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
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.
