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Two Plays for Voices
"The joy for me is knowing that somebody can have this strange audio experience. They're getting something as good as you get from radio." - Neil Gaimen
Produced by the Sci-Fi Channel and Seeing Ear Theatre - these two plays are adapted for voice by Neil Gaiman from two of his short stories (both stories can be found in Smoke & Mirrors).
SNOW GLASS APPLES: Once upon a time there lived a young princess with skin as white as snow, with hair as black as coal, with lips redder than blood. Most people think they know what happens to this young unfortunate girl. Most people are wrong. Tony-award winning actress Bebe Neuwirth (Chicago, Sweet Charity, and TV's Cheers) stars as a wise Queen who wants nothing more than to reign over her kingdom peacefully but is forced to match wits with an inhuman child who has an unnatural taste for blood.
Full Cast List:
Bebe Neuwirth as the Queen ; Martin Carey as the Huntsman; Mark Evans as the Prince; Merwin Goldsmith as the Lord of the Fair; J.R. Horne as the Archbishop & Friar; Alissa Hunnicutt as the Maidservant; Randy Maggiore as a Soldier; Kate Simses as the Princess; Nick Wyman as the King
MURDER MYSTERIES: In this mystery noir set in heaven's City of Angels before the fall, the first crime has been committed. It is an awful one. While the angelic hosts labor to create the world and its workings, one of their number is mysteriously slain by one of their own. Raguel, Angel of Vengeance, is mandated by Lucifer to discover both motive and murderer in this holy dominion that had so recently known no sin.
Full Cast List:
Brian Dennehy as Raguel ; Anne Bobby as Tink's Friend ; Christopher Burns as Saraquael ; Thom Christopher as Lucifer ; Ed Dennehy as Zephkiel ; Michael Emerson as Narrator ; Traci Godfrey as Tinkerbell Richmond ; Evan Pappas as Phanuel
Produced by the Sci-Fi Channel and Seeing Ear Theatre - these two plays are adapted for voice by Neil Gaiman from two of his short stories (both stories can be found in Smoke & Mirrors).
SNOW GLASS APPLES: Once upon a time there lived a young princess with skin as white as snow, with hair as black as coal, with lips redder than blood. Most people think they know what happens to this young unfortunate girl. Most people are wrong. Tony-award winning actress Bebe Neuwirth (Chicago, Sweet Charity, and TV's Cheers) stars as a wise Queen who wants nothing more than to reign over her kingdom peacefully but is forced to match wits with an inhuman child who has an unnatural taste for blood.
Full Cast List:
Bebe Neuwirth as the Queen ; Martin Carey as the Huntsman; Mark Evans as the Prince; Merwin Goldsmith as the Lord of the Fair; J.R. Horne as the Archbishop & Friar; Alissa Hunnicutt as the Maidservant; Randy Maggiore as a Soldier; Kate Simses as the Princess; Nick Wyman as the King
MURDER MYSTERIES: In this mystery noir set in heaven's City of Angels before the fall, the first crime has been committed. It is an awful one. While the angelic hosts labor to create the world and its workings, one of their number is mysteriously slain by one of their own. Raguel, Angel of Vengeance, is mandated by Lucifer to discover both motive and murderer in this holy dominion that had so recently known no sin.
Full Cast List:
Brian Dennehy as Raguel ; Anne Bobby as Tink's Friend ; Christopher Burns as Saraquael ; Thom Christopher as Lucifer ; Ed Dennehy as Zephkiel ; Michael Emerson as Narrator ; Traci Godfrey as Tinkerbell Richmond ; Evan Pappas as Phanuel
2 pages, Audio CD
First published September 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
October 6, 2023
اولین تجربه من از این حالت کتاب/نمایشنامه بود و معیاری برای مقایسه ندارم، اما خیلی تجربه لذتبخشی بود. به خصوص آدیوبکش حرف نداشت.
May 3, 2020
This full cast audio CD includes 2 short stories previously published in Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fiction and Illusions. There are some gruesome bits in both stories, but I didn't find them gratuitous. The highlight is definitely "Murder Mysteries" which I think is the best of Gaiman’s short stories that he's written outside of comics.
