Shadowlands comes to Birmingham Repertory Theatre later this month

Featuring a star cast the play follows the shocking true story of the private life of celebrated author, C.S. Lewis and his affair with American poet, Joy Davidman.

The cast of Shadowlands is led by Stephen Boxer (Humans, The Iron Lady, Doctors) as C.S. Lewis, Denis Lill (The Royal, Only Fools And Horses, Rumpole Of The Bailey) as Major W.H. Lewis 'Warnie', and Amanda Ryan (The Forsyte Saga, Shameless) as Joy Davidman.

The play 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 which he is used to.

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, directed by Richard Attenborough, which starred Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger, won Best British Film at the 1994 BAFTAs and Nicholson was nominated for a Best Screenplay nomination.

The play runs from May 31 to June 4.

For more information or tickets, call 0121 236 4455 or visit birmingham-rep.co.uk.