The Screwtape Letters

[ellen_datlow]

I humbly admit I've never read C.S. Lewis (I might have read Perelandra as a child but am not sure) so I had no idea what to expect when I went to see a performance of the book this evening. While the content or maybe the theme is not my cup of tea--God beats the devil with LOVE--the set, costumes, acting, and production were very good. In addition to Screwtape--(a Devil) there was a second character, apparently not in the book, a toad/amphibian-like (it moved more like an amphibian but was called Toadpipe)secretary/servant who did all kinds of wonderful stage business without words (but some sounds). It opens officially November 8th.

Comments

[stephen-dedman.livejournal.com]

I love The Screwtape Letters, which is actually less preachy (and much funnier) than Perelandra or the aptly named That Hideous Strength. Toadpipe, IIRC, appears only once in the book, when Screwtape becomes so enraged he turns into a giant centipede and has to dictate the rest of that letter to his secretary.

It sounds as though they've taken some other liberties with the content, too, but I'd still be interested to see it.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

No centipede, unfortunately--I think that would have been really difficult to stage. You'd enjoy the production.

[kaolinfire.livejournal.com]

That sounds awesome. I haven't read much C.S. Lewis (I know I was read most if not all of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, etc, as a child), but The Screwtape Letters was one of the few. Beautifully twisted little book. :)

[alexotica.livejournal.com]

I think it was John Cleese's unabridged narration of Screwtape that made it one of my favorite books.

Alex.

[eclexys.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this is one of the few Lewis books I didn't throw across the room. It's still got this insidious little desire to burrow into your heart and lay Christianity eggs there, but it's also brilliant for what it is. I love how, when the mark starts going to church, Screwtape assures his nephew that this is a good thing.