Richard II
A BBC Radio Shakespeare Production
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Richard II
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Narrated by:
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Samuel West
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Joss Ackland
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Full Cast
About this listen
In this BBC full-cast production of Richard II, the male ego and narcissism of monarchs are hung out to dry....
Written entirely in verse, the rhythms of the language in this epic tragedy encompass its themes of dignity and kingship with fitting grandeur and pathos, as the capricious and narcissistic Richard is brought to his own destruction.
Starring Samuel West as Richard II.
BBC radio has a unique heritage when it comes to Shakespeare. Since 1923, when the newly-formed company broadcast its first full-length play, generations of actors and producers have honed and perfected the craft of making Shakespeare to be heard.
In this acclaimed BBC Radio Shakespeare series, each play is introduced by Richard Eyre, former Director of the Royal National Theatre. Revitalised, original and comprehensive, this is Shakespeare for the modern day.
©2000 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2000 BBC Studios Distribution LtdListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Richard II
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Wordwatcher7
- 07-04-13
All star cast bring Richard II to life
This is an all star cast that does Richard II justice. Beautifully nuanced performances that bring meaning to what can be a difficult play to get to grips with. The language is brought to life by skilled actors like Samuel West, Joss Ackland and Damien Lewis. Recommended for all students of Shakespeare.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Philip
- 11-12-08
excellent production
This is excellent. admittedly it's rather slow, and not the most exciting play Shakespeare ever wrote- but this audio book has tremendous charm, I've listened to it repeatedly.
It's the BBC, of course- and it shows; excellent cast and superbly produced with all those tiny sound effects- rain, a bird cry, the click of billiard balls- which one barely notices but which make it all seem real.
I remember a critic writing that he found all Samuel West's performances strangely cold. If that is true it suits the role of Richard ii, he really captures the peevish, self-pitying poetry.
I forget who plays Harry of Hereford, but he's excellent, a real feeling of vigor and action with the right degree of temper and coldness. His charismatic brute force carries along the play- and he does very well with some of the doggerel he has to spout.
The only real flaw is the sound effects- symbolic objects, such as crowns, give off a mystical vibration, which is fine for crowns. Unfortuately gauntlets also give off a peculiar sound and in the scene where everyone is throwing down their gauntlets it sounds like a row in a tin-can factory.
The other draw back is that the BBC didn't cast this and the two Henry IVs together.
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5 people found this helpful