The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe a musical staged by Chorley Youth Theatre at Chorley Theatre, Dole Street, Chorley on Friday, 7th July 2023.

STEP INTO THE WARDROBE AND THE MAGICAL KINGDOM OF NARNIA … this full-length musical adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s beloved classic tale, loved by children of all ages, was dramatized by Adrian Mitchell in 1998, with music by Shaun Davey. It opened at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford in November 1998 receiving rave reviews and breaking all box office records. The tale is well known… four children, evacuated from wartime London during ‘The Blitz’, are to stay with Professor Kirk.  Whilst exploring Professor Kirk’s house, Lucy, one of the four children, comes across a ‘wardrobe’… the ‘gateway’ to another world, to the land of Narnia where their adventure begins!  Narnia is under the spell of the wicked ‘White Witch’ who has claimed the land as her own a land where winter is a permanent feature!  The four children soon find themselves caught up in a deadly struggle between ‘good and evil’!  The question is, can they help restore Narnia to the beautiful place it once was or will winter remain?

Production Team…  I’ve said this before and I’ll no doubt say it again, but what I love about Chorley Youth Theatre productions is the fact that it is not only youth on stage, but youth in charge of everything to do with the production. Jasmin Davenport (Director) was the young person tasked with bringing this production to stage… Jasmin is another amazingly talented young person, a product of what goes on here at Chorley Youth Theatre and what great job she made in bringing this full-length production to stage.  Similar recognition has to go to Ben Holden (Musical Direction/as well as Sound/Video/Lighting), Ben is another developing amazing skills here at Chorley!  After saying that they are never alone… experienced/dedicated people are always on hand for advice/help/guidance … Paul Carr (Producer/Technical Director) and on this occasion Sian Wharton Jones and Dilwyn Roger Jones (Creative Support) … congrats to everyone involved, both youth and the experienced assistants… great job, wonderful work you all do!

The Cast…  we had twenty-three cast members, all of whom provided us with a variety of characters… some doubled up, some tripled up… but what was obvious from the start, was that everyone was giving of their best, and what more can you ask!  As most will know, I’m not one for sitting on the fence, so if I may, can I please identify MY ‘Showstealer’ and MY ‘Fab Five’ characters!  MY ‘Showstealer’ turned into ‘Show Stealers’ ….“THE BEAVER’S” … ‘BEAVER AND MRS BEAVER’ who were played by Ellie Brookfield and Libby Smith-Hughes respectively. Loved, loved, loved their interpretations of these two characters... assured, confident, perfect fits for these two roles.  Ellie has unbelievable stage presence, her character was totally believable, her diction was superb with plenty of light and shade giving depth and meaning to every word, honestly, don’t think I missed a single word… be ever so proud Ellie… superb job!  Libby (who also played ‘Margaret’ a servant) was another who oozed stage presence and great characterisation. Worked ever so well with Ellie and the rest of the cast…  well done, Libby, great job!  George Smith gave us an impressive performance as ‘Aslan’… the ‘King of Narnia’!  Confident, wonderful stage presence, good accent with good mannerisms, made a very imposing figure… be very proud George, great job!  From ‘hero to villain’ … ‘The White Witch’ the evil ‘Queen of Narnia’, according to ‘Lucy’ a ‘perfectly terrible person’… was played with great aplomb by Efini Morgan.  Efini looked totally comfortable in this role!  Stage presence aplenty, confident, self-assured, she made this role look far easier that it obviously was… be proud Efini… great job!  Sophie Clipston took on the role of ‘Lucy Pevensie’ the youngest of the four children evacuated from London and the one who finds the ‘Entrance to Narnia’. Lucy was impressive in this role, confident, good stage presence, worked well with the other three children and with Mr Tumnus… be proud Sophie!  Maja Kolasinska gave us a great interpretation of the ‘Maugrim’ the Wolf… the ‘Chief of the White Witches Secret Police’. Another with great stage presence, suitably evil, worked well with all cast members be proud Maja.  The last of my ‘Fab Five’… Grace Smith played two roles: ‘Professor Kirk’ and ‘Giant Rumblebuffin’, but it’s Prof Kirk from where this accolade comes!  Not the easiest of roles to play but Grace made a great job of it and made it her own!  I did think there were a few nerves to start with, but as the show progressed, those nerves disappeared and Grace was able to provide us with a wonderful characterisation, good stage presence, good diction, who interacted so well with the four children… great job!  
The three remaining evacuees, ‘Peter’, ‘Susan’ and ‘Edmund Pevensie’… were played ever so well by Daniel Melling, Hollyanne McGillivray and Thomas Bramall respectively… be ever so proud!
Finn Harty took on the role of ‘Mr Tumnus’, the faun, who befriends Lucy whilst still working for the evil White Witch. 
Myah Brookfield was a triple threat playing the parts of a ‘Wolf’, the ‘Old Fox and a ‘Sightseer’, good job Myah!
Gabrielle McCarthy played ‘Mrs McCready’, Prof Kirks house keeper and ‘Dryad’ a tree spirit… well done!
Sophie Gunn was another triple threat playing ‘Ivy’ (a servant), White Reindeer’ and ‘Wraith’ good job Sophie.
Martha Cook was another tasked with a trio of roles… a ‘Unicorn’, a ‘Railway Porter’ and a ‘Sightseer’.
Ella Green also took on three roles playing… ‘Satyr’ a faun like creature, ‘Hag’ an Ogre and a ‘Sightseer’
Charolotte Clipston played an ‘Air Raid Warden’ and a ‘Lion’… Lillian Oakes played ‘Grumpskin the Dwarf’…
Ava Walsh played a ‘leopard’; Charlotte Roberts a ‘Small Squirrel’; Shayla Harty played ‘Betty’ and an ‘Eagle’.
Last, but not least… Dilwyn Roger Jones ‘stepped in as a last-minute replacement’ to play ‘Father Christmas’.
Well done each and all… being the full version, this was a ‘very long and wordy show’ which you all handled with great aplomb… be ever so proud of yourself… great job!

Staging/Tech/Set…  as we entered the theatre, we were met with a closed curtain and a projected ‘Lions head’ an image which was very effective.  The eerie sound of an ‘Air Raid’ siren echoed through the auditorium and a simple set was revealed with a table and chairs set off stage left. The all-import ‘THE WARDROBE’ appeared, when required, set between partly closed house curtains providing the gateway from current times to the ‘Kingdom of Narnia’ and the adventures that lay ahead for our intrepid four! Harry Smith (Stage Manager) was in charge back stage with Issac Hobbs, George Smith, Dilwyn and Caroline Rogers Jones (Stage Crew) … they did a great job keeping the production moving.  Paul Carr and Ben Holden provided us with Sound/Lighting and Video work. The Scenic Production side of things was carried out by Paul Carr, Ian Brookfield, Shaun McManus, Leigh Mower, Maureen Orrell Strand and the YT Production Team. Thomas McCann, Isaac Hobbs, Laura Tingle, Ruby Johnson, Mia Elliott and Chloe Jones were also tasked with keeping an eye on the ‘Props’ which were superb and enhanced the show. Sian Wharton Jones and Dilwyn Rogers Jones provided ‘Creative Support when and where necessary… Paul Carr (Producer/Technical Support) again on hand with expert advice. Well done one and all, great job!

Wardrobe… the costumes were excellent and enhanced the production… the costumes being under the watchful eye of Sandra Dickinson (Costumes). Sandra was assisted by James Grundy (Costume Assistant) 

Hair and Makeup… Ellie Brookfield and the Cast

Safeguarding … as with any production involving youth it is of vital importance that they are kept safe and looked after...   Ian Brookfield (Safeguarding Officer) and his team of dedicated Chaperones do a fabulous job here at Chorley… unsung heroes… well done to each and all, be ever so proud!  

Again, I thank you for inviting my wife and I to your production, we thoroughly enjoyed the evening and can’t wait to come back and see you all again soon. 

As always …. ‘YOUTH IS THE HOPE OF OUR FUTURE’ (Jose Rizal)

Stay Safe… Keep well
Stronger together

Jim Briscoe
District 6 Rep
NODA NW

 

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