In addition to The Chronicles of Narnia and other literary masterpieces, C. S. Lewis is highly regarded as one of the 20th Century's most renowned Christian apologists. In the early-to-mid century he was one of a small coterie of Oxford intellectuals who met regularly to discuss a range of philosophical, theological, social, human subjects. He was a bachelor who shared accommodations with his brother "Warnie", living a comfortable and relatively uneventful life. -- Then Joy Davidman came into his life and changed him forever, as he moved from skepticism to being in touch with his own emotions. Joy was an American Jewish divorcee who struck up an acquaintance in a series of letters that demonstrated intellectual abilities equal to his as well as a straightforward demeanor. -- An unlikely match, but one sensitively recounted in William Nicholson's Shadowlands which is currently on offer at the Cloverdale Playhouse
Director Sarah Kay Grinstead's adroit manipulation of Nicholson's script relies on the talents of her excellent ensemble cast to engage audiences as they convincingly deliver the philosophical themes [the "shadowlands" of the title emerge in several ways as they also develop plot and character] along with some gently humorous romantic comedy dialogue.
At the center, Lewis -- referred to here as "Jack" [J. Scott Grinstead] and Davidman [Rachel Pickering] allow themselves time to develop their relationship from pen-pals to an awkward social afternoon tea gathering to a marriage of convenience to a stronger love, through cancer and death and ultimately to an understanding of what it takes to face life with all its complications and pains, and to emerge stronger. -- It's a controlled and fully convincing story.
They are joined by Joy's young son Douglas [a soft-spoken Carson Campbell], Lewis's brother "Warnie" [John McWilliams makes him a slightly stuffy but sweet man who allows others to dominate the scenes he is in], and the aforementioned Oxford intellectuals played by Todd Taseff, Scott Rouse, Scott Denton, and Evan Price: each with his own distinct personality and philosophical bent that contribute to and comment on the Lewis/Davidman plot. -- Sarah Worley as the Nurse while Joy suffers from painful bone cancer, and Ethan Montgomery as the Registrar round out the cast.
Mr. Grinstead also serves as Scenic Designer, creating yet another deceptively simple multi-leveled set, placing Lewis's famous "wardrobe" at its focal point that makes a subtle commentary on the text.
There's a lot to think about both during and after for audiences experiencing Shadowlands. You'll probably be a lot better off.
