Details

Bond charts the life of the late eighteenth century peasant poet John Clare, as he descends from being the darling of the chattering classes into poverty and mental illness. We witness the painful plight of Clare's village friends as they try to defend their livelihoods as new ideas and machines gradually change the age-old traditions of rural life. Clare's art is destroyed because the society in which he lives, places no value on his unique voice. The villagers' way of life is destroyed because they do not have a voice with which to defend themselves. All this serves to highlight the state of the nation itself, which is too corrupted by class division and the capitalist economic system, to support the creative work and integrity of its citizens.

Cast/Performers

Ben Crispin (John Clare), james Kenward (Darkie), Rosanna Miles (Patty), Rebecca Smith Williams (Mary)

Creatives/Company

Author: Edward Bond
Producer: Sam James
Director: Colin Blakemore
Design: Nancy Surman