Regional Theatre Review: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Transporting audiences to other worlds is what live theatre is all about. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe has nailed that brief and then some.

I saw this classic, much-loved story at Milton Keynes Theatre, (another stop on its UK tour, which is running through to January 2026) which sees evacuees Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter stumble across a mysterious land, Narnia of course, at the back of an old wardrobe. What follows is an incredible adventure through this magical realm with all its twists and turns.

Not all is as it seems after Lucy (Kudzai Mangombe) meets the talking faun Mr Tumnus (Alfie Richards). Finally convincing the others to enter the world with her, Lucy and her siblings prepare to battle the evil White Witch, wonderfully performed by Katy Stephens, and restore Narnia to its former glory. 

There was a wonderful rhythm to the whole production. Sets seemed to change seamlessly, with a gorgeous flow aided by huge drapes and spell-binding dance and sounds. 

When such imaginative novels are turned into stage productions there’s always the consideration of how they’re going to make it work. Personally, I was blown away at the spectale before me at Milton Keynes Theatre, which bought to life the vivid recollections I had of the world of Narnia from the novel. 

The understated and simplistic set highlighted the intricate costumes and props while the use of lighting, illusions, movement and music combined in the most beautiful way. At certain points it felt like the whole cast were playing instruments to create the most stunning music; dramatic in all the right places, light and energetic in others. 

There was a wonderful rhythm to the whole production. Sets seemed to change seamlessly, with a gorgeous flow aided by huge drapes and spell-binding dance and sounds.

The captivating aerial work deserves a mention too, not least the overpowering White Witch gravitating towards the ceiling.

There were plenty of gripping, dark moments, particularly in the first act, bringing some of the more sinister parts of the story to the stage. Thankfully after the interval it was time for some light relief in the form of Father Christmas (yes in July) and some very delightful folk-themed music. The contrasts were wonderful; winter vs spring, dark vs light, scary vs joyous. 

Puppetry was at its finest with the introduction of Aslan the lion whose welcome presence, to us and the characters, was both powerful and gentle. Thawing the barren winter land, the arrival of Aslan and others lifted the mood again with the help of light, upbeat music and beautiful rhythm.

The musical animal characters were a joy, especially the humorous double act of Mr and Mrs Beaver (Ed Thorpe and Anya de Villiers), a stark contrast to the wicked White Witch and her servants. 

This year marks an incredible 75 years since C.S.Lewis first wrote The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. He said he came up with the concept from a picture he had seen of a faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood.

What an imagination he must have had to write such a magical novel - and now all these decades later, audiences are being invited to let their own imaginations run wild in the most wonderful way.