ARTHUR STRONG

New release: Codename Rattlesnake by Count Arthur Strong. One of the many highlights from my summer with friends in the UK last year was being introduced to the hilarious world of Count Arthur Strong. Strong is the invention of comedian and character actor Steve Delaney, who first created his alter-ego in the 1980s. One really has to hear or see Delaney in action to get it (much like an Inspector Clouseau), but Count Arthur has been described as an elderly, pompous, deluded thespian with a talent for malapropisms. Delaney brought Count Arthur back in the late 1990s for the Edinburgh festival and his character eventually became a cult figure through a series of radio shows, television series, live tours, and books. One of my fave bits from my summer tutelage was Count Arthur's audition to play James Bond (radio series 1- you can listen to samples streaming on Amazon; the Bond part is toward the end of track #4). Spy Vibers might enjoy checking out a recent publication by Delaney called Codename Rattlesnake, now available in print and audio editions. I recommend the latter so you can hear Count Arthur himself- nobody does it better! From the press release: "Count Arthur Strong reads out loud his first spy novella! A thrilling race against time as New Scotland Yard’s inspector Marsden pits his wits against an old foe. Wrestling with his inner demons, New Scotland Yard’s top police inspector, Inspector Marsden has to somehow put the past behind him and solve what could just be the case of his career. The first in what may become a series of novellas from the pen of renowned criminologist Count Arthur Strong. 2x CDs. Running time 118 minutes." Learn more: Count Arthur Strong, Interview with The Guardian here. Enjoy!

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