C.S. Lewis production coming to Homewood
One-man show An Evening With C.S Lewis is coming to the Wright Center at Samford University on April 1. British actor David Payne portrays the legendary author, poet and Christian philosopher C.S. Lewis in the production, which begins at 7:30 p.m.
An Evening with CS Lewis is set in the year 1963 and Lewis, the now-famous British author, is in the twilight years of his life. Lewis is in his element as he hosts a group of American writers at his home just outside of Oxford, telling them the stories of his associations, his writing, his family, his faith, and his great love.
Payne, who has portrayed Lewis more than 1,000 times for audiences all over the world, is renowned as the premier portrayer of the famed theologian. He is a favorite of The C.S. Lewis Foundation and regularly performs at its U.S. conferences and Oxbridge, the organization's worldwide tri-annual conference in England.
"I am honored to return to the U.S. in my role of C.S. Lewis to bring An Evening With C.S. Lewis to audiences of all ages," Payne said. "Mr. Lewis has influenced several generations with his writings and theology, and I am humbled to portray this amazing man."
Lewis, poet and author of The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity, is considered by many to be one of the literary giants of the 20th century.
Payne stumbled into his role as C.S. Lewis when he read an advertisement that said, "Auditions for Shadowlands. British accents a help!" in 1996 for a theatrical production to be staged at Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Payne, who had never been on stage before, decided to audition in hopes of landing a minor part. He surprised everyone — including himself — when he won the lead role. The rest, as they say, is history and a successful acting career had been launched.
Payne has played Lewis in a number of productions of Shadowlands, in his self-penned Weep for Joy and St. Jack and the Dragon stage productions, and in more than 500 presentations of An Evening With C.S. Lewis. He has had many voiceover commissions and narrated the entire Bible for the audio version of the new Holman Christian Standard Bible.
For more information about Payne, visit davidpaynedrama.com. For tickets and more, visit samford.edu/wrightcenter.