The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

This show has now closed, click here for a listing of current and future London shows

Previewed 8 May 2012, opened 29 May 2012, closed 9 September 2012 at the 360 Theatre in Kensington Gardens in London

A major new stage version of CS Lewis' The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe in London at the ThreeSixty Theatre in Kensington Gardens this summer.

Four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, discover the magical world of Narnia when they pass through a mysterious wardrobe door. Ruled by the White Witch who has cast a spell making it forever winter, the children together with new found friends battle to bring happiness to the land in this classic tale of good versus evil. Staged in the state of the art threesixty theatre tent this visually stunning live production will use threesixty's ground-breaking surround video and enchanting puppetry to bring to life the magic of Narnia in one of the world's best-loved stories.

"A summer treat for fans of snowy Narnia!" The Sunday Times

The cast for The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe in London features Sally Dexter as 'The White Witch', Forbes Masson as 'Mr Tumnus' and Brian Protheroe as 'Professor'. This production has been adapted for the stage by award-winning director Rupert Goold, who also directs along with Michael Fentiman with set, costume and puppet designs by Tom Scutt, lighting by Tim Mitchell, music by Adam Cork, sound by Sebastian Frost and choreography by Georgina Lamb. Although The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe is a play, it does feature some live music as well as a pre-recorded fully orchestrated sound track.

"Rupert Goold's adaptation is spectacular as Narnia continues to cast its spell" The London Evening Standard

Age Guidance: The production is suitable for children aged 5 and over. We do not recommend this performance for babes in arms or very young children. Please note that children of a younger age will be admitted but do require their own ticket and seat even if they are sitting on your lap. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

"Will have adults as well as children on the edge of their seats. Kids will be enthralled by the show's energy and flair" Time Out

"The show is performed in a big top erected in the middle of Kensington Gardens, and, while I am not sure whether I entirely approve of space being given over in any park - let alone a royal one - to commercial purposes, it turns out to be surprisingly better than the sum of its parts. Rupert Goold puts his faith in spectacle rather than acting, and the succession of weird and wonderful creatures that traverse his impressive revolving stage, together with some atmospheric cinematic backdrops thrown up against the inside of the tent, will doubtless prove a treat for the youngsters, if not necessarily the adults accompanying them." The Sunday Telegraph

"Co-directors Rupert Goold and Michael Fentiman's production is full of aesthetic flair. The ThreeSixty Theatre tent is used from every angle as a screen on which the scenery is digitally projected... The adaptation is largely true to the format of C S Lewis's children's book. But the first half seems rushed and the characterisation is thin. It is all about the spectacle: flying children on trapezes, actors on hugely tall stilts, elaborate animal costumes inspired by Siberian tribal dress... Things pick up in the second half with the arrival of Aslan. The pre-recorded voice of David Suchet emanates from a beautiful lion puppet operated by three actors... The directorial decision to incorporate long musical numbers while racing through the story and skipping over the detail is a bad one. It added to the spectacle but was to the detriment of character development and plot, leaving the production feeling all razzle-dazzle and no heart." The Independent

"Rupert Goold and Michael Fentiman, co-directing this Threesixty production, make imaginative use of the venue and the ability of the circus to turn a simple ring into a magical space. So when Lucy steps through the wardrobe into Narnia, the tent walls spring into life with images that convey the dark, icy strangeness of the magical land, and the circular stage is peopled with walking trees (on stilts) and curious woodland creatures. There are some lovely ideas in the staging and in Tom Scutt's design... But the emphasis on spectacle has a distancing effect on the emotional journey of the play... It looks wonderful, but this story of fear, hope and rebirth doesn't move you as much as it could." The Financial Times

The ThreeSixty Theatre: This is a multi-million pound purpose built state-of-the-art tent and is temperature controlled. There are 1,483 tiered, comfortable seats, though the chairs do not have arm rests. This production is presented 'in-the-round' whch means that the audience is situated all around the stage in a circular formation. The performance is directed in front of you all around. The show inclides 360 degree projections which are images projected 360 degrees all around the inside walls of the tent.

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe in London at the 360 Theatre in Kensington Gardens previewed from 8 May 2012, opened on 29 May 2012 and closed on 9 September 2012.