Originally a sell-out production at Chichester Festival Theatre, Rachel Kavanaugh directs this strictly limited engagement of SHADOWLANDS at London’s Aldwych Theatre from 5 February.
BAFTA, Primetime Emmy, and Golden Globe Award-nominated actor Hugh Bonneville (ITV’s Downton Abbey, Paddington, Paddington 2) stars as C.S. Lewis (author of The Chronicles of Narnia) whose orderly academic life as an Oxford Don is upended by the arrival of the spirited American poet, Joy Davidman. What begins as a meeting of minds becomes an uplifting and powerful journey of love and the fragile beauty of life.
Based on a true story, SHADOWLANDS is written by William Nicholson and was adapted from his own original BAFTA Award-winning TV Movie. It soon became a West End smash-hit winning the Evening Standard Award for Best Play, followed by a triumphant Tony Award-winning Broadway transfer. In 1993 the play was adapted into a major feature film directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger, which subsequently won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film.
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C.S. Lewis’ orderly academic life as an Oxford Don is upended by the arrival of the spirited American poet, Joy Davidman. What begins as a meeting of minds becomes an uplifting and powerful journey of love and the fragile beauty of life.
Tickets available for performances from 5 February – 9 May 2026.
Age recommendation: 12+. Under 5s cannot be admitted to the theatre. Children aged 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult (at least one adult per 10 children). All patrons, regardless of age, must have a valid ticket.
2 hours 20 mins, including interval.
Hugh Bonneville (C.S. Lewis).
William Nicholson (Writer), Rachel Kavanaugh (Director).
'Tremendous. Bonneville dazzles as CS Lewis in this divine revival'
'A theatrical triumph'
'A brilliant, moving evocation of live, love and loss'
'A haunting production'
'Impressive'
'Will bring tears to your eyes'
'Entertaining, funny, deeply touching'
