Shakespeare
TheatreBooks carries a complete range of the plays of William Shakespeare, as
well as other titles about his life, work and times.
Shakespeare's Texts
Shakespeare Criticism
Inspired by Shakespeare
Performing Shakespeare
Shakespeare's
Life & Times
Teaching Shakespeare
Shakespeare's Texts
 Double Falsehood
William Shakespeare
In December 1727, an intriguing play called Double Falshood: Or, The Distrest Lovers was performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane -- intriguing because of the claim that it was a lost play "Written Originally by W. Shakespeare". In addition to the play itself, this edition explores the play's puzzling textual and performance histories. Softcover, 443 pp. $34.00.
 Richard III
William Shakespeare
The dramatic concluding months of the wars of the Roses provide the setting for Shakespeare's incomparable saga of power and intrigue. Under the editorial supervision of Jonathan Bate and Eric Rasmussen, two of today's most accomplished Shakesperean scholars, this Modern Library series incorporates definitive texts and authoritative notes from William Shakespeare: Complete Works. Softcover, 244 pp. $6.99.
 The Essential Shakespeare Live
Royal Shakespeare Company
Scenes and speeches in live RSC productions from 1959 to the present day, chosen by Gregory Doran, Associate Director of the RSC. All tracks published for the first time. 2 discs, 136 minutes. $42.95.
 Macbeth
William Shakespeare
In addition to the complete text (freshly edited, based on the 1623 First Folio), this special edition also includes a DVD of an actual performance of the play, full explanatory notes, illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare's Library, an introductory essay, and much more. Softcover, 223 pp. $21.00.
 King Richard III
William Shakespeare
The long-awaited Arden Third Series edition of Shakespeare's King Richard III. Softcover, 503 pp. $21.00.
 Barbisms: Shakespeare for All Occasions
Barry Edelstein
William Shakespeare's plays and poetry make up a vast repository of wit and wisdom, of insight and passion. For momentous occasions -- the ones that call for some memorable remarks or a great toast -- chances are there's a Shakespeare quote that's fitting. The challenge, of course, is finding the right one. And that is where Bardisms comes in. Collecting the best of Shakespeare's wisdom, this book will help you pick the perfect words, pronounce them with style, and craft an elegant speech, talk, or missive around it. Hardcover, 274 pp. $25.99.
 William Shakespeare on The Art Of Love
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was one of the most powerfully gifted writers of all time, and his talent shines brightest in his portrayal of the theme of love. Here is the illustrated edition of the most beautiful love passages in Shakespeare's plays and poetry. Hardcover, 272 pp. $26.95.
 A Choice of Shakespeare's Verse
Ted Hughes
For this new edition, first published in 1971, Ted Hughes augmented his original selection of Shakespeare's poems and dramatic speeches and completely rewrote his accompanying essay, intending to restore to the common reader much of what, in Shakespeare, was instinctively available to the audience of his day, and to show how Shakespeare's language unites in its sinews and substance the full range of Elizabethan preoccupations: philosophical and social. Softcover, 216 pp. $18.00.
 Manga Shakespeare: Hamlet
Emma Vieceli
"To be or not to be?" That is the question asked by Hamlet in one of the most famous plays of all time, now a new manga. After Hamlet's father's death, Hamlet is frozen by his grief. But what if the new king - his uncle - is responsible for his father's murder? Shouldn't Hamlet do something? Softcover, 195 pp. $11.95.
 Manga Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet
Sonia Leong
The world's greatest love story meets the world of manga. Caught in a bitter feud between their mafia families, Romeo and Juliet must hide their love--or try to reconcile their parents' deep-seated hatred. Violence, passion, betrayal, and tragedy react in the streets and on the pages of this adaptation of the classic play. Softcover, 195 pp. $11.95.
 The Norton Shakespeare
Edited by Stephen Greenblatt,Stanley Wells and Gary Taylor et al
This vibrant Complete Shakespeare brings readers closer than ever before to the plays as they were first acted. Based on the Oxford Edition, the Norton includes Greenblatt's General Introduction which provides a richly textured portrait of Shakespeare's work and world. The introductions, notes and annotations that accompany each text greatly aid understanding of the plays and poems.This edition is presented in an elegant single column page and includes 150 Elizabethan and Jacobean illustrations as well as timelines, genealogies and a selection of archival documents. Slipcase, Hardcover $85.00.
