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BrumHour saw The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe at the invite of The Alexandra.
By Dave Massey x.com/BrumHour
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe at The Alexandra: Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”Filled with stunning visuals”
Directed by Mike Fentiman based on the original production by Sally Cookson
In the early part of the Second World War, four children find themselves sent from London to the top of Scotland. They very quickly discover the house has some special secrets, with the youngest child Lucy (Kudzai Mangombe) discovering a magical land that can be entered via a wardrobe. Her brother Edmund (Bunmi Osadolor) then follows her in. Eventually, the two older siblings Peter (Jesse Dunbar) and Susan (Joanna Adaran) discover the magical land for themselves.
This production has toured the UK before, and even stayed in Birmingham at The Rep for a Christmas season. But children grow up fast, and the newest audience for this production will change every two years. The key to the success of this story is its style, folk music with songs, stylish costumes and dramatic sets. Plus there are some moments to make a new audience gasp.
This was my third time seeing this stunning version, and I loved it just as much as the other times. The actors also double as musicians, with the piano, violin and drums being played on stage. There were a couple of random production issues during last night’s performance, a light that stayed on longer, and a twisted cloth, but these are very very minor spots.
Kudzai Mangombe presents a quirky and inquisitive Lucy, Bunmi Osadolor manages to be bratish and vulnerable with ease as Edmund. Katy Stephens is scary and haunting as The White Witch every single second she is on the stage, Stanton Wright is excellent as Aslan, with a rich voice befitting of a lion.
I’d suggest this production to anyone from 8 years and above (though the age guidance does say 6 and it really does depend on the 6 or 7 year-olds themselves).
Filled with stunning visuals, The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe is at The Alexandra until 31st May 2025. Book tickets here: atgtickets.com/shows/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham.
