Turkish Delight good enough for Narnia - and the cast of a new Brighton show

Yahoo

12-03-2025

The cast of a West End sensation has visited Brighton and Hove's oldest chocolatier to learn how to make Turkish Delight.
Bunmi Osadolor who plays Edmund and Katy Stephens who plays The White Witch/ Jardis in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe visited Audrey's Chocolates on Tuesday ahead of their show at the Theatre Royal Brighton.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe began its run last night and will be showing at the theatre until Saturday (March 15).
C.S. Lewis' book was first published in October 1950. Since then, over 85 million copies in 60 languages have been sold and it is one of the top ten best-selling books of all time.
To book tickets for the show, visit here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/
Audrey's Chocolates in Holland Road (Image: Theatre Royal Brighton) Turkish Delight plays an important part in the story for Edmund (Bunmi Osadolor) and The White Witch/Jardis (Katy Stephens) as this is what helps the White Witch win Edmund over (especially during WWII rations, when the play is set – as Turkish Delight would have been a real rarity and luxury).
On Tuesday morning, the cast went down to Audrey's Chocolates in Holland Road, and were met by Alice Crone, who co-owns the business with her husband Will.
Alice gave the cast a tour of their many different chocolate factory rooms. As the oldest chocolatier in Brighton and Hove, having been established in 1948, Audrey's Chocolates is spread across multiple floors and has over 50 members of staff.
The owner's estimated that they produce more than "Eight kilograms worth of chocolate per day, and that they even supply London's Fortnum and Mason department.
Katy Stephens, who last performed at the Theatre Royal in Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, said: "Brighton is such a fun city to perform in, and I'm thrilled to return in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
"And kicking off the week in the best possible way… making and tasting chocolate coated Turkish Delight! What a wonderful factory in the heart of the city. "
Chocolate Enrobing Machine (Image: Theatre Royal Brighton) Audrey's Chocolate's add an extra twist to their Turkish Delight by covering it in chocolate.
Katy and Bunmi were shown the Chocolate Enrobing Machine which they use to coat the Turkish Delight in dark chocolate.
They were also encouraged to try decorating the freshly-enrobed Chocolate, marking it with a special three-pronged utensil that helps Audrey's Chocolates distinguish the Turkish Delight once coated in chocolate.
Bunmi Osadolor and Katy Stephens trying out the Turkish Delight (Image: Theatre Royal Brighton) They then tasted the Turkish Delight – which comes in a range of flavours, including traditional Rose, Lemon and Pistachio.
Bunmi, who plays Edmund, said: "What a way to start my week of shows at Theatre Royal Brighton.
"Every night, Edmund is tempted by The Queen of Narnia with Turkish Delight, and this morning I got the chance to taste the real thing!"
A scene between Edmund and The White Witch from the play (Image: Theatre Royal Brighton) A Theatre Royal spokeswoman said: "We're thrilled to welcome the spellbinding production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to our stage this week!
"The team at Audrey's Chocolates were brilliant and it was fascinating to learn a bit more about the history of Turkish Delight.
"Turkish Delight plays a crucial role in Edmund's encounter with The White Witch. What better way to celebrate the show's arrival than by indulging in some of Brighton and Hove's finest confectionery?"
The cast is completed by: Archie Combe (Mr Pope and Foxtrot), Andrew Davison (Mr Wilson Schroedinger, Jack Rabbit, Aslan Puppeteer and Head Cruel), Anya de Villiers (Mrs Beaver), Molly Francis (Mrs Pevensie, Aslan Puppeteer and Robin) Ruby Greenwood (Onstage Swing) Ffion Haf (Miss Gumley-Warmley and Phoenix), Rhiannon Hopkins (Miss Chutney and Blue Badger), Joe Keenan (Mr Granville, Spirit of the Moon and Red Squirrel), Oliver Magor (Onstage Swing), JB Maya (Onstage Swing), Luca Moscardini (Onstage Swing), Alfie Richards (Mr Tumnus, White Mouse and Badger), Kraig Thornber (The Professor, Father Xmas and Wise Owl), Ed Thorpe (Mr Beaver), Rhodri Watkins (Mr Brinkworth, March Hare and Aslan Puppeteer) and Shane Anthony Whiteley (Maugrim, Satyr and White Stag) and Stanton Wright as Aslan.