Bringing Narnia to life on stage

IT'S The Lion, the Witch and the Wharfrobe as a classic children's tale comes to the stage in Tavistock.

Canalside arts centre The Wharf hosts the adventure set in the magical land of Narnia from December 1-4.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first of CS Lewis' series of children's sagas, is presented by the Tavonians theatre company and supported by younger cast members from the town's T2 drama club.

Director Steph Reese said: "We plan to kick off the month's seasonal festivities with an edge-of-the-seat show packed with magic, adventure and possibly the wickedest witch to have ever featured at the Wharf.

"We're incredibly excited and hope that fans of the CS Lewis book and Chronicles of Narnia movies will love this production, which was especially written for the stage."

Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy Pevensey will be played by James Richardson, Richard Brindley, Evie Hiderley and Ilona Reese, with Kat Savage as the White Witch and Ehsan Rastaghi in the role of Maugrim the Wolf.

The producers warn that the show may be a little alarming for the very young, "due to some scenes featuring wicked spell-making and extreme nastiness to fauns and humans".

A happy ending is guaranteed, though, as is a guest appearance from Father Christmas.

The show runs nightly with an additional matinee on December 3.

For more details call The Wharf box office on 01822 611166.