Audiodrama - The Box of Delights

The wolves are running! Due for release in September, children's classic The Box of Delights by John Masefield has been adapted by Big Finish into a spectacular six-hour full-cast audio drama...

Press Release

Sir Derek Jacobi leads the sparkling cast as Cole Hawlings, a kindly Punch and Judy man who might be more than he seems...

These full-cast audio dramas follow the classic fantasy adventure about a schoolboy, played by 15-year-old Mack Keith-Roach, who is entrusted with a magical box. He soon realizes he has the ability to time travel and shapeshift, as he is thrown into a race against time to protect the box from an evil magician.

Sir Derek Jacobi said, “I have loved being involved in this new reimagining of The Box of Delights, and taking on such an iconic role as Cole Hawlings. The narrative, the characters, the amazing way it’s been brought to life on audio – it’s a perfect slice of storytelling magic!”

Young Kay Harker himself, Mack Keith-Roach added “It was so exciting to be involved in this new production of The Box of Delights. I loved going on all the adventures as Kay with all the wonderful characters we meet. I can’t wait for everyone to join the adventure with me!”

Producer Emma Haigh said: “I’m really excited Big Finish are bringing this magical story to a whole new audio audience. It will take you on a great adventure, with plenty of surprises, and wonderful characters to meet along the way. It’s a fabulous Christmas story that all the family, young and not so young, can escape into together – prepare to go swift and enjoy!”  

Based on the beloved novel by John Masefield, this brand-new full-cast audio adaptation is written by Christopher William Hill with additional material by Barnaby Edwards. Edwards, who also did the gorgeous illustration at the top of the article, added: “The Box of Delights is one of the classics of children’s literature and a personal favourite from my childhood, so it was a real pleasure to bring it to life for a whole new generation. We’ve stayed true to the setting, characters, plot and humour of the original novel, but we’ve upped the ante when it comes to the action sequences. This is definitely a full-on cinematic ride and all the more magical for it. The wolves are most definitely running!”

Big Finish Classics: The Box of Delights is now available to pre-order as a limited edition 6-CD box set (priced at £34.99) or digital download (at £29.99), at www.bigfinish.com.

Please note the box set edition is limited to 1,000 copies only.

Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mail-out of collector’s edition CDs may be delayed due to factors beyond our control, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date.

Images - top: Barnaby Edwards. middle: Sir Derek Jacobi (c) Tony Whitmore