Reviews

THEATRE

Lion still has 'em tamed

KAREN CARTER reviews The Royal Shakespeare Company’s latest production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Want to avoid the panto this year? Look no further than The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Stratford-on-Avon.

The Royal Shakespeare Company first tackled Adrian Mitchell's dramatisation of the CS Lewis classic in 1998 – and, contrary to the financial horror stories that plague many areas of the RSC, this enchanting show continues to pull in the crowds.

It's not too difficult to see why the production has such staying power. Intriguing sets, clever casting, and ingenious costumes make it a winner every time. The first appearance of the White Witch (Joanne Pearce) stunned most of the children in the audience into eye-popping silence, while the humour and antics of homely Mr and Mrs Beaver (Sidney Livingstone and Dorothy Atkinson) clocked up an impressive feelgood factor rating.

Eight of the cast this time round have joined the company direct from drama school – and these young performers have landed fairly and squarely on their feet. Who would not wish to be seen in what has been described by one national theatre critic as a “spellbinding” production?

Liam Evans-Ford struck just the right authoritative note as the eldest of the “Sons of Adam”, otherwise known as Peter; Chris Jarman bared his fangs to terrifying effect as Maugrim the wolf, and Paul J Medford clip-clopped in a suitably nervous fashion as Mr Tumnus. But the show belongs to Patrice Naiambana as Aslan.

It's Patrice's fifth year playing the Lion and he wondered if his body would be able to cope with such an athletic interpretation over 90-plus performances, but the signs are good and Patrice has nothing to worry about – this Lion has charisma.

He flexes his muscles, shakes his mane and paces about his territory in a remarkable display of controlled strength. As the children are emphatically told, Aslan is no tame beast.

Patrice is magnificent in the role, and provides a compelling focus in Act II. His confrontation with the White Witch is brutal and loud, in startling contrast with the audience's shriek of delight when Aslan returns from the dead to breathe new life into a land and people where it was always winter and never Christmas.

The Christian worldview is, of course, highly prevalent but this is not a mission, evangelistic campaign or Christian tract dressed up in fur. This is a show, and it’s done very well. Director Adrian Noble should be proud of how this theatrical king of the jungle provides festive food for thought without any danger of indigestion.

My eight-year-old niece, Helen Maguire, gave this verdict: "Mr Tumnus was nice and the wolves were a bit scary, but I liked it when the White Witch came on in her sleigh. Mr and Mrs Beaver were funny, and it was good when their house came up out of the stage.

"Aslan was the best. It was sad when he died, but someone came to do the show in our school once, so I knew that Aslan would come back again. It was great when he ran through the audience."

The production runs until 9 February. But book now, you have been warned! For ticket prices and availability, ring 01789 403403.

Karen Carter is news editor of Christian Herald

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		THEATRE Lion still has 'em tamed KAREN CARTER reviews The Royal Shakespeare Company’s latest production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Want to avoid the panto this year? Look no further than The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Stratford-on-Avon. The Royal Shakespeare Company first tackled Adrian Mitchell's dramatisation of the CS Lewis classic in 1998 – and, contrary to the financial horror stories that plague many areas of the RSC, this enchanting show continues to pull in the crowds. It's not too difficult to see why the production has such staying power. Intriguing sets, clever casting, and ingenious costumes make it a winner every time. The first appearance of the White Witch (Joanne Pearce) stunned most of the children in the audience into eye-popping silence, while the humour and antics of homely Mr and Mrs Beaver (Sidney Livingstone and Dorothy Atkinson) clocked up an impressive feelgood factor rating. Eight of the cast this time round have joined the company direct from drama school – and these young performers have landed fairly and squarely on their feet. Who would not wish to be seen in what has been described by one national theatre critic as a “spellbinding” production? Liam Evans-Ford struck just the right authoritative note as the eldest of the “Sons of Adam”, otherwise known as Peter; Chris Jarman bared his fangs to terrifying effect as Maugrim the wolf, and Paul J Medford clip-clopped in a suitably nervous fashion as Mr Tumnus. But the show belongs to Patrice Naiambana as Aslan. It's Patrice's fifth year playing the Lion and he wondered if his body would be able to cope with such an athletic interpretation over 90-plus performances, but the signs are good and Patrice has nothing to worry about – this Lion has charisma. He flexes his muscles, shakes his mane and paces about his territory in a remarkable display of controlled strength. As the children are emphatically told, Aslan is no tame beast. Patrice is magnificent in the role, and provides a compelling focus in Act II. His confrontation with the White Witch is brutal and loud, in startling contrast with the audience's shriek of delight when Aslan returns from the dead to breathe new life into a land and people where it was always winter and never Christmas. The Christian worldview is, of course, highly prevalent but this is not a mission, evangelistic campaign or Christian tract dressed up in fur. This is a show, and it’s done very well. Director Adrian Noble should be proud of how this theatrical king of the jungle provides festive food for thought without any danger of indigestion. My eight-year-old niece, Helen Maguire, gave this verdict: "Mr Tumnus was nice and the wolves were a bit scary, but I liked it when the White Witch came on in her sleigh. Mr and Mrs Beaver were funny, and it was good when their house came up out of the stage. "Aslan was the best. It was sad when he died, but someone came to do the show in our school once, so I knew that Aslan would come back again. It was great when he ran through the audience." The production runs until 9 February. But book now, you have been warned! For ticket prices and availability, ring 01789 403403. Karen Carter is news editor of Christian Herald © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.