Shadowlands and Hotel Packages from theatre Breaks
February 2026 sees Hugh Bonneville star in Shadowlands,. William Nicholson’s emotionally powerful stage drama, about the real-life relationship between the celebrated author C. S. Lewis and American poet Joy Davidman, comes to London’s Aldwych Theatre. Ticket and hotel packages are available from Theatre Breaks from 5 February to 9 May 2026. Book Now!
Hugh Bonneville, loved internationally for his work in Downton Abbey, Paddington and other stage and screen roles, returns to the role of C. S. Lewis, perfectly capturing Lewis’s intellectual rigour, emotional restraint and eventual vulnerability as he confronts profound love and devastating loss.
Opposite Bonneville, Maggie Siff (Mad Men and Billions) brings a wit, warmth and a bold emotional presence to the role of Joy Davidman, the spirited American writer whose appearance in Lewis’s orderly Oxford life upends his carefully maintained world challenging his assumptions about love, faith and purpose.
Written by William Nicholson, Shadowlands began its life as a BAFTA-winning BBC TV movie in the 1980s before being adapted for the stage in 1989. Since then, it has become one of modern theatre’s most cherished dramas, celebrated for its thoughtful exploration of love, faith, grief and the courage it takes to embrace life’s uncertainties — themes that still resonate deeply with contemporary audiences.
This new West End production is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, whose revival of the play has already garnered critical praise in previous incarnations. Under her direction, the narrative focuses on the transformative power of love and the emotional risk inherent in human relationships, with particular emphasis on the spiritual and intellectual tension at the heart of Lewis’s journey.
Described as “an emotional journey” that balances heartfelt romance with philosophical depth, this revival of Shadowlands is appealing not only to admirers of British theatre but also to fans of literary biography and character-driven drama: its intimacy blending thoughtful dialogue with moments of laughter, sorrow and insight.
For fun, I asked AI and it said that “the 2026 Shadowlands promises to be a standout of the London theatre season — a revival that honours the original play’s emotional heart while offering a fresh and compelling interpretation for contemporary West End audiences.”
I wonder what both CS Lewis and Joy Davidman would have said about that!
Shadowlands FAQs
Where is Shadowlands on? The play is on at the Aldwych Theatre, 49 Aldwych, London, near Covent Garden.
Are there any good hotels near the Aldwych Theatre? You can book ticket and hotel packages for Shadowlands at the Strand Palace which is just a 2 minute walk away. For a great deal walk up to the 3 star Thistle Bloomsbury Park just half a mile away.
When does Shadowlands start? Theatre Breaks for Shadowlands are available from 05 February – it runs to 09 May 2026.
What time are performances for Shadowlands? Theatre breaks for Shadowlands include tickets for evening shows, at 19:30 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On Fridays the evening show starts at 19:00 – Dont be late! On Wednesdays and Saturdays there are matinee performances at 14:30 and from 19 February there are also matinees at 14:30 on Thursdays. Four midweek shows in two days? The cast will be knackered! No wonder they need an early night on Friday!
