KING LEAR

Penguin Audio, 1998, Arkangel Complete Shakespeare.  ISBN 014180045-3.  2 audio cassette tapes with an approx. playing time of 2 ½ hours, still in manufacturer’s shrink wrap, small cracks on front case.  Lear is played by Trevor Peacock and Gloucester by Clive Merrison, Penny Downie is Goneril, Samantha Bond is Regan and Julia Ford is Cordelia.  Edgar is played by David Tennant, Edmund by Gerard Murphy and the Fool by John Rogan.  Kent is played by Anton Lesser.  ‘Lear, King of Britain, has three daughters; the hard-hearted Goneril and Regan and the good and gentle Cordelia.  Wishing to ease himself of the burden of rule, he determines to divide his kingdom between them, giving the largest share to she who can say she loves him the best.  Lear’s tragic lack of judgement and self-knowledge is paralleled by the blindness of the loyal Gloucester who is persuaded to reject his virtuous son Edgar in favour of the villainous Edmund.  Plot and sub-plot combine to form a shattering drama of isolation and loss – one of Shakespeare’s mightiest achievement and one of the greatest tragedies in the literature of the world.’ (from rear case)