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

THOG
17 Mar
Written by Zeb Soanes

This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine

Zeb Soanes

Broadcaster, Writer, Actor

http://www.zebsoanes.com
Previous
Previous

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

Interview with Zeb Soanes on playing Alec Guinness

Next Events

Events
Two Halves of Guinness
Oct 29
Reading Rep
Two Halves of Guinness
Reading Rep

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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Reading Rep
MISERERE with St Martin's Voices
Nov 6
St Edmundsbury Cathedral
MISERERE with St Martin's Voices
St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Join Classic FM presenter Zeb Soanes and St Martin's Voices, from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, for an evening of words and music for remembrance and reflection, including Allegri's Miserere and Parry's Songs of Farewell.

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St Edmundsbury Cathedral
WINTER with St Martin's Voices
Nov 20
Winchester Cathedral
WINTER with St Martin's Voices
Winchester Cathedral

Join Classic FM presenter Zeb Soanes and St Martin's Voices, from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, for an enchanting evening of words and carols as we prepare to enter the Christmas season.

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Winchester Cathedral
WINTER with St Martin's Voices
Nov 21
Bath Abbey
WINTER with St Martin's Voices
Bath Abbey

Join Classic FM presenter Zeb Soanes and St Martin's Voices, from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, for an enchanting evening of words and carols as we prepare to enter the Christmas season.

Read more →
Bath Abbey
Death in Venice / Britten: String Quartet No.3
Dec 4
Wigmore Hall, London
Death in Venice / Britten: String Quartet No.3
Wigmore Hall, London

The Leonkoro Quartet’s programme recalls Britten’s deep affinity for the music of Purcell, the ‘English Orpheus’, and includes Britten’s Third String Quartet, the last substantial work that he completed before his death 50 years to this day on 4 December 1976. Broadcaster Zeb Soanes reads extracts from Thomas Mann’s Death in Venice before the performance of String Quartet No. 3.

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Wigmore Hall, London
50 YEARS OF STAR WARS
Jan 23
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
50 YEARS OF STAR WARS
Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Spectacular music form a galaxy far far away. From the unmistakable main title to the broodingly menacing ‘Revenge of the Sith’, John Williams creates fantastical musical worlds equal to the action on screen. Presented by Zeb Soanes with the energetic Michael Seal conducting the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Expect to be thoroughly immersed in another world.

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Symphony Hall, Birmingham

More Events ➞

 

Latest News

News
How do you make children enjoy reading again?
14 July 2026
How do you make children enjoy reading again?
14 July 2026

Zeb spent days at the University of Suffolk this week with 400 local schoolchildren, exploring storytelling through words, pictures and music - with the help of James Mayhew, Chris Warner ... and Gaspard the Fox.

BBC NEWS

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14 July 2026
I’m playing Alec Guinness — this is how I did it and what his son told me
30 March 2026
I’m playing Alec Guinness — this is how I did it and what his son told me
30 March 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

Read more →
30 March 2026
Zeb Soanes reveals why his stroke at age of 44 pushed him to star in play about Alec Guinness
17 March 2026
Zeb Soanes reveals why his stroke at age of 44 pushed him to star in play about Alec Guinness
17 March 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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17 March 2026
Interview with Zeb Soanes on playing Alec Guinness
27 February 2026
Interview with Zeb Soanes on playing Alec Guinness
27 February 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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27 February 2026
The things that made me
16 February 2026
The things that made me
16 February 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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16 February 2026
First look images released for Two Halves of Guinness
2 February 2026
First look images released for Two Halves of Guinness
2 February 2026

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

BROADWAY WORLD

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2 February 2026
BBC South Today: Two Halves of Guinness
29 January 2026
BBC South Today: Two Halves of Guinness
29 January 2026

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

BBC SOUTH TODAY

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29 January 2026
Playing the many faces of Alec Guinness in 'Two Halves of Guinness'
1 January 2026
Playing the many faces of Alec Guinness in 'Two Halves of Guinness'
1 January 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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1 January 2026
Lovely day for a Guinness
10 December 2025
Lovely day for a Guinness
10 December 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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10 December 2025
Zeb Soanes honoured as Lay Canon of St Edmundsbury Cathedral
18 November 2025
Zeb Soanes honoured as Lay Canon of St Edmundsbury Cathedral
18 November 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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18 November 2025
Benjamin Britten statue unveiled by Sir John Rutter
12 November 2025
Benjamin Britten statue unveiled by Sir John Rutter
12 November 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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12 November 2025
Zeb Soanes to star as Alec Guinness in UK Tour
25 September 2025
Zeb Soanes to star as Alec Guinness in UK Tour
25 September 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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25 September 2025
Zeb Soanes appointed new University of Suffolk Chancellor
8 September 2025
Zeb Soanes appointed new University of Suffolk Chancellor
8 September 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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8 September 2025
Zeb Soanes receives prestigious Betjeman Society Award
15 June 2025
Zeb Soanes receives prestigious Betjeman Society Award
15 June 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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15 June 2025
Brian Cox & Nicole Ansari on Bach play 'The Score'
11 February 2025
Brian Cox & Nicole Ansari on Bach play 'The Score'
11 February 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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11 February 2025
Cynthia Erivo on singing, stunts and Defying Gravity in 'Wicked'
22 November 2024
Cynthia Erivo on singing, stunts and Defying Gravity in 'Wicked'
22 November 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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22 November 2024
Fundraising complete for Lowestoft's Britten as a Boy statue
22 November 2024
Fundraising complete for Lowestoft's Britten as a Boy statue
22 November 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.

Read more →
22 November 2024
Sir Simon Russell Beale's Life in Music with Zeb Soanes
5 July 2024
Sir Simon Russell Beale's Life in Music with Zeb Soanes
5 July 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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5 July 2024
Dame Judi's Classical Favourites with Zeb Soanes
29 March 2024
Dame Judi's Classical Favourites with Zeb Soanes
29 March 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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29 March 2024
Zeb's Classic FM show attracts 1.3 million listeners each week
1 February 2024
Zeb's Classic FM show attracts 1.3 million listeners each week
1 February 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.

Read more →
1 February 2024
Doctor Soanes
13 October 2023
Doctor Soanes
13 October 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.’

Read more →
13 October 2023
Zeb hosts Wigmore Hall gala that raises £20,000 for hometown statue of 'Britten as a Boy'
9 October 2023
Zeb hosts Wigmore Hall gala that raises £20,000 for hometown statue of 'Britten as a Boy'
9 October 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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9 October 2023
The History of Music
21 July 2023
The History of Music
21 July 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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21 July 2023
Listen to Gaspard's Foxtrot!
6 July 2023
Listen to Gaspard's Foxtrot!
6 July 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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6 July 2023
Zeb to host Britten statue gala at Wigmore Hall
19 April 2023
Zeb to host Britten statue gala at Wigmore Hall
19 April 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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19 April 2023
Waitrose Food Magazine
1 December 2022
Waitrose Food Magazine
1 December 2022

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

WAITROSE FOOD MAGAZINE

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1 December 2022
It the Shoes Fit
23 November 2022
It the Shoes Fit
23 November 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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23 November 2022
Zeb Soanes become Norwich Puppet Theatre Patron
5 November 2022
Zeb Soanes become Norwich Puppet Theatre Patron
5 November 2022

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

BBC NEWS

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5 November 2022
Homeless charity benefits from Gaspard's Christmas
20 October 2022
Homeless charity benefits from Gaspard's Christmas
20 October 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.

Read more →
20 October 2022
Meet Britten as a boy
22 August 2022
Meet Britten as a boy
22 August 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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22 August 2022

More Stories ➞

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