Prep Drama: An Evening in Narnia

It wasn’t strictly a Christmas show, but this term’s junior production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe certainly captured the spirit of the season.

With its feel-good 'triumph over evil' storyline set in a magical winterland, complete with plenty of sword fighting and action, the production appealed to everyone. Harrodian’s take on C.S. Lewis’s iconic tale came to life thanks to 30 talented pupils, selected from 123 children who auditioned, ranging from our 8s (Year 4) to our 13s (Years 9), and drama teacher Ms. Natalie Ibbett as director.

One of the biggest challenges for the drama department was creating the set, but Head of Drama Mike Glen, who oversaw this aspect of the production, was determined to focus solely on finding solutions. The opening scenes were particularly striking, with a single wardrobe at the centre of the stage, its back removed to allow for entrances and exits. Clever use of voiceovers captured the children’s reactions as they first stepped out of the wardrobe and into Narnia, and the sound of crunching snow added to the atmosphere. The set itself transformed seamlessly; the Professor’s house, draped in white dust sheets, became snowy mountain landscapes in Narnia, and an old piece of furniture was later revealed as the iconic lamppost. The lower stage area helped to give the production a sense of scale, particularly during the battle scene, while the school’s junior library, on the same level as the audience, provided a contrasting entrance and exit point – the logistics of which can’t be underestimated! The costumes included subtle 1940s attire for the Pevensie children, grounding the story in its historical context, while more elaborate designs and imaginative makeup for the Narnia characters really brought some of the fantastical animals and ghoulish creatures to life.

The plot follows the four Pevensie siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—who are sent away as evacuees to stay with the Professor in his country house during World War II. While playing a game of hide-and-seek, they stumble upon the wardrobe that leads them into the magical world of Narnia. There, they meet the noble lion Aslan, who represents all that is good, and the White Witch, who has cursed Narnia to eternal winter. As the four of them journey through Narnia, they join forces with Aslan to defeat the White Witch and bring peace to the land.

The cast did a fantastic job of bringing their characters to life. Amandine (12s), who played Lucy, captured the character’s kind and cheerful nature, as well as her bravery and authenticity. Her portrayal clearly showed Lucy’s commitment to the truth and doing the right thing. Lucy’s older siblings Peter, Susan and Edmund were played by Beth (13s), Ava (13s), and Wilfred (11s). They all captured the volatility of sibling relationships well, shifting from annoyance and anger to loyalty and affection. At the start of the play, their immaturity is captured by the fluctuation between these emotions, but by the end, it is clear that their characters have matured, with their relationships becoming more stable and grounded, especially in the final scenes when they are crowned as the Kings and Queens of Narnia. All four gave strong performances with clear speech, confidence, and perfect line delivery.

Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, played by Thomas (12s) and Belle (13s), made a great acting pair, with excellent on-stage chemistry that was perfect for their roles as a married couple.  Thomas kept a consistent cockney accent, which worked perfectly and evoked memories of Ray Winstone’s portrayal of the character in the 2005 film and Belle brought an amusing energy to the role, particularly in her interactions with Mr. Beaver and her children, which offered some light-hearted moments in the midst of adventure. Delilah (13s) played Aslan with grace and authority, commanding the stage every time she appeared. Summer (12s), who played the White Witch, gave an impressive performance, her projection and body movements making her character both cruel and captivating. Sasha (12s), who played the Professor, brought a great deal of warmth and wisdom to the role, while Isla (13s) brought a stern, no-nonsense presence to her role as the housekeeper, Mrs Macready. Minnie (10s) gave a strong performance as the emotional Mr. Tumnus, really capturing his internal conflict.

Supporting characters also made memorable appearances: Tabetha (13s) played the White Witch’s head of secret police with a menacing presence and a convincing howl; Florence (11s) portrayed the treacherous Ulf, the White Witch’s sidekick, with a sinister smile. Laetitia and Georgia (10s) brought light-hearted humour to the story as the high-maintenance Baby Beaver sisters. Damian (11s) played Father Christmas with a mix of joviality and menace (particularly in the infamous fight scene), while his assistant elf, played by Harper (9s), provided plenty of laughs as she struggled with oversized presents. Aslan’s two leopards, played by Molly (11s) and Evangeline (12s), provided a reassuring presence as they stood guard over the lion. Other notable roles included a pair of housekeepers who opened the play (Grace and Mia) and the White Witch's army with Pelin as Rumblebuffin the friendly giant, Leo as a troll, the Wickeds (Kyle and George), Boggles (Chloe, Alba and Harper), Spectres (Alba and MIa), Ghouls (Olivia and Grace) with many of them doubling up on roles. Please click here for a full programme. 

The battle scene was a real standout of the performance. The confrontation between Aslan’s army and the White Witch’s forces was executed with great energy and precision. The choreography, expertly directed by Mr. Adam Lineker, was sharp, with the cast wielding swords that seemed almost as big as they were. The dramatic lighting, combined with arresting music, made the fight scenes even more thrilling.

When asked about the whole experience, the play’s director and drama teacher, Ms. Natalie Ibbett, is full of praise for the cast. "I’m so impressed by their hard work and commitment. They brought the story to life beautifully, and the friendships that have formed between them are something special. I couldn’t be prouder of them."

For the cast, this was more than just a performance—it was a memorable experience. Delilah (13s), who played Aslan, reflected, "At times it was hard to balance everything, but the friends and memories I’ve made make it all worthwhile. I’ll really miss it." Belle (13s), who played Mrs. Beaver, agreed, saying, "I’ve done three junior plays, and everyone has been such a great experience. I’d do it all over again!" Molly (11s) and Evangeline (12s), who played the leopards, also shared how amazing the experience was. "We’ve made so many new friends from different years, and it’s been great to work with such talented people."

Summer (12s), who played the White Witch, said, "Playing an evil part was so much fun! The sword fighting rehearsals were a highlight, and Mr. Lineker’s choreography really brought that scene to life."

Amandine (12s), playing Lucy, was quick to share why she auditioned. "After The Railway Children last year, I knew I had to audition again. The experience was so great!" She went on to say that her favourite scene was when Lucy meets Mr. Tumnus and first steps into Narnia—it’s such a magical moment, and it is the first glimpse that the audience has of the Narnia set.

Beth (13s), who played Peter, expressed her sadness at the end of the show: "It’s so sad that it’s over. We spent so much time together that it really felt like we were a little family. I’ll miss being in a production with Miss Ibbett—next year, I’ll be too old to be in the junior plays!"

Pupils from Lowther Primary School, who came to watch the dress rehearsal, were also full of praise for the performance. They complimented the set, costumes, and acting, with particular mention of the exciting battle scene. They especially enjoyed the sword fighting, commenting on how real it looked, particularly when one of the actors fell off the stage feigning death! (A big thank you to Henry, Bailey, Ayah, Talia and Ines from Lowther Schools for taking the time to review the show – you can read their comments in full by clicking here)  

A huge thank you to Natalie Ibbett for directing the play, Lucy White as Assistant Director, Head of Drama Mike Glen for the set design, Pre-Prep teacher Daisy MacKay for the costume design, Theatre Technical Manager Ed Scragg for the lighting, and History/Classics teacher Adam Lineker for the fight choreography. Last but not least, congratulations to the entire cast for their incredible efforts—they took the audience on a truly magical journey!