Sunderland Empire – until Saturday 4 December 2021
Reviewed by Jess Bramfitt
5*****
The latest production from Leeds Playhouse is this Sally Cookson / Michael Fentiman presentation of the timeless classic C.S. Lewis story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Wonderfully set by Rae Smith and Tom Paris, and with original score by Benji Bower and Barnaby Race, this version of the tale of 4 evacuees who discover a portal to another world is fantasy storytelling of the highest order.
There have been many other productions of the classic tale; BBC TV, radio and a number of feature length films, but I doubt any of them could generate the same feelings of total immersion into the land of Narnia. Avoiding the use of heavy set and scenery, the on-stage transitions, brilliant use of the ensemble as props and clever puppetry allows the story to ebb and flow like a snow storm, never breaking the illusion and allowing the audiences’ imagination to remain intact.
The Pevensie kids, Peter (Ammar Duffus), Susan (Robyn Sinclair), Edmund (Shaka Kalokoh) and Lucy (Karise Yansen) find themselves hundreds of miles away from their London homes, sent to live with Professor Kirk (Johnson Willis). Whilst he appears to be quite amiable, they are still expected to be seen and not heard and so look for entertainment throughout his house. Coming across a wardrobe in a spare room, they find that it is actually a passage into a parrel world, Narnia.
Exploring this new land, they encounter no end of mystical creatures who are currently under a 100 year spell of perpetual winter, cast by the evil White Witch (Samantha Womack). Samantha plays the Witch with unnerving, understated menace – there is no over the top pantomime style evil, more a simple, quiet certainty that she will win. As the children befriend the Narnians they realise that their coming has been foretold in many stories, ‘Sons of Adam’ and ‘Daughters of Eve’ being revered as saviours to help rid the land of the self-appointed queen. Assisting Aslan The Lion (Chris Jared and an amazing walking puppet) the 4 humans adopt their new personas and thus the final battle scene is set.
The ensemble play many different roles with great costumes and very clever use of props. They are also responsible for playing all the instruments, giving a very organic feel to the performance that feels very intimate, despite the large stage.
This production remains totally authentic and true to the original story, there have been no changes to accommodate ‘stars’ nor has there been any shying away from the fantasy, in fact the design is so good that you find yourself reaching into your imagination and revisiting your ability to enjoy pretending again. A truly unique 5 star show worthy of all the plaudits and awards.