Phil Benson has narrated 7 audiobooks on Listento.it by 6 authors, with an average listener rating of 5★ across 1 ratings. The most-rated is King Lear.
King Lear
Summary
Shakespeare's King Lear ranks with Sophocles' Oedipus as a tragic hero destroyed by his own good intentions. From the moment when Lear unfolds his darker purpose, we are drawn into an ineluctable chain of events that leads through betrayal, deceit, destructive family conflict, reconciliation, despair, and death. Considered by many to be the most grueling of Shakespeare's tragedies - Samuel Johnson found the death of Cordelia too heartbreaking to contemplate - this play represents the work of a master dramatist at the height of his powers.
Public Domain (P)2016 Voices of Today
Four One-Act Plays
Summary
Louis Esson is considered to be the first great Australian dramatist. As with most of his work, these four plays depict life from the view of the common man and provide vivid presentations of life, both urban and rural, in Australia before the First World War.
©2016 Louis Esson (P)2016 The Online Stage
Oscar Wilde, the Story of an Unhappy Friendship
Summary
In 1895 the Irish playwright, novelist, and poet Oscar Wilde was sentenced to two years of hard labour for the crime of "gross indecency with men". Robert Sherard met Wilde a decade earlier in Paris and their friendship, though often troubled, was maintained until the end of Wilde's life. Written for private publication, Sherard's account of their friendship aimed to restore Wilde's good name among his circle of friends. The result is a fascinating insight into the lives of the literary elites of London and Paris of the time.
Public Domain (P)2021 Voices of Today
The Time Is Not Yet Ripe
Summary
Louis Esson is considered to be the first great Australian dramatist. The political comedy The Time is Not Yet Ripe was first produced in 1912 and is one of his best known works. Doris, daughter of the incumbent prime minister, Sir Joseph Quiverton, has news for her father - she has just become engaged. Much to Sir Joseph's dismay her fiancé is none other than an opposing candidate in the forthcoming general election - and a revolutionary socialist to boot. Is Sir Joseph in danger of losing both his reputation and his majority in parliament? Presented by the Online Stage Cast Sir Joseph Quiverton - Peter Tucker Doris/ A Cheeky Youth - Elizabeth Chambers English Butler/A Fat Man - Joseph Tabler Sir Henry Pilsbury - Denis Daly Lady Pilsbury - Maureen Boutilier John K. Hill/An Old Man - Ben Stevens Sydney Barrett - David Prickett Miss Perkins - Leanne Yau Otto - John Burlinson Harry Hopkins - Alan Weyman Peter Jensen - Marty Krz Arthur Gray - Phil Benson Bertie Wainwright - Ben Lindsey-Clark A Working Woman - Linda Barrans Violet Faulkner - Sarah Backholer Stage directions read by K. G. Cross Audio edited by Denis Daly Cover image by Denis Daly
Public Domain (P)2017 The Online Stage
Macbeth
Summary
At the center of each of the four great Shakespearean tragedies - Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, and Othello - is a powerful figure who is led to destruction by a fatal character flaw. In the case of Macbeth it is ambition. Initially a valiant warrior and staunch servant of his regal overlord Duncan, Macbeth succumbs to the lure of absolute political domination, which leads to murder, revolt, and comprehensive defeat. Many scholars agree that Macbeth, which was first published in the First Folio of 1623, was probably written about 1606. It was intended to be highly laudatory to the recently crowned King James I, whose accession united the crowns of England and Scotland and who was considered to be a distant descendent of Banquo. The play also relates a number of contemporary issues, including witch