[W David Lichty]

Speaking of The Branagh Versions, his best Hamlet is, in my opinion, also the best Hamlet, which he produced and directed in 1992 for BBC Radio 3. It’s the best telling of the story I’ve heard, simply captivating. Music is by Patrick Doyle, it’s got a full sound world, and the cast includes

Hamlet: Kenneth Branagh
Claudius: Derek Jacobi
Gertrude: Judi Dench
Polonius: Richard Briers
Horatio: Michael Williams
Ophelia: Sophie Thompson
Laertes: James Wilby
Player King: Michael Hordern
Player Queen: Emma Thompson
Ghost: John Gielgud

…it’s like listening to one of his movies. When he actually made the movie four years later, I could feel the “I’ve done this already” energy, by comparison with this one.

It’s listenable here: https://archive.org/details/hamlet-prince-of-denmark

And I highly recommend it.