A Shakespearian radio drama
recorded in my home studio helped to keep me creative during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Much of this concoction of Verse and Prose is stolen from countless Shakespeare plays, with over half the material written by myself and my friend the late, BBC radio playwright, Peter Wolf. This production is dedicated to you, Peter. It has original music composed by the Austrian composer Norbert Zehm.

If you are here, thank you so much for coming. At 1 hour long, and with its Shakesperian language, I appreciate that in these days of tick-toc, it is quite a commitment to listen to! However, I hope you will find that as you disappear into the story, you will be transported away into a world of returning spirits and past history ... and above all will be entertained!

As a fiction podcast on an epic scale, the sound design is inspired by the terrific BBC radio drama 'Tumanbay'. To enjoy the stereo soundscapes I have created, please do listen with headphones if you can ...or in the car!

Jack Cade is the leader of an English revolution that took place in 1450. London was marched on by 40,000 commoners in order to complain about misrule and corruption by King Henry VI Barons and advisers.
 

In my sound-designed radio drama, Cade is brought back to the present day by 'The three Fates' In ancient greek mythology these three spirits are the incarnations of destiny.  They reveal to Cade the ‘Complete Works of Shakespeare’ and the play Henry VI in which he features and bid him discover his ordained 'part' within. 
 

As Cade reads back over his place in English history, often described with hindsight as the precursor to the War of the roses, he realises he is gravely misrepresented. The ‘Bard’ has completely destroyed his cause and character and he is compelled to recount his true version of events.

However as his stories are recanted, shockingly, he is faced with the realisation that leading his revolution came at a cost greater than he could have ever imagined –

A panel of a 1964-1965 ceramic mural in Peckham,
by Polish artist Adam Kossowski. 
(cc) image from Peter Gasston.

A very special thank you to my wife Jessica, for all her help, love, and support.
 

Leona Heimfeld whom I met as a National Theatre assistant director, who's late husband Peter co-wrote this play. Thank you for continuing to provide great help.

To Julia Parr for your feedback on the project in these later months.
Robbie McCallum - Scottish screenwriter and novelist.

Thank you to the old friends who were there the first time that this play was performed at The Edinburgh Festival. Foz Allan, who directed this show the first time around. I will never forget how you all gave this project your support.

"His spirited and literate performance is a veritable tour de force". Brian G Cooper: The Stage