The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of the most beloved children’s stories. Written by C.S. Lewis, who was born in Belfast, the story is part of the Chronicles of Narnia series.
The story follows the Pevensie children, who are evacuated from London during World War II. While staying with an eccentric professor, they discover a wardrobe that serves as a portal to another world. When they step through, they discover characters, including a lion named Aslan and the White Witch.
Over the years, the story has enchanted audiences through several cinematic adaptations, each bringing its own flavor to C.S. Lewis’s beloved tale. The journey began with the 1979 animated TV movie, followed by a BBC live-action mini-series In 1988, that remains highly regarded for its faithfulness to the source material, memorable practical effects, and a haunting score that captured both the whimsy and darkness of Narnia. The most famous big-screen adaptation arrived in 2005, with a lavish live-action film from ‘Shrek’ director Andrew Adamson. This version wowed with its impressive special effects, expanded character arcs, and a star-studded cast including Tilda Swinton as the White Witch and Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan. Next up Barbie director Greta Gerwig is working on a whole new series of Narnia movies, starting with ‘The Magicians Nephew’, a prequel to ‘The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe’.
Each adaptation reflects the era and medium in which it was made, but all share a deep affection for Lewis’s magical world.
This month, the classic story gets a major stage treatment when a live production arrives at the Bord Gais Theatre for a limited run. We spoke to actor Katy Stephens, who plays the White Witch in this major stage production, to find out more…
Did you read the books when you were a child?
I didn’t read it when I was a child, so it’s been a real privilege to be put in a position where I was forced to read it for the job. I knew various things about it. I knew that there were children who went through a wardrobe into another world, and that there was a White Witch, and that there was a lion. But what a joy to go to the books at my age. It’s been an absolute pleasure to read them.
This production is based on the show’s original version. It is particularly special to be part of it because this is how it was originally envisioned for the stage.
Yes. What’s really lucky for us as performers is that the piece is already set, so we come into something that’s already formed, which, in a lot of ways, is a lot easier because a lot of decisions have already been made, which is great because it’s a really complex, complicated show. It’s really spectacular. There are lots of different illusions, music, dances, and, of course, puppets. I cannot imagine how long it took them to rehearse and create it initially. We were lucky as a company because we could step into this beautiful production.
Your background is as a Shakespearean actor. I have always viewed Aslan as a character reminiscent of Shakespeare, and I’d like to know if you share that perspective.
Aslan is very much like one of Shakespeare’s good, noble characters. The White Witch is similar to some of the Shakespearean ladies I’ve played. She’s a huge character; she’s corrupt royalty, manipulative, clever, and fast thinking, which a lot of these Shakespearean ladies are. I can’t say it because I’m in the dressing room, but I wonder if C.S Lewis was influenced by the Scottish Play and by the Scottish lady herself.
Costume is so important to any production. The White Witch’s outfit is particularly impressive. When you put that on, does that inform your performance?
Very much so. I have a huge fur coat with a long train, which weighs four and a half stone. It gives me huge gravitas. The previous cloak was stolen from the theatre in Edinburgh. I think they caught the person who did it, but they still can’t find the coat. So, if anyone sees a big white coat, let us know!
You play two different characters in the show. What is it like switching between two people?
I’m quite used to that. When I was at the Royal Shakespeare Company, there was a period of time when I was playing Cleopatra in Anthony and Cleopatra, Rosalind in As You Like It, and Reagan and King Lear all in the same season. I would be playing one of them one night, one of them the next matinee, and another the following evening. I got quite used to being able to cast off characters and then get on with the next one. I feel that Mrs. McCready, who is the professor’s housekeeper, and the White Witch are linked in a Wizard of Oz way, where all the characters become other characters after the tornado.
Did you watch the film version of the books as part of your research?
No. I think Tilda Swinton is absolutely brilliant, but that’s half the problem. You can be influenced by things that you see; it’s very easy to steal stuff without even really realizing it. I’m really strict with myself. I don’t watch anything because I think that everything I create has to come from me and be original.
Are you the type of actor who enjoys the collaborative process that comes with theatre?
Very much so. It is a really special relationship between the actor and the director and the collaboration with the other actors that you’re on stage with. I always say that the final member of the cast is the audience. It’s a lot of teamwork to build these characters. You can have as many ideas as you want when you’re sitting at home in your room and looking at scripts, but other actors will show you the way as well.
What brings you out on stage each night? What keeps it fresh?
Theatre changes people’s perspectives, moves people, and can even change lives. As performers, we’re responsible for that. When we go out into these huge theatres, I think there may be one person out there who will be changed by this, and that’s the person I always do the show for.
Are you looking forward to bringing the show to Dublin?
I’m so excited. We’re all so excited to come to Dublin, it is the place we’ve been most excited about.
What can audiences expect when they see this show?
It’s a spectacle. You’ve got incredible actors on stage, incredible actor-musicians, dancers, and dancers with incredible voices. The music is absolutely beautiful. There’s flying, there’s illusion. There is not a dull moment in it. It’s moving, it’s poignant. Audiences will think it is an absolutely cracking show. All of us in the company are really sad that we never get to see it because we are on stage.
What do you think is the enduring power of this story? What is it that brings people back to it time and time again?
As humans, we are obsessed with the battle between good and evil. We like to see good wins, and that gives us hope. We’ve always been fascinated by the idea of a portal to another world. You know that there’s another world out there that you can access, and I think that’s really close to us as humans, particularly if we’ve lost people in our lives.
Words – Cara O’Doherty
THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE will run at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Tuesday 06 May to Saturday 10 May 2025.