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John Voth and Rebecca DeBoer star in Pacific Theatre’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Nov. 30 to Dec. 29.
Photo by Emily Cooper
Meaningful, fun fantasy comes to Pacific Theatre
Published 11:49 PST, Thu November 29, 2018
Last Updated: 2:12 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021
Anyone familiar with C.S. Lewis’s The Lion,
the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a play, movie or book will enjoy the Christmas
show at Pacific Theatre. In fact, anyone who enjoys a good yarn, with a bit of
magic, will enjoy this show according to the ensembles’ publicist.
We were all set to do an interview with
Richmond’s Shelby Wyminga, the play’s assistant director, but the same bug,
that’s laid low half of the Sentinel office, struck suddenly. So, publicist
Julia Lank stepped in last minute to speak with us.
Pacific Theatre, under the artistic direction
of Richmond’s Ron Reed, often chooses shows with depth.
“We are a faith-based theatre company. C.S.
Lewis’s work as a central part of the Christian canon, is always a wonderful
choice for us,” Lank explained. “His work is so beautiful.”
So do you have to be Christian to enjoy this
show, to get it?
“Absolutely not,” Lank says. “I’m not
Christian. I’m Jewish and I loved Narnia as a kid. The version we do at Pacific
Theatre was the first production I saw as teenager in high school.”
The play explores good versus evil, betrayal
and forgiveness, courage, transformation, the natural world, and magic as
experienced by some bored children who hide in a free-standing closet, the
wardrobe of the title.
The wardrobe backs onto a magical world under
the spell of an evil-but-beautiful snow queen, the witch. The children explore,
learn, love and with courage work to transform this once magical kingdom back
to its former glory. To find out about the lion, you’ll just have to see this
production.
Lank goes on to describe the Pacific Theatre’s
production: “It’s a two-person play with Rebecca DeBoer and John Voth.”
As this version of the story opens, Peter and
Lucy are reminiscing, recalling their adventures in Narnia after having grown
up and gone on to other things. As they remember this magical time, Narnia
literally comes to life around them.
Director Sarah Rodgers, who brings her
creative vision to Narnia and its denizens, says: “The Lion, the Witch, and the
Wardrobe was one of my favourite books growing up. I am so thrilled to be
guiding Ron Reed's delightful adaptation with two inventive, witty, talented
actors while collaborating with Vancouver's finest designers: Lauchlin
Johnston, John Webber, Julie Casselman, and Sheila White. I feel like I have
entered a magic wardrobe myself.”
Lank adds: “And our beautiful wardrobe is
where the magic happens, literally.”
Suitable for all, Lank says, “There’s nothing
inappropriate in the play. You could bring children of any age.”
Though she says it might not hold the
interest of children under school age.
With something for adults as well, Lank says,
“It’s just a beautiful, transformative story.”
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe opens
Friday, Nov. 30 and runs through Dec. 29 at Pacific Theatre, 1440 W 12th Ave
(at Hemlock).
Tickets online or phone:
604-731-5518
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