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Written by William Shakespeare - Audio book performed by full cast with music - Directed by Kenneth Branagh and Glyn Dearman - Music by Patrick Doyle - Dramatization - 3 COMPACT DISCS - 3 hours

Publisher, Randon House audio books / BBC Radio (February 1994)

"The permanent popularity, now of mythic intensity, of Romeo and Juliet is more than justified," writes eminent scholar Harold Bloom, "since the play is the largest and most persuasive celebration of romantic love in Western literature."

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) based his early romantic tragedy on Arthur Brooke's 1562 poem The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet. Shakespeare's resulting masterpiece, in turn, has inspired countless retellings around the world in mediums that include literature, dance, stage, and screen.

"It is Shakespeare all over, and Shakespeare when he was young," declares William Hazlitt (1778-1830), acclaimed British essayist and critic, in his exuberant Introduction to this Modern Library edition.

"Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventuríd piteous overthrows, Do with their death bury their parents' strife."

In a stunning performance of Shakespeare's timeless tragedy of young love, the Renaissance Theatre Company vividly captures all of the play's passion and color---its shifting moods from heady exultation to tender intimacy and dark despair---with an exceptional cast, an outstanding musical score and full sound effects.

Kenneth Branagh co-directs a brilliant ensembel performance that illuminates some of the most exquisite expressions of love ever written. This stunning production sweeps the listener into a whirlwind of heat, passion and tragic violence.

Revealing new riches with each listening, this production of Romeo & Juliet is an invaluable aid for students and teachers and for all lovers of Shakespeare---a recording to be treasured for decades to come.

Cast includes:

Kenneth Branagh
Samantha Bond
Sean Barrett
Richard Briers
Simon Callow
Richard Clifford
Judi Dench
Maurice Denham
Nicholas Farrell
Sir John Gielgud
Lain Glen
Mark Hadfield
Sheila Hancock
Bernard Hepton
Andy Hockley
Ian Holm
Patti Holloway
Sir Derek Jacobi
Dilys
Laye Alex Lowe
Richard Pearce
Shaun Prendergast
Norman Rodway
Richard Vernon
Jimmy Yuill