Programme Note #1: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
JB wrote: “This story is something that happened to four children when they were sent away from London during the war, because of the air raids. They were sent to stay with an old professor who lived in the heart of the country, mile from anywhere.
One dull and rainy afternoon they decided to explore the endless cupboards, corridors and empty rooms of the house, and that’s where the magic adventures began …..”
Publicity #1: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: December 18 1987 issue – page 12
Text Header: “Fantasy packing them in”
Text: Content
A MUSICAL fantasy based on children’s favourite, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is the choice of Wick Theatre Company for their New Year show.
Based on the famous novel by C. S. Lewis, the story, lyrics and music have been provided by local composer, Irita Kutchmy. Director Joan Bearman has put together a talented and experienced cast, and the show is already promising to be a box office success. Adding her own brand of colour to proceedings are local drama teachers Jean Porter a the witch and Gary Brighton as the faun, Mr Tumnus.
Talented
Talented actor Andrew Greegan will roar onto the stage, taking one of the major rôles by appearing as the lion. Also amongst all the line-up will be Frances Moulton, Vic Gough, Ron Cheesman, Gavin Kimber. Ian Bishop, Lyndsey [sic] Collis, Trudy Nash, Marcus Burns, Daphne Thornton and Douglas Tucker.
Opening night
The curtain rises at 7.15 p.m. on New Year’s Day and January 2. The show will also run the following week, from January 4 to 9.
Tickets for the two Saturday matinee performances have already sold out but others are available by contacting the box office on Brighton 597094.
Review #1: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: January 15 issue – page 15
Reviewer: Guy Boswell
Text Header: “Wick wove a magic spell around witch”
Text: Content
CHILDREN and adults packed into the Barn Theatre, Southwick, were equally entranced by the musical fantasy The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by the Wick Theatre Company last Thursday. Enchanting visions of talking animals, witches and a flute-playing faun formed a dream-like world which every child must recognise and which was based on the book by C. S. Lewis. The eternal struggle between the forces of good and evil was fought between an ice witch and a majestic seven-foot lion.
Three children entered the magical world of Narnia through the back of a Tardis-like wardrobe. Treachery by the younger boy, Edmund, war, and resurrection by Aslan the lion [Andrew Cregeen], make up the ingredients of an excellent story.
All the actors were very lively and sang and spoke clearly. Especially impressive were Susan [Lynsey Collis] and Lucy [Trudy Nash] the younger sister, who discovered Narnia and was branded a liar when she tells her two brothers and sister. Also the brothers, Edmund [Marcus Burns] and elder brother Peter [31-year-old Ian Bishop] who were faultless with their many lines.
My favourite character was the cheeky and exuberant faun [Vic Gough], who bewitched Lucy and the audience with his flute and for his pains was turned to stone by witch [Jean Porter]. Myriads of animals and squabbling rabble members added to the colourful scenes in their dazzling costumes designed by Jenny Law. Beautiful scenes of an ice world transformed into spring were created by Jill Hutchison, Ralph Dawes and team.
Weaving the magic together was harmoniously done by a five-piece orchestra, particularly by the delicate flute of Karen Smith, under the direction of Eric Thompson.
Director Joan Bearman has also been responsible for previous Wick pantomimes and she maintains the high standard.
Review #1: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: January ? issue – page ?
Text Header: These were our panto bloomers
Text: Content
A RECENT pantomime review in the Adur Herald, of the Lion, Witch and The Wardrobe by the Wick Theatre Company wrongly said the part of the faun was played by Vic Gough.
The faun was played by Gary Brighton while Vc Gough played Mr Beaver.
