Carefully balancing humour with dark fantasy, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE makes for an enjoyable Christmas show for all the family.
C S Lewis’s THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE is a childhood classic which has stood the test of time, and this latest stage adaptation does not disappoint in re-telling it.
Closely following the original story, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE tells the tale of four children – Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy – who are sent to the countryside in wartime Britain to escape the bombs in London. The family find themselves in a house with a magical wardrobe, through which they enter another world called Narnia. Together, they embark on a magical adventure where they meet Mr Tumnus, the faun, talking beavers, Aslan (the noble king of Narnia) and the coldest, most evil White Witch.
In this latest stage adaption, adapter Susan Cookson and Director Michel Fentiman do a decent job of creating a show with all the story’s key parts whilst keeping the duration to an acceptable length. Ethereal, dark, exciting, and mysterious, the show carefully balances humour with fantasy, helping to lighten the tension for the younger audience members.
Set and costume designer Tom Paris’ decision to extend the set into the foyer, with white blossom trees and pretty foliage enticing the audience as they enter the auditorium, works particularly well. While the main backdrop is kept minimal, it is futuristic, hinting at the concept of time travel and underground worlds. Effects are cleverly used to show the passing of time, from falling leaves to falling snow, helping to create a magical feel throughout the theatre and a real feeling of awe.
The show’s choreography is also cleverly immersed with the special effects, set changes and costumes. Shannelle ‘Tali’ Fergus’s inventive choreography reflects the mysterious, ethereal, and magical feel of Narnia, and every performer plays their role brilliantly in achieving a soft flow of movement, even playing and carrying their instruments in a style that enhances this ambience.
In terms of casting, the ensemble performs well in all areas – the dancing is magical, the diction is clear, and the singing is enjoyable. Jez Unwin, as Mr Tumnus in particular, stands out for his faultless vocals. A special mention also must go to Delainey Hayles, who brings to life the character of Lucy.
Shame then that the decision to cast adults in roles as children doesn’t quite pull off. Ammar Duffus (Peter), Shaka Kalokoh (Edmund), Robyn Sinclair (Susan) and Delainey Hayles (Lucy) are clearly talented actors, but they fail to convince the audience they were actually children.
The scale of the Aslan puppet was also underwhelming and would have benefited from being much bigger to create a greater wow effect for the audience.
That said, there is lots to like here with THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE making for an enjoyable family show, especially for those with young teens, thanks to its mix of darkness, drama, mystery and humour.
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE runs at Gillian Lynne Theatre, London, until 8 January 2022.
Gillian has a Masters degree in Film Theory and a background in music journalism. A veteran of gig promotion, she loves nothing more than a darkened room, a packet of Revels and a good play. By day she works in medico-legal administration, by night she escapes into theatre for relaxation.
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