Former EastEnders star Samantha Womack will be making a return to the Kent stage in a classic children's tale adapted for the theatre.

Samantha, who played Ronnie Mitchell in the BBC show until 2017, will play the evil White Witch in the adaptation of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe.

It will be a return to the Marlowe theatre in Canterbury for the actress who last performed there as the lead in the sold-out production of The Girl On The Train in 2019.

She has also starred in the Addams Family UK tour and in the 2013 pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk.

The show, which will be coming to Canterbury in February 2022, in time for the school half term, tells the story of Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and step through the wardrobe into the enchanted kingdom of Narnia.

They embark on a magical adventure in a frozen, faraway land where they meet a faun, talking beavers, Aslan (the noble king of Narnia) and

the coldest, most evil White Witch.

She said: "Having been a huge fan of C S Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for as long as I can remember, I am thrilled to be playing the White Witch.

"The book has always been a magical read and having watched incredible actors interpret this role in the past, I am excited to see what she holds for me. This production is so beautifully conceived with thrilling sets and costumes and an amazingly talented cast and creative team. I can’t wait to seduce, plot and terrify Narnia into a permanent winter.”

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe will be at the Marlowe Theatre from Tuesday, February 15 to Saturday, February 19, 2022. Book tickets at marlowetheatre.com or call 01227 787787.

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