Author:William Shakespeare,Paul Scofield,Ian McKellen,Peggy Ashcroft,Full Cast
Three powerful radio productions from the BBC archives starring Ian McKellen, Ronald Pickup and Paul Scofield and a host of celebrated acting talent . These three legendary plays, performed by some of the best-known theatrical actors of the 20th Century, are the perfect way to commemorate England's greatest dramatist.
Romeo and Juliet: The Montagues and the Capulets are sworn enemies, so when Romeo Montague falls in love with Juliet Capulet, tragedy ensues. This fateful tale of two young star-crossed lovers isone of Shakespeare's most popular dramas. First broadcast in 1970, starring Ian McKellen as Romeo.
Hamlet: One of the most powerful, influential and thrilling tragedies in the English language, and the story of Prince Hamlet and his quest for vengeance never fails to enthral. First broadcast in 1971, starring Ronald Pickup as the Prince of Denmark.
Macbeth: The notorious 'Scottish Play' is a gripping tale of vaulting ambition, witchcraft, madness and murder that has kept generations of audiences spellbound. First broadcast in 1966,starring Paul Scofield as Macbeth and Peggy Ashcroft as Lady Macbeth.
Recorded at BBC Broadcasting House and featuring the BBC Drama Repertory company, with specially composed music including a score from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, this is classic radio drama at its finest. Duration: 7 hours 30 mins approx.
Chrissie Hynde has just written the rock memoir of the year
—— Sunday TimesChrissie Hynde’s autobiography Reckless ... out-rocks them all
—— Washington PostShe writes just like she lives, and just like she makes music. She does it her way, which is an inimitable multiplicity of things: impulsive, untamed, ragged, proud, a little sad around the edges
—— Daily BeastFull of engaging stories, dry wit and revelations
—— GuardianShe writes beautifully
—— Mail on SundayThrough all of the tragedy and mishaps, Reckless remains first and foremost a love letter to rock ’n’ roll
—— New York TimesSomething close to rock’s Joan Didion
—— New York TimesFascinating
—— UncutShe's as sharp as a tack and dryly funny...Hynde's memoir is wonderfully written. Hynde is made of music, of the kind of music that pulls you in and eats you up, and she has survived it. She is a remarkable woman...
—— India Knight , Sunday Times, CultureHundreds of great moments...Fantastic autobiography.
—— Danny Baker , BBC Radio 5 LiveGolden...Amazing anecdotes
—— Jude Rogers , The ObserverHynde is a canny writer… Reckless is the tale of a girl who dares to dream.
—— Fiona Sturgess , Independent on SundayFascinating.
—— Robert Elms , BBC Radio LondonChrissie Hynde’s autobiography, Reckless…out-rocks them all.
—— Washington Post , Washington PostFrank, fearless, but also lots of fun
—— Good Housekeeping , Good HousekeepingChrissie Hynde has just written the rock memoir of the year.
—— Krissie Murrison , The Sunday TimesFascinating memoir
—— Financial Times , Financial TimesShe still writes like an angel on angel dust.
—— Julie Burchill , The SpectatorDefiant and unexpectedly lyrical memoir
—— Jane Shilling , Daily MailThe stories are mesmerising… Great for people who want to see beyond the world of make-believe.
—— William Leith , Evening StandardA very dark oral history of Hollywood… mesmerising.
—— iWriters like Costello because he's always taken writing seriously. That's obvious to anyone who pays attention to his lyrics, and it's even more apparent to anyone who reads Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink, his charming new autobiography. The book is refreshingly free of salacious gossip and needless name-dropping; it's an intelligent self-assessment from a musician who went from angry young man to elder statesman of pop ... a defiantly fun autobiography.
—— Michael Schaub , NPR BooksThis is a big book, literally, by one of the best rockers in the business. Given the singular, and eclectic, nature of his career, it is no surprise that Elvis Costello's anecdotal autobiography is an idiosyncratic journey through his music and the people and places that have inspired him ... A must for Costello fans everywhere.
—— Booklist (starred review)Costello's prose cuts with the same spiky wit and observational power as his well-known lyrics ... packed with great lines, vivid anecdotes ... a treat for his many fans.
—— Kirkus ReviewsPlenty of tales to keep the pages turning. Readers will be fascinated by Costello's stories...his book feels like a discussion between friends over a pint.
—— Publishers WeeklyOften brilliant and wholly idiosyncratic
—— David Ulin , Los Angeles TimesRevelatory, evocatively crafted, [and] highly entertaining
—— David Fricke , Rolling StoneA winningly droll and good-natured guide to his life and many works throughout
—— Clark Collis , Entertainment WeeklyPunctuated with sardonic and self-aware truths
—— PitchforkVivid ... It's not surprising that one of rock's most literate songwriters would pen such a deep, free-form memoir
—— Houston ChronicleElvis Costello delivers an impeccably detailed autobiography. He's often as brilliant at turning a phrase in prose as he is in his lyrics
—— Paste MagazineEnthralling ... This is family history as musical encyclopedia, and to listen to Costello recount his life is to be buttonholed by an enthusiastic fan. Fandom for Costello is inseparable from the compulsion to write songs and, it seems, to understand his own life ... Fortunately for the fan of Costello's music the topic of discussion is often his own songs, and he is, unsurprisingly, a witty and eloquent guide
—— Paul Grimstad , New Republic[Costello] pens books with the same clever writing that he uses in song
—— Kathy Flanigan , Milwaukee Journal-SentinelCostello['s] book is capacious, clever, and full of heart and soul
—— Dan DeLuca , Philadelphia InquirerThe story unfolds like a movie that jumps across time, more thematic than chronological, as boyhood anecdotes and obsessions intersect with mature songs and adult reckoning.... The book doubles as a selective mini-history of 20th century music, as told by a discerning guide. He addresses artists both towering (Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Johnny Cash) and relatively unheralded (David Ackles, Robert Wyatt) with a fan's affection and music scholar's insight
—— Greg Kot , Chicago TribuneWith an encyclopedic knowledge and appreciation for, and deep love of, music, and with an expressive power and heart, Costello's memoir will take its place in the highest echelons of the genre
—— Library Journal (starred review)His book is almost essential as an idiosyncratic history of 20th-century pop music
—— ExpressStudded with entertaining anecdotes
—— Evening Standard Best Music Books of 2015