THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER

Mark Twain's 1881 tale recounts the switched identities of young beggar Tom Canty and Edward, Prince of Wales. The fable resonates with today's youngsters who dream of the lives of pop stars, athletes, and even royalty. Kenneth Jay does a fine job of portraying characters who step from the streets and court of Tudor London. His voice is clear and distinct with the accents of the different social classes. His Cockney sounds real enough for American ears without being so thick it's hard to understand. As usual, the Naxos music selections add a nice tone. Here's a fine rendition of one of Twain's best-loved stories. R.F.W. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 02]