Richard II (Arkangel Complete Shakespeare) [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

William Shakespeare (Author), Rupert Graves (Narrator), Julian Glover (Narrator), John Wood (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 2005

The sensitive and poetic Richard II is undoubtedly the rightful king of England, but he is unscrupulous and weak. When his cousin Henry Bolingbroke returns from banishment to usurp the crown, Richard's right to the throne proves of little help to him. Richard is forced to abdicate, but as his power is stripped away, he gains dignity and self-awareness, and he meets his death heroically. Performed by Rupert Graves, Julian Glover, and the Arkangel cast.

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

Arkangel's full-cast recording of RICHARD II foreshadows the master playwright's more emotional and intellectual HENRY V and his ultimate study in power, HAMLET. This company of fine actors, featuring the raspy Rupert Graves as the fading King Richard and the energetic Julian Glover as the rising Bollingbroke, revels in the lyricism of Shakespeare's poetry. Listeners will easily lose themselves in the rhythm of the erudite language and period-sounding music, written especially for this production. A top-notch recording with colorful packaging, which includes a listing of each scene with a summary of its action and photos taken during the recording process, makes this production a gift to all for the ages. R.O. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: AudioGO; Unabridged edition (March 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932219285
• ISBN-13: 978-1932219289
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,010,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Books on CD > Authors, A-Z > ( S ) > Shakespeare, William

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Audio Production, February 13, 2009

By 

R. Fowler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Richard II (Arkangel Complete Shakespeare) (Audio CD)

I recently purchased this Richard II audio play. It is superb and one of the best Arkangel productions, and I have many. The cast and crew did such a fine job, this history rose to be one of my favorite Shakespeare works. You will be enthralled by the drama of one all-powerful monarch being swept away by another. A wonderful Rupert Graves as Richard brings the king's complex character to life. He will move you from early detest of King Richard's selfish and petty evils and arrogance, to pity as Richard tumbles from the heights of power and glory to a lonely and violent end. The production quality is so high one feels like an eavesdropper on the real historical events as they are happening. You will not be disappointed with this purchase.

4.0 out of 5 stars Marred by weak performance in the title role, April 7, 2010

By 

Lloyd J. Peasley (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Richard II (Arkangel Complete Shakespeare) (Audio CD)

This is typical of many of the Arkangel series of Shakespeare productions: an atmospheric and overall fine rendition of the play marred by a weak performance in the major role. Unfortunately, Rupert Graves gives a bloodless reading of the Richard II part, with a generally flat and arhythmical delivery of the glorious lines. It sounds as if he doesn't understand what he's saying and so he tries to kick the lines into life with melodramatic emphases but these sound forced and unconvincing. However, the supporting cast is far superior on the whole, the sound-effects and pacing are arresting, and Dominique Le Gendre's music is, as usual in this series, ravishing.

4.0 out of 5 stars A few things you should know about Arkangel's 'Richard II', December 12, 2009

By 

Edward Waverley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard II (Arkangel Complete Shakespeare) (Audio CD)

Arkangel have produced a highly listenable edition of 'Richard II', which (along with the Roman plays like 'Coriolanus') contains some of Shakespeare's most powerful political insights.

Arkangel's production never allows the listener to forget the subtle complexities at work. The actors do a marvellous job wringing meaning out of lines which might never have been gleaned from the written text, and the unspoken nuances, for instance, when Mowbray is told of his banishment, are palpable. The opening scene is intensely acted, with Bolingbroke and Norfolk spitting venom at each other before a king whose decadent boredom is obvious. Rupert Graves is excellent as Richard II, with highly expressive delivery (amused condescension, anger etc.) changing as his character's situation changes.

Also worth mentioning (in a play that completely lacks humour) is John Nettleton as the Duke of York, coming across as such a pompous old duffer that I almost laughed out loud each time he opened his mouth. The play's music is highly memorable, too, and was stuck in my head for days.