[HPforGrownups] Off-Topic: Narnia

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 7431

> Susan McGee wrote:
>
> > Edmund..he never really redeems himself...

Amanda said:

> I'm really not trying to yank your chain, because I know this is not your
> thing, but remember that besides being a great piece of reading, this is
> also a great Christian allegory. Edmund doesn't *have* to redeem himself,
> he's the remorseful and repentant Sinner, he was redeemed by Aslan's
> sacrifice. On the face of it, though, I think Edmund does shine through,
> later on.

Last night, I saw the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of "The Lion,
The Witch and The Wardrobe" at the Sadler's Wells Theatre in London.  It
wasn't a musical, more like a play with songs.  It was a bit slow in the
first half, but took off in the second, and the White Witch was a superb
villainess, strutting around as she did in a vast un-PC white fur coat and
crystal wire crown...

Anyway, I was struck by the Christian allegory you mention above.  I had
been aware of it from reading the book, of course, but it was even more
obvious in this context: the triumph of good over evil, the slaying and
resurrection of Aslan, the temptation of forbidden fruits etc. - all played
out before your very eyes.  Edmund is redeemed somewhat by his actions in
the battle, where he is attacked by the White Witch and later revived by
Lucy's cordial; in other words, suggesting that people can be forgiven their
ill deeds, but that they may have to suffer hurt in the process. Although
the story was written from a Christian standpoint, there is a moral message
in there that even a heathen like myself can appreciate.

Another thing that struck me about this play was that it was very much
pitched at children.  There was hint of pantomime about it, and the
programme included reversible pop-out masks of "The White Witch", "Aslan",
"Mr Tumnus" and "A Leopard, as featured in the production", plus games and a
"colour in your own Aslan" page.  The audience was about 40% kids, aged 7
and above, and they seemed to love it.  Personally, I thought some of the sc
enes would have been really frightening for the younger ones.  The deaths
and fights were handled melodramatically and there was precious little light
relief (unless, like me, you find the thought of Aslan in Lycra leggings
extremely amusing).

I did sit there imagining how one of the Harry Potter stories would lend
itself well to a similar stage production - hey, how could JKR's lawyers
possibly refuse the Royal Shakespeare Company?

Neil... is trying on "The White Witch" for size.
_____________________________________

Flying-Ford-Anglia

"Ron, full of turkey and cake and with nothing
mysterious to bother him, fell asleep almost
as soon as he'd drawn the curtains of his
four-poster."

[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]