Showing results by narrator "Josh Verbae" in All Categories

Friendship, betrayal, wisdom, humour, epic romance, jealousy, adventure, bravery and murder. There's everything in those iconic Shakespeare stories. His work transcends generations and appeals endlessly to other writers. His dramatic structures are both simple and complicated, intertwined with numerous relationships, which reappear in our lives again and again. This iconic collection of Shakespeare tales includes 20 of his most prominent works adapted by Edith Nesbit and transformed into modern English.

This edition of Hamlet is an adaptation of Shakespeare's eponymous play The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Set in Denmark, the story dramatises the revenge Prince Hamlet is called to wreak upon his uncle, Claudius, by the ghost of Hamlet's father, King Hamlet. Narrated in plain modern English, capturing the very essence and key elements of Shakespeare's original drama.

Once upon a time, there were four little rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. Mischievous and disobedient young Peter Rabbit is chased about the garden of Mr. McGregor. He escapes and returns home to his mother, Mrs. Rabbit, who puts him to bed after dosing him with chamomile tea.

Once upon a time, two poor woodcutters were making their way home through a great pine forest. It was winter and a night of bitter cold. The snow lay thick upon the ground and upon the branches of the trees; the frost kept snapping the little twigs on either side of them as they passed; and when they came to the Mountain Torrent, she was hanging motionless in air, for the Ice King had kissed her. Read in English, unabridged.

Enter the magical world of four little rabbits: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. Join their mischief and adventures in the vegetable garden of old Mr. McGregor. Get to know Peter's friends: Twinkleberry, Squirrel Nutkin, Tom Kitten, Benjamin Bunny, and many other wonderful woodland creatures. Discover how Jeremy Fisher nearly got eaten by the fish he tried to catch and the story of Jemima Puddle-duck, who was annoyed because the farmer's wife would not let her hatch her own eggs.

Once upon a time there was a miller who left no more riches to the three sons he had than his mill, his ass, and his cat. The division was soon made. Neither the lawyer nor the attorney was sent for. They would soon have eaten up all the poor property. The eldest had the mill, the second the ass, and the youngest nothing but the cat. Read in English, unabridged.

Set on a remote island, where the sorcerer Prospero, rightful Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter, Miranda, to her rightful place using illusion and skilful manipulation. This edition of The Tempest is an adaptation of Shakespeare's eponymous drama, narrated in plain modern English, capturing the very essence and key elements of Shakespeare's original work. Read in English, unabridged.

Once upon a time there were three little kittens, and their names were Mittens, Tom Kitten, and Moppet. They had dear little fur coats of their own; and they tumbled about the doorstep and played in the dust. But one day their mother - Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit - expected friends to tea; so she fetched the kittens indoors, to wash and dress them, before the fine company arrived.

Bassanio, a young Venetian of noble rank, wishes to woo the beautiful and wealthy heiress Portia of Belmont. Having squandered his estate, he needs 3,000 ducats to subsidise his expenditures as a suitor. Bassanio approaches his friend Antonio, a wealthy merchant of Venice who has previously and repeatedly bailed him out. This edition of The Merchant of Venice is an adaptation of Shakespeare's eponymous drama, narrated in plain modern English, capturing the very essence and key elements of the original Shakespeare work.

This is a tale about a tail—a tail that belonged to a little red squirrel, and his name was Nutkin. He had a brother called Twinkleberry and a great many cousins: They lived in a wood at the edge of a lake.

The story revolves around its two central characters: Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, and his unfaithful ensign, Iago. This is one of the most prolific Shakespeare works, featuring themes of passion, jealousy, love, betrayal, revenge and repentance. This edition of Othello is an adaptation of Shakespeare's eponymous drama, narrated in plain modern English, capturing the very essence and key elements of the original Shakespeare work. Read in English, unabridged.

Petruchio tames Katherina, an unwilling participant in the relationship, with various psychological torments, such as keeping her from eating and drinking, until she becomes a desirable, compliant and obedient bride. This edition of The Taming of the Shrew is an adaptation of Shakespeare's eponymous drama, narrated in plain modern English, capturing the very essence and key elements of the original Shakespeare work.

Once upon a time, there lived in a certain village a little country girl, the prettiest creature that ever was seen. Her mother was very fond of her, and her grandmother loved her still more. This good woman made for her a little red riding hood, which became the girl so well that everybody called her Little Red Riding Hood. Read in English, unabridged.

Prayer of Gratitude includes a reading of the eponymous prayer followed by beautiful piano music based on original compositions of Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Piano music includes The Seasons, Les Saisons Op. 37a, July: Song of the Reaper. Prayer read in English, unabridged, by Josh Verbae. Music recording by Anton Kingsbury.

This traditional Christmas carol was written by John Henry Hopkins, an American clergyman. He wrote the carol as part of a production he organised for his students at The General Theological Seminary in New York City, where he held the post of musical director. This recording offers reading of the English-language lyrics followed by magical harp music based on original Christmas carol melody.

A collection of 10 iconic Christmas carols. This recording offers reading of the English-language lyrics followed by magical harp music based on original Christmas carol melodies.

This traditional Christmas carol is also know by its ancient name, 'Greensleeves', dating from England around the time of Henry VIII, and some say that it was even written by the king himself. This recording offers reading of the English-language lyrics followed by magical harp music based on original Christmas carol melody.

The tune of this traditional Christmas carol is also known by its Latin name, 'Adeste Fideles'. John Francis Wade was one of the first to include it within his publications, but it is quite possible that the lyrics and tune date from earlier times. Arrangements of this tune also exist in compositions of Franz Liszt. This recording offers reading of the English-language lyrics followed by magical harp music based on original Christmas carol melody.

Shakespeare is often referred to as the great teacher of life and for a good reason, too. His tales offer worldly wisdom on tap and a great abundance of it. In this collection of Shakespeare tales, we offer those that perhaps more than others teach us important lessons.

Shakespeare often uses expressive language in his portrayal of jealousy. It is a 'green-eyed monster', an object that 'one might fight and conquer', 'an infection which strikes as quickly as the plague'. In this selection of Shakespeare stories, jealousy plays a prominent role, offering us a wonderful opportunity to learn how Shakespeare's characters are dealing with this vice.