Some day an enterprising editor may find time to glean from the whole field of Canadian literature a representative collection of wit and humour. . . . The present little collection obviously makes no such ambitious claim. It embraces, however, what are believed to be representative examples of the work of some of our better-known writers, many of which will no doubt be quite familiar to Canadian readers, but perhaps none the less welcome on that account. (Summary from the Introduction)
9 episodes
The pieces gathered into this volume were, with two exceptions, written for the entertainment of a private circle, without any view to publication. The editor would express her thanks to the writers, who, at her solicitation, have allowed them to be printed. They are published with the hope of aiding a work of charity,—the establishment of an Agency for the benefit of the poor in Cambridge,—to which the proceeds of the sale will be devoted. (Summary by Anne W. Abbot, ed)
34 episodes
A series of occasionally witty one-liners, poems and considerations on the subject of Men, Women and their Conjunction. By turns tender, bland, sexist (in both directions!) and funny. Summary by Cori Samuel.From the text:A man is like a park squirrel; if you fling your favors or your charms at his head he will never come up and eat out of your hand.Even Satan could find a woman to call him "Dearie," if he would simply tell her that all he needed was "a beautiful woman's uplifting influence."Every bride fancies that she married the original "cave-man" until she tries to persuade him to go out and argue with the furniture-movers.
12 episodes
Hedda Gabler is a play first published in 1890 by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. In it, Hedda Gabler, daughter of an aristocratic General, has just returned from her honeymoon with George Tesman, an aspiring young academic, reliable but not brilliant, who has combined research with their honeymoon. The reappearance of Tesman's academic rival, Eilert Lovborg, throws their lives into disarray. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia by wildemoose)Characters:
George Tesman - Read by mb
Hedda Tesman, his wife - Read by Arielle Lipshaw
Miss Juliana Tesman, his aunt - Read by Kalynda
Mrs. Elvsted - Read by Elizabeth Klett
Judge Brack - Read by Joe Bly
Eilbert Loveborg - Read by Bob Sherman
Berta, servant at the Tesmans - Read by Diana Majlinger
Narrator|Stage Directions - Read by Availle
Director|File Editor - Arielle Lipshaw
4 episodes
'The Regent' is, if not a sequel to 'The Card', then a 'Further Adventures of' the eponymous hero of that novel.Denry Machin is now forty-three and begins to feel that he is getting old, that making money and a happy home life are not enough and that he has lost his touch as the entrepreneur and entertainer of the 'Five Towns'.In fact, as he says to himself 'What I want is change - and a lot of it too!'. A chance meeting at the local theatre leads to his going to London and then... (Summary by A.J.M.)
10 episodes
Is there a genre called FUN? Yes, and this is it! Insanely humorous geography that will have you rolling on the floor laughing with your sides hurting. (Summary by Neeru Iyer)
10 episodes
The story tells the burlesque adventures of Tartarin, a local hero of Tarascon, a small town in southern France, whose invented adventures and reputation as a swashbuckler finally force him to travel to a very prosaic Algiers in search of lions. (Summary by Wikipedia, modified by Nadine)
34 episodes
"Those Extraordinary Twins" was published as a short story, separate and distinct from its origins inside Twain's "The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson". As Twain explains, he extricated "Twins" from "Pudd'nhead" when he found, as he was writing, that he'd created a farce inside a tragedy. This is the excised farce, a story about Italian Siamese twins who completely take over a small Missouri town, splitting it down the middle with half supporting one head and the other, the other. (Introduction by John Greenman)
11 episodes
Franz Graf von Pocci, der „Kasperlgraf“ verfasste mehr als 40 Kasperlstücke für das Marionettentheater mit Themen aus der Märchen- und Sagenwelt sowie Beiträge für die Münchener Bilderbogen. Seine Kasperlgeschichten ranken sich um den Kasperl Larifari, der jedoch kein netter Held, sondern eine eher ambivalente Figur ist. Larifari weist auch dunkle Seiten auf und ist als ein nie erwachsen gewordener Erwachsener zu verstehen. Er hat nie die Chance, in einer intakten Familie aufzuwachsen und wird zum Blender, Trickser und Narzissten. (Zusammenfassung von Wikipedia und Elli)
2 episodes
Artur Azevedo foi um dos principais autores de teatro no Brasil do século XIX. Dando continuidade à obra de Martins Pena, consolidou a comédia de costumes brasileira, sendo no país o principal autor do teatro de revista, em sua primeira fase. Sua atividade jornalística foi intensa, devendo-se a ele a publicação de uma série de revistas, além da fundação de alguns jornais cariocas. Ficou também conhecido por suas crônicas e s, sempre cheios de humor. Este é o terceiro volume da coleção de Artur Azevedo, criada pelos voluntários do LibriVox. (Sumário adaptado da Wikipedia por Leni)
20 episodes
LibriVox’s Short Story Collection 043: a collection of 20 short works of fiction in the public domain read by a group of LibriVox members.
