THE MAGICIAN'S WIFE

A renowned master of illusion, Lambert, accepts Emperor Louis Napoleon's commision to discourage an Algerian uprising through exhibitions of magical power. By this, the Emperor hopes to gain time for the arrival of French armies later in the spring. Lambert's wife is appalled. Lonely and insecure, she becomes disillusioned by her husband's corruption, as well as the colonial hypocrisies intended to deceive the proud Islamic peoples. With his clarity of delivery and skill with regional accents, Malcolm transcends mere intimations of gender. Moore's brew of chicanery and questions of political morality as seen through the eyes of a sensitive woman is well served by this delicate interpretation. S.B.S. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 01]