The Great Divorce

We are pleased to present Philadelphia-area actor Anthony Lawton's adaptation and performance of The Great Divorce, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis. The Great Divorce is the story of Clive, a hapless professor, and the motley band of discontents who join him on a very curious bus ride. Journeying between Hell and Heaven, Clive crosses a surprising, wildly inventive landscape drawn by Lewis' philosophical imagination. Satirical and comic, The Great Divorce is a wondrous ride filled with dazzling insight and language.

Biography

Anthony Lawton acquired his M.F.A. in Acting from Temple University in 1992. Lawton has been a finalist for the F. Otto Haas Award for Best Emerging Theatre Artist in Philadelphia. In 1999, the Philadelphia City Paper named him the city’s ‘Best One-Man Theatre.’ In 2003, he was a member of the Barrymore-winning Best Ensemble for 1812’s production of Bat Boy. Also in 2003, he was awarded an Independence Foundation grant to develop a production of his first original play, Foocy Djanni, which later received five Barrymore nominations, including one for Best New Play. He has taught Public Speaking and Acting at Temple University and Eastern University, and has taught Acting, Directing, Shakespeare and Solo Performance at the University of Notre Dame, his alma mater. He has also taught Acting at Friends’ Central School, the Wilma Theatre, and the Arden Theatre. He has also appeared in the film Unbreakable, and on CBS TV’s Hack and Cold Case.

On his work with The Great Divorce, Lawton comments that "this adaptation proved quite easy, as the novel consisted largely of dramatic dialogue, which was beautifully written by Lewis and inherently stageworthy. I first performed the show in 1998, at a centenary celebration of Lewis' birth. I have been performing the piece steadily since then. It was one of Lewis' favorite works, and it certainly ranks right up there for me, too."

Free and open to the public. Donations accepted.