The reading of William Nicholson’s drama, which won a 1990 Evening Standard Best Play Award, will be directed by The Sound of Music director Jeremy Sams.

Shadowlands tells the true love story of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” author CS Lewis (Dance), and the American divorcee with whom Lewis fell in love and secretly married, Joy Gresham (Dee).

Proceeds for the single performance will go to The Pahar Trust, which builds schools in remote Nepalese villages.

Charles is best known as a screen actor with credits such as “Plenty” and “White Mischief.” Dee is currently appearing in Michael Frayn’s Donkey Years, also at the Comedy Theatre. She has also recently completed filming the television debut of Pinter’s Celebration with a starry class that includes Colin Firth, James Bolan, James Fox, Michael Gambon, Julia Mckenzie, Sophie Okonedo, Stephen Rea and Penelope Wilton. Celebration will be broadcast early next year.

For more on Shadowlands, call (0)870 060 6637.