First look at The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe rehearsals into the spellbinding world of Narnia with additional performances announced

With less than three weeks to go until opening night, the exceptional cast of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe are bringing C.S. Lewis’ classic tale of the magical, wintery land of Narnia to life. The production will play in Leeds Playhouse’s Quarry Theatre from Mon 18 Nov 2024 – Sat 25 Jan 2025 ahead of a tour of the UK and Ireland.

A first glimpse of Mr Tumnus, played by Harrogate based Alfie Richards who makes his Leeds Playhouse debut, alongside The White Witch played by Katy Stephens who joins the company following leading roles at Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Playing the Pevensie family are Joanna Adaran as Susan, Jesse Dunbar as Peter, Kudzai Mangombe as Lucy and Bunmi Osadolor as Edmund, who also makes his theatrical stage debut. They join the ‘gift giver’ Father Xmas played by Kraig Thornber alongside the wider company all in action as they navigate the journey through the wardrobe and into the world of Narnia.

Associate Director Pip Minnithorpe said: “It’s a great privilege to be staging this much loved classic, and to tell the story of this magical kingdom we are drawing on the magical possibilities of live theatre. We are working with the most incredible company of performers, who not only act, sing and dance, but also puppeteer and perform illusions – all whilst playing musical instruments. The music of the show takes us on the journey into Narnia, and into the emotions of the characters, and is performed exquisitely by our fabulous cast. I can’t wait to meet our audience in Leeds this winter, and audiences across the UK and Ireland in 2025, to share this very special production.”

Harrogate based Alfie Richards, who plays Mr Tumnus, is thrilled to be back in Yorkshire for the festive season: “I’m very excited! I’ve been coming to watch shows at Leeds Playhouse since I was very young, on school trips and family outings. One of my early birthday presents from my parents was a ticket for A Christmas Carol here when I was a young boy living in Leeds. The drama department of my secondary school have apparently already booked tickets to come and see the show – very full circle. I’m grateful to be doing a play here at home in Yorkshire.”

Due to phenomenal sales, the Playhouse has added additional performances of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe giving even more opportunities to see this spectacular story of four war time evacuees sent to live with an eccentric professor in the country, where an innocent game of hide and seek leads them through a magical wardrobe on a life-changing adventure. The new dates are Friday 27 December, 1.30pm and Friday 3 January, 1.30pm. 

Completing the cast are: Archie Combe (Mr Pope and Foxtrot), Andrew Davison (Mr Wilson Schroedinger, Jack Rabbit, Aslan Puppeteer and Head Cruel), Anya de Villiers (Mrs Beaver), Molly Francis (Mrs Pevensie, Aslan Puppeteer and Robin), Ruby Greenwood (Onstage Swing), Reuben Greeph (Onstage Swing), Ffion Haf (Miss Gumley-Warmley and Phoenix), Rhiannon Hopkins (Miss Chutney and Blue Badger), Joe Keenan (Mr Granville, Spirit of the Moon and Red Squirrel), Oliver Magor (Onstage Swing), JB Maya (Onstage Swing), Luca Moscardini (Onstage Swing), Ed Thorpe (Mr Beaver), Rhodri Watkins (Mr Brinkworth, March Hare and Aslan Puppeteer), Shane Anthony Whiteley (Maugrim, Satyr and White Stag) and Stanton Wright as Aslan.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is directed by Michael Fentiman based on the original production by Sally Cookson. The Set and Costume Designer is Tom Paris, Composers are Barnaby Race and Benji Bower, the Choreographer is  Shannelle ‘Tali’ Fergus, the Lighting Designer is Jack Knowles, the Sound Designer is Tom Marshall, the Original Puppetry Director is Toby Olié, the Original Puppetry Designer is Max Humphries, the Aerial Director is Gwen Hales,  the Fight Director is Jonathan Holby, the Illusionist is Chris Fisher, the Musical Director is Ben Goddard, the Hair and Make-Up Designer is Susanna Peretz. The Associate Director is Pip Minnithorpe, the Associate Lighting Designer is Emily Irish, the Associate Director and Associate Puppetry Director is Oliver Grant, Associate Magic and Illusions by Spooky Nyman, the Associate Fight Director is Owain Gwynn, the Associate Movement Director is Jasmin Colangelo, the Production Manager is Phoebe Bath and the Casting Director is Will Burton CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting.

Audiences are at the heart of the festive season at Leeds Playhouse. As well as stepping through wardrobe and into the enchanting Kingdom of Narnia, the theatre will also showcase new show Mr Snow by Robert Alan Evans and directed by Amy Leach. This will play in the theatre’s Courtyard Theatre from 30 November to 4 January offering young audiences an absolute (snow)ball throughout the festive season here in Leeds.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe plays at Leeds Playhouse’s Quarry Theatre until Sat 25 Jan 2025. For more information about the show click here.