King John – Audiobook

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This is a 1964 recording of Shakespeare’s “King John” by The Shakespeare Recording Society, distributed by Caedmon Records. The production was directed by Howard Sackler and featured:

• Donald Wolfit as King John
• Kenneth Haigh as the Bastard (Philip Faulconbridge)
• Rosemary Harris as Constance

This was part of a comprehensive series by the Shakespeare Recording Society to record all of Shakespeare’s plays. The series was notable for featuring distinguished British actors and high production values.

The album artwork is particularly striking, featuring a medieval-style illustration with armies, tents, and castles that captures the play’s historical setting during the reign of King John (1199-1216). The stylized art reflects the period’s illuminated manuscript aesthetic.

“King John” is one of Shakespeare’s less frequently performed history plays, focusing on political intrigue, the conflict with France, and the king’s troubled relationship with the nobility and the Pope. Having this on vinyl would have been an important cultural artifact in the 1960s, when recorded drama helped bring classical theater to wider audiences.