Richard Pryal in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the Rose Theatre, Kingston. Picture: Mark Douet
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe continues at Rose Theatre, Kingston until 4 January 2015.
It’s stretching it to call the Rose’s Christmas offering a musical, but there’s no doubt that Eamonn O’Dwyer’s sumptuous score adds considerably to the charm of CS Lewis’ enduring classic that first saw light of day 64 years ago as the first and most famous part of the Chronicles of Narnia.
This multi-talented musician-composer, who won the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize contest with the riotous ‘Something For the Pain’ in May, has digitally created ten original songs and some lovely instrumentals for this old-fashioned fantasy where it’s “always winter, never Christmas”.
Written long before the words iPad, Hudl, internet and download dominated the lives of the young people of today, there was always the nagging fear that The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe had seen better days.
But warm reactions from packed houses since the show opened at the start of December daily demonstrate it is a perfect alternative to the flood of pantomimes challenging for the pound in your pocket.
Going to the theatre as a family involves a far-from-insignificant exchange of money and it doesn’t end with the tickets. The presence of two grandchildren, seven and four, inevitably led to an in-depth discussion as to the necessity of parting with £18 for a very handsome toy lion until the diversion of half-time ice cream narrowly averted a deeper hole in the pocket.
And the magical tale, with ‘snowflakes’ drifting down into the grasping hands of an enchanted audience and various ‘animals’ lurking at their elbows in the aisles, is still capable of not only casting its spell on a four-year-old, but holding his attention for two hours, quite a feat considering he cannot normally sit still for two minutes.
Aslan, the nice lion who’s the rightful King of Narnia, was the star turn for him because of actor Richard Pryal’s loud roar and flowing mane, while the seven-year-old, already a dedicated follower of fashion, loved the White Witch’s stunning costume and eye-catching headpiece.
This was a fine performance by Kate Tydman, evil without being too frightening, while it was good to see the excellent Katy Secombe (daughter of famous Goon Harry who could also sing more than a bit) in strong support as Mrs Beaver.
The professional cast of six receives wholehearted support from 67 members of the Rose Young Company, who form a key ingredient of the Rose Youth Theatre. The four Pevensie children are played alternatively by three teams, aged between 12 and 17 and drawn from local schools.
Director Ciaran McConville’s achievement in mixing young amateurs with seasoned pros is considerable, while Neil Martin’s set, dominated by the giant wardrobe through which the children walk from wartime reality to the icy wonderland that is Narnia, is jaw-droppingly brilliant.
Fortunately, the wardrobe didn’t fit into the car boot and wasn’t for sale anyway, otherwise…!
Jeremy Chapman
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