All's Well That Ends Well


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.6 stars; 36 reviews)

Despite its optimistic title, Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well has often been considered a "problem play." Ostensibly a comedy, the play also has fairy tale elements, as it focuses on Helena, a virtuous orphan, who loves Bertram, the haughty son of her protectress, the Countess of Rousillon. When Bertram, desperate for adventure, leaves Rousillon to serve in the King's army, Helena pursues him. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)

Cast:
Bertram: David Nicol
Clown: Denny Sayers
Countess of Rousillon: Ruth Golding
Diana: Arielle Lipshaw
Duke of Florence: Robert Fletcher
First Gentleman: Brett W. Downey
First Lord: Bellona Times
First Soldier: om123
Fourth Lord/Steward: Skythrock
Helena: Elizabeth Klett
King of France: Andy Minter
Lafeu: Martin Geeson
Mariana: Maria Therese
Parolles: mb
Second Gentleman: Martyn Oughton
Second Lord: David Goldfarb
Second Soldier: Vicente Costa Filho
Page/Servant: Lucy Perry
Widow: Musicalheart1
Narrator: Availle

Audio edited by: mb
Proof listening: Maria Therese, Elizabeth Klett
(2 hr 52 min)

Chapters

Dramatis Personae 1:58 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act I 34:11 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act II 45:59 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act III 26:58 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act IV 35:50 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
Act V 27:04 Read by Martin Geeson

Reviews

SUPER CAST!


(4.5 stars)

I must say that this was really well acted. I disagree with the reviewer that said the actors did a bad job. I really enjoyed this play and the many others I have listened to on Librivox. The performances are great, and well read. I have been working my way through Shakespeare's work again, this time through audiobooks. I really enjoy these recitals. I'm glad to be able to listen to them!! Plays (being written to be acted) have a greater effect when either acted or read aloud, than read silently, in my opinion. Also I personally really enjoyed listening to the man who voiced LaFeu! He's got a great voice, and great voices are best for theater (or in this case recordings), in my opinion. The rest of the cast is super.

good


(5 stars)

The cast did a great job of reading this play.

good book, poorly read


(3 stars)

Some actors read there parts well, while others were absolutely horrible. Main characters were thankfully read well, but Lafeu and the clown were absolutely horrible to listen to. The crown spoke like Yoda, and Lafeu attempted an accent with poor results! If you ignore these characters (along with a few other poor performances), the play is quite wonderful.