Shadowlands

Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Paddington, Twenty Twelve) stars as C.S. Lewis alongside acclaimed actor Maggie Siff (Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy, Billions) as the spirited American poet Joy Davidman whose unexpected love transforms the orderly academic life of C.S. Lewis – the celebrated author of The Chronicles of Narnia.

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.

Originally a sell-out production at Chichester Festival Theatre, Rachel Kavanaugh directs this strictly limited engagement at London’s Aldwych Theatre from 5 February.

Closing

09/05/2026

Running Time

2h20, inc. interval

Genre

Drama, Plays

Age & Content

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.

Cast:

Hugh Bonneville as

C.S. Lewis

Maggie Siff as

Joy Davidman

Jeff Rawle as

Major W.H. Lewis

Rebecca Blackstone as

Registrar & Woman in Tea Room

Nigel Fyfe & Leighton Pugh as

Ensemble

Jemma Geanaus as

Nurse & Ensemble

Tony Jayawardena as

Rev. Harry Harrington

Sharan Phull as

Waitress, Clerk & Ensemble

Fode Simbo as

Alan Gregg & Doctor

Ernest Stroud as

Witness & Ensemble

Giles Taylor as

Dr Maurice Oakley, Priest & Ensemble

Timothy Watson as

Professor Christopher Riley

Ayrton English, Nathan Jago & Louis Wilkins as

Douglas

Creative:

Director -

Rachel Kavanaugh

Designer -

Peter McKintosh

Lighting Designer -

Howard Harrison

Sound Designer -

Fergus O’Hare

Music -

Catherine Jayes

Movement Director -

Georgina Lamb

Hair & Make-up Designer -

Carole Hancock

Casting Director -

Annelie Powell

US Casting Director -

Jim Carnahan

Production Manager -

Simon Bourne

Company Stage Manager -

Matt Henry

Deputy Stage Manager -

Jo Dunne

Assistant Stage Manager -

Alexa Lawrence & Cat Simpson

No accessibility performances are currently scheduled for this show.