The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

This play tells how the four Pevensie children: Peter (Charles Long), Susan (Abbie Schweikhardt), Edmund (Louis Rhodes) and Lucy (Elizabeth Morris Sampson) are evacuated from London to the English countryside in 1940, following the outbreak of World War II; and stay with an elderly understanding professor (Andrew Rudd) and his stern housekeeper, Mrs. Macready (Holly Whitaker) - no doubt as to who is in-charge! At their new accommodation the children discover a wardrobe with a door in the back through which they are able to gain access to another land called Narnia that is populated by talking animals and mythical creatures.

During their exploration of Narnia the children come across the following characters:-

The White Witch (Holly Whitaker) the self- proclaimed queen of the land; those who cross her are turned into stone.

Susan takes tea with Mr Tumnus (Charlie Russell), a talking faun, who did well to imitate the nervous movements of a timid creature of this type.

Mr Beaver (Jonathan Tibbs) who offered friendship and the safety of his den to the children.

Mrs Beaver (Donna Carter) always keen to support her husband’s views.

Father Christmas (Paul Coleman) a genial gentleman who identified the ideal presents for each of the children.                                                                                                            

Maugrim – the Wolf (Rob Nicholls) – the head of the White Witch’s Secret Service who is slain in a sword fight. He showed much ferocity in this role.

The Dwarf (Joe Smith) – as the White Witch’s servant he made a very swift exit after the battle.

Aslan (Andrew Rudd) - a majestic lion, the rightful King of Narnia.

Those playing the Pevensie children were very well acquainted with their lines but the voices of Edmund and Lucy were noticeably fainter when they were not facing the audience or were at the back of the stage, sometimes making it difficult to hear their words. The carefully designed sets reduced the number of changes required. The movements about the stage were soundly choreographed and the fight sequence well executed. Much thought had been given to the costumes and there was some innovative use of make-up. Not an easy play to stage – this was a very good effort.

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