“THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE EXHIBITION” TO PREMIERE IN ARIZONA THIS SUMMER
PHOENIX, April 18, 2008 — “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition,” a state-of-the-art entertainment and educational exhibition based on the blockbuster film series and C.S. Lewis’ beloved fictional books, will premiere June 7, 2008, at Arizona Science Center. The excitement of the story adored by all generations is now being brought to life with an exhibition that will offer visitors the opportunity to view authentic costumes, props and set dressings from the films portraying the famed literary fantasy world of Narnia. Coinciding with the opening of the new film, “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” the 10,000-square-foot educational exhibition will escort guests of all ages on a learning tour of myth, magic and adventure.
Member tickets to “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition,” which is being created and produced by The Becker Group, Inc. in association with Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, go on sale today, Friday, April 18. Tickets for the general public will go on sale Monday, April 28.
“This exhibition will bring the excitement of the films together with complementary educational aspects to create an experience that stimulates the senses and the mind,” said Glenn Tilley, president and chief executive officer of Becker Group. “We anticipate that this exhibition will captivate the nation and leave audiences with lasting memories.”
Visitors to the exhibition will view artifacts from C.S. Lewis’ personal study and experience exciting, iconic environments such as the famous attic and wardrobe that served as the portal into the Narnia adventures.
Once passing through the portal, guests will explore immersive, themed “scenes,” beginning with a wintry Narnia world, complete with falling snow and cold wind, as seen in the series’ first film, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The tour then continues through other spectacles from the films, including the White Witch’s ice palace, Cair Paravel and additional displays and environments from the upcoming films.
“We are honored to be the first institution to host ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition,’” said Chevy Humphrey, president and chief executive officer, Arizona Science Center. “The hands-on science education lessons embodied within this exhibition will offer our visitors the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the unique items used in the films and to take home a powerful message about the stewardship of the environment. We know this exhibition will engage people of all ages by bridging entertainment with education.
Incorporating the movies’ original props with newly created interactive elements, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition” will allow visitors to enter three-dimensional settings that combine both fantasy and reality.
Brought to life for the first time, the exhibition will include several interactive elements, including:
• A replica of the Witch’s Throne that will bring the film to life in a unique sensory experience where visitors will have the opportunity to sit on the iconic, icy throne and feel the chill. A nearby display will describe the impact of climate change on our planet and investigate whether our planet could be frozen
for 100 years like the world of Narnia.
• An area featuring King Miraz’ Castle from the upcoming film, “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” where visitors will have the opportunity to build an arch, learning about the architectural structure and strategy involved in the design. Starting from the ground up, visitors will place pieces of the arch in their correct positions, complete the structure by putting the keystone at the top, and finally, step back to marvel at the architectural wonder.
• An area highlighting conflicts in Narnia that will feature an authentic chain-mail suit that can be touched and lifted with the assistance of a museum attendant. Visitors will be invited to hold the chain-mail armor, feeling the tremendous weight and imagining what it would have been like to fight in the suit. This element will be located in the area of the exhibition that features suits of armor worn in the “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” film.
First published in 1950, more than 100 million copies of “The Chronicles of Narnia” series have been sold in more than 48 languages. The series’ first big-screen adaptation, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” grossed more than $745 million worldwide. Since the book series has long been a regarded source of reading inspiration that merges fantasy and historic knowledge, a special teacher’s guide that includes information on weather and climate will be available to academic communities in each of the
exhibition’s touring cities.
For venue sales: (800) 777-9627 or for more information about the exhibition: narniaexhibition.com
© DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC. and WALDEN MEDIA, LLC. All rights reserved. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, NARNIA, and all book titles, characters and locales original thereto are trademarks of C.S. Lewis Pte Ltd. and are used with permission.
The licensed contents of this Exhibition is on loan from Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, LLC.