Why We Loved The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at The Gillian Lynne Theatre

Escape to Narnia this summer as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe comes to life in the West End. Spectacular staging, a talented cast and a new musical score breathe fresh life into C.S Lewis’s classic book. Children will marvel at the magical world of Narnia, while adults will be absorbed by the nuance and nostalgia.

The Story

With adventure, magic and an enduring message about bravery, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a book that is loved by generations. Voted the nation’s favourite novel, it tells the story of the Pevensie siblings, who are evacuated from war-torn London to remote Scotland.

‘These are strange times,’ we’re told at the beginning of this new stage adaptation, which draws parallels between the chaos of WWII and our own pandemic-induced uncertainty.

But Lucy, Peter, Susan and Edmund’s temporary new home offers more than a sanctuary from the Blitz. An old wardrobe in the spare room opens the door to another realm, a land of snow and friendly fauns, where helpful beavers hide from dark magic and a mystical lion offers hope and redemption. In this strange new world, the children learn important lessons about loyalty, bravery and hope.

The appeal of C.S Lewis’s Narnia lies the way in which it captures childish imagination while developing enough complexity and depth to engross adults – and this production celebrates this duality. The immediacy of live performance makes the plot accessible, while the acting and atmosphere means children can feel and understand the emotions, excitement and moments of peril. Adults will enjoy the nostalgia of re-experiencing a childhood favourite, noticing the nuance and complexity that weaves through the adventure.

The Magic

Immersing yourself in 100 year winter is no mean feat during a sticky London summer, but the production is so atmospheric we even felt a shiver as the snow started to fall.

‘How did they do that?’ the little boy sitting behind us exclaimed, voicing what everyone in the audience was thinking as the White Witch floated high into the air. This is just one of many wondrous moments that make the magic of Narnia feel palpable. From suitcases that transform into a steam train, to a tree cave conjured out of white silk, the staging is a feat of imagination. We loved the simplicity of floating lampshades, combined with the wow-factor of disappearing acts. Instead of relying on tech, the production harnesses creativity: a household piano shifts into Narnia’s lampposts, the friendly beavers wear squaddies’ khakis and the menacing wolf snarls through a gas mask. The puppetry is another highlight, from sassy Schroginger the cat to regal Aslan the lion, who prowls around the stage and lunges at the witch.

The Music

Translating the atmosphere for younger viewers and providing grown ups with some catchy new earworms, the specially composed score and songs enhance The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Instead of having a separate band hidden in the pit, the production puts music centre stage. It is the multi-talented cast who play the instruments, twirling around the stage while playing the cello, or strumming a guitar. From a mournful solo on the electric double base to the rip-roaring ensemble number ‘100 Years of Winter’, music is used evocatively to punctuate the drama and to take you between different worlds.

The Cast

Film and TV star Samantha Womack (Eastenders, Girl on the Train, Kingsman) brings icy glamour as the white witch, with shimmering cheekbones, an icicle crown and floor-length furs. Anmar Duffus (Peter), Shaka Kalokoh (Edmund), Robyn Sinclair (Susan) and Delainey Hayles (Lucy) negotiate the challenges of adults playing children, showing innocence without undermining the insight of a child’s perspective. Jez Unwin combines sweetness and silliness playing brave Mr Tumnus, while Julian Hoult and Christina Tedders are particularly funny as Mr and Mrs Beaver. But it is the cohesion of the cast as a whole that is most impressive, as the supporting actors shift roles and show formidable talent singing, dancing and whirling their instruments around the stage in a dynamic and playful performance.

Together, these citizens of Narnia take audiences on a memorable and magical adventure through the wardrobe. Just don't blame us if you leave the theatre already wanting to return to Narnia.

Recommended for children age six and up.

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