Midsummer Night audio version

We listened to the Arkangel of Midsummer while following along with the SCM guide.  We enjoyed it very much.  We haven’t used the Librvox versions.

And there are three versions of Comedy of Errors on LibriVox!  I don’t know which one is best, but I already downloaded the first one so I will try that.

We have used both the librivox and Arkangel versions. The librivox ones are free and better than nothing, but the quality in sound and voices can really be lacking in them. The Arkangel versions are professionally produced so the sound quality is really good and they flow somewhat better because the people doing the parts are more familiar with the content, the sound and flow of the words. They are excellent. If at all possible, I would use them first.

My daughter and I are listening to the Arkangel audio of this play once a week. This is our first time reading through, and listening to, an actual Shakespeare play. I’m not sure what I think, to be honest. The audio is done very well. The acting is superb. However, Puck is downright scary! My daughter would have been terrified of him when she was younger. Then there are areas where the dialogue gets a bit suggestive. Young children wouldn’t even notice it but my daughter looked at me and said “Mom! Why are we listening to this?!”

I’m working through theses issues as I type and I think my conclusion for my family is that we will study one play a year but I am glad I waited until my daughter was 14 to move on to the actual plays. I wouldn’t use the actual plays with young children but that’s just me.

I much prefer using Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare through elementary school and into middle school.