Dakapo

Overall I rate 'Encore' a 7, but the stories vary greatly. I liked the first one the best, as I thoroughly enjoyed Nigel Patrick's portrayal of a devil-may-care wastrel who sponges off his hard-working brother but always seems to land on his feet. As with all Maugham stories the dialogue is sophisticated and clever, so much so that you listen intently for the next juicy morsel so as not to miss any.

The second story is more subtle, the dialogue more droll and understated than the first, and I thought Kay Walsh was delightful as the gabby-guts spinster. The ship's crew becomes more desperate and exasperated and the circumstances funnier as the voyage drags on until the ambiguous ending. I thought this story captured the essence of Maugham's erudition and sense of humor better than the other two.

I disagree with other reviewers in that I thought the last story about the diving act was the weakest of the three, and it was the longest. It lacks credulity and is a humorless exercise in tedium, and I really couldn't imagine going to a fancy restaurant to watch a 30 second high diving act. The love-story angle is not really compelling but is brought to life by Glynis Johns, who did the best she could.

On the whole, it was well-done and with the added bonus of having Somerset Maugham himself introduce each segment. 'Encore' is well worth your time.