The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a fantasy novel written by C.S. Lewis and published in 1950. It is the first and most well-known book in The Chronicles of Narnia series. The story follows four siblings who stumble upon a magic wardrobe that transports them to the fantastical world of Narnia. In Narnia, they encounter talking animals, mythical creatures, and an epic battle between good and evil.
Our puppets were made by a team led by Jo Lakin. Makers were Helen Foan, Jessica Jones, Sarah Vigars and Rosie Williams.
The piece de resistance is an impressive three-person Aslan, whose forbidding stature, undulating movement and realistic head movement evokes the animal might of the National Theatre s long-running War Horse. The cast consists of both actors and puppeteers and the fluidity of their movements and seamless interactions is one of the most appealing things about the production.
In Narnia, they encounter talking animals, mythical creatures, and an epic battle between good and evil. The main characters, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, find themselves caught in a struggle for the throne of Narnia between the White Witch and the great lion, Aslan. Aslan, the true king of Narnia, represents goodness, sacrifice, and redemption.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
We were delighted to design and direct the puppetry for Birmingham Rep's new production of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, directed by Tessa Walker.
The puppets were designed by Jo Lakin and Mervyn Millar, and directed by Mervyn Millar. A terrific cast and creative team including director Tessa Walker, designer Jamie Vartan and movement director Polly Bennett makes this a very exciting project.
Our puppets were made by a team led by Jo Lakin. Makers were Helen Foan, Jessica Jones, Sarah Vigars and Rosie Williams.
Aslan was puppeteered by Nuno Silva, David Albury and James Charlton. Grumpskin, Rumblebuffin and the Robin are puppeteered by Danielle Bird. Other puppets are performed by the cast including Emily Goodenough, Jo Servi and Thomas Aldridge.
The production ran in November and December 2015, and January 2016.
Much of the theatrical magic of this world is created by the wonderful puppetry which imparts lifelike mannerisms to hand-held squirrels and robins. The piece de resistance is an impressive three-person Aslan, whose forbidding stature, undulating movement and realistic head movement evokes the animal might of the National Theatre's long-running War Horse.Diane Parkes, The Stage
The cast consists of both actors and puppeteers and the fluidity of their movements and seamless interactions is one of the most appealing things about the production. Aslan the lion, in particular, is an amazing creation courtesy of Jo Lakin and Mervyn Millar, beautifully executed by a trio of performers headed by Nuno Silva. Moving elegantly and speaking and singing with exactly the right tone of authority and gravitas, it's possible to believe that this is almost a real giant king of the beasts commanding the stage.Michael Davies, whatsonstage.com
Putting on this children's classic was always going to be a challenge - how do you capture the magnificent power and beauty of the lion Aslan? In this wonderful production he is a giant puppet, operated by three men who did an amazing job bringing him to life, each movement so perfect you could see beyond the skeletal structure and almost imagine he is real… the wonderful puppetry, and powerful performances by the entire cast bring so much energy to this play.
If you are looking for a Christmas show which will captivate the kids - this is most definitely worth seeing. Simply magical.Sarah Probert, Birmingham Mail
…the stars of the show are the puppets (designed by Mervyn Millar and Jo Lakin). From small woodland creatures, to giants and dwarves, to the enormous Aslan creation; the level of detail is quite extraordinary. Aslan is in three detached pieces and the direction/operation of this puppet is faultless. Colin Grenfell's lighting emphasises its beauty. Nuno Silva operates the head whilst commanding the voice of Aslan and his vocals carry the exact warm tone and power of authority required. Danielle Bird also needs to be greatly recognised for her phenomenal puppeteering skills throughout.
A fun treat for the whole family which will certainly get you in the festive spirit.Jenny Ell, BroadwayWorld.com
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Aslan was puppeteered by Nuno Silva, David Albury and James Charlton. Grumpskin, Rumblebuffin and the Robin are puppeteered by Danielle Bird. Other puppets are performed by the cast including Emily Goodenough, Jo Servi and Thomas Aldridge.
Through their adventures in Narnia, the children learn valuable lessons about bravery, loyalty, and the power of love. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a beloved classic that continues to captivate readers of all ages with its timeless themes and enchanting storytelling..
Reviews for "Legendary Author: The Mind Behind "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"
1. Laura - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Who constructed the lion the witch and the wardrobe". The storyline was too predictable and lacked depth. The characters felt one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. Additionally, the pacing was very slow and there were many unnecessary scenes that dragged the story down. Overall, I found it to be a mundane and forgettable read.
2. Mark - 1 star
I have to say, "Who constructed the lion the witch and the wardrobe" was a complete waste of time for me. The writing style was dull and unimaginative, making it difficult to stay engaged. The plot was poorly developed and full of inconsistencies. It seemed like the author had no clear direction and made up events as they went along. The ending was also extremely unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends untied. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Who constructed the lion the witch and the wardrobe" but it fell short of my expectations. The concept was interesting, but the execution was lacking. The writing was choppy and the dialogue felt forced. The characters were hard to connect with and their motivations were unclear. I was left feeling confused and unsatisfied by the end. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre read that didn't live up to its potential.
4. Michael - 2 stars
"Who constructed the lion the witch and the wardrobe" was an underwhelming read for me. The pacing was uneven, with slow sections that dragged on and rushed moments that left me confused. The world-building lacked depth and the descriptions were too sparse, making it difficult to visualize the setting. Additionally, the use of clichéd tropes and predictable plot twists made the story feel stale and unoriginal. I was hoping for a more immersive and engaging experience, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver.