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.

Starring

Hugh Bonneville & Maggie Siff

Writer

William Nicholson

Director

Rachel Kavanaugh

Set & Costume Designer

Peter McKintosh

Lighting Designer

Howard Harrison

Sound Designer

Fergus O’Hare

Music

Catherine Jayes

Movement Director

Georgina Lamb

Wigs, Hair and Make-up Designer

Carole Hancock

Casting Director

Annelie Powell

US Casting Director

Jim Carnahan

General Manager

Rebecca Gwyther for Jonathan Church Theatre Productions

Dates

Aldwych Theatre, West End – 5 February 2026 – 9 May 2026

Production photography by Johan Persson

svgIn Pieces
svg
svgNext Post