The Magician's Nephew (In Theatrical Form)

The Magician’s Nephew (In Theater Format)

A couple of days ago, I read through a play that was based off of C.S. Lewis’ story, The Magician’s Nephew.

This story starts with a friendship between two neighbor children, named Polly and Digory. Their adventures start out quite small, they enjoy rainy afternoons just creeping through their attics. One day, when they are in Digory’s uncle’s study, something extraordinary happens. Digory’s Uncle Andrew gives Polly an enchanted ring. Andrew is a peculiar man, who is obsessed with magic. He makes rings that will transport anyone to another world. (Though he is not quite sure what that other world is like). He needs a couple “guinea pigs” to test his magic on, so he chooses two helpless little children. When Polly slides a ring on her finger and disappears, Digory is forced to go and find her.
The children find themselves in a place between the worlds. It is a wood, full of puddles, and in each puddle is a different place. All you have to do to get to another world is put on one of Uncle Andrew’s rings and step in a puddle. Digory wants to explore this unknown territory, so he and Polly choose a puddle. In the world they first visit, they awaken an evil queen. The evil Empress Jada follows them into their world, and then eventually into Narnia. All the while, this queen is destroying everything she touches and is trying to overtake all of the worlds! It is quite a scary situation.
When the children and queen go to Narnia, Aslan (the creator of all worlds) sends Digory and Polly on a mission to find an apple. This apple is said to protect the world of Narnia from this evil witch. When they come back with the fruit, Aslan rewards them by giving Digory an apple for his mother (who is on death’s bed). This apple will cure her of any disease. Finally, the children are sent home. And all is well.

I really enjoyed reading this story in a different form than the traditional book. When I was little, I read the Narnia series multiple times and I am quite familiar with C.S. Lewis’ tales. At first, I had to read the script myself, so that I would be aware of what was coming when the play was read in a group. As a group, you get different voices for each character, which really gives you a clear picture in your mind. Not as clear as a movie, or theater production, where there are props, back rounds, etc., but nonetheless it is more clear. Also, the fact that you are trying to embody a certain character when reading, helps you to see the other characters through a different perspective. For example, to Empress Jada, Polly is seen as a pain in the rear, whereas to Digory, Polly is an admirable friend.

This was a great way for me to get a new view on a very familiar story.