The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has been one of our favorite stories for many years. When we first started to create shows with the Chameleon group we laughed about the idea of running a project inspired by it. The story was so grand and the characters so many that it just never really seemed feasible. However, given the successful reception of The Three Musketeers and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz this year, we began to wonder if maybe it would be possible after all. It seemed completely surreal thirteen weeks ago when we finally got started on the project and even more so yesterday when we finally saw it on stage.
This term has been, without a doubt, one of the best we have ever run. We are always lucky enough to somehow work with a lovely cast, but this term they have been truly outstanding. From the first session, the amount of passion for the story which everyone brought was clear. The group were always excited and full of new ideas for the show and how to adapt the story. Even when everyone had been assigned their characters, nobody stopped giving ideas for how things could be done or how the story could be performed. They were a wonderful cast, the biggest we had ever had, and they made it such a fantastic experience for us.
It's noteworthy that because of illness, the cast hadn't actually performed the show with all of the set, props and costumes together before yesterday. The technical rehearsal was one full of excitement and plenty of nerves; however it looked good. On the Cygnet stage for the first time it finally looked like a finished performance.
Throughout the day the cast were buzzing with excited energy, eager to perform their adaptation of C.S. Lewis' story. When the time finally came; they did not disappoint. The show made the audience laugh and cheer (and boo at points...sorry White Witch). The cast went above and beyond and delivered a wonderful show. They made us very, very proud. As written earlier, this story was one we have loved for some time. To see it done such justice by our young cast was heartwarming.
It has been such a magical term overall. Our Chameleon Group has certainly reached a milestone this winter; it is not a project that we will soon forget. On the topic of milestones, this is our ninth performance with the Chameleons since the group first started. Next term we will be looking at Inuit mythologies in 'The Girl and the Fox.' The stories from this part of the world are rich and vivid, so it is sure to be an exciting term.
All that's left to say then, as we haven't said this enough, is thank you to everyone who attended the performance and supported our Chameleons. Thanks to our incredible cast, the Cygnet theatre and the Exeter University Drama department for having us. Here's to the next adventure, and the next and the next and the next. Merry Christmas to all. See you in 2019.
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