Original Writer: C. S. Lewis
Original Writer in the Room: Adam Peck
Music: Barnaby Race and Benji Bower
Director: Michael Fentiman
Bringing C. S. Lewis’ epic Christian allegory to the stage would seem at first glance to be a monumental, if not impossible undertaking.
This production first saw life in 2017 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, devised by the original company with writer in the room Adam Peck. Significantly edited, it still retains all the fundamental elements of Lewis’ original story, charting the wartime adventures of the Pevensie children, evacuated to the (in this case Scottish) countryside to live with retired professor Digory Kirke. On exploring the fascinating, rambling home, Lucy, the youngest child finds and enters a large wooden wardrobe, the portal to the magical world of Narnia. The residents of which are damned to live in eternal winter under the rule of the evil White Witch. The two sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, Peter (Jesse Dunbar), Edmund (Bunmi Osadolor), Susan (Joanna Adaran) and Lucy (Kudzai Mangombe) are fated to help the resistance defeat the Witch and bring back spring. All of course with the help of the majestic lion Aslan.
This is a production of infinite quality, from the cast, script, production design and staging, to the musical and vocal performances, there is so much to delight in.
Before curtain up, the auditorium lights are dim and the strains of a host of wartime tunes fill the, air action opens proper on the eternally evocative We’ll Meet Again. The Pevensies are evacuated on a wonderfully realised train to the wilds of Aberdeenshire where their adventures begin.
The adults portraying the Pevensie siblings are sufficiently youthful in their portrayal to convey a believable family dynamic, full of bickering and teasing.
Alfie Richards plays Mr Tumnus beautifully, the conflict as well as the care he conveys is finely tuned and expertly delivered. His vocals are exceptional, both his speaking and singing voice. His rendition of the heart-wrenching When There Was Spring is a melancholy mood setter.
The overall tone is dark, Katy Richards as Jardis The White Witch is chilling and accompanied by the wolf-like Maugrim, scuttling and leaping around the stage on hand stilts is, quite frankly terrifying. There may be a few sleepless nights for some of the younger audience members.
For all the darkness and seriousness of tone, there are moments of light relief provided by the ragtag band of resistance fighters. Ed Thorpe’s Mr Beaver is a hit with the audience, confessing his “deep shame, deep shame” in the scenes with his take-charge wife (Anya De Villiers) and a visit from Father Christmas playing the spoons and delivering gifts to help the children in their quest, is well-received by the children in the audience. Kraig Thornber portrays both Santa and the Pevensie’s host The Professor with charm, wit and musical aplomb.
The anticipation of Aslan’s entrance is tangible. The majestic puppet strides across the stage accompanied by his human counterpart (Stanton Wright) Wright’s sonorous voice, beautifully modulated, booms across the auditorium. Aslan is not the only puppet on stage. Schrödinger the cat is a feisty, hair ball-coughing bundle of mischief and the residents of Narnia are portrayed both by puppets and actors.
The show has songs, sequences of dance and movement, some wire work and illusions that elicit gasps from the audience. The staging is original and innovative, a treat for the eyes with visual detail in every scene that will keep you glued to the action throughout.
A production that respectfully and lovingly adapts C. S. Lewis’ timeless tale for the stage. A magical experience for audiences of all ages.
Runs until 14 June 2015 | Image: Brinkhoff Moegenburg
The Reviews Hub Score
Mesmerising
