Take a trip to Narnia with Wheathampstead Dramatic Society’s autumn production.

Since its first publication back in 1950, C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has delighted and entranced generations. In this adaptation by Glyn Robbins, first staged in the Westminster Theatre in London in 1984, the playwright skilfully transports us to the land of Narnia: “A land of great beauty, a happy land, Narnia of the heathery mountains and the thymy downs; Narnia of the many rivers, the splashing glens, the mossy caverns, and the deep forests ringing with the hammers of the dwarfs.”

Audiences are invited to join evacuee children Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they discover the world through the wardrobe and meet friends and enemies while fighting to bring spring back to an ice-cold country ruled by an evil White Witch. In the conflict between good and evil, they are called to join forces with the mighty lion Aslan in the battle to release Narnia from the grip of a tyrannical regime.

Director Julie Field has mustered a talented quartet of child actors, together with a large cast of exceptionally versatile adults who, while presenting a variety of animal characters, are also called upon the represent “assorted uglies, giants, werewolves, spirits, ghouls, boggles, ogres and trolls”.

The result promises to be an intriguing and enchanting evening’s entertainment.

Performances will take place at the Memorial Hall Wheathampstead at 8pm. on Thursday, 16, and Friday, October 17, and at 7pm on Saturday, 18. The early start on the Saturday is the “family friendly” performance.

Tickets, priced £8, are available from The Manor Pharmacy, Wheathampstead (and also Harpenden); online at wheathampsteaddramaticsociety.co.uk or @phone 01582 621357.