REVIEW: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at The Mayflower

This was not my original plan for my Tuesday night, I’ll admit, but I somehow ventured further than I’ve ever been before and found myself beneath a snow-covered lamppost, conversing with a friendly faun, the sweet smell of Turkish delight lingering in the air…

At least that’s what watching The Leeds Playhouse Production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at The Mayflower Theatre felt like.

Chris Jared (centre) as Aslan

CS Lewis' parallel universe exists with such vividness, it’s easy for people of all ages to forget what’s actually on this side of the wardrobe (no Mr Tumnus, sadly).

This happened to me on Tuesday, November 23 when I watched the spellbinding production.

Whatever expectations I had for this show completely flew out of the window at least 10 minutes in, and I was in awe.

This production is based on CS Lewis’s 1950 novel about four children evacuated, during the second world war, to a house in the country where a magical wardrobe provides a portal to the land of Narnia.

Director Michael Fentiman respects but reinvents the classic tale of four siblings venturing into an unknown world, while basing it on the original stage production by Sally Cookson.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe comes to The Mayflower

The set is strikingly physical and visual (designed by Tom Paris and originally designed by Rae Smith) and memorable images are delivered throughout.

Without giving too much away, two scenes that spring to mind when saying “strikingly physical and visual” is the introduction of large, glowing pieces of Turkish delight and Mr Tumnus (Jez Unwin) singing about waiting for the return of spring, the latter of which was executed beautifully with fantastic lighting and stage design.

Mr Tumnus (Jez Unwin) with Lucy (Karise Yansen)

Although this production is not a musical, the dialogue is frequently punctuated by original songs.

The introduction of music, and having instruments played live on stage by the cast (who also happen to be singing and acting in the role of their respective characters), with simple yet beautiful props, instils a rich theatricality, thus creating a real charge.

Samantha Womack as The White Witch

The atmosphere is electric, and you feel as though magic from Narnia has been conjured live on stage.

One aspect of the production that did not alter was the large backdrop of a clock.

I found this especially intriguing, and it was essential to the performance. It created a focus around time and emphasised its importance, notably when the Narnians were awaiting Aslan’s return and later, after many years on the throne, for the Pevensies to return home.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe comes to The Mayflower

I have watched many musicals and plays over the years, but this performance of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, brimming with magic, is like nothing I have ever seen before. And I loved it.

You don’t need to look at the back of your wardrobe for an adventure, you will find one at The Mayflower Theatre.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe runs until November 27 at The Mayflower Theatre.