“This is a superb introduction to Shakespeare, a brief, affectionate biography that sets the poet into his historical, cultural and literary context. Beale, an award-winning classical actor who will be familiar to those who have seen Branagh’s Hamlet or British TV’s Persuasion, narrates the audio in a voice that is both distinguished and inviting. Three other excellent actors read the excerpts, and the variety of voices, coupled with musical interludes, contributes to-ward making this a very interesting, accessible audio. Includes useful printed notes about the changing view of Shakespeare over the centuries; the author; the musical selections; and cassette content.”

 

“A short life of Shakespeare is particularly appropriate, given how little hard fact is knowable; this one is brief but particularly well suited to this series’ format. Readings from the plays alternate here with Elizabethan music and with interesting fact or speculation on Shakespeare’s parents, his marriage, and how his characters may have sprung from his surroundings and events of the times. The commentary on the plays and Elizabethan theater is wise and interesting; the readers of the connective text and the play excerpts are marvelous. A delight.”

 

“An excellent reading of a thought-provoking biography. I know that I will play this many times again, especially on long car rides. Highly recommended.”

 

“Hesketh Pearson's biography is as factual as one can get. Pearson's is a very personal interpretation of Shakespeare's life, appropriately, from the viewpoint of a man of the theatre. The narrative is read flowingly and commandingly by Simon Russell Beale, with quotations for the sonnets and plays read by David Timson, Daniel Philpott and Caroline Faber. In between there are musical excerpts by Gibbon and Dowland. An absorbing documentary and an interesting background to those Shakespeare film and TV adaptations.”