Zeb Soanes has one of the most recognisable voices in the country. He trained as an actor, then went on to have a twenty five year career at the BBC as a continuity announcer and newsreader. He joins Tim Allen on The Cultural Crunch podcast to talk about his return to the stage in the solo play Two Halves of Guinness.

THE CULTURAL CRUNCH

Amol Rajan chats to Zeb Soanes about Two Halves of Guinness on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme.

BBC RADIO 4

A vibrant retelling of Guinness’ storied life, with Soanes’ stunning ability to multi-role meaning that we do not just meet the various versions of Sir Alec, but other icons of the screen and stage too, such as Gielgud, Olivier and Hunt, who all in their own way helped Guinness on his way.

ADVENTURES IN THEATRELAND ★★★★★

The central theme, illustrated with a defiant and aching eloquence by Soanes, is that Guinness never truly knew who he was – illegitimate, with no sense of his father, and a mother who alternately neglected and exploited him; unhappily bisexual; wanting fame, but uneasy with its consequences – all of these tensions and more made for an unhappy life but provided a glittering seam of rich ore for his work.

PLAYS TO SEE ★★★★★

Zeb Soanes admired the Oscar-winning actor so much he sent him a letter. He reveals how he transformed into the actor for a one-man play Two Halves of Guinness

THE TIMES

After a stroke in 2021, Classic FM’s Zeb Soanes has got his dream job — playing 33 roles in a show about Sir Alec Guinness.

RADIO TIMES

A solo performance exploring Sir Alec Guinness’s life is a passion project for Zeb Soanes, he tells Susan Gray.

CHURCH TIMES

The voice of the Shipping Forecast for 22 years, and now the presenter of Relaxing Evenings on Classic FM, Zeb Soanes, 49, is an actor, children's author and Chancellor of the University of Suffolk. In his show, Two Halves of Guinness, touring the UK this year, Zeb is playing his hero Alec Guinness.

CANDIS MAGAZINE

First images released of Zeb Soanes as Alec Guinness in Mark Burgess’ play Two Halves of Guinness

BROADWAY WORLD

BBC South Today visited Zeb Soanes in Covent Garden during rehearsals for Two Halves of Guinness

BBC SOUTH TODAY

Jonathahn Moran talks to Zeb Soanes about his research into playing Sir Alec Guinness in the play Two Halves of Guinness.

GUINNESS IS SMILEY BLOG

To Zeb Soanes, Sir Alec Guinness wasn't only George Smiley — he was the reason the writer, presenter and actor sought out the spotlight ...

COUNTRY LIFE MAGAZINE

On the Feast of St Edmund, St Edmundsbury Cathedral recognises those who have demonstrated ‘exemplary and unusual service to the Cathedral’ by bestowing lay and honourary canon titles. The Very Reverend Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury, says, “To have Zeb join our College of Canons is an honour and we look forward to his ongoing contribution to Cathedral life.”

A new bronze statue of Benjamin Britten by the Royal sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, has taken its place on Lowestoft’s seafront after years of planning and community fundraising.

CLASSIC FM

In an exceptional exploration of one of Britain’s greatest actors, Zeb Soanes brings the life of Sir Alec Guinness to stage across the UK, marking the 25th anniversary of his death.

GREEN ROOM ENTS

Zeb succeeds Dr Helen Pankhurst as the second Chancellor of the University of Suffolk, voted University of the Year in the 2025 WhatUni Student Choice Awards.

Zeb was presented with The Betjeman Society Award. The award is given annually to the person, group or organisation that has made the most significant recent contribution to the understanding or enjoyment of the life and work of Sir John Betjeman.

THE BETJEMAN SOCIETY

Multi-award winning star of 'Succession' Brian Cox and actor Nicole Ansari join Classic FM's Zeb Soanes to discuss their roles as J.S. Bach and Anna Magdalena Bach in the upcoming stage play, 'The Score'. Written by Oliver Cotton and directed by Sir Trevor Nunn, the play comprises Bach's life and work at the court of the musical royal - and 'flawed flautist' - Frederick the Great.

CLASSIC FM

For Classic FM, Zeb talked to Cynthia Erivo, arguably one of the biggest stars on the planet just now, on the release of the film Wicked and her gravity defying performance as Elphaba.

CLASSIC FM

On Benjamin Britten’s birthday, Zeb announced that the fundraising target for his hometown statue of Benjamin Britten has been reached. The statue will be unveiled summer 2025.