Review: C.S. LEWIS THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS at Fellowship For Performing Arts

The production ran on September 16th

By: Sep. 19, 2023
Review: C.S. LEWIS THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS at Fellowship For Performing Arts
Review: C.S. LEWIS THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS at Fellowship For Performing Arts
Brent Harris & Shiloh Goodin in C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters. Photo courtesy of the production.

The Fellowship for Performing Arts has given us the opportunity to see C.S. Lewis’ iconic The Screwtape Letters come to life in their staged production of the tale for one day only. Hosted by Capital One Hall, we were transported into the hellish environment in which our lead antagonist, Screwtape, played by Brent Harris, sends letters back and forth to his demon apprentice, Wormwood, in hopes to wreak havoc on an unfortunate soul on Earth.

Review: C.S. LEWIS THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS at Fellowship For Performing Arts
Brent Harris in C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters. Photo courtesy of the production.

An interesting story only told through Screwtape and his sidekick, Toadpipe, played by Tamala Bakkensen, where we see the struggle of a veteran demon seem to meet his match with “The Enemy” otherwise known as God through the life of the client on Earth. This production was impressively pieced together. From the acting, set design, costume design, and technical aspects, it’s as if we were transported to Hell for the evening and left questioning various themes of life.

Review: C.S. LEWIS THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS at Fellowship For Performing Arts
Brent Harris in C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters. Photo courtesy of the production.

Harris gives a devilishly impressive performance embodying Screwtape and his wild antics throughout the show. We see him break down a once proud and confident character into an almost skeptical shell of what he used to be. The way Harris went about this character was extremely captivating and thrilling to watch. We witnessed the moments when Screwtape began to “crack” as his apprentice’s client continued to hurdle the obstacles they tried to throw at him. The critical study of this perplexing character by Harris was apparent. Each movement, maniacal laugh, and breakdown was clearly expertly pieced together by this very talented actor. Bringing a character to life for the first time can be a challenge, but Brent Harris proved that he was the right man for the job.

Review: C.S. LEWIS THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS at Fellowship For Performing Arts
Shiloh Goodin in C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters. Photo courtesy of the production.

Alongside Harris, was the spectacular talent of Bakkensen, who played an integral character in this revitalization of the story. Toadpipe is a devil who is also Screwtape’s secretary. But in this production, Bakkensen does not make Toadpipe a simple secretary. This amusing character brings comic relief to the rather dark story, and helps personify the hesitation implied when regarding some of Screwtape’s interesting suggestions to Wormwood. Bakkensen brought this show to life through her animal-like movements and vocalizations, while also helping to create a visualization of some of Screwtape’s ideas. Her performance certainly brought this incredible production to another level.

Review: C.S. LEWIS THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS at Fellowship For Performing Arts
Brent Harris & Shiloh Goodin in C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters. Photo courtesy of the production.

Each aspect utilized to put this story together was clearly meticulously thought out and was very successful. The entire production should be very proud of this show and I should hope to see that it eventually sticks around for a while. A two-person show can be difficult to put together, but the combination of the actors on stage, and everyone off stage, this performance went off without a hitch. For more information on the Fellowship for Performing Arts, click here.

Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission.

"This production is recommended for ages 13 and older, and children under age 4 are not admitted."

C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters was a one-day only performance on Saturday, September 16th at Capital One Hall, located at 7750 Capital One Tower Rd, Tysons, VA 22102.

For tickets to see C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters in another city, click here.

For more information on the shows at Capital One Hall, click Click Here.


BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Washington, DC

1
Review: 4615 Theatre Company Sets Sail with A DELICATE SHIP Photo
Review: 4615 Theatre Company Sets Sail with A DELICATE SHIP

4615 Theatre Company’s sunset production of A DELICATE SHIP underscores the company’s bittersweet farewell.

2
Review: CYNTHIA ERIVO & FRIENDS at Kennedy Center Photo
Review: CYNTHIA ERIVO & FRIENDS at Kennedy Center

This performance was truly one of the best that I have ever seen and it was a heartwarming experience for everyone in the theater.

3
Review: AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Theatre Company Photo
Review: AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Theatre Company

Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of 'As You Like It' is fun and playful, and it often feels that the cast, creative team, and audience are having an absolute blast together. With a strong team both on and off the stage, there’s an ease and joy that permeates every aspect of the production that’s undeniable.

4
Review: SWEPT AWAY at Arena Stage Photo
Review: SWEPT AWAY at Arena Stage

What did our critic think of SWEPT AWAY at Arena Stage?

From This Author - Olivia Murray

Olivia is a small-town girl with a large passion for all things theatre. Being put into theatre as a young girl and refinding her passion doing the school musical, she has gathered a plethora of ... Olivia Murray">(read more about this author)

Videos


The 35th Annual: Evening of Comedy in Washington, DC The 35th Annual: Evening of Comedy
The Barns at Wolf Trap (4/26-4/27)
American Festival Pops Orchestra: American Icons in Washington, DC American Festival Pops Orchestra: American Icons
Hylton Performing Arts Center (4/06-4/06)
MJ in Washington, DC MJ
The National Theatre (8/13-9/08)
The Improvised Shakespeare Company in Washington, DC The Improvised Shakespeare Company
Theater Lab at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (12/04-12/23)
Little Shop of Horrors in Washington, DC Little Shop of Horrors
Ford's Theatre (3/16-5/18)
Linda Eder in Washington, DC Linda Eder
The Barns At Wolf Trap (2/01-2/01)
Trinity Irish Dance Company in Washington, DC Trinity Irish Dance Company
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (3/24-3/24)
Cirque Mechanics in Washington, DC Cirque Mechanics
Hylton Performing Arts Center (2/03-2/03)
Virginia Opera: Madama Butterfly in Washington, DC Virginia Opera: Madama Butterfly
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (3/17-3/17)
J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band) in Washington, DC J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band)
Hylton Performing Arts Center (3/02-3/02)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You