The Prince and The Mandrake

The renowned masterpiece from one of the most influential writers in history, Machiavelli

The Prince, written during the Italian Renaissance by author Niccolò Machiavelli, is an internationally renowned masterpiece about power, greed and strategy in government. Regarded by some as a manual for would-be tyrants on how they should seize and maintain power and by others as a simple reflection of political reality, listen now to this full-cast dramatisation and make up your own mind. In addition to this stunning, modern dramatisation of the classic novel, this download includes The Mandrake, Machiavelli’s comedy packed with intrigue, infidelity and fools and the documentary Machiavelli – Devil or Democrat from Jonathan Freedland, which re-assesses Machiavelli and explores whether his maligned reputation has overshadowed his other achievements…

The Prince is the classic 16th-century treatise on the nature of power and statecraft. In this modern rendition, the author Machiavelli (Ciaran Hinds), often identified as Satan, uses his brilliance and cunning to explain how power can be created and sustained. This brilliant adaptation is performed for the first time as a monologue with dramatised illustrations from a full-cast, including Philip Voss, Stephen Critchlow and Christopher Godwin.

The Mandrake is Machiavelli’s best-known comedy, taking place in a square in Florence in 1504.

Callimaco, desires to sleep with Lucrezia, the young and beautiful wife of an elderly fool, Nicia. Nicia above all else desires a son and heir. Conspiring with a rascally marriage broker, and a corrupt priest, Callimaco masquerades as a doctor and tricks Nicia into letting his wife become his lover using the power of the mandrake plant.

This double edition download comes with the added exclusive content, Machiavelli – Devil or Democrat. A fascinating documentary that explores the life and work of one of the most maligned authors in history. The impact of this writer has been felt across the centuries from the execution of King Charles I to the ‘Founding Fathers’ of the United States and journalist and writer Jonathan Freedland re-assesses the legacy of this incredible thinker and writer. This is a download not to missed, perfect for any fans of classical literature with a twist, packed with compelling intrigue, wit and fascinating revelations.

Cast and credits

Written by Niccolò Machiavelli

The Prince

Niccolo - Ciaran Hinds

The Prince - Christopher Godwin

Louis - Philip Voss

Severus - Stephen Critchlow

Oliverotti - Scott Handy

Giovanni - John Rowe

Other parts played by Chris Kelham, Tom George and Gavin Muir

Dramatised by Peter Wolf

Directed by Cherry Cookson

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 21st January 2000

The Mandrake

Callimaco - John Rye

Siro - Anthony Jackson

Messer Nicia - Douglas Wilmer

Ligurio - David March

Sostrata - Beity Hardy

Fra Timoteo - Willoughby Goddard

A young widow - Hilda Schroder

Lucrezia - Hilary Hardiman

Singers Robert Tear, Douglas Wilmer, Willoughby Goddard, John Rye and David March

Translated from the Italian by J. R. Hale

Produced by Charles Lefeaux

Songs by Elizabeth Poston

First Broadcast BBC Radio 3, 27th October 1967

Machiavelli – Devil or Democrat

Presented by Jonathan Freedland

Produced by Rob Shepherd

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18th November 2013

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