THE classic fantasy world of C S Lewis is being brought to life on the stage in a spectacular new production by Malvern Theatre Players, the resident amateur group, later this month.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the first of Lewis's Narnia novels, which have enchanted and delighted children - and adults - since their publication in the 1950s.

It is particularly appropriate that is should be staged in Malvern. Lewis was a pupil at Malvern College and the town's distinctive Victorian gas lamps inspired the mysterious street lamp which appears in Narnia.

The story follows the adventures of Peter (Laurence Jepson), Susan (Grace Underhill), Edmund (Luke Lupton) and Lucy (Hattie Lloyd), who are evacuated from London during the Second World War to escape the Blitz.

At the country home of their eccentric uncle The Professor (Steve Mellor), they find that by stepping into a magical wardrobe they can visit the world of Narnia and meet its denizens, such as the White Witch (Liz Burton) and the lion Aslan (Darren Morris).

"It's a timeless story of good against evil," says director Lee Farley, explaining the perennial appeal of CS Lewis's tale. "It's fast moving and exciting, and in the end it's simply a good story."

Cast and technical crew of Malvern Theatre Players have been working hard to bring one of the group's most spectacular productions to the stage of the Forum at Malvern Theatres.

"This is a play which is actually more suited to the Forum than the Festival Theatre. The stage is wider, a nice big space for the action," says Lee, who directed The Chrysalids there a couple of years ago. "It's been quite complicated to stage; there are some big set pieces like the wardrobe, the witch's sleigh and the witch's castle."

The show's beautiful costumes are by Lol Cheetham, set design by Chris Bassett and lighting by Rob Bourne and Lesley Taylor.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe run from Wednesday, January 15 from Saturday, January 18, at 7pm, with a 10am matinee on Saturday.

Tickets are adults £8, children £5, from Malvern Theatres box office on 01684 892277.