The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Produced by Malcolm C Cooke and Associates Pty Ltd and William May

Cast: Amanda Muggleton, Dennis Olsen, Yolande Brown, Joseph Connell, Meaghan Davies, Brian Rooney, Nicola Fearn, Joanne Foley, Heath McIvor, Bruce Peterson, Terry Ryan, Warrick Williams, Leighton Young, Nyrie Camden, Jy Hildred, Dylan Hodda, Amelia McQueen, Paul O'Keeffe, Brian Parker, Katrina Retallick and Sara Ritchie.

Music & Lyrics: Philip Judd and Ian McDonald
Book: C.S. Lewis
Director: Nadia Tass

Publicist: Judith Johnson (Judith Johnson Publicity)

Australian Premiere: State Theatre, Victorian Arts Centre. December 31, 2002.


The Lowdown:
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe played for some time in Australia, having reasonable success. Directed by Nadia Tass, the production was well-liked by children.


AussieTheatre.com Preview Story:
Everyone’s favourite children’s classic, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is set to enchant Sydney with its numinous presence at the Lyric Theatre later this year.

This show will generate interest on so many levels, because of its age-old appeal to both adults and children alike. C.S Lewis’ novel has been adapted for the stage by screenwriter David Parker. Producer Malcolm Cook states that it is an ‘original Australian creation’ with a ‘fantastic combination of acrobats, puppeteers and actors’.

This new production follows the successful stage version of Tolkien’s The Hobbit, whose innovative and revolutionary use of over 75 puppets in a large-scale theatrical production, laid the way for further, more spectacular shows.

The producers of The Hobbit were looking for another classic to appeal to family audiences and incorporate their trademark puppets, whose design and staging is the work of Phillip Millar. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe took on this challenge and managed to cast a spell over audiences in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra, the Adelaide Advertiser saying the production ‘brings C.S Lewis fans to a state of ecstasy’.

Lewis’ brilliant children’s fantasy opens at the Lyric Theatre on Friday 18th December, just in time for Christmas. Those who have not experienced C.S Lewis will be truly entranced by this classic, where four children explore the magical land of Narnia, found, by passing through the back of a wardrobe.

Narnia has been enchanted by the evil, White Witch (Amanda Muggleton). The children, their mythical friends and most importantly the gallant lion Aslan (voice of Dennis Olsen), must put a stop to her. The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, set in a winter wonderland fraught with danger, brings the magical adventures of four children, and a host of other fantastical characters to life. This production, if it is anything like the book, will surely leave the audience holding their breath in anticipation.


Production Shots:
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Further Information:
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