20 episodes
Eve's Diary is a comic short story by Mark Twain. It was first published in the 1905 Christmas issue of the magazine Harper's Bazaar, and in book format in June 1906 by Harper and Brothers publishing house. It is written in the style of a diary kept by the first woman in the Judeao-Christian creation myth, Eve, and is claimed to be "translated from the original MS." The "plot" of this novel is the first-person account of Eve from her creation up to her burial by, her mate, Adam, including meeting and getting to know Adam, and exploring the world around her, Eden. The story then jumps 40 years into the future after the Fall and expulsion from Eden. It is one of a series of books Twain wrote concerning the story of Adam and Eve, including 'Extracts from Adam's Diary,' 'That Day In Eden,' 'Eve Speaks,' 'Adam's Soliloquy,' and the 'Autobiography of Eve.' Eve's Diary has a lighter tone than the others in the series, as Eve has a strong appreciation for beauty and love. The book may have been written as a posthumous love-letter to Mark Twain's wife Olivia Langdon Clemens, or Livy, who died in June 1904, just before the story was written. Mark Twain is quoted as saying, "Eve's Diary is finished — I've been waiting for her to speak, but she doesn't say anything more." The story ends with Adam's speaking at Eve's grave, "Wherever she was, there was Eden." (Introduction by Wikipedia)
1 episodes
This book is a parody of the famous swashbuckling novel, She, by H. Rider Haggard. (summary by Neeru Iyer)You will not think, therefore, that the respectful Liberty we have taken with your Wondrous Tale... indicates any lack of Loyalty to our Lady Ayesha.Her beauties are beyond the reach of danger from Burlesque, nor does her form flit across our humble pages. (taken from the Dedication)
The characters of Editor and Publisher, who make comments throughout the story were read by: Editor – Neeru Iyer and Publisher – Julie VW
15 episodes
A sportsman who doesn't hunt; a poet who doesn't write; a lover with no one to love; all three are devoted to their cheerful and benevolent leader, Mr. Pickwick. Join him and his friends, Winkle, Snodgrass, and Tupman, as they tour the country in search of adventures, knowledge, and stories. Along the way, they have their share of mishaps, and meet plenty of interesting characters, both the good and the not so good. (Mr. Pickwick's dedicated manservant, Sam Weller, is a scene-stealer sure to delight just about everybody.)
You may shed a few tears along the way, but usually of the pleasant sort. This is a mostly lighthearted and humorous tale, with a number of subplots woven in, in Dickens’ incomparable style.(Introduction by Debra Lynn)
57 episodes
Penrod for girls in the form of Florence, the bratty younger cousin of luminous Julia Atwater, enlivens this romantic comedy set in Tarkington's Indiana of the early 20th Century. (Summary by BellonaTimes)
23 episodes
These are a collection of humorous "letters" written by a fictional character to a relation in the north during the Civil War. They were published regularly in the New York Mercury Sunday newspaper for the four years of the war. In the letters, Newell pokes fun at northern generals, politicians, and has hard things to say about southerners. Although Newell is rarely serious, I imagine the letters reflect the bitterness and frustration of many northerners at the time. (Introduction by Margaret)
52 episodes
Part I. The Story of Rollo; Mr. Holliday knows all there is to know about raising children, or at least he thinks he does. His attempts to train his son, Rollo, "in the way he should go," are well-meant, but hilariously unsuccessful--or are they? I believe this is a sort of spoof of the “Rollo” series for children, that was written by Jacob Abbot in the mid 19th century. The characters have the same names and the chapters have a little Q&A at the end like the Abbot books, except these are definitely tongue-in-cheek. These Rollo stories use humor (and a bit of pathos) to teach plain home truths to parents, rather than children.
