Dramatisation: Adrian Mitchell
Director: Ian Brown
Reviewer: Helen Chapman
Even for someone who was never enchanted by Narnia as a child, the West Yorkshire Playhouse’s production of the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe didn’t fail to transport me into a fantasy world where wardrobes lead to new worlds, beavers can talk and children can rule the land.
CS Lewis’s famous and much loved The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe although chronologically following the Magician’s Nephew in the Chronicles of Narnia, it was the first to be published in 1950. Since then it has enjoyed success and popularity for all ages, and has now been brought to life on stage.
The story begins with the Pevensie family children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, being evacuated to a big house in the country as London suffers the effects of the Second World War. At the house, Lucy the youngest of the four discovers the magical world of Narnia whilst hiding in a lone wardrobe, which begins her journey and that of her siblings, in the land where it’s always winter but never Christmas. Amy Brown gives a superb performance as Lucy, showing genuine innocence and wonder at all she sees and a keenness to do what’s right. The relationships between the brothers and sisters is endearing, and whilst arguments happen, and harsh words are spoken, there is an overriding sense of love and protection, especially from Peter and Susan, the oldest of the four.
Being betrayed by Edmund who is then captured by the White Witch, the rest of the family are left with the challenge of defeating the witch to bring Narnia back to its former glory. Not left alone, the children are helped by Mr and Mrs Beaver (who incidentally are brilliant) and ultimately by Aslan, the true King of Narnia. Louis Decosta Johnson gave a powerful performance as the lion, balancing authority over his people with a genuine concern for their welfare, demonstrated ultimately by sacrificing his life for Edmund.
The mystical nature of Narnia is created by a fantastic set, transformed effectively from the inside of a grand house, to the middle of a snow scene, to a beaver’s dam, and back to the house. In addition, Stephen Snell excelled as costume designer. From the audience, there was so much to look at on stage, with the costumes bringing each character to life and adding a real presence to the stage. It was also a treat to have live music that combined with some lighting and sound special effects kept the audience on their toes – I have to admit jumping out of my seat on more than one occasion!
All in all, this was a great evening, living up to expectations and perfect as a pre-Christmas night out.
Photos: Robert Day
CS Lewis’s famous and much loved The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe although chronologically following the Magician’s Nephew in the Chronicles of Narnia, it was the first to be published in 1950. Since then it has enjoyed success and popularity for all ages, and has now been brought to life on stage.
The story begins with the Pevensie family children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, being evacuated to a big house in the country as London suffers the effects of the Second World War. At the house, Lucy the youngest of the four discovers the magical world of Narnia whilst hiding in a lone wardrobe, which begins her journey and that of her siblings, in the land where it’s always winter but never Christmas. Amy Brown gives a superb performance as Lucy, showing genuine innocence and wonder at all she sees and a keenness to do what’s right. The relationships between the brothers and sisters is endearing, and whilst arguments happen, and harsh words are spoken, there is an overriding sense of love and protection, especially from Peter and Susan, the oldest of the four.
Being betrayed by Edmund who is then captured by the White Witch, the rest of the family are left with the challenge of defeating the witch to bring Narnia back to its former glory. Not left alone, the children are helped by Mr and Mrs Beaver (who incidentally are brilliant) and ultimately by Aslan, the true King of Narnia. Louis Decosta Johnson gave a powerful performance as the lion, balancing authority over his people with a genuine concern for their welfare, demonstrated ultimately by sacrificing his life for Edmund.
The mystical nature of Narnia is created by a fantastic set, transformed effectively from the inside of a grand house, to the middle of a snow scene, to a beaver’s dam, and back to the house. In addition, Stephen Snell excelled as costume designer. From the audience, there was so much to look at on stage, with the costumes bringing each character to life and adding a real presence to the stage. It was also a treat to have live music that combined with some lighting and sound special effects kept the audience on their toes – I have to admit jumping out of my seat on more than one occasion!All in all, this was a great evening, living up to expectations and perfect as a pre-Christmas night out.
Photos: Robert Day
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