The Lion. the Witch. and the Wardrobe

Not a pantomime this year but the play version ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’, which was a delight and I am so pleased that it was well supported.

Impressive tree-shapes surrounding the proscenium created the atmosphere in the auditorium, and that set most imaginative in all ways, especially on the small stage, Hazel Bush did an excellent job. Also assisted by those musical effects from James Goodwin for atmospheric moods.

The book by C.S.Lewis converted to play by Glyn Robbins really recreated the story accurately and all aspects sympathetically treated with imagination and encouraged by Directors Sally Elvin and Ellie Hupton, the evening felt enchanted with that large cast totally committed and playing their parts.

With an introductory prologue to set the war-time scene and evacuation of children written by Tom Nash, we were exposed to the full-on delivery by Sophie Hough, Mia Perrin and Rosie Lawrence. And then we were into the story that we know and love.

The Professor (Uncle) Richard Peat took in his family in a rather vague way (and was his voice familiar later as Aslan) and handed them over to the bad tempered and rather domineering Mrs Macready of Lilly Hodges, who turned out to be the villain of the piece when she appeared as the White Witch in an intense performance of wickedness.

The ‘sons of Adam and daughters of Eve’, the four children as the lynchpin of this tale: Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter were exemplary in their commitment and delivery and diction, and total understanding of the dialogue with an energy of thought. Annabelle Hartley as Lucy was really perfect in her interpretation and performance. Barnaby Grindley as the naughty and disobedient Edmund who caused so much trouble really enjoyed his breakaway spirit in spite of the consequences. Susan (Clodagh Lohan) and Peter (Emma Frith) as the older children delivered with clarity and spirit in the fight for good through that wardrobe.

On the other side we met the delightful and friendly Mr Tumnus from Ollie Allen plus those supportive and jolly Beavers as delightful characters from Brian Grindley and Sam Allen; and not to forget the side-kick servant of the witch, Maugrim from Peter Harrold in wicked mode. Plus of course the supportive cast of Reindeer, Leopards, Wolf, Mice, Uglies and Statues. And as the thaw began, we should not overlook Father Christmas from Roger Turner with a jolly break in the ice and snow.

A lot of hidden meanings in this tale from C.S.Lewis, and on the side of ‘good’ we have the presence of Aslan the lion in an imaginative interpretation, very ‘war horse inspired’ as the two puppeteers (Holly Warren and Susan Clarke) came through the audience to bring hope and help to inspire the children (with hidden voice over). The mask of Aslan made by Sarah Nash was magnificent to create something special in this character for good.

An evening of real magic in this re-telling a familiar story with morals, the programme notes important with the influence now of children on what happens in the world.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.