THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE LAUNCH EVENT AT THE LOWRY | CHRISTMAS 2025
- Sep 29, 2025
- 3 min read
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Launch Event at The Lowry
Christmas at The Lowry is looking truly magical this year as The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe prepares to return for the festive season from 3rd December 2025 to 11th January 2026 — and we were lucky enough to get an early glimpse of the production at the official launch event.
Held in The Compass Room at The Lowry, the afternoon gave invited guests a chance to step into the snowy world of Narnia before the show officially opens later this year. From beautiful costumes and live performances to puppetry demonstrations and afternoon tea treats, it really did feel like stepping through the wardrobe into another world.
As soon as we arrived, the festive atmosphere was impossible to miss. Tables were filled with tea, cakes, scones and sandwiches, alongside one of Narnia’s most famous treats — Turkish Delight, of course. It immediately set the tone for a warm and magical afternoon.
One of my favourite parts of the launch was getting to see some of the costumes up close. From Mr Tumnus’ faun costume to the White Witch’s dramatic fur coat, every detail looked incredible and really helped bring the world of Narnia to life. Seeing theatre costumes this close is always fascinating because you notice so many small details that audiences might miss from their seats.
The Story of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Based on the much-loved novel by C. S. Lewis, the story follows siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they discover a magical world hidden inside an old wardrobe.
Narnia is trapped in an endless winter under the rule of the White Witch, where it is “always winter but never Christmas.” But when the great lion Aslan returns, hope slowly begins to return to the frozen land.
It’s a story filled with adventure, bravery, family, sacrifice and hope, and it’s easy to see why it continues to capture the imagination of audiences of all ages decades after it was first written.
Puppetry, Music and Theatrical Magic
This stage adaptation, directed by Michael Fentiman, combines live music, ensemble storytelling and breathtaking puppetry to create something that feels incredibly magical.
During the launch event we were treated to live musical performances from the cast, which instantly gave a flavour of the atmosphere audiences can expect from the full production. The music felt both festive and emotional, helping create that sense of wonder that Narnia is so well known for.
The puppetry also looks absolutely stunning. One of the most memorable moments of the afternoon came right at the end when Aslan himself appeared and walked among the tables. Seeing the lion puppet up close was honestly incredible and you could immediately understand why audiences become so emotionally attached to him during the show.
Rather than hiding the puppeteers, the production embraces them as part of the storytelling, which actually makes the performance feel even more powerful and moving.
Meeting the Cast
The event also gave us the chance to hear from some of the cast members who will be bringing Narnia to life on stage.
Katy Stephens spoke about playing the White Witch and joked about becoming “absolutely despised by about a thousand schoolchildren,” while still admitting the character has a few secret fans.
Meanwhile, Bunmi Osadolor shared his excitement about making his professional stage debut as Edmund, describing the experience as “crazy, but amazing.”
Hearing the cast speak so passionately about the production made the excitement for the festive run feel even more real.
A Magical Christmas Show at The Lowry
The launch event gave such a lovely preview of what audiences can expect from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe this Christmas at The Lowry.
Between the live music, stunning costumes, magical puppetry and the chance to see Aslan up close, the whole afternoon perfectly captured the wonder and heart of this timeless story. It already feels like one of those productions that will become a really special festive theatre trip for families this Christmas season.
If you’re looking for a magical Christmas theatre show in Salford or Manchester this year, this definitely looks like one to add to your list.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at The Lowry Information
📍 Venue: The Lowry, Salford
📅 Dates: 3rd December 2025 – 11th January 2026
👶 Age Guidance: 6+
🎟 Tickets: Available via The Lowry website
✨ Step through the wardrobe this Christmas and discover the magic of Narnia.
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