MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL

This rerelease of the 1953 recording of Eliot’s poetic drama is a real treasure. Robert Donat plays the pious Archbishop Thomas Becket as he struggles with his instinctive knowledge that King Henry II’s loose tongue will make Thomas a martyr. Donat’s Thomas is sensitive and resigned, without being annoyingly sanctimonious. Also of note are the excellent performances of Thomas’s tempters and of the Chorus. A knowledge of the history is essential to understanding the story as Eliot’s playwriting is a bit demanding for the casual listener. Unfortunately, the liner notes don’t explain quite enough to satisfy the curiosity of a listener who last read about Thomas Becket in a religious studies course. This should not, however, detract from enjoying the smooth, clean production and performance. A.H.A. [Not available in the U.S.] © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2010]