Ein Sommernachtstraum

with prefce glossay and by Israel Gollancz ( )

Well this audio production of one of my favourite Shakespearean comedies is a mixed bag. The cast is great but some of the direction/sound choices are not so good. Any time a production writes music for one of Shakespeare's songs it has the potential to get weird and this version does for sure. And while I've listened to audio productions of plays that have significant physical comedy elements and do it well, this one missed more than a hit. It took me longer than it should have to realize that Bottom's transformation into an ass had occurred. I also think they cut down Puck's speeches, which I will never forgive as he's my favourite. Ultimately, a good play but not served well by this production. ( )

Way funnier than what I remembered from middle school. ( )

O, when she's angry, she is keen and shrewd!
She was a vixen when she went to school;
And though she be little,.she is fierce.

Utterly fantastic, in both senses of the word. ( )