AVA James says she shares a number of similar and different traits with her character of Susan from stage play The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

“As the second eldest and eldest girl of the four children, I do feel connected to her, in that she feels that she has to look after her younger siblings,” Ava explained.

“But I am definitely not as mature or responsible as she is.”

Ava has been with the Wangaratta Players Youth Group (Youthies) for more than a year and can’t wait for the production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to be staged.

“Our teachers are pretty amazing and have really helped us to prepare for our roles and Youthies is great because everyone has their own personalities and strengths, and we are all free to be exactly who we are,” Ava said.

Ava was recently cast as one of the mannequins in the Model Gowns scenes of the Wangaratta Players production of Ladies in Black, where she spent most of her time ‘frozen’ or performing some choreographed moves with another Youthies member Millie Kelly.

“It was a great experience to watch and learn from so many experienced actors during Ladies in Black and Millie and I were made to feel very welcome right from the start,” Ava said.

“With The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, I get to have even more acting experience, and it is a good chance for me to connect with other actors and watch them grow in their roles as well.”

Based on the classic story by C. S. Lewis, this performance of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe has been dramatized by Joseph Robinette for a younger audience and runs for approximately 80 minutes.

This version faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of the great lion Aslan; his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of the four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting land of Narnia.

“The play has a lot of humour in it, as well as being the classical story that we all know so I encourage all parents, grandparents and kids to come along and enjoy it for themselves,” Ava said.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe will be held during the school holidays on Saturday, September 23 at 7pm and matinee performances on Sunday, September 24, Tuesday, September 26, Wednesday, September 27, Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30 at 2pm at the Stage Door at 4D Evans Street Wangaratta.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 15 years and under.

To book, visit https://www.trybooking.com/CLCTY.