BECKET OR THE HONOR OF GOD

While the foreign accents are a bit heavy--especially the Italian ones--pushing the presentation towards broad comedy, the rest of this production is a superior example of what an audio play can be. An audio performance depends on the vocal range of the actors. Herein the focus is on Denis O'Hare (Thomas Becket) and Simon Templeman (Henry II, his king), and the richness of the production is primarily achieved by their interaction, and how the play is staged for the ear. Careful attention is also given to volume of voices to suggest, not just physical, but emotional distance. A few selective sound effects sketch crowded courts or cathedrals into being. G.T.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 06]