Try free for 30 days

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Dark Lady of the Sonnets cover art

The Dark Lady of the Sonnets

By: George Bernard Shaw
Narrated by: Noel Badrian, Peter Tucker, Danielle Cohen, Erin Louttit, Denis Daly
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $11.91

Buy Now for $11.91

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

Making his way to a tryst with his "dark lady" near the royal palace the young playwright William Shakespeare encounters a mysterious woman in a cloak. Mistaking her for his lady friend, he accosts her in a familiar fashion, only to discover, to his dismay, that she is in fact the queen. He overcomes his initial discomfort, and takes advantage of the situation to make a petition for royal support to establish a national theatre.

Shaw's play had two purposes:

To deflate the reputation of Shakespeare for whom Shaw felt a lifelong rivalry

To provide support for a campaign to establish a national theatre in 1916, the tercentenary of Shakespeare's death. As with many of his plays, Shaw wrote a lengthy preface, which has been included in this recording.

Preface narrated by Noel Badrian

Cast

The Man (William Shakespeare) - Peter Tucker

The lady/Queen Elizabeth - Danielle Cohen

The Dark Lady - Erin Louttit 

The Beefeater/Warder - Denis Daly

Stage directions - Noel Badrian

Public Domain (P)2018 The Online Stage

What listeners say about The Dark Lady of the Sonnets

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.