The Lion Witch and The Wardrobe at Alexandra Theatre -Review

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Tue 08 Mar 2022 - Sat 12 Mar 2022

A solo pianist tinkles the ivories to get things going in this creative new production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe with a rendition of We'll Meet Again.



And just like that, we're in the Second World War, where children are evacuated on trains and the talk of fighting for the ones you love can't help but be a sombre reminder to current times in Ukraine. It makes this adaptation feel all the more poignant and relevant.

I did wonder how this new production at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre for a week until Saturday March 12 could possibly recreate the magical land of Narnia on stage compared to what people will expect after the blockbuster movies.

But instead of hi-tech special effects, director Michael Fentiman has gone for visual symbolism, stunning choreography and enthralling ways of using music, dance and puppets to transport the audience seamlessly to a world of the White Witch, talking beavers and the famous lamppost.

Fentiman was behind the acclaimed and wonderfully imaginative stage version of Amelie so he has form for this kind of thing and there are similar themes in this show.



Our four young heroes fit the bill ideally with the focus on Edmund (Shaka Kalokoh) and Lucy (KariseYansen), but they all have a good chemistry and the sibling squabbling has a natural feel to it. Something that children in the audience will relate to.

All around them are dancers, singers or musician actors, especially when they enter Narnia, which creates an atmospheric unearthly feel. Drums bang and cello strings pierce the air.

The wardrobe is handled particularly well with the snowy world from CS Lewis' books transforming before your eyes as Lucy makes her first journey through.

If anything, my only complaint would be that Mr Tumnus and the beavers' costumes aren't as furry or animal-like as expected. Mr Tumnus did have horns but that was it while Mr and Mrs Beaver were in military uniforms.

But ultimately, the scene-stealers are the leaders for good and the bad in Narnia's war. Aslan the lion and the evil White Witch. Samantha Womack is truly chilling as the witch and has a superb finale to the first act when the extent of her power is displayed to naive Edmund.



Aslan comes in two parts, a huge impressive puppet and actor Chris Jared, playing his voice and soul. With a mane of hair, it's not too hard to see Jared as an extension to Aslan with his proud stance and booming voice that demands your attention.

What's special is how there's always something to catch your eye or your imagination. When Edmund realises his mistake, the Turkish Delight he ate from the Witch pops up in all sorts of ways. While the sacrifice of Aslan is done in a creative way.


There's darkness and light in not just the costumes but music too. All in all, this show is a visual feast.

The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe totally transported me to Narnia in an imaginative and clever way. It had everything from puppets to aerial artists plus a chilling evil witch in the shape of Samantha Womack. It's a standout production that is sure to be magical for all ages.

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!date 08/03/2022 -- 12/03/2022
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