Narnia Fans

The Voice of Aslan is David Suchet for the new LWW Stage Production

Paul Martin — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:23:55 +0000

Threesixty has announced who will provide the voice of Aslan in the new stage production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in Kensington Gardens.

The voice of Aslan in Focus on the Family’s radio dramatization of The Chronicles of Narnia, Davide Suchet, returns to the role.

Meet the voice of Aslan and read the full press release here:

This is London

https://www.facebook.com/#!/TheChroniclesofNarnia

Chi Rho in LOTRO: Tolkien’s Foundation of Faith

Minstrel — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 20:12:58 +0000

“There on a sudden did my heart perceive

That they who sang about the Eve,

Who answered the bright-shining stars

With gleaming music of their strange guitars,

These were His wandering happy sons

Encamped upon those aery leas

Where Gods’ unsullied garment runs

In glory down to his mighty knees.”

- J.R.R Tolkien, from Habbanan beneath the Stars

Sometime in the beleaguered days of 1915, J.R.R. Tolkien sought refuge from military movements, and likely pining for aery leas, he penned the words above. This poem gives us an early glimpse of the artist laying down the supporting stones for his vast legendarium. While the canvas is still largely bare, we can see the foundational elements being mixed together; faith and fairyland, hope and hidden fire.

It is generally agreed upon by scholars and fans that Tolkien’s sub-creative imagination was fired by his faith; indeed Tolkien himself said that “The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work…” While Tolkien disliked direct allegory or art that attempted to preach, he was very fond of using tried and precious stones in the foundation of his mosaic that might seem obvious to those who have eyes to see them individually. These old stones that were so essential to Tolkien’s inspiration were laid and even hidden within the tale so as not to obscure or become stumbling blocks to the greater story.

While Tolkien enjoyed embedding his faith within the tale itself, too often today, we see the total sand blasting and intentional removal of faith from modern interpretations of classic literature. Some of the modern film interpretations of Beowulf for instance, are a clear example of this removal of the foundation stones. Political correctness and plain old fear have robbed us of enjoying these classics in their original context, when they could be celebrated by the magic of modern media.

With the removal of the foundations of faith (of all kinds) so prominent in our society today, I was more than heartened and surprised to find a hidden gem within Lord of the Rings Online. Could it be that one producer got it right, and like Tolkien himself, hid a foundation stone within the secondary world; this one through modern media magic? Is there a subtle and heartfelt personal nod to the Author in the virtual Eriador? Watch the video below and judge for yourself:

There on the foundation stones of the bridge spanning the river Lhûn are unmistakable and clear “Chi Rho” symbols inscribed. The Chi Rho, a symbol for Christ is one of the oldest Christograms. It is comprised of the superimposed Greek letters chi (Χ) and rho (Ρ), which are the first two letters of Christ in Greek.

: Reconstruction of Chi-Rho fresco from Roman villa at Lullingstone, including Alpha and Omega.

The Chi Rho in LOTRO, is a later version, like the ancient one above, which even includes the Alpha & Omega symbols; a reference to Revelation 1:8,

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

The fact that an unknown Dwarven stone artisan put this seal on the foundation stones of the bridge leading to Duillond immediately calls to mind another famous verse;

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 3:11

How does this seemingly out of place “real life” symbol play into the story of Lord of the Rings? One will have to use their sub-creative imagination to fill in the gaps. Perhaps it is a hidden allusion to the prophecy discussed in the debate of Finrod and Andreth; the author entering Arda Himself to heal it’s hurts? Whatever the reason (even accidental) for the Chi Rho appearing in LOTRO, it is a fitting tribute to the author and his view of Creator and sub-creator.

You could easily pass over these stones and simply enjoy the tale in its telling, or you could stop and enjoy each facet and finish. What Tolkien heartily denounced was taking any one stone out of the building of the story and making it the sole focus, and thereby collapsing the tower and losing the vista which it provided.

