Richard III (Plays in Performance)
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Richard III (Plays in Performance) Details
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It's a pity that this recording of Shakespeare's Richard III hasn't, as of now, been transferred to CD or to some other more easily obtainable format.I bought my copy of the 4 vinyl records that make up this set many years ago at a used record store. For some reason, I never got around to listening to the whole play until last night, but finally having done so, I'm so glad I did, and even glader I didn't try to resell it earlier. This one's a keeper.Made in the mid-1960's for the Shakespeare Recording Society/Caedmon by the inestimable record producer Howard Sackler, who also serves as director here, this recording boasts some of Britain's brightest actors, either well-established, like Dame Peggy Ashcroft, who plays Queen Margaret, or rising stars like Robert Stevens in the title role and Glenda Jackson as Lady Anne. All perform their parts with polish and intensity, and the fact that they have to rely solely on their voices to convey their characters seems to inspire them to a greater richness of characterization. In addition to those actors I've just mentioned, Jeremy Brett (best known today for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on a British TV series) makes a moving Clarence (his death scene is spine-tingling), and Ian Holm is a rousing Richmond, giving a vibrant oration to his troops before the Battle of Bosworth.The sound effects are few but well chosen, and the scenes flow from one to the next without confusion, Shakespeare having provided verbal indications of where the scenes begin and end through his magnificent dialogue. My only qualm with this recording is the decision, either Ashcroft's or Sackler's, to have Margaret speak with a slight "foreign accent." True she was French-born, so probably would have had a non-British sound to her voice, but here she sounds more German than French, which is slightly comical at times as she sounds a little like Marlene Dietrich. Notwithstanding the accent, Ashcroft gives a stunning performance and her first scene, in which she predicts the downfall of her enemies at court, is appropriately blood-curdling. Stevens, however, gives the outstanding performance, as well he should in one of Shakespeare's most intriguing and fascinating roles. Special kudos to that "rising star" of the era, Glenda Jackson for an spell-binding interpretation of the unfortunate lady Anne, whom Richard so memorably woos and wins over the body of the dead King Henry, just after Richard has killed the king's son, Anne's husband. We follow the verbal sparring, like a game of chess between two masters, to its unexpected yet logical conclusion and are left in awe of the subtle progression from one emotion to the next. This is Shakespeare near or at top form, in this early play which marked his emergence as a major figure in Elizabethan theater.Again, I can't urge anyone enough to somehow obtain this recoding if they want a superb rendering of a great work of dramatic literature. It may actually be easier to appreciate Shakespeare's verbal genius when it is presented in this aural format, without any visual distractions. Though I don't plan to part with my copy of this recording, I'm glad that others will, so that those who want a feast for their ears as well as their minds can have one if only they can find a set of these recordings available.