why this play didn't take me to Narnia... | review of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe West End 

How could they NOT end the first act with the arrival of Aslan? That is literally one of the most pinnacle moments of the story.

I've been a lifelong fan of this series, I have a tattoo about it and everything. The stone table HAS to break, it's so important!!

I saw it at the bridge theatre and it was one of the most stunning pieces of theatre I’d ever seen. It was so full of joy and included the audience in parts to bring in summer. There was gorgeous silk work that suggested trees and gave that life to the trees coming back awake. When I saw it on tour I was so disappointed. It felt more panto to me and had lost so much of what I loved in the original. I’d really hoped it was just because it was on tour but sounds like I won’t bother going to try it again in London 😔😔

A Chicago theatre company did an excellent non-musical adaptation a number of years ago. I do wish they'd revisit it. The artistic choice they went for was very minimalist -- practically no sets, and almost no costuming. And no puppets. Their Aslan didn't have to compete with any bad puppetry to draw focus.

To be fair some of your criticisms are the fault of CS Lewis, the children were suppose to be blank slates, the good knight, the smart one, the redeemed one and the true believer. Although I know some adaptations have tried to give them a bit of an arc. Same with the ending, they’re crowned it’s, a thousand years later, they fall through the wardrobe. Tolkien should’ve given him better notes. 😂

I got to be part of a stage version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and what you said about trees stood out to me lol The genius in charge of scenery created tree shaped frames on stands with wheels which he then wove black foam tubing around the branches and mounted lights at the base of the trunk, so by changing the color of the lights, they could depict different seasons and different tones depending on the scene. They really added to the fantasy element of the production and were very versatile!

1. Yes, the stone table does and most certainly should break. Disappointing if this was a deliberate choice and not just a "malfunction". 😒 2. Maybe the bunting in the theater was in reference to the war time setting/ patriotism/propaganda in the Pevensies' "real" world? 🤷‍♀️ Love listening to your reviews! I always feel like you give each show a really fair and balanced approach.

See I saw the play and LOVED it, and I think children will too. It was so feel-good and adapting a book like this is going to be very tough. It wasnt without its flaws and I agree with most of what you said. I think the cast were exceptionally talented but having a separate orchestra would have helped with the music sounding more together. I would argue that the reason the children decide to stay without questioning is because Mr Tumnus saves Lucy and she's determined to return the favour. In trying to save one person they save the world and I do think that's a really lovely message. The actors playing Lucy and Tumnus were outstanding. I remember in the interval my friend and I were wondering whether Aslan would be a puppet or a person and we were like oh it's both lol

Absolutely spot on with your review I think and actually you've vocalized a number of issues I had that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Pacing was definitely an issue and the music was not rally necessary. I was delighted by the beginning of the show and though it as so magical (LOVED the train and the cat puppet) and thought I'd bring loads of people back to see it again, but partway through the 2nd half I remember thinking I don't know I'd feel the need to see it a 2nd time. Definite lack of emotional connection and impact and really good point about the portrayal of reality and Narnia needing to differ more. It almost felt as though a community was putting on this play during wartime hence the beavers' costumes being made partially of other items...but then other costumes were realistic. I'm really not sure. And I did not clock a number of the actors who had 'doubled up' so well done them because I didn't even realize. Very fair and well presented review, as usual.

Even in the book and movies, Santa Claus showing up to give children weapons is rather odd.

Thank you for your always honest reviews 🖤

Great review, my first narnia memory was at the RSC in Stratford when I was very young. It blew my mind. Aslan was a very hunky man with a costume that felt a bit lion King. Epic production.

I saw this one years ago. I can't remember where it was, but it was in a big marquee. We only watched act 1 because we were SO COLD we had to leave.

That intro was golden 🤣

I saw this on tour at The Mayflower. I didn’t really know what to expect - I’d pretty much forgotten all about the BBC adaptation from when I was younger, didn’t read the books, and haven’t seen the “recent” films. I’ll always prefer a musical over a play with songs, but I quite liked this mainly due to the use of the actor-musicians from Amelie. However, what I was most put off by was one of the actors playing one of the boys - I think the eldest one - it felt too much like an adult playing a kid. I know they were all adults, but he came across as much older that he should be.

I agreed with so much of that. I was in London for only a weekend and this was the 4th of a 4 show weekend, so wasn't sure if it was just fatigue on my part. I will say that there were many children in the audience when I saw it, and there was a lot of investment on their part. I personally felt emotionally disconnected, and I think a lot of it is the pacing issues

Strongly agree about the pacing!! It was very odd and the songs didn’t help at all imo, I kind of wish they hadn’t had music at all apart from maybe the opening and closing numbers. Love an ensemble cast though and it was a very enjoyable show overall

I played Peter in the older version of the play (many years ago, when I was in my teens!) and I loved that version. Something told me I wouldn’t like the new version, and your comments have kind of underlined that! I trust your judgement!

Finally someone who feels the same way I do , I felt there were a lot of issues too

I saw this a while ago with my school for free bc ammar (peter) was an ex student at my school

Agree about the Aslan puppet, I hated it with a passion. Regarding the Father Christmas number, remember this was the Christmas show at Leeds Playhouse in 2017 originally and only after that did it go on tour and finally land at the GL. The Christmas number probably felt more appropriate in the original run.

