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★★★★½
The magic of Narnia has arrived in Canterbury, with ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ opening at the Marlowe Theatre for a week of performances. Adored by many around the world, the story was first adapted for the stage in the 1980s, but it is the 2017 Leeds Playhouse production that is touring the UK and Ireland for 2025. Directed by Michael Fentiman since 2021, this adaptation celebrates 75 years of C. S. Lewis’ children’s novel and brings the enchanting story of the Pevensie children and their Narnia adventures to regional theatres across the country. I had the opportunity to watch the production on opening night here in Kent and share my thoughts.
Initial thoughts
Featuring puppetry and an original folk score which is performed by an ultra-talented cast of actor-musicians, this deeply atmospheric and dark production cleverly balances the good and evil themes of the source material. From the towering White Witch to the noble Aslan who is created through puppetry, human motion and dialogue, you truly believe that you have been transported to this enchanted place. The extravagance of the visuals and believable cast performances are enough to convince people of all ages that the characters they remember from the books have been brought to life in front of their very eyes.
Set design, illusions and special effects
Growing up I remember being fascinated by magical stories and this adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ work is nothing short of mesmerising. Initially, it took me a little while to buy into the creative approach for the transitions between the spare bedroom and Narnia, as this interpretation is heavily influenced by motion and experiments with pacing. That being said, once I realised that there would be time to process the intricate details in the set changes, I was thoroughly invested.
The dancing coats and moving doors specifically were a highlight, visualising the magic of stepping into Narnia. However this is surpassed by the creative genius of the act one closing scene, with the team using height and scale to make the unbelievable appear possible. It reminded me why theatre can be so impactful and left me on the edge of my seat for act two.
A nostalgic treat
Delighting audiences of all ages, this play with spirited folk music is a must-see piece of theatre. From the enchanting characters to the imaginative scene transitions, the company has brought the iconic narrative to life in such a thrilling and exciting way. Additionally, from the spine-tingling declarations of The White Witch (Katy Stephens) to Aslan’s powerful speeches of bravery and fulfilling prophecies (Stanton Wright), this really is an adventure story for everyone. If you are local to Kent and have ever been interested in watching this classic story on stage, definitely seize the opportunity to watch the show live in the county. Last minute tickets are available via the Marlowe’s website, with the final performance on Saturday 19th July.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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