David Payne auditioned for a Nashville production of the play “Shadowlands” on a lark, because as a Britisher, he had the right accent. He was cast as the lead, C.S. Lewis, which has led him to write and perform several shows as the author, whose work includes The Chronicles of Narnia. Lewis and Lord of the Rings creator J.R.R. Tolkien were lifelong friends.
There is an Iowa connection to this story. Johnathan Swenson, a former Cedar Rapids resident who performed in multiple shows while living here, is in the U.K. working with Payne to tour a C.S. Lewis show and also debut a similar one-man production about Winston Churchill.
Payne and Gregory Williams Welsh bring the story of a fictitious meeting between the two, although based on their real-life writings to Cedar Rapids.
“An Evening With C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien” comes to the Paramount Theatre on Oct. 15. Tickets at www.creventslive.com.
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