Average Romp

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

21 Dec 2025

Another glowing review for The Cricket on the Hearth/The Haunted Man from Audio Theatre Central: www.audiotheatrecentral.com/2025/12/revi...

16 Dec 2025

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

@selimpensfiction.bsky.social

16 Dec 2025

The Cricket on the Hearth: "A thoroughly enjoyable hour... 9/10." scifibulletin.com/books/audiob...

Average Romp reposted

Selim Ulug

11 Dec 2025

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?

Selim Ulug@selimpensfiction.bsky.social

The Chimes was wonderful. I bought this new release as soon as I heard about it. Can’t wait to give it a listen.

Average Romp reposted

Eddie Robson

@eddierobson.bsky.social

12 Dec 2025

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...

eddierobson.wordpress.comThe Cricket on the HearthI’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, …

scifibulletin.comThe Cricket on the Hearth: Interview: Jonathan MorrisJonathan 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…

8 Dec 2025

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

1 Dec 2025

Marley was dead, to begin with... The Cricket on the Hearth/The Haunted Man available now from www.averageromp.com Please repost and share!

liverpoolsoundandvision.co.ukThe 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…

14 Nov 2025

The Haunted Man "an hour of audio heaven framed for all time." www.liverpoolsoundandvision.co.uk/2025/11/14/t...

liverpoolsoundandvision.co.ukThe 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’…

12 Nov 2025

Our first review! "The Cricket On The Hearth is a tale of unpretentious brilliance." www.liverpoolsoundandvision.co.uk/2025/11/12/t...

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

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youtu.beThe Haunted Man by Charles Dickens, 15-minute previewYouTube video by Average Romp

And you can stream a free 15-minute preview of The Haunted Man here: youtu.be/xJrRpJpLZng?...

averageromp.comThe Cricket in the Hearth & The Haunted Man – Average Romp

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!

Average Romp reposted

Lisa Bowerman

@lisabowerman.bsky.social

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

Average Romp reposted

Eddie Robson

@eddierobson.bsky.social

averageromp.comThe Cricket in the Hearth & The Haunted Man – Average Romp

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-...

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averageromp.comAverage Romp

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.

youtube.comThe Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens, 13-minute previewYouTube video by Average Romp

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

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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.

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.

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.

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.

27 Oct 2025

Coming soon...

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

1 Oct 2025

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

15 May 2025

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

14 May 2025

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!

theguardian.comThe week in audio: The Chimes; Uncanny Christmas Special; The Today Podcast – reviewToby 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

14 May 2025

"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...

youtu.beThe Chimes first full-length trailer (Toby Jones in a new production of the Charles Dickens novel)THE CHIMES is a feature-length, full-cast adaptation of the ‘lost’ Christmas book by Charles Dickens, due for release on December 5th, and now available to p...

30 Nov 2023

Now available from Big Finish (as well as directly from www.averageromp.com, of course!) youtu.be/UpOeOpTqDrw?...

scifibulletin.comThe Chimes resound at Big FinishAverage Romp's production of Jonathan Morris' adaptation of Charles Dickens' The Chimes is now available to download at Big Finish. Toby Veck is a man who worries that he has become a burden on societ...

28 Nov 2023

The Chimes resound at Big Finish scifibulletin.com/2023/11/25/t...

cultbox.co.ukCharles Dickens’ The Chimes comes to Big FinishBig Finish are releasing The Chimes, Charles Dickens' follow up to A Christmas Carol as a feature-length full-cast audio drama.

28 Nov 2023

Charles Dickens’ The Chimes comes to Big Finish cultbox.co.uk/news/charles...

open.spotify.comThe Chimes by Charles Dickens starring Toby JonesListen to this episode from Average Romp on Spotify. THE CHIMES is a feature-length, full-cast adaptation of the ‘lost’ Christmas book by Charles Dickens, now available to buy as a download. T...

24 Nov 2023

You can stream the first 14 minutes of The Chimes for free from Spotify and all good streaming services. open.spotify.com/episode/5bzt...

@drchrislouttit.bsky.social

24 Nov 2023

Our adaptation of Charles Dickens' 'The Chimes' starring Toby Jones is now available from Big Finish productions! Follow the link below for details: www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/t...

Average Romp reposted

Chris Louttit

7 Sept 2023

An audio adaption of THE CHIMES, with Toby Jones too! One for any lurking Dickensians.

Average Romp@averageromp.bsky.social

Out now! THE CHIMES is a feature-length, full-cast adaptation of the Christmas book by Charles Dickens, starring Toby Jones with David Horovitch, Lucy Speed, Laura Aikman and Victoria Alcock. For more details and to order, visit averageromp.com

8 Sept 2023

You can stream the first 14 minutes of The Chimes for free from Spotify and all good streaming services. Visit averageromp.com to purchase the full 95-minute play. open.spotify.com/episode/5bzt...

7 Sept 2023

Please note we are 'experiencing website issues' at the moment. Will let you know when it's fixed.

8 Sept 2023

Website issues now fixed.