Impressive Collection of Shaw

I hesitated getting a long collection of plays in audio, concerned it might be too dry or boring. This collection of eight Shaw plays was performed wonderfully and was a joy to listen to. It turns out a collection of great plays is a really nice choice for a long drive with the family. These plays are still witty and penetrating. The casting is excellent with different enough voices to allow the characters to be clear. There are a few cases of stage-craft that you lose in audio-only; nevertheless the experience is well worth the time. This was the first collection of audible plays I have ordered, but having enjoyed it so much, I just ordered several more collections from the same theater company.

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Lively, high quality presentation of GB Shaw's major plays

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if they have a a curmudgenly nature coupled with a residual belief in the innate dignity of human beings. It is not for those who have succumbed to the xenophobic newspeak of our times.

What other book might you compare The George Bernard Shaw Collection to and why?

The obvious comparisons are to the plays of Noel Coward and Oscar Wilde. All three expressing a bemused view of humanity that veers toward cynicism, with Coward descending into acidic bitterness. The three are like homemade lemonade with varying levels of sugar--Noel sometimes forgetting to add any sugar at all.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The performances are lively without going over the top. It cannot be better than a good live performance, but it is a nice change from a dry read.

Any additional comments?

I have one complaint, something that really annoys me (possibly others), that applies to all Audible compilations I have experienced. The 'Chapters' are completely anonymous. It is impossible to jump directly to one of the later plays. One has to 'fish' for it. This could be easily fixed by annotating the chapters with the name of the plays.

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A master

Riveting, moving performances. Wonderful works performed by various groups. If you like theater, you will love these. So well done I feels like I was present at the performance.

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Wonderful stage versions!

I took enormous pleasure in listening to these plays. I recommend buying the collection if you like G.B. Shaw.

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Excellent value!

If you are interested in making a survey of all of Shaw's great plays, you can't do any better than this collection! I had begun previously to buy individual plays, and then stumbled on this--what a savings! I didn't think the production of Arms and the Man was very good, but all the rest were excellent.

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well done!

How can anyone go wrong with Shaw? And Pygmalion...so different from the 'My Fair Lady' movie- which was too romanticized...spend time on this series..

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So much bang for the buck!

The only play I wasn't a fan of was the first one - unfortunately that's the one from which audible draws its "sample listen". I wish the beginnings of the plays were marked on the chapters - asking for the acts/scenes would be like asking for the moon.
The productions were great, the actors lovely, and the writing fabulous.

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So much fun!

Loved all of it, but especially loved the final chapters which were Pygmalion (my fair lady.) All of the chapters were very well narrated, and George Bernard Shaw is always great, especially at such an inexpensive price.

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Brilliant

good writing, good acting, well produced, highly recommended seven words remaining, now four. struggling, done

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