I was so looking forward to Ferndown Drama Groups production of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and for the first time I was a little disappointed.

The first act was slow and confusing as we heard about Lucy and Edmunds visit to Narnia before we saw it happen therefore I got a bit lost. I should say I have never seen the film or read the book so really didn’t know the plot.

The second act was better as I got into the story but some of the scene changes were very slow and I found my attention wandering.

Having said all that there were some good portrayals particularly from the four ‘children’ Lucy (Sarah Roberts), Edmund (Ryan Gregg), Susan (Rebecca Christie) and Peter (Stuart Bedford), so good in fact that I actually lost sight that they were being played by adults.

Trish Binding as Mrs Macready was totally believable however as the White Witch she never seemed to have the nastiness that was expected. Kevin Dicker as the Professor and Aslan was a little hesitant but nonetheless put in a good performance.

I liked Maugrim (Richard Harker) and Dwarf (Gareth Fielden), also Mr and Mrs Beaver (Bob Johnson and Dawn Hollington). The whole cast worked hard but it just didn’t come off.

The back projection and costumes were excellent.

Lyn Richell