THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, PART ONE Christian

Making PILGRIM'S PROGRESS accessible to modern listeners seems a daunting task. The production is dramatized in the style of a radio play with full sound effects, and some modern dialogue integrated into Bunyan's conversations in a way that would seem discordant but which somehow works. The actors provide convincing characterizations and make the morally instructive hardships real to the listener. Christian is portrayed a bit overdramatically (especially in the many "Woe is me!" exclamations). The actor portraying his wife, Christiana, is more successful; she conveys conflicting emotions without overemoting. Both parts are structured with Bunyan's narrator telling of the dream in which the pilgrims' stories were revealed. The production's narrators provide continuity and are appropriately even and clear. The other characters are well portrayed by a full cast of actors who succeed at creating credible characters ranging widely in age and personality. This production was clearly crafted with respect for the original work and, the result is intriguing. M.A.M. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 99]