trials and demonology, a subject in which King James had a great interest, and the Gunpowder plot of 1605. Cast Duncan, The Porter, Second Murderer, and Doctor - Phil Benson Malcolm - Jeff Moon Donalbain and Servant - Maureen Boutilier Macbeth - Bob Neufeld Third Witch and Lady Macbeth - Linda Barrans Banquo and the Apparitions - Denis Daly Sergeant and MacDuff - Brett Downey First Witch and Lady MacDuff - Cate Barratt Second Witch, MacDuff's Son and Gentlewoman - Libby Stephenson Lennox - Alan Weyman Ross and Menteith - Marty Krzy Angus, Third Murderer, a Lord, and Seyton - Andrew Coleman First Murderer, Caithness, and Soldier - Victor Bazarov Old Man and Siward - John Burlinson Fleance and Young Siward - Becca Maggie Messenger - Michele Eaton Stage directions read by Denis Daly
Public Domain (P)2016 The Online Stage
The League of Youth
Summary
Often considered to be Ibsen's most popular play in his lifetime, The League of Youth caused fighting in the streets, with conservatives claiming it was an attack on their party and liberals claiming it was an attack on theirs! A thought-provoking comedy that's sure to feel shockingly familiar. Unusually for Ibsen, this play has a lot of humour and a more-or-less happy ending. Cast Stensgaard, a lawyer - Ben Lindsey-Clark Chamberlain Brattsberg, an ironmaster - John Burlinson Anders Lundestad, a farmer - Brett Downey Daniel Heire - Phil Benson Dr. Fjeldbo, the works' doctor - Peter Tucker Mons Monsen, of Storli, a landowner - Marty Kryz Aslaksen, a printer - Tovarisch Thora, Brattberg's daughter - K. G.Cross Mrs. Rundholmen, a tradesman's widow - Jennifer Fournier Bastian Monsen, Monsen's son - Chris Marcellus Erik Brattsberg, Brattsberg's son, a lawyer and business man - Ed Humpal Selma, Erik's wife - Maureen Boutiler Ragna, Monsen's daughter - Rebecca Thomas Helle, tutor at Storli - Jeff Moon Ringdal, works' manager - David Prickett A maidservant in the Chamberlain's household - Leanne Yau A waiter - Andrew Coleman A servant girl - Charlotte Duckett Stage directions read by Denis Daly Afterword read by K. G. Cross Audio edited by K. G. Cross Presented by The Online Stage
Public Domain (P)2016 The Online Stage
David Copperfield
Summary
In a comprehensive and beautifully crafted first person narrative, David Copperfield recalls key stages, memories, and incidents of his life from infancy to maturity. Scenes, adventures, and characters are summoned to the narrator's remembrance so vividly that they are rendered with the vitality of the present moment. In this dramatized reading of the unabridged novel, a cast of 15 narrators bring to life over 100 characters; among them the eccentric Betsey Trotwood; the stern, inflexible Murdstones; the fawning and treacherous Uriah Heep; the captivating Dora Spenlow; and the impecunious but ever optimistic Wilkins Micawber. David Copperfield is the eighth novel by Charles Dickens, first published as a serial in 1849 – 1850, and then as a book in 1850. It has remained one of his most popular novels and was stated by the author to be his "favourite child." Cast: (with selected roles) Phil Benson - Mr Wickfield/Mr Omer Huw Brentnall - Uriah Heep/Ham Peggotty Danielle Cohen - Clara Peggotty/Martha Endell Amanda Friday - Dora Spenlow/Clara Copperfield Isabelle Friday - Little Minnie Rob Goll - David Copperfield/Daniel Peggotty Anna Grace - Agnes Wickfield/Little Em'ly Elizabeth Klett - Emma Micawber/Jane Murdstone Ben Lindsey-Clark - Edward Murdstone/James Steerforth Sarah Mitchell - Betsey Trotwood Jeff Moon - Wilkins Micawber/Doctor Strong P. J. Morgan - Rosa Dartle/Julia Mills Trisha Rose - Mrs Steerforth/Mrs Gummidge David Shears - Tommy Traddles/Mr Littimer David Stifel - Mr Dick/Mr Spenlow Audio edited by Rob Goll
Public Domain (P)2020 The Online Stage