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Shadowlands Tickets

Hugh Bonneville reprises his critically acclaimed role

Performance dates

5 February - 9 May 2026

Run time: TBC

No interval

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Shadowlands London tickets

BAFTA, Primetime Emmy, and Golden Globe Award-nominated actor Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Paddington) stars as C.S. Lewis alongside acclaimed actor Maggie Siff (Mad Men) as the spirited American poet Joy Davidman whose unexpected love transforms the orderly academic life of C.S Lewis – the celebrated author of The Chronicles of Narnia. Playing a strictly limited run at the Aldwych Theatre, book your tickets now to be among the first to see it. 

About Shadowlands

What begins as a meeting of minds becomes an uplifting and powerful journey of love and the fragile beauty of life.

Based on a true story, Shadowlands follows Oxford don and author C. S. Lewis (Hugh Bonneville) as he opens his heart to a surprising and transformative romance with Joy Davidman (Maggie Siff), a spirited poet whose wit and honesty challenge his long-held beliefs.

As their friendship blossoms into love, Lewis must confront the very ideas about pain and faith he has written about for years. When Joy is diagnosed with a terminal illness, their bond is tested in ways neither could have imagined. A tender and philosophical exploration of how love can illuminate even life’s darkest moments, Shadowlands is a timeless story that continues to move audiences around the world.

Written by William Nicholson and was adapted from his own original BAFTA Award-winning TV Movie. Shadowlands soon became a West End smash-hit winning the Evening Standard Award for Best Play, followed by a triumphant Tony Award-winning Broadway transfer. In 1993 the play was adapted into a major feature film directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger, which subsequently won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film.

It’s worth the applause

  • ★★★★★ "Bonneville dazzles as CS Lewis in divine revival"- The Guardian
  • ★★★★★ "A theatrical triumph" - The i
  • ★★★★★ "A brilliant, moving evocation of life, love and loss" Chichester Post
  • ★★★★ "Entertaining, funny, deeply touching" - WhatsOnStage
  • ★★★★ "A haunting production" - Sunday Times
  • ★★★★ "Will bring tears to your eyes" - Daily Mail
  • Hugh Bonneville won three Screen Actors Guild Awards for his portrayal of the Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey. He has also been nominated for two Primetime Emmys, a Golden Globe, and four BAFTAs.  
  • Shadowlands won Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards in 1990.

Shadowlands cast

  • C.S. Lewis - Hugh Bonneville
  • Joy Davidman - Maggie Siff

Shadowlands creatives

  • Writer - William Nicholson
  • Director - Rachel Kavanaugh

Upcoming Performance Times

Thursday5 February 2026
Friday6 February 2026
Saturday7 February 2026
Monday9 February 2026
Tuesday10 February 2026
Wednesday11 February 2026
Wednesday11 February 2026
19:30
19:30
19:30
19:30
19:30
14:30
19:30

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Latest Shadowlands News

Hugh Bonneville to star in Shadowlands at Aldwych Theatre

News / Celebrities / Casting / New Shows + Transfers

Hugh Bonneville to star in Shadowlands at Aldwych Theatre

Hugh Bonneville is heading back to the West End! The Downton Abbey star will be reprising his critically acclaimed role of C.S. Lewis in Shadowlands when the Chichester Festival Theatre hit transfers to the Aldwych Theatre next year! After a seven year wait, the renowned play will run from 5th February 2026 for a strict 11-week period.

William Nicholson’s play tells the moving love story between Lewis, the Oxford don and creator of The Chronicles of Narnia, and American poet Joy Davidman. It’s a tender, witty and devastating tale of a man of faith whose world is upended by love and grief. At Chichester, audiences and critics were swept away, hailing it “entertaining, funny, deeply touching,” while The Guardian praised Bonneville’s performance as “almost unbearably vivid” in its final scenes.

13 Oct, 2025 | By Sian McBride

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Valid Monday - Thursday and Saturday evening performances 5 and 9 February - 7 March 2026 Book by 8 December 2025.

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