The Korea Herald

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Narnia receives the two-person treatment

By Korea Herald

Published : May 28, 2013 - 20:09

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Cut Glass Theater is bringing Narnia to the stage in Uijeongbu, Itaewon and Daejeon this week, with performances of “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” ― and a taste of Turkish delight.

Stephanie Ann Foster and Robbie Quinn have teamed up to co-direct the two-person show. Using only minimal props and a selection of hats, the two will act out the play, switching roles and using mime.

Foster said that while Cut Glass typically does theater classics they had been encouraged to put on a children’s performance by people who watched her plays, many of whom were teachers and wanted something that they could take their students to.
Lucy (Stephanie Ann Foster) shares tea with Mr. Tumnus (Robbie Quinn) in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” (Chis Backe) Lucy (Stephanie Ann Foster) shares tea with Mr. Tumnus (Robbie Quinn) in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” (Chis Backe)

“Often the classics are just too long and intellectually complicated. They are inaccessible to younger audience members,” said Foster.

She said the story meant a lot to her as a child and had a lot of interesting aspects.

“It’s a story that operates on many levels,” she said. For some people, it has a very strong spiritual message to convey. For others, it’s about holding onto the magic of childhood and carrying that into adulthood.”

Foster said that the story had seemed prohibitive until she stumbled upon this 45-minute version.

“There are so many characters in the high-fantasy of Narnia that it didn’t seem like a realistic option until I found this adaptation,” she explained.

“Not only does it make perfect sense within the context of the show to be two storytellers, but it also tours well because it is written to use very minimal set and props.”

The show is targeted at children ages 6-10, and those going will get what may be their first try of Turkish delight, the story’s iconic dessert, brought in from a Turkish bakery in Seoul.

When she talked about the play with children, they had often asked what it was. She said the mystery of it was part of the allure.

“At the time the story was written, Turkish delight would have been quite an exotic food that you could never get your hands on,” she said.

“But even if they no longer have to imagine it, it’s still quite exotic, there’s rose flavor and pistachio flavor and it looks very unusual.”

The show is on Friday at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Uijeongbu Youth Center in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province; Saturday at 1:30, 3:00 and 4:30 p.m. at Spazio Luce Restaurant and Music Hall in Itaewon, Seoul: and on Sunday at 3 and 7 p.m. at Daejeon Jung-gu Cultural Center in Daejeon. Tickets are 5,000 won.

For reservation or more information, visit Cut Glass Theater’s facebook page, or contact cutglasstheatre@gmail.com or 010-2897-7207.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)