King Richard II

The text you’ll hear preserves the quirks of the original folio, complete with the idiosyncratic spelling and punctuation that early printers left in place. Those small details give listeners a sense of how Shakespeare’s language arrived on the page, while the surrounding notes explain why the manuscript looks the way it does. It’s a modest reminder that even centuries‑old works were once hand‑set, corrected, and re‑run in the same press.

In the opening act, the aging monarch summons his most trusted nobles to settle a grave accusation of treason. The king’s council, including the stoic John of Gaunt, must hear the rival dukes lay out their claims, a clash that quickly turns from legal dispute to a test of loyalty and pride. The dialogue crackles with provocation, as each character measures the other’s intent while the crown hangs in a fragile balance.

Listening to this drama reveals a world where power is both inherited and constantly contested, and where even royal decrees can be challenged in the courtroom of the court. The rhythmic verse and vivid rhetoric draw you into the tension of medieval politics, setting the stage for the larger conflicts that will unfold. It’s an invitation to experience Shakespeare’s blend of history and poetry as it was originally performed.