Shadowlands, Salisbury Playhouse

IN LIFE’S perplexing moral maze, how can the presence of pain and suffering tally with belief in a compassionate God?
Or is this life a shadowland, where the blows of the master sculptor’s chisel that hurt us so much are what makes us perfect?
The impressive production of William Nicholson’s play Shadowlands tackles this dilemma. The play, directed by Alastair Whatley, depicts aspects of the real life relationship between the author C S Lewis, who was always known as Jack, and Joy Gresham (nee Davidman), the American who became his wife.
The director and Anne-Marie Woodley have designed a wonderful set that captures the aura of 1950s Oxford. Soaring architecture, chilly living quarters, a hotel tearoom, a register office, a crisp evening outdoors, a hospital ward and a university lecture room are all incorporated in a play that is totally absorbing. Music by Mia Soteriou, sound by Dominic Bilkey and lighting by Alex Wardle, of Charcoalblue, are inspirational.
Stephen Boxer plays the reserved academic whose authorship of the Narnia chronicles has so delighted young readers. In autographing a copy for Douglas, Joy’s young son (played by Shannon Rewcroft) he wrote,”May the magic go on.” The phrase expresses his deep wish for a longer life with Joy, but this is not to be. 
Amanda Ryan, as Joy, is the slightly brash New Yorker whose correspondence and eventual meeting with C S Lewis and his colleagues proves startling. Denis Lill (remembered for his long portrayal of Mr Rose, the surgeon in television’s series The Royal) is splendid as Major Warnie Lewis, Jack’s brother. Other actors in the highly accomplished cast are Jeffrey Harmer, Alistair Higgins, Richard Holliday, Ian Marr, Simon Shackleton and Holly Smith. 
The production, on tour until the end of July, is at Salisbury until Saturday.  Catch it if you can.
STELLA TAYLOR