The Clinton County Youth Theatre and the Friends of the Frankfort Public Library are proud to announce our Winter 2020 play, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe dramatized by Joseph Robinette from the story by C.S. Lewis. The production is directed by Anthony Bacon and will be held in Skanta Theatre at the Frankfort Community Public Library Thurs.-Sat., Jan 9-11 at 7:00 p.m. There will also be a matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $7.00 and are available for purchase at the Circulation Desk.
Growing up in Ireland C.S. Lewis, Clive Stapleton Lewis, enjoyed listening to fantastic stories of mystical creatures and hiding in a wardrobe with his brother imagining new worlds. As an adolescent, Lewis was educated at various schools, both public and private, but he did not find his true love of education until attending University College at Oxford. His time there was interrupted by World War 1, in which he served and was injured. Upon graduating, Lewis became a teacher, writer, philosopher, friend, and, husband.
One of the most interesting elements of Lewis’s life was the inspiration and influence he gained while working with other writers like J.R.R. Tolkien (author The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings), Charles Williams, and Owen Barfield. Meeting at local pubs these creative authors, who became known as The Inklings, read their stories aloud, offered suggestions and sometimes criticism of each other’s work.
Lewis reportedly said that, “The Lion all began with a picture of a Faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood. This picture had been in my mind since I was about sixteen. Then one day, when I was about forty, I said to myself: ‘Let’s try to make a story about it”(Woodall). Meanwhile Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter are likely inspired by children who visited his home during air raids in London. Do you think the professor who appears at the beginning and end of story might have been inspired by Lewis himself?
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is now considered one of the most important books in all of Children’s literature. It is one of the top 10 best-selling books of all time (Wray) Meanwhile adaptations for stage (as CCYT will be performing) and film abound.
Looking to read more about C.S. Lewis or to prepare for the play by reading the series? The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe book, audiobook, e-Book, e-Audiobook, and film are available for check-out at FCPL!
Sources
“C.S. Lewis biography”. Biography Online.
“The Life of C.S. Lewis Timeline”
Woodall, R. “A visit to the Oxford home of CS Lewis set me on a magical journey back to his childhood days in Ultser.. the true source of Narnia;”. (2017) Belfast Telegraph. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Independent News and Media Ltd.
Wray, J. (2016). “The 10 best-selling books of all time”. Monsters and Critics.
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