Pericles (Arkangel Complete Shakespeare Series)

Rating:
Summary: A good recording of a not very good play
Review: This is the only recording of at the moment, although Harper has plans for a new one. This creaking plot might work in a good stage production; but although we know the first two acts, except for a line or two, to be by a hand other than Shakespeare's, the last three acts are bargain basement stuff. Still this is as good a reading as we are likely to get. (The old, out of print version on London/Argo label was quite eloquent.) The best thing about this version is the God-like voice of John Gielgud reading the narrator role of Gower. He sounds as ancient as the character is supposed to be. An unfortunate directorial decision leaves us without the "dumb shows" (which are simply read on the older recording without apology). Nigel Terry ("Excalibur") suffers well as the Odysseus-like hero and the rest of the excellent cast try hard to make things sound plausible. The electronic music does not help create any atmosphere but merely jars.

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