Best Narnia Stage Production Yet
Last week I traveled from Colorado Springs to Greensville, South Carolina to see Prince Caspian at The Logos Theatre. I am pleased to say that it was worth a journey of 1,600 miles. This is not only the best Narnia stage production, but one among the best shows I have ever seen. The show has brought to life the world of Narnia out of passion for the books and understanding of the source material. If you didn’t like the film, this is the version of Prince Caspian you wish was made into a movie.
When Academy of the Arts decided to adapt Prince Caspian to the stage it was the first time any professional theatre company had ever attempted this show. The script was personally vetted by C.S. Lewis’s stepson Douglas Gresham and a special video introduction from him is used to open the performance. It is remarkable how closely the script sticks to the book and includes all key story points. The play is the perfect length and rivets the audience’s attention from beginning to end. Some of the original scenes also enhance the story including introducing unique opening sequence and developing the relationship between Prince Caspian and his nurse.
One thing that the Academy of Arts pulled off was making the show spectacular and creatively accomplishing impressive special effects. The way that the children enter and leave Narnia is very memorable as are the puppetry for Aslan and Prince Caspian’s horse Destrier (comparable to the West End’s War Horse). There were limitations in a small stage with minimal sets, but I was impressed with how creative use of a turntable was able to make these simple scenic elements create the illusion that the children were traveling across a larger world. The feel of the show was very cinematic and although it was not a musical, movie soundtrack style music drove the action in many scenes.
The whole cast performed wonderfully and I was especially touched by young Caspian and his nurse. The only characters that did not meet my expectations were Reepicheep and the voice of Aslan. It will be difficult for anything on stage to match the memorable and courageous presence of Reepicheep from his portals on film. It also took me a while to get used to how different Aslan’s voice sounded, but the overall performance of Aslan was excellent. His dialogue and stage presence brought to life His return of Narnia with spectacular power and might. The storytelling approach followed the events of Aslan and the girls taking place in parallel to the climactic battle. All of this stirred my excitement for a climax with both the return of the trees and an action packed battle fought with real swords and armor.
If you are able to travel to Greensville, South Carolina to see Prince Caspian in its third and final run you will not regret the journey. The show will run from now through April 23 in the Logos Theatre and then will be followed by The Horse and His Boy premiering in March 2019. From my time with the creative team I have come to appreciate their love and enthusiasm for both C.S. Lewis and theatre which make this show particularly stunning. I look forward to seeing the way that The Academy of Arts will take on more Narnia stories. If they are are able to improve upon this level of excellence, their project of building The C.S. Lewis Memorial Theatre will truly be a destination for Narnia Fans.
Trailer
Initial Reaction
#PrinceCaspian2018 is not just the best Narnia theatre I have seen, but among the best theatre I have seen. pic.twitter.com/9Ek5lua8hg
— David Sutton (@Narniaexpert) February 25, 2018
If you don’t like the movie, this is the version of Prince Caspian that you wish was made into film. #LogosTheatre #PrinceCaspain2018
— David Sutton (@Narniaexpert) February 25, 2018
