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Theatre: Two Halves of Guinness

Chancellor: University of Suffolk

Theatre: Two Halves of Guinness

Chancellor: University of Suffolk

Theatre: Two Halves of Guinness

Chancellor: University of Suffolk

BBC Fortunately Podcast

15 Jun

Written By Zeb Soanes

Broadcaster, Writer, Actor

http://www.zebsoanes.com

BBC News meets Gaspard the Fox

Betjeman's Banana Blush

Next Events

Events

An Evening at Downton Abbey

Central Hall Westminster

An Evening at Downton Abbey

Central Hall Westminster

Spend an evening at Downton Abbey, in the company of John Lunn's exquisite music for the globally popular TV seres and films.

LONDON SOUNDTRACK FESTIVAL

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Central Hall Westminster

Two Halves of Guinness

Norwich Playhouse

Two Halves of Guinness

Norwich Playhouse

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.

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Norwich Playhouse

Two Halves of Guinness

Park Theatre, London

Two Halves of Guinness

Park Theatre, London

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.

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Park Theatre, London

Elgar For Everyone Youth Concert

Worcester Cathedral

Elgar For Everyone Youth Concert

Worcester Cathedral

The annual Elgar for Everyone family concert is the perfect introduction to orchestral music for all families. English Symphony Orchestra’s Youth’s patron, Zeb Soanes will be narrating Britten’s iconic masterpiece The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra with updated text by Tom Redmond. The concert also includes the winning performances of the festival’s 2026 Young Composers Competition.

ELGAR FESTIVAL

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Worcester Cathedral

Sax Arts Fest 2026

Saxmundham Market Hall

Sax Arts Fest 2026

Saxmundham Market Hall

Zeb will be giving two reading of Kenneth Grahame’s The Reluctant Dragon at 2pm and 5pm. Details to follow.

SAX ARTS FEST

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Saxmundham Market Hall

Thaxted Festival: St Martin's Voices

Thaxted Parish Church

Thaxted Festival: St Martin's Voices

Thaxted Parish Church

A JOURNEY ROUND THE ISLES

Alongside songs by Purcell, Vaughan Williams, Tippett, Britten, Holst, MacMillan, McDowall, Park and others, readings are drawn from R L Stevenson, Pope, Clare, Auden, Blake, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Christina Rossetti, and more.

THAXTED FESTIVAL

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Thaxted Parish Church

More Events ➞

Latest News

News

I’m playing Alec Guinness — this is how I did it and what his son told me

Mar 30, 2026

I’m playing Alec Guinness — this is how I did it and what his son told me

Mar 30, 2026

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

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Mar 30, 2026

Zeb Soanes reveals why his stroke at age of 44 pushed him to star in play about Alec Guinness

Mar 17, 2026

Zeb Soanes reveals why his stroke at age of 44 pushed him to star in play about Alec Guinness

Mar 17, 2026

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

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Mar 17, 2026

Interview with Zeb Soanes on playing Alec Guinness

Feb 27, 2026

Interview with Zeb Soanes on playing Alec Guinness

Feb 27, 2026

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

CHURCH TIMES

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Feb 27, 2026

The things that made me

Feb 16, 2026

The things that made me

Feb 16, 2026

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

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Feb 16, 2026

First look images released for Two Halves of Guinness

Feb 2, 2026

First look images released for Two Halves of Guinness

Feb 2, 2026

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

BROADWAY WORLD

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Feb 2, 2026

BBC South Today: Two Halves of Guinness

Jan 29, 2026

BBC South Today: Two Halves of Guinness

Jan 29, 2026

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

BBC SOUTH TODAY

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Jan 29, 2026

Playing the many faces of Alec Guinness in 'Two Halves of Guinness'

Jan 1, 2026

Playing the many faces of Alec Guinness in 'Two Halves of Guinness'

Jan 1, 2026

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

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Jan 1, 2026

Lovely day for a Guinness

Dec 10, 2025

Lovely day for a Guinness

Dec 10, 2025

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

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Dec 10, 2025

Zeb Soanes honoured as Lay Canon of St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Nov 18, 2025

Zeb Soanes honoured as Lay Canon of St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Nov 18, 2025

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.”

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Nov 18, 2025

Benjamin Britten statue unveiled by Sir John Rutter

Nov 12, 2025

Benjamin Britten statue unveiled by Sir John Rutter

Nov 12, 2025

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

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Nov 12, 2025

Zeb Soanes to star as Alec Guinness in UK Tour

Sep 25, 2025

Zeb Soanes to star as Alec Guinness in UK Tour

Sep 25, 2025

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

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Sep 25, 2025

Zeb Soanes appointed new University of Suffolk Chancellor

Sep 8, 2025

Zeb Soanes appointed new University of Suffolk Chancellor

Sep 8, 2025

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.

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Sep 8, 2025

Zeb Soanes receives prestigious Betjeman Society Award

Jun 15, 2025

Zeb Soanes receives prestigious Betjeman Society Award

Jun 15, 2025

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

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Jun 15, 2025

Brian Cox & Nicole Ansari on Bach play 'The Score'

Feb 11, 2025

Brian Cox & Nicole Ansari on Bach play 'The Score'

Feb 11, 2025

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

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Feb 11, 2025

Cynthia Erivo on singing, stunts and Defying Gravity in 'Wicked'

Nov 22, 2024

Cynthia Erivo on singing, stunts and Defying Gravity in 'Wicked'

Nov 22, 2024

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

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Nov 22, 2024

Fundraising complete for Lowestoft's Britten as a Boy statue

Nov 22, 2024

Fundraising complete for Lowestoft's Britten as a Boy statue

Nov 22, 2024

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.

