Maggie Smith and Jonathan Pryce star in William Wycherley's raunchy Restoration comedy.
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.
The Classic Radio Theatre range presents notable radio productions of much-loved plays by some of the most renowned playwrights, and starring some of our finest actors.
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"It's like 400 years old, so yeah, the language can be tricky to puzzle through. But I did ACTUALLY LOL at this - which is rare when you're reading to yourself, and it's a play, and it's freakin' ancient etc etc." — Harry (4 out of 5 stars)
"It's like 400 years old, so yeah, the language can be tricky to puzzle through. But I did ACTUALLY LOL at this - which is rare when you're reading to yourself, and it's a play, and it's freakin' ancient etc etc."
" Loved this play! Wycherly was ahead of his time with his sexual inuendo's and wit that is even funny today. "
" i laughed so hard that I be-pissed myself. that's from this play. "
" (7/10) This play really hammers home one point: in Restoration England, much like high school, all everyone could think about was who was cheating on who. "
" Again an 18th century commentary on men not being able to fulfill their wives needs and the innocence of the country versus the city wife. Interesting humor and very clever. However, flawed in some areas. "
" Swear to God, every noun in this play is a sexual euphemism. Most of the verbs are, too. "
" I read this play and its commentary for my Restoration Comedy class. I Liked it. It made me realize that modern times aren't the only ones strife with double entendre and dirty jokes. The Country Wife starts out with a man named Horner spreading the rumor that he has become a eunuch because of the failed tratement of a venereal disease. His diabolical plan is to make all of the husbands feel safe around him and leave their wives alone with him. He plans to sleep his way through the gentry's wives. The male characters all different personalities. One-- Sparkish-- does everything he can to prove to his fiance that he basically gives her to another man. Pinchwife does exactly as his name implies; he tries so hard to keep his innocent wife hidden that she rebels and ends up in an affair with Horner. The lengths that the characters go to in order to satisfy their desires was humorous. Add to that TONS of dirty jokes and you have an enjoyable read. Will I ever read it again? Probably not. Am I glad that I read it? For sure. "
" Funny. Not in a TBS sitcom kind of way, which is of course the height of hilarity, but in a smart, snarky and clever way. "
" Great satire from the Restoration Period. Shows the roles of the aristocracy in society. Very funny to read and very witty. "
" It was a short book and easy to read, though at times the plot - who was cheating on who and why - was slightly confusing, which was odd because there seemed to only be this as a main plot. "
" It's like a 17th century version of Entourage, only sleazier. "
" What's not to enjoy about constant sexual innuendo? I particularly love the Mr. and Mrs. Pinchwife plot. He's so concerned that she will cheat on him that in trying to keep her from doing so he unwittingly encourages her to do so. I know some 21st century men who could learn a lesson from this play! "
" Best restoration drama ever. "
" Truly base and perverted. I loved every smuttty morsel! "
" Ask me how many papers I've written about this, haha. One of the funniest and fun-est reads! "
" Bawdy and rowdy. "
" Wasn't my favorite but it's pretty decent. I would much rather watch the play than read it. It's very witty and funny and would be more enjoyable being watched. "
" I had never actually sat down and read a Restoration Drama, thought I knew what to expect from the period and genre. I enjoyed the read, but I'm sure I would prefer it on stage. "
" Faux-eunuchs = awesomely hilarious! "
" A 1600's American Pyscho. How could I not love it? "
" A comedy (play) about a man so concerned that his country wife will cheat on him while visiting the city, that he helps her to do so. "
" Fine student edition of a great play of manners and humors. "
" restoration-era version of a carry on film. "
" Fairly entertaining, especially if you enjoy an abundance of sexual innuendo. Even in the title. "
" Funny, but I quickly lost interest. "
" Not as good as "A School for Scandal" "
" Oh my! How wickedly delightful this play was. Every other sentence was a double entendre. Naughty, fun, and not something you would think to see in a 17th century play. Great, quick read. "
" A silly, effective romp about the dangers of jealousy both in its excess and its deficiency, with many humorous jabs at over-confident wits. "
" This was a funny and entertaining play. Like most English lit. from 1500-1850, it is about cuckolding. "
" Read for school.Didn't like it all that much. There were too many characters and I couldn't tell what was going on. "
" It's ridiculous, funny and naughty. "
" Very well written, witty comedy on sexual behaviours and society. "
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