REVIEW: Shadowlands
- Posted on January 21, 2008 5:09 PM
- 0 comments
Shadowlands
21 December 2007 to 23 February 2008
Novello Theatre, London
Review by Katie Spain
Have you ever had a day at work that makes you want to climb into the stationary cupboard to escape for just an hour or two? Unfortunately for us adults, they don’t make cupboards quite like they used to in Narnia world. If it makes you feel any better, it turns out even CS Lewis had the odd disastrous day. It took a musical to show me that even literary masters (especially literary masters!) had reason to complain.
The day I saw the critically acclaimed production of Shadowlands at London’s Novello Theatre, I was ready to climb in with the notebooks and tippex and throw away the key. I’m sure glad I didn’t. The evening of theatre was one of the most enlightening I’ve had in a long time. A seat dead centre, five rows back gave me a perfect view of lead actors Charles Dance (CS Lewis) and Janie Dee (Joy Gresham). What a pair of talented human beings they are too; It’s a pity the theatre was only half full.
Shadowlands tells the moving story of children's author C S Lewis and New York-based poet Joy Davidman. We all enjoyed the fruits of Lewis’ imagination through ‘The Chronicles Of Narnia’ but I assume that like me, most people never gave much thought to ‘The Chronicles Of Lewis’. The unlikely pair build a relationship through letters and ever so slowly grow to love each other.
Moral and religious beliefs are overcome as two soul mates discover a love of literacy and of of each other. The on-stage chemistry between Dance and the gloriously outspoken Dee is captivating to watch and the story, shrouded in tragedy, is also laced with glorious moments of comedy.
It’s rare to see such a fine collection of British talent on one stage. The gentleman’s scenes are comedic genius. The bitter face of Professor Christopher Riley (John Standing) is just so endearing one wants to run on-stage and hug it right out of him. It is a rare insight into regular meetings held by the writers (otherwise known as the ‘Inklings’). As a woman, the observation of male 1930s writers would have been unlikely.
The play is a slow moving one but we don’t miss a beat and a good tale deserves to be told well. Kids may not last the distance but literary bods and romantics will be transfixed. The Novello is a grand and well worn theatre, perfectly suited to the characters on stage. Shame about the uncomfortable seats though. The set is relatively simple, but even the dust seems to whisper tales of Oxford days of old. Narnia even makes an appearance in scenes that unleash the child inside. Just try not to gasp as those cupboard doors swing open – I dare you.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and your eyes will be opened to the nature of the man behind the story telling. It just goes to show… you’re never too old or too important to find love – or to lose it.
Get your West End theatre tickets here.
Shadowlands - official site.
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