The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

★★★★☆

Marking the 75th anniversary of C.S. Lewis’s beloved classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe returns with a national tour. This dark family production blends puppetry, a multi-talented cast, and music to bring the world of Narnia to life. With its rich storytelling and theatrical magic, it’s easy to see why this timeless tale continues to captivate audiences and cement itself as a staple of British theatre.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe theatre tour, A series of men dressed as British army soldiers are holding a luminous train puppet and moving it across the stage towards a mother who has dropped her kids off at the station during World War Two — The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Sticking to the story of the novel and film, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe follows the journey of four siblings—Lucy (Kudzu Mangombe), Edmund (Bunmi Osadolor), Susan (Joanna Adaran), and Peter (Jesse Dunbar)—who discover a magical world hidden inside a wardrobe. They enter Narnia, a land trapped in an eternal winter by the wicked White Witch (Katy Stephens), and soon find themselves caught in a battle between good and evil. Guided by the mystical lion Aslan (Stanton Wright), they embark on a quest to overthrow the Witch and restore peace to the kingdom.

Describing this production as a musical wouldn’t quite be accurate—at its heart, it’s a dynamic and immersive play that breathes new life into the classic story. While original songs are woven throughout, they serve more as narrative texture rather than a driving force. Tom Marshall’s sound design is a triumph, layering rich soundscapes that perfectly capture the emotion and context of each moment. Paired with musical arrangements performed live by the cast, this highlights the versatility of the ensemble and adds a unique charm to the production.

A unique take on the Father Christmas costume as a large man with a beard wears a fluffy red suit whilst three children sitting on the floor look up to him and others dance and play instruments behind him. — Kraig Thornber (Father Xmas). Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Filled with adventure and enchantments, the show brings Narnia to life with effective lighting, abstract yet evocative costumes, and a touch of stage magic courtesy of illusionist Chris Fisher. While this is undoubtedly a family-friendly production, its depth and theatrical spectacle make it just as captivating for adults. With its darker themes of bravery and sacrifice, it feels best suited for audiences aged 12 and up, though younger viewers will still find plenty to marvel at in this fascinating adaptation.

Usually, I’d highlight standout performances, but this production isn’t about individual stars—it thrives on the strength of its ensemble. Each actor seamlessly shifts between multiple roles, plays instruments, and operates puppets, which are each talents to behold. The choreography and stagecraft ensure that no one performer outshines the others, instead working together as a unified whole. That being said, I particularly enjoyed the characterisation of The Professor (Kraig Thornber), Mr Beaver (Ed Thorpe), and Mrs Beaver (Anya de Villiers), who each brought charm to their roles.

The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe ensamble cast at the Leicester Curve Theatre Stage. — The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

While the show was undeniably exciting, there were moments that pulled me out of the action, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the world of Narnia. The opening scene, featuring a soldier entering and singing, most of which was performed with his back to the audience, which didn’t create the engaging welcome the show needed. This choice wasn’t an isolated one, as actors frequently delivered lines facing away from the audience. Mic or no mic, the back of a performer’s head seldom tells a compelling story.

The pacing of this production is expertly handled—scenes never overstay their welcome, nor do they feel rushed or glossed over. A huge part of this is down to the seamless transitions, where clever choreography, movable sets, and striking lighting effects keep the momentum flowing. The cast moves through the show with dynamism, ensuring the energy never dips.

A man wearing a fur coat blocking the view of a large brown lion puppet who is supposed to be Aslan. Whilst two young girls in blue jumpers hug it. — Kudzai Mangombe (Lucy) Stanton Wright (Aslan ) Joanna Adaran (Susan). Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Puppetry plays a role in bringing Narnia to life, with our first introduction being the Professor’s cat, Schrödinger—an ancient soul, suitably designed. However, the shadow puppetry proved less effective, as it often lacked clarity, making it difficult for the audience to decipher what was happening. But the biggest disappointment for me was Aslan. The show's artwork features a stunning lion’s head, yet the puppet on stage bore little resemblance to this iconic image. While the puppet itself was hugely impressive, the illusion was broken by the staging choice to have the actor voicing Aslan standing separately, wearing a fur coat, and—most frustratingly—blocking the puppet from view, breaking the illusion the lion was real. Sorry for a puppetry 101, but, the puppet is more important than the performer!

These may be minor quibbles, but they did pull me out of the otherwise immersive world created on stage. That said, this production remains a thrilling and visually inventive retelling of a beloved classic. It blends multiple theatrical styles into a cohesive, engaging experience, making it a must-see for both adults and families. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe runs at The Curve, Leicester, until Saturday 8th February before continuing its UK tour until January 2026.