“He is such an odd fellow! Imagine using these old stones just to build a nonsensical tower! Why did not he restore the old house? he had no sense of proportion.’ But from the top of that tower the man had been able to look out upon the sea.” J.R.R. Tolkien, Beowulf and the Critics

There is value in appreciating each stone, but only as it supports the whole. Of course, as Tolkien would agree, some of those stones are foundational support stones, you mustn’t remove them for fear of wrecking them all.

“If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?” – Psalm 11:3

The Chi Rho appears in at least two locations in LOTRO; let us leave the explorer of Eriador to find the second and perhaps other hidden gems. For now we stand upon the high bridge of Duillond, gazing out over the clear waters of the Lhûn, wondering to what grey harbour and bejewelled shore this river will take us.

-Article written by John Di Bartolo, one of the Founders of Middle-earth Network and the songwriter/musician behind the Lonely Mountain Band

Middle-Earth Network Partners with Narnia Fans

Paul Martin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 02:01:43 +0000

Middle-earth Network is proud to announce that it is partnering with NarniaFans.com, the largest source of C.S. Lewis and Narnia content on the web! This partnership, announced first on TFI Episode 27, will definitively make the Middle-earth Network the largest network of all things High Fantasy and Sci-fi! In the partnership, Middle-earth Network will begin to host the Narnia Fans website, as well as collaborate on a podcast, which will be heard on Middle-earth Network Radio.

Mark Ostley, Director of Operations for Middle-earth Network on the partnership: “We’re excited about partnering with NarniaFans and this just officially cements an already awesome relationship and friendship with the people behind the largest Narnia website on the internet. We’ve been working behind the scenes on several projects already, such as a podcast, and making it official just made sense.”

Paul Martin, Founder and Webmaster for NarniaFans.com on TFI last week: “Joining with Middle-earth Network is logical. They already are the dominant force as a network of sites on the internet. They’re actually doing what others have tried to do, and the philosophy of working together to deliver better content and information is one that we both agree on. The fact that we’re friends who have an excellent working relationship makes it that much easier.”

NarniaFans.com will not only bolster an already rabid C.S. Lewis fanbase here at Middle-earth Network, but they will also continue to run the Chronicles of Narnia Fan Page on Facebook, which has over 5.5 million likes! This increased web presence will enable both parties to continue to put out the best content for High Fantasy and Sci-Fi fans everywhere.

Stay tuned to NarniaFans.com and Middle-earth News as more information regarding this partnership become available! And don’t forget to sign up for the Long Expected Journey to New Zealand! If you do, tell them that NarniaFans.com sent you!

Touring Schedule for The Screwtape Letters Stage Production

David Sutton — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 03:48:12 +0000

Last year NarniaFans got a chance to see the impressive Screwtape Letters Stage show and interview the starring actor Max McLean. Here is the updated list of cities that the show will be visiting. Click the Save to Foursquare button to add the show to your Foursquare To-Do list and follow NarniaFans to check into Narnia and C.S. Lewis locations on FourSquare.

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Center for The Arts (CFA) (Buffalo, NY)

The stage production of The Screwtape Letters will perform here on Saturday April 14, 2012 at 4PM and 8PM.

TPAC – Tennessee Performing Arts Center (Nashville, TN)

The Stage Adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters will perform here on Friday, April 27, 2012 at 8pm and Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 4pm & 8pm.

Wells Theatre (Norfolk, VA)

The stage production of The Screwtape Letters will be performing here May 1 – 6, Tues. at 7pm, Wed.–Fri. at 8pm, Sat. at 4pm & 8pm, Sun. at 2pm. It is presented by the 2012 Virginia Arts Festival.

Paramount Theatre (Chicago, IL)

The Screwtape Letters stage production will perform here Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 4pm & 8pm.

Alliance Theatre (Atlanta, GA)

The stage adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape letters will perform here June 7-10 & 14-17, Thu-Sat. 8pm, Sat. 4pm, Sun. 3pm.

DeVos Performance Hall (Grand Rapids, MI)

The stage production of The Screwtape Letters will perform here on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 4pm & 8pm.

