Shadowlands

Shadowlands is a stage play by William Nicholson (1948-)[1].

The original text

Beginning its life as a script entitled I Call it Joy, written for Thames Television by Brian Sibley and Norman Stone, the text became an award-winning 1985 television film script by Williamson, relating the story of shy Oxford don and children's author C.S. Lewis and American poet Joy Gresham. Williamson subsequently turned it into the stage play, which opened at the Queen's Theatre in London on 23 October 1989 [2].

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1990: Directed by Janice Honeyman. Cast : Brian Murray, Helen Bourne, Michael McCabe, Ron Smerczak, Norman Coombes, Kenneth Baker.

1991: Presented at the Market Theatre in the Main Theatre, directed by Janice Honeyman starring Brian Murray as C.S. Lewis and Helen Bourne as Joy Gresham, with Michael McCabe and Ron Smerczak . This was a joint venture between The Company and Volute Productions. This production brought Honeyman the National Vita Award for Best Director. Lighting designed by Mannie Manim.

1991: Presented by the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, directed by Janice Honeyman with cast changes: Brian Murray as C.S. Lewis, Helen Bourne, John Carson as Warnie Lewis,also starring Michael McCabe, Ron Smerczak, Norman Coombes.

1993: Presented by the Baxter Theatre, directed by Keith Grenville opening 17 May, starring John Carson as C.S. Lewis and Shirley Johnston as Joy Gresham, with Norman Coombes (as Professor Riley) and David Butler.