Play to question role of Christianity
Kaitlyn Betts
Bachelor of Arts student
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
It is 1958 in Oxford, England, and Professor C S Lewis, has summoned his most promising protégé into his study. The student is disillusioned—the future seems increasingly unsure and meaningless has abounded in life. Where or to what can he turn?
David Robertson as C S Lewis and Michael Taylor as the professor’s most promising protégé in a scene from Questioning Aslan.
“Atheism fails him, and he doesn’t think the childish Christianity of Lewis will do much better,” says David Robinson, co-founder of Searchlight Theatre Company, which is bringing its production of a play inspired by the life of the Irish-born scholar, novelist, and author to Avondale College of Higher Education this Friday (October 12). “The professor must convince him otherwise.”
David hopes Questioning Aslan, written by former Oxford student Nigel Forde, will generate discussion about whether Christianity “deserves to be heard in the arena of logical debate. Lewis argues it is logical; not necessarily rational but worthy of serious consideration.”
Lewis wrote about 40 books, most on Christian apologetics—he is perhaps best known for The Screwtape Letters and the Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven children’s books that are classics of fantasy literature. David describes this body of work as “stunning,” adding that Lewis is “an incredible mind put to such great use.”
“His struggle with his faith gives hope to us all,” he says. “He didn’t apologise for doubting and questioning. This allowed him to go deeper and, as a result, he immersed himself in his faith.”
Searchlight began touring Questioning Aslan in the United States in February. It has since taken the production to Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The performance at Avondale is the first on the Australian leg of the tour.
Avondale alumnus Pr Michael Dabson helped bring Searchlight back to campus—David and co-founder Michael Taylor performed with another company, Saltmine, as support for bestselling Christian author Philip Yancey in 2007. “Searchlight brings great depth and quality to religious drama,” he says.
Friday, October 12
Questioning Aslan: An Evening With C S Lewis
7.30 PM, Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church
Avondale College of Higher Education and Searchlight Theatre Company present Questioning Aslan: An Evening With C S Lewis. $10 (single); $30 (family—includes two adults and any number of children 18 years and under); free (Avondale College of Higher Education students with student ID card). Tickets available from the Avondale Online Store. www.avondale.edu.au/events.