The Plays

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The Tempest

The Tempest is almost certainly the last play Shakespeare wrote alone, in 1610 or 1611. It was performed in November 1611 at the court of King James, clearly with some success as it was performed again during the winter of 1612-13.

As its title suggests the play begins with a storm and a shipwreck. The rest of the action then takes place on an island over the next few hours. It has some of the elements of a fairy tale - spirits and magic, a prince and princess falling in love, the triumph of good over evil and a happy ending. At its heart is the complex character of Prospero the deposed Duke of Milan, now ruler and magician of the island.

As a play it lends itself well to audio recording. Music and sound effects are woven in throughout - as Caliban observes “The isle is full of noises” – waves lap at the shore, Stephano and Trinculo sing their drunken songs, and Prospero commands his spirits to take on the forms of hunting dogs.

The Recorded Sections

We have two sections from The Tempest for you. Each costs £1.99 to buy and download.

Act 3, Scene 2 (whole scene)

From “Tell not me! When the butt is out, we will drink water –“ to “Wilt come? I’ll follow, Stephano.”

Act 4, Scene 1, lines 139 to 262

From “I had forgot that foul conspiracy” to “Follow, and do me service.”

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Richard III

One of the most popular plays of its time, Richard III was probably completed in late 1591. The remarkable character of Richard accounts for the play’s enduring popularity – a villain-hero whose single minded and murderous rise to power takes the breath away.

Bracketed as one of Shakespeare’s History plays, Richard III is not believed to truly reflect the character of the real king. During the reign of the Tudor Elizabeth I the issue of royal succession was an important and contentious one, and here Shakespeare paints a monstrous picture of Richard whilst portraying the Tudors in a more positive light. Yet this Machiavellian, deformed, villainous characterisation has captured popular imagination. He is a character with no respect for normal codes of conduct – a man who treats the laws, ceremonies and rituals of the time with total contempt and mockery. And audiences can’t help but be drawn in by his monstrous charms. He shares his views directly with the audience through soliloquies and asides, with theatricality and ironic humour.

The powerful one-on-one scenes between Richard & Lady Anne and Richard & Queen Elizabeth appear towards the beginning and towards the end of the play respectively. In both we see Richard in wooing, persuasive mood, and are well suited to the intimacy that audio affords.


The Recorded Sections

We have two sections from Richard III for you. Each costs £1.99 to buy and download.

Act 1, Scene 2, lines 33 to 186

From “Stay, you that bear the corpse, and set it down.” to “I will not be thy executioner”

Act 4, Scene 4, lines 199 to 342

From “Stay, madam. I must talk a word with you.” To “Can make seem pleasing to her tender years?”

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Much Ado About Nothing

First performed in 1598 or 1599, Much Ado About Nothing has proved one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays from the 17th Century to the present day. Set in Messina on the island of Sicily, the action takes place mostly in the house and grounds of Leonato (the Duke of Messina), and begins with the anticipated arrival of Don Pedro (Prince of Aragon) and his comrades in arms Claudio and Benedick, who have just quashed a rebellion led by his brother Don John.

The key to the enduring success of the play lies in two contrasting love stories – the romantic drama of Hero and Claudio and the romantic comedy of Beatrice and Benedick. Yet it is the ‘merry war’ between Beatrice and Benedick that stands out – the sparring, witty banter of two people who have a history, who have been burnt by love in the past and who are fooled into reigniting their past flame.

Our extracts from Much Ado About Nothing capture two of the key moments in the story of Beatrice and Benedick’s developing relationship. They also feature many of the main characters and give a real sense of the world of the play. The final extract is the last scene of the play which ends with a dance.


The Recorded Sections

We have two sections from Much Ado About Nothing for you. Each costs £1.99 to buy and download.

Act 4, Scene 1, lines 196 to 325

“Pause awhile,” to “dead; and so farewell”

Act 5, Scene 4 (whole scene)

“Did I not tell you she was innocent?” to “Strike up, pipers!”