After the publication of 'Childe Harold' in 1812 Whig society had a new idol, Lord Byron. Adored by the Beau Monde and in particular by Lady Caroline Lamb who hounded him relentlessly, his celebrity grew more notorious. Consequently he decided to marry and through the meditation of his confidante Lady Melbourne (known to her friends as 'the Spider'), a match was proposed with her niece Annabella Milbank. Annabella refused his proposal on the basis of 'the wicked nature of his principles'. Subsequently Byron's half sister Augusta Leigh arrived in London to escape her husbands gambling debts. Byron found himself fatally drawn to this forbidden fruit and secretly they fell passionately in love. This doomed relationship and Annabella's eventual acceptance of Byron's proposal is the subject of this play.| 5 Oct 04 to 24 Oct 04 | Barons Court Theatre Inner London, Greater London Performance Details => Venue archive |
