COMPLETE The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare - kh

DSayers · Post by **DSayers** » May 27th, 2008, 10:50 am

I went ahead and uploaded the Narrator's lines for Acts I and II:

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/kh/merchantofvenice_narrator_act1_shakespeare.mp3

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/kh/merchantofvenice_narrator_act2_shakespeare.mp3

These versions are WITHOUT adding in the characters' names the first time they speak in a scene. Let me know if I should add them in ... it's easily enough done.

-denny

asy · Post by **asy** » May 27th, 2008, 3:13 pm

Thanks Denny!!!

I'm not sure about the names, but I'll talk to Kristin and see what she suggests and maybe have a listen to an example with them as I can't remember having heard one. Mind you I think it's a good idea, but I just worry that it'll affect the flow of the play.

I'd be interested in anyone else's thoughts too.

asy

Dave in the Fax · Post by **Dave in the Fax** » May 28th, 2008, 4:53 am

The 'King Lear' recording includes the names.

http://ia300032.us.archive.org/2/items/king_lear_librivox/king_lear_1_shakespeare_64kb.mp3

DSayers · Post by **DSayers** » May 28th, 2008, 5:39 am

Dave in the Fax wrote:The 'King Lear' recording includes the names.

http://ia300032.us.archive.org/2/items/king_lear_librivox/king_lear_1_shakespeare_64kb.mp3

I knew I had heard character introductions as characters spoke their first lines in a scene! In fact, in the recording above, earthcalling reads the stage directions and the first character introduced was me as Kent, followed by Gloucester.

Someone should ask earthcalling how people have reacted ... hearing it again myself, I think it helps.

-denny

Dave in the Fax · Post by **Dave in the Fax** » May 28th, 2008, 2:06 pm

My gut feeling is that it isn't necessary, the stage directions should be sufficient, and characters tend to call each other by name when they meet anyway. But that's just me.

mb · Post by mb » May 28th, 2008, 2:29 pm

I'm in the 'not terribly necessary' camp as well.

DSayers · Post by **DSayers** » May 28th, 2008, 9:01 pm

Dave in the Fax wrote:My gut feeling is that it isn't necessary, the stage directions should be sufficient, and characters tend to call each other by name when they meet anyway. But that's just me.

I remember heaving a sigh of relief when I heard David (earthcalling) saying the names of characters who first read in scenes, knowing that I could listen without reading along.

I think the objections don't keep in mind that listeners are one group, and readers, a quite different group.

I continue to vote for mentioning one time only a character's name the first time they read in a scene.

-denny

earthcalling · Post by **earthcalling** » May 28th, 2008, 10:41 pm

For Lear, if I remember rightly, I only gave a character's name the very first time they spoke, and I think only if they weren't introduced by name by another character or stage direction immediately before they speak. That assumes that the characters' voices are distinct, and the listeners are paying attention, so they don't lose track of who is who. I took the view that it would disrupt the flow to keep introducing them.

Another way would be to have each reader announce their character at the beginning, but that would require more memory-power from the listeners, particularly for the characters appearing first in later acts/scenes.

David

DSayers · Post by **DSayers** » May 29th, 2008, 7:53 am

Well, after a good night's sleep ... I'm rethinking the need for introductory namings in each scene.

In this play, there are relatively fewer characters most of whom speak at length, so that voices would become recognizable more quickly.

I'll go ahead and finish the Narrator's part without them. We can always add them in at the end if we like.

So here's Act 3:

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/kh/merchantofvenice_narrator_act3_shakespeare.mp3

-denny

asy · Post by **asy** » May 29th, 2008, 8:49 am

As you say, Denny, Few parts and long ones. And it can all be added in later, if deemed required.

I really do like the idea of each person doing their own voice introduction for example simply:

"Larysa Jaworski reading Portia"

but only for the very beginning of the play. Or will this make the introduction too long?

asy.

kristin · Post by **kristin** » May 30th, 2008, 1:59 pm

asy wrote:I really do like the idea of each person doing their own voice introduction for example simply:

"Larysa Jaworski reading Portia"

but only for the very beginning of the play. Or will this make the introduction too long?

asy.

Not too long and a good intro to the readers.

Whether the names are read at character's first line is up to you.

asy · Post by **asy** » May 31st, 2008, 8:51 am

Here's Portia's act 1.

Hopefully my cold is over..

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/kh/merchantofvenice_Portia_act1.mp3

asy

David O'Connell · Post by **David O'Connell** » June 2nd, 2008, 6:47 pm

One "unfiltered" recording of Antonio, Act 1:

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/kh/merchantofvenice_antonio_act1_shakespeare.mp3

Edit- And also Antonio, Act 2:

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/kh/merchantofvenice_antonio_act2_shakespeare.mp3

mb · Post by mb » June 3rd, 2008, 10:27 pm

Sounds great David!

I think that you've said 'Gratanio' for 'Gratiano', though. I thought I'd mention it now in case it comes up again in later acts.

We seem to have a good double act going

David O'Connell · Post by **David O'Connell** » June 3rd, 2008, 10:42 pm

mb wrote:I think that you've said 'Gratanio' for 'Gratiano', though.

Boy is my face red! Yeah, it would make the meter sound a whole lot better if I actually read his name properly. Hoo-boy. Thanks for the catch, I would've completely missed it.

mb wrote:We seem to have a good double act going

Aye, that we do.