Customer Reviews

The Merchant of Venice

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I listened to this for the diction more than anything. I was expressly interested in the Shylock scenes as part of my research into the character. Most of the scenes are good with decent energy level, but in others I was disappointed. If you want the experience of the performance this doesn't have that for you. If you're more interested in how Shakespeare's English is sounded out, this is an excellent tool.

An excellent production. The voice of Shylock was well executed. I would DEFINITELY recommend this to any Literature teacher or parent with a child who finds it difficult to read Shakespeare.

Trevor Peacock's fine reading of Shylock saves this from complete mediocrity; the rest of the cast wavers between adequate and appalling. Bill Nighy's rendition of Antonio is in the latter category: how such an acclaimed actor can get away with this woeful performance makes me fear for the future of Shakespearean acting. He speaks his lines as if his mouth is full of treacle, constantly emphasizes the wrong words, and clearly doesn't understand what he is saying. Julian Rhind-Tutt as Bassanio is only marginally better; Haydn Gwynne as Portia is barely adequate; and Colin Salmon's desecration of the Moroccan Prince is laughable (as is Will Keen's desparate rendering of Gratiano). Sarah-Jane Holm's Jessica is the best of the supporting parts but it is Peacock's portrayal of Shylock that elevates this to the three-star rating. He's relatively understated, never over-acting or hamming it up, and he reads the lines with an assurance that the rest of the cast could have learned from.

Oh yes, and Dominique Le Gendre's music is as magical as ever.

If you are teaching Shakespeare and you want a good cd to liven up the readings in your class, this will work well. In fact, the entire series by this organization seems to be very good. I own Macbeth, MoV, and Hamlet, and all of them are very good. They are excellent supplements to our class readings.

The quality of shakespeare cannot be underestimated. For those that tread the well worn path of Macbeth and Hamlet, the Merchant is not too far off the track as something different.

The cast do not outshine the story but still add the traditional life and warmth that everyone can enjoy.

The Arkangel production is a brilliant new collection of timeless classics. You will never be able to resist remembering those age old quotes. So shines a good deed in a weary world... enjoy