The Importance of Being Earnest (Classic Drama S.) [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio CD]

Oscar Wilde (Author), John Gielgud (Narrator), Edith Evans (Narrator)

Book Description

Series: Classic Drama S. | Publication Date: March 2005

This is one of the great recordings of a great play. John Gielgud stars as Earnest and Edith Evans gives her indomitable performance as Lady Bracknell in this classic radio recording from 1951. Performance styles may have changed, but this is an unmatched production bearing all the hallmarks of outstanding audio drama featuring some of the finest actors of the 20th century. Also included are two collections of poetry readings by John Gielgud and Edith Evans.

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

"I never travel without my diary," says the sheltered and beautiful young maiden. "One should always have something sensational to read on the train." With this play, which premiered in 1895, Oscar Wilde established a uniquely British style of verbal stage humor. One could say with justification that it is one of the funniest plays in the English language. Or, because plays are (in a sense) rewritten every time they're performed, potentially so. The radio production heard here realizes that potential in spades. A young John Gielgud takes the lead, while Dame Edith Evans steals the show as the imperious Lady Bracknell, a role for which she was famous in her lifetime. That today's American listeners won't recognize the names of the other cast members doesn't mean they're any less capable. The entire ensemble shines. The timing! The gusto! The sense of fun! This reviewer has heard every audio recording of EARNEST; this is by far the best of them all. Overlook the bad sound quality and you'll be richly rewarded. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks; Abridged edition (March 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9626343427
• ISBN-13: 978-9626343425
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,496,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Radio show version very good - but the unreleased studio is great, July 15, 2006

By 

John Ellis "jonthes" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Importance of Being Earnest (Classic Drama S.) (Audio CD)

This is the Theater Guild on the Air condensed version with this great cast, but there is a double LP box set on Angel in America that is perhaps the greatest audio recording of an English comedy, and it should be issued at once. It makes you pine for Gielgud in the movie. This set does include some poetry recordings by Gielgud and Evans, which is a wonderful bonus, but why the perfect sound and complete version wasn't issued is no doubt a legal issue. Get over it, someone, please.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Joy, March 22, 2010

By 

James W. Friedman (Buffalo, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Importance of Being Earnest (Classic Drama S.) (Audio CD)

This is to my mind the finest production of the most delightful of stage plays. I am so pleased that now when I read the play that the voices that I hear are those of this cast. Highly recommended... :)