Stepping into Hull New Theatre for the opening night of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe UK tour, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I’ve never read the original C.S. Lewis novel and only vaguely remembered the Disney adaptation from years ago, so my expectations were fairly neutral going in.
What I discovered instead was a magical, surprisingly powerful production that blends nostalgia, music, and storytelling into something truly worth experiencing.
For anyone unfamiliar, the story follows four siblings – Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter – evacuated to the countryside during the Second World War.
While exploring the grand old house they’re staying in, they stumble upon a magical wardrobe that transports them to Narnia, a land trapped in an eternal winter under the rule of a wicked White Witch. The animals speak, the trees whisper, and a prophecy promises that four humans will one day free them from her icy grip.
I had expected something a little more childlike – closer to the film I remembered – but this production has more depth and darkness to it. It’s still perfectly suitable for younger audiences, but it feels like it’s been created with adults in mind too, perhaps those who grew up loving the story and now want to rediscover it in a more mature, theatrical way.
One of the most pleasant surprises was that it’s a musical. The cast perform beautifully, singing along to folk-inspired pieces backed by string instruments that feel earthy and atmospheric. At times, it reminded me of The Lion King Musical – not in story, but in the way music is used to build emotion and connect you to the world on stage.
The show opens quietly with the evacuation scene, as the children say goodbye to their parents and board a train to safety. It’s not a dramatic or showy beginning, but it draws you in, grounding the story in a real historical moment before whisking you away into fantasy.
From there, the pace builds steadily, and by the time Aslan makes his entrance, the atmosphere in the theatre shifts completely. That moment was a highlight for me – and clearly for many others too. My eight-year-old daughter’s face lit up as the great lion appeared and the animals of Narnia suddenly had hope again.
The cast is outstanding across the board. Ed Thorpe is a scene-stealer as Mr Beaver, bringing warmth and humour to the stage. Stanton Wright’s Aslan has a commanding presence that suits the character perfectly, while Kraig Thornber is excellent as the kindly Professor. And Katy Stephens gives a strong and powerful performance as the White Witch – cold, commanding and utterly convincing.
This is a show that captures the magic and wonder of Narnia while adding new layers of depth and emotion. The music is beautiful and moving, the staging imaginative, and the performances first-class. If you loved the story as a child, this production will sweep you right back into that world – and if you enjoy theatre like The Lion King Musical, you’ll find a lot to love here too.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is running at Hull New Theatre until this Saturday, 4th October (Tickets here) – and it’s absolutely worth catching before it moves on to the next stop of its UK tour.
