REVIEW - THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE | THE LOWRY | 04/12/2025

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – A Spellbinding Night of Magic at The Lowry

After falling in love with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Leeds Playhouse last year, returning to see the production at The Lowry felt like stepping back into something truly special. This beautiful adaptation, directed by Michael Fentiman and originally developed at Leeds Playhouse, has enjoyed a UK tour, a West End run and now continues to captivate audiences with its rich storytelling and breathtaking theatricality.

This visit was extra meaningful — it was the first full-length play I’ve ever taken my eight-year-old daughter to. She’s seen plenty of children’s theatre over the years, but watching her experience over two hours of live storytelling for the very first time was magical. She was completely enthralled, smiling from ear to ear, fully absorbed in every moment.

Set during World War II, the story follows siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter Pevensie as they are evacuated from London and sent to stay with Professor Kirke in the countryside. It’s there that Lucy opens the wardrobe door and steps into the snowy, magical world of Narnia — a land full of talking animals, mythical creatures and hidden secrets.

But Narnia is trapped in an endless winter under the rule of the White Witch, whose icy grip has taken away all warmth and hope. As the children explore this new world, they find themselves pulled into a battle between good and evil. Along the way, they meet much-loved characters like Mr Tumnus, the brave Mr and Mrs Beaver, and of course Aslan, whose arrival changes everything.

It’s a story filled with adventure, friendship and courage, celebrating the power of family and the magic of believing in something bigger than yourself.

The visuals in this production are absolutely gorgeous. Tom Paris’ set design blends the real world and Narnia so smoothly, with clever transitions and beautiful little details that make every scene feel alive. One moment you’re in wartime Britain, and the next you’re stepping straight into a snowy forest — it’s magical.

The lighting by Jack Knowles adds so much atmosphere, shifting from icy whites and blues during the Witch’s reign to warm, hopeful colours as Narnia begins to change. The costumes are just as impressive, mixing period pieces with imaginative designs for the animals and mythical creatures. The White Witch’s icy look is especially striking.

The puppetry, created by Toby Olié, is breathtaking. Aslan is truly something special — powerful, gentle and full of life. My daughter was completely enchanted by him, and Schroedinger the cat quickly became one of her favourites of the whole night.

The music, composed by Barnaby Race and Benji Bower, is another highlight. The actor-musicians bring a warm, folksy sound to the score, creating an atmosphere that draws you straight into the world of Narnia. My daughter’s favourite song was “Myra the Gift Giver,” while mine is still the powerful “The Lion Walks.” “Myra the Gift Giver” is such a warm, uplifting moment, while “The Lion Walks” is bold and powerful — two songs that capture the heart and strength of the story in completely different ways. Both moments had us completely absorbed — a real reminder of how magical theatre can be.

The cast bring so much warmth, energy and heart to this story. Kudzai Mangombe is wonderful as Lucy, capturing all the curiosity, bravery and wide-eyed excitement that children adore. Watching her scenes through my daughter’s eyes made them feel even more special.

Bunmi Osadolor gives a thoughtful and emotional performance as Edmund, and Joanna Adaran (Susan) and Jesse Dunbar (Peter) are both strong, steady and full of heart as the older siblings.

Katy Stephens is brilliantly chilling as the White Witch — icy, commanding and completely captivating every time she steps on stage. And Stanton Wright, alongside the incredible puppetry team, brings Aslan to life with such beauty and emotion. The presence, warmth and gentle power of the lion had the whole audience hanging onto every moment.

The supporting cast shine throughout too, especially Alfie Richards’ endearing Mr Tumnus, the always-lovely Mr and Mrs Beaver, and the gracefully menacing Maugrim. Every character adds something unique, creating a world that feels full, alive and completely believable.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at The Lowry is a masterpiece of imagination, storytelling and theatrical craft. Returning to Narnia felt magical all over again — but sharing it with my daughter for her first ever full-length play made it truly unforgettable.

From its breathtaking puppetry to its moving score and powerful, heartfelt performances, this production captures everything we cherish about C.S. Lewis’ classic. Whether you’ve loved the story for years or you’re stepping through the wardrobe for the very first time, this show is a spellbinding experience for families and theatre-lovers alike.

It’s the perfect festive treat for the whole family — heartwarming, visually stunning and full of magic from start to finish.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe will be showing at The Lowry until Sunday, 11th January 2026. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.

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For more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the official website.

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Photo Credit - Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.