Gosh, I was going to book tickets for this cos I love this story, SOO glad I didn't - I didnt get that this was a musical. Reindeer song and dance routine? I think a successful adaptation has to take the whole thing seriously, or not bother. Ha. Trees!! Yes! Reading the book, I still remember the thrill of suddenly being in a snowy wood at night, and then Mr Beaver saying "even some of the trees are on her side". Realising we really are somewhere alien and enchanting. Trees are everywhere in Narnia.

Is this the production that started at Leeds Playhouse? i ask because im watching this in the Leeds Playhouse cafe under the Aslan puppet

Squirl... so cute, personally I like squizzle! 😄 Thanks for another honest review, I am booked for My Neighbour Totoro next week based on your review of that, I don't think I will be making an extra effort to see this.

The bunting is the represent the war time. Technically the stone table does crack it’s done with sound and lighting the lights go out a crack sound effect is done and the floor lights making a crack shape

I saw this a few weeks ago and couldn’t help feel a bit underwhelmed. It’s such a special story to me, so it was hard to live up to the standard I have in my head, but there where definitely some aspects that disappointed me - including some story changes. I loved the puppetry but I thought so many things could’ve been better. I completely agree with your review. There were some things I couldn’t put my finger on that you have brilliantly worded. I also have always pronounced it ‘Jaydis’ (which I believe is the way it is supposed to be pronounced!) and so I was confused as to why they changed it.

Right, not only subscribed but fully determined to refer to you before spending out on London tickets in future.

Love you!!

I wish they'd used more puppetry…It was advertised so heavily and there was hardly any

As always, an excellent review. Maybe they will revise it before brining it to Broadway

This book gave me nightmares as a child. However I might appreciate the play better as an adult. I may read the book again as well.

Personally, I loved this production and thought it was magical. I saw it 5 times during the tour and 3 times at the Gillian Lynne. I adored the music, thought it added something special to the production, and wish it was available on cd or to download. I thought the dual portrayal of Aslan was very effective. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

I remember taken part in concert as school in the 80s were we sung a song called Turkish delight which was from lion the witch and wardrobe. But never seen the full show. Is from this adaptation?

I was left guttingly disappointed by the Bedknobs and Broomsticks musical, entirely because of the twist ending that (imo) undermined the entire show. It’s funny that both shows suffer - Bedknobs from changing too much, and Lion The Witch from not changing anything. The book does takes forever for all the kids to get to Narnia, and Aslan doesn’t arrive until much later - something that might have been good to shorten for this show

You should check Cages, its amazing!

Narnia is one of my favorite fantasy worlds, so it's disappointing to hear that this adaptation didn't live up to your hopes and expectations. You gave it a very fair review though, and I can absolutely see all your criticisms being things that would bother me as well. (Also, I definitely say "squirl" too.)

I feel the songs did not work, due to not being a consistent pace for them... I was a tad bit disappointed by the production, although the acting chops of the cast were wonderful!

Since I’ve lived in england, that theatre has been Cinderella and this so haven’t been too happy with that theatre and the building annoys me. Wasn’t wind and the willows there too? Saw the procut of that and was dissapointed too

I Still don't understand the choice of this over Cinderella

@MickeyJoTheatre - would you like to come and see an amateur production up in Harlow (north of London) in Essex? Happy to offer you a seat in our lovely little 100 seat theatre in the Christmas to New Year Twixmas period? Drop me a line! I agree with many of your comments about the staging, pacing etc and ours is very different and I'd say pretty spectacular for an amateur show!

You didn’t enjoy the show much but you bought the teddy lion for your collection nice.

Love the film, never seen the show on stage The stone table, would be better if it did break

Saw it on tour and was quite surprised it was heading back to London, it was quite meh.

I really don't know what you were watching. I thought it was great.

I was so confused when you said that you can't say "squirrel" because the way you say it is the only way I've *ever* heard it said! Do Brits really say it as "squir-REL"? We Americans say squirrel exactly the same way you do.

I've only seen footage of the various British productions, but the Aslan puppet simply looks incredibly disappointing. The original Bridge Theater production had a huge more symbolic representation of Aslan showing their size and might so an actor representing them next to the puppetry makes sense. This however looks a little like well-funded local production attempting to adapt the original design instead of creating their own direction.

I would guess that the bunting has to do with the world war time period

Yes, the stone table should absolutely break and it’s such a shame it didn’t. In biblical terms, the stone table breaking mirrors the temple curtain tearing in two when Jesus died on the cross. It signifies the fulfilment of the prophesy and the end of evil. There is so much biblical symbolism in the book - as a Christian myself it’s so easy to see all the little nods to the Bible (for example - Edmund is supposed to represent Judas, who gives in to temptation and betrays Jesus).

WHAT!!! YOU DIDN'T WATCH THE BBC ADOPTION?????? DID YOU HAVE A CHILDHOOD??? SO SORRY 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

The Gillian Lyne theatre recently never has any amazing show only meh shows