Audiobooks by William Congreve

Intrigue and Satire: Later Restoration Comedies: 11 BBC Radio Full Cast Productions including The R

"A dazzling collection of comedies from the later Restoration period England's 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688 and the reign of new monarchs William and Mary signified a turning point for Restoration comedy with laws being passed to restrict playwrights' freedoms. The latter years are marked by a shift towards more moral storylines, mixing humour with social and political issues, alongside the lighthearted 'comedy of manners'. The works in this collection bring together these complementary styles, full of humour while also focusing on hard hitting themes. We open with a 1688 piece by Aphra Behn, England's first professional female writer. Oroonoko is a powerful critique of the slave trade centring around a betrayed African prince. Adapted for BBC Radio, it stars Leo Wringer. A pre-eminent Restoration dramatist, William Congreve was renowned for his witty dialogue and brilliant characterisation, exemplified in the plays The Old Bachelor, The Double-Dealer and Love for Love. As heard on BBC Radio, these sparkling satirical portraits of romance, deception and the battle of the sexes star James Dale, Nicholas Parsons, Michael Spice and Maxine Audley. In her 1696 tragedy The Royal Mischief playwright and pamphleteer Delarivier Manley tackled gender politics rather than party politics. This BBC Radio adaptation stars Sian Thomas as the transgressive princess Homais, whose unrestrained sexual desire represents a threat to both the monarchy and the patriarchy. A loveless marriage is under the spotlight in The Provok'd Wife, John Vanburgh's outspoken 1697 comedy of sex, debauchery and revenge that is Restoration comedy at its finest. Saskia Reeves stars as Lady Brute, with Julian Rhind-Tutt as confirmed bachelor Heartfree. Irish playwright George Farquhar stormed the London stage with his 1699 comedy The Constant Couple, featuring a wealthy heiress seeking revenge, and the three rivals vying for her hand. Its popularity was mainly due to its rakish hero, Sir Harry Wildair, played in this BBC dramatisation by Alec Clunes. It is followed by William Congreve's The Way of the World, a comic masterpiece that exposes the grasping falsity of fashionable London society. Sheila Hancock stars, with Alex Jennings, Robert Glenister, Frances Barber and Indira Varma. Susanna Centilivre's 1705 comedy The Basset Table explores several hot topics of the time: the rise of science, gambling and female education. Featuring two strong, independent heroines determined to dodge unwanted marriages, this delightfully exuberant comedy stars Eleanor Bron and Danielle Allan. Concluding this collection are George Farquhar's two most popular plays. The Recruiting Officer, starring Paul Higgins and Lisa Dillon, is set in Shrewsbury during the War of the Spanish Succession, where wives are recruited while soldiers are wooed. Meanwhile, in The Beaux' Stratagem, starring Simon Treves and Dale Rapley, two rakes arrive in Lichfield from London in search of fortune... Content list Oroonoko First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 24 August 1990 The Old Bachelor First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 3 Jun 1966 The Double-Dealer First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 17 Jan 1969 Love for Love First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 18 Feb 1965 The Royal Mischief First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 28 Oct 1990 The Provok'd Wife First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 12 Dec 2004 The Constant Couple First broadcast BBC Network Three, 9 Jun 1967 The Way of the World First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 27 Apr 2003 The Basset Table First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 10 Aug 1990 The Recruiting Officer First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 18 Dec 2011 The Beaux' Stratagem First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 19 Feb 1990 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Aphra Behn, Delarivier Manley, George Farquhar, John Vanburgh, Susanna Centivre, William Congreve (Author), Adjoa Andoh, Alex Jennings, Celia Imrie, Frances Barber, Full Cast, Hugh Bonneville, Indira Varma, Josie Lawrence, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Kris Marshall, Nicholas Parsons, Peter Eyre, Sheila Hancock, Sian Thomas (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Way of the World (Unabridged)

"This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. In a world of witty wordplay and scandalous secrets, a cunning game of love unfolds. Mirabell, a charming schemer, desires the spirited Millamant, but her inheritance is locked away by her manipulative aunt. He devises a plan, a web of tangled affections and clever disguises, to outwit his rivals and secure his heart's desire. But amidst the laughter and intrigue, hidden desires and true affections rise to the surface, testing the boundaries of love and loyalty. Will true love prevail in 'The Way of the World,' or will it succumb to the machinations of a society obsessed with appearances?"

William Congreve (Author), Digital Voice Marcus G (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Way of the World

"The Way of the World is a play written by British playwright William Congreve. It premiered in 1700 in the theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields in London. It is widely regarded as being one of the best Restoration comedies written and is still performed sporadically to this day. The play is based around the two lovers Mirabell and Millamant (originally famously played by John Verbruggen and Anne Bracegirdle). In order for the two to get married and receive Millamant's full dowry, Mirabell must receive the blessing of Millamant's aunt, Lady Wishfort. Unfortunately, she is a very bitter lady, who despises Mirabell and wants her own nephew, Sir Wilful, to wed Millamant. Other characters include Fainall who is having a secret affair with Mrs. Marwood, a friend of Mrs. Fainall's, who in turn once had an affair with Mirabell. Waitwell is Mirabell's servant and is married to Foible, Lady Wishfort's servant. Waitwell pretends to be Sir Rowland and, on Mirabell's command, tries to trick Lady Wishfort into a false engagement. (Summary by Wikipedia)"

William Congreve (Author), LibriVox Volunteers (Narrator)

Audiobook