Othello

By: William Shakespeare

Narrated by: Don Warrington, David Threlfall, Anne-Marie Duff, Jasper Britton

Length: 3 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

This great tragedy confronts the mystery at the heart of evil and contains some of Shakespeare's most magnificent dramatic verse.

Othello, a Moorish general in the service of Venice, has married Desdemona, beautiful daughter of a Venetian senator. But Iago, Othello's malignant ensign, is determined to destroy their happiness. Cunningly bending Othello to his own purposes, Iago persuades the Moor that Desdemona is unfaithful to him. Tormented in a hell of jealousy, Othello moves inexorably toward the destruction of his innocent wife and himself.

Othello is played by Don Warrington, David Threlfall is Iago, Anne-Marie Duff is Desdemona, and Jasper Britton plays Cassio.

Public Domain (P)2014 Blackstone Audio

Heartbreaking

One of the most heartbreaking things I've ever listened to. In a uniformly excellent cast, David Threlfall is terrifying as Iago, and David Warrington exquisite in his agony. Anne Marie Duff is a charming Desdemona, increasingly baffled by Othello's abrupt change in attitude toward her. I put off listening to the last scene for a few days to build up my resilience: it's almost unbearable. One of the best of the Arkangel productions.

6 people found this helpful

A good but rather histrionic introduction to experiencing Othello

The Arkangel voice actors put out a lot of energy into their lines, but the cadence tender to be jarring at times. There is no lack of emotional power in the lines of this play in themselves, but the actors seemed over-zealous to emphasize the emotional stress in their lines so that at times Othello, Cassio, Iago, Desdemona, Emilia, and Roderigo's lines came off as affected. Iago's lines were often delivered in a really low tone and with a halting pace. This effect can be powerful when sprinkled in, but tended (in my opinion) to hamper the lines' ability to communicate.

But, since the emphasis did fall on the important parts of the line (to clarify the meaning of those words by making it obvious that they were meant to be significant), this performance could be a good introduction to Shakespeare for first (or second or third) time readers, who are not yet accustomed to Shakespeare's syntax, style, and vocabulary.

Definitely worth a listen, especially if used for teaching or as an aid to study.

4 people found this helpful

Othello

This is the best production of Othello. I've listen to others in this by far is truly the best all the actors are truly five star their pace in timing is perfect. I feel all others pale in comparison. if you are trying to learn Othello or you just want to listen to a great tale of love and disaster this is the one.

3 people found this helpful

Indexing is terrible

Any additional comments?

This reading of Othello is great . However, the indexing is terrible. The table of contents for the audiobook is as follows:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
That's it. Completely impossible to find your passage if you are reading along.

1 person found this helpful

Amazing voice actors

The only bad thing I can say about this rendition is that the actors get so into character that when they get emotional it's difficult to discern their words.

1 person found this helpful

good actors

the actors were really good. It was very easy to follow. I only wish the chapters were broken up by the acts

Best produced in the series...

...and there are many well-produced plays in Arkangel. Othello's performance was particularly special. I also liked Desdemona.

Outstanding Performance.

Very well done. Good sound effects and voices. I found it very easy to comprehend what was happening from scene to scene.

Great Audio Book

The voice acting was great and made the story come alive. I'd recommend this audio book to anyone.

Brilliantly done.

All the actors are in first class voice with as much excitement and suspense as is needed, Don Warrington is an excellent Othello and as many "Aghhhhhh Iago's" as you may well like. I thoroughly enjoyed it.