King Lear
William Shakespeare
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
King Lear is widely held as the greatest of Shakespeare's tragedies; to some, it is the greatest play ever written. King Lear abdicates the British throne, to divide his kingdom among his three daughters in proportion to their professed love of him. His plan misfires when Cordelia, his youngest and favourite daughter, refuses to flatter her father; she is disinherited and banished.
This LibriVox recording marks the 400th anniversary of the first performance of the play, on December 26th 1606. (Summary by David Barnes)
LibriVox trivia….. This entire project was completed in just a week, from conception to delivery… A LibriVox record for a major dramatic work!
Cast list
- King Lear: Andy Minter
- King of France: Ezwa
- Duke of Burgundy, Messenger, Captain: Justin Barrett
- Duke of Cornwall: Cori Samuel
- Duke of Albany: Kristin LeMoine
- Earl of Kent: Denny Sayers
- Earl of Gloster: Julian Jamison
- Edgar, Son to Gloster: Simon Taylor
- Edmund, Bastard Son to Gloster: John Gonzalez
- Curan, a Courtier: Karen Savage
- Old Man, Tenant to Gloster: CarlManchester
- Physician: Scott Walter
- Fool: Sean McGaughey
- Oswald, steward to Goneril: Andrew Lebrun
- An Officer employed by Edmund: Henry Frigon
- Gentleman, attendant on Cordelia: Kara Shallenberg
- A Herald: Gesine
- First Servant: Ophelia Darcy
- Second Servant: Esther
- Third Servant, Third Knight: Kirsten Ferreri
- Goneril, daughter to Lear: Rosalind Wills
- Regan, daughter to Lear: JemmaBlythe
- Cordelia, daughter to Lear: Kristin Hughes
- Stage directions: David Barnes
Chapters
| Act 1 | 53:42 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
| Act 2 | 38:56 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
| Act 3 | 38:38 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
| Act 4 | 42:54 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
| Act 5 | 28:52 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
Reviews
Cordelia by Kristin Hughes
Ace
King Lear is one of fav. Shakespeare, most of the readers were bad , some v.bad except for Kristin Hughes , whse voice was heavenly and seemed rather out of place amongst the rest , Lear was also bad , as a kid I had pictured Lears voice very differently
Nice book
Marcela Carmona 506
Beautiful composition of work, it was difficult to understand one of the daughters, her voice wash harshly and too low. Not very appropriate to have a female voice for male roles, it is hard to follow for non native English language people. Makes it very confusing... the rest was very nice. Thanks.
pretty good
A LibriVox Listener
It was pretty good. There were quite a few mistakes in wording and a few lines got missed. But overall it was pretty good. The only other thing is that Regen sounded like a old lady rather than a young woman.
Amy L
Really well done, Lear is wonderful. Having women playing some men’s parts, without a text to follow, had me confused about who was speaking at times.
Great revision for test
A LibriVox Listener
A great study resource for any test on the King Lear
This is a bit gruesome in some places, but overall a great book!
A LibriVox Listener
Thank you
Gagan Baffi
Thanks to the volunteers. Great work. 😊
FAIRLY WELL DONE
Avid Listener
Most of the readers did a credibke job, although a couple succumbed to the "emotting" one often encounters in the unpracticed Shakespearean actor. A bit of the dialogue was too soft to hear properly--this was unfortunate. BUT, to have a female read the role of a man? UNFORGIVEABLE!!!