Twelfth Night (Arkangel Shakespeare) [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

William Shakespeare (Author), Niamh Cusack (Narrator), Jonathan Firth (Narrator), Amanda Root (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 2005

Duke Orsino is in love with the noblewoman Olivia, but Olivia is in love with Cesario, and Cesario is actually Viola — a woman disguised as a man — who loves Olivia ... meanwhile, Olivia's arrogant steward Malvolio is cruelly tricked into believing his mistress loves him. Confusion and mistaken identities run riot in this bittersweet tale, one of the Bard's most popular comedies. Performed by Amanda Root, Jonathan Firth, and the Arkangel cast.

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

This recording of one of Shakespeare's beloved comedies is part of the notable Arkangel Complete Shakespeare. The action of the play is illustrated with well-placed sound effects. The clank of coins, the sound of waves, and the scuff of footsteps help to convey the movements of the characters. Niamh Cusack's pretty voice makes her an ideal Viola and a convincing Cesario. Dinsdale Landen's rowdy performance of Sir Toby Belch lives up to the character's name. Confusion may come from the Bard's rapid twists in the doubling of characters and their motives, but the actors perform each line accurately and authentically. The CD is accompanied by a leaflet outlining the action of the plot. R.F. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America; Unabridged edition (March 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932219366
• ISBN-13: 978-1932219364
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #976,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 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:

2.0 out of 5 stars A few things you should know about Arkangel's 'Twelfth Night', December 4, 2009

By 

Edward Waverley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twelfth Night (Arkangel Shakespeare) (Audio CD)

The Arkangel Shakespeare recordings vary a lot in quality, and this isn't one of the best...unfortunate, as 'Twelfth Night' is one of Shakespeare's most musical plays both in atmosphere and versification, and really needs to be heard aloud.

Viola is one of my favourite female Shakespeare characters (much more likable than the female characters in 'As You Like It', with which this play is often compared) but here is rendered unsympathetically. Olivia is much better acted, and the actress who plays Olivia should probably have been Viola, while the one who played Maria would have made a better Olivia.

The clown sings well, but his voice is wrong - too educated and frigid to evoke a sense of wry, aching melancholy. Sir Toby Belch is particularly annoying - a cackling idiot rather than the Falstaffian scallywag of old. Malvolio is suitably puritanical, more arrogant than in some other versions. His arrogance does make him comical in the scenes where he 'woos' Olivia, and the cellar scene is definitely funny and vivid.

5.0 out of 5 stars Listen and be enthralled, May 10, 2009

By 

J. L. Wright "B4 All" (NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Twelfth Night (Arkangel Shakespeare) (Audio CD)

This recorded book is an excellent version of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. The acting through voice is wonderful. I searched for a version that gave a voice to the emotion evident in the play and this is the best version that I found. The voice actors give fabulous performances. My favorite character is Sir Toby, he is read complete with bodily functions that keep the comedy in this Comedy.