The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe @ Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

"There’s been enough fighting already, let’s sort this out another way." Couldn’t have put it better, Professor. 

C.S. Lewis wrote the novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in the years following his experience as a soldier in the Second World War. This 2025 stage production, based on the book, marks the 75th anniversary of a tale which continues to resonate decades after its publication. 

Seeking safety from war-torn London, four young siblings – Susan (Joanna Adaran), Peter (Jesse Dunbar), Lucy (Kudzai Mangombe) and Edmund (Bunmi Osadolor) – are sent away from home on a train bound for Scotland while their father heads off to fight. At their new home, a portal to a magical wintry world awaits them through a wardrobe, if only they can allow themselves to see it. 

Directed by Michael Fentiman, this joyful and bright production is a celebration of hope and the power of the imagination, where good strives to overcome evil; where, even during the darkest of times, there is light. 

From the glowing lights of the train as it takes the children north to safety, to the large red blocks of demonic Turkish delight that take robotic form as they overpower Edmund, and the bright sunbeams of light which mark the return of Aslan and the beginning of the evil witch’s demise, the lighting, designed by Jack Knowles, makes an impressive impact. 

It's not only the light. Uplifting songs from composers Barnaby Race and Benji Bower sung exuberantly by the whole cast, combined with energetic dance compositions choreographed by Shannelle ‘Tali’ Fergus, also help to make this production memorable. 

Katy Stephens is chilling as the White Witch – he thrilling aerial moments, where she rises high above the stage, add a suitably evil punch to proceedings. Puppetry designer Max Humphries and puppetry director Toby Olié inject a bit of extra magic through their creation of Aslan the lion, who struts majestically across the stage. Kudos to the talented puppeteers (Andrew Davison, Rhodri Watkins and Molly Francis), who make Aslan’s movements feel so natural and effortless. Stanton Wright, who represents Aslan in human form, also brings a strong stage presence. 

Above all, this is a story that invites its audience to believe, to have hope, even if at first you can’t see the light. 

---

Run ended. More info at capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/all-shows/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe/2335