brilliant .
A gr8 one again.
Lovely - and oozing with irony! Your reading, Simon, captures the author's wry humour beautifully.
Note how Mr Alan dismisses the apocryphal tales of miracles and the supernatural from his 'spiritualist' contemporaries as superstitious nonsense for credulous fools, and yet assures us that his own account of a precisely similar nature is unequivocally true.
Alan, dear chap - if your career as a writer ever palls, there's a bright future ahead of you in the Church as a Minister of Religion...🤭
Thank you!
Fantastic
I was halfway through the fish before I could plaice him.......lol ever so!
A ghost story that gives you the giggles.
Sublime!
more to come.....
music to my ears.