Behind the scenes of Rose Theatre's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as rehearsals get under way on Raven's Ait

The production has been adapted for the stage by artistic director of the New Vic Theatre in North Staffordshire, Theresa Heskins.

The show previews on November 30 before opening on December 4.

It tells the tale of siblings evacuated from London in World War II who discover the magical world of Narnia, accessed through the back of a wardrobe.

Ciaran McConville, whose previous work for the theatre includes 1984 and Tess of the d’Ubervilles, is director.

He said: “We want to bring a family of children to this stage who take us on an extraordinary adventure of the imagination.

“This promises to be theatre at its most involving and exhilarating – when you leave at the end of the show it will be like stepping back out of the wardrobe."

The show will feature Richard Pryal, whose recent work includes Macbeth and The Comedy of Errors at Chester Performs, as Aslan the lion, and Kate Tydman, who has appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, as the White Witch.

The show opens at the Rose on November 30

They will perform alongside a number of actors from the Rose Youth Theatre – who were this week rehearsing for the show on Raven's Ait near Kingston.

Watch the trailer for the Rose Theatre's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Mr McConville said: "With a wonderful cast of pros, some of the most extraordinary teenagers I could hope to meet, a fast- paced and exciting script from Theresa Heskins and unforgettable music by Eamonn O'Dwyer, I think this will be something quite special."

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Rose Theatre, High Street, Kingston; December 4 to January 4; tickets £11 to £28; visit rosetheatrekingston.org