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King Lear
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Trevor Peacock, Clive Merrison, full cast
- Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
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King Lear
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Publisher's Summary
This shattering drama of isolation and loss is one of the greatest tragedies in world literature.
King Lear of Britain has three daughters: the hard-hearted Goneril and Regan, and the good and gentle Cordelia. He determines to divide his kingdom between them, giving the largest share to she who can say she loves him the best. Lear's tragic lack of judgment and self-knowledge is paralleled by the blindness of the loyal Gloucester who is persuaded to reject his virtuous son, Edgar, in favor of the villainous Edmund.
Lear is played by Trevor Peacock and Gloucester by Clive Merrison. Penny Downie is Goneril, Samantha Bond is Regan, and Julia Ford is Cordelia. Edgar is played by David Tennant, Edmund by Gerard Murphy, and the Fool by John Rogan.
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What listeners say about King Lear
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Ewguitars
- 2021-11-03
completely lost
If there had been any kind of narrative that would have explained the setting, who was speaking and what the heck was happening, rather than just hearing screams and crying and stuff, then maybe I could have followed what was happening. The old shakesperean English is hard enough to follow, but as there is a complete lack of any contextual narrative, I was utterly lost, wondering what is going on and who is talking throughout the entirety of the story.
I'll go watch the movie instead....
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tod Emel
- 2022-06-01
Excellent
Brilliant performances, great pacing and wonderful sound design. Sadly, I haven’t read the play before but the narrative was easy to follow. Bravo to all involved.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- turbopro
- 2016-08-10
tragedy par excellence
one of Shakespeare's finest. the cast did a great job. I almost shed a tear. do good while you can while you breathe.
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12 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Theresa May
- 2020-11-19
Great way to “read” Shakespeare!
It always takes me a little while to fall into the rhythm of Shakespeare’s plays. With the audio book, I can listen for 15 minutes or so then restart from the beginning to take full advantage of Shakespeare’s words. The actors did a wonderful job and the man who played the King sounds like he could do voice over work for an anthropomorphized bear! A fitting voice for Lear! The recording sounded like it skipped a little in a couple of places but it wasn’t very distracting really.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kevin Johnson
- 2018-11-16
heartfelt rendition pulls no punches
A profound performance on every level. Peacock at his best with an unforgettable and uncredited turn by David Tenant.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Brenda
- 2015-11-06
Incredibly Irritating
How could the performance have been better?
The actors in it all sound out of breath. There is somebody breathing heavily or smacking their lips with saliva every three seconds. It is so annoying. I don't know if it's for dramatic effect or the people who recored this do not know how to move away from the mic when they breathe.
Was King Lear worth the listening time?
This version was definitely NOT worth listening to.
Any additional comments?
Next time you record something move away from the mic when you breathe.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert Taylor
- 2021-05-30
Shakespeare’s Masterpiece
Many would say Hamlet, but I believe Lear to be Shakespeare’s greatest achievement.
King Lear done well is one of the most, if not the most, powerful pieces of drama ever written.
This is King Lear done very, very well.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ronnie
- 2021-04-01
entertaining
this was a play for anyone who was wondering what it was. but in Shakespearean fashion it was actually really well put together. personally I was not prepared to listen to a play but I was thoroughly entertained throughout. the Mad King and the conspiracy that was set up against him was very interesting to hear. The actress did a phenomenal job train the different characters. I'm actually interested in looking up this play in person one day so I could actually make the image come more to life
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Yas
- 2020-11-27
Inspirational
Shakespeare always gives you more than you bargained for. The sisters personify the contrasting elements in life, just as Lear symbolizes life itself.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2019-11-25
Compelling performance
Fine dramatization, as good as BBC. I really appreciated the Lear voice. Some weird "blop-blop" music is arresting...
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Shannon N. Etienne
- 2023-11-28
Disturbing, Heartbreaking, Amazing
A bit slow paced to begin with. Be ready to cry just like most Shax. The actors did amazing but it’s hard listening to people screaming out in pain. A lot of characters and tricky poetry I would recommend reading along with a text while listening.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Adam
- 2023-11-18
Beautifully done!
This was a wonderful production. I had never read or seen King Lear. This was a wonderful production. Fantastically acted full of emotion. The story was spectacular.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Daniel Nichola
- 2023-08-27
Words...
A great play (which is nothing but normal, given that its by Shakespeare) where one king represents how humans can be easily lied to with the power of words, and how cruel they can be.
...
The actors do an excellent job in portraying the different characters of the play.
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