Knight Theater (Charlotte, NC)

The Stage Adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters will perform here on Fri. June 29, 2012 at 8pm, Sat. June 30, 2012 at 4pm & 8pm.

Barclay Theater (Los Angeles, CA)

The stage adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters will perform here from July 12-15, 2012. Thu. – Sat. 8pm, Sat. 4pm & Sun. 3pm

Wortham Theater Center- Cullen Theater (Houston, TX)

The stage production of C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters will perform here on Fri. Aug. 10, 2012 at 8pm and Sat. Aug. 11, 2012 at 4pm & 8pm.

Pabst Theater (Milwaukee, WI)

The stage production of C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters will perform here on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 4:00 pm & 8:00 pm.

PlayhouseSquare (Cleveland, OH)

The stage production of C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters will perform here on Fri. Oct. 12, 2012 at 8pm and Sat. Oct. 13, 2012 at 4pm & 8pm.

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Philadelphia, PA)

The stage adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters will perform here on Friday, October 19, 2012 at 8pm and Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 4pm & 8pm.

Straz Center for the Performing Arts (Tampa, FL)

The stage production of C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters will perform here on Sat. Oct. 27, 2012 at 4pm & 8pm and Sun. Oct. 28, 2012 at 3pm.

To learn more about this production visit www.screwtapeonstage.com

Random Posts

Twitter News: @OfficialNarnia is coming back!

Paul Martin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:51:34 +0000

HarperCollins has now taken over the @OfficialNarnia handle on Twitter and will begin tweeting this Sunday (4/8)!

@OfficialNarnia will tweet a daily quote from The Chronicles of Narnia along with news and offers from world of Narnia.

Follow @OfficialNarnia and get a sneak peek at the new profile page design before it goes live!
Follow @OfficialNarnia

And be sure to follow us as well:
Follow @NarniaFans

A Letter from C.S. Lewis on Writing

Paul Martin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 02:44:08 +0000

C.S. Lewis was one of the greatest writers of the 20th Century. Lewis wrote many letters to fans, and many of those have been collected in books. One such letter was advice about writing. Now more than ever I believe that Lewis and I share a very similar view of writing. Needless to say, I was well pleased by Lewis’ letter to Joan, as you can see here. I’ve put some very important parts of it in bold. Do listen to your teachers to help build a foundation for your writing, but after that, adapt. Your personality will shine through fine if you know simple rules for writing.

The Kilns,
Headington Quarry,
Oxford
26 June 1956

Dear Joan–

Thanks for your letter of the 3rd. You describe your Wonderful Night v. well. That is, you describe the place and the people and the night and the feeling of it all, very well — but not the thing itself — the setting but not the jewel. And no wonder! Wordsworth often does just the same. His Prelude (you’re bound to read it about 10 years hence. Don’t try it now, or you’ll only spoil it for later reading) is full of moments in which everything except the thing itself is described. If you become a writer you’ll be trying to describe the thing all your life: and lucky if, out of dozens of books, one or two sentences, just for a moment, come near to getting it across.

About amn’t I, aren’t I and am I not, of course there are no right or wrong answers about language in the sense in which there are right and wrong answers in Arithmetic. “Good English” is whatever educated people talk; so that what is good in one place or time would not be so in another. Amn’t I was good 50 years ago in the North of Ireland where I was brought up, but bad in Southern England. Aren’t I would have been hideously bad in Ireland but very good in England. And of course I just don’t know which (if either) is good in modern Florida. Don’t take any notice of teachers and textbooks in such matters. Nor of logic. It is good to say “more than one passenger was hurt,” although more than one equals at least two and therefore logically the verb ought to be plural were not singular was!

What really matters is:–

1. Always try to use the language so as to make quite clear what you mean and make sure your sentence couldn’t mean anything else.

