Much Ado About Nothing Audiobook, by William Shakespeare Play Audiobook Sample

Much Ado About Nothing Audiobook

Much Ado About Nothing Audiobook, by William Shakespeare Play Audiobook Sample
Currently Unavailable
This audiobook is no longer available through the publisher and we don't know if or when it will become available again. Please check out similar audiobooks below, and click the "Vote this up!" button to let us know you're interested in this title. This audiobook has 0 votes
Read By: Rex Harrison, Rachel Roberts, and Full Cast Publisher: HarperAudio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 1.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2004 Format: Original Staging Audiobook ISBN:

Other Audiobooks Written by William Shakespeare: > View All...

Publisher Description

In Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare created one of the greatest verbal sparring matches in all of literature, echoes of which can be heard in the sophisticated dialogue of such late masters as George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, and Noel Coward. Throughout the play, the proud would-be lovers, Beatrice and Benedick, circle each other warily, and as they draw closer and closer to their inevitable union, their scathing witticisms and sly innuendoes reach a feverish intensity that befits the passionate longing they both vainly seek to deny. Much Ado About Nothing is at once a sobering examination of dishonesty and deception, and a boisterous celebration of that overwhelming natural phenomenon we call love.

Download and start listening now!

"I LOVED THIS PLAY..its hilarious and I know (FINALLY) fully understand all of the allusions to this play in The Juliet Club and other books..I'm watching the movie version right now and Kenneth Branagah and Robert Sean Leonard so soo cutee! "

— Adrianna (5 out of 5 stars)

Much Ado About Nothing Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.1875 out of 54.1875 out of 54.1875 out of 54.1875 out of 54.1875 out of 5 (4.19)
5 Stars: 17
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not one of Shakespeare's best, but I was particularly fond of Hero. I'm not really sure if it was the name or character itself. I still prefer some of the other comedies though to this one if I had to pick. Measure for Measure, Taming of the Shrew, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. "

    — John, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " whatever. I read it, but it was as if I haven't read it. so much about quality. "

    — Andrea, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Hilarious! Great story and romance! "

    — Kennedy, 2/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Favorite comedy play by Mr. Shakes. Goal is to one day play Beatrice. Favorite character. HATE the villian in this one, though. It's a comedy, though, so i can't complain. "

    — Sofia, 2/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Literally the only Shakespeare play I could make it all the way through. In order to fully understand the humor of the show, you must read slowly and figure out what Shakespeare is trying to say. This show is hilarious and brilliant. "

    — Stephanie, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I read this at school it was kindda hard to understand but thank God that it has like its own dictionary on every left hand page it was an ok book imnot so interested in shakespeare "

    — Forever, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " My all-time favorite Shakespeare comedy. "

    — Kyra, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I've seen this one as a play like three times already but that's okay. Also the movie has EVERYONE in it! "

    — Joy, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is, without a doubt my favorite Shakespeare play. This is the reason I got into Shakespeare. "

    — Amanda, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I liked this story a lot! Especially after I saw the movie version, because I was actually able to understand it! :) "

    — The, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is one of my all time favorite of Shakespeare's works. "

    — Dahlia, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Much ado about nothing, but a very readable nothing :). "

    — Felicitas, 12/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " it was a action packed story line not like alex rider or james bond but a classic action packed book, studied it in depth in english "

    — Rebecca, 12/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Got to play Don Pedro for the senior spring play. Great fun. "

    — Stephen, 11/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A good story, though I don't love the women in this play. 'Tis to be excpected from Shakespeare, I suppose. He generally doesn't have strong respectable female characters. "

    — Kara, 10/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " this might be my fav comedy by the great man. although I havent read all. I love the different aspects of romance covered in this and the princes and the guards! its a must read "

    — Laura, 8/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Nothing can cheer you up more, than a lovely afternoon of bickering between Benedict and Beatrice. I know this book by heart and it never gets old. "

    — Piper, 8/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Funny! Really it was funny! Shakespeare put in some good stuff in this one, short and easy read. "

    — Brenna, 6/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It took me a while to get the feel for this. I had to listen to the first of the two CDs twice. The second half was more understandable, but I'm guessing I skimmed the surface of the story. Maybe later I'll read an annotated version and see if I get more out of it. "

    — Beth, 2/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The of the wittiest and most brilliantly written romantic comedies in existence, Much Ado About Nothing is packed with vibrant characters and contains dozens of moments of sheer and utter hilarity. "

    — Paul, 11/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of my favorites-if not my very favorite- for sure!!!! "

    — Giorgiana, 7/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was a very spirited audio production featuring Rex Harrison (as Benedick) and Rachel Roberts (as Beatrice). A very memorable performance by whoever plays Dogberry as well. "

    — Abe, 4/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " i read it in school. i didnt like it much "

    — Harley, 11/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " An interesting love-hate romantic comedy of Beatrice and Benedict. "

    — Kai, 11/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " one of my favorite roles to play. Beatrice :-] "

    — Bana, 5/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " One of the first Shakespeare plays I fell in love with (after Hamlet and Henry V), and it's still in my personal top three for the comedies (with The Tempest and Twelfth Night). "

    — Leigh, 5/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of my all-time favorite plays, hands down. "

    — Carly, 5/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Beatrice and Benedick are one of my favourite literary couples. Their scenes together sparkle with wit, and they come across as equals, which is quite remarkable for a play that was written over 400 years ago. "

    — Miia, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " it was a action packed story line not like alex rider or james bond but a classic action packed book, studied it in depth in english "

    — Rebecca, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Messenger: I see, lady, the gentleman is not in your books.Lady Beatrice: No; an he were, I would burn my study. Shakespearean LOL! "

    — Beatrice, 5/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Reading this book was like reading a romantic comedy. It was full of dramatic irony and complex characters who do everything to maintain their tough reputations, but are romantics on the inside. "

    — Shealeigh, 5/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 3.5 stars. Slow and confusing beginning. Hilarious and energetic 3rd and 4th act. 5 act begins well and then becomes soppy. However, it is short (about 2 hours) and the Watch scenes are as funny as anything Monte Python ever did. "

    — Tom, 5/1/2011

About William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564–1616), English poet and dramatist of the Elizabethan and early Jacobean period, is the most widely known author in all of English literature and often considered the greatest. He was an active member of a theater company for at least twenty years, during which time he wrote many great plays. Plays were not prized as literature at the time and Shakespeare was not widely read until the middle of the eighteenth century, when a great upsurge of interest in his works began that continues today.