Opening night of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE at Wales Millennium Centre was pretty much sold out, there was also a lot of student groups there who are currently studying the book at school. I mention this because a huge gathering of young people in a theatre can sometimes be a rowdy affair. Last night however, from the moment the show began, you could feel and see they, and the rest of us, were completely captivated.
Honestly, you’d think this was an impossible task to bring to life on stage, travelling from the real world, through the wardrobe to the magical land of Narnia is a huge ask, especially with movies which throw every CGI effect into bringing the story to life. But what makes this production so engaging is the fact they went back to the original 1950s novel and used the one thing which made the book such an incredible read – imagination.
Let’s start with reaction from the audience, which includes a look behind the scenes with Chris Jared who previously played Aslan – a role now played superbly by STANTON WRIGHT.
I just want to address one of the comments about it being a dark and scary production – it is, read the original book, that’s a dark, scary place to visit too. But we had 6-year-old Sophia with us, who is a sensitive soul at the best of times, and while she was undoubtedly a little scared, she absolutely loved the story and production, uttering the words ‘that’s so beautiful‘ as we left the Donald Gordon Theatre.
But you know your children best, so use your own discression.
The movie CGI effects you may be used to are replaced with some incredibly clever staging and brilliant theatrical magic, put together by CHRIS FISHER and the SPOOKY NYMAN. The cast are all first class, with many of them jumping seamlessly between roles and even grabbing instruments, which are all played live on stage. This isn’t a musical, so if that’s not your thing, don’t worry. It’s very much a play with music, which fits very well into the flow of the story.
Kudos to BENJI BOWER and BARNABY RACE who’s music is instantly catchy and memorable, with a real Celtic folksy vibe about it – quote from our 6-year-old Swiftie fan, ‘I really love the songs‘ mumbled as she jigged about in her seat.
The story, in case you skipped over it in school, follows the four Pevensie children, Lucy (KUDZAI MANGOMBE), Edmund (BUNMI OSADOLOR), Susan (JOANNA ADARAN) and Peter (JESSE DUNBAR). As they’re evacuated in wartime Britain, to a moving rendition of ‘We’ll Meet Again’, they find themselves in a strange new land and embark on the most magical of adventures in a frozen, faraway Narnia. While parts of the original story with elements of Christianity are still there, I felt it was given a lift in this production.
When you take your seat there’s a piano centre stage being played quietly, very little else fills the enormous backdrop and you wonder for a moment how on earth they are going to drag us into the magical world we know and love.
As the story unfolds, with puppetry, props and spectacular lighting and sound every inch of the massive stage is filled and you are transported magically into the parallel world of Narnia.
As vast as the production is it somehow also feel very intimate. This is reflected in some really nice close up magical moments, which you might blink and miss, so watch carefully.
You may know the story but there’s a lot I don’t want to give away here. Obviously there are set-pieces we are waiting for and they are delivered in awesome style. In particular when the White Witch, played with the perfect amount of frosty menace by KATY STEPHENS, does her mysterious disappearance in act 2. Honestly, you see it, you think you know how it’s done, but the way they have choreographed the whole routine, you really will believe it’s magic.
Then of course there’s Aslan, both the Lion puppet and STANTON WRIGHT, who is a imposing as the massive 40kg animal which fills the stage. The cleverness of having the two together is the warmth it brings to an otherwise fearsome animal. I will warn you however, the moment when bad things happen to Aslan, you may have to comfort the children, or sensitive adults you have with you. It’s an incredibly powerful scene, and doesn’t hold back in any way.
There’s no way they can tell the entire story in the 2 hours 15 the show runs, but what we get are the key moments which are crucial to the plot.
C.S. Lewis included a version of Santa Claus in the original tale and he is here with one of the best songs, which will have you moving your feet for sure. It’s only in this production that I realised the scale of the presents Santa gives the children is mind-blowing, a sword, bow and arrows and knife.
The show doesn’t let up for a moment and even the more heavily dialogued scenes will keep the younger members of the audience captivated. At times it felt like the best bedtime story ever, with real life magic happening as it was read to us.
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE is a stunning stage achievement which captures all the drama and heart of the original story. If you love the book or the movies you couldn’t have wished for a better production to take to our stage.
Movie over Disney, there’s a new King in town and we absolutely loved it.
Incidentally, there is a lot of Wales up there performing. FFION HAF (Miss Gumley-Warmley and Phoenix) is from South West Wales, JOE KEENAN (Mr Granville, Spirit of the Moon, Red Squirrel and Cello) from Penarth and RHODRI WATKINS (Mr Brinkworth, March Hare and Aslan Puppeteer) from Briton Ferry.
We spoke to Rhodri just before the tour came to the capital and you can watch that interview HERE.
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE is at the Wales Millennium Centre through to Saturday 15th February. Due to phenomenal demand, an extra performance has been added at Wales Millennium Centre on Friday 14 February at 2pm. For more information and to book tickets go – HERE.
