LION, WITCH, WARDROBE, Lewis adapt Mitchell, RSC till 9 February
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE: Adrian Mitchell, adapted from C S Lewis
RSC: Main House, Stratford Upon Avon
Tkts: 0870 609 1110
Runs: 2h 30m, one interval, till 9 February
Review: Rod Dungate, 28 November 2002
It's gorgeous, the story moves with pace and plenty of emotional high-spots underpinned by a moving score
No doubt about it, it's gorgeous. THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE makes a most welcome return to the RSC. Full of energy, one scene merging swiftly into another, this comforting tale of Good versus Evil seen through the eyes of WW2 children is sumptuously hale and hearty.
Adrian Mitchell's accomplished script ensures the action keeps rolling along and avoids, for the most part, the saccharine-danger and, specially when in Narnia, the language has a natural, engaging wit. Once the four children have been crowned, though, I could have done without the mock 'prithee, forsooth' style.
The production scores in its ability to take on board the great sweep of the story and regularly hit emotional high-spots. Full marks then to Shaun Davey for his score which effortless ranges from the delicate pipes of Mr Tumnus and 'It's always winter now' to the full stirring music of songs like 'Come to the table.'
Liam Evans-Ford, Emma Fildes, Jean-Marc Perret and Caroline Martin (the four children Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy) lead us and drive the play onwards, managing to find the occasional sharp edge to their characters. Leading the animals are a delightfully friendly Mr and Mrs Beaver (Sidney Livingstone and Dorothy Atkinson). The deep rolling tones of Patrice Naiambana are most effective for Aslan who has a gentle, but unquestionable, authority.
Joanne Pearce is icily beautiful as the White Witch ably aided and abetted by a fierce Grumpskin (Jon Key) designer Anthony Ward excels himself in her shimmering Ice Palace. Tom Jude and Mitchell Moreno are highly entertaining as two none-too-bright but highly inquisitive Reindeer.
And if all this is not enough, look for the marvellous Eagle (Alan Crawford) excellence is everywhere.
Peter: Liam Evans-Ford
Susan: Emma Fildes
Edmond: Jean-Marc Perret
Lucy: Caroline Martin
Air-raid Warden: Robert Burt
Porter: Carl Ferguson
Professor Kirk: Jeffry Wickham
Mrs Macready: Dorothy Atkinson
Ivy: Kesty Morrison
Margaret: Hester Evans
Betty: Sasha Oakley
Sightseers: Charlotte Allam, Dominic Marsh, Francis Maston, Mitchell Moreno, Victoria Moseley
Aslan, Patrice Naiambana
With Witch: Joanne Pearce
Mr Tumnus: Paul J Medford
Mr Beaver Sidney Livingstone
Mrs Beaver: Dorothy Atkinson
Grumpskin: Jon Key
Mau grim: Chris Jarman
Father Christmas: Robert Burt
Giant Rumblebuffin: David Broughton-Davies
Baby Lion: Carl Ferguson
Reindeer Tom Jude, Mitchell Moreno
Dog Fox: Eugene Washington
Squirrel Family: Francis Maston, Emily Mytton, Hester Evans
Wolves: Tom Jude, Mitchell Moreno
Unicorn: Sasha Oakley
Centaurs: Carl Ferguson, Francis Maston
Pegasus: Kesty Morrison
Eagle: Alan Crawford
Leopards: Victoria Moseley, Emily Mytton
Mr Reepicheep: Jake Thornton
Rudolf Reindeer Dominic Marsh
Director: Adrian Noble
Assisted by: Frances Moore
Design: Anthony Ward
Lighting: Mark Henderson
Recreated by: Paul van der Hayden
Music: Shaun Davey
Lyrics: Adrian Mitchell
Movement: Sue Lefton
Fights: Malcolm Ranson
Sound: Terry Jardine for Autograph
Music Director: John Wood
Dialect Coach: Charmian Hoare
Company Voice Work: Andrew Wade, Lyn Darnley
2002-11-29 21:44:22