List $21.97

Ages 8 & up

Written by C.S. Lewis - Performed by full cast - Dramatized Fiction - 3 CASSETTES - 3 hours, 5 minutes

Publisher, Focus on the Family Publishing (March 2000)

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!

Back in the days when Peter was High King in Narnia and his brother and sisters were kings and queens under him, Shasta, a young boy with a mysterious past, overheard a plot to sell him into a life of slavery.

Deciding he must escape from his cruel master, Shasta never expects to find an ally in Bree — a war horse that talks. But together, they have an adventure that unites them with a runaway princess and her talking horse, pits them against a treacherous young prince, puts them on a dangerous journey across the desert and brings them face to face with a terrifying lion.

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

Alone and afraid, young Shasta imagines the worst ... phantoms in the tombs, lions at every turn … what terror awaits him next? Considering all he has been through so far, anything could happen.

First, there had been the remarkable news that he was not the son of the cruel fisherman, but had drifted ashore on a boat containing the body of a strange foreigner. Then there was his encounter with not one but two talking horses and a runaway princess. And the mad chase through the night by a lion. And who could explain the case of mistaken identity when visiting kings and queens from Narnia believe he is one of their own?

Certainly, something strange and mysterious is at work in Shasta's life. But what? And will it help Shasta and his companions cross the burning deserts and forsaken mountains to reach Narnia before the treacherous Prince Rabadash attacks with his army?

An enthralling audio drama, The Horse and His Boy mirrors the deep need that every heart feels: to belong ... to come home.

The Horse and His Boy was one of many stories C.S. Lewis had toyed with while writing the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn treader. After finishing those three stories, he thought he had written as much as he could about the land of Narnia. But Narnia wouldn't leave him alone, and within a few months of finishing The Voyage of the Dawn treader he'd completed The Horse and His Boy. Though it was originally written fifth in the Chronicles of Narnia sequence, it takes place during the period mentioned at the end of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Therefore, Lewis recommended it be read third.

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.

• 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