Visalia Fox Theatre
Christmas with C.S. Lewis starring Daniel Payne
December 3rd, 2023
Show: 2 PM/ Doors: 1 PM

In the early years of his young adult life, C. S. Lewis believed the story of Christ’s birth was nothing more than a feel-good myth. That all changed after a particular encounter with his great friend and fellow author, J. R. R. Tolkien.  Although both men loved mythology in general, Tolkien was convinced that the Jesus myth was the one true myth. That was the start of Lewis’ journey from Atheism to Christianity. From that point on Christmas, for Lewis, took on an entirely different meaning.

Here we find him at his home near Oxford on Christmas Eve hosting a group of Americans who are Christmassing in England. They are about to experience an unforgettable assortment of Yuletide recollections that stimulate a whole range of emotions – curiosity, laughter, gladness, and even some tears. Above all, they will discover how that encounter with Tolkien forever changed his Christmas celebrations.

Since landing his first role as CS Lewis in the 1990s, David Payne has become the world’s foremost actor in the world of Lewis. He has performed as C.S. Lewis in more than 1,000 productions, in front of nearly 750,000 people. There almost seems to be a magical connection between Payne and his audiences. Throughout the entire performance audience members feel as if they’re in the presence of the great author, scholar, and humorist as Payne completely embodies the role.