Friday 23rd of September 2005

One of the most eagerly anticipated and biggest films of the year, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" is to have its World Premiere in London in the presence of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall on Wednesday December 7th at the Royal Albert Hall. The film has been honoured as the selection for the prestigious 2005 Royal Film Performance in aid of the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund.

The announcement that the big screen version of C.S.Lewis' much loved classic and international best-seller will have its premiere in the UK was made today by Walt Disney Studios, Walden Media, the CTBF and Clarence House.

No effort will be spared to turn the Royal Albert Hall into a spectacular film palace for the evening, with a glamorous white carpet replacing the traditional premiere red carpet, and a magical winter wonderland setting for the magnificent party to be held afterwards in a massive marquee in Kensington Gardens for the thousands of international guests who will be attending. Celebrity guests from around the world will be the first to see the epic big-screen version of this much-cherished story.

The organisers will also be ensuring access to the event for an unusually large number of members of the public. Although access to royal film premieres is normally restricted to invited guests and charity donors, large numbers of affordable seats will be offered for sale to the public and grandstand seating will be set up for fans to watch the celebrity arrivals in comfort.

Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media's "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe," is released in the UK by Buena Vista International (UK) Ltd and opens in cinemas everywhere on December 8th 2005. Directed by Andrew Adamson ("Shrek," "Shrek 2") and produced by Mark Johnson ("The Rookie," "Rain Man"), the film stars Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, Rupert Everett, Jim Broadbent, Ray Winstone, Dawn French, Liam Neeson, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Mosely and Anna Popplewell.