Ages 8 & up

Written by C.S. Lewis - Performed by full cast - Dramatized Fiction - 2 CASSETTES - 2.5 hours

Publisher, Focus on the Family Publishing (September 1999)

The printed version of this title was selected by The New York Review of Books' "Reader's Catalog" as one of the 40,000+ Best Books in Print!

First published in 1955, The Magician’s Nephew was the sixth of the seven Chronicles of Narnia, but author C.S.. Lewis insisted that it should be the first book read. His reason was simple: the story of The Magician’s Nephew is the Genesis of the world of Narnia. And just like that beginning from the Bible, Lewis tells a wondrous story of creation and beauty, corruption and betrayal, hope and healing. Obviously, Lewis was no sentimentalist when it came to stories for children. His fantasies weren’t light and airy, but contained the struggles of life itself.

One reason for this edge of reality is that The Magician’s Nephew was, in some ways, the most personal of the seven stories. Here alone do we find clear reflections of Lewis’ own childhood. There is the attic filled with secrets and discoveries, just like the attic Lewis and his brother played in. There is an escape into a newly created world, just like "Boxen," the land young Lewis had created. But, most poignantly, there is Digory’s desperation to find a cure for his sick mother, just like the yearning Lewis himself must have felt over his own mother’s illness. She died of cancer when he was only 10 years old.

There is a lot more that could be said about The Magician’s Nephew. Readers, critics and writers have been studying it for years to understand the magic of its straightforward style and seemingly simplistic plot. Scholars and theologians have also analyzed it for its penetrating insight into the story of Creation, the Fall of Man, and the means of redemption. For now, however, we hope you enjoy The Magician’s Nephew for what it is first and foremost: a delightful story that takes us to worlds unknown, to charming creatures risen from the dust of the earth, and to a Lion who rules with strength, majesty and, most of all, love.

A faithful adaptation of the C.S. Lewis classic, this audio drama was recorded in London with some of England's finest actors. The award-winning producers utilized film-quality sound effects and scripts to create a world that will inspire your imagination.

Again and again, Lewis explored themes of unbelonging in this world, because he believed we were made for another world. To paraphrase Lewis: We long for something more than we get in this life because we are heirs to something greater. Which is why it's no surprise that Calormen lacks the "magic" of Narnia. There, Shasta and the others experience the raw and very harsh edge of life without the "magic" of a transcendent hope. There, a Great Force works under cover of night to guide our friends to their final destination. And it is only when they reach the "North" that they find their heart's true home. They have gone from unbelief to belief. And then the magic truly begins.

About the Author: Clive Staples Lewis was born on November 29, 1898 in Belfast, Ireland. The son of a lawyer, Lewis grew up surrounded by books, which he read throughout his childhood during "seemingly endless rainy afternoons." His mother died when he was a child, and Lewis spent most of his time in the company of his older brother, Warnie — with whom he played, explored and created imaginary lands and characters.

Lewis attended school, but gained a greater love of learning through a private tutor who prepared him to study for Oxford. In 1917 he took a Classical Scholarship to University College. After serving briefly in World War I, Lewis returned to Oxford, where he spent the next 30 years as English Tutor at Magdalen College. He was later a Professor of Medieval and Renaissance English Literature at Cambridge for almost ten years.

As a scholar, Lewis wrote widely published essays and texts on a variety of subjects. His greater claim to fame, however, came with the publication of The Screwtape Letters, a wry and insightful correspondence between an old devil and a younger apprentice. A series of radio broadcasts presenting a "defence" of Christianity later became the basis for his classic apologetic Mere Christianity.

The seven Chronicles of Narnia were released annually between 1950 and 1956 and instantly established themselves as classics for both children and adults.

Lewis died in November 1963.

