On December 5, 11, and 13, RAAC is bringing the magic of C.S. Lewis’ classic tale, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to the stage at Rappahannock County High School as part of its RAAC on Tour series while our usual home, the Little Washington Theatre, is undergoing renovations.

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About the Play
In our modern world full of stories of fantasy, science fiction, alternative universes, and super heroes, C S Lewis’ 1950 novel The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe holds a remarkable presence in the imaginations of young people and even adults. When RAAC held auditions for its December production of a stage adaption of the book, we had a record number of auditioners, including those traveling from beyond our usual catchment areas.

Of the seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia, this one was the first published and remains the best beloved. Lewis wrote in the introduction that it was created for his goddaughter, acknowledging that she may have aged out of reading young adult fantasy during its longer than expected creation, but in hopes that she would read it to her children and possibly pick it up again later in life.

Lewis had tolerated his fellow Oxford don’s mockery for his interest in fantastical stories for children but came into his own after accepting a post at Cambridge. His own life as a scholar is perhaps best known for his authorship of multiple works of Christian “apologetics” and wrestling with the problem of suffering. During WWII, the BBC commissioned him to create weekly broadcasts to inspire and encourage the British populace as it suffered destruction, loss of its sons in foreign fields, and the deprivations of total war. Lion Witch and Wardrobe begins with the four children who are the focus of the story being sent away from the German blitz of London to stay in an old estate further north. Possibly one and half million English children were relocated from urban areas during the conflict.

In the old house, the children discover a door to another world. No multiverses or string-theory hard science is involved in these tales by a literature professor, similarly to those of his friend and colleague JRR Tolkein. This is magic. The religious overtones are unavoidable, with the noble talking lion allowing himself to be sacrificed for an innocent, but families of all faiths have enjoyed the story. In fact, Lewis’ theosophy is nearly heretical in his own tradition, postulating contending forces of good and evil.

The excitement and appeal of the story has infected not only the cast of this production; a much enlarged RAAC crew and family members are working long hours with creative enthusiasm to assure a holiday show like no other in our strong tradition. Come visit us in Narnia and experience the wonder, an adventure of a lifetime, and a lot of fun.

Shows will be Saturday, December 5 (3 pm), Friday, December 11 (7 pm) and Sunday, December 13 (3 pm). Tickets ($20 for adults, $5 for children 18 and under).

Click here to purchase tickets.