THE SCHOOL FOR HUSBANDS AND THE IMAGINARY CUCKOLD

Molière’s classic comedies, in Richard Wilbur’s rhyming verse translations, interpreted by a pro like Brian Bedford, should be an unadulterated pleasure—and indeed, the acting is to a high standard, the verse both elegant and easy to listen to. But a failure to list characters beforehand, as done in both plays and playbills, is problematic, especially in “Cuckold.” We need such a list MORE in an audio version. At times it’s hard to differentiate the characters or get their relations clear without seeing them, besides missing actions and expressions. Playing “Cuckold” in marked northern British accents makes sense to Bedford, a Brit, but it may seem peculiar to Americans. Still, much works, and what does is fine. An enjoyable interview with Bedford closes the program. W.M. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2011]