We think we know him, don't we? He's the physicallt and morally deformed king whose pathweay to the throne is littered with the bodies of his murdered brothers, the little princes, his nephews, a wife and various adversaries and discarded followers. But this recording shows us more. As always, within minutes we enjoy Richard - and we're on his side. Here it's the charm Kenneth Branagh with his voice alone alone, and the occasional suppressed giggle as he succeeds in fooling all these trusting idiots around him, taking us into his confidence while he does so. Later it all begins to go wrong. This production increase the pace as one by one Richard's powerful supporters desert him. And what is new to me is the mounting hysteria in Richard's voice. This is more than just increasing fury. There is a subtly, addtional feverishness in his speech which introduces a new dimension in his journey towards destruction. In the end, here again I think as always, we are mesmerised by his courageous villainy. This play contains many male characters. One problem for me is he difficulty in discriminating among the male actors, other than Kenneth Branagh himself. You need the text in front of you. However, two more positive features are the superb performances of the three queens: their grief is palpable; and the resonance in the sound. The echo moves the action into wide and threatening spaces. Finally, of course, there is Kenneth Branagh's own performance. You want Shakespeare? It doesn't get any better than it is here, in his voice.Read full review
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