She Stoops to Conquer

By: Oliver Goldsmith

Narrated by: Rosalind Ayres, Adam Godley, Julian Holloway, James Marsters, Ian Ogilvy, Joanne Whalley, Matthew Wolf

Length: 1 hr and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

Starring James Marsters, this classic comedy of manners from 1773 is still widely performed and studied. Love, lies, and dysfunctional families. Sound like your last family gathering? Try this one on for laughs. Two randy young gents, Charles and George, set out to woo the alluring and upper-crust Kate and Constance. But inexperienced Charles is shy and clumsy around upper-class ladies, so it’s the barmaid who catches his eye. But is she really who she seems? Bawdy high-jinx, popped pretensions, and good dirty fun are the hallmarks of this romping frolic that’s kept audiences laughing for over two centuries.

An L.A. Theatre Works full cast performance featuring (in alphabetical order): Rosalind Ayres as Mrs. Hardcastle; Adam Godley as Tony Lumpkin; Julian Holloway as Elder Marlow/Stingo; James Marsters as Charles Marlow; Christopher Neame as Roger; Paula Jane Newman as Bet Bouncer/Pimple; Ian Ogilvy as Mr. Hardcastle; Moira Quirk as Constance Neville; Darren Richardson as Diggory/Jeremy; Joanne Whalley as Kate Hardcastle; and Matthew Wolf as George Hastings. Directed by Martin Jarvis. Recorded before a live audience at the Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, in June 2010.

Public Domain (P)2011 L.A. Theatre Works

Wonderful performances and production. Fun story!

Would you consider the audio edition of She Stoops to Conquer to be better than the print version?

I love old and Restoration theater and you can't do better than this production of "She Stoops to Conquer." First of all, the story is a lot of fun. Then, second to that, the performances in this version are absolutely flawless and wonderful. It is such a delight and so much fun to listen to!!!! I compare this to a BBC version 50 or 60 years ago, and this is superior. If you enjoy a play with fun characters and wonderful situations and dialogue, you will really enjoy this.

What was one of the most memorable moments of She Stoops to Conquer?

I just love all the performances and interplays between characters. They hold up as realistic characters even with these times, and all the dialogue is so witty and fun!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I love listening to "She Stoops to Conquer" in smaller segments, over and over. I usually listen when going to bed or walking my dog and this version is absolutely wonderful to listen to then or anytime!

Any additional comments?

Great fun! I love listening to this over and over.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Delightful!

If you could sum up She Stoops to Conquer in three words, what would they be?

Funny, classic, romantic.

What did you like best about this story?

For a play that debuted in London in 1773 it is still funny and easy to follow.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Charles Marlow was my favorite.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This recording made me laugh.

Any additional comments?

All the actors did a great job transporting the listener to that place in time.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

A Rollicking Little Play

If you could sum up She Stoops to Conquer in three words, what would they be?

Like Wilde's comedies

What did you like best about this story?

I am a big fan of plays, particularly comedies which include a bit of social, satirical comedy.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

I enjoy the full cast of the plays and wish that more recording studios would consider full casting for audio books as well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me smile and chuckle, but I would say nothing extreme.

Any additional comments?

This play reminds me a lot of one of my favorite Wilde plays, The Importance of Being Earnest, which is why Audible listed it in recommended titles for me. It did not disappoint in that regard. It's got lovely social commentary and an amusing and endearing story line.

Impudence, modesty, and miscommunication

A wonderful 18th Century comedy, well performed and well-written. I had the pleasure of performing this play recently and it is hilarious, as long as archaic British humor isn't lost on you. The formalities of the aristocracy are laid bare and made fun of through Marlow's idiosyncrasies and how the other characters react to them as well as the differences between the aristocratic class and the lower class and how perception alters the way people communicate. If you enjoy the British theater, this is a must.