THE TEMPEST

Shakespeare's last play, THE TEMPEST, is a drama of brotherly strife and forgiveness set on an unnamed island. This full-cast recording is part of Arkangel's complete Shakespeare cycle, and it features some fine British talent, including Simon Russell Beale in the role of Antonio. (Listeners may recognize Beale from his work on Chivers's Shakespeare series for children.) Adrian Lester plays the spirit Ariel and sings in a haunting contralto. Indeed, the original song settings and original incidental music in this recording are its most pleasant surprises. D.B. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 01]