The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe – Review – Bradford Alhambra Theatre
By Christine Goode, September 2025
I went to Narnia last night, and no, I was not dreaming. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of C. S. Lewis’s novel, and the show is currently on tour, playing at Bradford Alhambra. I had the pleasure of watching one of the best shows I have seen for a long time. I wasn’t sure what to expect – just a simple play? How wrong I was.
Set during wartime, the show opens with a lonely soldier quietly playing the piano while the audience takes their seats. We soon meet the Pevensie children — Susan, Peter, Edmund and Lucy. They are anxious as they say goodbye to their mother at the crowded train station, preparing to be evacuated to the country with many other children.
Next, we see the arrival of the steam train – brought to life in puppet form and expertly guided by the actors. The train twists and turns through hills and valleys shrouded in fog. Steam bellows from its funnel as the carriage rocks back and forth, tossing the passengers in time with the journey. The visual effect is captivating, drawing the audience into the children’s perspective.
“Truly magical”
Once they arrive in the countryside, the children are greeted by an austere housekeeper, Mrs Macready. She leads them to the professor’s grand home, where anticipation and curiosity grow. Eager to explore their unfamiliar surroundings, the children wander through the house. It is here that the youngest, Lucy, discovers a mysterious wardrobe – the adventure begins.
The cast of twenty-three are first-class singers, dancers, musicians and puppeteers. It is difficult to single anyone out; however, the White Witch (Katy Stephens) and Aslan (Stanton Wright) deserve special mention, both delivering spine-tingling performances as good prevails over evil.
The staging by Tom Paris is both spectacular and minimalist. A large, astrolabe-like clock serves as the central element of the set, effortlessly transporting us from the professor’s house to the magical world of Narnia. The first transition — which features young Lucy, brilliantly portrayed by Kudzai Mangombe — is pure theatrical genius. We catch a glimpse of fur coats hanging inside the wardrobe; as Lucy passes through them, the coats come to life and, without giving too much away, the audience is suddenly swept into Narnia. These transformations are truly magical.
“Captivating”
This show is full of surprises, with moments of stagecraft that must be seen to be believed. At times, I had to remind myself that everything was happening live on stage, not in a film. I also loved the clever way the return journey into the wardrobe is staged – spinning doors, people running past and objects flying around – adding yet another layer of enchantment to the production.
The costumes are cleverly designed, nodding to each animal while reflecting the era, rather than the full-on animal suits I had expected.
The puppets are wonderful; there is even a cat much like mine at home. Its movements and gestures are perfect. Aslan impresses as he commands the stage, strutting around. I particularly liked the dual portrayal — puppet and actor together — with neither dominant. It might sound confusing on paper, but it works beautifully.
There are moments that could be quite scary for younger audience members, hence the age guidance of 6+. This is truly one of the most exciting and captivating shows I have ever seen, and I would readily go and see it again. There is so much happening on stage at once that I must have missed something. Without question, there was a standing ovation at the end, and the delighted audience left chatting animatedly about what they had just witnessed.
‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ is at Bradford Alhambra, 23–27 September 2025
images: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg
Christine Goode founded her own dance school – The May School of Dance & Theatre Arts over three decades ago. Her dedication to teaching and love of dance, has created many successful artists in the industry, and she is delighted that many of her former students have now returned with their children, allowing them to also discover this beautiful art. She has choreographed, produced and directed shows over the last 36 years, and is devoted to all live theatre and music. Now in her third year of writing about her obsession with the arts, Christine loves to encourage everyone to see as much live theatre as possible.
maydanceschool.co.uk
