George Orwell was the awkward squad of literature: an Etonian socialist, a prickly guardian of conscience for the Left. Dominic Cavendish's selection presents him at his embattled best. It's a mistake to devote the first half, more than an hour, to Coming up for Air, however brilliantly Hal Cruttenden performs it: what about some of the radio talks or literary and political essays? The second half is the real thing. Shooting an Elephant (spoken by Ben Porter) and A Hanging (Alan Cox), with dispassionate tone and ruthless observation, show Orwell using his own conscience to awaken others. The ministry of love scene from 1984 (Cox and Porter) speaks, with appealing topicality, to the edge of Guantanamo Bay. Orwell should be living at this hour.