TWELFTH NIGHT, first performed around 1600, probably at the court of Queen ELizabeth I, is the tale of separated brother and sister twins - Sebastian and Viola - and their love entanglements. It also offers the rich comic colours of Sir Toby Belch, Malvolio and Sir Andrew Aguecheek,
TWELFTH NIGHT is part of Naxos AudioBooks’ exciting new series of complete dramatisations of the works of Shakespeare, in conjunction with Cambridge University Press. It uses the New Cambridge Shakespeare text, as used by the Royal Shakespeare Company and educational institutions across the world.
Shakespeare's romantic comedy is directed by Nicolas Soames. Disguised as a boy, Viola, a shipwrecked maiden, enters the service of Duke Orsino, with whom she falls in love. He, however, loves Olivia and sends Viola to woo her for him. The cast makes the play easy to follow and has fun with the complications and the comic characters, Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Sir Toby Belch, the inflated Malvolio, and the sarcastic Feste. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine
School Library Journal ...
“William Shakespeare’s comedy of disguised and deceptive love in entertainingly brought to listeners on these high-quality audiocassettes. Using the complete text from the New Cambridge Shakespeare text, the production presents a full cast of accomplished Shakespearean actors and actresses who skillfully convey the emotion and meaning, confusion and humor of this popular play. Early English music and excellent sound effects are sparingly included, yet add greatly to this performance. Reading along with the text is optional as the production moves at an easy-to-follow pace, and characterizations are clear and captivating. A booklet with background and a synopsis of the play, photos and descriptions of each cast member, and starting points for each scene on the proper tape side is a useful addition. For its entertainment value or as a supplement to the curriculum, this excellent audioplay is highly recommended.”
Frank Behrens for amazon.com, Brattleboro (VT) Reformer ...
“I am very impressed. By far, this is the best-produced Twelfth Night. One actually feels he is hearing an actual stage performance with all of the action but with the loss of none of the poetry. On this Naxos set David Timson stays nicely in tune--and directs the production to boot. And he keeps things moving neatly along, which is saying a lot for Shakespeare recordings. The CD version has the advantage of excellent tracking cues for not only each scene but for key points within the scene.”
KLIATT ...
“[This] production features a booklet that provides a longer synopsis of the play, notes on the dates and sources, and commentary on the play as a microcosm of Elizabethan England. This material would be quite helpful to students. Recommended for school and public libraries.”
CD Now...
“The [cast’s] spirited readings move aptly between sincere expression and riotous humor. Sound effects and between-scenes musical transitions (appropriate to the period) are included. An unalloyed delight, Twelfth Night is a timeless reflection on the vicissitudes of romance.”
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