"Snow, Glass, Apples" is a retelling of Snow White, from the stepmother’s point of view. It’s elegant and creepy - this version really isn’t a children’s story, any more than the original was. The basic idea is one I’ve seen before, though. Tanith Lee did it first in "Red As Blood," Red as Blood, or Tales from the Sisters Grimmer although that one has a very different ending. I'd probably give this 3 stars if I were rating it separately.
"Murder Mysteries" is a story within a story. In the frame story, the narrator, a British man, remembers a time when he was stuck in Los Angeles while trying to get back home. He briefly hooks up with an old girlfriend, and after leaving her apartment he meets an old man who tells him a story in exchange for some cigarettes. The old man claims that he was once the angel Raguel, charged with carrying out the Lord’s vengeance. He explains how he investigated the first crime in the history of the universe, the murder of an angel in the Silver City, the precursor of Heaven. There was no obvious motive, so there was no obvious suspect -- but Raguel was willing to interview everyone in the City if he had to.
The full cast performance is absolutely captivating, and the eerie music is great.
"Perhaps it is true that all that happens is in accordance with Your Will, and thus it is good. But sometimes You leave blood on Your instruments."
"Snow, Glass, Apples" is a retelling of Snow White, from the stepmother’s point of view. It’s elegant and creepy - this version really isn’t a children’s story, any more than the original was. The basic idea is one I’ve seen before, though. Tanith Lee did it first in "Red As Blood," Red as Blood, or Tales from the Sisters Grimmer although that one has a very different ending. I'd probably give this 3 stars if I were rating it separately.
"Murder Mysteries" is a story within a story. In the frame story, the narrator, a British man, remembers a time when he was stuck in Los Angeles while trying to get back home. He briefly hooks up with an old girlfriend, and after leaving her apartment he meets an old man who tells him a story in exchange for some cigarettes. The old man claims that he was once the angel Raguel, charged with carrying out the Lord’s vengeance. He explains how he investigated the first crime in the history of the universe, the murder of an angel in the Silver City, the precursor of Heaven. There was no obvious motive, so there was no obvious suspect -- but Raguel was willing to interview everyone in the City if he had to.
The full cast performance is absolutely captivating, and the eerie music is great.
"Perhaps it is true that all that happens is in accordance with Your Will, and thus it is good. But sometimes You leave blood on Your instruments."
March 18, 2020
I’ve only read one NG short story, Murder Mysteries, and that was as a comic. I’m more than a little obsessed with it, so when I saw there was an audio play of it I was curious. I’m happy to say it was equally brilliant. Snow, Glass, Apples was also really good and really adult and twisted, wow. The audio play was not the best I’ve heard, though, so now I’m seriously considering buying the comic of it, or perhaps finally get started on that short shory collection both stories are a part of. Choices, choices!
September 24, 2024
Confused and mildly disturbed
February 22, 2012
Two Plays for Voices is a full-cast audio production of two Neil Gaiman short stories: Snow Glass Applies (narrated by Bebe Neuwirth, aka "Lilith" from Cheers) and Murder Mystery (narrated by Brian Dennehy).
Snow Glass Apples is a dark retelling of Snow White, from the stepmother's point of view. In this version, Snow White is a very sinister little girl, and the "evil queen" who sends her into the woods to die is trying to save herself and her kingdom.
Murder Mystery tells the story of the first murder, the murder of an angel during the dawn of creation, investigated by Raguel, the Angel of Vengeance. Lucifer plays a prominent role.
Retelling fairy tales and myths has always been Neil Gaiman's thing. Sometimes he's quite clever about it. In this case, I thought the stories were okay, but there was nothing really surprising or innovative about them, and I've become a little jaded with Gaiman and his cheap shortcuts for making a story "edgy" by adding blowjobs and homoerotic kisses. For the stories and writing alone, I'd probably rate this set 3 stars - good but not great - but since they were specifically made for an audio production, I have to bump it up another star for the great narration by Bebe Neuwirth and Brian Dennehy, as well as the rest of the cast.
If you're a Gaiman fan, this is average Gaiman. It's certainly not his best work, but it is short.