Part II. Stories and Sketches; It is difficult to give this part a better description than the title implies. It is an assortment of short works. Some are humorous, some thought-provoking, some have a bit of both, and some are, I think, just a tad demented (but in a good way.)
(Introduction by Debra Lynn)
22 episodes
Sigge Strömberg, född som Sigfrid Strömberg 22 december 1885 i Göteborg, död 3 mars 1920, svensk författare och journalist.
Strömberg praktiserade på en tidning i Minneapolis 1904-1905. Han återkom till Sverige och var verksam inom landsortspressen. Han arbetade 1910-1913 på den nystartade Vecko-Journalen, och 1914-1920 var han chefredaktör för Allt för Alla. Kort före sin död åtog sig han chefskapet för skämttidningen Kasper. Som författare skrev Strömberg huvudsakligen äventyrsberättelser samt pojkböcker. ”Göteborgsflickor och andra historier” är en samling korta kåserier där de flesta handlar om hur kvinnans list övergår mannens förstånd, eller att girighet sällan lönar sig. (Wikipedia) (Summary by Wikipedia & Lars Rolander)
19 episodes
Willie Spence may have been a bit eccentric by most standards, but he had a knack for creating gadgets in his small workshop at his home on Cape Cod. Whenever he was 'ketched' by an 'idee' he had to see it to completion, and always did. His small cottage on the Cape had become a labyrinth of string and wires tacked here and there so as to make life a bit challenging for his housekeeper Celestina. But she and most everyone else among the coastal towns and villages loved the old man for all his eccentricities as Willie spent his waning years just waiting for his ship to come in. (Summary by Roger Melin)
23 episodes
This comic novel relates the first-person adventures in New York City of Jefferson Poindexter, personal assistant to Cobb's famous Judge Priest, while the judge is vacationing abroad. (Introduction by Grant Hurlock)
22 episodes
The action begins with playboy bachelor Jimmy Pitt in New York; having fallen in love on a transatlantic liner, he befriends a small-time burglar and breaks into a police captain's house as a result of a bet. The cast of characters head to England, and from there on it is a typically Wodehousian romantic farce, set at the stately Dreever Castle, overflowing with imposters, detectives, crooks, scheming lovers and conniving aunts.
(from Wikipedia)
10 episodes
A humorous guide to manners and etiquette for ladies and gentlemen in a social "crises," published in 1922. (Introduction by Samanem)
10 episodes
Seventeen goofy stories and essays by Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock. "Professor Leacock has made more people laugh with the written word than any other living author. One may say he is one of the greatest jesters, the greatest humorist of the age." – A. P. Herbert (Introduction by TriciaG & Wikipedia)
17 episodes
The town of Hadleyburg had the reputation of being the most honest town in a wide area, indeed an incorruptible community. The elders took this reputation so to heart that they brought up their children shielded from all temptation and trained thoroughly in total honesty. However, a stranger passing through the community was seriously offended by the actions of residents of this Utopia, and he vowed to gain revenge. After several years he came up with the perfect plan to embarrass the town and expose its hypocrisy. (Introduction by Leonard Wilson)
4 episodes
The Princess Priscilla of Lothen Kunitz finds court life stifling and runs away to England with the elderly court librarian. Her intention is to live a pure and simple life filled with good works. But life among ordinary people in an English village is not what she expects it to be... (Introduction by Tabithat)
23 episodes
The Man With Two Left Feet, and Other Stories is a collection of short stories by P. G. Wodehouse, first published in the United Kingdom on March 8, 1917 by Methuen & Co., London, and in the United States in 1933 by A.L. Burt and Co., New York. All the stories had previously appeared in periodicals, usually the Strand in the UK and the Red Book magazine or the Saturday Evening Post in the US. It is a fairly miscellaneous collection — most of the stories concern relationships, sports and household pets, and do not feature any of Wodehouse's regular characters; one, however, "Extricating Young Gussie", is notable for the first appearance in print of two of Wodehouse's best-known characters, Jeeves and his master Bertie Wooster (although Bertie's surname isn't given and Jeeves's role is very small), and Bertie's fearsome Aunt Agatha.
(Wikipedia)
13 episodes
A light-hearted romantic comedy in twelve short scenes, set during a tea party in the home of Mrs. Amy Somers, a widow who is courted by the ingenuous and delightful Mr. Willis Campbell. (Summary by Ruth Golding)
CAST: Narrator: Kim Stich
Mr. Willis Campbell: Martin Geeson
Mrs. Amy Somers: Ruth GoldingOld Mr. Bemis: Lars Rolander
Mr. Roberts: SamECircle
Mrs. Roberts: Annise
Mrs. Curwen: Elizabeth Klett
Dr. Lawton: Brett W. Downey
Mr. Miller: Algy Pug
Mrs. Miller: Laura C. Harrington
Mrs. Crashaw: rashada
Young Mr. Bemis: David Lawrence
Mrs. Bemis: Arielle Lipshaw
Mrs. Wharton: Kalynda
Miss Bayly: Lucy Perry
Audio edited by Ruth Golding.
1 episodes
This is a collection of short humorous works first published before 1923. (Summary by BellonaTimes)
15 episodes
Vous n'avez jamais eu le temps de lire Les Misérables ? Eh bien, en voici l'occasion. Ces misérables-ci sont très concis. Here is your chance to listen to the whole story in less than an hour. (by Ezwa)
8 episodes
Pretty but socially clueless Bernice lets her know-it-all cousin push her around, but eventually, something's gotta give! (Introduction by BellonaTimes)
2 episodes
"It was before the Idiot's marriage, and in the days when he was nothing more than a plain boarder in Mrs. Smithers-Pedagog's High-class Home for Single Gentlemen, that he put what the School-master termed his "alleged mind" on plans for the amelioration of the condition of the civilized." This humorous story by the editor of Puck magazine describes how the Idiot sets out to improve the lot of civilized man through his inventions - the lot of barbarian man already being well tended to by missionaries and other do-gooders. (Introduction by peac)
Cast:
Narrator: peac
The Idiot: Algy Pug
Mrs. Smithers Pedagog: TriciaG
Mr. Pedagog (aka The Schoolmaster): Adam Bratcher
The Doctor: Raken
Bibliomaniac: Availle
Mr. Poet:Matthew Reece
Mr. Whitechoker: Aidan Brack
The Genial Old Gentleman who sometimes imbibed: om123
13 episodes
Mr. Neilson was determined to name his first child after his boyhood chum, William Henshaw. When the baby disappointed him by being a girl, he was consoled by naming her Billy. Miss Billy, now 18, orphaned and all alone in the world, takes her lawyer’s suggestion to ask her namesake to take her in. Only one little problem – Mr. Henshaw did not know of her existence, and then mistakenly thinks that Billy is a boy!
