THE NIGHT WATCH

A bravura performance bolsters the saga of four Londoners whose lives and loves intersect before, during, and after the Blitz. Kay, an ambulance driver, and Julia and Helen are a lesbian triangle. Viv finds herself pregnant by her married boyfriend, and Duncan, Viv's brother, waits out the war in prison. Juanita McMahon's voice is perfect for the sensuality in the story; she caresses words and glides over phrases, then turns nasal and crass for the prison scenes. Men's voices and various accents are no problem for her. A big problem, however, is the reverse chronology of the story, which may require the listener to relisten to the first few tapes. J.B.G. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 06]