TIGER, TIGER

Jan Francis narrates this heartbreaking story of two tiger cubs captured in their native jungle and taken to ancient Rome. Francis impresses at the outset with her sensitive portrayal of the cubs' sadness and confusion, a strength she maintains throughout the production as the cubs go their separate paths--one becoming a pet and the other a performer in the Colosseum. It's a bit disconcerting to hear a variety of British accents coming from ancient Romans when the point of view first switches from the animals' to the humans'. But then Francis's narration fades into the background as she uses emotion and pacing to let the parallel struggles between nature and nurture shine. A.F. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 06]