A major UK tour of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe launched this week, and WeLoveBrighton went along for the spectacular opening night at the Theatre Royal in Brighton on Tuesday, 11 March.
The show, which previously debuted in London’s West End, features rousing music, incredible costumes, captivating puppetry, and magical stage production, including snow. Joanna Adaran as Susan, Jesse Dunbar as Peter, Kudzai Mangombe as Lucy and Bunmi Osadolor as Edmund are brilliant as the Pevensie children. The sibling bond feels moving and palpable.
The story
If you don’t know C.S. Lewis’s classic novel, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary as this tour hits the road, it centres on the four children being evacuated during the Second World War to stay with a Professor. During that time, Lucy steps through a wardrobe in the spare room to the enchanted land of Narnia. Narnia is a place with a different timeline, talking animals and mythical creatures, including Mr Tumnus the fawn, an evil white witch and of course Aslan, the lion.
Edmund soon follows and is tempted by the witch and her Turkish delight and soon all the children step through the wardrobe to the frozen Narnia.
A magical show
This show cleverly uses puppetry with highlights including illustrating a moving train to the countryside, an animated Turkish delight figure, a charming cat, and the biggest crowd-pleaser: the formidable lion Aslan, who received cheers from the audience as he arrived on stage.
This tour of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe has a stellar multi-talented cast, some who play instruments while moving across the stage, performers who slickly shift between multiple roles and costumes, stirring drum beats and delightful dancing as the audience is transported on a journey through different worlds and time and moments of tears and laughter.
Stellar cast
Katy Stephens is commanding and terrifying as the white witch, Stanton Wright gives a biblical presence as Aslan, while Alfie Richards as Mr Tumnus and Ed Thorpe as Mr Beaver bring the charm and laughs alongside the fantastic and versatile ensemble.
This show is bound to delight audiences of all ages, spread magic and hope and no doubt leave us humming a few new catchy tunes from this joyful production.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe runs at The Theatre Royal Brighton until Saturday 15 March.
The show is on a UK tour until January 2026.
