Perelandra

The novels of C.S. Lewis invite readers into imaginary worlds where anything is possible. While they can be read as entertaining fiction, they are also theological allegories. For Lewis, his novels were an exploration of the Christian belief he came to embrace and his theological reflection. Literature is far from the only way to explore issues at the core of Christian belief. One local creative is using dance to bring one of Lewis’ novels to life and explore a range of issues.

Perelandra Waddle is a Metis, interdisciplinary artist based in Lower Mainland and a parishioner at St. Anne's, Steveston. She is bringing Lewis' novel “Perelandra” – after which she is named – to life in a performing arts piece.

The novel Perelandra was published in 1943. It is the second installment in a science-fiction trilogy written by Lewis between the late 1930s and mid 1940s. It follows the adventures of Dr. Elwin Ransom on Mars, Venus and Earth. In this novel, Ransom is called to the planet Perelandra – which he knows as Venus. The planet has been taken over by the forces of evil. Ransom fights to save the innocent inhabitants of this planet from the forces of evil.

Informed by her Anglican faith, Waddle sees the Christian themes Lewis explores in the novel. She said she is drawn to the story because the fantasy setting allows it to be read through a variety of lenses. It allows exploration of themes audiences and readers might not otherwise explore. Waddle says in her experience with audiences across the country, west-coast audiences are "highly" secular, and afraid “of speaking about God.” But the fantasy setting of Perelanda makes spiritual themes “accessible and possible even if someone isn’t familiar with the bible.”

For Waddle, who has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from Simon Fraser University, the work of bringing Lewis’ novel to the performance space is also multi-dimensional. She said the act of dancing or choreographing is an act of giving thanks for the ability to express herself through movement. Using the gift of movement, Waddle explores sin and goodness in a non-traditional way. In Perelandra, the  indigenous inhabitants of the planet are in constant motion. Stillness -imposed by evil forces – goes against God. Using dance to express that constant motion, and stillness to express the forces of evil allows for a reflection on rigidity - rigidity in thought and belief. Audiences can reflect on good and evil, sin and its opposite even without religious formation. She also believes bringing Lewis’ work to the stage in this way can help explore seemingly unrelated topics like colonization and reconciliation.

Perelandra will be performed at Morrow, a performance venue in downtown Vancouver, on October 12, 2024. Performance details and ticketing information is available here.