A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS

Good gad! Belpher Castle is a-dither with romance and intrigue. Wodehouse’s usual twits are in full cry as they leap about the manicured landscape. And hovering close in the background are the ever-vigilant, poisonous aunts who spend their entire lives being aghast. There’s plenty to be aghast about when the lord of the manor falls madly in love with an actress (huge intake of breath) named (another huge intake) Billie. Reader Frederick Davidson portrays each character perfectly--sorting them out for the listener. His portrayal of Reggie, the wealthy and earnest American composer, is wonderful, and the women--ingenues and aunts--are very sweet or dragonish, depending. Along the way, listeners learn never to throw rice at weddings--it’s worse than shrapnel. Quite. B.V. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB 96]