Audience Latest Reviews
Reviews Summary based on 123 reviews
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A must see A brilliant show, beautifully scripted - emotive and incredibly moving. Truly, don’t miss seeing this production.
Christine E, 30 Apr 2026
What a play! Amazing acting!!! Thank you so much! So touching, so genuine, so brilliant!!! Unforgettable!!! Thank you!
ELENA, 29 Apr 2026
Makes you think Excellent production with a special mention for the lighting. The religious overtones give room for thought and discussion.
Patricia, 29 Apr 2026
Topical and relevant A great play and still resonates today.
J C, 25 Apr 2026
Powerful, moving ,thoughtful with nice humour What a fantastic well written play .
Jane, 25 Apr 2026
Shadowlands Shines! Inhabiting CS Lewis and Joy Davidman respectively, Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Siff invited the audience deep into the paradoxes of the human condition. Faith, trauma, suffering, death, hope, eternity- not to mention ethics regarding divorce or sham marriages- were all pondered so deeply that two hours and twenty minutes seemed to embrace a lifetime of spiritual searching.
David, 24 Apr 2026
Heart Affirming Actors were brilliant.
Pacing excellent.
Material deeply poignant.
Love says it all.
Eileen, 23 Apr 2026
A strong, sensitive, and well done performance of Shadowlands There was nothing to dislike about this show. Hugh Bonneville was superb. All of the actors played their parts to the nth degree. The staging was excellent. What a fabulous night in theater@
Linda, 23 Apr 2026
Great entertainment I was not familiar with the story before going and went as I wanted to see Hugh Bonneville - I was not disappointed, his acting was superb as I had expected and the story was interesting. I would make a couple comments, we had the cheapest seats at the very back of the stalls and while it says they may be obstructed, I did not feel my view was obstructed in any way. My friend wears hearing aids and found it difficult to make out some of the dialogue - I too have impaired hearing but did not have the same level of difficulty in hearing or making out the dialogue. You may want to consider seating closer to the front if you have hearing difficulty. Lastly, it is possible to request cushions to sit on if you need a little extra height to see the stage better or have children with you.
Linda, 22 Apr 2026
Cerebral, thoughtful, touching Very good acting, a thoughtful story of love being built sub-conciously
David, 19 Apr 2026
A glorious theatre experience Moving, funny, fantastically witty. Hugh Bonneville is mezmerizing! Loved it!
Riitta, 19 Apr 2026
Great Acting and thought provoking This is a performance very much worth seeing. Thought provoking and insightful, the story line is brought to life by very measured and empathetic acting.
Niall, 17 Apr 2026
Great Very slick. Professional
Elizabeth, 14 Apr 2026
Great acting Emotional, funny, sad but heartfelt. The actors were amazing. I loved it.
Elysia, 14 Apr 2026
Mesmerising Very clever, witty and quietly romantic and emotional story.
Maria Manning, 11 Apr 2026
Great show Enjoyed
Timothy, 10 Apr 2026
Gripped throughout Exceptional acting, I was completely immersed in the story. I laughed, I cried, I felt the anguish. One of the best plays I’ve seen in a long time
Karen, 09 Apr 2026
Loved it! What a marvelous show! Hugh Bonneville was amazing and Maggie Siff did a wonderful job! The language of the show was compelling.
robin, 05 Apr 2026
Very moving superb acting Accurate to the story.
Brilliant acting. Very moving.
Joanna, 03 Apr 2026
Hugh Bonneville absolutely brilliant! A must see!! Excellent play with superb performance by Hugh B as CS Lewis. Strong support cast. Wonderful journey discovering his faith and understanding our reason for living and God’s love for us.
Sarah, 02 Apr 2026
thoughtful This is theatre for thinkers, not a 'weepy' as I saw it advertised. It is about a turn-aroun from head to heart, from theory to experience!
Elizabeth, 26 Mar 2026
Powerfu engagingl performances I hadn't read up on the story prior to my arrival and so, coming from the land of CS Lewis, I was delighted to hear more about his life, rather than his books. The main casting lead roles had superb actors who completely drew you into their world. I highly recommend this show
Cecilia, 26 Mar 2026
Generally very enjoyable The lighter moments full of beautifully timed humour were very well done but I was not so convinced by the more serious expression of dramatic loss and questioning faith.
Janet, 25 Mar 2026
Urban Theatre goers Booked this show because I’m a fan of Hugh Bonniville and not really knowing the story. It was fantastic and certainly would recommend. I noticed that I wasn’t the only person dabbing my eyes with a tissue. My husband and I have both lost our previous spouses so could relate totally to emotions portrayed in the play.
Christine, 25 Mar 2026
A Must See Please see this show “Shadowlands” it is an outstanding play that reaches new heights of entertainment. We are seasoned theatre goers and enjoyed the play so much. Well done to all the cast!
Dennis, 24 Mar 2026
Moving story Moving story created by minimalist but well coordinated group of professional actors
David, 22 Mar 2026
Wonderfully written & marvellously interpreted Hugh Bonneville's interpretation of C.S. Lewis simply takes you away on an emotional trip for 2 hours. I can only recommend this show.
Geoffrey, 21 Mar 2026
Interesting Show had a good story with excellent acting
Alex, 20 Mar 2026
Excellent true drama Powerful prose. Wonderful description
Of unexpected true love and deep heartfelt grief. Superb acting.
C
Sheila, 20 Mar 2026
Powerful in its honest messaging. Metaphysical, but accessible to all, believers and nonbelievers. The time flew by. It was so solid and kept you listening and thinking and anticipating the next spoken thoughts. It aligned with our thought and was moving, and brilliantly acted. The dynamics between the actors was believable and real. Great script!
Alekh, 19 Mar 2026
Thought provoking Acting as it should be: thought provoking and beautifully crafted
Wendy, 19 Mar 2026
A serious play sensitively approached with mature wisdom with a delightful touch of humour at the right moments . I had no dislikes regarding the production but there are things in theatres that have become normal practice that’s is both disrespectful to the performers and your fellow theatregoers which I won’t go into detail ..
John, 17 Mar 2026
It's an amazing story! It is though provoking, made so real on stage and portrayed well by all! There are funny bits as well as the raw emotions of life.
Salomë, 15 Mar 2026
Emotional story Story was emotional and well acted. All words were audible. Very powerful story
Sheena, 14 Mar 2026
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
