Entry Four - Children's Scenes and Act One

The first part of today’s rehearsal focussed on the scenes involving the four Pevensie children, and for the first time we were able to practice these scenes in full costume. Since we are playing characters who are much younger than we are, it helps a lot to dress appropriately, and in a style that befits the 1940s era. The sight of me in a blue sweater-vest, big shorts, long socks and school blazer certainly amused the rest of the cast as they arrived during the session. I am feeling a lot more at ease within the role; the costume helps, along with the fact that I have shaved off my beard for this production (which de-ages me by several years).

To start with we worked on the scenes where Lucy arrives in Narnia and meets with Mr Tumnus. The addition of costumes really helped to enhance the imagery, as we not only had Lucy dressed in a little dress and her hair in plaits, but also Tumnus wearing a red scarf and carrying an umbrella. The sight of the two of them walking together underneath Tumnus’ umbrella is still my favourite image of this production so far.

There is a lot at stake in this scene, especially for Tumnus, and there are several moments during his dialogue when he alludes to his higher agenda. As the scene ensues he struggles more with the moral dilemma he is facing, because he has found a true friend in Lucy (beforehand the notion of Sons of Adam or Daughters of Eve were mythological concepts and nothing more) and he feels reluctant to give her over to the White Witch. He also has self-preservation to consider, as his own life is at risk if he allows Lucy to walk free. There is a lot taking place during this relatively short scene, and Tumnus represents on a smaller scale the threat of something much greater which will eventually come into play. At this point Lucy is rather naïve to the magnitude of Tumnus’ dilemma, but later on she holds herself accountable for what happens to her friend.

 

We then worked on all of the scenes involving the children which take place outside of Narnia, in the Professor’s house. Starting from the opening scene in which the children make their journey to the countryside by train, and Edmund asserts his rebellious nature, much to the chagrin of his other siblings. Edmund continues to act out in the following scene by smirking and struggling not to laugh at Mrs Macready and the Professor. Edmund is probably the most established of the four siblings in these earlier scenes; Peter and Susan are assuming parental responsibilities, and Lucy is feeling nervous about being away from home (though she will find her sense of adventure soon enough).

We worked on the scenes when the children explore the house which leads to the discovery of the Wardrobe, and then jumped past the scenes in Narnia, continuing from the moment when Lucy comes back out of Narnia. This way we were able to experience the events in real-time, the way they seem for the other siblings, making Lucy’s lively outburst seem even more unusual.

We did a character workshop for about an hour where we contemplated the status of our characters, and the ways in which they present themselves and the way they move. We also imitated the movements of various animals to see which creatures most closely represent our own characters.

We carried out a full run through of Act One to end the session, which was rough, but very satisfying. It is a good indication that the show will be ready in two weeks, that we were able to make it through the whole first act without everything falling apart. The first half does have a very different feel to the second, as it focusses more intimately on characters, whilst the second is more of an ensemble based story which is more about Narnia and its inhabitants.

Quotes of the day: (The joys of forgetting lines)

Edmund: (To Mr Beaver) If it comes to talking about sides, how do we know you’re on the up and up?

Lucy: But what about Mr Tumnus, where is he? / Mr Beaver: I dunno!