The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a timeless classic by C. S. Lewis which I first encountered as a young’en in some kind of film which I can barely remember. I was bought the Chronicles of Narnia when one of my younger brothers was born; I vividly remember being handed it as a present all wrapped up sat on the hospital bed. I’ve not seen the latest film (not that 2005 is that recent), Narnia. I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting anything that great from the show, not that I thought it would be bad, just the standard story but on stage. However, I massively underestimated how amazing it would be.
This was a masterpiece of theatrics, and I’ll go as far to say probably one of the best I’ve seen so far.
Opening up at a train station as the Pevensie siblings, Peter (Ammar Duffus), Susan (Robyn Sinclair), Lucy (Karise Yansen), and Edmund (Shakar Kalokoh), are ready to be evacuated during the war, it gave a sense of things to come with an amazing scene change with the first uses of puppetry (OK, a model train isn’t quite a puppet) and use of very clever lighting. The first actual puppet we encounter is the adorable cat belonging to the eccentric Professor Kirk (John Willis), Schroedinger.
When we first arrive in Narnia, and the snow starts to fall, I genuinely felt a little chilly, and I put this down to the goosebumps I got all over my body, but this only added to the magic. And the way we got there, wow. To say the set changes in this production were elaborate is an understatement. Doors dancing across the stage, sheets appearing and then disappearing in a matter of moments to reveal an entirely different set. I don’t know how many times I can use the word ‘magical’ to describe it.
The only slight apprehension I had during the whole show was when Mr Tumnus (Jez Unwin) started to sing a song about Spring, and I realised I was in for a musical. It wasn’t that kind of musical, though. This is closer to a Disney musical, or Les Miserables, and every single song was enjoyable.
The White Witch (Samantha Womack- Game On, Eastenders) was quite the presence and her hound, wolf, monster things were quite terrifying, I don’t know if you remember the Wheelers from Return to Oz, but think them with the voice of Golem.
Aslan, (Chris Jared) reminded me very much of Jason Momoa and looked every bit the part of a lion, with a big mane of hair, but you can’t just have a human as the King of Narnia. What you need is a great huge Lion puppet next to him at all times. This was fantastic, mirroring each other’s movements so whether you were looking at Jared, or puppet Aslan, you were always there in the moment.
Every single cast member played an amazing part, too. I didn’t feel like there was a ‘supporting cast’. The live onstage musicians (violins, accordion, double bass, cellos) all playing some of the animals at some point. Characters from the real world playing multiple roles in Narnia.
I want to write so much more, but I fear I could give too many spoilers. My guest had never actually seen any version of this and she was in tears by the end, also saying it was one of the best shows she’s ever seen, next to Wicked. We both commented that this deserves a big stage in the West End. The excited chatter from the audience after the first act was evidence that we weren’t the only ones who felt this was the case, and the standing ovation at the end was well deserved. I can’t stress enough, if you have time to go and see this, you really, really must.
Review by Johnny Banks
Showing at Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 5th Feb 2022. For more information and tickets please visit www.trch.co.uk
