Get a free audiobook
Much Ado about Nothing
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Taming of the Shrew (Dramatised)
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Hilton Edwards, Michael MacLiammoir, Daphne Carroll
- Length: 2 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Baptista, a rich Paduan merchant, announces that his fair young daughter, Bianca, will remain unwed until her older sister, Katharina, a hellish shrew, has wed. An unabridged cast performance of Shakespeare's comedy about the courtship of Petruchio, a gentleman of Verona, and Katherina, the headstrong, obdurate shrew.
-
Henry V
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Jamie Glover, Brian Cox, Elizabeth Spriggs
- Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Henry V is a study of kingship, patriotism, and heroic determination tempered by tender comedy as Henry courts Katherine, princess of France. Henry, the noble and courageous young king of England, decides to invade France, believing he has a rightful claim to the throne. At Agincourt he leads his army into battle against the powerful French forces and, against all the odds, wins a famous victory.
-
The Merchant of Venice
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Trevor Peacock, Bill Nighy, Haydn Gwynne, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Shakespeare's most controversial play, the opposing values of justice and mercy must be resolved. Antonio promises money to help his friend Bassanio woo Portia. He borrows the sum needed from the cruel Shylock, but there will be a dreadful penalty if the loan is not repaid. The golden world of Portia's Belmont calls forth some of Shakespeare's most lyrical love poetry. But the dark shadow of Shylock is never far from the heart of this brilliant comedy as it moves toward its courtroom climax.
-
-
Not suitable for class
- By dave on 2018-01-25
-
The Tempest
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Jennifer Ehle, Adrian Lester, Bob Peck, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This haunting drama of vengeance and forgiveness crowns the group of tragicomic romances that Shakespeare composed at the end of his career. Sometimes read as his farewell to the stage, the play contains some of Shakespeare's most lyrical verse. Prospero, wise Duke of Milan, has been deposed by Antonio, his wicked brother, and exiled with his daughter Miranda to a mysterious island. But Prospero possesses supernatural powers. Aided by the spirit Ariel, Prospero uses his magical art to bring his enemies under his control.
-
Twelfth Night
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Niamh Cusack, Jonathan Firth, Amanda Root, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shakespeare's most sophisticated comedy is a riotous tale of hopelessly unrequited passions and mistaken identity. Duke Orsino is in love with the noblewoman Olivia. She, however, has fallen for his servant Cesario, who is actually Viola, a woman disguised as a man, who loves Orsino: Confusion is rife. Meanwhile, Olivia's arrogant steward Malvolio is cruelly tricked by her uncle Sir Toby Belch, his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and the maidservant Maria into believing his mistress loves him.
-
Hamlet: The Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Simon Russell Beale, Imogen Stubbs, Jane Lapotaire, and others
- Length: 3 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Distressed by his father's death and his mother's over-hasty remarriage, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is faced by a specter from beyond the grave bearing a grim message of murder and revenge. The young prince is driven to the edge of madness by his struggle to understand the situation he finds himself in and to do his duty. Many others, including Hamlet's beloved, the innocent Ophelia, are swept up in his tragedy.
-
-
Loved it!
- By Jdean1 on 2017-10-27
-
The Taming of the Shrew (Dramatised)
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Hilton Edwards, Michael MacLiammoir, Daphne Carroll
- Length: 2 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Baptista, a rich Paduan merchant, announces that his fair young daughter, Bianca, will remain unwed until her older sister, Katharina, a hellish shrew, has wed. An unabridged cast performance of Shakespeare's comedy about the courtship of Petruchio, a gentleman of Verona, and Katherina, the headstrong, obdurate shrew.
-
Henry V
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Jamie Glover, Brian Cox, Elizabeth Spriggs
- Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Henry V is a study of kingship, patriotism, and heroic determination tempered by tender comedy as Henry courts Katherine, princess of France. Henry, the noble and courageous young king of England, decides to invade France, believing he has a rightful claim to the throne. At Agincourt he leads his army into battle against the powerful French forces and, against all the odds, wins a famous victory.
-
The Merchant of Venice
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Trevor Peacock, Bill Nighy, Haydn Gwynne, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Shakespeare's most controversial play, the opposing values of justice and mercy must be resolved. Antonio promises money to help his friend Bassanio woo Portia. He borrows the sum needed from the cruel Shylock, but there will be a dreadful penalty if the loan is not repaid. The golden world of Portia's Belmont calls forth some of Shakespeare's most lyrical love poetry. But the dark shadow of Shylock is never far from the heart of this brilliant comedy as it moves toward its courtroom climax.
-
-
Not suitable for class
- By dave on 2018-01-25
-
The Tempest
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Jennifer Ehle, Adrian Lester, Bob Peck, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This haunting drama of vengeance and forgiveness crowns the group of tragicomic romances that Shakespeare composed at the end of his career. Sometimes read as his farewell to the stage, the play contains some of Shakespeare's most lyrical verse. Prospero, wise Duke of Milan, has been deposed by Antonio, his wicked brother, and exiled with his daughter Miranda to a mysterious island. But Prospero possesses supernatural powers. Aided by the spirit Ariel, Prospero uses his magical art to bring his enemies under his control.
-
Twelfth Night
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Niamh Cusack, Jonathan Firth, Amanda Root, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shakespeare's most sophisticated comedy is a riotous tale of hopelessly unrequited passions and mistaken identity. Duke Orsino is in love with the noblewoman Olivia. She, however, has fallen for his servant Cesario, who is actually Viola, a woman disguised as a man, who loves Orsino: Confusion is rife. Meanwhile, Olivia's arrogant steward Malvolio is cruelly tricked by her uncle Sir Toby Belch, his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and the maidservant Maria into believing his mistress loves him.
-
Hamlet: The Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Simon Russell Beale, Imogen Stubbs, Jane Lapotaire, and others
- Length: 3 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Distressed by his father's death and his mother's over-hasty remarriage, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is faced by a specter from beyond the grave bearing a grim message of murder and revenge. The young prince is driven to the edge of madness by his struggle to understand the situation he finds himself in and to do his duty. Many others, including Hamlet's beloved, the innocent Ophelia, are swept up in his tragedy.
-
-
Loved it!
- By Jdean1 on 2017-10-27
-
As You Like It
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Niamh Cusack, Stephen Mangan, Victoria Hamilton, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rosalind, daughter of the deposed Duke Senior, is exiled from the court by her wicked uncle. Disguising herself as a young man and accompanied by her cousin Celia, she takes refuge in the Forest of Arden. In the forest Rosalind meets Orlando with whom she is in love, but her male disguise complicates matters, especially when Rosalind finds she has unwittingly attracted the shepherdess Phebe. But out of the confusion comes reconciliation and forgiveness, and all ends happily.
-
Henry IV, Part 1
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Jamie Glover, Julian Glover, Richard Griffiths
- Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
While King Henry's England is threatened by rebellion, the king's scapegrace son Hal haunts the taverns of London, his companions a crew of rogues and thieves let by Falstaff. The earl of Northumberland and his fiery son Hotspur scheme to overthrow the crown. Can Hal be brought to a sense of duty as Prince of Wales? Or will the influence of Falstaff prove too strong? The issue is decided when Hal, Hotspur, and Falstaff come together at the climactic battle of Shrewsbury.
-
Julius Caesar: The Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Michael Feast, John Bowe, Adrian Lester
- Length: 2 hrs and 26 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the heart of this tragic history is one of Shakespeare's most noble characters, the statesman Brutus, who is caught in a devastating conflict between private affection and public duty.
Julius Caesar has become the most powerful man in the Rome. Does his power now threaten the very existence of the Republic itself? A conspiracy is hatched, one that will have fatal consequences not only for Caesar and the conspirators but for the future history of the ancient world.
-
King Lear
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Trevor Peacock, Clive Merrison, full cast
- Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Amanda Root, David Harewood, Roy Hudd
- Length: 2 hrs and 18 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Oberon, King of the Fairies, uses his magic upon four runaway lovers in a midsummer wood outside Athens, chaos ensues. Who really loves whom? Meanwhile, a band of well-meaning but bungling local actors have their rehearsal sabotaged by the mischievous Puck, who bewitches their leader, Bottom, and Titania, the Fairy Queen. The result is a lively and anarchic comedy which can only be resolved by an elaborate disentangling of spells.
-
The Comedy of Errors
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: David Tennant, Brendan Coyle, Alan Cox, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 27 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Chaos and confusion mount to a crescendo in a wild and fast-paced comedy of mistaken identity, one of Shakespeare's earliest plays. Young Antipholus of Syracuse is searching the world for his identical twin brother, separated from him at birth. With him is his servant Dromio, who lost his twin brother at the same time. The pair arrive in Ephesus where, unbeknownst to them, their twins are living.
-
Othello
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Don Warrington, David Threlfall, Anne-Marie Duff, and others
- Length: 3 hrs and 1 min
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
Richard III
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: David Troughton, Saskia Wickham, Margaret Robertson, and others
- Length: 3 hrs and 33 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Brilliantly manipulative and entirely amoral, the hero-villain Richard is one of Shakespeare's greatest roles. The Yorkists have emerged victorious from the civil wars and Edward IV wears the English crown. But Edward's misshapen brother Richard harbors kingly ambitions and will stop at nothing to achieve the throne. In a fatal battle on Bosworth Field, Richard meets the ghosts of all whom he has murdered and the Earl of Richmond, the future King Henry VII.