Snow Glass Apples is a dark retelling of Snow White, from the stepmother's point of view. In this version, Snow White is a very sinister little girl, and the "evil queen" who sends her into the woods to die is trying to save herself and her kingdom.
Murder Mystery tells the story of the first murder, the murder of an angel during the dawn of creation, investigated by Raguel, the Angel of Vengeance. Lucifer plays a prominent role.
Retelling fairy tales and myths has always been Neil Gaiman's thing. Sometimes he's quite clever about it. In this case, I thought the stories were okay, but there was nothing really surprising or innovative about them, and I've become a little jaded with Gaiman and his cheap shortcuts for making a story "edgy" by adding blowjobs and homoerotic kisses. For the stories and writing alone, I'd probably rate this set 3 stars - good but not great - but since they were specifically made for an audio production, I have to bump it up another star for the great narration by Bebe Neuwirth and Brian Dennehy, as well as the rest of the cast.
If you're a Gaiman fan, this is average Gaiman. It's certainly not his best work, but it is short.
January 7, 2019
Very different compared to most of his work.
Snow, Glass, Apples is definitely a sexier, darker and edgier fairy tale but what's most important for me is that it makes sense as a shifted perspective on the original story.
Some of the sex scenes seemed unnecessary at first but I guess he needed them to build it up to the level of necrophilia.
I sighed when I read the title Murder Mysteries because I'm not a fan of the genre but Neil rarely fails to entertain so I gave it a chance. Maybe that's a personal preference but I found many of the actors' voices annoying. Again, some scenes and lines felt unnecessary but that doesn't fully diminish the quality.
Overall, both stories are valuable in terms of ideas but aren't polished enough for more than 3 stars.
Snow, Glass, Apples is definitely a sexier, darker and edgier fairy tale but what's most important for me is that it makes sense as a shifted perspective on the original story.
Some of the sex scenes seemed unnecessary at first but I guess he needed them to build it up to the level of necrophilia.
I sighed when I read the title Murder Mysteries because I'm not a fan of the genre but Neil rarely fails to entertain so I gave it a chance. Maybe that's a personal preference but I found many of the actors' voices annoying. Again, some scenes and lines felt unnecessary but that doesn't fully diminish the quality.
Overall, both stories are valuable in terms of ideas but aren't polished enough for more than 3 stars.
July 26, 2021
Her eyes were black as coal, black as her hair; her lips were redder than blood. She looked up at me and smiled. Her teeth seemed sharp, even then, in the lamplight.
Oh, I do love Neil Gaiman and this offering of two audio adaptations of Snow, Glass, Apples and Murder Mysteries are right up there with his best work.
In Snow, Glass, Apples we get a retelling of the classic fairy tale of snow white. Gaiman twists things and tells the story from the point of view of the step mother and adds some vampirism to spice things up!
In Murder Mysteries we learn of the first even murder which takes place in heaven. The angel Raguel is created to solve the mystery and to take vengeance on the perpetrator.
A very enjoyable listen and fully deserved 5 stars.
Oh, I do love Neil Gaiman and this offering of two audio adaptations of Snow, Glass, Apples and Murder Mysteries are right up there with his best work.
In Snow, Glass, Apples we get a retelling of the classic fairy tale of snow white. Gaiman twists things and tells the story from the point of view of the step mother and adds some vampirism to spice things up!
In Murder Mysteries we learn of the first even murder which takes place in heaven. The angel Raguel is created to solve the mystery and to take vengeance on the perpetrator.
A very enjoyable listen and fully deserved 5 stars.
June 1, 2020
I started and finished the second story this morning because I was woken up at 5:00 and decided it was as good a time as any to finish the audio book. It was a typical enough Neil story and I liked it a lot - minus the weird male fantasy when he met his old...girlfriend? Anyway that wasn't even the story proper* and that started shortly after. The actual story was pretty inventive and again pretty typical for him and I really liked it. The way it played with preconceived notions and blah blah what everyone else has said about it. That's not to say it was boring, just that the nitty gritty is in a lot of other reviews. Really enjoyed it until *suddenly the story was something else entirely wtf the end. Like, did I miss something? Did I mis-read (hear?) some part of the story that would have made that part make more sense? I can't find anyone talking about it for me to see what other thoughts there are so I guess I'm downloading the graphic novel to see if there's something there that makes that ending make sense.
