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Page 14, Whitby Free Prea, Wednesday, June 15, 1994 Youth work with pros to stage fanltasy By Erin O'Connor Tomorrow night, about 60 local youth will begin Whflitby perfor- mnances of a paý that will climax months Of hard work. The Wrhitby Courthouse Theatre youth group presen- tation of «TMe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,' from the Chronicles of Narnia by 0.S. Lewis, came about as a result of a youth theatre training program grant fromn Theatre Ontario. Funding was also made avail- able from Theatre Ontario to pay for professionals to mount the production and work with the youth. Rod Carley, 32, of Toronto, who began with the Whitby theatre group nine years ago and has since gone to direct about 50 plays, films and videos, is direct- ing the Whitby production. Carley, 'who has won two THEA awards, has been joined for the production by choreogra- pher Bob McCullum, ckôwning expert Paul Herwig, and move- ment and stage combat expert John Nelles, also under the $4,500 funding (the Courthouse theatre provides one-third of that amount) made available under two grants. .The community training grant was for workshops and the youth training rant pays for the direc- tor and êcoreographer. Whitby Courthouse Theatre president Rick Kerr said the grant was almost «unpreoeden- ted in ay community theatre in Ontario " and Theatre Ontario noted that no other cominunity group did as much for its youth. Workshops began last October for 185 students. Every other Saturday, ail-day sessions were held with various eiperts in dif- ferent aspects of theatre. 'lThe youth were keen to learn I&ow to work the backstage aspect "' says Kerr, adding they were not only taught but invol ved in the production after.» 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' was mounted to Uutil- ize as many of the learned skilîs apossible says Kerr. When auditions were held April 17, 160 people turned out for roles. "We were shocked," says Lor- raine Lloyd, Henry Street High School drama teaher and youth group coordinator who is pro- ducer of the show. And those involved with the show are «so excited about what they're doing," says Lloyd, even through "intense rehearsals" of 6 to il1p m. every day the three weeks mfore the first show. In the play, children go through a wardrobe into a land of fantasy (Narnia) where Asian, a lion, tries to free victims of the witch in the turmoil of Narnia. Lloyd satys Carley's interpre- tation of the Lewis chronicle is «very unusual» in that "hes tak- ing it (evil) right back to Hitler and the time o f the Nazis. There are lots of "ybolie props. The light pine walls and wardrobe provide a contrast to the evil characters in the play. Some of the lead roles are being played by Lori Dance, 19, of Oshawa, the Whitby theatre's senior youth group. president, who portrays the wîtch;-Travis Bickle, 17 of Oshawa, Stephanie Martin, 16, of Whitby, Adamn Hyatt, 17, of Whitby and Joanne Houston, 13, of Oshawa, as the four kids who g o through the wardrobe; David Franks, 18, of Oshawa, as the wolf, the «evil commandant» of the wýitch; Ryan Creighton, 16, of Oshawa, as AsI an. The show features much danc- ing, including ballet by Elizabeth Prosser and Amanda Pike, both of Whitby. The play will be prsented Thursday, June 16, Friday, June 17 (s'o1d out) and Saturday, June 18, and then again on ]?riday, June 24 and $aturday, June 25. Ourtain time is 7:30 p.m. for al shows, Tickets, for $6, are available at Lafontaine Trading Post in downtown Whitby. DAV/ID FRANKS (Ieft) and Julian Bail relieuse a scene from the Whitby Court- house Theatre Youth Group's production of C.S. Lewis's 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.' The play wil be presented this Thursday, Friday (sold out) and Saturday (June 16-18) and June 24 and 25. Tickets are available at Lafontaine Trading Post. Phioto by PMrk Rsew, WNIby Fros Prou Treetop kids to perform The Treetop Kfids will perform asp art of the Teddy Bear Picnic at Cullen Gardens on Saturday, June 18. The Treetop Kids' debut album, 'Sqyirmis, was recently released. e w perform at 1 P.m. Other activities mnclude the Teddy Bear Hosital sponjaored by the Whitby General Hospital Auxiliary The Treetop Iids will again perform on Sunday, June 26. 4* 11we haif PÎU1Ltd. Pub & Restaurant P Ario NO w OPEN WORLD CUP on the big screen SPWIALS JUG or Domnestic Draft plus 20 Wings $15.75 x UGor Import plus 20 wings $18.75nci. Friday, June 17th & Saturday, June l8th ENTEINMFNT ... ...CR.....................D ~