2. Always prefer the plain direct word to the long, vague one. Don’t implement promises, but keep them.

3. Never use abstract nouns when concrete ones will do. If you mean “More people died” don’t say “Mortality rose.”

4. In writing. Don’t use adjectives which merely tell us how you want us to feel about the thing you are describing. I mean, instead of telling us a thing was “terrible,” describe it so that we’ll be terrified. Don’t say it was “delightful”; make us say “delightful” when we’ve read the description. You see, all those words (horrifying, wonderful, hideous, exquisite) are only like saying to your readers, “Please will you do my job for me.”

5. Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say “infinitely” when you mean “very”; otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.

Thanks for the photos. You and Aslan both look v. well. I hope you’ll like your new home.

With love
yours
C.S. Lewis

via Letters of Note and C.S. Lewis’ Letters to Children

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition will be at Sydney, Australia’s Powerhouse Museum from May 12

Paul Martin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:01:45 +0000

If you’ve been wondering where the Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition was going to turn up next, after its’ North American tour, wonder no longer. Many fans in Australia had been wondering if they’d get the chance to see the Exhibition. Afterall, they did some filming there for the films. The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Exhibition opens next month at Sydney, Australia’s Powerhouse Museum.

The Narnia exhibition will feature costumes, props and set dressings from the three films.

The original books by C.S. Lewis – telling the adventures of Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter, who find a secret door in the back of a wardrobe to the magical world of Narnia – have been favorites since their publication in the 1950s.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition opens at The Powerhouse Museum on May 12 and will run until August 26.

Announcing a Trip to New Zealand, to tour Narnia and Middle-Earth!

Paul Martin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:13:22 +0000

Ever dream of walking the paths of Middle-earth or stepping through the wardrobe into Narnia? Here’s your chance!

Middle-earth Network has announced their grand tour, ‘A Long Expected Journey to New Zealand’ and it’s just in time for ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ Wellington Premiere! Join together with fellow Tolkien and Lewis fans on a 14 day tour that will take you on an extensive journey through both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

We’re teaming with them on this, and if you sign up, be sure to tell them that NarniaFans.com sent you. Part of the tour will be to locations used for the filming of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and there may be some special guests joining us at times!

This trip of a lifetime has been meticulously put together by Ian Brodie, world renown photographer and author of the award winning ‘Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook’ as well as ‘Cameras in Narnia.’

Trip highlights include a welcome group dinner in Auckland, touring the Waitomo Caves, a specially guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set, a Hangi dinner in Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, Wellington & Weta Cave and more! Famous filming locations such as Hobbiton, Amon Hen, Ithilien, The Emyn Muil, Embassy Theatre, Mordor, The Pelennor Fields, Aslan’s Camp, Rohan, Edoras, Narnia in Spring, Isengard and Rivendell.

Further information such as dates, pricing, security deposits, and itinerary can be found on the tour’s official website, longexpectedjourney.com.

C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy now available in ebook Format for the First Time!

Paul Martin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 05:11:48 +0000

C.S. Lewis may be more famous for writing The Chronicles of Narnia, but his Space Trilogy is probably a close second among his works of fiction. Today, HarperCollins is releasing the books in ebook format for the first time. It’s the first time that HarperCollins is publishing the books in the U.S., as they’ve been published by Scribner until now.

Order The Space Trilogy for your Kindle:

Book 1: Out of the Silent Planet | Book 2: Perelandra | Book 3: That Hideous Strength

Press Release follows:

HarperOne, in collaboration with the estate of C. S. Lewis, announces the first English language E-book release of his three classic “Space Trilogy” titles–Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength.

Standing alongside such classics as George Orwell’s 1984 and J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, the Space Trilogy follows the brilliant Dr. Elwin Ransom–a character modeled after none other than Tolkien himself–as he wages war against the powers of evil in universes familiar and unknown. Confronted by dark forces who threaten to destroy “The Silent Planet,” Ransom must travel throughout the galaxy in order to save his home, once known simply as “Earth.”

Including enchanting new worlds, an enthralling cast of characters, and an epic battle of good vs. evil, Lewis’ Space Trilogy is available electronically in English for the first time, offering a new venue for Sci-Fi lovers and Narnia fans to explore this timeless adventure series.

