Faust

If it's been a while since you tackled Goethe's FAUST--like, forever--don't wait a moment longer. John R. Williams's sparkling English translation is delightful, full of wit and delicious rhymes, and would be reason enough to fling yourself at it, but this full-cast production more than doubles the pleasure. The actors play it as if we were all Faust and hell were going to be a lot worse than other people. The performances are marvelous, and the sound effects clever and often gorgeous (the choir!). After this rendering of "Walpurgisnacht," you'll never see Halloween the same again. One might call this Harry Potter for grown-ups, except that the good guys--well, I wouldn't want to give away the ending. What a great theatrical experience. B.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

March 15, 2012

Goethe's classic tragedy is here vividly enacted by a talented cast, including Samuel West (Faust), Toby Jones (Mephistopheles), and Derek Jacobi (The Lord). Frustrated with the limitations of mankind, Faust is given the ultimate offer by the Devil incarnate and must live with the consequences of accepting such a bargain. Despite the abridgment, the production is well contained, clear, and nicely executed. VERDICT The performances all shine, with the only faltering owing to the sound mixing. At times, the music and limited sound effects interfere with one's ability to hear the cast clearly, especially given the word patterns of the rhyming schemes. Recommended for fans of dramatizations, classics, and plays.--Lance Eaton, Peabody, MA

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