Winter Gardens, Blackpool – until Saturday 2 August 2025
Reviewed by Debra Skelton
5*****
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe has landed at the Winter Gardens Blackpool and will be showing until Saturday 02nd August.
This production is based on the well-known and well-loved novel by C S Lewis and original production by Sally Cookson. It is presented by Chris Harper Productions, produced by Chris Harper and Catherine Schreiber and directed by Michael Fentiman.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe tells the story of the four Pevensie siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy who in 1940 to escape the Blitz, are evacuated from London and sent to the English countryside to live in a large house with Professor Digory Kirke.
Whilst there, Lucy decides to explore the house and comes across a wardrobe that sends her to the magical world of Narnia via a portal where she meets the faun Tumnus for the first time who eventually befriends her after initially planning to betray her.
Narnia is currently under a spell by the evil White Witch where it is always perpetually Winter and this is where the children become involved with the majestic lion Aslan who is the true king of Narnia and the creatures of Narnia to free the land from this spell.
Unfortunately, Edmund betrays Aslan and his siblings as he is lured in with the promise of power and enchanted Turkish Delight by the White Witch and unwittingly becomes her ally. However, Aslan saves Edmund from the Witch’s claim by sacrificing himself at the Stone Table which is a pivotal moment in the story.
This is not the end for Aslan as he is resurrected and along with the creatures of Narnia and the Pevensie children they restore spring to Narnia by defeating the White Witch in an epic and climatic battle.
The children are crowned Kings and Queens of Narnia leading to a time of prosperity and peace during their reign of many years establishing a Golden Age before they decide to return to their own world through the wardrobe with no time having passed by back home.
This production starred Joanna Adaran as Susan, Jesse Dunbar as Peter, Bunmi Osadolor as Edmund, Kudzai Mangombe as Lucy, Alfie Richards as Mr Tumnus (White Mouse, Badger), Katy Stephens as the White Witch and Stanton Wright as Aslan (Soldier, Hedgehog). With the support of an incredible and very versatile cast with incredible voices and along with their acting talents, they really did create such a presence on stage.
Special thanks are also needed to composers Barnaby Race and Benji Bower for the sensational music, Tom Paris for creating such an adaptable set and for the fabulous costumes, Tom Marshall for the electrifying sound, Jack Knowles for the illuminating lighting, Shannelle ‘Tali’ Fergus for the flawless choreography, Tobie Olie the Puppetry Director and Max Humphries for puppetry design (Aslan was just amazing).
All there is left to say is head on down to see such an incredible performance that will not only thrill children but adults too.