REVIEW | The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe UK Tour.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
UK Tour
★★★★★
For the longest time readers of C.S.Lewis' unforgettable novel have had their imagination engrossed by the wonders of a world named Narnia. The characters in these stories have long stayed with us and now they're leaping from the pages to the stage in a brilliant new production, directed by Michael Fentiman. Fentiman has created a new production based on the one Sally Cookson directed at the Leeds Playhouse in 2017.
This new production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is a visual feast for the audience. From the moment the show begins we are transported to Britain in the midst of World War II. On an ordinary train station, we meet four Pevensie children who are not just about to embark on a new adventure in Scotland but will discover an entirely different world beyond the doors of a wardrobe... It will be down to these four children to fulfil a prophecy and save Narnia from the grips of eternal winter from the hands of Jadis, The White Witch.
Michael Fentiman has directed a production that seeps out pure beauty and the collaborative creative effort delivers a superb show. Tom Paris has really emphasised these two parallel worlds in his set and costume design, particularly with the animals of Narnia who are striking and made to the finest of details. This show is storytelling at its finest; portrayed in the artistry of puppetry, aerial work, illusions, music, lighting and choreography. This is heavily supported by the magnificent cast who are experts at their craft. Their actor-musician skill really emphasises this production and gives it a solid presence.
The four Pevensie children have been well cast and are stunningly captured by the individuals breathing these characters. Ammar Duffus, Robyn Sinclair, Karise Yansen and Shaka Kalokoh's portrayal of these characters are greatly transferred from the pages of the original story. I love how they've managed to individually ensure that they are believable and bring warmth, although Shaka Kalokoh's performance as Edmund who causes a chain reaction of events in the story is superb.
The White Witch has a commanding and strong presence on stage thanks to Samantha Womack. She does a fantastic job at playing the villain. The inhabitants of Narnia though, are wonderful. Particularly Jez Unwin who brings Mr Tumnus to life in an unforgettable way.
Overall, this production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is sublime from start to finish. I can assure you that this is the show you will want to book tickets for again, and again.