As You Like It

De: William Shakespeare

Narrado por: Vanessa Redgrave, Keith Michell, Max Adrian, full cast

"All the world's a stage...." In the enchanted forest of Arden, everyone has their way. Sins are forgiven, quarrels are resolved, and love rules over all. And - just as the author liked it - the frolic of clowns and comedy includes provocative insight into nature versus society and into humanity itself. Follow Orlando, Celia, Rosalind, and Touchstone the Clown from court to forest in this play that features disguised princesses, an unjustly deposed ruler, and a handsome leading couple. Actors Vanessa Redgrave (Rosalind) and Keith Michell (Orlando) head the cast of celebrity performers in this Shakespearean romp of mischief, intrigue, and surprise.(P) and ©1962, 1995 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., All Rights Reserved, Caedmon, An Imprint of Harper Audio, A Division of HarperCollins Publishers

sometimes, oldest is best

This is a good, complete version that does not require filling in gaps to understand, or straining to comprehend the language. I like that the music fits in well.

Hard to follow

If you haven't previously encountered As You Like It in some form, be it print or performance, I don't recommend starting with this version. While I picked up on the overall plot, there were definitely points when I was completely lost because I wasn't sure who was speaking. This recording was also hard to hear in spots, which didn't help. The music was lovely though - this was the first time I've really understood how a chorus can contribute to a play.

Enchanting production

This production is first-rate. Vanessa Redgrave is superb as Rosalind, Shakespeare's greatest comic heroine, and the supporting is great as well, especially the actors who play Touchstone and Jaques. My only complaint is that sometimes Redgrave is a bit hard to hear, since she tends to deliver Rosalind's sly innuendos sotto voce.