With its new production, “The Horse and His Boy,” the family-friendly Christian-oriented theater company Trumpets shows it can still evoke a sense of grandness and majesty in a production of smaller scale compared to its earlier lavish, fantasy-based musicals such as “The Bluebird of Happiness” and “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
In “The Horse and His Boy,” running until Nov. 22 at the Meralco Theater under Jaime del Mundo’s direction, the song numbers are not as plentiful, but they are still poignant and moving, transforming into landmark moments that advance the plot and the characters’ development.
The imaginative shadow play, advanced form of puppetry and kaleidoscope of colors that create a whole new universe different from ours are jaw-dropping. And despite the production not having “a cast of thousands,” the ensemble’s enthusiastic performance projects a sprawling sense of scale.
Compelling script
What ultimately ties all these into a winning whole is the compelling script by Luna Griño-Inocian, based on the book by C.S. Lewis. Even those who have not entered the world of Narnia, where this story takes place, can easily find their moorings and latch on to the unfolding tale.
Inocian wisely gives the audience just enough information to enjoy the ride without burdening them with a tedious back story. The sharp, witty dialogue lets younger viewers—to whom this show is obviously pitched—know what is going on, but strikes a balance by letting a sense of mystery linger in the plotline, like a friendly mist about to unveil some kind of wonder as dawn breaks.
That prevailing sense of wonder is the key to any fantasy story, and Del Mundo’s able direction keeps it alive by going to the heart of the story beyond the traditional use of magic as a device to keep the audience hooked.
Familiar characters
“The Horse and His Boy” is a sequel of sorts, or perhaps a parallel plot, to the post-“Lion” Narnia universe. Familiar characters like King Edmund (George Schulze), Queen Susan (Justine Peña) and Tumnus (Nic Campos) keep that connection alive, but the focus of the story is now on a commoner, the orphan boy Shasta (Reb Atadero) who runs from an unhappy home to try to find a happier life and his destiny. His companions in this quest are his friend Aravis (Cara Barredo), who herself is running from enforced marriage, and their talking horses Bree (Joel Trinidad) and Hwin (Jill Peña).
In their journey, Shasta and his friends are caught in an impending war, end up on a harrowing ride through a desert guarded by an evil spirit, and spend a terrifying night in a cave crawling with jackals and other beasts. At one point, Shasta cries out in despair and asks why all these misfortunes are happening to him.
In such soul-testing moments, the themes of friendship, love, compassion and truth run as the undercurrents of the plot. Shasta, Aravis, Bree and Hwin go through their ordeals, and come out stronger as individuals (or animals) and as allies and friends. They also encounter other powerful figures from both sides of the divide—good and evil—that force them to make fateful choices in their lives.
Ambitious storytelling
The villain in this piece is more human than magical—Mako Alonso’s spoiled but sinister prince Rabadash— yet that somehow increases what’s at stake in the war between his kingdom and Narnia. The creative team does not make the threat graphic; this remains a child-friendly play. But the image of kingdoms being razed to the ground is not easily forgotten.
When good does triumph over evil, Shasta and Aravis finally are able to make sense of their destinies with the help of the good rulers of Narnia and their protector, the lion Aslan (Jeremy Domingo). Lessons are learned, loose ends are tied up, and Shasta discovers that he has an origin and purpose far greater than he had ever imagined.
Inocian’s script deftly articulates this rich, ambitious storytelling without an ounce of heavy preaching, making “The Horse and His Boy” one engrossing, intelligent ride that prompts self-reflection while also packing on the thrilling entertainment. May its journey continue for a long time.
Trumpets’ “The Horse and His Boy” runs until Nov. 22 at Meralco Theater, Pasig City. Call 9014364 or TicketWorld 8919999, or visit ticketworld.com.ph. Like on Facebook (HHBbyTrumpets).
