THE RETURN OF THE KING

[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with THE TWO TOWERS.]--There is something incongruous about American voices in ancient Britain (or to be precise, Middle-earth). Nonetheless, these American productions of the Tolkien classics--originally broadcast on NPR Playhouse--are well worth hearing. While not as elaborate as the BBC production (which featured Ian Holm), this adaptation is more accessible to a wider audience. Gail Chugg, who also plays the character of Gollum, narrates the story with an easy storyteller's style. James Arrington reads the part of Frodo Baggins, the Hobbit bearing the burden of a ring of great power. Bernard Mayes portrays the wizard Gandalf with a homespun flourish. S.E.S. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]