The Country Wife

By: William Wycherley

Narrated by: Full Cast, Jonathan Pryce, Maggie Smith

Considered too obscene to be staged in its original form for nearly 200 years, William Wycherley’s bawdy comedy tells the tale of Mr Horner - a notorious rake who spreads the false rumour that he is impotent in order to gain free access to other men’s wives. When he meets the young, innocent Margery Pinchwife, the ‘country wife’ of the title, the scene is set for scandal... This sparkling 1985 BBC Radio production stars Maggie Smith as Margery Pinchwife, with an all-star cast including Jonathan Pryce, John Duttine, John Moffatt, Harriet Walter and Michael Aldridge. '... a delight for its sparking wit and the window it offers into Restoration manners and morals' - Times.

better than I expected

I only got it to complete my homework but found it to be exceptionally entertaining.

SO MUCH of original play is cut out

Very funny story, disturbing at times. Definitely would recommend reading the play on your own rather than listening since there are so many characters to keep up with and so many parts cut out from this version.

Smith shines in abridged radio play

Performances were good, but Maggie Smith's was truly superb. The actor playing Horner also did an excellent job. Unfortunately, the producers decided to trim some of the scenes, which, of course, compromises the story (hence, 2 stars). So, if you are a thespian, beware, you will be disappointed as this is abridged, regardless of whether they label it so or not.

What Wives

this was totally hilarious on a father's day. lol.

The books of the past were so well written, you felt like you were there.