“The Space Trilogy books are longtime fan favorites,” says Mark Tauber, SVP and Publisher of HarperOne. “We hope, in bringing these books out electronically, that fans and newcomers alike will be drawn into this remarkable world that only C. S. Lewis could create.”

Out of the Silent Planet (E-Book; April 3; ISBN 9780062197030), the first title in this extraordinary series, introduces readers to Dr. Elwin Ransom, a Cambridge academic abducted and taken by spaceship to the red planet of Malacandra, or Mars. While plotting to evade his captors–who plan to plunder the planet’s treasures and offer Ransom as a sacrifice to the creatures who live there–he discovers he hails from the ‘Silent Planet,’ or Earth, whose tragic story is known throughout the universe.

The second novel, Perelandra (E-Book; April 3; ISBN 9780062196934), describes Dr. Ransom’s voyage to the paradise planet of Perelandra, or Venus, which turns out to be a beautiful Eden-like world. Horrified to find his old enemy there as well, Ransom engages in a desperate struggle to save the innocence of Perelandra.

That Hideous Strength (E-Book; April 3; ISBN 9780062196941) concludes the adventures of Dr. Ransom, who faces an epic battle against dark forces preparing an assault on planet Earth. It is up to Ransom and his friends to squelch this threat by applying age-old wisdom to a new universe dominated by science. The two groups struggle to a climactic resolution that brings the Space Trilogy to a magnificent, crashing close.

About C. S. LewisClive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the 20th century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day. His major contributions in literary criticism, children’s literature, fantasy literature, and popular theology brought him international renown and acclaim. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include The Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity.

About HarperOneHarperOne, a division of HarperCollinsPublishers, strives to be the preeminent publisher of the most important books and authors across the full spectrum of religion, spirituality, and personal growth literature, adding to the wealth of the world’s wisdom by stirring the waters of reflection on the primary questions of life, while respecting all traditions.

Order The Space Trilogy for your Kindle:

Book 1: Out of the Silent Planet | Book 2: Perelandra | Book 3: That Hideous Strength

The Magician’s Nephew poster leaked online! (April Fools!)

Daniel James — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:39:36 +0000

Earlier today, we posted a story about the new partnership between the Narnia franchise and Apple Jacks cereal. Many of you noticed that the cereal box pictured in the post had a tiny image on it; yet none of us knew what the picture was of. But in the last hour, guess what happened?

Hold on to your flying horses, folks: a full-sized poster for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew has been leaked online!

You heard that right, the first poster for the The Magician’s Nephew movie is now available for public viewing! Hurry and save the image to your computer, as we may be forced to take it down soon due to copyright issues. Share it, along with this post, to all your friends on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, or even in real life ASAP!

Narnia Fans

The Voice of Aslan is David Suchet for the new LWW Stage Production

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Chi Rho in LOTRO: Tolkien’s Foundation of Faith

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Middle-Earth Network Partners with Narnia Fans

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Touring Schedule for The Screwtape Letters Stage Production

Center for The Arts (CFA) (Buffalo, NY)

TPAC – Tennessee Performing Arts Center (Nashville, TN)

Wells Theatre (Norfolk, VA)

Paramount Theatre (Chicago, IL)

Alliance Theatre (Atlanta, GA)

DeVos Performance Hall (Grand Rapids, MI)

Knight Theater (Charlotte, NC)

Barclay Theater (Los Angeles, CA)

Wortham Theater Center- Cullen Theater (Houston, TX)

Pabst Theater (Milwaukee, WI)

PlayhouseSquare (Cleveland, OH)

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Philadelphia, PA)

Straz Center for the Performing Arts (Tampa, FL)

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Twitter News: @OfficialNarnia is coming back!

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A Letter from C.S. Lewis on Writing

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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition will be at Sydney, Australia’s Powerhouse Museum from May 12

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Announcing a Trip to New Zealand, to tour Narnia and Middle-Earth!

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C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy now available in ebook Format for the First Time!

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The Magician’s Nephew poster leaked online! (April Fools!)

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