Christmas shows at Leeds Playhouse have garnered an impressive reputation, and quite rightly so. They are always spectacular, innovative and brilliantly presented with no corners cut. This year’s offering promises to live up to the high standards already set, and maybe even surpass them. The 2024 show is The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by CS Lewis, which, as it runs into 2025, will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the book’s publishing.
I was recently invited to a sneaky peek – or preview – as the posh people call it, at Leeds Playhouse, where there was a selection of costumes, puppets and performers on display. All elements were very impressive even though the confined space of Bramall Rock Void could only act as an amuse bouche for the feast to come.
Although we were both issued at about the same time, I have never read the book which, on looking it up online, seems to put me in a minority of one. As a child I was more interested in volumes about sport than fantasy, it was also a bit too posh for slum kids like me. Never having had children I didn’t have an audience to read it to at bedtime either. I am tempted to give it a go now, but I think I would rather see the show first so that I am taking it at face value than comparing it to the book. I do know that it is about wartime evacuees so that explains the sample of the set which looks like a room in my gran’s house.
The costumes were a pastiche of the clothes at the time, I presume this was in order to bridge the gap between reality and the fantasy to come. The White Witch’s outfit, however, was a showstopper in itself.
On arrival we were treated to some piano playing by Scott Brooker, in army uniform. He was later joined by violinist Ali Grant. They went through some songs of the era, to which, frighteningly, I knew all of the words.
Mr Grant also acted as puppeteer, operating the family cat. It seems that the cast, most of whom are musicians, will be performing with their puppets throughout the show and incorporate both the actors and models playing instruments. Who said psychedelia was dead?
Sean McCourt joined the proceedings by reading and singing in an item of headwear which I don’t think my grandad ever sported, but it looked very fetching on him.
We eventually came to the pièce de résistance, Aslan the Lion. What an entrance! There was a communal intake of breath, as well as the odd gasp from the children who were fortunate enough to be present. I just hope that seeing the components of the show up close and personal doesn’t spoil the magic when they witness the production in full. I am sure it won’t as the setting will be totally different and obviously on a much larger scale.
There ain’t no way to hide your lion eyes!
I can’t wait to see the full production, as I am sure it will be an impressive way to celebrate the Festive Season and show me what I have been missing all these years.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe runs at Leeds Playhouse Quarry from 18th November, 2024 until 25th January, 2025. For more details, including trailers (for which you will have to accept functional cookies), a cast list and to book, please go to https://www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk/event/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe-2/
To see what else Leeds Playhouse has in store it is https://www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk/whats-on/
Photographs by Stan Graham. Feature image from Leeds Playhouse.
Tyke It To The Limit 