Eleanor H. Porter was an early 20th century author of children’s literature and novels. Her most well known book was “Pollyanna” and it’s sequel, “Pollyanna Grows Up”. (Summary by Maria Therese)
42 episodes
The soul of Irish wit is captured in this unique tale of a barstool philosopher, the concluding story from 'Here Are Ladies' by James Stephens. (Introduction by iremonger)
4 episodes
This is a small collection of whimsical poems by the American physician and author Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. "The Deacon's Masterpiece" describes the "logical" outcome of building an object (in this case, a two-wheeled carriage called a shay) that has no weak points. The economic term "one hoss shay," referring to a certain model of depreciation, derives its name from this poem. "How the Old Horse Won the Bet" is a lighthearted look at a horse race. Finally, "The Broomstick Train" is a wonderfully Halloween-y explanation of how an electric tram really works. (Summary by Laurie Anne Walden)
4 episodes
A Christmas tale of John Brown's ghastly family (suburban snobs), Captain Bonaventure de Camp and his equally awful brood (a dubious crew), and poor Soavo Spohf, organist of St. Stiff the Martyr, gifted in musical ability but not blessed in looks or love. No-one could call this a great work of literature, but it definitely raises a few chuckles and it also offers a fascinating glimpse into Christmas festivities and social mores in well-to-do households in the mid-19th century. (Introduction by Ruth Golding)
8 episodes
Arrivés à une époque où le crime fait de nouveau salle comble, sortons cette œuvre extraordinaire, cet affreux roman de nos tiroirs. Plein de confiance, Monsieur Féval proclame qu' « on ira pas plus loin dans la voie du crime à bon marché. » Et c'est bien vrai : une moyenne de soixante-treize assassinats par chapitre, c'est inouï ! Sans parler des vols, viols, substitutions d'enfants, faux en écriture privée ou authentique, détournements de mineures, effractions, escalades, abus de confiance, bris de serrures, fraudes, escroqueries, captations, vente à faux poids et attentats à la pudeur dont cette histoire regorge. Amateurs d'humour grinçant, prêtez l'oreille et la bonne ! (résumé par Ezwa) Blood, blood, blood ! is what people want, and what they will get. In this dreadful novel, Paul Féval offers an average of seventy three, yes, 73 murders per chapter! I-N-C-O-N-C-E-I-V-A-B-L-E! Not to mention the thefts, rapes, babies being switched round, forged documents, corruption of minors, break-ins, breaches of trust, fraud, swindles, indecent assaults and other crimes galore. Who has ever competed with that? No-one, as the author proudly assures us.
Tune in to your French mode and be all ears! (summary by Ezwa)
16 episodes
Short sketches relating the humourous side of life in 1910. "Professor Leacock has made more people laugh with the written word than any other living author. One may say he is one of the greatest jesters, the greatest humorist of the age." – A. P. Herbert (Summary by TriciaG and Wikipedia)
41 episodes
Uncle Remus' stories feature a trickster hero called Br'er Rabbit ("Brother" Rabbit), who uses his wits to slide out of trouble and gain the advantage over the slower witted other animals, many of whom are trying to eat him. Br'er Rabbit stories were mostly collected directly from the afro-american oral story-telling tradition and are said to be a direct interpretation of Yoruba tales of Hare. This book contains 11 unique stories and was the last one published before the author's death. (Introduction by Phil Chenevert)
11 episodes
The play is set in Bath in the 18th century, a town legendary for conspicuous consumption and fashion at the time. Wealthy, fashionable people went there to "take the waters", which were believed to have healing properties. The plot centres on the two young lovers, Lydia and Jack. Lydia, who reads a lot of popular novels of the time, wants a purely romantic love affair. To court her, Jack pretends to be "Ensign Beverley", a poor officer. Lydia is enthralled with the idea of eloping with a poor soldier in spite of her guardian, Mrs. Malaprop, a moralistic widow. Mrs. Malaprop is the chief comic figure of the play, thanks to her continual misuse of words that sound like the words she intends but mean something completely different. (The term malapropism was coined in reference to the character.) Lydia has two other suitors: Bob Acres (a somewhat buffoonish country gentleman), and Sir Lucius O'Trigger, an impoverished and combative Irish gentleman. Sir Lucius pays Lucy to carry love notes between him and Lydia (who uses the name "Delia"), but Lucy is swindling him: "Delia" is actually Mrs. Malaprop. (Summary by Wikipedia)
Cast:
Fag: Algy Pug
Thomas/Servant: Brett W. Downey
Lucy: Linda Hogan
Lydia Languish: Elizabeth Klett
Julia Melville: Arielle Lipshaw
Mrs. Malaprop: Mil Nicholson
Sir Anthony Absolute: Andy Minter
Captain Jack Absolute: John Fricker
Faulkland: mb
Bob Acres: Peter Bishop
Boy/Maid: rashada
Sir Lucius O'Trigger: Lars Rolander
David: Matthew Reece
Narrator: Mary Ann
Audio edited by: Elizabeth Klett
5 episodes
This collection of fantasy stories was originally serialized in regional newspapers, prior to being published as a complete volume. The stories, as critics have noted, lack the high-fantasy aspect of the best of Baum's work, in Oz or out. With ironic or nonsensical morals attached to their ends, their tone is more satirical, glib, and tongue-in-cheek than is usual in children's stories; the serialization in newspapers for adult readers was appropriate for the materials. (Introduction by Wikipedia and Matthew Reece)
12 episodes
When Miss Billy closed, Miss Billy and Bertram were happily engaged. In this first sequel to Miss Billy will the path to wedded bliss run smooth or will misunderstandings and heartache cross their path? Find out in Miss Billy’s Decision! (Summary by Maria Therese)
33 episodes
The Doctor's Dilemma is about Dr. Colenso Ridgeon, who has recently been knighted because of a miraculous new treatment he developed for tuberculosis. As his friends arrive to congratulate him on his success, he is visited by two figures who present him with a difficult decision. He has room for one more patient in his clinic; should he give it to Louis Dubedat, a brilliant but absolutely immoral artist, or Dr. Blenkinsop, a poor and rather ordinary physician who is a truly good person? Dr. Ridgeon's dilemma is heightened when he falls for Jennifer Dubedat, the artist's wife, who is innocent of her husband's profligacy. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)
Cast:Redpenny: DerekPEmmy: AmallenDr. Ridgeon: Bruce PirieDr. Schutzmacher: John SteigerwaldSir Patrick Cullen: Algy PugCutler Walpole: Elizabeth KlettSir Ralph Bloomfield Bonington: Phil ChenevertDr. Blenkinsop: mbJennifer Dubedat: Arielle LipshawLouis Dubedat: AnthonyThe Maid: rashadaThe Newspaper Man: David LawrenceThe Secretary: Peter BishopNarrator: Elizabeth KlettAudio edited by Elizabeth Klett
5 episodes
This 1895 farce inspired by the outlandish idea of women wearing pants, centers around the predicament of the three daughters of the eccentric Marchioness of Castlejordan, who determined to have sons, raised them like boys. She encouraged them to dress and act like boys at home, yet dress like ladies when out. As the girls come of age, they are conflicted. They want to please mother by acting as her sons, but, suddenly smitten with three gentlemen, they are compelled to grow up and be ladies. When their suitors secretly come to woo, they aren’t sure what to do……and what will mother do if she finds out? (Summary by A.L. Gramour)CastLady Castlejordan: Algy PugNoeline: Elizabeth KlettThomasin: Arielle LipshawWilhelmina: Amy GramourReverend Roger Minchin/Andre de Grival: Lars RolanderBarrington Litterly: John FrickerGalfred Tweenwayes: Peter BishopSergeant Shuter: Liberty StumpFitton/Youat/Orts: Levi ThrockmortonNarrator: MalaneAudio edited by Amy Gramour
5 episodes
A humorous account of visits to various fortune tellers, card readers, seers, and other "witches" of New York. Written by Q.K. Philander Doesticks (a.k.a. Mortimer Thomson).
