King Richard III (Classic Drama) [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

William Shakespeare (Author), Kenneth Branagh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001 | Series: Classic Drama

Kenneth Branagh heads an outstanding cast in playing one of Shakespeare's strongest characters. The eighth production in the series of Shakespeare plays presented by Naxos AudioBooks in association with Cambridge University Press.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kenneth Branagh, a leading figure in film, TV and on stage, is equally at home with classic and contemporary subjects. However, as director and adaptor, he has made a particular contribution to Shakspearean performance with his films such as Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V, Hamlet, Othello and Love's Labour's Lost. His recording of Richard III is the first for Naxos AudioBooks.

From AudioFile

Shakespeare's history exudes foreboding and bitter humor, and feels operatic in the scope of its tragedy. As King Richard III, Kenneth Branagh deftly handles Shakespeare's twists and turns of language, particularly in Richard's lightning-fast transitions from rhetoric-filled, florid speeches to devious and cunning asides spoken directly to the audience. The supporting cast is equally strong, witheringly criticizing Richard in his presence and expressing their resigned grief and unchecked rage at his terrible actions in his absence. Occasional sound effects--a clock striking, a sword being drawn from its scabbard--add to the sensation of being present for a bare-bones production, on a mostly empty stage, where the language becomes the focus and the performances paramount. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks; Unabridged edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9626347171
• ISBN-13: 978-9626347171
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,517,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Books on Cassette > Authors, A-Z > ( S ) > Shakespeare, William

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit over the top, but well done!, September 17, 2000

By 

meiringen "meiringen" (the Midwest) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: King Richard The Third (Audio Cassette)

Stephens is a bit much as Richard (does he have to yell so often?) but the supporting cast, with Michael York in a multitude of roles, Dame Peggy Ashcroft as Margaret, Glenda Jackson as Lady Anne and Jeremy Brett as the Earl of Clarence (for once, the part is done right--Brett comes off as believable, not as a whiny brat as in many portrayals) is fantastic. Unabridged, as another reviewer noted, and digitally remastered, this recording is the best I've come across so far. Highly recommended!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Robert Stephens chews scenery magnificently, January 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: King Richard The Third (Audio Cassette)

This is a terrific version of Shakespeare's play, starring Robert Stephens as the wicked King Richard in a deliciously "over the top" performance. Audio book lovers should take heed: this is the *unabridged* play, on three cassettes and clocking in at approximately four hours! And indeed some of the more formal lamentation scenes do tend to grow tiresome (but that is a feature of the play and not the performers' fault); however, the vitality of the Richard scenes amply outweighs this. The supporting cast, including Glenda Jackson, Dame Peggy Ashcroft, and Cyril Cusack, is uniformly excellent, but top honors must go to Stephens. The recorded sound (digitally remastered from a 1967 recording) is very good. Highly recommended.