C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters Theatre Performance Review
Screwtape dictates a letter to Toadpipe.
I’ve read and enjoyed some of C.S. Lewis’ books, including a few chapters of The Screwtape Letters. The book is essentially about a senior demon, Screwtape, who sends letters to his nephew, Wormwood, giving advice on how to tempt a man into sinning.
I was invited to watch the theater performance with some co-workers, and I’m glad I came along. I heard advertisements of the play on the radio about a month ago, but I couldn’t imagine how such a story could successfully be made into a play. The book is written as a collection of letters from Screwtape to his nephew, and as such there isn’t really any action in the story. The story requires the reader to think carefully to understand the points Lewis tries to make. At the very least, readers must imagine the contents of Wormwood’s letters to which Screwtape is responding. In spite of all these challenges, The Fellowship For The Performing Arts Theatre Company has successfully translated the book into a stage act, with the help of a stellar performance by Max McLean as Screwtape.
I hardly watch live theater, so I’m not used to being actively engaged in watching a show. Live theater isn’t as mindless as a movie or TV. The audience is required to pay attention and actively listen to the dialog, especially for a play with meaningful and cleverly written lines.
I think Christians will get the most out of this play, because we deal with such temptations on a daily basis. I could easily relate to the temptations the demon Wormwood uses to lure his “patient” into sin. The story begins as Wormwood’s patient becomes a new Christian, to the dismay of Wormwood and his uncle Screwtape. Screwtape suggests different temptations as the patient becomes a more mature Christian. Wormwood tries to tempt his patient into pride, sexual sins, and distraction. As the Christian “patient” matures in his faith, Screwtape agonizes over the failure of his nephews temptations. After the show, I felt like I just heard a good sermon about how to avoid falling into temptation.
Screwtape despairs over the spiritual growth of his nephew’s “patient”.
Max McLean puts on a great show; his acting is entertaining and he plays the part well. Karen Eleanor Wright plays the part of Toadpipe, the animated servant of Screwtape. She provides most of the comic relief. When Screwtape describes temptations, Toadpipe acts them out. Toadpipe is also Screwtape’s scribe, writing Screwtape’s letters and delivering them up to Wormwood.
Overall it was a great show, even though theater is not something I’m used to. Watching the play made me appreciate C.S. Lewis’ book even more. Who would have known the effectiveness of teaching Christian’s to avoid temptation by telling a story from the viewpoint of the tempters.
Set of The Screwtape Letters
Official production website:
FPA Theatre Company
A proper review:
‘Screwtape’ Gives The Devil His Due, The Washington Post
September 19th, 2008 at 4:04 am
Nice post! It is interesting how you could combat temptation by seeing it through the eyes of the tempter. Still have not read the book, but this post has definitely gave me an appetite for it.
-Your cousin