Shadowlands
BAFTA, Primetime Emmy, and Golden Globe Award-nominated actor Hugh Bonneville 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.
Originally a sell-out production at Chichester Festival Theatre, Rachel Kavanaugh directs this strictly limited engagement in London.
Audience Latest Reviews
Reviews Summary based on 49 reviews
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Powerful and emotive This was an impressive performance by the whole cast with powerful, emotive scenes and good use of humour to balance the themes. The scene changes were very clever and the staging was simple but thoughtful.
Edward, 13 Mar 2026
Go for the actors, stay for the fast-paced dialogue and lovely story The show is full-on, no time wasted for anything. It’s emotional, clever, sentimental, witty and Bonneville and Siff (and the kid) have amazing chemistry on stage. I enjoyed it. Even from the cheap seats.
Johanna, 12 Mar 2026
Highly recommended The show was wonderful. I didn't know about CS Lewis. Beautifully acted. Sad story. Well worth the price of the ticket
Dale, 09 Mar 2026
Great performances in a compelling stage production The quality of acting by Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Siff was top drawer and very well supported by the cast generally. Excellent stage production of a very compelling story.
Nicholas, 05 Mar 2026
CS Lewis Fantastic acting - excellent cast
Phil, 03 Mar 2026
Moving play Hugh Bonneville was outstanding as C. S. Lewis. The rest of the cast were also excellent. It moved well, the set changes were slick and cleverly done. The little boy was extremely good.
Finally there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Highly recommended.
Jenny, 28 Feb 2026
A wonderful play Our only issue was the other members of the audience who did not consider blocking a view by doing hair and folding a coat above a head was an issue. Coming with a severe cough or chewing and grunting so loudly it might just be off putting and bleeps on phones. The acting was superb and it’s a special play
Mary, 25 Feb 2026
"Surprised by love" This was a captivating performance well spiced with dry humour but overall, totally absorbing and utterly convincing portrayal by Hugh Bonneville of a man who believed he was pretty much self sufficient albeit a devout Christian who was startled to discover the allure of a witty, intelligent woman, Joy (played superbly by Maggie Siff)who admired him but could also laugh at him & refused to treat him as a guru. She had the audience as well as Lewis, eating out of her hand. Great supporting characters too. A beautiful and thought-provoking show..do we need the experience of pain and loss to understand Love? I believe it's the experience of being loved that can help us bear pain and suffering, that gives us belief there is more good in the world than bad and more demonstration of love and valuing of others in life might well lead to less pain and suffering.
Eve, 21 Feb 2026
Great Performance of Shadow lands. Great performance of this wonderful play
Gerard, 21 Feb 2026
Thought provoking Really liked the acting. Hugh Boneville was standout. Story line a bit limp.
Found the audience so annoying tittering a the slightest thing
John, 20 Feb 2026
Excellent Boneville and brother? Worth the visut very exoensive ice cream
william, 19 Feb 2026
Marvellous One of the best shows we have seen in a long time…Hugh Boneville was fantastic as was Maggie Siff.
Sad, funny, thoughtful, characterful.
In essence wonderfully acted, scripted and produced.
Annie, 19 Feb 2026
Sad, thoughtful but interesting We found the whole event somewhat depressing knowing what was to come. The theme is grasping happiness whilst you can and that everything good is temporary. Emphasis on grief and suffering.
The acting was excellent but overall we left feeling sorry for everyone.
Eleanor, 19 Feb 2026
Wonderful acting Really enjoyed this production. Really moving story.
Anna, 15 Feb 2026
Poignant perceptive and philosophical A show to expose and express your feelings fears loves inhibitions and limitations.
Simon, 12 Feb 2026
Lovely storytelling I didn't know what to expect from the show, but from nearly the first moment you're drawn in to the deep storytelling. It's not fancy or overly complicated, and that's what makes it wonderful.
Nicole, 12 Feb 2026
Thought provoking Acting brilliant. The plot covers a hard philosophical argument which might not appeal to all. But worth it just for Hugh Bonneville.
Susan, 12 Feb 2026
A well played, funny and profound story Treating with serious matters: God, why suffering, is our world experience a Shadows of other realities, death, mourning, love, marriage...
Moving and funny.
Marked by CS Lewis thinking and writing. I understand that he lived in a time (post war, materialism, communism...) where his faith had to find answers. We are in a very different world now and I will not address those question the same way, but it has the merit to ask those questions that can easily be forgotten.
Marie-Christine, 12 Feb 2026
Thought provoking Bitter sweet & amusing. Excellent acting. Very enjoyable despite the sad story
Lesley, 11 Feb 2026
Endearing profound thought provoking Amazing acting by Hugh Boneville. Beautiful story telling . Both funny and tragic
Julia, 11 Feb 2026
Play I thought the play was very good& it did have introductions. The older guy, the women , the lawyer,& the bold men were very good. If they had music it would have been better. I came to the show because to pass time& meet people. I would like to get creams of Elizabeth Arden & make up. Skechers 150 pounds voucher. I would like to get a good bag from John Lewis. Some good tops & sweaters from Marks & Spencer’s. Good sum of money to spend. I throughly enjoyed the show.
Asita, 11 Feb 2026
Lewisian gneiss Cerebral but great acting and the story does move along nicely
Peter, 11 Feb 2026
Brilliant acting, cast and storyline Well worth attending, such an emotional story.
I loved it and would watch it again.
The cast is brilliant
Christine, 11 Feb 2026
An emotionally charged performance Beautifully written and exquisitely staged. It deals with the themes of love, life, happiness, loss, grief and suffering. Sees you sobbing and laughing in equal measure.
Daniela, 09 Feb 2026
Amazingly acted and such a moving story Shadowlands was an amazing emotional and cleverly acted play. The story is joyous and sad, a rollercoaster of emotions. Hugh Bonnneville and Maggie Siff are amazing and play their parts perfectly, you feel the emotions they both feel. I would recommend the play to everyone although the younger generation may not have lived and lost in the same way to appreciate the emotions, I and my husband on the other hand, were emotionally moved as we have recently lost loved ones.
Well done to all of the actors and the scene creators for the clever use of the stage and lighting. Thank you for telling us an amazing story which I had never known.
Francine, 08 Feb 2026
Touching story and superb cast The story could awaken sad and uncomfortable feelings in some, very much depends on one's attitudes and beliefs, not perhaps suitable for children or teens but the cast was great, everyone, and the magic of theatre happened transporting the viewer into imaginary yet very real world.
Elena, 08 Feb 2026
Funny,creative and thoughful It is very british and excellent production. ⁴
Hortencia, 06 Feb 2026
Love and faith essential for our lives Deeply thoughtful and genuinely kind, caring putting faith as a true anchor of life
Hany, 06 Feb 2026