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Nov 22, 2024

Sir Simon Russell Beale's Life in Music with Zeb Soanes

Jul 5, 2024

Sir Simon Russell Beale's Life in Music with Zeb Soanes

Jul 5, 2024

In this exclusive concert, recorded at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, Sir Simon talked to Zeb about the highlights of his career, and how music has marked them.

CLASSIC FM

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Jul 5, 2024

Dame Judi's Classical Favourites with Zeb Soanes

Mar 29, 2024

Dame Judi's Classical Favourites with Zeb Soanes

Mar 29, 2024

Dame Judi Dench welcomes Zeb Soanes into her home, to reveal her favourite pieces of classical music. In an exclusive programme for Classic FM, broadcast on Good Friday, Judi tells Zeb how she has treasured this music, connected to her long and glittering life and career.

CLASSIC FM

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Mar 29, 2024

Zeb's Classic FM show attracts 1.3 million listeners each week

Feb 1, 2024

Zeb's Classic FM show attracts 1.3 million listeners each week

Feb 1, 2024

The latest RAJAR figures have been announced and 158,000 new listeners are joining Zeb for three hours of relaxing music each evening from 7-10pm on Classic FM, making a total audience of 1.3 million for his show each week.

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Feb 1, 2024

Oct 13, 2023

Doctor Soanes

Oct 13, 2023

Zeb was awarded and Honorary Doctorate from the University of Suffolk for his ‘outstanding contribution to education, music, media, literature and very public endorsement and celebration of Suffolk.’

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Oct 13, 2023

Zeb hosts Wigmore Hall gala that raises £20,000 for hometown statue of 'Britten as a Boy'

Oct 9, 2023

Zeb hosts Wigmore Hall gala that raises £20,000 for hometown statue of 'Britten as a Boy'

Oct 9, 2023

Zeb hosts a star-studded gala at Wigmore hall, raising £20,000 for his home town’s Britten as a Boy statue.

WIGMORE HALL

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Oct 9, 2023

The History of Music

Jul 21, 2023

The History of Music

Jul 21, 2023

Zeb explains The History of Music … with arguably the smartest explanation of Schoenberg you’ll ever see!

RAINER HERSCH ORCHESTRA

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Jul 21, 2023

Listen to Gaspard's Foxtrot!

Jul 6, 2023

Listen to Gaspard's Foxtrot!

Jul 6, 2023

You can now listen to the musical tale of Gaspard’s Foxtrot, read by its author Zeb Soanes, accompanied by Jonathan Dove’s exciting score.

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA

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Jul 6, 2023

Zeb to host Britten statue gala at Wigmore Hall

Apr 19, 2023

Zeb to host Britten statue gala at Wigmore Hall

Apr 19, 2023

Zeb will host a '“dazzling" gala celebrating the musical legacy of his home town's most famous son at the Wigmore Hall later this year. It will take place as part of an ongoing appeal to raise funds to install a statue of Benjamin Britten, as a boy, looking out over the sea that inspired his music in his birth town of Lowestoft.

LOWESTOFT JOURNAL

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Apr 19, 2023

Waitrose Food Magazine

Dec 1, 2022

Waitrose Food Magazine

Dec 1, 2022

Zeb talks abut the power of radio to provide companionship over the festive period.

WAITROSE FOOD MAGAZINE

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Dec 1, 2022

It the Shoes Fit

Nov 23, 2022

It the Shoes Fit

Nov 23, 2022

Royalty, James Bond and a lame dog have all benefitted from John Lobb’s exquisite shoe-making craftsmanship during the past 173 years, says Zeb Soanes.

COUNTRY LIFE

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Nov 23, 2022

Zeb Soanes become Norwich Puppet Theatre Patron

Nov 5, 2022

Zeb Soanes become Norwich Puppet Theatre Patron

Nov 5, 2022

The broadcaster and children's author Zeb Soanes has become a patron of Norwich Puppet Theatre.

BBC NEWS

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Nov 5, 2022

Homeless charity benefits from Gaspard's Christmas

Oct 20, 2022

Homeless charity benefits from Gaspard's Christmas

Oct 20, 2022

Inspired by J.M. Barrie’s generosity, Zeb announces that royalties from the sale of his new book Gaspard’s Christmas will benefit St Martin-in-the-Fields homeless charity in perpetuity.

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Oct 20, 2022

Meet Britten as a boy

Aug 22, 2022

Meet Britten as a boy

Aug 22, 2022

After a lifetime of benevolent haunting by the composer Benjamin Britten, Zeb Soanes has commissioned a statue of his home-town hero.

COUNTRY LIFE

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Aug 22, 2022

Face Behind the Voice

Aug 9, 2022

Face Behind the Voice

Aug 9, 2022

‘I want to visit all the locations of the shipping forecast’. David McGillivray interviews Zeb Soanes for Radio Times magazine.

RADIO TIMES

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Aug 9, 2022

More Stories ➞

Represented for Broadcasting: Jackie Gill ∣ Books: Curtis Brown ∣ Concerts: Podium Music ∣ Voiceover: Ad Voice

© Zeb Soanes 2026. All Rights Reserved.