Soap star joins the cast of show

FORMER EastEnders star Samantha Womack will join the cast of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Curve in November.

The Leeds Playhouse production of C S Lewis’s classic story will open its major tour of the UK and Ireland in Leicester from November 2 to 13.

Womack will play Narnia’s evil White Witch.

She said: “Having been a huge fan of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for as long as I can remember, I am thrilled to be playing the 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.”

Womack recently played the lead role in the sold-out production of The Girl on the Train in the West End and on tour.

Her past theatre roles include the Tony award-winning production of South Pacific in which she starred alongside Patrick Swayze.

On TV, she has appeared in Game On, Babes in the Wood, Liverpool 1 and Imogen’s Face as well as playing Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders.

She played Eggsy’s mother in the The Kingsman franchise sharing the screen with Colin Firth and Samuel L Jackson.

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe broke box office records at Leeds Playhouse in 2017 and played to packed houses and critical acclaim at the Bridge Theatre in London in 2019.

Producer Chris Harper said: “We are so proud of the cast and creative team that we have assembled for our forthcoming tour of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and are delighted to welcome incredibly talented Samantha Womack as the White Witch.”