REVIEW: THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE @ PRINCESS THEATRE TORQUAY

🎭 The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe

📍 Princess Theatre, Torbay Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5EZ   

🗓 Tuesday 1st April 2025

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MISSING THE MAGIC

Last night I was invited back to Torquay's Princess Theatre to watch the touring production of THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE which is playing at the venue until Saturday. As someone who grew up reading The Chronicles of Narnia books and watching the BBC adaptation of this story, I was very much looking forward to seeing this production.

Unfortunately I was left with very mixed feelings about the show and although I enjoyed it I also had reservations, so I felt that 3 stars was the fairest rating and I will explain my reasons below.

The first thing I have to mention is the quality of acting on display. Joanna Adaran, Jesse Dunbar, Kudzai Mangombe and Bunmi Osadolor were absolutely sensational as the curious siblings who enter Narnia. I really believed their family history and their unity. Katy Stephens was delightfully devilish as the White Witch and Stanton Wright was commanding as Aslan, but there was not a single weak link in the company and whether they played a large or small role, the cast were engaging and made their presence felt.

Regrettably though I had this constant niggling feeling that something was missing from this production. Although it was difficult to pinpoint exactly what it was, I constantly wanted a bit more.

The show started extremely strongly, with an opening scene that captured the imagination and filled the audience with excited wonder. The staging and effects were great and I especially liked the way they portrayed the train which carried the evacuated children.

Sadly after this strong beginning I felt that the production fell flat and then struggled to regain the glorious wonder of the opening. Somehow the heart of the story seemed to have been lost in translation and for me there were times when the story felt boring, which it really isn't.

I expected to be wowed and think the production was magical but it was a little drab at times. Perhaps the colourful imagry which is used to promote the show had lured me into thinking this would translate to the production values, but far from this the show looked very dull. Although this was perchance very fitting for the story, there was a big disconnect to the expectation the promotional material suggested.

The puppetry was excellent and executed very well with Aslan being quite impressive. My question though is was it actually needed? All of the other creatures of Narnia were wonderfully portrayed by actors in costumes but having the large Aslan puppet next to an actor also playing the character would surely be confusing to the younger members of the audience. I personally felt it should have been one or the other and based on the performance of Wright I would favour getting rid of the puppet. I understand he's a titular character but having two representations of him on the stage created a real disconnect.

There were also sadly some issues with actor's microphones not being switched on in time and there were frequent occasions where dialogue was missed as people were talking but I couldn't hear what they were saying!

At the heart of the show though is a classic beloved story and while I appreciate what they've tried to do with it, I just feel that the production overall is a bit lacklustre. I loved some of the ideas and the way the cast moved around the stage was impressive and I felt the direction and understanding of the vision was strong.

Despite my reservations I did enjoy it but I'm also very conflicted about my feelings, hence the star rating. If you love the book then it's definitely worth checking out this production and making your own mind up, and as I've already mentioned the cast are INCREDIBLE.

THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE continues performances in Torquay until Saturday 5th April. Click here to check avaliability and to book tickets.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one reviewer.  

My ticket for this performance of The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe was gifted by the Princess Theatre who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Joanna Adaran as Susan; Jesse Dunbar as Peter; Kudzai Mangombe as Lucy; Bunmi Osadolor as Edmund; Katy Stephens as White Witch / Mrs Macready; Anita De Villiers as Mrs Beaver; Ed Thorpe as Mr Beaver; Stanton Wright as Aslan / Soldier / Hedgehog; Kraig Thornber as The Professor / Father Christmas / Wise Owl; Alfie Richards as Mr Tumnus / White Mouse / Badger; Shane Antony-Whitely as Maugrim / Satyr / White Stag; Archie Combe as Mr Pope / Foxtrot; Andrew Davison as Mr Wilson (Schrödinger) / Jack Rabbit / Aslan Puppeteer; Molly Francis as Mrs Pevensie / Aslan Puppeteer / Robin; FFion Haf as Miss Gumley-Warmley / Phoenix; Rhiannon Hopkins as Miss Chutney / Blue Badger; Joe Keenan as Mr Granville / Spirit of the Moon / Red Squirrel; Rhodri Watkins as Mr Brinkworth / March Hare / Aslan Puppeteer; Ruby Greenwood as Onstage Swing; Oliver Magor as Onstage Musical Swing; JB Maya as Onstage Swing; Luca Moscardini as Onstage Swing

RUN TIME (approx):

2 hours 25 minutes, including interval