Lewis and Tolkien: Of Wardrobes and Rings

See it if If you like an absorbing dialogue between two literary giant friends

Don't see it if If you want a play with razzle dazzle or a linear plot. This is a conversation and can go off on tangents

See it if Very good acting. If you want to learn about these two great actors. Informative as well about other writers of that era.

Don't see it if If you do not want an intimate theater or if you have no interest in these writers

See it if you are interested in watching two literary icons discuss friendship, politics, religion, and literature in a dialogue-heavy play.

Don't see it if you want physical action or a plot. You are essentially a fly on the wall, watching two people engage in intelligent conversation.

See it if you are a fan C.S, Lewis & Tolkien books & movies & are eager to know more about them as people & of their friendship.

Don't see it if A play focused primarily on a conversation between these 2 aging men is not your thing

See it if you are really into Lewis and Tolkien.

Don't see it if you are not into Lewis and Tolkien and are looking for upbeat fun entertainment.

See it if you really like CS Lewis and/or JRR Tolkien and want to know more about them as men and their relationship to each other.

Don't see it if you want more action, more characters on stages and/or bore easily listening to 2 men talk to each other or don't care about either of them.

See it if I can't think of why. This felt like backbiting gossip.

Don't see it if You want to see two polished actors having a coherent conversation in role of two brilliant erudite Brits

See it if You are a fan of Tolkien or Lewis themselves, not just of their work.

Don't see it if You expect great insight into their friendship and competition.

Also The American waitress was annoying and only slowed an already torpid pace. She did a good Elvis, though.... Read more Read less

See it if you really love the Inklings and are content to *patiently* listen to two men talk about reminiscing

Don't see it if you'd dislike a show whose only female character is an airhead; you want a tight, engaging script

Also The actors who played Lewis and the girl were good actors (although the girl was given very little to work with). But the show itself was so slow, and so excruciating, that I literally napped during the first act, and left at intermission, with no regrets.... Read more Read less

See it if you like stories about friendship and are interested in Lewis and Tolkien, as people.

Don't see it if You expect this to be about fantasy

See it if You are very interested in the lives of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien

Don't see it if You don't like watching 2 men talking about themselves for 2 hours.

See it if You enjoy dry British humor and want to learn more about two lierary giants

Don't see it if You would be bored by a show of just conversation, no matter how witty

See it if You want to learn about Lewis and Tolkien's friendship. Some funny moments but a bit slow at times. It's just two people having a chat.

Don't see it if You want a show where things happen.

See it if You want to see an intelligent interpretation of the relation of two thoughtful writers and their philosophical differences.

Don't see it if You are not prepared to access some subtle points of contention in religious opinion. If you can't find pleasure in conversational drama.

Also I suppose it would help to have a knowledge of the background of both authors. With the little I know, I found the discussions fascinating. The comic relief was fine for me. If you have a taste for literary biography, this might just appeal to you. The two leads were fine actors.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy listening to conversations between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as they bond despite their different points of view.

Don't see it if You are not in the mood to listen carefully to a conversation between two people as they re-kindle a friendship; or you want action, music..

Also I did enjoy the conversations that took place. For me, it was all about friendship and understanding different points of view. It showed that people can disagree without screaming and walking away from each other; that there are common threads between us.

I do not know why the bizarre bar maid was injected into the show. I was ready to walk out when she opened her mouth. Fortunately, she was not on stage much.

I saw this at the Sheen Center in NY in May 2018.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in the friendship between Tolkien & Lewis; like plays in which people are not afraid to express Christian beliefs,

Don't see it if you don't like "talky" shows which have no plot as such, dislike bad wigs.

Also I guess the role of the American barmaid was intended to insert a bit of humor, but it was just plain silly. While the Beatles are briefly mentioned, the idea that the musician of the moment in 1963 Oxford was Elvis Presley is ridiculous and the little dance the barmaid did was painful to watch.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in these great authors and their friendship and their religious convictions and the Catholic Church philosphy.

Don't see it if A cute musical or a fictional play not based on true events and friendship.

See it if you want to understand a bit about the two authors, their relationship and how they viewed each other's work.

Don't see it if you want a "show." This is two men having a conversation with some interruption by a waitress at a private club.

See it if you like intellectual dialogues, you are sensitive to wisdom, and interested in the friendship of Lewis and Tolkien.

Don't see it if you expect actions, excitement, or a full story.

See it if you enjoy a conversation between two friends on friendship, their careers, faith, and where life has brought them. Enjoyable.

Don't see it if you are looking for an exciting evening of theater.

See it if you learn alittle about each man, one thing that was clear they did care for each other.

Don't see it if you think you learn alot about each man. You do not

See it if You're a fan of Lewis and/or Tolkien & want to see them portrayed on stage.

Don't see it if You want to learn something new or substantial about the 2 men. You want natural acting: only David Payne does, other 2-too much mugging.

See it if you want a small peek at the personal relationship between the two great writers back in 1963 right before C. S. Lewis passed away.

Don't see it if you’re expecting some great revelation on either of the writers or if you wanted know more about them regarding their work or their youth.

See it if You like mildly intellectual humor, but don't really want heavy philosophy, and mostly want a bit of refined slapstick

Don't see it if You expect complexity and hate low brow humor

See it if You want to learn a little about Lewis or Tolkien.

Don't see it if You want a plot, action or anything entertaining. Just 2 old white guys talking.