Shadowlands
The man behind Narnia: Shadowlands play tickets on sale now
A meeting of minds and a beautiful story of resilience: BAFTA nominee Hugh Bonneville stars as C.S. Lewis in the West End revival of William Nicholson’s Tony Award-winning Shadowlands play. Based on a true story, this “tremendous” (The Guardian) show takes us through the wardrobe and into the real life of Narnia’s creator and his relationship with wife – and poet in her own right – Joy Davidson. Book now to see it at the Aldwych Theatre for a strictly limited season.
When C.S. Lewis – author of The Chronicles of Narnia and a studious Oxford Don – first met American poet and fan Joy Davidson, their relationship was one of academic and creative interest. It soon turned into something more, and the pair’s unique marriage led to a deep bond, even as illness and tragedy hounded at the door. In Shadowlands, their story comes alive with heartbreaking and uplifting power.
Oscar and Tony Award-nominated writer William Nicholson’s (Gladiator) Shadowlands play has enjoyed a rich life on stage and screen since its world premiere in 1989. It has been staged in the UK and on Broadway, and was adapted into a BAFTA-winning film starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger. This latest revival opened at Chichester Festival Theatre back in 2019, directed by Rachel Kavanaugh (Regent’s Park: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Chichester: Half a Sixpence).
Hugh Bonneville reprises his role as C.S. Lewis six years later. He is best known as Mr. Brown in the Paddington films and as Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey. His performance as Lewis was a hit, with critics calling it a “skilfull […] nuanced” (The Stage) portrayal that he “dazzles” (The Guardian) in.
Rich, eloquent and deeply moving, don’t miss out on seeing Hugh Bonneville in the award-winning Shadowlands play, back in the West End for the first time since 2008. As one of the first new dramas at the Aldwych since Tina: The Tina Turner Musical closed, this is powerful prestige theatre at its best.
Child friendly?
The Shadowlands play age rating is to be confirmed. It features themes of religion, illness – including cancer – and death.