Due to health issues, Tony Slattery has sadly had to withdraw from the national tour of William Nicholson’s Shadowlands, which comes to the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne from 7th – 12th March, but Denis Lill has kindly agreed to step into the role of Warnie and has joined rehearsals today. The producers, director and cast wish Tony a speedy recovery.
Producers, Jon and Anne-Marie Woodley of Birdsong Productions, said of the news; “We are very sorry that Tony has had to leave and along with all the company of Shadowlands, we send our love and best wishes. We are delighted that Denis has so kindly agreed to step in at such short notice to take on the role of Warnie. Having both previously worked with Denis, we know he will be a lovely addition to the talented cast and crew of Shadowlands.”
The cast will be led by Stephen Boxer (Humans, The Iron Lady, Garrow’s Law, Doctors) as C.S. Lewis and Amanda Ryan (The Forsyte Saga, Shameless) as Joy Davidman, along with Denis Lill (The Royal, Only Fools and Horses, Rumpole of the Bailey) as Major W.H. Lewis ‘Warnie’. They will be joined by Simon Shackleton as Professor Christopher Riley, Jeffrey Harmer as Rev ‘Harry’ Harrington, Ian Marr as Alan Gregg, Richard Holliday as Dr Maurice Oakley and Shannon Rewcroft as Douglas, with Holly Smith and Alistair Higgins playing multiple supporting roles.
Shadowlands, by William Nicholson, tells the love story of C.S. Lewis, Oxford don and author of The Chronicles of Narnia and The Screwtape Letters, and American poet Joy Davidman. What begins as a formal meeting of two very different minds slowly develops into a feeling of connection and love.
Lewis finds his quiet life with his brother Warnie disrupted by the outspoken, feisty Davidman, whose uninhibited behaviour offers a sharp contrast to the rigid sensibilities of the male-dominated university. Each provides the other with new ways of viewing the world, but Lewis’s Christian faith is tested when Joy is diagnosed with cancer.
Shadowlands won the Evening Standard Drama Award for Best Play in 1990 and Nicholson was nominated for a Tony Award when it transferred to Broadway. The film version, which starred Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger, won Best British Film at the 1994 BAFTAs and Nicholson was nominated for a Best Screenplay nomination.
This major revival of Shadowlands is directed by Alastair Whatley and produced by the team behind the recent critically-acclaimed and hugely successful touring productions of Birdsong and Flare Path.
Shadowlands is at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne from Monday 7th – Saturday 12th March with nightly performances at 7.45pm and Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets, priced from £15.50 with concessions available, are available to book by calling the box office on 01323 412000 or by going online at www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk.