C.S. Lewis Today Conference in Sydney, Australia

On Saturday 6 May, Douglas Gresham, Co-Producer of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, local members of the crew, film and TV industry, and writers are taking part in the first ever Australian national C.S. Lewis Conference in Sydney.

Along with Douglas Gresham, Don McAlpine, Director of Photography, and Tracey Reebey, Make-up and Hairstyle (and member of the BAFTA and Academy Award-winning team) will take part in a conversation with Linda and Robert Banks (co-authors of a new discussion guide, The Wonderful World of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia).

As well as a book signing of his recent biography, Jack’s Life: Memories of C.S. Lewis, Douglas Gresham will give a talk on his stepfather entitled “C.S. Lewis: The Man and the Myth”, followed by a time of discussion.

At the final session, award-winning scriptwriter Tony Morphett, well-known poet and children’s fantasy author, Andrew Lansdown, and Christopher Mitchell, director of an international centre for research on Lewis, Tolkien and Sayers in Chicago will discuss Lewis’s ongoing influence and legacy.

The program also features days for educators (4 May) and scholars (5 May) earlier in the conference.

For further information about any of these events and how to register, check the conference website at www.cslewistoday.com/.

Press Release Follows:

The C.S. Lewis Today Conference in Sydney 4-6 May 2006 is open for registration.

Join Douglas Gresham (Lewis’s stepson and co-producer of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ), Dr Christopher Mitchell (Director of the international Lewis study centre, the Marion E. Wade Center, Wheaton, Illinois), plus academics, theologians, Lewis scholars and fans from Australia, New Zealand and America over three days of panels, talks, debates and workshops.

The conference aims to reach educators, scholars and the general public, exploring all aspects of Lewis’s life and work, in light of the recent commencement of the Narnia film series.

Thursday 4th May will see teachers, pastors and the public gather at the Wesley Conference Centre in the Sydney CBD. Poet and pastor Andrew Lansdown will speak on fantasy and faith, and Christopher Mitchell will talk on ‘The gospel in Narnia’. Afternoon workshops explore Lewis in the classroom, dramatic presentations of the Narnia stories, and the latest Narnia resources.

Friday 5th May is aimed at scholars and academics, but all are welcome. Hear Douglas Gresham interviewed about the Inklings, Chris Mitchell on ‘Faith and Learning in Lewis’, plus 15 scholars presenting short papers on all aspects of Lewis’s writing—from the apologetics to the science fiction trilogy to his study on grief. Join in the evening debate on “Misogynist, madman or mere Christian? The debate about the character of C.S. Lewis.”

Saturday 6th May is for all interested in Lewis. Featuring a keynote talk by Douglas Gresham on “C.S. Lewis: the man and the myth”. Also hear Douglas Gresham, Tracey Reebey (make up, Narnia), and Don McAlpine (cinematography, Narnia) in conversation about the making of the film with Linda and Robert Banks. Afternoon session includes book signings and panel discussion on Lewis’s influence on the imagination with Andrew Lansdown and screenwriter Tony Morphett.

Full conference details are available at www.cslewistoday.com/, where you can also register online.