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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE by C.S. Lewis
Presented by STAG
Directed by Pam Tulen
Reviewed (November 28) by K.E. Weber
Cast: Robert Davidson, Esme Mitchell, Jenny Chainey, Melanie Doyle, Ned Johnson, Michael White, Grace Rankin, Jaclyn Rooney, Reesa Campbell, Jacqui Gambin, Rhiannon Kreuger, Simon McDonald, Amy Foenander, Kate Foenander, Morgan Kendall, Helen Davidson, Jason Foenander, Candiece Bevan, Courtney Kendall.

This is the first in a series of stories by C.S. (Clive Staples) Lewis known as the Narnia Chronicles, in which four children venture through the back of a wardrobe and find themselves in a strange land known as Narnia. An evil Witch presides over the Land making it always winter and never Christmas, and it will take the coming of the four, coupled with another, the lion Aslan, to thwart the evil and restore the good.

Pantos are great for kids, aren't they? Firstly, it's fun; secondly, they get to perform; and thirdly, they get to perform for an audience of loyal family and friends who will lavish them with praise no matter how good or bad they really were. All this is good and very productive, but I have yet to be convinced of the benefit of foisting these productions onto the general theatre going populace. Quality is the key and sadly (no matter how valiant their effort) youth productions often lack it. (Drama classes with a performance during the year for family and friends may be a viable option.) I think there is a place for children's theatre, but as other groups have undoubtedly discovered, the impressionable end of year time slot may not be it.

STAG's effort was valiant, and director Pam Tulen should be congratulated for her endurance (and the retention of her sanity, no doubt) but the whole thing was still rather ho-hum because unless one is a relative of the child with little or no stagecraft or stage experience shuffling feet, upstaging, masking, roving eyes, small voices, unclear diction and clothes tugging become harder to bear. Still, all tried hard and raw talent was certainly present.

Jenny Chainey, Melanie Doyle, Ned Johnson and Michael White did well as the children who discover Narnia as did Grace Rankin and Jaclyn Rooney as Mr. and Mrs. Beaver. I liked Jacqui Gambin's (Centaur) big strong voice and Rhiannon Kreuger was also quite good as the musical Tumnus. Amy Foenander (Dwarf) enjoyed herself immensely, and Reesa Campbell (Unicorn), Kate Foenander (Father Christmas), Morgan Kendall (Elf) and Helen Davidson (White Stag) all looked great in their costumes.

Some of the adult performances disappointed. Esme Mitchell certainly looked the part of the evil Queen/Witch of Narnia, but where was her animation? Much more use could have been made of body and voice - exaggerated sweeps, noticeable tonal changes and, of course, the obligatory hearty cackle. Robert Davidson's (Aslan) booming vocals assisted his characterization but again a little more animation was required. Simon McDonald gave his Fenris Ulf a wonderfully menacing quality which, while quite apt, needed to be complemented by appropriate movements. (Pantos are fun for this reason alone - over playing is acceptable!)

STAG have had a great year, and while this production was not up to standard, I'm sure that most, especially the children, benefited.