The Company of Ten is inviting audiences into Narnia with their Christmas production of C. S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The performance, which will be staged at the Abbey Theatre in St Albans, is set in a land of ice and snow, cruelly ruled over by the White Witch.

When four siblings discover a secret way into the world through an old wardrobe, they must battle alongside Aslan the lion to release Narnia from the White Witch - who ensures that it is always winter, never Christmas.

Herts Advertiser: The White Witch in the Company of Ten's production of 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' The White Witch in the Company of Ten's production of 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' (Image: Abbey Theatre)

Along the way the children meet Mr Tumnus the faun, Mr and Mrs Beaver and Father Christmas as they fight to free Narnia from everlasting winter.

Performances take place at 2.30pm and 5.30pm on December 16, 17, 23, 27 and 28, and at 7.30pm on December 21 and 22.

Tickets cost £15 for adults, £13 for concessions and £9 for children aged 13 and under. 

To book tickets visit www.abbeytheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 01727 857861.

Director Katherine Barry said: "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is always a firm favourite with family audiences, and we are very excited to be presenting it as our Christmas show
this year.

"Children particularly identify with Susan, Peter, Lucy and Edmund, who are ordinary children but who achieve amazing things.

"I’m delighted to be working with a cast – especially the children – who bring the story to life in a way that will really capture the audience."

The Abbey Theatre stage will be transformed into a magical wintery world, with the workshop team, wardrobe department - sadly with no secret doorways - and technical teams working together to create a "breath-taking" show.

READ MORE

Particular skill has gone into the realisation of the animals, including the lion Aslan, who the Company of Ten describe as a "theatrical coup".

As well as Aslan, the staging involves fauns, snow, fight scenes and Father Christmas - making a fun show for families to enjoy.

The show is recommended for ages seven plus, as it contains scenes that some younger children may find upsetting.