The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe landed in Nottingham last night with a confident stride, not a polite tiptoe. This was a show that trusted its story and its craft, and it invited the audience to believe without forcing anything. The result was a production that felt bold, imaginative, and satisfying from start to finish.
The design team clearly had fun building Narnia on stage. Snow fell in soft flurries, light shifted like magic through the trees, and the famous lamppost glowed like the first spark of a dream. It never leaned on empty spectacle. Every effect served the world and the mood, creating moments that drew you in rather than shouting for attention.
The cast brought real heart. Lucy held the audience with gentle bravery. Edmund’s journey carried enough bite to matter. Peter and Susan felt like real older siblings, steady and protective without slipping into cardboard hero mode. Aslan arrived with quiet strength, and the White Witch chilled the room without ever needing to screech. It was nicely balanced, more icy charm than pantomime villain.
But let us talk about the real scene stealer. Schroedinger the cat. The puppetry was sharp, expressive, and wonderfully mischievous in the way only a cat made of fabric and skill can be. Sometimes big lions get all the glory, but that cat prowled in and casually swiped a chunk of the spotlight. Every tilt of the head and flick of the tail had personality, and it showed how much care had gone into even the smallest details of the show.
Music added texture and rhythm, drifting between gentle and tense as needed. Movement flowed with intent rather than fuss. Nothing felt cluttered. Nothing felt rushed. It all came together with the kind of clarity that makes a familiar story feel fresh again.
This was not a show begging for praise. It earned it by doing the simple thing very well. It told a classic tale with craft, honesty, and a sense of wonder. If you want a reminder of why these stories stick with us, or you just like watching a puppet cat quietly steal the crown from a mythical lion, go see it. You will walk out smiling, maybe even brushing imaginary snow from your coat.
