Review: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe at West Yorkshire Playhouse

Putting the responsibility for their Christmas show in the eminently capable hands of director Sally Cookson was a very smart move on the part of West Yorkshire Playhouse.
DELIGHTFUL: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe will be at West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds until January 27.DELIGHTFUL: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe will be at West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds until January 27.
DELIGHTFUL: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe will be at West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds until January 27.

Cookson is one of the most exciting and innovative theatre directors working in the UK today. Her recent National Theatre productions of Jane Eyre, which toured to Yorkshire in the spring and summer, and last year’s Peter Pan were both, deservedly, hugely acclaimed and proved that when it comes to adapting beloved literary classics for the stage she is in a class of her own. C S Lewis’s story of the four Pevensie siblings, Second World War evacuees far from home, who enter the land of Narnia through the back of a magical wardrobe has been told many times before – on stage, television, radio and film – but Cookson’s fresh and imaginative approach breathes new life into it.

From the outstanding movement – always a feature of Cookson’s work – to the amazing aerial choreography and rope work, beautifully executed puppetry, excellent Celtic-style live music and breathtaking effects achieved through simple means, it’s a delight from start to finish. It was great also that the Pevensies’ normally plummy tones were ditched in favour of robust West Yorkshire accents. There is some lovely humour too and deftly-handled bits of audience interaction.

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The ensemble cast deliver energetic performances racing around the huge expanse of the Playhouse’s Quarry stage which, for the first time in its 27-year history, has been transformed into an impressive in-the-round space.

The play’s run has already been extended by a week due to popular demand. It looks as though this is going to be another big Christmas hit for the Playhouse – it couldn’t be more deserved. It is a truly magical experience – and a story in which good unequivocally triumphs over evil is one that we all need right now.

To January 27.