STARBURST

John Lee leads listeners into the lives of numerous main characters. Initially, as characters are introduced, confusion might reign, but Lee defines every individual's goals, hopes, failures, and successes without a moment of uncertainty for listeners. The scene is Edinburgh's International Festival, where artists of every stripe come together to entertain and compete. Pilcher intertwines the lives of a naïve French violin virtuoso, a former rugby star, a working-class mother-comedian, an aging filmmaker, a young tough, and a host of others who come to the festival seeking their dreams. In Pilcher's heartwarming story, the use of coincidence is heavy-handed, but Lee's expert performance carries the day with its unpretentiousness, subtlety, and humanity. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 07/ JAN 08]