Shadowplay

De: Joseph O'Connor

Narrado por: Anna Chancellor, Barry McGovern

When Henry Irving decides to open the Lyceum, his own London theater, with the goal of making it the greatest playhouse on earth, he hires a young Dublin clerk harboring literary ambitions by the name of Abraham Stoker as his assistant.

Together, Irving and Stoker fall under the spell of Ellen Terry, a dazzlingly talented Shakespearean actress, known to all as a proto-feminist, and the lives of all three become intertwined with the Lyceum and each other.

Set in the late-Victorian world of the London theater, Shadowplay tells the story of these extraordinary artists: the first superstar thespian‚ a showman extraordinaire whose impact on popular entertainment invites comparisons to PT Barnum‚ the era's greatest Shakespearian actor, and the young man who would go on to write the most iconic and best-selling horror novel of all time.

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Excellent in every way

Beautifully written and compelling portrait of these personages and their moment in history. Gorgeous narration with deft skill at characters and many accents.

A pleasure to read & to listen to

Completely absorbing, a great escape. O'Connor's evocation of Ellen Terry is especially moving & Anna Chancellor who voiced her imagined phonograph recordings brought her to life so thrillingly I listened to each of her sections at least twice, sometimes three times. Barry McGovern's reading of Henry Irving so convinced me that if the real Irving's performances could be magically conjured from the air of the Lyceum Theatre, the great man would be hard-pressed to measure up to Mr. McGovern's interpretation of him. Florence Balcombe's letter to Ellen Terry at the very end made a perfect ending and moved me very much. I highly recommend!

Bram's Story Beautifully Written &Performed

Loved listening to the long, lyrical passages that add depth to the settings, characters, and story of the theatre. A must for true lovers of the theatre. Interesting insight into a world that was Bram Stoker's inspiration for his infamous Dracula.

Fabulous tale of the theater and its people

Just loved this! Historical fiction at its finest — real figures with fictionalized lives; well-developed and believable; really wrenching story line and gorgeous writing. Want more of Joseph O’Connor

Atmosphere, intrigue, fascinating characters

A festival of theatre and relationships in the Victorian era, Shadowplay was a joy. One of the most moving endings I’ve ever experienced.

Way too wordy

The author is in love with words. Great descriptions, wonderful performance, weak plot. I would only recommend this book to those in love with the theater and a full knowledge of plays.

Moody tale

Took a while to follow yet understand the novel direction. A book more about the interior life of the three principals, Stoker, Irving, and, to a lesser degree, Terry. A bit sad. Narration okay but puzzling why Terry was sometimes voiced by a woman, and mostly by the man. Woman’s voice is beautiful and broke up the dreary narration.