The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Stray Cats Theatre Company’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe played to enthusiastic, capacity family audiences during its brief run. A well-acted, visually fulfilling production, this incarnation was faithful to the book.

Featuring some strong central performances, this production was supplemented with an enthusiastic dancing ensemble, choreographed nicely by Caitlin Wainwright, who played a myriad of characters, including evacuating children, flowers, wolves and woodland creatures, adding colour and texture to the show.

The Pevensie Children, played by adults, are convincing both as children and as a family, with warm, energetic performances from Hunter Perry (Peter), Teaghan Lowry (Susan), Braedan Geuer and Rhiannon Francis. Kristie Corbishley is an elegant and commanding White Witch, with Alex White authoritative yet gentle as Aslan. A second Aslan, puppeteered by Dana Brennan and Charlotte Roberts was a little confusing, despite being visually striking.

Matthias Zver moves superbly and is very intimidating as Maugrim the Wolf, Bailey Bridgeman-Peters wins hearts as the picture-perfect Mr Tumnus, while Amy Honor Elliot and Aidan Thomas are delightful as the Beavers. Georgia Turner is impressive in two very different roles - as Mrs Macready and the Fox, with solid support from Andy Vernie as Professor Kirke, and Lachlan McNeil, Meg Willis and Tahnaya Minchin in smaller roles.

This production used several beautiful set pieces, including the titular wardrobe, a gorgeous sleigh and some lovely settings including the homes of Tumnus and the Beavers. Unfortunately, this script is quite episodic, and clearly written for theatres with mechanical means of set changes, meaning that in this space set changes were sometimes longer than the scenes. Luckily the performances were strong enough to sustain the interest of the younger audience members.

A sweet and uplifting productions that warmed the hearts of the audience.

Kimberley Shaw