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For many, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe holds a special place in their heart. Now, in celebration of its 75th anniversary, a breathtaking stage adaptation is touring the UK, inviting audiences to rediscover C.S. Lewis’s classic novel, in a totally new and immersive way.
This week, Staffordshire theatre-goers can step through the wardrobe as the production transforms Hanley’s Regent Theatre into a snow-dusted Narnia. And if you’re even remotely a fan of theatre, storytelling, or just being completely swept away for a couple of hours, then it’s an absolute must-see. It’s genuinely one of the most magical stage shows I’ve had the pleasure of seeing.
Darker and more dramatic than I had initially anticipated, the show opens in war-torn Britain with a lone pianist under a stark ring of light. .The atmosphere is intense and haunting – and that ominous feeling never really dissipates as the show goes on.
At the train station, we meet the four Pevensie children, Lucy (Kudzai Mangombe), Edmund (Bunmi Osadolor), Susan(Joanna Adaran) and Peter (Jesse Dunbar). The four are to evacuate up to Aberdeenshire where they’ll reside with The Professor (Kraig Thornber) during the war. It’s here that the children discover the wardrobe in the spare room – a portal that will take them to another world at a war of its own.
While all of the siblings are played by adult actors, their performances are so convincing, you forget that almost instantly. Lucy in particular brings such warmth and curiosity to her role, which makes it impossible not to root for her as she explores Narnia, discovering friend and foe. Her character’s kindness really shines throughout the production, especially when offering her friendship to Mr Tumnus. The fawn, played by Alfie Richards, is fantastic in his role, with one of the highlights of the production for me being his spellbinding solo vocal in the first act, which gave me actual goosebumps.
The production’s music lighting and staging are all masterfully executed. Moody, dramatic and mysterious, the lighting draws our attention to the action and detail throughout. As for the staging, while the majority was relatively simple, the elevated circular platform was standout, whether it was hiding Lucy and Susan from the White Witch, revealing King Aslan or playing host to one of the talented musicians. And speaking of the music, too, there felt to be quite an Irish folk theme to the atmospheric score, with incredible harmonies and the cast often singing, dancing and playing all at once, which is certainly no mean feat.
And let’s talk about the puppetry. If you’ve seen War Horse or Life of Pi, you’ll know how much of a spectacle these beasts can be. Aslan is played by a giant, beautifully crafted puppet brought to life by multiple performers, including one fur coat-clad actor who walks beside him, voicing the character. And though the show is mostly serious, there are moments of humour interspersed, often delivered by The Professor and his cat, Schrodinger.
Much like everything else in this production, the special effects are slick as you like. Whether it’s fiery magic, snowfall or the White Witch (Ffion Haf) ascending into the air at the end of act one, there are some real jaw-dropping moments to remember.
Incredibly clever, engaging and packed with detail, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a spectacle in every sense of the word. The music, the vocals, the choreography, the visual effects – it’s all just beautifully done. Whether you’re going with kids, friends, or just fancy a solo theatre trip, it really is a must-see. Buy your tickets here.
