Showing results for "William Shakespeare" in Entertainment & Performing Arts

Shakespeare’s timeless story of revenge, corruption, and murder is considered one of the greatest works in the English language. Prince Hamlet sets out to avenge his beloved father's death at the hand of his uncle Claudius - but Hamlet's spiral into grief and madness will have permanent and immutable consequences for the Kingdom of Denmark. Composed over 400 years ago, Hamlet remains one of the theater’s most studied and performed works, and is presented here in a stunning, sound-rich, full-cast recording.

In Shakespeare's most controversial play, the opposing values of justice and mercy must be resolved. Antonio promises money to help his friend Bassanio woo Portia. He borrows the sum needed from the cruel Shylock, but there will be a dreadful penalty if the loan is not repaid. The golden world of Portia's Belmont calls forth some of Shakespeare's most lyrical love poetry. But the dark shadow of Shylock is never far from the heart of this brilliant comedy as it moves toward its courtroom climax.

Hamlet is commonly regarded as one of the greatest plays ever written. Drawing on Danish chronicles and the Elizabethan vogue for revenge tragedy, Shakespeare created a play that is at once a philosophic treatise, a family drama, and a supernatural thriller. In the wake of his father's death, Prince Hamlet finds that his Uncle Claudius has swiftly taken the throne and married his mother, Queen Gertrude. The ghost of the dead king then appears and charges Claudius with 'murder most foul.' Hamlet is called to revenge his father's death: but will he be able to act before it is too late?View our ...

Mystery, power and malevolence are present in these plays, all of which subvert the happy endings that one would expect in a comedy and the tragic effect one would expect in a tragedy, to pose deeper moral questions that echo modern society. Performed by an incredible array of the 20th century’s greatest actors, Marlowe alumni including Roy Dotrice, Prunella Scales, Ian McKellen, Michael Hordern and Derek Jacobi can be heard in these recordings.

Richard III is an early history play probably written and performed around 1592-93. It is the culmination of Shakespeare's earlier three plays about Henry VI, and chronicles the bloody career of Richard, Duke of Gloucester. As the play opens, the Wars of the Roses are over, King Edward IV (Richard's brother) is on the throne, and all is ostensibly well. The problem? Richard wants to be king - and he'll stop at nothing to realize his ambition.View our full collection of podcasts at our website: https://www.solgoodmedia.com or YouTube channel: https://www.solgood.org/subscribe Check out our ad ...

At the heart of this tragic history is one of Shakespeare's most noble characters, the statesman Brutus, who is caught in a devastating conflict between private affection and public duty.

Julius Caesar has become the most powerful man in the Rome. Does his power now threaten the very existence of the Republic itself? A conspiracy is hatched, one that will have fatal consequences not only for Caesar and the conspirators but for the future history of the ancient world.

Padua holds many suitors for the hand of fair Bianca, but Bianca may not be married until her spinster sister, Kate, is wed. Could any man be rash enough to take on Kate? The witty adventurer Petruchio undertakes the task. While he sets about transforming Kate from foul-tempered termagant to loving wife, young Lucentio and his clever servant, Tranio, plot to win Bianca.

The young king of Navarre and three of his courtiers have vowed to lock themselves away for three years of study and fasting, and to forswear the company of women for this period. No sooner is their vow made than it is tested, however, as the princess of France and three of her ladies arrive in Navarre on a diplomatic mission. The young men fall instantly and hopelessly in love, and the tension between their vow and their passion forms the subject of this charming and sparkling early comedy.

Troy is besieged by the invading Greeks, but the young Trojan prince Troilus can think only of his love for Cressida. Her uncle Pandarus brings the two together, but after only one night news comes that Cressida must be sent to the enemy camp. There, as Troilus looks on, she yields to the wooing of the Greek Diomedes. The tragic story is undercut by the commentary of Thersites, who provides a cynical chorus.

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 and mounts a challenge to his authority, 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.

Distressed by his father's death and his mother's over-hasty remarriage, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is faced by a specter from beyond the grave bearing a grim message of murder and revenge. The young prince is driven to the edge of madness by his struggle to understand the situation he finds himself in and to do his duty. Many others, including Hamlet's beloved, the innocent Ophelia, are swept up in his tragedy.

