Six full-cast BBC Radio productions of Shakespeare's classic tragediesTreachery, betrayal and fatal power struggles are among the themes of these six iconic productions of Shakespeare's timeless tragedies. Featuring all-star casts, they are introduced by Sir Richard Eyre.HamletShakespeare's powerfully poetic tragedy of murder, madness and revenge stars Michael Sheen as the Prince of Denmark, with Ken...

When novelist Charles Condomine invites a medium into his house in order to learn about the occult for his new book, the last thing he or his second wife dream is that the séance will bring back his first wife, Elvira, who wants Charles all to herself! Things are further complicated by the fact that only Charles can see her, which results in some hilarious exchanges and misunderstandings. Elvira’s plots to get him to ‘the other side’ do not go to plan however, and instead of Charles dying ...

One of Shakespeare's most popular plays is here performed by The Marlowe Society with Anthony Jacobs, Corin Redgrave, Paul Scofield and many other very fine actors. The story itself follows on from that of Shakespeare's Richard II (also available in this series) and begins with Hotspur's battle at Homildon against the Douglas late in 1402 and ends with the defeat of the rebels at Shrewsbury in the middle of 1403. Within those boundaries are many familiar themes; having ascended to the thro...

In this BBC full-cast production, King Lear tests his three daughters' love, with disastrous consequences.Some of the most stirring scenes Shakespeare ever wrote resonate powerfully in this dramatic radio production. Tortured madness, pure evil, and the fatal struggle for power grip the listener until the final, shockingly tragic conclusion.Starring Corin Redgrave as King Lear, with Justine Waddell as Cordelia, Robe...

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time.‘If all the year were playing holidays; To sport would be as tedious as to work.’The second play in Shakespeare's series of histories, musing on the realities of wielding power.

At dusk on the eve of Good Friday, Dante and Virgil embark on a journey that will lead Dante to Heaven where a contentment with God will be found and his beloved Beatrice awaits. But first, they must pass through the Gate of Hell and enter the underground world of sinners. The living man and his un-dead guide witness a succession of terrible punishments being inflicted on those who led ungodly lives before re-emerging into the world on Easter day.This audio version is a dramatisati...

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time.‘Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.’Arguably the greatest love story ever told, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet continue...

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time.‘The moon's an arrant thief, And her pale fire she snatches from the sun.’The story of Shakespeare’s sharp satire on wealth, greed and betrayal.Wealthy and popular, Timon of A...

A BBC Radio six-part dramatisation of Marcel Proust’s groundbreaking series of novels, tracing the extraordinary story of the author’s own life. Starring James Wilby and Jonathan Firth, and with a distinguished cast including Harriet Walter, Imogen Stubbs and Corin Redgrave, this rich, multi-layered adaptation brings out all the variety and subtlety of Proust’s magnificent masterpiece. Featuring a fictional version of himself - ‘Marcel’ - and a host of friends, acquaintances and lovers, 'I...

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time.‘O sleep, O gentle sleep, Nature's soft nurse, how have I frightened thee. That thou no more will weigh my eyelids down, And steep my senses in forgetfulness?’Shakespeare’s heartbreak...

Remembrance of Things Past is one of the monuments of 20th-century literature. Neville Jason’s unabridged recording of the work runs to 150 hours. The Guermantes Way is the third of seven volumes. The narrator penetrates the inner sanctum of Paris high society and falls in love with the fascinating Duchesse de Guermantes. Proust describes vividly the struggles for political, social and sexual supremacy played out beneath a veneer of elegant manners. He also finds himself pursued by the pre...

Swann's Way is the first and best-known part of Proust's monumental work, Remembrance of Things Past. Often compared to a symphony, this complex masterpiece is ideally suited for audio. Listening lets you appreciate anew the incredible beauty of Proust's language and the uniqueness of his style.The novel's narrator, Marcel, finds the true meaning of experience in memories stimulated by some random object or event. He recalls his childhood, and eventually reconstructs the story of M...