Everyone knows the tale of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. The story of four intrepid explorers that venture into the back of a mothball filled wardrobe and into a world where time flies, creatures talk, and it's been winter for over 100 years. It's a tale that myself and Max have been reading for a while as whilst it isn't necessarily a Christmas tale, it does get you into that festive mood. 

Taking on this mammoth book by C.S Lewis and turning it into a stage play is no mean feat. With a magical wardrobe, statuesque lion, and menacing witch, it's hard to see how something so spectacular on the page can still keep its essence of innocence and bravery on the stage. But this show breathes a new life into this story and brings it alive in ways that we could have never imagined. 

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe took to the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton stage and boy was it a show to remember. 

I couldn't fault the casting of this show. With Samantha Womack taking the role of the witch until it was so sinister it was scary, and Chris Jared taking on the role of the powerful and strong leader of the opposition Aslan, they paired together so well. I adored Jez Unwin who took to the stage as Mr Tumnus and Sam Buttery and Christina Tedders who embodied the roles of Mr and Mrs Beaver with such humour and sincerity that you rooted for them as soon as they spoke. However the standout's for us were definitely Karise Tansen, Robyn Sinclair, Shaka Kalokoh and Ammar Duffus who portrayed the four Pevensie siblings who take us on the adventure of a lifetime. 

The cast adapt to each character they play with such ease and added music and instrument playing to the list, it was reminiscent of when I saw Amelie on stage. With the cast weaving in and out, singing folk songs that felt timeless and playing melodies that get stuck in your head. It was a show that sprinkled magic on stage and left both children and adults in awe of what they were watching. 

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a show that not only will warm your heart, take you away to a new world and capture the imagination of your whole family. It's a show that is perfect for young and old alike and will either get you feeling festive, or feeling warm and fuzzy. A show that will be forever remembered whilst you tuck into some marmalade cake, or Turkish Delight. A show that transports you into a world you have heard of in a way that you could never imagine seeing on stage. A show not to be missed.