Sir John Gielgud's Guide to Hamlet

By: William Shakespeare

Narrated by: Sir John Gielgud

Length: 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sir John Gielgud talks about the plot of Shakespeare's tragedy interspersed with his performance in the lead role.

©2011 Saland Publishing (P)2011 Saland Publishing

Gielgud was a genuis at performing but not here.

What disappointed you about Sir John Gielgud's Guide to Hamlet?

The audio experience is terrible as musical interludes repeatedly interfere with the spoken word rendering the performance a slightly heard mess.

What could William Shakespeare have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The Bard played no part in the creation of this recording. However, the creator of the recording could have done better by recording Sir John in an uninterrupted performance. performance.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Sir John's narration was intermittent, generally inaudible and, sadly, of greatly diminished value.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

The reaction this recording sparked was an overwhelming desire to have my money refunded.

Any additional comments?

As noted, the recording should have been of the entire play uninterrupted. In the alternative, meaningful commentary could have been entered at a sound level permitting meaningful comprehension.

Wonderful insights, but slightly marred

Gielgud delivers a fascinating insight into the character and his approach, as well as to the play as a whole. Along the way, a number of key speeches and scenes highlight and enliven the story.
I am not sure why the production felt in necessary to add Music to the production as Mr Gielgud's voice is quite sufficient in captivating an audience on the stage, as he does beautiful on a recording, so the interruptions diminish rather add to this instructive as well as entertaining hour.