A 'spellbinding' version of Narnia brought to Torquay

Audiences can go on a spellbinding journey to Narnia while watching The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, which roared into the Princess Theatre, Torquay, this week.

This dark and quirky adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ beloved tale remains faithful to the original story while introducing a grittier, more stylised interpretation of the classic version.

It opens during World War Two and focuses on the Pevensie children, who are evacuated during the Blitz to the Scottish home of a professor.

Shortly after they arrive, they find an old magical wardrobe that transports them to the snow-covered magical place of Narnia, where there are talking animals aplenty, all under the rule of the evil White Witch.

The Pevensie kids – Edmund, Peter, Susan and Lucy – with the help of the heroic lion Aslan, who returns after years away, come together to save the kingdom from an eternal winter.

A standout element of this production is Max Humphries’ puppetry designs and Toby Olié’s direction, bringing Narnia’s creatures to life.

A personal favourite was the professor’s house cat, who provided delightful comic relief, while the Aslan puppet was a true spectacle—though I couldn’t help but wish it had four working puppet legs!

The attention to detail was second to none, from Aslan’s pinecone tail nub to the towering Turkish Delight scene.

Costume design courtesy of Tom Paris adds to the production’s unique aesthetic. The Narnian creatures helping the Pevensie children had a charming, folkloric feel, while those aligned with the White Witch displayed a dark, steampunk-gothic menace. Father Christmas’ lederhosen-clad reindeer and the white stag’s costume also worked well.

Atmospheric lighting created a dramatic stage effect and cleverly used prop lamps, further enriching the production’s drama. The suitcases that lit up and doubled as steam train carriages were also a brilliant touch.

The talented cast seamlessly transitioned between multiple roles, not only acting, singing, and dancing but also playing instruments to the folk-inspired musical score.

This adaptation leans to a slightly abstract vision of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and is a very bold take on a classic story.

Due to Torquay’s stage size, it hosted a scaled-back version, and there was a technical hitch, which stopped the show momentarily, yet it still captivated the crowd and earned rapturous applause.

It runs until April 5.