The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – Leeds Playhouse

Christmas is a magical time for most of us so a story that begins with a mysterious wardrobe that transports four traumatised children into another world should be the perfect festive treat.

Leeds Playhouse have over the last decade offered a series of spectacular festive shows, and this is their second go at this C.S. Lewis classic so beloved of generations of children as goodies and baddies battle it out in a strange world.

Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan Pevensie are evacuated from war torn London to Scotland where they discover a wardrobe that is a portal into a magical land called Narnia, ruled by the wicked White Witch Jadis where it’s permanently winter. The human children are the key to freeing Narnia’s motley collection of talking animals, who yearn to hear the roar of the mythical lion Aslan who will lead them into battle with the witch.

Michael Fentiman’s fast paced production requires the audience to let their imagination do a lot of the heavy lifting on Tom Paris’ big set, thanks to some clever staging and big illusions by Chris Fisher. The large cast work hard as they bring on and off an endless stream of props, as well as manipulating huge cloths to recreate snowy wasteland that moves seamlessly to reveal a fawn’s house or a beaver dam.

What is really impressive, and raises this show up a notch, is the brilliant puppetry on show. The audience falls in with Schrodinger the cat from his first appearance, but the huge Aslan operated by a team of puppeteers is jaw dropping, and such is their skill in creating the power and sleek movement of the king of the jungle you believe a lion is onstage. Aslan is voiced with quiet power by a Christ like Stanton Wright, and his onstage relationship with the puppeteers feels natural.   

Famously the novel was supposed to have Christian undertones with Aslan as Christ and Jadis as the devil, but despite a pretty explicit sacrifice scene, this is more about old fashioned storytelling based on important values like loyalty, comradeship, love and not a bit of derring do from the kids. This is not a musical, but most of the cast pick up instruments to play songs that are inspired more by the English folk tradition than showtunes, even if one or two of them feel superfluous.

The children are the beating heart of this play, and the casting is spot on with Bunmi Osadolor making a sensational professional debut as Edmund, who is one of the most venal children’s characters, but he never lets this weak willed idiot off the hook. Another newcomer Jesse Dunbar impresses bringing a thoughtful dignity to sensible Peter, as does Joanna Adaran who subtly draws out geeky Susan.  Kudzai Mangombe has worked with Fentiman before on this show, and she lights up the stage as plucky Lucy.

Everyone secretly loves a villain, and hugely experienced Shakespearian performer Katy Stephens brings a wonderfully icy edge to her White Witch, that has echoes of Lady M. Stephens makes the most of her fairly limited time onstage, delighting in scaring adults and children alike, and nailing her big illusions.

This show needs a strong ensemble, and gets it, with Kraig Thornber catching the eye as the kindly Professor who knows more than he lets on, and a jolly singing Father Xmas. Ed Thorpe and Fifon Haring are amusing as the bickering badgers, and Alfie Richards is touching as brave Mr Tumnus.

In an age when tyranny seems to be making an unwelcome comeback this sometimes unsettling show, but with an enormous open heart, is a welcome reminder for C.S. Lewis fans of all ages that if we all stand together then good will always win out

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is Leeds Playhouse until Saturday 25th January. To book 0113 213 7700 or online www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk  Age guide 6 plus.

Reviewer: Paul Clarke

Reviewed: 27th November 2024

North West End UK Rating: