Penguin Random House UK collaborates with Guildhall School of Music & Drama for innovative audio adaptation of Joseph Knox’s TRUE CRIME STORY
Penguin Random House Audio has today announced its impressive and pioneering new collaboration with Guildhall School of Music & Drama on Joseph Knox’s TRUE CRIME STORY, which publishes in hardback, ebook, and audio today.
TRUE CRIME STORY is the fictional story of one woman’s personal investigation into the disappearance of a Manchester University student, which uniquely blurs the lines between fact and fiction.
As such, the audio format lends itself to a creative opportunity to present the audiobook as a true crime podcast, exploring the narrative with 17 actors playing 30 characters. For this exciting opportunity, Penguin Random House Audio have partnered with Guildhall School and commissioned a number of third year students from Guildhall School’s Acting programme to voice some of the characters from locations across the UK, providing the students with insight into the audiobook industry and paid acting work during the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the impressive quality of the talent and production, Penguin Random House Audio hopes to continue working with these students after their graduation.
Audio Editor, Oliver Grant said: ‘We are delighted to have been able to partner with Guildhall School on this exciting audio project. All the students involved were a joy to work with; they were professional, diligent and creative in equal measure and each of them delivered extremely compelling performances. It’s wonderful to be able to offer work and experience to young emerging talent and we will look to expand this initiative moving forwards wherever we can.’
Orla O’Loughlin, Vice-Principal & Director of Drama at Guildhall School: ‘This project is a powerful example of the exciting creative sweet spot that can exist between the industry and artists in training. As Guildhall School reimagines artist training for the 21st century, our many creative collaborations with world leading companies and artists at the forefront of the creative landscape, such as this innovative partnership with Penguin Random House, remain an essential part of our student experience.’
Annemette Verspeak, Head of Voice at Guildhall School says: ‘Voice training at Guildhall School exists to free up each individual actor’s own authentic voice whilst also supporting them to transform creatively and technically into any media. I am thrilled to have established this exciting relationship with Penguin Random House and am so proud of the quality and ambition of the work this joint endeavour has produced.’
Guildhall Acting student Levi Brown said ‘Working with Penguin Random House was a brilliant experience. It taught me what is required from me as an actor when it comes to telling a great a story', while student Caitlin Griffiths said ‘This was my first time doing voice over work and I absolutely loved it. The novel True Crime Story was so interesting; I couldn’t put it down after reading it. I couldn’t wait to be part of creating the world and telling this story. Penguin Random House made me feel very comfortable, and gave me good criticism and guidance. After working on this project, I know it’s something I definitely want to take up in the future.’ Student Conor McLeod added ‘It was an amazing experience to work on this project. It was an extremely uplifting opportunity and so refreshing that I got to use my own accent, something I’ve not always heard in audio books before.’