Hamlet

By: William Shakespeare

Narrated by: Anton Lesser, full cast

Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Hamlet, which dates from 1600-1601, is the first in Shakespeare's great series of four tragedies. In writing this extraordinary play, Shakespeare effectively re-invented tragedy after an interval of roughly 2,000 years - you would have to go back to the Greek dramatists of fifth century Athens to find anything of comparable depth and maturity.

This production features the voice of Anton Lesser as Hamlet along with a full cast.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©1997 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd (P)1997 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd

Great version!

Where does Hamlet rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is perhaps the best audiobook I have read so far. The shortcoming of audiobooks are that if they are serious reading, then you would want to read the book, not listen to it. If it is light reading, then it's hard to pay attention and hard to care, as I am listening in the car.

What I have found is that listening to Shakespeare is perfect in audiobook form, as these are dramatic works and so you gain by listening instead of reading. And just listening is in some ways superior to watching the play because your imagination can, in most instances, do a better job of visualizing the scene.

In this particular audiobook, the sound quality is great. But more than anything else, it is very well acted. In particular, Anton Lesser does an excellent job of voicing Hamlet. He brings manic energy to the role and really gives a great personal interpretation of the Danish prince that made me rethink my interpretation of certain scenes.

Excellent.

What about Anton Lesser and full cast ’s performance did you like?

Lesser did a superb job - perhaps THE best Hamlet I have enjoyed. Of course, this is the first audio-only Hamlet I have heard... but that is the point: there is a unique advantage to audio only, especially for the tragedies and histories.

Much better than just reading the play

If you're not able to actually watch the play on stage or film, then this is perhaps the next best thing. Pretty well acted out with music and sound effects. Only real complaint is it isn't broken up into scenes and acts for easy skipping around (or if it is, I haven't figured out how to do it).

Wonderful Production

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a must listen version. The production quality and acting is just phenomenal. I can't think of a better production in the attention to detail. Just a terrific use of sound effects and music first off; they don't take anything away from the production, which is hard to do in audio only format.

What about Anton Lesser and full cast ’s performance did you like?

Anton Lesser's Hamlet is just first rate. The way he communicates the character in such an understandable way. Rarely have I empathized with a character so well. Standing ovation.

Well-mastered dramatic reading

The cast really knew what they were doing. All very expressive and controlled. Intelligent use of music. Somewhat hard to hear while listening in transit.

Hamlet

I have to admit that this audio book was probably the best that i have every heard. The narration and speaking made me feel as if i was in the time and watching them do all these actions live.

Good

Great performance, but sound adjustment was needed. I had to constantly turn my volume up or down depending on if it was a quiet scene or a loud scene.

A Great Version

So... This was my first introduction to the play. I loved every minute of it. I totally understand why this play is a classic. I was impressed by the way Shakespeare manages to squeese a few life lessins in short lines. The audio version did justice to all that and more. The acters were wonderful. Many cudoes were given to "our" wonderful Hamlet, which I join. Yet Emma Fielding was wonderful as Ophelia was impressive. This role is so demanding. Just for a wonderful and tallented actress like her. I enjoyed every minute. Couldn't put it down. If you wish to read this play, sit with this version and enjoy almost four hours of bliss.

Great Adaptation!

What made the experience of listening to Hamlet the most enjoyable?

This adaptation of Hamlet was beyond great. I loved the background music! I greatly reccomend this version!

Excellent Copy

This is a first-rate production of the play. It's clean, complete, and well-acted. Music and sound-effects are tasteful. At times, it might be a little bit too quiet, say, for airplanes, but these moments are few and far between. Overal, I wanted an audible copy I could keep coming back to like the text, and that's precisely what they've delivered.

Splendid performance.

What made the experience of listening to Hamlet the most enjoyable?

The obvious comfort the actors had in performing their roles. The expression that the actors put into their roles really made the play enjoyable for me.

What other book might you compare Hamlet to and why?

Othello. Both are powerhouse plays in the which the actors get to really step up and give exceptional performances.

What does Anton Lesser and full cast bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The real sense of seeing the play performed and real emotions expressed.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

An unsurpassed performance of Shakespeare's greatest work.

Any additional comments?

Outstanding performance. I'm already listening to it for a second time. Thank you.