REVIEW: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe on the Gillian Lynne theatre

Everyone loves an journey, an Escape from the mundane on a regular basis life we dwell. But for the Pevensie kids, this journey to an enchanted world, Narnia, Is an journey they’ll always remember. C.S Lewis’ critically acclaimed guide and the eventual movement image movie The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe lastly make its journey to the stage in gorgeous trend. 

What’s immediately putting with the set is that there isn’t a set, so to talk. More props are positioned all through every display to point out the transferring alongside of the story, although Set designer Tom Paris makes use of a intelligent and creative use of the props to continually shift between scenes and make wonderful use of the stage area. The ensemble inside the present can be improbable, it’s a really ensemble-heavy present and utilises every solid member to strengthen the scenes. The actors additionally carry out the songs while enjoying the instrument so as to add to the talent of the ensemble and utilise and showcase the power of the actors. The bodily transformations between the scenes are probably the most spectacular. Many who’ve seen the movie would little question be sceptical as to how sure scenes could be pulled off. Yet the bodily transformations between scenes take the components of the movie and completely imitate these on the stage. 

Deserving of excessive reward is Choreographer Shannelle ‘Tali’ Fergus. The bodily translations and dance segments all through the present are joyous to look at, they seamlessly transfer by means of scenes. The manufacturing by no means feels prefer it takes a break to alter and simply constantly flows. Also the eldest and youngest Pevensie siblings Peter and Lucy. Duffer is great because the eldest, a stern and highly effective efficiency capturing the facet of Peter that hints at vulnerability however in the end a protecting nature over his household. Lucy steals the present nonetheless, Hayles captures the innocence of a kid but provides a humerus tone to Lucy, she’s each comedic and endearing and a focus at any time when on stage. 

As for the opposite characters such because the White Witch (Samantha Womack), Womack completely portrays the chilly nature of the evil queen, an intimidating efficiency from her leaves you fearing the worst for the heroes within the present. That mentioned till the good Aslan (Chris Jared) arrives. Aslan is an unforgettable character as he’s portrayed by means of the actor himself and a puppet lion subsequent to him following his each transfer and movement. The puppetry group of Sean Lopeman & Shaun McCourt seize the lion exquisitely, hints of the theatre’s earlier manufacturing of War Horse right here because the believability {that a} lion is prowling in entrance of you is life like. 

If we’ve got to be crucial then a couple of scenes had been barely rushed or not almost explored as a lot as they may very well be. The battle for Narnia as an illustration was spoken about for almost all of the present after which occurred and was very anticlimactic and fairly underwhelming. Also, as a couple of actors shone, it uncovered a couple of as probably barely weaker. 

It does take the perfect from theatre although. The bodily theatre, actor-musicians and puppetry all add collectively to culminate right into a manufacturing that’s bewitching and magical. Director Mike Fentiman has taken Sally Cookson’s authentic manufacturing and created a present that continues to enchant audiences and convey the magic of Narnia to life on stage. Time might move briefly in Narnia however make no mistake, this manufacturing is timeless. 

Review by George Butler

Rating: ★★★★