Description

This volume gathers five of Shakespeare’s most beloved early comedies and dramas, presented in the order they appear in the original Folios. The collection includes Much Ado About Nothing, Love’s Labour’s Lost, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, and one more play. Each text is drawn from the earliest printed editions, offering listeners a glimpse of the works as they first reached the stage.

The editors have compiled detailed notes that explain the differences between the Quarto and Folio versions, highlighting printing quirks and stage directions that vanished in later editions. Readers will learn how early publishers sometimes altered the text, whether by accident or to suit theatrical needs. These scholarly insights help listeners appreciate the richness of the language and the historical journey of each play.

Listening to this carefully edited compilation brings the vibrancy of Elizabethan theatre to modern ears, with each performance grounded in the most authentic text available. Whether you are revisiting a familiar favorite or discovering a play for the first time, the volume offers a solid foundation for deeper exploration of Shakespeare’s early genius.

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