© and (P)1997 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.
"Sound Quality is the only drawback"
The sound quality of this production made me imagine someone propping a microphone in front of a television showing Romeo & Juliet being performed. It's tinny-sounding, and there are background sounds of birds, wind, feet scuffling, etc, which dilute and diminish the voices to a small degree. It's not unbearable, just a bit distracting.
On the positive side, the actors are very good. Listening to this play was different from reading it on paper, or seeing it performed live... I caught different strands of relationship between the characters. The Nurse, played by Fiona Shaw, was especially brilliant.
"Great Language"
Romeo and Juliet is one of my favorite Shakespearean works. The language is so beautiful and the voices bring out the wonderfulness of the book. The full cast is the best way to listen to a book on tape. They even have celebrity readers (Kate Beckinsale: Pearl Harbor, Serendipity). If you like Shakespeare, romance, or tragedy than this is a great choice. If not, this is still worthwhile just for the beautiful language.
"MICHAEL SHEEN FREAKING ROCKS!!!"
WITHOUT DOUBT, THIS RENDITION OF R+J WAS THE BEST I HAVE EVERY EXPERIENCED! I majored in theatre and so I have seen more than my fair share of Shakespeare interpretations. This audiobook version has revived my passion for this play and I no have a renewed sense of interest in the performers. I am anxious to see what they produce next!!!
MORE MICHAEL SHEEN, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
I look to my reading material, movies I see, and everywhere and everything around me to teach me how to live, what to do, and above all what the truth is. I learn everyday from the truths I see and the untruths too. I appreciate Audible for helping me continue my daily education in the art of living life.
"Romeo & Juliet"
As for this recording, it's professional, for sure. The actors go a bit too fast (which tends to suck the meaning and sencerity out) so if I listen to it again I'll slow it down so I can get more out of the words. I'm glad for these recordings. I'd never be able to do all the reading I want if I had to actually only read these long ones. Thanks Audible!!
Well, who doesn't like Shakespeare? But some story lines are meatier than others. This one starts out as a comedy and ends up quite the opposite. Ends as a cautionary tale. Parents beware! You got plans for your kids? Hopes are good, but concrete plans that your kid will do this, or that, when they grow up... Well, look out!
"Great for classroom use"
I bought this book for my students' use. As we listened the sound effects and emotional readings allowed everyone to understand just what was going on. My 9th grade students have a particularly difficult time understanding Shakespearean English and anything that can help is a great treasure to my teaching arsenal.
"Better than school"
I have to teach this play in a continuation high school and the combination of excellent sound effects and superbly spoken text make this audiobook an ideal vehicle to bring the play to the students.
"Good for classroom use"
I use this audio to allow students to follow the story while still using their imagination. However, the kiss is so cheesy that we had to stop the tape and let the class laugh for a long time. A year later, they still chuckle over that kiss.