In a twist of fate, local drunkard Christopher Sly stumbles into a tavern, where hes drawn into an elaborate charade that convinces him hes a nobleman! Thus unfolds the captivating tale of The Taming of the Shrew, one of Shakespeares renowned comedies. To entertain this newfound lord, a group of actors reenacts a story of love, rivalry, and transformation, where the enchanting Bianca attracts the attention of numerous suitors. However, her father has a condition the fiery Katherina, the shrew of the play, must find a suitable match first. Enter Petruchio, a determined suitor who will go to any...

Join me on a journey through some of my favorite Shakespearean speeches, carefully selected for their beauty and insight. These passages not only showcase Shakespeares unmatched mastery of language but also reveal his profound understanding of human nature. As Orson Welles once noted, he speaks to everyone, and we all claim him. While its often said that a truly great Shakespearian actor needs a unique and extraordinary voice, that doesnt mean that everyday individuals cant read, listen to, and revel in the magic of Shakespeares words. (Summary by Martin Clifton)

Dive into Shakespeares enchanting festive comedy, believed to have been crafted around 1601. This delightful tale unfolds the escapades of separated twins, Viola and Sebastian, who find their lives turned upside down by a shipwreck. Convinced her brother has perished, Viola disguises herself as a young man to serve the lovesick Duke Orsino, who is hopelessly pining for the elusive Countess Olivia. The story is peppered with a vibrant cast of characters, including Olivias boisterous uncle Sir Toby Belch, his bumbling friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, the sharp-witted maid Maria, the pompous steward ...

Few plays serve as a more poignant conclusion to a playwrights career than Shakespeares The Tempest. This enchanting tale follows the aging sorcerer and rightful Duke of Milan, Prospero, as he navigates life on a remote island filled with magic and haunting melodies, alongside the resentful slave Caliban. When an unexpected opportunity arises to reclaim his tarnished reputation, Prospero conjures a powerful storm, stranding a ship carrying his treacherous brother and the King of Naples—both responsible for his exile from Milan twelve years prior. With the aid of the ethereal spirit Ariel, ...

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time...

Step into the vibrant world of Elizabethan England with William Shakespeares The Merry Wives of Windsor. Following the misadventures of the notorious Sir John Falstaff, who captured hearts in Henry IV, this play marks his final escapade. In the charming town of Windsor, Falstaff hatches a ludicrous scheme to woo two affluent merchant wives, Mistresses Page and Ford, by sending them identical love letters. Little does he know, his cunning plan will backfire spectacularly! As the two clever women band together to teach him a lesson through a series of hilarious pranks, they also navigate the ...

Often regarded as one of Shakespeares most complex problem plays, Measure for Measure delves into the intricate themes of sin and justice. When Duke Vincentio relinquishes control of Vienna to the morally corrupt Angelo, chaos ensues as Claudio is sentenced to death for the shame of premarital sex. Desperate to save her brother, Isabella, a novice nun, confronts a harrowing bargain her brothers life in exchange for her own virginity. Join us as we navigate this compelling narrative filled with moral dilemmas and societal critique. (Summary by wildemoose) Cast Abhorson John D. Nugent Angelo ...

In one of Shakespeares most provocative comedies, The Merchant of Venice, we follow the ambitious Bassanio as he devises an audacious plan to win the heart of the wealthy heiress, Portia, by borrowing money from the shrewd Jewish moneylender, Shylock. When the loan goes unpaid, Bassanios friend Antonio, the titular Merchant, finds himself in peril, facing a grim fate due to his friends extravagant schemes. As tensions rise and a court case unfolds, the plays heroines must step up to untangle the chaos created by their partners. Join us for this dynamic group recording, completed in just two ...

Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" is a lively romp of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and witty banter. Tune in to explore the intricacies of this comedic masterpiece where love triangles, pranks, and characters in disguise create a charming world of love and laughter. Ideal for listeners who revel in romance, humor, and Shakespeare’s timeless exploration of love’s follies and the joy of self-discovery.