The Sudbury Theatre Centre will take young theatre goers to the magical wintery world of Narnia in its upcoming Students on Stage production of the beloved C.S. Lewis classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, on stage for a limited engagement Jan. 22 and 23.
Adapted for the stage by Philip Sexsmith, the play follows the Pevensie children Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, who are sent off to live in the country during World War II.
While playing inside an old wardrobe, they find a gateway to Narnia, a magical land cursed by the White Witch, where it is always winter but never Christmas.
The children must join forces with Aslan, the lion, to confront the White Witch and restore Narnia to its former glory. It is a classic battle of good and evil with an entire world in the balance.
The production, the first of two Students on Stage programs in STC’s 15|16 Season, features an ensemble cast of 23 young performers aged 10 to 15.
It is directed by Meredith Zwicker, who played Madame de Tourvel in Les Liaisons Dangereuses this past fall and served as assistant musical director of the hit musical A Christmas Carol.
“It has been a great pleasure bringing this classic story to the stage,” said Zwicker.
“Much like the Pevensie children’s adventures in Narnia, the art of creating theatre involves balancing freedom and imagination with commitment and discipline. It is only through working together that the community triumphs, and sometimes, even the smallest creatures make the biggest difference.”
Zwicker also serves as set and sound designer, while Rebecca Desmarais works by her side as associate director and video designer. Maggie Wood serves as assistant director, Tim Stenabaugh is the lighting designer, and Michael Doherty (A Christmas Carol) provides original music.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is on stage for three public performances Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 for students/children and $12 for adults/seniors.
The play is approximately 75 minutes in length and is suitable for all ages.
Tickets are available in person at 170 Shaughnessy Street in Downtown Sudbury, by calling the STC Box Office at 705-674-8381, or online at sudburytheatre.ca.
Additional school matinee performances are being offered twice daily Jan. 25 to 29. For more information or to book a class or group, contact Ralph McIntosh, Director of Education, at [email protected] or call 705-674-7788 ext 27.
Young performers aged 14 to 17 are still able to register for Students on Stage Sr., the second installment of the program in the 15|16 Season. Auditions will be held by appointment on Feb. 7 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, visit sudburytheatre.ca/education or call 705-674-8381.
