CS LEWIS' first tale from the magical world of Narnia is providing families with a theatrical alternative to the Fanta-fuelled screams of panto this Christmas.

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe first opened in Stratford-Upon_Avon in 1998 and ran there for two years before moving on to London for another two years.

Now it comes back to Stratford for one final run and will once again be directed by Adrian Noble, the Royal Shakespeare Company's artistic director.

The production will also be Mr Noble's last for the RSC before he leaves the company in March next year.

"It seems to me the story captivates people's imaginations, sweeps them along and involves them," he said.

"It must also mean something to them otherwise it would not be so popular.

"Superficially it is an adventure story, but beyond that it can be seen to have metaphorical and spiritual emblems within it.

"On one level it operates as the story of four children in some sort of magical land and at the same time it tells the epic story of the defeat of evil by good, and somehow that resounds quite deeply with us all.

"The fact that it features children and animals gives the story a primitiveness which appeals across generations."

Mr Noble said he aimed to stage a play which would appeal to all ages but would still have the dramatic values and standards audiences would expect from a Shakespeare play.

"At Christmas there is not enough decent, quality theatre to take your children to," said Mr Noble.

"Some pantomimes are really good, but others are a disgrace in my view. I wouldn't want my children to see them."

Creating plays for children is familiar territory for Mr Noble who has directed two other family shows, The Secret Garden for the RSC in 2000 and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which is currently running at the Palladium Theatre in London.

"Working with and for children is a terrific discipline," he said.

"You can't hang around. The narrative has got to be as tight as a drum and move like the wind.

"Stage creations have to be big and bold, larger than life and there has to be real emotional charge. Children love spectacle."

Adapted directly from CS Lewis' first tale from the land of Narnia, the stage show also includes a few songs.

"It's not a musical, though, it's a play with songs," said Mr Noble.

"There were no songs at first but we realised that there were one or two moments when music or song would be necessary or advantageous."

Among the cast in this production is Mr Noble's wife Joanne Pearce in the role of the White Witch.

"She always wanted to do this and I'm sure she'll be a marvellous white witch."

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe marks the end of Mr Noble's 12-year reign at the RSC but the future may well include the bright lights of Broadway.

"I'm hoping to work with Ralph Fiennes on Ibsen's Brand in Stratford," he said.

"I also want to do some more opera, and I'm taking Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to Broadway."

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe runs at the Royal Shakespeare theatre in Stratford between Thursday, November 21 and Sunday, February 9. Tickets from 0870 6091110.