 Shakespeare's Great Soliloquies
Bob Blaisdell
Encompassing some of the finest monologues ever uttered by actors on the
stage, this book is an invaluable source of audition or recital
material for acting students as well as seasoned professionals
-- both male and female. Softcover, 111 pp. $8.95.
 Julius Caesar - Annotated Shakespeare
William Shakespeare & Burton Raffel
The first tragedy to be played in the new Globe Theatre, Julius
Caesar centres on a crucial turning point in Roman history, as the Republican
gives way to the Imperial. Safely removed in time and place from Shakespeare's
world, Rome makes the perfect laboratory for the playwright's free-ranging
political analysis.
Eminent linguist and translator Burton Raffel offers generous help
with vocabulary, pronunciation and prosody and provides alternative
readings of phrases and lines. His on-page annotations give readers
all the tools
they need to comprehend the play and begin to explore its many possible
interpretations. Raffel provides an introductory essay, and in a
concluding essay Harold Bloom considers the character Julius Caesar,
a far subtler
creation than often acknowledged.
Softcover, 190 pp. $9.95.
 Twelfth Night
William Shakespeare
Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare's funniest plays and also one of his most romantic. Eminent linguist and translator Burton Raffel offers generous help with vocabulary, pronunciation, and prosody and provides alternative readings of phrases and lines. Raffel also provides and introductory essay, and in a concluding essay Harold Bloom argues that instability of identity is the essence of Twelfth Night. Softcover, 161 pp. $9.95.
 Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare
One of the greatest love stories of all time, Romeo and Juliet is
filled with some of Shakespeare's most exquisite language. The intensely
romantic
and popular play is a favourite from high school gymnasiums to professional
stages and silver screens across the world. In this special package,
the Signet Classics edition is packaged with a DVD of the acclaimed
BBC production
of the play. Softcover with DVD, 224 pp. $26.50.
 The Tempest
William Shakespeare
Shakespeare's valedictory play is also one of his most poetic and magical.
The story involves the spirit Ariel, the savage Caliban, and Prospero,
the banished Duke of Milan, now a wizard living on a remote island
who uses his
magic to shipwreck a party of ex-compatriots. This extensively annotated
version of The Tempest makes the play completely accessible to readers
in the twenty-first century. Softcover, 157 pp. $9.95.
 Antony and Cleopatra
William Shakespeare
Mark Antony, one of the rulers of Rome following the death of Caesar, finds
himself in the thrall of Cleopatra, Queen of Eygpt. When affairs of state
call him to Rome, he finds her attractions impossible to resist. From one
of classical histories great love stories, Shakespeare builds a magnificent
tragedy of the clash between love and duty.
Cleopatra is played by Estelle Kohler, Mark Antony by Ciaran Hinds.
Ian Hughes is Octavius Caesar and David Burke is Domitus Enobarbus.
Audio CD. $33.95.
 A Comedy of Errors
William Shakespeare
Antipholus of Syracuse is traveling the world in search of his twin brother,
lost at birth. With him is Dromio, his servant, who also lost his twin
brother at the same time. The pair arrive in Ephesus where, unknown to
them, both their twins are living. Chaos and confusion abound in this fast-paced
comedy of mistaken identity.
Antipholus of Syracuse is played by David Tennant, Antipholus of
Ephesus by Brendan Coyle. Alan Cox and Jason O'Mara are the two Dromios,
while Niamh and Sorcha Cusack play Adriana and Luciana. Audio CD.
$26.95.
 The
Two Gentlemen of Verona
William Shakespeare
Valentine loves Silvia in Milan, while Proteus loves Julia in Verona.
When Proteus meets Silvia, however, he falls for her too. Heartbroken
Julia sets out in pursuit of her errant love, leading to scenes of lyrical
poetry, disguise, outlaws, clowning, and a terribly unreliable dog.
Proteus is played by Michael Maloney, Valentine by Damian Lewis. Silvia
is Saskia Wickham, Lucy Robinson plays Julia. Audio CD. $26.95.
 The Winter's Tale
William Shakepeare
King Leontes, seized by terrible jealousy, accuses his wife Hermione of
aldutery. Believing the baby girl Hermione gives birth to be his friend
Polixenes', Leontes orders her left in the wilds to die. Though the child
escapes her fate, Leontes cruelty has terrible consequences. Loss paves
the way for reunion, and life and hope are born out of desolation and
despair.
With Sinead Cusack as Hermione and Ciaran Hinds as Leontes. Eileen
Atikins plays Paulina and Paul Jesson is Polixenes. Time the Chorus
is played by Sir John Gielgud. Audio CD, $33.95.
