DOLORES CLAIBORNE

Throughout a single, long night in the police chief's office, Dolores Claiborne relates events leading to her murder of her husband and the recent suspicious death of her wealthy employer. The nine-hour, unrelieved monologue poses a special challenge to the reader/performer. Actress Frances Sternhagen portrays the sharp-tongued, foul-mouthed Dolores with expressive vigor but with limited emotional range and little variation in tempo. Sternhagen's Downeast accent is convincing, although mispronunciations of "quahog" and "Machias" are annoying. Very occasional sound effects are puzzling and interrupt, rather than enhance, the storytelling. Nevertheless, King fans doubtless will enjoy hearing Dolores relate her complex and disturbing tale. D.M.L. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 93]