Full Company Announced For SHADOWLANDS At Chichester Festival Theatre

Liz White will make her Chichester debut as Joy Gresham, opposite Hugh Bonneville as C.S. Lewis, in William Nicholson's award-winning play Shadowlands, directed in the Festival Theatre by Rachel Kavanaugh and running from 26 April - 26 May (press night: 2 May). They are joined by Sally Cheng, Giles Coram, Emilio Doorgasingh, Lauren Hall, Andrew Havill, Beruce Khan and Timothy Watson, with Ruari Finnegan and Eddie Martin sharing the role of Joy Gresham's young son.

Liz White makes her Chichester debut as Joy Gresham. Her many TV series include Life on Mars, Ackley Bridge and The Halcyon, while her extensive theatre work includes Road (Royal Court), Electra (Old Vic), Port and A Woman Killed with Kindness (National Theatre).

Hugh Bonneville returns to Chichester to play Lewis, following his acclaimed performance in An Enemy of the People (2016). His many television and film appearances include Downton Abbey, W1A and Paddington.

Celebrated writer C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, splits his time between an ordered domestic routine at home with his brother, Warnie, and the academic rigour of his dispassionate, all-male Oxford college. His evenings are spent replying to his many correspondents. One stands out: vivid, expressive, New York poet Joy Gresham. When she arrives in England with her young son, Douglas, everything Lewis believed to be true about life and love is thrown into question. And a relationship begins which will take them both to the extremities of pain and joy.

William Nicholson's much-loved play premiered in the West End in 1989, winning the Evening Standard Award for Best Play and being nominated for a Tony Award on its subsequent Broadway run. Originally a 1985 television drama, it became a feature film in 1993.

Director Rachel Kavanaugh also returns to Chichester where her many productions include Single Spies and Half A Sixpence (2016) and The Winslow Boy (2017).

Shadowlands will be designed by Peter McKintosh, with lighting by Howard Harrison, music by Catherine Jayes and sound by Fergus O'Hare.

The production is sponsored by Oldham Seals Group.

Box Office 01243 781312

Online cft.org.uk

Tickets from £10. Prologue tickets for 16 - 25 year olds for £5.

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