19 episodes
This book is a collection of humorous short stories about ordinary instances in daily life. We learn many interesting things about life, such as how to court women successfully, what it feels like to be a god, and why sometimes it would be a good idea to exchange one's own newborn baby for a better one at the hospital. (Summary by Carolin)
43 episodes
Mr H is a farce that was first performed at Drury Lane in 1806. The plot is slender and revolves around a single rather feeble joke, but the characters are skilfully drawn and the sharp observations of contemporary fashion do much to divert the listener from the weakness of the central theme. More a comedy of manners rather than a true farce, this short play is best enjoyed as a gentle romp through the eccentricities of the Regency period. (Summary by Algy Pug)
Cast
Mr H: Peter Bishop
Landlord Pry: Martin Geeson
Belvil: NCarrington
Melesinda: Elizabeth Klett
First Waiter: Ric F
Second Waiter: Phil Chenevert
Third Waiter: Algy Pug
Fourth Waiter: Elizabeth Klett
Fifth Waiter: Marty Kris
First Gentleman: Lars Rolander
Second Gentleman: Max Korlinge
First Footman: Brian Morgan
Second Footman/Gentleman: Algy Pug
First Lady: Carol Box
Second Lady: Sarah Crampton
Third Lady/Old Lady: Mil Nicholson
Fourth Lady: Malane
Fifth Lady: Amy Gramour
Sixth Lady: Martin Geeson
Susan: Goldfish
Maid: Beth Thomas
Narrator: Algy Pug
Audio editing: Phil Chenevert
2 episodes
Jack Carstares, oldest son of the Earl Wyncham, has been disgraced by his brother. Gone for six years, living the life a highwayman he meets the woman he will fall in love with. Saving her from being kidnapped by a dastardly blackguard he is injured and must stay with her family until he is able to return to his life...will she discovery his true identity? Will he be able to leave her when the time comes? Mystery and humor follow this intriguing cast of characters until the very end. (Summary by Terra Mendoza)
31 episodes
This begins with an odd inheritance at the end of a honeymoon, both parties being inexperienced. Then someone comes to visit, then another, until we've got a chaotic bedlam of New England's tragically off the wall odd-ball relations. Our protagonists may not communicate efficiently at first but at least they've got a sense of humour. The humourous style keeps up as well as some moments of lustre and rich feeling about the printed word itself. (Introduction by D. Wor)
20 episodes
The Amoretti (meaning little love poems) is a sequence of 89 sonnets written in the tradition of the Petrarchan sonnets, a popular form for poets of the Renaissance period. Spenser’s sequence has been largely neglected in modern times, while those of his contemporaries William Shakespeare and Sir Philip Sidney have been acclaimed. However, because of the artistic skill, along with the emotion and the humor exhibited, these poems deserve a broader hearing, even though they may be somewhat difficult for the present-day reader, partly through Spenser’s love for words and expressions that were already archaic in his time.Amoretti, written throughout the year 1594 and published the following year, violates at least one of the conventional elements of the Renaissance sonnet sequences. Other poets, including Petrarch and Sidney, chose as the inspiration for their sonnets a woman who was inaccessible to the poet, sometimes even married to someone else. They idealized this woman, seeming to be extravagantly suffering because of their passionate admiration, while in real life they might hardly know the lady and had no real interest in an actual love affair. Spenser, however, dedicated his verses to a woman that he actually loved and sought, Elizabeth Boyle, whom he then married.Also the sonnet series by other poets were usually despairing of any fruition in regard to the lady, and Spenser certainly does show much frustration himself in his efforts to achieve a closer relationship with his love; but as the series progresses, he gradually sees improvement in the success of his wooing, as his actual wedding nears. The poems feature elaborate imagery, loaded with metaphorical situations, saying much the same thing repeatedly in a wide variety of ways, with much clever creativity, sometimes impressive and sometimes a bit awkward. There is a rich vein of humor running through the whole sequence, often through mock passion, and there is even a bit of sensuality in some of the later sonnets. The better poems are often sharp and crystalline, sparkling in their freshness and originality. (Introduction by Leonard Wilson)
30 episodes
A Woman of No Importance is a play by Irish playwright Oscar Wilde. The play premièred on 19 April 1893 at London's Haymarket Theatre. It is a testimony of Wilde's wit and his brand of dark comedy. It looks in particular at English upper class society and has been reproduced on stages in Europe and North America since his death in 1900. (Summary by Wikipedia)Cast:Lord Illingworth: Peter BishopSir John Pontefract: Ernst PattynamaLord Alfred Rufford: Bob GonzalezMr. Kelvil, M.P.: Nigel BoydellThe Ven. Archdeacon Daubeny, D.D. : Martin GeesonGerald Arbuthnot: mbFarquhar, Butler: Delmar H DolbierFrancis, Footman: Barry EadsLady Hunstanton: SusannaLady Caroline Pontefract: RashadaLady Stutfield: Beth ThomasMrs. Allonby: Elizabeth KlettMiss Hester Worsley: TriciaGAlice, Maid: Bev J. StevensMrs. Arbuthnot: Arielle LipshawNarrator: David LawrenceAudio edited by: Arielle Lipshaw
4 episodes
