Hamlet: The Arkangel Shakespeare

By: William Shakespeare

Narrated by: Simon Russell Beale, Imogen Stubbs, Jane Lapotaire, Bob Peck, Norman Rodway

Length: 3 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

Shakespeare's most famous play is one of the greatest stories in the literature of the world.

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.

Hamlet is played by Simon Russell Beale. Imogen Stubbs plays Ophelia, Jane Lapotaire is Gertrude, and Bob Peck is Claudius. Polonius is played by Norman Rodway.

Public Domain (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Excellent Presentation

It's been over twenty years since I last read Hamlet, and fifteen prior to that; high school lit. being the occasion. Makes me wonder why I've let it aside for so long. I read along with my old paperback while listening. This presentation is absolutely marvelous. The Arkangle Shakespeare is definitely a go-to for your Shakespeare craving. Hamlet being my first listen from this publisher, I must now away to acquire another title. I think I'll try Julius Caesar.

Fantastic Performance

Would you listen to Hamlet: The Arkangel Shakespeare again? Why?

This was an excellent performance by a solid British cast of one of Shakespeare's best plays. Even the bit players on this recording are good. The scene between Hamlet and his mother is one of the most effective I've ever seen or heard.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

The actors all have a great sense not only of drama but of the rhetorical shape of the verse. Aside from Hamlet, Horatio stands out as does Claudius, who is played like a staid and corrupt bishop.

Any additional comments?

All in all, an excellent audio experience.

Exceptional Rendition

Would you consider the audio edition of Hamlet: The Arkangel Shakespeare to be better than the print version?

This is not a reading but an enactment of the play by superb actors with superb vocal talents. All the more importantly, they are clearly Shakespearean trained. They understand what they are saying and their interpretation of the work is most enjoyable

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

As I say, these are experts in every sense of the work.

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

Please, this is Hamlet. The film would be called ... Hamlet!

Very emotional

I really loved Hamlet's actor' performance here. So raw and emotional.
The overall performance was superb as usual.
Makes the play really come to life.

A wonderful work!!!

In my opinion, Shakespeare’s greatest play! You will not be disappointed with this one I guarantee it!!

Wonderful as usual!

These are great actors doing great plays. The whole collection is good. Since some of the recordings are older there are some issues with sound quality which is why I removed a star from performance.

10-year old thoroughly enjoyed it

My son and I enjoyed this dramatized production. The voice acting was very natural and not overdone. Very well done!

Fantastic

I would recommend this recording to anyone who has trouble reading Shakespeare. The full cast makes it much easier to understand and very interesting. I did have to follow along on paper from time to time because some of the actors voices sound similar, but overall it was very much worth purchasing.

Excellent

All round excellent performances. Vocally clear and precise, a joy to listen to. SRB and Bob Peck well matched.

thought provoking text

I'm more familiar with the Arden & Cambridge versions of the play...this version includes some new text which I think is absent elsewhere. very clear verse from all players.