Cast Announced For Spectacular 5 Star Stage Adaptation Of C.S. LEWIS’ Much Loved Classic THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
TOUR BEGINS AUTUMN 2021 WITH SIX-WEEK RUN IN SALFORD OVER CHRISTMAS
NEW TRAILER & PHOTOS RELEASED TODAY
Casting was announced today for the smash-hit Leeds Playhouse production of C.S. Lewis’ classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, voted the nation’s favourite book in 2019.
It begins a major tour of the UK and Ireland at Curve, Leicester on Tuesday 2 November 2021, travelling to Aylesbury, Southampton, Sunderland, Salford, Cardiff, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Canterbury, Plymouth, Glasgow, Birmingham, Dublin, Woking and finally completing the tour in Norwich on 9 April 2022. The National Press night is on Thursday 9 December at 7pm at the Lowry in Salford.
The show broke box office records at Leeds Playhouse in 2017 and played to packed houses and critical acclaim at the Bridge Theatre in London in 2019.
The Pevensie children are: Ammar Duffus as Peter, Shaka Kalokoh as Edmund, Robyn Sinclair as Susan and Karise Yansen as Lucy. Aslan is played by Chris Jared, Mr Tumnus by Jez Unwin, Mr Beaver by Sam Buttery and Maugrim by Michael Ahomka-Lindsay. They are joined by Oliver Bingham (Mr Brinkworth, March Hare and Aslan Puppeteer), Kate Parr (Miss Gumley-Warmley and Phoenix), Grace Wylde (Mrs Pevensie, Robin and Falcon), Johnson Willis (Mr Willis, Professor Kirk, Father Christmas, Wise Owl and Whie Mouse), Rachel Dawson (Miss Chutney, Badger and Spirit of the Moon), Oliver Grant (Mr Wilson, Schrodinger, Red Squirrel and Aslan Puppeteer), Matthew James Hinchliffe (Mr Marsden, Mauve Mole and Professor), Sophie Naglik (on stage Swing), Anthony Starr (on stage Swing), Tash Holway (on stage Swing) and Brad Veitch (on stage Swing). Further cast are yet to be announced.
Step through the wardrobe into the enchanted kingdom of Narnia. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and embark on the most magical of adventures in a frozen, faraway land where they meet a Faun, talking Beavers, Aslan, the noble king of Narnia, and the coldest, most evil White Witch.
This critically acclaimed production is “A theatrical miracle” (The Times).
The tour will be directed by Michael Fentiman, based on the original production by Sally Cookson with original Set and Costume design by Rae Smith. Michael’s previous productions include the Olivier Award-nominated Amélie (
Joining Michael Fentiman on the creative team are Set and Costume Designer Tom Paris, Composer Benji Bower with additional composition by Music Supervisor Barnaby Race, Choreographer Shannelle ‘Tali’ Fergus, Lighting Designer Jack Knowles, Sound Designer Ian Dickinson and Gareth Tucker for Autograph, Puppetry Director Toby Olié, Puppetry Designer Max Humphries, Aerial Director Gwen Hales, Illusionist Chris Fisher, Music Director Toby Higgins , Fight Director Jonathan Holby, Costume Supervisor Joanna Coe, Wigs and Make Up Supervisor Susanna Peretz, Props Supervisor Lizzie Frankl, Dramaturg Adam Peck and Movement Consultant Dan Canham.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is produced on tour by Elliott & Harper Productions and Catherine Schreiber and based on the original Leeds Playhouse production.
Producer Chris Harper said “C.S. Lewis wrote "they open a door and enter a world” and this is what every child imagines and dreams about. This is exactly why we’re thrilled to be able to bring this incredible new version of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe on a tour of the UK in time for Christmas 2021. Following a record breaking success at the Leeds Playhouse and the Bridge Theatre in London, the Pevensie children will travel from Narnia to venues across the UK and Ireland.
It has been a challenging time for all of us, but we can’t wait for children and adults alike to join us on this truly magical journey through the wardrobe.”
Reviews for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe include:
★★★★★
Sunday Times
“This vision of Narnia will restore your faith in theatre”
★★★★★
DAILY MAIL
“Spectacular new life for Narnia”
★★★★
THE TELEGRAPH
‘An absolutely spellbinding return to Narnia’
Follow THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE on Twitter @LionWitchOnTour and Instagram @lionwitchonstage
Photographs for the London production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2019/20 cast) by Brinkhoff/Mogenburg
About Elliott & Harper Productions
Elliott & Harper Productions is led by the Tony and Olivier Award-winning director and producer team of Marianne Elliott and Chris Harper.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, directed by Sally Cookson and co-produced by Catherine Schreiber, premiered at Leeds Playhouse in 2017 and transferred to the Bridge Theatre in 2019.
Previous productions include Death of a Salesman, co-produced by Cindy Tolan and the Young Vic, and directed by Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell (2020 Olivier Award winners for Best Director). Starring Olivier-nominated Wendell Pierce as Willy Loman and Best Actress Olivier Award Winner Sharon D Clarke as Linda Loman, the production played to sell out houses at both the Young Vic and at The Piccadilly Theatre in 2019.
Marianne Elliott’s Olivier Award-winning production of Company by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth ran in London’s West End from 26 September 2018 – 30 March 2019; the 2017 West End premiere of Simon Stephens’ Heisenberg: The Uncertainty Principle; and the 2018 co-production of the Broadway transfer of the National Theatre’s production of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, also directed by Marianne.
