The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Norwich Theatre Royal enchants audiences with a faithful adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s classic, highlighting a stunning Aslan puppet that captivates viewers and enhances the magical world of Narnia.
The hit West End production of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” is currently enchanting audiences at Norwich Theatre Royal, inviting them through the wardrobe into the magical realm of Narnia. Directed by Michael Fentiman, this stage adaptation remains faithful to C.S. Lewis’s timeless story, following the Pevensie children—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—as they journey from wartime Britain to the fantastical world of Narnia.
The production opens emotionally with an evocative depiction of London during the Second World War, where the children are evacuated to Aberdeen. The chorus’s rendition of Vera Lynn’s “We’ll Meet Again” sets a poignant atmosphere, grounding the fantasy in historical reality. Jesse Dunbar, Joanna Adaran, Bunmi Osadolor, and Kudzai Mangombe convincingly embody the Pevensie siblings, navigating the narrative’s blend of peril and discovery with authenticity that keeps audiences fully immersed.
A striking feature of the show is its skillful balance between the gravity of the wartime setting and lighter, more whimsical moments. Ed Thorpe and Anya De Villiers bring warmth and humour to their roles as Mr and Mrs Beaver, while Kraig Thornber’s portrayal of The Professor adds a charming touch to the production. This dynamic ensures the show appeals to viewers of all ages, making it an accessible and engaging experience for families.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect is the use of animal puppetry, which elevates the production’s visual storytelling. The character of Aslan—a pivotal figure in Lewis’s narrative—is brought to life through a combination of a large, intricately designed puppet operated by three actors and the presence of actor Stanton Wright. The seamless coordination between the puppet and Wright, from majestic movements to subtle tail flicks, creates a breathtaking spectacle that exceeded expectations and captivated the audience.
The production, celebrating the 75th anniversary of Lewis’s novel, runs at Norwich Theatre Royal until July 12, with tickets ranging from £15 to £52. Recognising the importance of accessibility, the theatre offers audio-described, touch tour, and captioned performances, ensuring that a wide range of audiences can experience the magic of Narnia.
While the Norwich staging has received widespread praise for its faithful adaptation and visual effects, feedback from other venues shows some variance. A notable London production at the Gillian Lynne Theatre drew acclaim for its set design, lighting, and sound, with critics highlighting the spellbinding spectacle and puppetry. On the other hand, some audience reviews from other tour locations have mentioned occasional low-budget elements in props and costumes, which may affect the overall magical experience for some.
Nonetheless, the Norwich production stands out for its emotional depth, professional handling of a brief technical disruption, and its captivating puppetry, particularly the portrayal of Aslan which many describe as the highlight of the show. It remains a must-see for anyone eager to rediscover the magic of Narnia in a live theatrical setting.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/25299847.lion-witch-wardrobe-review-theatre-royal/?ref=rss – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/25299847.lion-witch-wardrobe-review-theatre-royal/?ref=rss – A review of ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ at Norwich Theatre Royal, highlighting the production’s faithful adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s classic, the emotional opening scene set during the Second World War, and the impressive use of animal puppetry, particularly the portrayal of Aslan. The show runs until July 12, 2025.
- https://norwichtheatre.org/whats-on/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe/ – Information about ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ at Norwich Theatre Royal, including performance dates from July 8 to July 12, 2025, ticket prices ranging from £15 to £52, and access performances such as audio-described, touch tour, and captioned shows. The production celebrates the 75th anniversary of C.S. Lewis’s novel.
- https://www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/review-the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe-gillian-lynne-theatre – A review of ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, praising the set design, sound and lighting effects, and the portrayal of Aslan through puppetry and a human actor. The production is noted for its captivating visuals and engaging storytelling.
- https://www.voicemag.uk/review/15280/review-lion-witch-wardrobe-uk-tour-theatre-music – A review of the UK tour of ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’, highlighting the adaptation’s success in bringing the beloved story to life with unique flourishes, a multi-instrument live band, and breathtaking sets. The production is described as unmissable and likely to be the evening of the year.
- https://www.birmingham-theatre.co.uk/reviews/customer-reviews/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe – Customer reviews for ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ at Birmingham Theatre, with an overall rating of 2.6/5. Positive reviews praise the scenery and acting, while some negative reviews mention low-budget props and costumes, and a lack of magic compared to the book.
- https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/jul/29/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe-review-gillian-lynne-theatre-london – A review of ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, describing the production as exhilarating with spellbinding spectacle, wartime drama, and perfect puppetry. The adaptation is noted for its captivating visuals and engaging storytelling.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is current, with the production running until July 12, 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is July 29, 2022, in The Guardian. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/jul/29/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe-review-gillian-lynne-theatre-london?utm_source=openai)) The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. No recycled content from low-quality sites or clickbait networks was identified. The report includes updated data but does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes were identified in the provided text. The absence of quotes suggests the content is potentially original or exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, the Eastern Daily Press (edp24.co.uk), which is a well-established regional newspaper in the UK. This adds credibility to the report. However, the specific author of the report is not identified, which slightly reduces the reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made in the report are plausible and consistent with known information about the production. The report mentions the use of animal puppetry, which is a notable feature of this adaptation. The portrayal of Aslan through a combination of a large puppet and actor Stanton Wright aligns with previous reviews. ([theatreandtonic.co.uk](https://theatreandtonic.co.uk/blog/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe-uk-tour-2024-review?utm_source=openai)) The report also highlights the production’s balance between the gravity of the wartime setting and lighter moments, which is consistent with other reviews. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/jul/29/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe-review-gillian-lynne-theatre-london?utm_source=openai)) The language and tone are appropriate for the region and topic, and the structure is focused on the production’s features without excessive or off-topic detail.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The report is current and based on a press release, indicating freshness. The absence of direct quotes suggests originality. The source is a reputable UK regional newspaper, and the claims made are plausible and consistent with known information about the production. No significant issues were identified, leading to a ‘PASS’ verdict with high confidence.