The first story I have the same feelings about as when I finished it. It was kind of gross and overly graphic but not in a "oh my panties!" but more in a "ugh, wtf." Liked the story minus those parts, I always enjoy an alternate take on a story. That one could be extended into a movie I think, though keeping the same ending would be an interesting experiment.
The first story I have the same feelings about as when I finished it. It was kind of gross and overly graphic but not in a "oh my panties!" but more in a "ugh, wtf." Liked the story minus those parts, I always enjoy an alternate take on a story. That one could be extended into a movie I think, though keeping the same ending would be an interesting experiment.
February 23, 2021
I have already read the graphic novel version ofSnow, Glass, Apples, so that story didn't do much for me. There was a bit more detail in this version, but it was alright.
I enjoyed the second story; I think it was called Murder Mystery. Not sure why, but I've found I usually like Neil Gaiman's stories-within-stories.
Overall, there was some good performances here and I liked the sound effects.
As an aside, for some reason I thought this was called Plays for Two Voices. The whole time I was listening to this, I was like, "there are way more than two characters in both these plays. What is going on? Where does Neil Gaiman get off?" I just realized it's called Two Plays for Voices, which makes a lot more sense.
I enjoyed the second story; I think it was called Murder Mystery. Not sure why, but I've found I usually like Neil Gaiman's stories-within-stories.
Overall, there was some good performances here and I liked the sound effects.
As an aside, for some reason I thought this was called Plays for Two Voices. The whole time I was listening to this, I was like, "there are way more than two characters in both these plays. What is going on? Where does Neil Gaiman get off?" I just realized it's called Two Plays for Voices, which makes a lot more sense.
December 23, 2017
I enjoyed listening to this full-cast audio production of Snow Glass Apples and Murder Mysteries by Neil Gaiman. However, even though Bebe Neuwirth was brilliant as the not-so-wicked stepmother to the wicked and horribly vile Snow White, Snow Glass Apples was a bit too creepy for my taste. I'm not talking The Graveyard Book-fun-type creepy; it's necrophilia-creepy. But still worth a listen. (Adults only...NOT for kiddoes!) I preferred Murder Mysteries with Brian Dennehy as the angel Raguel (the "Vengeance of the Lord"). I actually listened to this production twice as I was left asking "What!?!" the first time through. I'll be passing this on to BK and will be eager to hear what he thinks.
April 19, 2020
The first story offers a unique perspective on Snow White, one that I had never conceived of and changed the story for me forever. I don't think I will quite look at this classic fairytale in the same way again, and I love when something makes me go "huh, I'd never thought of it like that". The second story I knew already from its graphic novel version but I thoroughly enjoyed this take on it as well. The audioplay is wonderfully produced and the soundtrack adds richness to the story. The mind's eye also has an unlimited special effects budget so this version became to me much more grandiose than the illustrated one, even though I definitely still recommend reading the comic to any serious Neil Gaiman fan. This man's imagination never ceases to amaze me.
August 13, 2020
Wow! Neil Gaiman, to me, is the best writer alive today. He may be one of the best writers ever. This is a treat. I had read Snow Glass Apples before, but listening to the whole Audio production with Bebe Neuwirth as the Queen made it even better. I've read Smoke and Mirrors and I remembered the first part of the Murder Mysteries story as a real-life anecdote that Gaiman lived when in LA. Either I'd never read the fictional story, or I had completely forgotten, but I doubt it. It's fantastic. Every word, every character, every dialogue... the whole production, casting, production, music and, of course, Gaiman's prose, receive five ginormous stars from me.
December 22, 2023
Very strong content but interesting stories. Is not for children or teens. The first story is a retelling of the Snow White and the second is about angels. Both stories are indeed very well made and with an interesting concept. For me the hard one was the first.
The retelling of Snow White was very dark is about a girl that is strange and her stepmother don’t want her after her father died. Years later everything she builds start to collapse in front of her.
