A roaring adventure full of fairy tale magic and delicious theatrical delight!
Stepping into The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is like opening the wardrobe door yourself into a world that’s stunning, engrossing, and breathtakingly beautiful.
This stage adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ beloved tale is a masterclass in theatrical storytelling, blending creative ingenuity with heartfelt performances and spellbinding stagecraft. Celebrating 75 years, this wondrous tale comes magnificently to life on stage in Milton Keynes all week.
The cast is phenomenal across the board, with stand-out performances that bring depth and nuance to each character.
The Pevensie children evacuate to Scotland in WW2 to the care of the Professor ( Kraig Thornber – who also plays the rather splendid Father Christmas role ).
There we meet Lucy ( Kudzai Mangombe ) kind hearted, innocent and faithful, Edmund ( Bunmi Osadolor ) initially spiteful and jealous but later brave and honourable, Susan ( Joanna Adaran ) nurturing, kind and sensible and Peter ( Jesse Dunbar ) protective, courageous and mature.
Each child has their own strengths and together they form a well balanced team that helps restore peace to Narnia.
Katy Stephens is glorious as the White Witch, malevolent and tyrannical, she rules Narnia with cruelty and fear. Her scenes are powerful, intimidating and darkly dramatic.
Many characters embody the dark side too with eerie, almost terrifying costumes and presence, the stuff nightmares are made of – particularly the brutal and vicious Maugrim ( Shane Antony-Whitely ) whose performance is just stupendous.
The acting is consistently compelling. Every performer throws themselves into their role with a commitment that makes the fantasy feel palpably real.
The production’s standout element is the stunning Aslan puppet, a towering creation brought to life with such artistry that man and beast coalesce in perfect harmony. The physicality of the puppeteers and sublime sound effects meld seamlessly with the rich, resonant – dare we say, purr-fect – voice and character of Aslan, giving the great lion a soulful presence that commands and comforts in equal measure.
Staging and lighting are composed with remarkable vision. Shifts from the mundane to the magical are rendered with fluid elegance: snowfall glistens under dreamy lights, and battle scenes pulse with urgency and theatrical flair. The illusions and magical effects are nothing short of incredible, drawing audible gasps from the audience and adding layers of wonder that elevate the entire experience.
While it’s not a full-blown musical, the production weaves music into its storytelling with finesse. The score enhances emotional beats and amplifies atmosphere, fusing with the narrative in a way that feels both organic and powerful.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is an enchanting triumph, a spellbinding blend of technical wizardry, theatrical creativity and emotional resonance. It’s a roaring adventure full of fairy tale magic and deliciously tempting delights. Full of power, intensity, tenderness and force, it’s a show that doesn’t just retell a classic story, it reawakens the magic within it.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Tour is at Milton Keynes Theatre until 26th July 2025. Tickets are available from £27.00 (+ £3.95 transaction fee), General bookings: 0844 871 7615, Access bookings:0333 009 5399, Group bookings:0207 206 1174 or online.
Reviewed by:
I’m a proud MK resident of over 46 years watching it grow from a new town to a bustling business, social and cultural city.
I work in the NHS and enjoy an eclectic social life exploring everything Milton Keynes has in the diary.
