Showing results by publisher "The Copyright Group" in Drama & Plays

One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays is here performed by The Marlowe Society with Anthony Jacobs, Corin Redgrave, Paul Scofield and many other very fine actors. The story itself follows on from that of Shakespeare’s Richard II (also available in this series) and begins with Hotspur's battle at Homildon against the Douglas late in 1402 and ends with the defeat of the rebels at Shrewsbury in the middle of 1403.

Richard II is the first of three plays (the others are Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 and Henry V) called a tetralogy or, as some others say, a Henriad. The story opens with the King trying to adjudicate a quarrel between Bolingbroke and Mowbray. This escalates to a duel, but as that begins, Richard sends both into exile and thereby his troubles begin in earnest. In trying to wage monies for a war with Ireland, he enrages not only the nobles but the commoners too.

This play is well known as one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies. The story revolves around Valentine and Proteus, the two gentlemen of Verona, who travel to Milan and learn about the world of courtship. Of course they are best friends but in between that friendship comes their love for the same woman. However true love must prevail and the journey Shakespeare takes us on is one of delight and reward. The play is performed by members of The Marlowe Society.

Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt communicated by letter from 1939 to 1945 on a direct and personal basis. Their letters chart the events of the war as they unfold and also their attempts to influence and overcome the great tyranny of Nazism.

Boris Karloff is the star of our Hollywood Stage presentation of David Copperfield. Charles Dickens is rightly regarded as amongst the foremost of English novelists. One of his great creations is David Copperfield which chronicles the young mans journey from childhood to maturity and the problems and hurdles that bestride his path.

In our Hollywood Stage presentation John Wayne reprises his role as Tom Dunston and his journey west to build a cattle empire. He adopts a young boy, Matthew, orphaned by an Indian raid. Returning from the Civil War Mathew helps his father on a massive cattle drive only for their relationship to completely fall apart as Father is pitted against Son.

King Lear has three daughters, Goneril, Regan, and the youngest, the good Cordelia. The King asks his daughters how much they love him. and thrives on excessive empty words of flattery from two of them and bristles with anger when plain speaking Cordelia does not wish to participate in such falsity. The King banishes her - and thereafter unfolds the tragedy of his own undoing.

Walter Burns is the editor of a major Chicago newspaper whose ace reporter and ex-wife, Hildy Johnson, visits him to announce her forthcoming marriage to an insurance salesman.

Walter, resourceful, cunning, and connected, works overtime to prevent the loss of Hildy to this other man. Here, Fred Macmurray and Claudette Colbert clash words and wit in this enduring classic comedy.

Maureen O'Hara plays Doris Walker a Special Events Director at the Macy's department store in New York. The actor she has employed to play Santa at their Thanksgiving parade is drunk. The whiskered old man who finds him is persuaded by Doris to replace him and does so extremely effectively.

William Shakespeare is of course England's greatest play right and revered the World over. The Merchant of Venice is a masterly tale and is on a par with many of his other works. In his creation of Venice Shakespeare revels in his characters and story. Perhaps best well known for the creation of the character Shylock in a world of money lending the play has survived admirably down the years. This play is performed by a quite magnificent cast and in the lead role of Shylock we have Michael Redgrave.

Othello is principally a story of jealousy and its destructive power.

Othello is a courageous general in Venice and - unusually for Shakespeare - a Moor with a black complexion. Although aware that he is a jealous character, and even though he truly loves the fair Desdemona, he is willing to be persuaded by his clever and envious ensign, Iago, that she is being unfaithful to him. It is a true tragedy, which is clearly captured in this telling of the story.

Two Gentlemen of Verona is believed to be one of Shakespeare's early comedies and as a result provides us with the first examples of a number of themes and devices that are further explored in many of his plays. These include loyalty, friendship and the nature of love.

Charlton Heston reprises his film role as Christopher Leiningen, a cold and remote plantation boss in South America. He is joined by a widow, Joanna, who has agreed to marry him. However, Leiningen rejects her, and so the following week she will return to the United States. But before she can leave news comes through that millions of marching ants will soon be here to destroy all before them.

Pericles is the Prince of Tyre but is forced to leave the city due to the atrocities that the wicked Emperor of Greece threatens to bestow should he stay. His courage, wisdom and goodness are recognized wherever he goes so much so that he marries the Queen of Pentapolis who bears him a child at sea, for he is forced to return to Tyre to pacify its citizens who are clamouring for his return as their ruler following the death of the wicked Emperor of Greece.

As You Like It is one of Shakespeare's comedies featuring women dressed as men, brothers reconciling, and wrongs put to right.

The fair Rosalind falls in love with the strong Orlando and Rosalind's companion to Orlando's brother. Told here as a fairy tale, it makes a perfect introduction to Shakespeare for youngsters and the uninitiated alike.

All's Well That Ends Well is set mainly in France and at the court of the King in Paris. Helena, the daughter of a talented and reputable doctor, goes to attend to the king who is severely ill. She successfully cures him, and in return, he offers her the hand of any man of her choosing. She asks for Count Bertrand, whom she has always loved. But he is appalled by the match, as she is lowly born. Helena is as resourceful as she is beautiful and contrives to make a good husband of Bertrand.

The Tempest has the ingredients of a cracking good story - magic, power, and love - and they kick up a storm. The magician Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, are banished by his jealous brother, Antonio, with the help of Alonso, the king of Naples. Prospero conjures up a tempest than ensures justice is done.

For generations the Rabinowitz men have been Cantors in the synagogue but not Jakie. He is passionate about jazz and ragtime and after bitter arguments with his Dad leaves home to make it on his own. He finds opportunities for his career but is faced with difficult decisions to balance his career, his relationship with Mary, and his memories of his family.

Shakespeare's play is often cited as the greatest of all plays. The tragic life of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is brought to stunning life by Sir john Gielgud and his fellow actors of London's Old Vic Company. A rare treat for Shakespeare lovers and the performances of great actors.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a delightful tale of true love having to struggle against duty and pride. It has three separate interlocking stories set in Athens, a woodland, and the realm of the fairies - all under a moonlit sky. This is one of Shakespeare's most popular plays, and this reading unfolds the plot quickly while retaining its charm.