It’s 75 years since C.S Lewis wrote the beautiful novel that would go on to cause generations of children to frantically search through wardrobes in hope of finding a snow covered land full of magic and friendly animals.
The search is over as Narnia has finally arrived at the Wales Millennium Centre and it is here until February the 15th 2025.
Straight from the West End, the adventures of Lucy, Edmond, Simon and Peter are told in this incredible adaptation of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. This is a family friendly magical story of love, strength and sacrifice and it is sure to have everyone on the edge of their seats.
Once again we see the use of intricate puppetry in this performance as the crucial character Aslan is safely brought to life by Andrew Davison and Molly Francis. Whilst Stanton Wright takes on the wise human manifestation of this beautiful king Lion.
Mixed with a clever use of props and modern lighting styles emphasising characterful costumes, this musical is a sensory heaven before you even add in the emotive folk like music.
Aneirin age 12, loves the books and he told me his thoughts.
‘It stuck to the story, the actors were great. The professor was my favourite, he was funny’
Is Mr Tumnus featured in this version though? Well of course he is and Alfie Richards works wonders to keep us all in love with this familiar and friendly character.
The magic of the scary White Witch, played by Katy Stephens, is something all ages will enjoy and when you go, you have to tell me how she disappears!? That trick was one I wasn’t expecting and I still can’t figure it out.
Audience member Anna took her whole family and was keen to tell me her thoughts.
“The stage changes were so clever and really smoothly done, the set was spectacular. The way they made the actor and the lion blend into one was really clever to the point I didn’t think about them being separate. I Loved the actors playing the instruments. All in all pretty psychedelic and pretty darn cool.”
I myself really enjoyed watching the children around me go through so many emotions throughout their theatre experience and watching them all coming out beaming at the end.
Ioan aged 9 told me that it made him feel “Scared at times and excited, I loved Santa. Edmund was my favourite because he kept yeating himself around the room”
The little sprinkling of humour as Spring arrived was definitely one of my personal favourite snippets and I do have to say that Ed Thorpe and Anya De Villiers make a great comedic pairing as Mr and Mrs Badger.
Go beyond the wardrobe doors yourself and book tickets via:
