This production is perfect for both Shakespeare aficionados and newcomers alike. Chiwetel Ejiofor's Othello conveys the character's love, sadness, and murderous jealousy as if it were his own, all against a backdrop of Ewan McGregor's conniving and undeniably creepy Iago, who whispers his treachery into the listener's ear when all other characters fade from the scene. While Kelly Reilly's Desdemona seems a little singsongy and unvaried, she does not violate the confines of her character, instead taking a backseat to the stronger forces of fate. The most impressive aspect of this production, however, is that there is absolutely no need for visual accompaniment. The listener not only knows who is speaking and what is transpiring at all times, but is also utterly absorbed. This production packs enough passion and power to leave one thoroughly shaken. A.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

 

“This full-cast dramatic recording of a classic Shakespeare takes the entire text and dramatizes the presentation, which results in a package capturing the excitement of both live play and written word. Audio listeners will enjoy the results; especially the pairing with classical music.”

 

“Naxos AudioBooks’ top-drawer Classic Drama Series blissfully continues with this exquisite rendition of Othello starring a full cast of professional English actors with extensive credits in the Royal National Theatre, BBC Radio Drama Company, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Under David Timson’s stewardship as director, the story is beautifully and simply told, embellished only with intermittent brassy flourishes of classical music and a dramatic echo effect and throbbing heart beat to underscore Othello’s chaotic descent and rage. While the entire cast is excellent, the trio of Quarshie (Othello), Lesser (Iago), and Fielding (Desdemona) are outstanding. An outline of each individual cassette, complete synopsis, full notes regarding the text, and cast biographies are included in a compact 24-page supplemental booklet. For all collections.”

 

“Professional actors perform Othello dramatically in an audiobook that teachers will enjoy using in their classrooms; students may listen as they follow along in the print version. The actors’ enunciation is precise and characters are clearly differentiated. Sound effects and musical interludes between scenes, which are important listening aids, make this recording reminiscent of quality radio productions. A useful 24-page booklet, which fits neatly into the case, provides for each scene the name of the first character that speaks and the first line spoken. Listening time for each tape is given-a valuable aid for teachers. The booklet tells the place of Othello among Shakespeare’s tragedies, reviews the author’s story sources, gives a 5-page synopsis of the story line, scene by scene, and includes literary notes by Director David Timson. It also contains photos and bio sketches of the cast. Excellent value.”

 

“The recent Naxos AudioBook entry in their Classic Drama Series is so well directed by David Timson that it fairly boils along. One gets the feeling that this is a play and not a 400 year old monument.”

 

“Hugh Quarshie manages to play the difficult lead role with sufficient intensity to embody Othello's wild mood swings, yet doesn't go outrageously over the top. Anton Lesser is aptly petty and viciously villainous as the evil Iago, Othello's wife, Desdemona, effectively portrayed by Emma Fielding. Patience Tomlinson is also excellent as Iago's wife, Emilia, while Peter Yapp as the racist father of Desdemona is believably despairing. Naxos provides a fine plot summary and analysis of the play, and the performance, just topping three hours on three CDs, successfully integrates period music to separate scenes and appropriately moist sound effects for the seaside scene.”

 

Othello by William Shakespeare
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