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SHAKESPEARE – RECORDED LIVE
In 2008, a very dusty album of 78rpm gramophone records was discovered under a pile of old theatre programmes in a Stratford-upon-Avon cellar.
Experts immediately identified the discs as the long-lost recordings of Shakespeare's live performances at the Globe Theatre, issued by the Elizabethan Recording Company as a limited-edition box-set in 1607. In 2009 doubts were raised by some historians as to the authenticity of the discs, based on research that suggests that the gramophone record was not invented until several centuries after Shakespeare's death. Most scholarly opinion, however, still maintains that the records are genuine.
Following extensive audio restoration using the latest digital technology, the remastered and remixed recordings can now be heard in stereo for the first time. Along with the fascinating insight these recordings give us into Shakespeare's acting style and the roles played by him, it is interesting to note that even after fifteen years in London, Shakespeare still retains his native Warwickshire accent.
Listen to highlights from these classic performances by clicking the pictures below.
CALIBAN – The Tempest, Act 2 Scene 2
The inebriated monster Caliban believes he is soon to escape his life of servitude, and celebrates by banging his drum and singing accompanied by two new-found friends.
(Duration of clip 00:41)
CASSANDRA – Troilus and Cressida, Act 2 Scene 2
As she runs barefoot around the stage, Cassandra wails her dire warning that Troy will fall if her brother Paris will not return Helen to the Greeks besieging the city.
(Duration of clip 00:51)
CORIOLANUS – Coriolanus, Act 3 Scene 1
Standing alone centre-stage holding a bloodied sword, Coriolanus shakes his fist and rails furiously at his troops who are fleeing the field of battle.
(Duration of clip 00:48)
HENRY V – Henry V, Act 3 Scene 1
Amidst the noise of battle, King Henry inspires the English army to even greater efforts as his gunners batter the walls of the besieged city of Harfleur.
(Duration of clip 01:06)
LEAR – King Lear, Act 3 Scene 1
Striding across the stage in a fury accompanied only by his faithful companion, a jester, Lear rages against the weather, his daughters, and life in general.
(Duration of clip 01:25)
MACBETH – Macbeth, Act 5 Scene 5
Hearing that his wife is dead, and knowing that his own end draws near, Macbeth takes a break from battle to ruminate on the futility of all human existence and endeavour.
(Duration of clip 01:00)
MALVOLIO – Twelfth Night, Act 3 Scene 4
The steward Malvolio mistakenly believes that Olivia, his employer, is in love with him. As he anticipates marriage into her noble family, he considers the nature of greatness.
(Duration of clip 00:34)
MARK ANTONY – Julius Caesar, Act 3 Scene 1
Standing with the assassinated Caesar's corpse behind him, Mark Antony mourns his friend and foresees civil war as the inevitable consequence of this dreadful crime.
(Duration of clip 01:00)
OTHELLO – Othello, Act 3 Scene 4
Othello's misplaced suspicions of his wife's adultery with Cassio seem confirmed when she cannot produce a certain handkerchief. He takes this very badly.
(Duration of clip 00:23)
PETRUCHIO – The Taming of the Shrew, Act 3 Scene 2
As he prepares to leave his wedding, Petruchio makes his new wife Kate's position in his household abundantly clear, much to her and her relations' annoyance.
(Duration of clip 00:40)
PROTEUS – The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act 4 Scene 2
Standing below Sylvia's window, the love-struck Proteus sings a gentle verse extolling her virtues while accompanying himself on the lute.
(Duration of clip 00:30)
RICHARD III – Richard III, Act 5 Scene 4
Catesby offers to help the doomed and un-horsed King Richard escape from the battle, but Richard - desperate to find and kill his enemy Richmond - refuses to leave.
(Duration of clip 01:18)
WITCH – Macbeth, Act 4 Scene 1
A witch and her two 'weird sisters' are chanting and casting evil spells around a bubbling cauldron, which involves throwing all sorts of unpleasant things into it.
(Duration of clip 00:45)
HAMLET – Hamlet, Act 3 Scene 1
And finally: Mr. William Shakespeare (poet, actor & gent) walks to the front of the stage and delivers the most famous line in the history of theatre.
(Duration of clip 00:26)