‘Chronicles Of Narnia’ Epic Takes The Stage This Week In Washington, D.C.

After 16 years of producing well-received original plays and adapted plays in South Carolina, a South Carolina-based theatre troupe is now bringing C.S. Lewis’ fantasy epic “The Horse and His Boy” To the World Stage Theater at the Museum of the Bible Washington, D.C. The show premieres on FridayThis is the first of 41 performances scheduled to run through March 3rd. 

This is a fan favorite and largely a standalone story. “The Chronicles of Narnia,” some readers may be skeptical that this sweeping hero’s journey — with two horses and the Great Lion, Aslan, in significant roles — can work as a live performance. But the 48-member Logos Theatre troupe isn’t doing it halfway, having created massive puppets for these unique animal roles, each requiring three performers. 

“It brings a lot of excitement to the stage, seeing live puppeteers bring these horses to life,” Nicole Stratton, the director, stated this in an interview. Complex puppets are made from fiberglass, aluminum and various other materials. They also make use of 3D printer technology. This play continues to build on the innovations that have been introduced to Broadway shows in recent years, such as “War Horse” And “The Lion King.” 

Logos Theatre productions are often criticized by local critics. “engrossing” And “incredible,” The source is where the team cares most. 

Douglas Gresham, 77 years old, stepson of C.S. Lewis, a key figure within the Lewis estate and a co-worker with Stratton during the first stage plan in 2019. “The Horse and His Boy.” It’s a novel that Lewis dedicated to Gresham and his brother. (“No pressure, right?” Stratton. 

Gresham travelled to Taylors, South Carolina to see the show. “I never lost attention for a split second,” Gresham said this in a post-show interview online. “There are so many little bits and pieces that I loved [that] I was concentrating on the whole thing.” 

How will it perform in Washington? The theater scene is well-known for its almost 70 venues and troupes performing live in every season. However, it has struggled to recover since Covid-related restrictions were removed. 

A museum representative sounds hopeful. “Nearly three years after the pandemic first shuttered performance venues across D.C., Museum of the Bible is thrilled to be bringing live theater back,” Charlotte Clay, director marketing and communications, released a statement. 

Fantasy Dramas Speak to Current Issues

In this story, Shasta (an orphan boy) and Bree (a war horse), attempt to escape slavery and travel through the night. “to Narnia and the north.” It’s the only one of Lewis’ Narnia stories to begin without modern-day characters entering the fabled land. 

Soon, another talking Narnian horse, Hwin, and teenage princess, Aravis — who is fleeing days prior to her arranged marriage to a man decades older — happen upon Shasta and Bree. The four become an unlikely caravan during the three-hour drama, with the two children’s conflict evolving as the story progresses. 

Liliana Groth (15 years old), plays Aravis. “Well, I have younger brothers, so I am