C S LEWIS was one of the most brilliant of his generation at Oxford University, but it was not until the age of 58 he discovered the whole meaning of married love. His story has been wonderfully told in William Nicholson's Shadowlands, first on television, then in the West End and Broadway, and finally as an outstanding film.

By special permission of the author and Carnival Films, Theatre Roundabout have adapted it as a sparkling two-person show for Sylvia Read and William Fry, which will be at the Wharf, Tavistock, on August 23 at 8 pm.

When Lewis received his first letter from Joy Davidman, he was in his fifties and already famous for his 'Narnia' stories as well as books and talks on Christianity. When she visited England in 1952 they soon became close friends.

Joy had divorced her husband for infidelity, but Lewis believed that marriage was indissoluble in the eyes of God. He would do anything to help her and even went through a Register Office wedding to enable her to go on living in England, but it was not until Joy was found to be suffering from advanced bone cancer which seemed likely to kill her within weeks that he recognised the real nature of his own feelings. In hospital, they were married again by a clergyman, and soon afterwards Joy had an amazing remission, giving them three years of happiness.

Sylvia Read and William Fry are among the first married couples to play this poignant story together.