Memorial Hall, Dereham

Memorial Hall, Dereham

Last night was a truly delightful trip into the enchanting world of Narnia thanks to a superb performance by talented youngsters.

CS Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of the most magical children's tales ever written and these young people added to its sparkle.

Dereham Operatic Society Youth Theatre Company's cast of nearly 50 young people aged seven to 19 did themselves proud - from the very beginning, when Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan discover the strange world of Narnia through the back of a dusty old wardrobe, right up to the final moments in the quest to save the kingdom from the evil White Witch and her rabble.

Colourful costumes, enthusiastic singing and wonderful dancing made the show a pleasure to watch.

And there was certainly a lot of rising stars treading the boards, too.

Watching newcomers Natasha Scollay (Lucy) and Jordan Mott (Edmund), aged just nine and 10, it seemed almost impossible to think this was their debut show with the company.

Charlotte Buckingham, with her superb voice, played a wonderfully wicked White Witch, while Lewis Perkins was an excellently cast Aslan.

It was a terrific show and, judging by the cheers at the end, everyone agreed.

t The show runs until Saturday, April 7, nightly at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets £5.50 to £8.50. Call 01362 851919 or visit Hallmark, Nelson Place.