"The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe"

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

This story takes me right back to my childhood days and I thought that this was my first vision of the stage performance, but I was wrong, and one scene reminded me of that fact.

For those unaware of the story it's about four siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy who discover the magical world of Narnia when they hide in an old wardrobe. They learn that Narnia has been under the spell of the evil White Witch, who keeps the land in perpetual winter, and they must help the great lion Aslan defeat her and restore Narnia to its rightful rulers. 

We start though with an emotive rendition of "We'll Meet Again" followed by a train journey brought to life by illuminated suitcases. Then there's the four children's initial reaction to their evacuation and their new home. The meet the nasty Mrs Macready, who had been sent to collect them from the station, and then their change of opinion after meeting the easy-going Professor Kirk.

And then Lucy discovers that wardrobe in the spare room, and we all know the story about the magic of Narnia and the battle between good and evil.

Let's start with the music. This is one of those productions that has the actors playing instruments on stage. Everything from percussion to flutes, fiddles to cellos plus a piano, creating the most evocative Celtic soundtrack to the action. The composers for the score is by Barnaby Race and Benji Bower and Ben Goddard Young is the Musical Director.

The puppetry was pure magic. Designed by Max Humphries and Directed by Toby Olie, from the Professor's pet cat to the magnificent lion, which took three puppet masters to operate, and like "War Horse" you grow to blank out the puppeteers and just see the animal itself. This is one show that truly benefits from having puppets as part of the story, adding another dimension of awe-inspiring viewing to theatre.

There is also a wonderful section which includes brightly coloured fluorescent cubes which seemingly skip across the stage and reassembles themselves into colourful human figure, all engineered by human hand.

The Lighting Design (Jack Knowles) was excellent, as was the Sound Design (Tom Marshall). The scenes that depict the speed of the passing of time are incredible, aided by the soundscape and the brilliant lighting effects.

There were actors flying around the stage, exciting fight choreography and an amazing section where Aslan (Stanton Wright) completely disappeared in front of your eyes. There are many scenes which included magic and illusion, created by Chris Fisher, which simply astounded not only the younger audience members but everyone.

The costumes are incredible, and in Act Two there is a section with some extremely scary heads, which had the possibility of giving some of the kids watching nightmares. I may even sleep with the side light ON tonight! I had flashbacks of the Pink Floyd video for "Another Brick In The Wall" but even more frightening. The set and costume designs (Tom Paris) were amazing.

The whole wonderful shebang was directed by Michael Fentiman.

Katy Stephens played Mrs Macready as well as The White Witch was deliciously evil. Looking absolutely gorgeous but boy you'd not want to cross her! Another slight of hand/eye illusion made her disappear from the centre of the stage near the end.

Jesse Dunbar (Peter), Bunmi Osadolor (Edmund), Joanna Adaran (Susan) and Kudzai Mongombe (Lucy) were all excellent and quite believable as the four Pevensie children who were evacuated up North. Alfie Richards was a wonderful Mr Tumnus. 

Stanton Wright is Aslan, Soldier and Hedgehog. You can feel a collective intake of breath when Aslan slowly walks onto the stage due to the magnificence of the vision of such a regal creature. Aslan's roar seemed to make the walls of the theatre shake.

A large cast which meant that there was always something, and someone to keep an eye on.

Elliott Clay (Mr Pope and Foxtrot), Andrew Davison (Mr Wilson, Schoedinger, Jack Rabbit, Head Cruel and Aslan Puppeteer), Anya De Villiers (Mrs Beaver), Molly Peters (Aslan Puppeteer, Mrs Pevensie and Robin), Ffion Haf (Miss Gumley-Warmley and Pheonix), Rhiannon Hopkins (Miss Chutney and Blue Badger), Joe Keenan (The Spirit Of The Moon, Mr Granville and the Red Squirrel), Alfie Richards (Badger and White Mouse), Craig Thornber (The Professor, Father Christmas and Wise Owl), Ed Thorpe (Mr Beaver), Rhodri Watkins (Mr Brinkworth, Aslan Puppeteer and March Hare), Shane Anthony Whiteley (Maugrim, Satyr and White Stag).

  

The rest of the team are Ruby Greenwood, Oliver Magor, JB Maya, Luca Moscardini and Marc Serratosa.

Choreographed by Shannelle "Tali" Fergus. 

The Wigs, Hair and Make-Up is all by Susanna Peretz.

The Stage management is one of the slickest that I have seen with props and scenery literally flying on and off stage.

The whole show, from start to finish is magical, whatever age you may be, and if like me you have fond memories of the novel, you are going to absolutely adore this stage version.

"The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 8 November.