The second stories about a murder in heavens and the person that investigate this case. In this moment on heaven Lucifer still an angel. But what this murder is all about? What this can trigger?
The retelling of Snow White was very dark is about a girl that is strange and her stepmother don’t want her after her father died. Years later everything she builds start to collapse in front of her.
The second stories about a murder in heavens and the person that investigate this case. In this moment on heaven Lucifer still an angel. But what this murder is all about? What this can trigger?
July 19, 2024
Absolutely loved "Snow Glass Apples"! Bebe Neuwirth did a brilliant job as the queen. I was riveted. Neil Gaiman's writing is poetic and beautiful, like always.
Was really confused and sometimes bored by "Murder Mysteries." I sort of get what he's doing with his tale of angel murder in heaven before the fall of Lucifer, but I didn't see how the second angel story related to the first story of the British narrator in LA. The ending was too ambiguous for me. I see many Internet interpretations, but it's not satisfying. Liked all Gaiman's abstractions, but they were also too confusing for me to enjoy as much as "Snow Glass Apples."
Was really confused and sometimes bored by "Murder Mysteries." I sort of get what he's doing with his tale of angel murder in heaven before the fall of Lucifer, but I didn't see how the second angel story related to the first story of the British narrator in LA. The ending was too ambiguous for me. I see many Internet interpretations, but it's not satisfying. Liked all Gaiman's abstractions, but they were also too confusing for me to enjoy as much as "Snow Glass Apples."
October 18, 2022
My only quibble with the audio production is that they should have had Neil Gaiman playing the part of the English tourist in LA. Other than that, though, these are perfect stories for radio plays (the stories are narrated by the central characters retelling tales), with the Gaiman flair one would expect. These are perfect introductions to readers who are new to him.
August 14, 2018
These short stories are examples of why and how much I adore this form of writing.
Audio versions of two Gaiman short stories (definitely more adult in nature):
Murder Mysteries
performed by Brian Dennehy + ensemble cast
app 77min
The story asks and answers the question of what happens when an angel commits murder. The play begins with "This is madness."
What else can you say?
Snow Glass Apples
performed by Bebe Neuwirth + ensemble cast
app 45min
Snow White's story from a different perspective
Audio versions of two Gaiman short stories (definitely more adult in nature):
Murder Mysteries
performed by Brian Dennehy + ensemble cast
app 77min
The story asks and answers the question of what happens when an angel commits murder. The play begins with "This is madness."
What else can you say?
Snow Glass Apples
performed by Bebe Neuwirth + ensemble cast
app 45min
Snow White's story from a different perspective
April 23, 2023
Neil is giving horror, confusion and then the dawning realization of a new alternative to a story and narrative you never thought about twice in the past.. his brand of retelling is dark, and makes so much sense.
Snow white is evil.
Lucifer is the kindest soul in this cruel world.
Snow white is evil.
Lucifer is the kindest soul in this cruel world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2017
Another Neil Gaiman short story that I didn't really enjoy
April 26, 2018
The audio version is amazing with all the sound effects and different voices.
May 17, 2018
So wonderfully weird! Spot on casting, too.
February 14, 2019
I love Neil Gaiman; what more can i say? This audio book containing two stories was beautifully performed and with the twist on Snow White story, can one fall more in love???
October 1, 2019
These were wonderfully performed audio productions, very horrifying and enthralling. I do believe that the Murder Mysteries was my favorite but Snow Glass Apples was still equally amazing.
October 9, 2019
If Neil Gaiman could write more books about the bureaucracy and hierarchy of angels that would be amazing.
December 16, 2019
Wonderfully written and performed.
May 14, 2020
Not a fan of the audio CD. Too much screaming to introduce the stories (can be triggering), and the background music is awful. I'll stick to Smoke and Mirrors.
June 20, 2020
Great twist on a familiar tale and then a very original whodunnit.
October 18, 2020
Brilliant stories. Visualise it.
July 19, 2022
Meget blandet, den første historie er rigtig dårlig, den anden rigtig god.
December 13, 2022
always a joy to indulge in Gaiman's writing made into audio - such a treat
October 4, 2023
Revisiting old favourites - this time via audiobook!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews