Lewis and Tolkien: Of Wardrobes and Rings NYC Reviews and Tickets

65%

(32 Ratings)

Positive

47%

Mixed

50%

Negative

Members say

Slow, Disappointing, Intelligent, Great acting, Thought-provoking

About the Show

The Sheen Center presents the New York premiere of a new drama exploring the friendship between two lions of 20th century British fantasy, J.R.R Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

Tolkien and Lewis were giants of a literary genre that reached millions of readers, young and old alike, with mystifying adventures to entertain and deep truths to move people’s hearts. C.S. Lewis ('The Chronicles of Narnia') and J.R.R. Tolkien ('The Lord of the Rings') were also distinguished faculty members at Oxford University and participants in a literary group known as The Inklings. Their robust philosophical discourse served an uncommon friendship that was not without its differences. Life’s circumstances and sometimes unresolved disagreements forced an uncomfortable season of estrangement. 'Wardrobes and Rings' asks us to join “Jack” and “Tollers,” as they knew each other, at Oxford’s historic Eagle and Child pub for one last visit, tempered by thawing humor, confession, and reconciliation.

Show-Score Member Reviews (32)

Absorbing, Great acting, Intelligent, Thought-provoking

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

Great acting, Funny, Entertaining, Thought-provoking

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

Intelligent, Indulgent, Slow

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.

Intelligent, Great acting, Great writing

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

Great acting, Thought-provoking, Interesting, Slow, Informative

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.

Disappointing, Banal, Boring, Slow, Great idea poorly executed.

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

Slow, Disappointing, Missable

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. Read more

Disappointing, Insipid, Overrated

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.

Critic Reviews (1)

"Marc Whitmore stagnantly directs what is framed as the very last meeting between Lewis and Tolkien...We leave with an informative synopsis of key facts and a list of suggested further reading, but a spoken Wikipedia article does not a play make. Even without a traditional plot to unfold, we need an emotional arc to follow — especially when the stated premise is a portrayal of one of the most profound friendships in literary history."
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Trailer

Creative team