Romeo and Juliet: The Fully Dramatized Audio Edition

By: William Shakespeare

Narrated by: full cast

Length: 2 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

Folger Shakespeare Library, The World's Leading Center for Shakespeare Studies

The Folger Shakespeare Library, home to the world's largest Shakespeare collection, brings Romeo and Juliet to life with this new full-length, full-cast dramatic recording of its definitive Folger Edition.

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare creates a tragic world in which two young people fall in love. It is not simply that their families disapprove; the Montagues and the Capulets are engaged in a blood feud. This play, set in an extraordinary world, has become the quintessential story of young love. This new full-cast recording - based on the most respected edition of Shakespeare's classic - expertly produced by the Folger Theatre, is perfect for students, teachers, and the everyday listener.

Public Domain (P)2014 Simon & Schuster

Great Dramatization!

I used this with my 7th grade English. The students were struggling to understand the text because most 13 year olds don't read iambic pentameter well, not to mention archaic words. We were into the third act when I used an Audible credit to get this version. The kids loved it. Their understanding increased, and when it did, so did their enjoyment. I'm so glad their introduction to Shakespeare turned out so well!

a classic well performed

I was a teenager when the Zeffirelli film came out. I loved the film, but the language was a bit difficult for me to understand. Listening to this Folger version, I understood a lot more, including the bawdier of Shakespeare's references.

The production was very good. My only disappointment was that the actors that played Juliet and Romeo were audibly not teenagers. Other than that, I enjoyed this book very much.

Bravo!!

I am 37 & new to Shakespeare. I have never been able to read his works, but recently discovered listening to them. Here is what I recommend: Sit in a chair, push play, close your eyes and let this brilliant cast take you for a ride through some of the most beautiful language ever spoken...

"Nothing like the sun"

This timeless story of teen romance and warring families was wonderfully dramatized. Universally considered one of the greatest stories but the actors brought this story of death to life with the prosody, rate, tones, inflections, pauses and the sound effects. The sound characteristics helped to translate the middle English spoken in Shakespearean times understandable in modern times. To help augment my understanding, I did occasionally go to Sparknotes to understand some meanings or references.

Ah MAZING

I've seen it performed and read it multiple times and heard countless renditions and movies but this right here has made me feel how this is the greatest love story of all time. I applaud the entire cast and editing and sound. This company truly brings Shakespeare to life in a way I have never experienced.

a classic alive

I really liked this performance of the classic romance. I hadn't heard it in a long time and I'm glad i returned to it. The full cast really helps comprehension too, for many of the outdated words and references are elucidated by context and intonation.

Fabulous!

I use this in my 9th grade English classroom and it's a hit year after year. Great recording!

Beautifully written

Full of great performances mostly. At times you can tell that some of the actors don't fully grasp exactly what they're saying but it is very infrequent.
The nurse is one of my favorite actors in this for her portrayal.
The short scene of the cooks in the kitchen is one of my favorites as well as Capulet telling off Tybalt.
Some parts of Romeo's dialogue (and others) are a bit dramatic or presented as if on stage which might help convey a lot of meaning for most of what is being said but conceals a small portion what's being said. The dramatic stressing can, at times, subtly affect the meaning and I'd recommend several listenings to pick up on this.

Enjoyable tragedy

We enjoyed listening to this performance as part of our studies. My family and I would listen to it again.

nothing less to be expected from Shakespeare

Quite the lovely story, the template for romance. Such a mark on history that to be someones's "Romeo" or "Juliet" is to be their true love, to death.