GREAT TRIALS Oscar Wilde

Celebrated wit and literateur Oscar Wilde was hoist by his own petard when a libel suit he filed against the Marquess of Queensbury (of prize fight rules fame) resulted in his incarceration for sodomy. For this thoroughly enjoyable, enlightening production, Gyles Brandreth has edited news reports, trial transcripts and other records of the notorious trial into a tour de force for British actor Martin Jarvis, who narrates and performs all roles--at times playing against himself. He not only gives us three-dimensional, fully voiced characterizations, but resonant, imaginative treatment of the subtext. Canny and sparing use of sound effects and excellent editing add perfectly to atmosphere. Y.R. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN 97]