The wonder of Narnia has captured imaginations for over 70 years as the ultimate children's tale when it comes to magical, snowy, epic adventures. Now it's in Birmingham for Christmas, but could it possibly live up to the high bar already set for this CS Lewis classic.
This ambitious stage version of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe stays at Birmingham Rep throughout the festive season until January 28. The family show has come straight from a successful run in London's West End with a masterful creative team behind it.
It needs to be as it's recreating talking animals, a wicked White Witch and cupboard with a wormhole linked to a mystical land, and that's no easy feat. Director Michael Fentiman is at the helm, who was behind the imaginative stage version of Amelie, and his eye for creativity and musicality is put to good use again here.
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It opens with a nostalgic feel as a solo pianist plays We'll Meet Again for a sentimental singalong in this World War Two setting. The words are not lost on the fact our four young heroes - Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter - are being separated from their mum as they head to the safety of the Scottish countryside.
The squabbling siblings are refreshingly realistic with a lovely chemistry between them as they discover a strange guardian, lovable cat Schroedinger and magical wardrobe at their mysterious new home. Kudzai Mangombe, Jerome Scott, Liyah Summers and Daniel Apea can't be faulted as the four leads.
That first venture through the wardrobe into Narnia is always going to be the real test of this show and as Lucy stepped in amongst the fur coats, you could feel the audience holding their breath. Thankfully, it didn't disappoint.
Suddenly the coats turned into dancers, snowflakes fell and wintry residents with decorative umbrellas created a mesmerising scene that looked like something out of a snowglobe. Just beautiful.
There's plenty more singing and dancing to come during the slick two and a half hour show, and much of it with a folk slant. Most of the actors are musicians too so it becomes the norm to see a red squirrel playing the violin and a beaver who's a dab hand with an accordion, but it all fits in wonderfully well.
With the war theme, many of the much-loved characters have military clothing rather than being full-on animal costumes. Jez Unwin's likeable Mr Tumnus has horns and a bomber jacket but no furry legs or hooves, but still feels like a fawn.
Mr and Mrs Beaver are turned into an adorable couple by actors Ruby Ablett and Samuel Morgan-Grahame and have the look and feel of Dad's Army about them.
There's more imaginative costumes to depict the White Witch's wolves and lackeys. It's when this chilling queen appears that the visual effects step up a gear. Her frosty appearance along with ingenious movements to recreate a sleigh are fantastic, as is Cath Whitefield, playing her with cool indifference and toying with sulky Edmund.
A gloriously chilling scene that shows off the witch's immense power leads into the interval so the audience can catch their breath and await the long-awaited entrance of Aslan.
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Opening the second act is a joyous song and dance routine from Father Christmas bestowing special gifts to our young charges that will be vital in the battle ahead. Making this production so special is its superb use of puppets and visual effects. No more so than for Aslan.
He's such an enormous presence that his character is covered by both a huge life-size lion puppet and Oliver Hoare, as an extension who provides mainly the voice while looking animal-like with a long mane of hair and furry coat.
The extra touches to this sublime play really are special. From the masterful puppetry of the cat and lion to the smaller stage within a circle on the back wall that gives an extra dimension to the proceedings.
There's always something surprising and new to see, that will feel like magic to some of the children watching, while the action never seems to slow down.
It's a visual spectacle and a constant feast for the eyes that's as imaginative and creative as the story it's telling. Alongside that, it's heartfelt and funny providing the perfect balance of joy and dread, as every good fairy tale does.
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe is a must-see for Christmas. It's an incredible and imaginative show that captivates from start to finish and does Narnia proud.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe runs at Birmingham Rep during Christmas until January 28, 2024. For tickets and information visit the Birmingham Rep website here.
