Synopses & Reviews
The Sourcebooks Shakespeare Edition of Hamlet features an integrated audio CD with 25 performances by different actors throughout the twentieth century, narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi. Detailed essays, commentary and photos accompany our newly edited text of the play with insights from a noted Shakespeare scholar.
Hear 12 classic scenes with Hamlet played by:
--John Barrymore (1928)
--John Gielgud (from a 1948 recording made for radio)
--Laurence Olivier (from his 1948 movie soundtrack)
--Richard Burton (from Gielgud's 1964 rehearsal production on Broadway)
--Derek Jacobi (from a 1980 production for BBC-TV)
See images from notable productions:
--At the Joseph Papp Public Theater with Martin Sheen, Kevin Kline, and Liev Schreiber as Hamlet.
--Simon Russell Beale in New York City, Roger Rees at the Royal Shakespeare Company
--Stills from Kenneth Branagh's 1996 film and Michael Almereyda's 2000 version
--Set designs and costume renderings from a 1934 production directed by Sir John Gielgud
Read essays and commentary with insights from:
--Russell Jackson, editor of The Oxford Illustrated History of Shakespeare on Stage, on Kenneth Branagh's 1996 film.
--Douglas Lanier, editor of Shakespeare and Modern Popular Culture on Hamlet as inspiration for contemporary media
--Text editor Terri Bourus on productions of Hamlet throughout history
Additional essays dissect a contemporary performance, offer a modern cast's insights into their characters, and uncover the history of Shakespeare's world.
Synopsis
"These remarkable editions feature newly edited texts of Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet based on the latest scholarship, along with detailed notes and performance annotations. Integrated audio CDs showcase the power of performance.
Hear Read See:
Hear recordings of great contemporary and historical performances of key scenes from the play
Read about a modern production from the director's point of view
See production notes and photos alongside the text that take you inside the stage experience
See photos from contemporary stage productions and movie adaptations
Read and see how a modern cast approaches the play from interviews with the actors
Hear and read about how a legendary voice coach approaches the text and works with actors on "Speaking Shakespeare""