-
Cymbeline: The Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Sophie Thompson, Ben Porter, Jack Shepherd, and others
- Length: 3 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Imogen, the daughter of King Cymbeline, is persecuted by her wicked stepmother, the Queen, and by Cloten, the Queen's doltish son. Disguised as a boy, she sets out to find her husband, the banished Posthumus. On her journey, she unwittingly meets her two brothers, stolen from the court as infants. Posthumus, meanwhile, has been convinced by the villainous Iachimo that Imogen is unchaste and agrees to a test of her faithfulness.
-
-
Mixed Feelings About This One...
- By Anonymous User on 2018-06-08
-
Hamlet: Fully Dramatized Audio Edition
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: full cast
- Length: 3 hrs and 32 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hamlet, Shakespeare's most popular, and perhaps most puzzling play, follows the form of a "revenge tragedy", in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father’s murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties. 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.
-
Coriolanus
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Paul Jesson, Marjorie Yates, Ewan Hooper
- Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rome is a city divided, nobility and common-people locked in mutual suspicion. The patrician Caius Marcius, later called Coriolanus, is Rome's greatest soldier, but his proud refusal to accommodate himself to the demands of the plebeians leads to banishment and death. A Roman history as well as tragedy, Coriolanus is a complex and subtle exploration of the themes of absolution and compromise, both in the political world and in the life of the individual.
-
-
Solid But Not My Favorite.
- By Anonymous User on 2018-05-03
-
Romeo and Juliet: The Fully Dramatized Audio Edition
- Written by: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: full cast
- Length: 2 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
Publisher's Summary
Young Claudio has fallen for the lovely heiress Hero, who also loves him. Their path to the altar looks smooth, until the evil Don John intervenes.
All ends happily, thanks to his incompetent assassins and the lucky discoveries of the bungling constable Dogberry. Central to the play, one of Shakespeare's best-loved comedies, are Beatrice and Benedick, masters of wit and sworn foes to marriage - until a plot is hatched to bring them together.
Beatrice is played by Saskia Reeves, while Samuel West plays Benedick. Paul Jesson is Don Pedro, Jason O'Mara is Claudio, and Abigail Docherty is Hero. Dogberry is played by Bryan Pringle.
More from the same
What members say
Average Customer Ratings
Overall
-
-
5 Stars2
-
4 Stars0
-
3 Stars0
-
2 Stars0
-
1 Stars0
Performance
-
-
5 Stars0
-
4 Stars0
-
3 Stars0
-
2 Stars0
-
1 Stars0
Story
-
-
5 Stars0
-
4 Stars0
-
3 Stars0
-
2 Stars0
-
1 Stars0
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Darwin8u
- Mesa, AZ, United States
- 2017-06-29
Live in thy heart, die in thy lap
A good, light Shakespeare comedy. Many of the usual Shakespeare tropes (mistaken identities, smart women, dumb men, fools, gender roles, marriage folies). It probably isn't top half of my favorites, but that is partially because I have a slight bias against Shakespeare's comedies. I prefer his tragedies and histories. But that is me. And there are plenty of ticket-buying people that disagree. 'Much Ado About Nothing' is still one of the more common plays of Shakespeare to see performing in schools, with Shakespeare companies, and in movies. It is a gambol that apparently plays.
Favorite lines:
“I can see he's not in your good books,' said the messenger.
'No, and if he were I would burn my library.” (Act 1, Scene 1)
“He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man. He that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him.” (Act 2, Scene 1)
“Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps.” (Act 3, Scene 1)
“I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.” (Act 4, Scene 1)
“For it falls out
That what we have we prize not to the worth
Whiles we enjoy it, but being lacked and lost,
Why, then we rack the value, then we find
The virtue that possession would not show us
While it was ours.” (Act 4, Scene 1)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
- Christina Henry
- 2016-11-02
loved it!
The most memorable moment is the beatrice monologue I will now learn for mfa acting auditions! she learns of Benedick's supposed love. thanks!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- hopelessromantic007
- Texas, USA
- 2018-10-20
Great performance!
This is an unabridged performance of Much Ado About Nothing. It is well performed and a joy to listen to!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- lavalleem
- 2017-11-05
Always love Arkangel
No one does Shakespeare justice like Arkangel performance. The actors, the supplemental music and sound effects, always brings the Globe Theatre to life. A sure fire win each and every time.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful