Shadowlands – Thursday 12th February 2026

I’ve been avoiding plays recently, as they’re all so damn depressing, and with the world being what it is, I don’t need to be bummed out any further!

That said, getting to see great actors perform live, in front of your very eyes, is one of the main appeals of theatre, so if great actors are involved, I’ll still go see a play. That’s how I ended up going to see ‘Shadowlands’ and I’m so glad I did!

The play was brilliant!

Witty, poignant and even philosophical; it really forced me to look at my own life, as all great art does.

I knew nothing about C.S. Lewis, other than the fact that he was the author of the ‘Narnia’ books, none of which I’ve read, and I haven’t seen the movie version of this play, so I was basically going in blind, which is the best way to view anything really.

The story really moved me. ‘Lewis’ is a devout Christian and a bachelor in his late fifties, having never found love, nor married; when he meets a particular lady, he is forced to challenge his beliefs, not only about love, but also his relationship with God, and the belief that God is benevolent. It’s tragic that when he finally does find love, it takes so much for him to act on it.

There’s a lesson here for all of us, and for me especially. What have you done for love?
Me? Nothing.
I want love, the same as anyone, but I don’t do much to get it. Chat to a few chicks, get rejected (these days), move on, chat to a few more. Rinse and repeat.

I think the hard part is finding the right person; but in the case of ‘Lewis’, even after he’s found the right person, he can’t admit it to himself, until it’s too late. Like most of us, he can’t seem to get out of his own way!

The life-affirming part of it all is that he does actually find love, even though it’s late in life, and he’s so grateful for it, no matter how brief it may be.

The show was full of humour and clever dialogue, and the actors were superb. I loved the wardrobe too! 
A really great show, that speaks to the fault in all of us, whether we’re in love or not; get out of your own way! Take risks! Don’t die with regrets, or thoughts of what could have been!!

Easier said than done to be honest, especially when it comes to love…

It’s a shame that we’re so ruled by fear and comfort, that it often takes a shock to the system to shake us out of our complacency.

Anyway, a great play! Now excuse me whilst I book that trip to Italy I’ve been putting off for the past twenty years!