Patrons at the station theatre must have been surprised when they discovered the clock had been turned back 70 years for Hayling Island Young Actors' latest show.
They came upon a wartime atmosphere, Glenn Miller and a family torn apart by evacuation. But directors Simon Cundick and Laura Duncan pulled off a wonderful production combining HIADS resources and solid determination by the youngsters on set to tell a weird epic, originally a tale written by CS Lewis, close friend of JRR Tolkien of Hobbit fame, adapted by Glyn Robbins. Evacuees Peter,Susan,Edmund and Lucy Pevensie find themselves in a country house with housekeeper Mrs Macready, Amy Westfield, and standoffish Professor Digory Kirke, Reece Chapman.
Thoughts turn to escape , especially Lucy (splendidly played by Molly Kean and Lily Gray on their allotted nights) and she explores a capacious wardrobe. This interior turns out to be a romantic but parlous place called Narnia at the time clothed in a frost suggested on the set by acres of white snow and austeretree trunks. Rebellious Edmund tries this out too but wanders farther to be snatched by the White Witch (Madeline Spice and Isabel Hudson firmly and elegantly in control) backed up by Mr Tumnus, expansively played by Helen Thomas and undercover types, Maugrim Hollie Dancer and Ginnabrik, Peter Hewitt.
Oldest of the children was Peter, Harry Cassidy, outstandingly clean cut and suggesting James Bond potential, backed up by sister Susan played with intelligent sympathy by Libby Dunaway and Tirion Thomas on their allotted nights.
The unfathomable nature of the place was proved by the formidable stage presence of Mr and Mrs Beaver, Jordan Shortman and Ella Knight, but help was at hand in the form of Father Christmas (ME!), bearing military gifts.
The second half was bathed in summery light and White Witch et al were faced down by a mountainous bear, Aslan, Scott Hawley stentorian, cool and brave in this outfit. He actually got knifed on a sacrificial stone but revived, proving you can't keep a HIADS bear down.
Another great spectre came from Megan Hick as Giant Rumblebuffin and a host of denziens including Chloe Holden and Megan Knight as Leopards.
The fight between Peter and White Witch was grand and graphic. The fantasy was complete when the children were crowned as the new rulers of the wardrobe wonderland. Singing by Lily, Helen and Isabel was charming. Laura Duncan's cameo of worried Mrs.Pevensie was strong. Costumes were exciting. There were some complaints that the voices didn't carry but I thought they all made a great effort.
Vic Pierce-Jones
Hayling Islander