LION, WITCH AND THE WARDROBE till 17 January 2009

THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE: CS Lewis, adapted by Adrian Mitchell.
Birmingham Rep Theatre.
Runs: 2h 35m, one interval, till 17 January 2009.
Review: Rod Dungate, 2 December 2008.

Good enough but is that good enough?

There is no doubt that children and families will enjoy this stylish production. It’s strongly cast and there are some lovely performances.

Now maybe I’m just being grumpy, stuffed with Humbug, but I really wonder of we short-change our young audiences with this story. One of the problems I have with it is it takes so long to get going in any real dramatic way. And the drama, when it does appear, tends to be skated over . . . I can tell that our four principal characters are in danger – the story lets me know that – but I never fear for them.

As the plot heats up, so does the pace and the second half is more successful than the first. My spirit lifted when the two girls, Susan and Lucy, are given, respectively, a bow and arrow, and a dagger. But alas, they aren’t allowed to join in the battles – I expect they’re too delicate!

As I say, though, lots of beautifully characterised performances. The first is from Michael Taibi as the faun Mr Tumnus – a real delight and what a lovely singing voice. Mr and Mrs Beaver are charmingly portrayed by Junix Inocian and Jacqueline Boatswain; the song in the Beavers’ household is a musical high spot too.

Joseph Pitcher, Bethan Walker, Ben Stott, Amy Brown (Peter, Susan, Edmunc, Lucy) inject as much energy as they can. Unfortunately I expect them at any moment to say: ‘Have you heard the good news?’ and give me a religious tract.

Ian Brown directs with polish, but fails to present the story as a whole.

Peter: Joseph Pitcher.
Susan: Bethan Walker.
Edmund: Ben Stott.
Lucy: Amy Brown.
Mrs Macready, Mrs Beaver: Jacqueline Boatswain.
Professor Kirk, Father Christmas: Neil Salvage.
Mr Tumnus: Michael Taibi.
White Witch: Moyo Omoniyi.
Grumpskin: Ben Evans.
Mr Beaver: Junix Inocian.
Maugrim: Owen Young.
Aslan: Louis Decosta Johnson.
Ensemble: Verity Bentham, David Grewcock, David McMinn, Kerry Whiteside.

Director: Ian Brown.
Designer: Ruari Murchison.
Costume Designer: Stephen Snell.
Music Arranger and Musical Director: Jonathan Gill.
Choreographer: Ann Yee.
Lighting Designer: Guy Hoare.
Sound and Video Designer: Mic Pool.
Fight Director: Kate Waters.

2008-12-03 13:54:28