 Henry the Fourth, Part 1
William Shakespeare
While England is threatened by the Earl of Northumberland, a young Prince
Hal cavorts in London's taverns, accompanied by the dissolute, entertaining
Falstaff and his band of rogues. Much of this play's tension involves
Prince Hal and Falstaff, as the prince tries to live up to his duties
and responsibilities.
This extensively annotated version of Herny the Fourth, Part One
makes the play completely accessible to readers in the twenty-first
century. Softcover, Yale University Press, 196 pp. $9.99.
 Titus Andronicus
Folger Shakespeare Library
William Shakespeare
Part tragic horror, part political commentary and sometimes a grotesque
comedy, Titus Andronicus has always defied easy definition. This Folger's
edition includes in it's text an introduction to reading Shakespeare's
language, scene-by-scene plot summaries, full explanatory notes as well
as an essay
by leading Shakespearean scholar, Alexander Leggatt, providing a modern
perspective on the play. Softcover, 267 pp. $10.50.
 Shakespeare's Henry IV, parts I & II
Harold Bloom
This authoritative edition of Shakespeare's play is introduced
with a detailed
essay by Harold Bloom. Softcover, 292 pp. $14.50.
Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream
Harold Bloom
This definitive version of the play is prefaced by a generous
introduction by renowned Shakespeare scholar, Harold Bloom. Softcover,
117 pp. $14.50.
 Macbeth: Shakespeare in Production
William Shakespeare
In this volume edited by John Wilders, Shakespeare's classic
play is accompanied by a detailed account of the theatre history
of Macbeth productions from 1607 to the present day. An informed
commentary alongside the New Cambridge Shakespeare text of the play
describes how specific episodes and passages have been interpreted
in
the theatre. Softcover, 229 pp. $38.95.
 A Midsummer Night's Dream
William Shakespeare
Edward Hall and Roger Warren have edited this performing edition of A Midsummer
Night's Dream for Propeller's all-male production at the Watermill Theatre,
Newbury. The character of Philostrate, Theseus' Master of Revels, has been omitted
entirely and his speeches reallocated. There are a few cuts to the text in scenes
Five and Nine. The speeches of the Fairy in Scene Three have been divied up between
other cast members, and the Court's comments redistributed. This publication
has very dark
print and is easily read while "on-your-feet". Softcover, 87 pp. $25.95.
 A Midsummer Night's Dream: The Annotated Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
From the hilarious mischief of Puck to the rough humor of the self-centred
Bottom and his fellow players, from the palace of Theseus in Athens
to the magic wood where fairies play, A Midsummer Night's Dream is
a play of enchantment and an insightful portrait of the predicaments
of love.
Now the most extensively annotated edition of the play to date makes
it completely accessible to readers in the twenty-first century and
a rich
resource for students, teachers, and the general reader. Softcover,
173 pp. $9.95.
The Oxford Shakespeare
This relatively newer series has been gathering momentum with the
favour of students. I would say that Oxford is out to give Arden a
run for the money. The editions are very similiar, right down to the
actual size of the book. Oxford offers an almost identical list, as
the Arden, of supporting material accompanying each text. Oxford has
combed the world for scholars to edit these texts -- many are Canadian!
These books mirror the Arden series with good binding and clearly printed
text on white paper. Now, here's the rub: these texts are priced low,
(for the time-being), from $7.95 to $13.95 -- that is a tremendous
value for the material offered -- the publisher is trying to capture
some of the market from Arden.
 Timon of Athens: The Oxford Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
This text, edited by John Jowett, provides a new, modern-spelling text, and the
first full edition to identify the play as a collaboration between Shakespeare
and Thomas Middleton. Along with the on-page commentary and notes we have come
to expect from Oxford World's Classics, there is a detailed introduction which
provides a full account of the play's performance history and explores issues
of gender, wealth and ecology. 30+M, 4W (flexible casting). Softcover, 370 pp.
$12.95.
 Pericles: The Oxford Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
Oxford University Press. Softcover, 306 pp. $12.95.
Shakespeare's Sonnets
Folger Shakespeare Library
Edited by Barbara A. Mowat & Paul Werstine
With detailed notes from the world's leading centre for Shakespeare studies.
 Hamlet Annotated
William Shakespeare
Yale University Press. Softcover, 249 pp. $10.95.
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Henry VI: Parts One, Two, and Three
The Barron's Simply Shakespeare series
The Arden Shakespeare: Complete Works
The Riverside Shakespeare
