The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (West End) London Reviews and Tickets

82%

(202 Reviews)

Positive

84%

Mixed

12%

Negative

Members say

Enchanting, Entertaining, Clever, Delightful, Absorbing

About the Show

The acclaimed theatrical adaptation of C.S. Lewis' classic tale comes to the West End.

In order to escape the Blitz, siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie are evacuated from London and sent to the English countryside to live with Professor Digory Kirke. While exploring her new home, Lucy looks inside an unassuming wardrobe, and is suddenly transported to the snow-covered wonderland of Narnia. She befriends a faun named Mr. Tumnus who tells Lucy about the White Witch; the false ruler of Narnia who has kept the land in a perpetual state of winter. The siblings work together to overthrow the evil witch with the help of the true ruler of Narnia, a lion named Aslan.

This critically acclaimed theatrical production, adapted from the first book in C.S. Lewis' fantasy novel series 'The Chronicles of Narnia', returns to London after running at the Bridge Theatre in 2019. The production debuted at the Leeds Playhouse in 2017.

Directed by Michael Fentiman ('Amélie The Musical') with puppetry by Craig Leo ('War Horse') and starring Samantha Womack ('Eastenders', 'The Addams Family'), 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' is an enchanting family show.

This production is recommended for ages 6+.

Member Reviews (202)

Disappointing, Overrated, Slow

See it if you love the source material so much you can overlook the large swathes of monotony for the occasional glimpses of brilliance.

Don't see it if you’re expecting something that’s more magical than it is mundane. Read more

Clever, Dated, Entertaining, Enchanting

See it if You want a new interpretation with great use of actor-musicians

Don't see it if You aren't a fan of the Narnia stories.

Must see, Masterful, Great acting, Exquisite, Enchanting

See it if you love the enchanting movie

Don't see it if you don't like pantomimes

Quirky, Masterful, Entertaining, Enchanting, Clever

See it if You like an atmospheric play. Amazing effects.

Don't see it if You want a story which has unforeseen twists and turns. It’s a story which can easily be guessed but there are great effects.

Enchanting, Entertaining, Great staging

See it if you like an enchanting show

Don't see it if you hate bible references (or the story)

Enchanting, Epic, Great staging

See it if you want to see an innovative stage adaptation of the novel with exquisite staging and design, sure to impress audiences of all ages.

Don't see it if you are not a fan of the source material, or children's adventure stories in general.

Must see, Enchanting, Delightful, Clever, Absorbing

See it if You love the original story

Don't see it if You don’t like any variation on the story

Clever, Enchanting

See it if you want a bit of theatrical magic without much substance or character development

Don't see it if you don't like plays

Critic Reviews (7)

"It’s ponderously slow and woefully short on magic. ... The production’s shortcomings enable us to take a fresh squint at a cultural totem."
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"That halfway house aside, the show deserves full ones. The West End may be spoilt for choice with family treats, but this is British theatrical verve at full pelt."
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"The pace has a stately grandeur; nothing is rushed and some scenes come to feel a little inert. The siblings, played efficiently by adult actors, are a little featureless at first but these are quibbles in a show that is orchestrated masterfully."
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"This vision of Narnia’s landscape lacks grandeur and mystery; even the frost seems less beguiling. ... The opening steam train journey still takes the breath away, however, with the miniature carriages carried aloft by members of the ensemble in a sequence full of balletic grace."
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"Some of its quirkier edges may have been knocked off, as a first introduction to a children’s classic, or a treat for a young bookworm, it’s hard to beat."
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"There is much to bewitch young children, and by the end it takes you to another dimension in all the right ways. In a golden age of puppetry in the West End, this joyful interpretation more than holds its own."
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"There's no better escape than 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. ... The winter blast invites audiences into a magical Narnia world where everything feels a little bit more beautiful than reality."
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Trailer

Creative team

Author of Original Book

Samantha Womack

The White Witch