Elliott & Harper’s Broadway transfer of Stephen Sondheim’s Company previewed at the Jacobs Theatre in New York from March 2020 before the closure of Broadway theatres due to the Covid pandemic. It will re-open in November 2021.
About Catherine Schreiber
A Tony and Olivier Award-winning producer, Catherine Schreiber received the Broadway Global Producer of the Year Award in 2017. She is a Lead Producer on Company with Elliott & Harper.
Productions as Producer include: The Inheritance and Lehman Trilogy (West End and Broadway). Off-Broadway: Lead Producer Play That Goes Wrong. Producer Pretty Woman (London). The King's Speech.
Recent Broadway productions include - A Christmas Carol (Lead Producer), Network, Pretty Woman, Angels in America, and The Play That Goes Wrong. Recent UK productions include Company, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Dreamgirls, Heisenberg, The Life (Offie Winner). Tony Winner for Clybourne Park, Angels in America. Olivier Winner for Company. Evening Standard Award Winner, Outer Critics' Circle Award for The Scottsboro Boys. Seven Tony nominations and Five Olivier nominations.
Catherine is most proud of bringing The Scottsboro Boys to London. Catherine’s new interview show, Broadwayandbeyondtv.com
@cschreiberbway
@bwayandbeyondtv
About Leeds Playhouse
Leeds Playhouse has been welcoming audiences for 50 years. As a registered charity (No. 255460), the theatre creates work which is pioneering and relevant, seeking out the best companies and artists to create inspirational theatre in the heart of Yorkshire. The Playhouse recently underwent a £16m transformation which includes improved access to and around the theatre, a new city-facing entrance and the addition of a new studio theatre, the Bramall Rock Void.
A dedicated collaborator, Leeds Playhouse works with distinctive, original voices from across the UK. Its Artistic Development programme, Furnace, discovers, nurtures and supports new voices, while developing work with established practitioners. It provides a creative space for writers, directors, companies and individual theatre-makers to refine their practice at all stages of their careers.
The sector-leading Creative Engagement team works with more than 12,000 people aged 4–95 every year which continued throughout the last year via PLAYHOUSE CONNET. The team connect with refugee communities, young people, teachers and students, older people and people with learning disabilities, including working in specific areas of the city. The Playhouse pioneered Relaxed Performances ten years ago and more recently have developed Dementia-Friendly performances both of which are becoming the norm across the industry.
The Autumn Winter season at Leeds Playhouse will showcase a thrilling, engaging and diverse season of productions. The season consists of the world premiere of FREEDOM PROJECT written by Luke Barnes in response to research with young people seeking asylum and directed by Alexander Ferris; a co-production with Leeds Playhouse and imitating the dog for DRACULA: THE UNTOLD STORY; a filmed sharing of the highly acclaimed Leeds Playhouse and Ramps On The Moon production of OLIVER TWIST adapted by Bryony Lavery and directed by Amy Leach; a Leeds Playhouse and Headlong co-production of August Wilson’s JITNEY directed by Tinuke Craig; Furnace Festival will return for a programme of skills workshops, conversations and social events; Christmas at Leeds Playhouse is a co-production with Bunkamura for Ella Hickson’s WENDY & PETER PAN Adapted from the novel by JM Barrie Co-directors Jonathan Munby and Rupert Hands. Leeds Playhouse welcome Leeds West Indian Carnival back to the stage for the KING AND QUEEN SHOW and PRINCE AND PRINCESS SHOW; Northern Ballet return with DANGEROUS LIAISONS choreographed by David Nixon OBE; World premiere of a new durational work by Quarantine, in co-production with Transform 12 LAST SONG; Phosphoros Theatre presents ALL THE BEDS I HAVE SLEPT IN Written by Dawn Harrison with the company; A Red Ladder Theatre Company production with support from Leeds Playhouse and Oldham Coliseum Theatre MY VOICE WAS HEARD BUT IT WAS IGNORED Written by Nana-Kofi Kufuor Directed by Dermot Daly and Phoenix Dance Theatre’s 40TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION GALA.
As a registered charity, Leeds Playhouse relies on the support of valued partners to make great things happen. It is grateful for the continued support of Arts Council England, Leeds City Council, The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation and the many charitable trusts, business partners and individuals that continue to support the vital work of the theatre.
THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE 2021/22 TOUR DATES
Tues 2 – Sat 13 November 2021
Box Office: 0116 242 3595
Tues 16 – Sat 20 November 2021
Box Office: 03330 096 690
Tues 23 – Sat 27 November 2021
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
Box Office: 023 8071 1811
Tues 30 November – Sat 4 December 2021
Box office: 03330 096 690
Weds 8 December 2021 – Sat 15 January 2022
Box Office: 0343 208 6000
Tues 18 – Sat 22 January 2022
Box Office: 029 2063 6464
Tues 1 – Sat 5 February 2022
Box Office: 0115 989 5555
Tues 8 – Sat 12 February 2022
Box Office: 0131 529 6000
Tues 15 – Sat 19 February 2022
Box Office: 01227 787787
Tues 22 – Sat 26 February 2022
Box Office: 01752 267 222
Tues 1 March – Saturday 5 March 2022
Box Office: 03330 096 690
Tues 8- Sat 12 March 2022
Box office: 0844 871 3011
Tues 15 – Sat 19 March 2022
Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin
Box Office: 00 353 1677 7999
Tues 22 – Sat 26 March
Box Office: 0333 009 6690
Tues 5 April – Sat 9 April
Box Office: 01603 630 000
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