• Paul McCusker - Adaptation/Director with additional direction by Philip Glassborow
• Mark Drury and Dave Arnold - Sound Design and Mix
• John Campbell - Music Composer and Orchestrator
• Dave Arnold - Producer
• Paul Scofield as the Storyteller—Paul Scofield is a renowned actor of stage and screen with a career that began with the Royal Shakespeare Theatre at Stratford-Upon-Avon in 1946. Since then he has become a much-loved performer in British theatre, originating such classic roles as Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons (for which he won the Academy Award for the film version) and Salieri in Amadeus. Mr. Scofield also received an Oscar nomination for his performance in the Robert Redford-directed Quiz Show and critical acclaim for Hamlet (with Mel Gibson), Henry V (with Kenneth Branagh) and The Crucible. His theatrical awards include the highly prized Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor.
• Martin Jarvis as King Lune—One of Britain's most versatile actors, Martin is also a a familiar face on American TV from series like Murder She Wrote. He has appeared in many films, notably the Oscar-winning Titanic, and the audiobook A Night to Remember was an award-winning best seller in the United States and Britain.
• David Suchet as Aslan—Perhaps best known for his definitive portrayal of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, David Suchet is a consummate actor who regularly appears on stage (Amadeus), in films (A Perfect Murder), and on television (Moses, Solomon, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Reilly: Ace of Spies). Mr. Suchet has won such prestigious honors as the Ace Award, the BAFTA Award, the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and the Critic’s Circle Award.
• Nick Burnell as Bree and Sallowpad—Nick has been in many London Theatre productions including The King and I, An Inspector Calls and Twelfth Night. He also appears regularly on TV in such popular British programs as Hancock, The Bill and London’s Burning.
• Wendy Craig as Hwin—Wendy is one of the best-loved and most-respected actresses in Britain. Her award-winning credits include such popular British TV programs as Butterflies, Nanny, and And Mother Makes Three. She appears on stage regularly and recently starred at the Cichester Festival Theatre in Easy Virtue, by Noel Coward.
• Jonny Scott as Shasta—From an early age, Jonny has loved drama, and he recently co-founded the youth theatre group Subtle Beginnings. His role as Shasta marks his Radio Theatre debut.
• Jody Peach as Aravis—Jody studied at the renowned Sylvia Young Theatre School in London. Her credits include roles in Science In Action and Lifeline for the BBC, the part of Tootles in Peter Pan, and the film Jude The Obscure.
• Douglas Gresham your host—Douglas Gresham is the son of novelists W.L. Gresham and Joy Davidman and the stepson of C.S. Lewis. His career has ranged from farming to radio and television presentation. He is now the artistic advisor to the C.S. Lewis Estate and is also a preacher, speaker and broadcaster. He and his wife, Merrie, run a nondenominational ministry from their home in Ireland. His autobiography, Lenten Lands, tells of his childhood with Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis.

• THE MULTI-VOICED TALENTS OF:
  • Robert Benfield . . . . . . . . .King Edmund
  • John Bluthal . . . . . . . . . . . .Arsheesh
  • Russell Boulter . . . . . . . . . Rabadash
  • Sally Ann Burnett . . . . . . . Queen Susan, Woman in crowd
  • Justin Butcher . . . . . . . . . . Peridan, Street Crier
  • Katy Glassborow . . . . . . . Queen Lucy
  • Michael Haughey . . . . . . . Duffle, Soldier
  • Paul Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . Tarkaan
  • Peter Jones . . . . . . . . . . . .Hermit
  • Katherine Kellgren . . . . . . Lasaraleen
  • Nathaniel Lippiett . . . . . . . Prince Corin
  • Robin Meredith . . . . . . . . . Tisroc, Rogin
  • Peter Moreton . . . . . . . . . . Darrin, Knight
  • David Oakley . . . . . . . . . . .Bricklethumb
  • Philip Sherlock . . . . . . . . . Tumnus, Lord Bar, Thornbut, Courtier

• PRODUCTION CREW:
  • Philip Glassborow Casting Director and Creative Consultant
  • Mark Drury, Dave Arnold Voice Recording Engineers Recorded at The Soundhouse, Ltd., London, United Kingdom
  • Duane Harms Voice track Editing
  • John Campbell Orchestra Conductor Orchestra Recorded and Mixed By Mike Ross. Recorded at Martinsound, Alhambra, Calif. Mixed at A to Z Studios, La Verne, Calif.
  • Kurt Bruner Executive Producer