Ian McDiarmid reads a ghost story Schalken the Painter

Sheridan Le Fanu's supernatural tale in two episodes devilishly well read by Mr McDiarmid, who creates a compelling atmosphere of dark foreboding.
The Irish writer Le Fanu is regarded by many critics as the greatest master of the English ghost story.
In 17th Century Leyden, young Flemish painter Godfrey Schalken's love for his master's daughter, Rose, receives a setback when a mysterious visitor comes calling one night by the name of Vanderhausen.
Schalken the Painter was made by BBC Northern Ireland and first broadcast in 2005. Programme is available on BBC Radio 4 Extra till the end of June.
www.bbc.co.uk/...
Twitter - / behindemperor

[@Kingsquirrel77]

I'm finding this channel (after fervently searching for ANYTHING Ian McDiarmid for years in audioplay/book) and finally happy to enjoy the visceral and moving voice of Ian. I have the Pablo Hidalgo interviews (Star Wars online) and The Celebration (40th) hosted by Warwick Davis. Having saved audio from those interviews and appreciating a very ASMR like quality to the range and tones, if not the variety of subject matter, mirth and nuance from Ian as he regales both fictitious and non-fictitious works. I enjoy tales with a twist and the medium of audio dramatisation, so I am very thankful to finally have located this channel

[@BehindEmperor]

Thank you for such a heartfelt comment! I always enjoyed audio dramatisations, so I'll keep doing videos with narration and movie quotes by Mr. McDiarmid. Thank you for enjoying my channel!

[@ValeRocklml]

His voice is fantastic. I've never heard anything better. Could listen to him forever!

[@simontemplate]

What a superb rendering of this chilling tale. McDiarmid reads as a master.

[@Nagaras777]

It's the like Emperor is reading me a bed time story.

[@patricksmith3871]

I wish he would do this more often, his voice is amazing.

[@simonparkinson7078]

I remember as a child watching , on a Christmas Eve, a television production of this tale. It has remained vivid to me all these years. A truely disturbing tale, made more so when I discovered Schalken was real.

[@BowlofIndoMee]

Imagine if Ian reads Darth Plagueis

[@stolasgoetia93]

its not a story a Jedi would read to you.

[@dynastywarriorlord07]

Also Labyrinth of Evil and Cestus deception please

[@RedcoatsReturn]

Superbly read, my sincere thanks to you. One of my very favorite stories of devilry, based on a real Dutch master of antiquity…the candle light painter…Gottfried Schalken 🕯

[@KerbalHub]

Better than the tragedy of "Darth Plagueis" the "Wise".

[@tinobemellow]

If I could read like this man, I would thank God.

[@KatieCabo]

I love his voice! There’s just something so hypnotizing about it. I’d love to hear him in person but as Palpatine! Give me chills!

[@Milos596]

I love that voice...

[@AmaterasuCG]

Yesss . An hour of this voice ??? Perfect for work

[@musion7740]

22:18 perfection, I want to listen to Ian mcdarmid as palpatine reading this for hours

[@jamesgray1210]

My God this is even better than ASMR

[@felixg12]

I was just watching an interview and his natural voice is just so awesome. Like Morgan Freeman type voice very distinct.

[@MadeleineSwannSurreal]

He reads it well, very good thanks!

[@DiagonalByte]

I've needed nothing more than this.

[@fuseblower8128]

Somehow Palpatine reads scary bedstories to his granddaughter Rey 😁

[@Rich-Richards]

Absolutely incredible - thank you so much for this. Also I loved ur lemon table, so nice to see and hear art after so long without it.

[@BehindEmperor]

Thank you for such kind words, Joshua. It's an unofficial channel, but I'm sure Mr. McDiarmid would have been pleased to know how much you enjoy his art.

[@nicholasgerrish6022]

This is a terrific story, and not particularly typical of the writing of Le Fanu. I don’t know, but I imagine M R James would have liked it a lot. To me, it is one of Le Fanu’s best ghost stories.

[@yohei72]

James was indeed a huge LeFanu fan, and did a lot to bring his work back into prominence.

[@wlinden]

“He was a pupil of Gerard Dow…” So presumably Major-General Stanley could tell his paintings from undoubted Raphaels.

[@dyorgewiltonspassos183]

Can please someone tell him to read Darth Plagueis

[@tonybarde2572]

I want him to read Dracula

[@kingvader100]

Rose sure can ride ha ha

[@kingvader100]

palpitine awesome

[@jibril2473]

Is this truly Ian McDarmid or an AI generated voice?

[@BehindEmperor]

It's his real voice. Ian McDiarmid took part in dozens of radio dramas