We round up the reviews for Rachel Kavanaugh’s version of William Nicholson’s play.
Broadway World: *** “Kavanaugh’s direction feels a little pedestrian overall, despite much use of the revolve, but this is a slow-burner of a production. Plodding in parts, but ultimately devastating.”
WhatsOnStage: *** “Nicolson’s play, adapted from a television film and later made into a movie, is expertly directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, who firmly emphasises the humour and incongruity of this passion between a celibate English don and a straight-talking American poet, on the run from her alcoholic husband with a Narnia-reading child in tow. But she cannot disguise the way it skates along the surface of multiple moral dilemmas.”
The Guardian: ** “There are some scenes that penetrate, especially the exhilarating moment that Lewis and Joy declare their love for each other, circling around the other. The rapport between Lewis and his older brother (Jeff Rawle) with whom he lives, is amusing as well. But as a story of love and grief, it should have you in bits. Love found, so late, an emotionally remote man thawed by it, and then lost again, his love an open wound. It does not feel as eviscerating as it should.”
London Theatre.co.uk: *** “Siff has a slightly trickier job with Joy: it is never quite clear how strategic she is or if she, too, is blown away by unanticipated adoration. Nevertheless, their scenes together are fuelled by affection; each look lasts a little longer than it should do. From the start, Bonneville makes his Lewis entranced by Joy’s every step.”
London Theatre 1: ***** “This may be an “old-fashioned” play, but I loved it! It has a warmth and poignancy that we often seem to have lost in the theatre today, and Nicholson’s writing is not only beautiful English prose, but also superb, believable dialogue, and his play is well-constructed by a master of the craft.”
Theatre & Tonic: **** “Shadowlands is an incredibly special play, and it’s a pleasure to see it return to the West End with a new gaze on it, whilst still honouring its beauty and history. Despite the heartbreaking narrative, the show is incredibly heartwarming and optimistic, and masterfully celebrates the beauty of life.”
The Reviews Hub: **** “But overall, Shadowlands is a testament to the power of opening oneself up to love. By turns hilarious and deeply affecting, it is a hard heart who could hear Bonneville’s final wail of grief and not want to join in.”
London Theatre Reviews.co.uk: **** “This is a heartfelt story about an iconic writer. Even though I would enjoy some more exploration into the worlds he creates and some more space given to the heavy emotional scenes, this is a deeply engaging watch.”
LouReviews: **** “Siff is excellent throughout, as the intellectual, forthright mother who connects deeply with the rather stuffy writer. Bonneville perhaps lacks the frosting of a man who has never let love in, but he is always the type you root for to find happiness.”
All That Dazzles: **** “Shadowlands is not the play I was expecting by any stretch. If you are setting foot into the Aldwych Theatre hoping to see a story featuring a lion, a witch and a wardrobe, you may be disappointed (though a witch does make a fleeting appearance, at least). However, what you get in its place is a far richer tale that speaks of the essence of humanity, conveying its starkest themes, notably how we deal with grief, or rather don’t deal with it.”
The Stage: *** “Exploration of literary giant CS Lewis’ late-life romance with Joy Davidman is charming, but lacks bite.”
West End Wilma: **** “Shadowlands is a very moving and sad story, beautifully put together and one which left me with thoughts on life and mortality, that have been whirling around in my head since.”
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