This project is now complete and can be found in our catalog here: https://librivox.org/oroonoko-by-thomas-southerne/Based on Aphra Behn's 1688 novel (which is one of the earliest novels in the English language), Thomas Southerne's <I>Oroonoko</I> is seen by scholars today as the driving force that kept Behn's work from fading into obscurity. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it was considered even more popular than the novel, presenting theatergoing audiences with a highly touching tale of pathos and tragedy involving the eponymous prince-turned-slave and his undying devotion to his beloved wife, Imoinda. However, in this version, unlike in Behn's novel, Imoinda is a white woman, and there is also a comic subplot involving the husband-hunting Welldon sisters that caters to Restoration tastes (though in later productions, this subplot was removed altogether). This LibriVox production presents the play as it was first written, and in doing so, brings to the fore a number of interesting themes, such as the importance of individual liberty; the infallibility of true love; and the quick wit and determination of strong, independent women. ( Tomas Peter)
All roles are gender neutral. Please read the character descriptions below before claiming. Please read ONLY from the script links!
Act 1 | Act 2 | Act 3 | Act 4 | Act 5 | Scene-by-Scene Summary
BC's note: This is, admittedly, a fairly obscure play, and the antiquated English will be difficult to wrangle for some. However, since LibriVox's goal is to record all Public Domain texts, we would have had to get around to this one eventually, and now's as good a time as any. That being said, I'm not looking for perfection here---even I, when I first read this, had to stop and stare at a few passages in order to make complete sense of them. This is to be expected. If you choose to volunteer for this play (and I hope many readers who I've worked with in the past do, because I think you're all greatly talented), please don't be daunted by its apparent difficulty. Don't lose your nerve over the language. Get a general sense of your character, and perform him or her to the best of your ability. If you come across a difficult passage, read it as though you know what you're saying---there is no "right" or "wrong" way of performing this piece. Your interpretation will always be valid. And, if it's any incentive, this play is still studied in universities, so an audiobook version will be of huge help to some students out there.
I'm not expecting this play to be finished in a short amount of time. But if you are even vaguely interested in participating, please bite the bullet and claim something! You may find it even more enjoyable than initially anticipated. And if you are ever stuck, please feel free to consult my scene-by-scene summary of the play (listed above), so you know exactly what goes on in each act.
P.S. If you're concerned this play is super offensive, please know that it isn't. There is only one racial slur in the entire play (and it is uttered by a very unlikeable character, to boot), and in general, it is much more sympathetic to the marginalized characters than the Caucasian ones. Yes, at times its politics are problematic, but that is to be expected from a play over 400 years old..
MC: MaryAnnSpiegel
BC: WiltedScribe
DPL: Kitty
Editor: WiltedScribe
- Is there a deadline?
We ask that you submit your recorded sections within 1-2 months of placing your claim. Please note that to be fair to the readers who have completed their sections in a timely way, if you haven't submitted your recording(s) after two months, your sections will automatically be re-opened for other readers to claim, unless you post in this thread to request an extension. Extensions will be granted at the discretion of the Book Coordinator. If you cannot do your section, for whatever reason, just let me know and it'll go back to the pool. There's no shame in this; we're all volunteers and things happen.
Please do not sign up for more sections than you can complete within the two month deadline. - How to claim a part, and "how it all works" here
To find a section to record, simply look at point 5. below at the sections. All the ones without names beside them are "up for grabs." Click "Post reply" at the top left of the screen and tell us which section you would like to read (include the section number from the left-most column in the reader list, please). Read points 6. to 8. below for what to do before, during and after your recording. - New to recording?
Please read our Newbie Guide to Recording! - Where do I find the text? Source text (please only use this as a reference and read your parts from the scripts located in the MW below or in the links above): https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_vLQJSutbHIgC
- Please claim roles (the numbers in the first column below)! Please note: All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. When you submit your recording, you will be placing your recording in the public domain as well.
If this is your first recording, please let me know under which name or pseudonym you'd like to appear in the LibriVox catalogue. We can also link to a personal website/blog.
Please don't download or listen to files belonging to projects in process (unless you are the BC or PL). Our servers are not set up to handle the greater volume of traffic. Please wait until the project has been completed. Thanks!
Magic Window:
BC Admin - BEFORE recording: Please check the Recording Notes: http://librivox.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6427#6430
Set your recording software to:
Channels: 1 (Mono)
Bit Rate: 128 kbps
Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz
Submit one file per act. - Make sure you add this to the beginning of your recording:
[Role], read by [your name].
If you are reading stage directions, please include for each file:
At the beginning: Act [#] of Oroonoko, by Thomas Southerne. This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit Librivox dot org.
At the end: End of Act [#].
Please remember to check this thread frequently for updates! - AFTER recording
Save files as 128 kbps MP3
oroonoko_[role]_[#].mp3 (all lower-case) where # is the act number.
Transfer of files (completed recordings) Please always post in this forum thread when you've sent a file. Also, post the length of the recording (file duration: mm:ss) together with the link.- Upload your file with the LibriVox Uploader: https://librivox.org/login/uploader
(If you have trouble reading the image above, please message an admin) - You'll need to select the MC, which for this project is: maryannspiegel
- When your upload is complete, you will receive a link - please post it in this thread.
- If this doesn't work, or you have questions, please check our How To Send Your Recording wiki page.
- Upload your file with the LibriVox Uploader: https://librivox.org/login/uploader
- Any questions?
Please post below