An award-winning actress will play the villain in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at a theatre in Liverpool.

Katy Stephens, known for her roles at Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal Shakespeare Company, will portray The White Witch at the Empire Theatre next year.

Katy was part of the team that won the Olivier Award for Best Ensemble Performance for the RSC’s Histories Cycle where her roles included Joan of Arc and Margaret of Anjou.

Ms Stephens said: "The role of Her Imperial Majesty Jadis, Queen of Narnia in this thrilling stage version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is something I can’t wait to play.

"The thought of casting a spell over Narnia to make it always winter but never Christmas is simply tantalising.

"Let the magic begin."

The Pevensie children will be played by Joanna Adaran as Susan, Jesse Dunbar as Peter, Kudzai Mangombe as Lucy, and Bunmi Osadolor as Edmund.

The full cast includes Archie Combe, Andrew Davison, Anya de Villiers, Molly Francis, Ruby Greenwood, Ffion Haf, Rhiannon Hopkins, Joe Keenan, Oliver Magor, JB Maya, Luca Moscardini, Alfie Richards, Kraig Thornber, Ed Thorpe, Rhodri Watkins, Shane Anthony Whiteley, and Stanton Wright as Aslan.

Katy Stephens is looking forward to taking on the role of the evil White Witch (Image: Ellie Kurttz) Producer Chris Harper said: "We can’t wait for children and adults alike to join us on this spectacular new journey through the wardrobe and are proud to be marking the 75th anniversary of the publication of C.S. Lewis’ novel with this tour."

C.S. Lewis’ book was first published in October 1950 and has sold more than 85 million copies in 60 languages.

It is one of the top ten best-selling books of all time.

The stage adaptation of Lewis’ iconic book enjoyed a successful London run in 2022/3.

The story follows Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and embark on an adventure in a frozen, faraway land where they meet Mr Tumnus the faun, talking beavers, Aslan (the noble king of Narnia), and the evil White Witch.

The show will run at the Liverpool Empire Theatre on Lime Street from February 18 to February 22.

Tickets can be purchased from the ATG tickets website.