From School Library Journal
Grade 9
Up-William Shakespeare's comedy of disguised and deceptive love is
entertainingly brought to listeners on these high-quality
audiocassettes. Using the complete text from the New Cambridge
Shakespeare text, the production presents a full cast of
accomplished Shakespearean actors and actresses who skillfully
convey the emotion and meaning, confusion and humor of this popular
play. When twins Sebastian and Viola are shipwrecked and separated
off the coast of Illyria, each believes the other is dead. Viola
disguises herself as a boy, becomes a page of Duke Orsinio, and
falls in love with him. The Duke is hopelessly in love with Olivia,
but she is in the process of mourning her brother's death and
becomes infatuated with Viola as she/he delivers messages for the
Duke. When Sebastian shows up, Olivia confuses him with the Duke's
page (Olivia) and marries the astonished young man. All is cleared
up eventually when Viola and Sebatian meet and recognize each
other. In the midst of all of this romantic confusion, servants and
family members provide comic relief with their pompous,
pretentious, and sometimes inebriated behavior. Early English music
and excellent sound effects are sparingly included, yet add greatly
to this performance. Reading along with the text is optional as the
production moves at an easy-to-follow pace, and characterizations
are clear and captivating. A booklet with background and a synopsis
of the play, photos and de*ions of each cast member, and
starting points for each scene on the proper tape side is a useful
addition. For its entertainment value or as a supplement to the
curriculum, this excellent audioplay is highly recommended.

Marilyn Higgins, Metuchen High School, NJ

Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text
refers to the edition.



Review

'The combination of careful scholarship emphasising the inspiration
and excitement of the theatrical experience, with the freshly
edited text, should make this one of the most useful new texts of
Twelfth Night.' Theatre Journal --This text refers to the

edition.



Review

`The commentary on Twelfth Night is alive with the editors' feeling
for the play in performance.' M.M. Mahoud, University of Kent, YES,
27, 1996 --This text refers to the
edition.



Product De*ion

Edited, Introduced and Annotated by Cedric Watts, Professor of
English, University of Sussex The gentle melancholy and lyrical
atmosphere of Twelfth Night have long made the play a favourite
with Shakespearian audiences. The plot revolves around mistaken
identities and unrequited love, but is further enlivened by a comic
sub-plot of considerable accomplishment. In it, Sir Toby Belch and
his companion outwit the pretentious Malvolio, who despite
suffering their most outrageous and insulting practical jokes,
emerges as an almost noble figure.