Twelfth Night 2 CD Set (New Cambridge Shakespeare Audio)

Shakespeare, William; Naxos AudioBooks

ISBN 10: 0521664314 ISBN 13: 9780521664318

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1999

Synopsis

Using the complete, unabridged New Cambridge Shakespeare edition text of the play, this recording of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (available on cassette or CD) uses a full professional cast, sound effects and accompanying music. The set is accompanied by notes and a play synopsis. Starring Stella Gonet as Viola, with Christopher Godwin as Malvolio, Lucy Whybrow as Olivia, Jane Whittenshaw as Maria, Benjamin Soames as Sebastian and Adam Kotz as Antonio.

About this title

Product Description:

Using the New Cambridge Shakespeare edition, this recording (available on cassette or CD) stars Stella Gonet as Viola, with full supporting professional cast.

Review:

One of Shakespeare's finest comedies, Twelfth Night was written at the same time as Hamlet and Troilus and Cressida, and whilst it shares their fascination with sex, death and confused identities, its exuberant comedy and linguistic inventiveness rises above the introspection of these plays. Viola and her twin brother Sebastian are separated in a storm, which washes them both up at different points on the shores of Illyria. Believing each other to be dead, both attempt to survive by using their wits. Viola cross-dresses and enters the service of the lovesick Orsino, in love with Olivia, an heiress in mourning for the loss of her brother. Orsino's saucy young page Cesario (Viola) soon falls in love with "his" master, who tells "him", "all is semblative a woman's part". Unfortunately, whilst Viola falls in love with Orsino, Olivia falls in love with her alter ego, Cesario, whilst also being pursued at the same time by her pompous servant Malvolio. Olivia's house is also turned upside down by the antics of her drunken uncle, Sir Toby Belch, and the whole crazy situation reaches boiling point when Sebastian reappears.

Despite the madcap plot, Twelfth Night remains one of Shakespeare's most complex and inventive comedies, fascinated with questions of cross-dressing, gender confusion, language and inversion, as well as retaining a darker edge to some of its laughter. --Jerry Brotton

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0521664314
• ISBN 13: 9780521664318
• Binding: Audio CD
• Number of pages: 15